The Videogame Style Guide Blows My Mind
The Videogame Style Guide attempts to create a consistent set of rules for writing about video games. It starts with an introduction that goes into great detail about many little details of language and why we should care about getting them right. They make great points here, and I'm totally on board with the concept because I already care about language. I already know why you should care, too
The problem here isn't the theory--it's the actual writing. The book mentions the example of when the editor of Wired magazine made the (good) decision to spell "internet" with a lowercase letter "i." It was only really ever spelled with an uppercase 'I' to make it sound important, the book says. I'm totally with them. And yet...the book itself spells the the word Internet with a capital "I" the rest of the way through!
(EDIT: Actually the book doesn't give reasons about "internet" vs. "Internet." That was from another source. The book is not guilty of being inconsistent in this matter; it's just guilty of spelling the word with a capital I.)
In the introduction, there is a colon followed by a capital letter, for no apparent reason. I looked up the usage of colons in Strunk & White, just in case I was having some kind of memory lapse. I wasn't. It's not correct to use an uppercase letter there.
(EDIT: The AP style guide disagrees with Strunk & White on this. The AP style guide also spells it "Internet" though, if that tells you anything. I personally recommend no capital letter after a colon (or semicolon or comma)).
Furthermore, the introduction ends with an ellipsis, which would be fine except that there is no period. There are three dots rather than the required four dots. You might think these are nit-picky details, but they are EXACTLY the kinds of things the entire book is about.
I also have to mention the book's decision to spell "video game" as "videogame." Quite a lot of words are spent on this topic, but it's a pompous-looking spelling. The authors know--and explain--that we should strive to reduce jargon (they spelled with a capital "J" for no reason, by the way), and they are right. We should not create new terms unless they are absolutely needed. We had no need to create the word "boardgame," we had no need to create the word "cardgame," and we also have no need to create the word "videogame." But they put this word in their title!
The authors' hearts really are in the right place here. They get it. They are fighting the good fight and they care about language. But honestly, what the hell happened here? Maybe most of these errors were simply overlooked in copy editing?
Take care videogame fans. Ouch, I can't even type that without cringing.
--Sirlin
July 25th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
[…] YouTube Link to Article video games The Videogame Style Guide Blows My Mind » Posted at Sirlin.net — Your source of shocking insights on game design on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 The Videogame Style Guide attempts to create a consistent set of rules for writing about video games … to spell “video game” as “videogame.” Quite a lot of words are spent on this topic View Entire Article » […]
July 25th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I’ve noticed I have a tendency to type “videogame” since Firefox’s spell checker now corrects me. It’s certainly never been a conscious decision, nor do I think it’s representative of any kind of subconscious attitude regarding the stature of games; it just seems like a natural thing to type, to me. I see your point re: “board game” and “card game”, but I’m thoroughly desensitized to “videogame” to the point I don’t even notice it.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
Hey there, thanks for posting about the book. I’m glad you liked the idea, if not some of the execution.
First of all, nowhere in the book do we address the correct capitalization of Internet/internet. AP Style suggests capitalizing it, which is what we do. Not sure where you got the idea that we were breaking our own rule here… maybe from this comment on Kotaku? http://kotaku.com/gaming/bloggers-beware/videogame-style-guide-out-now-281962.php#c1953744. Again, that’s not referenced anywhere in the book.
As for the capitalized letter after the colon and the ellipsis, yes those are mistakes. In a 100-plus-page book, there are bound to be a few typos that we missed in the copy editing process. I hope these small errors won’t cause you to throw out the entire guide as a concept.
Re: videogame vs. video game, this was actually a hot debate between the authors, and one there was not unanimous agreement on. The problem seems to be that most “game” terms (borad game, card game) are two words while most “video” terms (videotape, videodisc) are usually one (ballgame, however, is an exception). In a Joystiq poll, 45% of people preferred “videogame” while 55% preferred “video game,” a pretty even split. So either way we go, plenty of people are going to be upset. There’s just no winning here.
Anyway, thanks again for the attention and for your thoughts.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:42 am
I stand corrected that the book does not mention whether to capitalize internet or not. As Kyle guessed, I must have confused a comment on Kotaku with something in the book itself. That said, the word internet should not be capitalized. I’m surprised that AP style recommends capitalizing it when this goes against the accept norms for the word.
Similarly, “videogame” goes against accepted conventions. Maybe it was somewhat accepted in a Joystiq poll, but I don’t think it’s accepted by any serious publication. I wonder what a poll amongst careful writers such as myself would look like. It was a bold move to go against the norm here and to put the word in the book’s title, but in my opinion it undermines the credibility of the work.
I should emphasize again that this book is filling a valuable role and that it’s totally correct in its claim that we look like an amateur industry if we can’t even agree on how to spell Xbox or whether to use the term “FMV.” Anyone who respects language as much as these authors deserves some respect, in my opinion.
I wrote a book, too, so I know how hard it is to copy edit a long work. I spent over six months in the copy editing phase so that I could correct every possible defect. A book about language should be held to a higher standard than my book though, especially when the book about language specifically says that nitpicking little details of language is important.
Any chance of an update to fix little things here and there? Any chance of ignoring AP Style’s use of “Internet?” Any chance of reversing your stance on “videogame” based on further study of whether people actually use or want it?
Thanks,
–Sirlin
July 26th, 2007 at 3:34 am
Thanks for the response and the kind words.
We are definitely planning on an update, targeted for sometime next year. In fact, we’re taking community suggestions for such an edition on a wiki at igja.org/guide. If you find any more typos, just go in there and fix ‘em yourself =P.
You’d be surprised how many writers prefer videogame, especially in Britain, but also in this country. There’s really no completely unassailable argument for either side … it really comes down to personal preference. All I will add for now is that it used to be “base ball” too.
Heard about your book recently on GameSetWatch… will have to check it out.
-Kyle Orland
July 26th, 2007 at 4:36 am
Thanks Kyle, that’s great that there’s a wiki and that you’re going to do an updated version.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:12 am
::sniff::
Working things out is touching.
But yeah, outside of the most-corporate of websites, there’s a nosedive in terms of writing quality.
July 26th, 2007 at 8:19 am
“Videogame”… well, English does have some Germanic origins!
I thought that I would consult Google on this one:
about 12,200,000 for “videogame”
Google asks: Did you mean: “video game”
*click*
about 66,800,000 for “video game”
July 26th, 2007 at 8:40 am
I don’t know if it’s explained in the book (going to read On Writing before this), but has it discussed having a “the” before a console’s name? Like saying “Wii is doing very well” instead of “The Wii is doing very well”?
Lion: Don’t forget that Google also searches for results of the word Video and Game, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re both together.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:07 am
I searched for “video game” not video game. The quotes let Google know that the words must appear as a group.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Is there some way to maybe address controversies like “videogame” vs. “video game”? I mean, it seems like i would be reasonable to say “some people like videogame, but others like video game… here are some arguments for each…” That way both sides are happy (right?) and the book acknowledges the existing debate.
That’s probably what i would do if it were me, at least.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
@Hitaro: Yes, actually, we address that in the first line of our System Names appendix: http://igja.org/guide/index.php/System_Names
“Precede system names with an article. The Xbox sold well this month NOT: Xbox sold well this month.”
@lion-gv: Yes, video game does seem much more popular in writing, but I think that’s out of habit more than anything. Like I said, it used to be “base ball,” but now that seems archaic. Etymologically, these kinds of ubiquitous, two word terms often start to merge at some point, and we decided we’d rather be on the forefront of that change.
@Winter: We felt just saying there was a debate and allowing either version was taking the coward’s way out. The point of a style guide is to adjudicate these sorts of stylistic decisions, not to hedge on them. Plus we needed to pick one that would be on the cover, so a line had to be drawn.
July 27th, 2007 at 3:04 am
How about Mobilegames, Handheldgames, Computergames, Consolegames, Massivelymultiplayeronlineroleplayinggames, and Arcadegames?
Also, I remember when I used to “play Nintendo”.
Winter: the French have a committee that standardizes and beautifies their language, especially in regards to words for new things. Their word for video game is “jeu vidéo”.
The Japanese refer to video games as “terebi ge-mu”, or simply just “ge-mu”.
The Germans refer to video games as “Computerspiel”.
July 27th, 2007 at 3:16 am
That’s very true, lion-gv, but is overshadowed by the fact that the French are seriously lame.
July 27th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Should we even use the term “video game”?
I mean, a video - as I understand it - is a series of recorded actions that is designed to play in a straightforward manner, without deviations.
Hence, I’d rather use the term “computer game software”, or omitting the -software portion, as it makes a bit more sense.
Decent argument?
July 27th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Kyle Orland: Fair enough, i suppose.
July 28th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Edge uses ‘videogame’. Edge is a serious publication, no?
I used to call them all ‘computer games’, whether they were played on a home computer, arcade machine or dedicated games console. ‘Video game’ seemed rather strange and American.
I normally just use the word ‘game’.
Vidya gaems are fine too.
I will read the style guide, but I’m not sure if I will obey it!
July 30th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I find the subject particularly interesting as a new-found gaming journalist and long time gamer. Having read the first few pages, I must say i’m impressed people in the industry are thinking so far into this - and it is something that needs attention - so kudos to your efforts.
I agree with BreadCultist in the sense that, as a Brit, the term ‘videogame’ is a very American sounding. It’s also inately generic in this multiplatform industry.
I also dont’ see the point about the FMV/cinematics/cutscene debate - as they are all mutually exclusive and aren’t necessarily linked e.g. a cutscene isn’t always an FMV.
July 30th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
A cutscene is never an FMV. A cutscene uses the game’s normal graphics, like in the Metal Gear Solid games.
July 30th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
I personally believe thats highly debatable, and depends on your definition of a cutscene in the context of a video game. Again, something that isn’t exactly clear cut.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:08 pm
You’d think they made the errors intentionally to make a point.
August 19th, 2007 at 3:27 am
I was a copy editor for my college newspaper for two years, and during the second year I started writing game reviews. I had virtually memorized the AP Stylebook and read several books on style, but I was still conflicted about “video game” as one word or two. AP style has it as two words, but it also says to hyphenate compound modifiers (who would ever write “a video-game manual”?). A lot of gaming publications seem to favor it as one word, though. I definitely agree that there should be some universal style guide for this sort of thing.
Also, aren’t words capitalized after a colon when they begin a complete sentence in AP style? I think the “always lowercase after a colon, even if it’s not just a fragment” rule is mostly British, but maybe I’m wrong.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:27 am
After seeing inconsistent use of em dashes and en dashes and incorrect use of an ellipsis in the foreword, this is going to be a fun read.
@Greg: “(who would ever write “a video-game manual”?)”
Well, uh, I would. That is, after all, hyphenating compound modifiers! It’s just a hyphen doing what it’s supposed to do.
“Also, aren’t words capitalized after a colon when they begin a complete sentence in AP style?”
Yes, that is correct. I’m not sure what the British style is.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Maybe it’s a Strunk & White thing, but I seem to recall that at least with the Chicago Manual of Style, an ellipsis is only ever three periods, and never four. Of course, I don’t have my copy of the Big Orange Book around, so I can’t actually check it, but I can’t seem to recall the last time I saw four periods in a row in any context, at least not when professional copyediting (or is it copy editing? Or copy-editing?) was involved.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:50 am
@Doctor Fedora: Ellipses do have only three points, but if they appear at the end of a sentence they need to be followed by a period. Like so….
August 31st, 2007 at 10:57 am
Ah. My point was that I don’t seem to ever recall having seen that, and although I don’t have a copy nearby, I’m pretty sure that <i>Chicago</i> calls for no fourth period. Of course, that’s leaving aside AP, MLA, APA, AMA, and all of the other major styles, so…
October 17th, 2007 at 6:28 am
The reasoning behind spelling Internet with a capital “I” is because it was originally used to distinguish the Internet we all think of (specific) from internets in general (of which I don’t think there really are any these days). Ah, the things we remember from graduate courses in business writing.
Hence AP and others say to use capital I.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
[…] It’s a debate that’s at least as old as our 2005 poll on the subject (which ended in a statistical dead heat) — should the term “video game” be one word or two. Copy editors, designers, and journalists have all weighed in on the subject (as well as a undoubtful book author and blogger). Now, finally, we have an official reply from a well-respected, authoritative source: the fine fellows by at College Humor. […]
February 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Seeing as how 1) you were corrected about the authors not discussing Internet vs. internet and 2) using a capital letter for a complete sentence after a colon is perfectly valid AP style, you might consider amending or updating your original post. After all, you are making disparaging remarks about the Style Guide editors based on incomplete facts, and readers should not have to get deep into the comments to find that out.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Michelle: it wouldn’t be much of an amendment. Regardless of whether they discussed it or not, they spelled internet with a capital I. This is clearly not how it’s spelled. If the AP style guide says to do it that way, they should take a look around the internet. Any credible style guide would spell it with a lowercase i.
As for capitalization after a colon, I still go with Strunk & White. I think it’s bad. Maybe the AP style guide say it’s ok, and I guess that’s a matter of opinion. Even an amended post would still point out Strunk & White.
But what’s more relevant than any of that is the spelling of “video game” as “videogame” in the title. Nothing’s changed there. It’s still as silly as ever and not needed. (Just like we don’t need “boardgame” or “cardgame” as words either.) So…is there really much relevant to amend?
February 29th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
If you want to argue about the spelling of internet/Internet, go for it. Just don’t accuse people of hypocrisy based on incorrect facts.