Last week the platform holder scrapped its paid subscription set-up for Games for Windows Live, and since non-paying Silver Xbox 360 users have reported being able to play online on cross-platform games such as Lost Planet and Shadowrun.

According to a Microsoft spokesperson we spoke to this morning, the free service won't last.

"Last week we announced that we were taking off the Gold-only restriction for multiplayer gaming over Games for Windows- Live," a Microsoft spokesperson told CVG.

"For a limited time, we are offering free online multiplayer on Xbox 360/ Games for Windows titles that offer Live cross platform play. This promotion won't last, so we encourage everyone to take advantage of it while they can."

We find it a bit odd that if this is in fact a "promotion," as our MS person says, that the company hasn't publicised it at all. Sounds like a glitch in the system to us.