Wagering System With Expanding Wild Feature

Abstract

A method and system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. A randomly selected outcome of the wagering game is displayed in a display area. The display area includes a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array. The display area includes a plurality of active paylines extending through symbol locations within the array. Each symbol on one of the plurality of reels is changed to an altered symbol providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function. A payout is awarded based on a reevaluation of symbol combinations along the plurality of active paylines including the wild functions and the additional game enhancement functions.

1 . A method of conducting a wagering game, comprising:
 displaying a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game in a display area, said display area including a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array, said display area including a plurality of active paylines extending through symbol locations within said array;   changing each symbol on one of said plurality of reels to an altered symbol providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function; and   awarding a payout based on a reevaluation of symbol combinations along said plurality of active paylines including said wild functions and said additional game-enhancement functions.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes a multiplier value, and the payout is multiplied by the multiplier value. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional game-enhancement functions along each of the active paylines is the same function. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional game-enhancement functions along each of the active paylines include at least two different functions. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes awarding at least one additional credit. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes awarding at least one free spin. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes awarding eligibility in a community event. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the changing each symbol on one of said plurality of reels is activated in response to one of said plurality of reels including a special symbol. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the changing each symbol on one of said plurality of reels is activated in response to receiving a wager. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the changing each symbol on one of said plurality of reels is activated by a mystery trigger. 
   
   
       11 . A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for directing a gaming machine to perform the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       12 . A gaming system for playing a wagering game, comprising:
 a display displaying a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game including a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array and a plurality of active paylines extending through symbol locations within said array;   a controller changing each symbol on one of said plurality of reels to an altered symbol providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function; and   wherein the controller awards a payout based on a reevaluation of symbol combinations along said plurality of active paylines including said wild functions and said additional game-enhancement functions.   
   
   
       13 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes awarding at least one additional credit. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes awarding at least one free spin. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the additional game-enhancement function includes awarding eligibility in a community event. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller changes each symbol on one of said plurality of reels in response to one of said plurality of reels including a special symbol. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller changes each symbol on one of said plurality of reels in response to receiving a wager. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller changes each symbol on one of said plurality of reels in response to a mystery trigger. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming system for playing a wagering game, comprising:
 a first display to display a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game including a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array, said first display including a plurality of active paylines extending through symbol locations within said array;   a second display superimposed over said first display, said second display overlaying one of the plurality of reels with a reel including altered symbols providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function; and   a controller awarding a payout based on a reevaluation of symbol combinations along said plurality of active paylines including said wild functions and said additional game-enhancement functions.   
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 19  wherein said first display includes a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels. 
   
   
       21 . The gaming system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of active paylines are visually displayed on the second display and not the first display. 
   
   
       22 . A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising:
 a display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game on a plurality of reels, each of the reels with symbols, the reels forming an array of symbols;   at least one payline;   a controller coupled to the display, the controller generating a super expanding-wild reel superimposed over one of the plurality of reels, the super expanding-wild reel including altered symbols providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function, the controller awarding a first payout based on the symbol combinations along the at least one payline including the wild s functions and the additional game-enhancement function; and   wherein the controller provides an option to respin the super expanding-wild reel, the controller superimposing a respun reel over the super expanding-wild reel in response to the option, the respun reel having groups of game-enhancement function symbols; and the controller capable of awarding a second payout based on the symbol combinations along the at least one payline including the game-enhancement function symbols of the respun reel.