Moving to Curb Graphics Violence

Stanton this month became one of the few cities in the nation to prohibit an arcade from carrying video games depicting graphic violence, sexually charged content or explicit language.

The action comes amid concerns from some parents that violent games like Mortal Kombat, House of the Dead 2 and Virtual Fighters are harmful to young people and can bring trouble to the community.

“We found that if you eliminate these types of games, certain types of individuals who hang out at these places will go somewhere else,” said Mark Lloyd, Stanton’s director of developmental services. “We have an obligation to protect the community.”

The ban applies to the Nickel-Alley, a new arcade and family amusement center owned by video game manufacturer Capcom USA. The firm agreed not to carry violent or sexually charged games in order to win city approval for its project.

The ordinance also states that the arcade cannot have anyone under 18 on the property during school hours and that a security guard be present at all times.

“That’s the first I’ve heard that any government unit, whether it’s municipal or county, has banned violent video games,” said David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family, a watchdog group that provides parents with information on violent video games.

“We do not support banning violent games or censorship but rather empowering parents with information that the games are out there,” he added. “That’s a significant 1st Amendment issue.”

Some arcade operators question the need to restrict access to the games and point out that they are extremely popular with children and teens. They also dispute that violent games generate trouble.

Many video games now have warning stickers stating, “This game contains animated violence.”

One 16-year-old arcade patron, who asked not to be identified, said he plays House of the Dead 2 three times a week and wouldn’t go to an arcade that didn’t offer the violent video games.

“I like to watch the people in the games squirm,” he said. “Those other games are boring.”

Lloyd, the Stanton official, said the ordinance was prompted in part by problems at another arcade in the city to which the Sheriff’s Department has been called to break up fights.

Sheriff’s Lt. Hector Rivera said deputies have on many occasions been summoned to the arcade for “minor incidents” but said he doesn’t link violent video games with real-life violence.

Others disagree.

“The kids get such a rush killing their opponents,” Walsh said. “That’s pretty scary.”