Those behind Live are still trying to find a way to let gamers express their sexual orientation, in a way that is consistent with their strict user agreements.

The company want users to be able to express themselves without matters going 'overboard'; the issue having become part of a wider homosexual rights debate concerning the service.

GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony has prompted some to question Microsoft's rules, the Live exclusive clearly including an element of sexual context.

Xbox Live boss John Schappert explains: "I think the two are very separate issues. That said, [Xbox Live head of standards enforcement] Stephen [Toulouse] continues to work with our team and we continue to look for ways for people to personally express themselves and you can look for more features coming to Xbox Live, but nothing to announce right now. They're working on some of that stuff and the community has been very involved.

"We try to walk the fine line where we do the right thing to allow people to express themselves but not have it be taken overboard.

"I can say that we are working on that issue."

By Luke Guttridge