Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a plurality of symbols on a plurality of reels defining an array. The array includes a plurality of player-selectable paylines indicating symbol combinations in the array. The gaming machine also includes a player-input device, a payline indicator, and a controller. The player-input device receives input from a player for selecting one or more of the player-selectable paylines. The payline indicator is movable along a vertical path in a direction alongside the plurality of reels and indicates a number corresponding to the selected ones of the player-selectable paylines. The controller is in communication with the display and is programmed to activate the selected ones of the player-selectable paylines during the wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game is provided according to one embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine includes a value input device which may receive a wager. The gaming machine also includes a display region for displaying an array of symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes including at least one winning outcome. At least one of the symbols is an advantageous symbol that indicates the potential for completing a winning outcome, resulting in an award. The at least one advantageous symbol in the array is animated as it moves through the display region.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a plurality of symbols arranged on a plurality of reels. The gaming machine further comprises a controller operative to spin the reels, sequentially stop the plurality of reels in a predetermined order, and cause the display to display a visual designation indicating the next reel in the sequence to be stopped. In one embodiment, the visual designation comprises an animated reel bezel surrounding the next reel in the sequence to be stopped.