Wizards of the Coast has recently enforced a DMCA takedown on a fan-made mod for Stardew Valley called "Baldur's Village," which integrates characters from Baldur's Gate 3 into the game. This action came despite earlier public support from Larian Studios CEO Sven Vincke, who had praised the mod on Twitter shortly after its release earlier this month.

The mod's removal was confirmed by a Nexus Mods spokesperson, who expressed hope that the takedown was an oversight by Wizards of the Coast, a company known for using external agencies to monitor IP violations. The spokesperson voiced optimism that Wizards of the Coast might reverse their decision, stating, "Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village."

In response to the takedown, Vincke took to Twitter again to comment on the situation. He reiterated his support for the mod while acknowledging the complexities of IP protection, saying, "Protecting your IP can be tricky but I do hope this gets settled. There are good ways of dealing with this." Vincke emphasized the value of fan mods, suggesting they should not be treated as commercial infringements but rather as a testament to the resonance of the original work. He stated, "Free quality fan mods highlighting your characters in other game genres are proof your work resonates and a unique form of word of mouth."

This takedown might be part of a broader strategy by Wizards of the Coast concerning the Baldur's Gate IP. At the recent Game Developers Conference, it was hinted that more announcements regarding the IP's future are expected soon. It's unclear whether the Stardew Valley mod conflicted with these plans or if the takedown was a mistake. Wizards of the Coast has been contacted for further comment on the matter.