Abstract: Method and systems of gaming are provided herein. One method includes receiving a credit wager to initiate play of a base game. The method also includes awarding, in a feature game, at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of game rounds, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round. The method still further includes selecting a candidate game round of the plurality of candidate game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit, and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display as the initial game round.

Abstract: Method and systems of gaming are provided herein. One method includes receiving a credit wager to initiate play of a base game. The method also includes awarding, in a feature game, at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of game rounds, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round. The method still further includes selecting a candidate game round of the plurality of candidate game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit, and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display as the initial game round.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: Method and systems of gaming are provided herein. One method includes receiving a credit wager to initiate play of a base game. The method also includes awarding, in a feature game, at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of game rounds, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round. The method still further includes selecting a candidate game round of the plurality of candidate game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit, and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display as the initial game round.

Abstract: A gaming machine that provides a wagering game, including a user interface in communication with a game controller, through the operation of which a player selects one of a plurality of wager options that determine a number of symbols to be active and inactive in the wagering game. For at least one said wager option at least one, but not all of the plurality of symbols that define a possible said winning combination are rendered inactive for forming the winning combination.

Abstract: A gaming machine that provides a wagering game, including a user interface in communication with a game controller, through the operation of which a player selects one of a plurality of wager options that determine a number of symbols to be active and inactive in the wagering game. For at least one said wager option at least one, but not all of the plurality of symbols that define a possible said winning combination are rendered inactive for forming the winning combination.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: Method and systems of gaming are provided herein. One method includes receiving a credit wager to initiate play of a base game. The method also includes awarding, in a feature game, at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of game rounds, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round. The method still further includes selecting a candidate game round of the plurality of candidate game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit, and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display as the initial game round.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: Method and systems of gaming are provided herein. One method includes receiving a credit wager to initiate play of a base game. The method also includes awarding, in a feature game, at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of game rounds, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round. The method still further includes selecting a candidate game round of the plurality of candidate game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit, and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display as the initial game round.

Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: conducting an initial play round comprising: selecting and displaying a first set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; displaying at least one special symbol at a display position; determining a game outcome based on each at least one special symbol and the first set of normal symbols, and conducting one or more further play rounds until an end condition is met, each further play round comprising: retaining the at least one special symbol from the previous play round; selecting a new display position at random for each retained special symbol; selecting and displaying a further set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; and determining a further game outcome based on the new display position of each special symbol and the further set of normal symbols.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: conducting an initial play round comprising: selecting and displaying a first set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; displaying at least one special symbol at a display position; determining a game outcome based on each at least one special symbol and the first set of normal symbols, and conducting one or more further play rounds until an end condition is met, each further play round comprising: retaining the at least one special symbol from the previous play round; selecting a new display position at random for each retained special symbol; selecting and displaying a further set of normal symbols at a plurality of display positions; and determining a further game outcome based on the new display position of each special symbol and the further set of normal symbols.

Abstract: A gaming machine that provides a wagering game, including a user interface in communication with a game controller, through the operation of which a player selects one of a plurality of wager options that determine a number of symbols to be active and inactive in the wagering game. For at least one said wager option at least one, but not all of the plurality of symbols that define a possible said winning combination are rendered inactive for forming the winning combination.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: Method and systems of gaming are provided herein. One method includes receiving a credit wager to initiate play of a base game. The method also includes awarding, in a feature game, at least two game rounds including at least an initial game round and a subsequent game round. The method also includes generating a plurality of candidate game outcomes for a plurality of game rounds, and determining, for each of the plurality of candidate game outcomes, an expected benefit to be gained from the respective candidate game outcome when generating a subsequent game outcome in the subsequent game round. The method still further includes selecting a candidate game round of the plurality of candidate game rounds having a candidate game outcome of the plurality of candidate game outcomes associated with a greatest expected benefit, and displaying the selected candidate game round on a display as the initial game round.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a display, a symbol selector arranged to select at least a first set of normal symbols to be displayed by the display at a plurality of display positions and to cause a special symbol to be displayed at a display position, a special symbol controller arranged to replicate an aspect of the special symbol until an end condition is met, the special symbol controller arranged to maintain each previously displayed special symbol in the display position where the special symbol occurred, select at least one display position for each replicated aspect of the special symbol and cause each replicated aspect of the special symbol to be displayed at the selected position, and an outcome generator arranged to determine at least one game outcome based on the displayed special symbol, the displayed normal symbols and the replicated aspect of the special symbol. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of gaming including: displaying to a player a potential award and an indicator having an indicator state when active during play of a game; changing the indicator state in response to play of the game; changing the potential award in response to play of the game; and awarding the potential award which is displayed when the indicator state is an award state.