GameWorks to restrict games access

Gary Gentile

Friday, Oct. 6, 2000 | 11:12 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- GameWorks, a high-tech arcade, bar and restaurant with an outlet in Las Vegas, will restrict access to its mature-rated games to people over 16.

The company -- a joint venture of Universal Studios, Sega Enterprises and DreamWorks SKG -- already offers restricted access if requested by a parent. The policy change announced today would automatically restrict access to particularly violent games unless a special pass is bought by a parent or guardian.

The Glendale-based company introduced a limited-access "V-Card" in its 20 U.S.-owned locations about a year ago. Instead of using coins or tokens, patrons buy debit cards that can be used at any of 200 games or attractions and buy meals and drinks. The "V-Card" cannot be used at games with mature content, which are flagged with a large red sticker.

GameWorks employees will now ask for identification before selling unlimited access cards to children, the company said, adding that fewer than 10 percent of the games in a typical location are considered to have mature content.

"It's the right thing to do," said Ron Bension, president and chief executive officer of GameWorks. "We're probably going to lose some business from this. But we think it's a good policy and an enforceable policy."

The new rules come at a time of increased scrutiny of films, music and video games. The Federal Trade Commission recently criticized entertainment companies for marketing violent content to children. Congress is holding hearings on the topic and the issue has surfaced in the presidential campaign.

In response, several entertainment companies have offered guidelines restricting advertisements for violent or sexually explicit products.

Bension conceded the policy change isn't foolproof. Someone posing as a parent or guardian could buy an unrestricted pass for a child under 16. And just like the voluntary ratings issued by the film industry, which restrict access to R-rated films to children over 17 unless accompanied by a parent, the success of the new policy depends on employees vigorously enforcing it.

"It's not bulletproof," Bension said. "But we're in the restaurant, bar and entertainment business and we're used to checking people's IDs."