History

Revision as of 18:57, 23 December 2020 by Gor (talk | contribs) (2020: updated)

History from one of the creators of Turf

The idea for a location-based mobile game came several years ago, long before the "smartphone" was something that everyone wanted. We then made playful theories about how such a game could be made using WAP, GSM, triangulation, etc. But soon we realized that it was too big obstacle that it could succeed. But then came the smartphone revolution with GPS, 3G, etc. And suddenly we realized that all the pieces had fallen into place for it would be possible to start the project. During the fall of 2010 the first version of Turf was released, first only to a limited group and later for public download. Initially there were only coverage for the game in Sweden, and it took another six months or so before the game was released on trials in other countries.

Turf project has always been aiming that individual users should not have to pay large sums to participate and play, and that they should not have to be disturbed by the unappetizing advertising. This has led us to the current situation of Turf being financed by private donations from players, private efforts of the developers and to some extent the sponsorship of various companies. No matter how you choose to proceed with a project of this caliber, the costs for servers, certain development and marketing must be covered in any way.

Turf-crew, which is a voluntary group that has made possible the expansion of the game, launched in 2011 and today consists of over 15 highly committed members. One of the keys to the health aspect of the Turf we believe is accessibility. Everyone can play the turf, it is not required that you are part of a particular team or doing the activity at a certain time of day.

(Drassen 2014-03-05)

Version history and other major events

Color coding for history

= Passed milestones. Ex: First luck to achieve rank.
= Version releases
= Major individual change. Ex: "Nya ranker"
= Ex: Facebook, Google+, Wiki.
= Establishment in a new country.
= Event / Competition. Ex: Bonanza
= Turf is mentioned in the media. Ex: TV / Radio / Internet / Larger newspaper.

2010

2010-07-10 The first player to register 20:03 - felixfelox
2010-07-10 First zone is taken 23:19 - Turfer hence takes the zone NackaZone.
2010-07-18 Turfs Facebook group is created Link to Turfs Facebook group
2010-08-01 The forum thread on Swedroid is created 13:00 - Drassen - Link to forum thread
2010-08-04 Version 0.3 First version of the Turf that is posted on Google Play.
Included the: encrypted transmission, help box, about box, a toplist with yourself, people who ever owned a zone and people who are online.
2010-08-31 Version 0.3.5 Included medals and some additional features ...
2010-09-13 First turfer to take the medal Dark Ninja 07:16:22 - eddyueue
2010-10-02 First turfer to take the medal Decacity Star 12:37:16 - simon
2010-10-02 First turfer to take the medal Expandator 15:37:18 - simon
2010-11-28 Version 0.5 Included the chat function and some additional features ...



2011

2011-01-04 Zone take 25 000 Sweet - Kingsgarden, Stockholm
2011-01-30 Fairy 0.1 Link to forum thread
2011-0?-?? First turfer to achieve the rank of Turf Master tomtebloss - Information is missing: DATE (and time)
2011-05-17 Version 0.6 Included the Pro mode...
2011-05-21 Turfs first Bonanza - Bonanza:Stockholm 2011 Winner: Fredrick
2011-05-28 First turfer to take the medal Restless 13:33:27 - OlolaKok
2011-05-29 Fairy 0.2 Link to forum thread
2011-05-29 First turfer to take the medal Insomnia 21:41:40 - eddyueue
2011-06-16 Zone take 100 000 Goose72 - Domparken, Östergötland
2011-06-19 Turf event at DreamHack - Jönköping Winners: iostream and eddyueue
2011-06-29 First turfer to take the medal 500 Unique 12:06:39 - eddyueue
2011-??-?? Zone take 250 000 Information missing: DATE (Turfer, Zone & Time)
2011-08-?? Turf launches in the Netherlands Information missing: DATE
2011-08-18 Sweden's regions changed From municipalities (approximately) to the county - Link to forum thread
2011-09-25 First turfer to take the medal Revisitor 21:08:41 - uw12345678
2011-10-12 First turfer to take the medal Netherland Explorer 17:05:07 - Fredrick
2011-12-12 Version 0.8 Included the Region chat, graphics updates, support for Korean...
2011-12-13 First turfer to take the medal Eager Weasel 14:39:30 - Zontjuven
2011-12-22 Turf launched in South Korea



2012

2012-01-?? First turfer to achieve the rank of Turf Hero Thunell - Information missing: DATE
2012-02-26 Turf launched in Denmark
2012-03-02 Zone take 400 000 Optimus - BermudaZone, Västmanland
2012-03-10 Turf's second Bonanza - Bonanza:Sundsvall 2012 Tid: 14:00-16:00 - Winner: bUs
2012-03-18 Swedroid wrote about Turf "Swedish Turf is a different game..." - Link to article
2012-03-20 Turf launched in Finland Åland was the first province to have zones, Finnish mainland began to have zones in late July/August 2012. The zones were implemented with different dates.
2012-03-23 Turf's Facebook page launched Link to Turfs Facebook page
2012-03-28 Version 0.9 Included New server balance system, name above the players, new takemedals...
2012-04-01 Version 0.9.1 Included the Contribution medals...
2012-04-01 Block times are lowered
2012-04-05 Zone take 500 000 08:13:28 - Blajo - GranloCenter, Västernorrland
2012-04-07 First turfer to take the medal Denmark Explorer 19:33:48 - FinnJ
2012-04-11 First turfer to take the medal Sweden Explorer 15:56:40 - Jojje
2012-04-21 First turfer to take the medal Donation God 10:58:32 - Blabert
2012-04-16 Turf's Google+ page launched Link to Turf's page on Google+
2012-05-02 First turfer to take the medal 1000 Unique 21:53:58 - KP
2012-05-25 Turf launched in Norway
2012-07-10 Version 0.9.2 Included New menu system...
2012-07-25 Swedroid wrote about Turf again "Turf soon reaches new milestone..." - Link to article
2012-07-28 Zone take 1 000 000 Madmax - wins a Nexus 7 and gets the zone renamed to MadMegaZone
2012-08-19 New medals are introduced Stamina medals
2012-08-24 First turfer to take the medal El Staminatore 23:22:03 - Wettis
2012-09-01 Turf's third Bonanza - Bonanza:Västerås 2012 Tid: 14:00-16:00 - Winner: bUs
2012-09-10 Turf on ABC-nytt (TV news) Stockholms local-tv - Link to broadcast
2012-09-16 Turf is aired on the TV program called "Landet Runt"
2012-09-29 New servers
2012-10-21 Region Ethnicity changed Turfers now belongs to the region where they have the most zones, but the chat region are changed as soon as the turfer takes a zone outside the home region.
2012-11-10 Rank system changes New ranks added (35-60) and points levels for rank 31-35 modified. More info here: http://turfgame.com/info/ranks
2012-11-17 Version 0.9.5 Included new ranks and changed GPS bonus...
2012-12-02 Turf v0.1 för iOS (pre-alpha) Available to a select few testers...
2012-12-05 First zone with over 5,000 takeovers total GAZone, Västra Götaland
2012-12-06 First turfer to take the medal Norway Explorer 13:54:40 - Klemfare



2013

2013-01-13 First turfer to take the medal Take-25000 18:01:04 - Thunell - Coinbridge, Östergötland
2013-01-15 First turfer to achieve the rank of Turf King
   (First turfer with over 5 000 000 points)
12:52 - Thunell
2013-01-16 Zone take 2 000 000 08:19:44 - Trysse - NydalaGrill, Västerbotten
2013-01-22 TurfWiki launches 20:58
2013-02-03 Turf v0.1.1 for iOS (pre-alpha) Now with Swedish chat - Link for more info
2013-02-03 Turf launched in Iceland
2013-02-18 TurfWiki milestone 22:08 - Turfwiki gets its 100th article after 27 days.
2013-04-20 Turf's fourth Bonanza - Bonanza:Uppsala 2013 Tid: 14:00-16:00 - Winner: SunYour
2013-05-05 First turfer to take the medal 2500 Unique 18:48:56 - kingenin
2013-05-05 First turfer to take the medal Finland Explorer 18:49:11 - kingenin
2013-05-21 Forum milstone ca 16.00 - The first forum thread with more than 15 000 views: Var med och sprid Turf! (Join and spread Turf!)
2013-05-22 First turfer to take the medal Greed-250 09.09.10 - kingenin
2013-06-03 Zone take 3 000 000 time? - ezGenesis - zon?, Västmanland
2013-06-15 Turf launched in the United Kingdom
2013-07-30 Turf beta for iOS (closed beta) - Link to more information
2013-08-02 v.0.9.9.1 for iOS A small update of the beta-version
2013-08-30 API v4 released Brand new API engine with more functionality
2013-09-14 Zone take 4 000 000 TomteBloss - KingsHarbour, Västmanland, KingsHarbour
2013-09-29 Turf v1.0 for iOS IPhone release on App store. 1000 downloads first day, #38 in free games on App store, #99 in free apps
2013-11-03 0-PPH-zones introduced Previously only 1-9
2013-11-07 "Mobil Galan 2013" Turf is nominated as best health app
2013-11-26 Version 0.9.7, Supporter introduced First Android version released with the new feature
2013-11-27 First turfer to take the medal Dawn Ninja 04:02:29 took MarresmacK Dawn Ninja
2013-12-06 50.000 downloads Turf was downloaded for the 50 000 time.
2013-12-08 Zone take 5 000 000 07:55:49 - Jojje - Benchzone, Västernorrland, '
2013-12-09 Musikhjälpen charity Around 11.000 SEK contributed by turfers
2013-12-20 First zone to reach 10 000 takeovers playstreetking - SkrapanZone, Västerås
2013-12-21 Turf v1.1 for iOS First update of turf for iOS, including for example the searchfunction, more information Link



2014

2014-04-03 First regionteam in a regionbattle to reach 100 participators 13:10:44 - Skåne
2014-04-30 New medals Country medal and Region medal
2014-05-31 First player to reach 1 million points during one round 15:58 - Loaf
2014-06-07 Turfs fifth Bonanza - Stockholm - Bonanza:Turf Bonanza 2014 Time heat 1: 10:00-12:00, time heat 2: 14:00-16:00 - Winner: Thunell
2014-06-10 Version 0.9.7.1 New android version that replaced Version 0.9.7
2014-06-24 Turf v1.2.0 for iOS Turfs second update for iOS with for example the possibility to suggest new zones Link
2014-07-08 First turfer to receive the medal UK Explorer 20:04 - kaninmage
2014-07-29 Turf v1.3.0 for iOS iOS user was able to use Turf on iPads and to use the application in landscape mode Link
2014-08-17 First turfer to reach 10 000 000 points in total 19:29 - Snusmumriken
2014-09-12 10 000 000 zon takes 08:24:38 - Wsnurr is the winner of a android wear
2014-10-17 Turf v1.3.6 for iOS Spectator mode and better GPS. Link



2015

2015-02-16 Turf Version 0.9.9.1 for Android Version 0.9.9.1 is released to all Supporters using Android
2015-03-07 First turfer to take the medal Ghost Minute 00:00:11 - Spix
2015-03-20 Turf v1.3.7 for iOS Ghost Minute medal and auto-close of takeover dialog. Link
2015-04-20 Turf v1.3.8 for iOS Holy zones and new dialog design. Link
2015-05-06 Turfs sixth Bonanza - Stockholm - Bonanza:Turf Bonanza 2015 Time heat 1: 10:00-12:00, time heat 2: 13:00-15:00 - Winner: Morgam
2015-09-01 The first turfer to reach 100.000 takes Snusmumriken
2015-10-04 Turf Aid 2.0 Turfers was given the opportunity to contribute in Turf Aid 2.0 during round 63. The result of 28 962 SEK was given to save the children foundation.
2015-10-16 Turf v1.3.9 för iOS Link
2015-10-18 Turf Version 1.0 for Android Version 1.0 was released on Google Play. With this version, Pro mode was replaced with Map cache.
2015-12-06 20 000 000 zontakes TequilaGold



2016

2016-01-06 Turf Version 1.0.3 for Android Version 1.0.3 released on Google Play, contained the new medal Bridge crosser
2016-01-06 First turfer to take the medal Bridge crosser. 19:18:12 - Adde45
2016-01-12 Turf v1.4.0 för iOS Included the new medal Bridge crosser. Link
2016-05-10 First turfer to take the medal Korea Explorer. 09:31:28 - Munin
2016-05-18 Turf Version 1.0.4 for Android A temporary version to fix the white box issue caused by Google Play.
2016-05-21 Turfs seventh Bonanza - Kalmar - Bonanza:Turf Bonanza 2016 Time for heat by foot: 10:30-12:30, time for heat on bicycle: 14:00-16:00 - Winner by foot: Klintan11, winner on bicycle: Shitty
2016-05-21 Turf Version 1.1.0 for Android Updating the zone system, easier to distinguish blocked zones. Also contained the new medal Eager Ferret
2016-08-18 Turf Version 1.1.1 for Android Chat and toplist remember last viewed. Also contained the new medals Take-30000, 5000 Unique and Staminatrix. Link
2016-08-18 Turf v1.5.1 för iOS Chat and toplist remember last viewed. Also contained the new medals Take-30000, 5000 Unique och Staminatrix. Link
2016-12-03 Turf Version 1.1.5 for Android and v1.5.5 for iOS 17 new medals. 5 new zone types. Reduced takeover time. Changed block time. Better medal graphics. Many optimizations and bug fixes.
2016-12-04 Turf v1.5.6 för iOS Minor cursor update so they do not look flat at a higher zoom level.
2016-12-08 Turf Version 1.1.5.1 for Android and v1.5.7 for iOS New countdown dialog. Fixed size of avatars. Fix so that zones are displayed as captured at all zoom levels. Fix values for supporter views.
2016-12-13 30 000 000 zon takes Zontjuven made the 30 millionth zone take when he took ChildZone from DaHunter at 2016-12-13 18:00:01



2017

2017-02-05 Turf Version 1.1.6 for Android and v1.6.0 for iOS Version 1.1.6 for Android and v1.6.0 for iOS is released and contains the new assist function. The function is only available to those who are supporter.
2017-02-16 Turf v1.6.1 for iOS v1.6.1 för iOS released and enables in app purchases and some bug fixes.
2017-02-23 Turf Version 1.2.0 for Android and v1.6.2 for iOS Version 1.2.0 for Android and v1.6.2 for iOS released with many minor graphics fixes.
2017-03-02 Turf v1.6.3 for iOS v1.6.3 for iOS released bay allows you to buy supporter at any time.
2017-03-10 Turf Version 1.2.1 for Android Version 1.2.1 for Android solves a bug with switching between zone information, makes it possible to buy supporter when you already are and shows the number of assist in the supporter view.
2017-03-13 Turf v1.6.4 for iOS v1.6.4 for iOS released with the total number of assist function in supporter view.
2017-05-13 Turf Version 1.2.2 for Adroid and v1.6.5 for iOS Version 1.2.2 for Android and v1.6.5 for iOS released with the new medal Crowdy-34.
2017-05-13 Turfs eighth Bonanza - Bonanza:Jönköping 2017 Time for heat by foot: 11:00-12:30, time for heat on bicycle: 13:00-15:00 - Winner in Bonanza:Foot 2017: rabbit_rail, winner in Bonanza:Bike 2017: Kygni
2017-05-31 Turf Version 1.2.4 for Adroid and v1.6.6 for iOS Version 1.2.4 for Adroid and v1.6.6 for iOS is released and with it introduced Wardrobe, now you can change clothes on your avatar! (Only for supporters). Chat and audio corrections and other minor bug fixes are also made.
2017-07-11 Turf Version 1.2.5 for Adroid and v1.6.7 for iOS Version 1.2.5 for Adroid and v1.6.7 for iOS released with the new medal Event24.
2017-07-21 The first 24 hour event is organized in Umeå 44 turfers participated and received the new medal Event24



2018

2018-03-31 Turf Version 2.0.0 for Android and v2.0.0 för iOS Version 2.0.0 for Android and v2.0.0 för iOS released which contained a completely new design
2018-04-17 Turf Version 2.0.2 for Android and v2.0.1 for iOS Version 2.0.2 for Android and v2.0.1 for iOS released which contained Japanese translation, clearer zone markings and trainstation attribute.
2018-05-19 Turfs ninth Bonanza - Bonanza:Västerås 2018 Time for heat by foot: 10:30-12:30, time for heat on bicycle: 14:00-16:00 - Winner in Bonanza:Foot 2018: DuKanInteSe, winner in Bonanza:Bike 2018: Ibanezlespaul
2018-05-19 Turf Version 2.0.3 for Android and v2.0.2 för iOS Version 2.0.3 resp. v2.0.2 för iOS is released which contained 8 new medals: Take-75000, Take-100000, 7500 Unique, 10000 Unique, Crowdy-55, Crowdy-89, Crowdy-144 and Trainer
2018-05-22 Turf Version 2.0.3.1 for Android Version 2.0.3.1 released which contained a hotfix to make the trainstation attribute visible inside the game.
2018-08-05 Turfo is released The figure Turfo is released on the turf map and hides in a zone.
2018-08-07 Turf Version 2.0.4 for Android and v2.0.3 for iOS Version 2.0.4 for Android and v2.0.3 for iOS is released and with this update it is possible to take pictures from within zones directly from the game.
2018-08-10 Turf v2.0.4 for iOS v2.0.4 for iOS released to fix a problem with the camera function.
2018-08-23 50 000 000 zones taken boki made the 50 millionth zone take when he took the zone TrainSpot on 2018-08-23 at 17:40:51.
2018-08-27 Turf Version 2.0.5 for Android and v2.0.5 for iOS Version 2.0.5 for Android and v2.0.5 for iOS is released and with this update it is possible to see other players' zone takeover meters when several players take one zone at the same time. In addition to this functionality, the update contained a number of different minor fixes and bug fixes for the game.
2018-11-13 Turf v2.0.6 for iOS v2.0.6 for iOS released to fix the hidden progressbar issue at the top of the app, on iPhone Xr and iPhone Xs devices.



2019

2019-03-15 Turf Version 2.1.0 for Android and v2.1.0 for iOS Version 2.1.0 for Android and v2.1.0 for iOS is released and with this update it is possible for supporters to create your own groups with leaderboards in the game. In addition to this functionality, the update contained a number of different bug fixes and two new zone attributes, ruin and castle.
2019-03-21 Turf Version 2.1.1 for Android Version 2.1.1 is released to fix some bugs that crashed the game.
2019-03-28 Turf Version 2.1.2 for Android Version 2.1.2 is released and aimed to further correct bugs that crashed the game and other minor tweaks.
2019-05-18 Turfs tenth Bonanza - Bonanza:Stockholm 2019 Winner in Bonanza Foot: Raudonvirsis, Winner in Bonanza Bike: MrJokerit.
2019-05-25 Turf v2.1.1 for iOS v2.1.1 for iOS released with some bug fixes.
2019-05-26 Turf Version 2.1.3 for Android Version 2.1.3 released and aims to further correct bugs that crashed the game and other minor adjustments.
2019-06-08 Turf Version 2.1.4 for Android and v2.1.2 for iOS Version 2.1.4 for Android and v2.1.2 for iOS released with translation into German.
2019-06-15 Turf v2.1.3 for iOS v2.1.3 for iOS released to resolve a crash that occurs when certain zones are opened.
2019-08-26 Turf v2.1.4 for iOS v2.1.4 for iOS released to resolve that the app sometimes crashes when the chat is opened.
2019-09-08 Turf Version 2.1.5 for Android Version 2.1.5 released and should resolve freezing that occur occasionally.
2019-12-08 Turf Version 2.1.6 for Android and v2.1.5 for iOS Version 2.1.6 for Android and v2.1.5 for iOS released and contains the new medal serie Diverse. Take X number of Round unique zones and get the medals: Diverse, Diversier and Diversiest. The medal Germany Explorer is also included in this version. Supporter display update: See how many round unique zones you have taken this round so far.
2019-12-10 Turf Version 2.1.7 for Android Version 2.1.7 released and should solve a sound problem.



2020

2020-05-16 Turfs eleventh Bonanza - Bonanza:Örebro 2020 In an attempt to carry out the Bonanza despite the coronavirus pandemic, the event is moved to 2020-08-29.
2020-06-07 Feature in Swedish on "TV4 Nyhetsmorgon" about Turf. The feature is about 3 minutes into the clip. Link to the clip
2020-07-08 Turf Version 2.1.8 for Android and v2.1.6 for iOS Version 2.1.8 for Android and v2.1.6 for iOS released to celebrate's Turfs 10th anniversary. Take 10 zones on 10/7 and get the medal Cakeday. If you are a supporter, you will also receive a party hat.
2020-07-10 Turf celebrates 10 years.. Medal126.png 10thBirthday float.png 10 years since the first player registers and the first zone take is made. Turfer felixfelox was the first to register. The player hence makes the first take on the zone NackaZone.
2020-08-29 Turfs eleventh Bonanza - Bonanza:Örebro 2020 Unfortunately, the Bonanza had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic that ravaged the world.
2020-08-31 0-PPH-zones were phased out. The reason why 0-PPH-zones was phased out was to increase the attractiveness of players in new areas.
2020-10-4 Over 10 000 players Turf had over 10 000 players for the first time during a game round.
2020-10-15 Turf Version 2.1.10 for Android Version 2.1.10 for Android released to resolve a bug with event zones on Android.
2020-12-20 BBC.com article on the Scottish turfer féarglas and Turf. "The night-riding mum who cycles 10 hours a day." Link to article
2020-12-23 An approximately 10 minute long Radio feature in BBC Radio Scotland's morning program Mornings with Stephen Jardine with the Scottish turfer féarglas. Link to the program, the feature starts about 1:40 into the program. Only available until 2021-01-21.



Taking history

Who made the takeover 1 000 000?
MadMax 2012-07-27
Who made the takeover 2 000 000?
Trysse 2013-01-16 at 08:19:44
Who made the takeover 3 000 000?
ezGenesis 2013-06-03
Who made the takeover 4 000 000?
TomteBloss 2013-09-14
Who made the takeover 5 000 000?
Jojje 2013-12-08 at 07:55:49
Who made the takeover 10 000 000?
Wsnurr 2014-09-12 at 08:24:38
Who made the takeover 20 000 000?
TequilaGold 2015-12-06
Who made the takeover 30 000 000?
Zontjuven 2016-12-13 klockan 18:00:01
Who made the takeover 50 000 000?
boki 2018-08-23 at 17:40:51

References