Cetain information on the Final Fantasy Wiki must be cited in order to clear up confusion or speculation. The Wiki uses a reference system that makes it easy to cite online sources. Further coverage of this topic may be found at Forum:Citations.

What and When Should I Source?Edit

Not all data on the Wiki requires citations. Generally, if information is readily accessible through a game or has been stated explicitly by official Square Enix personnel or websites, it is accepted without references. However, when information is considered dubious, citations are preferred. Two common occasions where the reference system should be used are:

• When the data in question is from a game or publication that has not yet been released. Square Enix makes certain plot points available as the release date nears, and websites with these announcements should be cited or at least mentioned when respective information is added to the wiki. Please note that when information has been officially released and is no longer considered controversial, it does not need to be cited and any present references may be removed. This also applies to translations of a particular game; the release of the Japanese version does not confirm specific English translations.

• When the storyline in a game is altered by an official outside source, such as a novel or interview. Changes from other games in a compilation or otherwise do not need to be cited.

Which Sources are Acceptable?Edit

• Official Square websites. These are the most reliable references in the anticipation of a game's release.
• Respectable online gaming reviewers. Articles in this classification should be formally written and directly reference material revealed by Square Enix. Examples include Famitsu and IGN.
• When the information in question refers to a particular person, such as a voice actor, confirmation by that person in terms of an official website or announcement.
• Other press that reviews a Square Enix publication. This is most often sourced for reviews or effects on popular culture, for use in Trivia sections.

Sources that are NOT acceptable include, but are not limited to:

• Wikipedia, IMDB, or other similar sites that can be edited by anyone.
• Online forums or speculation websites.

How Do I Cite a Source?Edit

Referencing an online source is quite simple, requiring only <ref> and </ref> tags, and either the Reflist template or <references/>, as well as the URL of the acceptable source.

For example, in order to sufficiently prove that Georgia Van Cuylenburg is the English voice actress for Oerba Dia Vanille in the absence of official Square confirmation and actual release of the English version of Final Fantasy XIII, an external source of Miss Cuylenburg confirming her role in Final Fantasy XIII must be obtained.

The following URL links to a Youtube video that shows the voice actress confirming that she is Vanille's VA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsj27b65mUo

Note that reliability is not based on Youtube comments and speculation by faceless users, but by the visual and verbal proof of the actress herself. A mention of Vanille's VA may now be made on her article. The phrase or paragraph making this assertion must be immediately followed up with the URL of the source, encased in <ref> tags.

I.e., a simple statement would read:

Georgia Van Cuylenburg is Oerba Dia Vanille's English voice actress.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsj27b65mUo</ref>

Georgia Van Cuylenburg is Oerba Dia Vanille's English voice actress.^[1]

Multiple references throughout an article can be made in this way. At the end of an article, before organizational and stub templates, place the <references/> tag or reflist template underneath a section entitled "References", which then organizes the cited sources automatically:

1. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsj27b65mUo

Upon the English release of Final Fantasy XIII, Miss Cuylenburg's part in the game would be confirmed, and such a citation could be removed.