Fantasy Flight Games has announced a beta-testing phase for its upcoming Dark Heresy Second Edition RPG.  The new edition will feature updated rules, character options, settings and game play, and as part of the development process, FFG is inviting players to participate by purchasing a $20 abridged, electronic version of the upcoming core rulebook from drivethrurpg.com or rpgnow.com and report back to FFG with questions and comments.
 
The 337-page grayscale PDF includes most of the Dark Heresy Second Edition rulebook, but "excludes certain thematic content that will be present in the final game."  The beta will run through September 11, 2013.
 
The new edition will maintain the same core system that uses percentile dice to resolve tests, but with updated rules that will include faster character creation (including the ability to play as an Inquisitor), streamlined skills, talent trees, more flexible combat mechanics, vehicle and vehicle combat inclusion, easier to use NPCs and more.  There is also the new Askellon Sector setting- though it is possible to still run the game in the Calixis Sector of the original game.
 
Dark Heresy was originally produced by Games Workshop in 2008 as part of its Warhammer 40,000 Roleplay RPG line, and later FFG acquired the game license, and has continued the line, along with Rogue Trader, Deathwatch, Black Crusade and Only War.  The new edition of Dark Heresy will bring its rules more in line with the other 40K RPGs; FFG does not plan second editions of its other 40K RPGs.
 
Those 40K RPGs, including Dark Heresy, are collectively one of the top 5 RPGs in the North American Market (see "Top 5 RPGs--Spring 2013").  No final release date information was provided in the announcement.