The World Health Organisation has voted to recognise video game addiction and professional burnout as official illnesses.
The 194 members of the WHO unanimously agreed on the changes in a revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11).
The classification defines gaming disorder as "characterised by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences".
The classification for gaming disorder was initially added to the ICD-11 revision in mid-2018 as the gaming industry faced increased scrutiny over games that encouraged compulsive play. Many games across console and mobile reward players with daily login bonuses and rewards.
However, the WHO's decision to adopt gaming disorder as an official disease has been met with strong opposition by the global games industry.