The Vault:Referencing guidelines

General principles
Referencing is an important tool to prove information that is otherwise not obvious or well known. In order to use sources effectively, the following ABCs should be observed:
 * 1) Accuracy: References need to be accurate enough to unambiguously show upon what the referenced claim is based, but without unnecessary material added to the mix. As such, references should be short, accurate, and to the point. Quoting an entire dialogue tree should be avoided when a single response from an NPC is sufficient.
 * 2) Brevity: Redundant elements should be removed from references. For example, if a page already links to a character's dialogue file, there's no need to repeat the link in every single reference on the page, unless there are numerous references in between.
 * 3) Comprehensiveness: A single reference is good. More are better.

Dialogue
Dialogue between the player character and other non-player characters is the most common source to prove claims. A standard dialogue reference should be presented in the following format:


 * Character name #1 (usually a player character): "What is being said by them"
 * Character name #2: "Their response to the prior prompt"
 * (Link to dialogue file)

Code:



For example, an ingame conversation between the Vault Dweller and Harold looks like:


 * The Vault Dweller: "{128}{}{Where were the mutants coming from?}"
 * Harold: "{133}{HROLD10}{Everywhere! Hell, seemed like you couldn't fart without hitting one. But mostly in the northwest.}"
 * (HAROLD.MSG)

Code:



Conversations
A standard reference using multiple NPC dialogues should be presented in the following format:
 * Multiple NPC dialogues


 * Character #1 (usually a player character): "What is being said by them"
 * Character #2: "Their response to the prior prompt"
 * Character #3: "Responding to Character #2's response."
 * (Character #1's, Character #2's and Character )

Code:



For example, an ingame conversation between the Courier and 0, 8, Dala, and Klein looks like:


 * The Courier: "Energy Cells have a high expenditure rate. Some extra reserve cells could offset that." Klein: "[SUCCEEDED] HMMM. YES, I BELIEVE WATTZ ELECTRONICS TENDED TO MAKE THE BATTERY SHELF LIFE ON THE LOW END." Dala: "They certainly did. Batteries for my vib... vivisectors... would always come up short right before climax." 0: "*I think Wattz manufactured holodisks. Or was it holotapes? Never can keep those two straight. Anyway, we're out of small energy cells. Dala.*" 8: "@@[*.......]@@... @@[$((*&^#%]@@." 0: "*You have some? Why do... actually, never mind, I don't even want to know.* *And no, I don't want to handle your batteries. Just... pass them on to the Lobotomite yourself.*" 8: "@@[$((*&^#%]@@. @@[$######$]@@. @@[$######$]@@. @@[$######$]@@... @@[$######$]@@." (0's, 8's, Dala's, and Klein's dialogue)

Code:

Conversation between NPCs
Referencing a scripted conversation between two NPCs should be documented in the exact same format as indicated for multiple NPCs sharing dialogue responses.

For example, an ingame conversation between Veronica Santangelo and Elder Nolan McNamara will look like:


 * Nolan McNamara: "Veronica. I hope-"
 * Veronica Santangelo: "I brought you a present. We unlocked the secret of HELIOS One."
 * Nolan McNamara: "What? Wonderful news!"
 * Veronica Santangelo: "No. It's not. ARCHIMEDES II is an orbital laser. Effective only outdoors in a limited radius and requiring a long recharge."
 * Nolan McNamara: "In the hands of the enemy-"
 * Veronica Santangelo: "They'd be marginally more effective. We lost most of the chapter defending glorified artillery."
 * Nolan McNamara: "We couldn't have known. We fought for what we believed in."
 * Veronica Santangelo: "And nearly died for it. Tomorrow you'd do it all over again, having learned nothing."
 * Nolan McNamara: "Are you trying to shame me?"
 * Veronica Santangelo: "I'm trying to open your eyes. We need to engage the outside world. We can't win without new recruits."
 * Nolan McNamara: "What does the Codex say?"
 * Veronica Santangelo: "A bunch of closed-minded bullshit."
 * Nolan McNamara: "We do not help them, or let them in."
 * Veronica Santangelo: "But-"
 * Nolan McNamara: "We keep knowledge they must never have."
 * Veronica Santangelo: "Give it a chance. For me. I can't stay here and watch us waste away."
 * Nolan McNamara: "I'm sorry."
 * Veronica Santangelo: "We'll die out."
 * Nolan McNamara: " I know."
 * Veronica Santangelo: "Come on. I can't listen to this anymore."
 * (Veronica Santangelo's and Nolan McNamara's dialogue)

Code:



Dialogue and additional notes
Sometimes, dialogue is not enough to prove a point and editorial comments are required to expand upon the dialogue or to correct an error in the source material. This line shall always be separated by a  broken line template and the   template should always be used to help distinguish between this line and the reference in question, which shall always be in the normal size.

A standard dialogue reference with an attached editorial note should be referenced as follows:


 * Character name #1 (usually a player character): "What is being said by them"
 * Character name #2: "Their response to the prior prompt"
 * (Link to dialogue file) Note: The editorial note further explaining the prior dialogue.

Code:



An ingame example of an editorial note looks like:


 * The Courier: "How long have you been with the Followers?" Emily Ortal: "About five years now. I have family back in Arroyo, but this is where all of the good work is being done, so to speak. NCR taxes and inflation have been hard for a lot of people to deal with, and most of the money is going to the war effort. There's not much funding for medical research with OSI or any other group - not unless it has a military application, anyway." (Emily Ortal's dialogue) Note: Emily Ortal is referring to NCR taxation and inflation in Arroyo, which is only possible, if Arroyo is a part of the NCR.

Code:



An ingame example of and editorial note correcting an incorrect passage looks like:


 * Vault Dweller's Survival Guide p.5-20: "THT TAPES (Holotapes) THT Tapes can store an incredible amount of data, some can hold as much as 256k. The standard tape holds 64k, with the middle model holding an average of 128k (barring any bad inches of tape).  THT Tapes are based on Tape Holography technology, storing their information safely for extended periods of time.  Use the THT Tape to add it’s information to a compatible reader, in your case - the PIPBoy 2000." Note: The manual is quite clearly outdated and/or simply wrong.

Code:



Mime dialogue
On rare occasions, a character may mime dialogue. Since this is not technically dialogue, quotation marks are not to be utilized. Instead italicize the mime response only. Otherwise, the entire reference is to be formatted the same as standard dialogue referencing.

A standard mime dialogue reference should be referenced as follows:


 * Character name #1 (usually a player character): "What is being said by them"
 * Character name #2: [Their response to the prior prompt]
 * (Link to dialogue file)

Code:



An ingame example of mimed dialogue looks like:


 * The Courier: "You need a battery... a Fission Battery... and Scrap Metal? And you can counterfeit the chips?" Christine Royce: [She nods, impressed. Then she points at you, then her and makes a circle.] (Christine Royce's dialogue)

Code:



Holodisks, terminal entries, and paper notes
Any non-dialogue based references, including ingame holodisks/tapes, terminal entries and paper notes are also frequently used. If one is using the entire holodisk, terminal entry of paper note, the text one is using as proof to a claim is not required, but may be quoted for reference.

Entire text source
A standard ingame text source is referenced as follows:

For example, the use of an entire ingame text reference looks like:

Section of a text source
A standard section of an ingame text source would be referenced as follows:

For example, an section of ingame text looks like:


 * Fort Independence terminals; Research Terminal, Critical Components: "Critical Components -> Power drawn from Micro fusion Cell is processed through a Wave/Particle Diverter (manuf:Gen Atomics Intnl). Diverters are protected by carbon-fiber housing, preventing frequent malfunction, but when a diverter fails the weapon becomes unusable, and this part is extremely difficult to replace or repair. Precision-cut lenses focus optic energy. Lenses are prone to damage and can grossly affect precision of the firing weapon's firing mechanism. Lenses are easily replaced with any clear glass, but require a great deal of skill to fabricate."

Code:

Technical pages
Technical pages are files that games use to describe items, effects, and game mechanics, like message box files, PIP-Boy functions, and trait and perk descriptions.

Item descriptions
Item descriptions are the game files that the message box displays when observing an item, either in the inventory or in the world. A tech page entry would be referenced as follows:



An actual tech page reference looks like:


 * Fallout 2 item description: "{34900}{}{Adv. Power Armor MKII} {34901}{}{This powered armor appears to be composed of entirely of lightweight ceramic composites rather than the usual combination of metal and ceramic plates. It seems as though it should give even more protection than the standard Advanced Power Armor.}" (PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2))

When these references are the same:




 * Fallout and Fallout 2 item description: "{1500}{}{Plasma Rifle}" "{1501}{}{A Winchester Model P94 Plasma Rifle. An industrial-grade energy weapon, firing superheated bolts of plasma down a superconducting barrel. Powered by Micro Fusion Cells. Min ST: 6.}" (PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2))

When two are the same and the third is slightly different:




 * Fallout and Fallout 2 item description: "{1500}{}{Plasma Rifle}" "{1501}{}{A Winchester Model P94 Plasma Rifle. An industrial-grade energy weapon, firing superheated bolts of plasma down a superconducting barrel. Powered by Micro Fusion Cells. Min ST: 6.}" Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel item description: "name_plasmaRifle	= {Plasma Rifle}" "desc_plasmaRifle	= {A Winchester Model P94 Plasma Rifle. An industrial-grade energy weapon, firing superheated bolts of ionised gas down a superconducting barrel. Powered by Micro Fusion Cells.}" (PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout), PRO ITEM.MSG (Fallout 2) and Items.txt)

Script pages
Script pages are for game files that describe what objects are programmed to do, like characters, creatures, world objects, doorways, et cetera.


 * Fallout script description: "bill.int; guard for Lorenzo in the Hub" (SCRIPTS.LST (Fallout))

Scenery pages
Scenery descriptions are the game files that the message box displays when observing a world object. A tech page entry would be referenced as follows:



An actual tech page reference looks like:


 * Fallout scenery description: "{18400}{}{Emblem}" "{18401}{}{The symbol of the Brotherhood. The gears represent their engineering knowledge, the sword is their will to defend themselves and the wings are the uplifting hope.}" (PRO SCEN.MSG (Fallout))

Character descriptions
Although not technically part of a technical page, these descriptions of characters should be presented in a similar manner.




 * Lo Pan's character description: "{100}{}{You see an arrogant Shi gangster.}" "{101}{}{You see Lo Pan, a domineering, ruthless man.}" "{102}{}{You see a Shi gangster, dressed in silken clothing. His hands are calloused and hard. He seems dangerous and poisonous.}" (Fclopan.msg)

Game guide passages
As per the Wikipedia Manual of Style that forms the foundation of The Vault's writing, no underlining is to be used. The page number(s) in question that the source within the guidebook should be present. If the section on the page has a title, that title should be separated from the section quoted using a.

Only the section(s) that are used to prove a claim should be quoted. The guidebook contents are to be quoted, and the section title is to be emboldened. Quotation mark are only to be placed at the beginning of the quotation and at the end, not individual paragraphs.

A standard game guide entry would be referenced as follows:



An actual game guide entry looks like:


 * Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.457: "Equality By law, the NCR prohibits persecution and discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or religious belief (so long as said religion does not advocate violence). Legal protection of Ghouls and other mutants was added in 2205, though enforcement of these rights has been spotty. For the most part, the NCR's practices live up to its ideals, but there has been some retrenchment since the death of President Tandi. Aaron Kimball's popularity was amplified by a reactionary undercurrent, especially among males, calling out a need for a "strong man" to lead the NCR forward. In the years since Kimball took office, male military officers have been promoted disproportionately to females, and discourse arguing the differences between males and females has reappeared." (Behind the Bright Lights & Big City)

Code:



Images
Images can be linked in a variety of ways depending on that which the image content is referring.

For example, a simple link is necessary when displaying image based claims. A short explanation in the link should inform why it is being linked to.


 * Rocket appearance U.S. military recruitment poster U.S. military recruitment billboard 50 star flag on the dynamite stick

Code:



If more explanation is necessary, a descriptive note that links to an image is acceptable. For example:


 * The Survivalist's rifle was issued from the Long Branch Arsenal in Ontario, USA territory. Note: This roundel bears 13 stars, see here.

Code:



Tooltips
The Tooltip feature is for the addition for dialogue "Script notes" (for Fallout 3) and "Notes" (for Fallout: New Vegas). The notes are the how, why, and what a character and/or specific perimeters the character's voice actor acknowledging during dialogue. They are to be placed specifically where which note/parameter is referring.


 * The Courier: "What do you know about the courier Benny shot?" Yes Man: "I knew he/she was carrying the Platinum Chip! And I knew right where Benny should wait for him/her! That's why Benny put me here! To monitor Mr. House's data transmissions. They're all encrypted, of course - but I'm quite a decrypter! Did you know that Mr. House spent 812,545 caps hiring salvage teams to find the Platinum Chip- just in the last year alone? Of course you didn't! Or that there were seven couriers, but six of them were carrying junk? How about their exact routes, and the mercenary teams that screened them? I knew all that. Pretty smart, huh?" (Yes Man's dialogue)

Code:



Outside sources
Occasionally, developers will release addition information about particular subjects on social media sites or forums. This information can be used to expand upon claims as well, but because the information tends to be very long, only a link to the website from which it was retrieved is required. However, if the source is only a short paragraph, the text should be written after the website source in italics. Ideally these sources should be archived.

Standard outside sources should be referenced as follows:

An actual outside source looks like:


 * The Origins of Fallout, No Mutants Allowed

Code:



Standard outside sources that can be supported with a short paragraph should be referenced as follows:


 * Whichever developer posted the information: "Text of what they had to say."

Code:



An actual outside source with a small paragraph looks like:


 * J.E. Saywer: ''"Yes, he does suggest that. He says that when the Legion dominates NCR, it will be akin to the rise of the Roman Empire following the republic. The Legion will become, if not a "peace" force, a domestic army instead of a roving war band, and the NCR's corruption will be swept away along with the government.


 * ''Arcade isn't exaggerating when he suggests that Caesar views the Colorado River as his Rubicon.


 * e: It's true that Caesar doesn't say anything explicitly about the role of women, but Caesar's view of women is different from most of the legionaries. As I wrote above, the Legion is at war, and he views the use of women for military purposes as a bad strategic choice when he could be using them to create more legionaries."

Code: