Games Research and Education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)

Apply here

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

Learn to Machine Learn through Games - A Science in the …

November 10, 2020

Science in the City has shifted to a virtual format this year. And while we will miss showcasing our work and have people engage with our research in person, this year does offer us an opportunity to settle down and do a more focussed activity: The … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Event

What does it mean to be another? The relationship of player …

October 27, 2020

Earlier this month, Dr. Daniel Vella was invited to deliver an online talk for the Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies (CoE GameCult), a joint venture of the Universities of Tampere, Jyväskylä and Turku (Finland), and one of the world's leading … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Event

Bringing gamification to real life sports - Online and …

October 27, 2020

Where does the game start and reality begin? The Institute of Digital Games will be part of kicking off the discussion organised by the new platform for football matchfinding @ LEET. @LEET is a platform for amateur sports enthusiasts to come together, … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Event

RSA Digital Games

October 16, 2020

­­­­Call for Applications Post/s of Part-Time Research Support Assistant - Full decription of the post here. Institute of Digital Games The Institute of Digital Games requires the services of a Research Support Assistant The ideal … read more

Using Virtual Reality Games to Treat Brain Injuries

September 17, 2020

Prof. Stefano Gualeni contributed to a recently published study about the use of VR games for rehabilitation. The article ‘Virtual reality-based treatment for regaining upper extremity function induces cortex grey matter changes in … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work

Construction Boom! - Using Games as Rhetoric

August 24, 2020

IDG Staff Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Jasper Schellekens co-wrote a Designer Diary for Boardgamegeek.com. The piece offers interesting, previously undisclosed details about the origins of Construction BOOM!, the two-player print-and-play game that they … read more

  • Tagged:
  • Staff Work