Template:Infobox VG/doc

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This is a documentation subpage for Template:Infobox VG (see that page for the template itself).
It contains usage information, categories and other content that is not part of the original template page.
This template employs intricate features of template syntax.
You are encouraged to familiarise yourself with its setup and parser functions before editing the template. If your edit causes unexpected problems, please undo it quickly, as this template may appear on a large number of pages.
Remember that you can conduct experiments, and should test all improvements, in either the general Template sandbox or your user space before changing anything here.

Contents

[edit] Usage

{{Infobox VG
| width          = 
| title          = 
| image          = 
| caption        = 
| aspect ratio   = 
| resolution     = 
| developer      = 
| publisher      = 
| distributor    = 
| designer       = 
| license        = 
| series         = 
| engine         = 
| version        = 
| released       = Release Date 1<br />Release Date 2<br /> ... Use {{Start date}} for the first date only. 
| genre          = 
| modes          = 
| ratings        = 
| platforms      = 
| media          = 
| requirements   = 
| input          = 
}}

Add these fields for arcade games:

| cabinet        = 
| arcade system  = 
| cpu            = 
| sound          = 
| display        =

Add these fields for games that are still updated after their initial release (i.e. open source games):

| latest release version = 
| latest release date    = 
| latest preview version = 
| latest date            =

All fields are optional. See talk page for examples and standards.

[edit] Syntax guide

width
Overrides the default width of the template (use only if needed).
title
The full name of the game including punctuation and style ("Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars", not "Super Mario RPG" or "Legend of the Seven Stars"). Avoid wikilinking the name of the game.
image
Ideally, the most recognizable English-language cover or a promotional flier, in the case of an arcade game. Failing that, a logo or foreign-language cover can suffice. When the game was released on multiple platforms, the PC cover is preferred over console covers to avoid bias towards a certain console. Avoid screenshots (per consensus) and multiple images (per WP:FUC #3). Multiple images may be acceptable if the article is covering multiple games (such as with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire).
To avoid stretching the Infobox overlarge, avoid using images with a width greater than 256 pixels. Where possible use 256px, as it gives the best fit. Wiki: [[Image:name.ext|256px]]
caption
A short description of the image. Is it a flyer, a game cover, or something else? (See above for what an image should consist of.) This is used as the alternate text that will be displayed below the image. Note: This field doesn't display if the image field is blank.
developer
The popular name(s) of the game developer(s), e.g. Konami Computer Entertainment Japan. This field is for the company that developed the game, as opposed to any individual staffers. In the case of a game made entirely by one designer, use the designer field instead. The name(s) can be wikilinked.
publisher
The popular name(s) of the video game publisher(s). The name(s) can be wikilinked.
distributor
The popular name(s) of the game's distributor(s). Only use this field if it is a different company from the publisher. The name(s) can be wikilinked.
designer
The popular name(s) of the game designer(s). This field is for notable staff that worked on the game, rather than companies. The name(s) can be wikilinked.
license
The software license the game is released under. Chiefly useful for free software. Commercial EULA software does not require this field, but may be marked proprietary. Abandonware is not considered a license. Wikilink to a description of the license, or to the full text, if available.
series
The video game series the game is associated with. Only use this field if there's an article for the series. Wikilink the name(s). Make sure you italicize any game names that are part of the series title (such as [[Resident Evil (series)|''Resident Evil'' series]])
engine
If the game uses a notable game engine, link the name of the engine the game uses (such as the Lithtech engine), or the name of the game that this game's engine is based on (such as Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes being based on Metal Gear Solid 2's engine).
version
The latest version number of the game. This field typically applies to PC games, though some console and arcade games have several numbered revisions too.
released
If possible use the game's exact release date. ("May 18, 2008") Use the first public non-festival release in the game's country of origin, as well as any English-language release dates available. Use {{Start date}} for the earliest date only (to make the date appear in the hCalendar microformat).
Use a (linked) abbreviation:
<small><sup>'''[[North America|NA]]'''</sup></small> [[May 18]], [[2008 in video gaming|2008]]
or use the {{vgrelease}} template {{vgrelease|North America|NA|September 16, 2006}}
modes
Playing modes does the game offers: single/multip-player, online or cooperative modes etc. List all the important modes of the game. Wiki: Cooperative, competitive, online<br/>Players: 1-4
ratings
The game's censorship rating most widely accepted in the game's country of production (or other countries it has been released in). Wiki: [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB: Everyone]]
cabinet
The type of arcade cabinet the game uses, e.g. upright, sit-down, cocktail, custom.
display
The characteristics of the arcade hardware's video output, such as graphical technique, display resolution and monitor orientation. Wiki: [[Raster graphics|Raster]], 256 x 224, horizontal orientation
arcade system
The name of the arcade system board hardware. Wikilink the name(s).
Note
In case of unique arcade hardware, leave the arcade system field empty and fill in the fields listed below.
cpu
The names and number of CPUs present. Wikilink the names if available.
sound
The names and number of hardware present. Wikilink the names if available.

[edit] Microformat

The HTML mark up produced by this template includes an hCalendar microformat, which makes the event details parsable by computers, either acting automatically to catalogue article across Wikipedia, or via a browser tool operated by a person, to (for example) add the subject to a calendar or diary application. For more information about the use of microformats on Wikipedia, please see the microformat project.

Dates will only appear if you use {{Start date}} or {{End date}} (use the former for single dates).

hCalendar uses HTML classes including:

  • "dtend"
  • "dtstart"
  • "location"
  • "summary"
  • "vevent"

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Deveria's Infobox Maker - a simple form based website that generates infobox code that can be copied and pasted into articles