Yes, there is a real, playable Fallout-inspired RPG built inside Microsoft Excel. Created by YouTuber Dynamic Pear, also known as The StoryTeller, the project combines map exploration, quests, character statistics, progression and turn-based combat in a downloadable spreadsheet.
It is not an official Bethesda game or a full-scale Fallout replacement. It is better understood as a compact, tabletop-influenced fan RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world—and an unusually ambitious use of Excel as a game engine.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What is the Excel Fallout RPG?
Dynamic Pear published the project on April 21, 2024, describing it as a Fallout-inspired RPG set in Mercer, in the 145th year of the second age after a devastating bombing event. The game is available as a free download from the creator’s official StoryTeller page, which lists the file as fallout-like-excel-rpg_v2.
The workbook is divided around two central systems:
#1 Best Overall
- Play in apocalyptic games of 3-30 high-quality 32mm scale resin miniatures through a huge variety of iconic scenery and settlement buildings, from the red rocket to sanctuary hills, Coca-Cola vending machines and wrecked vehicles.
- For 1-8 players, Ages 14+, 30-240 minute playing time
- Players build their own crew from a wide range of factions, allies, and iconic characters from the Fallout series that also comes with a customizable solo-play ai deck
- Players build their own crew from a wide range of factions, allies, and iconic characters from the Fallout series
- Mapping and questing: Explore Mercer, visit locations and complete objectives.
- Battle: Fight enemies using simplified, turn-based tabletop-style rules.
According to Tom’s Hardware, the adventure contains eight quests. That makes it a genuine miniature RPG, but not a spreadsheet equivalent of Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas or Fallout 4.
How exploration works
Open the Map tab to begin. Your party is represented by a red circle. Towns, shelters and quest locations appear in purple, while traversable land is shown in green, with different shades used for plains and farmland.
- Find the red party marker on the map.
- Use the arrow buttons to move around Mercer.
- Visit purple towns, shelters and quest locations.
- Check the quest log whenever the next objective is unclear.
- Return to a nearby town if the party appears to become stuck.
The creator identifies the movement controls as being around cells AZ2-BB6 in the spreadsheet, although the exact layout may depend on the downloaded workbook.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How combat works
Combat uses a simplified version of Dungeons & Dragons-style mechanics rather than attempting to reproduce the combat systems of the modern Fallout games.
Rank #2
- SEIZE POWER IN THE WASTELAND: Compete for dominance in a brutal post-apocalyptic world where only the strongest, smartest, and most ruthless survive.
- CONTROL ICONIC FALLOUT FACTIONS: Command one of four legendary factions—Brotherhood of Steel, Enclave, Raiders, or Super Mutants—each with unique strengths and playstyles.
- OUTSMART AND OUTMANEUVER YOUR RIVALS: Forge temporary alliances, complete dangerous quests, assassinate agents, and deploy dirty tricks to secure your path to victory.
- BALANCE STRATEGY SKILL AND LUCK: Combine guile, force, and raw luck as you battle opponents and the unforgiving wasteland itself in every match.
- DOMINATE FAST-PACED COMPETITIVE PLAY: Designed for 2–4 players, Fallout: Power Play delivers tense, high-stakes card game action perfect for Fallout fans and strategy gamers alike.
Initiative determines turn order
Each combatant rolls for initiative. The highest result goes first, and the resulting order remains consistent for that battle.
Movement and range matter
Fights take place in an arena. Characters have movement limits, and attacks have different ranges, so positioning affects which actions are possible.
Attacks can miss
An attack must pass an armor-class check. If the roll falls below the target’s armor class, the attack misses.
Recommended Free Tools
Weapons determine damage
Weapons and attacks have damage ranges, with dice information and bonuses shown on the Character Stats screen.
Rank #3
- TABLETOP SKIRMISH GAME: Brand new Fallout Miniatures Skirmish game from Modiphius and acclaimed game designer James Hewitt!
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: Containing everything you need to play the game, this Starter Set allows you to get a jump on the competition with enough miniatures to start building your own gang, before taking the fight to a friend!
- LEAD YOUR OWN GANG of Raiders through the ruins of Nuka-World, cutting the competition out of your territory and watching your Scavvers, Psychos and more grow and change with every scrap.
- 2023 Bethesda Softworks LLC. FALLOUT and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. All Rights Reserved.
Enemies arrive in waves
A battle can contain between one and five enemies. One important practical detail is target selection: you must manually choose the intended enemy on the battle screen. If you do not change the target after an enemy dies, the game may continue trying to attack the defeated character.
The creator’s comments also include reports of confusion when enemies have similar names. These are reported player issues, not independently reproduced defects, but they are worth knowing before a first fight.
Can you disable combat?
Yes. When starting a new campaign, set Disable Battle to yes. This removes combat and lets you focus on exploration and quests, making the game a more accessible option for players who are interested in the setting or spreadsheet design but do not want the battle system.
Where to download it
Use the creator’s official download page rather than an uncontextualized mirror. The page contains the game download, instructions and gameplay details. It also identifies the project as free while allowing optional donations.
Rank #4
- ENTER THE WORLD OF SKYRIM: Experience the legendary open-world RPG as a tabletop adventure, exploring Tamriel through branching quests, iconic factions, and rich Elder Scrolls lore.
- COOPERATIVE OR SOLO PLAY: Designed for 1–4 players, allowing you to adventure solo or team up to face dragons, uncover conspiracies, and shape the fate of Skyrim together.
- OPEN-ENDED QUEST SYSTEM: Choose how you approach each mission—diplomacy, stealth, or combat—as your decisions permanently impact the story and the world around you.
- DEEP CHARACTER PROGRESSION: Build unique heroes with evolving skills, gear, and abilities inspired by the video game’s iconic progression systems.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY: Modular scenarios, multiple quest paths, and varied character builds ensure every campaign feels fresh and every journey through Skyrim is different.
Third-party pages have referenced files hosted through WordPress, but the creator’s page is the better starting point because it provides the surrounding instructions and identifies the intended download.
How to open it safely
This is a macro-enabled Office workbook, so downloading it is not the same as downloading a conventional standalone game. Windows or Excel may block it because files containing macros can run code.
- Download the workbook from the creator’s official page.
- Scan the file with current security software.
- Keep Excel’s general macro protections enabled.
- If Windows marks the file as blocked, right-click it, choose Properties, and use Unblock only if you have verified that it came from the creator’s page.
- Open it in the desktop version of Microsoft Excel.
- If Excel shows a security banner, enable content only after checking the source and accepting the risk.
HotHardware reports that the Windows unblock step may be necessary for some users. Do not globally lower Office security or enable macros in unrelated files. No quick check can guarantee that a downloaded workbook is harmless.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Will it work in LibreOffice or Google Sheets?
Do not assume so. The creator says the game was made for Excel, and LibreOffice users reported errors, including a problem involving TopLeftCell. The creator confirmed that LibreOffice compatibility was not supported.
Best Value
- 24 custom nuka cola checkers - 12 Coca-Cola and 12 nuka-cola quantum
- Custom Fallout nuka cola game board
- Checker pieces are 'cap' replicas
There is also no verified compatibility promise for OpenOffice, Google Sheets, Excel for the web or Excel mobile. The safest expectation is that you need a compatible desktop installation of Microsoft Excel on Windows, with the workbook allowed to run.
Known limitations and reported problems
The project’s unusual format is also its main limitation. Reports and creator responses mention several issues:
- Failing to update the target can make a character attack a dead enemy.
- Similar enemy names can make targeting harder to follow.
- Selecting an empty class during character creation may break a character.
- Images may fail to display in some circumstances.
- LibreOffice does not work properly with the project.
- The creator has not released the source code for this specific project.
These points come from the creator’s page and comment discussion, so they should be treated as reported user experiences rather than a complete technical bug list.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What it is—and what it is not
| Expectation | Reality |
|---|---|
| A full Fallout remake | No; it is a compact fan project. |
| A playable RPG | Yes, with exploration, quests, stats, progression and combat. |
| An official Bethesda product | No; it is described as Fallout-inspired. |
| A 3D open world | No; exploration takes place on a spreadsheet map. |
| Turn-based battles | Yes, with simplified tabletop-style rules. |
| Free to download | Yes, from the creator’s page, with optional donations. |
| Compatible with every spreadsheet app | No; Excel is the intended platform. |
Who should try it?
This is a good fit for Fallout fans who enjoy the older top-down RPG tradition, tabletop-inspired combat or unusual technical experiments. It is also appealing if you already have desktop Excel and want a short, free curiosity rather than a long commercial campaign.
It is a poor fit if you want a 3D wasteland, extensive dialogue, voice acting, a large open world or a polished commercial release. It is also unsuitable for anyone who only has a phone, tablet, browser-based spreadsheet app, LibreOffice or Google Sheets.
Protect your save and original download
The available documentation does not verify the workbook’s save or autosave behavior. Keep an untouched copy of the original download before starting, and check the workbook’s own instructions for how progress is stored. If a working copy becomes corrupted, restore a fresh copy rather than overwriting the original. There is no verified promise that progress transfers between versions.
The bottom line
Excel Fallout is real, free and much more substantial than a joke screenshot. It offers a map, quests, character systems and turn-based battles, with an option to remove combat entirely. But the accurate description is a compact Fallout-inspired RPG—not a complete Fallout game, a Bethesda release or a replacement for the series’ commercial titles.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
