Xbox Live freed up for GTA IV

To celebrate the release of its exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content

next Tuesday

, Microsoft is to allow players of the game free access to multiplayer gaming – for a limited time at least.

Kotaku reports that from the release of The Lost and the Damned on February 17th to the following Sunday 22nd, non-paying Silver member of Xbox Live will be able to access the online multiplayer component of both the main GTAIV and its expansion.

However, access will be limited to Rockstar’s title – anyone wishing to play online multiplayer with other games will still need to sign up to the 40 per year Gold Xbox Live service.

The Lost and the Damned will cost 1600 Microsoft Points, or around 13.50, and requires a full copy of GTAIV to play.