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
IDG at LCAD: from the Mediterranean to the West Coast
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
Architectonics of virtual spaces (Switzerland)
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
Book Chapter in "Towards a Philosophy of Digital …
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
1st FDG workshop on Tabletop Games
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
Summer School on AI and Games
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
Death and Macabre Aesthetics in Games Conference
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