JP2002058822A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine offering a variable display game with a variable display device, changing the background display of the variable display device in relation with a game progress so as not to bore a player, and preventing the player from actually feeling entrapment. SOLUTION: When an advance notice on the progress of the variable display game is to be given by 'petals', a display layer A drawn with cherry branches is superimposedly displayed on a basic background picture 'a distant view of Mt. Fuji'. When the advance notice is to be given by 'rain', a display layer B drawn with sea spray is superimposedly displayed. When the advance notice is to be given by 'maples', a display layer C drawn with maple branches is superimposedly displayed. When the advance notice is to be given by 'snow', a display layer D drawn with snow-accumulated branches is superimposedly displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a variable display game using a variable display device having a variable display section in a display area capable of displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of giving a specific game value to a player based on a predetermined special display mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a gaming machine capable of playing a game using a game ball, there is a gaming machine equipped with a variable display device for displaying identification information such as alphanumeric characters and various symbols in a variable manner. The variation display game is performed by the variation display device based on the achievement of the start condition. In the variable display game, the identification information is stopped and displayed after performing the variable display operation by the variable display device, and it is determined whether or not the stop result mode configured by the stopped and displayed identification information is a predetermined special display mode. In this variable display game, if the stop result mode corresponds to the special display mode, a specific game value is given to the player. A typical example of this specific game value is to enable a player to perform a special game with a high possibility of obtaining a large amount of game profit in a relatively short time, and a variable display for determining whether or not the special game can be performed. Games are of great interest to players.

Further, in a variable display game using a variable display device provided with three or more variable display units capable of performing variable display of identification information, a stop result mode in which stop symbols of all the variable display units are of the same type is used. Some special display modes are set. In the variable display game in which such a special display mode is set, control is performed so that the variable display of each variable display section is sequentially stopped with a time lag so as not to instantly output a game result, so that the player can enjoy the game. Care has been taken to increase That is, in the reach state in which all symbols already stopped in the variable display game have the same stopped symbol, a special display mode is formed by the stop result of the last variable display portion also being the same stopped symbol, so that a special display mode is formed. The player's sense of expectation for the occurrence of the game state is increased, and the player's willingness to play can be effectively generated.

[0004] For this reason, in a gaming machine capable of performing a variable display game using a variable display device having three or more variable display units, not only the stop result mode of the variable display game but also the occurrence of a reach state is reduced. Players are also interested. Therefore, in order to further enhance the playability of the variable display game, a gaming machine that provides a notice that gives a player an expectation regarding the occurrence of a reach state and the possibility of a special display mode in the variable display game is also used. Have been.

[0005] Note that the advance notice in the variable display game includes a change in the display of the background (effect display elements excluding the identification information to be subjected to the variable display) in the display area of the variable display device and a display operation of the special symbol (character display). Appearance)
In addition, various notification methods are known, such as a method that causes a change mode (so-called slip, etc.) different from the normal operation in the conversion operation of the identification information. The contents to be notified include, in addition to the occurrence of the reach state and the special display mode described above, the occurrence of a special game state according to a specific special display mode that is specially defined so as to allow the user to enjoy further added value such as a probability variation. .
However, the advance notice does not necessarily indicate the game result according to the announced content, and varies from a highly reliable advance notice mode to an unreliable advance notice mode, and the advance notice is performed. Care is taken not to impair the unpredictability of the game.

[0006] As described above, the background display of the variable display device, which is sometimes used for the advance notice, may also be used for the purpose of informing the player of the current game state. For example, during normal times (when the probability that the special display mode occurs in the variable display game is the normal probability) and when the probability changes (when the probability that the special display mode occurs in the variable display game changes to a higher probability than the normal probability) If the background image used for the background display is changed or the color or brightness of the background is changed, the player can check the background display on the variable display device, and the It is possible to easily determine whether it is a normal time or a probability fluctuation time.

On the other hand, if the background display of the variable display device is used for discriminating between the normal state and the probability fluctuation time, the background display at the normal time continues except when the probability fluctuation occurs very rarely. Because of the concern that the background display changes poorly and gives a boring impression to the player, the background image may be scroll-displayed at an appropriate timing, or a predetermined condition may be satisfied (for example, a predetermined number of times of the variable display game may be changed). For example, the background display may be changed to another background for each execution, elapse of a predetermined time, occurrence of a reach state in the variable display game, occurrence of a special display mode in the variable display game, and the like.
In the case of the reach state, it is necessary to perform a background display operation (switching of a background image, a scroll operation, etc.) in accordance with the reach effect, separately from a background image change operation at the normal time or a probability change. Normal.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, the advance notice using the background display of the variable display device is only related to the variable display game at that time, and the subsequent variable display game is performed. Since the notification mode has no relation to the game, it cannot be said that the background display control has been realized as an effective advance notification that can enhance the interest of the player as a flow of the entire game.

[0009] Further, the change of the image of the background display and the change of the operation mode in the variable display device can give a certain amount of stimulation to the player while the normal game, which tends to be monotonous, continues for a long time. In this respect, although some effects can be expected, since not all players are interested in the background display of the variable display device, an effect sufficient to change the background display of the variable display device is obtained. I couldn't say that. Rather, a player who cannot continue the special game without forming the special display mode even though the game has been continued for a long time, the progress display from the background display of the variable display device that changes many times In some cases, the player may be dissatisfied with the change in the background display of the variable display device due to the indignation of being unable to play a special game, taking into account the length of time.

In particular, when the conversion timing of the background display of the variable display device is the number of times the variable display game has been executed,
Since the number of conversions of the background display is directly linked to the number of variable display games that did not become the special display mode, if the background display is switched every 100 times, 100 continuous changes of the background display are performed every time the background display is switched. The player has to be aware of the continuous disconnection, and the player feels a considerable amount of distraction, which may reduce the player's willingness to play. The same applies to the case where the background display is changed each time the reach state occurs in the variable display game.In each case, the player is conscious of not forming a special display mode from the reach state each time the background display is switched. Become.

Therefore, the present invention is to change the background display of the variable display device in association with the progress of the game without causing the player to be bored, and to realize that the player feels addicted with the change of the background display. The purpose is to provide such gaming machines.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 uses a variable display device having a variable display section in a display area capable of displaying a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. A variable display game is performed, and based on the stop result mode of the variable display game being a predetermined special display mode, a game machine capable of giving a specific game value to a player is performed using the variable display device. In order to provide advance notice relating to the progress of the variable display game, a plurality of advance notice modes to be displayed in the display area of the variable display apparatus are provided, and based on the advance notice mode selected based on the required conditions, the display area of the variable display apparatus is provided. A notice notification display means for displaying a notice notice, and a background for changing a background display in a display area of the variable display device in association with the notice notice being performed by the notice notice display means. Characterized by comprising a shows changing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the background display changing means is a variable display game in which the advance notice is not provided by the advance notice display means. , The background display before the start of is started.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, the selection table including a plurality of variable display patterns is set to each of the types of background display by the background display changing means. The variable display pattern is selected from a predetermined selection table according to the background display changed by the background display changing means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the background display changing means corresponds in advance to a notification mode used in the variable display game in a variable display game in which a preliminary notification is performed by the preliminary notification display means. It is characterized in that the attached background display is performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the background display changing means includes a background display group consisting of a plurality of background displays previously associated with one notice notification mode. In the variable display game in which the advance notification is performed by the advance notification display means, the background display is selected by selecting one from a background display group previously associated with the advance notification mode used in the variable display game. It is characterized by performing.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the background display change means includes a background display group in which the order of change of the background display is determined based on a predetermined order, and a notice by the notice notification display means. It is characterized in that the background display is changed according to the notification mode.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the sixth aspect, the notice notification display means has at least three kinds of notice notification modes, and the background display changing means includes a background display. Any one of the forward change display control, the reverse change display control, and the same image redisplay control is made to correspond to each of the advance notification modes, and the background display change control is performed by the advance notification mode according to the advance notification mode. It is characterized by the following.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 1 to
8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the background display change unit is configured to execute a special condition based on a predetermined special condition.
Reset the background display change control related to the notice and
It is characterized in that a predetermined default background display is performed.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claims 1 to
9. The game machine according to claim 8, wherein the notice display means expands the display range so as to provide the notice in the entire area for performing the background display, and then displays a new background display. It is characterized by.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an area where a player can see through a glass held by a glass frame in a gaming machine capable of performing a ball game using a game ball. Game nails and windmills 2, not shown, are implanted in a game area 1 formed in front of the game board, and game balls ejected by an electric drive source such as a rotary solenoid are used as guide rails 3. When the player reaches the inside of the game section 1 along the path, it flows down the board while changing the flowing direction by the game nails and the windmill 2, and wins one of the various prize ports 4, which are prize areas provided in the game section 1. Then, each winning ball is detected by a winning opening sensor (not shown) provided for each winning opening 4... Based on this detection signal, a prize ball (prize game value) as a game value for the winning is provided to the player. The ball that has been given and has not won any of the winning ports 4... Is removed from the out port 5 and collected as a ball.

Note that the prize game value given to the player in the game is not limited to the prize ball. For example, in an enclosed ball-type gaming machine (a gaming machine that allows a player to play a ball game by circulating a game ball enclosed in the machine without handling an actual ball), the virtual number of balls is increased. The operation of giving the game value is performed in such a manner that data is added.

At a substantially central portion of the game section 1, a variable display device 6 which is a relatively large game device (center accessory) is provided, and the variable display device 6 is a display constituted by a liquid crystal display screen or the like. By providing the area 7, for example, three variable display sections (display sections capable of variably displaying or stopping display of identification information such as alphanumeric characters and various symbols) can appear in the display area 7. is there.

An ordinary electric accessory 8 having a pair of left and right opening / closing wing pieces 8a, 8a and an ordinary symbol display 8b is provided below the fluctuation display device 6 as appropriate. Is provided with a general-purpose starting chucker 9,9. When a game ball passes through the ordinary figure starting chuckers 9, 9 and 9, the ordinary symbol display game using the ordinary symbol display 8b of the ordinary electric accessory 8 is started, and the stopped symbol is a specific symbol (for example, a predetermined symbol). , "3", "7", etc.), the opening / closing wing pieces 8a, 8a are opened to the left and right, the winning area of the ordinary electric accessory 8 is expanded, and the winning of the game ball is facilitated. . Note that when a game ball wins in the ordinary electric accessory 8, a variable display game (described in detail later) in which identification information is variable displayed on the variable display area 7 of the variable display device 6 is started.

A variable prize device 10 which is a relatively large game device is provided appropriately below the ordinary electric accessory 8 and the general-purpose starting chuckers 9 and 9. The variable prize device 10 has an opening / closing door. A state in which the opening / closing door 11 opens to the front side from a state in which the opening ball 11 is closed to the large winning opening and does not accept a game ball (a first state disadvantageous to the player), and a state where it is easy to receive a game ball flowing down ( A second advantage for the player
State). The variable winning device 10
Is used in a special game played based on the game result of the variable display game performed using the variable display device 6 described above, and in the special game, the variable winning device 10 is repeatedly converted to the second state. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the player can acquire many prize balls in a relatively short time.

FIG. 2 shows a control system of the game control device 20 which performs the game control in the game machine having the above-described board configuration.

The game control device 20 is a main control device for controlling the game in a comprehensive manner.
1, an input interface 22, an output interface 23, an oscillator 24 and the like.

The game microcomputer 21 has a built-in CPU for controlling game control, a ROM for storing unchanging information for game control, and a RAM for use as a work area at the time of game control. The special figure starting sensor 25 (for example, a ball sensor for detecting a game ball that has won the ordinary electric accessory 8) and the general figure starting sensor 26 (for example, detecting a game ball that has won the general figure starting chucker through the special figure starting sensor 22) Ball sensor), continuation sensor 27
(E.g., a ball sensor that detects a game ball that has reached a V winning area provided in a large winning opening of the variable winning device 10), a count sensor 28 (e.g., all gaming balls that have won a large winning opening of the variable winning device 10). Receiving detection signals from various detecting means such as a ball sensor for detecting game balls), first to n-th winning port sensors 29A to 29N (for example, ball sensors for individually detecting game balls winning a general winning port). , And performs processing according to the detection state.

The game microcomputer 21
Via the output interface 23, the normal symbol display 8b, the normal electric accessory solenoid 30 (for example, an electric drive source for opening and closing the opening and closing wing pieces 8a, 8a of the ordinary electric accessory 8), the special winning opening solenoid 31 (For example, the variable input device 1
A command signal is transmitted to an electrical drive source that opens and closes the open / close door 11 of the “0”), the discharge control device 32, the decoration control device 33, the sound control device 34, the display control device 35, and the like to control these devices. In addition, various information collected along with the execution of the game in the gaming machine is also output to a management device of a gaming shop where the gaming machine is installed.

The communication from the game control device 20 to the various dependent control devices (the display control device 35, the discharge control device 32, the decoration control device 33, and the sound control device 34) is transmitted from the game control device 20 to the dependent control device. Only one-way communication is allowed. Thereby, the game control device 2
0 can prevent an illegal signal from being input from the slave control device.

The display control device 35 includes a CPU 36, R
OM 37, RAM 38, DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 39, Interface 4
0, VDC (video display controller) 4
1. A font ROM 42 storing image data (design data, background image data, moving image character data, etc.), an oscillator 43, a gamma correction circuit 44, and the like.

The CPU 36 determines whether the display command signal from the game control device 20 is normal. If the display command signal is normal, the CPU 36 determines screen information (symbol display information, background screen information) based on the display command signal. , Moving image character screen information, etc.) and store them in the RAM 38. This screen information is transferred to the VDC 41 by the DMAC 39 that has received the transfer command at the timing of the vertical synchronization interrupt of the VDC 41. The VDC 41 fetches the corresponding image data of the font ROM 42 based on the image information, performs horizontal scanning and vertical scanning on the screen of the variable display device 4, and performs a predetermined image display (drawing). That is, by the function of the display control device 35, it is possible to perform the variable display of the variable display portion, perform the background display, and further perform the advance notice in the display area 7 of the variable display device 6.

In front of the interface 40, a buffer circuit 45 as a signal transmission direction regulating means is provided, and only a signal input from the game control device 20 to the display control device 35 is permitted. Signal output to the game control device 20 is prohibited. The γ correction circuit 44 corrects the non-linear characteristic of the illuminance with respect to the signal voltage of the variable display device 4 and adjusts the display illuminance of the variable display device 4.

Next, the flow of a game in the above-mentioned gaming machine will be briefly described with reference to a state transition diagram of FIG. In a normal game state, when a game ball is inserted from a ball supply tray and the operation handle is rotated appropriately, the game ball is repelled and the game unit 1
In the process of entering the inside of the game section 1 and flowing down the inside of the gaming section 1, if any of the winning openings 4 is won, a prize ball based on the winning is discharged and any of the winning openings 4 is won. The missing ball is recovered from the outlet 5. Further, when the normal symbol start chuckers 9 and 9 pass and the winning is achieved, the auxiliary symbol display game by the ordinary symbol indicator 8b is performed, and if the specific symbol is not stopped and displayed as a game result, the game returns to the normal game as it is. On the other hand, when a specific symbol is stopped and displayed as a game result, the open / close wing pieces 8a, 8a of the ordinary electric accessory 8 are opened for a relatively short time (for example, 3 seconds) and converted to the second state, After a lapse of time, the ordinary electric accessory 8 returns to the first state. That is, no special state transition occurs in the normal game state. Note that, even when no one is playing a game (waiting for a customer), a state transition does not occur, of course.

In the normal game as described above, a ball wins in the ordinary electric accessory 8, and when the special figure starting sensor 25 detects the winning ball, the state shifts to a fluctuating state, and the fluctuating display device 6 is used. The changed display game is performed. The game result of the variable display game is displayed in a special display mode (for example, “3,
In the case of not forming a three-digit (3,3,7,7,7) or the like (in the case of a loss), there is detection and storage of a starting winning ball that is not used for starting the variable display game. It is determined whether or not there is no start memory, and the game returns to the normal game state.
On the other hand, if there is a start memory, the fluctuation display game can be continued using the start memory, so that the fluctuation state is maintained. In addition, the starting prize memory for performing the variable display game can be stored, for example, up to four.
If the start winning prize memory is full, even if a starting prize ball to the ordinary electric accessory 8 is further detected, a memory control is performed so that the starting prize is not subjected to additional storage. .

Further, when a special prize mode is formed (a big hit occurs) in the changing display game in the above-mentioned changing state, the game shifts to a big hit state in which a special game is executed. In the jackpot state, the opening and closing door 11 of the variable winning device 10
One cycle is required until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses after the opening of the ball, or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls is detected by the count sensor 28, or until any of the conditions is achieved. If the cycle update condition is achieved by the continuation sensor 27 detecting the ball before the one cycle end condition is achieved, the cycle update is performed and the special game is continued. As a result, a special game in which the player is likely to obtain many prize balls based on the ball prize in the variable insertion device 10 is realized. Note that, in order to balance profits between the game store and the player, the upper limit (for example, 8) of the number of possible cycle updates is set so that cycle games are not continuously updated.
In the final cycle, the cycle update condition is invalidated and the special game is ended.

When the special game in the jackpot state is completed as described above, if there is a start memory of the special figure start sensor 25, the state shifts to a change state, and a change display game based on the start memory is performed. Become. On the other hand, when the special game ends, if there is no start memory of the special figure start sensor 25, the game returns to the normal game state.

The gaming machine according to the present invention has a technical feature in the display control of the display area 7 of the variable display device 6 described above. This will be described in detail below.

In the variable display game, various information for performing the variable display needs to be determined in advance, and a predetermined timing (for example, starting of the special figure start sensor 25 which is a start condition of the variable display game). A random number is extracted at a winning ball detection timing), and it is determined based on the random number value whether or not the specific display mode is set. At the same time, the presence or absence of the notice is determined. Note that the advance notice indicates the possibility of occurrence of the occurrence of a special game state by a special special display mode that is specifically defined so as to allow the user to enjoy further added value such as occurrence of a reach state, a special display mode, and probability variation. As the notification method, in addition to the manner of changing the display of the background (effect display elements excluding the identification information targeted for the variable display) in the display area 7 of the variable display device 6 and the display operation of a special symbol (such as the appearance of a character), Various methods are known, such as a method that causes a change mode (so-called sliding or the like) different from the normal mode in the conversion operation of the identification information.

Here, the method of determining the presence or absence of the advance notice and the content of the advance notice display (the advance notice mode) and the timing of the decision are not particularly limited. For example, for determining the game result in the variable display game. May be determined by using the extracted random number value, or a random number may be separately extracted from the random number table for the announcement notification determination. In any case, "A plurality of types of advance notice modes to be displayed in the display area of the variable display apparatus in order to provide advance notice regarding the progress of the variable display game performed using the variable display apparatus are provided, and the advance mode is selected based on the required conditions. If the gaming machine has a function as "notification notification display means for displaying a notification in the display area of the variable display device based on the
It is possible to realize the advance notice in the variable display game. Note that the function as the notice notification display means may be provided in the game control device 20 or may be provided in the display control device 35. Alternatively, the game control device 20 and the display control device 35 may cooperate with each other to function as a notice notification display unit.

When the notification mode is determined by the notification mode as described above, the display is changed to a background display corresponding to the mode and the variable display game is started. Is provided with "background display changing means for changing the background display in the display area of the variable display device in association with the notification by the notice notification display means", separately from the notice notification display means.

That is, in a gaming machine having a background display changing means, the background display is also changed in the variable display game in which the advance notice is given, so that even if the player accidentally misses the advance notice, the background display changes. And that the changed background display is associated with the notification mode so that the change due to the notification in the variable display game can be felt as a flow of the entire game. Is also possible.

As an example of the association between the background display and the notice notification mode, there is a case where the seasonal change of spring, summer, autumn and winter is made to be felt by the player by the background display and the notice notification display. This example will be described with reference to FIG. 4 in which “distant view of Mt. Fuji” is adopted as a basic background image.

In the variable display game in which the advance notice is not given by the advance notice display means, the background display change means comprises:
Since the display control is performed to maintain the background display before the start of the variable display game, the background display is not changed, and the background display before the start of the variable display game is maintained. As background displays before the start, there are background displays other than the variable display games such as the background display of the previous variable display game, the ending display of special games, the demonstration of waiting for customers, etc., but the background displays other than these variable display games are retained The background display of the previous variable display game may be held as a non-target background display, or the background display other than the variable display game may be held. When there is a background display not to be held, the background display may be changed to a default background display (a predetermined standard background display or an initially set background display). Further, even when the background display of the variable display game is set as the holding target, the background display in the reach effect may be distinguished and only the background display before the reach effect may be set as the holding target.

However, when there is an advance notice display, a display layer prepared in advance according to the advance notice mode is displayed on the background image so as to change the background display according to the advance notice mode. There are things. Specifically, a display layer A depicting a branch of cherry blossoms is superimposed and displayed on the advance notification mode of “petals”, and a display layer B depicting a splash is superposed on the advance notification mode of “rain”. Display,
A display layer C depicting branches of autumn leaves is superimposed and displayed on the advance notice mode of “autumn leaves”, and a display layer D depicting a branch with snow is superimposed on the advance notice mode of “snow”. I do. It should be noted that the preview notification display may be a display of only one image. However, an animation display for switching and displaying a plurality of images can further enhance the feeling.

As described above, if the change mode of the background display (drawing content of the display layer to be superimposed) is determined so as to suggest a sense of season that can be generally predicted from the notification mode, even if the actual notification mode is overlooked, The player can guess the advance notice from the changed background display, and a refresh effect for the player by changing the background display can be expected.

The function as the background display changing means for changing the background display as described above may be provided to the game control device 20 or the display control device 35. Alternatively, the game control device 20 and the display control device 35 may cooperate to function as a background display change unit.

The timing of changing the background display is not limited to the advance notice in the variable display game, but is changed to the basic background display (distant view of Mt. Fuji without seasonal feeling) in the variable display game without advance notice. Alternatively, the display may be changed to the basic background display when the variable display game without the advance notice is repeated a predetermined number of times.

Also, the background display may change in accordance with the reach effect at the time of the reach. In such a case, the background display is switched from the background display according to the advance notice. At the end, control may be performed so as to return to the original background display (the background display changed in accordance with the advance notice).

Here, when the occurrence of the reach state is used as the advance notice, if the background display corresponding to the advance notice and the reach display without discomfort are performed, the advance notice, the background display, and the reach pattern are mutually transmitted. As a result, a variable display game with a higher effect can be realized. In order to do so, a selection table including a plurality of reach variation display patterns is provided in correspondence with the type of background display by the background display changing unit, and is selected according to the background display changed by the background display changing unit. The reach variation display pattern may be selected from a predetermined selection table.

If the occurrence of the reach state is set to be notified in advance as described above, since the appearance rate of reach in a general gaming machine is about 1/15, the notification is set in substantially the same manner. And the background display is changed at the same frequency. In other words, the background display will not be changed unless the notice is issued infrequently.On the other hand, if the background display is changed frequently, the game performance will be degraded. Is useful in that the background display can be changed with a good balance.

The flow of the above-described reach variation display pattern selection control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 showing the variation pattern selection processing. First, the stop symbol of the variable display game is in the reach mode (the game result is
It is determined whether or not there is a loss (step S1).
If the stop symbol is in the reach mode, the reach table (a plurality of reach sets prepared in advance) corresponding to the background display (the background display determined according to the advance notification mode determined in the advance notification determination process not shown) is provided. (Step S2), a reach variation pattern is selected from the reach table (Step S3), and a variation display game is performed using the selected reach variation pattern.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the vehicle is not in the reach mode, the background display (the background display determined according to the advance notification mode determined in the advance notification determination process not shown) is previously performed. Variation table prepared (selection table consisting of multiple loss variation patterns)
Is selected (step S4), a loss variation pattern is selected from this variation table (step S5), and a variation display game is performed using this.

As described above, the selection of the change table corresponding to the background display is performed even in the case of the non-reach mode because a notification may be given even when the reach display mode is not set in the variable display game. Therefore, even in the variable display game that does not reach the reach, if the background display is changed based on the notice being notified, a loss variation pattern corresponding to the change is selected, and the loss variation pattern matching the changed background display is selected. It is possible to play the variable display game with the display pattern, and it is possible to enhance the interest given to the player. Contrary to this, if the setting is made so that the notification is not executed even when the reach fluctuation display is performed, a reach table used in the fluctuation display game without the notification is prepared separately. In this case, the reach variation pattern may be selected in the future.

An example of the reach table is as shown in FIG. 6, for example.
One of the reach table B and the reach table C is selected, and a reach variation pattern is determined based on a reach pattern selection determination value (for example, an extracted random number value) from the reach table.

Although a completely different reach variation pattern may be set for each reach table, in this example, it is assumed that all of the reach tables A to C have the same reach variation pattern, and each reach table has a different reach variation pattern. Differently assign the selection judgment value to the pattern,
The generation state of the reach pattern is made different depending on the selected reach table.

Specifically, when reach table A is selected, the probability of occurrence of reach variation 1 is 101/226, the probability of occurrence of reach variation 2 is 50/226, and the probability of occurrence of reach variation 3 is 50/226. Reach 4 has a probability of 2
The probability of occurrence of 0/226, reach fluctuation 5 is 5/226. When reach table B is selected, reach fluctuations 1 and 2 do not occur, and the probability of occurrence of reach fluctuation 3 is 20.
1/226, probability of reach fluctuation 4 is 20/226,
The occurrence probability of the reach variation pattern 5 is 5/226.
When reach table C is selected, reach fluctuations 3 and 4 do not occur, and the probability of occurrence of reach fluctuation 1 is 201 /
226, the probability of occurrence of reach variation 2 is 20/226, and the probability of occurrence of reach variation 5 is 5/226.

As described above, by characterizing the reach pattern generated for each reach table selected according to the background display, the reach pattern generated in the variable display game can be calculated from the change in the background display corresponding to the advance notice. (For example, in the case of the background display in which the reach table B is selected,
The reach display is not performed in the reach fluctuations 1 and 2, and it is possible to estimate that the probability of occurrence of the reach fluctuation 3 is high. In other words, the background display in the display area 7 of the variable display device 6 directly affects the game characteristics of the variable display game (the probability of the reach display mode to occur in the present embodiment). It is possible to increase the interest of the player and, in turn, to enhance the interest in the game.

The association between the above-mentioned notice notification display and the change of the background display is one-to-one as shown in FIG. 7A, but may be one-to-many. That is, the background display changing means includes a background display group including a plurality of background displays associated in advance with one notice notification mode, and in the change display game in which the notice notification is performed by the notice notification display means, What is necessary is just to select one from the background display group previously associated with the notice notification mode used in the display game and perform the background display.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), "spring scenery" and "flower blooming scenery" are displayed for the notice notice display of "petals", and "Autumn scenery" and "Evening scenery", "Autumn scenery" and "Twilight scenery" for "Autumn leaves" notice notice display, "Winter scenery" for "Snow" notice notice display ”And“ Scenery of tree blight ”
Can be predicted from each background display, and even if the player has missed the preliminary notification, it is possible to know the preliminary notification mode from the changed background display. In addition, since each background display associated with each announcement notification display is configured to conform to the display theme of the announcement notification mode, similar to the above-described one-to-one correspondence, the announcement notification and the background display are displayed. The effect emphasized can be realized. In addition, each of the "petals" and "autumn leaves" in the above-mentioned notice constitutes a display element of the notice, and the notice notice is embodied as an aggregate of these display elements.

When the notice notification display and the background display are associated one-to-many, the reliability of the notification result by the notice notification display is associated with the background display, so that the background display in the display area 7 of the variable display device 6 is displayed. In contrast, the player's attention can be effectively raised. For example, when the announcement notice indicates the possibility of occurrence of a special display mode in the variable display game, the background announcement is displayed in the “petal” announcement notice rather than the “spring scenery” background announcement in the “petal” announcement notice. If the special display mode is formed with a higher probability at the time of “the scenery of full bloom of flowers”, the player can increase the reliability of the preview based on the combination of the display mode of the advance notice and the background display. Be able to guess.

In order to make the player estimate the reliability of the advance notice, the number and size of the display elements of the advance notice in the display area may be associated with the reliability. For example, when the number of “petals” displayed in the advance notice is associated with a high degree of reliability, if the number of “petals” displayed in the display area as the advance notice is small, the reliability is low. On the other hand, if more "petals" are displayed so as to cover the display area, the player can guess that the notice is highly reliable. Also, when the size of the “petals” displayed in the advance notice is associated with a high degree of reliability, the “petals” displayed in the display area as the advance notice are small (as if they are flying far away). See)
The player can guess that the reliability is low, and conversely, if the “petals” displayed in the display area are large (appearing to be dancing nearby), the player can determine that the notice is highly reliable I can guess.

As described above, in the case of performing the advance notice display in which the reliability can be estimated based on the number and the size of the display elements, the reliability can be intuitively inferred, but the reliability can be inferred immediately after the advance notice is started. If it can be estimated that the degree is low, there is no expectation of the subsequent development, and there is also a point that it can not be said that the entertainment interest in the game can be necessarily enhanced. Therefore, at the start of the advance notice, the display elements are reduced or reduced, and as the variable display game progresses, the display elements are gradually increased or increased to increase the expectation of the player. Notification display may be performed. As described above, as the notice notification display mode for changing the notice notification display from the start to the end of the notice notification, the number of display elements of the notice notification not only changes the size but also changes the type of the display element itself. A change mode in which another one is replaced may be used.

The method of determining the combination of the notice notification display and the background display is not limited to the method in which the correspondence between the two is determined in advance as described above. For example, the background display changing means includes a background display group in which the order of changing the background display is determined based on a predetermined order, and changes the background display according to the notice notification mode by the notice notification display means. You may do it.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, two kinds of "petals" and "autumn leaves" are prepared as a notice notification display, and four types of "spring", "summer", "autumn" and "winter" are displayed as background displays. Prepare the types and change the order of background display change from "Spring" → "Summer" →
"Autumn" → "Winter" → "Spring" ... The background display is changed in the normal order when "petal" is displayed as the advance notice and in the reverse order when "foliage" is displayed as the advance notice. It is decided that. For example, assuming that the background display at the start of the variable display game is “spring”, if “petal” is selected as the advance notice display, the background display is changed to “summer”, and the “autumn notice display” "
Is selected, the background display is changed to "winter".

In this way, similar to the above example,
Even if the player misses the notice, the notice notice can be known from the change of the background display. Even if the type of the background display is increased, the type of the notice notice can be reduced. That is, if the number of types of the notification mode is too large, the original notification function may be blurred and the player may not be able to understand the content of the notification that has been notified. It is a great merit that the number of types of background display can be increased and the variety of the variable display game can be increased.

Further, the types of the advance notice mode are not limited to two types, the types of the advance notice display are not limited to four types, and the order of change of the advance notice mode is endlessly circulated. Not exclusively. For example, the notice notification display means has at least three types of notice notification modes, and the background display change means controls any one of the normal display change control, the reverse change display control, and the same image redisplay control of the background display. It may be made to correspond to a notice mode, and change control of a background display according to a notice mode by a notice system may be performed.

As a specific example, about 10 types of background display images from "climbing entrance" to "top" assuming Fuji mountain climbing are prepared, and "sun""rain""cloud" In the case of using three types, the background display image is changed to the ascending direction if the advance notice display is "sun", and the background display image is changed to the descending direction if the advance notice display is "rainy". On the other hand, if the preview notification display is "cloud", the same background display is continuously displayed because it is to be rested.

In this way, the player's expectation of the change of the background display image can be effectively increased as the change of the background display image in the forward direction progresses (as the mountain climbs from the “climbing entrance” to the “top”). It is possible to increase. When the last background display image in the forward direction and the backward direction is determined as in this example, the background display image in the forward or reverse direction cannot be changed more than that. For example, in the case of performing a warning notice of rain in the variable display game started with the background display of “climbing mouth”, there is no background display image to be displayed. In such a case, what kind of background display change control is performed is within the scope of an arbitrary design item, and the same image may be continuously displayed.
A control method of resetting the background display and returning the background display to a default background display image (for example, a distant view of Mt. Fuji) may be adopted.

The reset condition for returning to the default background display image is not limited to the case described above. When a special display mode is formed in the variable display game, the reset condition for returning to the default background display image and changing the background display image is set. May be performed. In addition, a normal game is started after a transition to a customer waiting state (a state in which a customer waiting demonstration screen is displayed in the display area 7 of the variable display device 6) due to the game ball not being bounced during a predetermined time. You can reset the background display in that case,
The background display may be reset when a specific reach mode or a specific stop symbol appears in the variable display game.

Anyway, if the background display changing means resets the background display change control related to the advance notice based on the establishment of the predetermined special condition, and performs the predetermined default background display, By setting various special conditions, the background display change control can be reset at any time. If you have such a reset function,
For example, the background display of the display area of the variable display device in a gaming machine of the same model can be unified at the time of opening a game store, for example, and the appearance is improved. In addition, in the case of performing a background display imitating Mt.Fuji climbing, there is a case in which the top is in front of the reset, so that the player's desire to see the top background is stimulated, It also leads to motivation to take on the challenge, which can further enhance the interest in the game.

In the background display change control, the switching display method for switching from the background display image before the change to the new background display image is not particularly limited, and may be switched instantaneously, from the top to the bottom, or from the top to the bottom. The background display image may be switched while wiping from left to right, or both images may be switched by cross-dissolving.
However, the advance notice display means expands the display range so as to perform the advance notice in the entire display area, and once covers the old background display, then reduces the display range of the advance notice again, and the new background display is displayed. If it appears, the background display image can be changed without any uncomfortable feeling, in combination with the effect by the notice notice. For example, when the notice notification display is “petals”, the number of petals to be displayed is increased or the image of the petals is gradually increased in the process of performing an animation display in which the petals, which are individual notice notification elements, are flowing down. Or change the background display when the background display is hidden by temporarily covering the entire background display with petals, and then gradually reduce the number of displayed petals again in order When the size of the petals is sequentially returned to the original size to restore the portion where the background display is visible, the changed background display gradually becomes visible.

As described above, the advance notice display is assumed to be displayed on the front side than the background display. However, the most important change display portion in the change display game is that the visibility is impaired by the advance notice display. Care must be taken to avoid this. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the entire display area 7 of the variable display device 6 is used for background display and a notice is given on the entire surface, the three-digit variable display section is located at the forefront. If it is made visible, the visibility of the variable display section is not impaired.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A variable display area may be formed in the lower part of, and the variable display section may be displayed here, and the background display may be performed in an area other than the variable display area, or conversely, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a background display area may be formed in a part of the display area 7.

In some cases, as an effect on the display in the variable display game, it is desired to make the notice notice more impressive than the display of the identification information. In such a case, the notice notice display is provided on the front side of the identification information of the variable display section. May be performed. For example, once display control is performed to restore visibility (to make the identification information visible) after the identification information has become difficult or invisible, once the identification information appears, The expectation of the player can be effectively increased.

In each of the above-described examples, after the stop symbol and the advance notice (change of the background display) are determined, the control for selecting the corresponding variable display pattern has been described. However, the control is limited to such control. Instead, the control may be such that, for example, a notice is selected after selecting a variable display pattern, and finally a background display is selected.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, in the variable display pattern selection processing, a variable table corresponding to a stop symbol pattern determined as a stop display mode of the variable display game is selected. Then, a change display pattern is selected from the change table, and thereafter, as a notice notification selection process, a notice design display mode corresponding to the already determined stop symbol pattern and the change display pattern is selected. As the processing, the background display corresponding to the notice notification display mode is selected. Even when such control is employed, it is possible to select a background display according to the notice notification display mode.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are all exemplifications, and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should be considered not. That is,
The technical scope of the present invention is not to be construed as being limited based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed in accordance with the description of the claims, and should be interpreted in accordance with the art described in the claims. Equivalent techniques and all modifications within the scope of the claims are included.

[0080]

As described above, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the advance notice is issued by the advance notice display means having a plurality of kinds of advance notice modes, the background display change means can provide the advance notice. Since the background display is changed in association therewith, even if the player misses the actual notice, the changed background display allows the player to know that the notice has been made. Moreover, the background display changed in connection with the advance notice is retained as it is until the next advance notice is performed, so that the display of the advance notice can be impressed in relation to the change of the background display, and the change display can be performed. Beyond the frame of advance notice in the game, it is possible for the player to feel the effect of the advance notice as a flow of the entire game, and to enhance the interest in the game. Due to these synergistic effects, the background display of the variable display device is changed in association with the progress of the game without causing the player to be bored, and the player does not feel the addiction with the change of the background display. Can be provided.

According to the gaming machine of the second aspect, in the variable display game in which the advance notification is not made by the advance notification display means, the background display changing means maintains the background display before the start of the variable display game. Therefore, the player can confirm the presence or absence of the advance notice based on the presence or absence of the change of the background display.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the third aspect, since the relationship between the type of the background display and the variable display pattern can be characterized, the player can estimate the variable display pattern based on the type of the background display. It is also possible to do. In other words, in the variable display game, by giving the relevance between the variable display pattern and the background display in which the interest of the player is high, and by directly relating the type of the background display to the game characteristics, the interest of the player in the background display can be effectively reduced. Can be increased.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the fourth aspect, when the advance notice is issued by the advance notice display means, the background display changing means performs the background display previously associated with the executed notice notice mode. Even if the player misses the actual notice, the changed background display mode allows the player not only to know that the notice has been performed, but also the notice mode from the changed background display mode. Can be guessed.

According to the gaming machine of the fifth aspect, since a plurality of background displays are associated with one announcement notification mode, it is easy to expand the range of the effect of the background display. If the plurality of background displays associated with each of the announcement notification modes are unified with a specific theme, the player can easily recognize the relationship between the changed background display and the announcement at that time. It is also possible to infer the notice mode from the display mode.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the sixth aspect, the order of changing the background display is determined in advance, so that the notice notification mode is estimated from the background display before the change and the background display after the change. It is possible to do.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, one of the forward display change display control, the reverse display display control, and the same image redisplay control of the background display is made to correspond to each notice notification mode. , Even if the player misses the actual notice,
The player can guess the notice mode based on whether the background display after the change is in the normal order, the reverse order, or the same image from the background display before the change. In addition, the number of types of background display can be increased while suppressing the type of advance display mode, so that the effect can be enhanced by various background displays without impairing the advance notification function by the advance notification.

According to the gaming machine of the eighth aspect, the background display change control is reset based on the establishment of the special condition and the default background display is performed. Therefore, the background display change control is monotonous. Can be prevented, and the player turns around.

Further, according to the gaming machine of the ninth aspect, after the display range is extended so as to give advance notice in the entire area where the background display is performed, a new background display appears so that the background display is changed. Since the player does not feel uncomfortable at the time, the effect of the announcement by the notice and the background display can be further enhanced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a game area in which a player can be seen through a front glass of a gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a control system diagram of a game control device that performs game control in the game machine in an integrated manner.

FIG. 3 is a game state transition diagram of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an association between a background display displayed in a variable display area and a notice notification mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern selection process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reach table.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a correspondence between a notice notification display and a background display.

FIG. 8 is a transition diagram showing a change order of background display based on a notice.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a change display unit and a background display.

FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating a variable display pattern selection process. (B) It is a flowchart which shows a notice notification selection process. 14C is a flowchart illustrating a background display selection process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 fluctuation display device 7 display area 20 game control device 35 display control device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A variable display game is performed using a variable display device having a variable display unit in a display area capable of variable display of a plurality of types of identification information, and a special display in which a stop result mode of the variable display game is predetermined. Based on the aspect, in a gaming machine capable of giving a specific game value to a player, in the display area of the variable display device for performing advance notice regarding the progress of the variable display game performed using the variable display device A plurality of types of notice notification modes to be displayed on the display, and a notice notification display means for displaying a notice notice in a display area of the variable display device based on the notice notification mode selected based on the required condition; And a background display changing means for changing a background display in a display area of the variable display device in association with the operation to be performed. 2. The variable display game according to claim 1, wherein the background display changing means maintains a background display before the start of the variable display game in the variable display game in which the preliminary notification is not provided by the preliminary notification display means. The gaming machine according to claim 1. 3. A selection table comprising a plurality of variable display patterns is provided corresponding to each type of background display by said background display changing means, and a predetermined table is provided in accordance with the background display changed by said background display changing means. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a change display pattern is selected from the selection table. 4. In the variable display game in which the advance notification is performed by the preliminary notification display means, the background display changing means performs background display associated with the preliminary notification mode used in the variable display game in advance. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The variable display game according to claim 1, wherein the background display changing means includes a background display group including a plurality of background displays previously associated with one notice notification mode, and wherein the notice notification is performed by the notice notification display means. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the background display is performed by selecting one from a background display group previously associated with the advance notice mode used in the variable display game. . 6. The background display change means includes a background display group in which the order of change of the background display is determined based on a predetermined order, and the background display change means displays the background display in accordance with a notice notification mode by the notice notification display means. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a change is made. 7. The notice notification display means includes at least three
The background display changing means is configured to correspond any one of the normal image change display control, the reverse image change display control, and the same image redisplay control of the background display to each of the advance notification modes, 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein a background display change control is performed in accordance with a notice notification mode by a notice notification display unit. 8. The background display changing means resets background display change control related to the advance notice based on the establishment of a predetermined special condition, and performs a predetermined default background display. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: 9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the notice notification display means expands a display range so as to perform the notice notification in an entire background display area, and then displays a new background display. Item 10. The gaming machine according to any one of Items 8.