Although Microsoft's Games for Windows brand has enjoyed ample support from third-party publishers, gamers have been less enthusiastic with its adoption than its console counterpart, Xbox Live. One of the primary reasons for the aversion is that a number of services usually taken for granted as free by PC gamers are available only for those who subscribe to Microsoft's Gold membership, which carries a $49.99 annual fee.

However, this week Microsoft is tearing down that barrier to adoption. The company has announced that effective immediately, all multiplayer components of its Games for Windows - Live service are free.

read the rest here: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194918.html?tag=latestnews;title;2

source: http://www.gamespot.com

UPDATE:
 

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

For the record, Microsoft's Major Nelson was wrote last week that "Games for Windows - LIVE - our online multiplayer gaming service for Windows, now offers completely free multiplayer. No exceptions - multiplayer is completely free, even cross-platform gameplay with XBOX 360 users."

Games For Windows Live has been free for a week, as Dave's original post states. But Now MS is saying the cross-platform multiplayer porttion of the GOLD accounts for G4WL is only free for a limited time.

That's Games For Windows Live..... not XBOX Live.

I was tempted to buy a XBOX 360. But since the LIVE service isn't free unlike Sony Online, I just will not bother.

I hear ya there brother