JP2003260212A - Game machine, control method of game machine, server and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visually enjoyable game machine while significantly shooting a game ball so that a shooting stop is effectively restrained when the upper limit number of the holding number of a variation frequency is satisfied. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine variably displays a variable pattern when the game ball enters a winning hole, holds the effect when the other game ball enters the winning hole when variably displaying this variable pattern, and has restriction on the holding number. The game ball is stored in a game ball storage device for storing the game ball enterable into the winning hole. While releasing the whole game balls stored in the game ball storage device when the holding number becomes less than the restriction number (S11), when the storage number of game balls stored in the game ball storage device becomes the prescribed number or more (S8: YES), a display mode of an animation image displayed till then is changed (S9). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko machine, a game machine control method, a server, and a computer program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko gaming machine, for example, a general way of enjoying a game is to shift to a big hit game state, which is a game state advantageous to a player. When shifting to the big hit game state, for example, three symbols are variably displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and then the same three symbols are stopped and displayed in a state of being aligned. Further, in the process of reaching the confirmed state in which the three symbols are stopped and displayed, one symbol is variably displayed, the other symbols are stopped and displayed, and these other symbols are arranged in the same symbol, so-called reach. The status is displayed. In this reach state, one moving image is selectively displayed out of a series of moving images of a plurality of types, the reach state is rendered, and the player is provided with fun.

[0003]

The condition for shifting to the big hit game state is that the game ball wins the starting opening. When the gaming ball wins the starting opening, the three symbols as described above are displayed in a variably manner, but if another gaming ball wins the starting opening during the variation display, that effect is suspended and the variable display ends. When this is done, the variable display of the held amount is started. The upper limit of the number of reservations is predetermined to be 4, for example. Therefore, when the upper limit of the number of reserves is satisfied, even if the game ball wins the starting opening,
The number of reservations will not increase any more. Therefore, the player may perform a hitting operation (so-called hitting) in which the operation handle for firing the game ball is once released and the game ball is not fired. If such a stop hit is performed, the game ball is not released to the game area by that amount, which is not preferable for the hole side.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised under the circumstances described above, and in order to effectively suppress a stop hit when the upper limit of the number of fluctuations to be held is satisfied, a game is played. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine, a game machine control method, a server, and a computer program that can be visually enjoyed while striking a ball meaningfully.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a variation symbol is variably displayed when a game ball is won in the winning opening, and another gaming ball is won in the winning opening while the variation symbol is displayed in a variable manner. In the case of a gaming machine that holds that fact and has a limit on the number of holdings, when the storing means for storing gaming balls that can win a prize in the winning opening and the number of holdings satisfies the limited number. The game balls are stored in the storage means, and the game balls stored in the storage means are released when the number of holdings is less than the limit number, while the storage of the game balls stored in the storage means A gaming machine is provided, which is provided with a control means for changing the effect image in accordance with the number or the excess storage number.

According to the present invention, when the upper limit number is set in advance for the number of fluctuations to be held (for example, 4)
Number), when the upper limit number of the reserved number is satisfied, the game balls are stored by the storage means. Then, when there is a vacancy in the upper limit of the number of reserves, all or part of the game balls stored by the storage means is released, and, for example, the winning opening is won. On the other hand, when the stored number or the excessive storage number exceeds, for example, a predetermined number, the effect image that has been displayed up to that point is changed, and a visual effect is exhibited.

Therefore, even when the upper limit number of the number of times of fluctuation is satisfied, the game balls are stored in the storage means, and if a predetermined number or more are stored, a moving image that is interesting as a production image can be seen. Therefore, the player actively tries to store the game balls in order to see such a moving image. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a so-called stop hitting, which is inconvenient for the hall side, from being performed by the player.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the variation symbol is variably displayed by the game ball winning in the winning opening, and another gaming ball has won the winning opening while the variation symbol is variably displayed. In that case, a method for controlling a gaming machine that holds that fact and has a limit on the number of holdings, wherein game balls that can be won in the winning opening are stored in storage means, and the number of holdings becomes less than the limit number. When the game balls stored in the storage means are released, the effect image is changed according to the number of stored or the excess storage of the game balls stored in the storage means. A method of controlling a machine is provided.

According to the present invention, the control method of the gaming machine can be applied to, for example, a portable game machine other than the pachinko gaming machine.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a server,
A plurality of terminal devices capable of bidirectional communication with the server via a communication network are included, and when a player accesses the server from the terminal device, a virtual device is displayed by the display device of the terminal device. A server used in a communication game system in which at least a game area portion of a gaming machine is displayed, and a game is executed by the gaming machine based on an operation of the terminal device by a player, wherein the virtual gaming machine is When the game ball is won in the winning opening, the variable design is variably displayed, and when another gaming ball wins the winning opening while the variable design is displayed, the fact is suspended and the number of reservations is limited. The game balls that can be won in the winning opening are stored in the storage device, and the game balls stored in the storage device are released when the number of holdings is less than the limit number. On the other hand, characterized in that it comprises a control means for changing the effect image in accordance with the reserved number or the number of accumulating excess pooled the game balls in said storage means, the server is provided.

According to the present invention, the player can easily enjoy the game on a terminal device such as a personal computer at home.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the game ball is won in the winning opening, the variable symbol is variably displayed, and during the variable display of the variable symbol, another gaming ball is won in the winning edge. In this case, a computer program for holding that effect and controlling a gaming machine having a limit on the number of holdings thereof, storing game balls that can be won in the winning opening in a storing means, and limiting the number of holdings. While releasing the game sphere stored in the storage means when the number is less than the number, a control procedure for changing the effect image according to the number of storage of the game sphere stored in the storage means or the excess number of storage There is provided a computer program including a program for causing a computer to execute.

According to the present invention, the operation of the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention can be realized by the above computer program.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least the game area portion of the virtual game machine is displayed by the display device, and the game is executed by the game machine based on the operation of the terminal device by the player. It is a computer program for controlling a game game, wherein the virtual game machine variably displays a variable symbol by a game ball winning a winning opening, and another game is displayed while the variable symbol is variably displayed. When a ball wins the winning opening, the fact is withheld, and the holding number is limited, and game balls that can be won in the winning opening are stored in the storage means, and the holding number is the limited number. When the number of game balls stored in the storage means is released when the number becomes smaller, the effect image is changed according to the number of stored or excess storage of the game balls stored in the storage means. Characterized in that it comprises a program for executing a control procedure in a computer, the computer program is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the effects of the computer program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention.

[0018]

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 a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a game area 2 covered with a transparent plate made of glass or the like is provided in a substantially upper half of the front surface of the main body 1 of the pachinko gaming machine. In the lower half of the front surface of the main body 1, that is, below the game area 2, an operation handle 3 for launching a game ball into the game area 2 by a player's turning operation, and a game ball in a prize hole described later. The upper game ball tray 4a for storing the game balls obtained by winning the prize and the game balls borrowed by the player
And, the lower game ball receiving tray 4b for storing the game balls that have been shot by the operation of the operation handle 3 but have not reached the game area 2 or the game balls overflowing from the upper game ball receiving tray 4a due to fullness. And a speaker 5 for outputting sound.

In the game area 2, a first display device 6 for displaying a plurality of variable symbols and the like, and a game ball shot in the game area 2 are displayed on the first display device 6 by winning. When the game ball wins the starting opening 7 as a winning opening for changing the fluctuation pattern being displayed and the fluctuation display of the fluctuation pattern, when the game ball wins in the starting opening 7, the game is held in order to hold the maximum number of fluctuations of four times. Whether or not the first memory number display device 8 for notifying the player of the number of winning game balls as the reserved number and the device for expanding the ordinary electric auditors product 7a provided at the entrance of the starting opening 7 are required. A second display device 9 for displaying a normal symbol that is a factor for determining, a game ball storage device 14 for storing a game ball when the number of times of variation of the variable symbol is satisfied, and a game The game balls stored by the ball storage device 14 are released. At this time, a guide nail 18 as a guide means for guiding the released game ball, a plurality of general winning openings 10 for paying out a predetermined number of game balls when the game ball wins, for example, the first display. When the variation pattern displayed on the device 6 becomes a combination that shifts to the big hit game state, a special winning opening opening solenoid 4 to be described later.
A large winning opening 11 that is opened by 1a and can win more gaming balls than the general winning opening 10 by winning a gaming ball, and a decorative lamp 12 that produces a pachinko gaming machine by emitting light. There is provided an outlet 13 for collecting game balls that have been launched into the game area 2 but have not won any of the general winning openings 10 or the starting openings 7.

The game ball storage device 14 is provided at the upper portion of the starting opening 7 and, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right guide pieces 15a fixed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the board surface and in the vertical direction. 15b and a movable piece 16 which is supported in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the board so as to be movable back and forth and extends in the horizontal direction. At the upper end of one guide piece 15a, a storage ball detection switch 15c for detecting a game ball at the same height position is provided. The movable piece 16 is
It is supported so that the lower ends of the pair of guide pieces 15a and 15b are connected to each other in a protruding state, and is supported so as to be retracted into the board in a normal state. For example, the movable piece 16 has its rear end connected to a movable piece drive solenoid 44a described later, and the movable piece drive solenoid 44a is a CPU 2 described later.
A command of 0 causes the movable piece 16 to move back and forth.

With this structure, when the movable piece 16 is projected toward the front of the board, the game ball guided inside the pair of guide pieces 15a, 15b is prevented from falling by the projected movable piece 16 and stored. (See FIG. 2A). Further, when the movable piece 16 is retracted to the back side of the board, the stored game balls are dropped and released (see FIG. 2 (b)). In the present embodiment, all of the stored game balls are released and released, but it is assumed that some of the stored game balls are released and released by instantaneously retracting / projecting the movable piece 16. Is also good.

The guide nail 18 is composed of a plurality of nails and is arranged at an appropriate position below the game ball storage device 14. The game ball released and dropped by the game ball storage device 14 has its direction of fall changed by these guide nails 18 as shown in FIG. 2B, and there is a game ball that wins in the starting opening 7 if any. A game ball that does not play is also created. Alternatively, there is a case where the game ball does not win at all. Instead of the guiding nail 18, a so-called windmill or other means may be used as the guiding means.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the pachinko gaming machine. This pachinko gaming machine has a CPU 20, RO
M21, RAM22, and interface circuit 23
, Which are bus-connected to each other. The input port A, the output port B, the game ball launching device 24, and the game ball discharging device 25 are connected to the interface circuit 23, and the interface circuit 23 communicates between the CPU 20 and these various external circuits or devices. Control.

At the input port A, the stored-ball detecting switch 1
5c, general winning opening switch 26, starting opening switch 27,
The specific area passing switch 28, the count switch 29, the timer switch 30, the probability setting device 31, and the out-port detection switch 32 are connected, and these various switches or devices supply signals to the CPU 20 via the input port A.

At the output port B, the first display device 6, the special winning opening opening solenoid drive circuit 41, the first memory number display device 8, the second display device 9, the accessory opening solenoid drive circuit 4 are shown.
2, the second memory number display device 43, the decoration lamp 12, the speaker drive circuit 5A, and the movable piece drive circuit 44 are connected, and the CPU 20 is connected to these various external circuits or devices.
The control signal from is supplied.

A special winning opening opening solenoid 41a for opening and closing the special winning opening 11 is connected to the special winning opening opening solenoid drive circuit 41. The accessory opening solenoid drive circuit 42 is connected to an accessory opening solenoid 42a for expanding the entrance of the starting opening 7 by operating the ordinary electric accessory 7a. In the speaker drive circuit 5A,
The speaker 5 is connected. In addition, the movable piece drive circuit 4
A movable piece driving solenoid 44a for moving the movable piece 16 forward and backward in a direction orthogonal to the board surface is connected to 4.

The CPU 20 operates based on a program stored in the ROM 21, generates an output signal according to detection signals from various switches and the like input through the input port A, and outputs the output port B. It is supplied to various display devices, solenoid drive circuits, and the like via.

The ROM 21 stores programs for operating the CPU 20, fixed fixed data and moving image data, BGM, sound data such as sound effects, and the like.

The RAM 22 provides a work area for the CPU 20, and the RAM 22 temporarily stores various variable data. In the RAM 22, when the game ball wins the start opening 7 and the start opening switch 27 detects the game ball,
A random number generated to determine whether or not a big hit is temporarily stored. Further, the RAM 22 stores the number of holdings when the game ball wins the starting opening 7 during the variable display of the variable symbol.

When the number of game balls stored in the game ball storage device 14 increases to some extent, the storage ball detection switch 15c detects the third and fourth game balls as shown in FIG. 2 (a), for example. It detects and supplies a detection signal to CPU20.

The general winning opening switch 26 is for the general winning opening 1
The game ball that won 0 is detected, and the detection signal is sent to the CPU 20.
Supply to.

The starting port switch 27 detects a game ball that has won the starting port 7 and supplies a detection signal to the CPU 20.

The specific area passing switch 28 is for the special winning opening 1
It is installed inside 1, and is for detecting that the game ball has passed a specific area.
Supply to 20. This special area passing switch 28, when the special winning opening 11 is opened by the special winning opening opening solenoid 53a, the game ball wins the special winning opening 11 and passes through the specific area, so that the special winning opening 11 is closed, It is used to open the special winning opening 11 again.

The count switch 29 detects the game ball that has won the special winning opening 11 and opens the special winning opening solenoid 4
This is for counting the number of winning game balls in the special winning opening 11 during one round from the opening to the closing of the special winning opening 11. This count switch 29 is
The detection signal is supplied to the CPU 20.

The timer switch 30 is the starting opening switch 2
Similarly to 7, the game ball that has won the start opening 7 is detected and a detection signal is supplied to the CPU 20. This timer switch 30
On the basis of the detection signal from, a timer (not shown) attached to the CPU 20 measures the elapsed time from the time when the game ball last won in the starting opening 7. And CPU
20 shortens the display time of the moving image for the reach effect when the number of winning balls held at the starting opening 7 is 3 or 4.

The probability setting device 31 is for changing the setting of the probability of generating a big hit.

The first display device 6 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device and is controlled by the CPU 20 to variably display a plurality of symbols and then stop the display. On the screen of the first display device 6, a moving image as an effect image showing an interesting motion is displayed in addition to the variable pattern.

The special winning opening opening sonoid drive circuit 41 is C
Controlled by PU20, special winning opening opening solenoid 4
Drive 1a.

The first memory number display device 8 comprises, for example, four light emitting diodes and is controlled by the CPU 20.
It is for visually informing the player of the number of pending special symbols starting. That is, the first memory number display device 8 holds a maximum of four times of variation when a game ball wins the starting opening 7, so the player can emit information about the number of winning game balls as the held number by emitting light. Let us know.

The second display device 9 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and is controlled by the CPU 20 to determine whether or not the device for expanding the ordinary electric accessory 7a provided at the entrance of the starting opening 7 needs to be operated. Display the normal pattern that is a factor.

The accessory release sonoid drive circuit 42 is a CPU
It is controlled by 20 to drive the accessory opening solenoid 42.

Although not shown, the second memory number display device 43 is composed of, for example, four light emitting diodes, and has a CPU 2
It is controlled by 0, and is for notifying the player visually of the number of holdings of the normal symbol start. That is, the second memory number display device 43, since the number of times the fluctuation of the normal symbol due to the game ball passing through a gate (not shown) is reserved for a maximum of four times, the player is informed of the number of winning game balls as the reserved number. Is notified by light emission.

The decoration lamp 12 is composed of a large number of light emitting diodes, for example, and is turned on and off under the control of the CPU 20. That is, the main body 1 is rendered by emitting light.

The speaker drive circuit 5A is for outputting sound from the speaker 5, and is driven by being controlled by the CPU 20.

The movable piece drive circuit 44 is controlled by the CPU 20 to drive the movable piece drive solenoid 44a.

The game ball launching device 24 is controlled by the CPU 20 and launches a game ball into the game area 2 when the player turns the operation handle 3.

The game ball discharging device 25 is controlled by the CPU 20, and when the game ball is won at the general winning opening 10, the starting opening 7, the big winning opening 11 or the like, the upper game ball receiving tray 4a or the lower game ball receiving tray 4b. Pay out multiple game balls.

Next, the general operation of a general pachinko gaming machine will be described with reference to the outline. The control process in the characteristic part of this embodiment will be described later.

When the player holds the operation handle 3 and rotates it in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle or more, an operation signal is supplied from the game ball launching device 24 to the CPU 20. This gives C
A control signal is supplied from the PU 20 to the game ball launching device 24, and the game ball launching device 24 launches the game ball into the game area 2.

When the game ball that has reached the inside of the game area 2 collides with a nail or the like and falls due to gravity and wins the start opening 7, the game ball is detected by the start opening switch 27, and the CPU 20 from the start opening switch 27. Is supplied with a detection signal. As a result, the CPU 20 causes the first display device 6 to
Is controlled, and the pattern is variably displayed. Furthermore, the CPU 20
Determines whether or not it is a big hit by a known method using probability. For example, the CPU 20 causes a sampling device (not shown) to sample a random number generated by a random number generator (not shown), and the sampled numerical value and the ROM 21.
It is determined whether or not it is a big hit by comparing with the contents of the table stored in.

When two of the three symbols which are variably displayed on the first display device 6 are stopped and displayed, and when these two are included in a predetermined jackpot combination, this is generally called a reach state. In this reach state, the CPU 20 controls the first display device 6 to display a series of moving images with various effects on the display screen of the first display device 6. In these series of moving images, for example, an animation character or the like appears, and the character changes or moves a design, and various various effects are incorporated. By the way, although a moving image is displayed on the display screen of the first display device 6 even before the reach state is reached, the moving image before the reach state is an image with relatively small movement.
The symbols that are variably displayed in the display area of the first display device 6 are composed of, for example, 10 numerical symbols “0” to “9” and other symbols, and these symbols are displayed during the variable display. The pattern seems to scroll vertically at high speed.

A plurality of types of moving images are displayed on the display screen of the first display device 6 in the reach state. Depending on which type of moving image is displayed,
The reliability of a big hit is now predictable to the player.

In the case of a big hit, the variable symbols displayed in the display area of the first display device 6 are stopped in a state where, for example, three same symbols (for example, double stitches such as "777") are aligned through the reach state. As a result, the player is notified of the big hit.

When the above big hit occurs, the CPU 20 controls the special winning opening opening solenoid 41a via the special winning opening opening solenoid drive circuit 41, and the special winning opening 11 is opened.
When the game ball wins the special winning opening 11, the count switch 29 detects the game ball and sends a detection signal to the CPU 20.
Supply to. As a result, the CPU 20 controls the game ball discharging device 25 to dispense 15 game balls to the upper game ball receiving tray 4a or the lower game ball receiving tray 4b, for example. Then, when a timer (not shown) of the CPU 20 measures, for example, 30 seconds from the time when the special winning opening 11 is opened, or when the number of game balls winning the big winning opening 11 reaches, for example, 10, the CPU 20 gives a big winning. Special winning opening opening solenoid 53a via opening opening solenoid drive circuit 41
Is controlled to close the special winning opening 11.

In addition, the game ball that has won the big winning opening 11,
By passing through the specific area provided inside the special winning opening 11, the specific area passing switch 28 detects a game ball and supplies a detection signal to the CPU 20. This gives C
The PU 20 opens the special winning opening 11 again after the special winning opening 11 is closed. Therefore, the player can play the game with the special winning opening 11 being substantially opened, and can obtain a large amount of game balls. However, the big prize hole 1
The re-opening of 1 is not unlimited, for example 1
Limited to 6 times. That is, the player wins the special winning opening 11
When one round from opening to closing of
You can play under open condition for up to 16 rounds. Such a game state is called a big hit game state.

The game balls which have not been won are discharged from the game area 2 through the outlet 13.

Here, the feature of this embodiment is that when the gaming ball fluctuates when the game ball wins the starting opening 7, when the number of times the number of fluctuations is held reaches the upper limit (for example, 4 times), Game ball storage device 14 for storing game balls
The game balls are stored in, and all of the game balls stored in the game ball storage device 14 when the number of holdings becomes less than the limit number are released to the guide nail 18 for guiding the game balls. There is a point to control.

Further, when the number of stored game balls in the game ball storage device 14 becomes, for example, three or more, the movement and type of the moving image displayed on the screen of the first display device 6 until then are changed. There is also a feature in controlling to. As a result, so-called stop hitting can be suppressed.

The control processing relating to the above features will be described below mainly with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the operation handle 3 is rotated by the player, a game ball is launched by the game ball launching device 24, and the game ball is released into the game area 2. The CPU 20 determines whether or not the game ball released into the game area 2 has won the starting opening 7 (S1).

When the CPU 20 determines that the game ball has won the starting opening 7 (S1: YES), the variable symbol is variably displayed on the first display device 6 (S2). Then C
The PU 20 determines whether or not the variable symbols are variably displayed (S3). When the variable symbols are not displayed in a variable manner (S3:
NO), and returns to step S1. In addition, the game ball is the starting opening 7
Regardless of whether or not the player has won, a moving image consisting of one character with a monotonous motion is displayed on the screen of the first display device 6 together with the variable symbol as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the variable symbols are displayed in a variable manner (S3: YES), it is determined whether or not the game ball has won the starting opening 7 (S4). When the game ball wins the starting opening 7 during the variable display of the variable symbol (S4: YES), the light emitting diode of the first memory number display device 8 is turned on (S5). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of fluctuations with the upper limit number of "4" is satisfied (S6). That is, it is determined whether or not all four light emitting diodes of the first memory number display device 8 are lit. In step S4, if the game ball does not win the starting opening 7 (S4: NO), if the number of times the number of fluctuations is held is not satisfied in step S6 (S6: NO), the fluctuation symbol of step S3 is being changed and displayed. Return to the determination of whether or not there is.

In step S6, if the number of fluctuations held is satisfied (S6: YES), the CPU 20
Drives the movable piece drive solenoid 44a to project the movable piece 16 of the game ball storage device 14 to the front side of the board (S
7). By the projection of the movable piece 16 toward the front side of the board, the game balls guided inside the pair of guide pieces 15a, 15b are stored in the game ball storage device 14, and the winning of the game balls to the starting opening 7 is prevented. To be done.

While the movable piece 16 is protruding, the CPU 20
Is a game ball (reserved ball) stored in the game ball storage device 14 based on a detection signal from the stored ball detection switch 15c.
Is determined to be equal to or greater than the specified number (S8).

When the number of stored balls is equal to or more than the specified number (S8: YE
S), the CPU 20 changes the display mode of the moving image displayed on the screen of the first display device 6 (S9). As a result, as the moving image, instead of the monotonously moving character as shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a character having a relatively large movement and larger than the number of characters until then is displayed. It is desirable that such a change pattern of the moving image changes in a variety of ways that the player cannot predict, and for that reason, many moving images are prepared. As a result, the player wants to see a moving image with a higher effect than in normal times such as before the reach state, and therefore aims to accumulate more game balls in the game ball storage device 14 unconsciously. Will continue to hit the game ball.
Note that the moving image is not limited to the same type of character as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the character itself may change. Broadly speaking, a moving image in which the effect is visually felt to have changed. You should show the change of.

Next, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the number of holdings of the number of fluctuations has decreased (S10). Even if the number of stored balls is less than the specified number in step S8 (S8: N
O), step S10 is executed. When the rotation of the variable symbol for one time is completed on the first display device 6, the number of pending changes is subtracted by one. When the CPU 20 determines that the number of fluctuations held is reduced (S10: YES), the movable piece drive solenoid 44a is driven to retract the movable piece 16 of the game ball storage device 14 to the back side of the board (S11).
As a result, all the game balls stored by the game ball storage device 14 fall. In this case, the course of the game ball dropped from the game ball storage device 14 is changed by the plurality of guide nails 18 provided in the lower portion of the game ball storage device 14. This causes a case in which one of the game balls wins the starting opening 7, while causing another game ball to fall off the starting opening 7 and fall downward. Alternatively, there may occur a case where all the game balls fall off the starting opening 7 and fall downward. After that, the process returns to the determination in step S3 whether or not the variable symbol is being variably displayed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the upper limit number is set in advance in the number of times the number of fluctuations is held (for example, four), when the upper limit of the number of holdings is satisfied, the game ball storage device 14 The game balls are stored by. Then, when there is a vacancy in the upper limit of the number of reserves, all of the game balls stored by the game ball storage device 14 are released. The plurality of game balls released are then guided by the guide nails 18.
There is a case where the course is changed due to the collision with and the player wins the starting opening 7, but there is also a case where the starting opening 7 is not won at all.

Therefore, even when the upper limit number of the number of times of fluctuation is satisfied, the game balls are stored in the game ball storage device 14, and there is still a possibility that they are still counted as the number of reservations. The player stores the game ball in the game ball storage device 1
Attempt to store positively in 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from performing so-called stop hitting, which is inconvenient for the hall side.

In particular, if a certain amount of game balls are stored in the game ball storage device 14, a moving image showing an interesting motion is displayed on the screen of the first display device 6, and such a moving image is displayed. The player who wants to appear the game will continue to hit the game ball by concentrating on the game so as to store it in the game ball storage device 14 as much as possible, even if the number of times the number of fluctuations is held reaches the upper limit. As a result, stop hitting can be suppressed more effectively. Moreover, as a secondary effect, the technical ability of the player can be improved, and a gaming state that is advantageous to the player can be easily generated.

As another embodiment, a game ball storage device 14 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 may be used.

In FIG. 7, a spilled ball detection switch 17 is provided so as to detect a game ball passing outside the guide pieces 15a and 15b. In such a control process via the spill ball detection switch 17, both guide pieces 15
There is a specified number or more of game balls stored inside a and 15b, and the CPU 20 has a certain number or more of game balls on the outside of both guide pieces 15a and 15b based on the detection signal from the spill ball detection switch 17. It is possible to determine whether or not it has passed. That is, the CPU 20 is the game ball storage device 1
If a certain number or more of overflowed game balls are counted without entering 4, the display mode of the moving image displayed on the screen of the first display device 6 can be changed. According to this, since the moving image of the interesting movement is displayed only when the game ball that has been dropped out without entering the game ball storage device 14, the game ball stored in the game ball storage device 14 is no longer full. Even in the state, the player tries to continue hitting the game ball as much as possible, and can effectively suppress the hitting strike without giving any consciousness that the game ball is wasted.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Storage ball detection switches 15c and 15d on both a and 15b
May be provided. In this case, the stored-ball detection switch 15
One of c and 15d is composed of a light emitting element and the other is composed of a light receiving element, etc., and the stored sphere can be reliably detected based on a method similar to a so-called photo interrupter.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, there is no guide nail 18 directly below the game ball storage device 14 in the first place, and all the game balls stored in the game ball storage device 14 are sure to enter the starting port 7. Any configuration is also acceptable.

Further, FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the communication game system in one embodiment of the present invention. This communication game system includes a server 51, a plurality of terminal devices 52, and a communication network 53. The server 51 is managed by an operator of the communication game system or a management operator entrusted by the operator of the communication game system, and is provided with a large-capacity storage system or the like. The terminal device 52 is
For example, it is a player's personal computer, a home-use game machine, a portable game machine, a portable telephone device, or the like, which can access the server 51 via the communication network 53. The communication network 53 is configured by an aggregate such as a wired or wireless public communication network or the Internet. Of course, the terminal device 52 may be connected to the communication network 53 via the LAN.

In this communication game system, for example, a player distributes a storage medium such as a CD-ROM in which a program for carrying out a communication game is stored in advance from the operating company or the managing company, and executes the program by himself. By installing it on the terminal device 52, the game becomes possible. In addition to the above program, the storage medium includes image data to be displayed on the display screen and the terminal device 5.
Audio data to be output to the second speaker, a program for communicating with the server 51, and the like are stored. The player runs the above program on his / her own terminal device 52.
Then, the server 51 is accessed. The server 51 sends an activation signal in response to the access from the terminal device 52. Thereby, the program in the terminal device 52 is activated, and the player can enjoy the pachinko game by performing a predetermined operation.

For example, on the display screen of the terminal device 52, an image of at least a portion corresponding to the game area 2 of the pachinko gaming machine in the above embodiment is displayed. In other words, a virtual pachinko gaming machine or the like is created on the display screen of the player's terminal device 52. Then, this virtual pachinko gaming machine or the like performs the same operation as the pachinko gaming machine or the like in the above-described embodiment by the installed program.

In this case, after the player presses the key switch of the mouse or keyboard of the terminal device 52 instead of the operation handle 3 to set the virtual game ball firing strength, the key switch is pressed. A virtual game ball may be launched without continuing. Further, a virtual game ball may be launched on condition that the player keeps pressing the key switch.

The virtual game balls in the portion corresponding to the game area 2 are randomly moved based on the strength of the game balls set by the CPU provided in the terminal device 52, for example, by the player. It is determined. Then, the CPU detects the movement of the virtual game ball based on the coordinates set in the portion corresponding to the game area 2, and determines that the game ball has won the winning opening, for example.

Further, for example, when a reach state occurs in a pachinko game, the terminal device 52 to the server 51
The server 51 performs the lottery, and the result is transmitted to the terminal device 52. In addition, the number of game balls acquired by the player is determined by the server 51 and the terminal device 52.
Is stored in a storage device such as a hard disk and displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 52.

Of course, the server 51 may have a program for playing a pachinko game, and the terminal device 52 may be made playable by the program in the server 51. Further, the program may be transmitted from the server 51 to the terminal device 52 via the communication network 53. In addition, a part of the program for playing a pachinko game is transmitted from the server 51 to the terminal device 52 via the communication network 53,
The server 51 and the terminal device 52 may cooperate to execute a program for playing a pachinko game.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a game ball storage device.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of control processing by a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a moving image displayed on the screen of the first display device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in a moving image displayed on the screen of the first display device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a game ball storage device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a game ball storage device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a game ball storage device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 First display 7 Starting port 8 First memory number display 14 Game ball storage device 15a, 15b guide piece 15c Reservoir detection switch 16 movable pieces 17 Spill ball detection switch 18 induction nails 20 CPU 44 Moving piece drive circuit 51 servers 52 terminal device 53 communication network

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) A63F 13/12 A63F 13/12 CZ F term (reference) 2C001 AA00 AA02 BA02 BA05 BA06 CA01 CA02 CB01 CB04 CB06 CB08 CC02 CC03 2C088 AA35 AA36 AA42 BA02 BA09 BA82 DA07 EA24 EB55 EB76

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A variable symbol is variably displayed by a gaming ball winning in a winning opening, and when another gaming ball wins the winning opening during the variable display of this varying symbol, that fact is withheld, and A gaming machine having a limit on the number of holdings thereof, which is storage means for storing game balls that can be won in the winning opening, and stores the game balls in the storing means when the number of holdings reaches a limited number. Letting the game balls stored in the storage means be released when the number of holdings becomes less than the limit number, while producing according to the number of storages or the excess number of storages of the game balls stored in the storage means A game machine comprising: a control unit that changes an image. 2. The variable symbol is variably displayed by the game ball winning in the prize hole, and when the other game ball wins the prize hole during the variable display of the variable symbol, the fact is withheld, and A method of controlling a gaming machine having a limit to the number of holdings thereof, wherein game balls that can be won in the winning opening are stored in a storage means,
While releasing the game spheres stored in the storage means when the number of reserves becomes less than the limit number, an effect image is displayed according to the number of storages or the excess number of storages of the game spheres stored in the storage means. Characterized by changing,
How to control a gaming machine. 3. A terminal, comprising: a server; and a plurality of terminal devices capable of bidirectionally communicating with the server via a communication network, wherein a player accesses the server from the terminal device, whereby the terminal A server used in a communication game system in which at least a game area portion of a virtual game machine is displayed by a display device of the device, and a game is executed by the game machine based on an operation of the terminal device by a player, The virtual gaming machine causes a variable symbol to be variably displayed by winning a game ball in the prize hole, and when another gaming ball has won the prize hole during the variable display of the variable symbol, that effect is suspended. And has a limit to the number of reserves, and stores the game balls that can be won in the winning opening in the storing means,
While releasing the game spheres stored in the storage means when the number of reserves becomes less than the limit number, an effect image is displayed according to the number of storages or the excess number of storages of the game spheres stored in the storage means. A server comprising control means for changing. 4. A variable symbol is variably displayed by winning a game ball in the winning opening, and when another gaming ball wins the winning opening during the variable display of the variable symbol, that effect is withheld, and A computer program for controlling a gaming machine having a limit on the number of holdings thereof, which stores a game ball that can be won in the winning opening in a storing means,
While releasing the game spheres stored in the storage means when the number of reserves becomes less than the limit number, an effect image is displayed according to the number of storages or the excess number of storages of the game spheres stored in the storage means. A computer program including a program for causing a computer to execute a control procedure to be changed. 5. A computer for controlling a game game in which at least a game area portion of a virtual game machine is displayed by a display device, and a game is executed by the game machine based on an operation of the terminal device by a player. In the program, the virtual gaming machine variably displays a variable symbol by winning a game ball in the prize hole, and when another game ball has won the prize hole while the variable symbol is variably displayed. To hold that fact, and has a limit to the number of holding, to store the game balls that can be won in the winning opening in the storage means,
While releasing the game spheres stored in the storage means when the number of reserves becomes less than the limit number, an effect image is displayed according to the number of storages or the excess number of storages of the game spheres stored in the storage means. A computer program including a program for causing a computer to execute a control procedure to be changed.