As a player since launch day, I'm going to put my two cents in:
It's been 893 days in Linkon City. I've had my excitement, my frustrations, and of course my threats to leave like every one else because of the way things have evolved both in-game and amongst our online communities lately (but mostly because of the Deepspace Trials haunting me in my sleep lol)
Yes, I do feel there are some changes that needed to be addressed with the current resource system, as well as with some long overdue main story expansions BEFORE another LI was introduced. And my apprehensions about Valko's announcement derived SOLELY from some of those neglected improvements... but Valko WAS something fresh and new who FINALLY brought some excitement back into this game for both departed and veteran players, and even boasted an influx of new players as well. It was kind of refreshing to see. But on the other hand, this fictional man was met with some of the craziest backlash we've ever witnessed in this community, and it clearly seemed to overpower the latter.
I will admit, he's was not MY type, but neither are 3 of the 5 current LIs. But that doesn't mean I wasn't still quite intrigued about how his story fits into the current timeline... but now we'll never know. To see him completely abandoned after ALL of the buildup, because ONE fraction of a fandom threw a fit?? Quite unfathomable if you ask me, but here we are.
I won't lie and say I'm not a small bit relieved right now because I know I'm not alone in saying: farming materials and enhancing current LIs has been a struggle this year due to the current resources (or lack thereof) and evermore demanding release schedule. I've skipped more banners than ever this year and narrowed myself down to 1 LI frankly because I couldn't keep up anymore, even as a semi-P2P player... but that's an issue with the system itself, not Valko. That's why you delay his release and communicate with your players about necessary improvements to compensate for their concerns, LISTEN TO THEM, and not just FOLD at some ridiculously petty and frankly out-of-pocket backlash before we even met him. I remember when half of the players despised Sylus and Caleb when they were launched, but here we are still loving or loathing them with open arms.
Yeah, the timing wasn't great for Valko, but I can't help but hurt for the players who already came to love him in these last few weeks, and for a fleeting moment, found some love and life in this game again. But I mostly feel for the creatives who clearly put so much work, time and LOVE into Valko's development, then had to watch it all crumble right before their eyes. And now we're left with nothing but a kitchen and photo booth....
Whatever happens from here, this has turned into a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.' But what they did today was NOT a solution, it was a cop out and a slap in the face to a very loyal group of their followers. The reputation of this game has likely been tarnished for good, and I hope those players are happy about what they just did to the future of Love and Deepspace....
