Video games are often cited in research papers. Many of the major citation systems have yet to create a format for citing video games. In most cases, you will be asked to include similar information in a computer software citation. Your reader will be able to access the game by including any additional information that you feel is necessary. For video games, the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association(APA) and Chicago Manual of Style provide suggestions for formatting a citation.
The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a set of conventions and standards for writing.
1. Start your Works Cited entries with the title. Italicize the title of each game, exactly as it appears at the title screen. Do not use numbers unless the game specifies. A period should be placed after the title.
2. Include the platform and version. It is important to include the version number and platform when citing a videogame. This allows readers to access the exact game you played, even though the player would need to play the game to get the content. Add the year of the game’s release. Separate version, platform, as well as year using commas. After the year, place a period.
3. Add any additional information. Complete your citation by adding any relevant information. This could include voice actors or designers.
4. You can refer readers to specific games by using in-text references. When discussing the content and design of a videogame, in-text parentheticals citations are usually not required. The game you are discussing is already known by your readers, and you don’t need to provide pages or timestamps. You can however use in-text references to point to specific levels or parts of the game.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide,
1. Enter the title and description for the game. Type the title of game using regular font. After the end of your title, add the words “Videogame” in square brackets. Add a period to the end of the brackets.
2. The year of the game’s release is required. You can find the year on the title screen of the game, or online. You can place the year in parentheses.
3. Input the publisher’s name and address. The publisher is the company that produces a videogame. You may see their name or the address of their headquarters on the title page. Enter the location (city, state, or country for US), followed by a colon and then the name and company. After the name of the production company, add a period.
4. For in-text references, you can use the version numbers. Like other software programs, video games are often updated. Your in-text citation should include the title of your game and the date it was published. This information may be included in your paper’s text. If possible, include the version number to inform your readers which iteration you played.
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1. Share your citation with production company. Chicago Style will begin with the author’s name for a basic multimedia bibliographic entry. The author of a video game is the production company. Enter a period after the name of the production company.
2. Include the title and version numbers. After the title, add a period. You can include the version number if you have played the particular game in regular font. If you do not have a specific version number, just move on.
3. Include information about the publication and platform. The publisher of the game is the production company’s name. Then, enter the year of the game’s release. Next, enter a period.
4. Include any additional information you consider important. Include any information about the game in your footnote and in your bibliographic entry. This could include the names and addresses of composers, actors, designers, and others who contributed to the creation of the game.
5. Use commas to separate the elements, and not footnotes. If you are referring to the game in a sentence, add a superscripted at the end. The same information should be included in your footnotes as in your bibliographic entries.
Instead of using periods to separate elements, you will use commas. Your footnote should contain only one period.