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

Wizards of the Coast has issued a DMCA takedown notice on a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley called "Baldur's Village," which integrated characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. Despite earlier praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who lauded the mod's creativity and passion on Twitter, the mod was taken down due to copyright concerns.

A Nexus Mods spokesperson expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often rely on external agencies to enforce their IP rights. They suggested that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision.

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter again to voice his support for the mod, acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He emphasized that fan mods, especially those of high quality, serve as a testament to the resonance of the original work and should not be treated as commercial infringements. Vincke expressed hope for a resolution that respects both the creators and the IP holders.

This incident may be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect the Baldur's Gate IP, especially with upcoming announcements about the franchise expected soon. It remains to be seen whether this takedown was a deliberate move or a mistake that will be corrected. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.