The long-awaited online co-op patch for Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is set to hit tomorrow for Xbox 360. To sweeten the pot, it will include the "All the Trappings" downloadable content free, for a limited time. The DLC pack will be available free for 30 days, and features a new area to explore. Unfortunately, no details were given on the co-op or DLC for PlayStation 3 or PC owners, or whether the same offer will be extended to them.
"We’re delighted the Online Co-Op is ready and going live - as a thank you to the patient Xbox gamers, and for a limited time only we will be giving away our first DLC pack for free," said Crystal Dynamics general manager Darrell Gallagher in the press release. "Download it, have a go and while you’re there try the online co-op mode, it’s great fun."

The strategy is a solid one. Lara Croft was released at a slower time of year without much competition. By delaying the co-op mode into the congested holiday release season, the developer ran the risk of players not paying much mind to it. By offering free DLC, it stands a greater chance of attracting players back to the game to try out the new feature.