EGOSOFT now offers the promised Home of Light for X Rebirth, calling this the largest expansion to date for the space combat game. This is accompanied by a free patch to update the base game to version 4.0, as well as a playable demo for those who wish to sample what the game has to offer. This trailer shows off the expansion, and this one discusses new features it and the new patch add. There is also now a playable demo for the game available on Steam. Here are details on the patch and the expansion:

Feature overview Home of Light expansion and X Rebirth 4.0 update:

• (HoL) Much larger universe: The Home of Light expansion will bring three entire new systems, including the central Home of Light, known from the X3 games, with a massive new economy.
• (HoL) Trade stations: A new station type allows you to stock large amounts of any wares you like. Buy up goods when they are cheap and sell when the price is high or your competitors' stations mysteriously explode.
• (HoL and 4.0) New enemies, new weapons, new missions, new and mysterious phenomena.
• (HoL and 4.0) Many new secrets to explore in the outskirts of the ever growing X universe.
• (HoL and 4.0) Bulletin Board System (BBS): The new BBS system collects all currently available missions in space for an easier overview.
• (4.0) Trade improvements: Graphs showing market developments over time, a best deal finder and many UI improvements to make trading easier.
• (4.0) New engine technology: Extend your ship with a Jump Drive and other new technology to travel through the universe quicker than ever.
• (4.0) Customisable weapon upgrades: Craft weapon modifications to improve your favourite weapons.
• (4.0) Many more improvements like: Major overhaul of external view, Improved tutorials, Improved fleet management with new property owned menu and commands, New difficulty setting “Very hard”.