Why Rick Dyer is a Hypocrite
Zube (Apr 25, 1999)

Rick Dyer, of Dragon's Lair, Space Ace and Time Traveler fame, makes
the following comments in an article called "Computer Violence: Are Your
Kids at Risk?" which appeared in the staunchly unbiased Readers' Digest.  
(The full article is at
http://www.readersdigest.com/rdmagazine/specfeat/archives/computerviolenceareyourkidsatrisk.htm).

"These are not just games anymore," says Rick Dyer, president of the
San Diego-based Virtual Image Productions and an outspoken critic of
titles with violent and sexual content. "These are learning machines.
We're teaching kids in the most incredible manner what it's like to
pull the trigger. The focus is on the thrill, enjoyment and reward.
What they're not learning are the real-life consequences."

"Video-game developer Rick Dyer, whose company makes only E-rated
titles, says the effects on children are "one of the dark secrets that
this industry does not want to talk about, and for one reason: they're
making money from it." Its the same kind of attitude that has allowed
the tobacco industry to contend for so long that nicotine is not
addictive.  "There's no concern for the potential price we may pay in
society," Dyer says. "Its strictly the dollar."  "

Dyer seems to be arguing against video game violence and sexuality.
Let's examine Dyer's own work for violent and sexual content, hmmm?

In Dragon's Lair, Dirk possesses a sword and uses it quite frequently.
Some of the objects he disposes of are (if memory serves) the Giddy
Goons, several ephemeral monsters, the Crypt Creeps, some rattling
skulls, two large chicken feet (?), a large black knight, several small
bats, one large bat, and one large dragon.  Dirk also dies in several
gruesome ways including suffocation, falling off of or down something,
poisoning, electrocution, beheading, drowning, being run through by a
spear, being hit with an anvil and being crushed.  The rather cheeky
Daphne, saved at the end, is not quite what one might expect from
someone against sexual content.

Many of the same comments can be leveled against Space Ace.  Substitute
gun for sword, and update all the medieval bits to futuristic outer-
space and you have a fair representation of the violence there.  While
Kimberly is not quite as, uh, revealing as Daphne, one does not mistake
her for a middle-aged housewife with 2 loving children.

Finally, there is Time Traveler.  Now the hero has a gun (a "real"
one, as he is a cowboy) and he uses it quite frequently.  This time,
"real" characters die, not just animated ones.  Some baddies take
multiple shots to die as well.  In addition, our hero dies from
electrocution, gunshot, stabbing (both sword and spear), flame and
getting hit with an axe.  Finally, our live damsel in distress isn't a
middle-aged housewife either.

One interesting thing about all the games is that our leading woman is 
captured and held against her will and can only be rescued by our hero.
Daphne is held in a pod-like capsule in the Dragon's Lair, Kimberly is
shown strapped down in Space Ace, and whatever-her-name has her arms bound
above her head behind the nasty bad guy in Time Traveler.  One might wonder
how Dyer reconciles this with his "no sexual content" stance.  

Of course, all this is tripe.  DL and SA (IMHO) were great games and 
I spent gobs of money to see both endings (and DLII as well).  But Dyer
should look towards his own work before he criticizes others for violence
and sexual content.  Being a hypocrite does nothing to strengthen one's 
position.