# INTVL
**INTVL turns running into a territory-conquest game: your GPS route claims the ground you cover, and you fight to hold it against other local runners.** An Australian mobile app, free-to-play with an optional premium tier.
The problem it goes after: running is boring for a lot of people, and beginners quit before they find out whether they like it. INTVL bolts a location game on top so the run has a point beyond the run itself.
## How it works
- **Capture territory.** Your tracked route claims geographical area in real time.
- **Local battles.** Other runners contest the same ground; you defend and take back zones.
- **Monthly competitions.** Captured area converts to entries (1 km² = 1 entry) for prizes.
## The fitness-app basics
- **Smartwatch integration** with Apple, [[Garmin]], Suunto, Polar, and Coros.
- **Strava sync.**
- **Coach-designed training plans** (the premium hook), plus in-app FAQ and support.
Under the hood it's a [[Next.js]] app using AWS S3 for image hosting and GPS for the territory mapping. The core mechanic is straight [[Gamification]]: it borrows the map-control loop from location games to make consistency feel like winning rather than chores.
## References
- https://www.intvl.com.au/
## Related
- [[Garmin]]
- [[Gamification]]
- [[Next.js]]