Love & Deepspace devs pause Valko after 200K petition

Papergames announced earlier this week it has shelved Valko, a werewolf-themed romanceable character planned for Love & Deepspace, after player backlash and unspecified additional allegations. Work on the character is paused while the studio concentrates on existing love interests.

Valko had been presented as the game’s sixth romance option. Players criticized his appearance and his past association with the game’s villainous faction, concerns that prompted parts of the community to oppose his introduction.

International fans launched a petition calling for Valko’s return soon after the announcement. The petition has gathered roughly 200,000 signatures.

Supporters of Valko say the decision favored the game’s original Chinese fan base over the growing international audience, a claim some players from that region dispute. The debate has taken place across social channels and fan forums.

Papergames has not published detailed findings about the allegations that led to shelving Valko, beyond its statement that development will focus on existing characters. Both supporters and opponents have continued to voice their positions publicly.

Love & Deepspace is a mobile otome game developed by Papergames that has expanded its international audience since launch. The shelving of a planned character is an example of player response affecting content plans for the game.