Inforgrames and Particle Systems are getting ready to improve on the already spectacular space-combat simulator Independence War. The new product, called Independence War Deluxe Edition, will give players the same action of the original, but they'll be flying for the Indies instead of for the Navy, in the new Defiance campaign. The sim will include 18 new missions and all the original missions, for a total of 60.

　　The Defiance campaign begins with the war coming to a new critical point as the Commonwealth Navy attempts to starve Midway. The Independent Fleet retorts with terrorism and piracy. At this point, Edison Hayes - an experienced Indie captain - and crew are thrust into battle against the Navy in a stolen Corvette ship called the Spartacus.

　　The Deluxe edition isn't just a cleaned-up version of the original title. Sure, the engine has been tweaked in various ways, but fighting on the Indie side is complete with Indie-style dialogue, without all the military formality players dealt with when playing on the Navy side of the war.

　　Other features include a loadout screen where you'll be able to choose which weapons to equip your craft with, new characters, weapons (a hull-mounted Gatling cannon and a sniper PBC), ships and stations, cinematics, and a sniper-view mode.

　　Owners of the original Independence War will be able to upgrade through a rebate after buying the Deluxe Edition and will have to send in the original discs to participate in the rebate program. Infogrames is still trying to decide on the final price of the game and the amount of the rebate and will announce how much those amounts will be as the game moves closer to its July or August launch. Rough speculation by one Inforgrames rep said the full version might be sold for about US$29 with a $10-15 rebate for those with the original title.

　　While I-War was first launched in Europe and then launched in the US (as Independence War) months later, Independence War Deluxe Edition will most likely be launched here in the US first, with the possibility of a simultaneous US/EU launch.