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.
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"Studying at the IDG it’s been one of the best experiences of my life, and has been foundational to my academic growth. The game studies and game design courses provided me with a solid theoretical grounding, and the network of opportunities around academia."
"One of the most impactful aspects of the Institute on my career has been its emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The lecturers have diverse backgrounds and expertise, and this fosters a stimulating environment for exploring the multifaceted aspects of game research and development. The research-driven approach has enabled me to contribute critically to discussions with my colleagues."
"Studying at the IDG has really been an experience better than I could have ever asked for. Not only because it aligns with my goals from as long as I remember, but also because the content and support I have received while studying there has always been stellar."
Blog What we have been up to lately
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) … 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 new board games or … 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, writer and game designer … 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. … read more
Alternative Ways of Philosophizing (Workshop in The …
IDG's own Prof. Stefano Gualeni will be keynoting a provocative philosophy workshop in The Netherlands on the 28th Of November 2023.The philosophy department at the University of Tilburg is organizing an event that specifically looks into … read more
November the 8th: Souls Games as Myths
On Wednesday the 8th of November at 16.00 (IDG lab), game scholar and IDG's good friend Dr. Dom Ford (University of Bremen, Germany) will offer a guest lecture on narrative aspects of the beloved action-adventure dark fantasy series of the Souls games. In … read more