Games research and education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)

Apply here

The Institute of Digital Games is the centre for research and education in game design, game analysis, and game technology at the University of Malta.

Our work is at the forefront of innovative games research. We explore games and play, uncovering new playful and generative possibilities in game design and technology. We delve into everything games can teach us about ourselves.

Our multidisciplinary academic team spans computer science, literature, game design, philosophy, media studies, and social sciences.

Read our latest report: IDG Annual Report - Academic Year 2021/22

David developed an innovative model for understanding board game involvement for his thesis.

It is an environment roaring with ideas, thoughts, games, prototypes, concepts. It was a period when I felt constantly inspired.

Rebecca is researching narrative in games. As part of her thesis, she developed a choice-driven video game.

Practice in the form of game project assignments and a supportive teaching staff really boost your confidence as a game designer!

The Institute feels like a little community that you're part of.

William's research explored the procedural generation of multi-floor levels for first-person shooters.

Being involved in the research process, I realised how passionate everyone at IDG is about their research.

David C.
Graduated in 2015
Rebecca P.
Graduated in 2017
William C.
Graduated in 2015

Blog What we have been up to lately

Fictional Games out with Bloomsbury Publishing

January 12, 2023

Fictional Games: A Philosophy of Worldbuilding and Imaginary Play is the title of a new, exciting volume published by Bloomsbury Publishing. It combines perspectives from game studies, literary theory, the philosophy of fiction, film studies and … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work

Instruction video for "Construction BOOM!"

December 15, 2022

The ever delightful Eleni Papadopoulou (also known as Cardboard Rhino) made an instruction video for "Construction BOOM!", a strategic 2-player tile-laying game made here at the Institute of Digital Games. "Construction BOOM!" is a playable satire of the … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work

Modl.ai, Spin-out startup from the Institute of Digital …

November 8, 2022

Modl.ai, founded by Professor Georgios N. Yannakakis, Director of the Institute of Digital Games – University of Malta, ranked as top 100 most promising AI company in the world, has raised $8.4 million (€8.5 million) in a series A funding. The round was … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work

FDG2022 and the Institute of Digital Games

September 12, 2022

The Institute of Digital Games has, for a few days, moved to Athens, Greece. Nothing to worry about, as we are happy to continue to do research and education in Malta. The Institute's presence was crucial, in those days, for what … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work

IDG at Gamescom 2022

August 29, 2022

Renato Carvalho, our research support officer for the Institute of Digital Games went to Cologne, Germany, last week to represent the University of Malta and share all the work and research that is going on at the Institute at GamesCom … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work

New publication on musical improvisation with digital games …

August 4, 2022

Dr. Costantino Oliva, Lecturer and Course Coordinator at the Institute of Digital Games, is the author of “Otogarden: Exploring Musical Improvisation in Video Games”, an article published in the Journal of Sound and Music in Video Games, University of … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work