Systems and methods using modifiable game elements

A method of conducting a game using a gaming system including a display device and game-logic circuitry in communication with the display device, wherein the display device is configured to present a plurality of symbol positions in a symbol array and a plurality of modifier positions external to the symbol array, the method comprising:

• causing, by the game-logic circuitry, the display device to present a modifier outcome by randomly and selectively populating one or more modifier positions of the plurality of modifier positions with at least one modifier symbol;
• in response to the modifier outcome including a first modifier symbol of the at least one modifier symbol at a first modifier position of the one or more populated modifier positions, causing, by the game-logic circuitry, the display device to present an animation of one or more symbol positions of the plurality of symbol positions being populated with a respective value-bearing symbol based at least partially on the first modifier symbol and the first modifier position, each of the value-bearing symbols having an award indicia visually indicating an award value associated with the respective value-bearing symbol, wherein the value-bearing symbols remain locked at the respective symbol positions and the symbols within the symbol array remain fixed between modifier outcomes;
• in response to at least one of the one or more symbol positions being occupied by an preexisting value-bearing symbol prior to the modifier outcome, increasing, by the game-logic circuitry, the award value of the preexisting value-bearing symbol, wherein the display device is configured to present an updated award indicia of the preexisting value-bearing symbol based on the increased award value;
• and
• in response to a termination condition, removing, by the game-logic circuitry, any locked value-bearing symbols from the plurality of symbol positions and providing an aggregated award as a function of the award values indicated by the award indicia of the locked value-bearing symbols occupying the plurality of symbol positions.

A gaming system comprising:

• a gaming machine comprising a display device configured to present a plurality of symbol positions in a symbol array and a plurality of modifier positions external to the symbol array;
• and
• game-logic circuitry in communication with the display device, the game-logic circuitry, configured to:
• cause the display device to present a modifier outcome by randomly and selectively, populating one or more modifier positions of the plurality of modifier positions with at least one modifier symbol;
• in response to the modifier outcome including a first modifier symbol of the at least one modifier symbol at a first modifier position of the one or more populated modifier positions, cause the display device to present an animation of one or more symbol positions of the plurality of symbol positions being populated with a respective value-bearing symbol based at least partially on the first modifier symbol and the first modifier position, each of the value-bearing symbols having an award indicia visually indicating an award value associated with the respective value-bearing symbol, wherein the value-bearing symbols remain locked at the respective symbol positions and the symbols within the symbol array remain fixed between modifier outcomes;
• in response to at least one of the one or more symbol positions being occupied by a preexisting value-bearing symbol prior to the modifier outcome, increase the award value of the preexisting value-bearing symbol, wherein the display device is configured to present an updated award indicia of the preexisting value-bearing symbol based on the increased award value;
• and
• in response to a termination condition, remove any locked value-bearing symbols from the plurality of symbol positions and provide an aggregated award as a function of the award values indicated by the award indicia of the locked value-bearing symbols occupying the plurality of symbol positions.