Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Dungeons & Dragons and the Baldur's Gate IP, has taken down a fan-made mod for Stardew Valley titled "Baldur's Village." This mod, which added characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the farming simulation game, had previously received public praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who lauded the mod's creativity and dedication on Twitter.

However, the mod's fate took a turn when Wizards of the Coast issued a DMCA takedown notice, leading to its removal from Nexus Mods. A spokesperson from Nexus Mods expressed hope that this might be an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, who often rely on external agencies to monitor IP violations, and they hoped for a reversal of the decision.

In response to the takedown, Sven Vincke took to Twitter again to voice his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection. He highlighted the value of fan mods as a form of positive engagement with the IP, suggesting that such creations should not be treated as commercial infringements. Vincke expressed his hope for a resolution that recognizes the unique contribution of fan mods to the gaming community.

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 the recent Game Developers Conference. Whether this takedown was a deliberate action or an error remains to be seen, as inquiries have been made to Wizards of the Coast for further comment.