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
On Ruins and Living – Daniel Vella Collaborates with an …
Vienna, Austria: The year 2024 began with a poignant reflection on our crumbling worlds, both metaphorically and philosophically. A panel of academics from various parts of the world gathered to remind us of the ongoing catastrophes surrounding us. … read more
Two podcast interviews!
The research work of our own Prof. Stefano Gualeni was at the center of the attention of two popular podcast series just last week. He appeared at a guest on both the New Books Network podcast (featuring over 15000 interviews with scholars, experts, and … read more
On new forms of solitude (Congress in Trento)
Earlier this December, Prof. Stefano Gualeni keynoted (in Italian) a national congress on the theme of 'On new forms of solitude' (Le nuove solitudini) in Trento, Italy. His talk, titled 'Il Bambino e l'Acqua Sporca' (the baby and the bath water) focused on … read more
IDG BOARDGAME NIGHT (November the 22nd)
After a (very) long break, the Institute of Digital Games' much-loved Board Game Nights are back - now in collaboration with board game development studio Mighty Boards! This event is open to the public, bring your friends to try out some … read more
THE CLOUDS: Book presentation in Athens
The Games Programming department of SAE Athens invites you to the presentation of the book "The Clouds: An Experiment in Theory-Fiction" by Stefano Gualeni! On Monday, November 20 at 18:00 (Malta time), University of Malta Professor, … read more
Dual guest-lecture from the University of Silesia
On Wednesday, November the 29th, the Institute of Digital Games is proud to host a double guest-lecture with speakers hailing all the way from Poland (University of Silesia in Katowice). In this 1-hour event, Magdalena Bednorz and Dr. Bartosz Stopel will be … read more