Love and Deepspace Cancels Bilibili World 2026 Appearance Over Valko Controversy
Infold Games has announced the cancellation of Love and Deepspace's participation at Bilibili World 2026 amid significant backlash over the character Valko. This decision follows the removal of Valko, who was intended to be a new love interest in the game, after players in China expressed strong disapproval. A statement posted on the game's Xiaohongshu account acknowledged the criticism and included an apology to the player community.
In light of the cancellation, Infold Games will reimburse fans for any losses associated with Bilibili World, including ticket costs, airfare, and hotel cancellations for those who were set to attend the now-canceled panel. The studio also committed to conducting internal training and continuing to address the controversy while respecting Chinese culture and history.
The uproar surrounding Valko began with concerns about his introduction as a new love interest, as players voiced worries regarding the development of existing romance options and a controversial placeholder file associated with the character. This outcry led to the decision to remove Valko prior to his official release and prompted the cancellation of planned interactive activities involving a cosplayer of the character during the Anime Expo panel.
Why it matters
A fan petition demanding the reinstatement of Valko has gained traction, amassing over 230,000 signatures with a target of 250,000. In response to the backlash, Infold has stated it will focus on enhancing the stories of the five existing romance options rather than introducing new ones.
Original source
PocketGamer.biz
