Microsoft has just launched a Rewards Program that doles out FREE MS Points to gamers “doing the stuff Xbox LIVE members do all the time.” Interested…?

Sadly this is a Stateside-only affair for the time being. According to the official US Xbox.com pages it’s just a six month test too. Presumably that means a more fulsome roll-out will follow in early 2010, although there’s plenty for Xbox LIVE Gold subscribers to go at in the meantime. Here’s how it all breaks down:

1. Renew a 1 month Gold subscription – up to 60 MS Points (10 Points per renewal)
2. Renew a 3 month Gold subscription – Up to 60 MS Points (30 Points per renewal)
3. Renew a 12 month Gold subscription – 200 MS Points
4. Subscribe to the Netflix movie download service – 200 MS Points
5. Make a first purchase on Xbox LIVE Marketplace – 100 MS Points, for Gold and Silver subscribers
6. Continue to stay on Gold and make Xbox LIVE Marketplace purchases – up to 5% value of purchase made during trial period.
7. Participate in Program Surveys – 100 MS points for each feedback, for Gold and Silver subscribers.

Okay, so the awards themselves are not huge – especially considering the substantial financial outlay required in getting them. But, if you’re renting movies, buying Marketplace content and renewing your Gold sub anyway, well, you might as well get paid for doing so. And the more Points in the bag the merrier, right?

Microsoft hasn’t announced any plans to trial the scheme in Europe yet, but it’s surely coming. We’ll keep an ear to ground and let you know what develops.