We're hearing rumours out of sunny Santa Monica that the Windows Live program isn't quite as Vista-centric as Microsoft operatives would like us to think.

See here: http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40913

With Gears of War being announced for PC, creator Cliff Blezinski has been telling journalists that the game is coming to Windows XP as well as Vista, complete with Games for Windows Live integration for multiplayer and achievements.

G4WL!, as it is snappily abbreviated, is currently Vista-only and supported in Microsoft showcase titles Halo 2 and ShadowRun. Gears is, like these two, a Microsoft Game Studios title, but it seems like the playbook may be torn up at the behest of the rock-star developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft is issuing press releases left, right and centre announcing more XP G4WL! titles, including Viva Pinata. Confusion reigns in California.

Will this also mean an appearance for DX10 on XP? The odds are getting shorter by the day.