Simon Cutajar
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sc.mt
Simon Cutajar
@sc.mt
290 followers 240 following 140 posts
Programmer, gamedev, Maltese 🇲🇹 immigrant in Sweden 🇸🇪. (Previously 🇬🇧🇩🇰)
VR/AR game programmer @resolutiongames.bsky.social
PhD in procedurally generated music for games.
Talk to me about games, TTRPGs, folklore, music, film, writing, ice-cream
simon.com.mt
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sc.mt
Thanks! Turns out I actually cited it in my PhD, whoops! Serves me right for leaving academia and not really engaging with the field in the last 5 years or so...
November 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
sc.mt
Ooh, I haven't heard of this, but it sounds right up my alley! Would love a reference if you have one!
November 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
sc.mt
The question by @sean.cutajar is "Do you ever regret leaving Malta or was your passion for gamedev to want to remain in Malta". The background is the clouds as seen from the window of a plane. The answer is: No, I don't regret it at all. I had wanted to leave Malta when I was 21, after finishing my degree. I moved to Denmark for my MSc in Game Development. Back then, I was tired of what Malta was turning into, and it was my best chance of leaving the country. I also wanted to meet new people and expand my network. While there are definitely opportunities for gamedev now in Malta, I don't regret leaving when I did. Stockholm is a fantastic hub for game development and I'm happy to have made it here!
October 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
sc.mt
The question "What are the best parts about being a 'new' parent?" asked by @ciwiel. The background is a picture of my kid with their back facing me, looking out of a window watching the rain. My answer is: For me, the best part is watching them learn and understand the world around them. Kids this age are so happy to be involved in what their parents are doing, and to mimic their actions, and it's such a delight! ❤️
October 17, 2025 at 8:33 AM
sc.mt
Finally, game writing isn't just the overarching story! It's the barks that characters say when taking actions, it's all the dialogue between characters, it's all the item descriptions, all of the UI, and sometimes all of the copy in marketing or other supporting material!
October 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
sc.mt
I'm a game programmer by day, but I do dabble in writing as a hobby. Games tend to take narrative inspiration from film, but theatre & hypertext is probably more useful! It's also good to take into account player interactivity and how this could impact the writing; events can appear out of order!
October 17, 2025 at 7:43 AM
sc.mt
Honestly sounds like they didn't know what they wanted, and they didn't know what they were missing out on! Sorry to hear :(
September 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Simon Cutajar
moomanibe.bsky.social
If you only take the big names as your inspiration you will inevitably be disappointed. There is no career path in games that involves only making big-time successes. Please find inspiration from making work you enjoy and, ideally, uplifting those who DON'T get attention. Many people could use it
September 4, 2025 at 4:37 AM
sc.mt
Finally managed to sort out the latest pile of Maltese books that I brought back with me to Sweden!
Photo of a pile of books on top of a table. From top to bottom, the books are titled as follows: Kitba W Kittieba tal-Malti - II.2 by Ġużè Cassar Pullicino, Dawl Ġdid fuq Vassalli edited by Olvin Vella, Qwiel u Qaddisin by Victor J. Galea, Gozo: The Island of Joy by Thomas Freller, Spies and Renegades in Hospitaller Malta by Thomas Freller, Il Mezzo Vocabolario Maltese-Italiano del 700 by Arnold Cassola, Maltin u l-Inkiżizzjoni by Alexander Bonnici, A Trial in front of an Inquisitor of Malta (1562-1798) by Alexander Bonnici, Society, Culture and Identity in Early Modern Malta by Carmel Cassar, The Houses of Valletta by Victor F. Denaro, Musical Culture and the Chitarraro: Mattheo Morales in 17th Century Malta by Anna Borg Cardona, Diaspora: Maltese Overseas Settlement by Henry Frendo, Ponta Reale and Environs by MIchael Ellul, Dictionary for Specific Purposes by Charles Briffa, Id-Dar Maltija: Aspetti Soċjali Ekonomiċi u Kulturali bejn il-perjodu Medjevali sa Żminijietna by George A. Said Zammit, Knights in Durance: A Record of the Carvings and Inscriptions in the Dungeon of the Castle of St Angelo in Malta by Denis Calnan, and Malta and the Czars 1697-1802 by Andrew P. Vella.
August 26, 2025 at 7:05 AM
sc.mt
A selection of food eaten in Malta!

After hearing the donut man shout about his donuts for several days, we couldn't not buy some!
Photo of a pastizz in a paper bag marked with the logo of Sphinx Pastizzeria. Photo of a slice of Maltese ice-cream (ġelat tan-nanna from Elia) in a bowl. Photo of two slices of Maltese ftira in a plate, with a napkin marked with the logo from the Valletta Food Market. Photo of three donuts, two chocolate and one jam, in a cardboard box. Purchased from the donut man.
August 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
sc.mt
More photos from Valletta
Photo of the houses at St. Barbara Bastions in Valletta, with iconic blue wooden balconies Photo of the busy steps down Triq San Ġwann in Valletta. The sea can be seen in the background. Photo of Fort Saint Angelo, as seen from Valletta. The sky is clear and the sea is calm and blue. Photo of a picturesque street in Valletta with steps
August 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
sc.mt
Super exciting! I still need to playtest for you; I haven't had the time! I'll be back in Stockholm next week though and should be able to find time during one of the kid's naps ;)
August 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
sc.mt
If you haven't read them yet, you should definitely read Becky Chambers' sci-fi books (The Long Small Way to an Angry Planet, and the other books in the series); I got similar vibes from a digital character inhabiting a spaceship and being overwhelmed with all the input coming in from cameras
August 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
sc.mt
The books are great! Highly recommend them!
August 19, 2025 at 10:12 AM