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

Wizards of the Coast has taken action against a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley titled "Baldur's Village," which integrated characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. This mod, released earlier this month, received public acclaim from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who praised the effort on Twitter, highlighting the love and dedication put into the project.

However, the mod's fate took a turn when Wizards of the Coast, the copyright holder of Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate, issued a DMCA takedown notice. Nexus Mods, the platform hosting the mod, expressed hope that this was an oversight and that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision.

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter once more, advocating for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He emphasized the value of fan mods as a testament to the impact of the original work and suggested that such creations should not be treated as commercial infringements. Vincke expressed hope for a resolution, indicating there are better ways to handle such situations.

This incident might be indicative of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect their Baldur's Gate IP, especially with announcements expected soon about future plans for the franchise. It remains to be seen whether this takedown was a deliberate move or an error that could be reversed. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.