Video games are a huge part of our culture, and many people enjoy playing them.
When it comes to writing about video games in academic papers, there can be some confusion about how to properly reference them.
In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not you should italicize video game titles in APA style.
Do you italicize video game titles in APA?
In APA style, video game titles are italicized. This is because they are considered long forms of entertainment, similar to movies and television shows.
When writing about video games in APA style, you will also want to include the name of the developer and the year the game was released. For example: “Super Mario Bros.
(Nintendo, 1985) is one of the most popular video games of all time.” If you are writing about a specific level or feature of a video game, you can also include that information in brackets after the title. For example: “In the ‘Bowser’s Castle’ level of Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, 1985), players must face off against the final boss.”
Ultimately, whether you italicize or not italicize a video game title in APA style will come down to what your instructor prefers. However, as long as you are consistent throughout your paper, you should be fine.
How do you in-text cite a video game?
According to the MLA Style Center (2020), “When you cite a video game in your paper, include as much information as possible so that your reader can find the exact game you are discussing.”
The title of the video game should be italicized. Next, provide the name of the developer, followed by the date of release and the publisher. Finally, give the location of where the game can be played.
Be sure to use version numbers when creating in-text citations for video games (MLA Style Center, 2020).
How do you in-text cite a game in APA?
According to the APA manual (6th edition, p. 212), the basic format for in-text citations of a computer game is as follows: Title of Software [Computer software].
Location: Publisher. For example, if you were citing the game Super Mario Bros., released in 1985 by Nintendo, your in-text citation would appear as follows: “Super Mario Bros. [Computer software]. (1985). Kyoto, Japan: Nintendo.”
If you are unsure of the location or publisher of a particular game, you can consult an online database such as the Internet Game Database, which provides this information for thousands of games.
Are video game titles italicized or quoted?
While there are many different styles of writing, most formal writing requires titles to be italicized. This rule applies to both print and digital publications, including books, magazines, newspapers, and websites.
When it comes to video games, however, the rules are not as clear. While some style guides recommend italicizing video game titles, others consider them to be part of pop culture and recommend using quotation marks instead.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to italicize a video game title is up to the author or publisher. However, for consistency and clarity, it is always best to stick with one style throughout a piece of writing.
Are video games italicized in APA?
According to the APA Style Guide, video games should not be italicized. The title of the game should be capitalized, as well as any initial letters in terms and proper words.
The version of the game should also be listed, along with the name and model of the console or device that it is played on. This information will help readers to understand which version of the game you are referring to, as well as how to access it.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear and concise, and that your reader will be able to easily find the game you are referring to.
How do you cite a game in writing?
In order to cite a game in your writing, you will need to enter the title of the game either in italics or underlined. In the bibliography, write in the title of the author or the author.
Enter your year in brackets. The game’s title should be written in italics or underlined. Then, write the medium with square brackets. For example: Last night, I played Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo, 2017) on my Nintendo Switch [Video game].
In addition to providing the name of the author and the year of publication, you will also need to indicate what format the work is in. For instance, if you are citing a book, you would write “Book” after the title of the work.
If you are citing a movie, you would write “Film” after the title of the work.
Gaming consoles such as Xbox One, Play station 4, and Nintendo Switch have become increasingly popular over the past few years, so it is likely that you will need to know how to cite a video game at some point.
How do you reference a play in text?
When writing about a play, there are a few ways to properly format the in-text reference. First, include the author’s last name followed by the title of the play in italics.
If the play is part of a larger work, such as an anthology, also include the title of the textbook and the editor’s name. For example: “Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun.
The Norton Anthology of African American Literature, edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr.”
If you are referencing a specific edition of a play, include that information after the title. For example: “Sophocles. Antigone. 3rd ed., Translated by Robert Fagles.”
Finally, include the publication information for the play, such as the publisher and publication date.
Can you reference a video game?
In the early days of video gaming, there were only a handful of games to choose from. Today, there are thousands of games available for every type of player, from first-person shooters to strategy games.
With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, one genre that has continued to grow in popularity is the role-playing game (RPG).
RPGs offer players the opportunity to immerse themselves in another world, complete quests, and level up their characters. One of the most popular RPGs is “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” Originally released in 2011, the game has been praised for its expansive world, captivating story, and countless hours of gameplay.
Whether you’re a seasoned RPG fan or just getting started, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” is a game that can’t be missed.
How do you do an in text citation for a video game?
In order to properly cite a video game, you will need to include the title of the game, the year it was released, and the location of the publisher. You may also want to include the version number, if available.
For example: “Video Game Title of Game. (Year Released). Location: Publisher.” If you are using a specific version of the game, you would include that after the title, for example: “Video Game Title of Game (Version 1.0). (Year Released).
Location: Publisher.” In-text citations for video games follow the same format as other citations, including the author’s last name and the date of publication. For example: (Last Name, year).
Conclusion
When it comes to video games, do you italicize the title in APA? The answer is no. You should only italicize the titles of books, movies, and television shows.
Video games are considered a type of software. For more information on how to properly cite video games in APA, please consult the Purdue OWL website or your favorite style guide.
