Abstract: In contrast to conventional slot technology, embodiments of gaming devices described herein generate and/or modify a game outcome, or part of a game outcome, based on symbols that spin by while the one or more reels are spinning (herein referenced within this disclosure as “winning-while-spinning game operation”). Various embodiments of gaming devices described herein include new and/or improved gaming process control functions to implement the winning-while-spinning game operation while complying with gaming regulations. This may include using random number generator calls to dynamically generate reel strips, determining the number of revolutions and/or partial revolutions to spin reel strips, determining the number of steps to move the stepper or the time or frequency the reels step, and so on.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for an electronic gaming system employing four base games and a randomly activated feature. Each of the four base games are activated from a single player input, and the awards of one of the base games is extended to each other of the base games. Timing and type of randomly activated feature may be determined based on a weighted table, such that features with higher payouts have a lower probability of being presented than features with lower payouts.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a first game instance that includes a special symbol and determines that the special symbol lands within a symbol window position with a preexisting symbol frame. The symbol frame mechanic generates an upgraded symbol frame at the symbol window position. The symbol frame mechanic resets a count indicative of a number of remaining spins left before the preexisting symbol frame expires to a designated number of remaining spins. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a second game instance that includes a credit symbol. The symbol frame mechanic determines that the credit symbol lands within the symbol window position with the upgraded symbol frame and triggers a payout for the credit symbol that lands in the upgraded symbol frame.

Abstract: Memory-efficient techniques for assigning credit values to credit symbols in games of chance are provided. Such techniques allow such credit values to be displayed in ascending or descending order while still allowing for control of the rate at which the credit values grow (or decrease) in value. Moreover, such techniques allow the particular sequences of credit values that are assigned to be dynamically generated from one game to the next, thereby avoiding potentially repetitive use of a limited number of pre-defined credit value sequences to assign credit values or the need for large numbers of pre-defined credit value sequences that may unnecessarily consume memory.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a first game instance that includes a special symbol and determines that the special symbol lands within a symbol window position with a preexisting symbol frame. The symbol frame mechanic generates an upgraded symbol frame at the symbol window position. The symbol frame mechanic resets a count indicative of a number of remaining spins left before the preexisting symbol frame expires to a designated number of remaining spins. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a second game instance that includes a credit symbol. The symbol frame mechanic determines that the credit symbol lands within the symbol window position with the upgraded symbol frame and triggers a payout for the credit symbol that lands in the upgraded symbol frame.

Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.

Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.

Abstract: The innovations herein balance return to player (RTP) between different selectable volatility pick options (e.g., different reel set sizes) when a variable progressive feature prize (e.g., a number of free games) is awarded, while reducing loading delays and maintaining smooth operation of the gaming device. A volatility pick gateway may dynamically determine an adjustment factor for the progressive feature prize associated with a selectable volatility pick option and dynamically modify weights for a weight table associated with the selected volatility pick option. As opposed to employing lookup tables for every combination of selectable volatility pick option (e.g., reel set size) and progressive feature prize value (e.g., number of free games), one or more weights for weight tables associated with the volatility pick options may be dynamically modified. In this way, the RTP for the default volatility pick option may approximately match the RTP for the other selectable volatility pick options.

Abstract: A repeat accrual meter mechanic for an electronic gaming device is described. An initial credit value for a repeat accrual meter is determined prior to a spin. For the spin, a random based game outcome is generated, where the random based game outcome includes having a credit symbol and a target symbol. An accumulated credit value for the repeat accrual meter is determined based on adding a credit value of the credit symbol to the initial credit value. Afterwards, a repeat value is randomly determined by triggering a repeat credit operation based on the target symbol. The repeat value is indicative of a number of times to credit the accumulated credit value. Finally, a meter distribution amount is determined based on the accumulated credit value and the repeat value.

Abstract: Innovations in integrating a skill-based selection mechanism and a random number generator (“RNG”)-event-based mechanism in an electronic gaming device are described. For example, some of the innovations relate to integrating a skill-based selection mechanism and an RNG-event-based mechanism in an electronic gaming device that uses one or more sets of matrix elements and one or more sets of user-selectable action elements. User-selectable action elements are determined using RNG events. Matrix elements for a symbol matrix are also determined using RNG events. The action elements can be selectively applied, according to user input provided by a user, to change matrix elements (e.g., to “re-spin” one or more matrix elements, or to convert one or more matrix elements from one type to another type).

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a plurality of grid positions, and a game controller to at least: randomly populate a plurality of grid positions with one of a plurality of grid symbols, receive one or more selections of the plurality of grid positions, resulting a plurality of unselected grid positions, reveal a plurality of unrevealed symbols at each of the plurality of grid positions selected, in response to a first grid position selected revealing the first symbol, repopulate the first grid position with one of a plurality of chance symbols including the first symbol and the second symbol, and in response to the first grid position selected revealing the second symbol, determine a first award based on the second symbol.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a game instance of a base game that triggers a supplemental game feature. The random based game outcome includes a plurality of target feature symbols. The symbol frame mechanic generates a plurality of feature symbol frames at symbol window positions with the target feature symbols. The target feature symbols trigger generation of the feature symbol frames. The symbol frame mechanic determines a current symbol frame state according to the feature symbol frames and generate a random based game outcome in a game instance of the supplemental game feature. The symbol frame mechanic updates the current symbol frame state based on combining the random based game outcome in the game instance of the supplemental game feature with the current symbol frame state.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a first game instance that includes a special symbol and determines that the special symbol lands within a symbol window position with a preexisting symbol frame. The symbol frame mechanic generates an upgraded symbol frame at the symbol window position. The symbol frame mechanic resets a count indicative of a number of remaining spins left before the preexisting symbol frame expires to a designated number of remaining spins. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a second game instance that includes a credit symbol. The symbol frame mechanic determines that the credit symbol lands within the symbol window position with the upgraded symbol frame and triggers a payout for the credit symbol that lands in the upgraded symbol frame.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a game instance of a base game that triggers a supplemental game feature. The random based game outcome includes a plurality of target feature symbols. The symbol frame mechanic generates a plurality of feature symbol frames at symbol window positions with the target feature symbols. The target feature symbols trigger generation of the feature symbol frames. The symbol frame mechanic determines a current symbol frame state according to the feature symbol frames and generate a random based game outcome in a game instance of the supplemental game feature. The symbol frame mechanic updates the current symbol frame state based on combining the random based game outcome in the game instance of the supplemental game feature with the current symbol frame state.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a first game instance that includes a special symbol and determines that the special symbol lands within a symbol window position with a preexisting symbol frame. The symbol frame mechanic generates an upgraded symbol frame at the symbol window position. The symbol frame mechanic resets a count indicative of a number of remaining spins left before the preexisting symbol frame expires to a designated number of remaining spins. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a second game instance that includes a credit symbol. The symbol frame mechanic determines that the credit symbol lands within the symbol window position with the upgraded symbol frame and triggers a payout for the credit symbol that lands in the upgraded symbol frame.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a plurality of grid positions, and a game controller to at least: randomly populate a plurality of grid positions with one of a plurality of grid symbols, receive one or more selections of the plurality of grid positions, resulting a plurality of unselected grid positions, reveal a plurality of unrevealed symbols at each of the plurality of grid positions selected, in response to a first grid position selected revealing the first symbol, repopulate the first grid position with one of a plurality of chance symbols including the first symbol and the second symbol, and in response to the first grid position selected revealing the second symbol, determine a first award based on the second symbol.

Abstract: A symbol frame mechanic for a gaming device is described. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a first game instance that includes a special symbol and determines that the special symbol lands within a symbol window position with a preexisting symbol frame. The symbol frame mechanic generates an upgraded symbol frame at the symbol window position. The symbol frame mechanic resets a count indicative of a number of remaining spins left before the preexisting symbol frame expires to a designated number of remaining spins. The symbol frame mechanic generates a random based game outcome in a second game instance that includes a credit symbol. The symbol frame mechanic determines that the credit symbol lands within the symbol window position with the upgraded symbol frame and triggers a payout for the credit symbol that lands in the upgraded symbol frame.

Abstract: A repeat accrual meter mechanic for an electronic gaming device is described. An initial credit value for a repeat accrual meter is determined prior to a spin. For the spin, a random based game outcome is generated, where the random based game outcome includes having a credit symbol and a target symbol. An accumulated credit value for the repeat accrual meter is determined based on adding a credit value of the credit symbol to the initial credit value. Afterwards, a repeat value is randomly determined by triggering a repeat credit operation based on the target symbol. The repeat value is indicative of a number of times to credit the accumulated credit value. Finally, a meter distribution amount is determined based on the accumulated credit value and the repeat value.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a plurality of grid positions, and a game controller to at least: randomly populate a plurality of grid positions with one of a plurality of grid symbols, receive one or more selections of the plurality of grid positions, resulting a plurality of unselected grid positions, reveal a plurality of unrevealed symbols at each of the plurality of grid positions selected, in response to a first grid position selected revealing the first symbol, repopulate the first grid position with one of a plurality of chance symbols including the first symbol and the second symbol, and in response to the first grid position selected revealing the second symbol, determine a first award based on the second symbol.

Abstract: A gaming machine for providing a skill-based wagering game to a player is described herein. The gaming machine includes a controller programmed to display the skill-based wagering game on a display device, receive a signal indicating a wager being received from the player, and initiate the skill-based wagering game. The controller determines a player skill level value associated with the player based on player skill operations received during game play and accesses RTP value data to determine an RTP value based on the determined player skill level value and the received wager amount. The controller generates a plurality of primary awards as a function of the determined RTP value, displays a primary award selection screen to select a primary award from the plurality of primary awards, and adjust the credit balance based on the player selected primary award.