Controlling an electronic gaming machine to provide a bonus feature opportunity

A method of controlling an electronic gaming machine, the method comprising:

• controlling, via a control system of the electronic gaming machine that includes one or more processors, a display system of the electronic gaming machine to present first visual effects corresponding to one or more instances of a base game, the first visual effects including game play items;
• determining, during the one or more instances of the base game, instances of game play items that correspond to feature credits towards an automatic award of a feature comprising one or more bonus games;
• controlling, via the control system, the display system to present second visual effects corresponding to an accumulation of feature credits towards the automatic award of the feature;
• receiving an indication, via an interface system of the electronic gaming machine that includes one or more user interfaces, of a player's initiation of an attempt to trigger an award of the feature, wherein the indication is received at a time during which less than a number of feature credits necessary for an automatic award of the feature has been accumulated, and wherein the indication of the player's initiation of an attempt to trigger an award of the feature comprises receiving an indication of a player's touch or gesture in a portion of a sensor system residing on or under at least a portion of the display system;
• determining whether an award of the feature will be triggered;
• and
• controlling, via the control system, the display system to present third visual effects corresponding to whether an award of the feature has been triggered.

One or more non-transitory media having software stored thereon, the software including instructions for controlling one or more devices to perform a method, the method comprising:

• controlling, via a control system of an electronic gaming machine that includes one or more processors, a display system of the electronic gaming machine to present first visual effects corresponding to one or more instances of a base game, the first visual effects including game play items;
• determining, during the one or more instances of the base game, instances of game play items that correspond to feature credits towards an automatic award of a feature comprising one or more bonus games;
• controlling, via the control system, the display system to present second visual effects corresponding to an accumulation of feature credits towards the automatic award of the feature;
• receiving an indication, via an interface system of the electronic gaming machine that includes one or more user interfaces, of a player's initiation of an attempt to trigger an award of the feature, wherein the indication is received at a time during which less than a number of feature credits necessary for an automatic award of the feature has been accumulated, and wherein the indication of the player's initiation of an attempt to trigger an award of the feature comprises receiving an indication of a player's touch or gesture in a portion of a sensor system residing on or under at least a portion of the display system;
• determining whether an award of the feature will be triggered;
• and
• controlling, via the control system, the display system to present third visual effects corresponding to whether an award of the feature has been triggered.