I was browsing IGN.com and ran across this Interesting little news bit.
Sounds kind of like a cool idea if It happens to be true.

Rewarding Achievements Coming to 360?
Rumor has it, playing Xbox games could soon net you fabulous prizes.
by Hilary Goldstein

January 29, 2007 - Xbox Achievements could soon net gamers true rewards. According to unscripted360.com, next month Microsoft will introduce a rewards program to benefit both hardcore 360 players and casual gamers alike.

The report claims that the rewards program will be free and that rewards will be tied to specific achievements. No other details were offered, but if true, this could catapult Microsoft's online offering to a level Sony and Nintendo's new consoles cannot reach. Win cool stuff just by playing games? Sounds good to us.

Microsoft offered neither confirmation nor denial of the rewards program. "We have nothing to say about these rumors or speculation," a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN. "However, what we can tell you is that Xbox is always exploring ideas for how we can reward our loyal customers. As soon as we have anything new to share, we will definitely let you know."

Microsoft has been a big supporter of community sites, going so far as to award bloggers with "MVP" honors. The MVPs sometimes get special invites to check out 360 games early. It's a great reward for fans. DeaconBlade 360, who founded Unscripted 360, is a bonafide MVP member and claims that it's through this status he was able to obtain this information.

Time will prove the veracity of these claims. Even if they are untrue, the positive stir this rumor has created among the Xbox community could prove enough to encourage Microsoft to pursue a rewards program.