Quick Answer: Should Video Game Titles Be Italicized?
Yes—video game titles are usually italicized, especially in academic and formal writing.
However, the exact rule depends on the style you’re following:
- APA, MLA, Chicago → Italicize video game titles
- AP Style (journalism) → Use quotation marks instead
- Blogs and online writing → Italics are generally preferred
If you’re unsure, the safest default is simple:
👉 Italicize the video game title.
This approach works in most writing contexts and maintains clarity for readers.
Why Italicization Matters in Modern Writing
Italicization isn’t just a stylistic choice—it serves a clear purpose.
It helps readers quickly identify standalone works, such as video games, movies, books, and albums. When you italicize a game title, you signal that it’s a distinct, complete work.
For example:
- Correct: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild changed open-world gaming.
- Less clear: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild changed open-world gaming.
The italicized version is easier to scan and understand.
From Print to Digital
Italicization originally became standard in print publishing. Over time, it carried over into digital writing—blogs, articles, and even some social platforms.
But digital writing introduced flexibility. Not every platform supports italics, which is why formatting rules can vary today.
Why Consistency Matters
Consistency is more important than perfection.
If you italicize one game title, you should italicize all of them throughout your content. This creates a polished, professional feel and improves readability.
Style Guide Conflicts Explained
One of the biggest challenges writers face is this:
👉 Different style guides don’t agree.
Academic vs Journalistic Goals
- Academic styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) focus on clarity and categorization.
They treat video games like books or films—complete works—so they use italics. - AP style (journalism) prioritizes simplicity and speed.
It avoids italics in many cases and uses quotation marks instead.
Example Across Styles
- APA/MLA/Chicago: Minecraft
- AP Style: “Minecraft”
Both are correct—depending on context.
Which Rule Should You Follow?
If no specific style is required:
👉 Use italics.
It’s widely accepted and aligns with most modern writing practices.
Italicizing Video Game Titles in Real-World Writing Contexts
Understanding rules is one thing. Applying them in real life is another.
Let’s break it down by context.
Blog Posts and SEO Content
In blog writing, italicizing video game titles is the best choice.
It improves readability and aligns with user expectations. Readers instantly recognize game names without confusion.
Example:
- Call of Duty: Warzone continues to dominate the battle royale space.
SEO Impact
Search engines don’t rank content based on italics alone.
However, proper formatting:
- Improves user experience
- Increases dwell time
- Makes content easier to scan
All of these indirectly support SEO performance.
YouTube Titles and Social Media
Most social platforms don’t support italics.
That means you need alternatives.
Instead of italics, you can:
- Use capitalization: CALL OF DUTY
- Use quotation marks: “Call of Duty”
- Simply rely on context
Example:
- “Is Call of Duty Warzone still worth playing in 2026?”
Clarity matters more than strict formatting here.
Game Reviews and Journalism
If you’re writing for a publication that follows AP style:
👉 Use quotation marks.
Example:
- The review praised “Elden Ring” for its open-world design.
However, many gaming websites bend this rule and use italics for better readability.
Academic Papers and Essays
In academic writing, rules are strict.
You must follow the assigned style guide:
- APA → Italicize
- MLA → Italicize
- Chicago → Italicize
No exceptions.
Branding vs Grammar: What to Do When They Conflict
Modern video games often use unique branding.
Examples include:
- NieR: Automata
- PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
- eFootball™
This raises a question:
👉 Should you follow branding or grammar rules?
The Best Approach
Follow both—strategically.
- Keep the official name intact
- Apply italicization for formatting
Example:
- Correct: PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS
- Not ideal: PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS (no formatting)
Avoid Overdoing It
You don’t need to include trademarks (™) in most writing.
Focus on readability over strict branding replication.
Capitalization Rules for Video Game Titles
Italicization is only part of the equation.
Capitalization matters just as much.
Title Case vs Sentence Case
Most video game titles use title case, meaning:
- Major words are capitalized
- Small words (like “of,” “the”) may not be
Example:
- The Last of Us Part II
Handling Subtitles
Subtitles follow the same rules.
Example:
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Always capitalize the subtitle after the colon.
Style Differences
- APA & MLA → Title case
- AP → Sentence-style variations sometimes
When in doubt, stick to title case + italics.
Advanced Formatting Cases Most Guides Don’t Explain
This is where most articles fall short.
Let’s cover the edge cases.
DLCs, Expansions, and Add-ons
Downloadable content (DLC) can be tricky.
- Main game → Italicized
- DLC name → Usually in quotation marks
Example:
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt includes the expansion “Blood and Wine.”
Mobile Games and Apps
Mobile games are still standalone works.
👉 They should be italicized.
Example:
- Clash of Clans remains one of the top mobile games.
Online and Live-Service Games
Live-service games evolve over time, but formatting stays the same.
Example:
- Fortnite introduced a new season update.
Even though the game changes, it remains a single title.
Indie Games and Mods
Indie games follow the same rules as major titles.
Example:
- Hades received critical acclaim.
Mods, however, are different.
- Mods → Usually in quotation marks
Example:
- The “SkyUI” mod improves Skyrim’s interface.
Franchises vs Individual Titles
This is a common confusion.
- Franchise → Not italicized
- Specific game → Italicized
Example:
- The Grand Theft Auto series is popular.
- Grand Theft Auto V broke sales records.
When NOT to Italicize Video Game Titles
Not everything related to games should be italicized.
Consoles and Platforms
Do NOT italicize:
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Nintendo Switch
These are brands, not works.
Genres
Genres are general categories.
Example:
- First-person shooters are popular.
No italics needed.
General References
If you’re referring to a concept, not a title:
- Incorrect: I love battle royale games.
- Correct: I love battle royale games.
AP Style Exceptions
In AP style, even full game titles may use quotation marks instead of italics.
Always check your required style guide.
Common Mistakes Writers Make
Even experienced writers make formatting errors.
Let’s fix them.
Mistake 1: Mixing Italics and Quotes
❌ “Minecraft”
✅ Minecraft
Use one format—not both.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Capitalization
❌ the legend of zelda
✅ The Legend of Zelda
Always use proper title case.
Mistake 3: Italicizing Everything
❌ PlayStation 5
✅ PlayStation 5
Only italicize actual titles.
Mistake 4: Inconsistent Formatting
❌ Minecraft is popular. Minecraft has many updates.
✅ Minecraft is popular. Minecraft has many updates.
Consistency is key.
Visual Comparison: Same Game Across Different Styles
Let’s look at how formatting changes across styles.
Example: Elden Ring
- APA → Elden Ring
- MLA → Elden Ring
- Chicago → Elden Ring
- AP → “Elden Ring”
Example: The Last of Us Part II
- APA → The Last of Us Part II
- MLA → The Last of Us Part II
- Chicago → The Last of Us Part II
- AP → “The Last of Us Part II”
This comparison highlights the core difference:
👉 Italics vs quotation marks
SEO Considerations: Do Italics Affect Rankings?
Italicizing video game titles does NOT directly impact rankings.
Google doesn’t rank pages based on formatting alone.
However, it does affect:
1. Readability
Clean formatting makes content easier to scan.
2. User Engagement
Readers stay longer on well-formatted pages.
3. Professional Appearance
Well-structured content builds trust.
Best Practice
- Use italics naturally
- Avoid over-formatting
- Focus on user experience
Quick Decision Framework
Still confused?
Use this simple framework:
- Academic writing? → Follow APA/MLA → Italics
- Journalism? → Follow AP → “Quotes”
- Blog or website? → Use italics
- Social media? → Use plain text or quotes
Default Rule
👉 If no style guide is specified, italicize the game title.
FAQs
Do you italicize video game titles in essays?
Yes. In essays, video game titles should be italicized following MLA, APA, or Chicago style guidelines.
Are video game titles italicized in AP style?
No. AP style uses quotation marks instead of italics for video game titles.
Should game titles be italicized in blogs?
Yes. Most blogs italicize video game titles to improve readability and maintain consistency.
Do you italicize mobile games?
Yes. Mobile games are standalone works, so they should be italicized.
What about video game series names?
Series names are usually not italicized. Only individual game titles are italicized.
Final Takeaway: The Safest Rule to Follow
If you remember only one thing, let it be this:
👉 Italicize video game titles unless a specific style guide says otherwise.
This rule works for:
- Blogs
- Academic writing
- Most online content
Consistency matters more than strict perfection.
By applying these guidelines, you’ll create content that is:
- Clear
- Professional
- Easy to read
And most importantly—optimized for both readers and search engines.
Also Read: I Was Wondering Vs I Am Wondering Vs I Wonder: Clear Differences, Usage, and Examples
