SweetieGames

Despite not engaging with mobile otome games myself, it’s impossible to exist in the otome space online without coming into close contact with fans of the hugely popular Love and Deepspace. A Best Mobile Game winner at Gamescom last year, 3D otome title Love and Deepspace (or LADS) has been keeping fans hooked with its raunchy scenarios and huge range of customisation for players since 2024.

Something I always found unusual as an outsider looking in on LADS was the focus on the current love interests rather than focussing on releasing new ones. Two new love interests joined the cast since its release, but in my experience playing older mobile otome titles, there’s usually far more love interest releases over the course of 3 years. After the explosion that has happened both online and in real life concerning Love and Deepspace‘s latest release, I can see why.

First announced in June by developer Infold, Valko was slated to be the latest love interest in Love and Deepspace. Of course, he looks like he fits right in with the other LADS men; he’s tall and muscular like Sylus, but his USP is that he has werewolf features such as wolf ears and a tail under specific circumstances. One promotional video showcased him breaking in to the main character’s home, causing a ruckus.

I didn’t really see anything wrong with Valko, except for the fact that in his wolf form he has visible human and wolf ears. I thought that maybe his hairstyle could be changed to hide the human ears, but it seemed like even Infold were making fun of this fact, so it wasn’t a big deal. Otome like LADS often have dark romance undertones, so I didn’t really see the home invasion teaser as a dealbreaker; far worse things have happened in other otome titles. But it looks like Valko really rubbed some players the wrong way.

It started with genuine concerns; players wanted the main story updated, rather than resources pooled into what they deemed to be an unnecessary addition to the cast. There were obviously going to be people who didn’t like his appearance or “furry” wolf features, but something like that would never usually be enough to warrant a reaction from the developers. In LADS‘ native China, the outrage towards Valko quickly turned severe when organisations such as the All China Women’s Federation got involved, criticising the game’s romanticisation of breaking into a woman’s home. Fans also linked aspects of Valko’s trailers and in-game data to a real life murder case and sensitive historical events, which Infold insisted were coincidental and not intentional. There were boycotts, and even fans sending animal dung to Infold’s headquarters in China. This was the last straw; Infold and Papergames decided to cancel Valko’s release only 8 days after he was announced for release. They confirmed that no new love interests would ever be made for the game.

This decision deeply rattled fans not only in China, but especially in the English speaking fanbase. Valko’s cancellation was nearly a month ago, and there’s still huge discussions online taking place and movements from fans to release him. A petition to bring him back has reached close to 250,000 signatures since it started 3 weeks ago. Many saw the decision as Infold bowing to a small minority who shout the loudest, allowing them to intimidate the company into not releasing the new content. Some fans also feel cheated out of their real life money, investing into in-game currency for the new love interest.

While I have never seen a backlash so strong to an upcoming love interest, it’s become increasingly clear that those who are willing to take drastic action are in the minority. For the sake of LADS‘s future, I honestly believe it’s integral that new love interests continue to be released. How can the game continue once you’ve covered all grounds with the characters that are already there? There’s definitely an appetite for Valko, and I wonder if the fans will be loud enough to make Infold go back on their decision.