Xbox 360 Achievements are serious business. But obtaining that sweet Gamerscore nectar via nefarious means (like gamesave tampering) isn’t worth the effort, as shown by Microsoft’s sweeping smackdown on Gears of War 2 cheaters.

Xbox Live’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb informed the community today that the company has zeroed out the Gamerscores of Gears of War 2 cheaters, apparently caught with their hands in the Achievement cookie jar.“As you know, we are committed to keeping Xbox LIVE a safe and fair place to play for the more than 17 million active members,” Hryb writes on his official blog. “As part of our regular safety monitoring we have pinpointed a group of players who have unlocked specific Gears of War 2 Achievements through an unauthorized hack.”

Remember, kids, it doesn’t pay to cheat. I should know, because I definitely have never ever taken advantage of any glitch, particularly the Left 4 Dead “Jesus Room” glitch. You hear that, Microsoft? That’s the truth!

Gears of War 2 Achievement Hacking: Banning has begun… [Major Nelson]