This Just In Via Pony Express
AWARD-WINNING INDEPENDENT DEVELOPER THREE RINGS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC BETA FOR "BANG! HOWDY"
San Francisco, CA - April 25, 2006 - Three
Rings Design, Inc., a premier developer of multiplayer online
casual games, announced today that the public beta for "Bang!
Howdy," a multiplayer online tactical strategy game for the
PC, will commence in May 2006. Players face off in the
steam-powered Wild West, using casual strategy game mechanics
in a variety of gameplay modes like Claim Jumping, Cattle
Herding and Steam Mustang Hockey!
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.
"The 'free to play, pay for items' business model has proven
very successful in the Korean market with games like 'Kart
Rider.' And we have seen similar success with our recent
strategic shift to its implementation within 'Puzzle Pirates'
which is approaching sales of over five million Doubloons,"
said Daniel James, Three Rings' CEO.
"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 five 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've had all hands and the cook at work down here at the
Triple-O ranch,"said Michael Bayne, project lead for "Bang!
Howdy" and Three Rings' CTO. "We're pleased as punch to be
able to show y'all our new product and mighty excited for ya
to get yer hands on it."
Powerful trends in digital entertainment - the popularity of
casual games, a move towards the massively multiplayer, and
the ascent of digital downloads - have been driving forces
for Three Rings. The Company recently became cash-flow
positive and funds the distribution and development of its
games internally.
Y'all mosey on down to http://www.banghowdy.com for more information and
we look forward to testing your mettle in our public
beta.
About Three Rings
Three Rings is a premier developer of multi-player online
casual games. Since launching "Puzzle Pirates" to
international acclaim in 2004, the company has quickly become
one of the most popular and well-respected makers of online
games. The games are free to play and have virtual economies
with unique micro-currencies. The company's games are
currently played in more than 50 countries. More information
on Three Rings can be found at http://threerings.net/ and "Puzzle Pirates" can be
found at http://www.PuzzlePirates.com/
CONTACT:
Rannie Yoo
Kohnke Communications
(415) 777-4000
rannie@kohnkecomm.com