User brightyh360 shared an impressive project on the r/excel forum on Reddit, turning Microsoft Excel into a playable version of the popular game Elden Ring. This remarkable feat took approximately 40 hours to complete, split evenly between coding and rigorous testing and bug fixing. The creator stated, "I made the top view version of the Elden Ring in Excel using formulas, spreadsheets, and VBA. It was a long project, but the result was worth it."
The Excel-based game boasts an expansive 90,000-cell map and includes over 60 weapons, 50 enemies, and a comprehensive system for character and weapon upgrades. Players can choose from three distinct classes—tank, mage, or assassin—each offering unique play styles. Additionally, there are more than 25 armor sets, six NPCs with their own quests, and four different endings to explore. This game is completely free to play and can be controlled using keyboard shortcuts: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. The file has been checked by Reddit moderators for safety, though users are cautioned about the extensive use of macros within the file.
In a festive twist, fans of Elden Ring celebrated the game's iconic Tree of Erd as a "Christmas tree" on Christmas Eve. User Independent-Design17 suggested that the Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, might have inspired the design of the Erd Tree. Further investigation revealed that the Small Erd Trees in the game bear a striking resemblance to each other. Beyond superficial similarities, fans have noted deeper connections. In Elden Ring, catacombs are located at the roots of the Erd Tree, serving as a pathway for the souls of the dead. Similarly, in Australian Aboriginal culture, Nuytsia is considered a "spirit tree." Its vivid colors are associated with the sunset, believed to be the journey's end for spirits, and each flowering branch symbolizes the soul of a departed individual.
