Games research and education (M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
The Institute of Digital Games is the centre for research and education in game design, game analysis, and game technology at the University of Malta.
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.
Read our latest report: IDG Annual Report - Academic Year 2021/22
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
Introducing 'DOORS': A New Experimental Game to …
In case you missed it on our social media, Prof. Stefano Gualeni and his team (including other IDG members like Dr. Costantino Oliva, Jesper Schellekens, and others) announced a new, FREE and SHORT playful attempt at making a new set of … read more
New AI in Games Lecturer - Dr Ahmed Khalifa
Dr. Ahmed Khalifa joins us all the way from New York University as our new lecturer at the Institute of Digital Games. Ahmed's expertise in game design and artificial intelligence will be an asset to the students studying at the University of Malta as well as … read more
On Deceptive Game Design - Video Lecture by Prof. Stefano …
Building on the notion of the Implied Designer and “ludic unreliability” that he has been working on in the past years together with Dr. Nele Van de Mosselaer (University of Antwerp), Prof. Gualeni introduces the idea of Deceptive Game Design in the video … read more
Fictional Games and Utopia: The Case of Azad
Prof. Stefano Gualeni's new scholarly article was just published on the latest issue of the Science Fiction Film & Television Journal! This was a special issue, meant to bring together game scholars and science fiction scholars and … read more
MSc in Digital Games at IndieCade
The Institute of Digital Games - University of Malta will be at IndieCade Horizons this weekend! Horizons is new, online, international event to showcase game students and schools, and connect them with tool creators, recruiters, one … read more
Artificial Intelligence Scholarships Available!
The Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) have allocated €100,000 toward scholarships for post-graduate students studying Artificial Intelligence at Masters' or PhD level. Students that pursue the technology stream of the M.Sc. in Digital Games or wish … read more