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 against a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley titled "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the popular farming simulation game. This action came despite earlier public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had lauded the mod's creativity and the love poured into its creation shortly after its release earlier this month.

The mod's removal was confirmed by a spokesperson from Nexus Mods, who expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, a company known for using external agencies to monitor IP violations. The spokesperson suggested that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision, emphasizing the community's support 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 highlighted the value of fan mods as a testament to the impact of the original work, suggesting that such creations should not be treated as commercial infringements. Vincke expressed hope for a resolution, indicating that there are better ways to handle such situations.

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 this takedown was a deliberate move or a mistake remains unclear, but efforts are being made to seek clarification from Wizards of the Coast.