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

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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.

"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."

Robin Longobardi Zingarelli
Graduated in 2024
Luca Spiteri Monsigneur!i
Graduated in 2019
Malcom Grech
Graduated in 2023

Blog What we have been up to lately

GAMEJOURNAL issue n.5

December 5, 2016

G|A|M|E is a journal dedicated to a comparative, critical, and theoretical analysis of videogames. This week the fifth issue of G|A|M|E was released, as usual online and open access. The Institute of Digital Games is involved in a number of ways … read more

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November's Board Game Night

November 18, 2016

Every last Thursday of the month, the Institute of Digital Games at the University of Malta is opening its doors to the public for an informal event where we play board games and socialise. Attendees can play one of the many board games available at the … read more

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Game Lecture: Experience Machines - Real Virtual Reality a …

November 13, 2016

We are kicking off the Game Lecture Series for the new academic year (2016-2017) with IDG's own Stefano Gualeni taking 'The Experience Machine' and moving it to the modern era -- where virtual worlds and virtual reality are... well... 'real'. The lecture is … read more

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POCG16 Conference wrap-up

November 8, 2016

From the 1st to the 4th November, the IDG hosted the tenth edition of the influential Philosophy of Computer Games conference series (http://gamephilosophy.org). Run by Dr. Daniel Vella (Program Chair) and Dr. Stefano Gualeni (Organization … read more

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Philosophical Anthropology 2.0

November 5, 2016

The Department of Philosophy, in collaboration with the Institute of Digital Games, presented a talk entitled ‘Philosophical Anthropology 2 0: Reading Plessner in the Age of Converging Technologies’. The talk, by Prof. Jos De Mul of … read more

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1st doctoral consortium of the POCG16 Conference

November 4, 2016

On Tuesday 1st November 2016, the Institute of Digital Games hosted the 1st doctoral consortium of the Philosophy of Computer Games conference. Taking place on the morning of the first day of the conference, the doctoral consortium hosted 13 PhD students from … read more

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