The sun is high in the sky, a tumbleweed rolls behind a really cool pair of boots. The 1870’s are back and looking for more action. And the type of action is up to the player’s decision. Or at least, that’s what developers Mimimi are promising with their upcoming title Desperados III. This real-time strategy game based in 1870’s USA and Mexico has a lot going for it, and got a lot of people excited when it was announced back during E3. And while lying in wait, Mimimi decided to start up a closed beta:

Desperados III is a story-driven real time strategy game where there is no one right answer on how to get around. Whether it’s guns blazing, or quiet and stealthy, around the left, from the back, or straight on, there’s always an answer from point A to point B. After all, variety is the spice of life, and the spice of life also comes in a unique set of characters who make up a ragtag band of misfits who traverse the US and Mexico to delve into their leader’s past.

Their leader, is John Cooper, a gunslinger who knows a few things about stealth and shooting a man between the eyes. He teams up with a runaway bride named Katy O’Hara, a one shady Arthur “Doc” McCoy, a trapper who goes by Hector, and a mysterious woman from New Orleans. Each of these characters have a unique playing style that’s highlighted in the trailer, from getting 3 men down in one go, to sniping from a distance, to setting down bear traps, and to distracting a man so well he doesn’t see or hear the oncoming train. Together they make their way towards New Mexico, which brings up some of John Cooper’s past.

Mimimi has decided to start up a closed beta for Desperados III that is only available for 500 people. These 500 people will be selected by Mimimi and THQNordic as the chosen few will be able to play the game as it’s heading into its final stages. However, Mimimi has stated that this isn’t a pre-order beta that allows players to get access to the game two weeks before it’s out, but is in fact a community outreach to see how the players are enjoying what they’ve done. They’re looking for feedback, concerns, and compliments.

The link to sign up for the Desperados III beta is here, and if anyone gets to be one of the chosen 500, the closed beta will be available between July 9 through July 21. Happy shootin’, cowboy.