Wizards of the Coast has recently issued a DMCA takedown notice targeting a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley, titled "Baldur's Village," which incorporates characters from Baldur's Gate 3. This action comes despite earlier public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had lauded the mod on Twitter, describing it as a labor of love and amazing work.
The mod, released earlier this month, was quickly removed following the takedown notice from Wizards of the Coast, the holder of the Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate intellectual properties. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight and that Wizards of the Coast might reconsider their decision, noting the company's use of external agencies to monitor IP violations.
In response to the takedown, 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 mods as a form of positive engagement and word-of-mouth marketing, suggesting that such creations should not be treated as commercial infringements. "Free quality fan mods highlighting your characters in other game genres are proof your work resonates and a unique form of word of mouth," Vincke stated, expressing hope for a resolution that respects both the IP and the fan community.
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 the takedown of the Stardew Valley mod was a deliberate move or a mistake remains unclear, and Wizards of the Coast has yet to comment on the situation.
