Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.

Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited

Rahul Ahuja

Matthew Chan

Igor Suslik

James Loader

Xin Liu

Luke Ireland

Jennifer Mizzi

Blake Davis

A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising special symbols and regular symbols; and (b) instructions. The reel strips are used to select symbols to populate positions of a playing field shown on the display. When two or more of the same special symbols occupy adjacent positions of the playing field, they may merge into a single position occupied by one of the special symbols in question. If three or more special symbols are adjacent, all merge into a single position and a higher-value special symbol. This merge may be signaled by a graphic such as an animation or image, a sound, a light, a vibration, or other audiovisual or haptic indicator. The higher-value special symbol thus replaces one of the adjacent special symbols while the rest are removed or disappear. Further, values of the special symbols (prior to any merge) may be added to an eventual payout amount to be provided at an end of a series of related games.

Gaming device with symbol merge functionality

A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) reel strip data defining a set of reel strips, each reel of the set of reel strips comprising prize value symbols and non-prize value symbols, wherein at least one reel strip of the set of reel strips comprises a designated symbol and (b) instructions. When the instructions are when executed by the processor, cause the processor to, in each of a series of game instances, control the display to display a plurality of symbol positions including by displaying any prize value symbols held from a prior game instance, select a symbol from the set of reel strips for each symbol position not occupied by a held prize value symbol, control the display to display the newly selected symbols at their respective symbol positions in conjunction with any held prize value symbols, and upon the displayed symbols including the designated symbol, modify display of the designated symbol to be a new prize value symbol representing the sum of currently displayed prize symbols and to be held for at least a next game instance, and remove each other prize value symbol from the display to thereby enable symbols to be selected for the symbol positions at which they were displayed in the next game instance. The instructions cause the processor to award, at the end of the series of game instances, at least the prize values represented by each designated symbol.

Gaming device with prize value symbol removal

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Ryde, Australia

Rahul Ahuja