METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR TRIGGERING AND CONTROLLING GAMING MACHINE OPERATION IN REEL-TYPE GAMES

A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.