- Joined
- Aug 20, 2006
- Messages
- 13,000
The gaming industry is pushing back against the World Health Organization (WHO), which plans to legitimize “gaming disorder” as a genuine medical condition. While the agency insists gaming addiction is real, industry veterans are calling the classification a rushed decision that unfairly puts the hobby in a bad light.
The ESA called for “more conversation and education” before any classification was finalized. The WHO defined the disorder as when gaming takes over people’s lives for a year or more to the detriment of other activities and the “continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.” It said another meeting this year with the industry body was tentatively planned, but the dialogue did not imply collaboration with the games makers.
The ESA called for “more conversation and education” before any classification was finalized. The WHO defined the disorder as when gaming takes over people’s lives for a year or more to the detriment of other activities and the “continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.” It said another meeting this year with the industry body was tentatively planned, but the dialogue did not imply collaboration with the games makers.