The saga of Valko continues to unfold in the gacha romance game, Love and Deepspace. Initially announced on June 22, Valko was set to be the sixth love interest in the game, but developer Papergames canceled his introduction on June 30 due to significant backlash from fans. Now, a different faction of players is rallying to bring Valko back.
Valko’s Introduction and Cancellation
Valko was scheduled to debut with Version 6.0 of Love and Deepspace on July 9, marking the first new love interest since Caleb joined in Version 3.0 back in January 2025. The character, described as a sexy werewolf CEO, was anticipated by many. However, his announcement was met with criticism, particularly from fans who felt that introducing a new character was a disregard for the existing narrative and love interests.
Fan Reactions and Theories
Concerns about Valko’s character design and backstory fueled discontent. Some players speculated that promotional material referenced a real domestic violence case, while others suggested that Valko’s name and design were reminiscent of Yao Runhao, the CEO of both Papergames and its global publisher, Infold Games. This led to a significant drop in player engagement and social media following for the game, with reports of disgruntled fans even sending cow dung to Papergames’ offices.
The Divide Among Players
The backlash appears to be predominantly from the Chinese playerbase, leading to an announcement from Papergames that the development of Valko and any future love interests would be halted. In response, a campaign to “bring back Valko” has emerged, with the hashtag gaining traction online. This movement is largely supported by international players who feel that the removal of Valko represents an overcorrection.
Petitions and Community Response
The “bring back Valko” campaign has resulted in at least two petitions, one on change.org gathering over 70,000 signatures and another on iPetitions surpassing 150,000. Supporters argue that Valko is integral to the game’s narrative and emotional depth, stating that his removal impacts the overall community experience. Many global players express concern that the Chinese playerbase’s vocal complaints are prioritized over their own desires.
As of now, neither Papergames nor Infold has provided additional comments regarding Valko’s future. Meanwhile, Love and Deepspace remains available on Android and iOS, with Version 6.0 set to launch on July 9.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
