Spreadsheet systems / Live workbook, version-bound
Mage's Survival Calculator
Mage's Survival Calculator exists to make build planning inspectable in a game system with many interacting spell, item, trait, passive, and stat values.
I built a live Google Sheets workbook and retained a local XLSX copy with named ranges, hidden support tabs, layered formulae, and workbook validation.
- Role
- Sole developer
- Focus
- Spreadsheet modelling and calculation structure
- Maturity
- Live workbook, version-bound
- Access
- Limited public workbook
- Technologies
- Google Sheets
- XLSX
- Last reviewed
- Jul 2026
The problem
What the project had to handle
The current constraint is version scope. The workbook reflects the captured game/system values it was built around, while active development paused after announced game reworks.
The workbook is presented as a version-bound spreadsheet systems project, not as an official calculator or current game-balance reference.
Key decisions
The shape of the build
Layer the formula model
Inputs, support tabs, named ranges, and final calculations are separated instead of packed into one unreadable sheet.
That makes the workbook easier to audit, update, and reason about when values change.
Keep a portable workbook copy
The Google Sheet is paired with a local XLSX copy and validation notes.
The calculator can remain inspectable even while active development is paused.
How it works
End-to-end flow
Editable inputs, named ranges, support tabs, and formula layers produce build comparison outputs in the live workbook while the local XLSX copy keeps the model inspectable.
Spreadsheet model
Mage's Survival Calculator
Layered game systems modelled as editable calculations.
What I implemented
The working surface
Spreadsheet model
- Built a live Google Sheets workbook for builds, spells, items, passives, and stat outcomes.
- Used named ranges and support tabs to organise the calculation layers.
- Separated editable inputs from support data and final stat outputs.
Portable workbook copy
- Kept a local XLSX copy so the model remains inspectable outside Google Sheets.
- Checked that the workbook structure and formula model remained intact.
- Audited 5,043 formula elements within the version-bound workbook.
Validation
Checks and evidence
Live workbook available
The public Google Sheets workbook can be opened and inspected directly.
Portable copy retained
A local XLSX copy keeps the formula model inspectable outside Google Sheets.
Formula structure checked
Validation inspected 5,043 formula elements across the version-bound workbook.
Current state
Live, version-bound workbook based on the captured game-system values.
Development paused after later game changes altered the underlying model.
It is not presented as a current game-balance reference beyond the recorded version.