A recent crossover event in the otome game Love and Deepspace featuring Blade Runner 2049 has drawn the attention of players for an unexpected narrative parallel. Specifically, the storyline involving the lead character's AI companion, Joi, mirrors the fate of the game's previously announced but subsequently canceled character, Valko.
In Blade Runner 2049, the protagonist K experiences a romantic relationship with Joi, an AI who is lost when her 'emanator' device is destroyed. This narrative beat immediately reminded Love and Deepspace players of Valko, who was removed from the game by developer Infold just one week after his initial reveal due to controversy surrounding his character. Many fans felt a similar sense of loss for Valko, comparing it to K's experience with Joi.
One fan noted on social media, "ironically, the bladerunner collab makes more sense like this, we lost valko just like the protagonist lost his virtual girlfriend joi, destroyed by the very same big corpo that created her, only for him to bump into that ad with another joi, naked and suggestive but not HIS joi."
Adding to the discussion, other players suggested that a Blade Runner 2049 crossover would have been a fitting venue for Valko, given his characterization as a tech CEO and hacker. This sentiment has been amplified by ongoing fan support for Valko, which has manifested through social media outpourings, real-world events, boycotts, petitions, and charitable donations made in his name. Players have supported wolf sanctuaries, sponsored forests, funded billboards, and created memorials for the character. Infold has not issued further statements regarding Valko since his cancellation.
The Blade Runner 2049 event in Love and Deepspace is scheduled to run until November 5, offering players in-game rewards inspired by the film. This promotion is likely tied to the upcoming release of Blade Runner 2099 on Amazon Prime, slated for November 25.