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

Developing a STEAM Roadmap for Science Education

May 2, 2023

The Institute of Digital Games is teaming up with the Department of Mathematics & Science Education, Faculty of Education (https://www.um.edu.mt/educ/dmse/) in the framework of the Road-STEAMer HORIZON project (Developing a STEAM Roadmap for … read more

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DiGRA2023 workshop: Referencing Digital Games:

May 2, 2023

This is an invitation to the Digra2023 workshop titled: Referencing Digital Games: Developing Shared Guidelines and Citation Practices The workshop will take place on Monday, 19th June at the University of Seville. Time and venue TBC. Citing video games … read more

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Public Lecture in Kyoto (RCGS) by Prof. Stefano Gualeni

April 7, 2023

IDG's Prof. Stefano Gualeni is in Kyoto, Japan, as a visiting researcher at the Ritsumeikan Centre for Game Studies (RCGS). His visiting stay was mostly focused on working on an ongoing project (in collaboration with the RCGS) concering the archiving and … read more

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IDG & DiGRA ITALIA OPEN TALKS (Monday the 27th of …

February 24, 2023

IDG's Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Prof. Riccardo Fassone will inaugurate the new series of open lectures on Interactive Digital Narrative and Game Studies. The event is organised by Ilaria Mariani and Mariana Ciancia (Department of Design, … read more

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Chrysalis: The Butterfly Dream

January 21, 2023

Some of the experimental games designed by our Prof. Stefano Gualeni are part of the the group exhibition Chrysalis: The Butterfly Dream. The exhibition will take place at the Centre for Contemporary Art of Geneva (Switzerland) from … read more

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Two Book Chapters in 'Virtual Interiorities'!

January 16, 2023

Virtual Interiorities is a three-volume collection of essays edited by Gregory Turner-Rahman, Vahid Vahdat , & Dave Gottwald, and published by ETC Press (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA). The collection considers the idea of the virtual (and … read more

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