Malta moments in Malta Living: drilling, potholes and a packed bus

Some days in Malta Living go the way they do on the street outside, and that's the idea behind this Malta moments game feature. A neighbour waves from the balcony opposite. Someone starts drilling next door before you've had your coffee. A van sits across the road with its hazards on. A pothole finds your coffee on the bus. This is the Malta Living life sim, set in Malta, and these five small moments are now in the game. They are called Malta moments, and each one gives you two choices. Both are free, and each has a small effect.

At home: the balcony and the drill

Two moments happen at home.

The balcony opposite comes in the daytime, between 09:00 and 19:00. The neighbour is up and about, and you can wave back or pretend you didn't see. It comes at most once every 2 days.

Drilling at 7am is the one to plan for. On weekdays, between 07:00 and 09:00, the flat next door starts work. The screen rattles, a "BZZZT!" bursts out by the wall with a puff of dust, and your phone buzzes as the street WhatsApp lights up. You can get up anyway, or moan on the street group. It comes at most once every 3 days.

Both only happen in a home of your own. They don't come at a hotel, when you're staying as a guest, or on the tour.

Out and about: hazards, potholes and a full bus

Hazards on. If you drive or take an eCab to a busy place in Sliema, St Julian's or Valletta, a car may be double-parked with its hazards on. Its lights blink amber. You can squeeze past, or wait the "two minutes" the driver promises, which costs you 20 seconds. The wait is always your choice, and there is a no-wait option beside it. It comes at most once every 2 days.

The pothole. After a bus trip, the road sometimes jolts with a "BUMP!" and your coffee goes over. You can laugh it off, or report it on the council app. A report gives you a little Social, and it comes at most once every 2 days.

Full to the doors. On weekday rush hours (07:00 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:30), the first bus sails past your stop, full. You squeeze onto the next, and when your stop comes there are three backpacks between you and the door. You can squeeze out with a polite "Skużani!" (Maltese for "excuse me"). Or you can ride on to the next stop and walk back, which takes 15 seconds. It comes at most once a day.

If you're getting around by bus, car or eCab, these are the moments you'll notice. Your tallinja bus card is in Essentials (in real life it's run by Malta Public Transport), and getting around Malta has the prices and hours.

What to know before you play

• None of the five come on your very first day in Malta, and none come on the tour.
• Each one waits at least a day before it comes back, and most wait two or three.
• No choice costs game euros. The waits are the only cost, and the longest is 20 seconds.
• If you'd rather not have the shaking, turn on reduced motion. Nothing rattles, bursts or blinks, but the buzz and the message still come through.

If you want to get set up before the neighbours arrive, read the Malta life simulator guide and our note on running a home. Or play Malta Living free in your browser and see who's on the balcony today.

Questions people ask

What are Malta moments in Malta Living?

Small everyday events in the game, such as a neighbour on the balcony, drilling next door at 7am, a double-parked car with its hazards on, a pothole on the bus, and a full bus at rush hour. Each gives you two free choices with a small effect, and a choice can go well or badly.

Do Malta moments cost game euros?

No. All the choices are free. The only cost can be a wait of up to 20 seconds, and you choose whether to take it.

Can a Malta moment come on my first day?

No. None of the five come on a life's first day, or on the tour.

What happens if the drilling or the bus bothers me?

You can pick the choice that suits you. If the shaking is too much, turn on reduced motion, and nothing rattles, bursts or blinks, though the buzz and the message stay.