Are Video Game Titles Italicized? APA, AP and Chicago Style Guide

Are Video Game Titles Italicized depends on the style guide you follow, with APA and Chicago generally using italics and AP using quotation marks.

In academic writing, the APA (American Psychological Association) and Chicago style generally use italics for video game titles, similar to books and movies. For example, Minecraft may appear in italics in an academic paper or a Chicago-style article. AP style, associated with the Associated Press, generally uses quotation marks for many titles, including video games. These different rules affect title formatting in academic papers, news articles, game reviews, research projects, and everyday writing. The correct choice depends on publication requirements, not personal preference.

When preparing an essay or article, follow the relevant title capitalization and citation rules when you cite video games. Format game expansions consistently and distinguish them from the main game title. These details matter when discussing the impact of video games on modern culture or presenting recognizable titles in your written work. My editing approach is to check the required style guide before drafting. This practice helps prevent common formatting mistakes and maintain consistent title presentation. The devil is in the details, so identify the right guideline and apply its rules throughout your work.

The APA guidelines, Chicago guidelines, and AP guidelines have distinct style conventions, editorial standards, and typographic conventions. Appropriate standardization practices make written communication clearer for readers. When you format video game titles, check the relevant style requirements, publication standards, and title rules instead of relying on memory. Review title references, title punctuation, and title styling across academic publications and journalistic writing. Follow any publication-specific formatting decisions or instructions. Consistent italicization or quotation marks keep your video game writing properly formatted and prevent inconsistent formatting from distracting readers.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer: Are Video Game Titles Italicized?

It depends on the style guide you’re following.

APA style: Italicize video game titles when referring to the complete game as a standalone work.
AP style: Do not italicize video game titles or put them in quotation marks. AP explicitly treats game titles differently from many other creative works.
Chicago style: Italicize video game titles, including the names of individual games and game series.

Here is a quick comparison:

Style guide	Video game title format	Example
APA	Italics	Minecraft
AP	Regular text, no quotation marks	Minecraft
Chicago	Italics	Minecraft

These examples show the main distinction. However, capitalization, reference entries, and special cases require additional attention.

Are Video Game Titles Italicized in APA Style?

Yes. When you refer to a complete video game as a standalone work in APA-style writing, use italics for its title. This convention helps readers distinguish the game’s title from ordinary words in your sentence.

APA style is common in psychology, education, communication, and other academic fields. The American Psychological Association publishes the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, currently in its seventh edition, as a core reference for these rules.

APA Rules for Video Game Titles

When writing about video games in APA style, follow these practical guidelines:

Italicize the game title: Write Minecraft rather than Minecraft when referring to the complete game.
Use the official title: Preserve distinctive wording, numbers, and subtitles.
Apply appropriate capitalization: APA uses title case in the body text for many standalone-work titles, while reference entries generally use sentence case for work titles.
Keep formatting consistent: Apply the same treatment whenever you mention a game as a standalone work.
Separate titles from citations: Italics identify the work, while citations identify the source.

For example:

Researchers examined how Minecraft encourages collaborative problem-solving among students.

The game title appears in italics because the sentence refers to the complete work. The rest of the sentence remains in regular type.

APA Examples of Video Game Titles

Here are examples of how you might mention video games in an academic discussion.

Incorrect or inconsistent	APA-style example
Minecraft can support classroom activities.	Minecraft can support classroom activities.
Students compared Fortnite and Minecraft.	Students compared Fortnite and Minecraft.
The study examined Grand Theft Auto V.	The study examined Grand Theft Auto V.

The left column illustrates missing italics. These examples assume the writer refers to each complete game rather than a character, feature, or franchise in a broader sense.

How to Cite a Video Game in APA Style

Formatting a game title in your paragraph is different from creating a reference entry. If you discuss a particular game as a source in academic work, include a reference when APA’s citation rules require one.

A useful starting point is APA’s official Reference Examples page. It explains how to identify the appropriate reference category and format its elements.

For a game treated as software, a reference may include:

The creator or credited author.
The release year.
The game’s title in italics.
A bracketed description identifying it as a video game, where appropriate.
The publisher or source information required by the applicable reference format.

The precise entry depends on the game’s credits and the information available. Don’t automatically treat the distributor, developer, and publisher as interchangeable. Check the game’s official credits and use the correct roles.

Do Video Game Titles Need Italics in APA Reference Lists?

Yes, when the title is presented as the title of a standalone work in a reference format that calls for italics. However, the capitalization in the reference entry can differ from the capitalization in your prose.

For example, a sentence may refer to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In a reference entry, APA’s sentence-case convention would generally capitalize the first word, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns rather than every major word.

Always verify the exact title and the appropriate reference template before submitting academic work.

Are Video Game Titles Italicized in AP Style?

No. AP style uses neither italics nor quotation marks for video game titles. This is an important exception to the general approach used for many other creative works.

The Associated Press Stylebook explicitly distinguishes video games from books, movies, songs, and other works whose titles commonly appear in quotation marks under AP conventions. AP’s official guidance identifies titles such as Minecraft and Pokémon Go as exceptions to its usual quotation-mark practice.

AP Style Rules for Video Game Titles

When writing a news report, follow these principles:

Write game titles in regular type.
Do not add quotation marks around the game title.
Preserve the game’s recognizable official name.
Capitalize the title according to its established styling and relevant editorial guidance.
Follow any additional requirements imposed by your publication.

For example:

Correct AP-style sentence: The studio announced a new update for Minecraft.

Not AP style: The studio announced a new update for Minecraft.

Also not AP style: The studio announced a new update for “Minecraft.”

The first version follows AP’s distinctive treatment of game titles.

AP Style Examples for Video Game Titles

Consider these examples from gaming journalism:

The developers announced a new feature for Fortnite.
Nintendo released additional information about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The latest update changed several mechanics in Grand Theft Auto V.
Reviewers compared Minecraft with other sandbox games.

In AP-style news copy, these titles remain in regular type without quotation marks. This rule applies even though a writer might italicize the same title in a Chicago-style article.

How to Handle Video Game Titles in Headlines

Headlines introduce another consideration. A publication may use its own headline capitalization and formatting conventions, so don’t confuse headline design with the rules for titles inside an article.

For instance, a newsroom might write a headline as:

Minecraft Update Adds New Building Features

The headline doesn’t require italics or quotation marks around Minecraft. The title’s presentation follows AP’s game-title convention while the headline follows the publication’s headline style.

Common AP Style Mistakes

The most frequent mistake is applying a general title rule without checking for exceptions. AP uses quotation marks for many creative works, but its treatment of video games differs.

Avoid these errors:

Italicizing a game title because books and films often appear in italics or quotation marks under other styles.
Adding quotation marks around a game title out of habit.
Assuming AP treats all digital media titles identically.
Changing a game’s official spelling or capitalization unnecessarily.

When writing for a newsroom, consult the current Associated Press Stylebook and any publication-specific style sheet. Online guidance can clarify individual rules, but the current official entry remains the best reference for detailed questions.

Are Video Game Titles Italicized in Chicago Style?

Yes. Chicago style italicizes video game titles, whether you refer to an individual game or a game series. The Chicago Manual of Style confirms this rule in its official Q&A, including examples of esports titles and the franchises to which they belong.

Chicago style is widely used in book publishing, humanities scholarship, essays, and other editorial work. Its approach makes it easy to distinguish the title of a complete game from ordinary prose.

Chicago Manual of Style Rules for Video Game Titles

Use these guidelines when writing in Chicago style:

Italicize complete game titles: Write Minecraft rather than Minecraft.
Italicize individual installments: A title such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild appears in italics.
Italicize game series names: Chicago treats a video game series name as italicized too.
Preserve the official title: Don’t rewrite a game’s name simply to match your preferred capitalization.
Keep formatting consistent: Apply the same rule throughout your manuscript.

For example:

The article compares Minecraft with Fortnite to explore different approaches to multiplayer interaction.

Both titles appear in italics because the sentence identifies two complete video games.

Examples of Video Game Titles in Chicago Style

Sentence	Chicago-style treatment
I recently played Minecraft.	Italicize the complete game title.
The review examines The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.	Italicize the title and subtitle together.
The Call of Duty series includes several installments.	Italicize the series name.
The study compares Fortnite and Minecraft.	Italicize both titles.

Chicago’s approach is especially useful in long-form writing because it creates a consistent visual distinction between creative works and the surrounding text.

How to Cite a Video Game in Chicago Style

Chicago uses two main citation systems:

Notes and bibliography: Common in history, literature, and other humanities fields. Writers use footnotes or endnotes and typically provide a bibliography.
Author-date: Often used in sciences and social sciences. Writers identify sources in the text using an author and date, then provide corresponding reference entries.

The appropriate system depends on your assignment, publisher, or field. Both systems require enough information for readers to identify the source when a citation is necessary.

A game citation may need details such as the title, developer or creator, publisher, release date, and platform. The exact elements and their order depend on the source and the citation system.

For current guidance, consult the Chicago Manual of Style and its official Q&A section.

Chicago Style for Video Game Titles in Bibliographies

In Chicago style, a video game title generally remains italicized when it appears in a citation or bibliography entry that identifies the game as a standalone work.

However, don’t assume every element receives italics. A title may be italicized while names of creators, publishers, dates, and platform details remain in regular type, depending on the citation format.

Example of the title treatment: Minecraft.

This example demonstrates the title’s formatting rather than a complete bibliographic citation. For an actual entry, verify the game’s credited creator, edition or platform where relevant, publication details, and the applicable Chicago template.

APA vs. AP vs. Chicago: Video Game Title Formatting Compared

The main difference between APA, AP, and Chicago style is straightforward: APA and Chicago use italics for game titles, while AP uses regular type without quotation marks.

That distinction matters when you write for different audiences. An academic paper, a newspaper report, and a scholarly book may discuss the same game but present its title differently.

Feature	APA	AP	Chicago
Game title in prose	Italics	Regular type	Italics
Quotation marks around game titles	Generally unnecessary	No	No
Individual game titles	Italicized	No italics or quotes	Italicized
Series names	Follow applicable title conventions	Regular type for game titles	Italicized
Reference or citation requirements	APA references	Publication-specific sourcing practices	Notes-bibliography or author-date
Typical context	Academic research	Journalism	Books and scholarly publishing

The table summarizes the central distinction. For detailed citation formats and edge cases, consult each style’s current official guidance.

Which Style Should You Use?

Choose the style required by the person or organization receiving your work.

For a college research paper: Use APA if your instructor or department requires it.
For a news article: Follow AP style if your newsroom uses it.
For a book or humanities manuscript: Use Chicago when the publisher or editor requests it.
For a personal blog: Pick a consistent editorial convention and follow it throughout the article.

Don’t combine rules from different systems just because one looks more familiar. Consistency matters, but following the required style takes priority.

How to Write Video Game Titles in Sentences

Once you know the main rules, applying them in everyday writing becomes much easier. Start by identifying whether you’re naming a complete game, a series, or something inside the game.

Formatting a Single Video Game Title

When a sentence mentions one complete game, use the format required by your style guide.

APA: The researchers analyzed Minecraft in an educational setting.
AP: The researchers analyzed Minecraft in an educational setting.
Chicago: The researchers analyzed Minecraft in an educational setting.

The sentence’s meaning stays the same. Only the title formatting changes.

Formatting Multiple Video Game Titles

When you mention several games, apply the same rule to each title.

For example, a writer comparing Fortnite, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto V should apply the appropriate formatting to all three under APA or Chicago. An AP-style article would use regular type for all three titles.

Avoid italicizing only the first title or switching styles halfway through a paragraph.

Formatting Video Game Titles With Subtitles

Some games have subtitles that form part of their official titles. Keep the complete title together when applying italics.

For example:

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Red Dead Redemption 2
Final Fantasy VII Remake

Under APA and Chicago, italicize the full title. Under AP, write the full title in regular type without quotation marks.

Also preserve meaningful punctuation and numerals. A title’s colon, subtitle, or sequel number can distinguish one game from another.

Mentioning Video Game Series and Franchises

A game title identifies a specific release, while a series name refers to a broader collection of related games.

For example, Call of Duty can refer to the series, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III identifies a particular installment.

Chicago explicitly italicizes both video game titles and series names.

For APA and AP, follow the relevant conventions for the exact kind of reference you’re making.

Be precise when discussing franchises. Otherwise, readers may not know whether you’re referring to one game or the entire series.

Are Video Game Titles Capitalized?

Yes, video game titles generally retain their established capitalization, but capitalization and italicization are two separate rules. Italics indicate how a title should appear typographically. Capitalization determines which letters appear in uppercase.

APA and Chicago use specific title-capitalization conventions in prose, while reference entries can follow different capitalization rules. AP follows its own editorial guidance and generally respects established game names.

Title Case vs. Sentence Case

Title case capitalizes major words in a title. Sentence case capitalizes the first word and proper nouns while leaving most other words lowercase.

Consider this example:

Title case: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Sentence case as a generic reference-entry pattern: The legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The second example illustrates the general principle, not a verified APA reference entry for this specific game. Always check an official title’s spelling and the applicable style rules before changing its capitalization.

What About Articles, Prepositions, and Subtitles?

Words such as the, of, in, and and can follow different capitalization rules depending on their grammatical role and the style guide.

For Chicago title case, the length and function of a preposition can affect capitalization. Chicago’s 18th edition, for example, capitalizes prepositions longer than four letters in titles.

When in doubt, check the current manual rather than guessing from the title’s appearance on a game cover. Marketing designs don’t always follow the capitalization rules used in editorial writing.

Are DLCs, Expansions, and In-Game Content Titles Italicized?

Not every named element in a video game deserves the same formatting. A complete game is different from an expansion, a downloadable content pack, a mission, or an item.

The key question is whether you’re referring to a standalone creative work or a component within a larger work.

Downloadable Content and Expansion Packs

Downloadable content (DLC) can add maps, characters, storylines, or other features to an existing game. Some expansions are substantial releases with their own official titles.

For example, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion associated with Elden Ring. When discussing the expansion as a separately titled work, check the applicable style guide’s rules for that type of work.

Don’t automatically assume every DLC follows exactly the same formatting rules as a full game. The nature of the release and the style guide’s coverage both matter.

Missions, Quests, and Individual Levels

A mission or quest usually forms part of a larger game rather than functioning as an independent work.

For instance, a writer might discuss a particular mission in Grand Theft Auto V. The game title should follow the relevant title rule, but the mission name may require different treatment.

Chicago’s rules distinguish titles of works from smaller components. When a mission has its own official title, check the manual’s guidance for comparable short works instead of automatically italicizing it.

In-Game Items, Characters, and Locations

Characters, weapons, maps, and fictional locations are not automatically treated like complete game titles.

For example:

Minecraft is a complete game title.
Steve is a character in Minecraft.
The Nether is a dimension within Minecraft.
A diamond sword is an in-game item.

The distinction helps keep formatting purposeful. Use italics for a complete game when the style calls for it, but don’t italicize every proper name connected to that game.

Common Mistakes When Formatting Video Game Titles

Are Video Game Titles Italicized? APA, AP and Chicago Style Guide

Even experienced writers can mix up title rules when switching between academic and editorial work. A few simple checks can prevent most errors.

Using italics in AP style: AP does not italicize video game titles or enclose them in quotation marks.
Using quotation marks automatically: Many creative works take quotation marks under AP, but video games are an exception.
Confusing capitalization with formatting: A title can have the right capitalization but the wrong typography.
Treating every game-related name as a title: Characters, missions, and items don’t automatically follow the rules for complete games.
Mixing styles in one article: Switching between APA and Chicago conventions can make a manuscript inconsistent.
Changing official names unnecessarily: Preserve the recognizable title and verify unusual capitalization against a reliable source.
Assuming every publication follows the same rules: A publisher may have a house style that supplements or modifies a general style guide.

A Practical Editing Checklist

Before submitting your article or paper, ask yourself:

Which style guide does the assignment or publication require?
Have I formatted every complete game title consistently?
Did I distinguish game titles from series names and in-game elements?
Have I checked the official spelling and capitalization?
If I cited a game as a source, did I include the necessary reference details?
Did I verify any unusual cases in the current official manual?

This quick review can catch small formatting mistakes before they distract readers or lead to unnecessary editing.

Video Game Title Formatting at a Glance

Writing situation	APA	AP	Chicago
Mentioning Minecraft	Italics	Minecraft	Italics
Mentioning Fortnite	Italics	Fortnite	Italics
Mentioning The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	Italics	Regular type	Italics
Referring to a complete game	Follow APA title rules	No italics or quotes	Follow Chicago title rules
Citing a game as a source	Use APA reference rules	Follow publication requirements	Use the required Chicago citation system

Remember: Choose the style required by your instructor, editor, or publisher. Don’t mix formatting conventions simply because they look familiar.

FAQs:

Are video game titles italicized or put in quotation marks?

It depends on the style guide. APA and Chicago generally italicize complete video game titles, while AP uses regular type without italics or quotation marks. Always follow the style required for your document.

Are video game titles italicized in APA 7?

Yes. When you refer to a complete video game as a standalone work, use italics in your prose. If you cite the game in a reference list, follow APA’s reference-formatting and capitalization rules.

Does AP style italicize video game titles?

No. AP style uses neither italics nor quotation marks for video game titles. This rule differs from AP’s treatment of many books, films, songs, and other creative works.

Are video game titles italicized in Chicago style?

Yes. Chicago style italicizes the titles of video games, including individual installments and series names. Its official guidance confirms this treatment in the Chicago Manual of Style Q&A.

Should video game titles be capitalized in every word?

No. Capitalization depends on the official title and the style guide’s conventions. Title case capitalizes major words, while sentence case generally capitalizes the first word and proper nouns. Reference entries may use different capitalization from prose.

Are video game series names italicized?

Chicago style italicizes both game titles and series names. For APA and AP, check the applicable rules for the context in which you mention the series. A franchise name and an individual installment are not always interchangeable.

Do video game titles need italics in reference lists?

In APA, a standalone game’s title is italicized when the relevant reference format calls for it. Chicago also generally italicizes complete game titles in citations. AP is primarily a journalistic style and does not use italics for game titles in ordinary news copy.

Conclusion:

Knowing whether video game titles are italicized depends on the style guide you’re following. APA and Chicago style italicize complete video game titles, while AP style uses regular text without italics or quotation marks. Understanding these differences helps you format game titles correctly in academic papers, news articles, and professional writing.

Remember that capitalization, italics, and citation rules serve different purposes. Always preserve a game’s official title and apply the required formatting consistently. If you’re unsure about an unusual title, expansion, or series name, consult the relevant official style guide before submitting your work.