Abstract: A gaming system may include a game that converts some portions of vertical reels into one or more new reels that span across the vertical reels. The gaming system may convert portions of the vertical reels into a horizontal reel based on triggering symbols. The gaming system may randomly generate and display symbols for the horizontal reel. The generated symbols for the horizontal reel may include multiplier symbols and other suitable symbols. The displayed multiplier symbols may be added together to form a total multiplier value. The gaming system may determine an award for the player based on multiplying the player's wager with the total multiplier value. The gaming system may provide the player with other awards based on winning symbols and winning symbol combinations.

Abstract: A gaming system and method provides a game having a plurality of segment sets, wherein one or more of the plurality of segment sets includes one or more selectable segments. In some implementations, the selectable segments are associated with symbols. In some implementations, gaming system randomly selects at least one segment from one or more of the plurality of segments. The gaming system provides a plurality of different awards depending on the particular combination of symbols associated with the selected segments. In some implementations, when the gaming system selects a plurality of segments associated with different predetermined symbols, the gaming system may determine an award by adding the value of symbols associated with the remaining selected segments.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for a gaming system are disclosed. Operations performed by the gaming system include displaying symbols in symbol display areas. The operations also include determining, based on an amount of a wager, an expansion area including two or more symbol display areas. The operations also include determining an expansion symbol from the symbols included in the two or more symbol display areas. The operations also include converting the expansion symbol into a stacked symbol filling the two or more symbol display areas included in the expansion area. The operations also include determining whether the symbols displayed in the symbol display areas, including the expansion symbol, include a winning symbol combination.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for a gaming system are disclosed. Operations performed by the gaming system include determining first symbols for first symbol display areas and determining second symbols for second symbol display areas. The operations also include displaying the first symbols in the first symbol display areas and the second symbols in the second symbol display areas. The operations also include transposing one or more of the second symbols from the second symbol display areas to the first symbol display areas, wherein the transposing increases an amount of the one or more second symbols. The operations also include determining that the first symbols and the one or more second symbols displayed in the first symbol display areas include a winning symbol combination.

Abstract: A gaming system provides a hold and respin feature that includes at least some award derived from player selections. In some implementations of the hold and respin feature, upon detection of a triggering event, the gaming system provides a selection grid to the player, and the gaming system enables the player to select one or more symbol display areas of the selection grid. The gaming system may convert the selection grid into one or more slot machine reels to play one or more rounds of free games or free spins. The gaming system may retain the symbols (e.g., selected symbols) displayed in the player selected symbol display areas of the selection grid in the same symbol display areas shared between the selection grid and the slot machine reels.

Abstract: In some implementations, a gaming system provides a game with reusable symbols. For example, a gaming system may generate and display the reusable symbols during a play of a game, make copies of the reusable symbols during the play of the game, and return the copied reusable symbols for use in the same or a later play of the game.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing a game having selectable levels using different game information are disclosed. Operations performed by the systems and methods include receiving a selection of a level from a number of predetermined levels that respectively correspond to a number of symbol sets and a number of award tables. The operations also include determining a symbol set corresponding to the level. The operations also include determining an award table corresponding to the level. The operations also include determining symbols for symbol display areas using the symbol set corresponding to the level. The operations also include displaying the symbols in the symbol display areas. The operations also include determining that the symbols displayed in the symbol display areas include a winning symbol combination using the award table corresponding to the level selected using the level selector.

Abstract: A gaming system and method include side bet wagering on various game elements, game features, or some combination thereof. Selectable side bet symbols that the player can select for a side bet are displayed, and the player may win the side bet if the gaming system generates the selected side bet symbol in a winning symbol combination or based on some other suitable evaluation criteria. The selectable side bet symbols may be symbols that are used in a game (e.g., a slot reel game or other suitable games). The gaming system may change the available selectable side bet symbols in different plays of a game. The gaming system may present the side bet symbols in a pop out or slide out window (e.g., a slide out information area) of a game screen. The player may place a side bet on a non-traditional pay line or a player-drawn pay line.

Abstract: In accordance with various implementations, a gaming system and method may include a game having a plurality of award segments, where an award segment can provide one or more randomly determined segment symbols. In some implementations, the segment symbols are associated with an award value. In some implementations, one or more of the segment symbols or their associated values can be combined to form a larger award value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and processes for gaming and amusement devices. A gaming system consistent with the present disclosure provides a game involving multiple game features. A first feature can include one or more rounds of game play that can award rounds of a second feature. The rounds of the second feature accumulate over multiple rounds of the first feature. Playing the second feature may consume the rounds such that the second feature ends when all rounds obtained by the player from the first feature are consumed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as enabling replacements for one or more portions of an offered award. An offered award may comprise a plurality of different award values (e.g., portions of the offered award), where one or more of the plurality of award values can be selected for replacement in an attempt to improve the selected award values with larger award values. The gaming system may randomly generate replacement award values that are equal to zero, lower in value, equal in value, or greater in value than the award values selected for replacement. In other words, one or more portions of an offered award can be put at risk in attempt to improve the offered award.

Abstract: Various implementations of a gaming system and method include generating and displaying a plurality of symbols, where at least some generated symbols are converted into different symbols when sandwiched between at least two columns containing the same or similar symbols. The gaming system may convert the sandwiched symbols into symbols that are the same or similar to the symbols in the at least two columns. The gaming system may evaluate the displayed symbols, including the converted sandwiched symbols, for winning symbol combinations and payout any determined awards.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and processes for gaming. A gaming system consistent with the present disclosure provides a game feature involving multiple rounds. For the individual rounds of the game feature, the gaming system can display randomly determined combinations of game symbols at symbol display areas and determine awards corresponding to the winning combinations. Additionally, for the individual rounds of the game feature, the gaming system can display persistent game indicators at the symbol display areas. The game symbols may be replaced from round-to-round of the game feature. The persistent game indicators are held in the symbol display areas from round-to-round of the game feature such that the quantity of symbol display areas including the persistent game indicators accumulate during the game feature.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as having a slide out information area that can be displayed substantially simultaneously with a game on one display screen while efficiently using gaming system hardware resources. The slide out information area enables a player to easily access game information without leaving or interrupting a play of a game. The slide out information area also minimizes the need for the player to switch the player's gaze from the game screen to another screen.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and processes for gaming. A gaming system consistent with the present disclosure provides a game feature involving multiple rounds. For the individual rounds of the game feature, the gaming system can display randomly determined combinations of game symbols at symbol display areas and determine awards corresponding to the winning combinations. Additionally, for the individual rounds of the game feature, the gaming system can display persistent game indicators at the symbol display areas. The game symbols may be replaced from round-to-round of the game feature. The persistent game indicators are held in the symbol display areas from round-to-round of the game feature such that the quantity of symbol display areas including the persistent game indicators accumulate during the game feature.

Abstract: A gaming system can provide a game including multiple rounds. Operations performed for individual rounds include randomly determining symbols for symbol display areas and displaying symbols. The operations also include determining winning symbol combinations based on the symbols. The operations also include determining a first award based on the winning symbol combinations. The operations also include increasing a quantity of rounds based on a quantity of bonus symbols included in the symbols. For bonus symbols determined for the symbol display areas previously lacking persistent indicators, display persistent indicators having an initial value. For the bonus symbols determined for symbol display areas previously including persistent indicators having current values less than a maximum value, increase the current values. The operations also include determining a second award based on the values of the persistent indicators.

Abstract: A gaming system consistent with the present disclosure provides a game including multiple rounds. Operations performed for individual rounds of the multiple rounds include holding locked symbol display. The operations also include generating award indicator symbols for unlocked symbol display areas. The operations also include increasing the quantity of rounds based on the quantity of the award indicator symbols determined. The operations also include displaying the award indicator symbols determined for the unlocked symbol display areas without replacing award indicator symbols of the locked symbol display areas. The operations also include displaying values of the award indicator symbols determined for the unlocked symbol display areas previously lacking award indicator symbols. The operations also include.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as enabling improvements to game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to adjust game elements to different positions to improve game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome. In some embodiments, the player purchases the opportunity to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as enabling improvements to game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to adjust game elements to different positions to improve game outcomes. In some embodiments, the gaming system enables the player to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome. In some embodiments, the player purchases the opportunity to move one or more symbols to different symbol positions to improve a game outcome.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as having progressive non-monetary awards. In some embodiments, a non-monetary award is a play of a game having one or more active special game features but does not directly result in a player winning cash, credits, or items that can be converted directly to cash. The gaming system may accumulate a progressive non-monetary award from one or more portions of players' wagers over plays of a game on the gaming system, wherein the progressive non-monetary award may include a plurality of non-monetary awards. The gaming system may calculate non-monetary award contributions to the progressive non-monetary award based on a face value of a play of the game and a theoretical return to player percentage associated with the game.