Electronic gaming device with icon selection removal feature utilizing a special effects animation

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions and reel data defining a plurality of reel strips for use with a gaming device comprising a display device, at least one input mechanism, a processor, and the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to perform the steps of:

• using a weighted table and based on at least one or more numbers dynamically generated by the random number generator, mapping symbols from the reel strips for display at a plurality of symbol positions in response to receipt of a wager via the at least one input mechanism;
• controlling the display device to display a special effects animation including the symbols mapped at the symbol positions;
• evaluating the symbols mapped for one or more winning outcomes;
• in response to a trigger condition being met, initiating an icon selection instance from which one prize of a set of prizes is awardable, wherein each prize has an associated prize symbol;
• determining, using the at least one or more numbers dynamically generated by the random number generator and a second weighted table, whether to remove a prize from the set of prizes such that one prize of a reduced set of prizes may be awarded;
• controlling the display device to update the special effects animation to include a plurality of selectable icons;
• upon determining to remove a prize, controlling the animation to visually indicate removal of the prize;
• adjusting a probability of receiving an award by removing the prize;
• receiving selections of the selectable icons via the at least one input mechanism until an end condition is met;
• and
• upon a defined number of prize symbols being revealed responsive to the selections of the selectable icons until the end condition is met, making the award from the set of prizes or the reduced set of prizes based on the revealed prize symbols.

An electronic gaming system comprising:

• at least one display device;
• a random number generator;
• at least one input mechanism;
• one or more processors;
• and
• memory storing (i) reel data defining a plurality of reel strips, and (ii) instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• select, using at least one number dynamically generated by the random number generator and based on a target return to player (RTP), symbols from the reel strips for display at a plurality of symbol positions in response to receipt of a wager via the at least one input mechanism;
• control the at least one display device to display a special effects animation including the selected symbols at the symbol positions;
• evaluate the selected symbols for winning outcomes;
• determine whether an icon selection event is triggered by a trigger condition;
• in response to the trigger condition being met, executing the icon selection event;
• control the at least one display device to modify the special effects animation to display an initial icon selection display comprising a predefined number of icons, each of the icons representing at least one prize, wherein each prize has an associated prize symbol;
• determine whether to remove at least one prize from a set of prizes based on a second trigger condition;
• upon determining to remove the at least one prize, control the display device to modify the special effects animation to visually indicate the removal of the least one prize, such that a reduced set of prizes is displayed;
• remove the at least one prize by displaying an unselectable version of the icon representing the at least one prize;
• receive selections of the icons in the reduced set of prizes via the at least one input mechanism until an end condition of a plurality of end conditions is met;
• upon a defined number of prize symbols being revealed responsive to the selections of the icons until the end condition is met, make an award from the set of prizes or the reduced set of prizes based on the revealed prize symbols;
• and
• modify the special effects animation to indicate the award.