Citing Your Way to Academic Victory: A Gamer's Guide to Chicago Style
So, you’re a gamer. You love to level up, unlock achievements, and dominate the leaderboards. But now, you’re faced with a challenge that’s tougher than any boss battle: citing your favorite games in Chicago style. Don’t panic! We’re here to save the day.
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| How To Cite A Video Game In Chicago |
Level Up Your Citation Game
Let’s face it, Chicago style isn’t exactly known for its gamer-friendly language. But fear not, we’re going to break it down into terms even a casual player can understand. Think of it as unlocking a new skill tree for your academic arsenal.
The Basics: Who, What, When, Where, and How (to Cite)
To cite a video game in Chicago style, you need to provide some basic information:
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
- Developer: The brains behind the game.
- Title: The name of the game.
- Version: If there’s a specific version, include it.
- Publisher: The company that brought the game to life.
- Platform: Where you played it (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, etc.).
- Year of publication: When the game was released.
Example Time!
Let’s say you want to cite The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Here’s how it would look:
Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. V. 1.0. Nintendo. Nintendo Switch. 2017.
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
In-Text Citations: Quick and Easy
When you mention the game in your paper, you need to give a quick shoutout to your source. Just include the developer’s name and the year in parentheses. For example:
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The open-world design of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo 2017) revolutionized the gaming industry.
QuickTip: Read a little, pause, then continue.
Power-Ups for Your Citations
- Additional Information: If you want to go the extra mile, you can include details like the game’s genre or the names of specific characters or levels.
- Multiple Authors: If the game has multiple developers, list them all.
- Online Games: If you're citing an online game, you might need to include additional information like the website URL.
FAQ: Your Citation Questions Answered
How to cite a specific level or scene in a video game?
- Include the level or scene name after the game title, separated by a colon. Example: Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Divine Beasts. V. 1.0. Nintendo. Nintendo Switch. 2017.
How to cite a video game trailer?
- Treat the trailer as a film and use the appropriate Chicago style citation format.
How to cite a video game soundtrack?
Tip: Keep scrolling — each part adds context.
- If the soundtrack has its own credits, cite it as a standalone music album. If not, cite it as part of the game.
How to cite a video game review?
- Cite the review as you would any other article, with the author, title, publication, and date.
How to cite a video game walkthrough?
- If the walkthrough is from a reliable source, cite it as a website. If it's from a personal blog or forum, consider whether it's appropriate to cite it at all.
And there you have it! You're now equipped with the knowledge to conquer the world of Chicago style citations. Happy gaming and happy writing!
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