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

Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Dungeons & Dragons and the Baldur's Gate IP, has issued a DMCA takedown notice for a fan-created mod called "Baldur's Village" that integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into Stardew Valley. This mod, which was released earlier this month, had previously garnered public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who tweeted his admiration for the mod's creativity and the love that went into its development.

However, the mod's fate took a turn when Wizards of the Coast enforced their intellectual property rights, leading to its removal from Nexus Mods. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this action might be an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often employ external agencies to identify and address IP violations. They remain optimistic that the decision might be reversed, allowing "Baldur's Village" to 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, viewing them as a testament to the resonance of the original work and a form of organic promotion. Vincke suggested that such mods should not be treated as commercial ventures that infringe on IP rights and expressed hope for a resolution that respects both the mod creators and the IP holders.

This incident may be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect and possibly expand the use of the Baldur's Gate IP. At the recent Game Developers Conference, it was hinted that more announcements regarding the future of the IP are forthcoming. Whether the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod relates to these plans or was simply a mistake remains unclear. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the situation.