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Audition Online (Korean: 오디션 온라인), also known as X-BEAT in Japan, is a downloadable multiplayer online casual rhythm game produced by T3 Entertainment. It was originally released in South Korea in 2004, but it has been localized by various publishers around the world. Audition Online is free to play but it earns its revenue by selling virtual items such as clothes for the player's avatar. It currently has over 300 million players worldwide.[1]
In South Korea, PSP (called Audition Portable) and cellphone versions were released on June 1, 2007 and June 4, 2007 respectively.
On June 12, 2008, Season 2 was first officially released in Korea. Currently, Korean Audition, China Audition, Thailand Audition, Indonesian Audition, AuditionSEA, AuditionEu, Vietnam Audition, Philippines Audition, North American Audition, Brazil Audition, X-BEAT have updated to Season 2. Audition Season 2 features a new interface, sound system, expressions, and many new features.
During Fall 2008, Audition 2, the sequel, was discovered to be in the making. On April 28, 2010, closed beta has officially begin.
Audition's popularity began in South Korean and global versions of the game. Due to hacking in the global server, Bugs Corporation discontinued the server. Noticing the increasing popularity of the game, T3 Entertainment and Yedang Online began localizing it in other regions including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, North America, Thailand, Taiwan, South East Asia, Vietnam, Brazil, United Kingdom, and Remaining European Countries. The Asian and North American versions remain the most popular, with millions of members registered.