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

IDG student work featured in new video

June 9, 2016

Work by current and past students of the M.Sc. in Digital Games is featured in a new video produced by the University of Malta and the Institute of Digital Games.

Visit Youtube to check out the new video!

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  • Student Work

Deadline extension for POCG16

May 26, 2016

The deadline for abstract submissions to the 10th International Conference in the Philosophy of Computer Games, being held at the University of Malta, November 1-4 2016, is being extended by ten days. The new deadline is 23:59 GMT on Friday 10th June 2016. … read more

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IDG team wins the MVGSA videogames quiz night

May 26, 2016

A team of IDG faculty and PhD students put their extensive knowledge of videogames to good use, winning this year's annual Malta Video Game Studios Association quiz night on the 19th of May. Hooray!

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Game Lecture: Stephan Günzel

May 14, 2016

In our second May game lecture, Stephan Günzel will discuss the concepts of virtual spaces and spatiality. The lecture is on Monday 23rd of May 2016 at 7:00 pm, and is held at the Institute of Digital Games. The topic and summary of the … read more

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Go Go Gozo 2016

May 13, 2016

The Go Go Gozo Erasmus course has just been completed for 2016, with the participation of IDG teaching staff and IDG students. In this 10-day course students and faculty alike play - with research, with field courses, with methodologies - … read more

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Sound Mapping Workshop at Go Go Gozo 2016

May 11, 2016

"What spaces do sounds occupy? And what are the characteristics of the Gozitan soundscape?" These questions have been the subject of a workshop held by IDG Assistant Lecturer Costantino Oliva as a part of the Go Go Gozo Erasmus course. The EU funded project … read more

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  • Staff Work
  • Funded Project