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

Wizards of the Coast has issued a DMCA takedown notice for a fan-created mod called "Baldur's Village," which integrated characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into Stardew Valley. This action came shortly after the mod's release and despite public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had lauded the mod's creativity and the love poured into it.

The mod's removal was confirmed by a Nexus Mods spokesperson, who expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often employ external agencies to monitor IP violations. The spokesperson voiced optimism that the decision might be reversed, stating, "Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village."

In response to the takedown, Vincke took to Twitter once more 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 also emphasized the value of fan mods, describing them as "proof your work resonates and a unique form of word of mouth," and argued that they should not be treated as commercial ventures infringing on IP rights.

This incident may be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect the Baldur's Gate IP, especially in light of upcoming announcements about the franchise teased at the recent Game Developers Conference. It remains unclear whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod was a deliberate move or a mistake that could be corrected. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.