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 mod had previously received public acclaim from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who praised the effort and dedication put into the mod on Twitter shortly after its release earlier this month.

However, the situation took a turn when Wizards of the Coast, the holder of the Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate intellectual property, issued the takedown notice. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods, the platform hosting the mod, expressed hope that this action was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, possibly due to the use of external agencies tasked with identifying IP violations. They remain optimistic about a potential reversal of the decision, stating, "Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village."

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter once more to express his continued support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He emphasized the value of fan-created content, suggesting that such mods serve as a testament to the impact and reach of the original work. "Free quality fan mods highlighting your characters in other game genres are proof your work resonates and a unique form of word of mouth," Vincke stated. 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."

The takedown might be indicative of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect the Baldur's Gate IP, especially in light of announcements made at the recent Game Developers Conference about upcoming plans for the franchise. It remains unclear whether the Stardew Valley mod conflicted with these plans or if the takedown was an error that will be corrected. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.