On February 8, 2025, Luis Otavio, the co-founder of Hanoi Studios, had the opportunity to showcase the potential of inclusive gaming. During his visit to the Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE) in Santo Andre, Brazil, he introduced Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, both as a board game and through the ID@Xbox Play Anywhere platform. This game is a meaningful tool aimed at supporting the development of neurodivergent children.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue and the institution’s owner, spoke about the critical nature of identifying a child’s unique needs early on. She discussed how inclusive games like Hanoi Puzzles can encourage essential educational growth in neurodivergent children.
Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match stands out as one of the latest releases in the genre, crafted to hone skills such as attention, concentration, memory, focus, and planning—areas where neurodivergent individuals often experience challenges.
This game is thoughtfully designed, allowing players to engage without the pressure of a move limit per level. This encourages a personal pace of experimentation and problem-solving. Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, had this to say about the game:
“In the realm of early childhood education, our goal isn’t to push for high performance. We’re looking to create joyous experiences, because a happy child is one who learns and develops the most.”
The game is notably effective for those who are neurodivergent. One particular student, dealing with ADHD, anxiety, stuttering, and social interaction issues, played the game under Mombelli’s observation. She noted the student’s quick understanding and progress through early levels with little guidance. However, upon reaching more complex stages, the student exhibited anxiety. With proper coaching—taking deep breaths, observing the options, and clicking through possibilities—the student skillfully navigated these challenges.
What’s more exciting is the cooperative board version of the game. When played with two educators, the participating student expressed a profound enthusiasm, revealing a growing interest to engage with the game often. This interaction not only underscored the student’s enjoyment but also marked progress in social, concentrative, and attentional competencies, as well as fostering a sense of belonging.
Looking ahead, Luis Otavio is optimistic about the future of inclusive gaming. He expressed his aspirations: “I aim to create more games with inclusivity at the forefront, enabling this initiative to reach a broader range of educational institutions across Brazil.”
For those interested in more resources on family gaming, explore xbox.com/family. Discover privacy tools, Xbox Family Settings, and Community Standards, all designed with families in mind.
Experience Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match for yourself on Xbox and PC, available as an Xbox Play Anywhere game, complete with cross-save and Smart Delivery features.
