Games Research and Education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)

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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.

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

Game Lecture: Experience Machines - Real Virtual Reality a …

November 13, 2016

We are kicking off the Game Lecture Series for the new academic year (2016-2017) with IDG's own Stefano Gualeni taking 'The Experience Machine' and moving it to the modern era -- where virtual worlds and virtual reality are... well... 'real'. The … read more

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POCG16 Conference wrap-up

November 8, 2016

From the 1st to the 4th November, the IDG hosted the tenth edition of the influential Philosophy of Computer Games conference series (http://gamephilosophy.org). Run by Dr. Daniel Vella (Program Chair) and Dr. Stefano Gualeni (Organization Chair), the … read more

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Philosophical Anthropology 2.0

November 5, 2016

The Department of Philosophy, in collaboration with the Institute of Digital Games, presented a talk entitled ‘Philosophical Anthropology 2 0: Reading Plessner in the Age of Converging Technologies’. The talk, by Prof. Jos De Mul of the Erasmus University … read more

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1st doctoral consortium of the POCG16 Conference

November 4, 2016

On Tuesday 1st November 2016, the Institute of Digital Games hosted the 1st doctoral consortium of the Philosophy of Computer Games conference. Taking place on the morning of the first day of the conference, the doctoral consortium hosted … read more

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'FAST FOOD' by IDG students

October 25, 2016

FAST FOOD is a fast paced rhythm game in which the player must collect as many healthy ingredients as possible whilst avoiding unhealthy options. This game authors are Rebecca Portelli and Yasmin Marie Cachia. The game was originally … read more

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'Another Day' by IDG student

October 21, 2016

Isabelle Kniestedt, now a second-year student in the game analysis track at the Institute of Digital Games, recently published an online version of the game she created as part of our prototyping course. In just one week she developed 'Another Day', a short … read more

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  • Student Work