Wizards of the Coast has issued a DMCA takedown notice targeting a fan-created mod for Stardew Valley, titled "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. The mod garnered attention and praise from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke shortly after its release earlier this month. Vincke commended the mod on Twitter, highlighting the love and effort put into its creation.

However, the mod was removed following the DMCA notice from Wizards of the Coast, the company holding the rights to Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate. 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 IP violations, and suggested that the decision might be reversed.

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 testament to the resonance of the original work and suggested that such creations should not be treated as commercial infringements. Vincke expressed hope for a resolution, indicating that there are better ways to handle such situations.

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. 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.