ROBERT YANG

Button-pushing game developer Robert Yang on his battle with censorship in his bid to explore and embrace sex and sexuality in gayming

Words Thomas Stichbury

Often described as one of the most controversial game developers on the planet, Robert Yang takes it to the next level when it comes to exploring and normalising consenting gay sex in gaming. Indeed, in February, he was named Gayming Icon at the Gayming Awards for furthering the status and increasing the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the industry.

The former assistant arts professor first fell in love with video games when he played Super Mario Bros on the NES – but Robert has plummeted down a very different pipeline since then and, these days, he fires his own proverbial red shells at the ‘bosses’ (or rather, platforms) who censor queer content.

Reflecting on his work – from historical bathroom cruising simulator The Tearoom to steamy ‘shower-em-up’ Rinse and Repeat – Robert tells Attitude about the trail-blazing trans women who inspire him, pushing buttons (literally and figuratively), and the frustration of being policed.

Before we dive into the world of gaming, you studied English Literature at college. As a fellow English Lit grad, I was wondering,  which book means the most to you and why?

INTERFACE: Robert Yang’s games seek to educate as well as entertain

Mrs Dalloway is my all-time favourite novel. A lot of novels are about how city life is alienating and lonely, but Mrs Dalloway is both jaded and romantic about it. I’m going to adapt it into a video game someday.

When did you decide to go down the path of becoming a gaming developer? Was that always the plan, or was there an alternative route you didn’t end up taking?

Growing up, I “modded” video games as a hobby. Then, after college, I didn’t really know what to do and I applied to big commercial game studios, but I was told my hobbyist portfolio was too weird. I decided to go to art school to approach games from more of an art angle.