Indie Innovator: How River Liu Is Queering the Future of Gaming

In the fast-evolving world of indie games, River Liu stands out as a rising star whose work blends technical mastery with unapologetically queer storytelling. Liu, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, entered the gaming industry in 2019 as a freelance narrative designer. By 2025, their studio, Dreamhold Collective, had become a touchstone for LGBTQ+ gamers and allies seeking authentic, nuanced representation in interactive media .

"Veilbound," released in August 2025, is an atmospheric puzzle-adventure game set in a mystical city where identity is as fluid as magic itself. The protagonist, Miri, is a shapeshifter who navigates a world shaped by ancient prejudice and new alliances. Liu’s team, composed of queer artists, writers, and programmers, spent three years developing the game, which has since been lauded for both its gameplay and its affirming approach to gender and sexuality .

“Growing up, I rarely saw myself in games. I wanted to create a world where queerness is the norm, not the exception,” Liu shared in a post-launch interview with Out in Tech. “Every character in Veilbound—whether they’re nonbinary, trans, or gay—exists without needing to justify their identity. That’s the kind of game I needed as a kid” .

The launch of "Veilbound" sparked conversation across LGBTQ+ gaming forums, with many players expressing gratitude for its authentic depiction of queer relationships and nonbinary protagonists. The game sold over 100,000 copies within its first month and was nominated for "Best Narrative" at the 2025 Indie Game Awards for sales figures].

Liu’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond their games. Under their leadership, Dreamhold Collective has instituted a mentorship program for queer and trans developers, partnering with Out in Tech and Lesbians Who Tech to offer paid internships and training workshops . According to Tracy Levesque, co-chair of Out in Tech, “River is showing the industry how to build not just inclusive games, but inclusive teams. Their mentorship model is already being emulated by other studios.”

As the gaming sector grapples with calls for greater diversity, Liu has become an outspoken advocate for intersectional inclusion. In a keynote at the 2025 Queer Games Conference, they emphasized the necessity of moving beyond tokenism: “Representation matters, but so does power. It’s not enough to put a queer character in the background. We need to hire, promote, and fund queer creators at every level of the industry” .

Their approach is resonating: In 2024, only 2-3% of tech professionals self-identified as LGBTQ+, and the numbers were even lower for game developers . Initiatives like Dreamhold's are seen as crucial steps toward closing this gap.

Liu’s trajectory suggests a bright future for both their studio and the wider queer tech community. Their next project, currently untitled, promises a collaboration with LGBTQ+ artists from around the globe, aiming to further expand the horizons of representation in interactive media .

As Liu told Queer Games Network in a recent panel, “Queer people have always been innovators. Our stories deserve to be at the heart of the games we play—and the technologies we build” .

In an industry where queer voices are still too often relegated to the margins, River Liu’s work stands as a testament to what’s possible when LGBTQ+ creators lead with vision and authenticity. As "Veilbound" continues to win new fans and accolades, Liu’s impact is reshaping not just games, but the very culture of tech itself.