Luis Otavio, the co-founder of the Brazilian indie game publisher Hanoi Studios, recently made an inspiring visit to the Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE) in Santo Andre, SP, Brazil. Hanoi Studios is known for its innovative game, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, and Luis was there on February 8, 2025, to showcase how this game can be an effective tool for supporting neurodivergent children. The game is available as both a board game and an ID@Xbox Play Anywhere version.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue and head of CARE, spoke highly of the benefits that games like these can provide when it comes to recognizing and nurturing the unique needs of children with neurodivergent profiles. She emphasized how these games are crucial in developing key skills and providing the right educational stimuli for those students.
Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match stands out in the genre as it aims to enhance attention, concentration, memory, focus, and planning skills—areas where neurodivergent individuals often encounter challenges. Instead of imposing restrictions, the game allows players to progress through levels at their own pace, which encourages creative problem-solving.
Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, also expressed his support for the initiative. “In early childhood education,” he said, “we aren’t focused on high performance. Our goal is to make these the happiest moments in a child’s life, because a happy child tends to learn and develop more effectively.”
An in-depth look at how games can benefit neurodivergent individuals reveals promising results. One student with ADHD, anxiety, stuttering, and socialization challenges engaged with the game under Fernanda’s supervision. The student’s initial rapid progress through the early stages was commendable, though more complex challenges in intermediate levels increased anxiety and stuttering. By pausing and adopting a structured approach to problem-solving, the student gradually overcame these obstacles and made significant progress.
Moreover, when playing the board game in cooperative mode with educators, the student displayed enthusiasm and a willingness to engage more frequently with the game. This engagement fostered improvement in socialization skills, attention, concentration, and an overall sense of belonging—a rewarding outcome for everyone involved.
Looking ahead, Luis Otavio is eager to expand this inclusive gaming initiative across more educational institutions in Brazil. He sees great potential in developing more games with inclusivity in mind, aiming to make a broader impact on educational environments.
If you’re interested in family-friendly gaming resources, you can explore xbox.com/family for more information about privacy tools, the Xbox Family Settings app, and other community standards. Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match is available to play on Xbox and PC, offering cross-save and Smart Delivery features as part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program.
This charming game, priced at $4.99, draws inspiration from the classic Tower of Hanoi puzzle, challenging players to stack pieces of the same color on a hexagonal board, all while unlocking paths and advancing through levels. It’s a new concept that marries relaxation with a touch of mystery, and it promises to be a valuable addition to the world of inclusive gaming.
