JP2002292026A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of deepening player's understanding about the game by introducing a plurality of next-to-win presentations and allowing the player to have a sense of expectation which next-to-win presentation among those introduced will be executed by executing a presentation to select either of a plurality of next-to-win presentations introduced. SOLUTION: The game machine is equipped with a pattern displaying device which displays special patterns N1 -N3 and changes, and when the playing condition has transferred to a next-to-win condition, executes the next-to-win presentation corresponding to the next-to-win condition whereto the playing condition has transferred, wherein the pattern displaying device displays a plurality of introduce screens 205 corresponding to each type of next-to-win presentation and upon executing the presentation to select any one among the introduce screens 205 displayed, executes the next-to-win presentation corresponding to the select introduce screen 205.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, symbols related to a game are displayed and changed, and when a game state shifts to a reach state,
A gaming machine equipped with an image display device that executes a reach effect corresponding to a shifted reach state is known.

[0003] To explain in more detail, a conventional gaming machine is
The symbol related to the game displayed on the screen of the image display device is changed on condition that the game ball has passed the start winning opening. Here, the symbol related to the game refers to a special symbol in the first-class pachinko gaming machine, a normal symbol in the third-class pachinko gaming machine, or the like, which gives a profit to the player based on the display result.

[0004] When a symbol related to a game is changed, the gaming machine stops a symbol (hereinafter, referred to as a first stop symbol) which stops first among symbols relating to the game, and then stops next (hereinafter, a first symbol). 2 Stop symbol). When the second stop symbol is stopped, the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts to the reach state depending on the stop mode of the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol.

[0005] In the present specification, the reach state may be such that a symbol related to a game displays a big hit state depending on a stop state of a symbol that is stopped last among the symbols related to the game (hereinafter, referred to as a final stop symbol). It is a state. In addition, the last stop symbol may be singular,
There may be more than one.

When the gaming state shifts to the reach state, the gaming machine displays a notification image indicating that the gaming state has shifted to the reach state on the screen of the image display device, and then reaches the reach state corresponding to the shifted reach state. Perform the production. In addition, the gaming machine usually prepares a plurality of reach effects to keep the player from getting bored, and depending on the type of the reach effect to be executed, the reliability that the gaming state shifts to the jackpot state (hereinafter, referred to as the jackpot reliability). )).
Therefore, the gaming machine can suggest the jackpot reliability in accordance with the type of the reach effect to be executed, and thus the player's sense of expectation for the reach effect to be executed can be improved.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, since only the reach effect actually executed during the game among the plurality of reach effects is known by the player, the state of the game is poorly understood. There is a problem that the game is played by the player.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, since only the reach effect actually executed during the game out of the plurality of reach effects is known by the player, the reach effect that is not known by the player is displayed by the player. There was a problem that can not be expected.

Therefore, the present invention can enhance the player's understanding of the game by introducing a plurality of reach effects, and execute an effect of selecting one of the introduced reach effects. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can give a player an expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects will be executed.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention displays a symbol related to a game, changes the symbol, and when the gaming state shifts to the reach state, the shifted reach state. In a gaming machine equipped with an image display device that executes a reach effect corresponding to the, the image display device displays a plurality of effect corresponding images corresponding to each type of reach effect, the displayed plurality of effect corresponding images After performing an effect of selecting one of the effects, the reach effect corresponding to the selected effect-corresponding image is executed. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention
Since a plurality of reach effects are introduced before executing the reach effect, it is possible to deepen the player's understanding of the game. In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention can give the player an expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects will be performed, thereby attracting the player's interest.

Further, the gaming machine according to the present invention has a configuration in which the image display device displays a plurality of the effect corresponding images by variably displaying the effect corresponding images one by one. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention can further give the player an expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects is to be executed, thereby attracting the player's interest. it can.

Further, the gaming machine according to the present invention has a structure in which the reach effect corresponding to the effect corresponding image displayed by the image display device a plurality of times indicates a reliability of a game state shifting to a big hit state. ing. With this configuration,
The gaming machine of the present invention can further give the player a sense of expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects will be executed, thereby attracting the player's interest.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 1, a gaming machine 10, which is a first-type pachinko gaming machine, has a game board 13 detachably mounted on the front side thereof. The game board 13 has a transparent window on the front side of the game machine 10. A substantially circular game area 13a covered by a plate is formed. Further, below the game board 13, there are provided ball trays 15, 16 capable of accommodating game balls, and a handle 17 which is rotated by a player.

In FIG. 2, the game board 13 is provided with inner and outer guide rails 21a and 21b which surround the game area 13a and form a game ball launch path 22. The center of the game area 13a is closer to the upper side. Display screen 4
Game display device (image display device) 40 having 1
Is installed. In addition, the game area 13a of the game board 13
Of the plurality of winning openings 2 around the symbol display device 40,
3, 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B and 26, a passage gate 27, left and right windmills 28A and 28B, and left and right decoration lamps 29A and 29B are provided, respectively.

The game board 13 is provided with a ball launching device 96. The ball launching device 96 operates in accordance with the operation amount of the handle 17 and sequentially places the game balls in the game area 13a of the game board 13. (Hereinafter referred to as a launch sphere). Here, the upper end of the firing passage 22 is
Is located on the top left side of the game area 13a, and the game balls fired in the game area 13a flow down while being hit by a large number of game nails, windmills 28A, 28B, etc. arranged in the game area 13a. It has become.

More specifically, the shooting sphere flows down, for example, from the upper side of the symbol display device 40 to one of the left and right sides, and the warp route entrance 46 located on the side of the symbol display device 40.
A, 46B or from one of the stage end introduction parts 47A, 47B to the lower stage 48 of the symbol display device 40,
Alternatively, the windmill 28A or 28
B, etc., and flows down without entering the symbol display device 40, and the starting winning opening 23, the sleeve winning opening 24A, 24B,
The player enters any one of the winning prize openings 25A and 25B and the special prize opening 26, or passes through the passing gate 27, or is separated from them and enters the out opening 49.

Here, the starting winning opening 23 is a movable piece 23.
A, 23b is a tulip type that opens and closes in the left-right direction, and the entrance width can be enlarged or reduced. The sleeve winning ports 24A and 24B and the dropped winning ports 25A and 25B are general winning ports. Starting winning opening 23
When a game ball wins in the general winning opening 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, a predetermined number of prize balls (prize balls) are paid out for one winning game ball.

The display screen 41 of the symbol display device 40 displays an arbitrary image based on an image signal input.
For example, it is configured by a liquid crystal display, a CRT (cathode ray tube), a plasma display, or the like. In addition, the display screen 41 is displayed when the game ball wins the starting winning opening 23,
As shown in FIG. 3, special symbols N1, N2, and N3 such as predetermined numbers and marks (predetermined symbols) are variably displayed on the screen so as to move in the vertical direction (or other directions). The special symbols N1 to N3 are stopped in a predetermined stop mode.

Specifically, after the symbol display device 40 starts changing the special symbols N1 to N3, for example, from the stop state before the start of the change as shown in FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG. When a predetermined time elapses, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 (c) to 3 (e), the left special symbol N
1, the special symbols N1 to N3 are stopped at different timings in the order of the special symbol N3 on the right side and the special symbol N2 on the middle side. For example, a combination of stopped symbols of the special symbols N1 to N3 is a specific prize. Aspects (for example, 7 shown in FIG.
7 and 7)
A special game state advantageous to the player as compared with the normal game, that is, a big hit state.

In FIG. 2, the special winning opening 26 is provided with an opening / closing plate 26a depending on whether or not the special symbol variation stop mode in the symbol display device 40 constitutes a specific winning symbol combination (prize mode). Big win device 84 (FIG. 4)
), Is formed as a winning opening having a maximum opening width. In the jackpot state according to the present embodiment, the special winning opening 26 is opened with a period of one round until the opening operation time of the opening and closing plate 26a reaches a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winning balls are generated. Game balls can be introduced into the special winning opening 26 with a high probability with the door open. Further, when the game ball passes through a passing type specific ball sensor 26b disposed in a specific area in the special winning opening 26 (or when a special winning opening 26 is won within a predetermined time from the start of the round), the cycle of the current opening is established. The operation of opening the opening / closing plate 26a again one round after the end of the (first round) can be repeated up to 15 rounds depending on the number of continuation rights acquired by the specific ball, and up to 16 rounds when counted from the first time. Has become.

A plurality of ordinary symbol display LEDs 35a and 35b are provided on the upper portion of the symbol display device 40. The ordinary symbol display LEDs 35a and 35b are
When the game ball on 3 passes through the passage gate 27 and the passing ball sensor 37 (see FIG. 4) detects this game ball, a normal symbol variation display is performed by alternately blinking two colors (for example, red and green). It has become. Then, when the fluctuation of the ordinary symbol is stopped by the LED of a predetermined color, the movable pieces 23a and 23b of the starting winning opening 23 open right and left.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the gaming machine 10 includes a main control circuit 50 for performing main control, a display control circuit 60 for performing display control of the display screen 41, and a main control circuit 50. And a relay board 70 having an input / output interface function.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main control circuit 50 is a main ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a read-only memory storing a control program for executing main control.
y) 51, a main RAM (Random Access Memory) 52 that is a memory that can be read and written as needed, and a main MPU that is an arithmetic processing unit that executes a predetermined control operation according to a control program stored in the main ROM 51.
(Micro Processor Unit) 53. The main MPU 53 includes an initial reset circuit 54,
A reset clock pulse generating circuit 55 for outputting a reset signal for main control periodically (for example, every 3 msec) is additionally provided.

The main MPU 53, as shown in FIG.
The input of the reset signal that occurs periodically causes the main R
The processing of the control program stored in the OM 51 is started, sensor information of the sensors 26b, 31 to 34, 36, 37, etc., various setting data and determination tables stored in the main ROM 51 in advance, and operation from each operation unit Signals, and
In addition to the display control circuit 60, a sound control circuit 92 based on random number extraction values from various random number counters provided therein.
And a control command is also output to the prize ball control circuit 94 and the like,
The symbol display device 40 and various actuators are respectively driven and controlled.

The various random number counters include, for example, those shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a big hit determination random number counter 53a used to determine whether or not the variation results of the special symbols N1 to N3 on the display screen 41 are "big hits" (big hit determination).
When the determination result in the big hit determination is “losing” (missing), the random number counter 53 b for determining a special symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display screen 41 and when the determination result in the big hit determination is “big hit” Big hit symbol determination random number counter 53c used to select a special symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display screen 41 (selection of which special symbol to align)
And a fluctuation pattern of special symbols N1 to N3, a fluctuation pattern number determination random number counter 53d used for selecting an effect group to be described later, and a reach state when the determination result in the big hit determination is "losing". There is a reach operation determination random number counter 53e used for determining whether or not the operation is performed. The lost symbol determination random number counter 53b is
It is composed of three counters, a “left symbol determining random number counter”, a “medium symbol determining random number counter”, and a “right symbol determining random number counter”, each of which performs an updating process separately.

Here, the big hit determination random number counter 53a
The update range is, for example, “0 to 334”, and is counted up (added one by one) for each update process, counted up from the lower limit 0 to the upper limit 334, and again set to the lower limit 0. It is configured to restart counting up from. In addition, a random number counter 53 for determining a lost symbol
b, the update ranges of the jackpot symbol determination random number counter 53c, the variation pattern number determination random number counter 53d, and the reach operation determination random number counter 53e are, for example, "0-11", "0-11", "0", respectively. 〜１０1023 ”,
And "0-9".

The sound control circuit 92 generates a sound signal in response to a sound generation command output from the main control circuit 50 in accordance with a game state, and outputs the generated sound signal to a speaker 93 as sound output means. To output a sound corresponding to the output sound signal. In addition, the prize ball control circuit 94 includes various winning ports 23 and 24.
In response to a prize ball payout command output from the main control circuit 50 in accordance with a prize to A, 24B, 25A, 25B and 26, the prize ball device 95 is driven to pay out game balls,
In response to a ball firing command output from the main control circuit 50, the ball firing device 96 is driven to fire a game ball.

With the above configuration, the main control circuit 50
As the main control, when the start winning prize is detected by the starting winning ball sensor 33, a big hit determination process is performed as to whether or not the fluctuation game of the special symbols N1 to N3 is a big hit, or the determination result in the big hit determination process is The special symbol stop mode (stop symbol) is determined accordingly, and the process of determining the pattern number of the variation pattern of the special symbol and the effect display pattern is executed according to the determination result in the big hit determination process. I have. In addition, the main control circuit 50 executes, as main control, a command to launch a game ball or pay out a prize ball, or to notify a game state by voice or lamp display.

The display control circuit 60 includes a main control circuit 5
A sub MPU 63 for interpreting a control command (hereinafter, referred to as a reception command) received from the main control circuit 50 and setting predetermined parameters, and a sub MPU
A program ROM 61 for storing an image control program executed by the PU 63;
3, a work RAM 62 for exchanging data with an image ROM 6, and an image ROM 6 for storing dot data for forming an image.
4 and a VDP (Video Display Process) for reading dot data in the image ROM 64 in accordance with parameters set by the sub-MPU 63 and generating image data to be displayed.
sor) 65 and the image data generated by the VDP 65
A D / A converter 66 for converting to a GB signal and detecting that the image control program has entered an abnormal processing routine.
CTC having a watchdog timer function for generating a reset instruction for initializing PU 63 and VDP 65
(Count Timer Controller) 67 and a reset I which generates a reset signal in response to a reset command from the CTC 67.
C68.

With the above configuration, the display control circuit 6
0 is displayed on the display screen 41 of the symbol display device 40 according to various commands from the main control circuit 50 (for example, a variation pattern determination command, a left symbol stop command, a right symbol stop command, a middle symbol stop command, and a symbol determination command). The variable display and the effect display of the special symbols N1 to N3 are executed. More specifically, the display control circuit 60 executes the fluctuation control of the special symbols N1 to N3 based on the fluctuation pattern determination command from the main control circuit 50, and performs a plurality of different effect image elements and the like during the reach effect. Is selected from among a plurality of effect patterns that appear at different frequencies, and the symbol display device 40
Of the selected effect pattern (for example, a normal effect and a reach effect) on the display screen 41. Further, the display control circuit 60 includes:
When the special symbols N1 to N3 are variably displayed on the display screen 41, effect display control based on a predetermined effect story is executed using a plurality of effect characters.

The relay board 70 includes various electric actuators, for example, in the game board 13 or in the game board 13.
A peripheral LED display device 81, a lamp display device 82 for producing and informing of a gaming state, a start winning device 83 forming the starting winning opening 23, and a door opening / closing large winning device forming the large winning opening 26. 84 and the like are connected. In addition, the starting winning opening 23, the general winning opening 24A, 24B, 25A, 25
B, the passing gate 27 and the special winning opening 26, the starting winning ball sensor 33, the general winning ball sensor 34, the passing ball sensor 3
7. A special winning ball sensor 36 and a specific ball sensor 26b (the specific ball sensor 26b may not be provided) are additionally provided, and a firing ball sensor 32 and a game of the game board 13 after firing are provided in the firing passage 22. A return ball sensor 31 that detects a game ball that has returned and flowed down without reaching the area 13a is provided. The sensors 26b, 31-34, 36, 37, etc. are connected to the main control circuit 50.
Is connected to the main control circuit 50 via a relay board 70 so as to provide detection information to the main control circuit 50.

Next, the operation and effect of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment will be described.

Since the gaming machine 10 is configured as described above, it operates as follows. First, when the starting winning ball sensor 33 outputs a winning detection signal at the starting winning port 23, the main control circuit 50 executes a jackpot determination, and the symbol display device 40 displays the change of the special symbols N1 to N3 and other symbols. Various control commands related to game control are determined. Next, based on the determination of the main control circuit 50, the display control circuit 60 generates data for the variable display and the effect display of the special symbols N1 to N3 on the symbol display device 40. Next, the special symbols N1 to N4 based on the variable display generated by the display control circuit 60.
The stop mode of N3 is a specific prize mode, and the main control circuit 50
If the big hit determination result is "big hit", the opening / closing plate 26a of the big winning port 26 is opened and the game ball wins with a high probability, and the big hit state is much more advantageous to the player than the normal game. Become.

More specifically, the main control circuit 50 performs a "main game control process" shown in FIG. 6, an "interrupt process" shown in FIG. 7, and a "special symbol game control process" shown in FIG. Be executed. (Main game control processing and interrupt processing)

In the "main game control process" shown in FIG.
First, an interrupt permission flag is set (step S1),
Next, a process of updating the lost symbol determination random number counter 53b and the reach operation determination random number counter 53e is performed (step S2). Next, it is determined whether or not a command is being transmitted from the main control circuit 50 to each of the control circuits such as the display control circuit 60, the sound control circuit 92, and the prize ball control circuit 94 (step S3). If it is in the middle, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if the command is not being sent, a command for the error check process is generated (step S4), and the error check process is executed based on the generated command (step S5).

Next, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred (step S6). If an error has occurred, the process returns to step S1. If no error has occurred, a "special symbol game control process" described later is executed. Later (step S7), the process returns to step S1.

The "interrupt processing" shown in FIG. 7 is performed periodically (for example, every 3 msec) on condition that the interrupt permission flag is set in step S1 in the above-mentioned "main game control processing" or in step S20 described later. ) Is executed. In the "interrupt processing", first, in order to temporarily save the current program, the data of each register is saved in a predetermined area of the main RAM 52 (step S1).
0), the big hit determination random number counter 53a, the big hit symbol determination random number counter 53c, and the variation pattern number determination random number counter 53d are updated (step S1).
1). Next, various timers are initialized (step S1).
2), input processing of various sensor information and the like is executed (step S13).

By the various input processes, for example, a change command of a normal symbol is generated in accordance with the detection signal of the passing ball sensor 37, and a prize ball payout command is generated in accordance with the detection signal of the winning ball sensor 34. In accordance with the detection signal of the starting winning ball sensor 33, generation of a winning ball payout command and special symbol N1
The number of wins stored as a change start command for N3 (for example, up to 4 in accordance with the number of start winning balls, the special symbols N1 to N
3 is subtracted each time the variable game is executed).

Next, in step S14, a normal symbol changing process is performed by the normal symbol display LEDs 35a and 35b. In this process, after a winning determination is made on the variation of the ordinary symbol, the normal symbol display LEDs 35a and 35b are stopped based on the determination result (for example, which of the two colors of the ordinary symbol displaying LEDs 35a and 35b is stopped). Is controlled).

Next, the control of the illuminated parts such as the decorative lamps 29A and 29B is executed (step S15), and the payout processing, that is, the prize ball (game game) according to the prize ball payout command outputted in the processing of step S13. The processing of paying out the ball) is executed (step S16).

Next, predetermined error processing is executed for error signals from various devices of the gaming machine 10 (step S17), and various commands stored in the main RAM 52 are displayed by the display control circuit 60 and the sound control unit. After performing transmission data output processing for transmission to various control circuits such as the control circuit 92 (step S18), the data of each register saved in a predetermined area of the main RAM 52 in step S10 is restored (step S19). Then, an interrupt permission flag is set to recover the interrupted / evacuated program (step S20), and the current "interrupt processing" is performed.
To end. The various commands stored in the main RAM 52 include commands generated in a “special symbol game control process” described later. (Control of special symbol game on the main control circuit side)

"Special symbol game control processing" shown in FIG.
Is repeatedly executed in the “main game control process” as described above. In the "special symbol game control process", first, it is determined whether or not there is a start winning (step S2).
1) If there is no start winning, the process proceeds to the demo screen process (step S22). In the demonstration screen processing, for example, the main control circuit 5
It is determined whether or not the title demo screen is switched by the timer function of 0 based on whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 50 seconds) has elapsed since the last fluctuation stop. The title demonstration screen is, for example, a demonstration display for giving an overview of the gaming machine 10 and for introducing characters appearing in the effect display.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that there is a winning start, step S11 of "interrupt processing" is executed.
The count value of the big hit judgment random number counter 53a updated in the above is read as a big hit judgment random number,
Referring to the jackpot determination table stored in 51,
It is determined whether it is a “big hit” (step S2
6). In this big hit determination table, for example, if the big hit determination random number is 7, it is “big hit”, and the big hit determination random number is another number in the update range, that is, 0 to 6 or 8 to 3
In the case of 34, a determination item of "losing" is set.

The result of the determination in step S26 is "big hit".
If so, the count value of the big hit symbol determination random number counter 53c updated in step S11 of the above “interrupt processing” is read as a big hit stop mode selection random number,
Referring to the jackpot stop mode selection table stored in the main ROM 51, one of a plurality of predetermined jackpot stop modes is selected and determined as a jackpot symbol (step S30). The big hit symbol determined in step S30 is in a stop mode determined after stopping the fluctuation of the special symbols N1 to N3. The big hit stop mode selection table is for selecting a stop mode in which three special symbols of the same mode such as “7, 7, 7” are arranged according to a random number value. In addition, it includes a stop mode in which marks other than numerals are combined, such as an image of a specific character, an image representing flowers and fruits, and the like. The types of special symbols in the present embodiment are, for example, 12 types. In addition, the special symbol of the jackpot stop mode is displayed on the display screen 41.
Is stored in the image ROM 64 of the display control circuit 60. In the above-described jackpot stop mode selection table, a code number for identifying each jackpot stop mode is assigned, and the code number of the selected jackpot stop mode is determined by a first stop symbol number designation command and a second stop symbol number command described later. The stop symbol number designation command and the third stop symbol number designation command are respectively set.

If the determination in step S26 is "losing", the count value of the reach operation determination random number counter 53e updated in step S2 of the "main game control process" is read as a reach determination random number.
The presence / absence of reach (whether or not a reach state is to be generated) is determined with reference to the reach determination table stored in step S27. In the reach determination table, for example, when the reach determination random number is “0”, it is determined that “reach is present”, and when the reach determination random number is “1 to 9”, it is determined that “reach is absent”. Thus, the random value and the judgment item are associated with each other.

If the result of determination in step S27 is "reach available", step S2 of "main game control processing"
The count values of the left symbol determining random number counter, the medium symbol determining random number counter, and the right symbol determining random number counter of the losing symbol determining random number counter 53b updated in the above are respectively referred to as "first stop symbol determining random number", ""1st stop symbol selection table", "2nd stop symbol selection table", read out as "2nd stop symbol determination random number" and "3rd stop symbol determination random number", and
With reference to the "3rd stop symbol selection table",
The special symbol constituting the fixed stop mode in the case of "losing" is determined (step S28). Note that the order of stopping the special symbols is arbitrary, but in the gaming machine 10, the order is left symbol-right symbol-medium symbol. Also, if the first stop symbol is a "first stop symbol", the second stop symbol is a "second stop symbol", and the third stop symbol is a "third stop symbol (final stop symbol)", "1st stop symbol" is "2nd stop symbol" from "1st stop symbol selection table".
From the "stop symbol selection table", the "third stop symbol" is selected from the "third stop symbol selection table".

In the determination process of the reach-losing stop symbol in step S28, the first stop symbol selection table is read from the first stop symbol selection table based on the read "first stop symbol determination random number".
A symbol to be displayed on the display screen 41 as a stop symbol (for example, a left symbol N1) is selected, and a special symbol in the same mode as the left stop symbol is set to a second stop symbol (for example, a right or middle symbol N3) so as to be in a reach state. Or N2). Further, based on the read “third stop symbol determining random number”,
A special symbol to be displayed as the third symbol is selected from the "stop symbol selection table". Here, since it is a determination of "losing", if the selected third stop symbol is in the same mode as the first and second stop symbols, a special symbol shifted by one frame is set as the third stop symbol.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S27 is "no reach", a left symbol determination random number counter of the lost symbol determination random number counter 53b updated in step S2 and a medium symbol determination Read the count values of the random number counter and the right symbol determination random number counter as first to third stop symbol selection random numbers, respectively.
With reference to the first to third stop symbol selection tables stored in the main ROM 51, a special symbol constituting a fixed stop mode in the case of "losing" is determined (step S2).
9). Here, first, the first stop symbol and the third stop symbol are selected based on the read “random number for first stop symbol selection” and “random number for third stop symbol selection”, and it is determined that there is no “reach”. Therefore, if the selected second stop symbol is the same symbol as the first stop symbol, the symbol shifted by one frame is selected as the second stop symbol.

Each of the first, second, and third stop symbol selection tables is assigned a code number for identifying each stop symbol, and the code number of each stop symbol selected in each table is assigned. First, second and third
Is set as the stop symbol number designation command.

When the final stop mode is determined in this way, the effect group selection table stored in the main ROM 51 is referred to based on the results of the big hit determination and the reach presence / absence determination, and is updated in step S11. The count value of the fluctuating pattern number determination random number counter 53d is read, and a group of effect images to be displayed is selected (step S31).

In the effect group selection process, effect patterns such as a normal effect and a reach effect described later are divided into a plurality of groups. In each effect such as a normal effect and a reach effect, one of the effect groups is determined. Is to be selected. In addition, a variation pattern number is assigned to each of the effect groups, and the type and reach time of the reach effect are set. If the determination is "big hit", the effect group corresponding to any of the variation pattern number ranges of "big hit" is selected, and if the determination is "losing" and "reaching", "losing" and " An effect group corresponding to any of the variation pattern number ranges of “reach present” is selected.

When the mode of stopping the special symbols N1 to N3 and the effect group are determined, a display control command for the display control circuit 60 is generated so that the screen display according to the determined content is performed on the display screen 41 (step S32). Then, the generated display control command is stored in the main RAM 52 (step S33). The display control command stored in the main RAM 52 is transmitted to the display control circuit 60 by the transmission data output process (step S18) of the “interrupt process” described above.

The display control commands here are, for example, an effect group designation command and first to third stop symbol number designation commands depending on the control contents. The effect group designation command includes information for specifying a jackpot determination result, the presence or absence of a reach, a reach effect, and the presence or absence of a development notice.

When the display control command is stored in the main RAM 52, the animation display time set for the selected effect group is set in the animation display time management timer, and counting is performed from the start of display (step S34). . Then, the animation display time management timer sets the set value (for example, the remaining time t =
0) (“YES” in step S35), the determined command is stored in the main RAM 52 (step S3).
6). The fixed command is a control command for requesting a complete stop of the variable display of the special symbol, and is sent to the display control circuit 60 to control the variable display to be stopped. In addition,
The determination command is also transmitted to the display control circuit 60 by the transmission data output processing of the above-described “interrupt processing” (step S18).
Sent to.

Next, it is determined whether or not it is a "big hit" (step S37). If the determination result is "losing"("NO" in step S37), the "special symbol game control process" of this time is ended. However, if the determination result is “big hit” (“YES” in step S37), the speaker 93
(Hereinafter referred to as a "big hit notification sound output command") and a special game state start screen for notifying the start of the special game state to be displayed on the display screen 41. A command (hereinafter, referred to as a special game state start screen display command) is stored in the main RAM 52, and a special game state control process for performing time management and the like relating to the special game state is executed (step S38). Next, a predetermined determination process is performed according to whether or not the special winning opening 26 is in the opening operation, and after the round of the big hit game is continued, the display screen 41 of the special game state end screen for notifying the end of the special game state is made. (Hereinafter referred to as a special game state end screen display command)
Is stored in the main RAM 52 (step S39), and the "special symbol game control process" this time is ended. The jackpot notification sound output command, the special game state start screen display command, and the special game state end screen display command are:
The data is transmitted to the display control circuit 60 by the transmission data output processing (step S18) of the above-described “interruption processing”. (Display control by display control circuit)

In response to various control commands from the main control circuit 50 for performing the above-described control, the display control circuit 60 performs “main display control processing” shown in FIG. The “interrupt processing of main board STB input” shown in FIG. 10 and the “timer interrupt processing” shown in FIG. 11 are executed, and a plurality of “task control processing” shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 and “task control processing” shown in FIG. Interrupt processing for display output "is executed.

First, in the "main display control process" shown in FIG.
The initial setting process of the operation of the PU 63 is executed (step S51), and after the work RAM 62 is cleared (step S52), the initial setting process of the operation of the VDP 65 is executed (step S53). “Mother task processing” is started (step S5)
4). That is, when power is supplied to the display control circuit 60 when the power of the gaming machine 10 is turned on, it is checked whether an abnormality has occurred in the program ROM 61, the image ROM 64, and the like, and the operations of the sub MPU 63, the work RAM 62, and the VDP 65 are performed. Is initialized.

The "interrupt processing of the main board STB input" shown in FIG.
robe) signal, and is executed. First, it is determined whether or not the loop in this processing is the second time (step S4).
1) If it is the second time, the current “interrupt processing of main board STB input” is ended. On the other hand, if it is not the second time, various control commands from the main control circuit 50 are received twice (step S42, step S43), and it is determined whether all the received commands are the same (step S44). If it is determined that the received commands are all the same, the received data is stored in the work RAM 62 (step S45), and the current “main board STB input interrupt processing” ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that the received commands are not all the same, the process returns to step S41. That is,
After confirming that the received command has been reliably received, the memory storage processing is performed, and a standby state for waiting for the reception of the next control command is entered, thereby terminating the current “main board STB input interrupt processing”.

The "timer interrupt processing" shown in FIG. 11 is, for example, an interrupt processing that is performed every 2 msec. After determining the preceding and succeeding data of the received command, the data of the received command is used for "mother task processing" described later. A generation process for performing the conversion is performed (step S46), and a process such as interpretation of the received command is performed (step S47).

In the "mother task process" started in step S54, as shown in FIG.
After the initial setting process for screen display by P65 is performed (step S55), it is determined whether or not the fluctuation pattern has been designated by the main control circuit 50 (step S5).
6) If a fluctuation pattern is specified, a “variation pattern setting process” described later is executed (step S57), and a “director file animation control task” described later is started (step S58), and further “animation” described later is executed. The display task is started (step S59).

Next, a special symbol setting process is executed (step S61). In the special symbol setting process, it is determined whether or not a symbol to be stopped next is designated in the stop order of the first to third stop symbols, and if so, a setting process for the fluctuation of the symbol is performed. On the other hand, if it has not been specified, it is checked whether or not another stop symbol has been specified, or whether or not a variation pattern has been specified.

Next, it is determined whether or not all the left, right, and middle stop symbols have been designated and the symbols have been determined (step S6).
6) If it is determined, a symbol determination setting process for setting a determination flag to 1 is executed (step S67). If not determined, step S67 is not executed and the process proceeds to step S56 in a task control waiting state. It returns (step S68).
The processes in steps S56 to S59 are executed each time a change pattern is specified. In the “mother task process”, when the control command is confirmed to be received, the designation information of the received command is stored in the work RAM 62 of the display control circuit 60. The type of the received command here corresponds to the type of the display control command described above (effect group designation command, first to third stop symbol number designation command, confirmation command, and the like).

In the "variation pattern setting process" shown in FIG. 13, first, the determination flag is reset to zero (step S71), and then the variation pattern number determination random number counter 53
The change pattern information of the number corresponding to the random number extracted by d is set (step S72), the change control task is started (step S73), the change animation setting task is started (step S74), and the special symbol reel is further set. The processing task is started (Step S75). here,
If there is an effect group designation command as the variation pattern information, one animation sequence program is selected from the program ROM 61 based on this command and set in a predetermined area in the work RAM 62. Further, any one of the variation control task sequence programs is selected based on the read effect group designation command. Then, based on these programs, control processing relating to variable display of special symbols is executed, and control processing relating to animation display including effect images is executed.

In the above-described variable animation setting task (step S74), a predictive image of the occurrence of reach, an effect image after the reach, an effect image on the big hit screen, and the like are set. Animation data and characters to be displayed are sorted and grouped based on data such as a sorting table prepared in advance. The images of the plurality of types of characters and items are used alone or in combination. When animation data is distributed, regardless of the presence or absence of signs or reach effects, animation setting processing that becomes a common variable display part is performed, and processing to wait for the completion of the `` director file animation control task processing '' described later Is done.

The above-mentioned special symbol reel processing task (step S75) is a process of converting the display coordinate data of the special symbol into screen coordinates on the display screen 41. Here, the display area 41a of each symbol on the display screen 41
The generation process of the symbol objects displayed on the display objects 41 to 41c is as follows.
Basically, the special symbol N1, N2, or N3 displayed in each of the display areas 41a to 41c is set as a symbol mode imitating a symbol row of a reel, and the image is changed in a change direction (for example, up and down direction).
When each dot is divided by one dot, the setting of which dot position is to be displayed at the first dot position in the vertical direction of the display area 41a, 41b or 41c is performed. That is, the coordinates of each of the four corners of the three display areas 41a to 41c for displaying the special symbols N1 to N3 on the display screen 41 are determined, and the coordinates of each of the above points are continuously changed, so that each of the display areas is changed. The images constituting the special symbols N1 to N3 in 41a to 41c change continuously.

In the "director file animation control task" shown in FIG. 14, first, it is determined whether or not the display screen 41 is in an animation initialization state (step S).
81) If it is an initialization state, initialization of animation data is performed (step S82). It is determined that the display screen 41 is not in the initialization state of the animation, or
When step S82 is executed, an “animation control process” described later is executed (step S83), a process for waiting for task control is executed (step S84), and the process returns to step S81 again. Therefore, each time the animation is initialized, the initialization of the animation data and the “animation control processing” are executed.

"Animation control processing" shown in FIG.
First, the display period is checked using a counter (not shown) in the display control circuit 60 (hereinafter, referred to as a display period counter) as a timer for managing the number of animation frames set (step S13).
1). Then, from the current animation display data (hereinafter referred to as display coordinate data) and the next display coordinate data, it is determined whether or not the display period (set value of the display period counter) needs to be reset. If there is, the difference between the current display coordinate data and the next display coordinate data is adjusted (step S133). If resetting is not necessary, the display period counter is incremented by one from the start of display (step S132), and then it is determined whether the value of the display period counter is lower than the value of the designated display period. (Step S134). If the value of the display period counter is lower than the value of the designated display period, the current “animation control process” is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S134 that the value of the display period counter is not smaller than the value of the designated display period, the data of the animation sequence program (animation pointer) set in the received command analysis processing ends. It is determined whether or not the code has been reached (step S135). Here, the animation sequence program is composed of a plurality of data to which respective addresses are assigned, and each data is read and processed in the order of the addresses. The data constituting the animation sequence program includes a reach effect code, an effect pattern determination process execution code, and an end code. In the reach effect code, animation data based on the “effect group” selected under the control of the special symbol game and the number of animation frames are set. The effect pattern selection processing execution code includes an effect pattern selection / selection that determines and determines the animation that is the content of the normal effect from the start of the fluctuation to the reach effect.
An execution request for the determination process and the number of animation frames of “normal effect” are set. The end code indicates the end of the animation display.

If the data of the animation sequence program has not reached the end code, the work RA
The address of the animation pointer which is a predetermined area of M62 is added up to the address of the next data (step S
136). For example, the address of the animation pointer is added up to the address of the animation data of the standby screen, which is the next data. Next, it is checked whether or not there is a jump code designating jumping to the specified address (step S137). If there is, the address data of the animation pointer is saved in the jump pointer (specified address) (step S137). S13
8). Next, the next animation data is loaded according to the animation pointer (step S139),
The display period counter is cleared to zero (step S14)
0).

"V_Sync interrupt processing" shown in FIG.
Is an interrupt process that is performed every 16.6 msec (1/60 second), and is synchronized with the start timing of the non-display period of the display screen 41. During the non-display period, the data of the next address of the animation data stored in the above-described animation pointer is transferred to the VDP 65 (step S165), and after the display coordinate data of the special symbol is transferred (step S166), A task control process for controlling the operation of the started task is executed (step S167). In this task control process, each task performs processing by V_Sync (Vertica).
l Synchronizing signal (vertical synchronizing signal), and the operation is temporarily passed to the task control processing. When the animation data is input, the VDP 65 reads dot data corresponding to the animation data from the image ROM 64 and generates image data to be displayed. Then, the generated image data is converted into an RGB signal by the D / A converter 66 and output to the display screen 41. (Variation display and production display)

Next, specific examples of the variable display and the effect display on the display screen 41 will be described.

FIGS. 17 to 23 are views for explaining examples of the variable display and the effect display in the present embodiment. First,
In this example, when the power of the gaming machine 10 is turned on, the game screen is switched from the title screen display to the normal game screen for a predetermined time, and the screen shifts to the normal game start screen. On the start screen of the normal game, a predetermined demonstration display is started and a normal game state is set. In the display area of the effect image (display area excluding the symbol display areas 41a to 41c in the display screen 41), the effect display entitled "Monkey Olympics" is executed in the effect story of the monkey by the monkey.

First, in the normal game screen before the change, FIG.
As shown in (a), the previous fluctuation stop symbols N1 to N3 are displayed, and the monkey 201 is going to perform the “gym exercise” using the hanging wheel 202. When there is a winning start, as shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, the special symbol N
At the same time as the fluctuation of 1 to N3 is started (see timing 301 in FIG. 20), the monkey 201 starts the performance of “gymnastics” using the suspension wheel 202. Then, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, after the left symbol N1 serving as the first stop symbol has stopped (see timing 302 in FIG. 20), FIG.
As shown in (b), the right symbol N3 serving as the second stop symbol stops (see timing 303 in FIG. 20). When the right symbol N3 stops and the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 are aligned, the monkey 201 succeeds in landing as shown in FIG. 18B, but the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 are not. If not aligned, the monkey 201 is directed to fail to land.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the left symbol N1
When the right symbol N3 is aligned, as shown in FIG. 18 (c), after the reach notification image 203 for notifying that the reach has been established by the characters “Reach!” Is displayed, as shown in FIG. , The monkey 204 dressed as a female announcer
Introductory screen 2 shows Olympic competitions other than "gymnastics"
A news mode to be introduced with reference to FIG. In FIG. 19A, “soccer” is introduced as an athletic event other than “gymnastics”. However, as an introduced athletic event, for example, “judo”, “hammer throw” And "hurdles". To explain in more detail, the introduction screen 205 is displayed as shown in FIG.
21 (a) to (c), gradually disappears from the size shown in FIG. 21 and disappears, and then gradually increases as shown in FIGS. 22 (a) to (c). It changes by repeating the operation of being displayed again in the size shown in the figure, and each time it is displayed, a different competition event is introduced.

Then, an effect of stopping the fluctuation of the introduction screen 205, that is, an effect of selecting one of a plurality of introduction screens 205 of "soccer", "judo", "throw hammer" and "hurdle" is executed ( Introducing screen 205 when stopped (see timing 304 in FIG. 20)
Reach production related to the sporting event introduced by will begin. For example, as shown in FIG. 19A, when the competition type introduced on the introduction screen 205 when the fluctuation stops is “soccer”, it is called “soccer reach” as shown in FIG. 19B. If the competition type introduced by the introduction screen 205 when the reach production starts and the fluctuation stops is “judo”, “hammer throw” or “hurdle”, it is not shown in the figure, but “judo reach” is not shown. , "Hammer throw reach" or "hard reach" starts. That is, the symbol display device 40 displays “soccer reach”, “judo reach”, “hammer throw reach”, and “hard reach”.
After displaying a plurality of introduction screens 205 as effect corresponding images corresponding to each type of reach effect, performing an effect of selecting one of the displayed plurality of introduction screens 205, the selected introduction screen 205 is displayed. Execute the corresponding reach effect.

Finally, in each reach production,
When the middle symbol N2, which is the third stopped symbol, stops (FIG. 20).
If the left symbol N1, the right symbol N3, and the middle symbol N2 are aligned, the gaming state will be a big hit state, and if not aligned, it will be "losing".

As described above, since the gaming machine 10 introduces a plurality of reach effects on the introduction screen 205 before executing the reach effect, the player can deepen the understanding of the game. In addition, the gaming machine 10 can give the player a sense of expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects is to be executed, thereby attracting the player's interest.

The gaming machine 10 also displays an introduction screen 205
Since a plurality of images are displayed by variably displaying one image at a time, it is possible to further give the player an expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects will be executed. Note that the method of displaying a plurality of effect corresponding images may be a method other than the method of changing and displaying one image at a time.
For example, as shown in FIG. 23, an introduction screen 211 of “soccer” corresponding to “soccer reach”, “judo reach”
"Judo" introduction screen 212 corresponding to "", "Hammer throw" introduction screen 21 corresponding to "" Hammer throw reach ""
3 and "Hurdle" corresponding to "Hurdle Reach"
May be displayed at the same time.
In this case, as an effect of selecting any one of the displayed introduction screens 211 to 214, for example, the introduction screen 21
A frame 220 enclosing any one of 1-22
To 214, and the introduction screens 211 to 2
Among 14, there is an effect of selecting the introduction screen surrounded by the frame 220 when the frame 220 stops.

Also, “soccer reach”, “judo reach”, “hammer throw reach”, and “hard reach”
Is different from each other, the gaming machine 10 can further give the player an expectation as to which of the introduced reach effects will be executed.

In the above description, the reach notification image 2
03 (see FIG. 18 (c)) is displayed, the reach effect performed after executing the news mode is described. However, the gaming machine 10 executes the news mode after the reach notification image 203 is displayed. A reach effect performed without performing may be further provided.

Although the gaming machine 10 is a pachinko gaming machine in the above embodiment, the gaming machine of the present invention stores a program for realizing the above-described display control function in a storage device or a recording medium. The present invention can be implemented using hardware resources having an appropriate display screen, and can be applied to a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. In short, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other game machines in which game media such as game balls and game medals are not actually paid out only by screen display, and the number of earned points is increased by hitting.

[0084]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By introducing a plurality of reach effects, it is possible to deepen the player's understanding of the game, and by performing an effect of selecting any of the introduced plurality of reach effects, any of the introduced reach effects is performed. A gaming machine that can give a player an expectation as to whether or not a reach effect is executed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a front view of a gaming board of the gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a variable display of a special symbol in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a main control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a main game control program of a main control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

7 is a flowchart of an interrupt processing program of a main control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

8 is a flowchart of a special symbol game control process in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

9 is a main flowchart of an image control processing program of a display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing an interrupt processing program for command reception of a display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing an interrupt processing program for creating task control data of a received command of the display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

12 is a flowchart of a mother task processing program of a display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

13 is a flowchart of a variation pattern setting processing program of a display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

14 is a flowchart of a director file animation control task process of the display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

15 is a flowchart of an animation control process of a display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.

16 is a diagram showing V of a display control circuit in the gaming machine shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart of _Sync interrupt processing.

17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams of a fluctuating screen of an example of an effect in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. To 3rd stop symbols are shown, respectively.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of a screen following the change screen of FIG. 17,
(A) shows the screen when the left symbol stops, (b) shows the screen when the right symbol stops, and (c) shows the reach notification screen.

19A and 19B are explanatory diagrams of a screen subsequent to the reach notification screen of FIG. 18, wherein FIG. 19A shows a screen in a news mode, and FIG. 19B shows a screen in a soccer reach.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing display timings of a variable display of a plurality of special symbols and a news mode.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are detailed explanatory diagrams of a screen in the news mode shown in FIG. 19A, wherein FIG. 21A shows a screen before reduction of the introduction screen is started, and FIG. ,
(C) shows a screen during reduction of the introduction screen.

FIG. 22 is a detailed explanatory view of a screen in the news mode shown in FIG. 19A, in which FIG. 22A shows a screen immediately after the start of expansion of the introduction screen, FIG. (C) shows the enlarged screen of the introduction screen.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a screen in the news mode in a different mode from the news mode shown in FIG. 19 (a).

[Explanation of symbols]

 N1 special symbol (game-related symbols) N2 special symbol (game-related symbols) N3 special symbol (game-related symbols) 40 symbol display device (image display device) 10 gaming machine 205 introduction screen (staging-compatible image) 211 introduction screen (staging-compatible) Image) 212 Introduction Screen (Direction Compatible Image) 213 Introduction Screen (Direction Compatible Image) 214 Introduction Screen (Direction Compatible Image)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine comprising an image display device for displaying and changing symbols related to a game, and executing a reach effect corresponding to the shifted reach state when the gaming state shifts to the reach state. The image display device displays a plurality of effect corresponding images corresponding to each type of the reach effect, performs an effect of selecting any one of the displayed plurality of effect corresponding images, and then executes the effect corresponding to the selected effect corresponding image. A gaming machine that executes the corresponding reach effect. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said image display device displays a plurality of said effect-corresponding images by variably displaying them one by one. 3. The reach effect corresponding to the effect-corresponding images displayed by the image display device a plurality of times indicates a reliability of a game state shifting to a big hit state. The gaming machine described.