JP2006320354A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine with original game characteristics and to fully improve a savor of a game during a free game. <P>SOLUTION: In a slot machine 1 provided with reels 220 for variably displaying a plurality of symbols to be used in the game and a CPU 50 for controlling variable display on the reels 220, the CPU 50 decides game characteristics which determine the characteristics of the order of displaying a winning role to be a winning form including a prescribed symbol during the free game, performs drawing to be performed corresponding to the number of times of free spins during the free game altogether, and rearranges the order of displaying the winning role to be the winning form including the prescribed symbol corresponding to the result of the batch lottery on the basis of the game characteristics decided in advance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that executes a free game that performs a plurality of free spins.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine called a slot machine is provided rotatably in a housing and includes a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are drawn on an outer peripheral surface thereof. Then, when a specific symbol on the reel is stopped on the effective winning line, the reel is automatically rotated / stopped a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) free spin (without newly digesting coins, etc.) There is known a gaming machine that shifts to a free game in which a coin is paid out in accordance with a combination of symbols.

In such a free game, whether or not to display a combination of symbols in a predetermined winning mode on the effective pay line during free spin is determined according to a lottery result performed for each free spin (for example, , See Patent Document 1). For this reason, winnings during free games are randomly generated.
JP-A-2005-34301

  However, in the conventional gaming machine, as described above, winnings during free games occur randomly, and since there is no feature in the occurrence, it is not possible to attract the player's interest and during the free game There is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently enhance the interest of the game.

  On the other hand, since the preferences of players are diversifying recently, manufacturers of game machines, etc. have unique game characteristics for each game machine even if they are the same model in order to keep the players interested. The reality is that there is a desire to do so. However, as described above, such a demand cannot be realized in a situation where a winning in a free game is randomly generated, and it is difficult to give each game machine a unique game characteristic.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and a game that can give the gaming machine unique game characteristics and can enhance the fun of the game during the free game. The purpose is to provide a machine.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention comprises variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols used in a game, and control means for controlling variable display in the variable display means, The control means determines the game characteristics that determine the characteristics of the order in which the winning combination that is a winning mode including a predetermined pattern is displayed during the free game, and performs a lottery performed according to the number of free spins during the free game. It is performed in a lump, and the order in which winning combinations are displayed is rearranged according to the result of the lump-sum lottery based on the determined game characteristics.

  According to this gaming machine, the game characteristic that determines the characteristic of the order in which the winning combination that becomes a winning mode including a predetermined symbol is displayed during the free game is determined, and the game is performed according to the number of free spins during the free game. The lotteries to be displayed are batched, and the order in which the winning combination is displayed is rearranged according to the result of the batch lottery based on the determined game characteristics. In this way, for example, by controlling the winning combination to be displayed continuously, the generation of winning combinations is characterized, so that each gaming machine has its own game characteristics Can be given. As a result, it is possible to attract the player's interest, so that it is possible to fully enhance the interest of the game during the free game.

  In the above gaming machine, the control means may rearrange the order in which the winning combinations are displayed so that the winning combinations are continuously displayed according to the result of the collective lottery. In this case, since the game media are continuously acquired by the player, it is possible to attract the player's interest and to enhance the interest of the game during the free game. Further, since the game media are continuously acquired, it is possible to give the player an impression that the game media can be continuously acquired.

  In particular, it is preferable to rearrange the order in which the winning combinations are displayed so that the winning combinations are continuously displayed in either the first half, the center, or the second half of the free game. In this case, since the player is allowed to continuously acquire game media in either the first half, the center, or the second half of the free game, it is possible to attract the player's interest in any part of the free game. Thus, it is possible to give an impression that game media can be continuously acquired at the corresponding portion.

  In the gaming machine, the control means may rearrange the order in which the winning combinations are displayed so that the winning combinations are displayed on the average according to the result of the collective lottery. In this case, the player is averaged to acquire the game media, so that the player can be attracted evenly during the free game, and the fun of the game during the free game can be enhanced. It becomes. In addition, since game media are acquired on average, it is possible to give the player an impression that game media can be acquired frequently.

  Furthermore, in the above gaming machine, the control means may rearrange the order in which the winning combination is stopped and displayed according to the quantity of game media acquired corresponding to the winning combination. In this case, for example, each time the number of free spins in the free game is increased, the winning combination can be displayed so as to increase the number of game media, so that the number of game media acquired gradually increases for the player. It becomes possible to give an impression.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to give the gaming machine unique game characteristics and to enhance the fun of the game during the free game.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a slot machine.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the slot machine. In FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 has a cabinet 2 that forms the whole, and a lamp 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the cabinet 2. An upper liquid crystal display 3 is disposed at the upper front of the cabinet 2, and a lower liquid crystal display 4 is disposed at the front central portion of the cabinet 2.

  The upper liquid crystal display 3 is composed of a generally used liquid crystal display, and displays information related to the game such as a game method, the type of winning combination and its payout, and various effects related to the game. The lower liquid crystal display 4 is formed of a so-called transparent liquid crystal display, and four variable display sections 22, 23, 24, and 25 are displayed as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, one effective pay line L is provided on these four variable display portions 22 to 25. In each of the variable display sections 22 to 25, various symbols formed on a reel, which will be described later, are variably displayed while scrolling from above to below.

  An operation table 5 is provided below the lower liquid crystal display 4 so as to protrude toward the front side. The operation table 5 includes a change button 6 from the leftmost side, a cashout button 7 and a help (HELP). A button 8 is arranged, and a coin insertion unit 9 and a bill insertion unit 10 are provided on the right side of the help button 8. Also, a 1-BET button 11, a spin (SPIN / REPEATBET) button 12, a 3-BET button 13, and a 5-BET button 14 are arranged on the front side of the operation table 5 from the left side.

  The exchange button 6 is a button for turning on the lamp 20. The payout button 7 is a button that is pressed at the end of the normal game. When the payout button 7 is pressed, coins as game media acquired in the game are paid out from the coin payout exit 15 to the coin receiving unit 16. The help button 8 is a button that is pressed when the operation method of the game is unknown. When the help button 8 is pressed, various types of help information are displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4.

  A coin sensor 65 is disposed in the coin insertion portion 9 to detect the inserted coin. A bill sensor 66 is disposed in the bill insertion unit 10 to detect the inserted bill. The 1-BET button 11 is a button for betting one by one each time the button is pressed. The spin button 12 is a button for starting the variable display of each symbol on each variable display unit 22 to 25 of the lower liquid crystal display 4 in order to start the game with the current bet number or the previous bet number when pressed. It is. In addition, as the number of bets that can bet by pressing the spin button 12, there may be 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 bets.

  The 3-BET button 13 is a button for starting a game with three bets based on the depression thereof. The 5-BET button 14 is a button for starting a game with 5 bets based on the depression thereof. A coin payout exit 15 is formed at the lower portion of the cabinet 2, and a coin receiving portion 16 that receives coins paid out from the coin payout exit 15 is provided.

  Four reels as variable display means are arranged at positions facing the four variable display portions 22 to 25 formed in the lower liquid crystal display 4. Of the four reels, the leftmost reel as viewed from the front of the slot machine 1 faces the variable display portion 22 formed in the lower liquid crystal display 4, and the central left reel is similarly the variable display portion 23. Opposite to. Further, the reel on the right side of the center similarly faces the variable display portion 24, and the reel on the rightmost side similarly faces the variable display portion 25.

  Various symbols as shown in FIG. 2 used in a normal game are formed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel. FIG. 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of each reel, and is a symbol sequence that is variably displayed while scrolling on each of the transparent variable display portions 22 to 25 of the lower liquid crystal display 4 during a normal game. It is the figure which showed the example.

  In FIG. 2, a symbol row 141 is a symbol row that is variably displayed on the variable display portion 22, and a symbol row 142 is a symbol row that is variably displayed on the variable display portion 23. The symbol row 143 is a symbol row that is variably displayed on the variable display portion 24, and the symbol row 144 is a symbol row that is variably displayed on the variable display portion 25.

  The symbol rows 141, 142, and 143 all have the same symbol arrangement, and these symbol rows are triple BAR91, cherry 92, double BAR93, seven 94, single BAR95, and blank (area where no symbols exist). ) 96 are appropriately combined to form 11 symbols.

  The symbol row 144 is different from these symbol rows in that one trigger symbol 97 is arranged in addition to the symbols included in the symbol rows 141, 142, and 143. The trigger symbol 97 is a symbol for shifting to a bonus game, which will be described later. When the trigger symbol 97 is stopped and displayed on the active pay line L in the variable display section 23, the trigger symbol 97 can shift to the bonus game.

  When forming various symbols on each reel aspect, 11 symbols are printed on a long reel sheet that matches the width and station length of each reel, and the reel sheet is attached to each reel aspect. However, it is of course possible to form the pattern by a method other than this method.

  When the symbol rows 141 to 144 being scrolled on the variable display portions 22 to 25 are stopped and displayed, the four symbols are stopped and displayed on the variable display portions 22 to 25, respectively. In addition, various winning combinations are set in advance based on a plurality of combinations of symbols, and when a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination stops on the effective winning line L, coins are coined according to the winning combination. The points paid out from the payout port 15 are the same as those in the conventional slot machine, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, a configuration related to the control system of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine.

  In FIG. 3, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basically configured with a microcomputer 100 composed of a CPU 50, ROM 51, and RAM 52 functioning as control means, and the ROM 51 and RAM 52 are connected to the CPU 50. ing. The ROM 51 stores various programs, data tables, and the like for performing processing necessary for controlling the slot machine 1 such as main processing, start acceptance processing, lottery processing, normal game processing, bonus game processing, which will be described later. The RAM 52 is a memory that temporarily stores various data calculated by the CPU 50.

  In the present embodiment, the programs, data, and the like used when controlling the slot machine 1 are not limited to being stored in the ROM 51 or the RAM 52 in advance, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the same program, data, and the like may be stored in a storage medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark) and downloaded from the storage medium to the ROM 51 or the like.

  The CPU 50 is connected to a clock pulse generation circuit 53 that generates a reference clock pulse and a frequency divider 54, and is also connected to a random number generator 55 that generates a random number and a random number sampling circuit 56. The random numbers sampled through the random number sampling circuit 56 are used for various lotteries such as a winning combination. Further, the CPU 50 has a spin switch 58 attached to the spin button 12, a 1-BET switch 59 attached to the 1-BET button 11, and a 3-BET switch 60 attached to the 3-BET button 13, 5-BET. A 5-BET switch 61 attached to the button 14, a change switch 62 attached to the exchange button 6, a refund (CASHOUT) switch 63 attached to the refund button 7, and a help attached to the help button 8. (HELP) switches 64 are connected to each other. The CPU 50 performs control to execute various operations corresponding to the buttons based on the switch signals output from the switches when the buttons are pressed.

  Four stepping motors 68 that rotate the reels 220 are connected to the CPU 50 via a motor drive circuit 167. When a motor drive signal is output from the CPU 50 to the motor drive circuit 167, each stepping motor 68 is rotationally driven by the motor drive circuit 167. Thereby, each reel 220 is rotated. At this time, after the rotation of each reel 220 is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 68 is calculated, and the calculated value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 52. Further, a reset pulse is output from each reel 220 for each rotation and is input to the CPU 50. When the reset pulse is input to the CPU 50 in this way, the calculated value written in the RAM 52 is cleared to “0”, and the CPU 50 determines the calculated value corresponding to the rotational position within one rotation range of each reel 220. Based on the symbol table in which the rotational position of each reel 220 stored in the ROM 51 is associated with the symbol formed on the phase of each reel 220, the rotational position of the symbol on each reel 220 is recognized.

  A position change detection circuit 69 is connected to the CPU 50. The position change detection circuit 69 detects a change in the stop position of the reel 220 after the stop control is performed by the motor drive circuit 167 described above. For example, in the position change detection circuit 69, the stop position is changed by the player so as to be a combination of stop symbols that is in a winning mode, even though it is not actually a combination of stop symbols in a winning mode. A change in the stop position of the reel 220 in some cases is detected. The position change detection circuit 69 is configured to detect a change in the stop position of the reel 220 by detecting fins attached to the inner portion of the reel 220 at predetermined intervals, for example.

  The CPU 50 is connected to a coin sensor 65 disposed in the coin insertion unit 9 and a bill sensor 66 disposed in the bill insertion unit 10. The coin sensor 65 detects a coin inserted from the coin insertion unit 9, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins inserted based on a coin detection signal output from the coin sensor 65. The bill sensor 66 detects the type and amount of the bill inserted from the bill insertion unit 10, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins equivalent to the amount of the bill based on the bill detection signal output from the bill sensor 66.

  A hopper 71 is connected to the CPU 50 via a hopper drive circuit 70. When a driving signal is output from the CPU 50 to the hopper driving circuit 70, the hopper 71 pays out a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout exit 15. Further, a coin detection unit 73 is connected to the CPU 50 via a payout completion signal circuit 72. The coin detection unit 73 is disposed inside the coin payout exit 15. When it is detected that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout exit 15, a coin payout detection signal is output from the coin detection unit 73 to the payout completion signal circuit 72, and the payout completion signal circuit 72 is based on this signal. The payout completion signal is output to the CPU 50.

  An upper liquid crystal display 3 and a lower liquid crystal display 4 are connected to the CPU 50 via a liquid crystal driving circuit 74, and the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 are controlled by the CPU 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal drive circuit 74 includes a program ROM 81, an image ROM 82, an image control CPU 83, a work RAM 84, a VDP (video display processor) 85, a video RAM 86, and the like.

  In FIG. 4, the program ROM 81 stores an image control program related to display on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 and various selection tables. The image ROM 82 stores, for example, dot data for forming an image on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4. Based on the parameters set by the CPU 50, the image control CPU 83 follows the image control program stored in advance in the program ROM 81 from the dot data stored in advance in the image ROM 82 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4. Determine the image to be displayed. The work RAM 84 is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control program is executed by the image control CPU 83. The VDP 85 generates image data corresponding to the display contents determined by the image control CPU 83 and outputs the image data to the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4. The video RAM 86 is configured as a temporary storage unit when an image is formed by the VDP 85.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an LED 78 is connected to the CPU 50 via an LED drive circuit 77. A large number of LEDs 78 are arranged on the front surface of the slot machine 1 and are controlled to be turned on by the LED drive circuit 77 based on a drive signal from the CPU 50 when performing various effects. A sound output circuit 79 and a speaker 80 are connected to the CPU 50, and the speaker 80 generates various sound effects when performing various effects based on output signals from the sound output circuit 79.

  The lamp 20 is connected to the CPU 50 via a lamp driving circuit 75. The lamp 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the slot machine 1 (see FIG. 1), and when the exchange button 6 is pressed, the lamp driving circuit 75 controls lighting based on a driving signal from the CPU 50.

  The transparent touch panel 30 is connected to the CPU 50 via the touch panel drive circuit 67. The transparent touch panel 30 is provided on the screen of the lower liquid crystal display 4 and outputs the coordinate position information of the part touched by the player via the touch panel drive circuit 67 so that the CPU 50 can determine where the touch is made. It has become.

  Next, an operation example of the slot machine 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, an example of main processing performed in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of the main process. When the main process is started, the slot machine 1 (more specifically, the CPU 50) first executes a game characteristic determination process (step (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”) 10). This process is a process for determining a game characteristic that defines the characteristic of the order in which winning combinations that become a winning mode including a predetermined symbol are displayed during a free game to be described later.

  This game characteristic determination process is executed when the slot machine 1 is powered on, for example. Examples of the game characteristics (characteristic of the order in which winning combinations are displayed) determined by the game characteristic determining process include cases where winning combinations are displayed continuously, and winning combinations are displayed on average. . If the winning combination is displayed continuously, it is classified as being displayed in the first half, center and second half of the free game. Note that these game characteristics are examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

  In the game characteristic determination process, the game characteristic may be determined by any procedure. For example, a random number may be extracted at the time of determination, and the game characteristic may be determined according to the value of the random number, or the game characteristic may be determined according to a calculation result using the random number value. Also good. At this time, it is preferable as an embodiment to manage the table of game characteristics. Further, game characteristics may be designated by a game hall employee without using random numbers or the like.

  And after determining a game characteristic by this game characteristic determination process, CPU50 performs a start reception process (S11). This process is performed based on the operation of the spin button 12, the operation of the 1-BET button 11, the operation of the 3-BET button 13, or the operation of the 5-BET button 14, and the spin switch 58, 1-BET switch 59, 3-BET switch. This is processing for receiving a switch signal output from the 60 or 5-BET switch 61. The game is started when a switch signal output from each switch is received.

  The start acceptance process performed in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of the start reception process. In S11 of the main process shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 50 first determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) has elapsed (S21). Here, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S21, No), the process proceeds to S23 without performing anything, but when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S21, Yes). In S22, the demonstration effect process is performed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4, and then the process proceeds to S23. This demonstration effect process is performed according to a predetermined effect pattern.

  In S23, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the operation of the spin button 12, the operation of the 1-BET button 11, the operation of the 3-BET button 13 or the operation of the 5-BET button 14 has been performed. Here, when it is determined that the operation of the 1-BET button 11 or the like is not performed (S23, No), the process returns to S21 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation of the 1-BET button 11 or the like has been performed (S23, Yes), even during the demonstration effect process, the process returns to the main process shown in FIG. Proceed to

  Next, the lottery process (S12) performed in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of a lottery process. In S12 of the main process shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 50 first performs a random number extraction process (S31). In this random number extraction process, the CPU 50 samples one random number via the random number sampling circuit 56.

  Following the random number extraction process (S31), the CPU 50 executes a combination determination process (S32). This combination determination process compares the random number extracted in S31 with a lottery table prepared in advance that describes the correspondence between random numbers and combinations (including loses), and determines the combination corresponding to the extracted random number. It is a process to decide. For example, if the random number is any one of 1 to 10, the lottery table is a “bonus game”, and if the random value is any of 11 to 40, the combination “all seven”,... This is a table describing that the role is “losing” in any of 341 to 1024. In addition, the above-mentioned combination “all seven” is a case where all the symbols stopped on the effective winning line L are the symbols “seven”.

  Following the combination determination process (S32), the CPU 50 executes a stop symbol determination process (S33). This stop symbol determination process is a process for determining for each of the variable display units 22 to 25 the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the effective winning line L so that the combination determined in the combination determination process is established. Specifically, the CPU 50 determines the code number of the stop symbol for each reel 220 so that a combination of symbols corresponding to the determined combination is established on the effective pay line L. To decide. After the stop symbol determination process (S33) ends, the process returns to the main process shown in FIG. 5 and proceeds to the normal game process of S13.

  Next, the base game process (S13) performed in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of the normal game process. In S13 of the main process shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 50 first outputs from the spin switch 58, 1-BET switch 59, 3-BET switch 60 or 5-BET switch 61 received in the start reception process (S11). Based on the switched signal, a rotation process for starting rotation of the four reels 220 in the cabinet 2 is executed (S41). By this rotation processing, the symbols are scrolled on the variable display sections 22 to 25. At this time, since the variable display portions 22 to 25 are in a see-through state, the scroll of each symbol can be visually recognized.

  Next, the CPU 50 rotates the four reels 220 in the cabinet 2 so as to stop the stop symbol determined in the lottery process (S12), more specifically, the stop symbol determination process (S33), on the effective winning line L. A stop control process for stopping is executed (S42). By this stop control process, the scroll of each symbol in the variable display sections 22 to 25 is stopped.

  Next, according to the symbol combination of the winning combination stopped and displayed on each variable display unit 22 to 25 in the stop control process (S42), the CPU 50 temporarily assigns coins to be paid out corresponding to a predetermined payout. Addition processing to be added is executed (S43). The coins to be paid out are allocated and stored in a certain area of the RAM 52. In this addition process, coins are paid out according to the combination determined in the combination determination process (S32). In addition, after performing this addition process, CPU50 returns to the main process shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the main process will be continued. After executing the normal game process (S13), the CPU 50 determines whether or not a bonus game is established (S14). This determination is made based on the symbol stopped on the effective pay line L in the stop control process (S42) in the normal game process shown in FIG. 8, or the random number or combination determined in the lottery process (S12).

  When determining that a bonus game is being established (S14, Yes), the CPU 50 executes a bonus game process (S15). In the bonus game process (S15), the slot machine 1 executes a free game that performs free spins a predetermined number of times (10 times in the present embodiment). That is, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the bonus game corresponds to a free game in which 10 free spins are permitted.

  When performing a free spin, the player performs the same processing as the normal game without inserting coins or pressing a bet button, that is, without consuming coins or accumulated credits. Therefore, during the bonus game, the player can receive payment of coins or credits without depleting the number of coins or credits, so that the player is very advantageous in terms of coin acquisition or credit acquisition.

  When performing a free spin, the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment collectively performs a lottery process that has been performed for each free spin at the beginning of the bonus game process. And based on the game characteristic determined by the game characteristic determination process (S10) performed previously, the order in which the winning combination that becomes a winning mode including a predetermined symbol is displayed is rearranged according to the result of the collective lottery. In this way, for example, by controlling the winning combination to be displayed continuously, the generation of winning combinations is characterized, so that each gaming machine has its own game characteristics And increase the fun of games during free games.

  Hereinafter, bonus game processing performed in the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of the bonus game process. In S15 of the main process shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 50 first performs a batch lottery process (S51). In this batch lottery process, a lottery process for all the free spins of a predetermined number of times is performed in a lump, and based on the game characteristics determined in the game characteristic determination process (S10), a predetermined symbol is drawn according to the result of the batch lottery. This is a process of determining the order in which the winning combination that is the winning mode is displayed.

  Here, the batch lottery process executed in the bonus game process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when the batch lottery process is started, the CPU 50 first performs a random number extraction process (S61), and subsequently executes a combination determination process (S62). Since these random number extraction processing and combination determination processing are the same as the processing performed in the lottery processing described in FIG. 7, detailed description thereof is omitted. The combination determined in the combination determination process is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 52.

  When the combination determining process (S62) is completed, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the number of executions of the random number extraction process and the combination determining process has reached a specified number (10 in the present embodiment) (S63). As a result of the determination, when the number of executions of the random number extraction process and the combination determination process has not reached the specified number (S63, No), the CPU 50 executes the random number extraction process and the combination determination process (S61, S62) again. To do.

  On the other hand, when the specified number of times has been reached (S63, Yes), the CPU 50 performs a stop order determination process (S64). This stop order determination process is a process for determining the order in which the winning combination determined by the combination determination process performed for a predetermined number of times is displayed based on the game characteristics determined in the game characteristic determination process (S10). . Here, a case will be described in which the winning combination is displayed so that the winning combination is continuously displayed by the game characteristic determination process, and the game characteristic that these winning combinations are displayed in the second half of the free game is determined. And

  Here, although it is determined whether or not the number of executions of the random number extraction process and the combination determination process has reached the specified number in S63, the processes of S61 and S62 are repeated until these processes reach the specified number of times. The number and order of batch processing for random number extraction processing and combination determination processing are not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, random numbers for the specified number of times may be extracted at once, and the role determination process for the specified number of times may be performed at once. You may make it determine a combination. That is, any format may be adopted as long as random number extraction and role determination can be performed as many times as necessary when determining the contents of the effect in S64.

  Following the stop order determination process (S64), the CPU 50 executes a stop symbol determination process (S65). This stop symbol determination process is stopped and displayed on the effective winning line L so that the winning combination is continuously displayed in the second half of the free game according to the order in which the winning combination determined in the stop order determining process is displayed. This is a process of determining the symbol for each variable display section 22 to 25. Specifically, the CPU 50 sets the code number of the stop symbol for each reel 220 so that the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is established on the effective winning line L. To decide. Then, after the stop symbol determination process (S65) ends, the process returns to the bonus game process shown in FIG. 9 and proceeds to the free spin process of S52.

  In the batch lottery process shown in FIG. 10, the case where the batch lottery process is performed at the beginning of the bonus game process is shown, but such timing is an example, and the timing of performing the batch lottery process can be changed as appropriate. is there. For example, the batch lottery process may be performed by a normal game process or the like before the free spin process is started.

  Here, the free spin process executed in the bonus game process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, when the free spin process is started, the CPU 50 executes a process similar to the normal game process (S14) shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with the player's predetermined operation. ) Is started (S71). As described above, it is not necessary to insert coins or press a bet button to start the symbol variation display.

  Following the symbol variation display start (S71), the CPU 50 performs a symbol variation display stop (S72) corresponding to the stop control process (S42) in the normal game process. In this symbol variation display stop, the CPU 50 determines the symbols to be displayed on each of the variable display units 22 to 25 in a state where the variation display is stopped, and determines the determined symbols (hereinafter referred to as “stop symbols” as appropriate). The stepping motor 68 and the motor drive circuit 167 are controlled to stop the reel 220 so as to be displayed on each of the variable display units 22 to 25.

  Next, when the stop symbol displayed on each of the variable display units 22 to 25 includes a predetermined symbol combination, the CPU 50 determines the number of coins paid out to the player according to the combination, or the player. A winning determination process for calculating the number of credits to be newly added to the number of credits on hand is performed (S73). Note that the timing for performing the winning determination process can be changed as appropriate, and any timing may be used between the batch lottery process (S51) and the next payout process (S16). good.

  In the winning determination process (S73), after calculating the number of coins to be paid out to the player, the CPU 50 executes an addition process for temporarily adding the number of coins to the payout coin (S74). When the processes from S71 to S74 are performed, one free spin process is completed.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the description of the bonus game process is continued. When the free spin process is completed as described above, the CPU 50 determines whether or not the number of executions of the free spin process, which is a condition for ending the bonus game process, has reached the specified number (10 in the present embodiment). (S53). As a result of the determination, when the number of executions of the free spin process has not reached the specified number (S53, No), the CPU 50 executes the free spin process (S52) again. On the other hand, when the specified number of times has been reached (S53, Yes), the CPU 50 ends the bonus game process and returns to the main process.

  When the process is repeated until the number of executions of the free spin process reaches the specified number, the winning combination is displayed on the effective winning line L according to the order in which the winning combination determined in the stop order determining process (S64) described in FIG. Is stopped. That is, the winning combination is stopped and displayed on the effective pay line L so that it is continuously displayed in the second half of the free game.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the description of the main process will be continued. In S14, when the bonus game is not established (S14, No), and when the bonus game process (S15) is finished, the CPU 50 adds the normal game process (S43) and the free spin process (S43). A payout process is performed in which coins corresponding to the number of payouts added to the payout-scheduled coins in S74) are collectively ejected, or a new payout amount is added to the number of credits held by the player (S16). Then, after performing the payout process, the CPU 50 returns the process to the start acceptance process (S11) and prepares for the next game start. This is the end of the description of the main process and the operation example of the slot machine.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the lottery performed according to the number of free spins during the free game is performed in a lump, and based on the game characteristics determined in the game characteristic determination process, Depending on the result of the collective lottery, the order in which the winning combination that becomes a winning mode including a predetermined symbol is displayed is rearranged. In this way, for example, by controlling the winning combination to be displayed continuously, the generation of winning combinations is characterized, so that each gaming machine has its own game characteristics Can be given. As a result, it is possible to attract the player's interest, so that it is possible to fully enhance the interest of the game during the free game.

  In particular, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a case is described in which the winning combination is determined in an order that is continuously displayed in the second half of the free game according to the result of the collective lottery. In this case, since the player continuously acquires coins in the second half of the free game, the player can be particularly interested in the second half of the free game. Can be increased. In addition, since coins are continuously acquired in the second half of the free game, it is possible to give an impression that the player can continuously acquire coins in the second half of the free game.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning. In the above-described embodiment, the size, shape, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed within a range in which the effect of the present invention is exhibited. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention. The modification of this invention is illustrated below.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the winning combination is determined to be a game characteristic continuously displayed in the second half of the free game according to the result of the collective lottery is shown, but such order may be changed as appropriate. Is possible. For example, after rearranging in the order in which the winning combinations are displayed in succession, these may be determined as game characteristics displayed in the first half of the free game, and these are displayed in the center of the free game. The game characteristics may be determined. In this case, as in the case where the winning combination is displayed in the latter half part described above, the player is made to continuously acquire coins in the first half part or the central part of the free game. Therefore, it is possible to attract the player's interest and to give an impression that coins can be continuously acquired at the corresponding portion.

  When the winning combination is displayed continuously in the second half of the free game as in the above embodiment, or when the winning combination is displayed in the first half or the central portion, the display order of the winning combination is rearranged. Any procedure may be used. Hereinafter, an example of a procedure for rearranging the display order of winning combinations will be described. In the free game, 10 free spins are performed.

  As a procedure for rearranging the display order of the winning combination, for example, a reference number of free spins (hereinafter referred to as “reference number spin”) is set for each of the first half, the center and the second half, and the standard It may be possible to concentrate the winning role on the number of free spins around the number of spins.

  Specifically, if 0 to 9 free spins are performed, the 0th, 5th, and 9th free spins are set as the reference number of spins for the first half, the center, and the second half, respectively. deep. If the winning combination is displayed in the first half of the game and there are 3 winning combinations, the winning combination is played with the 0th, 1st and 2nd free spins that are the standard number of spins. indicate. Similarly, when the winning combination is continuously displayed in the center portion, the winning combination is displayed by the fifth, fourth and sixth free spins which are the standard number of spins. Further, when the winning combination is continuously displayed in the second half, the winning combination is displayed with the ninth, eighth, and seventh free spins that are the reference number of spins.

  Alternatively, the winning combination may be determined as a game characteristic displayed on average during the free game. In this case, since the player is made to earn coins on average, the player's interest can be drawn evenly during the free game, and the interest of the game during the free game can be enhanced. Become. Further, since coins are acquired on average, it is possible to give an impression that a player can frequently acquire coins.

  Furthermore, the order of winning combinations in the game characteristics in which winning combinations are continuously displayed can be arbitrarily set. The order in which winning combinations are displayed may be set according to the number of coins that can be acquired. For example, it is possible to set the order so that the number of coins acquired increases each time the number of free spins in the free game increases. In this case, each time the number of free spins increases, the number of coins acquired increases, so that it is possible to give the player an impression that the number of coins acquired gradually increases. In addition, when there are a plurality of identical winning combinations as a result of the collective lottery, it is possible to set the order so that the winning combinations are displayed in succession. In this case, since the same winning combination is repeatedly displayed, it is possible to give a strong impression to the player.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the batch lottery process is performed at the beginning of the bonus game process is shown, but the batch lottery process may be performed before the start of the free game. You may make it carry out during processing. In particular, by performing the batch lottery process at a timing when there is little arithmetic processing in the CPU 50, the arithmetic processing in the CPU 50 can be made more efficient.

  In the above embodiment, the execution timing of the game characteristic determination process is exemplified when the power to the slot machine 1 is turned on. However, the execution timing can be appropriately changed. If the execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) can be ensured after the execution, it may be performed at a different timing. For example, it may be executed in accordance with an instruction from an employee of a game arcade where the slot machine 1 is installed. As described above, when the game characteristics are determined according to the instruction from the employee, the game characteristics of the slot machine 1 are updated every time the instruction is given, so that the player is more interested. Is possible.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the slot machine 1 using a so-called mechanical reel is shown. However, the present invention includes a display means capable of displaying an image, such as a liquid crystal display device, instead of the mechanical reel. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called video reel type slot machine that replaces a reel by displaying an image on a display means.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the slot machine 1 is shown in which four reels 220 are provided in the cabinet 2 and one effective pay line L is set. However, the number of reels 220 and the effective pay line L are shown. The number of can be arbitrarily set. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the stop symbols of the four reels 220 of left, center left, center right, and right are determined by one random number is shown, but left, center left, center right, right One random number may be sampled for each of the four reels 220, and the stop symbol may be determined for each reel 220.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given by using coins as an example of the game medium. However, the form of the game medium is not limited to this, and if the game can be performed in the slot machine 1. Any form may be taken. In particular, when a payout of game media acquired by a game is received, it may be received by a magnetic card recording the number of acquired game media or a receipt printed with the number of game media. Further, the number of game media to be paid out may be managed by a server that manages information in the slot machine 1.

  Further, in the lottery performed in the slot machine 1 of the above-described embodiment (for example, lottery performed in the lottery process), a case where a lottery table describing a correspondence relationship between a random number and each winning mode is used is shown. The content of is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. In particular, regarding the registered contents of the lottery table, a random number and a winning mode may be associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, or a random number and a winning mode may be associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. In addition, the correspondence between the random number and the symbol formed on the reel may be described instead of the correspondence with the random number winning mode, and the symbol to be stopped may be determined for each reel. In this case, the code No. assigned to each symbol is changed. Can be considered. Furthermore, instead of using the random number used for the lottery as it is, the winning mode may be determined according to a calculation result obtained by performing a predetermined calculation process on the random number.

  The present invention is applied to a gaming machine that executes a free game in which a plurality of free spins are performed, and has a unique game characteristic for the gaming machine and greatly enhances the fun of the game during the free game. And has industrial applicability.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a slot machine as a gaming machine according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the symbol sequence variably displayed on the variable display part of the said slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the said slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows typically the liquid crystal drive circuit of the lower liquid crystal display of the said slot machine. It is a flowchart of an example of the main process of the said slot machine. It is a flowchart of an example of the start reception process of the said slot machine. It is a flowchart of an example of the lottery process of the slot machine. 42 is a flowchart of an example of a normal game process of the slot machine. 40 is a flowchart of an example of the bonus game process of the slot machine. It is a flowchart of an example of the batch lottery process of the slot machine. It is a flowchart of an example of the free spin process of the slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Cabinet 3 Upper liquid crystal display 4 Lower liquid crystal display 11 1-BET button 12 Spin (SPIN / REPEATBET) button 13 3-BET button 14 5-BET button 22-25 Variable display part 141-144 Symbol array 50 CPU
220 reel

Claims (5)

  A variable display means for variably displaying a plurality of symbols used in a game; and a control means for controlling variable display in the variable display means, wherein the control means includes a winning pattern including a predetermined symbol during a free game. The game characteristics that determine the characteristics of the order in which the winning combinations to be displayed are determined, and the lottery performed according to the number of free spins during the free game is collectively performed, and the batch is performed based on the determined game characteristics A gaming machine characterized in that the order in which winning combinations are displayed is rearranged according to a lottery result.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means rearranges the order in which the winning combinations are displayed so that the winning combinations are continuously displayed according to the result of the collective lottery.   3. The game according to claim 2, wherein the control means rearranges the order in which the winning combinations are displayed so that the winning combinations are continuously displayed in either the first half, the center, or the second half of the free game. Machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means rearranges the order in which winning combinations are displayed so that winning combinations are displayed on average according to the result of the collective lottery.   The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means rearranges the order in which the winning combination is displayed according to the quantity of game media acquired corresponding to the winning combination. Machine.

Images