I will be saying this as someone who’s done her fair share of research in marketing (and well— these are some of the most basic ideas— common knowledge if you will)
It is important now more than ever that we boycott this game. This is because the article made the point that Valko’s return will be determined by market data (also content quality and long-term planning) —Quote from article below
If we genuinely want to increase the chances of Valko returning, the strongest message we can send is through our engagement—or, in this case, our lack of it. Avoid downloading, playing, or spending money on the game until meaningful changes are made.
Quote from the article: “Whether Ao Yin will be reinstated should be determined by Papergames based on content quality, market data, and long-term planning. However, the continued growth of overseas petitions has provided a noteworthy signal: when a character can generate signatures, creative works, charitable activities, and offline actions in multiple countries and regions, re-examining and product validation of them is not merely a response to public opinion, but may also be a repricing of global user needs and existing content investment.”
The article itself recognizes that the growing number of overseas petitions, fan creations, charity efforts, and offline events is a meaningful signal, demonstrating social proof. It shows that this is more than just some wave of online complaints (like the trolls had done) and that there is a real and dedicated global community that cares about this character, along with creative liberty. It gives us the idea that reconsidering putting Valko back could also be a way for Papergames to acknowledge what players value and make the most of the investment— that would be an even bigger loss altogether if they decide not to put him in— already put into the character.
That is why boycotting matters. If the company is looking at market data (which they will— they use observable consumer behavior as signals of demand) to make its decisions, then our actions become part of that data. Continued spending and engagement, from a market data stand point (so in the case where we don’t look at the overall engagement, donations, and everything this community has done together for Valko) can make it seem like we the players are satisfied, while stepping back shows that the situation has had a real impact on the community and shows Valko’s brand equity, aswell as the fact that he isn’t just important for the game as a whole, but also has significant revenue potential and bringing him back would bring in a lot of profit— showing his revenue potential, covering over the original investment costs and restore engagement from those of us who have stepped away from the game.
Q: Shouldn’t we support PPG and spend money? What if something happens to the game?
A: Papergames is a large company, and a temporary boycott from players is not going to suddenly cause the game to collapse. Taking a step back for a few weeks is a way to show how much this issue matters to the community, not a way to harm the game.
Continuing to spend and log in as usual sends the message that players are still satisfied and doesn’t show any clear evidence of the possibility of a revenue and potential profit increase if Valko were to be brought back. A short-term pause in spending and engagement allows the company to see the decrease in player retention and an increase in “lost players” (as per the data would show regarding the many people who have stopped logging in). It shows that there is a real impact and that the community’s concerns deserve attention. The goal is not to damage the game; the goal is to provide clear consumer feedback. Boycotting gives them statistical data of spending before and after Valko’s cancellation, which would then prove his value to the game and the profit that would come from bringing him back.
Q: What if my main’s card reruns during this time?
A: The best decision would be to still boycott. I understand how difficult it may be to have to skip a card for your main and stay logged out, especially if you’ve been wanting to get it. However, spending engagement time and money into the game during this period still sends a message through market data that everything is fine and doesn’t impact player retention analytics. They do not get statistical data of whether or not Valko impacts the game.
I’d also like to add— in the most non-biased or directed way possible and as a Rafayel main— that none of the love interests would support engaging in the game during this time, especially considering what has been done to creative liberty, the developers, creatives in general, and Valko by the toxic players and if change is possible if we boycott.
Think about it. The love interests themselves would eventually be affected in the long run if Valko were to remain gone, as the original story, creative vision, and foundation and plannings of the game that made it the game we know and love would disappear, which would then impact the future of the game. The game could possibly have an eventual ending or be scrapped— as player attachment and engagement levels continue to decrease (it would not be the fault of of the boycott, but would happen because it would fail to be the game that it had always been), which means your love interest may not have anymore content and would disappear into the void. All the love interests have a sort of connection. When one is affected, all six are affected. Which means with Valko gone, the other five would eventually meet an end as the game stops functioning.
None of the LIs would want that outcome. They also would not support the harmful treatment that the fake players have given Valko, the team, the players, the game after everything that it has done, along with the disrespect to creative liberty and the ungrateful entitlement that they have shown, being rewarded and would find the behavior and actions despicable. After everything the game has provided to its community, rewarding entitlement and negativity would go against the appreciation and respect that the developers and creative team deserve.
Protecting creative freedom means protecting the stories and characters that made people love the game in the first place, as well as the people behind it.
I know the boycotting is difficult and it is hard to let go of a card you’ve been waiting for, but cards— even if we’re a little impatient— will always continue to return through reruns. However, this movement will not have another chance to make the same impact. The love interests would want us to do this. For them, for the development team, for the sake of creative liberty, and for everything that was done wrong and every extremely messed up and disrespectful thing said or done to everyone involved (including us as players and Valko himself)
Remember: If Papergames is using player behavior and revenue data to make decisions, then our actions are what they will see.
Q: I’ll boycott, but is there anything else we can do?
A: Of course! Boycotting the game gives the company statistics on their market data. On top of this, there are other things we can keep doing to show our dedication.
You can continue sharing accurate information about Valko’s situation, participate in discussions respectfully, use his tags, make posts to keep him trending, support and make fan creations, and help others understand why this movement exists. Petitions, creative works, and community efforts are very important because they show PPG and Infold that this isn’t just a temporary reaction and that it reflects a genuine connection that players have with the character.
It’s also important to keep conversations respectful.
The goal is not to attack developers, other players, or the game itself.
The goal is to show that players care about the characters and the creative decisions behind the game, and that they want those voices to be considered.
Overall, every action and every person taking action counts. We need to show Papergames and Infold that taking Valko away has caused serious damage to their revenue and that bringing him back, as seen through the compared market data from before his cancellation and every single thing that we have done and achieved together as a community, will increase revenue.
Bringing Valko back would acknowledge us— the players who have continued to support him— and also show the company that listening to global user demand (something they should’ve been doing) can lead to renewed engagement, stronger player trust, and future success.
It is important for us to continue boycotting the game for the sake of showing the comparable, landslide-of-a-difference in market data from before his cancellation and after.
We got this, LADies! We’ve come so far in the last two weeks, it feels unreal. Show them the effect of Valko’s removal in general and on the revenue and the potential profit increase that will come with his return! Let’s continue fighting— we’re stronger than ever! Take care of yourselves and do whatever you can to continue helping throughout the movement. We’re doing so well and I am proud of us!
