612 Games’ Wild West Online, which many have considered to be the Red Dead PC game we never got, will be going into closed alpha on September 15th. The action MMO has three different editions available for purchase but only the Pioneer and Collector Editions will offer access to both the closed alpha and closed beta. Discounts are on offer and while there will be discounts during the actual closed alpha, they won’t be as significant.

The closed alpha will include a large map for players to run around with PvE missions and combat against other players as well. There’s not much more we know about it at this point but if you want to team up with friends on PC and run around in the Wild West, battling outlaws and riding horses, then it may be worth checking out.

612 Games chief creative officer Stephan Bugaj noted that,  “It’s been a whirlwind since we revealed Wild West Online and everyday our fans are asking when they can jump into the game. We’re thrilled to soon give PC gamers an initial taste of the western game that both they and ourselves have been waiting for.”

Check out details on all three editions below.

Townie Edition – £19.99

• Pre-release Access
  • Steam Key upon Steam Release
  • Access to Closed Beta
• In-game Content
  • Storage space slots

Pioneer Edition – £39.99

• Pre-release Access
  • Steam Key upon Steam Release
  • Access to Closed Beta
  • Access to Closed Alpha
• In-game Content
  • In-Game Account Badge – Pioneer
  • Treasury Notes – 250
  • Storage space slots – 250
  • Garment Bags – 10
  • Gun Engraving Stencils – 5
  • Small Land Plot Deed – 1

Collector Edition – £59.99

• Pre-release Access
  • Steam Key upon Steam Release
  • Access to Closed Beta
  • Access to Closed Alpha
  • Early Access to Closed Beta
  • Early Access prior Game Release
• In-game Content
  • In-Game Account Badge – Trailblazer
  • Treasury Notes – 1,250
  • Storage space slots – 500
  • Garment Bags – 25
  • Gun Engraving Stencils – 10
  • Small Land Plot Deed – 2
  • Large Land Plot Deed – 1

Wild West Online definitely looks interesting. A lot of people are on the fence about it, while still others are eagerly looking forward to playing it, but there’s no denying that the idea of having an MMO set in an open world wild west is an interesting one. Whether or not it can be properly executed is an entirely different question. Obviously, given its setting, a great deal of people having been comparing the game to Red Dead Redemption, and Wild West Online’s own developer seems to have confirmed that the game was indeed an influence on them.

Stefan Bugaj recently spoke with IGN and confirmed that the idea for the game was influenced by HBO’s newest wild west TV show, Westworld, as well as by the lack of a PC version for Red Dead Redemption 2. “We were inspired by Westworld and the impending not-coming-to-PC Red Dead Redemption 2,” Bugaj said. “Westerns started coming back. So we thought [the game] would fill a fun unfulfilled gaming desire in the community.”

There’s no denying that there is indeed a market for well-made western games on all platforms, PC included. However, it seems unlikely that a PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 will never be released. We recently wrote a report about this. You can read about it here.

612 Games caused a stir several months ago with Wild West Online when a “leaked” screenshot led many to believe it actually being Red Dead Redemption 2. However, we finally get a look at how the actual gameplay for the MMO looks. At least, the pre-alpha gameplay. Check it out below.

The footage showcases the combat, activities and environments and there’s a real Red Dead vibe behind it all. At this point, it looks pretty good but we’ll have to wait to see how Wild West Online actually runs before drawing any conclusions.

Wild West Online can actually be pre-ordered to gain access to the closed alpha and beta. Pre-order bonuses will include saddle, weapon and horse skins, with the offer ending on July 20th. What are your thoughts on the pre-alpha footage and how the game is shaping up? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more information on the game in the coming months.