History of Audition Game Online

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.
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 will officially begin.

Popularity

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.

Available regions

Region	Official Name	Language	Countries	Local publishers	Registration Requirements
South Korea	오디션 Club Audition	Korean	South Korea	Bugs Corp. (2008) Yedang Online, and HanbitON	A Korean Social Security Number is required to play.
Japan	X-BEAT	Japanese	Japan	Hanbit Ubiquitous Entertainment Inc.	No registration requirements.
China	劲舞团	Simplified Chinese	China	9you.com	Chinese Identification Number is required.
Philippines	Dance Battle Audition Philippines	English	Philippines	IP E-Games Ventures, Inc.	No registration requirements.
South East Asia	AuditionSEA	English	Singapore Malaysia Thailand	AsiaSoft Online Pte, Ltd.	A National ID (Identification Card) of any country is required.
Thailand	Audition Online Dance Battle	Thai	Thailand	Asiasoft Corporation Co., Ltd.	Thailand identification number is required.
Vietnam	Nhịp điệu cuộc sống	Vietnamese	Vietnam	VTC - Game Online	No registration requirements as of 9/12/06.
Taiwan	勁舞團	Traditional Chinese	Taiwan	Insrea Game Center Corporation	Taiwanese Identification Number is required.
Hong Kong	勁舞團	Traditional Chinese	Hong Kong	9you.com and Gameone	Hong Kong Identity Card Number is required.
North America	Audition Online Dance Battle	English	United States Canada	Redbana US Corp. (previously NEXON America)	No registration requirements.
Latin America	Dance Mania Audition	Spanish	South America Mexico Central America	Axeso5	No registration requirements.
Indonesia	Audition AyoDance	Indonesian	Indonesia	PT Megaxus Infotech	No registration requirements.
Brazil	Audition Online Dance Battle	Brazilian Portuguese	Brazil	Hazit Online	No registration requirements.
Europe	Audition Europe	English German French Spanish Italian	All European Countries	Burda:ic GmbH (alaplaya)	No registration requirements.