JP2003154157A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which various kinds of performance are enabled as an entire machine and the interest of a player can be maintained for a long time. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with a display device 4, on which animation can be displayed on a display screen, an arbitrary number of reels 5a and 5b, in which a plurality of patterns located at prescribed intervals can be scrolled in the direction of the array of these patterns, gift storage parts 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d, in which a part of or all stored gifts can be released in a prescribed position or/attitude, storing the arbitrary number of gifts and making a position and/or attitude variable, and a link control means for mutually linking the change of the animation displayed on the display screen of the display device 4, the scroll states of the reels 5a and 5b and the changes in the position and/or attitudes of the gift storage parts 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device for playing a game based on a player's operation and paying out a prize according to the result of the game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, three reels which are rotating when a player presses a stop button are stopped, and a prize game is paid out in accordance with the symbols of the stopped three reels. Is proposed. In this game device, a large number of prizes are hung inside the prize rack, and the prizes can be visually recognized by the player, and the player selects a desired prize by operating the stop button. Further, a display device for guiding a game or playing a mini game is installed on the front surface of the casing of the game device.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional game device, there is no relation between the change of the display contents on the display screen of the display device and the rotating state of the reel, and the prize shelf. Since the prizes suspended inside the game do not move according to the progress of the game, the player is interested only in the reels. However, there is a problem that there is a limit in keeping the player's interest for a long period of time.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention was devised under the circumstances described above, and a game device capable of producing a wide variety of effects as a whole and maintaining the player's interest for a long period of time. Is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
The following technical measures are taken.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a game device for playing a game based on a player's operation and paying out a prize according to a game result, which is capable of displaying a moving image on a display screen. And a plurality of patterns arranged at predetermined intervals accommodates an arbitrary number of reel parts that can be scrolled in the arrangement direction of the patterns and an arbitrary number of prizes, and the position and / or the attitude are variable, and When the position and / or the posture is reached, a part or all of the stored prizes can be released, a change in the moving image displayed on the display screen of the display device, and a scrolling state of the reel part. There is provided a game device characterized by comprising an interlocking control means for interlocking with the change of the position and / or the attitude of the prize accommodation section.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reel portion is a mechanical reel device in which patterns are drawn on the outer peripheral surface at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and rotate independently of each other around the axis.

According to another preferred embodiment, the reel portion is a pseudo reel that is displayed as a moving image on a display screen of a display device different from the display device.

According to another preferred embodiment, the prize accommodating portion has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape in which a part of the outer peripheral surface is cut off along the entire length in the axial direction, and is installed so that the axial center is substantially horizontal. In addition, it is configured to be capable of reciprocating swing within a range of a predetermined angle around the axis.

According to the present invention, the interlocking control means interlocks the change of the moving image displayed on the display screen of the display device, the rotating state of the reel, and the change of the position and / or the posture of the prize container with each other. As a result, a wide variety of effects according to the progress of the game state can be achieved by the combination of these devices as a whole, so that the player can get bored even if the game is repeated continuously or a number of times with repeated games. Instead, the interest in the game can be maintained for a long time.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a game device according to the present invention. The housing 2 of the game apparatus 1 has a recessed portion on the front surface of the substantially upper half portion, and the recessed portion is covered with a transparent plate 3 made of resin. In the internal space surrounded by the housing 2 and the transparent plate 3, the display device 4, the reels 5a, 5
b, 4 prize accommodation parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 4 bucket lamps 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are arranged. The transparent plate 3 is provided with the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c,
6d can be opened and closed so that the prize can be replenished. An operation panel section 8 in the horizontal direction is installed in a substantially central portion of the front surface of the housing 2, and two push button switches 9a and 9b are installed in the central portion of the operation panel section 8. A coin slot 11 is arranged at the right end of the operation panel section 8. A prize outlet 12 and a speaker 13 are installed in a substantially lower half of the front surface of the housing 2. The internal space surrounded by the housing 2 and the transparent plate 3 is a prize outlet 1
It communicates with 2. The prize outlet 12 is provided with an opening / closing lid. A large number of patterns of various animal characters are drawn on the housing 2, and music that is reminiscent of a jungle is output from the speaker 13. Although not shown, a plurality of halogen lamps are installed at the upper end of the internal space surrounded by the housing 2 and the transparent plate 3, and the halogen lamps are used during demonstrations and games. Lighting or blinking is controlled in various situations to fulfill the function of enlivening the effects.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the prize container 6a. The prize accommodation portion 6a is made of a transparent resin material. The prize storing portion 6a is formed by cutting a part of the cylindrical body over the entire length in the axial direction, concentrically attaching a disk having the same diameter as the cylindrical body to one end of the cut cylindrical body, and aligning the other end with the cylindrical body. The shape is such that an annular plate with a part cut off is attached. The prize storage portion 6a is configured to be reciprocally rotatable around a horizontal axis by a predetermined angle. When the prize storage portion 6a is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a certain angle or more from the state shown in FIG. It falls outside from the prize container 6a. The stop position of the prize accommodation portion 6a is 5 steps in the counterclockwise direction and 5 steps in the clockwise direction with the state shown in FIG. 2 as the reference position. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a dolphin mascot doll is accommodated as a prize 14 in the prize housing portion 6a. The other prize storage portions 6b, 6c, 6d have the same configuration as the prize storage portion 6a.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the display contents of the reels 5a and 5b. On the left reel 5a, the number "1" ~
"5" and "?" Are sequentially drawn at predetermined intervals, and the left rotation arrow and the right rotation arrow are alternately drawn at predetermined intervals on the right reel 5b. Reels 5a, 5
Reference numeral b is a mechanical reel, which is rotationally driven separately by a motor. In the example of FIG. 3, the reel 5a on the left side is "5".
, And the reel 5b on the right side is stopped at the "left rotation arrow".

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the game apparatus 1. The game device 1 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and an RA.
An M23 and an input / output interface circuit 24 are provided, which are bus-connected to each other. The input / output interface circuit 24 includes a coin sensor 25, push button switches 9a and 9b, a display device 4, a reel motor driving device 26, a bucket motor driving device 27, a speaker driving device 31, and bucket lamps 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d.
Are connected. Reel motors 28a and 28b are connected to the reel motor drive device 26. The bucket motor driving device 27 includes bucket motors 29a, 29a.
b, 29c and 29d are connected. The speaker 13 is connected to the speaker driving device 31.

CPU (central processing unit) 21
Controls the game device 1 as a whole.

A ROM (read only memory) 22 stores a program for advancing a game, a probability table for conducting a random lottery, text data, sound data, and the like.

A RAM (random access memory) 23 is
The CPU 21 is provided with a work area to temporarily store various data.

The input / output interface circuit 24 is a CP
Controls communication between U21 and various external devices.

The coin sensor 25 detects a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 11.

The push button switches 9a and 9b are operated by the player and supply operation signals to the CPU 21.

The display device 4 is, for example, a dot matrix display in which a large number of fluorescent tubes or light emitting diodes are arranged in a matrix, and is controlled by the CPU 21 to display various guides and moving images. Display device 4
Is an LCD (liquid crystal display) or CRT
(Cathode-ray tube) or the like. Although not shown, the display device 4 includes a control circuit and a character R.
OM is additionally provided, and character data and animation programs are stored in the character ROM.

The reel motor drive device 26 includes a CPU 21.
The reel motors 28a and 28b are driven by the reel motors 28a and 28b, which rotate the reels 5a and 5b separately.

The bucket motor driving device 27 has a CPU 2
1, which is controlled by the prize storage units 6a, 6b, 6c, 6
Finally, a total of 11 positions including the reference position, the counterclockwise five-stage position, and the clockwise five-stage position are swung.
The bucket motors 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d for stopping at any one of the various stop positions are driven.

Bucket lamps 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d
Correspond to the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, respectively, and are turned on under the control of the CPU 21 to indicate the prize storage portion selected based on the operation of the player.

The speaker driving device 31 is controlled by the CPU 21 to drive the speaker 13.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the player inserts a predetermined coin into the coin insertion slot 11, the coin sensor 25 detects the coin,
The detection signal is supplied to the CPU 21. This allows CPU2
1 sequentially turns on the bucket lamps 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d at a predetermined cycle.

For example, when a desired prize is stored in the prize storage section 6a, the player can select either of the push button switches 9a and 9b when the bucket lamp 7a corresponding to the prize storage section 6a is lit. Press to operate. As a result, an operation signal is supplied to the CPU 21 from the operated push button switch of the push button switches 9a and 9b. As a result, the CPU 21 causes the RAM 23 to store the prize storage unit corresponding to the currently-lit bucket lamp as the prize storage unit selected by the player, and
The bucket lamp 7a is constantly turned on.

Next, the CPU 21 controls the reel motor drive device 26 to rotate the reel motors 28a and 28b. Further, the CPU 21 controls the display device 4 to display a predetermined moving image on the display screen of the display device 4. Further, the CPU 21 internally performs a lottery by using a probability table stored in the ROM 22 and a pseudo random number generation circuit (not shown), determines whether or not the result is a random result, and stores the result in a RAM.
23.

The player stares at the spinning reels 5a and 5b and presses the push button switch 9a or the push button switch 9b so that the player can obtain an advantageous result. As a result, an operation signal is supplied to the CPU 21 from the operated push button switch of the push button switches 9a and 9b.

As a result, the CPU 21 controls the display device 4, the reel motor drive device 26, and the bucket motor drive device 27 to exert various effects.

First, the CPU 21 controls the reel motors 28a and 28b via the reel motor driving device 26 to slowly rotate the reels 5a and 5b like slow motion, perform frame feeding and frame returning, and once. The player's attention is drawn to the reels 5a and 5b by stopping and rotating again. At this time, the reels 5a, 5
The prize storage section selected by the player may be reciprocally rotated left and right in accordance with the rotation of b.

Then, a character such as an animal appears on the display screen of the display device 4 to make the player think that he is out of the game. This character does not always appear every time, but if one character can be inserted and played three times, for example, two of them will appear.

When a moving image of an elephant character as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 4, the reels 5a and 5b are frame-fed in conjunction with the movement of the elephant stepping on the ground. For example, when an elephant emerges from the grass and steps on both front legs, at least one of the reels 5a and 5b is frame-fed. Therefore, the player has the impression that the elephant is moving the reels 5a and 5b frame by frame. At this time, in accordance with the frame feed of the reels 5a and 5b, the prize accommodation section selected by the player may be reciprocally rotated right and left.

When a moving picture of a rhino character as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 4, the rhino rushes toward the rock any number of times, and the rock breaks when hit.
For example, a rhino emerges from the grass, rushes toward the rock, and hits the rock several times. The reel 5b rotates every time the player hits the body, the rock breaks when hit, and the corner of the rhino breaks when hit. Therefore, the player eagerly hopes that the plunge speed of the rhino will become even faster. At this time, the situation of the rotation of the reels 5a and 5b and the reciprocal rotation of the prize accommodation section selected by the player may be changed according to the action of the die.

When a moving image of a crocodile character as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 4, the reels 5a and 5b are displayed.
However, he makes many round trips between the hit and the miss. For example, a crocodile appears from the water and hits the wall (both sides of the display screen) with its tail any number of times.
At least one of 5b reciprocates between the hit result and the miss result. Therefore, the player is psychologically distorted, and the degree of excitement reaches a peak. At this time, in accordance with the reciprocating movement of the reels 5a and 5b, the prize accommodation section selected by the player may be reciprocally rotated right and left.

Of course, other characters such as sloths and birds may appear. For example, a sloth appears asleep, wakes up and turns the reels 5a and 5b with his hand, deflates and sleeps again. It is also possible to execute an effect such that 5b rotates, and when it hits, it is happy and when it is out, it flies as it is.

While performing the above production, the CPU 21
However, the reel motor 2 is driven by the reel motor driving device 26.
8a, 28b, and bucket motors 29a, 29b, 29 via the bucket motor driving device 27.
c, 29d, the reels 5a, 5b are stopped in accordance with the result of the internal lottery, and the prize storage section selected by the player is displayed on the display screen of the display screen of the reels 5a, 5b. Stop at the turning position according to.

That is, when the result of the internal lottery is a hit, the reel 5 is set so that the prize storage section selected by the player is stopped in a posture in which it is rotated to the left or right to the maximum extent.
The results of a and 5b are determined. For example, if the current position of the prize accommodation portion is “right” in “two steps”, and the result of the reel 5a is “3” and the result of the reel 5b is “right rotation arrow”, the prize is Since the storage part rotates "3" to the "right" and reaches the position of "5 stages" which is the maximum rotation angle,
The CPU 21 turns the reel 5a to "3" and the reel 5b to "right rotation arrow" to rotate the prize accommodation section selected by the player clockwise to the position of the maximum angle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the prize 41 falls from the prize storing portion 6a. The prize 41 that has fallen from the prize storage portion 6 a is paid out to the prize outlet 12. of course,
The prize storage section selected by the player may be rotated until the drop opening of the prize 41 is directly below.

On the other hand, when the result of the internal lottery is out, the reels 5a, 5 are arranged so that the prize storage section selected by the player is stopped at a position where it does not rotate to the left or right to the maximum extent.
Determine the outcome of b. For example, when the current position of the free gift storage portion is the position of "two steps" to the right, the reel 5a is not "3" or more, or the reel 5b is "left rotation arrow". The prize storage unit does not reach the position of "5 steps", which is the maximum left or right rotation angle. Now, when the CPU 21 sets the outcome of the reel 5a to "2" and the outcome of the reel 5b to "right rotation arrow", the prize accommodation section selected by the player is rotated clockwise to the "four stages" position. Rotate. In this case, as shown in FIG.
The prize 41 does not fall from the prize container 6a.

The CPU 21 may set the outcome of the left reel 5a to "?". In this case, for example, one of the following two types of effects is selectively executed.

First, as the first type, for example, two large and small ball boxes are displayed side by side on the display screen of the display device 4. Further, on the display screen, a guide character indicating that one of the ball boxes should be selected is displayed. Therefore, the player receives an impression that the hit or miss is determined by his / her own selection, and decides which ball box to select with a great sense of expectation. Then, the player presses the left push button switch 9a to select the left ball box, and presses the right push button switch 9b to select the right ball box. Then, the ball box on the display screen of the display device 4 is opened and the numbers are displayed. Then, this number is treated as the outcome of the reel 5a, and the CPU 21 executes the same operation as when the reels 5a and 5b are stopped and the outcome is confirmed.

Of course, the production in this case is not limited to the ball box, but may be a jar or a monkey tree climbing. For example,
A monkey climbs a tree, and a number appears each time it climbs, or a monkey impersonates a serpent and blows a whistle and calls a serpent from a serpent's vase, and the serpent informs the number.

Next, as a second type, a moving image of a monkey character as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 4. This monkey performs a tug of war on the display screen, and the prize accommodation section selected by the player reciprocates left and right according to the behavior of the rope. At this time, the reels 5a and 5b may reciprocate according to the behavior of the rope.
Therefore, the player has the expectation that the monkey will drop the prize by moving the prize container. In addition, instead of tug of war, there may be a case where a monkey performs fishing, or a monkey hits the prize accommodation section selected by the player with a hammer.

After the above operation is completed, the CPU 21 may generate a miracle chance. When the miracle chance does not occur, there is no change in appearance of the game device 1. CPU21 when a miracle chance occurs
Displays the characters "Miracle chance" on the display screen of the display device 4, and further displays the moving image of the gorilla character as shown in FIG. For example, a monkey transforms into a gorilla, and the gorilla performs various actions. Then, the CPU 21 controls all the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c,
6d is reciprocally rotated to the left and right to allow the player to win one of the prizes. Therefore, the player is amazed at the sudden and unexpected sudden acquisition of the prize, and dances wildly. This miracle chance appears every time the cumulative number of coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 11 reaches a predetermined value. That is, the prizes are constantly paid out. Therefore, in addition to improving the effect of the game device 1, the image of the game device 1 can be improved from a negative image of the game device 1 that does not hit to a positive image of the game device 1 that wins. Furthermore, it is possible to set whether or not to make a miracle chance appear by a predetermined switch inside the housing 2, and in addition, which prize accommodation section 6a, 6
Since you can also set whether to pay the prizes of b, 6c, 6d,
Amortization of stock premiums can be promoted. It should be noted that the cumulative number of coins for which a miracle chance should appear can be set by a predetermined switch inside the housing 2.

The above play can be performed, for example, three times for one coin insertion. In addition, there is a case where an extra bonus appears with an arbitrary probability and four coins can be played for one coin insertion.

Not only during the play but also during the demo, the prize storages 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are reciprocally rotated to the left and right, and moving images of various characters are displayed on the display screen of the display device 4. Characters on the display screen of the display device 4 respond by pressing the push button switches 9a and 9b to enhance the customer attraction effect.

As described above, the CPU 21 changes the moving image displayed on the display screen of the display device 4 and the reels 5a, 5a.
Since the rotation state of b and the rotation states of the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are interlocked with each other, a combination of these makes it possible to produce a wide variety of effects depending on the progress of the game as a whole device. Therefore, the player does not get bored even if the game is repeated a number of times continuously or at intervals, and the interest in the game can be maintained for a long period of time.

Further, since the display device 4 is provided, the display screen of the display device 4 can be used for various settings and tests at the time of installation or maintenance / inspection, and the work can be performed easily and quickly.

In the above embodiment, a relatively large prize, such as a mascot doll, is stored in each of the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.
Of course, a plurality of prizes may be accommodated in a, 6b, 6c and 6d. For example, as shown in FIG.
If a large number of prizes 51 such as small sweets in small boxes are stored in a, even if the prize storage portion 6a does not rotate to the left or right up to the maximum "5 stages", "4 stages in front of it" By rotating to ", some prizes 51 fall from the prize storage portion 6a, and the player can get some prizes 51."

Further, although two reels 5a and 5b are provided in the above embodiment, the number of reels is arbitrary.

Further, although the mechanical reels 5a and 5b are used as the reel portion in the above embodiment, it is not always necessary to use the mechanical reels, and for example, a display screen of a display device different from the display device 4 is used. It is also possible to use a virtual reel that is displayed as if the actual reel were spinning.

Further, in the above embodiment, the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are configured to rotate about the axis, but it is not always necessary to configure in this way.
For example, it may be configured to swing like a pendulum,
Alternatively, it may be configured to reciprocate on a predetermined locus in which straight lines and curved lines are combined.

Further, in the above embodiment, the prize dropped from the prize holders 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is directly paid out to the player, but the prize holders 6a, 6a are provided.
Samples of prizes may be stored in b, 6c, and 6d, and prizes equivalent to the dropped prizes may be paid out to the player.

Further, in the above embodiment, the prize storage portions 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are configured to be rotated in five steps, but the number of steps can be set arbitrarily.

Further, in the above embodiment, the hit / miss is determined by the lottery using the probability, and the reel outcome is controlled according to the lottery result. However, the player stops the reels 5a, 5b. Push button switch 9a,
It may be configured to uniquely determine the reel outcome according to the rotational positions of the reels 5a and 5b at the time of pressing the 9b.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a game device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a prize accommodation section provided in the game device shown in FIG.

3 is an explanatory diagram of display contents of reels included in the game device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the game device shown in FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of display contents by a display device included in the game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display contents on a display device included in the game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display contents on a display device included in the game device shown in FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of display contents by a display device included in the game device shown in FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of display contents by a display device included in the game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a prize is dropped from a prize storage unit provided in the game device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a relationship between a rotation state of a prize storage section provided in the game device shown in FIG. 1 and a posture of a prize.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of prizes are stored in a prize storage portion provided in the game device shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 game device 2 housing 4 display device 5a, 5b reel 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Freebie storage 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d Bucket lamp 9a, 9b push button switch 14,41,51 free gifts 21 CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 26 Reel motor drive 27 Bucket motor drive 28a, 28b reel motor 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d Bucket motor

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hidetomo Esumi             3-1, 3 Uchihirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Issue Capcom Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game device for playing a game based on a player's operation and paying out prizes according to a game result, the display device being capable of displaying a moving image on a display screen, and arranged at predetermined intervals. A plurality of patterns accommodates an arbitrary number of reel parts that can be scrolled in the arrangement direction of the patterns and an arbitrary number of the prizes, and the position and / or the posture is variable, and the predetermined position and / or the posture are obtained. Sometimes, a part or all of the stored prizes can be released, a change in a moving image displayed on the display screen of the display device, a scrolling state of the reel part, and a prize storing part. A game apparatus comprising interlocking control means for interlocking a change in position and / or attitude with each other. 2. The reel unit is a mechanical reel device in which the patterns are drawn on the outer peripheral surface at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and rotate independently of each other around an axis. Game device. 3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the reel portion is a pseudo reel that is displayed as a moving image on a display screen of a display device different from the display device. 4. The prize storage portion has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape in which a part of the outer peripheral surface is cut off along the entire length in the axial direction, and is installed so that the axial center is in a substantially horizontal direction. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is configured to be capable of reciprocating swing within an angle range.