How To Cite A Video Game In MLA, APA, And Chicago Styles

Citing a video game requires identifying the primary creator, release year, title, version, platform, and publisher across standard academic formats like MLA, APA, and Chicago. Because video games are interactive and non-linear, proper citations must account for specific editions, accessed downloadable content, and exact hardware platforms to ensure academic integrity and reproducibility.

Essential Prerequisites and Style Standards for Video Game Citations

Citing digital interactive media demands a distinct methodological approach compared to traditional print books or films. Before drafting a bibliography entry, researchers must inventory the exact metadata associated with the playable build, avoiding assumptions based on marketing materials or original release dates if a later port is used.

• Essential Tools & Reference Materials: Access to official style manuals (MLA Handbook 9th Edition, APA Publication Manual 7th Edition, or The Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition), the physical game case, digital storefront metadata (Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Network, Xbox Marketplace), and precise version numbers.
• Prerequisite Knowledge Standards: Clear differentiation between the game's developer (studio) and publisher, identification of the specific gaming platform (e.g., PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch), and recognition of specific downloadable content (DLC) or patches versus the base game.
• Estimated Project Duration: Approximately 3 to 5 minutes per citation, assuming accurate metadata is immediately accessible from the game's title screen, credits, or digital library entry.

Step-by-Step Guide to Formatting Video Game References

Step 1: Gather and Verify Core Metadata Elements

1. Locate the primary developer studio, which is often distinct from the corporate publisher.
2. Record the exact release year of the specific edition or version you played, rather than the initial franchise launch year.
3. Identify the hardware platform or distribution service (e.g., Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X) used during your interaction with the media.
4. Note any specific version numbers, patches, or downloadable content packages if your analysis relies on changes introduced in those updates.

Pro-Tip: Always check the title screen or the end credits roll for exact corporate entity names, as packaging art frequently omits the primary developer in favor of the global distributor.

Step 2: Format the Citation in MLA Style (9th Edition)

1. Begin the Works Cited entry with the name of the primary creator, designer, or director if prominent, though most games begin with the title in italics.
2. Place the title of the game in italics, followed by a period.
3. List the developer or distributor if not already named, followed by the release year.
4. Conclude the entry by specifying the platform or medium (e.g., Xbox One, PlayStation 4, app) in plain text.
5. Example format: Hades. Developed by Supergiant Games, version 1.0, Supergiant Games, 2020. Nintendo Switch.

Step 3: Format the Citation in APA Style (7th Edition)

1. Start the reference list entry with the primary designer or developer listed as the author, followed by the release year in parentheses.
2. Italicize the title of the game, and immediately following the title, insert bracketed text indicating the medium, such as [Video game].
3. Provide the name of the publisher after the bracketed descriptor.
4. Include a digital object identifier (DOI) or URL if accessed via an online platform.
5. Example format: Supergiant Games. (2020). Hades [Video game]. Supergiant Games.

Step 4: Format the Citation in Chicago Style (17th Edition)

1. Construct the bibliography entry by starting with the developer or primary creator's name, or the game title if no single creator is emphasized.
2. Include the game title in italics, followed by the location and name of the publisher, along with the release year.
3. Add the specific platform or format at the end of the bibliographic entry if it aids in identification.
4. Example format: Hades. Developed by Supergiant Games. San Jose: Supergiant Games, 2020. Nintendo Switch.

Comparison of Video Game Citation Formats Across Major Styles

Common Citation Errors and Corrective Field Fixes

• Root Cause: Citing the original arcade or initial console release year when playing a modern port, remaster, or digital re-release.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Verify the specific title screen copyright dates or store page release logs to match the exact edition accessed for your research.
• Root Cause: Confusing the software development studio with the corporate publishing conglomerate.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Consult the digital storefront publisher field versus the internal studio credits to attribute creative labor accurately according to your chosen style guide.
• Root Cause: Omitting the platform descriptor in styles that require hardware identification, leading to ambiguity regarding mechanics across different ports.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Always append the specific console, operating system, or digital distribution client (e.g., Steam for PC) to the end of the citation string.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an online multiplayer game that receives constant updates?

Include the specific version number, patch, or access date in your citation if your argument relies on transient game mechanics that have since been patched. Standard academic styles generally treat the base game release year as the primary date unless citing specific seasonal content.

Should I cite downloadable content (DLC) separately from the base game?

Yes, if your research focuses on a specific expansion pack or narrative DLC, treat the DLC as a distinct work. List the title of the expansion in quotation marks or italics depending on the style guide, followed by the parent game title and its respective publisher.

How do I handle video games in in-text citations?

For MLA, use the game title or the developer's name if specified in the Works Cited entry. For APA, use the developer's surname and the release year (e.g., Supergiant Games, 2020). For Chicago, use author-date parenthetical notes or footnote numbers corresponding to your bibliography.

Can I cite gameplay footage recorded by someone else on YouTube?

When citing streamed playthroughs or recorded footage rather than the game itself, cite the video creator and platform (YouTube) as the primary source, treating the video game as the secondary subject within the description.

Mastering video game citations elevates the academic rigor of your digital media analysis. Explore our comprehensive resource library for advanced digital humanities referencing guides.