On February 8, 2025, I had the pleasure of attending a groundbreaking event in Santo Andre, Brazil. Luis Otavio, the co-founder of Hanoi Studios, made a significant visit to Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE), an inclusive support institution. He showcased “Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match” in both its board game form and as an ID@Xbox Play Anywhere title. This initiative marks an exciting step forward in using games as educational tools, particularly for neurodivergent kids.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue who owns the institution, highlighted how crucial it is to identify a child’s unique needs early on. She shared her enthusiasm for how inclusive games like this can foster essential skills such as attention, concentration, memory, and planning—areas where neurodivergent individuals often need extra support.
Now, what makes Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match truly special is its design philosophy. It’s crafted to be engaging without pressuring the player. Whether it’s planning moves on the board or exploring its digital counterpart, the game leaves room for creativity and personal pacing, which is perfect for children who might find traditional games overwhelming.
Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, commented on the approach: “In early childhood education, high performance isn’t our aim. We focus on creating joyful experiences, as a happy child is one who learns and grows more efficiently.” These insights beautifully capture the essence of what the game aims to achieve.
To truly see the impact, one needs to hear about real experiences. Take, for instance, a student at CARE who deals with ADHD, anxiety, stuttering, and socialization challenges. Under Fernanda’s thoughtful observation, this student began learning the game with minimal directions, quickly picking up the early phases. However, as the complexity increased, so did signs of anxiety. But with pauses for reflection and a guided approach, the student managed to navigate through the challenges successfully.
In a cooperative board game session with two educators, the same student expressed newfound enthusiasm. They wanted to continue playing and showed progress in social interactions and concentration. Witnessing such transformations is a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Looking forward, Luis Otavio has big dreams. “I aim to develop more inclusive games and expand this initiative to more educational institutions across Brazil.” His vision promises a bright future for inclusive gaming.
For those interested, “Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match” is available on both Xbox and PC. It’s featured as an Xbox Play Anywhere title, boasting cross-save and Smart Delivery options. If you’re keen to explore more family-friendly gaming options, head over to xbox.com/family for a wealth of resources, including privacy tools and guidelines.
So, why not give “Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match” a try today? It’s an enriching experience waiting to be discovered at an unbeatable price of $4.99. Whether you’re assembling towers on a hexagonal board or challenging yourself with its classic Tower of Hanoi-inspired puzzles, this game is sure to offer a captivating and calming experience.
