Playtest of Project Odyssey: A library-based mystery & alternate reality game developed at the Institute of Digital Games
Event: Playtest of Project Odyssey: A library-based mystery & alternate reality game developed at the Institute of Digital Games
Date: 21 October 2026
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Venue: Periodicals Area of the University Library
Students at the University of Malta are invited to take part in a research playtest of Project Odyssey, a library-based mystery and alternate reality game developed at the Institute of Digital Games.
Somewhere in the University Library, a trail has been left for you to find. Clues are hidden across shelves, documents, websites, and physical objects, each revealing another piece of the mystery. Project Odyssey turns the library into part of the story, asking players to investigate, decode, solve puzzles, and follow the trail across physical and digital spaces.
Participation involves completing a short questionnaire, playing Project Odyssey in and around the University Library, and completing a short post-game questionnaire. The full activity is expected to take approximately two hours. The study explores participants' experiences of the game and whether playing Project Odyssey affects how comfortable and confident they feel using the university library.
Participation is entirely voluntary. Participants may stop taking part at any time without giving a reason.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Participants will meet in the Periodicals Area of the University Library. The game will take place primarily on the library's first floor.
After completion, we'll share some snacks with the play testers and development team.
Project Odyssey is a student-led SEA-EU Project, by Institute of Digital Games student Lynda McDonald supervised by Prof. Antonios Liapis in collaboration with the University of Malta Library through Ryan Scicluna.
