TortugaVeloz and BikingBookworm Turf Players Organize First Turf Event in Finland – Mobile Game Encourages People to Move

Turf is a location-based mobile game that involves conquering virtual playing fields and competing against other players. Now this event is organized in Turku for the first time.

The goal of the game is to capture real-life zones (locations) such as parks, streets, and landmarks. You earn points by conquering zones. To capture a zone, you need to be within the zone’s boundary and tap on it, then capture it through the mobile app.

Keep taking the zone. The game uses the phone’s GPS system to know where the player is moving. The sport is similar to modern orienteering and is a form of fitness exercise.

To excel in the game, you need to be active and capture zones to collect points and climb the ranks.

In southwestern Finland, the game has about 30 users, two of whom are Stina Akerberg and Maria Malan, better known on the turf as Tortugavelos and Biking Bookworm.

– The meadow encourages you to go outside, walk and cycle. Living in a high-rise apartment, I’m motivated to go out and find new zones or zones that someone else has, says Ackerberg.

For the first time outside of Sweden

The game has no special target group and anyone who wants can participate in the game.

– The game is suitable for everyone, especially those who like to go outdoors and explore new places. There is no age limit, Malone says.

On August 5, the first turf event outside Sweden will be organized. That event is organized and called in Turku ABOA Turf Open. The event is open and free to attend.

Why is the event organized in Turku?

– We organize it in Turku because we came up with the idea that we are here and we want to do it, says Ackerberg.

Turf is starting to gain a foothold in southwestern Finland, contributing to the event being organized in Turku. According to TortugaVeloz and BikingBookworm, the turf community is especially growing in southwest Finland, and the sport is also popular in Åland.

The ABOA Turf event is organized in central Turku and points are collected by capturing zones in the event area. An award ceremony will be held at the end of the event.

The game is most popular in Sweden, where it was invented, but has begun to gain a foothold in other countries as well. Especially in England, this game has become very popular.