[Spike]

Microsoft has promised to give all of its Xbox Live members a completely free game to download after many were plagued with connection problems to the service during the Christmas period.

General manager Mark Whitten said the problems came from a "massive increase" in the number of new users signing up to its online gold service.

In a statement, Whitten said: "While the service was not completely offline at any given time, we are disappointed in our performance."

Before Christmas, Microsoft's service had over eight million subscribers, but that figure is expected to have grown significantly during the past few weeks.

Although no details of the free game have yet been announced, Whitten added: "Microsoft would give details of the offer in the coming weeks."

DS