JP2002272967A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain the effect of stirring up a player's feeling of expectation for a long time in a game machine allowing the player to recognize the propriety of granting the player a privilege from a display mode at the variation stop of patterns variably displayed on a pattern display device. SOLUTION: The pattern display device 22 has a pattern display part 23 for variably displaying patterns, and a stop pattern display part 24 for displaying stoppable patterns which can be stopped and displayed regarding the patterns variably displayed on the pattern display part 23. A plurality of stoppable patterns can be displayed on the stop pattern display part 24. Each displayed stoppable pattern is one pattern optionally selected out of the patterns variably displayed on the pattern display part 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine that allows a player to recognize whether or not a privilege is to be given based on a display mode when symbols are variably displayed on a symbol display device. The present invention relates to an effect technique for enlivening symbol fluctuation displayed on a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some gaming machines equipped with a symbol display device display symbols on a symbol display device in a fluctuating manner, and allow the player to recognize whether or not a privilege is given based on a symbol display mode when the fluctuating is stopped. There is something. For example, in a pachinko machine, when a pachinko ball wins or passes in a predetermined area, a symbol is fluctuated and displayed on a symbol display device, and a bonus is opened to a player according to a display mode of the symbol when the fluctuation is stopped (a winning port of a specific winning device is opened). Or the like). In such a gaming machine, it is determined whether or not a bonus is given, that is, whether or not the result of the symbol change displayed on the symbol display device (display mode when the change is stopped) is a display for giving the bonus. Is the center of the player's interest in gaming. Therefore, it has been proposed to provide a highly interesting game by performing various effects in accordance with the fluctuation of the symbols displayed on the symbol display device (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-14052). In the gaming machine described in the above publication, a stop symbol display unit that displays a symbol that can be stopped and displayed with respect to the symbol that is variably displayed on the symbol display device (hereinafter, referred to as a stoppable symbol) is provided. In such a gaming machine, when the symbol displayed on the symbol display device starts to change, a plurality of stoppable symbols are displayed on the stop symbol display section at a predetermined timing according to the symbol change. Then, one of the plurality of stoppable symbols displayed on the stop symbol display section is displayed as a stop symbol on the symbol display device. Therefore, whether or not the result of the symbol change is likely to be a display mode in which a benefit is provided in the stop symbol display unit (whether or not a symbol corresponding to the symbol displayed as the symbol that can be stopped is included). , And the probability that the privilege is given (for example, when the symbols displayed as the stoppable symbols are 2, 4, and 7 and the winning symbol is 2, the probability is reduced to 1/3). It will be. For this reason, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned publication, the display of the stopped symbol display section can increase the player's expectation of the symbol change displayed on the symbol display device.

[0003]

However, the stop symbol display section described in the above publication corresponds to each of all the symbols that can be a stop symbol (in the gaming machine of the above publication, ten symbols 0 to 9). When displaying a stoppable symbol, a lamp corresponding to the symbol to be displayed is turned on from among the plurality of lamps (for example, 0, 5 as stoppable symbols). , 9 are displayed, the lamps corresponding to 0, 5, 9 are turned on). Therefore, the probability of being a hit that can be displayed on the stop symbol display section is 1/1, 1 /.
2, 1/3 ... 1/10. For this reason, if the game is continued for a long time, the probability of hitting to be displayed on the stop symbol display unit is likely to be patterned, and there is a problem that the effect of raising the expectation of the player sharply decreases with the game time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a gaming machine capable of maintaining the effect of raising the player's expectation for a long time by diversifying the display of the stop symbol display section. provide.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems, Functions and Effects The gaming machine according to claim 1 is provided with a symbol display device for variably displaying symbols, and a display when symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device when the symbols are not variably stopped. It is a gaming machine that allows a player to recognize whether or not a privilege can be granted depending on the mode. The symbol display device includes a symbol display unit that variably displays a symbol, and a stop symbol display unit that displays a stoppable symbol that can be stopped and displayed with respect to the symbol variably displayed on the symbol display unit. The stop symbol display section is capable of displaying a plurality of stoppable symbols, and each of the stoppable symbols is arbitrarily selected from the symbols variably displayed on the symbol display section. The design is. In the above gaming machine, when the symbol displayed on the symbol display unit changes, a plurality of one symbol arbitrarily selected from the symbols variably displayed on the symbol display unit is displayed on the stop symbol display unit. Can be. Therefore, a plurality of the same symbols may be displayed on the stop symbol display unit in some cases, whereby the probability that the symbol displayed on the stop symbol display unit is displayed as the stop symbol on the symbol display unit is displayed in detail (for example, When 5 stoppable symbols are displayed, 3 of them are displayed.
By displaying two symbols as the same symbol, it is possible to display a probability of 3/5). Therefore, the display (probability) of the stop symbol display section can be diversified, and the frequency at which the display (probability) of the stop symbol display section becomes the same can be reduced. Therefore, the player is prevented from getting bored, and the effect of raising the player's expectation can be maintained for a long time.

In the above-mentioned gaming machine, a plurality of symbol rows are variably displayed on the symbol display section, and the player is made to recognize whether or not the privilege can be given based on the symbols at the time when the fluctuation of each of the symbol rows is stopped. It is preferable that the stopable symbol display section displays a stoppable symbol relating to the symbol column that fluctuates and stops last among the plurality of symbol columns (claim 2).
Here, the “symbol sequence” refers to one configured by arranging a plurality of symbols. Further, "the symbol row is displayed in a variable manner" means that the symbols constituting the symbol row are displayed while moving in a predetermined direction. However, it is not necessary for the symbol row displayed on the symbol display unit to display all the symbols constituting the symbol row, and it is sufficient that at least one symbol constituting the symbol row is displayed. In the gaming machine described above, a stoppable symbol relating to the last symbol row to be stopped among the symbol rows variably displayed on the symbol display section is displayed on the stop symbol display section. Therefore, the player predicts the display mode (ie, whether or not a privilege is given) when the variation of all the symbol rows displayed in a variable manner is displayed on the symbol display section by the stoppable symbols displayed on the stopped symbol display section. And the effect of raising the player's expectation can be further exhibited.

In each of the above-mentioned gaming machines, the number of stoppable symbols displayed on the stop symbol display increases or decreases during the period from the start of the change of the symbol variably displayed on the symbol display to the stop of the change. Is preferable (claim 3). In the gaming machine, while the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display section, the number of stoppable symbols displayed on the stop symbol display section increases or decreases,
The probability of the symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol display section changes. Therefore, the player's sense of expectation changes during the variable display, resulting in a more interesting gaming machine.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The gaming machine described in each of the above-mentioned claims can be suitably implemented in the following forms. (Embodiment 1) In the gaming machine according to claim 3, the number of stoppable symbols displayed on the stop symbol display unit is changed from time to time until the symbol symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display unit. Increases over time. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to perform an effect of changing the probability of being lost by additionally displaying the lost symbol as a stoppable symbol, and additionally display the winning symbol as a stoppable symbol. By doing so, it is possible to perform an effect that changes the probability of winning high. (Embodiment 2) In the gaming machine according to Embodiment 1, the symbol display section temporarily suspends the symbol a predetermined number of times from the start of the symbol change to the stop of the symbol change. The stop symbol display unit may additionally display a stoppable symbol. According to such an embodiment, the display of the stopped symbol display section changes in conjunction with the display (pause) of the symbol display section. For this reason, the symbol fluctuation of the symbol display section can be more effectively raised. (Embodiment 3) In the gaming machine according to claim 3, the number of stoppable symbols displayed on the stop symbol display unit is time from the start of the symbol variation displayed on the symbol display unit to the variation stop. Decreases over time. According to such an embodiment, it is possible to perform an effect of changing the probability of winning by increasing the number of lost symbols displayed as the stoppable symbols, and to achieve the effect of changing the winning symbol displayed as the stoppable symbols. It is possible to perform an effect of reducing the probability of winning by reducing the number of symbols to be obtained.

[0009]

Embodiment An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the symbol display device, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a game process, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the variable display process, FIG. 7 is a timing chart relating to an example of a symbol change variably displayed on the symbol display device, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are actually displayed on the symbol display device. It is a figure showing an example of a temporal change of a pattern change. As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 12,
A handle 38 and the like for operating a firing device (not shown) are provided. The game board 12 has a substantially circular rail 44 disposed on the surface thereof. The symbol display device 14 and the first-type starting port 3 are provided in a game area surrounded by the rail 44.
0, various winning devices such as a special winning opening 34 are provided.
In this gaming area, a pachinko ball fired from the firing device is driven by operating the handle 38,
When the pachinko balls flow down in the game area, various gaming devices arranged in the game area operate (pachinko game proceeds).

As shown in FIG. 2, a symbol display device 22 (in this embodiment, a liquid crystal display) for changing and displaying a special symbol is provided on a symbol display device 14 disposed substantially at the center of the game area of the game board 12. Display is used), and a reserved ball lamp for displaying the number of times the special symbol is fluctuated is provided. In the display screen of the symbol display 22, a special symbol display area 23
(Corresponding to the symbol display section in the claims) and the stop symbol display area 24 (corresponding to the stop symbol display section in the claims)
Then, a probability display area 29 for displaying the probability of a big hit in conjunction with the stop symbol display area 24 is formed. In the special symbol display area 23, a special symbol 2 displayed on the left side is displayed.
5 (hereinafter, referred to as a left symbol), a special symbol 26 (hereinafter, referred to as a middle symbol) displayed in the center, and a special symbol 27 (hereinafter, referred to as a right symbol) displayed to the right side. The display is changed under a predetermined condition (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In the present embodiment, as a left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol,
Numerical values 0 to 9 (accordingly, in this embodiment, 0 to 9
A symbol row is composed of numbers 9) (variable display (scroll display)), and depending on the display mode at the time of the fluctuation stop (scroll stop), is the state changed to the big hit game state (the state in which the special winning opening 34 is opened)? Let the player know whether or not it is. Specifically, when the combination of the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol at the time of the fluctuation stop is a slot of “7”, “7”, “7”, etc., the state shifts to the big hit game state. I have. On the other hand, the stopable symbol display area 24 displays a stoppable symbol relating to a special symbol (middle symbol in the present embodiment) which stops last among the three special symbols variably displayed in the special symbol display area 23. That is, at a predetermined timing after the left symbol and the right symbol stop changing and reach (a state in which the left symbol and the right symbol become the same stopped symbol and the possibility of a big hit remains) is configured, The symbol (stoppable symbol) that the middle symbol may stop is displayed. In the stopped symbol display area 24, a plurality of symbols arbitrarily selected from the symbols 0 to 9 scrolled and displayed as middle symbols (in the present embodiment, up to 10 symbols).
) Can be displayed. In the probability display area 29, the degree of expectation (the probability that the symbol change displayed in the special symbol display area 23 is a big hit) displayed by the stoppable symbol displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is quantified. Numerical values (0 to 100%) are displayed.

The first type starting port 30 is a prize winning device in which a pachinko ball hit in the game area wins. A starting port sensor 56 is provided inside the first type starting port 30, and when a pachinko ball is detected by the starting port sensor 56, a prize ball is paid out from a prize ball device (not shown). The special symbol is changed and displayed once in the special symbol display area 23. The big winning opening 34 is an attacker winning device provided with an opening / closing door 36 that is controlled to open and close in a state in which a winning is possible and a state in which a winning is not possible. The door 36 is driven to open and close by a solenoid 50 mounted on the back of the game board 12. Specifically, the opening / closing door 36 is normally closed, and when the combination at the time of the stop of the change of the special symbol variably displayed on the symbol display 22 (the special symbol display area 23) becomes a big hit combination. Be released. In addition,
If a pachinko ball passes through a special prize area (V zone) (not shown) inside the special winning opening 34 while the door 36 is open, the door 36 once closed is opened again and the same operation is performed. Is repeated a predetermined number of times.

A middle gate 3 is provided above the winning opening 34.
2 are provided, and the lower first
A seed starting port 35 is provided. A gate sensor 54 for detecting the passage of a pachinko ball is provided inside the middle gate 32. When the pachinko ball is detected by the gate sensor 54, the ordinary symbol fluctuates on an ordinary symbol display unit (not shown). It is supposed to. When the ordinary symbol displayed on the ordinary symbol display section becomes a predetermined symbol,
The lower first type starting port 35 is opened for a short time. Even when a pachinko ball wins in the lower first type starting port 35, the prize ball is paid out and the special symbol is displayed once in the special symbol display area 23 in a fluctuating manner.

The pachinko machine 10 according to this embodiment is provided with devices other than those described above, for example, a launching device for firing pachinko balls, a receiving tray for receiving paid-out pachinko balls, and the like. What is necessary is just to be the same as that provided in a well-known pachinko machine, and since it does not particularly characterize the present invention, its description is omitted here.

Next, the configuration of a control system related to the symbol change of the special symbol executed by the symbol display 22 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
Is controlled by a main control unit 100 that comprehensively controls the game operation of each of the electrical devices mounted on the pachinko machine.
And a display control unit 200 that controls the display of a predetermined image on the symbol display 22 based on a command output from the main control unit 100. The main control unit 100 and the display control unit 200 are both
2 is attached to a predetermined portion on the back surface side. The pachinko machine according to the present embodiment includes the main control unit 100 described above.
In addition to the display control unit 200, a payout control unit, a voice control unit,
Although a plurality of control units such as a lamp control unit are provided, these control units may be the same as those in the related art, and do not particularly characterize the present invention, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The main control unit 100 includes a CPU (processor)
102, ROM 104, RAM 106, input processing circuit 1
08, an output processing circuit 110, a communication control circuit 112, and the like. The CPU 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to a game control program stored in the ROM 104. The game control program stored in the ROM 104 includes processing for creating command data,
A program for realizing a process of transmitting the created command data to the display control unit 200 and the like is included. The RAM 106 is a main storage element used as a work memory, and the number of reserved balls (counts the number of pachinko balls that have won the first-type start-up opening 30 while the special symbol is being changed and displayed) or the symbol change is a big hit. Various data such as a jackpot flag indicating whether or not the input and output signals and input / output signals are stored in accordance with the execution of various programs. Input processing circuit 108
Receives a detection signal output from the starting port sensor 56 or the gate sensor 54, converts the signal into a data format that can be processed in the main control unit 100,
2 and a circuit for sending to the RAM 106. The output processing circuit 110 is a circuit that receives the operation data sent from the CPU 102 via the bus 114 and outputs a drive signal for driving an electric device such as the solenoid 50. Further, the communication control circuit 112 includes a display control unit 200 described later.
And other control boards (for example, a payout control unit that controls the prize ball payout device).

The display control unit 200, as shown in FIG.
CPU 202, ROM 20 as well as main control unit 100
4, a RAM 206, and a communication control circuit 20.
8, a display control circuit 210 and the like are added. CPU2
02 operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 204 and controls display of an image (such as a special symbol variation display) displayed on the symbol display 22 based on command data transmitted from the main control unit 100. Specifically, it performs a process of analyzing the received command data and outputting a command corresponding to the result of the analysis to the display control circuit 210. The ROM 204 stores all data for display (special symbols, background drawings, etc.) in addition to the control program, and the RAM 206 stores various data such as command data transmitted from the main control unit 100 when executing the control program. Is stored according to. The communication control circuit 208 is a circuit for receiving command data transmitted from the main control unit 100. The display control circuit 210 is a circuit for creating image data for display and outputting the created image data to the symbol display 22. In particular,
When receiving the command output from the CPU 202, the display control circuit 210 reads predetermined display data corresponding to the command from the ROM 204. And ROM
Symbol display 22 from display data read from 204
The image data for displaying a predetermined image (a background image, a special symbol, an error message, etc.) is generated, and the image data is output to the symbol display unit 22. As a result, a predetermined image (background, special symbol, etc.) is displayed on the symbol display 22 based on the output image data.

Next, in the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above, the processing procedure in the main control unit 100 and the display control unit 200 for realizing the symbol change on the symbol display 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be explained. In addition,
There is no difference between the case where the pachinko ball wins in the first type start-up port 30 and the case where the pachinko ball wins in the lower first type start-up port 35. It is performed by the same processing procedure. Therefore, in the following description, a case where a pachinko ball has won the first-type starting port 30 will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, most of the processing described below is performed by the main control unit 100, and the display control unit 200 executes step S52 in FIG.
Is performed only. However, the processing sharing between the main control unit 100 and the display control unit 200 is not limited to the example described below, and the processing to be shared can be changed as appropriate. In the game process shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit 100 first determines whether or not a pachinko ball has won the first-type start-up opening 30, that is, determines a winning (S1).
0). This winning determination is made by making "YES" when the main control unit 100 receives the signal output from the starting port sensor 56, and by making "NO" when not receiving the output signal. If a pachinko ball has won the first-type start-up opening 30 (YES in step S10), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls has reached a predetermined upper limit (S12).
Specifically, the determination is made based on the value of the number of reserved balls provided in the RAM 106 of the main control unit 100. If the number of reserved balls has not reached the predetermined upper limit (NO in step S12), the number of reserved balls is added (S14), and various random numbers (described later) are read and stored (S16). Here, the various random numbers read and stored in step S16 are a jackpot determination random number, a jackpot symbol random number, a variation selection random number,
Lost symbol random numbers and the like. The jackpot determination random number is a random number for determining whether or not a jackpot has occurred. The jackpot symbol random number is a random number for determining a jackpot symbol.
The variation selection random number is a random number for selecting a variation pattern to be described in detail later (regardless of big hit or loss). The losing variation random number is a random number for determining a losing symbol when a losing occurs. When various random numbers are read in step S16, the process proceeds to a symbol variation process shown in FIG.
18). It should be noted that when the pachinko ball has not won the first-type start-up port 30 (NO in step S10) or when the number of reserved balls has reached the upper limit (YE in step S12).
In the case of S), the process directly proceeds to the symbol variation process of step S18 without performing the processes of step S14 and step S16.

When the process shifts to the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 5, it is first determined whether or not the number of reserved balls is greater than 0, that is, whether or not there is a reserved ball number (S20). If there is no reserved ball count (NO in step S20), the symbol variation process is terminated without displaying the special symbol on the symbol display 22 in a variable manner. On the other hand, if the number of reserved balls is greater than 0 (YES in step S20), the process shown in FIG.
The random number for jackpot determination stored in step S16 is read (S22). Then, the number of reserved balls is subtracted and the retained ball information is shifted (S24), and the process proceeds to the variable display process shown in FIG. 6 (S26).

When the process shifts to the variable display process shown in FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not a big hit has occurred (S40). This determination is
The determination is performed based on whether or not the value of the random number for jackpot determination read in step S22 of FIG. 5 matches the jackpot value. In the case of a jackpot (in the case of YES in step S40)
, The jackpot symbol random number stored in step S16 of FIG. 4 is read (S42), and the jackpot flag is turned on (S44). If not a big hit (N in step S40)
In the case of O), the loss symbol random number stored in step S16 of FIG. 4 is read (S54), and the big hit flag is turned off (S56).

When the processing in step S44 or S56 is completed, the final degree of expectation to be displayed in the stopped symbol display area 24 of the symbol display 22 is determined (S46). That is, in the present embodiment, when a special symbol variably displayed in the special symbol display area 23 forms a reach, a stoppable symbol is displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 for a middle symbol that fluctuates to the end. Therefore, in this step S46, the number of the stoppable symbols finally displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 and the symbol to be a big hit included in the stoppable symbols (the same as the stopped left and right special symbols) Number of symbols). Specifically, first, since the reach is always configured when the big hit symbol random number is read in the processing of step S42, the number of stoppable symbols based on the variable selection random number stored in step S16, The number of symbols to be a big hit included in the stoppable symbols is determined.
On the other hand, when the loss variation random number has been read by the process of step S54, first, it is determined whether or not the symbol variation constitutes a reach. This corresponds to step S54.
Whether the lost symbol determined by the lost symbol random number read in (a special symbol finally displayed in the special symbol display area 23) forms a reach, that is, the left symbol and the right symbol are the same symbol. Or not. When no reach is configured, the stop expectation symbol is not displayed in the stop symbol display area 24, so the final expectation degree is determined to be zero. On the other hand, when reach is configured, the stop symbol display area is determined from the variable selection random number (specifically, based on a table using the absolute value obtained by subtracting the middle symbol from the left symbol and the variable selection random number as parameters). The number of stoppable symbols displayed in 24 and the number of jackpot symbols included therein are determined.

When the final degree of expectation is determined by the processing in step S46, the variation pattern of the symbol variation is determined (S48). This fluctuation pattern is displayed in the special symbol display area 2
The timing from the start of the change of the special symbol displayed in 3 to the stop of the change of each symbol (including the number and timing of the temporary stop for the middle symbol) is determined. For example, in the variation pattern shown in FIG. 7, after the variation starts, the left symbol stops first, then the right symbol stops, and finally, the middle symbol pauses three times and then stops. Here, in the present embodiment, each time the middle symbol is temporarily stopped, the temporarily stopped symbol is displayed in the stopped symbol display area 24 as a stoppable symbol. Therefore, in this step S48, the variation patterns in which the middle symbols are temporarily stopped by the number of stoppable symbols determined in step S46 based on the variation selection random numbers are selected. For example, when the number of stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is three, the variation pattern (the variation pattern shown in FIG. 7) in which the middle symbol pauses three times is selected, and the stoppable symbol is selected. If the number is four, a variation pattern in which the middle symbol is paused four times is selected. In the case where the reach is not configured and the stoppable symbol is not displayed, a variation pattern in which the middle symbol does not pause is selected. When the variation pattern is determined in step S48, next, a command relating to the items determined in each of the above processes is transmitted to the display control unit 200 (S50). More specifically, a command relating to a symbol (winning symbol or a lost symbol) at the time of stopping the change of the special symbol, a change pattern, and a final expectation are transmitted.

Upon receiving the command transmitted from the main control unit 100, the display control unit 200 variably displays a special symbol on the symbol display 22 based on the command (S5).
2). Specifically, first, a stoppable symbol to be displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is determined from the medium symbol and the final expectation at the time of the fluctuation stop determined by the command transmitted from the main control unit 100. That is, the stoppable symbols always include the middle symbol displayed at the time of the fluctuation stop, and include a symbol that has a big hit so that the final expectation degree becomes the determined value. Therefore, first, the middle symbol displayed when the fluctuation is stopped is set as a stoppable symbol, then, the big hit symbol is set as a stoppable symbol so that the final expectation degree becomes the determined value, and the remaining stoppable symbols are determined by lottery or the like. I do. For example, it is assumed that the symbol finally displayed as the middle symbol is “2”, the winning symbol is “3”, and the final expectation is ／. In such a case, among the four stoppable symbols, “2” is a stoppable symbol first, and then “3” is two stoppable symbols. The remaining one stoppable symbol is selected from symbols other than "3" by lottery such as random numbers.
When all the stoppable symbols are determined in this way, the order in which the next stoppable symbols are displayed is determined (ie,
Pause and determine the order of the middle symbols to be displayed). Note that the order can be appropriately determined by random numbers or the like.
In the present embodiment, when a big hit occurs, the big hit symbol stops last, and in the case of a loss, the bad symbol stops last. By the above processing, the stop symbol of the left symbol, the stop symbol of the right symbol, the temporary symbol of the middle symbol, and the final stop symbol are determined. Therefore, the display control unit 200
Is a special symbol display area 23 based on these decisions.
And the symbols are variably displayed in the stopped symbol display area 24. In addition,
The creation of display data for displaying an image on the symbol display 22 and the display processing of an image based on the created display data, which are performed by the display control unit 200, are the same as known processing, and particularly characterize the present invention. Therefore, further detailed description is omitted.

When the symbol change processing by the display control unit 200 in step S52 is completed, returning to FIG. 5, the main control unit 100 determines whether the big hit flag is on (S28). That is, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is turned on by the process of step S44 shown in FIG. When the jackpot flag is on (YES)
, A jackpot process is performed as a jackpot (S30).
Specifically, the main control unit 100 outputs a drive signal to the solenoid 50 so that the opening / closing door 36 of the special winning opening 34
Opens. Thereby, the pachinko ball can enter the large winning opening 34. On the other hand, if the big hit flag is not on (NO in step S28), a losing process is performed as a losing (S32). Specifically, the fact that the game has been lost is displayed on the symbol display 22.

Next, the symbol display 2
Second, an example of the variation of the special symbol actually displayed will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is an example in which the left symbol and the right symbol stop changing and then the middle symbol loses due to a changing pattern (see FIG. 7) in which the symbol is temporarily stopped three times and then stopped (see FIG. 7). ) And a big hit (FIG. 9). 8 and 9 show a variation mode after the left symbol and the right symbol are stopped and reach is configured. This is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 because the variation pattern from the start of the variation of the left symbol and the right symbol to the formation of the reach is the same as that in the example of the conventional pachinko machine and there is no difference. Absent.

First, an example shown in FIG. 8 will be described. When the pachinko ball wins in the first kind starting port 30, a special symbol (left symbol 2) displayed in the special symbol display area 23 of the symbol indicator 22.
5, the middle symbol 26 and the right symbol 27) start to change. The symbols 25, 26, and 27 that have started to change are scroll-displayed at high speed from top to bottom. In this high-speed scrolling state, the player scrolls each symbol 2 which fluctuates.
Each of 5, 26, 27 cannot be clearly seen. At a predetermined timing after the special symbols 25, 26, and 27 start changing symbols, the left symbol 25 first stops, and then the right symbol 27 stops. The state where the left symbol 25 and the right symbol 27 are stopped is shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 8A, the left symbol 25 is “7” and the right symbol 27 is “7”.
, And reach is configured. In the figure, the middle symbol 26 is indicated by a downward arrow,
This shows a state in which the middle symbol 26 is scroll-displayed from top to bottom. Even after the reach shown in FIG. 8A is reached, the middle symbol 26 continues to scroll and fluctuate to a predetermined timing (timing defined by the fluctuation pattern).
To pause. FIG. 8B shows a state at the time of the temporary stop. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the pause symbol of the middle symbol 26 is “3”, and the symbol “3” is
It is displayed as a stoppable symbol 28 in the stop symbol display area 24. Therefore, in this state, the probability of display (expectation) of a big hit is 0/1, and the probability is displayed in%, that is, 0% is displayed in the probability display area 29 at the upper right of the screen. After the suspension, the middle symbol 26 resumes the scroll fluctuation (the state shown in FIG. 8C). Then, the middle symbol 26 is temporarily stopped again at a predetermined timing after the restart of the scroll fluctuation (the state shown in FIG. 8D).
As shown in FIG. 8D, the pause symbol of the middle symbol 26 is “7”, and the pause symbol “7” is additionally displayed as a symbol that can be stopped in the stop symbol display area 24 (specifically, as shown in FIG. 8D). Is additionally displayed to the right of '3' previously displayed in the stopped symbol display area 24). Therefore, in this state, the display probability (expected degree) of a big hit becomes 1/2, and the probability is displayed as 50%. After additionally displaying “7” as a stoppable symbol, the middle symbol 26 starts scrolling again (the state shown in FIG. 8E). And medium design 26
Suspends again at a predetermined timing after the restart of the scroll fluctuation (the state shown in FIG. 8F). As shown in FIG. 8 (f), the temporary symbol of the middle symbol 26 is “9”, and the temporary symbol “9” is additionally displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 as a symbol that can be stopped. Therefore, in this state, the probability (expected degree) on the display of the big hit becomes 1/3,
The probability is displayed as 33%. After "9" is additionally displayed on the stoppable symbol, the middle symbol 26 starts scrolling again (the state shown in FIG. 8 (g)), and finally the middle symbol 26 becomes "3" (stop symbol display area). The vehicle stops at the stoppable symbol displayed first at 24 (the state shown in FIG. 8H). In the state where the middle symbol 26 has finally stopped, as shown in FIG. 8 (h), the stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 disappear from the screen, and the special symbol combination is (7).・ 3 ・ 7), which is a combination of losing. As is apparent from the above description, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 of the symbol indicator 22 are “3” → “3.7” → “3.7”. 9 '. Therefore, the degree of expectation of the big hit displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is “0/1” (0%) → “1/2” (50%)
→ It will change to '1/3' (33%).

Next, an example shown in FIG. 9 will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 9, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, special symbols (left symbol 25, middle symbol 2) displayed in the special symbol display area 23.
6, the right symbol 27) starts to fluctuate, and the left symbol 25 and the right symbol 27 stop at '7', thereby forming a reach (the state of FIG. 9A). Then, even after the reach is configured, the middle symbol 26 continues to scroll and fluctuates and pauses at a predetermined timing (the state of FIG. 9B), and the pause symbol “3” is displayed in the stop symbol display area 24. It is displayed as a stoppable symbol. The temporarily stopped middle symbol 26 starts scrolling fluctuation again as shown in FIG. 9C and pauses again (the state of FIG. 9D). As shown in FIG. 9D, the pause symbol of the middle symbol 26 is “7”, and the pause symbol “7” is additionally displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 as a stoppable symbol. Again, the middle symbol 26 resumes scrolling (the state shown in FIG. 9 (e)), and pauses again at a predetermined timing after restarting scrolling (FIG. 9 (f)).
State). As shown in FIG. 9F, the temporary symbol 26 is “7”, and the temporary symbol 7 is additionally displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 as a stoppable symbol. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, "3", "7", and "7" are displayed in the stop symbol display area 24, and the probability (expected degree) of a big hit on the display is 2/3 (66). %). After "3", "7", "7" are displayed in the stop symbol display area 24, the middle symbol 26 starts scrolling again (the state shown in FIG. 9 (g)), and the middle symbol 26 is finally displayed. '7'
It stops at the (stoppable symbols displayed second and third in the stop symbol display area 24) (the state shown in FIG. 9 (h)).
In the state where the middle symbol 26 is finally stopped, as shown in FIG. 9 (h), the combination of the special symbols is (7.7 / 7), which is a big hit combination. As is clear from the above description, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the stop symbol displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 of the symbol indicator 22 is “3” → “3.7”.
→ It changes to '3.7.7'. Therefore, the expected degree of the big hit displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is “0/1”.
(0%) → '1/2' (50%) → '2/3' (66%), and finally ends with a big hit.

As described in detail above, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the above-described embodiment, a special symbol display area 23 for variably displaying a special symbol on the symbol display 22 and a variably displayed image for the special symbol display area 23. A stop symbol display area 24 for displaying a stoppable symbol relating to the middle symbol 26 is configured. Each time the middle symbol 26 stops, the stopped symbol is displayed in the stopped symbol display area 24 as a stoppable symbol. Therefore, the degree of expectation to the big hit displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 changes every time the game is temporarily stopped, which is an effect that excites the expectation of the player. Also,
In the stop symbol display area 24 of the present embodiment, a number of stoppable symbols determined by random numbers (big hit symbol random numbers or loss-variation random numbers) are displayed, and a symbol displayed as a stoppable symbol is a big hit symbol. A plurality can be included. Therefore, the degree of expectation (probability on display) displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 changes the number of symbols that can be stopped,
In addition, since the number of hit symbols included in the stoppable symbols can be set arbitrarily, the symbols can be displayed in multiple stages as compared with the related art. Therefore, even when the game is played for a long time (when the symbol change is displayed many times on the symbol display 22), the expected degree (probability on the display) of the stopped symbol display area 24 is the same. It becomes difficult. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the player from getting tired and to obtain a highly interesting gaming machine.

Next, a pachinko machine according to a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described. In the pachinko machine according to this modification, unlike the above-described embodiment in which the stoppable symbols are displayed so as to sequentially increase, a large number of stoppable symbols are displayed at a predetermined timing after the reach is configured, and a special symbol change display. , The displayed stoppable symbols are sequentially deleted to change the degree of expectation. Since the hardware configuration of the pachinko machine and the configuration of the control system for controlling the symbol display 22 are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the portions different from the above-described embodiment will be described in detail. I do.

In the embodiment according to the modified example, the number of stoppable symbols displayed first in the stop symbol display area 24 and the degree of expectation finally displayed are determined by the jackpot symbol random number (or loss variable random number). It is determined. Then, so that the expected degree that is finally displayed is the determined expected degree,
First, a symbol to be displayed is determined as a stoppable symbol, and then a symbol to be deleted is determined from these symbols. For example, assume that the expected degree (expected degree finally displayed) determined by the jackpot symbol random number (or loss variable random number) is 2/3, and the number of stoppable symbols displayed first is five. . In such a case, two or more winning symbols are included in the stoppable symbols to be displayed first, and the remaining symbols are determined by random numbers. And
2 symbols to be erased from 5 stoppable symbols displayed
Select one. At that time, the three stoppable symbols after erasing are
Two winning symbols and one lost symbol. As a result, the stoppable symbols to be displayed first and the stoppable symbols to be deleted during the fluctuation display are determined,
A predetermined image is displayed on the symbol display 22 based on these determined items.

Hereinafter, an example of a variation display mode of a special symbol displayed on the symbol display 22 will be described with reference to FIG. In the pachinko machine according to the modified example, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the special symbols 25, 26, and 27 first stop the left symbol 25 and then stop the right symbol 27 at a predetermined timing after the start of the symbol change. . The state at this time is shown in FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 10A, the stop symbol of the left symbol 25 and the right symbol 27 are both “7”, and the reach is configured. Then, when the left symbol 25 and the right symbol 27 stop and reach is formed, a plurality of stoppable symbols 28 related to the middle symbol 26 are displayed in the stopped symbol display area 24 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 10B, six symbols “2,3,7,7,7,8” are displayed as stoppable symbols, and the probability display area 29 at the upper right of the screen is displayed.
Is displayed with an expectation of 50%. Stop symbol display area 24
Are erased one by one until the middle symbol 26 stops changing. That is, as shown in FIG. 10C, '8' is first erased [the expected degree is 60%], and as shown in FIG. 10D, '7' is erased [the expected degree is 50%]. As shown in FIG. 10E, “7” is deleted [the expected degree is 33%], and as shown in FIG. 10F, “2” is deleted [the expected degree is 50%], and FIG. As shown in ()), '3' is erased. In the state shown in FIG. 10 (g), the stoppable symbol displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is only “7”, and the degree of expectation is 100%. Therefore, the finally displayed '7' is finally displayed as a stop symbol of the middle symbol 26. Therefore, special design 2
5, 26 and 27 are combinations of (7, 7 and 7) big hits, and the symbol change ends. Thus, FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display of the stopped symbol display area 24 is' 2.3
・ 7 ・ 7 ・ 7 ・ 8 ′ ~ '7' and the expected degree displayed in the stop symbol display area is 3/6 (50%) → 3/5 (6
0%) → 2/4 (50%) → 1/3 (33%) → 1/2
(50%) → 1/1 (100%). For this reason, the player desires that the symbols that can be lost among the stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 disappear, and that the symbols that can be won do not disappear, while the player wants the symbol not to disappear. 24 will be displayed. Therefore, the stop symbol display area 2
By the display of 4, the expectation of the player can be effectively raised, and the gaming machine becomes more interesting. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the middle symbol 26 is stopped after the number of stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area is reduced to one, but the middle symbol 26 is stopped in a state where a plurality of stoppable symbols are displayed. Stop display may be performed. For example, the middle symbol 26 may be stopped in the state shown in FIG. 10 (e), and in this case, the middle symbol 26 stops at any of the symbols '2', '3', and '7'. This means that the expectation of the big hit is 1/3
(33%). In addition, the temporary symbol may be repeatedly stopped from the stop symbol display area, and the pause symbol may be deleted from the stop symbol display area each time.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples, and the present invention is embodied in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. can do. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the expectation level (stoppable symbol) that is a big hit is displayed on the screen of the symbol display device 22. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form, and a display that displays a stoppable symbol is displayed. A vessel may be provided separately. Also, in each of the above-described embodiments, the degree of expectation displayed in the stop symbol display area may indicate the actual probability that the change of the special symbol will be a big hit, or the odd probability may be used as an apparent probability to the player. May be displayed within a range where is not given.

Further, the display form of the stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area can be displayed in various changes and improved forms. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the number of suspensions of the middle symbol 26 after the reach configuration is three, but the number of suspensions can be arbitrarily set or changed. By changing the number of pauses in this way, the degree of expectation displayed in the stop symbol display area is diversified, and the player can feel more interesting. Further, in the example shown in FIG.
The number of stoppable symbols displayed first is not limited to six, but can be set by a random number or the like.
Even with such a configuration, the degree of expectation displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 is diversified, and the player can feel more interesting. Furthermore, the number of stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 need not be deleted one by one, but may be deleted at random (for example, three, one, or two). As a result, the stop symbol display area 2
4, the degree of expectation displayed is diversified, and the player can feel more interesting. Further, the examples shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 are examples in which the stoppable symbols displayed in the stop symbol display area 24 monotonically increase or decrease with the passage of time, but are not limited to such examples. Not stopped, symbol design display area 24
May be increased and decreased with the passage of time. For example, the stoppable symbols may be increased with the passage of time, then decreased, and then increased again before stopping the middle symbol.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the symbol display device of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a game process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a symbol changing process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a variable display process.

FIG. 7 is an example of a timing chart of symbol fluctuation.

FIG. 8 shows an example of symbol fluctuation displayed on the symbol display device.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a symbol change displayed on the symbol display device.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a symbol change displayed on the symbol display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Pachinko machine 12: Game board 14: Symbol display device 22: Symbol display device 23: Special symbol display area 24: Stop symbol display area 25: Left symbol 26: Middle symbol 27: Right symbol 28: Stoppable symbol 29: Probability Display area 30: Type 1 starting port 34: Big winning opening 36: Opening / closing door 50: Solenoid 56: Starting port sensor 100: Main control unit 200: Display control unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yamada 1 Nishinokawa, Okimura, Nishiharu-cho, Nishikasuga-gun, Aichi F-term in Daiichi Shokai Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C088 AA31 AA34 AA35 AA36 AA37

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine comprising a symbol display device for variably displaying a symbol, wherein the symbol display device variably displays a symbol to allow a player to recognize whether or not a privilege can be given based on a display mode at the time of a stop of the variation. The symbol display device has a symbol display unit that variably displays symbols, and a stop symbol display unit that displays a stoppable symbol that can be stopped and displayed with respect to the symbols that are variably displayed on the symbol display unit. The display unit is capable of displaying a plurality of stoppable symbols, and each of the stoppable symbols displayed is one symbol arbitrarily selected from the symbols variably displayed on the symbol display unit. A gaming machine characterized by being. 2. A plurality of symbol rows are variably displayed on the symbol display section, and a player is made to recognize whether or not a privilege can be given based on a symbol at the time when the fluctuation of each of the symbol rows is stopped. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a stoppable symbol related to a symbol row that fluctuates and stops last among the plurality of symbol rows is displayed. 3. The number of stoppable symbols displayed on the stop symbol display unit increases or decreases from the start of the symbol change displayed on the symbol display unit to the change stop of the symbol. 3. The gaming machine according to 1 or 2.