Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a selection game including a first set of selections associated with a plurality of different activatable selection game enhancements and a different second set of selections associated with a plurality of different awards. Generally, for a play of the selection game, the gaming system enables a player to use a quantity of picks to pick one or more selections of the first set to cause the gaming system to activate certain of the selection game enhancements without providing awards and/or to pick one or more selections of the second set to cause the gaming system to provide certain of the awards. Each selection game enhancement, when active, causes the gaming system to modify at least one feature of the selection game to increase the value of the remainder of the play of the selection game.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing multiway evaluation for a game including multi-component symbols that are utilized to determine one or more modifiers. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of reels including a plurality of individual symbols and a plurality of multi-component symbols including a plurality of the individual symbols. The gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols on the reels and determines a quantity of adjacent reels that each displays at least one instance of a first individual symbol. The gaming system determines a modifier for each of the adjacent reels based on a quantity of instances of the first individual symbol displayed by that reel, and determines any awards for the first individual symbol based on the determined quantity of adjacent reels and any determined modifiers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a bonus game customizable with features of one or more primary games. In various embodiments, the gaming system may trigger the customizable bonus game in association with a play of any one of a plurality of different primary games, each of which includes one or more features. Before providing a play of the customizable bonus game, the gaming system modifies the customizable bonus game to include one of the features of the primary game that triggered the customizable bonus game that is not included in any of the other primary games. The modification is in addition to at least one prior modification of the customizable bonus game. Thus, the gaming system enables a player to customize the combination of features included in the customizable bonus game by playing a variety of different primary games.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a matching game having a player-adjustable volatility. Generally, in various embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to select one of a plurality of different sets of symbols for the gaming system to employ for a play of the matching game. The sets of symbols include different characteristics or features such that the volatility of the matching game differs depending on which particular set of symbols the player selects for the play of the matching game. The gaming system of the present disclosure thus enables the player to tailor the volatility of the matching game to the player's liking by selecting a particular set of symbols.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein includes a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which retains, saves or stores zero, one or more of any symbols removed during the play of a primary cascading symbols game. In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein includes a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which sequentially layers a plurality of adjacent symbol display position grids at different depths.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a game employing a player-selected one of a plurality of different features. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a set of a plurality of different features, and enables a player to select one of the features for a play of the game. In certain instances, the gaming system provides the play of the game in accordance with the selected feature. In other instances, the gaming system provides the play of the game without the selected feature, and uses the selected feature to modify one of the other, non-selected features that has a designated relationship with the selected feature. The gaming system subsequently enables the player to select the modified feature for a subsequent play of the game.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing multiway evaluation for a game including multi-component symbols that are utilized to determine one or more modifiers. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of reels including a plurality of individual symbols and a plurality of multi-component symbols including a plurality of the individual symbols. The gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols on the reels and determines a quantity of adjacent reels that each displays at least one instance of a first individual symbol. The gaming system determines a modifier for each of the adjacent reels based on a quantity of instances of the first individual symbol displayed by that reel, and determines any awards for the first individual symbol based on the determined quantity of adjacent reels and any determined modifiers.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein includes a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which retains, saves or stores zero, one or more of any symbols removed during the play of a primary cascading symbols game. In various embodiments, the gaming system disclosed herein includes a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which sequentially layers a plurality of adjacent symbol display position grids at different depths.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing game play of a slot game allowing for identifying matching symbols in the same relative positions in two or more grids. A first grid and a second grid may be displayed. Symbols for each grid spot in the first and second grids are determined, and the display of the game is updated with the determined symbols. A first symbol in a first location in the first grid is determined to match a second symbol in a second location in a second grid, where the first location and the second location are the same relative positions in the first grid and the second grid. An award to a player is determined based on the determined match.

Abstract: A gaming system including a cascading symbol game which utilizes a plurality of interacting symbols. In certain embodiments, the cascading symbol game utilizes a plurality of symbol display position matrices or grids. Each symbol display position matrix includes a plurality of symbol display positions. In operation, the gaming system generates and displays a symbol at each symbol display position of each employed symbol display position matrix, wherein the gaming system utilizes a separate set or pool of available symbols for each employed symbol display position matrix. Upon an occurrence of an interacting symbol triggering event, such as the shifting of one or more symbols between symbol display position matrices, the gaming system causes one or more symbols to interact to provide one or more benefits to a player.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a matching game having a player-adjustable volatility. Generally, in various embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to select one of a plurality of different sets of symbols for the gaming system to employ for a play of the matching game. The sets of symbols include different characteristics or features such that the volatility of the matching game differs depending on which particular set of symbols the player selects for the play of the matching game. The gaming system of the present disclosure thus enables the player to tailor the volatility of the matching game to the player's liking by selecting a particular set of symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system including a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which utilizes zero, one or more multiple symbol display position symbols. Each multiple symbol display position symbol is configured to occupy or span a plurality of symbol display positions of a symbol display position matrix. For a generated multiple symbol display position symbol to be removed from the symbol display matrix, each of the individual symbols of the multiple symbol display position symbol must individually qualify to be removed from the symbol display matrix.

Abstract: A gaming system including a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which utilizes zero, one or more upgrades in association with zero, one or more shifting symbols. Upon an occurrence of an upgrade event, the gaming system upgrades one or more aspects or attributes of one or more games played. In certain embodiments, such upgrades pertain to upgrading one or more symbols displayed at one or more symbol display positions of one or more symbol display position grids. In certain other embodiments, such upgrades pertain to upgrading the award evaluation of one or more symbols displayed at one or more symbol display positions of one or more symbol display position grids. In certain other embodiments, such upgrades pertain to upgrading one or more attributes or features of one or more bonus or secondary games which are subsequently triggered.

Abstract: A gaming system including a cascading symbol or tumbling reel game which utilizes zero, one or more upgrades in association with zero, one or more shifting symbols. Upon an occurrence of an upgrade event, the gaming system upgrades one or more aspects or attributes of one or more games played. In certain embodiments, such upgrades pertain to upgrading one or more symbols displayed at one or more symbol display positions of one or more symbol display position grids. In certain other embodiments, such upgrades pertain to upgrading the award evaluation of one or more symbols displayed at one or more symbol display positions of one or more symbol display position grids. In certain other embodiments, such upgrades pertain to upgrading one or more attributes or features of one or more bonus or secondary games which are subsequently triggered.

Abstract: A gaming system including a cascading symbol game which utilizes a plurality of symbol display position matrices and a plurality of different directions of symbol movement. Each symbol display position matrix includes a plurality of symbol display positions. At least one of the symbol display position matrices includes one or more symbol display positions linked to or otherwise associated with one or more symbol display positions of at least another of the symbol display position matrices. If the gaming system determines that one or more symbols will be repositioned from one or more symbol display positions of one symbol display position matrix to one or more linked symbol display positions of another symbol display position matrix, the gaming system determines a direction of movement of such symbols.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a slot game and enabling accumulation of graphical image symbols. Generally, in various embodiments, the gaming system enables a player to accumulate graphical image symbols during play of the slot game and, when a complete set of the graphical image symbols is accumulated such that a graphical image associated with that complete set is displayed, provides a feature to the player. The gaming system of the present disclosure thus encourages players to continue play of the slot game to attempt to accumulate a complete set of the graphical image symbols such that the gaming system provides the feature.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing multiway evaluation for a game including multi-component symbols that are utilized to determine one or more modifiers. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of reels including a plurality of individual symbols and a plurality of multi-component symbols including a plurality of the individual symbols. The gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols on the reels and determines a quantity of adjacent reels that each displays at least one instance of a first individual symbol. The gaming system determines a modifier for each of the adjacent reels based on a quantity of instances of the first individual symbol displayed by that reel, and determines any awards for the first individual symbol based on the determined quantity of adjacent reels and any determined modifiers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a slot game having a surrounded symbol award evaluation. Generally, in various embodiments, for a play of the slot game having the surrounded symbol award evaluation the gaming system: (a) displays a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display areas; (b) determines whether any displayed non-enclosing symbols are surrounded by a plurality of displayed enclosing symbols; and (c) if so, determines any awards based on the surrounded non-enclosing symbol(s). Thus, instead of (or in addition to) using a payline evaluation, a ways-to-win evaluation, a scatter pay evaluation, or any other evaluation of the displayed symbols to determine whether to provide any awards, the gaming system of the present disclosure does so by determining whether a particular type of symbol (such as an enclosing symbol) surrounds another type of symbol (such as a non-enclosing symbol).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a set of randomly selected reels. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a slot game associated with a plurality of adjacently arranged reels including a plurality of symbols. Each of a plurality of the reels is associated with one of a plurality of different features and an indicator representing that feature. The gaming system begins sequentially displaying the reels and any corresponding indicators. The gaming system selects a set of two or more of the reels and stops sequentially displaying the reels such that the selected reels are displayed. The gaming system generates and displays a plurality of the symbols on the selected reels, determines whether any winning symbol combinations are displayed, determines any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations, and displays any determined awards.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing multiway evaluation for a game including multi-component symbols that are utilized to determine one or more modifiers. In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of reels including a plurality of individual symbols and a plurality of multi-component symbols including a plurality of the individual symbols. The gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols on the reels and determines a quantity of adjacent reels that each displays at least one instance of a first individual symbol. The gaming system determines a modifier for each of the adjacent reels based on a quantity of instances of the first individual symbol displayed by that reel, and determines any awards for the first individual symbol based on the determined quantity of adjacent reels and any determined modifiers.