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.
Find us on …
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.
Blog What we have been up to lately
Ludomusicology 2020 - Conference on Video Game Music and …
Announcement: Ludomusicology 2020, scheduled to be held this April in Valletta, Malta has been moved to a Virtual Format. The dates are April 25th, May 2nd, May 9th. We hope you can join us! We're excited to announce that Ludomusicology 2020 is … read more
Player Two - Prof. Stefano Gualeni Interviewed by Miguel …
An in-depth Interview with Prof. Stefano Gualeni with Miguel Penabella editor and columnist for Haywire Magazine with writing featured in Kill Screen, Waypoint, and Unwinnable. The full interview is available on his blog Invalid Memory. Having released his … read more
Focus on Game Philosophy - IDG at the 13th International …
The IDG has with the Philosophy of Computer Games conference series - we hosted the conference's 10th edition in Malta in 2016, and members of the IDG are regulars at the annual conference. This year was no exception. For the 13th edition of the conference … read more
Learn to Machine Learn! - Our New Project about Machine …
The Institute of Digital Games organizes the first multiplier event of the (LearnML) project on the 5th of December with an opening address by the Minister of Education and Employment, Hon. E. Bartolo and the Rector of the University of … read more
Make Hay While the Sun Shines – Social Critique through …
The Institute of Digital Games will be present at the Malta International Games Festival to discuss the development of Prof. Stefano Gualeni’s board game Construction BOOM! Mr Jasper Schellekens, who formed part of the small core team … read more
New book: Architectonics of Game Spaces
"What consequences does the design of the virtual yield for architecture and to what extent can architectural knowledge be used productively to turn game-worlds into actual, sustainable places?" Prof. Stefano Gualeni (associate professor here at the … read more