Love and Deepspace Developers Face Male Fan Exclusion Claims as 80 Million-Download Hit Restricts BL Content
Updated
Updated · Kotaku · Jul 15
Love and Deepspace Developers Face Male Fan Exclusion Claims as 80 Million-Download Hit Restricts BL Content
1 articles · Updated · Kotaku · Jul 15
Summary
Kotaku reported Papergames and publisher Infold are accused of excluding male fans from Love and Deepspace events, including claims no men were chosen for Anime Expo character interactions after a gender-based signup process.
A GameSpot writer said PR staff at a January New York anniversary event asked her not to film male attendees to avoid suggesting the game embraced gay relationships, then monitored her more closely after she refused.
Official community rules deepen the backlash: the game’s subreddit bans BL content outright, and queer male fans told Kotaku their posts were removed or they were harassed for openly discussing the game.
The dispute lands on one of gaming’s biggest otome titles, with more than 80 million downloads and over $1 billion spent, amplifying scrutiny of how Papergames balances Chinese censorship risks against a global audience.
When a global game faces backlash, which fanbase will its billion-dollar developer ultimately choose to betray?
After caving to fan outrage, can a game company ever introduce new content without sparking another community meltdown?
Is creating a 'safe space' for women a valid reason to actively exclude gay men from a gaming community?
72,000 Signatures and the Valko Controversy: How "Love and Deepspace" Sparked a Global Debate on Otome Game Identity and Inclusivity
Overview
In June 2026, Papergames cancelled the character Valko in 'Love and Deepspace,' sparking widespread controversy and strong reactions from players. This led to a major policy shift: the developer announced there would be no new love interests in the future, aiming to focus on improving existing characters based on player feedback about lack of updates. The cancellation triggered online protests and petitions, with the 'Bring Valko Back!' campaign quickly gathering over 72,000 signatures. These events highlight deep community divisions and show how player feedback and company decisions can rapidly escalate into major controversies.