There is a gacha game called Love and Deepspace. Believe it or not, this game is a monster hit, and it usually tops the gacha sales chart every month. It may not be number one all the time, but this game is always in the top 3 and makes a lot of money. It recently had some controversy, and we’ll take a look at what makes this game so profitable.
The Valko Controversy
The Valko controversy is one of the biggest controversies in the history of Love and Deepspace. Valko was officially announced in June 2026 as the game’s sixth romanceable male lead and was scheduled to debut in Version 6.0. He was presented as a powerful businessman with a werewolf-like alter ego, and many players were excited by the darker, more mature concept. However, within days of his reveal, intense backlash erupted primarily from the Chinese player community, which ultimately led developer Infold Games to cancel his release entirely before he ever became playable.
One of the most serious controversies involved an in-game experimental file connected to Valko that used the number “0731.” Many Chinese players believed this was an unacceptable reference to Unit 731, the Imperial Japanese Army unit responsible for horrific human experimentation during World War II. Because Unit 731 remains an extremely sensitive historical subject in China, the allegation spread rapidly online.
The developers responded by stating that the number was never intended to reference Unit 731 and apologized for the misunderstanding, promising to change the identifier. However, for many critics, the explanation came too late, and the issue significantly intensified the backlash. Sadly, Valko was never released, and it looks like he will never be released. That is the issue from the Chinese community. Will he be released for Global? Who knows, maybe when the controversy dies down, Valko could come out.
What is Love and Deepspace?
Let’s take a look at why this game is so big and why it can be considered controversial. One thing is certain: this game is generating a lot of money and even going toe to toe with top-tier gacha games based on their sales.
Story in summary
Love and Deepspace is a 3D sci-fi romance game that combines an emotional love story with action and mystery. You play as a customizable female protagonist who has recently become a Deepspace Hunter, an elite fighter tasked with protecting humanity from dangerous monsters known as Wanderers. The game takes place in the futuristic city of Linkon, where strange phenomena connected to deep space have begun threatening the world. As you investigate these incidents, you slowly uncover secrets about your own past, mysterious cosmic powers called Evol, and the true nature of the Deepspace anomaly.
Gameplay mechanics
Unlike many traditional dating simulators, Love and Deepspace features real-time action combat alongside its visual novel storytelling. During battles, you fight the Wanderers using different weapons such as swords, guns, staffs, and claymores while your chosen love interest fights beside you as a partner. Each companion has unique combat abilities and Evol powers that can be combined with your own attacks to defeat enemies. Players can also adjust the difficulty or use automated combat options if they prefer to focus on the story.
Outside of combat, the game focuses heavily on building relationships with the characters. Players can go on virtual dates, receive voice calls and text messages, read romantic side stories, play minigames like Kitty Cards and the claw machine, take photos together, and interact with the characters in first-person 3D scenes. The protagonist’s appearance, voice, and clothing can also be customized, helping players feel personally connected to the story.
Gacha mechanics
The gacha system in Love and Deepspace revolves around obtaining collectible “Memories,” which are character cards that serve both as combat equipment and story content. Players spend a premium currency to perform “wishes” on different banners, with each banner featuring its own pool of available Memories and rules regarding featured characters or limited-time rewards. Higher-rarity Memories generally provide stronger combat abilities and unlock exclusive interactions, making them the primary focus for many players.
The game regularly features several banner types. The permanent banner contains a stable selection of standard Memories that remain available year-round. Limited banners introduce exclusive Memories tied to specific events or characters and are only available for a set period. Some special event banners may include multiple featured Memories, seasonal themes, or anniversary content, often offering exclusive rewards that cannot be obtained once the event ends unless they receive a future rerun.