The studio did much better than I did.

I really don't have any idea what you are talking about.

Here's another 989 jacket, so shut the fuck up.

They really weren't a publishing giant when I worked for them. That all happened later, and there's probably a direct correlation. Actually, I went after EA like a rabid dog because just days before that fabled interview some people at EA had once again attempted to raid 989 development, and they were trying to steal one of our developers. So I was mad. Other than 989, EA was my favorite company to work for. Okay, other than Lucasfilm Games and 989, EA was my favorite company to work for. I think the current senior management is first rate, and I especially appreciate how smart, competitive, and rich they are. I think of EA as a company that everyone is either coming from or going to. I still think the product quality went into a steep decline for several years, but it's recovering. I prefer our sports lineup to EA's, but by no means are their games as weak as they were a few years ago. Some of the best people are in that company, and for the most part they still have a sense of humor ('cause they still speak to me). Interestingly, the EA employees who took the greatest offense at my interview have never met me, but I understand they would like to. In a dark alley. Alone.

Even if it's true, I don't think it's going to make any difference to the success of PlayStation 2. I don't see any benefit to an early announcement, but it wouldn't surprise me to hear that Sony is working on advanced technologies that won't come to market for years.

We were lucky as hell. Sony Computer Entertainment's support for the first three years of our game development helped create an incredible body of intellectual property to build on. The key moment for me was the back to back release of Syphon Filter on PlayStation and Everquest on PC. We're the only publisher EVER to have the number one PC and the number on PlayStation game, and to have them be different games.

Actually, we wouldn't hire "Verch" back under any circumstances. We strongly recommended against Verant hiring him, but I understand he had such great dirt on Smedley and McQuaid that they had no choice. They pleaded for us to house him in our building as they wanted him as far away from San Diego as possible. We very reluctantly agreed to give him a small, windowless office with the noisiest air conditioning available provided he kept his uncontrollable cursing in check. Well, as you can see from the fine undercover work of the Gamelord staff, Verch managed to play by the rules for all of three days. We popped champagne when we successfully foisted him on 3D0. His nickname ought to be "bad penny."

We understand that you enjoy Teppan restaurants in Japan, specifically in Tokyo. These are the restaurants where they cook food right in front of you. We also understand that you are fond of the whole shell crabs they serve at these restaurants. Can you share any experiences with whole shell crabs and give our readers advice on how one would eat a whole shell crab?

This actually a quite funny story. Like many Americans, I know very little about Japanese etiquette. One of the producers on the trip told me one way to show your appreciation for the Teppan style of cooking is to spit your food out in the direction of the grill, contaminating as many other items as you can. A partially cooked soft shell crab, along with a large quantity of beer, makes for an excellent projectile.

I've seen Julius's work on public access, and it's filth filth filth!

I have it on good authority that he is about to elope with Maria.

1. What embarrassing photo does Hunter Luisi have of you that is keeping him from getting fired?
I'm sorry. He won't let me discuss it.

2. If you start your own company do the Luisi's have to come along?
Only if they make me an offer I can't refuse.

3. How many games does it take for Hunter or Seth Luisi to have cancelled under him before he is put back in the testing department?
Well, we've only cancelled one. Of course, it's always the same one and we've done it two or three times.

4. If you don't actually work, do you get moved up to Seth Luisi status?
Hmmm, kind of a mean question. Seth works harder than a lot of others who spend most of their day arranging contributions to the Gamelord site.

Molly. Absolutely. But I'd probably get real excited.

That was before Julius relocated down there.

Well, when I see Al Pacino in Devil's Advocate I think of Allan. When I watched Heather in Blair Witch I thought of Connie. Jay is, as everyone knows, my favorite, and I think of him when I see the farmer in Babe.

Yes, I kept the ones I used for Smedley. I have to send them out for cleaning whenever he says "awesome."

I don't really understand the question. Do you mean a game that killed a franchise (Jet Moto 2), or a game that dominates it's franchise so no one else can get in (Twisted Metal), or a game that killed someone else's franchise (like Everquest nearly did to UO)

My favorite right now is CTR. I like games I can play with my kids so my favorites are four player. Poy Poy, Bomberman. By myself I like NHL Faceoff, Supercross Circuit, Rally Cross, and one or two others.

At one time or another, everyone associated with Blasto went crazier than anyone else associated with it.

No, I've met his father and it's Mr. Fantastic.

'Cause Kelly Ryan is an Orange County, Duck-loving S.O.B. who doesn't listen to me, and Solwerks is led by a huge Philadelphia fan. Go Kings.

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for the interview, hopefully, we get a chance to talk to Kelly later on. He is a good sport and we wish him well in his future.