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

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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

IDG Faculty Members and Researchers at DiGRA 2022

August 2, 2022

Earlier last month, IDG – Institute of Digital Games members participated in DiGRA 2022, the annual international conference of the Digital Games Research Association. This year's edition of the conference - the first after a two-year pause due to … read more

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IDG research wins Best Paper on AI - ICCC 2022

July 25, 2022

The paper “Seeding diversity into AI Art”, written by Mr Marvin Zammit, Dr Antonios Liapis, and Prof Georgios Yannakakis from the Institute of Digital Games of the University of Malta has been awarded Best Student Paper at the 13th International … read more

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IDG Researchers receive the Best Student Paper Award

July 7, 2022

On 30 June, 2022, IDG researchers Marvin Zammit, Antonios Liapis, and Georgios N. Yannakakis received the Best Student Paper award at the 13th International Conference on Computational Creativity for their work on "Seeding Diversity in AI Art". The awarded … read more

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New project just launched, by lecturers and alumni from the …

June 24, 2022

The project “Playing Maltese History” involves the design of a location-based AR mobile game that can facilitate and augment historical research for recreational and educational purposes. Through the game, the player will be able to … read more

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Institute of Digital Games Faculty Members Go Abroad to …

June 24, 2022

Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Dr. Daniel Vella from the Institute of Digital Games – University of Malta travelled around the continent early this month to share parts of the research that they have been developing at the Institute. The … read more

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2nd Annual Undergraduate Philosophy Conference (NYU)

April 20, 2022

And here's another announcement concerning our Prof. Stefano Gualeni. Due to his work at the intersections between philosophy and game studies, our resident Associate Professor in Game Design was invited to be a speaker for the upcoming "2nd Annual … read more

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