Wizards of the Coast Targets Fan Mod with DMCA; Larian CEO Reacts

Wizards of the Coast has issued a DMCA takedown notice against a fan mod for Stardew Valley titled "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the popular farming simulation game. Despite the mod receiving public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke shortly after its release earlier this month, it has now been removed following the takedown notice.

The mod, which had been lauded by Vincke on Twitter as "amazing work" showcasing the love and effort put into it, faced an unexpected setback when Wizards of the Coast, the holder of the Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate IPs, acted to remove it. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this action might be an oversight, considering Wizards of the Coast often employs external agencies to monitor and address IP violations. They remain optimistic about a potential reversal of the decision, stating, "Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village."

In response to the situation, Sven Vincke took to Twitter again 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 further emphasized the value of fan mods, suggesting they serve as a testament to the impact and reach of the original work. He argued that such mods should not be treated as commercial infringements, highlighting their role in enhancing the game's community and spreading word of mouth.

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. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.