Back in February 2025, a notable event took place in Santo Andre, Brazil, where Luis Otavio, co-founder of Hanoi Studios, showcased the innovative Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match at Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE). This inclusive support center embraced both the board game and its digital counterpart on ID@Xbox Play Anywhere as valuable tools to aid in the development of neurodivergent children. This initiative highlighted how inclusive gaming can significantly benefit individuals with neurodivergent needs.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue who owns the institution, underscored how vital it is to recognize children’s special needs early on. She passionately elaborated on how games like these can stimulate essential skills in neurodivergent students.
Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, a fresh entry in the puzzle genre, is specifically crafted to foster skills such as attention, memory, concentration, and planning. These areas often pose challenges for neurodivergent players, and the game adeptly addresses this gap.
What makes Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match truly stand out is its design. The game offers a comfortable challenge without the pressure of limited moves per level. This fosters an environment where players can experiment and solve puzzles at their own pace. Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, encapsulated the essence of this approach well, stating, “In early childhood education, our aim isn’t high performance. We strive for joyful learning moments because a happy child is a learning child.”
Exploring deeper into how inclusive games can uplift neurodivergent individuals, there was a compelling example involving a student with ADHD and other challenges. Fernanda documented the student’s journey, revealing how initially, they maneuvered through the game swiftly. However, as the challenges grew tougher, anxiety surfaced. Here, the beauty of the game’s adaptive nature shone through. With structured guidance, the student regained composure, reevaluated their strategy, and continued to make progress.
Furthermore, when this student engaged in the board game version alongside educators, the cooperative play resulted in shared joy and enhanced social skills. It was a heartwarming moment showcasing how players can enhance focus, attention, and a sense of belonging through gaming.
Reflecting on the future, Luis Otavio expressed a noble vision: “I want to create more inclusive games and extend this initiative to many more educational institutes across Brazil.”
If you’re looking for family gaming resources, be sure to visit xbox.com/family, where Xbox offers a plethora of information on privacy settings, the Family Settings app, and community standards.
Ready to dive into Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match? It’s available on Xbox and PC as part of Xbox Play Anywhere, featuring cross-save and Smart Delivery capabilities. Get ready to engage with this captivating blend of modern gaming and classic puzzle-solving, all while contributing to inclusive education’s noble cause.
