A remarkable project was recently shared by user brightyh360 on the r/excel forum on Reddit, showcasing the incredible potential of Microsoft Excel. This ambitious project transformed the popular game Elden Ring into an interactive experience within Excel, taking approximately 40 hours to complete. This time was split evenly between coding and the meticulous processes of testing and bug fixing. The creator utilized formulas, spreadsheets, and VBA to craft this top-view version of the game, expressing that the extensive effort was ultimately rewarding.
The Excel-based Elden Ring game boasts an impressive array of features, including a detailed 90,000-cell map, over 60 weapons, more than 50 enemies, and a comprehensive system for character and weapon upgrades. Players can choose from three distinct classes—tank, mage, or assassin—each offering different play styles. Additionally, the game includes over 25 armor sets, six NPCs with quests, and four different endings, providing a rich and varied gaming experience.
This innovative game is completely free to play, though it requires the use of specific keyboard shortcuts for navigation and interaction: CTRL + WASD for movement and CTRL + E for interaction. The file has been vetted by Reddit moderators for safety, but users are advised to exercise caution due to the presence of numerous macros within the file.
In a delightful twist, fans of Elden Ring noticed a resemblance between the game's iconic Tree of Erd and 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 exploration revealed that two Small Erd Trees in the game are superficially identical. However, deeper connections have been noted by fans, particularly in the game's catacombs located at the roots of the Erd Tree, which serve as a resting place for souls in Elden Ring. This mirrors the cultural significance of Nuytsia in Australian Aboriginal traditions, where it is revered as a "spirit tree." The tree's striking colors are associated with the sunset, believed to be the path taken by spirits, and each flowering branch is thought to represent the soul of the departed.
