Arkham Wiki:Citing sources
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Citing sources
Arkham Wiki uses standardized citation templates so that sources are easy to read, verify, and maintain.
Whenever possible, cite the original source of a claim and identify the exact location of the information.
For the site's general reliability rules, see Arkham Wiki:Sourcing policy.
Basic citation format
Citations should normally be placed immediately after the claim they support.
Example:
Batman investigated the Lacey Towers crime scene.<ref>{{Cite game
| game = Batman: Arkham Origins
| section = Lacey Towers crime scene
}}</ref>
At the bottom of the article, include:
== References == <references />
Which citation template should I use?
| Source | Template | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Video game | Cite game | {{Cite game|game=Batman: Arkham City|section=Hugo Strange Interview Tape #3}}
|
| Comic | Cite comic | {{Cite comic|title=Batman: Arkham City|issue=1|page=12}}
|
| Developer or creator interview | Cite interview | {{Cite interview|interviewee=Name|title=Interview title}}
|
| Webpage or press release | Cite web | {{Cite web|title=Page title|website=Website|url=https://example.com}}
|
| Video, trailer, panel, or developer diary | Cite video | {{Cite video|title=Video title|url=https://example.com|timestamp=12:34}}
|
| Novel, guide, art book, or reference book | Cite book | {{Cite book|title=Book title|page=42}}
|
Citing games
Use Template:Cite game for information taken directly from a released game.
Whenever possible, identify the exact location of the information.
Good:
<ref>{{Cite game
| game = Batman: Arkham City
| section = Hugo Strange Interview Tape #3
| speaker = Hugo Strange
}}</ref>
Less useful:
<ref>Batman: Arkham City</ref>
Useful identifiers include:
- Mission names
- Crime scenes
- Dialogue scenes
- Interview tapes
- Audio recordings
- Character biographies
- Database entries
- Case files
- Collectibles
- Locations
- Specific cutscenes
If a claim depends on a particular platform or game version, include that information.
Citing comics
Use Template:Cite comic.
Whenever possible, include:
- Series title
- Issue number
- Page number
- Writer
- Publication date
Example:
<ref>{{Cite comic
| title = Batman: Arkham City
| issue = 1
| writer = Paul Dini
| publisher = DC Comics
| date = May 2011
| page = 12
}}</ref>
Page numbers may differ between original issues, collected editions, and digital editions. Identify the edition when necessary.
Citing interviews
Use Template:Cite interview for interviews with developers, writers, actors, producers, or other people involved in Arkham media.
Example:
<ref>{{Cite interview
| interviewee = Developer Name
| title = Interview title
| interviewer = Interviewer Name
| publication = Publication Name
| date = 2013
| url = https://example.com/interview
}}</ref>
Developer statements should be attributed in the article text.
Prefer:
Developer Name stated in a 2013 interview that...<ref>...</ref>
rather than:
It is canon that...
unless released material independently confirms the statement.
Citing webpages
Use Template:Cite web for:
- Official websites
- Developer blogs
- Publisher announcements
- Press releases
- Promotional websites
- Support articles
- Official online posts
Example:
<ref>{{Cite web
| author = Rocksteady Studios
| title = Page title
| website = Rocksteady Studios
| date = 2015
| url = https://example.com/page
}}</ref>
Prefer the original webpage over articles that merely summarize it.
Citing archived webpages
Old Arkham sources frequently disappear.
When an archive exists, include both the original URL and the archived copy.
Example:
<ref>{{Cite web
| title = Original page title
| website = Official Batman: Arkham website
| date = 2011
| url = https://original.example/page
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/example
| access-date = September 20, 2026
}}</ref>
Do not remove a dead original URL simply because an archived copy exists.
The original URL helps establish the source's provenance.
Citing videos
Use Template:Cite video for:
- Trailers
- Developer diaries
- Convention panels
- Presentations
- Gameplay demonstrations
- Behind-the-scenes videos
Example:
<ref>{{Cite video
| creator = Rocksteady Studios
| title = Developer presentation
| platform = YouTube
| date = 2015
| url = https://youtube.com/example
| timestamp = 18:42
}}</ref>
When citing a specific statement, provide a timestamp whenever possible.
Avoid citing a 60-minute video without identifying where the information appears.
Citing books
Use Template:Cite book for:
- Novels
- Novelizations
- Strategy guides
- Art books
- Development books
- Printed reference works
Example:
<ref>{{Cite book
| author = Author Name
| title = Book Title
| publisher = Publisher
| date = 2015
| page = 42
}}</ref>
Include page numbers whenever possible.
Multiple claims from one source
A single reference may support several closely related statements.
However, do not place one citation at the end of a long paragraph if it is unclear which statements the source supports.
Prefer citations close to the relevant claim.
Reusing a citation
If the exact same source citation is used multiple times on a page, give the reference a name.
First use:
<ref name="strange-tape-3">{{Cite game
| game = Batman: Arkham City
| section = Hugo Strange Interview Tape #3
}}</ref>
Later uses:
<ref name="strange-tape-3" />
This avoids duplicating identical references.
Quoting sources
Use direct quotations only when the exact wording matters.
A quote should be followed by a citation.
Example:
According to the recording, Strange stated, "Short quotation here."<ref>{{Cite game
| game = Batman: Arkham City
| section = Hugo Strange Interview Tape #3
}}</ref>
Long passages should generally be summarized instead of reproduced.
Unsourced claims
If a claim appears plausible but no reliable source has yet been found, use:
{{Citation needed}}
A reason may be added:
{{Citation needed|reason=No primary source has been found for this identity claim.}}
Do not invent a source simply to remove the tag.
Source does not equal interpretation
A citation proves that a source contains information.
It does not automatically prove every interpretation of that information.
For example, if a computer password is:
SARAH
the source may establish that the password exists.
It does not automatically establish:
Sarah Essen existed and all events involving her in another Batman continuity also occurred in the Arkham universe.
Separate the evidence from the conclusion.
Conflicting sources
If reliable sources conflict:
- Cite both.
- Explain what each source says.
- Do not hide the contradiction.
- Do not invent a reconciliation.
- Use Template:Canon status when appropriate.
Example:
{{Canon status
| status = disputed
| note = Two official sources provide conflicting information.
}}
Sources that should generally be avoided
The following should generally not be used as the final evidence for a factual claim:
- Other fan wikis
- Fandom
- Fan theories
- YouTube lore summaries
- TikTok
- AI-generated text
- Unsourced forum posts
- Search-engine snippets
- Comic Vine summaries
- IMDb trivia
These may help locate an original source, but the original source should be cited instead.
Before saving
Ask:
- Does the citation actually support the claim?
- Is this the original source?
- Can another editor find the information?
- Did I identify the issue, page, mission, tape, timestamp, or section?
- Am I stating more than the source actually proves?
- Is the source's canon status relevant?
- Does an archived copy exist?