Windjammers community is like a big international family that welcomes anybody feeling the need to jam the wind, learn basics, all mechanics, and tricks to become a true champion.
Today we'd like to introduce you to Jeff AKA JeffVaderJr, a Windjammers enthusiast, and Jam The Wind folks!
Q: Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
J: Heya! I’m Jeff, and I’ve been helping out with gaming events and whatnot since college. I’ve been streaming and experimenting on Twitch, and now help out with the Jam The Wind folks!
Q: When was the first time you played Windjammers and with who?
J: Franke Sisto. That name says it all.
I was at a CSGO/LAN tournament in 2018, playing PUBG and Hearthstone, when this dude calls out that he’ll give $100 to whoever can win a free tournament for Windjammers. I came over and signed up, then ended up running the bracket because Franke had to go back to commentating on the main stage. So I played the game with folks I didn’t know...and at first, didn’t get it.
Q: What was your first reaction?
J: I thought it was fun, but it wasn’t until I got a copy on my Switch that I began to understand and to LOVE the game. At the LAN event, I couldn’t hear the music at all, and to me, that’s huge.
After I started to look for a WJ community in Chicago, XaGrand introduced me to Logan Arcade...and they had a cabinet. So I would come and practice, and run pickup tournaments, and have the time of my life - every time.
Q: How did you react when you heard that WJ2 was in development?
J: You know that Street Fighter cartoon, where Dictator/M. Bison is saying “YES!” while the trumpets are going? Kinda like that.
Q: Do you think Windjammers is a competitive game? If yes, why?
J: Absolutely. The game is all about head-to-head reaction times, where the punishment of being scored upon is quickly dismissed and replaced with the pressure of not slipping up on defense. I played a lot of Quake and Unreal Tournament growing up, and those games feel exhilarating...but ‘Jammers takes place right here, right now.
In your face. There’s nothing quite like it.
Q: How's your relationship with the Windjammers community?
J: I give back what I can, but this community is fantastic. I continue to meet people who play ‘Jammers because they knew this game was a hit from the arcade era. They just want to jam that wind, and they’re willing to teach anyone because anyone can Jam The Wind. I’ve streamed and commentated a lot of their community events, and will continue to do so for quite some time because the people here make everyone feel welcome.
Q: What type of WJ player are you? Mostly defensive-based, attacking-based, and/or all-round player?
J: When I play competitively, I have to be defensive. Usually, I’ll sneak up to the net though, and add pressure for a score or two. Depends on the player.
Q: What are the key requirements to win a match when you're playing on the competitive scene of Windjammers?
J: Defense defense defense. Scoring is nice, but not being scored on is more important. I back up from the net and give myself lots of time to visualize where the disc is going. Another requirement, throwing curves. But that’s just muscle memory, and easy to practice.
Q: Any advice for players who discover Windjammers for the first time?
J: Just play! Goof off with a friend for a while, try all the characters and courts, until the matches start running out the clock instead of reaching 12 points quickly. Play with new people! Every Windjammers Wednesday there is a group of us in a Discord who get together and Jam on the PS4 and Switch ports of the game. Everybody plays a little differently.
Q: Would you like to see Windjammers 2 on the biggest international competitive scene? If yes, why?
J: Yes, easily. There are little pockets of Jammers throughout the world, in Europe (the French are the best, all hail), in North America, in South America, in Japan...just because I haven’t found Jammers throughout the rest of the globe, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They’re there, and they’re jamming. I would love to see Windjammers be internationally welcomed as football, with each country’s teams facing off in a world tournament. It’s not impossible.
Q: What are your favorite characters and courts?
J: Ahh, Wessel. I keep trying other characters, but the Expert-level German keeps me winning games. It’s all in his legs...hold down the A button on his slide, and you can see how his thighs just keep him GOING and keep the discs from reaching his goal.
Lawn and Concrete are my favorite stages. I love the music on them. The NeoGeoCD version of Lawn has little claps that just solidify how much fun the soundtrack is. (Thank you XaGrand!)
Q: Which former WJ character would you like to see in WJ2?
J: Well, Wessel’s already there, so I guess I have to say Gary Scott. His voice lines are just...beefy. I can’t wait to hear everyone’s voices in Jammers 2. I would love to hear voice-packs in every character’s native language though...imagine Gary Scott saying “Gewonnen!”
Q: Do you think that Windjammers 2 is easy to learn? If yes, why?
J: ‘Jammers 2 is easy to learn if the players learn one button at a time. We joke that Windjammers 1 is a “One-and-a-half button game” simply because you can play the entire game using the A button. So for Windjammers 2, learn the A button first (It shoots, it dashes, it does your taxes!). Then the B button (bump, lob). Then the X button (slap). Then the Y button (jump).
Q: Do you agree with people who say Windjammers is easy to learn but hard to master? If yes, why?
J: Oh yes. I had the honor of getting my...uhh...ego handed to me by the best Windjammers player in the world, Pyrotek. He and I sat in an EVO 2019 hotel room and played something like 30 sets. I beat him...once. He beat me 29 times without breaking a sweat. Afterwards, he informed me that he practices which curves land in which spots based on the location he’s standing in - so that he’s able to get the disc to go ANYWHERE on the court he wants -- INCLUDING THE BUMPER STAGES. That’s mastery.
Meanwhile, I grab two controllers, give one to my dad, and we have ourselves a grand ‘ol time with the exact same game. Easy to learn...takes time to master. All Are Welcome. Thank you Windjammers!
Q: Anything else to say to the Windjammer Community? (veterans and/or newcomers)
J: This game is fun for us, and I’m glad to say that it's fun to simply play. I have lost track of how many times I hurt myself laughing with the rest of the Jam The Wind crew over some ad-lib joke we’ll make about the character interactions, or about how a missed input makes Scott Miller dash away from the disc as if he were terrified of it. As Franke Sisto says, “All Are Welcome.”
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