Abstract: A gaming system and method provide a game that can increase the quantity of a displayed predetermined symbol based on a suitable game event. In some implementations, the suitable game event can be a non-winning event associated with a displayed predetermined symbol. Increasing the quantity of a displayed predetermined symbol provides additional ways for a player to obtain winning symbol combinations and awards.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method include generating and displaying a plurality of symbols, where at least some generated symbols are converted into different symbols when sandwiched between at least two columns containing the same or similar symbols. The gaming system may convert the sandwiched symbols into symbols that are the same or similar to the symbols in the at least two columns. The gaming system may evaluate the displayed symbols, including the converted sandwiched symbols, for winning symbol combinations and payout any determined awards.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and processes for gaming. A gaming system consistent with the present disclosure provides a game feature involving multiple rounds. For the individual rounds of the game feature, the gaming system can display randomly determined combinations of game symbols at symbol display areas and determine awards corresponding to the winning combinations. Additionally, for the individual rounds of the game feature, the gaming system can display persistent game indicators at the symbol display areas. The game symbols may be replaced from round-to-round of the game feature. The persistent game indicators are held in the symbol display areas from round-to-round of the game feature such that the quantity of symbol display areas including the persistent game indicators accumulate during the game feature.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as having a slide out information area that can be displayed substantially simultaneously with a game on one display screen while efficiently using gaming system hardware resources. The slide out information area enables a player to easily access game information without leaving or interrupting a play of a game. The slide out information area also minimizes the need for the player to switch the player's gaze from the game screen to another screen.

Abstract: The gaming system and method includes a game that can be played in a first game state or a second game state with the possibility of different awards for each game state. The first game state enables a player to play the game and receive a first award. The first award may be a predetermined award and not based on the outcome the game in first game state. In some embodiments, the first award is not based on how well a player played a game. The second game state enables the player to play the game and receive a second award based on the outcome of the game in the second game state. In some embodiments, the second game state enables the player to play the game and receive a second award based on how well the player played the game in the second game state. In some embodiments, the player may selectively terminate play in the second game state and receive a consolation award.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as enabling improvements to game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to adjust game elements to different positions to improve game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome. In some embodiments, the player purchases the opportunity to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome.

Abstract: A gaming system and method are disclosed as having different symbol sets associated with different win rates that are combined to create variable win frequency gaming. The gaming system may include a plurality of reel strip sets. Each reel strip set may include a plurality of reel strips. Each reel strip set may have a different probability of achieving a predetermined outcome. After a predetermined outcome on the gaming system is generated, the gaming system may select a different reel strip set having a different probability of achieving a predetermined outcome. In some embodiments, the selected new reel strip set may have a higher probability of achieving a predetermined outcome than the current reel strip set. The higher probability of achieving a predetermined outcome increases the chance that the subsequently played game(s) will also result in achieving a predetermined outcome for the player.

Abstract: A gaming system and method may include a first set of gaming reels that is oriented a first way and at least one non-interacting reel that is oriented differently with respect to the first set of gaming reels. The gaming system may evaluate symbol combinations displayed on the first set of gaming reels without evaluating symbols displayed on the non-interacting reels to determine any winning symbol combinations. However, the symbols displayed on the non-interacting reels may interact with symbols on the first set of gaming reels to alter the displayed symbol combinations and thus change the winning symbol combinations.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method include collecting and storing different symbols in different corresponding symbol storage areas and determining an award based one of the different symbol storage areas that collected the most number of associated symbols.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method perform operations including generating and displaying symbols, where a player collects and stores predetermined symbols. The operations also include converting the predetermined symbols into awards for the player. The operations further include generating and displaying a new plurality of symbols and enabling the player to collect and store predetermined symbols from the generated new plurality of symbols while the gaming system also displays nudge symbols. The operations further include moving symbols in a column of displayed symbols when one of a plurality of columns of displayed symbols includes a nudge symbol. The nudge symbols in a column of displayed symbols may prevent replacement of the displayed symbols in the column with the newly generated symbols.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for gaming systems are disclosed. A gaming system performs operations, including randomly determining and displaying game symbols of a first feature of a game. The operations further include determining that the game symbols include an initiator symbol and one or more activator symbols. The operations further include determining a quantity of the activator symbols. The operations further include initiating a quantity of second feature displays corresponding to the quantity of activator symbols. The operations further include randomly determining and displaying additional game symbols of a second feature of the game. The operations further include determining that the symbols of second feature correspond to awards and converting the symbols into the awards.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the gaming system is configured to provide a game having certain symbols that, when aligned in predetermined relationships, cooperate to trigger a combination of the certain symbols. The gaming system may use the combination of the certain symbols to generate new awards, additional game phases, or some combination of both.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method include generating and displaying a plurality of symbols, where at least some generated symbols are converted into different symbols when sandwiched between at least two columns containing the same or similar symbols. The gaming system may convert the sandwiched symbols into symbols that are the same or similar to the symbols in the at least two columns. The gaming system may evaluate the displayed symbols, including the converted sandwiched symbols, for winning symbol combinations and payout any determined awards.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as having placeholder symbols and replacement symbols. In some embodiments, the gaming system generates a plurality of replacement symbols. If the gaming system also randomly generates a placeholder symbol, the gaming system randomly determines which one of the generated plurality of replacement symbols to associate with the generated placeholder symbol. The gaming system may replace the generated placeholder symbol with the associated replacement symbol. In some embodiments the plurality of replacement symbols are generated and displayed above the generated placeholder symbol such that the associated replacement symbol is pulled down to be applied in place of the generated placeholder symbol.

Abstract: The gaming system and method includes a game that can be played in a first game state or a second game state with the possibility of different awards for each game state. The first game state enables a player to play the game and receive a first award. The first award may be a predetermined award and not based on the outcome the game in first game state. In some embodiments, the first award is not based on how well a player played a game. The second game state enables the player to play the game and receive a second award based on the outcome of the game in the second game state. In some embodiments, the second game state enables the player to play the game and receive a second award based on how well the player played the game in the second game state.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as generating a plurality of independent symbol sets that are interleaved, but can be evaluated separately and together to create new ways to win awards.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as having award enhancements based on one or more temporary award opportunity accumulations. The gaming system may evaluate accumulated temporary award opportunity indicators in association with generated symbols and symbol display areas in a play of a game to determine whether to provide an award or provide the award with an enhancement.

Abstract: A gaming system and method includes a first set of reels, where the reels are each associated with a plurality of symbols. The gaming system and method further includes at least one row modifying reel having one or more modifying symbols. If the at least one row modifying reel stops during a play of a game and a modifying symbol is visibly displayed in a display area of the gaming system, the modifying symbol indicates a visible row of the first set of reels. The gaming system is specially programmed to cause certain symbols in the indicated row to behave differently than the same certain symbols that appear on a non-indicated row. The behavior of the certain symbols in the indicated row may also change the behavior of symbols around the certain symbols in the indicated row.