Wizards of the Coast DMCA Targets Fan's 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. Initially, this mod received public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who described it as "amazing work" on Twitter shortly after its release earlier this month. However, the mod was removed following the takedown notice.

A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often employ external agencies to monitor IP violations. They suggested that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision, emphasizing the unique value that such fan mods bring to the gaming community.

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter once again to voice his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He stated, "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. 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 protect the Baldur's Gate IP, especially in light of upcoming announcements about the franchise's future, as hinted at during the recent Game Developers Conference. Whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod was a deliberate move or an error remains unclear, and Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.