Ubisoft, best known for creating the popular Assassin's Creed video-game series, has announced that its user-account database was hacked, and is urging all users to change their passwords immediately.

"We recently discovered that one of our Web sites was exploited to gain unauthorized access to some of our online systems ... During this process, we learned that data had been illegally accessed from our account database, including user names, email addresses and encrypted passwords," Ubisoft said in a statement.

Ubisoft added that no personal payment information is stored in its database — meaning that no credit- or debit-card info was stolen.

Still, those who have a Ubisoft account should change their passwords right away; this also goes for any other web services where they use the same or a similar password.

Without going into details about the attack, Ubisoft claimed it took steps to "begin a thorough investigation with the relevant authorities, internal and external security experts" about the data breach. The company also said it is exploring "all available means to expand and strengthen" its security measures.

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Recent headlines about PRISM, the U.S. government program that allows security officials to spy on people's Internet activity, confirm what conspiracy theorists have long been foretelling: Big Brother is watching.

But is the government the only entity keeping tabs on what you search for, watch and discuss with friends? The truth is, there are others out there — businesses, advertisers, scammers — hoping to line their pockets by collecting your personal data.

And they have a variety of tools at their disposal to gather the information they need — tools you might even have with you right now. That's right: Everything from the smartphone in your pocket to the television in your bedroom can potentially be used to spy on you.

Here are some ordinary gadgets with serious spy potential. Read more…

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The Xbox One's Kinect can be customized to not see or collect data on its users, said Microsoft Thursday in attempt to calm privacy concerns.

Microsoft said previously the next-generation Kinect will be able to see players faces, recognize their facial expressions, monitor their heart rate, respond to their voice and monitor their emotional feedback. While this certainly represents a leap forward in gaming technology, some have raised concerns about what Microsoft is doing with all this data.

In an attempt to clarify the capabilities of the new Kinect, Microsoft said that users will have complete control over each of its settings upon setup, including when the Xbox One's Kinect is on or off.

According to the Microsoft statement, when the Xbox One is on and you’re simply having a conversation in your living room, that conversation is not being recorded or uploaded.

It's important to note that The Washington Post published a report Thursday that says Microsoft and eight other tech companies are sharing a broad range of user data with the National Security Advisory under a secret program known as PRISM. While the report states this data collection is not intentionally targeted at "any U.S. citizen, any other U.S. person or anyone located within the United States," it overshadows any statement by Microsoft about privacy protection.

If you don't want the Kinect observing you during games or other entertainment, you can pause the device, Microsoft said — though some titles will require Kinect integration. When the Xbox One is turned off, the Kinect will only listen for the voice command of "Xbox On."

Additionally, while the Kinect can take in data from players to deepen the game experience, such as monitoring heart rates during a fitness game, Microsoft said the data remains on the Xbox One without the player's permission.

The new Kinect and Xbox One will launch later this year.

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King.com launched its third game on mobile Thursday, Pet Rescue Saga. Following the success of games like Bubble Witch and Candy Crush Saga, the Facebook favorite is arriving on both iPhone and Android.

Currently one of the top 10 games on Facebook, Pet Rescue Saga prompts players to destroy colored boxes on screen by placing three or more of the same color into groups — in order to rescue pets trapped within the multicolored block structure. Read more…

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Disney announced Fantasia: Music Evolved for the Xbox earlier this month, based on the studio's classic movie. In the game, you play as the sorcerer’s apprentice (the role portrayed by Mickey in the film) and control the music on the screen, similar to the way the ironic mouse did it in the film.

I had the opportunity to give the game a spin at Disney’s E3 booth this week, and walked away impressed.

Read more…

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We've learned more details about the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 during this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo. We know release times, prices and some of the games that will accompany each gaming console, among other staggering differences between the two.

After spending some time hands-on with both consoles during E3, we're bringing you our thoughts and sharing our experiences. We will be hosting a Google+ Hangout today at 4:15 p.m. ET on the Mashable Google+ page to chat about the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Join Games Reporter Chelsea Stark, Tech Reporter Emily Price and Senior Tech Analyst Christina Warren as they share their thoughts on the latest Xbox One and PlayStation 4 news.

Do you have questions or comments about either game console or E3? Share them in the comments below and we'll try to address them during today's Hangout.

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Popular board game-turned-iPad success Ticket to Ride makes its Android debut for Android tablets on Thursday.

Ticket to Ride is both a physical and digital board game in which players try to build a dominant railroad network across the United States. Players must race to complete their secret assigned routes between major cities while preventing their opponents from doing the same. Players can compete online or locally against four different types of AI or use pass-and-play with their friends.

The traditional board game was released in 2004 by Days of Wonder, and then it made its transition to the digital format in 2008 for PC, Mac and through the web browser. Ticket to Ride came to iPads in 2011, and has sold over 2 million copies on all digital platforms. Read more…

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It’s all but set in stone that Microsoft’s sleek, new next-gen iteration of the Xbox — whether it’s called the “Xbox 720” or simply “Xbox” — will star in Tuesday’s major company announcement.

But before you start saving your pennies, it’s important to address a very buzzy rumor surrounding the device: The next Xbox could be “Always On.”

It sounds innocuous enough, but the Always On trend is very polarizing for game developers and fans alike. Some view it as the best way to rid piracy once and for all, while others are concerned its massive drain on resources could affect how everyone plays his or her games.

Mashable spoke with game developers and media distributors across the spectrum, from big companies to tiny studios, to get a handle on what Always On means and how it can affect you. Even if the next Xbox doesn’t come out with Always On capabilities, you will see a lot more of it on your computer, and maybe even in consoles to come. Read more…

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The "Xbox: A New Generation Revealed" event — where Microsoft will show off an upgraded Xbox console, games and other gems, will be aired live May 21 on Spike TV as a commercial-free, one-hour broadcast sandwiched between a pre and post show. Read more…
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Microsoft made slew of Xbox announcements at its much-hyped "A New Generation Revealed" event, which was live streamed online and broadcasted on TV on Tuesday.

Viewers were treated to the new Xbox One console and its features, such as voice-recognition control for all things entertainment, a TV guide, Skype integration and a new Kinect sensor, among other things.

Microsoft also revealed a Halo TV series (produced by Steven Spielberg), EA Sports Ignite, NFL partnership, Forza Motorsport 5, Quantum Break and Call of Duty: Ghosts.

Naturally, you all had a lot to say, and we gathered your knee-jerk reactions to each feature that Microsoft highlighted. Be sure to sound off in our poll, below. Read more…

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