Gameplay method with connected image segments

A method of operating a gaming machine, the machine comprising a credit input mechanism, a player interface mechanism, a display, a memory, and a controller, the credit input mechanism is configured to receive a physical item representing a monetary value and increase a credit balance of a credit meter based on the monetary value of the received physical item;

• the player interface is configured to allow a player to place a wager using the credit balance, the display comprising a plurality of symbol positions arranged in an array having a plurality of rows and columns, the method comprising:
• initiating, via the controller, a wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from the player interface;
• displaying, via the controller, symbols selected from a symbol set on the array of symbol positions, the symbol set comprising a plurality image segments configured to form a contiguous image when the image segments are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the array of symbol positions;
• determining, via the controller, if the displayed symbols include the plurality of image segments arranged to display the contiguous image;
• and
• making an award upon determining that the displayed symbols include the image segments arranged to display the contiguous image.

A gaming machine comprising:

• a gaming cabinet;
• a credit input mechanism carried by the cabinet and accessible by a player, the credit input mechanism configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value for establishing a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity;
• a player interface carried by the cabinet and configured to allow a player to place a wager using the credit balance;
• a display carried by the cabinet and viewable by a player, the display comprising a plurality of symbol positions arranged in an array comprising a plurality of rows and columns;
• and
• a game controller contained in the cabinet and configured to:
• initiate a wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from the player interface, the wager input indicative of a wager amount that is deducted from the credit balance;
• display symbols selected from a set of symbols on the array of symbol positions, the symbol set comprising a plurality of image segments that are configured to form a contiguous image when they are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the array of symbol positions;
• determine if the displayed symbols include the plurality of image segments arranged to display the contiguous image;
• and
• make an award upon determining that the displayed symbols include the image segments arranged to display the contiguous image.