Love and Deepspace experienced its lowest revenue month since its launch in July, bringing in approximately $10.3 million. This figure represents a 73% decrease from June 2026's earnings of $38 million, according to Sensor Data.
The sharp decline is directly linked to the announcement and subsequent cancellation of Valko, who was slated to be the game's sixth love interest. Valko, described as a ruggedly handsome tech CEO and werewolf clan leader, proved to be a polarizing addition to the Otome game.
The community became divided, with some players petitioning for Valko's return while others expressed concerns that a new character would divert developer attention from the main storyline and existing love interests. A segment of the player base argued that Valko's swift dismissal was influenced by Eastern beauty standards.
The controversy intensified when Papergames, the developer, withdrew its participation from the BilliBilli World 2026 convention in Asia. Furthermore, the Chinese government intervened, flagging Valko's promotional slogans for potentially problematic content, including references that could be interpreted as promoting home intrusions and sexual assault. A representative from the Ministry of Public Security News and Media stated that such entertainment-driven works can disregard public order and morality, cross legal boundaries, and endanger public safety.
Following the government's intervention, characters and storylines are undergoing recertification processes, a move that highlights the significant power the Chinese government wields over imported entertainment content. The authorities have also positioned Love and Deepspace as a cautionary example for other game studios, warning that content deliberately blurring legal lines, glorifying dangerous behavior, or undermining public safety will face removal.
In contrast to Love and Deepspace's struggles, top gacha games like HoyoVerse's Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero continue to perform strongly. Zenless Zone Zero, in particular, saw a notable rise in revenue, climbing from 15th to third place in July.