Fans of the mobile gacha game Love and Deepspace are demonstrating remarkable dedication to Valko, a character whose inclusion was reportedly canceled by developer Infold Games amid fan backlash. This dedication has manifested in a variety of ways, from global billboard campaigns and charitable donations to the creation of custom adult merchandise.
XenoCat Artifacts, a US-based adult toy manufacturer, has produced an exclusive colorway of their "Wild Hearts" toy, inspired by Valko. Erebos, the company's lead artist and CEO, stated that the creators were fans of the game and wanted to celebrate Valko's character with a special, reimagined color. She added that Valko's cancellation was upsetting and has given her more time to fulfill demand for the Valko-themed toy, emphasizing a desire not to break another promise to the player base.
Globally, fans have organized significant displays of support under hashtags such as #valkoisloved and #bringbackvalko. In Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand, fans have purchased billboard advertising space and ad space in shopping malls. A fan group in New York City hosted a meetup in Times Square, featuring Valko cosplay and trucks displaying promotional videos. In Hong Kong, fans also shared sightings of Valko billboards.
Beyond public displays, a philanthropic protest has also emerged. Fans have channeled funds they would have otherwise spent in the game toward charitable organizations, collectively donating over $10,000 to a New York wolf conservatory. The Wolf Conservation Center acknowledged these donations on social media.
It remains unclear if these concerted efforts will sway Infold Games. In parallel with these public gestures, a boycott is underway, with fans refusing to log into the game until Valko is reinstated or the developers issue a statement regarding his cancellation. The official English Love and Deepspace X account has been inactive since July 9th, the character's intended debut date, and community managers on Discord have offered no official comment. Players have stepped in to fill this communication void by sharing supportive messages, analyzing marketing for potential clues about Valko's return, and creating fan art and custom merchandise. Erebos expressed hope that the specialty toy could