media literacy includes understanding why a media product was made, to whom it's being sold, and the assumed preferences of its marketing demographic. narrative is not produced or sold in a vacuum.
you might be totally correct that your ship would be narratively satisfying. I don't know, I'm not watching your show. Whether your ship is likely to happen on the show is a whole different question to whether it's satisfying, because the show is being sold to Netflix or Amazon or the BBC, and they are purchasing a show they think they can market to a particular demographic and that demographic isn't you, the nightmarishly online tumblr user. The show is being made for marketability to a constructed average viewer. It is being funded with that audience in mind. This art is being made to commission, and commissioned art is art, but at some point you have to stop expecting the Church to commission a statue of Lucifer fucking St Michael. It might be narratively satisfying, but that's just not what they're paying for.
Apparently some people still need to hear this so: using an 'ai checker' is still using ai. If you are feeding someone's fic to one of these checkers, you will still not be sure their fic is ai because they are not 100% accurate, but you can be 100% sure that you are using ai. For fic. Furthermore you are doing the work of an ai scraper for them. You are, personally, feeding the machine. There is no actual excuse for using an ai checker on fanfic as a hobby. YOU are the problem.
If you think a fic is ai, mute it and move on. That's it. That's all you do.
I know a lot of the controversy surrounding the CN fandom’s complaints with Valko have been explained or debunked by this point, but I do think it’s worth addressing that one letter to global fans that stated “we love and support the LGBTQ, but this game is not for them.”
You cannot have a space that is exclusively/safe for women while actively excluding queer women. That is homophobia.
You cannot dictate who is or is not allowed to enjoy a game because it is “for women.” That is homophobia.
You cannot criticize a character’s design wholly on the basis that it “looks queer,” and therefore it doesn’t belong. That is homophobia.
Yes, this game is made for women. Yes, it is really the only game of its kind that is as well developed and centers it’s female audience. That said, being a hospitable place to fans beyond those for whom the game is intended does not in any way undermine what the game is or who it is for.
There are no mass demands to change the game into something it is not to appease a broader audience even though it has reached a larger audience. If Infold did change the game to decenter women, that still wouldn’t be the fanbase’s fault. That would be Infold disregarding their own purpose and promises, and that is their own responsibility. And let’s practice some intellectual honesty: if Infold IS queerbaiting, it is not aimed at the male fanbase.
Corporate fuckery is the enemy here, not queer fans. That is homophobia.
Chinese supporters have spent money to name a star after Valko
Many Chinese players who originally were against Valko have begun apologising and siding with us.
We have beat Taylor swifts wedding multiple times on X
We only need 40k to complete our petition goal!
Valko’s song is number three on Lads Spotify
Lads ratings have drastically shrunk in the app stores
We crashed one of their mail boxes
Lads X account still has Valko’s trailers up despite having archived them on other platforms. Apparently this is because you can’t archive posts on X so they would have to actually delete them.
And most importantly, Infold has yet to double down!
Actionable Ideas for Challenging Infold Over Valko's Release (Updated!)
A lot of LADS fans are really upset over Infold's decision to shelve Valko. This is my attempt at creating action items for fans wanting to do something but are unsure where to start.
Here are some methods for giving Infold feedback:
Sign this petition and this petition
Reply to their posts on X (Twitter)
Comment on their Instagram posts and unfollow them
Comment on their Facebook posts and unfollow them
Comment on their YouTube videos and unfollow them
Comment on their XHS/RedNote posts and unfollow them
Join their official Discord Server and voice your dissatisfaction
Leave a 1-star review on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
Complete the survey in the Love and Deepspace app by selecting the box/pencil icon in the top right corner of the home screen
"Suggest" Valko's release in the Love and Deepspace app by going to Settings > More > Support, then select "Suggestion"
(If you want to be slightly passive-aggressive) On 9 July, go to Settings > More > Support, then select "Bug Report" and fill out the report stating that the promised Valko content is missing
Uninstall the LADS app after sending feedback, unless you want to continue using Support as another place to give repeated feedback
Remember: if we want Infold to listen to us, we MUST remain persistent, civil, and demonstrate our affection for the game. I highly doubt they will be intimidated by non-CN players, which means we are held to a different standard. What is effective for them will not be effective for us.
With that said, remember these do's and dont's:
Do vary your written feedback. Making each piece of feedback you give at least slightly different, particularly in emails, will ensure your thoughts are not filtered out.
Do repeatedly submit/post/send your feedback over the next few weeks. Email them today, in a few days, on 9 July, and in the weeks after. Post on their social media every day. Overwhelm them and show them this isn't going to go away over a few free Wishes.
Do prepare to CONTINUE submitting/posting/sending your feedback over the next few months. Infold needs to see that we won't let this issue go. Schedule emails to be sent to them over the next 3 months. Draft X posts today and copy and paste them to post in a few months time. Draft your long-form in-app feedback in preperation for the update and the upcoming banners. Create reminders to check and comment on their posts weekly. Don't let them get comfortable. Be a dog with a bone (lol).
Do maintain a polite tone in your feedback (even when you are issuing a threat like leaving the game).
Do specify your current disappointments, long-term criticisms, and expectations for the future of the game should you continue to play. For example, don't just say you want more Main Story updates; specify that you want them every three months.
Do clearly isolate your long-term issues with the game from the current issue of Valko's release. Make it clear that those issues are not resolved by delaying or permanently canceling Valko's debut.
Do talk positively about whatever you can (ie. enjoying other LIs, enjoying the content of the Main Story itself, appreciating the worldbuilding, etc). This may feel difficult, but it demonstrates that you are a passionate player. Infold can assume that a player so invested in the game would need something drastic to push them to leave.
Don't use profanity.
Don't reference CN players.
Don't bring up Infold's past mistakes. We need to stay focused on the current issues.
Don't criticize anything about Valko's teased content. This one may be unpopular, I know. If Infold is pulling back Valko's release, I don't think it's likely that they will be willing to invest any more time and money into his development. If they continue to get more and more criticisms about him and don't care to change anything about him, they will never release him. I'm not minimizing any fan's concerns; I'm suggesting we choose a priority.
If you are unsure where to start, here are some talking points:
Express your excitement over Valko (bonus points if you give reasons why). Did you come back from a long hiatus for him?
Express your disappointment over not having Valko in the game. How will it impact your enjoyment of the game?
Describe how you prepared for his anticipated arrival.
• In-game (farm for dias, bought packs, etc)
• On your devices (created storage space, bought a new device, etc)
• Financially (budgeted for buying packs upon his release, etc)
Describe how you engaged in fandom around Valko. Did you create fanart, fanfiction, or other fanworks? How much were you consuming fanworks showcasing him? Demonstrating how beloved he was before any real content of his being released indicates a warm reception if/when he is released.
What are the current issues you experience with the game? Be specific. Describe exactly how they impact your gameplay. Suggest a concrete way those issues could be resolved. Assert that Valko's release being postponed or canceled will not resolve these issues.
Express concern for the changes to their planned story arc his absence would create. Question if those changes would be as enjoyable as their original plan.
(If you're feeling up to it) Acknowledge the amount of time, effort, and money that must have gone into creating Valko. Let them know it would disappoint you to see it go to waste.
Infold made a terrible decision. We need to take action and let Infold know that a large portion of the LADS fanbase wants Valko to be released at some point. Let's try to remain positive where we can, engage in positive fandom, and do our best to make our voices heard by Infold.
Thanks to @shivasdarknight, @adehsroyal, and @alyxzenia for their contributions!
