When we get together with our old friends/former co-workers for any sort of coverage, we generally take things a little less seriously.

Enter Shawn Smith, ex-editor of the old Electronic Gaming Monthly and current creative director and CEO of plushie manufacturer Shawnimals. His Ninjatown line of toys led to a DS tower-defense game which we "reviewed" a while back. His newest game release, Ninjatown: Trees of Doom for the iPhone, prompted the interview below. Now, 21 Random Qs was never meant to be a serious series -- these aren't hard-hitting Q&As, after all. But now we have an excuse to talk about ninjas....

1. If you could have one ninja power or weapon in real life, which would you pick?

Shawn Smith: Smoke bombs. If I was in trouble with my wife -- POOF -- throw down a smoke bomb and get the hell out of there. Don't feel like paying my tab at the bar? POOF, gone!

2. Who would win in a fight? Ninjatown's mightiest warrior or EGM's Sushi-X?

SS: Since Sushi-X is apparently a shape-shifter, I think he/she would win. That's a pretty rad super power.

3. What is your favorite ninja movie of all time?

SS: Beverly Hills Ninja, of course.

4. Best game you ever reviewed for EGM?

SS: This one is relative to the time I reviewed it, but I'm going with Super Mario 64. It was so revolutionary for its time and a ton of fun to play. It really felt like you were in the Super Mario universe, and that's a powerful feeling for a game to elicit.

5. Worst game you ever reviewed for EGM?

SS: Virtually anything for the 3DO. That system was so horrible in retrospect. Sluggish, expensive, and by and large the games were unimaginative. I can't believe I bought into the hype so hard!

6. If you can have the license to make toys and plushies for any gaming franchise, which would you pick?

SS: Way of the Warrior, hands down.

7. Game-industry figure you never met but wish you could have?

SS: Shigeru Miyamoto. The worlds and characters he has created over the years are easily as interesting and imaginative as the stuff created by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.

8. Favorite band or singer?

SS: My tastes are really varied, but I can always listen to the Beastie Boys.

9. All-time favorite book and author?

SS: J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. The world he created is so vast and detailed; it's hard to even comprehend.

10. Favorite video or PC game of all time?

SS: These are so hard to choose. I'm going to pick three since there's such a rich history -- two for video games, one for PC. For video games, I have to go with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the ultimate party game Rock Band. For PC, Worms: Armageddon. It's such a blast to play multiplayer. I'm really excited for Worms: Reloaded for PC.

11. Best prank you've ever pulled?

SS: I'm not a huge prankster, although I've always enjoyed yours, Shoe. :) So instead, I'll try to choose a favorite craziness from the Ziff-Davis days in Oak Brook. The short version: electric skateboard, couch cushion, luge, lots of boxes and junk from the office stacked high, and long hallways. Jackass-style shenanigans ensued.