Fans Rally Against Removal of Werewolf CEO Character in Love and Deepspace
The saga of Valko continues to unfold. The sixth love interest for the gacha romance game, Love and Deepspace, was initially revealed on June 22 but was swiftly canceled by the developer on June 30 due to significant backlash from fans. In response, a new faction of supporters has emerged, rallying to “bring back Valko.”
Valko was slated to debut with Version 6.0 of Love and Deepspace on July 9, marking him as the game’s sixth love interest. This alluring werewolf CEO would have been the third character introduced since the game’s 2024 launch and the first new addition since Caleb joined in Version 3.0 back in January 2025. However, many fans felt that introducing a new love interest was a misstep, especially given their frustrations over the lack of substantial updates to the main story and existing characters.
As discussed by various sources, there are also concerns regarding Valko’s character. Some players believe that promotional materials for the werewolf CEO reference a real-life domestic violence case, while others suggest that his design and name are reminiscent of Yao Runhao, the CEO of the game’s developer. This whirlwind of theories and discontent surrounding Valko has reportedly led to a significant drop in player engagement and social media following. Notably, some upset fans have even resorted to sending packages of cow dung to the developer’s offices. The backlash appears to be particularly pronounced within the game’s Chinese playerbase.
Following the protests, the developer announced the cancellation of Valko and any future love interests. In the wake of this decision, the “bring back Valko” hashtag has gained traction online, with a different segment of Love and Deepspace players expressing their discontent over what they see as an overreaction. The divide seems to be largely between the Chinese and international playerbases, with the former leaning anti-Valko and the latter pro-Valko. A quick scroll through the “bring back Valko” tag reveals numerous posts from fans lamenting the loss of a character they found genuinely exciting.
The campaign has garnered enough momentum to spawn at least two community petitions urging the developer to reconsider. One petition on change.org has amassed over 70,000 signatures, while another on iPetitions has surpassed 150,000. The iPetitions post emphasizes that:
Global fans have made it clear that Valko matters to this story and to the people who have followed it with care. A character like this does more than fill a slot in a game. He shapes the world, the relationships, and the emotional pull that keeps players invested. When a love interest is removed or left out after being intended for that role, it is not just a creative choice on paper. It changes the experience for the whole community.
A significant concern among global players is the perception that the Chinese playerbase is prioritized. Many feel that if Chinese fans voice their complaints loudly enough, the developer will yield to their demands, regardless of the desires of the global community. As of now, neither the developer nor the global publisher has provided any further updates regarding Valko’s future.
Love and Deepspace is available on Android and iOS devices, with Version 6.0 set to launch on July 9.
