Gaming Device with Dynamically Awardable Prizes Based on Collective Position State of Symbols

A gaming device comprising:

• a display;
• and
• a controller comprising a processor and a memory storing (i) data defining a plurality of columns of symbol positions, (ii) data defining a plurality of reel strips, each reel strip comprising a first category of symbols and a second category of symbols and being associated with one of the plurality of columns of symbol positions, (iii) an active position state defining which symbol positions of a respective column are currently active;
• (iv) a prize state for each column, and (v) instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to at least, in a game instance:
• control the display to display the plurality of columns of symbol positions,
• determine a threshold based on a number of symbol positions for each of the plurality of columns of symbol positions,
• select symbols from the plurality of reel strips for display in the plurality of columns of symbol positions, based on the threshold determined and a random value obtained from a random number generator,
• control the display to display the symbols selected at the plurality of columns of symbol positions,
• upon one or more symbols selected for a first column being the first category of symbols, update the active position state to register each symbol position for which a first category symbol is selected as active, and update the prize state associated with the first column to incorporate each prize associated with the first category symbol selected,
• upon all of the symbol positions in the first column being active, present a first award based on the prize state associated with the first column, reinitialize the active position state, and reinitialize the prize state of each of the columns,
• determine whether the symbols selected include a winning payline, and
• upon the symbols selected include the winning payline, present a second award in addition to presenting the first award.