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
'Night Parade of 100 Demons' in Japan - Dr. …
Kyoto, Japan: Dr. Costantino Oliva completed an extensive research visit in Kyoto, Japan. The visit involved a diverse set of activities, including participation in an art exhibition, the debut of a new game during a local game developer meet-up, … read more
Research in Generative AI for Games presented at IEEE …
Roberto Gallotta and Marvin Zammit premiered demos they have developed where games leverage Generative AI and Large Language Models for generating game content (with or without a designer in the loop) at the IEEE Conference on Games which took place in Milan … read more
IDG staff at the Dagstuhl Seminar on Computational …
Three staff members of the Institute of Digital Games attended the prestigious Dagstuhl Seminar on Computational Creativity for Game Development in June 2024. Dr. David Melhart, Dr. Ahmed Khalifa and Prof. Antonios Liapis were invited to this seminar, taking … read more
Critical Play: Game Design in Culture - A six-lecture open …
Games have a dynamic relationship with society. They have the potential to change cultural norms and reshape individual attitudes and beliefs. Prof. Gualeni has been invited to teach ‘Critical Play: Game Design in Culture’ at the FMK … read more
The IDG goes to Belgrade!
This April, the IDG will visit Serbia for a number of game-related events. Join us, in case you’re also in town (April 18 and 19)! Here is a breakdown of what is happening: >> APRIL 18: As a Tag-team, Prof. Stefano Gualeni and Dr. … read more
Echoes of the Sea: Co-Designing Joy with Dolphins, A …
Once upon a time, in the azure waters off the coast of an island called Malta, there existed Mediterraneo, a marine park filled with life and joy. In its bounds dwelled a pod of our friends, eight playful and curious bottlenose dolphins. These weren't just … read more