Interview with Jaap: the World’s Oldest Battlefield Player
By Sam van Zoest | June 23, 2011 | Interviews | 22 comments | Share
Remember Jaap, the 66 year old retired guy who claims to be the world’s oldest Battlefield player? He was featured on DeltaGamer a few days ago, after his squad buddies posted a hilarious video about Jaap on YouTube.
We got the chance to ask him some questions about him and his love for gaming.
Can you tell us something about yourself and the work you did before your retirement?
Before I retired, I was a host on TV and a radio DJ. I was lucky to have met a lot of interesting artists such as Stevie Wonder, Abba, Nina Hagen from Germany, Kylie Minogue, The Group Europe, Princess Stephanie from Monaco, Barry Gibb from The Beegees, Olivia Newton John, Boney M, Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen, Chubby Checker, Kim Wilde, etc. I realize that I am a lucky man and quite blessed.
Your video got very popular within a few days on YouTube (half a million views in the first week). What do you think about this publicity? Did you expect so much attention?
I never ever thought that so many people in the world would enjoy this video that much. It was a nice evening meeting with the squad and it was fun that they wanted to make this little video with me. I am absolutely flabbergasted and also quite humble.
Jaap definitely has some good moves and isn’t afraid to take a tank down in exchange for his own safety, and he even has that crazy L1 scoped-to-unscoped move down pat.
You claim to be the oldest Battlefield player around. But how can you be sure? Have you done extensive research to figure it out?
My squad had teased me about being the oldest player, but I couldn’t have known for sure. It was just a running joke within our squad and ended up being the title of the video.
What does your family think about your love for games?
First, I would like to say for the record, that my wife whose photograph was shown in the video, is not dead and still thankfully with us. My wife is Nora and she sometimes thinks that I spend a little bit too much time playing. My two sons, on the other hand, are part of the squad and they are very proud of their Dad.
With over 700 hours of experience, a respectable “General of the Army” rank and many other nice achievements, Jaap is a player you wouldn’t want to encounter on Battlefield. Do you want to look at his stats? Check out Stats Verse!
And what do your peers think about it?
They think it is simply fantastic and are contemplating purchasing the game to play too! So, watch out for us old-timers!
When was your first encounter with video games?
Well, I didn’t begin playing until after I retired and the first game I ever played was Call of Duty when I was 59 years old. One thing led to another and I ended up playing Battlefield on the Playstation.
And what about Battlefield?
I started playing Battlefield: Bad Company 1 because my sons and their friends invited me to join them on the PS3.
What do you think of Battlefield’s competitors, such as the Call of Duty franchise, and why do you prefer Battlefield?
I have played Call of Duty and initially enjoyed it, but I prefer Battlefield because it requires more strategy and team play.
Do you also play games other than Bad Company 2?
Every now and then I will hop back to 1943 or Vietnam, so I’m pretty much only currently playing Battlefield games, but if anyone has other game suggestions they would like to share with me, I’d be happy to try them!
How many hours a day do you game?
My normal, daily game play consists of 2-3 hours a day, but since the video I have been playing almost all day because of all of the kind, wonderful and supportive attention I have received.
Can you tell us something about the “ADHD Squad”?
The ADHD squad is a group of friends playing for fun. It isn’t highly competitive; just good old, gaming fun. The squad consists of myself, my two sons, and a handful of their close friends.
Michael Jackson was also known as ‘Wacko Jacko’ and I took this nickname to honor him.
Can you explain your nickname “Wacko Jacko”?
As a journalist, I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Jackson and several of his family members. Michael Jackson was also known as ‘Wacko Jacko’ and I took this nickname to honor him.
What is your favorite class and playing style?
*Not bunny hopping, haha!* I enjoyed medic a lot, but lately I’ve been trying my hand at the Engineer class which I’m also really enjoying at the moment. I am not a sniper. I like to attack!
What is, in your opinion, the key to success on the battlefield?
It is an absolute must to work together with your teammates and squad mates, but it is also extremely important to have fun and laugh while you are playing.
Why do you play on PlayStation 3 and not on PC or Xbox 360?
I play on the PS3 because that is where all of my friends play. If they would be on the Xbox, then I would also be on the Xbox.
What are your thoughts on Battlefield 3? Are you going to buy it, or are you going stick to Bad Company 2?
I received a preorder of Battlefield 3 as a Father’s Day present and am looking forward to it with great anticipation! From what I have seen I think it will be awesome! I want to be a General again!
What do you like to do besides gaming?
I love taking my boat to Amsterdam or Volendam to buy some smoked eel or herring. Look it up, it’s delicious!
Anything else you would like to add?
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for their kind words, nice messages and support. If I could, I would be a Grandpa to every single one of you! I really mean that. Secondly, I want everyone to know that gaming is about fun and it doesn’t matter on which platform you play and enjoy the game. I’ll see you on the Battlefield! Wacko Jacko signing off.
I would like to thank Jaap for this interview and for sharing his thoughts with us. If you would like to play with Jaap, feel free to add him! His PSN is ADHD_WACKO_JACKO. I also want to thank Yoran ten Brinke, the guy who created the video and brought me into contact with Jaap.
Jaap, you seem like a really nice, really cool old guy :P I am glad you have gotten so much positive attention from the video.
Legend
I like how he says that he doesnt snipe, but in the vid, hes sniping :p
He is 1337 Though
you're very funny and charismatic
I think it is very unique and cool that you play with your sons and that you are the first person I have watched in a long time that actually has fun while playing battlefield or any game for that matter
Well,I am the same age as this chap,but I've played all the BF games to date,also pre-booked bf3.
I play sniper only servers mostly,although I do choose other maps,but get a kick out of sniping on them,hate tanks,where occupants can crouch in them,pop their heads out & their mine,lol.
I also make my own gaming rigs,I can troubleshoot virtually any PC 'problem',I started computing when the ZX80 came out, knowing my family history,will be playing bf when I'm over 100,unless I get a 'new' girlfriend before,lol.
Bad ass...Ive played you and well you kicked my ass lool keep it going dude till next time...
Will you be my Grandad?
Jaap, you should really try Battlefield on the PC!!!
goed bezig jaapie vooral blijven gamen want daar blijf je jong bij
Man, you're the best man... I'm just sorry that I don't play on the same platform as you do... Stay safe and keep shooting ;) :P
We have a player in our BF2 clan that is 70 y o :D www.wakeislandwarriors.com
I am a 60 year old gamer and have a great time playing. I play on the PC though and think you should try. When BF3 comes out, it will be a PC game first. We have a game clan called OBC ( Old Bastard Clan ) that is for people over 25, unless sponsored. We have over 500 members with a great group of mature men and women from all over the world having a lot of fun. I joined the clan when BF2 was a very popular game. We had over 600 members then and I think if BF3 is as good as we hope, the numbers will be back again. If you are interested, check out our clan at www.obcgaming.com or send me an email. Perinator
I'm 68!!!!! Got hooked on bbc2 last Christmas when my wife bought me a new TV and PS3 for the "game room" which is where I now spend most of my free time....think there was method to her madness!!!
if he wants more teamplay and strategy come and play BF2 mod Project Reality
Hey Jaap, goed bezig kerel!; Hey Jaap, good effort mate!
Gaile Siech
Wacko Jacko YOU ARE AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing your great spirit with the rest of us. I don't play Battlefield, but if you ever find yourself playing HALO look me up!
i played either against or with jaap at one point, which one however escapes me, and i can safely say he is seriously good. top of the scoreboard after the first round of... conquest, i believe.
U rock Jaap! The Battlefield community is proud to have you as a member :)
I'm 63 years old and have great fun playing Battlefield 2 on XBOX. The players sometimes get mad at me for laughing while I'm playing. One player said, "That guy sounds old. I'll bet he's 30." Some of them think I'm laughing at them. I'm just having great fun. My wife, Kathy, calls the XBOX her babysitter.
I'm 18 and I wanted to say that I'm glad to see how diverse the Battlefield crowd is. I first started playing with BF2142 on PC a couple years back, and since then I've played BF2 and BF:BC2 also on PC. I usually dislike the console crowd, but in the end it doesn't matter if we're PC, PS3, or Xbox360, we're all Battlefield Soldiers!