A gaming system includes a processor and a memory storing a plurality of stage game rule sets. Each rule set of the stage game rule sets corresponding with a stage of a game. The processor is programmed to cause display of columns each including symbol positions based on a first game configuration for a first instance of a first stage of the game and determine a first game outcome for the first instance based on the first game configuration and a first rule set. The processor is further programmed to change the first game configuration to a second game configuration based on a first trigger symbol occurring in the first game outcome and determine a second game outcome for a first game instance of a second stage of the game based on the second game configuration and a second rule set associated with the second stage.