Gaming device game applying randomly selected features to an array of symbols
Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device that displays a randomly selected array of symbols, where the symbols across one or more paylines are evaluated by circuitry to determine an award to be granted. A trigger event, such as the occurrence of a special symbol (e.g., a $ symbol), initiates a special feature. Once the trigger event occurs, one of a plurality of features is randomly selected and applied to the symbols in the existing array of symbols, and an award is then granted based on the results. An example of the group of available features is: 1) multiply the number of $ symbols in the array by X credits; 2) randomly place a $ symbol on reels 1, 2, 4 , and 5 ; 3) change certain predetermined symbols to the $ symbol; and 4) fill two, three, or four reels (randomly selected) with the $ symbol.
1. A method performed by a gaming device comprising:
displaying a first array of symbols in an array of symbol positions that have been randomly selected, certain combinations of symbols along one or more paylines providing an award for a player;
detecting a trigger event that initiates a feature game;
displaying a plurality of possible features that may be selected in the feature game, the possible features including replacing one or more of the symbols in the first array with particular symbols;
after the trigger event has been detected, randomly selecting one of the features to apply to the first array of symbols, wherein the selected feature causes one or more of the symbols in the first array to be replaced with the particular symbols;
applying the selected feature to the first array of symbols; and
granting any award to a player based on the resulting combination of symbols after one or more of the symbols in the first array are replaced with the particular symbols in accordance with the selected feature,
wherein the first array comprises symbols on five virtual reels, and wherein the plurality of features comprise randomly placing a first type of symbol on four of the reels at random positions on the reels.
2. A method performed by a gaming device comprising:
displaying a first array of symbols in an array of symbol positions that have been randomly selected, certain combinations of symbols along one or more paylines providing an award for a player;
detecting a trigger event that initiates a feature game;
displaying a plurality of possible features that may be selected in the feature game, the possible features including replacing one or more of the symbols in the first array with particular symbols;
after the trigger event has been detected, randomly selecting one of the features to apply to the first array of symbols, wherein the selected feature causes one or more of the symbols in the first array to be replaced with the particular symbols;
applying the selected feature to the first array of symbols; and
granting any award to a player based on the resulting combination of symbols after one or more of the symbols in the first array are replaced with the particular symbols in accordance with the selected feature,
wherein the first array comprises symbols on virtual reels, and wherein the plurality of features comprise multiplying the number of a first type of symbol displayed on the reels by an award amount.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the trigger event comprises at least one first type of symbol appearing in the first array.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the first array is a 5×3 array of symbols.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein randomly selecting one of the features comprises showing a selector ultimately identifying one of the features.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of features is displayed on a screen that is separate from a screen displaying the first array.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the trigger event is a particular display of one or more particular symbols in the first array.
8. A method performed by a gaming device comprising:
displaying a first array of symbols in an array of symbol positions that have been randomly selected, certain combinations of symbols along one or more paylines providing an award for a player, the first array being an N×M array on virtual reels, where N and M are each greater than one;
detecting a trigger event that initiates a feature game;
displaying a plurality of possible features that may be selected in the feature game;
after the trigger event has been detected, randomly selecting one of the features to apply to the first array of symbols;
applying the selected feature to the first array of symbols; and
granting any award to a player based on the application of the selected feature to the first array of symbols,
wherein the first array comprises symbols on five virtual reels, and wherein the plurality of features comprise randomly placing a first type of symbol on four of the reels at random positions on the reels by visually replacing symbols on the virtual reels with the first type of symbol while all remaining symbols on the virtual reels remain fixed in place.