USA Today breaks the news that "The Lost and Damned" will be available as downloadable episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV on February 17th. As per the agreement between Microsoft and Rockstar, the episode will be exclusive to the Xbox 360. No pricing details were announced.

The USA Today story,which opens with a reference likely to be lost on the majority of GTA's fan base ("The upcoming episode...looks to be a wild one."), says the episode will feature the member of a Liberty City biker gang as it's new lead character. The character's name? Johnny Klebitz. I don't think I've ever played a game as a lead charcter whose name sounds like he'd be played by Dustin Diamond.

(Note to USA Today: That's how you make an audience specific cultural reference.)

Frankly, I'm disappointed they've chosen to go this route. Rockstar's undisputed strength is in world building, not storytelling. I'd rather they did something to give Niko -- a character I already care about -- more to do in Liberty City rather than trying to introduce a new storyline. Also, I wonder if they're intentionally trying to avoid using voice actors Michael Hollick and Jason Zumvalt, both of whom added immensely to their characters' appeal in the game and then went on to be spokesmen for how voice actors get shafted by the videogame industry.