GTA Wiki:Manual of Style/Weapons

In order to keep our wiki providing the best information about weapons to the public there are set guidelines that should be used in order to create high-quality articles that ensure the best information and a convenient reading experience for readers. Standard rules such as "neutral point of view" and third-person perspective apply for editing for weapons articles.

Format
The standard format that shall be used for all new weapon articles created after 04 Mar 2017 is as follows. Under Heading 2 (heading 3 for insets), the following sections must be created in this order;


 * (No headings required for opening section). Necessary maintenance templates such as upcoming, stub or cleanup along with the weapon infobox Infobox weapons containing a weapon image (of the most up-to-date version of the weapon where available). Beside the infobox should be a single sentence introducing the weapon; its full name (Note: the manufacturer name should be kept separate for weapons that have appeared in games that did not have manufacturer designations), type and the title(s) that it appears in.
 * quotes from the in-game online dealership(s) that sell or promotes the weapon.
 * Brief description about general info of the weapon (i.e. the Pistol being mostly the first firearm the player obtains).
 * Design: Should contain article from Wikipedia about the weapon it is based on or takes inspirations from.
 * Performance
 * Overview
 * Customizations (GTA V table of modifications)
 * Image gallery: should contain the following sections if there are multiple representations of the weapon.
 * In-game model images (ordered by appearance and should describe the games if the same weapon model is used in two or more games)
 * Heads-Up Display icons (ordered by appearance and should describe the games if the same weapon icon is used in two or more games)
 * First-Person View (GTA V only)
 * Artworks (if any)
 * Notable owners (if any)
 * Locations (with game appearance sub-headings)
 * Trivia (with a "general" and game appearance sub-headings)
 * See Also (similar or related weapons)
 * References (if any)
 * Navigation

Content
Each of these sections requires content, whilst maintaining neutrality and third-person perspective;
 * 1) Design sections should include, at the beginning a short paragraph outlining the weapon's real life inspiration(s). Additional paragraphs can be included if the weapon has multiple designs through the games.
 * 2) Performance sections should include a headed overview, to give readers quick access to statistics about the weapon. Prior to the overview, the section should include a neutral, objective review paragraph referring to how the weapon behaves and its general characteristics about damage, fire rate, accuracy and magazine size, in the context(s) that are relevant to the weapon. Subjective opinion should be avoided.
 * 3) Customizations (for weapons appearing in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online) should include a table with the categories, items and prices, as well as its availability. Additional info should be included in the section if there are conditions of the customizations.
 * 4) Main Gallery should include any general images relating to the weapon, anything other than stock in-game appearance, including variants, special (e.g. unique models), spawn locations, liveries, video trailer and promotional screenshots, in-game billboards and advertising, and naturally spawned modified versions etc). Standard layout should be three images per row.
 * 5) Locations (divided into each game appearance) are in bullet-point format, including areas where the weapon is found or used by certain characters or NPCs.
 * 6) Trivia sections (divided into each game appearance) are in bullet-point format and shall include radio information, errors or unique features that the weapon may have. Cultural reference sections will be used if the weapon has any connection to media, language or culture in any way.
 * 7) Navigation sections should include the relevant navboxes, but should only be added after text has been added to all of the lead infobox categories, (so that editors can easily add new categories to the lead infobox without wrecking it; the navboxes disable the visual editor).

Tips and advice
When providing content for design and performance sections, any technical language should be linked to a Wikipedia page (e.g. ) so that readers have quick access to the meaning of any technical language or can gain better understanding if need be.

If there are any issues then the talk pages are always the first place to head to.

The weapon article should be named after its first appearance's name e.g. "MP5", and the display title should be after its latest appearance, e.g. "SMG", using. Exceptions can be made if there are naming or design conflicts (i.e. the Carbine Rifle received multiple names and designs through the series, therefore it uses the HD Universe naming "for a better standardization and consistency").

What to avoid

 * Opinions and biased information.
 * Speculation will be met with very low tolerance and will most likely be removed.
 * Adding modded images to article pages, as the natural forms are all that is necessary.
 * Adding images alongside text in loose form. Images should only be in the lead infobox or one of the organised galleries.
 * "The sky is blue" trivia points; we would like to avoid the possibility of patronizing our readers.