Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game having an obstacle board with falling symbols

A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

• (a) causing, by at least one processor, at least one display device to display a symbol starting area including a symbol starting position;
• (b) causing, by the at least one processor, the at least one display device to display a symbol ending area spaced apart from the symbol starting area and including multiple symbol ending positions;
• (c) causing, by the at least one processor, the at least one display device to display a plurality of obstacles between the symbol starting area and the symbol ending area;
• (d) selecting, by at least one processor, one of a plurality of different symbols and causing, by the at least one processor, the at least, one display device to display the selected symbol moving from the symbol starting position through the obstacles and toward the symbol ending area;
• (e) responsive to;
• (1) receipt, via at least one input device, of a skill input after the selected symbol has begun moving;
• and (2) satisfaction of a modification condition, causing, by the at least one processor, the at least one display device to modify an aspect of the movement of the selected symbol;
• (f) responsive to the selected symbol reaching one of the symbol ending positions, causing, by the at least one processor, the at least one display device to stop the selected symbol from moving so the selected symbol is displayed at that symbol ending position;
• (g) repeating (d) to (f) until a termination condition is satisfied;
• and
• (h) responsive to the termination condition being satisfied, determining, by the at least one processor, and causing, by the at least one processor, the at least one display device to display any awards based on the symbols at the symbol ending positions.

A gaming system comprising:

• at least one display device;
• at least one input device;
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
• (a) cause the at least one display device to display a symbol starting area including a symbol starting position;
• (b) cause the at least one display device to display a symbol ending area spaced apart from the symbol starting area and including multiple symbol ending positions;
• (c) cause the at least one display device to display a plurality of obstacles between the symbol starting area and the symbol ending area;
• (d) select one of a plurality of different symbols and cause the at least one display device to display the selected symbol moving from the symbol starting position through the obstacles and toward the symbol ending area;
• (e) responsive to receipt, via the at least one input device, of a skill input, cause the at least one display device to display an element positioned between the symbol starting area and the symbol ending area moving, and responsive to (1) the receipt of the skill input and (2) satisfaction of a modification condition, cause the at least one display device to display the moving element modifying an aspect of the movement of the selected symbol;
• (f) responsive to the selected symbol reaching one of the symbol ending positions, cause the at least one display device to stop the selected symbol from moving so the selected symbol is displayed at that symbol ending position;
• (g) repeat (d) to (f) until a termination condition is satisfied;
• and
• (h) responsive to the termination condition being satisfied, determine and cause the at least one display device to display any awards based on the symbols at the symbol ending positions.