Wizards of the Coast has recently issued a DMCA takedown notice for a popular fan mod called "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game Stardew Valley. This action came shortly after the mod received public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had lauded the mod's creativity and the love poured into its creation.
The mod, which was released earlier this month, quickly gained attention and appreciation from the gaming community. However, the joy was short-lived as Wizards of the Coast, the holder of the Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate intellectual properties, decided to enforce their copyright. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this might be an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often employ external agencies to monitor 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 again to voice his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He emphasized the value of fan mods, stating, "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 suggested that such mods should not be treated as commercial ventures infringing on IP rights and expressed hope for a resolution that would allow the mod to continue.
This incident may be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast to protect their 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 this takedown was a deliberate move or a mistake remains unclear, but efforts are being made to seek clarification from Wizards of the Coast.
