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Dev tools · September 13, 2020

Cel7 – a 60kb framework for making grid-based ASCII games

A tiny grid-based game framework

Cel7 – a 60kb framework for making grid-based ASCII games launched on September 13, 2020 with 10 votes, #1,064 of 3,898 launches that month and more than 75% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 6 years on.

In plain words

Cel7 is a lightweight framework designed for developers creating grid-based ASCII games. At just 60 kilobytes, it provides essential tools for building text-based games with a grid structure. The framework is suitable for indie developers and hobbyists who want to create ASCII game experiences without heavy dependencies. Its small footprint makes it an accessible option for those prioritizing efficiency and simplicity in game development.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

cel7 is a 60kb framework for making grid-based games limited to 4-bit color ASCII output. The framework is based around the fe programming language. To run a game simply pass the game's code file(s) as a command-line argument or drag a game file onto the executable. Your game file(s) can be appended to the end of the executable to create a self-contained single-file game. config ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (= title "Game Title") : window title (= width 16) : width in characters (= height 16) : height in characters (= debug nil) : set if `-debug` was passed to executable callbacks…from rxi.itch.io

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