Enhanced Electronic Gaming Machines and Methods for Same Providing Merged Game Matrices with Merged Symbol Set

A method of operating a feature game on a gaming machine having an interface, and a game controller having a processor and a memory storing instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to activate the interface, the method comprising:

• generating, via the game controller, a first game instance formed from a first set of reel strips with a first symbol set, and a second game instance formed from a second set of reel strips with a second symbol set;
• generating, via the game controller, a first spin with a first game outcome for the first game instance and independently a second game outcome for the second game instance based on a random number generator;
• activating, via the game controller, a third set of reel strips based on a user input received at the interface, the third set of reel strips being different from the first set of reel strips or the second set of reel strips;
• generating, via the game controller, a merged game instance having a merged set of reel strips that includes the first set of reel strips and the second set of reel strips;
• generating, via the game controller, a second spin and a merged game outcome with the merged set of reel strips;
• and
• evaluating, via the game controller, whether the merged game outcome includes a winning outcome.

A gaming machine comprising:

• a first set of reel strips with a first set of symbols operable to form a first game instance;
• a second set of reel strips with a second set of symbols that differs from the first set of symbols, and operable to form a second game instance;
• a third set of reel strips that differs from the first set of reel strips or the second set of reel strips;
• an interface to receive a user input;
• and
• a game controller having at least one processor and memory storing instructions, which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to at least:
• generate a first game outcome for the first game instance and independently, a second game outcome for the second game instance, based on one or more random outcomes from e a random number generator,
• activate the third set of reel strips responsive to the user input received,
• generate a second spin and a merged game outcome with at least a portion of the first set of reel strips, at least a portion of the second set of reel strips, and the third set of reel strips, and
• evaluate whether the merged game outcome includes a winning outcome.