System and method for providing a game with unfolding symbols

A method for providing a game of chance on a gaming machine comprising a processor, a display and a plurality of reels having respective symbol positions with symbols displayed thereon for conducting the game of chance, the method comprising:

• establishing a credit balance based on a credit input received by a credit input mechanism of the gaming machine from a player, wherein the credit input mechanism comprises at least one of a bill acceptor, a coin acceptor, and a card reader;
• receiving a wager from the player, wherein the wager decreases the credit balance;
• in response to receipt of the wager, carrying out a spin of the plurality of reels, the spin resulting, upon stopping the plurality of reels, in a viewable matrix displaying a set of symbols on respective portions of the plurality of reels;
• identifying a first instance of an unfolding symbol in a first position in the viewable matrix;
• determining, by the processor, a first unfolding of the first instance of the unfolding symbol should occur based on a first probability;
• identifying a first potential unfolding position set including at least one adjacent position with respect to the first position;
• randomly selecting, by the processor, a second position in the viewable matrix from the first potential unfolding position set;
• displaying a second instance of the unfolding symbol in the second position, thereby unfolding the unfolding symbol;
• determining, by the processor, a second unfolding of the second instance of the unfolding symbol should occur based on a second probability;
• identifying a second potential unfolding position set including at least one adjacent position with respect to the second position;
• randomly selecting, by the processor, a third position in the viewable matrix from the second potential unfolding position set;
• and
• displaying a third instance of the unfolding symbol in the third position.

A gaming system comprising:

• a gaming machine comprising:
• a credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit input from a player, wherein the credit input mechanism comprises at least one of a bill acceptor, a coin acceptor, and a card reader;
• a plurality of reels having respective symbol positions with symbols displayed thereon for conducting a game of chance;
• and
• a display configured to display a portion of the plurality of reels, thereby defining a viewable matrix of the respective symbol positions;
• and
• a server coupled to the gaming machine, the server comprising a processor, the processor programmed to:
• establish a credit balance based on the received credit input;
• receive a wager from the player, wherein the wager decreases the credit balance;
• in response to the wager, carry out a spin of the plurality of reels, the spin resulting, upon stopping the plurality of reels, in the viewable matrix displaying a set of symbols;
• identify a first instance of an unfolding symbol in a first position in the viewable matrix;
• determine a first unfolding of the first instance of the unfolding symbol should occur based on a first probability;
• identify a first potential unfolding position set including at least one adjacent position with respect to the first position;
• randomly select a second position in the viewable matrix from the first potential unfolding position set;
• display a second instance of the unfolding symbol in the second position, thereby unfolding the unfolding symbol;
• determine a second unfolding of the second instance of the unfolding symbol should occur based on a second probability;
• identify a second potential unfolding position set including at least one adjacent position with respect to the second position;
• randomly select a third position in the viewable matrix from the second potential unfolding position set;
• and
• display a third instance of the unfolding symbol in the third position.