Completely optional and voluntary network testing program runs today through March 27; open to US residents only; zero-point achievements, Avatar items gifted for participating.

In the past year, Microsoft’s online platform–Xbox Live–has hiked its price and accrued more than 30 million users. Now, the tech giant is rolling out a testing program aimed at bettering its online experience.

Microsoft’s director of Xbox Live Programming Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb, has announced via his blog that US Xbox Live subscribers can participate in a service testing program called Xbox Live Labs beginning today.

The program–which runs through March 27–is aimed at improving Xbox Live through a range of “network tests” from the Xbox 360 to Xbox Live. According to Hryb, “These results are recorded solely for the purpose of testing and improving the service and will not be used to identify you.”

To sign up for Xbox Live Labs, gamers will need to sign into Xbox Live, navigate to the community channel, and select the Xbox Live Labs icon. According to Microsoft, when the program is running, gamers will not be able to play games, download music, or watch movies, and Internet connectivity will be slower than usual.

Those who do choose to participate will score free goodies for their willingness. Microsoft will gift each participating gamer a zero-point achievement and one of three Avatar items: a lab coat, brain helmet, or crazy mad scientist hair.