When I hear the name "Frank O'Connor," I think, "What a fucking waste." The former Official Xbox Magazine editor used to be one of the best writers in the biz -- at one point, I wanted to hire him away to work at my old publication, Electronic Gaming Monthly. His articles were always fun to read, but he left behind the not-so-cushy and rather tumultuous world of games journalism to work at Halo developer Bungie Studios. Another great one lost to "the dark side."

Today, O'Connor is a big shot at 343 Industries, as the company's Halo franchise development director. He took time out of his busy day directing Halo franchise development to answer a few silly questions in our 21 Random Qs interview. He may no longer be a professional writer, but he still has a knack for making me laugh....

1. If you were in the Covenant, which race would you be?

Frank O'Connor: Grunt. Seriously. Check out my physique. I should only ever be rendered in plushie form.

2. What would be your armor ability in real life?

FO: Jetpack. I have a lot of flying dreams, although I tend to swoop up at the last moment, like the Mario cape from Super Mario World.

3. Favorite all-time weapon in the entire Halo franchise?

FO: Hrrms. Halo 2 sniper, all things considered.

4. If you could have one Halo weapon in real life, which would you pick?

FO: Energy Sword would present some storage concerns, but that’s what I’d like.

5. Favorite sci-fi movie outside of the Halo universe?

FO: Dune! I have it on Blu-ray, DVD, Netflix queue, and I retained my HD DVD player solely for that movie. I realize it has issues, but I love it. Best costumes and casting ever.

6. Favorite sci-fi hero outside of the Halo universe?

FO: I am a big fan of Louis Wu from Ringworld, who, like Captain Kirk, solves many a transgalactic dispute with sexytimes.

7. What's easier, being a game journalist, a game developer, or whatever it is you're doing now at 343?

FO: I do not envy the endless donging on games journalists on the forums, but it wasn’t exactly back-breaking either. Your job is as hard as you work at it.

8. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?

FO: Salma Hayek. I am, um, fascinated by her scholarship of Frida Kahlo and her interest in photography.

9. Favorite Halo map of all time?

FO: Lockout. First time I saw the Ghost of Lockout was a real game-changer for me….

10. Most memorable Halo beat-down at the hands of Dan "Shoe" Hsu?

FO: I am unfamiliar with this person. Is it a special-needs child whom I allowed to beat me for charity?