JP2002336477A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that makes an unexpected production without damaging the continuity of the production by changing patterns that are once stopped variation to another patterns. SOLUTION: A display control circuit 60 executes a special pattern change 182 to change a right pattern N3 on the display screen 41 of a pattern display device 40, when a combination of the left pattern N1 and the right pattern N3 is a prescribed combination, though the left pattern N1 as the first stopped pattern and the right pattern N3 as the first stopped pattern in a special pattern variation control 181 are different patterns.

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, a plurality of symbols related to a game (hereinafter, referred to as a plurality of symbols).
A symbol related to a game is called a game symbol. A game machine is known which has an image display device for displaying and changing the game state, suggesting that the game state changes to the big hit state by changing a plurality of game symbols and combining the plurality of game symbols when the game is stopped. ing.

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

[0004] When the game symbol is changed, the gaming machine stops a symbol which stops first (hereinafter, referred to as a first stop symbol) among a plurality of game symbols, and a symbol which stops next (hereinafter, referred to as a first symbol).
It is called a second stop symbol. ) Is stopped, and then the last symbol to be stopped out of the plurality of game symbols (hereinafter, referred to as a final stopped symbol) is stopped. When the final stop symbol is stopped,
The gaming machine suggests that the gaming state shifts to the big hit state by a combination of the first stop symbol, the second stop symbol, and the final stop symbol. For example, in the gaming machine, when the first stop symbol, the second stop symbol, and the final stop symbol are all the same symbol, the gaming state shifts to the big hit state.

When the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol are stopped in the gaming machine, the gaming state shifts to the reach state by a combination of the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol. For example, when the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol are the same symbol, the gaming machine indicates that the gaming state has shifted to the reach state. Here, in the present specification, the reach state is a state in which the game symbol may display a big hit state depending on the stop mode of the final stop symbol among the game symbols.

In some gaming machines, when the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol are stopped, the combination of the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol is a combination in which the gaming state does not shift to the reach state. Also, after the second stop symbol that has stopped changing is once again changed and moved from the stop position, another new symbol is changed and stopped at the stop position as a new second stop symbol. 1 stop symbol and 2nd
In some cases, the combination of stopped symbols is changed to a combination in which the gaming state shifts to the reach state.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional gaming machine, when the combination of the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol is changed to a combination indicating that the gaming state shifts to the reach state, The second that stopped the fluctuation once
After changing the stop symbol again and moving it from the stop position,
Another new symbol was varied and stopped at the stop position as a new second stop symbol. The second to stop the fluctuation once
Since the stop symbol is suddenly replaced by another new symbol, unexpected effects can be produced, but the continuity of the effect is lost.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a game machine having a surprising effect by changing a game symbol itself, which has stopped changing, to another symbol, and without losing the continuity of the effect. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention comprises an image display device for displaying and changing n (n is 3 or more) symbols related to a game;
Symbol display control means for changing the number of symbols and stopping at a predetermined combination, wherein the combination of the n symbols when stopped indicates a hit or a miss, the symbol display control. The means is such that when (n-1) symbols other than the symbol which stops last are stopped among the n symbols, the combination of the stopped (n-1) symbols is a predetermined combination. In the case, the above stopped (n-1)
At least one of the symbols is changed to a different symbol while maintaining the stop position, and the symbols are stopped (n-
1) When the last symbol to be stopped stops at a predetermined symbol, the combination of symbols is provided with a stop symbol changing means for changing to a combination for displaying a hit. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention can provide the player with unexpectedness by changing the game symbol itself, which has once stopped changing, to another symbol. On the other hand, the symbol change as described above is performed only when the stopped symbol combination is a predetermined combination. Therefore, by displaying a predetermined symbol combination, it is possible to suggest to the player that the symbol change as described above is performed, so that the continuity of the effect is not impaired.

Further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the stopped symbol changing means keeps at least one symbol of the stopped (n-1) symbols at a stopped position, and determines a direction of change before stopping. It has a configuration to change to a different symbol while changing in a different direction. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention makes it possible to clearly express that the symbol has changed again by making the direction of change before the stop and the direction of change when changing to another symbol after the stop different. Further, since the direction in which the player follows the symbol changes, the player does not feel bored.

Further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the stop symbol changing means keeps at least one of the stopped (n-1) symbols at a stop position, which is different from the fluctuation before stop. It has a configuration in which it is changed to a different symbol while being changed in an aspect. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention makes it possible to clearly express that the symbol has changed again by making the variation before the stop different from the change when changing to another symbol after the stop. Further, since the variation mode is diversified, the player is not bored.

Further, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, the symbol display control means stops the n symbols in order, and the stopped symbol changing means stops the symbol (n-1).
Only the (n-1) th stopped symbols among the symbols are
It has a configuration to change to a different symbol while maintaining the stop position. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention
The movement of the player's line of sight is the same as before. For example, the first
If the first symbol starts to change after the symbol and the second symbol have stopped, the frequency with which the player moves his / her gaze will increase, which is painful for those who continue playing for a long time.

In the gaming machine of the present invention, the n symbols include a symbol for displaying a character and a symbol for displaying the same character as the character in a different mode, and the stopped (n-1) The combination of the symbols is a combination of a symbol displaying the character and a symbol displaying the same character as the character in a different mode. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention is a combination of symbols showing different characters or a combination of symbols showing the same character. The bodily sensation is not impaired, and it is impressed that it is a continuous production.

Further, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the symbol displaying the character and the symbol displaying the same character in a different manner have a temporal order in a story. When stopping in a combination of a symbol displaying the character and a symbol displaying the same character as the character in a different mode, a symbol having a temporally earlier relationship is temporally shifted while maintaining a stop position. It has a configuration to change to a related symbol. With this configuration, the gaming machine of the present invention
A change from a symbol having a temporally preceding relationship to a symbol having a temporally posterior relationship can alleviate a sudden sense of the symbol change, and can strongly impress a continuous effect.

[0015]

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 launch path 22 for game balls. 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 right and left 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.

More specifically, after the symbol display device 40 starts to change the special symbols N1 to N3, for example, the stop state before the start of the change 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 in accordance with whether or not the special symbol change 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 above 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, and a display control circuit 60 as symbol display control means for performing display control of the display screen 41. And a relay board 70 having an input / output interface function of the main control circuit 50.

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 the 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, the normal symbol display LEDs 35a and 35b execute a normal symbol changing process. 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 process, that is, the winning ball (game game) according to the prize ball payout command outputted in the process of step S13 The processing of paying out the ball) is executed (step S16).

Next, predetermined error processing is performed on 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 sound. 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 process" shown in FIG.
Is repeatedly executed in the “main game control process” as described above. In the "special symbol game control process", first, there is a start winning, and the value of the special symbol game counter is 0.
It is determined whether or not it is less than (Step S21). If the value of the special symbol game counter is not less than 0, the demo screen processing is executed (Step S22), and the process returns to Step S21. In the demonstration screen processing, for example, the main control circuit 50
It is determined whether or not the title demo screen is switched by the timer function according to 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
3). 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 S23 is "big hit"
If so, the main ROM 51
With reference to the effect group selection table stored in step S11, the count value of the variation pattern number determining random number counter 53d updated in step S11 is read, and a group of effect images to be displayed is selected (step S24).

In this effect group selection process, effect patterns such as a normal effect and a reach effect, which will be described later, are divided into a plurality of groups. Is to be selected. In addition, a variation pattern number is assigned to each of the effect groups, and a variation time, a fixed time, a reach appearance rate, a jackpot reliability (a jackpot occurrence probability), and the like are set. Then, since the determination result in step S23 is "big hit", an effect group corresponding to any of the variation pattern number ranges of "big hit" is selected.

When the group of effect images to be displayed is selected in step S24, the count value of the big hit symbol determining random number counter 53c updated in step S11 of the above-mentioned "interrupt processing" is changed to the big hit stopping mode selection random number. With reference 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 big hit symbol (step S25). The big hit symbol determined in step S25 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. The image data for displaying the special symbol of the big hit stop mode 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 S23 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. Here, 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”. As described above, the random number value and the judgment item are associated with each other.

Then, based on the determination result of the presence or absence of the reach and the determination result in step S23, step S24 is performed.
In the same manner as described above, with reference to the effect group selection table stored in the main ROM 51, the count value of the variation pattern number determination random number counter 53d updated in step S11 is read, and a group of effect images to be displayed is selected. (Step S26). Note that if the determination in step S23 is “losing” and the determination result of the presence or absence of the reach is “reach present”, the effect group corresponding to any of the variation pattern number ranges of “losing” and “reach present” Is selected, if the determination in step S23 is "losing" and the determination result of the presence or absence of the reach is "no reach",
The effect group corresponding to any of the variation pattern number ranges of “losing” and “no reach” is selected.

When a group of effect images to be displayed is selected in step S26, it is determined whether the result of the determination of the presence or absence of the reach in step S26 is "reach available" or "reach not available" ( Step S27).

If the result of the determination in step S27 is "reach available", step S2 of the "main game control process"
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-out "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.

A code number for identifying each stop symbol is assigned to each of the first, second and third stop symbol selection tables, and a 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 effect groups and the special symbols N1 to N3 are determined to be stopped in the processing from step S23 to step S29, the display control circuit 60 is controlled by the display control circuit 60 so that the screen display according to the determined contents is performed on the display screen 41. A display control command is generated, and the generated display control command is stored in the main RAM 52 (step S30). The display control command stored in the main RAM 52 is a transmission data output process (step S1) of the above-described “interrupt process”.
8) is transmitted to the display control circuit 60.

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. Then, when the animation display time management timer reaches a set value (for example, the remaining time t = 0), the determination command is stored in the main RAM 52. 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. Note that the finalization command is also transmitted to the display control circuit 60 by the transmission data output process (step S18) of the above-described “interrupt process”.

Next, it is determined whether or not it is a "big hit" (step S31). If the determination result is "losing"("NO" in step S31), the "special symbol game control process" of this time is ended. (Step S33), the process returns to step S21 again.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S31 is "big hit"("YES" in step S31), a special game process is executed (step S32). Here, in the special game processing, first, a command (hereinafter, referred to as a big hit notification sound output command) for requesting the output of a big hit notification sound (fan fare sound) from the speaker 93 or a special game for notifying the start of the special game state. A command requesting display of the state start screen on the display screen 41 (hereinafter, referred to as a special game state start screen display command) is provided in the main RAM 5.
2 for time management related to the special game state.
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. Command to request the display of
This is called a special game state end screen display command. ) Is stored in the main RAM 52. The jackpot notification sound output command, the special game state start screen display command, and the special game state end screen display command are transmitted to the display control circuit 60 by the transmission data output processing (step S18) of the “interruption processing” described above. Sent.

When the special game process is executed in step S32, the current "special symbol game control process" is ended (step S33). (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 process" shown in FIG. 11 is an interrupt process that is performed, for example, every 2 msec. 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, first, 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 the 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.
These 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.

In the special symbol reel processing task (step S75), the display coordinate data of the special symbol is converted into screen coordinates on the display screen 41. Here, the display area 41a of each symbol on the display screen 41
In the process of generating the symbol objects displayed on the display areas 41a to 41c (see FIG. 3), basically, the special symbols N1, N2 or N3 displayed on the respective display areas 41a to 41c are replaced with a symbol pattern imitating a symbol row of a reel. When the image is divided one dot at a time in the changing direction (for example, up and down direction), the setting of which dot position the image is displayed at the first dot position in the vertical direction of the display area 41a, 41b or 41c is performed. That is, the special symbols N1 to N3 on the display screen 41 are displayed.
The coordinates of the four corners of each of the display areas 41a to 41c are respectively determined, and the coordinates of each of the points are continuously changed, so that the special symbols N1 to N3 in the display areas 41a to 41c are changed.
Will 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 less 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.

FIG. 17 shows a simplified description of the variable display and the effect display on the display screen 41 in the above description.

First, when the start winning prize is detected by the start winning prize ball sensor 33, the main control circuit 50 sets the special symbol N1.
Big hit determination processing 1 to determine whether or not the changing game of N3 is a big hit
71, and executes a special symbol determination process 172 for determining the stop mode (stop symbol) of the special symbols N1 to N3 according to the determination result in the big hit determination process 171. In response, a pattern number determining process 173 for determining the pattern numbers of the variation patterns of the special symbols N1 to N3 and the effect display patterns is performed.

Next, the display control circuit 60 controls the special symbol N determined in the special symbol determination process 172 of the main control circuit 50.
On the display screen 41 of the symbol display device 40, based on the stop modes of the symbols 1 to N3 and the variation patterns of the special symbols N1 to N3 obtained from the pattern numbers determined in the pattern number determination processing 173 of the main control circuit 50. A special symbol variation control process 181 for controlling the variation of the special symbols N1 to N3 is executed. In addition, the display control circuit 60 is different from the right symbol N3, which is the first stop symbol and the first symbol, in the special symbol variation control process 181 in the first symbol, but is different from each other.
When the combination of the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 is a predetermined combination, the right symbol N on the display screen 41 of the symbol display device 40 is used.
A special symbol change process 182 for changing No. 3 is executed. Then, the display control circuit 60 generates the symbol display device 40 based on the effect display pattern (for example, the normal effect and the reach effect) obtained from the pattern number determined in the pattern number determining process 173 of the main control circuit 50. Display screen 41
The normal reach effect processing 183 for effect display is executed.

As described above, the display control circuit 60
Constitutes a stop symbol changing means of the present invention.

FIGS. 18 to 22 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.

On the normal game screen before the change, the last change stop symbol is displayed (the period 301 in FIG. 18).
), If there is a start winning, special symbol variation control processing 18
The change of special symbols N1 to N3 is started by 1 (see timing 302 in FIG. 18).

Here, as shown in FIG. 19, there are a total of twelve types of special symbols, including symbols displaying numbers from 1 to 9 and symbols displaying characters such as characters 211 to 213. Exists. Further, the character 211 and the character 212 indicate the same character, and represent a state in which the character 211 has a temporally backward relationship (after transformation), and the character 212 has a temporally forward relationship (so-called “transformation”). , Before transformation).

As shown in FIG. 20A, the left symbol N1 represents the character 211 while the middle symbol N2 and the right symbol N3 are changed in the direction of the arrow 201 by the special symbol change control process 181. It is stopped at the symbol (see timing 303 in FIG. 18).

Next, as shown in FIG. 20 (b), the special symbol change control process 181 causes the middle symbol
The right symbol N3 is stopped at the symbol representing the character 212 while being changed in the direction of 01 (see timing 304 in FIG. 18). The character 211 described above is a character 2 on a predetermined story.
Reference numeral 12 denotes a character in a so-called transformed state.

Here, all the stopped symbols (the left symbol N3) when the right symbol N3 is stopped among the three symbols N1 to N3.
1 and the right symbol N3) are not the same symbol (for example, both the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 represent the character 211 or the character 212). In the embodiment, a case in which the left symbol N1 is a symbol expressing the character 211 and the right symbol N3 is a symbol expressing the character 212 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21A, the special symbol change process 182 causes the right symbol N3 to maintain the stop position while maintaining the stop position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fluctuation direction (the direction of arrow 201) before the stop (the direction of arrow 202). ) (See period 305 in FIG. 18). The right symbol N3
Is rotating in the direction of arrow 202, the middle symbol N2 is also changing in the direction of arrow 201.

As shown in FIG. 21B, the special symbol change process 182 causes the right symbol N3 to maintain a stop position and rotate in the direction of the arrow 202 to represent a different symbol (character 211). (See timing 306 in FIG. 18), and the left symbol N
The combination of 1 and the right symbol N3 is changed to a combination suggesting that the gaming state shifts to the reach state (a combination in which both the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 are symbols representing the character 211). When the right symbol N3 stops, the middle symbol N2 is also moving in the direction of the arrow 201.

When the combination of the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 is a symbol expressing the character 212, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, the reach effect “Honey Reach” is executed by the normal reach effect process 183, and the middle symbol N2 fluctuates in the direction of the arrow 201 while “Honey Reach” is being executed (period 307 in FIG. 18). reference).

When the "honey reach" ends and the middle symbol N2 stops (at timing 30 in FIG. 18).
8), the combination of special symbols N1 to N3 suggests whether or not the gaming state shifts to the big hit state, and the combination of special symbols N1 to N3 suggests that the gaming state shifts to the big hit state. If the special symbols N1 to N3 are all combinations that represent the character 211, the gaming state shifts to the big hit state (period 309 in FIG. 18).
reference).

As described above, the gaming machine 10 replaces the game symbol (right symbol N3) itself whose fluctuation has been stopped by the special symbol changing process 182 with another symbol (character 21).
By changing it to a symbol representing "1", it is possible to give a surprise to the player. On the other hand, the above-described symbol variation is performed only when the combination of the stopped symbols is a predetermined combination (a combination of the symbol expressing the character 212 and the symbol expressing the character 211).
Therefore, by displaying a predetermined combination of symbols (a combination of a symbol expressing the character 212 and a symbol expressing the character 211), it is possible to suggest to the player that the above-described symbol change is performed. Continuity is not lost. In the present embodiment, three special symbols N1 to N3 are provided as a plurality of symbols related to the game, but according to the present invention, the plurality of symbols related to the game is not limited to three.

Also, the gaming machine 10 performs special symbol change processing 1
With 82, another symbol (a symbol representing the character 211) is rotated while rotating the right symbol N3 while maintaining the stop position.
Therefore, by making the right symbol N3 undergo a completely different variation from the variation in the direction of the arrow 201, the right symbol N3 itself that once stopped the variation in the direction of the arrow 201 becomes another symbol (a symbol representing the character 211). ) Can be clearly produced by the movement of the right symbol N3 itself. Although the right symbol N3 is changed to another symbol (a symbol representing the character 211) while rotating, the left symbol N1 is rotated to another symbol (a symbol representing the character 212). Also, both the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3 may be changed to the same symbol while rotating. In particular, the gaming machine 10
Is the right symbol N3 by the special symbol change process 182,
Since the stop position is maintained and changed to another symbol (a symbol representing the character 211) while rotating in the direction of the arrow 202, the fluctuation direction before the stop (the direction of the arrow 201).
And the rotation direction of the right symbol N3 (the direction of the arrow 202) is substantially orthogonal, so the right symbol N3 itself, which has once stopped changing in the direction of the arrow 201, changes again to change another symbol (character 211). (Design to express) can be produced more clearly. In addition, since the direction in which the player follows the symbol changes, the player does not feel bored. According to the present invention, the right symbol N3 is indicated by the arrow 2
It may be configured to rotate in a direction other than the direction of 02.

Further, according to the present invention, the right symbol N3 may be changed to a different symbol while changing in a manner different from the change before the stop. For example, the shape of the symbol gradually changes from the displayed symbol to the next symbol (so-called “morphing”), or frame advance may be performed. With the configuration in which the right symbol N3 fluctuates in a manner different from the fluctuation before the stop, the gaming machine 10 can clearly produce the symbol fluctuating again. Further, since the variation mode is diversified, the player is not bored.

The gaming machine 10 has three symbols N1 to N
When the last to second symbols (left symbol N1 and right symbol N3) out of 3 have stopped, the symbol (right symbol N3) that has stopped last among all stopped symbols (left symbol N1 and right symbol N3) ) Is changed to a different symbol (a symbol representing the character 211) while maintaining the stop position, so all stopped symbols (the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N) are changed.
Of the 3), the last stopped symbol and the symbol that changes to another symbol (the symbol representing the character 211) are the same right symbol N3, and the right symbol N3 is changed and stopped, and the right symbol N3 is changed. Can be given temporal continuity.
Therefore, the movement of the player's line of sight can be the same level as before.
For example, if the first symbol starts to change after the first symbol and the second symbol have stopped, the frequency at which the player moves his / her gaze increases, which is painful for those who continue playing for a long time.

In the gaming machine 10, the symbol before the change of the right symbol N3 (the symbol representing the character 212) and the symbol after the change of the right symbol N3 (the symbol representing the character 211) are in a predetermined story. Is a symbol representing the state of the same character before and after the change, so that the right symbol N3 itself that has once stopped changing has changed to another symbol (a symbol representing the character 211). By associating the movement of N3 itself with a predetermined story, a clear effect can be produced. In addition, even if the combination of different symbols is a combination of symbols indicating the same character, the symbol before the change of the right symbol N3 (the symbol expressing the character 212) is changed to the symbol after the change (the character 211). Even if it is changed to a pattern expressing (), the sense of unity of the production is not impaired, and it is impressed that it is a continuous production. Furthermore, from the symbol (the symbol expressing the character 212) in the temporally previous relationship before the transformation,
The change to the symbol (the symbol representing the character 211) having a temporally post-transformation relationship can relieve the abrupt feeling of the symbol change, and can strongly impress a continuous effect. In the present embodiment, the character 211 is a character in a state in which the character 212 has performed a so-called transformation on a predetermined story, but according to the present invention, the character 211
And the character 212 may be a related relationship other than the transformation. A related relationship other than the transformation is, for example, a relationship that grows from an egg to a chick, or
A relationship that grows from a child to an adult.

In the gaming machine 10, the left symbol N1 (the symbol other than the left symbol N1 and the right symbol N3, which is changed (the right symbol N3)) represents the state of the character on the story after the change. Is a symbol (a symbol representing the character 211), the right symbol N3 changes and the left symbol N1 changes.
It is possible to give the player the expectation that the gaming state will be the reach state if the same symbol (a symbol representing the character 211) is reached.

Although the gaming machine 10 is a pachinko gaming machine in the above-described 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.

[0100]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By changing the game symbol itself whose fluctuation has been stopped to another symbol, it is possible to provide a gaming machine which performs an effect with unexpectedness and does not impair the continuity of the effect.

[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.

17 is a block diagram that simplifies the description of the variable display and the effect display on the display screen of the gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing a variable display of a plurality of special symbols.

19 is an explanatory diagram of all symbols of the gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a screen during a change in first to third stop symbols. FIG. 20 (a) shows a screen when the first stop symbol is stopped.
(B) has shown the screen at the time of a stop of the 2nd stop symbol, respectively.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are explanatory diagrams of a screen during a change in first to third stop symbols. FIG. 21A illustrates a screen when a second stop symbol changes.
(B) shows the screen immediately after the change of the second stop symbol.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a screen during a change in first to third stop symbols, showing a screen during execution of “honey reach”.

[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 60 display control circuit (symbol display control means, stop symbol changing means) )

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image display device for displaying and changing n (n is 3 or more) symbols related to a game, and a symbol display control means for changing the n symbols and stopping them in a predetermined combination. Wherein the symbol display control means removes the last stopped symbol from the n symbols in the gaming machine which displays a hit or a miss depending on the combination of the n symbols when stopped. When the combination of the stopped (n-1) symbols is a predetermined combination when the -1) symbols are stopped, at least one of the stopped (n-1) symbols is replaced with at least one symbol. By changing to a different symbol while maintaining the stop position, the combination of the stopped (n-1) symbols is changed to a combination for displaying a hit when the symbol to be stopped last stops at a predetermined symbol. Equipped with stop symbol changing means to change A gaming machine characterized by the following. 2. The stopped symbol changing means maintains at least one of the stopped (n-1) symbols in a stop position and changes the at least one symbol in a direction different from the direction of the change before the stop. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game is changed to a design. 3. The stopped symbol changing means keeps at least one of the stopped (n-1) symbols at a stop position and varies the symbols in a manner different from the variation before the stop. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
A gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The symbol display control means stops the n symbols in order, and the stopped symbol changing means comprises (n-1) of the stopped (n-1) symbols. )
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein only the symbol stopped second is changed to a different symbol while maintaining the stop position. 5. The n symbols include a symbol for displaying a character and a symbol for displaying the same character as the character in a different mode, and the stopped (n-1)
The combination of the symbols is a combination of a symbol displaying the character and a symbol displaying the same character as the character in a different mode. Gaming machine. 6. A symbol displaying the character and a symbol displaying the same character in a different manner have a temporal order in a story, and the symbol displaying the character is different from the symbol displaying the character. When the same character as the character is stopped in combination with a symbol displayed in a different manner, a symbol having a temporally preceding relationship is changed to a symbol having a temporally subsequent relationship while maintaining the stop position. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein: