Understanding Italicization of Video Game Titles Across Different Styles helps writers apply clear typography and citation rules for writers. Italics use a slanted typeface to draw attention to words, passages, titles, and names while creating a visual distinction from the standard roman style.
The history of italic typeface connects to Aldus Manutius, Ludovico Arrighi, and Italy, where the style developed for practical writing and later became a common design choice. Today, title formatting depends on the type of work and the relevant style guide.
The same principle becomes important when handling video game titles, especially in academic writing and formal citation. Writers may need to follow MLA, APA, Chicago, or AP Style, with differences in italics, quotation marks, capitalization, developer information, release year, platform, publisher, and reference-list formatting.
Quick Answer: Are Video Game Titles Italicized?
Usually, yes, when you follow styles such as Chicago or MLA. However, you shouldn’t apply that rule blindly to every publication or citation system.
For example:
- Chicago: Video game titles are italicized.
- MLA: A complete video game title is treated as an independent titled work and is italicized.
- APA: Video games fall under software-related reference guidance, so the exact treatment depends on the APA context and reference format.
- AP: Journalistic writing follows AP’s own title conventions rather than automatically importing Chicago or MLA italics.
Chicago specifically states that both an individual video game and a video game series should appear in italics. MLA likewise begins its video game citation with the game’s full title and subtitle.
So, if you’re writing an essay under MLA or Chicago, a sentence such as this is appropriate:
I spent several hours playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
If your instructor, editor, or publication follows another style, check that style’s specific rules before applying italics.
Why Video Game Titles Have Different Formatting Rules
Video games occupy an interesting position in modern writing. They’re software, entertainment products, interactive works, and cultural texts all at once.
That classification creates some unusual editorial questions.
A novel is generally treated as a standalone work. A song is often treated as a smaller component of an album. A video game can resemble either category depending on the writing context.
Modern style guides therefore don’t always approach games identically.
The important distinction is this:
A style guide determines how you present the title.
It doesn’t matter that one game appears on a PlayStation console while another runs on a PC. The platform doesn’t automatically determine whether the title receives italics. Instead, the editorial system you’re using controls the formatting.
For example, Chicago’s official guidance specifically says that a video game title remains italicized whether it represents an individual game or a series.
That means the following Chicago-style examples use italics:
- Minecraft
- The Sims
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- The Legend of Zelda
- Final Fantasy
The same principle doesn’t mean every piece of game-related text should receive italics. A character name, weapon, mission, achievement, or spoken line may require different treatment.
That’s where context matters.
Video Game Titles in Chicago Style
Chicago provides one of the clearest answers to the question “Are video game titles italicized?”
Under Chicago style, video game titles are italicized. This includes games that belong to esports and games that don’t. It also includes both individual titles and series names.
Consider these examples:
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- The Legend of Zelda
- Super Mario Bros.
- Grand Theft Auto V
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Notice that the subtitle remains part of the title.
You wouldn’t normally remove Wild Hunt from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt when referring to the complete game. Likewise, Breath of the Wild remains part of the full title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Chicago Style Examples
Correct:
Call of Duty: Warzone became popular among competitive players.
Incorrect:
“Call of Duty: Warzone” became popular among competitive players.
Also incorrect for standard Chicago treatment:
Call of Duty: Warzone became popular among competitive players.
Chicago’s guidance is especially useful because it removes a common source of confusion: the esports status of a game doesn’t change its title formatting.
Video Game Titles in MLA Style
MLA takes a similarly structured approach, but its documentation guidance goes much further.
The treats video games as sources that can be documented using MLA’s core-element system. The full title and subtitle should be included in the title element.
For example:
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns
- Alan Wake II
- Luigi’s Mansion 3
MLA’s approach also recognizes that games aren’t always simple one-person creations. A game can involve directors, developers, publishers, performers, and other contributors.
That’s why MLA can include contributors after the title when they’re relevant to the writer’s discussion.
MLA Video Game Citation Example
A basic MLA-style game entry can include information such as:
Alan Wake II. Directed by Sam Lake and Kyle Rowley, Remedy Entertainment / Epic Games, 2023. Sony PlayStation 5 game.
MLA also explains that a game’s version number isn’t automatically required. However, if the version is important to the discussion—for example, when analyzing content introduced by a particular patch—the version can be included.
That’s an important distinction for researchers studying games that change substantially after release.
Video Game Titles in APA Style
APA requires a little more care because video games fall within its broader treatment of software and digital works.
The safest approach is to follow the current APA rules required by your institution rather than copying a rule from an older APA edition or a third-party formatting website.
This matters because older online explanations of APA game formatting can conflict with newer guidance. Search results still contain advice based on older editions that says video game titles should not be italicized in certain contexts.
For academic work, therefore, don’t rely on a random citation generator or an outdated forum answer.
Instead, check the current APA publication guidance or your institution’s required APA manual.
APA and Title Capitalization
Another issue is sentence case in reference entries.
APA reference formatting commonly differs from the capitalization you see in a game’s official branding. A game’s marketing materials might use stylized capitalization, while the reference system may require its own capitalization pattern.
That means these are separate questions:
- How does the game officially style its name?
- How does APA require that title to appear in a reference?
- How should the title appear in your sentence?
Treat those as three different editorial decisions.
Video Game Titles in AP Style
News writing creates another wrinkle.
AP style shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable with Chicago or MLA. A journalist writing for a publication that follows AP should use the publication’s current AP rules rather than automatically italicizing every game title.
That’s especially important because title treatment in journalism is often designed around the practical limitations and conventions of news copy.
Before writing a news article, check:
- The publication’s house style.
- Its current AP guidance.
- Whether its digital CMS preserves italics.
- Whether the publication has an internal exception for game titles.
The broader lesson is simple: don’t mix style systems halfway through an article.
A writer who follows Chicago for one game title and AP conventions for another creates inconsistency even when both individual choices might make sense within their respective systems.
Italics vs. Quotation Marks for Video Game Titles
One of the most common mistakes is assuming that every title must receive either italics or quotation marks.
That’s not how title formatting works.
The type of work and style guide determine the treatment.
| Writing system or context | General approach |
| Chicago | Video game titles are italicized |
| MLA | Independent video game titles are italicized |
| APA | Follow current APA software/reference guidance |
| AP | Follow current AP and publication conventions |
| House style | Follow the publication’s stated rules |
MLA’s broader title guidance explains that independent, self-contained works are generally styled in italics, while shorter works that form part of a larger work are generally placed in quotation marks.
That distinction becomes useful when you’re discussing content inside a game rather than the game itself.
For example:
Super Mario Sunshine is a video game.
But a character’s dialogue would be treated as quoted speech:
The character says, “Let’s go!”
MLA specifically demonstrates this distinction when discussing dialogue from video games.
How to Format a Video Game Series vs. an Individual Game
A game series and an individual game aren’t always the same thing.
Consider:
- The Legend of Zelda — series
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — individual game
- Call of Duty — series
- Call of Duty: Warzone — individual title
Chicago makes this particularly straightforward because it explicitly says both the series name and individual game title receive italics.
Why the Distinction Matters
Suppose an article says:
The Legend of Zelda introduced generations of players to adventure games.
That sentence discusses the franchise as a whole.
Now compare:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild introduced an enormous open-world design.
The second sentence identifies a specific game.
Don’t casually shorten a full game title when doing so could change the meaning.
What About DLC, Expansions, Episodes, and Add-Ons?
This is where blanket rules become dangerous.
Not every named item associated with a video game is automatically a standalone video game.
A modern title may include:
- Downloadable content (DLC)
- Expansions
- Story episodes
- Missions
- Quests
- Updates
- Patches
- Seasonal content
- Game modes
The correct treatment depends on what the item actually is and what style guide you’re following.
For example, a major expansion can function more like a substantial independent work than a tiny cosmetic update. However, that doesn’t mean every expansion automatically receives the same formatting as the parent game.
When in doubt, identify the item’s role first:
Is it the main game, an independent release, an expansion, a chapter, a mission, or an update?
That classification gives you a much better starting point than simply asking whether it has a capitalized name.
How to Format Remakes, Remasters, Ports, and Game Versions
Video games frequently receive new releases.
A title might appear as:
- Original release
- Remake
- Remaster
- Definitive edition
- Complete edition
- Director’s cut
- Expansion
- Port
- Updated version
These labels can matter when you’re identifying the exact work being discussed.
MLA specifically notes that modern games are frequently updated through patches. A version number isn’t required in every citation, but MLA recommends including it when the version is relevant to the discussion.
Example
Imagine a research paper analyzing how a patch changed a game’s mechanics.
The version becomes meaningful because you’re not simply discussing the game in general. You’re discussing a particular state of the game.
MLA gives an example in which Alan Wake II is cited with a specific version number when that information matters to the discussion.
This approach is especially useful for academic research involving live-service games.
What About Game Titles Inside Other Titles?
Sometimes a game title appears inside another work.
For example, you might write about:
- A book about Minecraft
- A documentary about Tetris
- A research article analyzing The Sims
- A YouTube video discussing Elden Ring
- A podcast episode about Fortnite
Here, the outer work and inner work can require different formatting.
The fact that a game appears inside another title doesn’t erase its identity as a standalone work.
Consider:
The documentary The Story of Tetris examines the history of Tetris.
The documentary and game represent two different works. Each must be handled according to the relevant title rules.
This becomes particularly important in academic writing where multiple layers of sources can appear in the same paragraph.
Video Game Titles in Academic Writing
Academic writing demands consistency more than improvisation.
Before formatting a game title, identify the required style:
- Check the assignment instructions.
- Identify the required style guide.
- Determine how that guide treats games or software.
- Use the same system throughout the paper.
- Keep title formatting separate from citation formatting.
MLA provides unusually detailed game-specific guidance. Its current Style Center explains how to handle the title, contributors, version information, developer, publisher, publication year, and platform.
For instance, MLA recommends identifying the platform because the same game may appear across several platforms and later receive ports.
That level of detail can matter in research involving:
- Game studies
- Media studies
- Digital humanities
- Interactive storytelling
- Cultural criticism
- Software history
- Game development research
Video Game Titles in Websites, Blogs, and Online Articles
Bloggers and website writers often don’t have a professor or editor handing them a formal style guide.
In that situation, consistency becomes the key.
If your website chooses to italicize game titles, use italics consistently throughout the article. Don’t italicize Minecraft in one paragraph and put “Minecraft” in quotation marks several paragraphs later without a clear reason.
A useful house rule might be:
Full video games receive italics unless the site’s established editorial style says otherwise.
Then document that rule for editors and writers.
What If Italics Aren’t Available?
Digital platforms generally support italics, but some systems or publishing environments may not.
Chicago notes that when italics aren’t available, other typographical approaches can be used depending on the context.
The important thing is to preserve the distinction between title treatment and ordinary text rather than randomly adding quotation marks.
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How Video Game Title Capitalization Works
Italicization doesn’t determine capitalization.
These are separate questions.
For example, a title can be correctly italicized while still using the wrong capitalization pattern for the selected style.
Compare:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The title contains a main title, a colon, and a subtitle. A writer must consider both the game’s official styling and the rules of the selected style guide.
Watch These Elements
When checking a game title, look at:
- Articles
- Prepositions
- Conjunctions
- Proper nouns
- Subtitles
- Numbers
- Punctuation
- Official capitalization
Chicago’s current 18th-edition guidance also notes that its title-capitalization rules changed regarding prepositions longer than four letters.
That’s a useful reminder that even established style guides can update their rules.
Common Mistakes When Formatting Video Game Titles
Italicizing Every Game Title Automatically
This ignores differences between style guides.
Better approach: Identify the required style before formatting the title.
Putting Every Game Title in Quotation Marks
Quotation marks aren’t a universal substitute for italics.
Better approach: Determine whether the game is being treated as an independent work and follow the relevant guide.
Mixing Style Guides
A paper might begin with MLA conventions and accidentally switch to APA-style references.
Better approach: Choose one documentation system and stick with it.
Confusing a Series With a Specific Game
Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy VII don’t identify the same thing.
Better approach: Use the complete title when you’re discussing a particular installment.
Treating DLC as Automatically Equivalent to the Main Game
A named expansion isn’t necessarily formatted identically in every context.
Better approach: Identify the type of game content first.
Changing the Official Title
Writers sometimes simplify or “correct” stylized game names.
Better approach: Preserve the recognized title while applying the capitalization rules required by your style guide.
Confusing Italics With Citation Information
Italicizing Luigi’s Mansion 3 doesn’t tell the reader who developed it, when it was released, or which platform you’re discussing.
MLA’s citation guidance demonstrates how these details can be added separately.
Quick Reference for Video Game Title Formatting
| Situation | Best approach |
| Chicago essay | Italicize the video game title |
| MLA essay | Italicize the independent game title |
| MLA Works Cited | Include the complete title and relevant citation elements |
| APA paper | Follow current APA software/game guidance |
| News article | Follow AP and the publication’s house style |
| Blog without a style guide | Establish one consistent convention |
| Game series | Distinguish the franchise from a specific installment |
| DLC | Identify its type before applying title formatting |
| Game patch | Include version information when relevant to the discussion |
| Remake/remaster | Identify the specific release when it matters |
| Game dialogue | Treat spoken material as quoted speech where appropriate |
Real-World Case Study: Citing a Game That Keeps Changing
Consider a researcher studying Alan Wake II after a major update.
Simply writing the game title may not identify the exact version being analyzed.
MLA’s guidance addresses this problem directly. If a patch materially affects the research, the writer can include the version number in the citation.
That creates a more precise research trail:
- Game: Alan Wake II
- Relevant version: 1.000.014
- Developer: Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher: Epic Games
- Platform: PlayStation 5
The lesson extends beyond one game. Digital works can change after publication, so citation practices sometimes need to identify the version being examined.
Examples of Correctly Formatted Video Game Titles
Single-Word Titles
- Minecraft
- Tetris
- Fortnite
- Overwatch
Titles With Subtitles
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns
MLA specifically instructs writers to include a game’s full title and subtitle when creating the title element of a citation.
Titles With Numbers
- Final Fantasy VII
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Resident Evil 4
- The Sims 4
The number forms part of the title when it identifies the particular installment.
Series Names
- The Legend of Zelda
- Final Fantasy
- The Elder Scrolls
- Pokémon
Don’t automatically assume that mentioning a franchise means you’re discussing one specific game.
FAQs
1. Should video game titles be italicized?
Yes. In most major academic and professional style guides, standalone video game titles are generally italicized.
2. Are video game titles italicized in MLA Style?
Yes. MLA Style generally treats a video game as a standalone work, so its title is italicized in the text and in the Works Cited entry.
3. Does APA Style italicize video game titles?
Yes. APA Style uses italics for the title of a video game when referring to it as a standalone work.
4. Does Chicago Style italicize video game titles?
Yes. Chicago Style generally uses italics for standalone video game titles, similar to books, films, and other larger works.
5. Should video game titles be placed in quotation marks?
Usually, no. Standalone video game titles are generally italicized rather than enclosed in quotation marks.
6. What is the difference between italics and quotation marks for titles?
Italics are commonly used for long-form or standalone works, while quotation marks are often used for shorter works that appear within a larger publication.
7. Should the name of a video game developer be italicized?
No. The developer’s name is normally written in standard type rather than italics. The game title is the element that receives italic formatting.
8. Are video game titles capitalized?
Yes. Follow the capitalization rules of the relevant style guide. Proper nouns and important words in a title are generally capitalized according to that style.
9. How should I cite a video game in academic writing?
The exact format depends on the citation style. Important elements may include the game title, developer, release year, publisher, platform, and other relevant publication information.
10. Are board game titles also italicized?
The formatting can depend on the style guide and how the work is being cited. APA, MLA, Chicago, and AP Style may have different conventions, so always check the applicable guide.
Conclusion
Understanding italicization of video game titles becomes easier when you first identify whether the game is being treated as a standalone work and then apply the appropriate style guide. MLA, APA, Chicago, and AP Style can have different rules for italics, capitalization, quotation marks, citations, and reference entries. In general, standalone video game titles such as Pac-Man, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, and Super Mario Bros. are presented in italics, while information such as the developer, publisher, platform, and release year is handled separately.
The key is to remain consistent throughout your academic writing, research paper, article, bibliography, or reference list. When you understand the difference between long-form works and short-form works, as well as the role of italics and quotation marks, you can format video game titles confidently. Always follow the specific citation rules required by your institution, professor, publication, or chosen style guide.
