Gaming Trade Groups Oppose WHO’s Gaming Disorder Classification

Gaming trade groups around the world have opposed WHO for the inclusion of gaming disorders among the recognised diagnoses. Last week, the member states of the World Health Organization agreed to adopt the latest revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), which includes gaming disorders among its recognised diagnoses.

A number of gaming trade groups have released a joint statement calling on the WHO to reverse course. Representatives from various gaming trade groups have asked the WHO “to re-examine at an early date” the inclusion of gaming disorders in the ICD-11.

“The WHO is an esteemed organization and its guidance needs to be based on regular, inclusive, and transparent reviews backed by independent experts. Gaming disorder’ is not based on sufficiently robust evidence to justify its inclusion in one of the WHO’s most important norm-setting tools,” the groups said.

“It’s like branding games as an evil thing. This will spread among the public a negative perception about video games… The future damage [this would cause] to the games industry and games culture is simply incalculable,” K-GAMES spokesperson Seo Hyun-il said.