“All my life I’ve kept my mouth shut — out of loyalty, out of fear… out of shame. And look where it’s got me.”

Holding On: The Troubled Life of Billy Kerr is a deeply emotional co-operative narrative game in which players take on the role of nursing staff caring for a terminally ill patient in his final days.

🏥 Theme & Premise

Billy Kerr, sixty years old, has been rushed into hospital after suffering a massive heart attack on a flight from Sydney to London. When play begins, that’s all you know. He has days to live — and a lifetime of unresolved pain behind him.

Your task isn’t just medical care. It’s human care.

🤝 Cooperative Gameplay

Players must work together to:

• Respond to medical emergencies

• Provide compassionate and appropriate care

• Gain Billy’s trust

• Balance limited resources and difficult choices

Every action affects Billy’s physical condition — and his willingness to open up.

🧠 Story & Scenarios

The game unfolds across 10 fully replayable scenarios, each revealing fragments of Billy’s life. Through conversations, memories, and critical moments, players gradually uncover a troubled past shaped by silence, fear, and regret.

At the heart of the experience are three major regrets that keep Billy “holding on.” Only by understanding his story can players help him find the courage to face them.

🎭 An Unusual Board Game Experience

Unlike traditional games focused on winning or optimization, Holding On is about:

• Empathy over efficiency

• Listening instead of conquering

• Shared reflection and emotional engagement

It’s an intimate, often moving experience that treats themes of mortality, regret, and compassion with rare sensitivity.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• 2019 Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming – Nominee