Chennai: Even as World Health Organisation now recognises “gaming disorder,” a college in TN has sent out a notification to the men's hostel warning them to quit gaming, especially PUBG.
The WHO’s designation is meant to get ahead of this problem. It creates a basis that the health care system can build a response around. “Doctors will have a condition to diagnose patients with. It enables more research into the disorder.” said a psychologist in the city.
In the light of such recognition, the chief of warden of VIT’s (Vellore Institute of Technology) men's hostel wrote-
“It has come to our notice that a few students are playing online games like ‘PUBG’ which is not permitted. This despite our repeated instructions against playing online games inside the rooms which disturbs fellow roommates and spoiling entire atmosphere of the hostel. It is strictly warned that playing online games and betting for such games are totally prohibited in VIT. Hence, defaulters will be dealt seriously under [the] VIT code of conduct. Students are asked to concentrate on physical games or sports and give more importance to their career growth” the circular read.
Several complaints received on the addition to PUBG have been causing disturbance and disturbing other hostelers, say staff at the university. “Addiction to games like PUBG has resulted in poor academic performance by students," they said. Cases of PUBG addiction are being continuously reported in NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences), Bangalore, after several youngsters between the ages of 18-30 began getting addicted to the game, sources say. Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) was released earlier this year and has since become widely popular.
In the game, up to one hundred players parachute onto an island and scavenge for weapons and equipment to kill others while avoiding getting killed themselves.
