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
Chicken and Egg (public talk)
Which came first: the chicken or the egg? This talk by IGD's Stefano Gualeni will settle this issue once and for all. This upcoming public talk, part of the Cafe' Scientifique talk series is titled: ‘Chicken and Egg’ philosophical play with … read more
CHI case study on Board Game Prototyping
We are happy to announce that a Case Study was accepted to CHI 2017, co-authored by IDG staff Antonios Liapis. The paper, titled "Board Game Prototyping to Co-Design a Better Location-Based Digital Game", discusses the rationale and process of iteratively … read more
Job opportunities with the IDG
Interested in working with the Institute of Digital Games? We are looking for full-time or part-time PhD students but also developers/programmers to work with us on the ENVISAGE and CROSSCULT European projects, as well as any other projects undertaken by the … read more
Game Lecture: Valéry Bollier
The Game Lecture series continues on Tuesday 28 February 2017, with Valéry Bollier discussing the concept, design and technological infrastructure of Daily Fantasy Sports. As usual, the Game Lectures are free and open to the public, so … read more
The Experience Machine
In case you are interested, Stefano's article titled The Experience Machine: Existential Reflections on Virtual Worlds - a more complete and rigorous version of an argument that he originally presented in his recent public talk at IDG - is … read more
Game Lecture: Coline Pannier
We are starting 2017 with a new series of Game Lectures. Our first lecture in February is by Coline Pannier who will be discussing her experiences in designing games for systemic change and how to transform the way we use our planet's resources. The lecture … read more