(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)
Baldur’s Village had taken the gaming community by storm as a sprawling, Baldur’s Gate 3-inspired mod for Stardew Valley, earning high praise from none other than Larian boss Swen Vincke. However, the mod’s popularity has been met with a legal challenge, as Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast issued a DMCA takedown.
A visit to the Nexus Mods page for Baldur’s Village shows it’s been marked for ‘moderation review’ since March 29. According to a Nexus Mods representative speaking to PC Gamer, the review is indeed a result of Wizards of the Coast’s DMCA notice. They expressed hope that this might be an oversight by Wizards, who often outsource the enforcement of their content rights. The gaming community remains optimistic for a positive resolution.
Developed by modder Xun, Baldur’s Village expanded north of Pelican Town, offering new locations inspired by Baldur’s Gate 3. It features iconic characters like Shadowheart and Astarion, the latter available as a ‘fully romanceable character with his own questline.’ Despite the takedown, updates were already being crafted with more development planned.
Wizards of the Coast, under Hasbro‘s ownership, hasn’t been fully on fans’ good side in recent years, particularly after the D&D OGL controversy, which former lead designer Mike Mearls felt could make the game permanently ‘uncool.’ Fans have been frustrated by the mixed messages from a publisher tasked with nurturing player creativity yet frequently stepping in with legal actions.
Fans of Stardew Valley who also enjoy Baldur’s Gate 3 were excited by this mod melding the two beloved games, backed by Larian’s endorsement. The creator has reportedly invested 1,500 hours into crafting this passion project, hoping to enhance the gaming experience for players around the world.