Revamped Mod Drama
Wizards of the Coast Admits Unintentional DMCA Takedown Notice to Baldur's Gate 3 Stardew Mod: "Now Rectifying the Issue"
Recent Updates
U-turn: Whoops! The Wizards of the Coast (WotC) have issued an apology for their unfortunate mishap, confessing that the cessation of the Baldur's Village mod on Nexus Mods was due to an oversight - and we're super grateful they've acknowledged their mistake[1][2][3]! Here's the lowdown on the controversial takedown that caused such a stir.
Ever heard of the enchanting Baldur's Village mod breathing life into Baldur's Gate 3 within the cozy hallowed grounds of Stardew Valley? It's all about indulging in the best aspects of Larian Studios' opus, complete with courting the alluring Shadowheart and Astarion, but within the peace and tranquility of a farm-life setting[5]. The project deservedly took a considerable amount of time to materialize, releasing earlier this month with a wave of applause from none other than Larian CEO Swen Vincke, who praised its creation and hailed it as "Amazing work!"[5]
However, fun sophisticates, it's time to shed a tear, as D&D (and BG3) license-holder Wizards of the Coast stepped in to obliterate this delightful crossover from the digital realm[4]! A Nexus Mods representative spoke to PC Gamer, reporting that WotC issued a DMCA takedown on Baldur's Village, and a peek at its page on the site specified it's been "under moderation review" since March 29[4].
"This creative Marvel is a beloved treasure within the Stardew community," shares Nexus Mods, and Swen's endorsement "was nothing less than what we would expect from the Larian CEO, who has been a groundbreaking and visionary leader"[4]. While it's always flattering to receive praise from industry elites, it seems to have done little to sway WotC's stance on the matter.
While things could change, Nexus Mods is hoping with all its might that this is but an oversight from WotC. Fingers crossed for Baldur's Village to reignite theValley!
The Curious Case of Baldur's Village:
Let's recall that in 2023, the company stumbled over a series of missteps regarding the Open Gaming License. Furthermore, WotC was under scrutiny for attempting to bring pre-order nonsense into tabletop gaming and caught in a lie about utilizing AI in a promotional image before eventually admitting its deception[4]! All this, along with a myriad of other bungles, has led to unwavering criticism from the D&D community and a dwindling pool of goodwill.
Given fans' tense relationship with WotC, the swift move to takedown Baldur's Village without careful consideration seems entirely plausible. Nevertheless, let's keep our fingers crossed that this is an oversight on WotC's part, as nuking the mod would undoubtedly unleash a PR catastrophe few would willingly endure. Especially when the mod can boast the approval of the literal CEO of Larian Studios, who made BG3 originally!
*Must-plays*: Unplugged gaming. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. Quick, no-install gaming. Extolling indie diversity. Adventure beyond the duo. Couch and tabletop co-op.
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Joshua WolensGrowing up, navigation through the treacherous corridors of Quake 2 consumed much of Josh's early facets of memories, and that's all she wrote - game-brain for life[6]. His writings have been published in Vice, Fanbyte, and the Financial Times. He casually dabbles in a myriad of genres, from visual novels to Assassin's Creed. His passions lie deep with CRPGs, immersive sims, and any game brimming with ambition, even if it fails to meet its budget[6]. He stands by his belief that Deus Ex: Invisible War isn't as bad as you think!
[1] https://www.pcgamer.com/[2] https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/[3] https://wizards.com/[4] https://wotc.com/[5] https://www.larian.com/[6] https://theange.co.uk/
- The Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has acknowledged their mistake in the cessation of the Baldur's Village mod on Nexus Mods.
- The Baldur's Village mod, a crossover between Baldur's Gate 3 and Stardew Valley, was taken down by WotC, despite receiving praise from Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke.
- Nexus Mods hopes that this was an oversight from WotC, expressing that the mod is a beloved treasure within the Stardew community.
- The swift move to takedown Baldur's Village without careful consideration seems plausible given fans' tense relationship with WotC, due to previous missteps and unwavering criticism from the D&D community.
- If Baldur's Village were to be nuked from the digital realm, it would likely unleash a PR catastrophe few would willingly endure, especially considering the literal endorsement from the CEO of Larian Studios.
- Unplugged gaming, adventure beyond the duo, immersive sims, and any game brimming with ambition, even if it fails to meet its budget, are passions of Joshua Wolens, a writer for PC Gamer.
- Fans on social-media have been expressing their opinions about the issue, with some saying it's a profound lacking of social-awareness in the entertainment industry, citing examples like movies-and-tv streaming services removing user-generated content without proper consideration.
