Gaming device having one or more shared award-modifier reels
A video gaming device having a plurality of indicia-bearing spinning reels in a first set of reels and a second set of reels is disclosed. A determination is made as to whether the display of the indicia of the plurality of spinning reels in the first and second sets of reels are winning outcomes. Award-multiplier indicia of a first shared spinning base game award-multiplier reel is positioned between the first and second set of reels. The base game award-multiplier indicia modifies the winning outcome on the first set of reels, modifies the winning outcome on the second set of reels, includes a secondary game trigger symbol, forms a contiguous set of reels having a common axis of rotation with the first and second set of reels, or combinations thereof.
1. A gaming device, comprising:
a controller;
a video display operatively coupled to the controller to display a depiction of:
a first plurality of indicia-bearing spinning reels organized as a first set of reels;
a second plurality of indicia-bearing spinning reels organized as a second set of reels;
a first shared base game award-multiplier reel bearing indicia and positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and second set of reels;
wherein the controller initiates spinning of the first set of reels, the second set of reels, and the first shared base game award multiplier reel to display a subset of their indicia;
wherein the first set of reels, the second set of reels and the first shared base game award-multiplier reel form a contiguous set of reels having a common axis of rotation; and
wherein the displayed indicia of the shared base game award-multiplier reel signify at least one of:
modification of an award corresponding to a winning combination of displayed indicia on the first set of reels,
modification of an award corresponding to a winning combination of displayed indicia on the second set of reels, or
triggering display of a secondary game.
2. The gaming device of claim 1 , further comprising a second shared award-multiplier reel bearing indicia and displayed adjacent to the second set of reels and opposite the first shared base game award-multiplier reel, wherein a displayed subset of the indicia of the second shared award-multiplier reel signifies modification of an award corresponding to a winning combination of displayed indicia on the second set of reels.
3. The gaming device of claim 2 , further comprising a third plurality of indicia-bearing spinning reels organized as a third set of reels, wherein the third set of reels is displayed adjacent to the second shared award-multiplier reel.
4. The gaming device of claim 1 , further comprising a second shared award-multiplier reel bearing indicia and displayed adjacent to the first and second set of reels and adjacent to the first shared base game award-multiplier reel, wherein a displayed subset of the indicia of the second shared award-multiplier reel signifies modification of an award corresponding to a winning combination of displayed indicia on the first or second set of reels.
5. The gaming device of claim 1 , wherein the first set of reels comprises one or more pay lines, and wherein the winning combinations of displayed indicia are determined by reading the indicia on the one or more pay lines from left-to-right.
6. The gaming device of claim 1 , wherein the second set of reels comprises one or more pay lines, and wherein the winning combination of displayed indicia are determined by reading the indicia on the one or more pay lines from right-to-left.
7. The gaming device of claim 1 , wherein the first shared base game award-multiplier reel is moveable from a first location to a second location with respect to the first and second set of reels.
8. The gaming device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one displayed pay table for determining initial awards corresponding to winning combinations of indicia on the first and second sets of reels.
9. The gaming device of claim 1 , further comprising a displayed first pay table for determining initial awards corresponding to winning combinations of indicia on the first set of reels and a displayed second pay table for determining initial awards corresponding to winning combinations of indicia on the second set of reels, wherein the first and second pay tables are not the same.