In a bid to cash in on some of the popularity of casual games sparked off by the Apple appstore and the plethora iOS devices, Microsoft has revealed plans to support live multiplayer gaming between its XBOX console and a Windows Phone 7 device.

Earlier this month Microsoft lifted the lid on its biggest mobile gaming push to date with confirmation of Xbox Live support for its new mobile OS Windows Phone 7.

Titles heading to MP7 devices include Flight Control, Splinter Cell, Jet Car Stunts, De Blob, Assassin’s Creed, THQ’s pair of Star Wars iPhone games, Mini Squadron, Glyder 2. Integrated XBL features include game demos, online leaderboards and multiplayer, Achievements, messaging and avatars.

To date no official word has been given on the exact nature of the promised multiplayer support, but Joystiq claims to have the full details.It claims a Canadian rep spilled the beans on the nature of the tie-up between the phone and the console in the Live network.

“We are working on real-time phone-to-console, likely initially through wi-fi – operator networks are sensitive to that,”

“That’s not on day one; day one will be turn-by-turn as well as companion-type gaming where you play a level on the phone and it may unlock a level or a weapon or some special achievement on the console game. But, uh yeah, absolutely working on phone-to-console real-time. That is something we’re working on and expect to have in the near future.”

The source also mentions the possibility of real-time multiplayer between the phones and PC players.