

Despite Microsoft's claims that hacking simply doesn't occur on Xbox Live, recently a hacker broke into the account of a Halo 3 player and made off with his coveted "Recon Armor."

The in-game armor set is only available as a gift given out by Microsoft or Halo 3 creator Bungie.

Since the virtual break-in (and two similar incidents in the past), the victim claims he has attempted to contact Microsoft who transferred his call throughout their customer service center before hanging up on him.

This whole sordid tale plays out across the player's clan forum where, amidst the consolations of his virtual pals, the hacker shows up to taunt the player.

In a demonstration of pure hubris, the hacker reveals his methods saying "it wasnt anything serious, i got his account in 1 call about 15 minutes."

This, of course, comes after he spews your typical hyper-racist sentiments to rile the crowd.

Then, in typical forum fashion, both the hacker and the forum members engage in a 13-page-long thread of insulting one another's parentage, weight, height, race, religion and sexual proclivities.

While it's unsurprising that virtual theft exists within Xbox Live – after all, this sort of thing is present in any virtual setting with enough members – it provides some hilarious/depressing drama, depending on your personal feelings on the subject.

It's a shame that the gamer's precious armor was taken, but if it (and the press it has received) convinces Microsoft to shore up their security efforts, it's well worth the hassle.

Skyllus vBi's Xbox Live Account Hacked for Recon Armor [Halo 3 Official Forums, via Destructoid]