Below is a list of frequently asked questions. Please check this list before submitting a request to customer service.

1. What are paparazzi?

Paparazzi is a plural term for photographers who take candid photographs of celebrities, usually by relentlessly shadowing them in public and private activities. Originally, it referred to Italian celebrity photographers who learned that a picture of a movie star throwing a punch was more valuable than pictures of stars smiling.

2. Okay, then what is Paparazzi?

Paparazzi is a Game.

3. What is a Game?

A Game is an (often all night) adventure in which a number of friends (the XXtra staff is partial to teams of women) drive around a specified area solving puzzles to take them from location to location. For info on previous Games, check out www.gamecontrol.com.

4. Where is it?

Somewhere and everywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area between Santa Cruz and Sacramento.

5. When is it?

Over the June 3-4 weekend of 2006.

6. You said the XXtra staff is partial to teams of women. How come?

During Games, the XXtra staff plays as a team of only women known as XX-Rated. Giving credit where credit is due, it should be noted that some of the interns in the XXtra office are men. We'd also like to clarify that there will be no bias given towards teams with women on them. Our "partiality" towards teams of women is merely a reference to our own team pride.

7. How many people can I have on my team?

For this Game, team size will, for the most part, not matter. A team of 8 will not have a significant advantage over a team of 4 except in terms of having more overall stamina. However, we recommend a team size of 6.

8. Sounds cool, but how much is this going to cost?

The price per person is $125.

10. Hmm, $125 per person? What does that cover?

That will cover all game related expenses such as clues and activities as well as a continental-style breakfast on Saturday, dinner on Saturday, continental-style breakfast on Sunday, and snacks throughout.

9. When do I have to pay?

Please send your payment to the address in your acceptance e-mail.

10. Geez, everything is "after I'm accepted." How do I get accepted?

The application is already available on the XXtra Online site. Get to it! Applications are due March 19. Teams will be notified by March 27 if they've been accepted.

11. What happens if I get accepted but then can't play?

If it is before the payment deadline (April 17, 2006), then let us know and you pay nothing. After the payment deadline has passed and up through May 8, 2006 we will return 50% of the amount if you need to withdraw. After May 8, 2006 there are no refunds.

12. What if I really want to play, but my sister is getting married that weekend?

Well, that's a decision you'll have to make for yourself. But if you decide your sister's wedding is more important (think hard), we are definitely looking for people to playtest on earlier weekends.

13. Alright, screw my sister. I'm booking my plane ticket now. Can I have some estimated times?

You'll start early Saturday so you may want to get in Friday night although we aren't providing hotels. You should be done with all Paparazzi-related activities by 6 PM on Sunday.