Really?

USA Today (of all places) has a scoop:

GTA IV, which was released in April for the Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation 3, focused on former Eastern European soldier Niko Bellic and his escalating life of crime in the boroughs of Liberty City. This new episode, available Feb. 17 via download exclusively for those who own the Xbox 360 version (no price yet), stars Johnny Klebitz, a member of Liberty City biker gang The Lost.

"Johnny is a very different character than Niko, with a very different background," says Dan Houser, vice president of creative development for Rockstar Games. "I can't go into too much detail on the story, because we try not to give away too much plot before the game is released. But I can say that the story will show you a different side of Liberty City."

The episode, titled The Lost and Damned, requires players to have the full version of the Mature-rated GTA IV (ages 17 and older) and an Xbox Live membership to download. It's likely to carry an M rating, too. (Parents can use the Xbox 360's parental controls to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content.)

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Previous games have used downloads to add "new stages, weapons and costumes," says GamePro Media features editor Dave Rudden, "but GTA IV's content will reportedly add hours of gameplay."

Rudden hopes the episode costs $15 or less, but Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter expects a $20 price and says Rockstar could sell 2 million to 3 million downloads. "I see episodic content as a natural progression of the quality of downloadable content."

Wow. Ok, last thing's first: this ain't gonna sell 2 million copies, guys. Secondly, it sounds like a fairly run-of-the-mill expansion pack, whereas we had been led to believe (or at least was heavily implied) that we'd be looking at a huge new area and plotline; comparable to a Liberty City Stories, I believe were their words. And hey, maybe it will be... but this sure doesn't look like it.

But - this content is exclusive to 360 (and requiring Live Gold!) for who-knows-how-long, for a nearly year-old game that is on the wrong side of this year's massive xmas game deluge? I dunno. I liked GTA IV – I even finished it (once) – but I can't see myself going back for this. Besides, "The Lost" were such a small, lame part of GTA's universe, it strikes me as an odd choice.

Anyways, this is out February 17 2009. You know what else is?

Killzone 2. And Street Fighter IV.

Act accordingly.

Comments (7)

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written by Jim Squires, November 20, 2008

Fuck it -- Bill Burr played one of the bikers in GTA IV. If they resurrect his character for the expansion, I'll buy it.

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written by JJ BANKS, November 20, 2008

Ryan, why so negative? Relax man. If you're not interested in it when it comes out then don't buy it, but what's the rush to bash something before anyone's even played it?

I've learned that GTA IV is much like Fight Club, "you determine you're own level of involvement", and for someone like myself who has slowly been inching towards a 100% completion, this new download could serve as a breath of fresh air by the time I'm done hunting down all the flying rats and unique jumps.

Personally, I was hoping that the expansion would have you play as Brucie Kibbutz, but being in a biker gang doesn't bother me.

"Stay Alpha!"

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written by Dan Zuccarelli, November 20, 2008

meh, no interest whatsoever.

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written by Ryan Hewson, November 20, 2008

I didn't mean to sound too negative, the feeling is slightly more... perplexed and apathetic. I think they waited an awfully long time, and I guess I expected something a little more interesting from Rockstar. If it turns out fantastic then I'll be happy to play it... assuming I can get Jim to score me another free Live month card.

Don't get me wrong, I just had difference expectations.

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written by Peachey, November 21, 2008

If it's reasonably priced, I'm in. Otherwise, I'm not that big of a GTA fan to pony-up the creds.

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written by snakes&patriots, November 24, 2008

I'm ok with the biker gangs. they were in i think 2 whole missions in GTAIV. And i think they really missed an opportunity to use them as a crew to befriend for discount auto repair/pimpin' in the game.

Or maybe its the fact i looooooooove Sons of Anarchy.

we will all download it....and play it so whats the use in debating.

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written by Xav, November 26, 2008

I'm interested in hearing what would have piqued your interest. I was hoping it was story based content and it is, so I'm remaining cautiously optimistic until I hear everything.

Remember, they literally revealed nothing. So, I'm not going to jump the gun in either direction until I know what is it.

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