March 14 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. in May will begin an online service for playing video-games on Windows computers that will connect gamers to players using the Xbox video-game console's similar product.

Games for Windows -- Live will cost $49.95 a year for a gold membership, while a lower-level offering is free, the company said in an e-mailed statement. The service will debut with the release of the Windows Vista version of ``Halo 2,'' the top-selling Xbox game.