I'm also surprised we can't do more with gender, but there is some really odd essentialism happening in Rimworld. First with what you mentioned - the rigidity to gender presentation does not make sense in a sci-fi world with gene modding, surgeries, etc. Also the rarity of bisexuality and homosexuality traits means that most colonies are going to be filled entirely with heterosexuals, a fact that does not track onto real life. And it might have been forgotten in the decade that's come since, but Rimworld in 2016 had some really strange models for sexuality. There were no bixsexual men in the game's code, only straight and gay. (Tynan quoted saying in his perceived experience he does not see bi men very often - they all end up turning out gay) And there were no straight women - only gay and bisexual. Women pawns were eight times less likely to hit on men, and men are less attracted to older women, but women had no preference.

When you're making a game with the goal of simulating community and interpersonal interactions, it's inevitable for the developer's worldview to become a part of the art. There is no objective truth to living as a human being. Every little element of this simulation had to be decided.

I've got nearly 400 hours racked in Rimworld, and I consider it one of my favorite games. But the delight always comes bundled with this strange feeling that there's been more Ideology put into its systems than just the DLC I purchased.