JP2006296667A - Game performance system and server for game - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the enhancing of the desires of players for games by making the performance of a slot machine 1 match the performance inside a game parlor. <P>SOLUTION: The game performance system 100 has a slot machine 1, performance devices within the game parlor such as a lighting device 21 and audio equipment 22 and a server 20 for games making up the system. Upon the establishment of the conditions for starting a special performance, the slot machine 1 is made to alter the shifting conditions to the high probability shift conditions from the normal shifting conditions for the easier shift to a special game mode than it while the performance devices within the game parlor are prompted to alter the normal performance to the special performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, an in-game presentation device, a gaming presentation system having a gaming server, and a gaming server constituting the gaming presentation system.

  Conventionally, a slot machine has been known as a gaming machine that pays out game media (hereinafter referred to as “coins”) used in games such as medals and coins in accordance with the winning contents of games (hereinafter also referred to as “games”). It has been. In addition to the normal game mode in which a normal slot game using a variable display (also referred to as “scroll display”) can be performed in a slot machine, a free game (automatically played without inserting a new coin) There may be a special game mode in which a special game advantageous to a player such as a slot game) can be performed. In this type of slot machine, the transition from the normal game mode to the special game mode is performed randomly (randomly) based on the result of the lottery performed for each slot machine (see Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in a game hall (also referred to as “casino” or “hall”) in which a plurality of slot machines are installed, the atmosphere of the entire game hall is enhanced by a visual monitor such as a lighting device, an audio device, or a liquid crystal device. There may be an on-site performance.

JP 2002-537874 A

  However, in the game hall where the slot machine is installed, the in-game performance is irrelevant to the game mode of the slot machine during the game. Therefore, even if the slot machine performs an effect according to the game mode to increase the player's willingness to play, the on-site effect at the game hall where the slot machine is installed does not correspond to the effect of the slot machine In that case, there is a possibility that the effect in the slot machine becomes ineffective. In order to increase the effect of the slot machine and increase the player's willingness to play, it is considered desirable to increase the effect of the entire game hall while matching the effects of the gaming machine and the effects in the hall.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game production system and a game server that can match the production effect of the gaming machine and the production in the hall, thereby increasing the game motivation of the player.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention shifts the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode by establishing a transition condition for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode advantageous to the player. A gaming effect system comprising a gaming machine, an in-field effect device having a lighting function, an acoustic function, an image display function, and other in-field effect functions, and a gaming server connected to the gaming machine and the in-field effect device, The gaming server includes a start condition determining means for determining success / failure of a start condition of a special effect different from the normal effect performed in the in-game effect device, and a special gaming mode from the normal transition condition to the normal transition condition for the gaming machine. The transition condition control means for changing the transition condition to the high probability transition condition that is easy to shift to, and the in-field effect mode performed by the in-field effect device for the in-field effect device The production pattern control means for changing the production pattern from the normal production pattern corresponding to the normal production to the special production pattern corresponding to the special production, and the transition is made when the start condition judging means determines that the start condition is satisfied. The condition control means changes the transition condition of the gaming machine to a high probability transition condition, and the effect pattern control means changes the effect pattern of the on-site effect device to a special effect pattern.

  In this game effect system, when the start condition is satisfied, the game server changes the transition condition to the high probability transition condition and changes the effect pattern to the special effect pattern. Therefore, the effect of the gaming machine in the special game mode corresponds to the effect in the hall, and the player grasps the change to the high probability transition condition and the start of the special effect in association with each other.

  In addition, an operation means connected to the game server and outputting special effect start information in response to an operation by the operator is provided, and the start condition determining means is configured so that the start condition is set when the special effect start information is input from the operation means. It may be determined that it is established.

  In such a game production system, when special production start information is input from the operation means to the game server, the in-field production mode in the on-site production device is changed to a special production, and the transition condition in the gaming machine is a high probability transition condition. It becomes easy to shift to the special game mode. Therefore, a change to a special effect or a change to a high probability transition condition is performed at an appropriate timing based on an artificial operation.

  In addition, a rail arranged along the stage, a plurality of movable hooks movable along the rail, a curtain section that is hooked on each movable hook and has a size capable of concealing the stage, and a game And a stage device having an opening and closing drive unit connected to the server for use and moving the movable hook to open and close the curtain unit, and the game server further includes an opening and closing control means for causing the opening and closing drive unit to open and close the stage. In addition, when the start condition determining unit determines that the start condition is satisfied, the opening / closing control unit may cause the opening / closing drive unit to change the stage from a closed state to an open state.

  In such a game production system, when various events such as various dances or dancers' dances are performed on the stage, the curtain is opened in response to the event or event, and the player can perform events on the stage. It becomes possible to visually recognize dancers and the like.

  In addition, the present invention provides a gaming machine that shifts a gaming mode from a normal gaming mode to a special gaming mode by establishing a transition condition for shifting the gaming mode from the normal gaming mode to a special gaming mode that is advantageous to the player, and lighting. A game server that constitutes a game effect system together with an in-field effect device having a function, an acoustic function, an image display function, and other in-field effect functions, and starts a special effect different from the normal effect performed in the in-field effect device A start condition determining means for determining success or failure of the condition, and a transition condition control means for changing the transition condition from a normal transition condition to a high probability transition condition that is easier to transition to the special game mode than the normal transition condition for the gaming machine; For the in-field effect device, the effect pattern indicating the aspect of the in-field effect performed by the in-field effect device is special from the normal effect pattern corresponding to the normal effect. And an effect pattern control means for changing to a special effect pattern corresponding to the departure, and when the start condition determining means determines that the start condition is satisfied, the transition condition control means shifts the transition condition of the gaming machine with a high probability. The effect pattern control means changes the effect pattern of the on-site effect device to a special effect pattern.

  In this gaming server, when the start condition is satisfied, the transition condition of the gaming machine is changed to the high probability transition condition, and the effect pattern of the on-site effect device is changed to the special effect pattern. Therefore, the effect of the gaming machine in the special game mode corresponds to the effect in the hall, and the player grasps the change to the high probability transition condition and the start of the special effect in association with each other.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to match the effects of the gaming machine with the effects in the hall, thereby increasing the player's willingness to play.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Overall configuration of hall production system)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the hall effect system 100. The hall effect system 100 corresponds to the game effect system according to the present invention. The store server 20 is communicably connected via a dedicated line 26, a plurality of (for example, 20) slot machines 1, an illumination device 21, and an audio device. 22 has an image display device 23. The store server 20 corresponds to the game server in the present invention, the slot machine 1 corresponds to the game machine in the present invention, and the lighting device 21, the audio device 22, and the image display device 23 each correspond to the in-field effect device in the present invention. . The hall effect system 100 includes an operation device 25 and a stage device 24 that are communicably connected to the store server 20 via the dedicated line 26. The operation device 25 corresponds to the “operation means” in the present invention.

  A plurality of slot machines 1, a lighting device 21 as an in-game production device, an audio device 22, and an image display device 23 are installed in an indoor game facility (hereinafter referred to as “game room”). As will be described later, a stage A where various events are held is installed. 12 and 13 are perspective views schematically showing the inside of the game center with the stage A as the center. FIG. 12 shows a state before the event is started, and FIG. 13 shows a state where the event is being held.

  In the hall production system 100, when the operation device 25 is operated by an operator such as a game hall manager or operator, an event is held (generated) on the stage A, and a plurality of slot machines 1, 1,. ··· The transition condition (condition for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode) is changed to a high probability transition condition that is easy to shift to the special game mode. In the hall production system 100, the aspect of the on-site production performed by the lighting device 21, the audio device 22, and the image display device 23 is changed from the normal production to the special production corresponding to the event holding as the event is held (occurrence). . Furthermore, the hall production system 100 opens the curtains 24b and 24c of the stage device 24 at the start of the event so that the event performed on the stage A is visible to the player. In this way, in the hall effect system 100, while the effect of the lighting device 21 and the like is made a special effect at the start of the event, more slot machines 1 are shifted to the special game mode than before the event start. An effect different from the normal game mode is performed, and the effect of the entire game hall is enhanced by a synergistic effect of both effects. Hereinafter, each component of the hall production system 100 will be described.

(Store server)
As shown in FIG. 1, the store server 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a communication processing unit 204, and a communication control unit 205. The CPU 201 operates while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 203 according to a program stored in the ROM 202, while the communication control unit 205 operates the communication processing unit 204 according to an instruction from the CPU 201. The store server 20 transmits / receives data to / from each slot machine 1, the lighting device 21, the sound device 22, the image display device 23, the stage device 24, the operation device 25 and the dedicated line 26, and operates as described later. Special effect start information is received from the device 25. Further, the store server 20 transmits a special effect signal to each in-field effect device such as the lighting device 21, the sound device 22, and the image display device 23, and transmits a high probability transition signal to each slot machine 1. Further, the store server 20 transmits an opening signal for causing the stage device 24 to open the stage A and a closing signal for closing the stage A.

(Lighting device)
The illumination device 21 includes an illumination control unit 21a and a plurality of lamps 21b, 21b,. The illuminating device 21 has an illumination function that is one of in-field effect functions, and corresponds to one of the in-field effect devices in the present invention.
The illumination control unit 21a includes an illumination control CPU, RAM, ROM, a communication control unit, a communication processing unit, a lamp driving unit for turning on and off each lamp 21b, and the like (all not shown). The illumination control CPU performs drive control of the lamp driving unit based on the effect pattern data (normal illumination effect pattern data, special illumination effect pattern data) stored in the ROM, and blinks and adjusts the lamps 21b, 21b,. Perform light control (control to change light output) and the like. In the present embodiment, the drive patterns of the lamps 21b, 21b,... That are driven and controlled based on the effect pattern data (normal illumination effect pattern data, special illumination effect pattern data) stored in the ROM are effects in the present invention. It corresponds to a pattern. The drive pattern of each lamp 21b controlled based on the normal illumination effect pattern data corresponds to the normal effect, and the drive pattern of each lamp 21b controlled based on the special illumination effect pattern data corresponds to the special effect. The communication control unit operates the communication processing unit in accordance with an instruction from the lighting control CPU, and transmits and receives data (mainly “special effect signal”) to and from the store server 20.

(Sound device)
The acoustic device 22 includes a sound control unit 22a and a plurality of speakers 22b, 22b,. The acoustic device 22 has an acoustic function that is one of the in-field effect functions, and corresponds to one of the in-field effect devices in the present invention.
The sound control unit 22a includes a sound control CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a data reading unit that reads music data from a storage medium (eg, “CD”) that stores music data, a communication control unit, a communication processing unit, and each speaker. 22b has an amplifier for outputting music, voice, and other sound effects (all not shown). The sound control CPU performs control based on the effect pattern data (normal sound effect pattern data, special sound effect pattern data) stored in the ROM, and inputs the sound signal amplified by the amplifier to the speakers 22b, 22b,. Music, voice, and other sound effects are output. In the present embodiment, the output pattern from the speakers 22b, 22b,... Controlled based on the effect pattern data (normal sound effect pattern data, special sound effect pattern data) stored in the ROM is the effect in the present invention. It corresponds to a pattern. The output pattern from each speaker 22b controlled based on the normal sound effect pattern data corresponds to the normal effect, and the output pattern from each speaker 22b controlled based on the special illumination effect pattern data corresponds to the special effect. To do. The communication control unit operates the communication processing unit in accordance with an instruction from the sound control CPU, and transmits and receives data (mainly “special effect signal”) to and from the store server 20.

(Image display device)
The image display device 23 includes an image control unit 23a, a liquid crystal display device, a display 23b using a CRT, an organic ELT, and the like and has an image display function, and corresponds to one of in-field effect devices in the present invention.
The image control unit 23a includes an image control CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication control unit, a communication processing unit, a VDP (Video display Processor), and the like (all not shown). The image control CPU determines an image to be displayed on the display 23b based on the effect pattern data (normal display effect pattern data, special display effect pattern data) stored in the ROM, and VDP is the display determined by the image control CPU. An image corresponding to the content is formed, and the formed image is displayed on the display 23b. In the present embodiment, an image determined based on the effect pattern data (normal display effect pattern data, special display effect pattern data) stored in the ROM corresponds to the effect pattern in the present invention. The display of the image determined based on the normal display effect pattern data corresponds to the normal effect, and the display of the image determined based on the special illumination effect pattern data corresponds to the special effect. The communication control unit operates the communication processing unit in accordance with an instruction from the image control CPU, and transmits and receives data (mainly “special effect signal”) to and from the store server 20.

(Stage equipment)
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the stage device 24 includes a rail 24f arranged along the stage A, a pair of electric hooks 24e and 24d movable along the rail 24f, and a plurality of driven hooks 24g, 24g, .., and curtains 24b, 24c having sizes (width and height) that allow the electric hooks 24e, 24d and the driven hooks 24g, 24g,... And an opening / closing drive unit 24a for moving the electric hooks 24e, 24d to open / close the curtains 24b, 24c. In the present embodiment, the electric hooks 24e, 24d and the driven hooks 24g, 24g,... Correspond to “movable hooks”, and the curtain corresponds to “curtain”.

  The rail 24f has a guide portion that supports the rollers provided on the pair of electric hooks 24e, 24d and the plurality of driven hooks 24g,. The electric hooks 24e and 24d have a main body portion having a drive motor, a roller provided on a drive shaft of the drive motor, and a hook portion for latching the curtains 24b and 24c. The pair of electric hooks 24e and 24d receives an instruction from the opening / closing drive unit 24a, and rotates or reverses the roller to move toward or away from each other. The driven hook 24g has a roller supported by the rail 24f so as to be able to roll, and a hook portion for hooking the curtains 24b and 24c, and the plurality of driven hooks 24g are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the rail 24f. They are arranged side by side. The curtains 24b and 24c are thick cloths that can block the field of view, and are formed in shapes and dimensions that can cover the area from the rail 24f to the stage A. The opening / closing drive unit 24a includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication control unit, a communication processing unit, and the like (all not shown), and an electric hook based on an “opening signal” or “closing signal” received from the store server 20 Drive control of 24e, 24d is performed. The opening / closing drive unit 24a opens the curtains 24b and 24c by moving the pair of electric hooks 24e and 24d away from each other, and moves the pair of electric hooks 24e and 24d in a direction approaching each other to move the curtains 24b and 24c. Close.

(Operating device)
The operation device 25 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a communication control unit, a communication processing unit, an operation unit that is operated by an operator such as a game hall administrator or a worker. When the operation unit 25 is operated by the operator, the operation device 25 causes the CPU to instruct the communication control unit to operate the communication processing unit, and to the store server 20 according to the operation (special effect start information). ).

(Overall configuration of slot machine)
Next, the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a coin-insertion type gaming machine that requires insertion of game media such as money and coins to start a game. Then, the slot machine 1 starts a normal variable display game (hereinafter referred to as “normal game”) by the insertion of a game medium by the player and a predetermined start operation, and a game when a predetermined transition condition is established following the normal game. A special game advantageous to the player is started. A game mode in which a normal game is performed is a normal game mode, and a game mode in which a special game is performed after shifting from the normal game mode is a special game mode. The special game according to the present embodiment is a free game in which a variable display game is started without newly inserting a game medium. Hereinafter, the configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the slot machine. The slot machine 1 is configured to perform a variable display game (also referred to as a slot game) using a variable display image of a plurality of symbols.

  The slot machine 1 has a main display 5 provided with a liquid crystal display device on the front surface of the housing 2. In addition, the upper portion of the main display 5 has a sub display 4 that is also provided with a liquid crystal display device.

The main display 5 has a total of nine variable display portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, and 3i arranged in three columns. The main display 5 has a variable display image (mechanical type) as if a plurality of symbols move from top to bottom on each of the variable display sections 3a to 3i in both the normal game mode and the special game mode. The reel image displayed as if the reels of the reel are rotating is displayed. As shown in FIG. 2, since the slot machine 1 has nine variable display portions 3a to 3i, a total of eight effective display devices are shown in the vertical and horizontal three rows of each variable display portion 3a to 3i and the diagonal arrangement. A line is set.
The sub display 4 displays an effect image (normal effect image) in the normal game mode, an effect image (special effect image) in the special game mode, and an explanation of the game content.

  Further, the slot machine 1 is provided with a substantially horizontal operation panel 11 below the main display 5. The operation panel 11 is provided with a coin insertion slot 6, a bill insertion slot 7, a spin switch 8, a 1 BET switch 9, and a maximum BET switch 10.

  The coin insertion slot 6 is provided for the player to insert coins for betting on the game, and has an insertion coin sensor 6a (see FIG. 3) that outputs a signal indicating the coin insertion. Moreover, the banknote insertion slot 7 is provided in order for a player to insert a banknote, and has an insertion banknote sensor 7a (see FIG. 3) that outputs a signal indicating insertion of a banknote. The spin switch 8 is provided for the player to perform an operation for starting display of the variable display image, that is, for starting the game. The 1BET switch 9 is provided to perform a setting for betting one coin by one operation. The maximum BET switch 10 is provided for setting to bet the maximum number of coins that can be bet on one game by one operation.

  Further, the slot machine 1 is provided with a coin payout opening 13 and a coin receiving portion 14 for storing the paid out coin at the bottom of the housing 2. Furthermore, speakers 12L and 12R are provided on the left and right sides of the coin payout opening 13, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the slot machine 1 mainly showing the internal configuration. The slot machine 1 has a plurality of components centering on a microcomputer 31.
The microcomputer 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34. The CPU 32 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 34 and inputs signals from each part of the control panel 11 (see FIG. 2) via the I / O port 39, while inputting signals with other components. The output is performed to control the operation of the entire slot machine 1. The RAM 33 stores data and programs used when the CPU 32 operates. For example, random numbers sampled by a sampling circuit 36 described later are temporarily held after the game is started. The ROM 34 stores a program executed by the CPU 32 and permanent data.

  Further, the slot machine 1 includes a random number generator 35, a sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation circuit 37, and a frequency divider 38. The random number generator 35 operates according to an instruction from the CPU 32 to generate a random number within a certain range. The sampling circuit 36 extracts an arbitrary random number from the random numbers generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 32, and inputs the extracted random number to the CPU 32. The clock pulse generation circuit 37 generates a reference clock for operating the CPU 32, and the frequency divider 38 inputs a signal obtained by dividing the reference clock at a constant period to the CPU 32.

  Further, the slot machine 1 includes a touch panel 56, a hopper driving circuit 63, a hopper 64, a payout completion signal circuit 65, and a coin detection unit 66. Further, the slot machine 1 includes an image control circuit 71, a sound control circuit 72, a communication control unit 51, and a communication processing unit 52.

  The touch panel 56 is provided so as to cover the display screen of the main display 5, detects the position of the part touched by the player's finger, and inputs a position signal corresponding to the detected position to the CPU 32. The hopper driving circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 according to the control of the CPU 32, and the hopper 64 performs an operation for paying out coins by winning, and pays out coins from the payout opening 13 to the coin receiving portion 14. The coin detection unit 66 measures the number of coins paid out by the hopper 64 and notifies the payout completion signal circuit 65 of data of the measured number value. The payout completion signal circuit 65 inputs data on the number of coins from the coin detection unit 66, and inputs a signal notifying completion of coin payout to the CPU 32 when the number reaches the set number of pieces of data. To do.

The image control circuit 71 controls image display on each of the main display 5 and the sub display 4 to display a variable display image of a plurality of symbols on the main display 5, and displays a normal effect image, a special effect image, and the like on the sub display 4. To display.
As shown in FIG. 4, the image control circuit 71 includes an image control CPU 71a, a work RAM 71b, a program ROM 71c, an image ROM 71d, a video RAM 71e, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 71f.
The image control CPU 71a is an image displayed on the main display 5 in accordance with an image control program (related to the display on the main display 5 and the sub display 4) stored in advance in the program ROM 71c based on the parameters set by the microcomputer 31. (Variable display image, stop symbol image displayed when variable display stops) and an image displayed on the sub-display 4 are determined.

  The work RAM 71b is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control CPU 71a executes the image control program. The program ROM 71c stores an image control program, various selection tables, and the like. The image ROM 71d stores dot data for forming an image. In the present embodiment, the dot data includes symbol image data indicating each symbol used in the normal game and the free game, normal effect image data, and the like. The video RAM 71e is configured as a temporary storage unit when an image is formed by the VDP 71f. The VDP 71f has a control RAM 71g, forms an image according to the display contents of the main display 5 and the sub display 4 determined by the image control CPU 71a, and outputs the formed images to the main display 5 and the sub display 4. .

The sound control circuit 72 (see FIG. 3) inputs a sound signal for outputting sound from the speakers 12L and 12R to the speakers 12L and 12R. From the speakers 12L and 12R, for example, a sound for exciting the game is output before the game starts or at an appropriate time during the game, or different sound effects are output in the normal game mode and the special game mode.
The communication control unit 51 operates the communication processing unit 52 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 32 and transmits / receives data via the store server 20 and the dedicated line 26. As will be described later, a high probability transfer signal and a normal transfer signal are transmitted from the store server. Receive.

(Operation sequence of hall production system)
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an operation sequence of the store server 20, the slot machine 1, and the on-site effect device (the lighting device 21, the sound device 22, the image display device 23, and the stage device 24) constituting the hall effect system 100.
When an event is held (occurs) on stage A, an operator such as a game hall manager or operator operates the operation device 25 (see FIG. 1) to start a special performance corresponding to the event holding. Then, the special effect start information is output from the operation device 25 to the store server 20. When the special production start information is input, the store server 20 performs an event generation process (step 2), which will be described later, transmits a special production signal T1 to the on-site production devices 21, 22, and 23, and sends a high signal to each slot machine 1. A probability transition signal T2 is transmitted, and an opening signal T3 is transmitted to the stage device 24. Further, when the store server 20 determines that an event end condition is satisfied in an event end process (step 3) described later, the store server 20 transmits a normal effect signal T4 to each in-field effect device 21, 22, 23, and each slot machine 1 The normal transition signal T5 is transmitted to the stage device 24, and the closing signal T6 is transmitted to the stage device 24.

Upon receiving the special effect signal T1, each in-field effect device 21, 22, 23 proceeds to step 101 shown in FIG. 5, and the illumination control unit 21a, sound control unit 22a, image control of each in-field effect device 21, 22, 23 is performed. The unit 23a (hereinafter referred to as “each control unit”) sets “9” to a special effect flag that is a determination element for determining whether or not an event is being held.
When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 102, each control unit determines whether or not “9” is set in the special effect flag, and determines that the event has not been held when “9” is not set. Proceeding to step 103, a normal effect based on the normal effect pattern is performed. Here, each control unit performs drive control of the lamp 21b, output control of the speaker 22b, and image control of the display 23b with reference to the normal performance pattern data (normal illumination pattern data, normal acoustic pattern data, and normal display pattern data). . On the other hand, when “9” is set in the special effect flag, it is determined that the event is being held and the process proceeds to step 104, where the effect pattern data to be referred is changed from the normal effect pattern data to the special effect pattern data. A special production based on the production pattern is performed. Here, each control unit performs drive control of the lamp 21b, output control of the speaker 22b, and image control of the display 23b with reference to the special effect pattern data (special illumination pattern data, special acoustic pattern data, and special display pattern data). .

  For example, the illumination control unit 21a of the lighting device 21 uses the lamps 21b, 21b,... As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 (a) based on the normal illumination effect pattern data stored in the ROM for the normal effect pattern. -Is continuously lit, and the lighting mode (light output and light color) of the entire amusement hall is maintained in a constant state with no change. And the illumination control part 21a changes the production pattern data referred when receiving the special production signal T1 from the normal illumination production pattern data to the special production pattern data, and based on the changed special illumination production pattern data, FIGS. As shown in (a), a part of the lamps 21b, 21b,... Is blinked, and the other lamps 21b, 21b are irradiated toward the stage A as spot lights.

  Further, the sound control unit 22a of the sound device 22 has a quiet and slow tempo as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 (b) based on the normal sound effect pattern data stored in the ROM in the case of the normal effect pattern. “BGM A” composed of music is output from the speakers 22b, 22b,. Then, the sound control unit 22a changes the effect pattern data to be referred to when receiving the special effect signal T1 from the normal sound effect pattern data to the special sound effect pattern data, and based on the changed special sound effect pattern data, FIG. As shown in FIG. 14 (a), “BGM B”, which is an up-tempo tune and has a high volume, is output from the speakers 22b, 22b,.

Further, the image control unit 23a of the image display device 23, based on the normal display effect pattern data stored in the ROM in the case of the normal effect pattern, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. , “Amusement park logo mark image” and “Landscape image” such as a river or the sea) are displayed on the display 23b. Then, the image control unit 23a changes the effect pattern data to be referred to when receiving the special effect signal T1 from the normal display effect pattern data to the special display effect pattern data, and based on the changed special display effect pattern data, FIG. As shown in FIG. 14 (a), a character image “Big Chance” is displayed on the display 23b.
Further, when the in-field effect devices 21, 22, 23 receive the normal effect signal T4, the process proceeds to step 104 shown in FIG. 5, and each control unit clears the special effect flag.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the stage device 24 performs the opening process when receiving the opening signal T3, and performs the closing process when receiving the closing signal T6. Here, when the opening / closing drive unit 24a of the stage device 24 receives the opening signal, the electric hooks 24d and 24e are moved away from each other as shown in FIG. 13 to change the curtains 24b and 24c from the closed state to the open state. At this time, on stage A, there was an event in which a beautiful woman (a woman wearing a costume that expresses gorgeousness and cuteness) B with a placard written “Chan Time” appeared. Spotlight hits Beauty B. On the other hand, when receiving the closing signal, the opening / closing driving unit 24a moves the electric hooks 24d, 24e in the approaching direction to close the curtains 24b, 24c (see FIG. 12).

  Further, when receiving the high probability transition signal T2, the slot machine 1 changes the transition condition from the normal transition condition to the high probability transition condition as will be described later. As a result, the game mode of the slot machine 1 is likely to shift to the special game mode, and more slot machines 1 shift to the special game mode than before the event start, resulting in an effect different from the effect in the normal game mode. Will be performed everywhere. On the other hand, when receiving the normal transition signal T5, the CPU 32 of the slot machine 1 changes the transition condition from the normal transition condition to the high probability transition condition.

(Operation details of the store server)
Next, an operation procedure of the store server 20 constituting the hall effect system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the hall effect process executed in the store server 20 by being incorporated in the main process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of event generation processing executed in the store server 20. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of event end processing executed in the store server 20.

The store server 20 executes a main process for managing game media such as coins used in each slot machine 1 and a game mode with the power-on, and also executes a hall effect process incorporated in the main process. To do.
The hall effect process is executed at predetermined intervals (for example, 1 sec). When the hall effect process is executed, the CPU 201 sequentially executes steps 1 to 3 as shown in FIG. Event generation processing and event end processing are executed in sequence.

  When the process proceeds to step 2, an event generation process is performed. When the event generation process is started, the process proceeds to step 21 as shown in FIG. 7, and the CPU 201 operates as the start condition determining means in the present invention to determine whether or not the start condition for the special effect is met. When the CPU 201 determines that it is established, the CPU 201 changes the mode of the on-site effects performed by the on-site effect devices 21, 22, and 23 to a special effect, and changes the transition condition in the slot machine 1 to the high probability transition condition. Steps 22 to 25 are sequentially executed, and when it is determined that the event is not established, the event generation process is terminated. Here, in this embodiment, when the special effect start information is input from the operation device 25, it is determined that the start condition is satisfied, and when it is not input, it is determined that the start condition is not satisfied.

  When the processing proceeds to the subsequent step 22, the CPU 201 sets “9” indicating that the event is being held in the event start flag serving as a determination element for determining whether or not the event is being held, and sets a predetermined time (for example, “600 sec”) is set, and the process proceeds to step 23.

  In step 23, the CPU 201 operates as effect pattern control means in the present invention. Here, the CPU 201 performs communication processing in order to change the effect pattern indicating the aspect of the in-field effect performed by the in-field effect devices 21, 22, and 23 from the normal effect pattern corresponding to the normal effect to the special effect pattern corresponding to the special effect. The unit 204 is operated, and special effect signals are transmitted to the in-field effect devices 21, 22, and 23, and the process proceeds to step 24.

  In step 24, the CPU 201 operates as a transition condition control means in the present invention. Here, the CPU 201 changes the transition condition in the slot machine 1 (a condition for shifting the game mode from the normal game mode to the special game mode) to a high-probability transition condition that is easier to shift to the special game mode than the normal transition condition. Therefore, the communication processing unit 204 is operated to transmit a high probability transition signal to each slot machine 1 and the process proceeds to Step 25.

  In step 25, the CPU 201 operates as the opening / closing control means in the present invention. Here, the CPU 201 transmits an opening signal from the communication processing unit 204 to the opening / closing drive unit 24a of the stage device 24 in order to change the curtain of the stage A from the closed state to the opened state by the stage device 24, and the event generation process. Exit.

  When the event generation process ends, an event end process is performed as shown in FIG. When the event end processing starts, the process proceeds to step 31 as shown in FIG. 8, and the CPU 201 operates as a determination unit for determining whether or not the event is being held, and “9” indicating that the event is being held is set in the event start flag. If YES in step 32, the flow advances to step 32. If "9" is not set, it is determined that no event is held, and the event end processing is ended.

  When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 32, the CPU 201 operates as an end condition determination means for determining whether or not the event end condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the end condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 33, and when it is determined that the end condition is not satisfied, the event ends. The process ends. Here, in the present embodiment, the event end condition is determined to be satisfied if the event end timer is “0 sec”, and the end condition is determined not to be satisfied if it is not “0 sec”. .

  When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 33, the CPU 201 operates as an opening / closing control means, and the communication processing unit 204 is operated to open / close the stage apparatus 24 so that the stage A is closed from the opened state by the stage apparatus 24. The closing signal is transmitted to the unit 24a, and the process proceeds to step 34.

  When the processing proceeds to the subsequent step 34, the CPU 201 operates as effect pattern control means. Here, the CPU 201 performs communication in order to change the effect pattern indicating the aspect of the on-site effect performed by the on-site effect devices 21, 22, and 23 from the special effect pattern corresponding to the special effect to the normal effect pattern corresponding to the normal effect. The processing unit 204 is activated, and a normal effect signal is transmitted to each in-field effect device 21, 22, 23.

In step 35, the CPU 201 operates as a transition condition control unit. Here, the CPU 201 transmits a normal transition signal from the communication processing unit 204 to each slot machine 1 in order to change the transition condition in the slot machine 1 from the high probability transition condition to the normal transition condition.
In step 36, the CPU 201 clears “9” set in the event start flag and ends the event end process.

(Operation contents of slot machine)
Next, the operation content of the slot machine 1 will be described. In the slot machine 1, the CPU 32 operates as a game progress control means and executes main processing. In the main process, the CPU 32 controls the progress of the variable display game that is started by using a game medium such as money or coins in the normal game mode, and the progress of the free game that does not require the use of the game medium in the special game mode. I have control. Further, when the CPU 32 receives a high probability transition signal or a normal transition signal from the store server 20, the CPU 32 performs an interrupt process on the main process. Hereinafter, after describing the interrupt process, the main process will be described.

  When the CPU 32 receives the high-probability transition signal or the normal transition signal and starts interrupt processing, the CPU 32 proceeds to step 71 shown in FIG. 9 and prohibits other interrupts and stores them in the storage area (register). The program being executed in the process is temporarily saved. When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 72, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the received transition signal is a high probability transition signal. If the received transition signal is a high probability transition signal, the CPU 32 proceeds to step 73 and indicates “8” indicating the high probability transition condition in the transition condition flag. And go to step 75. On the other hand, when the normal transition signal is received, the process proceeds to step 74, the transition condition flag set to “8” is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 75. In step 75, the CPU 32 restores the saved register of the main process program, resumes from the point where the main process was interrupted (saved), and ends the interrupt process. Due to interrupt processing, “8” is set in the transition condition flag during the event, but “8” is not set in the transition condition flag when the event is not held. Whether the probability is high or not can be determined by whether or not “8” is set in the flag.

  Next, the operation procedure in the main process will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the main process from the start to the end of the game in the slot machine 1 divided into blocks. 10 and 11, step is abbreviated as S.

(Main process)
When the main process is started as shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step 51, where a start acceptance process for requesting the player to start a game is started. When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 52, the CPU 32 proceeds to step 53 when “8” is not set in the transition condition flag, and the normal transition condition in which the transition condition from the normal game mode to the special game mode is the normal transition condition. The game process is performed and the main process is terminated. Further, when “8” indicating the high probability transition condition is set in the transition condition flag, the CPU 32 operates as a transition condition changing means and proceeds to step 54 to change the transition condition from the normal transition condition to the high probability transition condition. The high probability transition condition game process is performed and the main process ends. The normal transition condition game process and the high probability transition condition game process are the same process, but the high probability transition condition game process has a transition probability from the normal game mode to the special game mode compared to the normal transition condition game process. It is set to be high. Hereinafter, the high probability transition condition game process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

(High probability transition condition game processing)
When the high probability transition condition game process starts, the process proceeds to step 61 where a lottery process is performed. When the lottery process starts, a stop symbol determination process, a winning / non-winning determination process, and a winning mode determination process are performed. When the stop symbol determination process is started, the CPU 32 instructs the random number generator 35 to generate a certain range of random numbers, extracts an arbitrary random number from the generated random numbers, and displays a symbol determination table (not illustrated) from the random numbers. The table corresponding to the random number extracted with reference to the code No. and the random number) and the stop table (the table storing the code No. and the stop symbol in association with each other) is acquired and acquired. The determined symbol is determined as a stopped symbol to be stopped and displayed for each of the variable display portions 3a to 3i.
When the subsequent winning determination process is started, the CPU 32 displays a winning determination table (a table in which either a symbol pattern to be awarded in association with a combination of symbol codes No. or a symbol pattern that does not win (no winner) is registered so as to be distinguishable). With reference to determine whether or not a winning is possible, when it is determined that a winning is made, the CPU 32 refers to a mode table (a table in which a payout is registered in association with a winning symbol pattern (winning mode)) in the winning mode determination process. Then, a payout according to the winning mode is obtained.

  In the subsequent step 62, a normal game process is performed to perform a normal game performed in the normal game mode. When the normal game process is started, the CPU 32 variably displays (scrolls) the symbols on the variable display portions 3a to 3i of the main display 5 and displays the stop symbols determined in the stop symbol determination process to display a winning prize. When the payout is made, the payout of coins or the like corresponding to the payout acquired in the winning mode determination process is performed. Further, the CPU 32 causes the sub display 4 to display a game effect indicating that it is a normal game mode, for example, a simple logo image of a game hall, or to output sounds “go” and “fight” from the speakers 12L and 12R.

  When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 63, the CPU 32 operates as a transition possibility determination means for determining whether or not the transition condition to the special game mode is successful (for example, whether or not a special symbol is determined as a stop symbol). When it is established, the routine proceeds to step 64 where free game processing is performed. Here, the probability that the transition condition is satisfied in the high-probability transition condition game process (for example, the probability that a special symbol is determined as a stop symbol) is configured to be higher than that in the normal transition condition game process described above. ing.

In the special game mode, a special game advantageous to the player is performed, and in this embodiment, a free game process is performed in which a variable number of variable display games ("slot games") are performed without using game media. Processing ends. When the free game process is started, the same lottery process as the lottery process in step 61 described above (stop symbol determination process, winning / non-winning determination process, winning mode determination process) is performed. Thereafter, a scroll process which is the same process as the normal game process in the above-described step 62 is performed, and the CPU 32 variably displays the symbols on the variable display portions 3a to 3i of the main display 5 and is determined by the stop symbol determining process. The stopped symbols are displayed, and coins corresponding to the payout acquired in the winning mode determination process are paid out. In the free game process, the CPU 32 performs the lottery process and the scroll process as many times as the number of free games to be performed.
Here, the CPU 32 causes the sub-display 4 to display a game effect indicating that it is a special game mode, for example, an image composed of characters “free game chance” and “big bonus”, or “lucky” from the speakers 12L and 12R. Sounds such as “Excellent” are output.

As described above, according to the hall effect system 100, the in-field effects performed by the in-field effect devices 21, 22, and 23 and the effects performed by the slot machine 1 can be made to correspond to each other, and the synergistic effect of the effects of the entire game arcade can be achieved. The atmosphere can be energized at once, and the willingness to play can be improved, so that the effect at the game hall can be dramatically improved.
In addition, at the timing corresponding to the event to be held on stage A (for example, the timing suggesting the event or the timing immediately after the event is held), the on-site production is changed to the special production, and the slot machine 1 Since the transition condition in can be changed to a high probability transition condition, the effect in the special game mode by the slot machine 1 and the in-field effects by the in-field effect devices 21, 22, and 23 are performed in conjunction with the holding of the event. As a result, the production effect at the game hall is further enhanced.
In addition, when the in-field effects by the in-field effect devices 21, 22, 23 are changed to special effects, the slot machine 1 makes it easier for the game mode to shift from the normal game mode to the special game mode. Therefore, it is possible to expect a shift to a special game mode, and it is possible to give a player a motivation to play a game in conjunction with the event holding.

  In addition, since the hall production system 100 has an operation device 25 that outputs special production start information in response to an artificial operation by an operator, 100 or more players in an arbitrary timing, for example, a game hall. The event is started when a visitor arrives or when a predetermined time (for example, 20:00) is reached, and stage A is opened on stage device 24 in accordance with the start of the event. It is also possible to produce an effect and change the transition condition of the slot machine 1 to a high probability transition condition. Therefore, it is possible to correspond to an event that is freely held by a manager or an operator of the game hall.

  Furthermore, this hall production system 100 manages the success / failure of the event end condition by the store server 20, and returns the mode of the on-site production performed by the on-site production devices 21, 22, and 23 to the normal production according to the end of the event, The transition condition in each slot machine 1 is returned to the normal transition condition. For this reason, during the event and during other times, the change of the production and the change of the transition condition are performed at the same time, and the reduction effect is born and the production effect is enhanced.

  The game effect system according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as a gaming machine constituting the game effect system, a game performed using a card game card image or a mahjong game image. The game machine may be executable, or may be a slot machine having a plurality of mechanical reels.

  Further, in the game production system and game server according to the present invention, the special production start condition is established when a specific time (for example, 19:00) or a specific day of the week and time (13:00 on Saturday) is reached. It can also be. In addition, a jackpot (betting the number of game media determined in a specific game, a predetermined percentage of the bet number is added as a reserve prize, and a player who participates in a specific game wins a specific role (wins) In the mode), a special production start condition may be satisfied when a player wins a funded prize in a system in which a player can also earn a funded prize in addition to the winning prize.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 201 of the store server 20 operates as an end condition determination unit and determines the end of the event when a predetermined time elapses from the start of the event. However, the operation device 25 can be operated by the operator. In response, the store server 20 may be configured to output event end information, and when the event end information is input, the CPU 201 may operate as an end condition determination unit to determine that the event has ended.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the CPU 201 of the store server 20 changes the effect pattern (change from the special effect pattern to the normal pattern) in the on-site effect devices 21, 22, and 23 with the end of the event. The transition conditions in each slot machine 1 are changed all at once (change from the high probability transition condition to the normal transition condition), but the change of the transition condition from the high probability transition condition to the normal transition condition is changed for each slot machine 1 May be performed independently. For example, after changing from the normal game mode to the special game mode after being changed to the high probability transfer condition with the occurrence of the event, the CPU 32 of the slot machine 1 operates as the transfer condition changing means, and the transfer condition is changed to the high probability transfer condition. It is also possible to change from normal to transition conditions. In addition, when the number of game media paid out in the game after being changed to the high probability transition condition with the occurrence of an event exceeds a predetermined number, the CPU 32 of the slot machine 1 operates as a transition condition changing means. The transition condition may be changed from the high probability transition condition to the normal transition condition.

It is a system configuration figure of a hall production system concerning an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a slot machine mainly showing an internal configuration. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of an image control circuit. It is a sequence chart which shows the operation | movement sequence of a shop server, a slot machine, and an in-store production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the hall production process performed by being incorporated in the main process of a shop server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the event generation process performed in a shop server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the event end process performed in a shop server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the interruption process in a slot machine. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of main processing from the start to the end of the slot game in the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of high probability transfer condition game processing. It is a perspective view which shows the outline in the game center centering on the stage, and has shown the state before an event is started. It is a perspective view which shows the outline in the game center centering on the stage, and has shown the state in which the event is performed. It is explanatory drawing of an effect pattern, (a) is explanatory drawing of the effect pattern in an illuminating device, (b) is explanatory drawing of the effect pattern in an audio device, (c) is explanatory drawing of the effect pattern in an image display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... Hall effect system (game effect system)
20 ... Store server (game server)
201 ... CPU, 202 ... ROM, 203 ... RAM
204 ... Communication processing unit, 205 ... Communication control unit 1 ... Slot machine (game machine)
4 ... Sub display, 5 ... Main display 32 ... CPU
21 ... Lighting device, 21a ... Lighting control unit, 21b ... Lamp 22 ... Sound device, 22a ... Sound control unit, 22b ... Speaker 23 ... Image display device, 23a ..Image control unit, 23b ... Display 24 ... Stage device, 24a ... Opening / closing drive unit, 24b, 24c ... Curtain 24e, 24d ... Electric hook, 24g ... Following hook, 24f ···rail

Claims (4)

A gaming machine that shifts the gaming mode from the normal gaming mode to the special gaming mode by establishing a transition condition for shifting the gaming mode from the normal gaming mode to a special gaming mode that is advantageous to the player, an illumination function, and sound A game production system having a function, an image display function, an in-field production device having other on-site production functions, and a gaming server connected to the gaming machine and the on-site production device,
The gaming server is:
Start condition determining means for determining success or failure of a start condition of a special effect different from the normal effect performed in the on-site effect device;
A transition condition control means for changing the transition condition from a normal transition condition to a high probability transition condition that is easier to transition to the special gaming mode than the normal transition condition;
Effect pattern control means for causing the effect device to change the effect pattern indicating the aspect of the effect in the event performed in the effect device from the normal effect pattern corresponding to the normal effect to the special effect pattern corresponding to the special effect. Have
When it is determined by the start condition determining means that the start condition is satisfied, the transition condition control means changes the transition condition of the gaming machine to the high probability transition condition, and the effect pattern control means A game effect system, wherein an effect pattern of an effect device is changed to the special effect pattern. An operation means connected to the game server and outputting special effect start information in response to an operation by an operator,
The game effect system according to claim 1, wherein the start condition determination unit determines that the start condition is satisfied when the special effect start information is input from the operation unit. Rails arranged along the stage, a plurality of movable hooks movable along the rails, a curtain part which is hooked on each movable hook and has a size capable of concealing the stage, and the game An opening / closing drive unit connected to a server and moving the movable hook to open and close the curtain unit;
The gaming server is:
An opening / closing control means for causing the opening / closing drive unit to open / close the stage;
The open / close control means causes the open / close drive unit to change the stage from a closed state to an open state when the start condition determining means determines that the start condition is satisfied. 2. The game production system according to 2. A gaming machine that shifts the gaming mode from the normal gaming mode to the special gaming mode by establishing a transition condition for shifting the gaming mode from the normal gaming mode to a special gaming mode that is advantageous to the player, an illumination function, and sound A game server that constitutes a game production system together with an on-site production device having a function, an image display function, and other on-site production functions,
Start condition determining means for determining success or failure of a start condition of a special effect different from the normal effect performed in the on-site effect device;
A transition condition control means for changing the transition condition from a normal transition condition to a high probability transition condition that is easier to transition to the special gaming mode than the normal transition condition;
Effect pattern control means for causing the effect device to change the effect pattern indicating the aspect of the effect in the event performed in the effect device from the normal effect pattern corresponding to the normal effect to the special effect pattern corresponding to the special effect. Have
When it is determined by the start condition determining means that the start condition is satisfied, the transition condition control means changes the transition condition of the gaming machine to the high probability transition condition, and the effect pattern control means A game server, wherein an effect pattern of an effect device is changed to the special effect pattern.

Images