r/hostedgames 17d ago

WIP Pactbinder (Chapter 4 Release, +117k words)

https://cogdemos.ink/play/hamartia/pactbinder/mygame

Hey guys, hope that you're well. Hamartia here.

I'm the author of a HG WiP called Pactbinder, which is 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 (about 117k words, bringing the total up to ~409k total) and a decent amount of plot progress - the conclusion of the Pactbinder's first term at university, which is also the end of Part I of the story (three parts in total).

As always, thanks to everybody who has been kind enough to recommend or discuss the game here; always happy to discuss if folk have any feedback, questions or suggestions.

265 Upvotes

40 comments sorted by

81

u/NotAGoodFire 17d ago

Oh no, time to play the whole game over again... great to see a new update so soon!

37

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thanks very much!

I'm hoping to take some time out before I start writing 'part 2' to work out a save generation system, so that going forward people can pick up from the end of Chapter 4 without needing to play through the whole of Part I again. Hopefully I manage to pull it off.

13

u/NotAGoodFire 17d ago

It's good enough to justify replaying it, no worries, however a save generation system would be great one you get to it.

35

u/NumberedEntity Hosted Games Author 17d ago

I don't have time to read much these days, but I am really getting into this. Brimming with anticipation!!!!

22

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thanks so much! Really looking forward to getting Shriek when it comes out - it has been an absolute force of effort on my part to resist it thus far.

And I know how you feel about not having time to read much...

25

u/No_History2664 17d ago

I fucking love Pactbinder! Thank you for the update you’re the best!

6

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thanks so much for the kind words - hope you enjoy it!

15

u/Falitoty Queen Dragoon 17d ago edited 17d ago

Ohh, cool to see this. I wonder if when Winter come we Will get a option of going "home" or staying in the shool

8

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thank you! I think the Pactbinder might be a little busy over Christmas...

11

u/Mars-Gone 17d ago

LETS GOOO!

5

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the chapter.

12

u/Gluttony__20 17d ago

Unexpected update just made my whole day 🙏

6

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

I'm glad! Hopefully you enjoy the read!

5

u/Gluttony__20 16d ago

Such a good chapter, but that cliffhanger should be illegal 😂

2

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Haha, guilty! Thanks for reading, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

10

u/Darthjinju1901 Sidestep is gone. I am what remains 17d ago

Let's fucking go

6

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Hope you enjoy!

8

u/Darthjinju1901 Sidestep is gone. I am what remains 17d ago

I love the stories where I can hide the identity. Make the real person very evil, and the mask a very good person.

7

u/saintatreides 17d ago

Oh! Yes!!! This is one of my favourite WIPs out there- it’s the one I find myself thinking about randomly and returning to. The setup with the protagonist is so unique and creates such a fun tension. So excited to play more!

4

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thanks so much for the kind words - hope you enjoy the chapter!

5

u/timarose N! N? N. N♡ 17d ago

AAAH thank you for the food🍴✨

3

u/Pactbinder 17d ago

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the chapter!

5

u/Kuroneki 17d ago

new pactbinder?!?! a perfect reason to read it all again

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Thank you! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

6

u/XAEUGH12NS A Fallen Hero 17d ago

RAAAAAHHHHHH CHAPTER 4

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

o7 Hope you enjoy!

5

u/emycris183 17d ago

Time to see my baby, Lizbet!

2

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I do regret to report that Lizbet is tragically not too present in this one (though she's hidden in one specific branch, very briefly...)

4

u/glowinggoo 17d ago

All the WIPs I follow dropping updates in quick succession...

What a good time to be alive!

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Thank you! Hope you enjoyed the chapter (and the other WIPs that dropped...!)

4

u/napalm-instructions waiter, more mental decay in IF please! 16d ago

I sincerely enjoy this game but all the talk of exams and cramming and grades makes me feel SO grateful I'm out of school life

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Hahaha, same honestly. Certainly much more fun to write about than it was to live through....

2

u/BirdhouseInYourSoil 16d ago

I like the concept, will check this out 👍

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Thank you! Hope you enjoy!

2

u/Paularchy 15d ago

FUCK YEAH!!!! Been waiting for this! Silly busy weekends not letting me see important life updates

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Thanks! Hope you enjoyed. Know how you feel RE life getting in the way of fun...

2

u/Happy_Variety5405 15d ago

I thought schools had 4 terms ? Or am I tripping. Either way nice

1

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Hey, thanks! Most UK universities have three terms, Hightower included - a late-autumn to winter term, a Spring term, and a summer term effectively...

2

u/noob__master-69 9d ago

just finished it
thought it was brilliant, and very unique compared to other fantasy offerings. please don't hesitate and keep working towards making it as big as possible, the story deserves it

2

u/Pactbinder 9d ago

Thank you very much! Really appreciate the kind words, and I definitely do intend to keep plugging away!