JP2002052127A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate game machine selection by a player by providing a judgment material when the player selects a game machine. SOLUTION: By the player operating a start lever, three reels are rotated, internal drawing is performed and a winning role is decided. When the player operates a stop button, prescribed stop control is performed and patterns corresponding to the winning role can be stopped on a winning line. When a bonus game ends in the pachinko slot machine, the light emitting body of a color corresponding to the kind of the bonus game is lighted. To put it concretely, red is lighted when a BB game ends and blue is lighted when an RB game ends. Thus, the next player obtains the kind of the bonus game of a previous time as the judgment factor at the time of selecting the pachinko slot machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize mode selection method for selecting an arbitrary prize mode from a plurality of prize modes including two or more special prize modes required to perform different types of special game states. The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine having a means and a slot machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, a slot machine which rotates a plurality of reels which are variable display devices each having a plurality of symbols and stops all the reels by operating a stop button or the like is known. Are known. When the combination of symbols included in the winning mode is aligned on a predetermined winning line, the slot machine pays out medals according to the combination. In such a slot machine, generally, when a player operates a predetermined start lever, an internal lottery for determining an arbitrary winning mode is performed by a winning mode selecting means constituted by a microcomputer or the like. When a predetermined winning mode is won in the internal lottery, reel stop control is performed so that the combinations of symbols according to the winning mode are easily aligned. Conversely, if no winning mode is won in the internal lottery, the symbols included in the winning mode cannot be aligned regardless of the operation timing of the stop button or the like by the player.

[0003] The above prize modes can be generally classified into a general prize mode and a special prize mode. The general prize mode is a prize mode in which a predetermined number of medals can be paid out and replayed by a combination of symbols related to the general prize mode such as “cherry” and “bell”. On the other hand, the special prize mode is a prize mode in which a bonus game in a special game state in which a combination of symbols for paying out a predetermined number of medals can be arranged with a high probability is performed a predetermined number of times.

Among the special winning modes, a BB winning mode in which a big bonus (hereinafter abbreviated as “BB”) game can be performed, a regular bonus (hereinafter, referred to as “R”).
B ”. Some types of prize modes such as RB prize modes in which a game can be played are provided. The number of medals paid out in the BB game is usually RB
It is set to be more than the game. For this reason, many players play with the goal of winning the BB winning mode in which the BB game can be played, among the special winning modes.

[0005]

When a player visits a pachinko parlor or a game center where a plurality of the above-described gaming machines are installed, the player decides on which gaming machine to play the game before starting the game. Will choose. At the time of this selection, many players look for a gaming machine that is likely to win the BB winning mode by internal lottery. The selection criteria for the gaming machine are left to the player's subjectivity, but are selected mainly based on the experience of the player, whether or not the player is interested in various effects of the gaming machine, and the like. . In order to facilitate this selection, it is necessary to provide the player with useful judgment information.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a material for a player when making a selection of a gaming machine, thereby facilitating the selection of the gaming machine by the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be used as a game machine.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is required to perform a variable display device for variably displaying a combination of a plurality of symbols and to perform different kinds of special game states. A prize mode selecting means for selecting an arbitrary prize mode from a plurality of prize modes including two or more special prize modes and a combination of symbols according to the prize mode selected by the prize mode select means are stopped and displayed. A game machine having control means for controlling the variable display device, comprising: a notifying means for notifying a player of notification information including immediately preceding special game information indicating the type of the immediately preceding special game state. It is characterized by the following.

In this gaming machine, it is possible to notify the player of the type of the special gaming state played immediately before at the gaming machine. Thus, for example, when the gaming machine has a special gaming state, which is a bonus game of two types, a BB game and an RB game, the player has determined that the bonus game played immediately before on the gaming machine is a BB game Or an RB game. Therefore,
The player says, "Because the previous bonus game was an RB game, the next would be a BB game." Or "The last bonus game was a BB game, so the BB games will be played continuously." For example, it is possible to select a gaming machine based on selection criteria unique to each player. The special game state is not limited to the BB game and the RB game, but may be a single bonus (SB) game in which a so-called JAC game in which predetermined medal payout symbols are arranged with a high probability can be performed only once. A challenge time or chance time (CT) game in which the variable display can be stopped at a player's stop button operation timing without stop control is also included. In addition, as a notification method of notifying the notification information including the immediately preceding special game information indicating the type of the immediately preceding special game state, a method of notifying through the visual sense of the player by turning on a lamp, displaying an image, or the like, or by using music or voice There is a method of informing through the hearing of the player by guidance or the like. Further, a method of notifying through a player's tactile sense, such as a vibrator, may be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the first aspect, a variable display stop means operated by a player to stop the variable display of the variable display device is provided,
The control means controls the variable display device based on an operation timing of the variable display stop means by the player.

[0010] In this gaming machine, the variable display of the variable display device is controlled by the control means based on the timing at which the variable display stop means for stopping the variable display of the variable display device is operated by the player. You. As a gaming machine having such a configuration, a slot machine is known. Therefore, according to the present invention, in such a slot machine, the type of the special gaming state performed last time can be provided to the player as a useful judgment material when selecting the gaming machine.

[0011] The invention of claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the above gaming machine, the notification information also includes history special game information indicating a type of the special game state performed before the special game state performed immediately before.

In this gaming machine, not only the type of the special game state performed immediately before but also the type of the special game state performed earlier can be notified to the player. As a result, more types of special game states performed in the past can be provided to the player. Therefore, a player can select a gaming machine based on many selection criteria when selecting a gaming machine. In particular, if the configuration is such that a plurality of history special game information is notified to the player, the player can know more history, and, for example, the player can read, "This game machine is more likely to be a BB game than an RB game. , It seems that the BB game is not played well. "And the like, and it is possible to select the gaming machine based on a finer selection criterion. Also, if a plurality of history special game information that is continuous with the last special game information is notified,
It is possible to grasp how the type of special game state has changed up to the present. By notifying the history special game information in this way, for example, the player can select “RB
Since the type of bonus game changes in the order of the game and the BB game, the next game will be the RB game. It is also possible to select a gaming machine based on a selection criterion such as "".

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the first, second, or third aspect, an arbitrary notification mode is selected from a plurality of notification modes corresponding to each of the special game states prepared in advance. A notification mode selecting means for selecting the notification mode, and the notifying section notifies the player of the notification information according to the notification mode selected by the notification mode selecting section after the special game state ends. It is assumed that.

In this gaming machine, a plurality of notification modes for notifying the same special game state are prepared, and the notification mode selection means selects any notification mode from the plurality of notification modes corresponding to the special game mode. Select Then, after the special game state ends, the type of the special game state is notified to the player according to the selected notification mode. Specifically, for example, a lamp having a plurality of lighting colors is used as the notifying means, and the notifying mode selecting means selects the lighting color as the notifying mode for notifying the same special game state, and then is selected. The lamp is turned on by the lighting color to notify the player of the type of the special game state. When the speaker is used as the notification means, the notification mode selection means selects music or the like as a notification mode for notifying the same special game state, and the music is output from the speaker, so that the special game state is output. May be notified to the player.

The plurality of notification modes mentioned here are not limited to the same type of notification mode. For example, there are a notification mode using a notification method informing through visual and a notification mode using a notification method informing through hearing. May be included. In addition, the notification mode selection means may select any one of the plurality of notification modes corresponding to the special game state, or may select some or all of them. For example, when two notification modes are prepared for the same special game state, the notification mode selection means selects and notifies only one of them or notifies both by selecting both. You may. In addition, different notification modes may be prepared for each type of special game state, but all of the plurality of notification modes for notifying the same special game state need to be different from the notification modes for other special game states. There is no.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine of the fourth aspect, the notification mode selection means performs selection based on a probability set for each of the plurality of notification modes. It is.

In this gaming machine, a notification mode to be notified to the player is selected based on the probabilities set for each of the plurality of notification modes corresponding to the same special game state. For example, the notification mode corresponding to the same special game state is 2
In the case where one is provided, if one of the notification modes is set to an extremely low probability, the frequency of notification by the notification mode becomes extremely small. Therefore, the player rarely encounters a gaming machine that is notified in a low-probability notification mode. As a result, it becomes possible for the player to be interested in the notification mode that is rarely encountered, and to encourage the player to play a game with the gaming machine.

The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 4 or 5
In this gaming machine, a part of the plurality of notification modes is a notification mode common to a notification mode corresponding to a special game state different from the special game state to be notified.

It is not always preferable that the type of the special game state is reliably transmitted by the notification of the notification information. For example, if the RB game was played last time, if the next game is set to perform the BB game with a very high probability, it is notified that the previous bonus game was definitely the RB game. This is because, as a result, the player does not enjoy the determination of whether the next bonus game is a BB game or an RB game. Therefore, in the gaming machine of the present invention, a notification mode common to a plurality of special gaming states is prepared. For this reason, when the notification is performed in the common notification mode, the player cannot always correctly recognize the type of the special game state performed immediately before or before the notification. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player with suspicion that "is the next bonus game really a BB game?"

The invention of claim 7 is based on claims 1, 2,
The gaming machine of 3, 4, 5 or 6 is characterized by having a notification presence / absence switching means for switching whether or not to notify the player of the notification information.

In this gaming machine, it is possible to switch whether or not to notify the notification information to the player by the notification presence / absence switching means. Thereby, for example, an operator or the like operating a pachinko parlor or a game center where the gaming machine is installed can freely select whether or not to notify the notification information as necessary. it can.

[0022] The invention of claim 8 is based on claims 1, 2,
In the gaming machine of 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, a notification pattern for selecting a notification pattern to be used for notification by the notification means from among a plurality of notification patterns in which a notification mode for each special game state is set. There is provided a selecting means, wherein the notifying means notifies the player of the notifying information by using a notifying mode based on the notifying pattern selected by the notifying pattern selecting means.

In this gaming machine, a plurality of notification patterns that can be notified by the notification means are prepared, and a notification pattern to be used for notification by the notification means is selected from the notification patterns by the notification pattern selection means. Then, when notifying the notification information of the special game state, the notification is performed using the notification mode included in the selected notification pattern. This notification pattern selection means may be operated by a player,
It may be operated by a person other than the player. For example, when the notification pattern selection means is operated by an operator of a pachinko parlor where the gaming machine is installed, it is possible to use a notification pattern peculiar to the pachinko parlor or the like. In addition, the notification pattern selection means,
Instead of being operated by humans, it may be selected by a computer or the like according to predetermined conditions.

[0024] The invention of claim 9 is based on claims 1, 2,
In the gaming machine of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, the notifying means is a display means for notifying the notifying information through a visual sense of a player.

In this gaming machine, the display means
The notification information is notified through the player's vision. Examples of the display means include those using light emission from a lamp and the like, and those using images on a liquid crystal panel and the like.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine which is a kind of gaming machine (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as "Embodiment 1") will be described. The slot machine of the present embodiment is installed in a pachinko parlor. First, the configuration of the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment. The slot machine 1 has a box-shaped cabinet 2 and a front panel 3 attached to the front side of the cabinet 2 so as to be openable and closable. The front panel 3 is provided with a display window 4 for displaying symbols of three reels constituting the variable display device, three for each reel, and a medal slot 5. On the back side of the front panel 3, a medal discriminating device (not shown) connected to the medal slot 5 is provided. This medal determination device determines the authenticity or the number of inserted medals. The front panel 3 includes a start lever 6 as a variable display start unit and stop buttons 7a, 7b, and 7c as variable display stop units provided for each reel, which are operated by the player. Is also provided. Further, on the front panel 3, a lamp 8 and a speaker 9 for performing various effects, a medal tray 10 having a medal payout slot 10a, a game remaining number display 18 for displaying a remaining number of bonus games, and a display as a notification unit are provided. An information panel 20 as a means is also provided.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the notification panel 20. The notification panel 20 includes a substantially hemispherical transparent acrylic member 21 provided on the upper front side of the front panel, and four light emitters 22, 23, 24, 25 provided behind the transparent acrylic member 21. And a lighting control device 26 for switching the lighting of these light emitters. The four light emitters are respectively a red light emitter 22 that emits red light, a yellow light emitter 23 that emits yellow light, and a blue light emitter 2 that emits blue light.
4. A green light-emitting body 25 that emits green light. The lighting control device 26 can individually control whether or not these luminous bodies 22, 23, 24, and 25 are lit, the luminous timing such as blinking, and the luminous intensity. As the light emitter, a light emitting diode, a colored light bulb, or the like can be used. Further, the transparent acrylic member 21 does not need to be plain, and for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a pattern or a character which attracts the player's interest may be formed on the surface of the transparent acrylic member 21. .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. Inside cabinet 2
Three reels 1 on which a plurality of symbols are printed on the outer peripheral surface
1a, 11b, 11c, a circuit board 12 on which an electronic circuit is formed by a CPU, a ROM and other various electronic components, a medal dispensing device 13 having a medal hopper 13a capable of accommodating a large number of medals, an error release switch 14, an internal speaker 15, etc. Is incorporated. On the circuit board 12, an ON / OFF switch 16 serving as a notification presence / absence switching means for switching whether or not to perform the notification by the notification panel 20 is provided.
And a pattern changeover switch 17 as a notification pattern selecting means for selecting a notification pattern in the slot machine 1.
Are provided.

Next, a game procedure of a player using the slot machine 1 and an operation of the slot machine 1 will be described. When a player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 5, the medal is first guided to a medal discriminating device.
Then, the medal discriminating device illuminates a predetermined condition,
The medal determined to be normal is sent as a valid medal to a medal counter (not shown) provided therein. The medals counted by the medal counter are sent to the medal hopper 13a. On the other hand, medals determined to be abnormal are returned to the player from the medal payout exit 10a without being counted by the medal counter.

When valid medals are counted, the game can be started. When starting the game, the player pushes the start lever 6 down. As a result, the three reels 11a, 11b, 11c start rotating by a reel driving device (not shown) constituted by a stepping motor. Then, the player stops the stop button 7a, 7b,
7c, the corresponding reel 11a, 11b, 11c
Stop respectively. All reels 11a, 11b, 1
When 1c stops, the symbols of the respective reels are stopped and displayed on the winning line displayed on the display window 4 of the front panel 3. When a winning combination in a predetermined winning mode is completed on the winning line, the medal payout device 13 pays out a predetermined number of medals or no additional medal insertion according to the type of the winning combination. Can be replayed, or a bonus game in a special game state can be played. On the other hand, if the roles are not completed, no medals are paid out, and no gaming privilege is given.

Next, the configuration and operation of a central control unit that controls each part of the slot machine 1 and performs various processes will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the central control device 30. This central controller 30
Is provided with a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, various interfaces, and the like. Each illustrated function is realized by the CPU executing a computer program stored in the ROM. Also,
The configuration may be such that a computer program recorded on an external recording medium is read into the RAM and executed.

The central control unit 30 serves as a game control unit 31 for controlling the progress of the whole game in response to a predetermined request from a medal counter, and as a winning mode selecting means for selecting any one of a plurality of roles. Internal lottery unit 32, a reel drive control unit 3 as stop control means for controlling the driving of each of the reels 11a, 11b, 11c based on the lottery result
3. It has the respective functions of a lighting color lottery section 34 as a notification mode selection means for selecting a lighting color which is a notification mode of the notification panel 20.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game progress by the game control unit 31. First, based on a signal from the medal counter, a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 5 or a BE recorded in a predetermined RAM.
It is determined whether T remains (S1). Then, when the start lever 6 is operated by the player (S2), a game start signal is output to the internal lottery section 32, and an internal lottery process is performed (S3).

In this internal lottery process, the internal lottery section 3
2 receives the game start signal from the game control unit 31, generates random numbers for lottery, and compares the generated random numbers for lottery with reference to a winning probability table that describes the correspondence between each combination and their probability of occurrence. Winning role is determined based on Among the previously prepared roles, there are a replay role, which is a general prize mode in which the game can be played again, a small role, which is a general prize mode such as cherry, watermelon, and bell, in which medals are paid out, and a BB game. Alternatively, a bonus combination which is a special winning mode in which an RB game can be performed is prepared. Due to the lottery in the internal lottery unit 32, a winning combination may not be determined and a loss may be determined. In the internal lottery process, a winning flag for the winning combination that has been won is set, and the result of the lottery is sent to the reel drive control unit 33.

When the player operates the start lever 6, the game control section 31 outputs a game start signal to the reel drive control section 33. Then, the reel drive controller 33 controls the reel drive device to start rotation of all the reels 11a, 11b, 11c (S4). Further, the game control section 31 controls the lamp 8 and the speaker 9 to perform various effect processing (S5). All reels 1
When 1a, 11b, 11c reaches a certain number of rotations, the operation of the stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c becomes effective. Then, when the player operates the stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c, the reels 11a,
11b and 11c are stopped (S6).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing reel rotation stop processing by the reel drive control unit 33. The reel drive control unit 33 receives a stop signal from the stop button 11a on the left side as viewed from the player by the first button operation by the player (S6-1), and receives the stop signal from the internal lottery unit 32. Based on the result of the lottery, the reel drive device is controlled to perform a stop control process for stopping the reel 7a corresponding to the stop button 11a (S
6-2). In this stop control process, for example, if a small watermelon has been won in the internal lottery unit 32, the drive of the reel 7a is controlled so that the symbols of the watermelon are aligned on the winning line, and the reel 7a is stopped. Let it. In this stop control, when a watermelon symbol exists within about four symbols from the time of operation of the stop button, the watermelon symbol is controlled to stop on the winning line. On the other hand, when there is no watermelon symbol within four symbols from the operation of the stop button, for example, the reel is immediately stopped. As a result, even if the watermelon is a winning combination, the watermelon design does not stop on the winning line.

Thereafter, in the same manner, the player
When the second button operation is performed, for example, stop signals from the center stop button 11b and the stop button 11c on the right side as viewed from the player are sent to the reel drive control unit 33 (S6-3, S6-5). ), Its stop button 11
The reels 7b and 7c corresponding to b and 11c are stopped (S6-4, S6-6).

Here, the case where the player performs button operations in order from the stop button 11a on the left side as viewed from the player is described, but the order of pressing the stop button is not limited to this. Instead, for example, a random order may be employed such that the middle stop button 11b is pressed for the first time.

Returning to FIG. 7, when the reels are stopped in this manner, processing is performed according to the combination of the symbols arranged on the pay line (S7, S13, S15, S).
17). When the combination of the symbols arranged on the pay line is the medal payout symbol (S7), the number of medals according to the combination is paid out (S8). When the medal payout is completed, the winning flag of the winning combination related to the medal payout symbol is cleared. On the other hand, when it is determined that the symbol is not a medal payout symbol, the process proceeds to the next step without paying out the number of medals.

If the combination of symbols on the pay line is the winning combination of RB (S13), a flag setting process for setting the RB gaming flag is performed (S13).
14). In the flag setting process, various effects indicating that the RB game has been won, a display process of displaying the number of remaining games on the game remaining number display 18 and the like are performed. While the RB game flag is set, a maximum of eight JAC games can be played.
A winning probability table for the C game is used. In the present embodiment, the winning probability table for the JAC game is set so that the replay combination is almost certainly won. The replay symbol during the JAC game is used as a medal payout symbol for paying out a predetermined number of tokens.

If the combination of symbols on the pay line is a winning combination of BB (S15), a flag setting process for setting a BB game flag is performed (S15).
16). In this flag setting process, the same process as in the case of RB is performed. In the BB game, the player is given a right to play a game similar to the above RB game (hereinafter, referred to as “JAC bonus game”) three times. The winning probability table in which the winning probability of the replay role or the like is set higher than other winning roles is used. This BB
When the JAC bonus game entry symbols are completed during the game, J
An AC bonus game can be played, and when the JAC bonus game ends, the BB game can be continued again.

If the combination of symbols on the pay line is a replay symbol (S17), the medals used to start the current game will be carried over next time. Therefore, in the next game, the game can be started by operating the start lever 6 without using medals (S2).

Also, despite the fact that the bonus role of RB or BB has been won by the internal lottery, B
If the B symbol or the RB symbol is not aligned, the winning flag of the bonus combination is carried over after the next game, and the BB symbol or the RB symbol can be aligned on the winning line in the next and subsequent games. Become. It should be noted that the winning flags other than the bonus combination will not be carried over after the next game even if the symbols are not aligned.

Next, the bonus game after the RB game flag or the BB game flag is set in S14 or S16 will be described. In the bonus game as well, in the same manner as in the general gaming state, the game is started using medals (S1, S2), an internal lottery is performed (S3), and the reels are rotated (S4). Processing (S5), reel rotation stop processing (S6), and medal payout processing are performed as necessary (S7, S8). After performing the medal payout process, it is determined whether the game is in the RB game or the BB game (S9, S11). RB above
When the game flag or the BB game flag is set, in this processing, during the RB game or the B
It is determined that the game B is in progress. Then, the RB end determination process or the BB end determination process is executed (S1).
0, S12).

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of the RB end determination process, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the BB end determination process. In the RB end determination process,
After counting the number of JAC games performed in the RB game by one, as shown in FIG. 1, the replay symbol, which is a medal payout symbol, which is a condition for ending the RB, is completed eight times or J.
It is determined whether or not any condition has been reached that the AC game has been played 12 times (S10-1). Here, when it is determined that the end condition has not been reached, it is determined whether or not the replay symbols are aligned on the winning line in this game (10-5). When the replay symbols are complete, a display process of displaying the number of games obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of games displayed on the game remaining number display 18 is performed (S10-6). And in the next game, JA again
Advance the C game. On the other hand, when the replay symbols are not prepared, the JAC game is performed in the next game as it is.

If it is determined in S10-1 that the end condition has been reached, the RB game flag is cleared (S10-2). With this, from the next game,
It returns to the general game state again. After clearing the RB gaming flag, a lighting color for notifying the type of the bonus game played this time is selected by lottery (10-3). The selection of the lighting color is performed by the lighting color lottery section 34. The lighting color lottery section 34 controls the lighting control device 26 of the notification panel 20 to control the lighting elements 2 corresponding to the selected lighting color.
2, 23, 24 and 25 are turned on (S10-4).

In the BB end determination process, after counting the number of games performed in the BB game by one, as shown in FIG. 9, in the current game, a JAC bonus game rush symbol (replay symbol) is displayed on a winning line. ) Are determined (S12-1). If the symbol is a JAC bonus game entry symbol, a flag setting process for setting a JAC bonus flag is performed (S12-2). on the other hand,
If it is not a JAC bonus game entry symbol, J
Based on the AC bonus flag, it is determined whether or not a JAC bonus game is in progress (S12-3). If it is determined that the game is in the JAC bonus game, it is determined whether or not the same JAC bonus game end condition as the RB end condition shown in FIG. 1 has been reached (S12).
-4). Here, the processing after it is determined that the end condition has not been reached is the same as in the case of the RB game shown in FIG. 1 (S12-5, S12-6). If it is determined that the JAC bonus game end condition has been reached,
Clear the AC bonus game flag (S12-
7).

If it is determined in step S12-3 that the JAC is not being performed, or if the JAC is determined in step S12-4.
JAC is determined to have reached the bonus game end condition
If the bonus game flag has been cleared, it is determined whether the BB end condition has been reached (S12-8). The BB ending condition is a condition that the JAC bonus game has been completed three times or the BB game has been performed 30 times. Here, when it is determined that the condition for ending the BB has not been reached, and when it has been determined in step S12-4 that the condition for ending the JAC bonus game has been reached, the remaining game indicator 18 is displayed. A display process for displaying the number of games obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of JAC bonus games is performed.

If it is determined in S12-8 that the BB end condition has been reached, the BB game flag is cleared (S12-9). As a result, the game returns to the normal game state again from the next game. When the BB game flag is cleared, a lighting color for informing the type of the bonus game performed this time is selected by lottery, similarly to the case of the RB game shown in FIG. 1 (S12-10), and the selected lighting color is selected. The light emitters 22, 23, 24, 25 corresponding to are turned on (S12-11).

Next, a description will be given of a lighting color lottery for notifying a bonus game type, which is a feature of the present invention. The lighting color lottery section 34 is a RB game flag or BB
When the game flag is cleared, a random number for lottery is generated,
A lighting color is determined based on the generated random number for lottery in light of a lighting color determination table that describes the correspondence between the lighting colors that are the notification modes and their occurrence probabilities. Table 1 below shows an outline of the lighting color determination table. Immediately after the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on, the notification panel is set to be lit red.

[0051]

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, the lighting color lottery section 34 selects either red or yellow for the game process of the BB game, and selects either blue or green for the game process of the RB game. Selected. Where B
In the B game, the winning probability of yellow is set to be very low as compared with red. Specifically, for example, the red color is 240
/ 256 is set so that yellow becomes 16/256. Further, in the RB game, the winning probability of green is set to be much lower than that of blue, and the probability is the same as in the case of the BB game. With such a setting, in most cases, when the BB game ends, the red color indicates
When the game is over, blue will be lit on the notification panel 20. Therefore, when the notification panel 20 is lit in yellow or green having a low lighting probability, it is possible to attract the interest of the player.

As an example, if the blue color is won by the lottery of the lighting color lottery unit 34 after the RB game is completed, the lighting color lottery unit 34 of the information panel 20 as shown in FIG. The lighting controller 26 is instructed to light the blue light emitter 24. Upon receiving this command, the lighting control device 26
The blue light emitter 24 is turned on. This blue light emitter 24
It stays on until the next bonus game ends. If the next bonus game is a BB game and red is won at the end of the BB game, the lighting control device 26 that has received the lighting instruction of the red light-emitting body 22 determines that the previous bonus game was the RB game. Blue luminous body 2
4 is turned off, and the red light emitter 22 is turned on instead.

As described above, when the lighting color selected by the lighting color lottery section 34 is lighted on the notification panel 20, the notification panel 20 changes the lighting color until the next RB game or BB game is performed. It stays lit. Therefore, when a player who has been playing a game stops playing the game, the player who wishes to play the next game with the slot machine 1 asks the player whether the previous bonus game was a BB game or This informs the player of the fact that the game was an RB game, and can be provided as information for a player when selecting a slot machine.

Note that, here, the BB game is set to be selected from either red or yellow. For example, the BB game is used to notify the RB game in addition to the red and yellow colors. Blue color may be set to be selectable. Specifically, for example, the red color is 22
0/256, blue is 20/256, yellow is 16/2
It is set to be 56. That is, in principle, blue is a notification mode used for notification of the RB game. Therefore, by turning on the blue color at the end of the BB game, the player is suspicious and provided with another enjoyment. Can be. Note that the RB game may also be set so that red can be selected.

The lighting color lottery section 34 may select a plurality of colors. The notification panel can emit light of various colors such as orange and yellow-green. Further, in this case, the light emission intensity of the selected color may be randomly selected according to a predetermined probability. This allows, for example,
When the notification panel 20 emits red light, the previously played bonus game is definitely a BB game, and as the yellow light emission intensity increases with the red, the previous bonus game is actually an RB game. It becomes possible to elaborate an idea that the probability increases. That is, in this case, as the notification panel 20 becomes orange, the probability that the previous bonus game is not the BB game increases.

In this embodiment, the ON / O on the circuit board 12 provided inside the cabinet 2 shown in FIG.
With the FF switch 16, it is possible to switch whether or not to notify the player of the type of the bonus game played last time on the notification panel 20. This ON / OFF switch 16
Is turned off, the function of the lighting color lottery section 34 of the central control device 30 is stopped, and the lighting lottery is not performed. At this time, the lighting control device 26 controls the luminous bodies 21 and 21 of the predetermined color.
Turn on 2, 23, 24 or turn off all light emitters. The lighting color when the ON / OFF switch 16 is turned off may be selected.

In this embodiment, the circuit board 12
By operating the pattern changeover switch 17 above, the notification pattern used in the slot machine 1 can be switched. In the present embodiment, when the pattern changeover switch 17 is set to 1, the notification is performed only by the notification panel 20. In the setting 2, notification by music is performed in addition to the notification by the notification panel same as the setting 1. In the setting 3, in addition to the notification by the notification panel same as the setting 1, the notification by the music different from the music pattern used in the setting 2 is performed. In the notification by the setting 2 and the setting 3, music corresponding to the type of the previous bonus game is selected based on each music pattern, and the selected music is played from the speaker 9.

[Second Embodiment] Next, another embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine in the same manner as the first embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as "second embodiment") will be described. . In the present embodiment, the configuration and operation are almost the same except that the notification panel 20 of the first embodiment is different, and therefore, the description of the same portions will be omitted.

FIG. 10 is an external view of the slot machine 100 according to this embodiment. This slot machine 100
In the upper part of the front panel 3, a notification lamp group 120 is provided as notification means. The notification lamp group 120 includes five history lamps 121, 122, 12
3, 124, and 125, and a lighting control device (not shown) for switching the lighting of these history lamps. This lighting control device controls the lighting of each lamp based on the lottery result of the lighting color lottery section of the central control device 30. The history lamps 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 are for reporting history special game information indicating the type of bonus game, and are the rightmost first history lamp 12 as viewed from the player.
1 indicates the type of the bonus game immediately before, and the oldest history special game information is shown toward the left side.

Each history lamp 121, 122, 123, 1
Reference numerals 24 and 125 each include a transparent acrylic plate and four light emitters provided behind the transparent acrylic plate. These light emitters emit four colors of red, yellow, blue and green shown in Table 1 under the control of the lighting control device.

In the slot machine 1, when the RB game or the BB game ends, a lighting lottery is performed and a color to be lighted is selected as in the first embodiment. Here, for example, when the blue color is won after the end of the RB game, the lottery result is sent to the lighting control device. Then, the lighting control device controls the first history lamp 121 at the right end.
Blue light-emitting body emits light.

The history lamps 121, 122, 123,
124 and 125 indicate the oldest history information in order from the left side for the type of bonus game.
This history information is updated by the end of the game. That is, the second to fifth history lamps 122, 123, 12
The lighting colors of 4,125 are controlled by the lighting control device so that the history lamp on the right side is lit with the lighting color that was lit. Then, the first history lamp 121 is illuminated with the blue color of the lighting color relating to the current bonus game.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the player can know the history information of the past five bonus game types, and
Can be used as criteria for the selection.
The number of the history lamps is determined depending on how many pieces of history information are provided to the player in the past, and is not limited to five as in the present embodiment.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where the lighting color is selected by lottery by the lighting color lottery section 34 has been described. However, the BB game is red, and the RB game is blue. The type of the bonus game played last time may be completely notified to the player. In this case, the lighting color (red or blue) corresponding to the bonus game is selected after the flag is cleared in the RB or BB end determination processing without providing the lighting color lottery unit 34.

The first embodiment and the second embodiment
In the above, the type of the bonus game is notified by the difference in the emission color using the notification panel 20 and the notification lamp group 120. For example, the notification panel 20 and the notification lamp group 1 are used.
A liquid crystal panel 220 as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to use. On the liquid crystal panel 220, the types of bonus games for the past three times are displayed, and between each type of display, the number of games played between the bonus games is displayed. In this way, by informing the player of information other than the type of the bonus game, it is possible to provide a lot of judgment information when selecting a slot machine, and it is possible to increase the enjoyment of judgment.

When such a liquid crystal panel 220 is provided, instead of the lighting color lottery section 34, for example, a moving image or a still image, which is a notification mode prepared for notification of each bonus game, is randomly selected. And an image lottery unit to be selected by the user. As a result, the type of bonus game executed last time or the history information of the bonus game can be displayed as a moving image on the liquid crystal panel 220 and provided to the player. The moving image and the like displayed on the liquid crystal panel 220 can be switched by the notification pattern selecting means such as the pattern switch 17 so that
In addition to the initially set moving image, for example, a moving image unique to the pachinko parlor where the slot machine is installed can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel. Further, if a changeover switch serving as a notification pattern selecting means is provided at a place where the player can operate, for example, a moving image or the like according to a favorite theme of the player is displayed on the liquid crystal panel so that the player can enjoy other than the game. Can also be provided.

The notification method for notifying the player of the type of the bonus game is not limited to the notification panel 20, the notification lamp group 120, or the liquid crystal panel for notifying the player through the visual sense of the player. It is also possible to use a notification method of notifying through the hearing of the player, such as voice guidance, or a notification method of notifying through the tactile sense of the player by vibrating the stop buttons 7a, 7b, 7c.

The first embodiment and the second embodiment
Although the slot machine installed in the pachinko parlor has been described above, the present invention can be similarly applied to a slot machine arranged in a game center. Also, instead of a slot machine, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal screen is provided, and if a specific symbol is arranged on the liquid crystal screen or the like, it can be applied to a pachinko machine etc. that can perform a special game state. is there.

[0070]

According to the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to notify the player of the type of the special game state performed immediately before, which serves as a judgment material when the player selects a gaming machine. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the player can easily select the gaming machine.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 3, in the gaming machine, more types of special gaming states performed in the past can be provided to the player, and if the selection of the gaming machine by the player is easy, There is an excellent effect that it becomes possible to close.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, there is an excellent effect that the type of the special game state can be notified to the player by using various notification modes.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, if a part of the notification mode corresponding to the same special game state is set to an extremely low probability, the player may be interested in the part of the notification mode. There is an excellent effect that it becomes possible to encourage the player to play a game with the gaming machine.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, there is an excellent effect that the player can be suspicious and the enjoyment of the judgment of the selection of the gaming machine can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 7, for example,
There is an excellent effect that an operator of a pachinko parlor or the like in which the gaming machine is installed can select whether or not to perform the notification by the notification means as needed.

According to the invention of claim 8, for example,
An excellent effect that the operator of the pachinko parlor where the gaming machine is installed or the player himself can select the notification pattern by the notification means according to his / her preference and can provide the player with fun other than the game. There is.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the notification is made by the display means, so that the player can know the type of the past special game state only by looking at the display on the display means, so that the smoothness can be obtained. There is an excellent effect that a game machine can be selected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of an RB end determination process of the slot machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a notification panel of the slot machine.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an example of a notification panel of the slot machine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an internal structure of the slot machine.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a central controller of the slot machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a game progress of the slot machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing reel rotation stop processing by a reel drive control unit of the slot machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of a BB end determination process of the slot machine.

FIG. 10 is an external view of a slot machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an external view of a liquid crystal panel showing a modification of the notification means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 slot machine 4a, 4b, 4c reel 6 start lever 7a, 7b, 7c stop button 20 notification panel 21 transparent acrylic member 22, 23, 24, 25 luminous body 26 lighting control device 30 central control device 31 game control unit 32 internal lottery Unit 33 reel drive control unit 34 lighting color lottery unit 120 notification lamp group 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 history lamp 220 liquid crystal panel

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device variably displaying a combination of a plurality of symbols, and a plurality of prize modes including two or more special prize modes required to perform different types of special game states. A gaming machine comprising: a winning mode selecting means for selecting a winning mode; and control means for controlling the variable display device to stop and display a combination of symbols according to the winning mode selected by the winning mode selecting means. The gaming machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the player of notification information including the immediately preceding special game information indicating the type of the immediately preceding special game state. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a variable display stop means operated by a player to stop the variable display on said variable display device, wherein said control means controls said variable display device by said player. A gaming machine, wherein the variable display device is controlled based on an operation timing of a variable display stop unit. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification information also includes history special game information indicating a type of the special game state performed before the special game state performed immediately before. A gaming machine characterized by: 4. A notification mode selecting means for selecting an arbitrary notification mode from a plurality of notification modes corresponding to each of special game states prepared in advance in the gaming machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3. And a notifying means for notifying the player of the notification information in accordance with the notification mode selected by the notification mode selection means after the special game state ends. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein said notification mode selecting means selects based on a probability set for each of said plurality of notification modes. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a part of the plurality of notification modes is a notification mode common to a notification mode corresponding to a special game state different from the special game state to be notified. A gaming machine characterized by the following. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notification presence / absence switching means for switching whether or not to notify said notification information to a player. . 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification means is selected from a plurality of notification patterns in which a notification mode for each special game state is set. A notification pattern selection unit that selects a notification pattern to be used for notification, wherein the notification unit notifies the player of the notification information using a notification mode based on the notification pattern selected by the notification pattern selection unit. A gaming machine characterized by that: 9. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
In the gaming machine of (1), the notifying means is a display means for notifying the notifying information through a visual sense of a player.