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
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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
Game Lecture: Michelle Westerlaken
In our next Game Lecture, Michelle Westerlaken will be discussing her work on the design and implementation of games for animals. The lecture is on Tuesday 12th of April 2016 at 7:00 pm, and is held at the Institute of Digital Games. The topic and … read more
EvoMusArt conference 2016
Antonios Liapis, a lecturer at the IDG, presented his paper "Exploring the Visual Styles of Arcade Game Assets" at the EvoMusArt conference 2016 in Porto, Portugal. The paper can be found here (as a pre-print). EvoMusArt is the primary conference of … read more
The Ludic Muse: The Form of Games as Art
Daniel Vella, a lecturer at the IDG, has published a paper titled "The Ludic Muse: The Form of Games as Art", in the latest issue of CounterText, an academic journal published by Edinburgh University Press which focuses on 21st-century extensions and … read more
Make Games, Make Yourself!
In case you missed it on the last issue of TH!NK magazine (issue 15), linked below is Ashley Davis's article outlining the first steps of an ongoing research projects at the Institute of Digital Games: Dr. Stefano Gualeni's preliminary … read more
IDG to host the POCG2016 Conference
The upcoming November, the Institute of Digital Games will be hosting the 10th installment of the Philosophy of Computer Games (POCG) Conference! The conference is an annual, international academic event where scholars, students, and game … read more
Gordon Calleja - Analogue to digital game adaptation
Gordon Calleja, who lectures in game analysis at the Institute of Digital Games, has published a blog on Gamasutra that analyses his work adapting the boardgame Posthuman into a digital game. The digital game, Posthuman: Sanctuary, is currently in … read more