SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLAYING AN ELECTRONIC GAME INCLUDING MERGE AND UNMERGE OPERATIONS

Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method includes generating a plurality of reel strips, where each reel strip includes a column of symbol display positions, and where each symbol display position is adjacent to at least one other symbol display position. The method further includes selecting a first plurality of symbol display positions, displaying a symbol in each of the selected first plurality of symbol display positions, evaluating each of the selected first plurality of symbol display positions, merging, based upon the evaluating, at least two adjacent symbol display positions of the selected first plurality of symbol display positions, generating a game outcome based upon the merging, and generating a game award based upon the game outcome. 10113868 1 (GHMatters) P108414.AU t /-600 Start 60 Generate a plurality of reel strips comprising a plurality of symbol display positions. Select a plurality of symbol display positions. Display a symbol in each of the selected plurality of symbol display positions. Evaluate each of the selected plurality of symbol display positions. Determine which symbol display positions to merge based upon adjacency, if any. Merge adjacent symbol display positions based upon determination, if any. Yes 614 Spin remaining? No Generate game outcome based upon merge and generate game award based on game outcome. ( End