Major Nelson: No Xbox Live security breach

Major Nelson has issued a statement dismissing recent reports that there has been a collapse in security with Xbox Live and Bungie.net. Nelson says, "Despite some recent reports and speculation, I want to reassure all of our 6 million Xbox Live members that we have looked into the situation and found no evidence of any compromise of the security of the Xbox Live Network or Bungie.net."

Nelson goes on to say that there have been "isolated incidents" where users are trying to gain personal information. Microsoft is offering a PDF on how to protect yourself against identity theft. Seriously though, it's the internets, there are predators out there trying to steal your identity. Don't ever give someone your passwords or personal info.

The ultimate dance pad gets an upgrade

Want the arcade DDR experience at home. You can go the wimpy route and buy a decent metal pad for a couple of hundred dollars. Or you can geek it up and build your own custom DDR pad for a little over 400 smackers and over 16 hours of heavy duty construction time.

We covered the original version of this pad back in June, but the updated version 2.0 comes complete with a sturdier frame of one inch thick steel beams, adjustable spring-loaded sensitivity and an even cooler LED lighting system than before. Hey Jared, how much to get a version for casa de Joystiq?

[Thanks Jason]

Sam & Max Episode 5: Reality 2.0 unveiled

Telltale has graciously satiated our desire for more Sam & Max goodness by revealing some details, a trailer, and screenshots of the upcoming fifth episode, Reality 2.0. The internet is in a state of crisis and its up to the Freelance Police (that would be Sam & Max for the uninitiated) to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Random humor? Quality adventure games? Literal translations of silly internet jargon for the purpose of satiating the gods of corny humor? (Just look at that massive firewall -- burn!) Yep, we're sold. Reality 2.0 will be out for GameTap on March 29 and for everyone else on April 12.

See Also:
Joystiq interviews Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell

Gallery: Sam & Max Episode 5: Reality 2.0

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd off to a quick start in Japan

Famitsu is reporting on the impressive demand for Capcom's PSP RPG Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, which has launched in Japan this morning. Around 140 people were in line outside the West Shinjuku branch of Yodobashi Camera before the store opened, while more than 200 people were at the Ikebukuro branch of Bic Camera. Promotion of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd has had an impact -- the game's TV commercial seems to have aired more frequently here in the past week than that of any other game (this blogger watches too much Japanese telly), and the PSP hardware-plus-game bundle also appears to be selling out in Tokyo. Chances are, this PSP hit will top next week's Japanese sales chart.

[Image credit: Famitsu]