JP2003144706A - Pattern variation control device of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a more attractive game for making a player hopeful for a win even during the variation of patterns by allowing the player to perform the operation of stopping the variation of each pattern row of a variable display device. SOLUTION: The game machine has an operation input means for reducing the pattern variation time and a pattern variation stop control means. The operation input means reduces the time of pattern variation of a variable display device by the operation of a player and stops the variation of patterns. The pattern variation stop control means executes the stop control for stopping the variation of a plurality of rows of patterns of the variable display device in a previously determined order every time the operation input means is operated during the period from the start of variation of the plurality of rows of patterns in the variable display device till when a prescribed operation effective time elapses.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable display device having a plurality of rows of symbol display units, and variably displaying a plurality of rows of symbols when a start condition is satisfied. An operation input means for shortening the variation time of the symbol variation of the variable display device by the operation of the player to stop the symbol, and determining the stop mode according to the variable display of the symbol on the variable display device. The present invention relates to a symbol variation control device in a gaming machine for performing a special game for giving a player a favorable prize mode when a stop mode is reached. 2. Description of the Related Art A variable display device having a plurality of columns of symbol display units for variably displaying a plurality of columns of symbols when a start condition is satisfied, and a stop mode relating to the variable display of symbols in the variable display device. When a specific stop mode is set, a gaming machine that performs a special game in which a big hit is made to give a player an advantageous prize mode is widely known. Conventionally, when a predetermined time elapses after the variable display device starts a symbol change, the symbol is automatically stopped, or after the symbol change is started, the fluctuation time is shortened before the predetermined time elapses. Even when the button is operated, the symbol of the variable display device is stopped by only one operation, so that the consciousness of participating in the game is weakened while the symbol is being changed, which has been monotonous. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a player with the ability to stop each symbol row of a variable display device so as to give a player a sense of expectation for a big hit while the symbols are changing. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of providing a more entertaining game. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a symbol variation control device including a plurality of columns of symbol display units, and a variable display of a plurality of columns of symbols according to establishment of a start condition. When the display device and the stop mode related to the variable display of the symbol on the variable display device become a specific stop mode, a player hits a jackpot and performs a special game that gives the player an advantageous prize mode. An operation input means for shortening the fluctuation time of the symbol fluctuation of the variable display device and stopping the symbol by a variable operation device, and a predetermined effective operation time from the start of the fluctuation of the symbols in the plurality of rows in the variable display device And symbol stop control means for stopping and controlling symbols in a plurality of rows of the variable display device in a predetermined order each time the operation input means is operated until the time elapses. And Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a metal frame 3 is provided on a front frame 2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a glass door 4 is provided on the metal frame 3 so as to be openable and closable, and a game board 5 visually recognized through the glass door 4. It is mounted on the upper part of the front frame 2. An upper ball receiving tray 6 for storing game balls (pachinko balls) to be supplied to a hit ball launching device (described later) is provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the metal frame 3.
The lower part of the front frame 2 has a lower part of the upper bowl 6 below the upper bowl 6.
There is provided a lower ball receiving tray 7 for storing pachinko balls overflowing from the ball, and a hitting handle 8 of a hit ball launching device is provided on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 7. On the lower left side of the upper bowl 6
The stop switch button 11 is provided, which can be operated by a player and reduces the fluctuation time of the symbol fluctuation of the variable display device described later to stop the symbol. The stop switch button 11 is, for example,
It is a push button type. On the game board 5 of the pachinko gaming machine 2, an outer guide rail 12 and an inner guide rail 13 are erected in a substantially circular shape, and the inner guide rail 13 and the outer guide rail 12 are provided.
And a game area surrounded by the upper part of the game. In the center of the game area, in order from the upper part to the lower part, the symbol display unit 14 and the start winning opening 1 constituted by a chucker.
5, an accessory unit 16 and an out port 17 are provided. Further, windmills 18 with lamps 18 are arranged on both sides of the shoulder of the symbol display unit 14. The symbol display unit 14 is a variable display device (special symbol display device) 19 that displays a symbol variably in a plurality of symbol display units (a symbol display unit of three columns of left, middle, and right symbols) in the center. Has been assembled. Note that the starting winning opening 15 is set as a starting opening related to the start of the symbol change of the special symbol on the special symbol display device 19. At the center of the accessory unit 16, a large winning opening 21 opened by an opening / closing door 20 is provided. A special area (not shown) which is a special winning area is provided in a part of the inside of the special winning opening 21. A specific area door (not shown) for opening and closing the specific area is provided in the specific area. I have. Also, the character unit 1 on both sides of the special winning opening 21
6 are located on both sides of the prize slot 22 and the prize slot 23 on the right.
Are arranged. The special winning opening 21 is set to a special game state (big hit game state) when a special symbol display device 19 stops the fluctuation of the special symbol and the result of the change is a big hit, for a predetermined time (for example, 29.5 seconds). ). However, the special winning opening 21 is closed when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the winnings is obtained during opening or when a predetermined time has elapsed. If a game ball passes through the specific area while the special winning opening 21 is open, the continuation condition is satisfied, and after the special winning opening that has been opened this time is closed (this time). After the round is completed), the special winning opening 21 is newly opened (transition to the next round). The continuous opening operation (the number of consecutive rounds) of the special winning opening 21 based on the passing of the game ball in the specific area is provided with an upper limit number, for example, a maximum of 15 times including the first opening (a maximum of 15 rounds). Up to. In addition, if the game ball does not pass to the specific area during opening of the special winning opening 21, the big hit gaming state ends when the special winning opening 21 is closed this time. When the continuous opening operation of the special winning opening 21 continues up to the fifteenth time, the big hit gaming state ends when the fifteenth special winning opening 21 is closed. The number of prize balls to be paid out for winning a game ball into the special winning opening 21 is set to, for example, fifteen. The number of prize balls to be paid out for winning game balls to a winning opening other than the special winning opening 21 is set to, for example, seven. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a control system provided in the pachinko gaming machine of the embodiment. The pachinko gaming machine has a CPU 24 as processing execution means for performing overall control relating to the pachinko game, a ROM 25 storing a control program relating to the entire pachinko game to be executed by the CPU 24, and has a read-out and It comprises a writable RAM 26 and an internal bus 27. The CPU 24 includes a switch input circuit 28, a driver 33, and a display driver 3 through an internal bus 27.
5. The display driver 37 and the sound drive circuit 39 are connected. The switch input circuit 28 includes a starting port winning detection switch 29 for detecting a hit ball winning the starting winning port 15,
A special winning opening detection switch 30 for detecting a hit ball winning the special winning opening 21 and a specific area winning detecting switch 3 for detecting a hitting ball passing through a specific area defined in the special winning opening 21.
1. The stop switch 32 disposed inside the stop switch button 11 is connected, and the detection signals of these switches are input to the CPU 24. The driver 33 is connected to a special winning opening solenoid 34, the display driver 35 is connected to the variable display device 19, the display driver 37 is connected to various lamps / LEDs 38, and the sound drive circuit 39. Is connected to a speaker 40, and these drive elements are driven and controlled by a control output from the CPU 24. Although not shown, a power supply (not shown) and a CPU
A clock circuit (not shown) and a reset circuit that define 24 processing cycles are connected. The main processing executed by the CPU 24 in the pachinko gaming machine of the embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIGS. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing a main routine of a process executed by the CPU 24. When the power is turned on, the CPU 24 performs an initialization process (step S01), and initializes stack setting, flags necessary for the following processes, and storage areas. After completing the initialization processing in step S01, the CPU 24 proceeds to step S02 and performs switch input processing (step S02). CP
In the switch input process, U24 inputs the detection signals of the starting opening winning detection switch 29, the special winning opening winning detection switch 30, the specific area winning detection switch 31, and the stop switch 32, and stores the detection signals of the respective switches. . After completing the switch input processing in step S02, the CPU 24 proceeds to step S03. CPU 24
In step S03, it is determined whether or not there is a start opening winning (step S03). When there is no storage of the winning detection signal by the starting opening winning detection switch 29, the CPU 24 determines that there is no starting opening winning and shifts to step S06. When the game ball wins the starting winning opening 15, a winning detection signal from the starting opening winning detection switch 29 is input in the switch input process of step S02, and is stored in the storage area of the RAM 26. If there is a winning in the starting opening, the CPU 24 determines that step S03 is true, and proceeds to step S04. When the CPU 24 proceeds to step S04,
It is determined whether or not the number of holds related to the winning prize memory in the starting winning prize port 15 is full (step S04). In the present embodiment,
The maximum number of reservations relating to the memorization of the winning in the starting winning port 15 is four. The CPU 24 determines whether or not the value of the start winning counter is four, and determines that the value of the start winning counter is four.
If so, it is determined that the number of holds is full, and in this case, the winning memorization in the starting winning opening 15 is not performed and step S
Shift to 06. On the other hand, if the value of the start winning counter is not 4, it is determined that the number of holdings is not full, and step S0
Then, the value of the start winning counter is incremented by one (step S5).
05), and the process proceeds to step S06. Note that the start winning counter is a counter that increments by one every time a prize is stored in the starting winning port 15, and its initial value is 0, and the range of possible values is 0 to 4. When proceeding to step S06, the CPU 24
It is determined whether or not the operation flag is 0 (step S0
6). The operation flag is a flag for identifying what kind of processing is performed when the symbol change processing and the big hit operation processing of the variable display device 19 are performed. Start) indicates possible,
"1" indicates that the left, right and middle symbols are changing, "2" indicates that the left symbol is stopped and the right and middle symbols are changing, and "3" indicates that the left and right symbols are stopped and the middle symbol is changing. Indicates “fluctuating”, “4”
Indicates that the left symbol, the right symbol, the middle symbol is stopped, and the symbol is being stopped, and "5" indicates that the big hit is being operated. Note that the initial value of the operation flag is set to “0” (symbol variation can be started) by the initialization processing in step S01. The CPU 24 determines step S06 as true based on the value of the operation flag 0, and proceeds to step S07. C
When proceeding to step S07, the PU 24 determines whether or not there is a memory of the winning start (step S07). That is, C
The PU 24 determines whether or not the value of the start winning counter is not 0. If the value of the start winning counter is 0, the CPU 24 determines that the start winning is not stored, and the CPU 24 determines in step S02.
Return to On the other hand, in step S07, the CPU 24
If the value of the start winning counter is not 0, it is determined that the start winning is stored, and the process proceeds to step S08 to perform a process relating to the start of the symbol change (start of the variable display game). First, the CPU 24 sets the change time of the left symbol in the timer (step S08), sets 1 (left, right, middle symbol is changing) in the operation flag (step S09), and sets the value of the start winning counter to 1 (step S09). (Step S10), and the process returns to Step S02. Returning to step S02, the CPU 24
The above-described switch input process and the process from step S03 to step S06 are performed, and as a result of setting the operation flag to 1, step S06 is determined to be false, and a determination process is performed to determine whether the operation flag is 4 or more ( Step S1
1) is determined to be false, and the process proceeds to step S12. CPU 24
Proceeds to step S12, subtracts the value set in the timer (step S12), and determines whether the value set in the timer is 0, that is, whether left, right,
It is determined whether or not the symbol change time of the middle symbol has elapsed (step S13). If the value set in the timer is not 0, the CPU 24 determines that step S13 is false and proceeds to step S14, where the stop switch 32
It is determined whether or not is turned on (step S1)
4). When the player operates the stop switch 32 (push button) from the start of the symbol change of the variable display device 19, the stop switch 32 is on. When the stop switch 32 is not on, the CPU 24 determines that the step S14 is false, proceeds to the symbol variation process of the step S15, starts symbol variation of the left, right, and middle symbols, and returns to the step S02. Thereafter, the CPU 24 executes the processing of steps S02 to S06 and the operation flag value "1" until the value set in the timer becomes zero.
Step S11, Step S12, Step S13, Step S14 and Step S15 are repeated, and left, right,
The variable display of the middle symbol is performed. If the player does not operate the stop switch 32 during the variation display of the left, right, and middle symbols, the timer value becomes 0 when the symbol variation time of the left symbol has elapsed. On the other hand, if the player operates the stop switch 32 during the change display of the left, right, and middle symbols, the process proceeds to step S14.
In the determination process, the CPU 24 sets the stop switch 3
2 is detected, and the timer is set to 0 (step S16). Upon ending step S16, the CPU 24 returns to step S02. Thus, when the player operates the stop switch 32, the timer is set to zero. Therefore, when the timer is set to 0, the symbol change time of the left symbol ends, and the change time is shortened. When the value of the timer becomes 0, the CPU 24
It is determined that step S13 is true, the process proceeds to step S17,
If the value of the operation flag is 1, step S17 is determined to be true, and the left symbol is stopped (step S18). Next, the CPU 24 sets the fluctuation time of the right symbol in the timer (step S19), and sets 2 (the left symbol is stopped and the right and middle symbols are changing) in the operation flag (step S2).
0), and return to step S02. As a result of setting the operation flag to 2, the CPU 24
Until the value set in the timer becomes 0
Steps S11 and S1 are performed based on the processing of steps S02 to S06 and the value of the operation flag “2”.
2, Step S13, Step S14 and Step S1
5 is repeated, and the left, right, and middle symbols are changed and displayed. If the player does not operate the stop switch 32 while the left symbol is stopped and the right and middle symbols are displayed in a fluctuating manner, the value of the timer becomes 0 when the right symbol fluctuating time elapses. On the other hand, when the player operates the stop switch 32 while the left symbol is stopped and the right and middle symbols are being displayed in a fluctuating manner, in the determination process of step S14, the CPU 2
4 detects the ON state of the stop switch 32 and sets the timer to 0 (step S16). Upon ending step S16, the CPU 24 returns to step S02. Thus, when the player operates the stop switch 32, the timer is set to zero. Therefore, when the timer is set to 0, the symbol change time of the right symbol ends, and the change time is shortened. When the value of the timer becomes 0, the CPU 24
It is determined that step S13 is true, the process proceeds to step S17,
As a result of the operation flag value being 2, step S17 is determined to be false, step S21 is determined to be true, and step S22 is determined.
To stop the right symbol (step S22). Next, the CPU 24 sets the fluctuation time of the middle symbol in the timer (step S23), and sets 3 (stop of the left symbol and the right symbol and the middle symbol is changing) in the operation flag (step S23).
24), and return to step S02. When the right symbol is stopped, the stopped right symbol is the same symbol as the already stopped left symbol (for example, the left symbol and the right symbol are both numbers "7") (so-called, In the case of “reach”), a large hit may occur depending on the pattern when the changing middle symbol is stopped, so that the player's expectation of the big hit increases. As a result of setting the operation flag to 3, the CPU 24
Until the value set in the timer becomes 0
Steps S11 and S1 are performed based on the processing of steps S02 to S06 and the value of the operation flag “3”.
2, Step S13, Step S14 and Step S1
5 is repeated, and the left, right, and middle symbols are changed and displayed. If the player does not operate the stop switch 32 while the left symbol is stopped, the right symbol is stopped, and the variation of the middle symbol is displayed, the timer value becomes 0 when the symbol variation time of the middle symbol has elapsed. Become. On the other hand, if the player operates the stop switch 32 during the left symbol stop and the right symbol stop, and during the fluctuation display of the middle symbol, the CPU 24 detects the ON state of the stop switch 32 in the determination process of step S14, Set the timer to 0 (step S1
6). Upon ending step S16, the CPU 24 returns to step S02. Thus, when the player operates the stop switch 32, the timer is set to zero.
Therefore, when the timer is set to 0, the symbol change time of the medium symbol ends, and the change time is shortened. In the case of the reach, depending on the pattern when the changing middle symbol is stopped, a big hit may occur. However, since the player can stop the middle symbol by operating the stop switch 32, Expectations of the player for the jackpot will increase. When the value of the timer becomes 0, the CPU 24
It is determined that step S13 is true, the process proceeds to step S17,
When the value of the operation flag is 3, step S17 is determined to be false, step S21 is determined to be false, and step S25 is determined.
To stop the middle symbol (step S25). Next, the CPU 24 sets the stop display time of the stop symbol in the timer (step S26), sets 4 (the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol are being stopped and displayed) in the operation flag (step S27), and returns to step S02. . As a result of setting the operation flag to 4, the CPU 24
Performs the processing of steps S02 to S06,
Based on the value “4” of the operation flag, step S11 is determined to be true, and the process proceeds to step S28, where the determination process of whether the value of the operation flag is 4 is determined to be true (step S2).
8) Then, the value set in the timer is subtracted (step S29), and whether the value set in the timer is 0, that is, the stop display time of the left, right, and middle symbols has elapsed. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S30). If the value set in the timer is not 0, the CPU 24 determines that step S30 is false and returns to step S02. Hereinafter, based on the value of the operation flag “4”, the CPU 24 determines that the value set in the timer becomes 0, the processing of steps S02 to S06, steps S11, S28, S29 and S30. Repeat, left, right,
The middle symbol is stopped and displayed. When the stop display time of the left symbol, the right symbol and the middle symbol has elapsed, the value of the timer becomes 0. When the value of the timer becomes 0, the CPU 24 determines that step S30 is true, proceeds to step S31, and determines whether or not the combination of the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol stopped and displayed this time is related to a big hit. (Step S31). Note that the winning combination is, for example, a combination in which the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol are all the same. The CPU 24 displays the left symbol stopped and displayed this time,
If the combination of the right symbol and the middle symbol is related to a big hit, step S31 is determined to be true and the operation flag is set to 5 (during big hit operation) (step S33).
It returns to step S02. As a result of setting the operation flag to 5, the CPU 24
Performs the processing of steps S02 to S06,
Based on the value of the operation flag “5”, step S11 is determined to be true, and subsequent step S28 is determined to be false, and step S28 is determined to be false.
The process proceeds to step S34, where a big hit operation process for performing the above-mentioned big hit game is executed (step S34), and it is determined whether or not the big hit is ended (step S35). If the big hit is not ended, the process returns to step S02. Thereafter, the CPU 24 repeats the above-described processing routine until the big hit ends, and performs the big hit operation processing. When the big hit ends, the operation flag is cleared to 0 (symbol change can be started) (step S36), and the process returns to step S02. On the other hand, in step S31, if the combination of the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol stopped and displayed this time does not relate to the big hit, that is, if the combination is out of place, step S31 is determined to be false and the operation is performed. The flag is cleared to 0 (symbol change can be started) (step S32) and step S32
Return to 02. If the operation flag is set to 0 and the start winning prize is stored, the process proceeds to step S08.
A symbol change (variable display game) is newly started. As is clear from the above description, the left, right,
While all of the middle symbols are in the variable display, stop switch 32
When the (stop switch button 11) is operated, the left symbol stops according to the operation of the stop switch 32. When the stop switch 32 is operated while the left symbol is stopped and the right and middle symbols are displayed while being changed, the right symbol is stopped according to the operation on the stop switch 32. Further, when the left symbol and the right symbol are stopped and the stop switch 32 is operated while only the middle symbol is being changed and displayed, the middle symbol is stopped according to the operation on the stop switch 32. Therefore, the player can perform the stop operation of each symbol row of the variable display device 19 by himself / herself.
It is possible to have a sense of expectation for a big hit while the pattern is changing, and the game becomes more interesting. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation input means for shortening the variation time of the symbol variation of the variable display device and stopping the symbol by operating the player is provided. Each time the operation input means is operated during the period from the start of the change of the symbols in the variable display device to the predetermined operation effective time, the symbols in the multiple rows of the variable display device are determined in advance. Since the symbol stop control means for performing stop control in order is provided, the player himself / herself can stop each symbol row of the variable display device while the symbols are changing, so that the player can expect a big hit according to the symbol stop display mode. Can be held during the symbol change, and the interest of the game can be further improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a control system provided in the pachinko gaming machine of the embodiment. CPU installed in pachinko gaming machines of the form
[FIG. 4] Continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 3 [FIG. 5] Continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 3 [Description of symbols] 1 Pachinko gaming machine 2 Front frame 3 Metal frame 4 Glass door 5 Game board 6 Upper ball receiver 7 Lower ball receiver 8 Hitting handle 11 Stop switch button 12 Outer guide rail 13 Inner guide rail 14 Symbol display unit 15 Starting winning opening 16 Actors unit 17 Out opening 18 Windmill with lamp 19 Variable display device 20 Open / close Door 21 Big winning opening 22 Left down winning opening 23 Right down winning opening 24 CPU 25 ROM 26 RAM 27 Internal bus 28 Switch input circuit 29 Starting opening winning detection switch 30 Large winning opening winning detection switch 31 Specific area winning detection switch 32 Stop switch 33 driver 34 big win opening solenoid 35 for display Driver 37 Display driver 38 Various lamps / LEDs 39 Sound drive circuit 40 Speaker

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A variable display device having a plurality of rows of symbol display units, and variably displaying a plurality of rows of symbols when a start condition is satisfied, and a variable display of symbols in the variable display device. When such a stop mode becomes a specific stop mode, in a gaming machine that performs a special game that gives a player an advantageous prize mode by becoming a big hit, the fluctuation time of the symbol change of the variable display device is shortened by the operation of the player. And an operation input means for shortening the fluctuation time for stopping the symbol, and the operation input means is provided between a time when the fluctuation of the symbols in the plurality of rows in the variable display device is started and a predetermined operation valid time elapses. A symbol variation control device for a gaming machine, comprising: symbol stop control means for controlling to stop symbols in a plurality of rows of the variable display device in a predetermined order each time the variable display device is operated.