The Complete Overview of Citing Video Games in APA
The APA 7th edition offers a starting point for citing video games, but its instructions are sparse, leaving critical gaps. For example, should *Celeste* be treated as a "work of art" (like a film) or as a "digital object" (like a dataset)? The answer depends on whether you’re analyzing its narrative, its codebase, or its community impact. Even basic elements—like the author’s name (is it the developer, the writer, or the studio?)—require judgment calls. Worse, APA’s examples often conflate games with films, ignoring the interactive, iterative nature of gameplay. The core challenge lies in balancing APA’s structured format with the fluidity of gaming media. A traditional book citation won’t suffice for a game like *Disco Elysium*, where the "author" is a collective of writers, the "title" is a sprawling narrative, and the "publisher" is a studio with multiple roles. Yet, the alternative—ignoring APA entirely—risks undermining the credibility of your work. The solution? A hybrid approach that respects academic conventions while accommodating the unique attributes of video games.Historical Background and Evolution
The debate over how to cite a video game in APA mirrors the broader struggle to legitimize games as scholarly objects. Early academic dismissals of games as "mere entertainment" began shifting in the 1990s, as game studies emerged as a discipline. Pioneers like Jesper Juul (*Half-Real*, 2005) and Ian Bogost (*Persuasive Games*, 2007) argued that games deserved the same analytical rigor as literature or film—but citation manuals didn’t evolve at the same pace. APA’s 6th edition (2010) included no specific guidelines for games, forcing researchers to adapt film citation templates, which often misrepresented interactive media. By the 2010s, the landscape changed. Journals like *Game Studies* and *Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds* demanded proper sourcing, and legal cases (e.g., *Activision v. Blizzard*) began treating games as intellectual property requiring attribution. APA 7th edition (2020) finally acknowledged digital media, but its treatment of games remains underdeveloped. The result? A patchwork of conventions where some scholars cite games as "software," others as "films," and a few as "texts"—none of which fully capture the medium’s complexity.Core Mechanisms: How It Works
Citing a video game in APA hinges on three pillars: **identifying the source type**, **structuring the citation**, and **adapting for context**. The first step is determining whether the game is being cited as: 1. **A primary source** (e.g., its narrative, art, or code). 2. **A secondary source** (e.g., developer interviews, walkthroughs). 3. **A tertiary source** (e.g., player reviews, fan theories). For primary sources, APA’s "Work of Art" template is often repurposed, but with critical adjustments. For instance: - **Author**: List the game’s primary creator (studio or lead designer) *or* use the convention "[Game Title] Team" if no single author is clear. - **Year**: Use the release year (e.g., *The Witcher 3* → 2015), not the year of access. - **Title**: Italicize the game name and capitalize it per APA title-case rules (e.g., *Red Dead Redemption 2*). - **Format**: Specify the platform (e.g., "PlayStation 4") and include "Video game" as the source type. Secondary sources (e.g., a *Polygon* interview with *Hades*’ creator) follow standard APA rules for articles, but tertiary sources (e.g., a Twitch speedrun) require creative solutions, such as treating them as "personal communications" or archival data.Key Benefits and Crucial Impact
Properly citing video games isn’t just about avoiding plagiarism—it’s about preserving the integrity of game studies as a field. When scholars cite *Undertale* without acknowledging its creator, Toby Fox, they erode the cultural credit due to independent developers. Conversely, precise citations allow future researchers to replicate studies, trace influences, or verify claims. For example, a paper analyzing *Dark Souls*’ difficulty curves could cite Miyazaki’s design documents differently from a player’s YouTube commentary, clarifying the source’s role. The impact extends beyond academia. Legal scholars cite games in cases involving copyright (e.g., *Grand Theft Auto*’s depiction of Vice City), while historians use games like *Assassin’s Creed* as primary sources for architectural reconstruction. Even journalists now treat games as news sources—yet without standardized citation, their work risks being dismissed as anecdotal.*"Video games are the most complex storytelling medium ever created, yet our citation systems treat them like second-class citizens."* — **Henry Jenkins, Professor of Communication, USC**
Major Advantages
- Academic legitimacy: Proper citations elevate game studies to the level of film or literary analysis, reducing skepticism from traditional disciplines.
- Developer recognition: Crediting indie creators (e.g., *Stardew Valley*’s Eric Barone) ensures fair attribution in a field where studios often dominate visibility.
- Reproducibility: Clear citations allow others to verify claims, whether tracing a game’s narrative structure or its technical achievements.
- Legal protection: Accurate sourcing strengthens arguments in copyright or plagiarism disputes (e.g., citing *Super Mario*’s copyright holder).
- Interdisciplinary bridges: Citing games as "digital artifacts" opens collaborations with computer science (e.g., analyzing *Minecraft*’s code) or psychology (e.g., *Elder Scrolls*’ player decision-making).
Comparative Analysis
| Citation Type | APA 7th Edition Template |
|---|---|
| Game as a "Work of Art" | Title of Game [Game Type]. (Year). Publisher. URL (if applicable) |
| Game as "Software" | Developer, A. A. (Year). Title of Game [Version]. Publisher. URL |
| Game Mod/Player Creation | Creator, C. C. (Year). Mod Title [Mod Type]. Original Game. URL |
| Game in a Journal Article | Author, A. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, Volume(issue), pages. DOI |
Future Trends and Innovations
As games become more data-driven (e.g., *No Man’s Sky*’s procedural generation) and interactive (e.g., *Dreams*’ user-created content), citation standards will need to evolve. Emerging trends include: - **Blockchain citations**: Games like *CryptoZombies* use NFTs for provenance; scholars may soon cite "smart contract-based games" as hybrid digital/legal artifacts. - **Dynamic citations**: Tools like *Zotero* could auto-generate citations for live game updates (e.g., *Fortnite*’s seasonal changes). - **Player-generated scholarship**: Citing Twitch streams or Reddit analyses as "participant observations" may gain traction in ethnographic game studies. The APA may eventually release a supplement for digital media, but until then, researchers must advocate for clearer guidelines—especially as games intersect with AI (e.g., *DALL·E*-generated assets in *The Sims 4*) and virtual economies (e.g., *Axie Infinity*’s play-to-earn models).
Conclusion
Citing a video game in APA isn’t a one-size-fits-all task—it’s a negotiation between rigid academic conventions and the fluid nature of interactive media. The key is to prioritize **clarity** (who created it?) and **context** (why cite it?). Whether you’re referencing *Portal*’s physics puzzles or *Animal Crossing*’s social dynamics, the goal is to treat games as the sophisticated cultural artifacts they are. The lack of official APA guidance shouldn’t deter scholars; instead, it’s an invitation to refine citation practices collaboratively. The future of game citations lies in interdisciplinary dialogue. Librarians, game developers, and academics must work together to create a framework that honors the medium’s uniqueness while maintaining scholarly rigor. Until then, the onus is on researchers to document their methods transparently—because in the world of game studies, every citation matters.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Do I need to include the platform (e.g., PC, Xbox) in an APA citation for a video game?
A: Yes. Platforms matter because they can affect gameplay mechanics, accessibility, or even the game’s version (e.g., *Cyberpunk 2077*’s PC vs. console differences). Include it in brackets after the title, like this: Cyberpunk 2077 [Xbox Series X]. (2020). CD Projekt Red.
Q: What if a video game has no clear "author"? For example, *Minecraft* is often attributed to Markus "Notch" Persson, but it’s a collaborative effort.
A: Use the convention "[Game Title] Team" for collective works. If Notch is the primary designer, you may also include him as the author, but clarify the team’s role in your methodology. Example: Persson, M. (2011). Minecraft [Game]. Mojang Studios.
Q: Can I cite a video game’s soundtrack or art assets separately in APA?
A: Absolutely. Treat them as separate sources: - **Soundtrack**: Composer, C. C. (Year). *Album Title* [Soundtrack]. Label. - **Art assets**: Artist, A. A. (Year). *Character/Artwork Name* [Digital image]. Game Title. URL (if available).
Q: How do I cite a live-streamed game event, like a *League of Legends* World Championship match?
A: Use the "Live Broadcast" template if no recording exists, or treat it as a "Video File" if archived. Example: Live. (Year, Month Day). *League of Legends World Championship 2023* [Live video]. Twitch. URL Or, if recorded: Riot Games. (2023). *League of Legends World Championship 2023* [Video file]. Riot Games. URL
Q: What if I’m citing a game’s source code or design documents? How does APA handle that?
A: Source code is treated as "software" or "dataset," while design documents (e.g., *BioShock*’s pre-production notes) may qualify as "unpublished material." For code: Developer, A. A. (Year). *Game Engine Name* [Software]. Version. URL For documents: Studio Name. (Year). *Design Document Title* [Manuscript]. Unpublished work. (Note: Obtain permission if citing proprietary materials.)
Q: Are there tools to help generate APA citations for video games automatically?
A: Yes. Use: - **Zotero** (with the "Game Studies" plugin for manual entries). - **EasyBib** (supports game citations but requires manual adjustments). - **Son of Citation Machine** (basic templates, but verify accuracy). Always double-check against APA 7th edition for edge cases.
Q: How should I cite a game’s DLC or expansion, like *The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine*?
A: Treat it as a separate work with the base game as the "series." Example: CD Projekt Red. (2016). The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine [Game expansion]. CD Projekt Red. URL
Q: What if the game is free-to-play or has no official publisher listed?
A: Use "Available from" followed by the download platform (e.g., Steam, Epic Games). Example: Supergiant Games. (2015). Transistor [Game]. Available from Steam; https://store.steampowered.com/app/382850/
Q: Can I cite a game’s Wikipedia page in APA?
A: No. Wikipedia is not a scholarly source. If you need background info, cite a peer-reviewed article or the game’s official site instead.
