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 for more information and we look forward to testing your mettle in our public beta.