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 at LCAD: from the Mediterranean to the West Coast

June 14, 2018

Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Prof. Gordon Calleja are invited guests at the Laguna College of Art + Design in California this summer. Prof. Stefano Gualeni is visiting professor in Game Design in the LCAD MFA in Game Design and this summer he will be … read more

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Architectonics of virtual spaces (Switzerland)

June 3, 2018

IDG's Stefano Gualeni is one of the invited speakers at the seminar: The architectonics of virtual spaces: Architecture and urbanism in video games and virtual reality The event will take place on the 9th of June at the Werner Oechslin Library in Einsiedeln … read more

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Book Chapter in "Towards a Philosophy of Digital …

May 22, 2018

Prof. Stefano Gualeni has published a chapter in Palgrave's new (2018) book: Towards a Philosophy of Digital Media. The book is edited by Alberto Romele and Enrico Terrone. Prof. Gualeni's chapter, titled: "A Philosophy of 'DOING' in the Digital" plays in … read more

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1st FDG workshop on Tabletop Games

May 20, 2018

IDG lecturer Antonios Liapis and Cameron Browne are organizing the 1st workshop on Tabletop Games at FDG 2018, taking place between 7 and 10 August 2018 in Malmo, Sweden. The goal of this workshop is to advance knowledge in tabletop games … read more

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Summer School on AI and Games

May 20, 2018

The third International Summer School on Artificial Intelligence and Games will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from June 22 to 26, 2020. The school is organized by modl.ai in partnership with Unity, DeepMind, and Creative Assembly (more … read more

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Death and Macabre Aesthetics in Games Conference

May 18, 2018

On 13 May, Institute of Digital Games (IDG) lecturer Dr Daniel Vella delivered a keynote presentation at the Death and Macabre Aesthetics in Games Conference, held at the Russian State University of the Humanities in Moscow, Russia. Dr Vella's presentation, … read more

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