Gaming device having copycat symbols within a play matrix

Abstract

A game is provided that may include a plurality of reels, each of the reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions; a plurality of base symbols, at least one of the plurality of base symbols positioned in least one of the plurality of symbol positions; at least one copycat symbol positioned in at least one of the plurality of symbol positions; at least one processor for executing instructions stored in a memory to play a slot machine game comprising the steps: displaying a portion of the plurality of reels in a play matrix including at least one of the plurality of base symbols and at least one copycat symbol; selecting at least one of the plurality of base symbols for copying; displaying a copy of the selected symbol in a symbol position occupied by the at least one copycat symbol; an issuing a first award according if the play matrix comprises a winning symbol combination after the copycat symbol is replaced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A game comprising:
 a plurality of reels, each of the reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions;   a plurality of base symbols, at least one of the plurality of base symbols positioned in least one of the plurality of symbol positions;   at least one copycat symbol positioned in at least one of the plurality of symbol positions;   at least one processor for executing instructions stored in a memory to play a slot machine game comprising the steps:
 accepting a wager; 
 receiving an instruction to initiate play of the game; 
 determining a game outcome including a stopping point of the plurality of reels; 
 displaying a portion of the plurality of reels in a play matrix including at least one of the plurality of base symbols and at least one copycat symbol; 
 selecting at least one of the plurality of base symbols for copying; 
 displaying a copy of the selected symbol in a symbol position occupied by the at least one copycat symbol; and 
 issuing a first award according if the play matrix comprises a winning symbol combination after the copycat symbol is replaced. 
   
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the copycat symbol is replaced by the selected symbol. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the selected symbol overlays the copycat symbol. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the selected symbol is disposed in a predetermined fixed symbol position in the play matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the selected symbol is disposed in a symbol position in the play matrix adjacent to the at least one copycat symbol. 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the selected symbol is disposed in randomly selected symbol position in the play matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one copycat symbol is a directional indicator. 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 8 , wherein selected symbol is disposed in a symbol position immediately adjacent to the at least one copycat symbol in the direction of the directional indicator. 
     
     
         10 . A game comprising:
 a plurality of reels, each of the reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions;   a plurality of base symbols, at least one of the plurality of base symbols positioned in least one of the plurality of symbol positions;   at least one copycat symbol positioned in at least one of the plurality of symbol positions;   at least one processor for executing instructions stored in a memory to play a slot machine game comprising the steps:
 accepting a wager; 
 receiving an instruction to initiate play of the game; 
 determining a game outcome including a stopping point of the plurality of reels; 
 displaying a portion of the plurality of reels in a play matrix including at least one of the plurality of base symbols and at least one copycat symbol; 
 selecting at least one of the plurality of base symbols for copying, the selected symbol disposed in a symbol position in the play matrix adjacent to the at least one copycat symbol; 
 replacing the copycat symbol with the selected symbol; and 
 issuing a first award according if the play matrix comprises a winning symbol combination after the copycat symbol is replaced. 
   
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one copycat symbol is a directional indicator. 
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 11 , wherein selected symbol is disposed in a symbol position immediately adjacent to the at least one copycat symbol in the direction of the directional indicator. 
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a game comprising:
 providing a game comprising:
 a plurality of reels, each of the reels comprising a plurality of symbol positions; 
 a plurality of base symbols, at least one of the plurality of base symbols positioned in least one of the plurality of symbol positions; 
 at least one copycat symbol positioned in at least one of the plurality of symbol positions; 
 at least one processor for executing instructions stored in a memory to play a slot machine game; 
   accepting a wager;   receiving an instruction to initiate play of the game;   determining a game outcome including a stopping point of the plurality of reels;   displaying a portion of the plurality of reels in a play matrix including at least one of the plurality of base symbols and at least one copycat symbol;   selecting at least one of the plurality of base symbols for copying;   displaying a copy of the selected symbol in a symbol position occupied by the at least one copycat symbol; and   issuing a first award according if the play matrix comprises a winning symbol combination after the copycat symbol is replaced.   
     
     
         14 . The game of  claim 13 , wherein the copycat symbol is replaced by the selected symbol. 
     
     
         15 . The game of  claim 13 , wherein the selected symbol overlays the copycat symbol. 
     
     
         16 . The game of  claim 13 , wherein the selected symbol is disposed in a predetermined fixed symbol position in the play matrix. 
     
     
         17 . The game of  claim 13 , wherein the selected symbol is disposed in a symbol position in the play matrix adjacent to the at least one copycat symbol. 
     
     
         18 . The game of  claim 13 , wherein the selected symbol is disposed in randomly selected symbol position in the play matrix. 
     
     
         19 . The game of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one copycat symbol is a directional indicator. 
     
     
         20 . The game of  claim 19 , wherein selected symbol is disposed in a symbol position immediately adjacent to the at least one copycat symbol in the direction of the directional indicator.