Modern-Morrow adds controller support to Morrowind on Steam Deck

DurhamG and Claude AI created Modern-Morrow, a project that adds a controller-first interface to The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind so every menu works with a controller on the Steam Deck, Steam Deck HQ reported Nov. 12, 2026. Steam Deck HQ said the writer views Morrowind as not ideal on the Steam Deck due to poor controller support. The new project aims to fix that issue.

Earlier, the author used a mouse cursor for small menu windows that could be aggravating. Modern-Morrow makes every menu controller-interactive and full-screen. The writer says the new menus are much simpler to use and read.

Modern-Morrow is a fork of OpenMW, an open-source engine for Morrowind. DurhamG designed the whole interface, and Claude AI wrote all the code. DurhamG built his own version because OpenMW lacks user-interface replacement support. Steam Deck HQ said the fork remains useful even though AI wrote the code.

Setup involves installing a bought copy of Morrowind, getting Modern-Morrow’s AppImage from the newest release, running it to configure the tool, then adding the launcher to Steam so it launches straight into the game. An AppImage is a portable Linux application file. The author says he can complete setup before or after adding Morrowind to Steam, though he normally does it first just in case.

Modern-Morrow touches every menu to simplify character creation, world-item interaction, and use of a new 3D map that shows player location. The project works flawlessly on the Steam Deck and requires no extra setup once it has been added to Steam. Steam Deck HQ said everything just recognizes and works once the launcher is added to Steam.

The author reports that Modern-Morrow runs perfectly on the Steam Deck with no configuration required after Steam integration. Steam Deck HQ called Modern-Morrow essential for replaying Morrowind on the Steam Deck and said it works well.

The writer said controller play is easier in almost every aspect and that he sees only benefit in the project. It is the 0.1.0 release, and the writer wonders how it will evolve going forward. The source says the writer is interested in its future development.

The writer says a new project begins to address the issue and performs better than anticipated. The writer still returns to The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind occasionally despite newer games in the series and views it as the foundation that led to Oblivion and Skyrim becoming major hits.

He said Morrowind still holds up. Modern-Morrow impresses him by altering how he plays the game and simplifying handheld play on the Steam Deck. Steam Deck HQ says the project is impressive even though AI did all the coding.