GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SYMBOL GAME WITH WILD SYMBOLS USABLE FOR A QUANTITY OF SYMBOL GENERATIONS

摘要

A plurality of columns each having a plurality of symbol positions are displayed. A gaming system generates and displays one of a plurality of symbols in each symbol position. At least one of the plurality of symbols is a designated symbol with an indicated quantity. The indicated quantity indicates whether the designated symbol is active or inactive. For each winning symbol combination containing at least one designated symbol, the indicated quantity associated with any designated symbol in the winning symbol combination is decremented and any non-designated symbols are removed from the display. Any designated symbols with an associated numeral of zero are inactive and are removed from each winning symbol combination. Any remaining symbols are shifted in a predetermined direction. For each empty symbol position, the gaming system generates and displays a new symbol and repeats the above steps until no winning symbol combinations remain.

主权项

1. A gaming system comprising:
at least one display device; at least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to:
(a) for a first play of a game:
(i) display a first plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol display positions, said first plurality of symbols including:
(A) at least one active designated symbol determined in association with the first play of the game, said at least one active designated symbol being associated with an initial indicated numeric quantity of generations said symbol will remain active, said initial indicated numeric quantity being greater than one, and(B) at least one non-designated symbol determined in association with the first play of the game, said at least one non-designated symbol not being associated with any indicated numeric quantity,(ii) display any awards associated with said displayed first plurality of symbols, and(iii) for at least one displayed designated symbol:
(A) modify the indicated numeric quantity associated with said displayed designated symbol, and(B) determine whether said designated symbol remains active for at least a second play of the game, said determination being based, at least in part, on the modified indicated numeric quantity associated with said designated symbol,(b) for the second play of the game:
(i) display a second plurality of symbols at the plurality of symbol display positions, said second plurality of symbols at least including:
(A) at least one symbol determined in association with the second play of the game, and(B) any designated symbols determined in association with the first play of the game to remain active for the second play of the game, and(ii) display any awards associated with said displayed second plurality of symbols.