X Rebirth continues the longstanding Egosoft-developed space series later this year

Publisher Deep Silver has announced a new game in the X Universe is currently in development from series creator Egosoft, entitled X Rebirth. In the announcement press release, Deep Silver notes that the return of the space trading and combat simulator franchise will bring "radically new game design and top notch graphics" to the series.

The first game in the series since X3: Terran Conflict launched in 2008, Deep Silver says that X Rebirth is "more than just an additional chapter"; it is a "fresh beginning" for the series with a number of innovations that will not compromise the franchise's origins.

Egosoft's X series gets a 'fresh beginning' in X Rebirth for the PC.

The synopsis for the game's story shows a more focused effort on specific characters than Egosoft's previous 'X' effort:

In the distant future, the X universe faces a period of profound and irrevocable change. While the universe stumbles towards an uncertain future, countless adventures await as new enemies rise in search of power. Enter a young adventurer and his unlikely female ally traveling in an old, battered ship with a glorious past - two people alone against the galaxy, playing a key part in the events to come.

X Rebirth is set to launch for the PC during the fourth quarter of 2011.