Larian Publishing Chief Wades into the Fray, Says Morrowind Updated with a Modern Combat System ‘Would Sell Like F**king Hotcakes’
A bombshell just dropped in the gaming world, and it came from a voice that now carries some serious weight: Michael Douse, the publishing chief over at Larian Studios. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Larian is the brilliant team behind *Baldur’s Gate 3*, a game that redefined what a role-playing adventure could be and swept up awards left and right. So, when Douse speaks, people listen. And what he said was a real head-turner: give the legendary *Morrowind* a modern combat system, and it “would sell like f**king hotcakes.” This isn’t just a casual comment; it’s a direct challenge to how we think about classic games, their legacies, and what players truly want.
Here’s what’s happening. Douse was talking about the idea of older games getting a facelift, and he specifically pointed to *Morrowind*, one of the most beloved and groundbreaking role-playing games ever made. For those who might not know, *Morrowind*, released way back in 2002, is famous for its incredibly deep world, its strange and wonderful creatures, and its freedom. You could go anywhere, do anything, and truly get lost in its alien landscapes. Think of it like a truly epic fantasy book that lets you write your own chapters. But here’s the plot twist: its combat system, even back then, was a bit… clunky. It wasn’t about quick reflexes and flashy moves; it was more like a hidden dice roll, where your character’s skills determined if your sword actually hit, even if it looked like it connected on screen.
We all know the feeling of playing a classic game and wishing certain parts were just a little smoother, don’t we? It’s like owning a vintage car – beautiful, iconic, but maybe you wish it had modern power steering and air conditioning for everyday driving. That’s the heart of the debate Douse has just fired up. *Morrowind*’s combat system is a relic of its time, a product of older game design philosophies where numbers and stats often dictated outcomes more than player skill. Many fans cherish this old-school approach, seeing it as part of the game’s unique charm, a puzzle to master rather than a reflex test. But for new players, or even returning fans used to today’s slick action RPGs, it can feel like trying to run through mud.
So, why would updating this one specific part make it sell “like hotcakes”? Think about it. *Morrowind* already has a massive, dedicated fanbase who adore its world, its lore, and its sheer ambition. Imagine taking all that magic – the strange mushroom towers, the floating cities, the morally grey quests – and making it accessible to a whole new generation who might be put off by the original’s sometimes frustrating mechanics. It’s like taking a beautifully written, complex novel and giving it a more modern translation that keeps all the depth but makes the language easier to follow. The market for remakes and remasters is huge right now, and games like *Final Fantasy VII Remake* or the recent *Resident Evil* remakes show that when done right, modernizing a classic can lead to massive commercial success and critical acclaim. People are hungry for nostalgia, but they also want the comfort and polish of modern game design.
Let’s break this down: what does a “modern combat system” even mean in this context? It means moving away from that hidden dice roll. It means if your sword visibly connects with an enemy, it hits. It means clear feedback, satisfying animations, and perhaps more dynamic movement and abilities that make each fight feel impactful and engaging. Think of the fluidity of combat in games like *The Witcher 3* or even *Baldur’s Gate 3* itself, which, while turn-based, offers clear, understandable mechanics and satisfying results. It’s about making the act of fighting feel less like a statistical calculation and more like a direct interaction between player and monster. This isn’t about dumbing down the game; it’s about shifting the challenge from opaque mechanics to tactical decisions and execution.
Now, here’s the interesting part: doing this isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. You can’t just drop a new combat system into an old game like *Morrowind* without breaking everything else. The combat system is deeply tied into the game’s engine – which is like the core foundation and wiring of a house – and its role-playing systems. Changing it would mean redesigning enemy behaviors, player character skills, weapon types, and even how magic works. It would essentially be less of an “update” and more of a “reimagining” or a “ground-up remake.” This is a massive undertaking, requiring huge teams, years of development, and tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars. It’s a huge gamble, especially when you consider the passionate, sometimes fiercely protective, fanbase who might see any change as a betrayal of the original vision.
The biggest challenge isn’t just the technical hurdle; it’s preserving the “soul” of *Morrowind*. What made that game special wasn’t just its weird combat; it was its sense of mystery, its unguided exploration, its often-harsh difficulty, and its unique approach to progression. If you update the combat, do you also need to update other things? Do you make it easier to navigate? Do you add quest markers that weren’t there before? These are the kinds of questions that keep game developers up at night and often divide fan communities. The fear is that in trying to make it appeal to everyone, you might accidentally strip away the very things that made it a classic in the first place, turning it into something generic.
But what if? What if a studio with Larian’s understanding of RPGs and their commitment to player agency *did* tackle a *Morrowind* remake with a modern combat system? Imagine the stunning world of Vvardenfell brought to life with modern graphics, keeping its unique art style but making it even more immersive. Imagine exploring those ash wastes and fungal forests with combat that feels as good as the exploration itself. Such a project wouldn’t just be a cash cow; it would be a landmark event in gaming, showing how respect for a classic can blend with modern innovation to create something truly spectacular. It could set a new standard for how beloved old games are brought into the present, influencing other developers to take similar bold steps with their own treasured IPs.
This whole discussion, sparked by Douse’s frank statement, really highlights the ongoing tension in the gaming world between preservation and progress. On one hand, we have purists who want classics untouched, available in their original form. On the other, we have a growing audience, and even some developers, who believe that some older games deserve a chance to shine with modern mechanics, especially if those mechanics were the main barrier to entry. The success of remakes suggests there’s a huge appetite for the latter. The question isn’t whether old games *should* be updated, but *how* it should be done, and who is brave enough to take on such a monumental task without losing the magic along the way.
The reality is, Douse’s comment isn’t just about *Morrowind*; it’s about the broader conversation surrounding game preservation, accessibility, and the commercial viability of reviving old IPs. It’s a reminder that sometimes, a little bit of modernization can unlock a treasure trove for a whole new generation, while still honoring the spirit of what made the original great. Whether Bethesda, the current owners of *Morrowind*, ever decides to take up this gauntlet remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: Douse has thrown a digital gauntlet down, and the gaming community is buzzing with the tantalizing thought of what a truly modern *Morrowind* could be.