System and method for providing an online platform for gameplay of crossword puzzles and other word-based games

A method for providing gameplay of word-based games puzzles comprising crossword puzzles or word search puzzles, the method being implemented in a computer that includes one or more processors programmed by one or more computer program instructions, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the one or more processors, a selection of a gameplay mode of operation from among a plurality of gameplay modes of operation;
• selecting, by the one or more processors, at least one of a word-based puzzle from among a plurality of word-based puzzles obtained from one or more sources of word-based puzzles;
• causing, by the one or more processors, the word-based puzzle to be communicated for gameplay;
• imposing, by the one or more processors, during gameplay of the word-based puzzle a time limit that relates to an attempt to at least partially solve the word-based puzzle;
• determining one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to be awarded to a user based on gameplay of the word-based puzzle, wherein the one or more types and quantities of virtual assets is determined based on whether the user solved a word related to one or more input spaces that is associated with a bonus award;
• allocating, by the one or more processors, the determined one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to the user based on gameplay of the word-based-game puzzle, wherein a virtual asset is exchangeable for one or more benefits related to gameplay depending on the type of virtual asset;
• and
• awarding the one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to the user.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising one or more computer program instructions that provide gameplay of word-based games puzzles comprising crossword puzzles or word search puzzles, the computer program instructions when executed by one or more processors programs the one or more processors to:

• receive a selection of a gameplay mode of operation from among a plurality of gameplay modes of operation;
• select at least one of a word-based puzzle from among a plurality of word-based puzzles obtained from one or more sources of word-based puzzles;
• cause the selected one of the plurality of word-based puzzles to be communicated for gameplay based on the received selection of the gameplay mode of operation;
• impose during gameplay of the word-based puzzle a time limit that relates to an attempt to at least partially solve the word-based puzzle;
• determine one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to be awarded to a user based on gameplay of the word-based puzzle, wherein the one or more types and quantities of virtual assets is determined based on whether the user solved a word related to one or more input spaces that is associated with a bonus award;
• allocate the determined one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to the user based on gameplay of the word-based puzzle, wherein a virtual asset is exchangeable for one or more benefits related to gameplay depending on the type of virtual asset;
• and
• award the one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to the user.

A system for providing gameplay of word-based games comprising crossword puzzles or word search puzzles, the system comprising:

• one or more processors programmed with one or more computer program instructions to:
• receive a selection of a gameplay mode of operation from among a plurality of gameplay modes of operation;
• select at least one of a plurality of word-based puzzles obtained from one or more sources of word-based puzzles;
• generate a word-based game based on the received selection of the gameplay mode of operation and the selected one of the plurality of word-based puzzles;
• cause the word-based game to be communicated for gameplay;
• determine one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to be awarded to the user based on gameplay of the word-based game, wherein the one or more types and quantities of virtual assets is determined based on whether the user solved a word related to one or more input spaces that is associated with a bonus award;
• allocate one or more of a plurality of different types of virtual assets to a user based on gameplay of the word-based game, wherein a virtual asset is exchangeable for one or more benefits related to gameplay depending on the type of virtual asset;
• and
• award the one or more types and quantities of virtual assets to the user.