Yeah, the spell system was something we agonized over during the production of our KQ3. We didn't quite know how to handle it - we had several ideas, and prototypes programmed. We knew we wanted to change it, because it was essentially just copy protection. In the end, I think we just got frustrated, ran out of time, and said "Let's make it idiot proof!" and made it the easiest we could.
I think back on the team we were then - this was about 6 years ago now! We were really fumbling our way through making it. Just trying to get ourselves across the finish line. Being able to look back six year really changes your point of view, in regards to design and programing, for sure. I mean, imagine how they looked back at KQI in 1990.... 6 years before that was 1984.... heh, when KQI first came out.
Like Lambonius said, it's something we've talked about. If we do an update to the game, that's one thing we would probably change.
Bt