The “Break it Down” Blog

Microsoft announced today that from February 17th – 22nd all Xbox Live Silver memebers will have Gold level access for playing Grand Theft Auto IV or The Lost and Damned multiplayer.  Microsoft has opened up Xbox Live to Silver members before for a weekend, but never for just one specific game like this.

We are excited to announce that for the first time ever, starting Tuesday, February 17 at 9:00 am (PST), Xbox LIVE multiplayer service usually reserved for Xbox LIVE Gold members will be completely free of charge for LIVE members while playing Grand Theft Auto IV or The Lost and Damned — the first exclusive downloadable expansion episode on Xbox 360. This limited, Grand Theft Auto multiplayer promotion is applicable only to players of either Grand Theft Auto IV or The Lost and Damned expansion episode, and will end on Sunday, February 22 (11:59PM PST). Be a part of this unprecedented event and join the legions of Grand Theft Auto fans across the world to wreak havoc upon Liberty City.

To help gamers get the most from their multiplayer access, Rockstar Games and Xbox LIVE are putting on a week of special events with the chance to take on Hip Hop DJ and producer, Statik Selektah in a special ‘Game with Fame’ event and even take on the people behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise in a ‘Game with Rockstar’ multiplayer event. Sweepstake promotions and an ‘Xbox All Nighter’ will also be part of the week of activities, full details and eligibility can be found at www.xbox.com/lostanddamnedliveweek.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned will be available for download exclusively through Xbox Live beginning February 17 for 1600 Microsoft Points ($19.99). “Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned” is the first exclusive downloadable add-on episode from Rockstar Games, extending the “Grand Theft Auto IV” saga for Xbox 360 owners as they take control of Johnny Klebitz to complete missions around the streets of Liberty City. If you’re not already a member of Xbox LIVE, now is the time to join.

In addition to opening up Live to promote The Lost and Damned they ahve quite a few other promotions running for GTA4 that week.  They include:

The Lost and Damned Sweepstakes

Download the gamer pic to register and then download The Lost and Damned from Marketplace or play a multiplayer match of Grand Theft Auto IV between 12:01 A.M. Eastern Time (ET) on February 17 and 11:59 P.M. ET on February 22, 2009to enter the big sweepstakes.

Game with Rockstar

The developers behind The Lost and Damned are taking their game online February 20 to join the Xbox LIVE community. The Rockstar devs will be playing Friday night from 5:00 – 9:00 P.M. ET (2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. PT) to showcase the new multiplayer modes, so join the party for some insider tips from the talented people behind the game.

Game with Fame

Establishing his own spot amongst the ranks of East Coast hip-hop’s seminal figures, DJ/producer Statik Selektah utilized his turntabling skills and ingenuity in PR and promotions to break some of the region’s most promising artists, bearing his own influence on the national mixtape circuit.

Statik Selektah will wrap up The Lost and Damned week with a special Game with Fame on Sunday, February 22, from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. ET (1:00 – 4:00 P.M. PT). To participate, send a friend request to the gamertag below and get online at least a half hour before the Game with Fame session begins.

* RstarStatik

Community Playdate

AchievementHunter.com is your one-stop shop for Achievement-related walkthroughs, videos, news, relationship advice, and great cookie recipes. Members of AchievementHunter.com will be playing The Lost and Damned on Xbox LIVE on February 17 from 8:00 – 11: 00 P.M. ET (5:00 – 8:00 P.M. PT).

Xbox All-Nighter

We’ll be roaming the streets of Liberty City from sundown to sunup. Join us for some late-night fun with a marathon session of The Lost and Damned Saturday night, February 21.

GamerchiX Ladies Night

The Xbox GamerchiX are putting on their leathers, firing up their hogs, and rumbling through the streets in The Lost and Damned. Join the ‘chiX on Wednesday night, February 18, for some multiplayer action in Liberty City.