The question of whether video game titles should be italicized arises frequently among writers, editors, students, and content creators who want to follow proper formatting conventions. Now, while the answer depends on the style guide you follow, understanding the reasoning behind each recommendation helps you make consistent, professional choices. This article explores the major style manuals, presents arguments for and against italicizing video game titles, offers practical guidelines, and answers common questions so you can apply the rule confidently in any context.
Introduction
Video games have become a dominant cultural medium, appearing in academic papers, journalism, blogs, and social media. As their presence grows, so does the need to treat their titles with the same typographic respect afforded to books, films, and other works. The core issue is whether video game titles belong in the same category as standalone works that traditionally receive italics, or whether they should be treated more like software names or brand titles that often stay in roman type. The answer varies across style guides, but most major manuals converge on a similar recommendation.
Style Guide Perspectives
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
CMOS treats video game titles as standalone works of art, similar to movies and television series. According to the 17th edition, you should italicize the titles of video games when they appear in text. For example: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Elden Ring. CMOS also notes that if a game is part of a larger franchise, the series name remains italicized while individual installments may be quoted or italicized depending on context.
Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook
MLA follows a similar approach. In the 9th edition, the handbook advises italicizing titles of video games, treating them as “works” comparable to films and albums. An MLA‑styled citation would look like: Hades (Supergiant Games, 2020). MLA also recommends using quotation marks for downloadable content (DLC) or expansion packs when they are not sold as separate titles.
American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual
APA’s 7th edition does not provide a specific rule for video games, but it treats them as “audiovisual media.” In the reference list, APA recommends italicizing the title of the game: Among Us (InnerSloth, 2018). In the body of the text, APA does not require italics for game titles; instead, it suggests using plain text with proper capitalization. That said, many APA‑styled papers adopt italics for consistency with other media types.
Associated Press (AP) Stylebook
AP style diverges slightly. The AP Stylebook recommends using quotation marks around video game titles, treating them akin to short works like songs or episodes. For instance: “Fortnite” or “Minecraft.” AP’s rationale is that video games are interactive software rather than static literary works, so they receive the same treatment as computer programs Simple as that..
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
IEEE, primarily used in technical fields, generally does not italicize video game titles. Instead, it treats them as proper nouns and presents them in regular font, capitalizing major words: Valorant or Rocket League. IEEE’s focus is on clarity in technical documentation, where italics can be reserved for variables or emphasis That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Summary of Consensus
Most academic and publishing styles (CMOS, MLA, APA) lean toward italicizing video game titles, while journalistic and some technical styles (AP, IEEE) favor quotation marks or plain text. Knowing which guide your audience expects helps you choose the appropriate format.
Arguments for Italicizing Video Game Titles
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Recognition as Standalone Creative Works
Video games involve narrative, visual art, music, and design—elements comparable to films and novels. Italicizing signals that the title represents a cohesive artistic product rather than a mere software label And that's really what it comes down to.. -
Consistency Across Media
If you italicize movie titles (Inception), book titles (1984), and album titles (Thriller), applying the same rule to video games maintains parallel structure in your writing. Readers quickly recognize the pattern and understand that the italicized phrase denotes a titled work. -
Clarity in Citations and Bibliographies
In reference lists, italics help differentiate the title from the publisher, year, and other metadata. For example: Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red, 2020) is instantly scannable, reducing the chance of confusion with the developer’s name. -
Alignment with Legal and Copyright Practices
Copyright registrations and trademark filings often list video game titles in italics within official documents. Mirroring this practice in scholarly or professional writing respects the formal presentation of the intellectual property. -
Reader Expectation in Digital Media
Many websites, blogs, and gaming publications already italicize game titles in articles, reviews, and forums. Adopting this convention makes your content feel native to the gaming community and reduces friction for readers accustomed to seeing italics.
Arguments Against Italicizing Video Game Titals
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Software Naming Conventions
Video games are distributed as software applications or platforms. In technical writing, software names (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop) typically appear in roman type. Treating game titles similarly avoids conflating creative works with utilitarian tools Small thing, real impact.. -
Journalistic Brevity
News outlets often prioritize speed and space. Quotation marks or plain text require fewer typographic considerations, especially in environments where italics may not render correctly (e.g., certain SMS platforms, plain‑text emails, or legacy systems). -
Potential Over‑Italicization
If a sentence already contains multiple italicized elements (e.g., foreign words, emphasis, species names), adding another layer of italics for a game title can create visual clutter. Some writers prefer to reserve italics for emphasis or foreign terms and keep titles in plain text to maintain readability. -
Lack of Universal Rule
Because no single authority governs all writing contexts, insisting on italics can lead to inconsistency when collaborating across disciplines. Adopting a flexible approach—following the style guide of the specific publication—prevents unnecessary disputes. -
Trademark Considerations
Some companies stylize their game titles with unique capitalization or punctuation (e.g., *
Elder Scrolls Online* or Final Fantasy VII). Here's the thing — over-italicizing these could inadvertently alter the intended branding. Writers must balance typographic tradition with respect for the developer’s chosen presentation.
Conclusion
The debate over italicizing video game titles ultimately reflects a broader tension in writing between establishing clear conventions and adapting to the evolving landscape of media. While italics offer a method for distinguishing creative works and aligning with established academic and legal practices, they are not without their drawbacks, particularly concerning readability, brevity, and universal application. So the most effective approach is not a rigid rule but a contextual one. Worth adding: writers should consider their audience, the specific publication’s style guide, and the overall visual flow of their text. In real terms, whether one chooses italics, quotation marks, or plain text, the primary objective remains clarity and consistency. In the dynamic world of gaming, where titles themselves can become iconic cultural artifacts, the chosen style should serve to honor the work without creating unnecessary barriers for the reader.
