Xi (alternate reality game)

This article is about PlayStation Home alternate reality game. For other uses, see Xi (disambiguation).
Xi
The Xi logo
Developer(s)nDreams
Publisher(s)SCEE, SCEA
EnginePlayStation Home
Platform(s)PlayStation Home via PlayStation 3
ReleaseMarch 23, 2009
Genre(s)Alternate reality game

Xi (UK: /ˈsaɪ/ or US: /ˈzaɪ/) was the world's first console-based and virtual world-based alternate reality game.[1] It was a one-time-only play, unfolding in real time, and only available on the PlayStation 3 through the social gaming network, PlayStation Home. The game was an adventure to help find "Jess" and the meaning of Xi by collecting fragments and butterflies found in a series of secret areas in Home that changed frequently.[1] The game also challenged the users to search for clues in the real world.[2] The game was created by nDreams who released several spaces for Xi. The game was promoted through a teaser campaign of clues and hints during the month prior to its release on March 23, 2009. The clues were hidden in the Menu Pad and videos in the central meeting point.

The game lasted a total of 12 weeks from its release. Xi and all of the corresponding spaces were exclusive to the European and North American versions of PlayStation Home, though there were also websites, videos, printed media and live events which were accessible to anyone. In September 2009, it was reported that the number of visits to the Xi spaces, including the ones after Xi's completion, had exceeded 5 million visits.[3] A sequel, Xi: Continuum, was released in December 2012.

  1. ^ a b CydoniaX (2009-03-23). "Xi has begun!". SCE. Archived from the original on 2009-03-25. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  2. ^ CydoniaX (4 January 2009). "Xi Has Moved into the Real World". SCE. Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  3. ^ "'Xi' exceeds 5 million visits in PlayStation Home". nDreams. 2009-09-23. Archived from the original on October 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-23.