Abstract: A group of gaming machines, method, and program product are provided for operating in two gaming modes. In response to a mode change event received over the network, the mode of gaming machines in the group changes from a first gaming mode to a second gaming mode including a meter displayed by the display system and a different paytable for the game than the first gaming mode. A level of the respective meter for each gaming machine in the group is reduced based on the time spent in the second gaming mode. A bonus event trigger activates a bonus feature for the respective gaming machine including at least one bonus prize, and in response to the bonus outcome at the respective gaming machine, meter level is decreased at each gaming machine in the group. The second game mode ends when the meter reaches a defined lowest level.

Abstract: A gaming machine is controlled with program code for, in response to a play input causing a display system to display a base result representation in a first area of the display system including a matrix of symbol locations with a first line of symbols randomly selected from among multiplier symbols and non-operative symbols, a second line of symbols randomly selected from among multiplier symbols and non-operative symbols, and a third line of symbols randomly selected from among prize symbols and non-operative symbols. In response to an alignment of a multiple-location prize symbol along multiple alignment paths with a plurality of multiplier symbols on each alignment path, awarding a prize amount of a prize associated with the prize symbol times a combined multiplier value indicated by all the multiplier symbols so aligned.

Abstract: A method of controlling a gaming machine according includes causing a video display system of the gaming machine to display a number of activation icons. Each of the activation icons includes a respective activation value so that the number of activation icons define a activation value range from a minimum activation value to a relatively higher maximum activation value. The method further includes receiving a activation selection input that selects one of the activation icons to place the activation value included in the selected activation icon as a activation for an activation of the gaming machine. In response to the activation selection input and under control of a result generating processing system associated with the gaming machine, a result for the activation is obtained and, where the result is a winning result, the video display system is caused to display the result obtained for the activation selection input in a numerical prize graphic comprising a static numerical value.