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conference
· about ·· important dates ·· registration and fees ·· venue ·· hybrid format ·· childcare ·· conduct ·
- schedule
“Games at the Crossroads” – Public discussion
Date: 30th June
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Location: Aula Magna, Valletta Campus
Tickets: Free entry, but must pre-register
With
- Rasheed Abueideh
- Prof. Krista Bonello Rutter Giappone
- Prof. Aphra Kerr
- Dr. Cameron Kunzelman (online)
- Dr. Omar N’Shea
- Dr. Hannah Nicklin (online)
- Yuqian Sun
- Dr. Daniel Vella
About
At a time when the industry is in flux, where do games go from here? What is the role of games in a cultural moment defined by a state of permacrisis – climate change, war, and genocide? In this public discussion, open to both conference participants and the general public, a panel of academics and designers will bring their perspectives to bear upon these questions, followed by a Q&A session. The event will also be livestreamed.
Pre-register here.
“Scrivere fantascienza mentre fuori il mondo brucia” – Book talk [IN ITALIAN]
Date: 30th June
Time: 6:30pm-8pm
Location: Italian Institute of Culture, St. George’s Square Valletta (Malta)
Tickets: Free entry, but must pre-register to attend
With
- Prof. Stefano Gualeni
- Prof. Marco Caracciolo
- Dr. Valentina Romanzi
About
In this event in Italian, co-organized by the Italian Institute of Culture, Prof. Stefano Gualeni (University of Malta) will engage in a dialogue with Prof. Marco Caracciolo (University of Ghent, Belgium) and Dr. Valentina Romanzi (University of Turin) in an event where science fiction narrative intertwines with questions of our time.
Drawing on the themes of Gualeni's latest sci-fi novel (a dystopian, detective story titled What We Owe the Dead), the discussion will explore topics such as climate imagination, posthumanism, dystopian narratives, and the advantages and drawbacks of using fiction (and interactive fiction) as scholarly output.
Places limited – must pre-register to attend
“Conference Welcome Drinks” – Meet and greet your fellow game scholars
Date: 1st July
Time: 7pm-9pm
Location: Hastings Gardens, Valletta (Malta)
Tickets: Free entry for all DiGRA attendees
About
Has it been one year already? Share some drinks with your game scholar buddies and with researchers from all over the world. Catch up with old friends and make new ones in the scenic Hastings Gardens on top of two of Valletta’s bastions, with sunset views over Marsamxett Harbour!
Conference Dinner
Date: 2nd July, 18:30
Pickup from Valletta Campus (conference venue): 18:30
Meet us at the entrance to the Valletta Campus (conference venue) to take one of the buses we organized and come with us to the Corinthia St George’s Bay Hotel for our CONFERENCE DINNER. The Mariele Zammit Quartet will entertain us with a 3-hour set featuring a blend of classic jazz standards and songs in Maltese, including a mix of popular tunes, traditional folk pieces, and original compositions.
The quartet:
- Mariele Zammit – Vocals
- Warren Galea – Guitar
- Alan Portelli – Bass
- Ġużè Camilleri – Drums
“Fictional Games and Fictional Game Studies: The Running Man” – Launch event and movie screening
Date: 3rd July
Time: 8pm-10pm
Location: Campus Theatre, University of Malta, Valletta (Malta)
Tickets: Free entry
With
- Dr. Dominic ‘Dom’ Ford
- Dr. Joleen Blom
- Prof. Stefano Gualeni
- Prof. Riccardo Fassone
About
The launch of a Special Issue of Eludamos (Journal of Computer Game Culture) on the theme of ‘Fictional Games and Fictional Game Studies’ will be celebrated in the Campus Theatre (University of Malta, Old Campus) with the movie showing of The Running Man (Paul Michael Glaser, 1987, with Arnold Schwarzenegger).
In this DiGRA event, the projection will be prefaced by a quick introduction on what Fictional Games are (Prof. Stefano Gualeni), on the specifics of this Eludamos Special Issue (Dr. Joleen Blom and Dr. Dom Ford), and on the movie itself (Prof. Riccardo Fassone).
Places limited - first come first served
"Night Parade of 100 Demons" – Live improv performance
Date: 3rd July
Time: 8pm-9:30pm
Location: Offbeat Music Bar, 106 Merchants St, Valletta (Malta)
Tickets: Free entry
With
- Dr. Costantino Oliva (Drums, Game Sound)
- Timothy Garrett (Guitars, Noise, Game Sound)
About
"Night Parade of 100 Demons" is an improv-orented mobile game designed by Dr. Costantino Oliva (Institute of Digital Games). Featuring the popular Japanese yokai creatures, it consists of four engaging minigames, each designed to inspire extemporaneous musicality. The game is part of the official selection of BitSummit 2025, Japan's main indie game fest.
For this DiGRA event, Costantino Oliva will team up with experimental musician Timothy Garrett (Double Standard, Geistmachine) for a live, fully improvised performance. Together, they blend live gameplay with musical instruments, exploring free, radical musical improvisation.
Places limited - first come first served
“Tabletop Encounters: An Evening of Board Games” – Board Game Night
Date: 3rd July
Time: 8pm-10:30pm
Location: Valletta Campus Library, University of Malta, Valletta (Malta)
Tickets: Free entry
With
- Mighty Boards (Board Game Development Studio)
- Prof. Gordon Calleja
About
Whether you're a seasoned board gamer or curious newcomer, this is your chance to explore new ludic worlds and engage with the growing community of analogue gaming! Join us for an evening of cardboard strategy, tactile play, and fun. Hosted by the Institute of Digital Games and the award-winning board game studio Mighty Boards, this DiGRA event invites attendees to dive into a curated collection of games, from quick party favourites to rich strategic experiences.
Throughout the evening, Mighty Boards will demo some of their most popular titles and offer special DiGRA-exclusive discounts for purchases made on-site.
Places limited - first come, first served.
CONTACT US - soha.naveed@um.edu.mt
- schedule
