JP2002143446A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a player enjoy a game by making the player grasp the personalities of characters to appear in a ready-to-win game mode. SOLUTION: With increase of the number of times of opening/closing a great prize winning hole 106 when a game state is turned into great success state (rounds 1-16), a CPU 1020 can control the display of an image introducing the character to appear in each of ready-to-win game modes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a case where a character corresponding to a reach game mode appears when a transition is made to any one of a plurality of reach game modes set in advance. The present invention relates to a game machine adapted to perform a display effect to be displayed, and more particularly to an improvement in display control technology of a game machine suitable for being applied to a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a gaming machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-165854, a character appears in a big hit and a story is developed by the character. For this reason, the story is developed as the number of times of controlling the opening and closing of the winning device increases, and the player can enjoy the story during the game, and can perform a variety of interesting display effects.

[0003]

However, in this gaming machine, although an interesting display effect can be performed when the gaming state becomes a big hit state, the display effect in the reach game mode is different from the display effect in the reach game mode. It has no relevance. Therefore, for example, a player's desire to play a game while knowing the display effect contents in more detail by grasping the characteristics and the like of the characters appearing in the reach game mode has not been fulfilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and there is provided a gaming machine which allows a player to understand the character of a character appearing in a reach game mode and enjoy the game. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a method in which, when one of a plurality of preset reach game modes is selected, a transition is made to a reach game mode. In a gaming machine adapted to perform a display effect in which a character corresponding to the reach game mode appears, as the gaming state becomes a big hit state and the big hit operation control of the gaming machine progresses, each reach game mode is set. A display control means capable of displaying an introductory image of the appearing character is provided.

In the present invention, as the gaming state becomes the big hit state and the big hit operation control of the gaming machine progresses, the introduction image of the character appearing in each reach game mode can be displayed. The game can be enjoyed by allowing the player to understand the features of the characters appearing therein.

[0007] In this gaming machine, the big hit operation control of the gaming machine is to repeat opening and closing control for bringing the prize device into an advantageous state for the player up to a predetermined number of times, and the display control means includes: It is also possible to provide a means for displaying the introductory image by changing the character for which the introductory image is to be displayed in accordance with the number of opening and closing controls of the winning device.

[0008] Further, when the number of times of controlling the opening and closing of the prize device reaches the predetermined number or reaches the number of times approaching the predetermined number, the display control means sets a large hit state in a plurality of reach game modes. Means for displaying an introductory image of the main character which is the character corresponding to the reach game mode with the highest possibility of becoming.

According to the present invention, the main control means for overall controlling the operation of the gaming machine, the command group received from the main control means, and the display control of the display device in response to the received command group The main control means specifies at least a start of change of identification information and a first command to specify a change pattern, and a second command to specify stop identification information. ,
And a means for transmitting to the display control means a command group including a third command designating stop of the change of the identification information, wherein the display control means displays the change of the identification information in response to the received first command. Means for starting the game, means for performing stop display in response to the received third command with the identification information specified by the second command, As the control proceeds, there is also provided a gaming machine comprising means for displaying an introduction image of a character appearing in each reach game mode.

[0010] Such display control can be realized by recording a display control procedure on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the display control procedure recorded on the recording medium by a computer. Examples of such a recording medium include a semiconductor recording medium such as a ROM and a semiconductor IC, an optical recording medium such as a DVDROM and a CDROM, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, and a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration and operation of a gaming machine that performs display control by transmitting and receiving control commands will be described, and then the main operations of the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board 10. As shown in FIG. The game board 10 has three (left, middle, and right) display areas in a substantially central portion thereof. In each of the display areas, identification information composed of symbols or figures by characters is variably displayed. A special symbol display device 100 capable of displaying a character and a background image is provided, and a special symbol starting port 104 is provided directly below the special symbol displaying device 100. Both sides of the special symbol starting port 104 are provided. Is usually provided with symbol operation gates 102, 102. Further, a pair of opening / closing members 120 are provided so as to be openable and closable so as to form a special symbol starting port 104.

Further, below the special symbol opening 104, a special winning opening 106, an ordinary symbol display device 108, and an out opening 114 are arranged in this order. Has a lamp display device 110,
110 is provided, and a lamp display device (more specifically, an LED device) is also provided near both side ends of the game board 10.
112, 112 are provided.

Then, a game ball is won in the special symbol starting port 104 and random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a big hit value, a variable display of at least one identification information is started in each display area. Thereafter, the display of a predetermined pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is performed by the special symbol display device 100, and the special winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed according to the predetermined pattern, so that a big hit game state advantageous to the player is achieved.

When the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passing of the game ball, a random number lottery is performed. When the random number selected is a small hit value, the normal symbol display device 108
Is displayed in a predetermined pattern (for example, “7” or “3”), and thereafter, when the opening / closing member 120 is opened and the game ball wins the special symbol starting port 104, the random number is similarly displayed. When the lottery is performed and the random number selected is a big hit value, the variable display in each display area is started, and then the display of a predetermined display pattern (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is performed by the special symbol display device 100. The large winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern, so that a big hit state advantageous to the player is achieved. On the other hand, hit balls that are not won are discharged through the out port 114.

Then, in the open state where the game balls are easy to win in the special winning opening 106, when ten game balls are awarded, they pass through a V zone (not shown) which is a specific area thereof. If there is a game ball, once the special winning opening 1106 is closed and then again.
To make the game balls easy to win. This is called one round, and when a maximum of 16 rounds have been completed, the big hit operation control for setting the special winning opening 106 in an advantageous state for the player is ended.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing only a main part of the gaming machine in which such gaming machine control is performed according to the progress of the game. The main control unit 200 is equipped with a microprocessor having a built-in CPU. The command data table stores various control commands including at least various commands for controlling the special symbol display device 100, which will be described later. An area 202, a ROM 201 for storing a control program or control data describing a series of gaming machine control procedures, and a RAM 203 for forming a work area are provided, forming an integrated one-chip microcomputer.

The main control unit 200 includes a special symbol start switch 304 provided inside the special symbol opening 104 via the input port 210 for detecting a winning of a game ball into the special symbol opening 104, a normal symbol operating gate. A normal symbol operation switch 306 provided inside the 102 and detecting a game ball passing through a gate, and a large winning opening switch 308 provided inside the large winning opening 106 and detecting a winning of the gaming ball in the large winning opening 106. The main control unit 200 is connected and can receive each detection signal. The V zone winning switch and the like are not shown.

The main control unit 200 has an output port 2
15, a special symbol display device 100 having three display portions for displaying special symbols and characters, each of which can be variably displayed independently and realized by an LCD or the like, and a lamp display device 110 for controlling lighting of a lamp. , 112, a sound effect generating device 116 for generating a sound effect, for example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by a 7-segment display device, a starting port operating solenoid 300 for controlling opening / closing of a starting port opening / closing member 120, and a large A special winning opening operation solenoid 302 for controlling opening and closing of a wide opening and closing member of the winning opening 106 is connected, and the main control unit 200 can transmit a control signal for controlling each device. Then, the main control unit 200
In particular, it is possible to transmit a predetermined number of display control commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing, and the special symbol display device 100 CP in oneself without relying on
U performs fine display control. Furthermore, a communication mode by one-way communication in which only a command is transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 is adopted.

A power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 for outputting a reset signal every predetermined time are connected to the main control unit 200. A pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter is input from the control unit 200, and a monitor signal for monitoring the current supply state from the power supply circuit 212 is input.

Now, as shown in FIG.
A command for display control sent from 0 to the special symbol display device 100 is an identifier for identifying the classification of the command and is 1-byte long digital information (MODE).
6 to 9 show an event (EVENT) which is one-byte digital information indicating the content (function) of the command to be executed. FIGS. 6 to 9 show the command data table area 202 stored in the ROM 201. It shows a part of command data for display control.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the display control command includes “changing the special symbol and how long after the start of the change, how long the special symbol (identification information) is stopped. "Command for instructing (first command)", "Command for designating stop symbol on left of special symbol (second command)", "Command for designating stop symbol in special symbol (second command)" , A "command for designating a stop symbol on the right of the special symbol (second command)" and a "command for stopping the special symbol (third command)". Note that the first command is a command including designating a design variation pattern and an effect operation of a character accompanying the design variation, a background image to be displayed, and the like, and these are collectively referred to as a variation pattern. The fluctuation pattern displayed in the reach game mode is also included in this. The main control unit 200 transmits these five commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variation display control when the game situation is such that the symbol variation display is started.

Therefore, since the special symbol display device 100 is responsible for fine display control such as the change of the symbol display speed, the program for the main control unit 200 is simplified, and the program is changed even if the display content is changed. The main control unit 200 can execute a command defining a time from the start of the variable display of the symbol to the stop thereof, and a command for designating the symbol. , The program is further simplified.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. As shown in FIG. The special symbol display device 100 supplies power to a data receiving circuit 1140 (including a voltage converting circuit for converting a data level) for receiving a strobe signal and a command from the main control unit 200, and to the voltage converting circuit and the like. A power supply circuit 1160 and a CPU 1 that generates control data necessary for performing display control based on a received command and outputs the control data to an image processing LSI (VDP) 1060
020 (display control means) and a program ROM 10 containing a program in which an operation procedure of the CPU 1020 is described.
40, a RAM 1090 functioning as a work area and a buffer memory, and an image processing LS for performing image development processing.
I (VDP) 1060 and image processing LSI (VDP)
A video RAM 1080 for temporarily storing the image data developed by the image processing unit 1060, and an image processing LSI (VDP) 10
A character ROM 1180 storing data necessary for image development by 60 and an LCD for receiving and transmitting image data temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080
Panel interface circuit 1100 and this LCD
LCD panel 1 that outputs a display image using image data sent from panel interface circuit 1100
120.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the character RO
M1180 is a ROM title area, a ROM management information area, a character image data area storing actual character data, a pallet data area storing character color data, and a scenario data area storing information defining character movement. The character data is stored in the character image data area in a state where it is compressed by a specific compression method. Further, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of pairs of color numbers and color codes are stored.

The character image data area stores character image data as shown in FIG. As will be described later, this gaming machine can enter any one of the five reach game modes, and in each reach game mode, a different character appears and is displayed. In the case of the reach game mode 1, the main character "Zeus" appears. This reach game mode 1 is one in which the probability of shifting to the highest at the time of a symbol change in the case of a big hit state is set high among all the reach game modes.
The character appearing in the reach game mode 1 is called a main character.

The characters appearing in the reach game modes 2, 3, 4, and 5, which are other reach game modes, are "Poseidon", "Medusa", "Athena", and "Hercules". A sub-character is formed for the character. It goes without saying that the type of the reach game mode and the type of the character to appear need not be limited to this example.

Then, the CPU of the special symbol display device 100
1020, the control data generated in response to the command received by the data receiving circuit 1140 is transferred to the image processing LSI (V
DP) 1060, the image processing LSI (VD
P) 1060 decompresses the character data obtained from the character image data area, colors it with the color data obtained from the palette data area, and specifies the video RAM 108 specified by the information obtained from the scenario data area.
The temporarily stored data is temporarily stored at a position on the LCD panel 0, and the temporarily stored data is sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100.
By means of 20, various image displays including a change in the variable display speed are performed in detail.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the command transmission / reception timing. As previously mentioned,
The command consists of a 1-byte mode (MODE) and a 1-byte event (EVENT).
In this example, the main control unit 200 transmits mode (MODE) information at the first rising edge of a strobe signal (DUSTB) generated by itself when a command changes, and then transmits two strobe signals (DUSTB). Event (EVENT) information is transmitted with the rise of the eyes. Then, in response to this, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device generates an interrupt when the strobe signal (DUSTB) is transmitted, receives a command by this interrupt processing, and stores the command in the RAM 1090.

Next, first, a normal control operation performed by the main controller 200 or the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (a general flowchart of game control) and FIG.
Then, the characteristic display control of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 15 and the like, and efforts will be made to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Note that the series of processes shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the main control unit 200, and is executed from the first step by using a reset signal supplied from the reset circuit 213 every predetermined time (for example, every 4 msec) as a trigger.

First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated, and it is determined whether or not the first processing has been performed since the power was turned on. Step S11
0). In the case of the first processing after turning on the power (Yes)
The process proceeds to step S200, but otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S200, a clearing process of a storage area is performed as initialization processing of the RAM 203. Then, in step S210, data for performing an initial control process is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. On the other hand, in step S120, the count values of various random number generation loop counters (not shown) for large hit determination, small hit determination, and the like formed in the RAM 203 are incremented. Update the timer value of the timer.

Next, in step S140, a special symbol start switch 304, a normal symbol operation switch 306,
An input port process of reading and storing the detection signal output from the special winning opening switch 308 into a register (not shown) via the input port 203 is executed, and then the process proceeds to step S150 to read and store the data read by the port input process. Switch check processing for grasping the condition.

Next, at step S160, each switch 3
A check is made to see if there is a disconnection or short-circuit in the lines 04, 306, 308, etc., and if any of these failures has occurred (Ye
s) The process proceeds to step S220, but otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S180 (step S180).
170).

In step S180, data necessary for display control of the ordinary symbol display device 107 is stored in the RAM.
203 and a command necessary for display control of the special symbol display device 100 (see FIGS. 6 to 9).
(Including the commands described in the above) are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and the timer values of the various timers are reduced (step S190). In step S180, the main control unit 200 determines a command of a necessary mode and event according to the game control with reference to the command data table area 202, and stores digital information indicating the determined mode and event in the RAM 203 in a predetermined manner. Store in area.

Next, in step S195, the start port operating solenoid 300 and the special winning port operating solenoid 302 are driven in order to control opening and closing of the special winning opening 106 and the opening and closing member 120 of the special symbol starting opening 104 in a predetermined pattern. Then, in step S220, a prize ball setting process for outputting control information for causing a prize ball payout device (not shown) to perform a payout operation is executed. Further, in steps S230, 240, and 250, a game (not shown) External information processing for outputting various game data to the machine management device, a display lamp control process for storing a command for lighting control of the lamp display devices 110 and 112 in accordance with a game state in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, sound effect generation Device 11
6 executes a sound effect process for storing a command for controlling the sound effect generation in a predetermined area of the RAM 203 in correspondence with the game state.

Next, in step S260, R
The data stored in the AM 203 is output to the corresponding device via the output port 215 (port output process), and the device that receives the data performs a control operation based on the data. Then, a strobe signal is first output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode and event data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 are transmitted as shown in FIG. Thus, the commands shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 and received.

In step S270, the reset circuit 21
The reset standby process is executed until the reset signal is input from Step 3, and when the reset signal is input, the process shifts to Step S110 to continue the gaming machine control. Note that the reset standby process includes updating of the various random number generation counters described above.

Next, the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 having received the command will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1100, the CPU 1020 sets its own stack pointer,
Initialization of the RAM 1090, initialization of the RAM 1090 itself, and the like are performed, and in step S1102, it is determined whether a new command has been input. When it is determined that a new command for display control has been input, (Y
es) The process proceeds to step S1104, while otherwise (No), the process proceeds to step S1110.

In step S1104, in the interrupt processing described with reference to FIG.
Copies the received command to the RAM 1090, and checks whether the command is normal or not. Next, CPU1
020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) in order to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200. Then, in step S1108, the image processing LSI 1060 The data in the necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated to output the data to the RAM 1090.

Next, in step S1110, RA
Based on the symbol control data set in M1090, scroll data to be output to the image processing LSI 1060 is obtained and set in the RAM 1090, and the symbol display position is set. Then, in step S1112, the symbol speed control is performed. Necessary data is stored in the program ROM
It is obtained from a speed table (not shown) built in the 1040 and set in the RAM 1090, and then the step S
At 1114, the symbol offset value is updated based on the speed data, and preparations are made for performing symbol fluctuation at the set speed.

Next, in step S1116, RA
Animation data is acquired from an animation processing table (not shown) storing the animation processing data set in M1090, and preparation for displaying a background image is performed.
Set in P output buffer, output enable flag is "1"
It is determined whether or not (step S1118).

If the output permission flag is not "1" (No), the process returns to step S1102 to repeat a series of processes, while the output permission flag is "1" (Ye
In step S1120, the data set in the VDP output buffer is transferred to the image processing LSI 106 in step S1120.
Output to 0. The image processing LSI 1060 acquires the data in the character ROM 1180 and develops the image in response to the data. The developed image data is temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080 and then sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100 to be sent to the LCD panel 1120. Is displayed. In this way, at the set display position on the special symbol display device 100, the symbol variation display at the set speed is performed using the reel data shown in FIG. 15, the background image is displayed, and the like.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams of an example of the transmission timing of a command transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100, and the transmission command. As can be seen from these figures, the main control is described. When a predetermined condition such as a game ball winning in the special symbol starting port 104 is satisfied, the unit 200 first transmits a command for starting a symbol variation and specifying a variation pattern (). A command for designating a left stop symbol is transmitted after a lapse of T1 time (), and a command for designating a middle stop symbol is transmitted after a lapse of T2 time (), and a right stop symbol is designated after a lapse of T3 time. (), And after the elapse of T time from the start of the fluctuation, a command () for stopping all the symbols is transmitted. The CPU 1020 of the received special symbol display device 100 performs a series of variable display control by performing fine display control such as a change in a change speed before the time designated by, and after a lapse of T time from the start of the change. The variable display control ends.

(Main part of the present invention) In the embodiment of the present invention, the main control unit 200 uses the reach game mode entry random number 2600 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not to rush. In the example shown in FIG. 26, the reach game mode entry determination is performed when it is determined that a hit has occurred in the big hit lottery. When the random number random number is “0 to 5”, “the reach game mode 1”
Lottery random numbers are "6-7", "8-9", "10-1", respectively.
In the case of “1” or “12 to 13”, it is determined that the “reach game mode 2”, “reach game mode 3”, “reach game mode 4”, and “reach game mode 5” are entered. When such a big hit occurs, the probability that the reach game mode 1 is selected is set to be the highest.

As described above, when entering the reach game mode, a lottery is performed to determine which one of a plurality of preset reach game modes is entered. In addition, when it is determined that the game is out of the jackpot lottery and the entry into the reach game mode is determined, which of the reach game modes is to be set by a different lottery from FIG. In this case, the probability that the reach game mode 1 is selected is set to the lowest.

The reach game mode is a symbol variation pattern that is performed when a reach is reached, that is, when one symbol is fluctuating with two symbols having the same contents. This is to improve the sense of expectation for the player by accompanying a staging operation or the like. Also, 2
It may enter this mode from a state where three symbols are not aligned.

In the description of this embodiment, when it is determined that a big hit is a big hit, the transition to the reach game mode 1 among the five types of the reach game modes is most easily performed. Is a display effect in which the main character "Zeus" appears, and in other reach game modes, a corresponding sub character appears to perform the display effect.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the display control according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 17, 18, and 1 are explanatory diagrams showing how the display changes.
9, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, and display control which is a feature of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. These processes can be realized by appropriately setting and changing the data in steps S1110 to S1116 in FIG.

First, it is assumed that the CPU 1020 has received the first command (see FIG. 14). In step S1500, in response to the received first command, the CPU 1020 starts scrolling variable display of symbols in three columns of left, right, and right in the horizontally long display area 1121 of the LCD panel 1120. Figure 1 shows this situation.
FIG. At this time, the CPU 1020 displays the background image 1700 in the display area 1121.

Next, in step S1502, display control corresponding to the reach game mode specified by the previously received first command is performed. Note that display control is performed by causing different characters to appear according to the selected reach game mode.
It is assumed that has been selected. First, the CPU 1020 switches the background image to the background image 1800 as shown in FIG.
0a, 1810b, and 1810c are displayed. At this time, the character image 1850 (the main character "Zeus")
And perform display effects in the reach game mode.

Then, the CPU 1020 transmits the received third
In response to this command, the symbol designated by the second command is displayed as a stopped symbol. In this case, the hit symbol "1"
The following description is based on the assumption that "1, 11, 11" has been designated. At the same time, the main controller 200 controls the opening and closing of the special winning opening 106 as described above.

Then, before the start of the first round, as shown in FIG.
1900b, 1900c and round number 1710 "1"
And the control for displaying. In addition, the grand prize item 0
When 6 is released, control for displaying a character introduction image for the round "1", specifically, an introduction image of the sub-character "Athena", as shown in FIG. 25, is executed.

FIG. 22 shows an example of this introduction image.
Reference numeral 1020 displays a character image 2200 of "Athena" and also displays introduction information 2210 for introducing the character "Athena". As shown in FIG. 25, the characters "Athena" as shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Before each round, control for displaying the symbols 1900a, 1900b, 1900c and the number of rounds is executed.

Next, before the start of the fifth round, the CPU 1020 determines whether or not the hit symbols 1900a, 190 as shown in FIG.
0b, 1900c and the number of rounds 1710 “5” are displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the control for displaying the character introduction image for the round “5”, specifically, the introduction image of the sub-character “Medusa” is executed.

FIG. 23 shows an example of this introduction image.
1020 is a character image 2300 of “Medusa”
Is displayed, and the control for displaying the introduction information 2310 for introducing the character “Medusa” is executed. Round 5 as shown in FIG.
23, an introduction image of the character "Medusa" as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. Before each round, control for displaying the symbols 1900a, 1900b, 1900c and the number of rounds is executed.

Similarly, the CPU 1020 executes the round 7 to
Until 9 each pattern 1900a, 1900 before each round
b, 1900c and the number of rounds are displayed.
When 06 is opened, a character image of the character "Hercules" and its introduction information are displayed (not shown). Further, the CPU 1020 performs the symbols 1900a, 1900b, 1
900c and the number of rounds are displayed (FIG. 21 is an example of round 10), and control is performed to display the character image of the character "Poseidon" and its introduction information when the special winning opening 106 is opened (FIG. 21). Not shown).

Then, the CPU 1020 hits the symbols 1900a, 1900b, and 1900 before starting the 12th round.
c and the number of rounds 1710 “12” are displayed (not shown), and further, as shown in FIG. 25, a character introduction image for the round “12”, specifically, an introduction image of the main character “Zeus” is displayed. To perform control.

FIG. 24 shows an example of this introduction image.
Reference numeral 1020 executes control for displaying the character image 2400 of “Zeus”, and also executes control for displaying introduction information 2410 introducing the character “Zeus”. As shown in FIG. 25, an introductory image of the character "Zeus" as shown in FIG. 24 is displayed from the round 12 to the final round 16. Before each round, symbols 1900a, 1900b, 1
Control for displaying 900c and the number of rounds is executed.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 1020 starts the variation display of the symbol in response to the received first command, and responds to the third command in response to the received third command. The stop display is performed with the symbol designated by the command No. 2. At this time, as the gaming state becomes the big hit state and the big hit operation control of the gaming machine proceeds, the introduction image of the character appearing in each reach game mode Can be displayed, so that the player can understand the features of the characters appearing in the reach game mode and enjoy the game.

The main control unit 200 also controls the special winning opening 106
Is repeatedly performed up to 16 times to bring the character into an advantageous state for the player, but the CPU 1020 introduces the character for which the introduction image is displayed differently according to the number of times of opening / closing control of the special winning opening 106. Since the images are displayed, the player can have fun as the round progresses.

Further, the CPU 1020 sets the special winning opening 106
An opening image of the main character "Zeus", which is a character in the reach game mode 1 with the highest possibility of a big hit, between 12 and 16, which is the number of times of opening / closing control (the number of rounds) approaches 16 times With the control, the player can enjoy the game with the feeling that he has reached near the final round, and understand the characteristics of the main character most likely to appear in the case of a big hit near the final round Therefore, the willingness to reach the final round can be improved. It goes without saying that the display of the main character may be controlled only in the last round.

(Other Embodiment) Next, another embodiment will be described. This embodiment is characterized in that a command that is a display command signal transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100 is simplified. First, the main control unit 200 performs a random number lottery as to whether or not a specific game state (big hit state) is established when a game ball wins in the special symbol starting port 104.

Then, the main control section 200 transmits information (for example, 1-bit data) indicating the result of the lottery to the special symbol display device 100 as a command. Upon receiving this command, the special symbol display device 100 appropriately selects a variable display pattern to perform display control according to the lottery result, fluctuates the special symbol, and stops the special symbol according to the lottery result after a predetermined time has elapsed. . That is, as described above, FIG.
The display control shown in FIG.

As described above, the main control unit 200 only transmits the information of the winning result of the lottery, and changes the pattern of the symbol (including the display pattern of the background image and the character image).
The special symbol display device 100 can be arbitrarily selected as long as the stop symbol does not violate the winning result of the lottery by the main control unit 200, so that the control load of the main control unit 200 is reduced. Further, since the command is simplified, a communication error due to noise can be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, setting a plurality of characters corresponding to the reach game mode to allow a plurality of characters to appear in one reach game mode, appropriately changing the number of selectable reach game modes, and setting random numbers for reach game mode entry determination Changing the maximum number of rounds as appropriate, such as changing the range that can be obtained as appropriate, changing the type of character to be adopted, and introduction images of all characters that will appear in the reach game mode when all rounds have been exhausted Is appropriately changed from the one shown in FIG. 25 as an introductory image for each round, with the display condition as a constraint condition. Further, it is not necessary to display the introduction images of all the characters displayed in the reach game mode.

In the above description, a pachinko machine has been described as an example of a gaming machine. However, the present invention is applicable not only to a pachislot machine but also to other gaming machines having a display unit capable of performing display effects. Needless to say.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention,
As the gaming state becomes the big hit state and the big hit operation control of the gaming machine progresses, the introduction image of the character appearing in each reach game mode can be displayed, so that the characteristics of the character appearing in the reach game mode can be displayed. The effect is obtained that the player can understand and enjoy the game.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a game board 10;

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the gaming machine.

3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a character ROM memory map and pallet data.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing of command transmission and reception.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a command stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202.

FIG. 10 is a general flowchart for explaining a game control operation of the gaming machine.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of CPU 1020 of special symbol display device 100. FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a data structure of a command.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing a command transmission timing for symbol display.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining command transmission.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating display control according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of all characters appearing in the reach game mode.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display changes.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a display order of character introduction images.

FIG. 26: Random number 2600 for reach game mode entry determination
FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game board 100 Special symbol display device 102 Normal symbol operation gate 104 Special symbol start-up port 106 Big winning opening 108 Normal symbol display device 110 Lamp display device 112 Lamp display device 114 Out port 116 Sound effect generator 120 Opening / closing member 200 Main control unit 201 ROM 202 Command data table area 203 RAM 210 Input port 213 Reset circuit 212 Power supply circuit 215 Output port 300 Starting port operating solenoid 302 Large winning port operating solenoid 304 Special symbol starting switch 306 Normal symbol operating switch 308 Large winning port switch 1020 CPU 1040 Program ROM 1060 Image processing LSI 1080 Video RAM 1090 RAM 1100 LCD panel interface circuit 1120 LCD panel 11 0 data receiving circuit 1160 supply circuit 1180 character ROM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenjiro Nanba 2-3014-8 Hirosawa-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma Heiwanai Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Fujita 2-3014 Hirosawa-cho, Kiryu-shi, Gunma 8 shares Company Heiwanai F-term (reference) 2C088 AA17 AA35 AA36 AA42 BC22 CA27 EB56 EB58

Claims (4)

[Claims] When a transition is made to any one of a plurality of preset reach game modes, a display effect is provided in which a character corresponding to the reach game mode appears. The gaming machine is provided with display control means capable of displaying an introduction image of a character appearing in each of the reach game modes as the gaming state becomes a big hit state and the big hit operation control of the gaming machine proceeds. A gaming machine characterized by that: 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the big hit operation control of the gaming machine is to repeatedly perform opening and closing control for setting the winning device in an advantageous state for the player up to a predetermined number of times, A gaming machine, wherein the display control means is means for displaying an introduction image by changing a character to be displayed as an introduction image according to the number of times of opening and closing control of the winning device. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the display control means determines whether the number of times of opening / closing control of the prize device reaches the predetermined number or reaches the number approaching the predetermined number. And a means for displaying an introduction image of a main character which is a character corresponding to the reach game mode which is most likely to be in a big hit state among a plurality of reach game modes. 4. Main control means for controlling the overall operation of the gaming machine, display control means for receiving a command group from the main control means, and controlling display of the display device in response to the received command group. In the gaming machine, the main control means includes at least a first command for designating a start of change of identification information and a change pattern, a second command for designating identification information to be stopped, and a change of identification information. Means for transmitting a command group including a third command designating stop to the display control means, wherein the display control means starts variation display of identification information in response to the received first command; Means for performing a stop display with the identification information specified by the second command in response to the received third command; Means capable of displaying an introduction image of a character appearing in each of the reach game modes as the motion control progresses.