Massive thank you to @avananabread for bringing this to my attention and giving me some info! You're an angel!!
Find all other reports here!
I fear my smear campaign theory might've been right on the nose. Here's what I know from researching:
In 2024, Papergames (Infold) filed a lawsuit against Archosaur Games, the owner of Silent Whispers, for trademark infringement. Archosaur had used registered trademarks like Shining Nikki, Infinity Nikki, and Miracle Nikki as search keywords in WeChat ads to promote their game Life Makeover. Papergames won in 2025.
During the trial, it was found that a company called Tencent is the second largest stockholder of SW.
Tencent is a MASSIVE company that has been known to sink its competitors using vile tactics like smear campaigns, hiring bots, paying off the media, and undermining the public opinion. The current situation is far too similar for it to be a coincidence.
Shanghai originally stepped in to support Ppg, as they contribute a large amount of taxes to the city, but this wasn't enough to stop the campaign
However, Tencent didn't (and couldn't) expect this level of global support. We are quite literally acting as Infold's shield. WE are the only reason this campaign is starting to crumble.
Remember, SW has a Sylus clone and they recently released a werewolf character as well. In recent posts that I've seen, his eye color has changed from green to yellow, and his skin is lighter. Example.
This perfectly explains why the police and Infold's legal department are so involved. This was never just about a group of online bullies, these are PAID TROLLS. Their job was to spread misinformation and try to change the public opinion about LADS.
There is substantial evidence to suggest that SW has also been purchasing likes and views. Here's a post to support this.
The smear campaign is crumbling FAST. Posts and comments are being deleted, police are investigating, and RedNote is actively taking action against those who spread misinformation. Here's a post.
This has always been bigger than a vocal minority disliking Valko. Valko was the scapegoat. This was a full-blown attempt to sink Infold as a company.
DO NOT STOP POSTING! The more we can show our support for Valko, the more this smear campaign crumbles.
Posting links to various X posts that support these claims
SW was in development in 2016, while LADS started development in 2018. THIS IS SPECULATION: LADS released first and gained popularity FAST. This reeks of jealousy and pettiness, in my opinion. Nothing like the frustration of someone else being more efficient and more effective.
Screenshots and initial trial info
Previous allegations against Tencent:
Tencent vs. ByteDance in 2018. Accusations: paying public relations firms to publish negative articles, spreading false information, manipulating public opinion, unfair competition
Tencent vs. miHoYo, 2021-2022. Accusations: coordinated negative posts, influencer campaigns, fake grassroots criticism ("astroturfing")
WeChat moderation and censorship. Accusations: censorship of politically sensitive topics, protests, criticism of Chinese authorities, certain historical events
Frequently associated with paid commenters ("water armies," 水军), fake reviews, coordinated social media promotion, influencer networks
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