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 his 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 this was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often employ external agencies to monitor and address IP violations. The spokesperson suggested that the decision might be reversed, keeping fingers crossed for the mod's return.
In response to the takedown, Sven 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, stating, "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 argued that such mods should not be treated as commercial ventures infringing on IP rights and expressed hope for a resolution, noting, "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 in light of upcoming announcements about the franchise's future, as hinted at during the recent Game Developers Conference. It remains unclear whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod was a deliberate move in anticipation of these plans or simply an error that might be corrected soon. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.
