Gaming system and a method of gaming

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a display configured to visually depict a plurality of symbols; and

a game controller comprising a processor and a random number generator, wherein the processor is configured to randomly select, based on one or more numbers generated by the random number generator, the plurality of symbols from a set of symbols that includes one or more symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol, select a first function from a plurality of different functions, associate the first function to a selected numeric value, allocate the first function to any symbol of the set of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a predetermined relationship to the selected numeric value, and determine a game outcome based on the selected plurality of symbols and the first function allocated to any symbol of the selected plurality of symbols;

wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function when a predefined trigger condition exists.

2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the numeric special symbol is incorporated with a base symbol as a background symbol, a superimposed symbol, a double symbol, or by alternately displaying the base symbol and the numeric special symbol.

3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value greater than the selected numeric value.

4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value less than the selected numeric value.

5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function for one game.

6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function for multiple successive games.

7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the predefined trigger condition is display of a predefined trigger symbol, or display of predefined graphical indicia.

8. A gaming system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the predefined trigger symbol is a function symbol and the game controller is further configured to allocate a function associated with the function symbol when the function symbol is displayed.

9. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate a function of the plurality of different functions to one or more symbols in the set of symbols.

10. A gaming system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein:

the display comprises a plurality of rotatable physical reels, wherein each reel carries symbols from the set of symbols; and

the game controller is configured to initiate and stop spinning of the plurality of rotatable physical reels to cause the display to visually depict the plurality of symbols.

11. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further configured to progressively increase a number of symbols with incorporated numeric special symbols with successive games.

12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different functions comprise a wild function, a scatter function, a repeat win function, a multiplier function, a jackpot function, and a feature commencement function.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gaming system is implemented as a stand alone gaming machine or across a network.

14. The gaming system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is further configured to visually depicted the selected numeric value.

15. A gaming system, comprising:

a credit input device configured to receive credits;

a display configured to visually depict a plurality of symbols; and

a game controller comprising a hardware meter, a random number generator, and a processor, wherein the hardware meter is configured to monitor credits and the processor is configured to randomly select, based on a number generated by the random number generator, the plurality of symbols from a set of symbols that includes one or more symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol, select a first function from a plurality of different functions, associate the first function to a selected numeric value, allocate the first function to any symbol of the set of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a predetermined relationship to the selected numeric value, and determine a game outcome based on the selected plurality of symbols and the first function allocated to any symbol of the selected plurality of symbols;

wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function in response to operating in a special game mode.

16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the game controller is further configured to commence the special game mode when a predetermined game outcome occurs.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the numeric special symbol is incorporated with a base symbol as a background symbol, a superimposed symbol, a double symbol, or by alternately displaying the base symbol and the numeric special symbol.

18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value greater than the selected numeric value.

19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value less than the selected numeric value.

20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function for one game.

21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the game controller is further configured to allocate the first function for multiple successive games.

22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein:

the display comprises a plurality of rotatable physical reels, wherein each reel carries symbols from the set of symbols; and

the game controller is configured to initiate and stop spinning of the plurality of rotatable physical reels to cause the display visually depict the plurality of symbols.

23. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the game controller is further configured to progressively increase a number of symbols with incorporated numeric special symbols with successive games.

24. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the plurality of different functions comprise a wild function, a scatter function, a repeat win function, a multiplier function, a jackpot function, and a feature commencement function.

25. The gaming system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the display is further configured to visually depicted the selected numeric value.

26. A method of gaming using a gaming system having a display, the method comprising:

randomly selecting the plurality of symbols from a set of symbols that includes one or more symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol;

spinning a plurality of physical reels that each carry symbols from the set of symbols;

stopping the plurality of physical reels such that the plurality of physical reels depict the plurality of symbols that were randomly selected;

selecting a first function from a plurality of different functions;

associating the first function to a first selected numeric value;

allocating the first function to any symbol of the set of plurality of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a first predetermined relationship to the first selected numeric value;

selecting a second function from the plurality of different functions;

associating the second function to a second selected numeric value;

allocating the second function to any symbol of the set of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a second predetermined relationship to the second selected numeric value; and

determining a game outcome based on the selected plurality of symbols and the first and second functions allocated to any symbols of the selected plurality of symbols;

wherein said allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function when a predefined trigger condition exists.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the step of allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function to at least one symbol of the selected plurality of symbols.

28. A method as claimed in claim 26 , the numeric special symbol is incorporated with a base symbol as a background symbol, a superimposed symbol, a double symbol, or by alternately displaying the base symbol and the numeric special symbol.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 , further comprising allocating the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value greater than the first selected numeric value.

30. A method as claimed in claim 28 , further comprising allocating the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value less than the first selected numeric value.

31. A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function for one game.

32. A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function for multiple successive games.

33. A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the predefined trigger condition is display of a predefined trigger symbol, or display of predefined graphical indicia.

34. A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the plurality of different functions comprise a wild function, a scatter function, a repeat win function, a multiplier function, a jackpot function, and a feature commencement function.

35. The method as claimed in claim 26 , further comprising visually depicting the first selected numeric value.

36. A method of gaming using a gaming system having a display, the method comprising:

receiving credits via a credit input device;

monitoring credits via a hardware meter;

visually depicting on the display a plurality of symbols;

randomly selecting, based on a number generated by a random number generator, the plurality of symbols from a set of symbols that includes one or more symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol;

selecting a first function from a plurality of different functions;

associating the first function to a first selected numeric value;

allocating the first function to any symbol of the set of plurality of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a first predetermined relationship to the first selected numeric value;

selecting a second function from the plurality of different functions;

associating the second function to a second selected numeric value;

allocating the second function to any symbol of the set of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a second predetermined relationship to the second selected numeric value; and

determining a game outcome based on the selected plurality of symbols and the first and second functions allocated to any symbols of the selected plurality of symbols;

wherein said allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function in response to a special game mode.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36 , further comprising commencing the special game mode when a predetermined game outcome occurs.

38. A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the step of allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function to at least one symbol of the selected plurality of symbols.

39. A method as claimed in claim 36 , the numeric special symbol is incorporated with a base symbol as a background symbol, a superimposed symbol, a double symbol, or by alternately displaying the base symbol and the numeric special symbol.

40. A method as claimed in claim 39 , further comprising allocating the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value greater than the first selected numeric value.

41. A method as claimed in claim 40 , further comprising allocating the first function to all symbols of the set of symbols which have an incorporated numeric special symbol that depicts a numeric value less than the first selected numeric value.

42. A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function for one game.

43. A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said allocating the first function comprises allocating the first function for multiple successive games.

44. A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein said visually depicting comprises stopping a plurality of spinning physical reels that carry symbols from the set of symbols, wherein the stopped plurality of physical reels visually depict the plurality of symbols.

45. A method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the plurality of different functions comprise a wild function, a scatter function, a repeat win function, a multiplier function, a jackpot function, and a feature commencement function.

46. The method as claimed in claim 36 , further comprising visually depicting the first selected numeric value.

47. A computer readable device having computer readable program code encoded with a set of instructions for execution on a gaming system having a display and associated processing logic for randomly displaying a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols, wherein, in response to executing the set of instructions, the gaming system is configured to:

visually depict on the display the plurality of symbols;

randomly select, based on a number generated by a random number generator, the plurality of symbols from a set of symbols that includes one or more symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol;

select a first function from a plurality of different functions;

associate the first function with a first selected numeric value;

allocate, when a predefined trigger condition exists, the first function to any symbol of the set of plurality of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a first predetermined relationship to the first selected numeric value;

select a second function from the plurality of different functions;

associate the second function with a second selected numeric values;

allocate the second function to any symbol of the set of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a second predetermined relationship to the second selected numeric value; and

determine a game outcome based on the selected plurality of symbols and the first and second functions allocated to any symbols of the selected plurality of symbols.

48. A computer readable device as claimed in claim 47 , wherein the gaming system, in response to executing the set of instructions, is further configured to detect the predefined trigger condition as a display of a predefined trigger symbol or a display of predefined graphical indicia.

49. A computer readable device having computer readable program code encoded with a set of instructions for execution on a gaming system having a display and associated processing logic for randomly displaying a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols, wherein, in response to executing the set of instructions, the gaming system is configured to:

randomly select, based on a number generated by a random number generator, the plurality of symbols from a set of symbols that includes one or more symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol;

spin a plurality of physical reels that each carry symbols from the set of symbols;

stop the plurality of physical reels such that the plurality of physical reels depict the plurality of symbols that were randomly selected;

select a first function from a plurality of different functions;

associate the first function with a first selected numeric value;

allocate, in response to a special game mode, the first function to any symbol of the set of plurality of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a first predetermined relationship to the first selected numeric value;

select a second function from the plurality of different functions;

associate the second function with a second selected numeric values;

allocate the second function to any symbol of the set of symbols with a visually incorporated numeric special symbol having a second predetermined relationship to the second selected numeric value; and

determine a game outcome based on the selected plurality of symbols and the first and second functions allocated to any symbols of the selected plurality of symbols.

50. A computer readable device as claimed in claim 49 , wherein the gaming system, in response to executing the set of instructions, is further configured to commence the special game mode when a predetermined game outcome occurs.