Wagering game having improved persistent game mode feature

A gaming system including:

• (a) a display system;
• (b) a player input system;
• (c) at least one processor operably connected to the display system and player input system;
• and
• (d) at least one memory device operably connected to the processor and storing program code executable by the at least one processor for:
• controlling the display system to provide a gaming display, the gaming display including a first display area comprising a matrix of symbol locations;
• receiving a player game activation through the player input system and, in response, providing an animated display in the first display area showing motion in the symbol locations which stops to provide a game outcome;
• determining if the outcome includes a persistent feature activation, and, in response, beginning persistent game mode including multiple rounds in which each round includes a randomization of the matrix of symbol locations, a chance to win an award, and a chance to include a persistent feature event;
• in a second display area, displaying a first adjustable meter of a persistent game feature, the meter showing a number of persistent feature events required to win first and second bonus awards, the meter adjusted based on a player wager level to reduce the number of events required to win the first and second bonus awards if the wager level is raised, and increase the number of persistent feature events required to win the first and second bonus awards if the wager level is lowered, the meter displaying progress toward the first and second bonus awards;
• in a third display area, displaying a second rolling meter showing a rolling subset of persistent game round status indicators, and visually indicating on at least one status indicator a game feature scheduled to be activated in a respective specific future game round outcome indicated by a position of the respective status indicator in the second rolling meter;
• and
• providing a number of rounds of the persistent game mode and adjusting the first adjustable and second rolling meters accordingly.

A gaming system including:

• (a) a display system;
• (b) a player input system;
• (c) at least one processor operably connected to the display system and player input system;
• and
• (d) at least one memory device operably connected to the processor and storing program code executable by the at least one processor for:
• controlling the display system to provide a gaming display, the gaming display including a first display area comprising a matrix of symbol locations;
• receiving a player game activation through the player input system and, in response, providing an animated display in the first display area showing motion in the symbol locations which stops to provide a game outcome;
• determining if the outcome includes a persistent feature activation, and, in response, beginning persistent game mode including multiple rounds in which each round includes a randomization of the matrix of symbol locations, a chance to win an award, and a chance to include a persistent feature event;
• in a second display area, displaying a first adjustable meter of a persistent game feature, the meter showing a number of persistent feature events required to win first and second bonus awards, the meter adjusted based on a player wager level to reduce the number of events required to win the first and second bonus awards if the wager level is raised, and increase the number of persistent feature events required to win the first and second bonus awards if the wager level is lowered, the meter displaying progress toward the first and second bonus awards;
• in a third display area, displaying a second rolling meter showing a rolling subset of persistent game round status indicators, and visually indicating on at least one status indicator a game feature scheduled to be present in at least one potential outcome;
• providing a number of rounds of the persistent game mode and adjusting the first adjustable and second rolling meters accordingly;
• and
• wherein the program code is further executable for the second rolling meter to be responsive to touchscreen inputs allowing the meter to be scrolled to see a history of the rolling subset of game events.