Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array comprising a plurality of symbol positions divided into a plurality of position subsets and game-logic circuitry that causes the display device to: present the symbol array in a first initial state by presenting at least one static symbol position in each position subset and randomly allocating a first set of allocated symbol positions, generate game cycle outcomes by populating the symbol positions, in response to a trigger event, expand a first position subset to include an expanded symbol position, and present the symbol array transitioning from a final state associated with a reset condition to a second initial state by removing expanded symbol positions and the allocated positions from the symbol positions in the final state and randomly allocating a second set of allocated symbol positions among the position subsets to include with the static symbol positions.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes an electronic display device configured to display an array of symbol positions and registers. The registers are associated with respective subsets of one or more of the symbol positions of the array. Game-logic circuitry directs the display device to animate a plurality of spins of symbol-bearing reels wherein, in each spin, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in the array. The plurality of symbols include value-bearing symbols, redemption symbols, and reset symbols. For each landed value-bearing symbol, the symbol value is added to the applicable register. In response to accumulating a predetermined number of the redemption symbols in a subset, the value in that subset's register is awarded. In response to the reset symbol landing in a subset, the value in that subset's register is reset.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array comprising a plurality of symbol positions divided into a plurality of position subsets and game-logic circuitry that causes the display device to: present the symbol array in a first initial state by presenting at least one static symbol position in each position subset and randomly allocating a first set of allocated symbol positions, generate game cycle outcomes by populating the symbol positions, in response to a trigger event, expand a first position subset to include an expanded symbol position, and present the symbol array transitioning from a final state associated with a reset condition to a second initial state by removing expanded symbol positions and the allocated positions from the symbol positions in the final state and randomly allocating a second set of allocated symbol positions among the position subsets to include with the static symbol positions.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an array. The reels bear standard symbols, transformable symbols, and a catalyst symbol. Based on a wager tier to which a player's wager belongs, one or more of the transformable symbols are transformed into value-bearing symbols or the catalyst symbol. The reels are then spun and stopped to land symbols in the array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, a payout is awarded based upon values on any value-bearing symbols among the landed symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an indicator bearing a pay multiplier. For each spin outcome, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in an array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, the values on any value-bearing symbols in the array are multiplied by the pay multiplier and awarded, and the pay multiplier is then modified for a subsequent spin outcome(s) based on the type, e.g., color, of the catalyst symbol. In response to the landed symbols not including the catalyst symbol, no awards are provided for any value-bearing symbols in the array, and the pay multiplier stays the same for a subsequent spin outcome(s) until a catalyst symbol lands in the array.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an array. The reels bear standard symbols, transformable symbols, and a catalyst symbol. Based on a wager tier to which a player's wager belongs, one or more of the transformable symbols are transformed into value-bearing symbols or the catalyst symbol. The reels are then spun and stopped to land symbols in the array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, a payout is awarded based upon values on any value-bearing symbols among the landed symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an indicator bearing a pay multiplier. For each spin outcome, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in an array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, the values on any value-bearing symbols in the array are multiplied by the pay multiplier and awarded, and the pay multiplier is then modified for a subsequent spin outcome(s) based on the type, e.g., color, of the catalyst symbol. In response to the landed symbols not including the catalyst symbol, no awards are provided for any value-bearing symbols in the array, and the pay multiplier stays the same for a subsequent spin outcome(s) until a catalyst symbol lands in the array.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an indicator bearing a pay multiplier. For each spin outcome, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in an array. In response to the landed symbols including a catalyst symbol, the values on any value-bearing symbols in the array are multiplied by the pay multiplier and awarded, and the pay multiplier is then modified for a subsequent spin outcome(s) based on the type, e.g., color, of the catalyst symbol. In response to the landed symbols not including the catalyst symbol, no awards are provided for any value-bearing symbols in the array, and the pay multiplier stays the same for a subsequent spin outcome(s) until a catalyst symbol lands in the array.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes an electronic display device configured to display an array of symbol positions and registers. The registers are associated with respective subsets of one or more of the symbol positions of the array. Game-logic circuitry directs the display device to animate a plurality of spins of symbol-bearing reels wherein, in each spin, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in the array. The plurality of symbols include value-bearing symbols, redemption symbols, and reset symbols. For each landed value-bearing symbol, the symbol value is added to the applicable register. In response to accumulating a predetermined number of the redemption symbols in a subset, the value in that subset's register is awarded. In response to the reset symbol landing in a subset, the value in that subset's register is reset.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array comprising a plurality of symbol positions divided into a plurality of position subsets and game-logic circuitry that causes the display device to: present the symbol array in a first initial state by presenting at least one static symbol position in each position subset and randomly allocating a first set of allocated symbol positions, generate game cycle outcomes by populating the symbol positions, in response to a trigger event, expand a first position subset to include an expanded symbol position, and present the symbol array transitioning from a final state associated with a reset condition to a second initial state by removing expanded symbol positions and the allocated positions from the symbol positions in the final state and randomly allocating a second set of allocated symbol positions among the position subsets to include with the static symbol positions.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes a plurality of award levels having respective awards and trigger conditions. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, provides, in response to failing to collect a first predetermined number of trigger symbols, a first jackpot award associated with a first award level, and, in response to collecting the first predetermined number of trigger symbols: (i) expands the active array, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes. At least one of the first jackpot award and a second jackpot award of the second award level is increased based at least partially on award values of value-bearing symbols populating the active array through the game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes an electronic display device configured to display an array of symbol positions and registers. The registers are associated with respective subsets of one or more of the symbol positions of the array. Game-logic circuitry directs the display device to animate a plurality of spins of symbol-bearing reels wherein, in each spin, the reels are spun and stopped to land symbols in the array. The plurality of symbols include value-bearing symbols, redemption symbols, and reset symbols. For each landed value-bearing symbol, the symbol value is added to the applicable register. In response to accumulating a predetermined number of the redemption symbols in a subset, the value in that subset's register is awarded. In response to the reset symbol landing in a subset, the value in that subset's register is reset.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one input device adapted to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance for a wagering game, and a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance. In response to a wager input, a wagering game is initiated that includes the spinning and stopping of a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins populating a bonus array with bonus symbols. The bonus reels comprise a combination of symbols reducing display processing requirements and improve mapping random numbers to displayed symbols for display during bonus spins having reduced durations. When completed, an award is determined based according to values associated with less than all of the bonus symbols displayed in a bonus outcome array.