In February 2025, Luis Otavio, co-founder of Hanoi Studios, visited the Centro de Apoio e Reforço Escolar (CARE) in Santo Andre, Brazil. This moment marked an exciting opportunity as Otavio introduced his creation, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match, both as a board game and via ID@Xbox Play Anywhere, to support the development of neurodivergent children.
Fernanda Mombelli, a neuropsychopedagogue and owner of CARE, underscored just how crucial it is to recognize a child’s special needs early. She pointed out the incredible educational benefits that inclusive games like these can offer. These games can profoundly aid neurodivergent students by enhancing their attention, concentration, memory, focus, and planning skills—areas where they often encounter hurdles.
Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match encourages players to challenge themselves without any constraints on the number of moves. It allows for creativity in problem-solving, catering to each player’s pace. Alan Nobre, a pedagogue and physical educator, shared his perspective on the game, emphasizing the value of happiness in early childhood education. He believes a happy environment facilitates better learning and development.
An enlightening experience came when a student with ADHD and other challenges played the game. At first, with little instruction, the student rapidly grasped the game’s objective and breezed through the initial stages. Yet, as they hit more complex levels, anxiety surfaced. By taking a structured approach—pausing, breathing, and assessing potential moves—the student eventually navigated these challenges successfully.
Moreover, when the board game version was played cooperatively with educators, the student showed remarkable enthusiasm. This not only highlighted a newfound love for the game but also demonstrated progress in social skills, attention, and concentration—indicating an enhanced sense of belonging.
Looking ahead, Luis Otavio expressed a strong desire to expand the reach of such inclusive initiatives across Brazil’s educational institutions. Meanwhile, for anyone keen on family-friendly gaming resources, Xbox offers a plethora of information, including privacy and community standards on their website.
Currently, Hanoi Puzzles: Solid Match is up for grabs on Xbox and PC. With Xbox Play Anywhere capabilities, you can enjoy cross-save features and Smart Delivery. At just $4.99, dive into an intriguing game inspired by the classic Tower of Hanoi, where stacking color-coded pieces unlocks paths in a serene, hexagonal world.
