This XCOM Excel Game Makes You A Spreadsheet Commander

[Fanghawk]

This XCOM Excel Game Makes You A Spreadsheet Commander

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1012/1012833.pngEXLCOM is a Microsoft Excel tactical simulator set between the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2.

Let's say you're an <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/tag/view/xcom%20enemy%20unknown?os=xcom+enemy+unknown>XCOM: Enemy Unknown fan trying to learn Visual Basic for Applications code. What's the most impressive way you could possibly learn the ropes? The correct answer: Code a playable version of XCOM <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/122906-Accountant-Creates-RPG-Entirely-in-Excel-Spreadsheet>in Microsoft Excel. This game exists and is called EXLCOM, recreating tactical alien invasion scenarios as a turn-based spreadsheet experience.

EXLCOM was created by Reddit user "crruzi" as a way of getting familiar with VBA's functions. The game is set between the events of XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2, as human guerrilla fighters liberate a city under Advent control. Each map element - from soldiers, to terrain, to alien attackers - is represented by colored squares on the spreadsheet. You can even select individual units to pull up their character stats, complete with weapons and health bars.

Outside of the obvious graphics changes, EXLCOM still offers XCOM's tactical experience, right down to destructible terrain. There's even a level editor for anyone hoping to design their own scenarios. But cruzzi isn't stopping here, and plans to tweak balance issues and add new features. Who knows, maybe EXLCOM will eventually have a base command mode so you develop and manage team resources!

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Either way, it's a great way to pass the time <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/interviews/14896-XCOM-2-Garth-DeAngelis-Interview#&gid=gallery_4960&pid=1>while we wait for XCOM 2. If you wish to test EXLCOM's current version, <a href=http://www.filedropper.com/exlcomtestrelease>you can download it here.

Source: Engadget

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[Pseudonym]

I'd heard that any programming that can be done in other programming languages can be done in excel. I hadn't expected anyone to actually do this. Looks pretty impressive.

 

[The Almighty Aardvark]

I'd heard that any programming that can be done in other programming languages can be done in excel. I hadn't expected anyone to actually do this. Looks pretty impressive.

This is completely true. I think someone did a proof that Excel is Turing complete.

However, you're going to run into some problems with RAM and processing speed.

Fun fact, Conway's Game of Life is also Turing complete. It's a "game" with a simple set of rules:

Any live cell with fewer than two live neighbours dies, as if caused by under-population.
Any live cell with two or three live neighbours lives on to the next generation.
Any live cell with more than three live neighbours dies, as if by over-population.
Any dead cell with exactly three live neighbours becomes a live cell, as if by reproduction.

Using these rules, you can make starting configurations that represent any program. Including, for example this:

Spoiler

I also believe that the same is true for Minecraft

EDIT: Apparently yes. This is a computer in Minecraft:

Spoiler

 

[vallorn]

I'm suddenly reminded of this:

(thanks for showing how to make timestamps work Kross!)

Slightly more on topic, has anyone ever made DOOM run in Excel? It seemingly runs on everything else that can rub two electrons together in a transistor.

 

[Demagogue]

1) I hope Firaxis, doesn't C&D them...

2) Must Download this when I get home...

 

[happyninja42]

My friend will love this game.