Abstract: A method of playing a feature game on a gaming machine. A display displays a first game and a second game. A game controller determines if a merging condition occurs, and if a merging condition occurs, animates a merging of the first game and the second game into a merged game at the display. The merged game has a plurality of display positions from the first game, the second game, and a set of additional display positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise advancements to electronic gaming machines. In particular embodiments, when a bonus feature is activated and, as part of the bonus feature, a sub-feature is selected from among multiple available sub-features. The bonus feature can include one or more sub-features that trigger a further secondary RNG selection. For example, the one or more sub-features can include one or more of (a) a credit awarding secondary feature in which a secondary RNG is applied to select the amount of credits; (b) a free-spin secondary feature in which one or more free games can be awarded; and/or (c) a reel-spin feature in which an enhanced reward scheme is applied. In further embodiments, the reel-spin feature can further include a random selection of a threshold that ensures the player the threshold amount until it is exceeded by the game mechanics.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes a game controller configured to control a display device to present a game area, where the game area is configured to display a plurality of reel strips. Further, the game controller may select a reel layout for at least one reel strip, where the selected reel layout specifies a size of at least one oversized symbol and a location of the at least one oversized symbol on the symbol display positions of the at least one reel strip. In addition, the game controller may select a first oversized symbol corresponding to the size of the at least one oversized symbol specified by the selected reel layout, and/or add the first oversized symbol to the at least one reel strip at the location specified by the reel layout.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming machine, methods of gaming and gaming systems. The gaming system comprises: a first video display; a second video display; and a game controller. The game controller is arranged to: select a plurality of symbols from a symbol set for display on the first video display and the second video display; and evaluate a symbol subset comprising one or more of the plurality of symbols to determine whether to make an award. The number of symbols of the symbol subset is higher than a number of symbols in the symbol subset evaluated by the game controller in a previous game instance.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes a game controller configured to control a display device to add a first oversized symbol to at least two reel strips of a plurality of reel strips. The at least two reel strips are adjacent one another, and the first oversized symbol has a first oversized symbol width that is at least twice a symbol display position width. The game controller is also configured to determine a number of reel strips remaining that do not include the first oversized symbol, where the remaining number of reel strips define a remaining width. In addition, the game controller is configured to select a second oversized symbol based on the remaining width, where the second oversized symbol has a second oversized symbol width that is less than or equal to the remaining width, whereby the second oversized symbol is selected to fit within the remaining number of reel strips without overlapping the first oversized symbol.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display device, a player input interface configured to receive player input from a player; and a game controller configured to execute instructions. The instructions cause the processor to generate, based on a random number generator, at least one random number, query a lookup table of display symbols to be displayed in a grouped symbol position on the display device. At least one entry in the lookup table is associated with a plurality of single symbol positions and a weight, wherein the plurality of single symbol positions includes a population of partial symbols. A grouped symbol is displayed having a height at least two times the height of a single symbol position and comprising at least two of the partial symbols, the two partial symbols combining to display a complete symbol having a height at least two times the height of a single symbol position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method is implemented on an electronic gaming system and includes initiating, by a game controller and in response to a primary game outcome of a wagering game, a bonus game. The method also includes displaying, by the game controller and in response to the initiating, a path, where the path includes a plurality of locations, and displaying, by the game controller, a wheel, where the wheel includes a plurality of stop positions. The method includes, in addition, selecting, by the game controller, a first stop position of the plurality of stop positions of the wheel, and advancing, by the game controller, an animated character on the path by a first number of locations corresponding to the first stop position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming machine, methods of gaming and gaming systems. The gaming system comprises: a first video display; a second video display; and a game controller. The game controller is arranged to: select a plurality of symbols from a symbol set for display on the first video display and the second video display; and evaluate a symbol subset comprising one or more of the plurality of symbols to determine whether to make an award. The number of symbols of the symbol subset is higher than a number of symbols in the symbol subset evaluated by the game controller in a previous game instance.

Abstract: A gaming machine including a display device and game controller is provided. The display device includes reels having display positions for presenting symbols that include non-blank symbols and blank symbols. The game controller is configured to spin the reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome including a first arrangement of the symbols at the display positions. In response to a determination that the first arrangement includes blank symbols, the game controller is configured to determine whether horizontally shifting non-blank symbols in either direction with respect to the blank symbols in each reel results in an optimal win. The game controller horizontally shifts the non-blank symbols with respect to the blank symbols in each reel to obtain a second game outcome in response to a determination that the shifting results in the optimal win. The game controller increases a credit balance by an award associated with the optimal win.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine comprising a video display and a game controller arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a symbol set for display on the video display, evaluate the symbols displayed on the display to determine whether to initiate a symbol lock event, and upon initiating a symbol lock event, identify symbols which contribute to an award configuration, control the display to lock identified symbols, and updating remaining symbols in the display.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method is implemented on an electronic gaming system and includes initiating, by a game controller and in response to a primary game outcome of a wagering game, a bonus game. The method also includes displaying, by the game controller and in response to the initiating, a path, where the path includes a plurality of locations, and displaying, by the game controller, a wheel, where the wheel includes a plurality of stop positions. The method includes, in addition, selecting, by the game controller, a first stop position of the plurality of stop positions of the wheel, and advancing, by the game controller, an animated character on the path by a first number of locations corresponding to the first stop position.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller configured to (a) determine that a feature game triggers; (b) activate a feature game; (c) display a plurality of feature game reels, a prize position area positioned above the plurality of feature game reels, and a credit stack positioned above the prize position area, the credit stack includes credit prizes potentially available to be won by the player; (d) automatically move at least one credit prize from the credit stack into the prize position area; (e) generate a first game outcome on the plurality of reels; (f) determine that at least one of the displayed symbols for the first game outcome is a prize symbol; (g) provide the at least one credit prize; (h) increase a multiplier by a predetermined amount; and (i) display the multiplier as an applicable multiplier for a credit prize won during a subsequent spin.

Abstract: A method of merging a plurality of games into a single game on a gaming machine. A display displays first and second games. A game controller determines if a wager has been placed, and if the wager placed includes a base game wager and a game enhancement wager. Upon determining that the wager placed includes a base game wager and a game enhancement wager, the game controller merges the first and second games and a plurality of display positions into a merged game. The merged game selects symbols from the first game and the second game.

Abstract: A gaming machine including a display device and game controller is provided. The display device includes reels having display positions for presenting symbols that include non-blank symbols and blank symbols. The game controller is configured to spin the reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome including a first arrangement of the symbols at the display positions. In response to a determination that the first arrangement includes blank symbols, the game controller is configured to determine whether horizontally shifting non-blank symbols in either direction with respect to the blank symbols in each reel results in an optimal win. The game controller horizontally shifts the non-blank symbols with respect to the blank symbols in each reel to obtain a second game outcome in response to a determination that the shifting results in the optimal win. The game controller increases a credit balance by an award associated with the optimal win.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine comprising a video display and a game controller arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a symbol set for display on the video display, evaluate the symbols displayed on the display to determine whether to initiate a symbol lock event, and upon initiating a symbol lock event, identify symbols which contribute to an award configuration, control the display to lock identified symbols, and updating remaining symbols in the display.

Abstract: A method of playing a feature game on a gaming machine. A display displays a first game and a second game. A game controller determines if a merging condition occurs, and if a merging condition occurs, animates a merging of the first game and the second game into a merged game at the display. The merged game has a plurality of display positions from the first game, the second game, and a set of additional display positions.

Abstract: A method of merging a plurality of games into a single game on a gaming machine. A display displays first and second games. A game controller determines if a wager has been placed, and if the wager placed includes a base game wager and a game enhancement wager. Upon determining that the wager placed includes a base game wager and a game enhancement wager, the game controller merges the first and second games and a plurality of display positions into a merged game. The merged game selects symbols from the first game and the second game.