Software-Based Simulation of Symbol Replacement

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions that define a software application, wherein the software application is executed by a server machine on behalf of a client machine with a graphical display unit, wherein the software application involves graphically displaying, on vertical symbol display segments of the graphical display unit, animations that simulate spinning a plurality of reels, wherein a memory of the server machine stores, for each reel of the plurality of reels, a respective plurality of symbols, subsets of which are displayable in a respective vertical symbol display segment corresponding to the reel, and wherein, upon execution by the server machine, the program instructions cause the server machine to perform operations comprising:

• selecting, by a processor of the server machine executing the software application, a first set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols defines respective positions of each of the reels such that the first set of symbols is displayed on the vertical symbol display segments;
• storing, by the processor, the first set of symbols in the memory;
• causing the graphical display unit to display a first animation that simulates spinning of the reels, wherein spinning of the reels results in the vertical symbol display segments displaying the first set of symbols;
• determining, by the processor, that the first set of symbols includes exactly one or exactly two trigger symbols;
• in response to determining that the first set of symbols includes exactly one or exactly two trigger symbols, replacing, by the processor, each of the trigger symbols with a pre-designated replacement symbol to form a second set of symbols;
• storing, by the processor, the second set of symbols in the memory;
• and
• causing the graphical display unit to display a second animation that simulates transformation of the trigger symbols into the replacement symbols without spinning the reels.

A system configured for executing a software application, wherein the software application involves graphically displaying, on vertical symbol display segments, animations that simulate spinning a plurality of reels, and wherein the system stores, for each reel of the plurality of reels, a respective plurality of symbols, subsets of which are displayable in a respective vertical symbol display segment corresponding to the reel, the system comprising:

• a client machine including a client machine processor, a client machine memory, a graphical display unit, and a plurality of input devices, wherein the plurality of input devices include:
• (i) an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, (ii) a validator configured to identify the physical item, and (iii) a cash-out button actuatable to cause an initiation of a payout associated with a credit account;
• and
• program instructions executable to perform operations comprising:
• selecting a first set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols defines respective positions of each of the reels such that the first set of symbols is displayed on the vertical symbol display segments;
• storing the first set of symbols;
• causing the graphical display unit to display a first animation that simulates spinning of the reels, wherein spinning of the reels results in the vertical symbol display segments displaying the first set of symbols;
• determining that the first set of symbols includes exactly one or exactly two trigger symbols;
• in response to determining that the first set of symbols includes exactly one or exactly two trigger symbols, replacing each of the trigger symbols with a pre-designated replacement symbol to form a second set of symbols;
• storing the second set of symbols;
• and
• causing the graphical display unit to display a second animation that simulates transformation of the trigger symbols into the replacement symbols without spinning the reels, wherein the payout is based on patterns in the second set of symbols.