A recent mod for the popular game Stardew Valley, Baldur’s Village, has been removed from a major modding website after a DMCA takedown by Wizards of the Coast. The company, which licenses Dungeons & Dragons content, claimed that the mod infringed on their IP.
The mod was praised by Larian Studios co-founder Swen Vincke, who called it “amazing” and said it showed that fans’ work could be a form of word-of-mouth marketing for the game’s characters. However, Wizards of the Coast disagreed, stating that the mod did not have permission to use their IP.
Nexus Mods described Baldur’s Village as an “incredibly creative crossover” and expressed hope that the takedown was a mistake. Larian Studios has defended mods like Baldur’s Village, saying they should be treated as fan creations rather than commercial ventures.
Wizards of the Coast has since clarified that the DMCA takedown was issued in error and is currently working to fix the issue. The company apologized for any inconvenience caused and expressed hope that fans and the Stardew community could continue to enjoy the mod.
Source: https://www.eurogamer.net/stardew-valley-baldurs-gate-3-mod-praised-by-larian-boss-has-been-hit-by-dd-lawyers