Properly crediting sources is a cornerstone of academic integrity, and this extends to interactive entertainment. The Modern Language Association (MLA) style provides specific guidelines for acknowledging video games within scholarly work. The core elements generally include the game’s title, the platform it was played on, the developer, the publisher, and the year of release. For example: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Nintendo Switch. Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3, Nintendo, 2017.
Accurate source citation demonstrates responsible scholarship, preventing plagiarism and giving appropriate credit to the creators of the work being referenced. It also allows readers to locate the referenced material, supporting further research and analysis. Historically, the need to adapt citation styles to emerging media has been a recurring challenge, requiring constant updates and revisions to established guidelines to remain relevant.