Trixie360 Interviews JD Buck

Published October 22, 2008

He's a Dad, a police officer, and a Burnout Revenge™ fan. Please step out of the vehicle slowly and meet JD Buck.

trixie360: What's the story behind your Gamertag?

JD Buck: JD Buck Savage is a fictional character from the 80s used in police training videos. My actual name is similar to that character. So naturally, in the police academy I took my fair share of friendly hazing. I learned to embrace it and still hear it to this day at work.

JD Buck (he's in the middle).

trixie360: Where do you live?

JD Buck: I'm a native Oregonian.

trixie360: What do you do in Oregon besides grow moss on your north side?

JD Buck: I've been a police officer for nearly ten years. Seen and done lots of things, heard every donut joke imaginable.

trixie360: What's the worst or weirdest job you've ever had?

JD Buck: Right out of high school I worked at a department store and got put into the hunting/automotive section, two things I knew nothing about. I suffered daily humiliation from the good ol' boy customers for about three weeks when I just had to quit.

trixie360: How long have you been on Xbox LIVE®?

JD Buck: I had Xbox LIVE on the original Xbox for a year or so. Been online with my 360 since three weeks after launch.

trixie360: Do you have an archenemy on Xbox LIVE?

JD Buck: One of my oldest online friends is DHC Basilisk. We have a hammer vs. nail rivalry and I'm the nail. Pretty much beats me at anything we play. He's an excellent gamer and professional gaming writer. I have to mention a few GamerParents, MOMOSS (our forefather), ethanjude, ambrolia and kiki kat. Too many great friends to mention.

JD Buck loves Burnout Revenge.

trixie360: What's your Xbox setup like?

JD Buck: I have a 62-inch JVC HDTV, Denon receiver with Wharfedale 7.1 surround and a big leather couch. It's a pretty suh-weet man cave.

trixie360: What's the best feature of Xbox LIVE?

JD Buck: I love the friends list, instant communication, and networking with people I know. Yes, even more than the actual playing sometimes.

trixie360: What do you think is the best video game of all time?

JD Buck: It's almost cliché, but Goldeneye was just about as perfect as a game could be for its era. I remember the buzz and excitement; you couldn't find it on the shelves.

trixie360: What's the funniest thing you've ever heard on Xbox LIVE?

JD Buck: Unfortunately, the funniest things usually involve words or content that can't be repeated here. Sorry for the cop-out (no pun intended).

trixie360: What is your greatest Xbox LIVE moment?

JD Buck: One time playing Gears of War® on Tyro Station, I was inside the hangar. I had the Torque Bow and took a parting shot across the hangar at an enemy I could barely see, just before he stepped behind one of the big metal crates. I turned away and about two seconds later I hear a faint explosion and I was shocked to see I got a triple kill to end the round. Apparently, the guy's ankle was sticking out as he was running behind the crate. My arrow stuck him in the ankle and he unknowingly ran up to his two friends before all going boom together. I wish I could say I did it on purpose.

Gears online is always a blast.

trixie360: Who is your inner rock star?

JD Buck: Toughest question here … Bono. The guy's got longevity, respect, talent, icon status.

trixie360: If they made a movie about your life, who should play you?

JD Buck: When I was younger, I was told several times I look like Jason Bateman. We're almost the exact same age and he often plays the calm, sensible character. That fits me.

trixie360: What cartoon character do you think is most like you?

JD Buck: Probably Dudley Do-Right … except I'm not Canadian.

trixie360: If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be?

JD Buck: Hugh Hefner, circa 1972.

trixie360: Back when everything worked. What celebrity would be the worst roommate?

JD Buck: Barbara Streisand, 'nuff said.

trixie360: Hot celeb you'd like to be stranded on a desert island with?

JD Buck: Elle Macpherson.

trixie360: If you could be any video game character, who would you be?

JD Buck: Gordon Freeman, handy with a wrench.

The future of gaming is convergence, or wrecking cars online.

trixie360: Last book you read?

JD Buck: Truthfully? It was Coaching Youth Football. I coach a Pop Warner football team and went through it before our season started.

trixie360: If you could go on tour with any band, which one would it be?

JD Buck: It used to be Metallica but they seem to be in group therapy all the time. I think I'd get annoyed with most rock stars.

trixie360: I don't imagine they'd be too happy to have a cop around either … no offense. What do you predict will be the "next big thing" in gaming?

JD Buck: It's getting there now, but I'd have to say having your console be an "all-in-one" entertainment system. Web browser, games, movies, Tivo/DVR. Everything is so interconnected now, I don't see it slowing down. People want convenience and simplicity.

trixie360: What do you think is the best thing about Xbox 360?

JD Buck: I love the Achievement system. I was a casual gamer for the most part before the new console, but Achievements along with connecting with online friends has made Xbox 360 gaming my favorite hobby right now.

trixie360: What Xbox 360 achievement was the hardest to get?

JD Buck: I'm the most proud of getting the True Elite! achievement in Burnout Revenge. I worked really hard for it and at the time I was just outside of the Top 100 of people worldwide to get all 1,000 points.

trixie360: What would you like to be doing in ten years?

JD Buck: My son will be in college, daughter just graduating high school, and I'll be a few, short years from glorious retirement.

Interview by TriXie