Bang! Howdy says hello

Three Rings Design made a splash on the casual gaming scene with its massively multiplayer online game Puzzle Pirates, which has attracted more than 2 million registered players since its release in 2004. Last year the company opened the public beta on its follow-up, a free-to-play tactical strategy game called Bang! Howdy. Yesterday, Three Rings officially launched the game.

Set in the Wild West, Bang! Howdy combines real-time and turn-based strategy elements in short rounds. Players can customize their avatars with a variety of thematically appropriate clothes and accessories as they work through five different environments, unlocking new units, scenarios, arenas, and game features along the way.

Even though the game has launched, Three Rings isn't finished with it. Bang! Howdy is free to download and play, but players can purchase new items and features for the game through micropayments, giving Three Rings incentive to keep working on new content for the game.

For more on Bang! Howdy, check out the game's official Web site.