Love and Deepspace campaign draws controversy over fictional drink recipes containing toxic plants
Infold Games' mobile title Love and Deepspace received criticism for a social media campaign encouraging players to suggest ingredients for fictional in-game drinks, with some suggestions including dangerous real-world plants like Datura and flame lily. The developer subsequently added a safety notice clarifying the drinks are fictional and not meant for real-world recreation. Players also used the campaign's comments to renew complaints about the cancelled Valko character, whose planned addition was scrapped in July following player backlash.
Infold Games' mobile romance title faced dual criticism this week when a fan engagement initiative backfired. The developer solicited user-generated content for fictional beverages tied to an in-game event, but participants began suggesting botanicals with genuine health risks, including hallucinogenic and toxic species. The studio responded by appending warnings to clarify these were fantasy creations with no real-world application.
The incident reignited frustration over a separate, unresolved controversy. Players had previously mobilized against the planned introduction of a sixth romantic character option, citing concerns about content roadmaps and resource allocation. That backlash resulted in the character's cancellation in July, yet the community interpreted the new campaign as tone-deaf given their outstanding grievances remained unaddressed.
This incident could influence how game publishers approach community engagement campaigns, particularly those inviting user participation on social platforms. The dual nature of the backlash—both safety concerns and perceived developer insensitivity to player feedback—may shape future communication strategies. Mobile games relying on dedicated fan bases for revenue could face reputational risks when campaigns appear disconnected from ongoing player concerns, potentially affecting player retention and spending patterns.