As the Xbox 360 NXE release approaches and following the stark back-pedal on the GfW : Live Gold Subscription fee back in July, Microsoft has entered phase 2 in it's revision of Games for Windows : Live by rejigging the interface, which should be available now for LIVE-enabled games.

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Microsoft today announced that Games For Windows Live (used in Games such as Gears of War PC, Halo 2 PC and Shadowrun PC) is now totally free, meaning you don't have to pay to acquire multiplayer achievements or use matchmaking or cross platform play.

Microsoft also announced that there will be a GFW Marketplace, similar to the XBOX Live Marketplace offering demos, trailers and more. It will launch later this year.

Microsoft also announced that Dawn of War 2 and Battlestations: Pacific have joined the Games for Windows Live family.

The big question now is, why do 360 owners have to pay for Live gold?