Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
Baldur’s Gate 3 Meets Stardew Valley in Fan Mod, Prompting DMCA Takedown
A fan-made expansion merging the worlds of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Stardew Valley has been removed following a DMCA takedown notice. The mod, titled “Baldur’s Village,” incorporated characters from the popular role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 into the pixelated farming simulation of Stardew Valley. Despite initial praise from the head of Larian Studios, the creators of Baldur’s Gate 3, Wizards of the Coast, holders of the Dungeons & Dragons license, issued a takedown, resulting in the mod’s removal from download platforms.
Fan Creation Gains Initial Acclaim
The “Baldur’s Village” mod, created by NexusMods user BV and launched on March 8th, introduced over 20 characters from the award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3 to Stardew Valley. It also featured new locations, shops, unique items, dynamic narrative events, and additional content. Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios and director of BG3, publicly lauded the project, commenting, “So much love went into this—amazing work!”
DMCA Notice Leads to Mod’s Disappearance
However, the fusion mod, blending two beloved game universes, is no longer accessible for download on NexusMods. A message added to the mod’s page on March 29th states, “This mod is under moderation review.” According to a representative from the mod database, Wizards of the Coast initiated the DMCA takedown, citing infringement on their Dungeons & Dragons intellectual property, upon which Baldur’s Gate 3 is based.
Community Expresses Disappointment, Hope for Reversal
The NexusMods spokesperson conveyed to PC Gamer that this cross-over to Stardew Valley was “an incredibly creative” endeavor that resonated with the gaming community. They further noted that Larian CEO’s original endorsement was entirely in character for a leader known for his “refreshing and visionary” approach. The spokesperson expressed hope that the takedown notice was an “oversight” by Wizards of the Coast, a company known to utilize external agencies for content monitoring, and that they might reconsider their decision. “Fingers crossed for Baldur’s Village,” they concluded.
Future of Baldur’s Gate Franchise and Fan Content
While Larian Studios focuses on new ventures, rather than a Baldur’s Gate 4, an executive at Hasbro, parent company of Wizards of the Coast, recently indicated a deliberate and measured approach to the franchise’s future. Dan Ayoub, VP of digital games at Hasbro, stated earlier this month that the company is proceeding cautiously with future Baldur’s Gate projects, but plans to share details “in really short order”.
Larian CEO Defends Fan Modifications
The decision to remove the Baldur’s Village mod has sparked debate, particularly as it involves a non-commercial fan project in a different genre. Vincke publicly questioned the move. “Free quality fan mods highlighting your characters in other game genres are proof your work resonates and a unique form of word of mouth,” he posted on social media. “Imho they shouldn’t be treated like commercial ventures that infringe on your property.”
He further commented on the complexities of intellectual property protection, expressing hope for a resolution. “Protecting your IP can be tricky but I do hope this gets settled. There are good ways of dealing with this.”