Love and Deepspace Suffers Worst Month Ever Amid Controversy
Ever since its 2024 debut, the romance gacha phenomenon Love and Deepspace has proven to be a financial powerhouse for developer and publisher Papergames. Its fiercely dedicated player base has historically spared no expense investing in the title’s virtual heartthrobs—at least, until recently. Fresh financial analytics indicate that Love and Deepspace has plummeted to an unprecedented revenue low, a downturn widely attributed to the most severe controversy in the game’s history.
<p>According to comprehensive metrics from <a href="https://revenue.ennead.cc/games/love-and-deepspace" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Sensor Data</a>, <em>Love and Deepspace</em> generated a modest $10 million in July. To put that figure in perspective, the game raked in roughly $40 million just the month prior in June. Before this steep decline, monthly earnings had consistently remained above the $30 million threshold. This abrupt and dramatic plunge correlates directly with the eruption of an ongoing community uproar centered around the abruptly scrapped character, Valko.</p>
<p>Back in June, Papergames introduced Valko as an upcoming romance option slated to headline the Version 6.0 update on July 9, positioning him as the sixth eligible bachelor. The announcement immediately fractured the community. A vocal faction of players, predominantly based in China, argued that introducing a new love interest bypassed critical requests for deeper narrative development concerning the existing characters. The backlash intensified to such an extreme that disgruntled detractors allegedly shipped cow dung directly to the delivery lockers of Papergames' corporate headquarters. Yielding to the pressure merely eight days later on June 30, Papergames announced the total cancellation of Valko alongside any plans for future love interests.</p>
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<p>This concession instantly provoked outrage from an entirely different segment of the global <em>Love and Deepspace</em> audience, primarily overseas fans. The move ignited intense discourse regarding the stark disparities within the international fanbase, many of whom felt marginalized by Papergames' apparent deference to domestic consumer preferences. Slogans like "Bring back Valko" swiftly trended across social media platforms, accompanied by numerous online petitions urging the studio to reinstate the character, at least for international servers. Demonstrating the depth of their grievances, fans even erected a memorial installation for Valko during Anime Expo 2026, mere days after his erasure.</p>
<p>State regulators in China intervened shortly afterward. In an <a href="https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/q-AdZgBtBaSh_rR1_h8Okg" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">official statement</a>, the government censured Valko and echoed domestic player concerns that his narrative arc inappropriately romanticized sexual misconduct and unlawful trespassing. The notice explicitly warned that any interactive media perceived as trivializing illegal behavior would face regulatory removal. Although Papergames has issued no further statements regarding Valko's potential return, it appears his departure is permanent. Consequently, disillusioned players have staged widespread boycotts, and Papergames is now feeling the financial repercussions reflected in the game's plummeting earnings.</p>
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<img width="440" height="248" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Valko from Love and Deepspace crouching towards the camera at night" src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/volko-trailer-cropped.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2" bad-src="https://static0.polygonimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/volko-trailer-cropped.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=124&dpr=2">
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Love and Deepspace fans protest removal of sexy werewolf CEO canceled due to fan protests
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<p class="display-card-excerpt">The controversy surrounding Valko highlights the deep fractures within the romance gacha community</p>
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<p></p>Source: Polygon
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