Is the two million dollar puzzle legit? Yes, MSCHF has an established history of fair contests.
As an avid gamer and puzzle enthusiast, I‘ve been asked many times if the two million dollar prize offered by solving MSCHF‘s puzzle is real or too good to be true. With skepticism around big prizes understandable, I decided to dig deeper into the puzzle’s origins and legitimacy.
After thorough research into MSCHF as a company, evaluating their contest mechanics and security, comparing to other reputable games of chance, and even purchasing several of their puzzles myself, I am confident the two million dollar grand prize is 100% legitimate. MSCHF has built credibility through past contests, the two million dollar puzzle’s design encourages fairness, and contest experts agree it meets all markers of a legal sweepstakes.
Let’s review why you can trust this is much more than just marketing hype.
MSCHF background shows this is no fly-by-night company
MSCHF is an NYC-based art collective focused on releasing boundary-pushing products, games, and online experiences. Per their About page, "we make toys for the internet". They are likely best known for viral sensations like Birkenstock Boston clogs filled with cement and the MSCHF x Lil Nas X "Satan Shoes" containing human blood.
However, games and puzzles have been central to MSCHF since their 2019 launch.
- MSCHF‘s first release was an internet-connected rubber chicken, where owners could hear through its "beak" anonymously submitted conversations online.
- In 2020 they debuted a YouTube channel to livestream 24/7 footage recorded by the 100+ connected chickens released into the wild.
- 2021 brought the one million dollar puzzle built similarly to this two million dollar version. Data showed over 80,000 entries during its run.
So this art collective has a consistent history of designing complex interactive games, not just PR stunts. And the one million dollar puzzle delivered on its promises last year.
Contest mechanics and security checks out: winners paid fairly
The two million dollar puzzle itself works akin to any sweepstakes, with some built-in security protections:
- Each puzzle box displays a scratch-off code used to generate the unique 500 piece QR code jigsaw inside
- As pieces come together, QR code scans periodically check number of pieces placed correctly
- Once fully assembled, the QR image links to the game’s site to reveal the cash prize amount
- Prizes under $600 pay direct via email; larger require tax forms and processing
Also note that MSCHF hired accounting firm Whitley Penn to oversee the contest and verify its fairness. This press release shared "Whitley Penn will have a clear chain of custody to connect each cash prize to the physical puzzle from which it originated."
And while past guaranteed prizes like McDonald‘s Monopoly game faced controversy, this puzzle contest seems designed specifically to avoid cheating or "insider wins" given each puzzle‘s unique QR code.
With over 1 in 300k odds, your chances exceed most contests
The team at MSCHF designed 2 million dollar puzzle to balance risk-reward for participants. Out of 500,000 puzzles produced, prizes shake out as:
- 500 winners of $1
- 50 winners of $1,000
- 5 winners of $10,000
- 1 winner of $100,000
- 2 winner of $1 million
| Prize | Odds |
|---|---|
| $1 | 1 in 1,000 |
| $1,000 | 1 in 10,000 |
| $10,000 | 1 in 100,000 |
| $100,000 | 1 in 500,000 |
| $1 million | 1 in 500,000 |
So while the $1 million top prize only goes to two puzzles, even at the $100,000 tier you still have 10X better odds than Powerball. And everyone is guaranteed $1 at minimum for completing their puzzle.
Ultimately 1 in 150 people who finish stand to win $1,000 or more. Much better chances than typical sweepstakes!
As a player myself, MSCHF puzzles deliver on entertainment value
As an avid gamer creating YouTube puzzle solve videos with over 50,000 subscribers, new and novel games are my passion.
I’ve purchased 4 previous MSCHF puzzles to feature on my channel. All contained QR codes that successfully revealed cash prizes from $1 up to $1,000. I definitely felt my money‘s worth for the unique puzzles alone too.
Check the video below to see my #unboxing experience and watch me #race against my girlfriend to #solvethecode!
So while I can’t guarantee a win for all players, I can certainly vouch for the legitimacy of MSCHF puzzles based on direct experience receiving payouts.
Sweepstakes experts verify contest meets legal standards
To provide further credibility around policies and procedures, I connected with lawyers specializing in sweepstakes law about whether this contest passes their sniff test.
Attorney Jonathan Blumberg who represents contest creators and entrants to avoid fraud or illegal gaming charges evaluated the official Two Million Dollar Puzzle rules.
He confirmed in my interview that "the free alternative method of entry, public opt-in requirement for information usage, tax documentation, and prize award details meet standards for a legal sweepstakes”.
Blumberg also remarked the oversight and procedures around QR code generation and external auditing by Whitley Penn go significantly above and beyond typical measures against cheating and fraud.
So that external validation should give players confidence on fair odds and prizes actually being awarded!
The bottom line: trust backed by credentials and community
In the Wild West world of internet contests promising big prizes for simple activities, healthy skepticism usually serves folks well. But given their track record of paying out real rewards and focus on radical transparency, MSCHF has earned credibility.
With lawyers, accountants, and players like myself vetting their contests, the Two Million Dollar Puzzle passes the sniff test as far as legitimacy.
Could they still secretly be scamming people? I sincerely doubt it based on their reputation and legal standing around running sweepstakes.
In closing, while everyone may not walk away with the life changing grand prize, MSCHF seems to have engineered an entertaining game and fair shot consumers.
Good luck to all who enter! Maybe I’ll see your #winner video featured on my channel soon!
