Game studio Papergames has backtracked on plans to release a new love interest into popular mobile title Love and Deepspace, following extreme player backlash and criticism that allegedly resulted in cow dung being sent to the studio’s offices.
Love and Deepspace’s Valko controversy – quick links
What’s going on with Love and Deepspace?
The drama began with the announcement of love interest Valko, a werewolf with a ‘tough guy’ persona. While some fans immediately fell in love with the character’s design and personality on reveal, many others expressed extreme hatred. They criticised the aesthetics of his design and his ‘mean’ and edgy look.
Beyond aesthetics, it was Valko’s symbolism that most off-sided the game’s playerbase, as he was perceived to be a ‘cash grab’ for whales in a time where players were fervently requesting more depth for existing characters, and a more robust story.
Fans alleged that Papergames wasn’t listening to their requests, and that it was only concerned with generating more money by releasing a new and coveted love interest into the game.
After weeks of heightened tension, with some fans reportedly crossing the line to protest in-person at the Papergames offices, the studio has now confirmed Valko is cancelled, and that there will be no future love interests introduced into the game.
In a statement, Papergames has apologised and confirmed that changes are on the way to address fan feedback. It has also claimed developers were simply not ‘ready’ to release Valko, and thereby fell short of player expectations.
Valko cancelled, Love and Deepspace development changes
‘Over the past several days, our team has been closely following your conversations and feedback across all platforms. For the issues that have surfaced since the announcement of Version 6.0 – and the frustration these have caused our community – we want to clearly state: we are sorry,’ Papergames said.
‘As we’ve expressed before, our vision for Love and Deepspace has always been to build a world that grows alongside you – one that offers a richer, deeper sense of companionship over time.
‘After reflecting on recent events, we recognise that we moved forward with the introduction of Valko before we were truly ready. In doing so, we let down the players who have supported us from the start, and we also fell short of delivering the experience that players anticipating Valko deserved.’
Papergames has pledged to make an array of changes to better serve its passionate audience base in future, starting with the cancellation of Valko. Any further development of the new love interest has been ended, and the studio has also promised it will not introduce additional love interests in future.
Previously announced content for Game Version 6.0 will still be released, with some minor tweaks. And going forward, the development team will focus on the most-requested fan features, to continue developing the game’s story and ‘long-term companionship experiences’ for the five core love interests.
‘To our community: once again, we apologise,’ Papergames said. ‘Because of our actions, the joy you should have found in Linkon City became a source of distress, and the feelings you hold most dear were hurt. We are deeply sorry for the hurt and disappointment we have caused.’
Those looking forward to seeing Valko will simply have to be satisfied with the five existing love interests, as they become the primary focus for Papergames.
Hopefully this announcement will allow players to ease back and let developers continue to work on the game without the alleged threat of cow dung.
