I’ve been replying to so many people with this exactly screenshot - I realised I should explain just in case globally some people may not know the story and how LADS marketing is subverting the prejudice of wolves in stories.
For context, according to the Cambridge dictionary the definition of subvert is: to try to destroy or damage something.
LADS consistently subverts expectations in the writing of all love interests, from a demonic Fiend Underworld Owner having a soft pure love, to a doctor who is actually from the higher plane of existence and was a supreme god, to a sea god who has the power of sun-fire that can harm and heal. A lot of these concepts seem to directly contradict each other, by being the opposite of what you would expect but the narrative shows their complexity through their narrative scope and characterisation.
Valko as a werewolf was written to subvert the “big bad wolf” perception from Fairytales and Fables. This isn’t even assumption - the explicitly reference Fairytales in the marketing material for this reason! The infamous “do not bathe in the pot” is a reference to the ending of the story of the Three Little Pigs wherein they manage to trap the Big Bad Wolf that was trying to eat them and kill it by boiling it in a pot. The warning isn’t for women, it’s a warning to a *wolf* to not be trapped and “bathe in the pot” in a tongue in cheek way.
Furthermore, in his Foregone Fall trailer they explicitly again indicate to the viewer Valko is a good and trustworthy wolf because they subvert his behaviour from the build up to the pay off. Allow me to explain:
Build up:
The narrative starts with a fairytale-like slightly haunting rhythm with the visuals of MC alone at night. The text reads:
“In every fairy tale, hunters are wolves’ worst nightmare”
This is already positioning MC as the one in the position of power, as instead of the wolves tormenting the hunter, it’s the Hunter the wolves should be afraid of. As MC is also a Hunter by occupation, the remark is establishing ironically her job is a Hunter AND within her dynamic with Valko, it is a play on Hunter x Wolf.
“Home alone, Hunter? Better watch out-“
This is not a call for danger, it’s the establishment that on this night MC is dealing with the silly nightmare of a wolf instead of the other way around. But it is not literal danger, it’s a joke of him being extremely needy about being in her presence. We can also see from his hand earlier that he has been wounded, so MC’s “nightmare” is a needy wounded wolf who she clearly is attracted to coming to visit her.
Pay off:
Unlike old stories of evil wolves like Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood, Valko has no interest in “eating you” in any dangerous way, he just wants to play and adore you. Hence the dialogue goes from a old book style font to a modern bold font (like his modern and bold personality!) stating his “invasion” is not literal but him making his way into your heart.
In the Three Little Pigs, the Wolf falls into the Pigs home through the chimney to eat them, but this trailer story is the opposite premise and romantic, with no pigs but a capable beautiful Hunter. There is no chimney, Valko is going to the Hunter’s balcony, and he does not “fall” into her house, Valko “falls” in love with her. Hence the dialogue reads:
“Love Falls in Wolf form.“
It’s why the trailer is called Foregone Fall. It is a romantic descent he cannot help but feel for her.
It is a conventional paranormal romance trope for the otherworldly being (often a man) to visit a mortal (woman) at night to suggest a sense of secret intimacy and unconventional private romance. Romeo and Juliet has a key scene about this very theme of secret meetings between lovers where he goes to visit her.
The premise is around their Bond “Date”, which also indicates the meeting is romantic and potentially Valko being in danger he needs to get away from, so finds safety with MC who he is courting. It is an impromptu date.
🚨UPDATE: The narrative surrounding Valko’s cancellation in Love and Deepspace has shifted.
According to players, both the Chinese and global communities are now protesting Valko’s removal after claims that much of the original backlash stemmed from a coordinated misinformation campaign. The reports also state that those behind the campaign have since admitted to it, prompting renewed calls for Infold to reconsider the decision.
Love and Deepspace genuinely works hard to share Chinese culture with audiences. It never disrespects China or women. Please share this widely. I’ll keep adding more content, so make sure to spread all these positive statements!🙏#Valko#loveanddeepspacecharacters
🚨 ÚNETE A LA TWITTEADA GLOBAL 🚨
# KeepValkoAlive
📅 2 de julio
🕒 Horarios de inicio:
🇲🇽 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (México)
🇬🇹 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (Guatemala)
🇧🇿 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (Belice)
🇸🇻 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (El Salvador)
🇭🇳 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (Honduras)
🇳🇮 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (Nicaragua)
🇨🇷 9:00 AM CST / UTC-6 (Costa Rica)
🇨🇴 10:00 AM COT / UTC-5 (Colombia)
🇵🇪 10:00 AM PET / UTC-5 (Perú)
🇪🇨 10:00 AM ECT / UTC-5 (Ecuador)
🇵🇦 10:00 AM EST / UTC-5 (Panamá)
🇨🇺 11:00 AM CDT / UTC-4 (Cuba)
🇻🇪 11:00 AM VET / UTC-4 (Venezuela)
🇧🇴 11:00 AM BOT / UTC-4 (Bolivia)
🇵🇾 11:00 AM PYT / UTC-4 (Paraguay)
🇩🇴 11:00 AM AST / UTC-4 (República Dominicana)
🇵🇷 11:00 AM AST / UTC-4 (Puerto Rico
🇨🇱 11:00 AM CLT / UTC-4 (Chile)
🇦🇷 12:00 PM ART / UTC-3 (Argentina)
🇺🇾 12:00 PM UYT / UTC-3 (Uruguay)
🇧🇷 12:00 PM BRT / UTC-3 (Brasil)
🇺🇸 11:00 AM EDT / UTC-4 (Estados Unidos - Este)
🇺🇸 10:00 AM CDT / UTC-5 (Estados Unidos - Centro)
El 2 de julio tenemos la oportunidad de demostrar que la comunidad global de Love and Deepspace tiene una voz fuerte y merece ser escuchada.
El fandom internacional sí tiene valor. Existe una comunidad fuerte y organizada, dispuesta a apoyar su historia, invertir en su contenido y demostrar que el mercado global representa una oportunidad que no debería ser ignorada. En las decisiones que afectan a la comunidad internacional, también deben considerar nuestra opinión. Aunque nuestro impacto económico no sea igual, seguimos siendo una parte importante del presente y del futuro de Love and Deepspace.
Esta campaña tiene un objetivo claro: demostrar que, aunque Valko nunca fue lanzado oficialmente, ya cuenta con una audiencia real. Su eliminación significaría ignorar el interés de miles de jugadores alrededor del mundo. El interés por Valko no es una moda pasajera. No desaparecerá por eliminar sus publicaciones o compensarnos con unos deseos. Valko nunca tuvo la oportunidad de desarrollarse dentro del juego y, aun así, logró despertar una enorme expectativa. Creemos que tiene el potencial de convertirse en un personaje exitoso, atraer nuevos jugadores y generar ingresos para el juego.
No estamos exigiendo un lanzamiento inmediato. Lo que pedimos es que Infold no cierre definitivamente la puerta a Valko y considere traerlo de vuelta en el futuro.
Cada publicación, repost y respuesta utilizando #/KeepValkoAlive y los demás enlistados abajo ayudará a demostrar que Valko sigue teniendo una comunidad fuerte, organizada y dispuesta a esperarlo. Compartan está información en todas partes y por favor no usen el hashtag antes del tiempo acordado. Esto reduce los chances de un top trending.
📢 Hagamos que nuestra voz llegue a Infold. Demostremos que Valko sigue vivo en el corazón de la comunidad y que su historia merece una oportunidad.
# KeepValkoAlive
# NoToValkoCancellation
# BringValkoBack
# JusticeforValko
# Valko
@aitaikimochi@pinkcrispss Maybe ppl could bring printed Valko pics and place them in the empty booth, put flowers, balloons, etc. Make a point that his existence is still present with us.
🚨 Infold Games has canceled the planned werewolf love interest Valko for Love and Deepspace following major backlash from parts of the player base.
The protest escalated to the point where the developer reportedly received cow dung by mail and funeral offerings were left outside its offices.
The studio also apologized, confirmed no new romance options will be added in the future.