Wizards of the Coast has recently issued a DMCA takedown notice targeting a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley, known as "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. This action came shortly after the mod's release earlier this month, which had initially received public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke. Vincke had expressed admiration for the mod on Twitter, highlighting the love and effort put into its creation.
However, the mod was removed following the DMCA notice from Wizards of the Coast, the holder of the Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate intellectual properties. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods, where the mod was hosted, expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight and that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision.
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 emphasized the value of fan mods as a testament to the resonance of the original work and suggested 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 the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod was a deliberate move or an error remains to be seen, and Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.
