Gaming machine and method including an accumulator-based value transfer bonus

A gaming machine comprising:

• a presentation assembly;
• a value input device configured to accept a physical item associated with a monetary value to establish a credit balance;
• a value output device configured to dispense a payout from the credit balance in response to a cashout input;
• and
• game-logic circuitry configured to perform the operations of:
• displaying a symbol array comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a reel, each cell of the symbol array initialized to an unlocked state;
• displaying an accumulator;
• initializing a spin counter;
• placing a plurality of overlay symbols in unlocked cells in the symbol array, wherein the overlay symbols comprise at least a first type of overlay symbol that bears a value and a second type of overlay symbol that does not bear a value;
• for a plurality of game cycles:
• for each respective unlocked cell in the symbol array:
• spinning and stopping its reel to newly land a symbol in the respective unlocked cell;
• in response to an overlay symbol of the first type and a newly landed symbol being co-located, transferring the value borne by the first type of overlay symbol to the newly landed symbol, removing the overlay symbol, and locking the respective cell;
• in response to an overlay symbol of the second type and a newly landed symbol being co-located, removing the overlay symbol, transferring the value of the accumulator to the newly landed symbol and locking the respective cell;
• repositioning any remaining overlay symbols in the symbol array, wherein repositioning each respective overlay symbol comprises moving the overlay symbol in a predetermined direction to the next unlocked cell in the symbol array or removing the overlay symbol from the symbol array in the event there is no unoccupied cell in the predetermined direction;
• in response to at least one first type of overlay symbol being removed from the symbol array, adjusting a value of the accumulator;
• adding new overlay symbols to unlocked cells in the symbol array;
• decrementing the spin counter;
• and
• in response to the spin counter reaching zero or all positions in the symbol array being occupied by locked symbols, ending the game and awarding a prize.