Chris Pereira is reporting that EA is looking at the possibility of reviving some of the classic Bullfrog titles from my halcyon days.

“For me, I love the old Bullfrog IP, it got me really passionately into games, and I’m really proud that Bullfrog is part of the heritage of Bright Light,” [Harvey] Elliot said. “I’m personally a huge fan of Populous and Theme Park, they were some of my favorite games — many years ago, obviously — and I’d love to see both of those remade.”

Mr. Elliot is affiliated with EA Bright Light, the house behind some of the Harry Potter games, including all of the movie tie-in games. Are they the best people to work on a new Populous?

Of course, it depends on what a remake would look like. I’d love to see the classic game interface and design with simply a visual upgrade and some UI tweaks. If they move it too far towards a traditional RTS with more player control, then the design will completely miss the point.

This is why, against my better judgment, I’m actually interested in how Majesty 2 will be received this fall. Like Populous, it’s a game that gives you lots of power but little control. As I said in my Crispy Minute yesterday, I think that certain topics should be revived in the American game design world, but that’s not the same as saying that certain design paths still work. Is there still an audience for indirect influence outside the city builder world?

But where you could understand Majesty 2 simply moving to a traditional RTS model and losing a little soul but not its point (fantasy world real time game), a remade Populous cannot maintain the Old Testament God conceit if you can shuffle your follower around or micromanage their upgrades.

Of course, I’m hoping this remake happens but I’m a little selfish.