Games Research and Education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
Welcome to the Institute of Digital Games, the research and education centre at the University of Malta, focusing on game design, game analysis, and game technology!
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.
Click here to read our annual report for the year 2022/2023.
Find us on …
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.
Blog What we have been up to lately
IDG participation in DiGRA 2018 Conference
The IDG had a strong presence at this year's Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA) Conference. DiGRA 2018 was held at the University of Turin. IDG faculty members Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Dr. Daniel Vella participated, along with Dr. Sebastian … read more
ICCC paper received Runner-Up Best Student Paper Award!
The paper "Data-driven Design: A Case for Maximalist Game Design", written in collaboration with IDG staff member Antonios Liapis and the NYU Game innovation Lab members Gabriella A.B. Barros, Michael Green and Julian Togelius, has received the Runner-up Best … read more
Mediterranean Gaming Week - Tile Tales - Designing …
18th JULY at 10h00 AM @ Institute of Digital Games, University of Malta, Msida A case study of designing the game narrative for Posthuman: Saga recently funded on Kickstarter. Following Dr Vella's talk participants will have the opportunity to play a wide … read more
IDG invited to speak at CEBIT - Serious Games Conference
Artificial Intelligence: Getting Serious About Games IDG Director Prof. Georgios Yannakikis was invited to speak at CEBIT in Germany on the topic of AI in Games. Prof. Yannakakis presented his talk "AI Getting Serious... about Games" as … read more
IDG at LCAD: from the Mediterranean to the West Coast
Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Prof. Gordon Calleja are invited guests at the Laguna College of Art + Design in California this summer. Prof. Stefano Gualeni is visiting professor in Game Design in the LCAD MFA in Game Design and this summer … read more
Architectonics of virtual spaces (Switzerland)
IDG's Stefano Gualeni is one of the invited speakers at the seminar: The architectonics of virtual spaces: Architecture and urbanism in video games and virtual reality The event will take place on the 9th of June at the Werner Oechslin Library in Einsiedeln … read more