DSFISHLABS | COMPANY AND GAME NEWS

So far, we had mostly featured players from the iOS servers here on our blog. But that was pure coincidence and we do, of course, love the Android folks just as much as the iOS gamers. To make sure that their voice is heard here too, we teamed up with Quantum [MX] today, who founded the legendary Minari Federation [MX] at almost the exact moment when world A2 was opened. A clear-sighted leader and clever tactician, as well as a skilled networker and engaged socializer, he instantly heaved his alliance to the pole position of the leader boards and made sure it remained their to this very day! Read his story below to find out what approach he chose to make his alliance the stronges force on the entire server!

Quantum's gaming area caters to a full-fledged cross-platform experience. Among others it contains a gaming laptop, a Nexus 5, an iPad 2, an iPad 3, a OnePlus One and an iPhone 4S. 

NFTN: Cheers, Quantum & thanks for doing this interview. If I understood correctly, you chose quite a unique approach to GOFA as you’ve played the iOS version mainly as preparation for the Android version. What made you choose such a peculiar “tactics“ and how exactly did you pull it off?

Quantum [MX]: It gave me a feel for how things worked, and what different leadership styles are successful. After watching many large alliances grow exponentially and some of them fall to the bottom remarkably fast, it was easy to see what style of leadership works best. The best thing I learned was simple - start early. Getting off the starting line first is critical in building up an untouchable reputation. 

About 6 hours after A2 got opened, Minbari Federation [MX] had already taken the pole position. This generated a lot of buzz and publicity as everybody, who opened the leader boards, instantly became familiar with the alliance's name.

NFTN: However, when GOFA finally hit Google Play in October 2014, real-life problems prevented you from signing up to world A1 right away and get the headstart you had hoped for. I could imagine that this was quite a bummer, especially since your plan had been laid out so carefully and all preparation had been done with so much care…

Quantum [MX]: Yes it did, for the ultimate plan to work it requires a very long day dedicated to alliances the minute the server opens! However, when the first Android server was released, my replacement phone was still in the mail and the few days lost meant I had failed to get the jump start I wanted on server domination. I waited for Android Server 2 to open, and minutes after it opened I was in business. I had to wait until November 2014 to get my alliance started, but this came quickly because the Android server maps are significantly smaller than the iOS maps. 

The war between the Minbari Federation [MX] and the German Elite [GER] for the #1 position on A2 brought quite a bit of red onto the heat map...

NFTN: But it all turned out fine at last. When world A2 opened, you jumped at it right away and played like a madman! Your alliance, the Mibari Federation [MX], expanded its reach quickly and went on to become the predominant force on the server. I checked the leader boards prior to this interview, and [MX] claimed the pole position in all domains! How hard is it not only to make it to the top, but also to remain their for weeks or even months?

Quantum [MX]: At the beginning it was easy to start out on top, but as time progressed it took many hours a day to hold our place on top of the leaderboards. Making it to the top is not an easy feat, but it pales in comparison to the challenge of remaining on top. By placing yourself at the top you open yourself up to many alliances wanting to take you down again. On day 3 of the server the next largest alliance to ourselves, German Elite [GER], began a war with us to knock us off the leaderboards. This was a very poor call because their entire alliance was wiped to under 10 planets after 2 days. For the past 2 months staying as the top alliance for all categories has been a constant battle, and every day presents a new challenge to overcome. For example, when the Birthday Event was released it was a mutual alliance decision that we had to win no matter what the cost. Multiple conflicts sprung up during these times but nothing took us off the top of the leaderboards for the event, granting all our dedicated family members a welcome 40,000 credits.

Talking about a head start: After two or three days, four Top 5 players on world A2 were proud members of the Minbari Federation (MX).

NFTN: As avid player, alliance leader and LINE moderator you’re quite socially active in GOFA. How important is the community aspect of the game for you and what does GOFA have to offer for its players beyond its core gameplay?

Quantum [MX]: The community aspect is likely the largest aspect of the game - without it, an alliance is just a bunch of players taped together in a box - not a family of friends. LINE is a great extension to the game because it simplifies communication between alliance groups. Many players I met on iOS and even some on Android are now friends with me in real life. Beyond the core gameplay, GOFA is about alliances. The top priority in an alliance is connecting the players together in a community- when people become friends and a friendly competition exists between players, both of them will improve and pull each other up to the next level. It is this teamwork and companionship that is the difference between a failing alliance and a truly dedicated one. 

[ Feed us: If you'd like to see your alliance featured on our regular NFTN blog, send an email with the topic "NFTN" to t.piwek@dsfishlabs.com and feed us the latest insider news about the spectacular battles you've won, progresses you've made and territories you've claimed. If you'd like to present your news to NFTN's audience directly, feel free to share them on Twitter or Instagram, using the hastags #NFTN and #GOFA. ]

[ Disclaimer: All information in this article has been received from partaking commanders or extracted from the publically accessible star maps. ]