Hanoi Studios is making waves with their innovative game, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, showcased at an inclusive support center in Santo Andre, Brazil. There’s a growing understanding of how inclusive games can truly benefit neurodivergent individuals. Luis Otavio, the brain behind this initiative, hopes to see it spread across more educational institutions throughout the country.
On February 8, 2025, Luis Otavio, co-founder of the Brazilian indie game publisher Hanoi Studios, paid a special visit to Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE). This inclusive support institution in Santo Andre, SP, Brazil, became the perfect setting for introducing both the Board Game and ID@Xbox Play Anywhere versions of Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match. The main goal? To aid the development of neurodivergent children, offering them a new way to learn and engage.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue and owner of the institution, stressed how crucial it is to pinpoint a child’s unique needs early on. She also spoke about how games like these can stimulate key skills necessary for neurodivergent students.
Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match is more than just another game on the market. It targets areas like attention, concentration, memory, focus, and planning—key skills that often pose significant challenges for neurodivergent individuals.
The game is designed thoughtfully, allowing players to solve puzzles without the pressure of move restrictions per level. Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, expressed how this design benefits young learners, saying, “In early childhood education, we’re not chasing high scores. Our focus is on ensuring it’s a joyful chapter in a child’s life because happiness boosts learning and development.”
But what about the real-world impact? A young student with ADHD, anxiety, stuttering, and social challenges was observed interacting with the game. Fernanda Mombelli noted, “With minimal guidance, the student grasped the game’s objective quickly. However, in more advanced stages, they faced tougher challenges, triggering anxiety and stuttering. By taking breaks and reassessing their strategy, the student managed to navigate these challenges, progressing steadily through the game.”
Further interaction during gameplay in a cooperative mode alongside educators revealed even more benefits. Enthusiasm grew as the student expressed a desire to play more often. This simple yet powerful reaction marked noteworthy progress in socialization, attention, and a sense of belonging—truly heartwarming for everyone involved.
Looking ahead, what plans does Luis have for inclusive games? He passionately shared, “I’m eager to develop more games centered on inclusivity and expand this effort to reach even more educational institutes throughout Brazil.”
Curious about more family-first gaming experiences? Head over to xbox.com/family to discover resources and recommendations. You’ll find everything from privacy tools to the Xbox Family Settings app and Community Standards.
Ready to dive into Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match? It’s available on Xbox and PC now, equipped with Xbox Play Anywhere features and cross-save functionality. Don’t miss out on this engaging, educational experience!
