System and method of providing a platform for providing sweepstakes and sponsored puzzles for crossword puzzles and other word-based games

A method for providing gameplay of word-based 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 modules, the method comprising:

• generating, by a gameplay module, a custom puzzle having a predefined solution that includes one or more words to be solved or found, the one or more words to be solved or found being related to a particular brand of a sponsor of the custom puzzle;
• causing, by the gameplay module, the custom puzzle to be communicated for gameplay;
• receiving, by the gameplay module, an input of at least one letter associated with an attempt to solve the custom puzzle;
• comparing, by the gameplay module, the input with the predefined solution;
• determining, by the gameplay module, that the custom word-based game has been at least partially solved based on the comparison;
• causing, by the gameplay module, a virtual asset, a branded item, or one or more sweepstakes entries to win the virtual asset or the branded item to be provided based on the determination that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved;
• and
• facilitating, by an accounting module, receipt of sponsored funds from the sponsor of the custom puzzle based on the custom puzzle being communicated for gameplay.

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

• one or more processors configured to execute one or more computer program modules, the one or more computer program modules comprising:
• a custom puzzle module configured to:
• obtain a custom puzzle that includes one or more words to be solved or found that are related to a particular brand of a sponsor of the custom puzzle;
• a gameplay module configured to:
• generate the custom puzzle;
• cause the custom puzzle to be communicated for gameplay;
• determine that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved;
• cause a branded item or one or more sweepstakes entries to win the branded item to be provided based on the determination that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved,
• wherein at least one input space of the custom puzzle is associated with an icon of a virtual asset or the branded item, wherein the gameplay module is configured to cause the virtual asset or one or more sweepstakes entries to be provided and the at least one input space when input with a correct letter causes the virtual asset, the branded item, or additional sweepstakes entries to be provided;
• and
• an accounting module configured to:
• facilitate receipt of sponsored funds from the sponsor of the custom puzzle based on the custom puzzle being communicated for gameplay.

A method for providing gameplay of branded word-based 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 modules, the method comprising:

• obtaining, by a custom puzzle module, a custom puzzle that includes one or more words to be solved or found that are related to a particular brand of a sponsor of the custom puzzle;
• generating, by a gameplay module, the custom puzzle;
• causing, by the gameplay module, the custom puzzle to be communicated for gameplay;
• determining, by the gameplay module, that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved;
• causing, by the gameplay module, a branded item or one or more sweepstakes entries to win the branded item to be provided based on the determination that the custom puzzle has been at least partially solved,
• wherein at least one input space of the custom puzzle is associated with an icon of a virtual asset or the branded item, wherein the gameplay module is configured to cause the virtual asset or one or more sweepstakes entries to be provided and the at least one input space when input with a correct letter causes the virtual asset, the branded item, or additional sweepstakes entries to be provided;
• and
• facilitating, by an accounting module, receipt of sponsored funds from the sponsor of the custom puzzle based on the custom puzzle being communicated for gameplay.