Wizards of the Coast DMCA Targets Fan's Baldur's Gate 3 Mod, Larian CEO Reacts

Wizards of the Coast has taken action against a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley, titled "Baldur's Village," which integrated characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. Despite receiving positive feedback from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke shortly after its release, the mod was removed following a DMCA takedown notice issued by Wizards of the Coast, the IP holder of Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate.

The mod, which was celebrated by Vincke for the love and effort put into it, disappeared just weeks after its debut. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this was an oversight on the part of Wizards of the Coast, who often employ external agencies to monitor IP violations. They suggested that the decision might be reversed, stating, "Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village."

In response to the takedown, Vincke took to Twitter once again to voice his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He stated, "Protecting your IP can be tricky but I do hope this gets settled. There are good ways of dealing with this." Vincke emphasized the value of fan mods, noting, "Free quality fan mods highlighting your characters in other game genres are proof your work resonates and a unique form of word of mouth. Imho they shouldn't be treated like commercial ventures that infringe on your property."

This incident may be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect the Baldur's Gate IP, especially given recent announcements at the Game Developers Conference about upcoming plans for the franchise. It remains unclear whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod aligns with these plans or if it was a mistake that will be corrected. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.