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
Fictional Games out with Bloomsbury Publishing
Fictional Games: A Philosophy of Worldbuilding and Imaginary Play is the title of a new, exciting volume published by Bloomsbury Publishing. It combines perspectives from game studies, literary theory, the philosophy of fiction, film studies and … read more
Instruction video for "Construction BOOM!"
The ever delightful Eleni Papadopoulou (also known as Cardboard Rhino) made an instruction video for "Construction BOOM!", a strategic 2-player tile-laying game made here at the Institute of Digital Games. "Construction BOOM!" is a playable satire of the … read more
Modl.ai, Spin-out startup from the Institute of Digital …
Modl.ai, founded by Professor Georgios N. Yannakakis, Director of the Institute of Digital Games – University of Malta, ranked as top 100 most promising AI company in the world, has raised $8.4 million (€8.5 million) in a series A funding. The round was … read more
FDG2022 and the Institute of Digital Games
The Institute of Digital Games has, for a few days, moved to Athens, Greece. Nothing to worry about, as we are happy to continue to do research and education in Malta. The Institute's presence was crucial, in those days, for what … read more
IDG at Gamescom 2022
Renato Carvalho, our research support officer for the Institute of Digital Games went to Cologne, Germany, last week to represent the University of Malta and share all the work and research that is going on at the Institute at GamesCom … read more
New publication on musical improvisation with digital games …
Dr. Costantino Oliva, Lecturer and Course Coordinator at the Institute of Digital Games, is the author of “Otogarden: Exploring Musical Improvisation in Video Games”, an article published in the Journal of Sound and Music in Video Games, University of … read more