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, despite it receiving public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who lauded the mod's creativity and the love poured into its development.
The mod's removal was confirmed by a Nexus Mods spokesperson, who expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, a company known for using external agencies to monitor IP violations. The spokesperson remains optimistic that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision, allowing "Baldur's Village" to return.
In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter to voice his support for the mod once more, 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, hinting at more constructive 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 this takedown was a deliberate move or a mistake remains unclear, and Wizards of the Coast has yet to comment on the situation.
