In anticiaption of the release of the first DLC pack for Rockstar's Game of the Year GTA IV, entitled The Lost and the Damned, Microsoft today announced that multiplayer on Xbox Live will be completely free for all members playing either original GTA IV or the new DLC from 9AM (Pacific) on Tuesday, February 17 until 11:59 (Pacific) on Sunday, February 22. XBL multiplayer modes are normally reserved for Gold Members only, but for this six day period, Silver Accounts will also be granted access.

Additionally, Rockstar and XBL are teaming up to bring a week of special events, including contests to play GTA IV with either hip-hop DJ Statik Selektah or the game's developers. All of these event culminate in an "all-nighter" session, the date of which is not yet announced. There will also be a brand new HD trailer for the DLC appearing on Live beginning this Thursday.

The Lost and the Damned is available exclusively on XBL starting on Tuesday the 17th for 1600 ($19.99). 

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