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

Malta Global Game Jam 2020: Make a Game in 48 Hours

December 26, 2019

The Institute of Digital Games is once again organising the Malta Global Game Jam and while many of you may already have been waiting in gleeful anticipation, allow us to briefly explain what the Malta Global Game Jam entails for the uninitiated. … read more

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Board Game Play Testing Held in Collaboration with Malta …

December 20, 2019

Ready, set, PLAYTEST! We had a great night at the institute, where we were joined by MCAST students for a playtesting session. Both cohorts were required to build a board game prototype as part of the course and the evening was organised so that all groups … read more

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Philosophy and Digital Games at the University of Malta - …

November 27, 2019

Dr Daniel Vella of the Institute of Digital Games, will be providing this month's game lecture and we're in for a treat since he will be presenting a version of his keynote done for the Philosophy of Video Game Conference held last month in at the State … read more

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Ludomusicology 2020 - Conference on Video Game Music and …

November 14, 2019

Announcement: Ludomusicology 2020, scheduled to be held this April in Valletta, Malta has been moved to a Virtual Format. The dates are April 25th, May 2nd, May 9th. We hope you can join us! We're excited to announce that Ludomusicology … read more

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Player Two - Prof. Stefano Gualeni Interviewed by Miguel …

November 7, 2019

An in-depth Interview with Prof. Stefano Gualeni with Miguel Penabella editor and columnist for Haywire Magazine with writing featured in Kill Screen, Waypoint, and Unwinnable. The full interview is available on his blog Invalid Memory. … read more

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  • Staff Work

Focus on Game Philosophy - IDG at the 13th International …

November 7, 2019

The IDG has with the Philosophy of Computer Games conference series - we hosted the conference's 10th edition in Malta in 2016, and members of the IDG are regulars at the annual conference. This year was no exception. For the 13th edition of the conference … read more

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