As game development becomes more prevalent and popular, it’s important for developers to understand the importance of properly citing their work. This can be especially important when it comes to video games, as they often rely heavily on research, literature, and other forms of media in order to create immersive and engaging experiences for players.
Understanding APA Citation Style
APA (American Psychological Association) is a widely used citation style in the social sciences and psychology fields, but it can also be useful for game developers looking to properly cite their work. Here are some of the key elements of APA citation style:
- In-text citations: These are short phrases or sentences that appear within the text of your paper and provide the author’s name and publication date. For example, “Smith (2021) found that video games can have a positive impact on mental health.”
- Reference list: This is a separate section at the end of your paper that provides more detailed information about each source cited in-text. The reference list should include the author’s name, publication date, title, and other relevant details.
Using APA Citation Style for Video Games
Note: In the following examples, “Epic Games” is used as the author’s name and “Fortnite” is used as the title of the game.
In-text citations:
For video game sources, you will typically need to include the author’s name and publication date in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example, “The new update for Fortnite (Epic Games, 2021) includes several new features that have been highly praised by players.”
Reference list:
In the reference list, you will need to provide more detailed information about each video game source. This can include things like the title of the game, the publication date, and any relevant publication information (such as platform or console). For example, Epic Games. (2021). Fortnite. Retrieved from [insert URL].
Common Types of Video Game Sources
There are many different types of video games that can be sources for research and analysis. Here are some of the most common types of video game sources:
- Commercial video games: These are games that are available for purchase or rental to the general public. Examples might include first-person shooters, strategy games, role-playing games, and more.
- Academic or educational video games: These are games that are designed specifically for use in academic or educational settings. They may be used to teach specific subjects or concepts, and are often designed with input from experts in those fields.
- Research studies on video games: There have been many studies conducted on the effects of video games on players, including their impact on mental health, cognitive development, and more. These studies can be useful sources for game developers looking to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of their work.
Citing Literature on Video Games
In addition to citing specific video games themselves, game developers may also need to cite literature on the subject of video games in order to support their arguments or provide context for their work. Here are some common types of literature on video games:
- Academic journals: These are peer-reviewed publications that contain research studies and other articles related to a specific field of study. Examples might include the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, the International Journal of Gaming and Simulation Education, and more.
- Books and ebooks: There are many books and ebooks available on the subject of video games, covering everything from the history of the medium to its impact on society and culture. These can be useful sources for game developers looking to gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
