It’s a sad day for Auditioners in North America. On February 24th, Nexon America announced that the US version of T3 Entertainment’s dancing game will be shutting down shortly after March 10th. As part of the closing transition, certain licensed songs and all cash shop items will be removed from the game on that day.

Nexon is offering some generous compensation for anyone who has played the game in the past year, in the form of closed beta access for their next offered game and a MapleStory beginners package. (Although I’m sure a lot of Auditioners out there are already Maplers.)

Fortunately, this doesn’t seem to be the absolute end to the US version of the game, as Nexon has also hinted at it being picked up by another publisher.  Any details as to whom and when have not been announced yet.  Speculation is also around as to what Nexon has in store for this game that’s going to replace it… or maybe KartRider, which hasn’t seen the light of day in North America since Open Beta’s end nearly a year ago, might finally come into play here?

Audition isn’t the only game that is closing down this month.  Earlier in February, OGPlanet announced that they will be closing their arcade golf-style game, Albatross 18, on March 8th.  Shortly after, the US division of Ntreev Soft (the original developer) announced that they were going to start hosting it shortly after it closes on OGP under its original name, PangYa.