Community Spotlight – GingerJefferson

On the seas of our community, creativity knows no bounds, and one way to reach its pinnacle is a coveted 10 wins in our #SoTShot contest – an opportunity to showcase players’ spectacular skills at in-game photography. So this time, the Spotlight shines on the imaginative endeavours of one pirate who has left a lasting impression with his #SoTShot entries, from Rowboat battles to nighttime escapades. We took some time out to talk to Visionary Artist of the Seas, GingerJefferson!

[Q]: Can you tell us a little about what got you into gaming?

[A]: I always enjoyed the goals for completing stuff, and within gaming there were always plenty of those kinds of challenges. Tough, easy – all of them are there as something to strive to complete.

[Q]: Were you a Rare fan before Sea of Thieves? Do you have any favourite Rare games?

[A]: I never really paid much attention to companies as such when I first started to get into gaming, only as I got older. But I always enjoyed Banjo-Kazooie when I was younger.

[Q]: What other games are you currently playing? Any favourites?

[A]: I have been investing a lot of time into Hunt: Showdown lately and also just got into another cozy game: TCG (Trading Card Game) Simulator, where you run your own shop and do unboxing and card openings.

[Q]: What brought you over to Sea of Thieves and its community?

[A]: The sandbox style. There is a lot to do within the game, and the Commendations are a huge task/challenge to beat. It’s been one of the toughest grinds, and grinding it all organically has made for some interesting moments!

[Q]: As a Sea of Thieves completionist, what’s been the biggest challenge to tick off when trying to reach 100%?

[A]: For me it would have to be Hourglass, as it’s such a time-consuming part of the game and it niggles me when everything else is done. It definitely takes a lot more time than you realise. Before Hourglass I’d have said the Commendations for 250 Voyages, or even Milestones! Those are tough to grind out. I’m very fortunate all that’s left for me is a few Trinkets and six total Commendations tied to Hourglass.

[Q]: You have 10 #SoTShot wins under your belt – which was the most fun to create?

[A]: Most fun to create would have to be the Radical Rowboats theme, where I was very fortunate to get my 9th and 10th wins. The Rowboat fighting a Galleon was difficult because we never realised how much the Galleon moved from such a small Rowboat! The night one we did was also great. Loved that as it gave a real feeling of pirates going to land to hide their treasure! Making pictures in general is something I thoroughly enjoy.

[Q]: Are you working on any fun projects right now that you can tell us about?

[A]: I wouldn’t say fun, but the main project I’m currently working on is myself. I got diagnosed with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) and having to learn to walk again is pretty tough. I lost a lot of feeling and mobility within my right leg, so being more than determined to beat that is my project right now. It’s definitely not easy but I’m still smiling and making progress. That’s all I could ever ask for.

[Q]: Thinking back, are there any standout moments for you in Sea of Thieves since you started playing?

[A]: There would be too many standout moments to list! For me it’s all the friendships I’ve made during my time playing this game. Meeting pirates new and old, chatting in the game and reminiscing over stories with one another.

[Q]: What are your favourite recent additions to Sea of Thieves?

[A]: In my entire time playing it would have to be Captaincy. It gives you that sense of wanting to be on your own ship, to raise anchor and sail away.

[Q]: What are your greatest achievements in a game, Sea of Thieves or otherwise?

[A]: For Sea of Thieves, it would be owning all cosmetics released through online competitions (except Notorious Arena League/Sea of Champions Sails). Outside gaming, it would probably be playing darts and hitting a maximum score of 180 against a friend who has helped me massively with my recovery.

[Q]: If you had to choose a pirate and ship name, what would they be?

[A]: Of my main Sloops I couldn’t pick one, so Chaos and Mischief or The Usual Suspects, just because I’m always causing some mischief and it’s always the usual suspects, hence the names. My pirate’s name would be GingerJefferson, I wouldn’t change that.

[Q]: What kind of other hobbies do you enjoy outside of gaming?

[A]: Outside gaming, it would have to be fishing. Love it, done it 21 years strong now (I’m only 31). Working with my father hand in hand, catching shellfish, lobsters, crabs and all that fun stuff. It’s in my blood, as some would say.

[Q]: Share a fun fact about yourself. Anything is fair game!

[A]: Fun fact, oh God, uhh... I’d have to say as I do get asked this: are you ginger, yes, and Jeff is my name, hence together we have GingerJefferson!

So ends another Community Spotlight! Many thanks to GingerJefferson for talking us through his completionist adventures and #SoTShot highlights, leaving us wondering what he’ll get up to now he’s achieved that Visionary Artist title...

If you can’t wait to hear more from our community, you can check out our previous Community, Creator and Legend Spotlights. Or to see what else our players have been up to and some of the wonderful creations they’ve been making recently, head over to our Community Hub. Until next time!