A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds, in the regulated gaming machine, from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits enabling the player to play a wager-based skillful game and enabling game play and receiving player input from a user interface of the regulated gaming machine as the player interacts with in-game assets. The gaming machine may then determine whether sufficient player input has been received and game play has occurred to determine a skill level of the player. When sufficient game play has occurred, the skill level of the player may be determined, and the determined skill level may be compared to at least a first predetermined threshold skill level and a second predetermined threshold skill level. When the determined skill level is at least as great as the first predetermined threshold skill level, a first animation may be displayed, and a first change may be made to rewards due to the player for achieving in-game objectives, for at least a portion of remaining game play. When the determined skill level is at least as great as the second predetermined threshold skill level, a second animation may be displayed, a second change may be made to rewards due to the player for achieving in-game objectives for at least a portion of remaining game play.