Gaming system and method providing a game having a sub-symbol award evaluation

1. A gaming system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

initiate a play of a game associated with multiple different symbols, wherein: (1) the symbols include multiple designated symbols; (2) each designated symbol is associated with one or more sub-symbols; and (3) each sub-symbol has one of multiple different characteristics;

randomly determine a plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols;

cause a display, by at least one display device, of the randomly determined plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols;

responsive to the displayed symbols including a set of one or more designated symbols collectively associated with at least a designated quantity of sub-symbols, determine an award associated with the set based on: (1) the characteristics of the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set; and (2) a quantity of sub-symbols collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, wherein:

(a) the award is a first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a first combination of characteristics; and (2) a first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, and

(b) the award is a second award different from the first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a second combination of characteristics different from the first combination of characteristics; and (2) the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set; and

cause a display, by the at least one display device, of the determined award associated with the set.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein one of the designated symbols is associated with two sub-symbols having different characteristics.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the symbols are on multiple reels, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to cause a display, by the at least one display device, of the randomly determined plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols in part by spinning and stopping the reels.

4. The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein each designated symbol on a first reel is associated with up to a first maximum quantity of sub-symbols and each designated symbol on a second reel different from the first reel is associated with up to a second maximum quantity of sub-symbols different from the first maximum quantity.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the award is a third award different from the first and second awards when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a third combination of characteristics different from the first and second combinations of characteristics; and (2) a second quantity of sub-symbols different from the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

6. The gaming system of claim 5 , wherein the second quantity is less than the first quantity and the third award is less than the first and second awards.

7. The gaming system of claim 1 , which comprises an acceptor, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to, responsive to a physical item being received via the acceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, and responsive to a cashout input being received, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

8. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one display device comprises part of a mobile device.

9. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to communicate with the mobile device via a wireless network.

10. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

initiating, by at least one processor, a play of a game associated with multiple different symbols, wherein: (1) the symbols include multiple designated symbols; (2) each designated symbol is associated with one or more sub-symbols; and (3) each sub-symbol has one of multiple different characteristics;

randomly determining, by the at least one processor, and displaying, by at least one display device, a plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols; and

responsive to the displayed symbols including a set of one or more designated symbols collectively associated with at least a designated quantity of sub-symbols, determining, by the at least one processor, and displaying, by the at least one display device, an award associated with the set based on: (1) the characteristics of the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set; and (2) a quantity of sub-symbols collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, wherein:

(a) the award is a first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a first combination of characteristics; and (2) a first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, and

(b) the award is a second award different from the first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a second combination of characteristics different from the first combination of characteristics; and (2) the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein one of the designated symbols is associated with two sub-symbols having different characteristics.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the symbols are on multiple reels, and further comprises displaying, by the at least one display device, the randomly determined plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols in part by spinning and stopping the reels.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein each designated symbol on a first reel is associated with up to a first maximum quantity of sub-symbols and each designated symbol on a second reel different from the first reel is associated with up to a second maximum quantity of sub-symbols different from the first maximum quantity.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the award is a third award different from the first and second awards when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a third combination of characteristics different from the first and second combinations of characteristics; and (2) a second quantity of sub-symbols different from the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second quantity is less than the first quantity and the third award is less than the first and second awards.

16. The method of claim 10 , which is at least partially provided through a data network.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the data network is an internet.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein a credit balance is increasable based on the determined award associated with the set, said credit balance being increasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and said credit balance being decreasable responsive to a cashout input.

19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one display device comprises part of a mobile device.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising communicating, by the at least one processor, with the mobile device via a wireless network.