On February 8, 2025, Luis Otavio, co-founder of the indie gaming powerhouse, Hanoi Studios, made a meaningful visit to the inclusive support center, Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE) in Santo Andre, Brazil. His purpose? To introduce both the Board Game and the ID@Xbox Play Anywhere editions of their latest offering, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match. This initiative aimed at aiding the development of neurodivergent children through an engaging and supportive gaming experience.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue and owner of the CARE institution, underscored how critical it is to recognize and address a child’s unique educational needs early on. She pointed out how inclusive games provide neurodivergent students with essential skills and stimuli necessary for their growth.
As a new contender in the gaming world, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match takes on the challenge of enhancing crucial skills such as attention, concentration, memory, focus, and planning—areas that often present more hurdles for neurodivergent individuals.
Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match is uniquely crafted to be a welcoming adventure for players, placing no strict limits on the number of moves per level. This approach encourages players to experiment and solve problems at their own pace. Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, voiced his thoughts on this project:
“In early childhood education, performance isn’t the main goal. We want these moments to be the happiest in a child’s life because a joyful child learns and grows better. That’s our ultimate goal.”
Exploring further, let’s see how inclusive games can benefit neurodivergent individuals.
One memorable session involved a student battling ADHD, anxiety disorder, stuttering, and socialization challenges. Fernanda Mombelli recorded the student’s progress and reactions while playing the game:
“At first, with just a bit of guidance, the student quickly grasped the game’s objective and made swift progress through the initial levels. However, upon reaching the more challenging intermediate stages, the game presented complex hurdles. Anxiety crept in, evident through increased stuttering. We paused the game, prompting the student to breathe, observe, and strategically examine each option before making a choice. Using this methodical approach, the student gradually overcame these challenges and advanced through the intermediate levels.”
Furthermore, during a cooperative session featuring the board game version and two educators, the student displayed genuine enthusiasm, expressing a desire to play more regularly. This excitement not only highlighted their enjoyment but also marked significant improvements in social skills, focus, and the feeling of inclusion. It brought immense satisfaction to everyone involved.
Looking ahead, what’s the vision for inclusive games according to Luis?
“I am driven to create more games that prioritize inclusivity and want this initiative to reach even more educational institutes across Brazil.”
For more information on family gaming resources, be sure to visit xbox.com/family. There you can find more about Xbox’s offerings for families, including privacy details, access to privacy tools, the Xbox Family Settings app, and their Community Standards.
Dive into Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match on Xbox and PC today! The game is available as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, complete with cross-save and Smart Delivery features.
Want to explore the game more? Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match provides a novel twist on the classic Tower of Hanoi puzzle, urging players to assemble colored towers on a hexagonal board in a tranquil, mysterious atmosphere. Master the rules, unlock pathways, and uncover the many challenges that await!
