About the Author
Independent researcher in AI, game theory, and social deduction
Seamus Waldron
Independent Researcher
Creator of TraitorBot and author of "The Traitors: A Computational Analysis of Social Deduction" - a 90,000+ word thesis exploring game theory, AI simulation, and the psychology of deception.
Research Focus
My research sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, game theory, and entertainment. I'm particularly interested in how AI systems can model complex social dynamics - including deception, alliance formation, and strategic communication.
AI & Machine Learning
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), emotion modelling, emergent behaviour in multi-agent systems, and computational simulation of social dynamics.
Game Theory
Information asymmetry, strategic decision-making under uncertainty, coalition formation, and the mathematics of deception and detection.
Social Deduction
Analysis of hidden role games including The Traitors, Mafia, Werewolf, and Among Us. Cross-cultural format adaptation and audience psychology.
Entertainment Technology
AI-generated narrative content, format simulation for prototyping, and computational analysis of entertainment psychology.
The TraitorBot Project
TraitorBot began as an exploration of whether AI systems could genuinely participate in social deduction games - not just follow rules, but deceive, form alliances, read emotional tells, and adapt strategies in real-time.
The result is a comprehensive computational framework that simulates The Traitors with AI-controlled players powered by retrieval-augmented generation. The system models emotional states, tracks deception strain, and produces naturally emergent "tells" - not through explicit programming, but as consequences of sustained deception.
Research Methodology
- Format Analysis: Systematic study of 35+ international versions of The Traitors, documenting mechanical variations and cultural adaptations
- Player Archetype Classification: Development of a 10-archetype framework (5 Faithful, 5 Traitor) based on observed player behaviour patterns
- Mathematical Modelling: Formalisation of voting dynamics, information cascades, and Bayesian belief updating
- AI Simulation: Implementation of RAG-based character systems with emotion modelling and deception mechanics
- LLM Evaluation: Comparative analysis of language models for emotional expression and character consistency
Published Work
The Traitors: A Computational Analysis of Social Deduction
Independent research paper | November 2025 | 90,000+ words across 18 chapters
A comprehensive examination of The Traitors television format from mechanical, strategic, cultural, and computational perspectives. Includes original frameworks for player archetypes, voting dynamics, and AI simulation architecture.
Read the full thesis →Citation
Waldron, S. (2025). The Traitors: A Computational Analysis of Social Deduction. Independent research paper. https://traitorbot.com/
Use this citation when referencing this work in academic or professional contexts.
Contact
For inquiries about this research, collaboration opportunities, or media requests, please reach out through the project's public channels.