Microsoft today announced that premium 'Gold' access to the Xbox Live service will be free for a week towards the end of September. From September 20th until September 29th to be exact. Can't be bad. Though it's not very surprising that we get a piece of good news from Microsoft shortly after Sony shoot themselves in the foot again.

Xbox Live is the world's premiere, fully connected gaming service with more than three million members. It lets you find your friends, play with or against them through a broadband internet connection wherever they are and chat with them through a headset as you play.

Multiplayer, fully connected gaming action, including the ability to choose from a full calendar of events such as competitions and Game With Fame sessions, is usually only available to Xbox Live Gold members. However, on 20th September at 00.01, Xbox will flick the switch, giving gamers in Europe full access and the chance to see what everyone is talking about, until the free trial ends on 29th September at 23.59.

To make sure you can access Xbox Live during the free week, all you need to do is plug a broadband cable into the back of your Xbox 360 console. This will give you the standard Xbox Live Silver membership which will be upgraded automatically on 20th September. Then you'll get instant access to connected, multiplayer gaming, retro-style Xbox Live Arcade titles, the latest game demos, movie trailers, music videos plus participate in all the exciting events on the Xbox Live Calendar!