Controlled return to player in a skill-based wagering game

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions embodied thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• cause display of an active play area and an inactive display position for use in game play, the active play area including a matrix of display positions for displaying a plurality of active symbols, the inactive display position for displaying an inactive symbol;
• select a plurality of active symbols for display in the active play area for a game instance;
• determine a target win range that indicates a range of outcomes for the game instance, wherein the target win range contributes to satisfying a configured return-to-player (RTP) over a plurality of game instances;
• select the inactive symbol for display in the inactive display position by (i) determining potential outcomes for each possible replacement of the plurality of active symbols by the inactive symbol, and (ii) checking that the determined potential outcomes satisfy the target win range;
• receive the player input from a remote gaming display, the player input indicating which displayed active symbol is to be replaced by the inactive symbol;
• cause display of the inactive symbol replacing the indicated active symbol in the active play area in response to the player input, resulting in an altered active play area;
• and
• evaluate an outcome of the game instance based on the altered active play area.

A method for providing a game on an electronic gaming system comprising the steps of:

• causing display of an active play area and an inactive display position, the active play area including a matrix of display positions for displaying a plurality of active symbols, the inactive display position for displaying an inactive symbol;
• selecting a plurality of active symbols for display in the active play area for a game instance;
• determining a target win range that identifies a range of allowable outcomes for the game instance, wherein the target win range contributes to satisfying a configured return-to-player (RTP) of the electronic gaming system over a plurality of game instances;
• selecting the inactive symbol for display in the inactive display position by (i) determining potential outcomes for each possible replacement of the plurality of active symbols by the inactive symbol, and (ii) checking that the determined potential outcomes satisfy the target win range;
• receiving the player input indicating which displayed active symbol is to be replaced by the inactive symbol;
• causing display of the inactive symbol replacing the indicated active symbol in the active play area in response to the player input, resulting in an altered active play area;
• and
• evaluating an outcome of the game instance based on the altered active play area.