Age Suitability: 12 +

Dates and Times: 6pm till midnight, 26 Sept Science and the City and 8pm till 2am 4 Oct Notte Bianca

Location: Reading Rooms, National Library

Games are not just for fun. Many games developed in recent times explore serious cultural or political themes, while there is increasing recognition of the usefulness of games as tools for teaching and motivating people. The Institute of Digital Games is a new research Institute at the University of Malta where researchers explore the many different applications of games research from different scientific perspectives.

This exhibition highlights some of the research done at the Institute of Digital Games, showing first how the do-it-yourself mentality of indie game developers is often channeled into the creation of thought-provoking, off-beat and provocative indie games. Prof. Gordon Calleja and Dr Pippin Barr, both researchers at the Institute, have selected a number of important games released recently to demonstrate how contemporary game development can be understood not only as an outlet for play activities, but also as an avenue of cultural and counter-expression.

The exhibition also shows a number of serious games developed by researchers at the Institute that demonstrate how games research can be applied to real world problems like fostering creativity and helping children to learn conflict resolution skills. By focusing on one game that is currently in development to help children with dyslexia develop reading and writing skills, the audience will have the opportunity to learn about the processes and challenges involved in designing each of the components of a serious game, from the core mechanics and theme to the specific artwork and story plots. The exhibition focuses on participation. Visitors will be able to play the showcase games as well as talk to researchers involved in projects at the Institute of Digital Games.

When attending this event, kindly say that you saw it mentioned in www.maltababyandkids.com.