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
Digital Entertainment Conference 2022 (in Kyoto, Japan)
Our Prof. Stefano Gualeni has been invited to be a visiting researcher for Center for Game Studies at the Ritsumeikan University of Kyoto, Japan. His appointment there will involve both remote activities and live events such as guest lectures and … read more
Alumni Lecture Series - Interesting Talks on Videogame …
We’re excited to announce the 2020-2021 schedule of talks; The Alumni Lecture Series - Interesting Talks by IDG Graduates. The Institute of Digital Games was founded in 2013 meaning that our first graduates finished their MSc in 2015 and their PhDs in … read more
Introducing 'DOORS': A New Experimental Game to …
In case you missed it on our social media, Prof. Stefano Gualeni and his team (including other IDG members like Dr. Costantino Oliva, Jesper Schellekens, and others) announced a new, FREE and SHORT playful attempt at making a new set of philosophical … read more
New AI in Games Lecturer - Dr Ahmed Khalifa
Dr. Ahmed Khalifa joins us all the way from New York University as our new lecturer at the Institute of Digital Games. Ahmed's expertise in game design and artificial intelligence will be an asset to the students studying at the University … read more
On Deceptive Game Design - Video Lecture by Prof. Stefano …
Building on the notion of the Implied Designer and “ludic unreliability” that he has been working on in the past years together with Dr. Nele Van de Mosselaer (University of Antwerp), Prof. Gualeni introduces the idea of Deceptive Game … read more
Fictional Games and Utopia: The Case of Azad
Prof. Stefano Gualeni's new scholarly article was just published on the latest issue of the Science Fiction Film & Television Journal! This was a special issue, meant to bring together game scholars and science fiction scholars and explore overlaps and … read more