There are 3 dlc packs coming.  This is just the first.

Even if MS doesn't sell $50 million worth of GTA DLC, it doesn't mean they made a bad investment. The most important aspect of the exclusive DLC was to convince consumers that the 360 was actually not only in the same league as the PS3, but it was actually superior. IMO, a lot of people bought that marketing ploy considering the 360 is still well ahead of the PS3. People forget that when GTAIV was announced to be coming to the 360 with exclusive episodes, most people assumed the PS3 was going to rape the 360 like the PS2 did. So in a lot of ways, MS has already made up a lot of that investment w/out even selling a single episode.

The whole issue is that Microsoft got the exclusive content to push the X360.

Maybe it's just me, but I find it VERY doubtful that they are just going to throw it on XBL and say "oh, hey! We have new exclusivez GTA Contentz".

More than likely, they will merge a GTAIV + DLC disc, and a DLC standalone disc, and market the heck out of it. During November/Christmas rush.....What do you think will sway the audiences? A $40 uber-disc of GTAIV? I think so.

Or better yet: GTAIV + DLC as a pack-in for the Holiday bundle, ala Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.

Well considering the sales of the cod 4 map pack I think theirs definitely the possibility that they'll make their money back.

^The CoD4 map pack was an addition to a thriving online component that people were still enjoying, I doubt a single player add-on for GTA4 will be as big.

I wouldn't mind seeing the DLC be something over the top and unrealistic, in order to differentiate itself from the core game itself, maybe something as crazy as the jetpacks that were in San Andreas. Obviously you'd want it to be something more than just a item for $20USD, I just want it to be something crazy.

Shivering Isles was like buying an MMORPG expansion pack update.

To me, it seems as though the real reason for the content was as a $50m marketing strategy to move more copies for the 360, paid for/sponsored by MS.

The real value to MS was in the announcement during the marketing campaign, rather than just in the number of downloads they end up selling.

It's a good available service for players who can't get enough GTA. There are plenty of these players even though a lot of other players are done with the experience.

20 extra missions = 10 hours or something so it will be worth the $20.

Doesn't seem too likely they'd bundle an M-rated title, especially one as controversial as GTA. They'd be better off bundling something like Banjo or Lips.

Rumour GTA IV DLC could be split screen Co-Op mode.

 Lol well this has to be the most narrow-minded and shallow post of the day. Man I bet you could convince yourself anything. GTA hasnt exactly had groundbreaking advances in the game throughout the last few games. The game being on the PS3 only would have meant less ppl would have been disappointed. But im curious as to why you think if it was PS3 exclusive that the game would be better? If you say graphics then you need to jump in front of traffic.