A growing number of Love and Deepspace players are calling for the return of Valko, with a fan-led petition now exceeding 229,000 signatures.
The campaign asks developers Infold Games and Paper Games to restore Valko as a romanceable character after he was removed from the game following controversy surrounding his introduction in China.
The original backlash centered on concerns over the character's name and associations, leading to widespread criticism within the Chinese gaming community. Following the controversy, the developers removed Valko and later announced they would focus exclusively on expanding the stories of the game's five existing love interests rather than introducing new ones.
Despite the decision, international fans continue to support Valko's return. Petition organizers argue that the character was originally designed to play a meaningful role in the game's story and emotional relationships, and removing him changes the overall player experience.
Supporters believe Valko would add greater depth to the narrative and strengthen the game's character-driven storytelling, which has become one of its biggest attractions.
The petition is now approaching its next milestone of 250,000 signatures, with fans hoping the developers will reconsider their decision based on growing global demand.
Source: Pocket Gamer
Behind the Headline:
Community feedback can significantly influence a game's future, especially in live-service titles where storytelling evolves over time. Balancing creative vision with player expectations has become an increasingly important part of modern game development services.