Wizards of the Coast DMCA Hits Fan's Baldur's Gate 3 Mod, Larian CEO Reacts

Wizards of the Coast has taken down a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley called "Baldur's Village," which integrated characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the farming simulation game. Initially, the mod received public acclaim from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who praised the modders' dedication and craftsmanship on social media.

However, the mod was removed following a DMCA notice issued by Wizards of the Coast, the IP holder for Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this move was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, which often employs external agencies to monitor IP violations, and that the decision might be reversed.

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter once again to voice his support for the mod, while also 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 with upcoming announcements about the franchise expected soon. It remains to be seen whether this takedown was a deliberate move or a mistake that will be corrected. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.