JP2003199884A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an arrange ball game machine which has entertaining potentialities highly comparable with other games by varying the number of balls to be put out for the obtaining of a large number of game balls. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine which is provided with a ball entry part having a plurality of ball slots aligned horizontally at a lower part of a playing board, a shooter for shooting game balls onto the playing board and a ball put-out device that puts out a specified number of game balls according to winning generators when a specified number of game balls shot enter the ball slots predetermined of the ball entry part to establish the winning generators, there are arranged a staring ball slot disposed on the playing board, a liquid crystal display device for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, the first lottery means for determining symbols to be displayed by the lottery and a display control means which starts the variable display of symbols when the game balls enter the starting ball slot and controls the stopping of the variable display so as to display the symbols determined by the first lottery means after a specified time passes. The number of game balls to be put out is determined based on the winning generators established and the array of the symbols displayed and put out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine for playing a game using a game ball such as a pachinko ball, and in particular, a plurality of game balls provided on the lower part of the game board are game balls launched on the game board. Arrange ball machine that pays out a predetermined number of game balls according to the winning combination when it enters the mouth and a predetermined winning combination is established (in addition to the gaming machines installed in the game hall, a similar game on a screen such as a TV (Including game consoles that do).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional arranging ball machine, for example, a ball entrance having 16 ball entrances arranged in a row in a row is provided at the bottom of a game board, and a large number of obstacles are provided near the ball entrance. When a nail is provided and a predetermined number of game balls launched on the game board enter the four adjoining entrances of the entrance section and a predetermined winning combination is achieved, a prescribed number of winning balls is established according to the winning combination. The game balls are paid out to the players as prize balls.

An example of such an arrangement ball machine is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-107959. In this arrange ball machine, 16 entrances are provided at the bottom of the game board, and "1" to "16" are provided at the positions corresponding to the entrances.
A winning symbol display portion for displaying the numbers is provided. When a game ball shot on the game board enters any of the ball entrances, the winning symbol display portion corresponding to the game ball lights up. In this way, when four or more adjacent display units are lit, a winning combination is established, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out in accordance with the winning combination. In this game machine, if 16 winning game balls are shot per game and the winning combination is not established, the game balls are not paid out, and all the display parts that have been illuminated up to that point are turned off. The above is the basic play technique of the arrange ball machine.

In this basic playing technique, there is no winning combination until the game balls enter at least four adjacent entrances among the 16 entrances, and other gaming machines that use the game balls. However, compared to, for example, a pachinko machine, there is a problem that it takes more time to obtain a game result and the game is slow, that is, the number of balls thrown out is slow.

Therefore, in order to give the player the opportunity to obtain more payouts in one game, in the above arrangement ball machine, three patterns in the left, middle, and right horizontal rows are provided above the entrance portion ( Variable symbol display means for variable display of (symbol),
A starting ball entrance for starting the variable display and an opening-and-closing type central winning means are provided, and when the game ball enters the starting ball entrance, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out and a variable symbol display means. The symbols displayed in each column are changed for a certain period of time, and when the stopped symbols after the change become a combination of winning symbols, the opening and closing plate of the central winning means is opened to make it easier for game balls to enter and to establish a winning combination. The one adopting the structure of facilitating is described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-107959.

[0006]

According to the arranging ball machine which adopts the above-mentioned additional structure, more balls can be obtained than in the basic game, but other arrangements in the game hall are possible. Compared to amusement machines (especially pachinko machines with recent "probability change" function and pachislot machines that can acquire a large number of medals), they are much inferior in terms of payout. In addition, recent pachinko machines and pachislot machines are also focused on "directing", which is expected to produce game results, and in this respect, conventional arrange-ball machines are also inferior.

On the other hand, as an amusement store, it is desired to attract more customers by installing not only a pachinko machine and a pachi-slot machine but also various game machines. For this reason, there is a demand for an arrangement ball machine that makes it possible to obtain a payout comparable to that of a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine, and at the same time elaborately directs the production.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of arranging a large number of balls as described above and having an arrangement ball game having a taste not inferior to other games using gaming balls. Is.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a ball entrance portion having a plurality of ball entrances arranged in a row in the lower part of a game board, a ball launching means for launching a game ball on the game board, When a predetermined number of game balls emitted from the ball launching means enter a predetermined ball entrance of the ball entering section and a predetermined winning combination is established, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out in accordance with the winning combination. In a gaming machine provided with a ball payout means, a starting entrance provided at a specific position on a game board, a display means having a symbol display area for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, and a symbol displayed in the symbol display area First lottery means for deciding by a lottery, and when a game ball enters the starting entrance, the variable display of symbols is started, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the symbol decided by the first lottery means is displayed as a symbol. The variable display is stopped so that it is displayed in the area. Display control means, a payout number determination means for determining the payout number of gaming balls based on the winning combination that has been established and the arrangement of symbols displayed in the symbol display area, and the payout number determination means It is characterized by having a payout control means for controlling the ball payout means so as to pay out the game balls.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, when a predetermined bonus symbol is displayed in at least one of the symbol display areas when the variable display is stopped, the second lottery for determining the privilege corresponding to the bonus symbol by lottery. And a symbol change control means for changing the bonus symbol into a privilege information symbol representing the content of the privilege determined by the second lottery means. In this case, the symbol change control means may display the process of changing from the bonus symbol to the privilege information symbol by animation. Further, the privilege information symbol may include information regarding the game balls to be paid out.

In a more specific mode, the symbol display areas are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and the bonus symbols are displayed in the central symbol display area. In this case, the privilege information symbol is a wild symbol that can be regarded as any symbol that can be displayed in the symbol display area, and the payout amount determination means displays the wild symbol in the central symbol display area and the central symbol. When the symbols displayed in the two symbol display areas located across the display area are the same, it is determined that the same symbols are aligned in these three symbol display areas, and the payout number of game balls is determined. Is preferred.

Alternatively, the symbol change control means changes the bonus symbol to a wild symbol, replaces the symbols displayed in the other symbol display areas with the wild symbols in order, and displays the wild symbol in the symbol display area. It is also possible to determine that the same symbols have been collected and determine the number of game balls to be paid out. In this case, the process of sequentially replacing the symbols in the symbol display area with wild symbols may be displayed by an animation in which the wild symbols move in each symbol display area.

[0013]

According to the present invention, when the game ball launched from the ball launch means enters the starting ball entrance, the variable display of the symbol is started and the variable display is stopped after a predetermined time. The symbol displayed at the time of this stop is determined by the lottery by the first lottery means, and the symbol combination at the time of the stop,
The payout number of game balls is determined on the basis of the winning combination achieved when the game balls enter a predetermined entrance.

That is, in the conventional arrangement ball machine,
When the symbol displayed when the variable display started when the game ball enters the starting entrance is stopped is a combination of predetermined winning symbols, the central winning means is opened to win the prize. However, in the gaming machine of the present invention, if the symbols displayed when the variable display is stopped are a winning combination,
While the number of game balls corresponding to that is paid out, the number of game balls determined based on the symbol combination at the time of stop and the winning combination established up to that point is paid out even if the winning combination is not achieved.

Therefore, in the past, if the symbols displayed when the variable display was stopped were not a combination of winning symbols, more gaming balls could not be obtained, but in the present invention, a combination of winning symbols is used. Even without it, it is possible to obtain more game balls than the number of winning prizes. In addition, since the symbols displayed when the variable display is stopped are determined by lottery, it is only possible to determine what kind of symbol combination will result, and even a beginner can win the game. You can have expectations for the results of.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the second lottery means, when a predetermined bonus symbol is displayed in at least one of the symbol display areas when the variable display is stopped, the bonus corresponding to the bonus symbol. Is decided by lottery. The symbol change control means changes the bonus symbol to a privilege information symbol representing the content of the privilege determined by the second lottery means. As a result, the player imagines what kind of privilege information symbol the bonus symbol will change, and expects the result, which can increase the player's expectation.

When the process of changing from the bonus symbol to the privilege information symbol is displayed by animation, the player sees how the bonus symbol gradually changes to the privilege information symbol, and finally, what kind of privilege information symbol is changed? I am wondering if it will happen, and I can expect more.

Further, if the privilege information symbol is made to include the information about the game balls to be paid out, the player knows the information (for example, how many times the game balls are paid out). You can

Further, the symbol display areas are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and when the bonus symbols are displayed in the central symbol display area, the bonus symbols can be made conspicuous.

Further, when the privilege information symbol is a wild symbol which can be regarded as any symbol, it is assumed that the symbol combination when the variable display is stopped is a symbol array in which no game balls are paid out if there is no wild symbol. Also, the existence of the wild symbol means that the symbols are aligned, and the payout number of game balls is determined based on the symbols. Therefore, since the privilege information symbol is a wild symbol, it is possible to increase the player's expectation in which direction the symbols are aligned.

The symbol change control means changes the bonus symbol to a wild symbol, and
When the symbols displayed in other symbol display areas are replaced with the wild symbols in order and it is determined that the symbols are aligned in the symbol display area in which the wild symbol is displayed, the symbols are aligned vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The possibility is increased and the player's expectation can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, by displaying the process of sequentially replacing the symbols in the symbol display area with the wild symbols by displaying the animation in which the wild symbols move in each symbol display area, the player's expectation can be further enhanced.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An arrangement ball machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the arranging ball machine 1 is configured by arranging a game board 3 inside an upper glass of a front door 2 and arranging various winning areas on the game board surface. It has a section. At approximately the center of the game board 3, a liquid crystal display device 4 is arranged as a display means for displaying various effects such as variable display of symbols and animation. Details of each part of the game board 3 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Below the game board 3, there is an outlet 9 (FIG. 2).
The upper plate 21 for accumulating the game balls (pachinko balls) discharged from is provided, and the game balls discharged to the upper plate 21 are supplied to the launching device 42 (FIG. 3) provided on the back side of the game board 3. To be done. Further, below the upper plate 21, a discharge port 22 for discharging the game balls from the upper plate 21, a lower plate 23 for accumulating the game balls discharged from here, a game ball launching device 42.
A shooting handle 24 as a shooting operation means for shooting the sound from the game machine toward the game section, a speaker 40 for outputting sound of BGM and the like are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device 4 arranged in the approximate center of the game board 3 has a screen 3a on the screen 4a.
A plurality of symbols are variably displayed as images in nine symbol display areas (FIG. 5) arranged in rows and three columns. The liquid crystal display device 4 starts the variable display of these symbols on the screen 4a when a game ball enters a starting ball entrance 6 described later. When the display of a symbol becomes a predetermined symbol combination mode (for example, a symbol combination such as “7-7-7”) when the variable display is stopped, a game ball according to the predetermined symbol combination mode is paid out. It has been established as follows. Details will be described later. In addition to the above symbols, the liquid crystal display device 4 displays bonus symbols, which will be described later, and various effects such as animation.

In addition to the liquid crystal display device 4 of this embodiment, a large number of LEDs are used as display means for displaying the above symbols and the like.
It is also possible to use an electric display such as a CRT, a plasma display, an electroluminescence, or the like configured by arranging the above. Further, instead of an electrical display, a mechanical device that performs variable display by a rotating reel having a symbol drawn on the outer peripheral surface may be used.

The lower part of the game board 3 is provided with 16 entrance balls 8 arranged in a row in a row, a large number of obstacle nails (not shown) above it, and an out ball that collects out balls below it. Mouth 9
Is provided.

Each ball entry portion 8 is provided with a ball entry symbol display lamp 8a. These entry symbol display lamps 8a are numbered from 1 to 16 in order from the left, and when a game ball enters one of the entry parts 8, it corresponds to the entry part 8. The ball entry pattern display lamp 8a provided as above is turned on. As a result, "1" to "1"
It is shown which of the 6 ball entrance portions 8 the game ball has entered. If the game balls enter four or more adjacent ball entrance portions 8, a winning combination is established. A predetermined number of game balls are paid out according to the winning combination, and then the game symbol display lamp 8a is turned off.

Below the liquid crystal display device 4, a starting ball entrance (so-called start hole) 6 is provided. When the game ball enters the starting ball entrance 6, it means that the ball enters the ball entry part 8 of "3", "9", and "14" (that is,
"3", "9", and "14" ball entry symbol display lamp 8
a lights up). In addition, when the game ball enters the starting entrance 6, the variable display of symbols is performed as described later.

On the left side of the game board 3, a rail 10 is installed. The game ball launched from the launching device 42 provided on the back surface side of the game board 3 moves upward along the rail 10 and reaches the game area. Further, a left windmill 14 is provided on the left side of the liquid crystal display device 4, and a right windmill 16 is provided on the right side thereof.

When the game ball enters the left side of the starting ball entrance 6, it means that the ball enters "1", "7", and "12" ball entrance section 8 ("1", "7"). , And the "12" entry symbol display lamp 8a is lit), a left entrance 18 is provided, and the right side of the starting entrance 6 is "6" when a game ball enters, 11 "and" 16 "are entered into the ball entering portion 8 (" 6 "," 11 ", and" 16 "ball entry symbol display lamps 8a are lit) A mouth 19 is provided. Further, a side lamp 41a is provided on the left side of the left entrance 18 and a side lamp 41b is provided on the right side of the right entrance 19. These side lamps 41a and 41b are decoration lamps that produce an effect by light according to the game state.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit section in the arrange ball machine 1. The main operation of this gaming machine is controlled by a main control circuit 30 as a main control means. The main control circuit 30 is a ROM 30 that is a read-only storage unit that stores a control program.
b, a RAM 30c that is a readable / writable storage unit,
MPU 30a as an arithmetic processing unit that executes a control operation according to a control program stored in the ROM 30b
And a random number counter 15 for generating a random number, which are arranged on one circuit board. In addition,
MPU 30a, ROM 30b, RA on the main control circuit 30
M30c is an MPU on the display control circuit 31 described later.
In order to distinguish them from others, they are called "main MPU" 30a, "main ROM" 30b, and "main RAM" 30c. The main MPU 30a executes the processing of the control program stored in the main ROM 30b in response to the input of the reset signal that is generated periodically.

As shown in FIG. 3, the relay circuit 34 on the board connected to the main control circuit 30 enters each of the ball entry parts 8 of "1" to "16" as a game ball detection means. Lower ball sensor 8S that detects a game ball, left ball sensor 18S that detects a game ball that has entered left ball entrance 18, right ball sensor 19S that detects a game ball that has entered right ball entrance 19, and start A starting ball sensor 6S that detects a game ball that has entered the ball entrance 6, a launch ball sensor 20a that detects a game ball that has been launched into the game area by the launch device 42, and a game area that has been launched from the launch device 42. A return ball sensor 20b that detects a game ball that has returned without reaching inside is connected. Also,
The relay circuit 34 is also connected to a lamp control device 41 that controls lighting of various lamps on the game board 3, such as the above-mentioned ball entry symbol display lamp 8a and side lamps 41a and 41b.

A detection signal indicating that each of the above-mentioned sensors has detected a game ball is sent through the relay circuit 34 to the main control circuit 30.
It is input to the upper main MPU 30a. Main MPU3
0a makes various determinations based on the input detection signal, and transmits an operation command to the display control circuit 31 and the like.

The display control circuit 31 generates image data based on the control command transmitted from the main control circuit 30, and controls the display operation of the liquid crystal display device 4 based on this image data. The display control circuit 31 is configured by arranging various circuits on a circuit board different from the circuit board on which the main control circuit 30 is arranged. These circuits include the main control circuit 30.
A sub-MPU 31a for interpreting the control command received from the sub-MPU 31a and for setting parameters of the VDP 31d described later, and this sub-MPU 31a.
A program ROM 31b storing a control program executed by U31a, a work RAM 31c serving as a temporary storage unit when executing the control program, and an image ROM 31 storing dot data for forming an image.
e, VDP (Video Display) that reads the dot data in the image ROM 31e according to the parameters set by the sub MPU 31a and generates the image data to be displayed.
Processor) 31d, a D / A converter 31g for converting the image data generated by the VDP 31d into an RGB signal,
CTC (Counter) to interrupt every predetermined time
Timer Circuit) 31f and sub MPUs 31a and V when the control program enters an abnormal processing routine.
It includes a reset IC 31h that issues a reset command for returning the DP 31d to the initial state.

The sound control circuit 32 includes a CPU, ROM, RA
An M, a sound IC, and an amplifier circuit AMP (not shown) are provided to control the operation of the speaker 40. Ball payout control circuit 3
3 controls the launch device 42 and the ball payout device 43 based on the operation command issued from the main control circuit 30.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the main control circuit 30, the display control circuit 31, and the ball payout control circuit 33 for realizing various displays on the liquid crystal display device 4.

The main control circuit 30 determines by a lottery the symbols to be displayed in the symbol display area (FIG. 5) on the screen 4a of the liquid crystal display device 4 on the basis of the input signal from the starting ball input sensor 6S. A lottery means 101, a second lottery means 102 for determining a privilege information symbol to be described later by lottery, a start ball entrance sensor 6S, a lower ball entrance sensor 8S,
The winning combination determination means 103 for determining whether or not the winning combination is established based on the input signals from the left entrance sensor 18S, the right entrance sensor 19S, and the launch ball sensor 20a; the first lottery means 101; The function as the payout quantity determination means 104 for determining the payout quantity of the game balls based on the determination results or the determination results of the lottery means 102 and the winning combination determination means 103.

The display control circuit 31 includes the first lottery means 10
Symbol display control means 105 for controlling the liquid crystal display device 4 so as to display the symbol determined in 1 on the screen 4a,
The symbol change control unit 106 that controls the liquid crystal display device 4 to display the change from the bonus symbol to the privilege information symbol on the screen 4a based on the determination result of the second lottery unit 102 is fulfilled.

The ball payout control circuit 33 functions as a payout control means 107 for controlling the ball payout device 43 so as to pay out the number of game balls determined by the payout number determination means 104.

Next, a specific example of the effect displayed on the screen 4a of the liquid crystal display device 4 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the screen 4a has nine symbol display areas D11 to D33 arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns. Symbol display area D22 located in the center
Is a symbol display area in which a bonus symbol can be displayed (hereinafter referred to as “bonus symbol display area”).
Here, the "bonus symbol" means its display area D2.
A symbol that changes to a symbol indicating some privilege after the variable display of symbols is stopped in 2.

FIG. 6A is an example of a data table showing the types of symbols determined in the first lottery, and FIG.
It is an example of a data table showing the types of privilege information symbols determined in the second lottery.

The symbol table of FIG. 6A is a table that defines the relationship between the random numbers generated by the random number counter 15 and the symbols. The symbols in this example correspond to the random number values “0” to “5” from the left, and the bonus symbols “egg”, “one blade”, “two blades”, “three blades”, “cross”. The blades are referred to as "blades" and "7".
Then, in the symbol display areas D11 to D33 of FIG. 5, 8 (vertical, left, middle, and right three lines), horizontal (upper, middle, and lower three lines), and diagonal (upward right, downward right two lines) 8 When three of the same symbols are lined up in any of the lines (a winning combination is established), the number of game balls corresponding to the established winning combination is paid out. For example, 10 if the winning combination is established with the "1 blade" symbol, 20 if the winning combination is established with "2 blades", 30 if the winning combination is established with "3 blades", and "intersection". If the winning combination is achieved with "Hane", 50
If the winning combination is established with "7", 100 game balls are paid out.

The privilege information symbol table of FIG. 6 (b) is a table defining the relationship between the random number generated by the random number counter 15 and the privilege information symbol. The privilege information symbol of this example is a random number value “0” to “6” from the left.
Corresponding to, "Displacement", "2 times", "10 times", "2
It is referred to as "0 times", "50 times", "wild without movement" and "wild with movement". And, "double" means that if the winning combination is established, the number of game balls to be paid out is doubled, "10".
"Double" is 10 times the number of game balls to be paid out if the winning combination is established, and "20 times" is 20 times the number of game balls to be paid out if the winning combination is established, "50 times". Indicates that, if a winning combination is established, the number of game balls to be paid out is multiplied by 50. “Out” means that the number of game balls to be paid out is not doubled as described above even if the winning combination is established. “Wild without movement” is a wild symbol that can be regarded as any symbol. Further, the “wild with movement” is a wild symbol (hereinafter referred to as “super wild symbol”) that sequentially moves from the bonus symbol display area D22 to another symbol display area. If "Wild without movement" or "Wild with movement" is included, gaming balls corresponding to the winning combination that has been established are paid out.

Therefore, the above "off", "double",
"10 times", "20 times", "50 times", "no movement wild" and "moving wild" are privilege information symbols including information on gaming balls to be paid out.

When the variable display of symbols is started as described above, as shown in FIG. 7, nine symbol display areas D are displayed.
In the left, middle, and right three-column display areas 11 to D33, the symbols scroll from top to bottom in a predetermined order. As a result, like the variable display section of the slot machine, the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the three left, middle, and right cylindrical reels appear to move as the reels rotate.

The first lottery means 101 (FIG. 4) determines a symbol to be displayed in each symbol display area D11, ..., D33 based on the random number generated by the random number counter 15. The symbols to be displayed may be determined from any of the symbol display areas D11 to D33, but here,
Starting from the symbol display area D11 on the upper left, D12, D
13, D21, D22, D23, D31, D32, D3
The symbols to be displayed are determined in the order of 3. The determination method will be described.

First, regarding the upper left symbol display area D11, for example, when the value of the random number generated by the random number counter 15 is "1", referring to the symbol table of FIG. 6A corresponds to "1". Since the symbol is “single blade”, “single blade” is determined as the symbol displayed in the symbol display area D11 at the upper left. Similarly, the symbols displayed in the nine symbol display areas D11 to D33 including the bonus symbol display area D22 are sequentially determined based on the value of the random number generated by the random number counter 15. When the value of the random number is “0”, the corresponding symbol is the bonus symbol “egg”, so the symbol “egg” is displayed in the bonus symbol display area D22.

In the example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the random number counter 15 generates a random number "0" to "6", and the symbols corresponding to the random number values are displayed in the respective symbol display areas. Although it is displayed, for example, the random number counter 15 also generates "7". When "7" occurs, a specific symbol is not displayed in the symbol display area and, for example, the symbol and the symbol are not displayed. A gap between them may be displayed.

Next, the symbol display control means 105.
(FIG. 4) stops the variable display of the symbols in the respective symbol display areas D11 to D33 based on the symbols determined by the first lottery means 101 as described above, and displays the symbols in the respective symbol display areas of the screen 4a. Is displayed. Here, the timing to stop the variable display of symbols is
This is when a predetermined time has elapsed since the game start operation was input by the player. Note that when the variable display is stopped, the movement of the symbols is gradually delayed to display an animation as if the reel rotation stopped.

During the above-described symbol variation display, as shown in FIG. 8, the "intersection blade" is displayed in the lower left symbol display area D13, and the same "intersection blade" is displayed in the upper right symbol display area D31. When the bonus symbol “egg” is displayed in the bonus symbol display area D22, the second lottery means 102 (FIG. 4) displays the random number counter 1
The privilege information symbol corresponding to the value of the random number generated by 5 is determined. When the value is "3", the privilege information symbol is determined to be a "20 times" symbol with reference to the privilege information symbol table of FIG. 6 (b).

Subsequently, the symbol change control means 106
(FIG. 4), the process of changing from the bonus symbol (egg) to the privilege information symbol (in this case, the “20 times” symbol) is displayed by animation. Specifically, the change from the bonus symbol to the privilege information symbol is displayed by an animation in which an egg breaks and a chick hatches. This can increase the player's expectation as to what kind of privilege information symbol the bonus symbol will change.

FIG. 9 shows a display state after changing from the bonus symbol to the privilege information symbol. Here, "20
Since the specific information symbol "double" is not a "wild symbol" and is not regarded as a "crossed blade", a winning combination has not been established. Therefore, the game balls are not paid out.

Next, the operation when the wild symbol is determined as the privilege information symbol by the second lottery means 102 will be described. Since the operation up to the second lottery is the same as the above-mentioned operation, duplicate description will be omitted and the change of the privilege information symbol will be described.

First, when "6" is generated by the random number counter 15, the second lottery means 102 determines the privilege information symbol to be a "super wild symbol" from the privilege information symbol table of FIG. 6 (b). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the symbol change control means 106 changes the bonus symbol displayed in the bonus symbol display area D22 into the super wild symbol M1 and another super wild symbol M2 in the bonus symbol display area D22. To symbol display area D2
Move to 1. When the super wild symbol M2 reaches the symbol display area D21, the symbol "7" displayed in the symbol display area D21 is covered, and as shown in FIG.
21 symbols are replaced by super wild symbols M2. As a result, the super wild symbols M2 and M1 in the symbol display areas D21 and D22 can be regarded as the "single blade" symbols therebelow, and the "single blade" is displayed in the intermediate vertical symbol display areas D21, D22, and D23. The symbols will be aligned.

Next, the super wild symbol M2 that has moved to the symbol display area D21 moves to the symbol display area D11 on the left side, and the displayed "single blade" symbol is replaced with the super wild symbol M2. As a result, the symbol display area D1 on the lower right line
Symbols are aligned at 1, D22 and D33. Similarly, the super wild symbol M2 is displayed in the symbol display area D1.
2, D13, D23, D33, D32, D31 in that order, and two super wild symbols M each time.
Align the symbols in the direction in which 1 and M2 are lined up. As a result, at least 8 kinds of symbols are arranged. The payout amount determination means 104 is at least 8 arranged by the super wild symbols M1 and M2 as described above.
Based on the street symbol array, the number of payouts of game balls is determined.

As described above, when the bonus symbol is displayed in the central symbol display area D22 defined as the bonus symbol display area, the arrange ball machine 1 of the embodiment determines the privilege information symbol to be changed. Two
The bonus symbol is changed to the determined privilege information symbol by the symbol change control unit 106. As a result, since the bonus symbol changes to the privilege information symbol after the variable display of the symbol is stopped, the player has a sense of expectation as to what kind of privilege information symbol will change even after the symbol stops, and The interest can be increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the privilege information symbols stored as the privilege information symbol table include information on the gaming balls to be paid out, respectively, and
The privilege information symbol is determined by the lottery means 102. This increases the player's expectation of which privilege information symbol is determined by lottery and how many gaming balls are paid out. Furthermore, by preparing a so-called "big hit" role in which the symbols are aligned in eight directions of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal by the two super wild symbols M1 and M2, the player's expectation can be further enhanced. .

The control processing performed by the main control circuit 30 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the power is turned on, the main MPU 30a performs a game start process (FIG. 13) (ST1). Subsequently, a shot ball detection process (FIG. 14) is performed (ST2), and a ball entry detection process (FIG. 15) is performed (ST).
3). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of entered balls reaches the upper limit (for example, 10) (ST4), and if "YES", the game stop process (FIG. 16) is performed (ST5), and the process returns to the beginning. If the determination in ST4 is "NO", the process returns to the firing ball detection process in ST2.

FIG. 13 shows the procedure of the game start processing in ST1.

First, the number of shots is cleared (ST1
1) Clear the number of entered balls (ST12). Subsequently, the entry symbol display lamp 8a is turned off (ST13), and the stop of the launching device 42 stopped at the end of the previous game is released (ST1).
4). Then, the process proceeds to the next process (ST2).

FIG. 14 shows the procedure of the shot ball detection process in ST2.

First, it is determined whether or not a game ball is detected (ST21), and if "NO", the process waits, and if "YES", the number of shots is counted up (+1 is added) (S).
T22). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of shots has reached the upper limit (that is, 16 shots in one game) (ST23), and "N
If "O", the process returns to the beginning, and if "YES", the launching device 42 is stopped (ST24), and the process proceeds to the next process (ST3).

FIG. 15 shows the procedure of the ball entry detection process in ST3.

First, it is determined whether or not the game ball is detected by the starting ball-in sensor 6S (ST31). If "YES", the process moves to the first lottery (ST37), and if "NO", the lower part. It is determined whether or not the game ball is detected by the ball-in sensor 8S (ST32). If “YES” here, the routine proceeds to ST35, which will be described later, and if “NO”, the left entrance sensor 18
It is determined whether or not the game ball is detected in S (ST33),
If "YES" here, the process proceeds to ST35, which will be described later, and "N"
When "O", it is determined whether or not a game ball is detected by the right ball sensor 19S (ST34). When "YES", the process proceeds to ST35 described later, and when "NO", the next process (ST4). Move on to.

At ST35, the entry symbol display lamp lamp 8a is turned on as described above in response to the input signal from the starting entry sensor 6S, the lower entry sensor 8S, the left entry sensor 18S or the right entry sensor 19S. . Then, the number of entered balls is counted up (+1 is added) (ST36), and the process proceeds to the next process (ST4).

On the other hand, when the start ball is detected in ST31, the first lottery is carried out (ST37). As a result, it is determined whether or not the bonus symbol is determined (S
T38), if "NO", move to next ST40 and "Y"
When "ES", it is determined which bonus information symbol the bonus symbol is changed to by the second lottery described above (ST39), and the process proceeds to the next ST40. In ST40, the lottery results of ST37 and ST39 are displayed and controlled. Circuit 31
, The symbol variation display is started as described above (ST41), and the process proceeds to the next process (ST4).

FIG. 16 shows the procedure of the game stop processing of ST5 which is performed when the number of entered balls has not reached the upper limit in the determination of ST4.

First, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation display (ST51). If "NO", the process stands by. If "YES", a command to stop the symbol variation display is issued. Sent to (ST5
2) The winning combination is determined (ST53). Then, the first lottery result is judged (ST54) and the second lottery result is judged (ST55), and the payout number of the game balls is totaled (ST.
56), the number of payouts is transmitted to the ball payout control circuit 33 (ST57), and the control process starts (ST1).

In the above embodiment, the super wild symbol has symbol display areas D21, D11, D12, D.
13, D23, D33, D32, and D31 move in the order (counterclockwise), but the order of moving the super wild symbol is not limited to this, and may move clockwise. Alternatively, the symbol display area may be moved randomly. Further, where to finally stop the Super Wild symbol may be determined by lottery.

As the display means, in addition to the liquid crystal display device, a plurality of electric indicators such as an LED display, a CRT, a plasma display, and electroluminescence are provided.
You may make it display a symbol and display of effects etc. on separate screens.

Also, by inserting a game medium other than the game ball (for example, a coin or a medal), it becomes possible to shoot a predetermined number of game balls, and when a winning combination is established, the number of game media corresponding to the combination is achieved. (For example, coins and medals) may be paid out.

The above example is an arrange ball machine installed in a game shop or the like, but the present invention is also carried out as a game program for artificially executing the above-described operation for a home game machine. be able to.

The game program for realizing the functions of the gaming machine according to the present invention may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or distributed using a telecommunication line such as the Internet or a satellite communication line. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front external view of an arrangement ball machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the game unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric circuit unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration for realizing various displays and sphere payouts on the liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol display area on the screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing types of symbols corresponding to random number values.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of variable display of symbols.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state where a bonus symbol is displayed in the center.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change from the bonus symbol of FIG. 8 to a privilege information symbol.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a super wild symbol moves upward from the center.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which a super wild symbol that has moved is replaced.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of control processing of a main control circuit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of game start processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a shot ball detection process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a ball detection process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of game stop processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Arrange ball machine, 2 ... Front door, 3 ... Game board, 4 ...
Liquid crystal display device, 6 ... Starting ball entrance, 6s ... Starting ball sensor, 8 ... Ball part, 8a ... Ball symbol display lamp, 8S ... Lower ball sensor, 9 ... Out port, 10 ... Rail, 14 ... Left windmill, 15 ... Random number counter, 16 ... Right windmill, 18S ... Left ball sensor, 19S ... Right ball sensor, 20a ... Launch ball sensor, 20b ... Return ball sensor, 21 ... Upper plate, 22 ... Discharge port, 23 ... Lower plate, 24 ... Firing handle, 30 ... Main control circuit, 30a ... Main MPU, 30b ... Main ROM, 3
0c ... Main RAM, 31 ... Display control circuit, 31a ... Sub MPU, 31b ... Program ROM, 31c ... Work RAM, 31d ... VDP, 31e ... Image ROM, 31f
... CTC, 31g ... D / A converter, 31h ... Reset I
C, 32 ... Voice control circuit, 33 ... Ball payout control circuit, 34
... relay circuit, 40 ... speaker, 41 ... lamp control device,
42 ... Launching device, 43 ... Ball dispensing device.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A ball-in portion in which a plurality of ball-in openings are arranged in a row in a row in the lower part of a game board, a ball launching means for launching a game ball on the game board, and the ball launching means. When a predetermined number of game balls enter a predetermined ball entrance of the ball entrance section and a predetermined winning combination is established, a ball payout means for paying out a predetermined number of game balls according to the winning combination is provided. In the gaming machine, a starting entrance provided at a specific position on the gaming board, display means having a symbol display area for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, and symbols to be displayed in the symbol display area are determined by lottery. First lottery means, and when the game ball enters the starting entrance, the variable display of the symbols is started, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the symbols determined by the first lottery means are displayed in the symbol display area. The variable display is stopped so that it is displayed. Display control means for controlling stop, a payout amount determination means for determining the payout number of gaming balls based on the established winning combination and the arrangement of the symbols displayed in the symbol display area, and the payout number determination means. A gaming machine comprising: a payout control means for controlling the ball payout means so as to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined bonus symbol is displayed in at least one of the symbol display areas when the variable display is stopped, a privilege corresponding to the bonus symbol is selected by lottery. A game machine provided with a second lottery means for determining and a symbol change control means for changing the bonus symbol into a privilege information symbol representing the content of the privilege determined by the second lottery means. . 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the symbol change control means displays a process of changing from the bonus symbol to the privilege information symbol by animation. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the privilege information symbol includes information on a gaming ball to be paid out. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the symbol display areas are arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns, and the bonus symbols are displayed in the central symbol display area. Machine. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the privilege information symbol is a wild symbol that can be regarded as any symbol that can be displayed in the symbol display area, and the payout amount determination means is the center. When the wild symbol is displayed in the symbol display area and the symbols displayed in the two symbol display areas located across the central symbol display area are the same, the same symbol is displayed in the three symbol display areas. A gaming machine, characterized in that it is determined that they have been collected, and the number of payouts of the game balls is determined. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the privilege information symbol is a wild symbol that can be regarded as any symbol that can be displayed in the symbol display area, and the symbol change control means is the bonus. While changing the symbol to the wild symbol, the symbols displayed in other symbol display areas are sequentially replaced with the wild symbols, and it is determined that the same symbols are aligned in the symbol display area in which the wild symbol is displayed. The gaming machine is characterized in that the payout number of the gaming balls is determined. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the symbol change control means replaces the symbols in the symbol display area with the wild symbols in order, and the wild symbols move in each symbol display area. A game machine characterized by being displayed by animation.