To cite a game in MLA, include the game’s title, developer, publisher, year of release, and platform.
Ever found yourself wondering how to cite a game in MLA? It’s a common question for students and researchers using video games in their work. Proper citation ensures academic integrity and gives credit where it’s due.
This guide will walk you through the key components you need to include when citing a game in your research papers. We make the process clear and straightforward, so you can focus on your gaming analysis.
How to Cite a Game in MLA: A Complete Guide
Citing sources correctly is super important when you’re writing a paper for school. It shows that you did your research and gives credit to the people who created the things you’re talking about. That includes video games! You might be writing about how a game tells a story, how it was designed, or how it connects to other ideas. When you mention a game in your paper, you need to cite it using the correct MLA (Modern Language Association) format. This might sound a little tricky, but don’t worry! This guide will break down everything you need to know to create a perfect citation for any video game.
Why Citing Video Games Correctly Matters
You might be wondering, “Why bother citing a video game? It’s just a game!” But video games are like books or movies – they’re creative works made by teams of people. They have stories, characters, art, music, and gameplay mechanics that took a lot of work to create. Giving proper credit through citations shows respect for the creators’ work and helps your readers understand where your information comes from. Plus, correctly citing sources is a key part of academic integrity and helps you avoid plagiarism. It’s a fundamental skill for anyone doing academic work.
Think of it like this: if you used information from a book, you’d cite it, right? Video games deserve the same treatment! Citing games accurately also helps other students or researchers find the games you’re talking about, if they want to check your references.
Basic Elements of an MLA Game Citation
A good MLA citation for a video game includes several key pieces of information. Think of it as a puzzle with different parts. Here’s what you need:
- Game Title: This is the name of the video game, just like the title of a book. You’ll need to write it in italics.
- Version (if applicable): If you are citing a specific version of the game (like a special edition or a patch), include that.
- Developer: Who made the game? This is usually a company name, like Nintendo or Rockstar Games.
- Publisher: The publisher is the company that released the game. Sometimes, the developer and publisher are the same company.
- Year of Release: When was the game first made available to the public?
- Platform: What system did you play the game on? This could be a PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or even a mobile phone.
Putting these elements together in the correct order is what creates a proper MLA citation. The order is very important!
Formatting a Basic Game Citation
Here’s the basic format you should follow for most video game citations in MLA style:
Game Title. Version (if applicable), Developed by Developer, Published by Publisher, Year of Release, Platform.
Let’s break this down using an example:
Let’s say you want to cite the game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which was developed and published by Nintendo in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch. Here’s how the citation would look:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo, 2017, Nintendo Switch.
Notice the following:
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is italicized because it’s the title of the game.
- The developer and publisher are both “Nintendo,” so it’s listed once.
- The year “2017” is the year the game came out.
- “Nintendo Switch” is the platform you played it on.
This simple format will work well for most of the games you will want to cite.
Dealing with Different Situations
Sometimes, citing video games can get a little more complicated. Here are a few common situations and how to handle them:
Multiple Developers or Publishers
If a game has multiple developers or publishers, list them in the order they appear on the game packaging or in the game’s credits. Separate them with a comma.
For example: Minecraft. Mojang, 4J Studios, Microsoft Studios, 2011, PC.
Citing an Online Game
When citing an online game, you still need to use the basic format. If there is an update or version number, make sure to include it if relevant.
Example: Fortnite. Epic Games, 2017, PC.
Citing a Game From an Online Store or Streaming Service
If you download a game through an online store or play through a streaming service, you can add that to the end of your citation.
Example: Hades. Supergiant Games, 2020, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo eShop.
Example: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. CD Projekt RED, 2015, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Now.
Citing a Specific In-Game Event or Content
Sometimes, you might be referring to something specific within a game, like a particular level, a character’s dialogue, or a cutscene. In this case, you will need to cite the game as a whole, but in your writing, you should provide context. For example, instead of writing “The ending of Final Fantasy VII was very sad,” you might write, “The ending cutscene in Final Fantasy VII (Square, 1997, PlayStation) where Aerith dies is considered one of the saddest moments in gaming.” You can do this in your own sentences within your paper rather than trying to directly modify the MLA citation itself.
When Developer and Publisher are the Same
If the developer and publisher are the same company, simply list the company once in the citation, as demonstrated in the earlier example of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You do not need to repeat the company name.
Games With No Clear Year
Occasionally, you might encounter a game where the release year is difficult to find. In this situation, try searching the game’s official website, or reliable gaming databases. If you absolutely cannot find a release date, write “n.d.” (for “no date”). It’s rare for most modern games to have no date available, but keep it in mind.
Citing a Game from an Anthology
Sometimes, games are collected together in a package. If you want to cite a game from one of these collections, you cite the game like normal and then include the collection name.
For example: Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sega, 1992, Sega Genesis. Sonic Origins. Sega, 2022.
In this situation, the collection name would go after the original release date, with its own release year at the end.
Putting It All Together: Examples
Here are a few more examples to show how to cite a video game in MLA format, using different situations:
Example 1: A Game with Different Developers and Publishers
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. Mediatonic, Devolver Digital, 2020, PC.
Example 2: A Game on Multiple Platforms
Stardew Valley. ConcernedApe, 2016, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.
Example 3: A game from a digital store.
Among Us. InnerSloth, 2018, Mobile, Google Play Store.
Example 4: A game with multiple development teams and a version number.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Special Edition. Bethesda Game Studios, 2016, PlayStation 4.
Tips for Creating Accurate Citations
Here are some additional pointers that can help you when making your game citations:
- Double-Check Your Information: It’s a good idea to cross-check information from the game packaging, credits screen, or a reliable gaming database (like IGN, GameSpot, or the game’s own official website).
- Be Consistent: If you are citing more than one game in your paper, make sure to use the same MLA style for all of them.
- Use a Citation Generator: If you are unsure about formatting, you could use a free online citation generator to help you make sure that you have formatted your citation correctly. Just remember to always double-check the result that the generator gives you to make sure it is completely accurate!
Why MLA Style Matters in Academic Work
MLA style is used widely in the humanities. It’s very important to use this style correctly if your teacher asks you to. When you’re writing papers in school, being clear and accurate is essential. The rules for MLA help ensure that your readers can easily follow your argument and that you are properly giving credit where credit is due. The format may seem rigid, but that is done to make it easier for everyone to understand.
Learning how to cite a video game, just like citing a book or article, is a necessary academic skill. It shows that you know how to properly attribute credit, and it helps your readers find the source of your information if they want to read more about it for themselves. Following these guidelines may feel a little tricky at first, but it’s a valuable skill that you’ll use again and again in your studies.
So next time you write about your favorite game, make sure to cite it using these guidelines to show off your expertise in both gaming and scholarly work!
Citing a YouTube Video in MLA
Final Thoughts
To cite a game in MLA format, include the game title, developer, publisher, year, and platform. The game title appears in italics. You should always double-check with the MLA handbook for specific formatting.
Remember, elements like the director, designer, or specific edition may also be necessary for a complete citation. Consider the details for precision. Accuracy is always the goal when creating any works cited entry.
This method provides a clear, consistent way of acknowledging your sources. Following these guidelines will ensure you correctly understand how to cite a game in MLA, maintaining academic integrity.
