View source for Wikipedia:Naming conventions (video games)

{{Guideline|naming convention|Video games|WP:NCVG|WP:NCGAMES|category=[[Category:Wikipedia naming conventions (arts)|Video games]]}}
{{Naming conventions}}
{{Wikipedia:WikiProject Video games/Sidebar}}

The [[Wikipedia:Article titles|article title]] for any topic related to [[video game]]s should be the most common word or phrase used to describe that topic. In particular, if the title of a video game is sufficiently unambiguous compared to any other topics or is considered to be the [[WP:PRIMARYTOPIC|primary topic]], then make that title the title of the article; for example, ''[[The Last of Us]]'' or ''[[Battlefield 1942]]''.

If the common title of the game is ambiguous, an alternate article title will need to be used to distinguish it from other similarly named games, series, characters, movies, books, terms, or other topics. [[WP:NATURALDIS|Natural disambiguation]] may be used if the game has an alternate title that is also commonly used to refer to it, such as the  full title including [[subtitle]]; for example ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. Failing that, then [[WP:PARENDIS|parenthetical disambiguation]] may be needed – use the most appropriate method as described in the sections below.

==General==
# If conventions conflict, prefer the most specific convention.
# Do not capitalize second and subsequent words unless the title is a proper noun (such as a name) or is otherwise almost always capitalized (e.g., "Cloud Strife" uses a {{xt|Buster <u>s</u>word}}, not a {{!xt|Buster <u>S</u>word}}).
#In general, use page names with singular nouns (e.g., {{xt|Key item}}, not {{!xt|Key items}}).
#Except for titles of works or official names, avoid the definite ("the") and indefinite ("a"/"an") articles at the beginning of a page name. This applies even if the subject of the page is usually preceded by the definite article "the" in speech or writing (e.g., {{xt|City of the Ancients}}, not {{!xt|The City of the Ancients}}).
#In general, use standard English capitalization for titles, even if trademarks encourage otherwise (e.g., {{xt|''Infamous''}}, not {{!xt|''inFAMOUS''}}).
##Exceptions to the above are for articles whose name is almost exclusively known by its [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (abbreviations)|acronym]] (e.g., ''[[F.E.A.R.]]'') and in the case of [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (capitalization)#Software characteristics|video games whose first character is not representative of a letter]] (e.g., {{xt|.<u>h</u>ack//Infection}}, not {{!xt|.<u>H</u>ack//Infection}}).
#Consider creating [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirects]] to the correct page from pages with names similar to the correct one and from pages with names which are discouraged per this convention (e.g., [[Qbert|{{!xt|Qbert}}]] and [[Q-bert|{{!xt|Q-bert}}]] redirect to ''[[Q*bert|{{xt|Q*bert}}]]''). Also consider adding [[Wikipedia:Hatnote|hatnotes]] linking between articles with similar names.

==Games==
#Unofficial titles (e.g., ''Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn'', a name fans often use to refer to [[Command & Conquer (1995 video game)|''Command & Conquer'']]) are not acceptable.
## Exception: The unofficial name better meets [[WP:AT|the policy on article titles]] as identified in reliable sources and disambiguation is already necessary. For example, the 1999 Nintendo 64 ''Superman'' game is located at ''[[Superman 64]]'' rather than its official title ''Superman: The New Superman Adventures'', to differentiate it from [[List of Superman video games|numerous other ''Superman'' video games]].
## Usage of taglines in titles is not permitted.
#Use the most commonly accepted English name first, if one exists. This is usually the official title in the initial English release, but not always. Subtitles and pre-titles are allowed if deemed appropriate but are not necessary and pre-titles should be replaced once an official title has been announced.
#For the purpose of naming, modifications (mods) are considered stand-alone video games. e.g., ''Counter-Strike'', not ''Half-Life: Counter-Strike''. When disambiguating, use '''(video game)''', not (mod).
#For series that use either [[Arabic numerals]] or [[Roman numerals]] to denote the order of games in the series, use the numerals in the official titles for the games, even if their types vary from game to game (for example, ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' instead of ''Final Fantasy 4'', and ''[[Quake 4]]'' instead of ''Quake IV'').  When Roman numerals are used, consider providing a redirect that uses Arabic numerals (for example, ''Final Fantasy 4'' should redirect to ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]''); a similar redirect is not necessary for Roman numeral equivalents.
#When naming articles for specific games in a series it is best to be consistent throughout the entire series as much as possible. This includes the use of subtitles and numbering. Exceptions exist when two different games are released under two completely different titles (for example, ''[[EarthBound]]'' and ''[[Mother 3]]'').

==Characters==
#[[Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-12-21 Street Fighter character articles|As per a very lengthy debate]], full names should be used for video game character article namespaces when they appear in-game. Otherwise the common name should be used.
#When the common name in other media is far more iconic, that name should be used (for example [[Ash Ketchum]] instead of '''Ash''').

==Lists==
#A list article's title should accurately describe its content.
#Lists should be named "List of..." (e.g., "List of Final Fantasy titles").

==Media franchise==
{{see also|Wikipedia:Naming conventions (films)#Media franchise|Wikipedia:Naming conventions (television)#Media franchise}}
When the content presented in a video game spans other [[mass media#forms|media]] formats such as film, TV, radio, comics, or print, then an associated overview page (an article describing and summarizing the items of the [[Media franchise|franchise]]) should occupy the primary article title (eg. ''[[Star Trek]]''), but may be disambiguated as <code>''Series name'' (franchise)</code> when required.
*  ''[[Earthworm Jim]]''
* ''[[Saints Row]]''
* [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' (franchise)]]
* [[God of War (franchise)|''God of War'' (franchise)]]

==Disambiguation==
{{Shortcut|WP:NCVGDAB|WP:NCGAMESDAB}}
Do not [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguate]] unless a [[Wikipedia:Naming conflict|naming conflict]] exists and the article in question is not the [[WP:PRIMARYTOPIC|primary topic]]. As per the [[WP:CRITERIA|article titles criteria]], make the disambiguation [[WP:PRECISE|precise]] enough to identify the topic (but no more precise than necessary), and as [[WP:CONCISE|concise]] as possible. In all cases, naming conflicts should be settled according to the [[WP:DAB|disambiguation guidelines]] and the specific conventions below.

Naming conflicts often arise between a video game and a series based on it. Where they are part of the same series, it may be appropriate to create a [[WP:BROADCONCEPT|broad concept article]] covering all the related games, including the original. The first step is to determine which article is the [[WP:PRIMARYTOPIC|primary topic]], in accordance with [[Wikipedia:Article titles|Wikipedia's policy on article titles]]. Where the series is the primary topic, the series should take the base name while the video game article is disambiguated, for example the case of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' (the series) and [[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|''The Legend of Zelda'' (video game)]] (the first game). Where the primary topic is the first game in the series, such as the first ''[[BioShock]]'' or ''[[Myst]]'' games, the series article should be disambiguated as [[Myst (series)|''Myst'' (series)]] and [[BioShock (series)|''BioShock'' (series)]]. 

More rarely, a new series will use the same title as an older game, such as [[Fight Night (video game series)|''Fight Night'' (video game series)]] and [[Fight Night (1985 video game)|''Fight Night'' (1985 video game)]], or [[Fable (video game series)|''Fable'' (video game series)]] and [[Fable (1996 video game)|''Fable'' (1996 video game)]]. Where the releases are not part of the same series, it is usually sufficient to include a [[Wikipedia:Hatnote|hatnote]] at the articles about one or both series. Occasionally, it may be appropriate to summarize what reliable sources have said about naming negotiations between the two series' [[video game developer|developer]]s or [[video game publisher|publisher]]s.  

Use [[WP:HN|hatnotes]] and [[MOS:DP|disambiguation pages]] when disambiguation in naming is used.  Disambiguation pages are not required if the only disambiguation exists between similarly named articles related to the same video game series.

# Use "{{xt|video game}}" rather than "{{!xt|videogame}}", "{{!xt|game}}", or "{{!xt|computer game}}".
# For original video games:
## If disambiguation is necessary, use the subtitles or numbers of the official title (e.g., ''{{xt|Need for Speed: ProStreet}}'').
## For further disambiguation, append "{{xt|(video game)}}", which is preferable to "{{!xt|(computer game)}}" or "{{!xt|(arcade game)}}", etc.
## For further disambiguation, use "{{xt|(YEAR video game)}}". If no year has been announced, use "{{xt|(upcoming video game)}}". If the project is cancelled, use "{{xt|(canceled video game)}}" or "{{xt|(cancelled video game)}}" as appropriate for the article's [[WP:ENGVAR|variation of English]].
##For platform-specific versions where using the year would remain ambiguous: disambiguate by appending "{{xt|([platform] video game)}}" to the title (e.g., "''Final Fantasy IV'' (Nintendo DS video game)")
###When the platform name has at least three words in length, the shortest possible acronym should be used in the disambiguator (e.g., ''Disney's Beauty and the Beast'' (SNES video game)" or ''Ninja Gaiden'' (NES video game)).
## Any other disambiguation will likely be a rarity for a video game title. Consider combining some conventions above if necessary.
#For mobile video games: Disambiguate by appending "(mobile)", or, if necessary, "(mobile video game)". The former is preferable.
#For modifications: Disambiguate by appending "(video game)", or, if necessary, "(video game mod)". The former is preferable.
#For video game series: Typically, disambiguate by appending "(series)". If this is still ambiguous – for instance with a book, film, or television series – use "(video game series)" to avoid [[WP:INCDAB|incomplete disambiguation]].
#For franchises that include other media beyond video games: Disambiguate with "(franchise)". See [[#Media franchise]].
#For characters: Disambiguate by appending the series or individual game title in parentheses after the character's name (e.g., {{xt|Lulu (''Final Fantasy'')}} and {{xt|Cid (''Final Fantasy X'')}}). If the subject's name is the same as the game or game series, then use "(character)" (e.g., {{xt|Rayman (character)}}).
#For video game specific terminology use {{xt|(video games)}}; for video game terminology that is also used with non-video games, use {{xt|(game terminology)}}.
#{{Shortcut|WP:NCSPVG}}For video game players, see [[WP:STAGENAME]] for naming. If parenthetical disambiguation is necessary, use {{xt|(gamer)}}.<ref>[[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Archive 117#Naming conventions for esports%2F pro video gaming people|Originating RfC]] and [[Special:Permalink/951833343#RfC: "(gamer)" or "(video game player)"?|refining RfC]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (Japan-related articles)]], as many video games are made in Japan
*[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (titles)]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}