Morrowind Easier to Play with New OpenMW Release for Gamepads

I’m excited about this!

The OpenMW team recently launched a release candidate for version 0.50, drastically improving the experience for those using gamepads. This transition should allow players to effortlessly navigate Morrowind on modern Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

OpenMW revitalizes the classic RPG by enabling gamepad support, making it much easier to play from the comfort of your couch or while using a Steam Deck. Nostalgically, my first experience with Morrowind happened on the original Xbox. Now, by using OpenMW, I can enjoy Morrowind without the consoles’ typical restrictions.

As the OpenMW team noted about the 0.50 release candidate, “its core highlight is the improved gamepad support and optional gamepad-tailored UI.” They aim to have players test this version thoroughly and report back any bugs they encounter, which would help improve the final release.

OpenMW Release (Image credit: Bethesda / OpenMW Team)

The latest updates have made exploring Vvardenfell feel more intuitive with a gamepad compared to earlier attempts. Despite some usability issues, like needing a physical keyboard for text input, the changes have been well-received.

The future for the full version of OpenMW 0.50 looks promising, and I’m looking forward to diving into it once it’s fully released.