Games research and education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
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
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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
Using Virtual Reality Games to Treat Brain Injuries
Prof. Stefano Gualeni contributed to a recently published study about the use of VR games for rehabilitation. The article ‘Virtual reality-based treatment for regaining upper extremity function induces cortex grey matter changes in persons with … read more
Construction Boom! - Using Games as Rhetoric
IDG Staff Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Jasper Schellekens co-wrote a Designer Diary for Boardgamegeek.com. The piece offers interesting, previously undisclosed details about the origins of Construction BOOM!, the two-player print-and-play game that they … read more
The Implied Designer
The idea of an ‘implied designer’ is at the core of a pioneering, collaborative academic work between The University of Antwerp's Dr. Nele Van de Mosselaer of the Faculteit Letteren en Wijsbegeerte - UAntwerpen and the University of Malta 's Prof. Stefano … read more
Game Development Paths: The Business and Industry of Making …
The Institute of Digital Games is thrilled to offer students a guest lecture from the business side of game design and game development by the GTR game accelerator & G.Round community-driven playtesting platform. The 1-hour lecture … read more
COMnPLAY-Science project: Questionnaires for Science …
The COMnPLAY SCIENCE project examines non-formal and informal science learning through coding, making, and playing thereby helping understand the new ways that young Europeans are nowadays increasingly engaged with, outside school and … read more
Game Research and Education: Bridging the Virtual with Real …
Join Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Dr. Iro Voulgari in a Commonwealth of Learning and Commonwealth Centre for Connected Learning webinar where we will discuss the impact of games beyond entertainment and also how games can specifically be leveraged as tools for … read more