Three Rings Design, developers of Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates, has announced the start of the open beta for their new multiplayer online strategy game, Bang! Howdy.

"Bang! Howdy" is a hybrid between turn-based and real-time strategy gameplay, and is played in short fast-paced rounds. As the player progresses through unique Wild West settings, new units, gameplay scenarios, arenas, customizations and game features are introduced. Players can customize their in-game avatars with a wide array of Western clothing and accessories.

"We been diggin' away in the mines for a good long while and we can finally report that there's gold in them thar hills," said Michael Bayne, director of "Bang! Howdy" and Three Rings' CTO. "Hitch up yer wagons and get ready to ride, because yer not gonna want to miss out on all the fun."

This follows upon the company's success with "Puzzle Pirates," an internationally acclaimed massively multiplayer online game that TIME Magazine called "addictive." Like "Puzzle Pirates," "Bang! Howdy" will be distributed online and will be free to play, with optional purchase of micro-currency to obtain upgrades and additional content.

To join the open beta, mosey on over to the Bang! Howdy download page.