Game titles are generally italicized in writing.
Have you ever wondered about the proper way to present a game title in text? It’s a common question, especially when you’re writing reviews, essays, or even just chatting online. Many people ask, “are game titles italicized?”
The rules around this can sometimes feel a bit confusing, as different style guides might have slight variations. But the general consensus across most is to use italics for video game titles.
Are Game Titles Italicized? A Deep Dive into Proper Game Title Formatting
So, you’re writing about your favorite video game, the latest release, or maybe even a classic board game. You’re putting all the details into your work, but then you stop and think, “Wait, should the game’s name be italicized?” It’s a question that pops up for many writers, from casual bloggers to seasoned journalists. The short answer is: usually, yes. But let’s explore why game titles are often italicized, and when it might be different, so you can always be certain you’re following the standard rules of proper punctuation and writing style.
Why We Italicize Titles
Italics, the slanted text you see, have a special job in writing. They’re like little flags that say, “Hey, this word is special!” One way we use italics is to set apart titles of larger works. Think of a book title like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. You can immediately tell it’s a book because of those slanting letters. The same principle applies to games. They’re viewed as standalone creative works, similar to books, movies, and albums. When we italicize a game title, we’re signaling to the reader that it’s the name of that particular game, not just some random words.
The Analogy to Other Creative Works
Let’s compare game titles to other forms of creative work to further illustrate the need for italics. Imagine a movie title. We write The Lion King, not The Lion King. We also use italics for album names, like Abbey Road by The Beatles. And a play like Romeo and Juliet gets the italic treatment too. Games, in the modern era, have reached a level of artistic expression and cultural significance that puts them on par with these other forms. Therefore, it makes sense for them to receive the same styling treatment—italics—when referred to in written material.
Specific Examples of Italicized Game Titles
Let’s look at some real-world examples to make sure we’re all on the same page. When you see a game like Minecraft or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild written, those italics are telling you that these are titles. They help you to distinguish the specific names from other words and make the text easier to understand.
Here’s a small list of examples to solidify the idea:
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Among Us
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Fortnite
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
These are just a few examples, but the pattern holds true for all video games, board games, card games, and even tabletop role-playing games. Anytime you refer to the proper name of one, put it in italics.
When Not to Italicize Game Titles
While italics are the common standard for game titles, there are a few exceptions and nuances to consider. It’s not always as black and white as it seems.
General Game Types and Genres
The first exception comes when you’re talking about a type of game rather than a specific title. For instance, if you’re discussing “first-person shooters” or “strategy games,” you wouldn’t italicize those. You’re talking about a genre or category, not the name of a particular game. Similarly, you wouldn’t italicize terms like “online multiplayer game” or “card game.”
Here are some examples of when not to use italics:
- I love playing role-playing games.
- He is interested in puzzle games.
- She enjoys board games with friends.
- They have been playing real-time strategy games for years.
Titles in All-Caps or Certain Specific Style Guides
Sometimes, a game’s title might be stylized in all capital letters, often for branding purposes (like in marketing materials). While the convention is to still italicize, some writing styles might forgo this step if the whole title is already prominent in all caps. This is less common in formal writing, but you might see it used in informal or online text. If you are following a specific style guide (like AP or Chicago), always defer to the guide’s rules for game titles. Some might say that a game title should be italicized even if in all caps, but not all. Be sure to consult the guide for their position on the matter. However, the most common practice is still to italicize, even if it’s in all caps.
For instance, some might write “I played the game FORTNITE“, even though it is in all caps.
Informal Usage
In very informal settings, such as text messages or social media posts, people often skip the italics. While this is acceptable in casual communication, it’s not considered proper in most formal and professional writing. If you’re writing for a blog, a news article, or an academic paper, always use italics for game titles. In a tweet to your friends, it is often overlooked, but it is always correct to italicize it, even there.
Exploring Different Types of Games
Let’s think about how different types of games are written in terms of italics. There are far more types of games than just console video games.
Video Games
This is the most common area where people wonder if game titles should be italicized. As we’ve already covered, video game titles, whether on consoles, PCs, or mobile devices, should always be italicized. This includes games like Minecraft, The Witcher 3, and Candy Crush Saga.
Board Games
Board games also get the italicized treatment. Think about titles like Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride. The same rule applies to these tabletop games as it does to video games. It’s because a board game is also a distinct and creative product.
Card Games
Similar to board games, card games are also italicized. Magic: The Gathering, Poker, Uno, and Cards Against Humanity all get that italic treatment. It’s the name of a game, and so should be italicized to make this clear.
Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs)
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and Call of Cthulhu, are also italicized. Just like video games, board games, and card games, these titles are also creative works and are presented with italics. If you are writing about a specific campaign, it is not italicized, but the name of the overall game should still be.
Expansions and DLC
Expansions and DLC (Downloadable Content) for games also fall into this category. They should be italicized as part of the overall title. For example, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone uses italics both for the base game and the expansion.
Why Consistency Matters
It may seem minor, but consistency in following these rules is extremely important in writing. If you switch between italicizing and not italicizing game titles, the result can be confusing for the reader. It can make your writing look less professional, like you do not understand basic grammar rules. By consistently italicizing game titles, you signal to your readers that you understand the standard rules of grammar and style. This helps you to create a more readable and polished piece of writing.
Imagine reading an article that sometimes italicized book titles and sometimes didn’t. It would be confusing, wouldn’t it? The same goes for game titles. Consistency helps the reader focus on the content, not on the formatting discrepancies.
Using Italics Correctly: A Checklist
To help you remember everything, here’s a quick checklist. Make sure you always ask yourself these questions before publishing your work.
- Is this the specific name of a game? If yes, italicize.
- Am I talking about a type of game, like “racing games” or “puzzles”? If yes, do not italicize.
- Does my style guide have specific rules about game titles? If yes, follow those rules.
- Am I being consistent with italics throughout my work? If no, go back and make changes.
A Practical Example: Putting It All Together
Let’s imagine you’re writing a blog post about your favorite games of all time. Here is what an example paragraph might look like:
“One of my all-time favorite games is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I spent countless hours exploring the world of Hyrule. I also really enjoy playing strategy games, and my favorite of the bunch is Civilization VI. I am hoping the next installment, Civilization VII, lives up to my expectations. For a bit of lighter fun, I also regularly play card games with my friends, including Cribbage and Exploding Kittens. These games are all so different, but they all are a great way to pass the time.”
In this example, notice how game titles are all italicized, while types of games like “strategy games” and “card games” are not. Following this structure will allow for a more well-written and easy-to-follow article.
The Importance of Style Guides
If you are writing professionally, style guides are extremely important. While italicizing game titles is generally accepted, some style guides (like the AP Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style) might have specific rules or suggestions. Always check if you’re unsure, and follow their guidance above all else. Many times, if you are working professionally, your organization or publication will have a style guide to follow, and it is important to pay attention to the specifics. However, in general use, the rule of thumb is always to italicize.
Style guides can vary, so it’s important to be consistent with whichever one you follow. If you are in doubt, look up the relevant guide for specific answers on proper grammar and styling. Consistency is the name of the game.
So, the next time you write about a game, whether it is a video game, board game, card game, or tabletop RPG, remember to italicize the title. By following this standard practice, you will be producing writing that is clear, consistent, and polished, making it a more effective piece of work. Knowing these rules, and using them consistently, helps your writing to be better than ever!
Are Names of Board Games Italicized? – The Board Game Xpert
Final Thoughts
In short, titles of video games, computer games, and board games should all be italicized. This style helps them stand out within text and adds clarity. It’s a simple yet effective method of formatting for consistent writing and improved readability.
Remember that consistency is key when writing, so applying this rule with each game title helps a lot. Therefore, are game titles italicized should always be the consideration during text preparation. It keeps the text organized.
