Ever had a question about the video game industry but couldn't find an answer? Well, now's your chance! Former Enix America product manager Justin Lucas is taking your questions! What's the game industry like? How does a game get published? What was living in Japan like? What's he doing? What's he playing? Ask him anything! Fire up your brain and ask Justin today!

With so many spin-offs, do you think DQ IX will be the last of the core DQ series?

Wow, I really hope it isn't, I know I am incredibly excited about DQ IX. I think it looks amazing and looks like it's going to be a fresh approach to the series. I can't wait to play it. It's going to be the first RPG I have played on my DS since Hoshigami. (BTW Justin recommends Hoshigami!) The spin-offs are great though to introduce the the series to people who may be turned off by RPG's

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How important is it for a game company to interact with its fans on a regular basis?

Incredibly important, if this Q&A 4 or 5 years after the Enix merger with the fans couldn't hammer that home, then I don't know what will.

I am a gamer just like you guys that just happened to luck into having a job where EVERY single day is a blast. If you find a job that you love, you will never "work" a day in your life. I loved interacting, finding out what you guys were playing that I may have overlooked, talking about what I was playing, the witty banter back and forth, and yes EVEN those looking for conspiracies regarding DQ IV.

What was the corporate culture like at Enix America? How did Enix in Japan view the efforts of their subsidiary, and what did they do to support Enix America?

EAI was awesome, we were incredibly tight, great friends, we all regularly went to lunch together as a group, out after work for drinks, or play Warcraft. Japan viewed us as equals, and was always incredibly supportive of us.

Could you provide us with approximate sales figures for the games released by Enix America? What was the parent company?s reaction to the sales of the localized games?

Could I? Yes, Will I? No :) I am not giving out sales figures. The sales figures "issue" released by Yahoo! Japan has been beaten to death, go read my last Q&A. :) Japan was always very supportive and understood the US market, and the demographics, and did everything they could to help us.

What was the initial reaction at Enix America when it was announced Enix was acquiring (merging with) Square?

I think it was the day before Thanksgiving so many of us were preparing to visit relatives or have relatives over. We were all very shocked. I spent
most of Thanksgiving on my cell phone giving no comments to editors, and the like.

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What were the key reasons behind the new Square-Enix in Japan's decision to close the Enix America Inc. offices? Were any Enix America employees given the option of relocating to Los Angeles (and the new Square Enix U.S.A. offices)? If so, who went?

Key reasons I couldn't begin to guess, I am sure it had a lot to do with redundancy. I don't know if anyone was or wasn't offered anything outside of myself, I know nobody moved to LA if that's what you are asking :)

Paul Handleman returned from Enix America Corporation to lead Enix America, Inc. Were there any other former Enix America Corporation employees who returned to the new subsidiary? Where did Paul Handleman go after Enix America, Inc. was dissolved?

Paul was the only one, Paul now works for another gaming company. I don't want to give out his info and have him get just spammed left and right with e-mails. He is doing great as is all the rest of the old "E" staff.

Enix.com is still registered with ICANN, but no longer points to Square-Enix.com. The address listed for contact is:

ENIX AMERICA INC.
425 Pontius Ave N #450
Seattle, WA 98109

US Was this once an address for Enix America, as well?

That was our last address, we had just moved in to the building when the merger was announced. Beautiful view of the iconic Downtown Seattle area, and closer to lunch.

What happened to the Enix signage when the subsidiary dissolved?

Square Enix probably has it now. I wonder what the gigantic blue inflatable Slib the Slime that we always had at E3 is doing these days.

Approximately how many employees did Enix America have?

Around a dozen or so off peak, and then when we went to QA it would just depend on the scope of the project could have been maybe another 20-30.

What are you playing now? What is on your Ipod? What does Justin watch to unwind?

Lately? Marvel CCG on the PSP, SOCOM PSP, Ridge Racer for the PSP, Guilty Gear for the PS2 and Wii, Hoshigami for the DS, Silent Bomber for the PSone, Sin & Punishment for the Wii. Lumines is great fun.

I bought my mom (yes my mom has a Wii and absolutely LOVES it!) Link's Crossbow for the Wii and gave it to her at Thanksgiving so she would have something to play other than Wii Sports Boxing, so I haven't got a chance to play that yet. Like everyone else, I am looking forward to MGS4. I haven't picked up Super Mario Galaxy yet, will probably pick that up when I go to visit my family for the holidays.

My Ipod: Lots of Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Zebrahead (amazing live!) MCR, Danzig, some old Hank Williams, lots of 80's and 90's soundtracks, a pretty wide selection, honestly. Tons of game music also that I had to hunt down when I lived in Japan. Tekken 3, Armored Core, Metal gear Solid, Disgaea etc - lots of arranged tracks. Lots of Podcasts from ESPN. I need my Smodcast, and my BS Report with Bill Simmons. Something like 5000 songs or so.

TV/DVD: I am hooked on the Wire, Rescue Me, The Shield, Black Donnellys (cancelled unfortunately), Brotherhood, Heroes, Lost, 30 Rock, Sportscenter, my rainy day standbys I absolutely love Chasing Amy and Jersey Girl, those 2 movies are probably Kevin Smith's most under appreciated and most overlooked movies.Count of Monte Cristo.

I also read a lot; Company Men was great, need to see if that has been released on DVD yet. The Road, Playing for Pizza, a book on Whitey Bulger. Etc..