Microsoft has added up a parental control feature known as ‘Family Timer’ to the Xbox 360 video game console letting parents to put a limit to the amount of time their children can use the console.

The new feature added by the company can keep an eye on the total amount of time spent on gaming plus entertainment on a daily or weekly basis.

Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft, said, “It is Microsoft's responsibility to provide parents with tools to manage their children's video gaming and online experiences, and we have made that a priority from the very start.”

Mr. Bach also explicated that the Xbox 360 Family Timer is as same as its counterpart in Windows Vista.

The new trait will be available for downloading on the Xbox Live online service by next month (y December.

The software giant has also declared the Xtival '07 festival of gaming on Xbox Live from 23 to 26 November. All Xbox users in Europe will be given free Gold service membership for the four-day event.

According to the company’s statement, “In addition to the chance to log-on and play your friends online for free, there is an amazing line-up of events with themed gaming activities and the chance to take on stars from the world of music and video games.”