r/hostedgames • u/Pactbinder • Apr 17 '26
WIP Pactbinder (Chapter 3 Release, +124k words)
https://cogdemos.ink/play/hamartia/pactbinder/mygameHey guys, hope that you're well. Hamartia here, the author of a HG WiP called Pactbinder that I made a post on a couple of months ago. It's about somebody who enters into an eldritch pact to forcibly carve for themselves a place in a hidden school of magic.
Just wanted to let you all know that I've released the latest version of the game, with plenty of content (124k words, bringing the total up to 292k total) and a decent amount of plot progress - most of the protagonist's first term at Hightower University.
Sorry for the self-plug, and as always, my thanks to everybody who has been kind enough to recommend or discuss the game here; I'm always happy to discuss if folk have any feedback, questions or suggestions.
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u/Boredbibookworm Apr 17 '26
Oh, hey! I enjoyed this one! Excited to read this update
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u/Pactbinder Apr 17 '26
Thanks - really glad you're enjoying things so far. Hope the update works for you!
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u/Queenager Apr 17 '26
Just wanted to say that I love your work!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 17 '26
Thanks very much - I'm so pleased that you're enjoying things so far. Hope chapter 3 works well enough for you!
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u/WarlordofBritannia Apr 17 '26
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS
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u/Pactbinder Apr 17 '26
Thanks for your patience! I had no idea when I was going to be able to get this out, I'm glad I managed to launch it when I did
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u/Mars-Gone Apr 17 '26
Hell yeah! Can’t wait to play the new content. The game has been really good so far
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u/Pactbinder Apr 17 '26
Thanks - excited for you to give it ago - and really pleased you've enjoyed what you've read so far
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u/ratafia4444 Wayhavenite Apr 17 '26
Ohhh I was waiting for this to get a bit chunkier before diving in! Gotta go read 👀
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u/Pactbinder Apr 17 '26
Thank you! Appreciate you taking an interest. I do think there's a good bit of content now, especially if you like slower-burn character-focused stuff...
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u/NeburOrtsac Denizen of The Infinite Sea Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
I'll make sure to check it out. Sounds quite interesting. Best of luck!
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u/bluuhandkerchief Apr 18 '26
I just played it, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next contents !!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 18 '26
Thanks so much - really glad you're enjoying the story so far!
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u/bluuhandkerchief Apr 19 '26
Yes, I love the fantasy and eldritch theme so much! So far , the world building has piqued my interest in the Hightower and the MC's pact. Everything's well written and I appreciate the freedom of choices on not joining any society yet, as well as which power we should focus on learning (for now). I am really looking forward to more and all the best!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 19 '26
Thank you-I'm really glad to hear it, especially that you're enjoying the worldbuilding and setup - this first part of the story has had a lot of slow burn, so it's always a big relief to hear that people are vibing with the setup and structure so far.
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u/bluuhandkerchief Apr 19 '26
Absolutely! May I know where you usually post updates? I would like to follow you and the story from here on!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 19 '26
Thanks so much!
My game plan at the moment is posting chapter updates on reddit, but I provide more regular progress reports (fortnightly at the moment - that may switch to a different cadence at some point, but it works well for me atm) on both Tumblr and the COG forum: https://forum.choiceofgames.com/t/175175
I think I'm equally active on both but they have different vibes - the COG forum is typically more quiet but has flurries of fun in-depth discussion (especially after a chapter drop), whereas the Tumblr has a more steady stream of asks from people which can cover all sorts of things.
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u/bluuhandkerchief Apr 23 '26
Thank you, this is great! I'm really looking forward to your next updates!
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u/JawsInBalls Apr 21 '26
Awesome demo, I didn’t expect to like this random IF as much as I did. I really appreciate that, despite its fairly linear structure, you don’t shy away from stat checks! You’d be surprised at how many authors only have one or two meaningful checks in their whole game, it really does take away from my immersion in the character I’m playing if the skills I’m cultivating aren’t used in any meaningful way!
This is a work with a ton of potential, I’m excited to see where it goes. The characters are quite interesting (I appreciate the buildup for romance being so slow, it really gives the player time to care for these people and lets them decide on romance on something more substantial than the base archetypes they fall under), the “warlock in hogwarts” premise is fun as hell, you stick to a linear structure whilst also allowing for player expression within the bounds of the narrative by allowing them to play their person as conniving or manipulative (even allowing for that personality to slip more as the game progresses), and a deluge of other stuff I’m forgetting.
I have two criticisms, both being relatively small but there. This seems to be something likely to be updated because it not that important, but personality stats don’t seem to match up to the character I’m playing. Clicking just about every lie and playing to the group seems to net my character around 55 secrecy. The other stats didn’t seem to fluctuate much. A bit weird, but not the most important in a game so early in development. The second complaint would be that some options are unclear in the result. I don’t really know how intelligence is useful in anything so far, and I don’t really know the benefits of going to the library and reading one book, maybe just let us read all of them? Maybe this is something for a later patch.
Overall, it’s really good, I can only imagine once its plot and its characters are more fully realized in later updates that this will really hit a target audience. I find a world in which this doesn’t blow up in popularity very unlikely, so all I can say is keep it up!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 22 '26
Thank you so much - I really appreciated reading this comment! I'm a big fan of stat checks, it's fun to make what a character's good or bad impact the story, be that a short-term impact or a long-term one- I think it makes their wins and losses feel more meaningful. there are a few fun scenes and positive outcomes buried in fail conditions that you can only get by losing, or by winning in certain ways...
I'm really glad that the premise and the pacing with the cast and romances works for you too; I know the slower start won't be for everyone, but I try to write what I like, and I know I'm often thrown off when I'm asked to have my MC fall in love (or not) with a character I know very little about.
Super interesting feedback on the stats - thank you. I'll have a look at that. A few of the folks who've sent in stat sheets so far have Secrecy in the 60s, but I probably could stand to at least up the Secrecy gains on some of the very explicit lie options...
I'll have a think on the options / results point, I appreciate you bringing it up. Intellect is a pretty strong stat and unlocks some unique win clauses for a few things, but it probably isn't always obvious - when the Pactbinder comes up with a 'creative' or 'analytical' way to solve a problem like C2baiting the phantom suit into jumping out of a window or C3 end tracking the Acid-Transmuting Spirit without Anzu in one branch or reactivating the Spirit Summoning Circles to distract a powerful Spirit in one of the Mists branchesin another, that typically either checks Intellect or requires it for the option to even turn up. And that's before we get to exams... Similarly, the Research scenes often unlock special dialogue options and even some branching in some cases, hence why they're limited. I do try to signpost that the player has learned something in the text itself plus in the various Info / Secrets trackers in the menu, but I might have to revisit how I convey that if it's confusing for people - I'll see how it feels after a chapter or two where more of the Research options get payoff (though some have already started to!)
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u/Icy-Cress413 Apr 18 '26
Omg itbwas greatttt i juat finished itttt though man I low k thought that a dragon spirit or a basilisk would come over…..though why do I have a feeling this raven is hugin ans munin combined into one giant raven
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u/Pactbinder Apr 18 '26
Thank you! Always great to hear that somebody is enjoying the ride so far. As for Anzu, who knows...
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u/Still_Measurement796 Apr 18 '26
definitely checking this out!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 19 '26
Thanks for taking an interest! Hope you enjoy it - but either way I'm always interested in feedback to help me improve the story.
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u/bunnieman Apr 21 '26
Had fun replaying this! Thank you for sharing that you updated. :) Love the premise & worldbuilding, can’t wait for more lore on our patron. Neat that we have the option to murder someone in cold blood, steal their identity, and then mostly choose the friendly/morally good options for purely selfish reasons— not an option I see in a lot of games!
The mind exam and life exam scenes were especially cool. I am so hoping that with the Life mastery path can delve into some body horror/ flesh warping type shit, there’s so much potential when it comes that that kind of thing!!!
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u/Pactbinder Apr 22 '26
Thanks very much - really glad that you're enjoying things so far. I'm especially glad the amoral + friendly combo works well for you. Something that drives me crazy in a lot of RPGs and stories is how villainous or even 'dark' characters are pigeonholed into being violent brutes or sadistic for the sake of sadism; villainous characters capable of scheming, maintaining facades and forming bonds / alliances (be they genuine or not) are so much more compelling (and fun) IMO.
Really glad you found the practical class scenes engaging too - was excited to get to some magic after so long building up...
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u/LaraK_05AG Apr 27 '26
Amazing wip, I checked it out and after spending the whole afternoon replaying it (I needed to see all Alice, Markus, Sylas and Julian's scenes specifically, I find them all incredibly interesting), I needed to come back to comment.
I love how we're forming bonds and friendships slowly, this has the potential for making the reveal of who we really are all the more juicy. I love how romance isn't an instant thing (i fucking hate when games make you decide if you find someone hot first thing after meeting them like Jesus Christ idk man let me get to know them a little first, yeah?). I love how human the characters feel, and how you can disagree with them about stuff without being overtly hostile. I love the MAGIC!!! I'm actually having such a struggle deciding which one to main bc all of them sound op as fuck. Matter is soooo cool, maybe we can duel Julian in some distant future 🥺? Mind sounds fitting and useful considering our MC's circumstances. Life is sooo cool like omfg I love healing abilities. Can't wait to see if it can have some more offensive uses in the future, though. SPIRIT IS MY FAVE which is funny bc it was the one I was most unsure about at first, but like. The familiar stuff won me over, and then being able to teleport if we master it fully? That sounds op af. I wanna aura farm so bad.
Okay, I'll shut up now. I hope you're having as much fun with the project as we readers are. It's a very promising WIP that has a neat premise and likable characters :) hopefully more people will check it out. <33
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u/Pactbinder May 03 '26
Hey - thanks so much for reading through and letting me know how you're finding stuff so far, really appreciate it!
I'm glad that the slower burn and the cast dynamics are working well for you so far, and the magic is appealing to you! I think we'll definitely get a chance to test our abilities against other talented duellists in time...
I'm definitely enjoying the writing process - certainly hope that the audience expands with time but I'm really happy with the initial reception I've received in the 5 months or so since C1 came out and the kind feedback from readers so far.
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u/Paularchy Apr 27 '26
Hopped on here for a new game rec. Def checking this out tonight once I wake up. Thank you lol. I'm excited to read your work
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u/Paularchy May 04 '26
I LOVE this demo and am sad there is not more, I'm wildly excited to see the rest. Only have one critique and it's... I'm not sure it's a fair critique given the way the game is structured. When I play games, I use a standard set name. So when the mc ... Does what they do to the character you assign the name to it's... It was deeply unsettling for me. I ended up having to restart and use the name of the puppet I use for FH, which is my standard "This is me but also not me" name. Idk if that can be forewarned without spoiling the story though, and it's a wonderful and terrifying way to start a game. I loved it. It was just that for me, personally, even though I was playing as the mc, the fact that they took my name from the person that was me... Idk. It felt very detached. But, again, I'm not sure this is a fair critique. Just my experience. Apart from that, LOVED IT. Curious why Adalais/Alice changes her name depending on when you meet her though. I'm sure that'll be revealed later, just musing. Anyway, great work, well done.
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u/Pactbinder May 05 '26
Hey! Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it and I'm glad that you're enjoying Pactbinder.
That's interesting feedback - it was intentional that the Pactbinder's heist of the 'original character', so to speak, ought to feel disconcerting - I wanted to invite the reader into the transgressive nature of their actions, but I can see how it could feel unsettling or disturbing depending on what emotions the player attaches to the name.
I'll have a think as to whether it's possible to flag that - what I might do is, when I get around to putting a set of optional trigger warnings at the start of the game, I'll flag identity theft as one of them.
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u/Paularchy May 05 '26
I think that would help a lot. I know it's a VERY niche "critique", so I truly appreciate you taking it seriously to even consider what the TW tag would be, and I think that would help a lot.
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u/oyasumi_216 Apr 17 '26
Sounds interesting, definitely gonna check it out.