The Sunday Papers
The mobile game Love and Deepspace encountered significant controversy following the announcement of character Valko, particularly among its Chinese player community. Fans raised concerns that the introduction prioritised a new character at the expense of established ones, and voiced objections to aspects of Valko's design and behaviour portrayed in promotional materials.
The dispute escalated dramatically when the developer Infold received physical threats, including packages containing cow manure and funeral wreaths sent to its offices. Chinese government officials subsequently initiated an investigation into the game, reportedly examining allegations that deleted game files contained references to historical wartime atrocities and reviewing sexually inappropriate elements in Valko's character presentation. The developer responded with apologetic statements but avoided specific acknowledgment of the underlying grievances fuelling the crisis.
In short
- Mobile game Love and Deepspace faced intense backlash in China after announcing new character Valko, with established players objecting to perceived sidelining of existing characters
- Developer received physical threats; Chinese government launched investigation into alleged WW2 references in deleted files and inappropriate sexual content
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Players and officials are justified in scrutinising content that may trivialise historical atrocities or present age-inappropriate material to young audiences. Game developers operating globally bear responsibility to respect cultural sensitivities and maintain reasonable content standards, particularly for products accessed by minors. The investigation represents legitimate consumer protection and cultural preservation, ensuring that commercial entertainment does not normalise historical harm or exploit vulnerable players.
The case against
Whilst some grievances might merit consideration on their merits, the response has been catastrophically disproportionate. Physical threats cannot be justified regardless of underlying disputes. Game developers require creative autonomy to design characters within legal bounds; retrospective government investigation of deleted files and character aesthetics sets a chilling precedent for creative industries. The developer's measured acknowledgment without capitulation represents a reasonable position that should not be escalated through intimidation or state intervention.
Explained simply
Love and Deepspace is a popular mobile game that focuses on character relationships and storylines. The developer Infold recently announced a new character called Valko, which sparked significant backlash from the game's Chinese players. Players objected to various aspects of the character's design and behaviour, and some felt that introducing a new character prioritised it over maintaining engagement with established players and their favourite existing characters.
The controversy escalated dramatically when physical threats were made against the developer, including packages containing cow manure and funeral wreaths delivered to Infold's offices. The Chinese government subsequently launched an investigation into the game, examining allegations that deleted game files contained references to historical wartime events and reviewing content involving Valko that was deemed sexually inappropriate. The developer released apologies but did not directly address the specific concerns that had fuelled the public anger.