Video games are compelling, but does playing them too much constitute a medical condition?

The gaming industry is trying to avoid “gaming disorder” becoming a formally recognised ailment.

The WHO, which has spent years looking into the addictive nature of video games, put “gaming disorder” on its list of health problems last year, a decision set to be endorsed by governments in May, with potential impacts on, for example, healthcare policy and insurance.

The US gaming industry group discussed the issue with WHO officials in Geneva last month, both sides said.