Games Research and Education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)

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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.

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

Free Educational Games: Game-based Learning Options for …

March 25, 2020

In the past few weeks the rapid spread of COVID-19 has forced schools to shut down all around the world. While many schools including the University of Malta have facilitated remote learning, we understand that this may not be completely universal … read more

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Digital Games in Non-formal and Informal Learning Practices …

March 17, 2020

The Institute of Digital Games has published an exploratory case study that examines non-formal and informal learning practices for science learning, authored by post-doctoral researcher in game-based learning Dr. Iro Voulgari and Prof. Georgios … read more

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Malta Global Game Jam Round-up 2020

February 26, 2020

At the end of January the world came together to make games all over the globe as part of the Global Game Jam. At the Institute of Digital Games, 65 of the thousands made their own beautiful projects in 48 hours. We’ll now give you a snapshot of all the … read more

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Using Machine Learning for Procedural Content Generation in …

February 26, 2020

The Institute of Digital Games is thrilled to have Prof. Julian Togelius from the New York University Tandon School of Engineering presenting speaking as part of our Game Seminar Series. He will be presenting his research and work in … read more

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AI and Games - Procedural Content Generation and Narrative …

February 26, 2020

The Institute of Digital Games is thrilled to have Dr.ir. Rafael Bidarra from the Department of Intelligent Systems at TU Delft speaking as part of our Game Seminar Series. He will be covering procedural content generation and narrative on … read more

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Rebooting the 21st Century - Notion of Challenge in Games - …

February 13, 2020

The Institute of Digital Games is thrilled to have Coline Pannier, lecturer at the Amsterdam University of Applied Science and former Ubisoft Producer, speaking as part of our Game Seminar Series. Coline Pannier is a regular guest for the Game Development … read more

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