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

Wizards of the Coast has recently enforced a DMCA takedown on a popular Stardew Valley mod named "Baldur's Village," which integrated characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the farming simulation game. The mod, which was released earlier this month, had initially received positive feedback, including public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who commended the mod's creativity and dedication on Twitter.

However, the mod's availability was short-lived due to the intervention by Wizards of the Coast, the rights holder for both Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that the takedown might be an oversight, given Wizards of the Coast's use of external agencies to monitor IP violations. They remain optimistic about a potential reversal of the decision.

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter again to voice his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He emphasized the value of fan-made mods as a form of appreciation and organic promotion for the original work. Vincke suggested that such creations should not be treated with the same scrutiny as commercial infringements and expressed hope for a resolution that respects both the IP and the modding community.

This incident might be indicative 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 Game Developers Conference. Whether this takedown was a deliberate move or an error remains unclear, but Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further clarification on the matter.