How To Cite A Game Mla

How to Cite a Game MLA

Figuring out how to cite a video game in MLA format might seem tricky, but it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know the basic rules. Think of it like giving credit where it’s due – just like you would for a book or a website. We’ll walk through all the essential steps to make your citations perfect, and also explore different scenarios like citing specific parts of the game or even online gameplay.

The Core Elements of an MLA Game Citation

Every good MLA citation for a video game needs some key pieces of information. These are like the ingredients in a recipe – you need them all to make the dish taste right! Here’s what you need:

• Title of the Game: This is the most important part! Write the full, official title of the game. Remember to use italics for the title.
• Developers: Who made the game? List the company or individual that developed it. If there are multiple developers, list them in the order shown on the game packaging or in the game itself.
• Publishers: Who published the game? This is often a different company than the developer. List the publisher.
• Year of Release: When was the game first released? Note the year.
• Platform(s): What system can you play the game on? Examples include PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, etc. If it’s on multiple platforms, list the specific one you used.

Let’s see how this comes together:

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Developed by Nintendo EPD, published by Nintendo, 2017. Nintendo Switch.

Putting It All Together: The Basic Format

Now, let’s look at the standard way an MLA game citation is structured. This is the template you’ll be using most of the time:

Title of Game. Developed by Developer Name, published by Publisher Name, Year of Release. Platform(s).

Here’s another example:

Minecraft. Developed by Mojang, published by Microsoft Studios, 2011. PC.

See? It’s not too complicated. Just follow the template and use the correct information from your game.

Citing a Game From a Specific Source

Sometimes you might not have the original game disc or cartridge. You might be playing it digitally, or through a streaming service. In this case, you will need to include the source information.

Digital Downloads

If you downloaded the game from a specific platform’s online store (like Steam, PlayStation Store, or Nintendo eShop), you need to add the name of the platform’s store at the end of the citation.

Here is the adjusted template:

Title of Game. Developed by Developer Name, published by Publisher Name, Year of Release. Platform(s), Store Name.

Example:

Hades. Developed and Published by Supergiant Games, 2020. PC, Steam.

Streaming Services

If you played the game through a streaming service like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Now, you will need to include the name of the streaming service.

Here is the adjusted template:

Title of Game. Developed by Developer Name, published by Publisher Name, Year of Release. Platform(s), Streaming Service Name.

Example:

Sea of Thieves. Developed by Rare, published by Microsoft Studios, 2018. Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass.

Citing a Specific Part of a Game

Sometimes, you might need to cite a very specific part of a game like a particular level, a cutscene, or dialogue within the game. This requires a little more detail in your citation.

Levels, Maps, or Areas

If you’re referencing a particular level or area, you can specify that in your citation after the title. If the area or map has its own title, you can include it within quotation marks, otherwise use descriptive information.

Here are few different example scenarios:

• Portal 2. Developed by Valve Corporation, published by Valve, 2011. “Test Chamber 01,” PC.
• The Last of Us. Developed by Naughty Dog, published by Sony Computer Entertainment, 2013. The Sewers, PlayStation 3.

Cutscenes

If you’re referring to a cutscene, specify that after the title of the game, and then give a descriptive name for the cutscene or where it occurs.

• Final Fantasy VII Remake. Developed by Square Enix, published by Square Enix, 2020. “Aerith’s Introduction” cutscene, PlayStation 4.
• Mass Effect 2. Developed by BioWare, published by Electronic Arts, 2010. Arrival on Horizon cutscene, Xbox 360.

In-Game Dialogue

If you are referencing a specific line of dialogue, it’s more complex to cite it directly. MLA doesn’t have specific guidelines for that. Here’s an approach you could use, although it’s usually better to paraphrase and explain the dialogue rather than directly quoting it. If you absolutely must cite it, indicate the character and the general point in the game:

Example:

• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Developed by CD Projekt Red, published by CD Projekt, 2015. Geralt dialogue on Skellige main questline, PC.

In-Text Citations

Now that you know how to build your “Works Cited” entry, let’s talk about how to reference it in the actual text of your essay or paper. This is where “in-text citations” come in. They’re like little breadcrumbs that lead your reader back to the full citation in your works cited list.

Basic In-Text Citation

For most citations, you will use the first element of your Works Cited entry, usually the game’s title, plus the year of release. These go inside parentheses. If you’ve already mentioned the title in the sentence, you can just use the year.

Example:

According to Minecraft (2011), the game allows players to create almost anything.

Or if the title is in the sentence:

Players in Minecraft (2011) can create almost anything.

Citing Specific Parts In-Text

When citing a specific level, area, or cutscene you might want to refer to it by a combination of title and level or a descriptive phrase.

Example:

In Portal 2, the “Test Chamber 01” (2011) introduces the basic mechanics of the game.

Or:

The introduction in Mass Effect 2 where the character arrives on Horizon (2010) sets the tone for the game.

Special Cases and Considerations

Sometimes, game citations present some unique challenges. Let’s look at some specific situations and how to handle them.

Games with Multiple Editions or Versions

If there are multiple editions of a game like a “Game of the Year” edition or a remastered version, you should include which one you are referring to, after the title in your Works Cited entry.

Example:

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Special Edition. Developed by Bethesda Game Studios, published by Bethesda Softworks, 2016. PC.

Early Access Games

If you are citing an early access game that is not yet fully released, you should note the early access status and also use the year the game was available to the public in early access.

Example:

Baldur’s Gate 3. Early Access. Developed by Larian Studios, published by Larian Studios, 2020. PC.

Board Games and Card Games

Citing board games or card games follows similar rules as video games, with slight adjustments. The most important parts are the title, designer(s), and the year it was published or copyrighted.

Here’s the base format:

Title of Board Game. Designed by Designer Name, Published by Publisher Name, Year Published.

Example:

Catan. Designed by Klaus Teuber, Published by Kosmos, 1995.

A Quick Guide in Summary

Let’s recap the main points we covered. Think of this as your cheat sheet!

• Basic Format: Title of Game. Developed by Developer Name, published by Publisher Name, Year of Release. Platform(s).
• Digital Downloads: Add the name of the online store (e.g., Steam, PS Store).
• Streaming Services: Add the name of the streaming service (e.g., Xbox Game Pass).
• Specific Parts: Add identifying information for the part being cited.
• In-Text Citations: Use the game title and year (e.g., (Game Title, Year)).

Remember that the key is to always be consistent with your citations and include all necessary information so that your readers can quickly identify the game you’re referring to.

Citing video games in MLA format doesn’t have to be difficult. With a bit of practice, you’ll be citing your games like a pro! Just keep your “Works Cited” entries accurate and your in-text citations clear, and you will be all set.