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Business & Economy

Love and Deepspace Revenue Plummets Amid Valko Controversy

WireByte Staff · August 3, 2026

Papergames' romance gacha game Love and Deepspace suffered its worst month ever in July, with revenue dropping to $10 million from $40 million in June, amid controversy over the canceled character Valko. The game's popularity has been hit by fan discontent in China and elsewhere.

Key points

  • Papergames' Love and Deepspace game revenue dropped to $10 million in July, an all-time low.
  • The game's revenue had previously never fallen below $30 million.
  • The drop coincides with controversy over the canceled character Valko.
  • Fans in China and elsewhere have expressed discontent with the introduction of a sixth love interest.
  • Love and Deepspace's popularity has been impacted by the ongoing controversy.

Papergames' romance gacha game Love and Deepspace has been a massive hit since its release in 2024. However, the game's popularity has taken a hit in recent weeks due to controversy over the canceled character Valko. According to Sensor Data, Love and Deepspace pulled in just over $10 million in July, a significant drop from the $40 million it earned in June.

The controversy surrounding Valko began in June when Papergames revealed the new love interest. A subset of fans, mostly in China, felt that the introduction of a sixth love interest ignored the demand for meaningful updates to the game's existing love interests. The community was immediately divided on the character's reveal, with some fans expressing disappointment and frustration.

The impact of the controversy on Love and Deepspace's revenue is clear. The game's revenue had previously never fallen below $30 million, and the drop to $10 million in July is a significant blow. While it is unclear what the long-term impact of the controversy will be, it is clear that Love and Deepspace's popularity has been impacted.

Papergames has yet to comment on the controversy or the impact it has had on the game's revenue. However, the company has a history of engaging with its community and responding to fan feedback. It remains to be seen how Papergames will address the controversy and work to restore the game's popularity.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.