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Zotero Translator for Steam games

This is a citation metadata scraper for Steam games, for Zotero (a free and open-source reference manager). It will scrape the necessary metadata required to reference/cite a given Steam game, from:

  1. Steam pages of single games,
  2. Search results,
  3. Steam pages of developers or publishers.

This is a documentation page for testing before submission to the Zotero Translator repository.

Jump to section: Citing videogames, In use, Metadata, Installation, Sample references in 'Chicago', References in BibTeX format, Notes.

Issues:

  • It does not differentiate soundtracks or films as non-games, since these are not clearly marked as non-games. However, this is a trivial problem given that (a) this is primarily aiming videogame citations, (b) soundtracks and films are not that many on Steam, and more importantly (c) Steam does not even provide the appropriate metadata to cite such artifacts (i.e. composer, director, etc.).
  • Hardware items (e.g. Valve Index), which feature the same URL pattern as videogame pages (https://store.steampowered.com/app/....) will be detected as valid items, but the Translator will escape before saving them (as they don't have Developer/Publisher fields).
  • Release dates such as 'coming soon' will be saved as such.

Citing videogames

The matter of referencing videogames in literature is neither trivial nor standardized (Gualeni et al. 2019). Some (older) cases include videogame references in separate "Ludography" sections following different conventions than standard citations. Others include them in a standard bibliography/reference section following distinct conventions (see for example game studies publications such as Game Studies Journal and DiGRA (2023)). This tool supports the latter case and should work for most applications. However, given that the abovementioned venues do not provide a precise citation style (as in a CSL file), one might need to adapt their game references in their text document. Furthermore, depending on referencing instructions additional fields might be required, which can be added manually in Zotero. For example:

  • the precise version of the game played,
  • the platform that the game was played, or the platforms for which the game is available (depending on what is required).

In use

  • Install translator (instructions below).
  • Upon entering a website of a Steam game (URL pattern: store.steampowered.com/app/....), the Zotero connector will detect the game as 'software' and its icon will change to one resembling code. Clicking that icon will automatically download the metadata required to reference the game (title, developers, publisher, release date, platforms, URL, also description, and user-contributed keywords) -- see metadata and sample references below.
    image image image
  • Search results for the term ultrakill (note that the second entry (Ultrakill demo) is omitted since it leads to the same URL as the first). image
  • Search results for Valve. These include hardware items (e.g. Valve Index) which will not be saved if selected. image
  • Below is a case of a Steam page of a Publisher. The same applies to pages of Developers. image

Metadata

Metadata field Status
itemType "computerProgram" (software)
title manually scraped (#appHubAppName)
date (release date) manually scraped (div.date)
creators (developers) manually scraped (#developers_list > a)
company (publishers) manually scraped (.glance_ctn_responsive_left > .dev_row [1])
abstractNote (description) manually scraped (div.game_description_snippet)
tags manually scraped from user-submitted tags (a.app_tag)
system (platforms) manually scraped (div.sysreq_tab if it exists, else "Windows")
version N/A
place N/A
programming language N/A
ISBN N/A
url automatically scraped
libraryCatalog "store.steampowered.com"
Website snapshot (HTML) omitted
accessDate automatically generated

Installation

Requirements:

  • Zotero (free, open-source, cross platform).
  • Zotero connector (browser plugin for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge).

Install:

  • Place Steam.js inside the Zotero translators folder:
    • In Zotero go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Files and Folders, and click Show Data Directory.
    • A file explorer will pop up. Open the folder translators, and paste the included Javascript file (Steam.js) inside.
  • Refresh Zotero translators:
    • On your browser, right-click on the Zotero Connector icon, and select Options, or Manage Extension/Options. In the pop-up tab go to Advanced > Translators > Update Translators (in the same dialog you can remove this translator by selecting reset translators).
  • The translator should now work!
    • If you visit a Steam game page, the Zotero connector icon should now resemble code.
    • If you search Steam, or visit a Developer's or a Publisher's page, the icon will turn into a folder, indicating that there are multiple games available to scrape from such websites. If you click on the icon, a new

Sample references

The references below make use of the citation style Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition (note), and include cases such as multiple platforms, multiple developers, multiple publishers, and a 'coming soon' release date.

BibTeX format

The same references exported via Better Bibtex (Zotero extension), using the Better BibLaTeX format:

@software{arsihakitapatala2020,
  title = {{{ULTRAKILL}}},
  author = {Arsi "Hakita" Patala},
  date = {2020-09-03},
  url = {https://store.steampowered.com/app/1229490/ULTRAKILL/},
  urldate = {2023-07-04},
  abstract = {ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent retro FPS combining the skill-based style scoring from character action games with unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weapons and shower in their blood to regain your health.},
  organization = {{New Blood Interactive}},
  keywords = {3D,Action,Arena Shooter,Blood,Character Action Game,Cyberpunk,Difficult,Early Access,Fast-Paced,First-Person,FPS,Old School,Retro,Robots,Sci-fi,Shooter,Silent Protagonist,Singleplayer,Spectacle fighter,Stylized}
}

@software{crystaldynamics2016,
  title = {Rise of the {{Tomb Raider}}™},
  author = {Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal and Feral Interactive (Mac) and Feral Interactive (Linux) and Nixxes},
  date = {2016-02-09},
  url = {https://store.steampowered.com/app/391220/Rise_of_the_Tomb_Raider/},
  urldate = {2023-07-04},
  abstract = {Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration includes the base game and Season Pass featuring all-new content. Explore Croft Manor in the new “Blood Ties” story, then defend it against a zombie invasion in “Lara’s Nightmare”.},
  organization = {{Crystal Dynamics, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux)}},
  keywords = {Action,Action-Adventure,Adventure,Atmospheric,Exploration,Female Protagonist,Great Soundtrack,Multiplayer,Open World,Parkour,Puzzle,Quick-Time Events,RPG,Shooter,Singleplayer,Stealth,Story Rich,Survival,Third Person,Third-Person Shooter}
}

@software{fromsoftwareinc2022,
  title = {{{ELDEN RING}}},
  author = {FromSoftware Inc},
  date = {2022-02-25},
  url = {https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245620/ELDEN_RING/},
  urldate = {2023-07-04},
  abstract = {THE NEW FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.},
  organization = {{FromSoftware Inc., Bandai Namco Entertainment}},
  keywords = {3D,Action,Action RPG,Atmospheric,Character Customization,Co-op,Dark Fantasy,Difficult,Family Friendly,Fantasy,Great Soundtrack,Multiplayer,Online Co-Op,Open World,PvP,RPG,Singleplayer,Souls-like,Third Person,Violent}
}

@software{idsoftware1995,
  title = {{{DOOM}} (1993)},
  author = {family=Software, prefix=id, useprefix=true},
  date = {1995-04-30},
  url = {https://store.steampowered.com/app/2280/DOOM_1993/},
  urldate = {2023-07-04},
  abstract = {You’re a marine—one of Earth’s best—recently assigned to the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC) research facility on Mars. When an experiment malfunctions and creates a portal to Hell, the base is overrun by blood-thirsty demons. You must shoot your way out to survive.},
  organization = {{id Software}},
  keywords = {1990's,2.5D,Action,Classic,Demons,Difficult,Fast-Paced,First-Person,FPS,Gore,Great Soundtrack,Horror,Moddable,Multiplayer,Old School,Retro,Sci-fi,Shooter,Singleplayer,Violent}
}

@software{idsoftware2020,
  title = {{{DOOM Eternal}}},
  author = {family=Software, prefix=id, useprefix=true},
  date = {2020-03-20},
  url = {https://store.steampowered.com/app/782330/DOOM_Eternal/},
  urldate = {2023-07-04},
  abstract = {Hell’s armies have invaded Earth. Become the Slayer in an epic single-player campaign to conquer demons across dimensions and stop the final destruction of humanity. The only thing they fear... is you.},
  organization = {{Bethesda Softworks}},
  keywords = {Action,Adventure,Atmospheric,Blood,Demons,Difficult,Fast-Paced,First-Person,FPS,Gore,Great Soundtrack,Horror,Mature,Multiplayer,Post-apocalyptic,Sci-fi,Shooter,Singleplayer,Story Rich,Violent}
}

@software{toopangamesComingsoon,
  title = {Multiverse {{Designer}}},
  author = {Toopan Games},
  year = {Coming soon},
  url = {https://store.steampowered.com/app/1068500/Multiverse_Designer/},
  urldate = {2023-07-04},
  abstract = {Multiverse Designer is a 3D narrative engine and virtual tabletop to power your tabletop RPG games and help you create amazing stories in unique settings. Gather your friends, create awe-inspiring 3D setpieces, control characters and NPCs and throw virtual dice to decide the fate of your players!},
  organization = {{Toopan Games}},
  keywords = {3D,Board Game,Character Customization,CRPG,Dark Fantasy,Dragons,Dungeon Crawler,Fantasy,Game Development,Grid-Based Movement,Level Editor,Magic,Multiplayer,Mystery Dungeon,RPG,Simulation,Tabletop,Tactical RPG,Third Person,Utilities}
}

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Zotero translator (citation grabber) for Steam

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