The Entertainment Software Association has given their official response to the release of draft language from the World Health Organization on video games.
In response to cases of video game addiction, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been taking steps to add an official description for “gaming disorder” to their diagnostic manual. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) released an official statement in reaction the WHO’s release of draft language.
“Just like avid sports fans and consumers of all forms of engaging entertainment, gamers are passionate and dedicated with their time. Having captivated gamers for more than four decades, more than 2 billion people around the world enjoy video games. The World Health Organization knows that common sense and objective research prove video games are not addictive,” The statement reads, “and, putting that official label on them recklessly trivializes real mental health issues like depression and social anxiety disorder, which deserve treatment and the full attention of the medical community. We strongly encourage the WHO to reverse direction on its proposed action.”
The ESA represents the US video game industry, serving many software publishers through conducting business and consumer research. In addition, the ESA provides legal and policy analysis along while also owning and operating E3.
Those interested in following the ESA’s actions can check out the organization’s Twitter pages here and here.
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