Games, gaming machines, systems and method having an accumulation bonus

Abstract

Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods having an accumulation bonus feature game including randomly generated icons which may pay an award each time an accumulation threshold is reached, at which time as associated accumulator is reset to allow further accumulation and awards. In some embodiments, termination icons gradually end the feature.

1 . A method of operating a game controlled by a gaming machine comprising the steps of:
 accepting a wager from a player;   presenting a primary game;   awarding any primary game awards to the player;   upon a triggering event, presenting display of a feature game, the feature game comprising one or more reels further comprising displayable icons;   incrementing an accumulator for each of the displayable icons until an icon accumulation threshold is reached for at least one of the icons;   adding an award associated with the at least one of the icons to a feature award;   allowing further accumulation of the at least one of the icons by resetting its accumulator; and   awarding the feature award to the player upon conclusion of the feature game play.   
     
     
         2 . A method of operating a game controlled by a gaming machine comprising the steps of:
 accepting a wager from a player;   presenting a primary game;   awarding any primary game awards to the player;   upon a triggering event, presenting display of a feature game, the feature game comprising one or more reels further comprising displayable icons;   incrementing an accumulator for each of the displayable icons until an icon accumulation threshold is reached for at least one of the icons;   adding an award associated with the at least one of the icons to a feature award;   allowing further accumulation of the at least one of the icons by resetting its accumulator;   disabling one of the one or more reels upon one of the displayable icons matching a termination icon; and   awarding the feature award to the player when all of the one or more reels have been disabled.