An electronic gaming device, including a display, a game controller with a processor, and memory, implements a feature having multiple instances. During the feature, for each instance, multiple symbols are selected from a set of symbols, which includes special symbols having associated values, and the selected symbols are displayed in a symbol array. A current value that is persisted across instances of the feature is also displayed. For an instance, a determination is made as to whether at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value. If at least one selected special symbol has an associated value that is greater than the current value, the current value is replaced with the largest value associated with the at least one selected special symbol. A player is awarded an amount for the current value when all instances of the feature have been completed.