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

Wizards of the Coast has recently issued a DMCA takedown notice targeting a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley titled "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. This move comes as a surprise, especially since the mod had received public acclaim from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had previously praised the mod on Twitter, highlighting the "amazing work" and "so much love" put into it.

However, the mod was taken down following the DMCA notice from Wizards of the Coast, the IP holder for Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this might be an oversight on Wizards of the Coast's part, as they often employ external agencies to monitor IP violations. They are optimistic that the decision might be reversed, stating, "Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village."

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

This incident may be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to manage the Baldur's Gate IP, especially with announcements expected soon about future plans for the franchise, as hinted at the recent Game Developers Conference. It remains unclear whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod was a deliberate move in light of these plans or an accidental oversight. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.