Larry Hryb, Director of Programming for Microsoft's Xbox LIVE online gaming network, has had his Xbox LIVE profile hacked. Warning: NSFW language ahead.

Known by his gamertag Major Nelson, Hryb was part of the Xbox 360 launch team and was one of the first game execs to have a regular podcast and blog.


In his LIVE account, his bio info (Name, Location) and the speech bubble appear to be hacked. The hacker have been writing various messages on Major Nelson's account:


Kotaku is confirming with Microsoft whether Hryb has been informed of this hack and what further steps will be taken.

Website lightzz.com is claiming responsibility for the hack and has put up a YouTube video of his handiwork as well as his Skype name (Roid-Monkey) and is even offering to hack other players' accounts for US$60. Whether or not that means the accounts of other Xbox LIVE users are vulnerable to a possible exploit in Xbox LIVE accounts remains to be seen.


Sixty dollars to hack people's accounts? This appears to be a new cottage industry.

Update: "I have control of the account," Hryb tells Kotaku. "The enforcement team took care of it." According to the Director of Policy and Enforcement for Xbox LIVE Stephen Toulouse (via Twitter), the hack looks like it was "very specific" and "very targeted" to Hryb's account. Toulouse is investigating the matter further.