JP2003340048A - Game machine and game program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of overlooking a ready-to-win performance made during a less interesting normal varying display in a conventional game machine. <P>SOLUTION: In a ready-to-win state, when a ready-to-win performance begins, ready-to-win performance images p2 and p3 or p1 associated with several ready- to-win performance images P2 and P3 or a normal image P1 having different big win reliability are displayed on a special pattern display device 10. Therefore, even if a player overlooks a ready-to-win notification performance, by looking at the ready-to-win images p1 to p3, the player can recognize the presence of a ready-to-win notification performance and conjecture the reliability of a big win after that when a ready-to-win performance begins. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention displays a reach announcement effect for announcing the development of a reach state immediately before a plurality of symbols are arranged in a predetermined combination for generating a big hit prize, and when the reach state is reached, the reach effect is displayed. The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming program for playing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, there is a pachinko machine. In a conventional general pachinko machine, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out when a pachinko ball hit on the board surface of a game board wins a general prize opening while flowing down the board surface. In addition, when the start winning a prize is won, a special symbol game in which a plurality of special symbols are variably displayed on a liquid crystal display device provided in the center of the board is played. In the special symbol game, when a plurality of normally-variably displayed special symbols are stopped and displayed in a predetermined combination such as the same symbol, a jackpot prize is generated.
When the big hit prize occurs, the big prize opening at the bottom of the board is opened so that a large amount of pachinko balls can be easily won. In this jackpot game, a maximum of 16 rounds of games in which the special winning opening is opened until a predetermined number of pachinko balls are won in the special winning opening or a predetermined time has elapsed, and the player wins a large amount of prize balls You can expect it. During the big hit game, an effect image that directs the big hit game is displayed on the liquid crystal display device, and the big hit game is heaped up.

Further, during the normal variable display of the special symbol game, when the reach state is reached immediately before the predetermined symbol combination for generating the big hit prize is prepared, the screen of the liquid crystal display device shows
A reach effect is displayed that enhances the player's expectation for a big hit. This reach effect is developed by the movement of the character symbol that is entwined with the jackpot pattern, and the last symbol of the symbol combination is stopped according to the outcome of the development of this effect. In addition, during the normal fluctuation before the reach state occurs, for example, at the time of starting the normal fluctuation of the special symbol game, a reach announcement effect for announcing the development to the reach state may be made. This reach preview production is performed by causing a special character design to appear for a moment or by changing the color of a specific portion on the screen.

Further, when a jackpot game or a special symbol game is not being played, a demonstration image of the game or introduction of characters is displayed on the liquid crystal display device.

[0005]

However, in the above conventional gaming machine, the display time of the normal variable screen of the special symbol in the special symbol game occupies most of the time, and the normal variable screen is expected to be a big hit. The interest level of the player was lower than that of the reach production, which gives a higher feeling. For this reason, while the normal variation screen is displayed, the player often looks aside and often loses his or her concentration, and sometimes misses or does not notice the reach announcement effect that is performed in a relatively short time.
On the other hand, in order to make it easier for the player to notice the reach announcement production, if too much reach announcement production is performed, it will be difficult to distinguish it from the original reach production, and the impression of the reach production will be diminished, There was a concern that the interest of the whole production would be reduced.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and immediately before a display means for displaying a symbol and a plurality of symbols are arranged in a predetermined combination for generating a jackpot prize. Of a gaming machine or a computer configured to display a reach announcement effect for announcing the development of the reach state on the display means, and display control means for displaying the reach effect on the display means when the reach state is reached. And a display means for displaying a reach notice effect for announcing the development to the reach state immediately before a plurality of symbols are arranged in a predetermined combination for generating a big hit prize, and when the reach state is reached, the reach effect is displayed. In the game program to function as the display control means to be displayed on,
It is characterized in that the display control means causes the display means to display the reach effect related to the reach notice effect at the time of starting the display of the reach effect.

With this configuration, since the reach effect related to the reach announcement effect is displayed on the display means at the start of the reach effect, the player misses the reach announcement effect that is performed in a relatively short time. Also, by looking at the reach effect at the start of the reach effect, it is possible to infer the presence or absence of the reach announcement effect and what kind of reach announcement effect was performed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of types of reach announcement effects and reach effects related thereto are provided according to the jackpot reliability.

According to this structure, the player can predict the jackpot reliability in the special symbol game from the type of reach announcement effect or reach effect at the start of reach effect.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment in which the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment. A game board 2 is provided on the front of the pachinko machine 1, and an upper plate 3 is provided below the game board 2. On the lower right side of the upper plate 3, a handle 5 that is operated when driving a pachinko ball into the game board 2 via the rail 4 is provided. Also, above the game board 2, a frame top decoration lamp 6
Is provided.

At the center of the board surface of the game board 2, a special symbol display device 10 composed of a liquid crystal display device is provided. This special symbol display device 10 constitutes display means for displaying symbols, and displays a plurality of special symbols in three columns consisting of a first stop symbol, a second stop symbol and a third stop symbol. Above the special symbol display device 10, a normal symbol display device 11 in which green LEDs (light emitting diodes) and red LEDs are arranged side by side is provided, and this normal symbol display device 11 is provided.
A normal start winning number display unit 12 including four LEDs is provided with the LED in between. Further, below the special symbol display device 10, a special starting winning number display unit 13 including four LEDs is provided. In addition, passing holes 14 are provided on the left and right of the special symbol display device 10, and a starting winning opening 15 is provided below. Normal start winning number display 1
Up to four pachinko balls passing through the passage hole 14 are stored as reserved balls in 2 and up to four pachinko balls winning at the starting winning opening 15 are reserved balls in the special start prize number display section 13. Remembered.

Below the starting winning opening 15, a big winning opening 1 in which a door called an attacker opens and closes during a big hit game.
6 are provided, and general winning openings 17 are provided on the left and right of the starting winning opening 15. The jackpot game is a game that can be played when a jackpot occurs in a jackpot determination described later, and in the present embodiment, until a predetermined number, for example, ten pachinko balls are won in the jackpot 16, or a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds. Until the lapse of time, a game advantageous to the player with the special winning opening 16 open is played at most 16 rounds. During the round, if the pachinko ball that wins the special winning opening 16 passes through a specific area called the V zone inside the attacker, you can continue to the next round. If it does not pass through the zone, it becomes a so-called puncture, and the jackpot game is terminated in that round even before the 16th round has been reached.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit for processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment. This electronic circuit is formed on the back surface of the game board 2 with the main control board 20 as a main component.

The main control board 20 has a main CPU.
(Central processing unit) 21 and main RA as storage means
Electronic components such as an M (readable / writable memory) 22 and a main ROM (read-only memory) 23 are mounted. In the main ROM 23, a program for the main CPU 21 to process and control the game operation of the pachinko machine 1 is stored and stored. In addition, a jackpot determination table that is referred to when a jackpot determination is performed by a random number lottery described later, and an effect. Various probability tables such as an effect group selection table that is referred to when a group is drawn are also stored.

The relay board 24 connected to the main control board 20 is provided inside the passage hole 14, and a passage ball sensor 14s for detecting the pachinko ball passing through the passage hole 14s.
Alternatively, a start winning ball sensor 15s for detecting a pachinko ball that has won a prize is connected to the starting winning hole 15. In addition, a big winning ball sensor 16s that detects a pachinko ball that has won the special winning opening 16 and a general winning ball sensor 17s that detects a pachinko ball that has won the general winning opening 17 are connected. In addition, a launch ball sensor 52s that detects a pachinko ball that is launched from the launching device 52 by operating the handle 5, and a pachinko ball that has been launched but has returned to the rail 4 without reaching the board surface of the game board 2 is detected. The return sphere sensor 4s is connected. In addition, the relay board 24, as an actuator, a normal symbol display device 11 composed of green and red LEDs, a starting winning opening 15 with an expanded ball receiving opening, a large winning opening 16 with which the door is opened and closed, a frame upper decoration lamp 6, etc. The lamp display device 18 and the like are connected.

When each of the sensors 14s to 17s detects a pachinko ball, the detection signal is input to the main CPU 21 of the main control board 20, and the main CPU 21 responds to the input detection signal by the main CPU 21.
Drive control is performed on each of 5, 16, and 18. Further, a control command is transmitted from the main control board 20 to the sub control board 30, the sound control board 40, and the prize ball control board 50, and the special symbol display device 10 and the speaker are respectively provided by the boards 30, 40, 50. 41, prize ball device 51, launch device 52
Is controlled.

The sub control board 30 includes a sub CPU 31,
A work RAM 32 and a program ROM 33 are mounted. The sub CPU 31 interprets a control command received from the main control board 20 and sets parameters of the VDP (video display processor) 35. The program ROM 33 stores a control program for the sub CPU 31 to process and control the operation of the special symbol display device 10. The work RAM 32 is the sub CPU 31.
Serves as a temporary storage means when performing processing control according to the control program.

The sub control board 30 has an image ROM.
34, VDP 35, D / A (digital / analog) converter 36, CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) 37, and reset IC (integrated circuit) 38 are mounted. The image ROM 34 stores and stores image data to be displayed on the special symbol display device 10. VDP35 is the sub CPU3
Image data in the image ROM 34 is read according to the parameter set in 1, and effect image data to be displayed on the special symbol display device 10 is generated. The D / A converter 36 has a V
The image data generated by the DP 35 is converted into RGB (red green blue) signals. When the CTC 37 detects that the processing of the sub CPU 31 by the control program has entered an abnormal processing routine, the CTC 37 performs a watchdog timer function of issuing a reset command for returning the sub CPU 31 and the VDP 35 to the initial state. Reset IC 38 is CTC
A reset signal is issued by the reset instruction from 37.

A speaker 41 is connected to the sound control board 40. The sound control board 40 generates a sound signal based on the sound generation command signal output from the main control board 20. The speaker 41 produces a sound based on the input sound signal. To the prize ball control board 50, a prize ball device 51 and a ball launch device 52 for paying out prize balls are connected. The prize ball control board 50 is a main control board 2 according to various winnings.
The prize ball device 51 is driven and controlled according to the payout command signal output from 0, and the prize balls are paid out. Further, the prize ball control board 50 drives and controls the launching device 52 according to the operation of the handle 5 to launch a pachinko ball.

The sub-control board 30 constitutes a display control means for displaying the reach announcement effect on the special symbol display device 10 and for displaying the reach effect on the special symbol display device 10 when the reach state is reached. Here, the reach announcement effect is an effect of announcing the development to the reach state immediately before a plurality of special symbols are arranged in a predetermined combination for generating a big hit prize. In the present embodiment, the sub-control board 30 causes the special symbol display device 10 to display the reach effect related to the reach notice effect at the start of the display of the reach effect. There are a plurality of types of reach notice productions and related reach productions at the start of reach production according to the jackpot reliability.
Here, the jackpot reliability is the probability that the jackpot prize is finally generated in the special symbol game in which special symbols are arranged in the same symbol combination.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show examples of image data stored in the image ROM 34 of the sub control board 30. FIG. 3A shows an image P1 at the time of normal fluctuation in which the reach announcement effect is not made, and FIG. 3B shows a reach effect image p1 at the start of the reach effect performed after the image P1 is displayed. Further, FIGS. 4A and 5A are reach notice effect images P2 and P3, and FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B are reach effect start related to reach notice effect images P2 and P3, respectively. Reach production image p2
And p3.

Each of the images P1, P2, P3 is configured so that the character symbol "Ru-chan" A is fishing together with the character symbol "cat" B, and the special symbols 71, 72, 73 are changed. It is an image displayed on the special symbol display device 10 during normal variation of the displayed special symbol game.

An image P1 shown in FIG. 3 (a) shows a normal throwing effect in which Rua-chan A normally swings the rod D on the embankment C in the daytime. Further, the reach preview effect image P2 shown in FIG. 4A shows a super throwing effect in which the light F is emitted from the rod D at the moment when Rua-chan A swings down the rod D on the beach E. Further, the reach preview effect image P3 shown in FIG. 5A shows a fire throwing effect in which the flame G floats up from the rod D at the moment when Rua-chan A swings down the rod D on the bank C at night.

Reach effect images p1, p2 and p3 shown in FIGS. 3B, 4B and 5B are images P, respectively.
1, P2, P3 is associated with, the first stop symbol 7
It is displayed on the special symbol display device 10 at the start of the production of the reach effect that is performed when the reach state is generated when the 1 and the second stop symbol 72 are aligned. In each image p1, p2, p3,
A situation in which Rua-chan A and cat B aim and aim at the prey and is excited is shown, and the first stop symbol 71, the second stop symbol 72 and the frame H which are stopped in line with the reach state are also surrounded. 3rd stop design 7 which is the final stop design that is still changing
3 and are displayed.

The image p1 shown in FIG. 3B is shown in FIG.
The background is shown in white without any change in association with the normal pitching shown in FIG. Further, the image p2 shown in FIG. 4B has the golden light f displayed in the background in association with the super throwing method shown in FIG. Also, FIG.
In the image p3 shown in (b), an orange flame g is displayed on the background of night in association with the fire throwing method shown in (a).

Each of the images P1 to P3 and the reach effect images p1 to p3 related thereto are associated with the jackpot reliability as shown in the table of FIG. The normal pitching image P1 is displayed with an appearance rate of 85 [%] when the special symbol game normally fluctuates, and the reach development rate of developing to the reach state after this normal pitching is displayed is 8 [%], Further, the jackpot reliability after the reach effect performed by displaying the reach effect image p1 is 2 [%]. Similarly, the reach notice effect image P2 of super pitching is displayed with an appearance rate of 13 [%], the reach development rate when this super pitching is displayed is 20 [%], and the reach effect image p2 is displayed. The jackpot reliability after the reach production performed is 10%. Further, the reach notice effect image P3 of fire throwing is 1.9.
It is displayed with an appearance rate of 8 [%], the reach development rate when this fire pitching method is displayed is 10 [%], and the jackpot reliability after the reach production performed by displaying the reach production image p3 is 50 [ %].

Further, the tsunami reach in which the images P1 to P3 of any throwing method do not appear is displayed at an appearance rate of 0.02 [%]. This tsunami reach is a so-called all-reach reach in which the tsunami is displayed on the special symbol display device 10 at the same time as the start of the special symbol game, and all the symbols 71 to 73 are already displayed together with this tsunami. It is a production with a jackpot reliability of 100%, which is always a big hit.

Next, the processing of the game operation of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an outline of a main game process performed by the main control board 20 of the pachinko machine 1 according to this embodiment.

First, an interrupt enable flag which allows interrupt processing is set (see step 101 in FIG. 7). Next, a random number updating process of the random number counter for determining a lost symbol and the random number counter for determining a reach operation of the main CPU 21 is performed (step 102). The random symbol counter for determining a lost symbol is used to select which special symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 10 when the determination result in the jackpot determination described later is lost. In addition, the reach operation determination random number counter is used when determining whether or not to perform the reach effect of the loss when determining the loss effect described later. Each of these random number counters is incremented (+1 added) every time this random number is updated.

Next, it is judged whether or not a command is being transmitted from the main control board 20 to each of the sub-control board 30, the voice control board 40, the prize ball control board 50 and the like (step 103). ). If the command is being transmitted, the process returns to step 101. If not being transmitted, a command for error check processing is generated (step 104), and error check processing for determining whether a predetermined error has occurred based on the generated command is performed (step 105). . Next, it is determined whether or not an error is occurring (step 106). If an error is occurring, the process returns to step 101. If the error is not occurring, subsequently, the special symbol game control process is performed (step 107).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an outline of the interrupt processing performed by the main control board 20 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 3 [msec].

In this interrupt processing, first of all,
The contents of each register in the main CPU 21 are the main RAM
It is saved in 22 (see step 201 in FIG. 8). Next, the update processing of various random number counters is performed by the main CPU 21 (step 202). In the updating process of the random number counter, the count values of the jackpot determining random number counter, the jackpot symbol determining random number counter, and the effect group selecting random number counter are counted up and updated for each interrupt process. Next, a timer update process for measuring the opening time of the special winning opening 16 that opens when a big hit occurs, the variable display time of special symbols, etc. is performed (step 20).
3), followed by various input signal processing (step 204).

In various input signal processing, a pachinko ball is won in the special winning opening 16 during a big hit game, and it is checked whether or not there is an input signal from the special winning ball sensor 16s that detects this, and the payout will be described later. In the process, a control signal is generated so as to pay out, for example, 15 prize balls. In addition, it is checked whether or not there is an input signal from the general winning ball sensor 17s that has detected a pachinko ball in the general winning opening 17, and the payout process is controlled to pay out, for example, 10 winning balls. A signal is generated. Also, start winning a prize 1
It is checked whether or not there is an input signal from the start winning award ball sensor 15s that detects a pachinko ball winning in 5, and a control signal is generated in the payout process so as to pay out, for example, five award balls. . Further, the pachinko ball passes through the passing hole 14, and it is checked whether or not there is an input signal from the passing ball sensor 14s that detects this, and a control command for performing the normal symbol processing is generated.

Following the various input signal processing, the above-mentioned ordinary symbol processing is then performed (step 205). In this normal symbol processing, first, when a control command corresponding to the input signal from the passing ball sensor 14s is generated in the above-described various input signal processing, the main CPU 21 makes a normal symbol winning determination. In this normal symbol winning determination, a random number is extracted from the normal symbol determining random number counter of the main CPU 21, and it is determined whether or not the extracted random number is in the winning zone of the normal symbol selection table stored and stored in the main ROM 23. It is done by Then, based on the judgment result of the normal symbol winning judgment, the main CPU 21
The two green and red LEDs normally provided on the symbol display device 11 are controlled by. In other words, when the determination result is a hit, the green LED and the red LED, which were alternately blinking at first, are turned on only for the green LED, and the ball receiving opening of the starting winning opening 15 is opened for a certain time. . If the determination result is a loss, only the red LED is turned on and the normal symbol process ends.

Next, a decoration control process is performed (step 2
06), and then the payout process is performed (step 20).
7). In the decoration control processing, a control signal is transmitted from the main CPU 21 to the lamp display device 18, and various decorative lamps including the frame upper decoration lamp 6 are controlled to emit light. In the payout processing, a control signal is transmitted to the prize ball control board 50 according to the processing results of the various input signal processing described above. Prize Ball Device 5
1 is controlled based on this control signal and pays out a predetermined number of prize balls.

Next, predetermined error processing is performed on each signal in accordance with the error signal generated from various devices (step 208). Next, a transmission data output process is performed (step 209), and each control signal stored and stored in the main RAM 22 is transmitted to the sub control board 30, the sound control board 40, the prize ball control board 50, and the like. The special symbol display device 10 and the speaker 41 are in this step 2
In step 09, the sub-control board 30 and the sound control board 40 are driven based on the control signals sequentially transmitted.

Next, in step 201, the main RAM 22
The contents of the respective registers in the main CPU 21 saved in (1) are restored (step 210), the interrupt permission flag is set (step 211), and the interrupt processing ends.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing details of the special symbol game control process performed in step 107 of the main game control process shown in FIG.

In the special symbol game control process, first, it is determined whether or not there is a winning in the starting winning hole 15 of the pachinko ball (see step 111 in FIG. 9). When there is no winning in the starting winning hole 15, a normal game screen or a demonstration screen is displayed on the special symbol display device 10 (step 112). On the other hand, when there is a winning in the starting winning opening 15, the jackpot determination is performed. The jackpot determination is performed by the main CPU 21 by extracting a random number from the jackpot determination random number counter and determining whether the extracted random number value is in the jackpot section of the jackpot determination table stored and stored in the main ROM 23. Be seen. If the extracted random number value is in the jackpot section, it will be a jackpot prize, and if it is not in the jackpot section, it will be lost.

Next, it is judged whether or not the result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot (step 113), and the "jackpot" is given.
If so, the jackpot symbol is determined (step 11).
4). When determining the jackpot design, the main CPU21
Extracts a random number from the jackpot symbol determination random number counter, and determines the jackpot symbol according to the extracted random number value. Subsequently, the main CPU 21 extracts a random number from the effect group selection random number counter, and the extracted random number is the main ROM.
One jackpot effect group is selected and determined by determining which one of the effect group sections corresponding to the jackpot in the effect group selection table stored and stored in 23 belongs (step 115).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step 113 is not a "big hit", that is, if "loss" occurs, it is determined whether the reach is generated and then the loss occurs, or the reach is lost without generating the reach. It is determined (step 116). When determining whether to generate the reach, the main CPU 21 extracts a random number from the reach operation determination random number counter, and the extracted random number value is assigned to either “reach” or “no reach” in the reach determination table. It is determined whether or not they belong, and whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined.
If the result of this determination is that "reach is present", the main CPU 21 extracts a random number from the random number counter for determining lost symbols, and refers to the stop symbol selection table stored in the main ROM 23 to perform reach production. After that, determine the stop symbols to be lost (step 11).
7). Next, the main CPU 21 extracts a random number from the effect group selection random number counter, and determines which partition of the reachable lost effect group in the effect group selection table to which the extracted random number belongs. The lost effect group is selected and determined (step 118).

If "no reach" is found in step 116, the main CPU 21 extracts a random number from the random number counter for determining a lost symbol, refers to the stop symbol selection table, and loses the reach effect. The loss stop symbol is determined so that (step 119). Subsequently, the main CPU 21 extracts a random number from the effect group selection random number counter, and determines which partition of the reach-less loss effect group in the effect group selection table belongs to by the extracted random number. Select and determine the loss production group (step 12)
0).

Next, a display control signal (command) for the sub control board 30 is generated by the main CPU 21 so that the stop display and the effect display of the determined symbols are performed (step 121). The generated display control command is temporarily stored in the main RAM 22 of the main control board 20.
Are stored and stored (step 122). Main RAM2
The display control commands stored and stored in No. 2 are the same as those in FIG.
In step 209 of the interrupt processing of the sub control board 3
Sent to 0.

Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot (step 123). If the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, jackpot game processing is performed (step 124). In this jackpot game process, control regarding opening and closing management of the door of the jackpot 16 during the jackpot game is performed. After that, the special symbol game control end process (step 125) is performed, and the special symbol game control process ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step 123 is not a big hit, the special symbol game control ending process of step 125 is performed, and the special symbol game control process ends.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an outline of the processing performed by the sub control board 30.

In the sub-control board 30, an initial setting process of the operation of the sub-CPU 31 is performed when the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned on (see step 301 in FIG. 10).
The AM 32 is cleared (step 302). Next, V
Initial setting processing of the operation of the DP 35 is performed (step 30
3) Then, the mother task is started (step 3)
04).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an outline of the timer interrupt process performed by the sub control board 30. The timer interrupt process is performed every 2 [msec], and the sub CPU 31 performs a process of generating a reception command based on the data received from the main control board 20 (FIG. 11, step 4).
01). Then, the generated received command is checked (step 402), and the received command is processed by the work RA.
Store in M32 and end the process.

FIG. 12 shows a V control performed by the sub control board 30.
10 is a flowchart showing an outline of a _Sync (Vertical Synchronize) interrupt process.

The V_Sync interrupt process is synchronized with the non-display period start timing of the screen of the special symbol display device 1 at 1
It is a process performed every 6.6 [msec] (= 1/60 seconds),
This is a process of transferring data to the VDP 35 during this non-display period. In this V_Sync interrupt process, first, the data at the next address of the animation data stored in the predetermined area of the work RAM 32 in the variation pattern setting process described later is transferred to the VDP 35 (see step 501 in FIG. 12). Next, the display coordinate data of the special symbol is VD
It is transferred to P35 (step 502). The display coordinate data of this special symbol is converted into data of screen coordinates corresponding to the screen of the special symbol display device 10 in a variation pattern setting process described later. Next, control processing of the operation of each started task is performed (step 503). In the individual task, the processing is divided into units of V_Sync, and the processing operation is once delivered to this task control processing.

When the animation data is input, the VDP 35 reads the image data corresponding to the animation data from the image ROM 34 and generates the effect image data to be displayed on the special symbol display device 10. The generated effect image data is converted into RGB by the D / A converter 36.
It is converted into a signal and output to the special symbol display device 10.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the outline of the processing of the mother task started in step 304 of FIG.

In this mother task process, first, VDP
Initial setting processing for screen display by 35 is performed (see step 311 in FIG. 13). Next, it is determined whether or not the command from the main control board 20 includes a change pattern regarding the screen display of the special symbol display device 10 (step 312). If a fluctuation pattern is specified, fluctuation pattern setting processing is performed (step 3
13), the file animation control task is activated (step 314). In this file animation control task, initialization of animation data and animation control processing of sequentially reading out data pointed to by an animation pointer are performed every initialization of animation.

Next, the animation display task is activated (step 315), and the pattern variation setting process is performed (step 316). If the variation pattern is not designated as a result of the determination in step 312, steps 313 to 31
The process of 5 is not performed, but the symbol variation setting process is performed.
In the symbol variation setting process, the variation setting process for the first, second, and third stop symbols designated by the main control board 20 is performed. Next, the first, second, and third stop symbols are all designated, and it is determined whether or not the symbol is fixed (step 317). When the symbol is confirmed, the symbol confirmation setting process is performed (step 318) and the confirmation flag is set to 1. After that, the task control waits (step 3
19) and the process returns to step 312. On the other hand, if all the symbols are not confirmed, the flag is not set, the task control wait state is entered, and the process returns to step 312.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the details of the variation pattern setting process performed in step 313 of the mother task process. In the fluctuation pattern setting process,
First, the confirmation flag is reset to 0 (see step 331 in FIG. 14), and subsequently the fluctuation pattern information is set (step 332). This variation pattern information is information according to the effect group determined in steps 115, 118, and 120 of FIG. Next, the variation control task is activated (step 333), and subsequently the variation animation setting task is activated (step 334). In the variable animation setting task, settings such as a reach announcement effect image which is a predictor of reach occurrence, a reach development announcement image, a jackpot effect image, etc. are mainly set. Next, the special symbol reel processing task is activated (step 335). In this special symbol reel processing task, a process of converting display coordinate data of the special symbol into screen coordinate data on the screen of the special symbol display device 10 is performed.

In such a variation pattern setting process, the sub control board 30 analyzes the command from the main control board 20, reads the specified information of the predetermined command stored in the work RAM 32, and interprets this specified information. Then, the settings relating to the variable display of special symbols and the display of animation in the special symbol display device 10 are performed. That is, if the command read from the work RAM 32 is a command for designating an effect group, one animation sequence program is selected from the program ROM 33 based on this designation information and set in a predetermined area of the work RAM 32. Further, the variable sequence program of one special symbol is selected based on the read command for designating the effect group, and is set in a predetermined memory area in the work RAM 32. Sub-control board 30, based on the set special symbol variation sequence program,
While controlling the variable display of the special symbols, it also controls the animation display based on the set animation sequence program.

The pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment as described above
According to this, when the reach effect is started, the reach notice effect image P is reached.
2, P3 or reach effect images p2, p3 or p1 related to the normal image P1 are displayed on the special symbol display device 10, so that the player misses the reach notice effect images P2, P3 that are performed in a relatively short time. Even by looking at the reach effect images p1, p2, p3 at the start of the reach effect, it is possible to infer the presence or absence of the reach predictive effect and what kind of reach predictive effect image is displayed. .

That is, by looking at the reach effect image p1 (see FIG. 3B) without a background at the start of the reach effect, the player can see the normal pitching image P1 at the time of the normal fluctuation.
(See FIG. 3A) is displayed, and it can be inferred that there was no reach announcement effect. Further, the reach effect image p2 in which the golden light f appears in the background at the start of the reach effect
By seeing (see FIG. 4 (b)), the player has displayed the reach advance notice effect image P2 (see FIG. 4 (a)) of super throwing in which the light F is emitted from the rod D during normal fluctuation. Can be guessed. Further, a reach effect image p in which an orange flame g appears in the background at the start of the reach effect
By seeing 3 (see FIG. 5 (b)), the player has displayed the reach notice effect image P3 (see FIG. 5 (a)) of fire throwing in which the flame G flies from the rod D during normal fluctuation. Can be guessed.

Therefore, it is possible to surely inform the player that the reach preview production has been performed while preventing the reach preview production from becoming excessive, and it is possible to improve the fun of the entire production regarding the reach. become. As a result, the interest in pachinko games increases.

Further, the jackpot reliability in the special symbol game can be predicted from the type of the reach announcement effect or the reach effect at the start of the reach effect. Therefore, even if the player misses the reach preview production, the reach production images p1, p2, p at the start of the reach production are started.
It is possible to predict the probability that the jackpot will be won after that, according to the three types.

That is, it is possible to predict that the jackpot reliability is low (2 [%]) when the reach production image p1 of the normal pitching is displayed at the start of the reach production.
Further, when the reach production image p2 of super pitching is displayed at the start of the reach production, it is possible to predict that the jackpot reliability is higher (10 [%]) than in the case of normal pitching. When the reach effect image p3 of fire throwing is displayed at the start, it can be predicted that the jackpot reliability is high (50 [%]).

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be similarly applied to other gaming machines such as slot machines.
Further, the game program described in the above embodiments can be executed by a computer provided in a home-use game machine or a personal computer. Even in this case, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the reach effect related to the reach announcement effect is displayed on the display means at the start of the reach effect, the player can reach in a relatively short time. Even if the notice production is overlooked, by seeing the reach production at the start of the reach production, it is possible to infer the presence or absence of the reach notice production and what kind of reach announcement production has been performed. For this reason,
While preventing excessive reach announcement production,
It is possible to reliably inform the player that the reach preview production has been performed, and it is possible to improve the fun of the overall production regarding reach. As a result, the interest in games will increase.

In addition, when a plurality of types of reach announcement productions and reach productions related thereto are provided according to the jackpot reliability, the player selects the special symbol from the type of the reach announcement production or the reach production at the start of the reach production. You can predict the jackpot reliability in the game. Therefore, even if the player overlooks the reach preview production, the player can predict the probability of a big win after that depending on the type of the reach production at the start of the reach production.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit for processing and controlling a game operation of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an image ROM displayed during normal fluctuation of a special symbol game of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the example of the image data memorize | stored in, and (b) is a figure which shows the reach production | generation image data relevant to the image.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of reach announcement effect image data stored in an image ROM, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing reach effect image data related to the reach announcement effect image.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing another example of the reach announcement effect image data stored in the image ROM, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the reach effect image data related to the reach announcement effect image. .

FIG. 6 is a table showing the jackpot reliability of the effect produced by the images shown in FIGS. 3 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of main game control processing performed by a main control board in a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of an interrupt process performed by the main control board in the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart showing details of special symbol game control processing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of a game process performed by the sub control board in the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of a timer interrupt process performed by the sub control board in the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of V_Sync interrupt processing performed by the sub control board in the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of a mother task performed by the sub control board in the pachinko machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of fluctuation pattern setting processing in the flowchart shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Pachinko machine 10 ... Special symbol display device 11 ... Ordinary symbol display device 15 ... Starting prize hole 16 ... Big prize hole 20 ... Main control board 21 ... Main CPU (central processing unit) 22 ... Main RAM (readable / writable memory) 23 ... Main ROM (read-only memory) 30 ... Sub control board 31 ... Sub CPU 32 ... Work RAM 33 ... Program ROM 34 ... Image ROM 35 ... VDP (Video Display Processor)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying a symbol, and a reach notice effect for giving notice of development to a reach state immediately before a plurality of the symbols are arranged in a predetermined combination for generating a big hit prize. In a gaming machine configured to include a display control unit that displays a reach effect on the display unit when a reach state is reached, the display control unit displays a reach effect related to the reach announcement effect at the start of display of the reach effect. A game machine characterized by displaying on the display means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of the reach announcement effect and the reach effect related thereto are provided according to the jackpot reliability. 3. A display means for displaying a symbol on the computer, and a reach notice effect for notifying the development to a reach state immediately before a plurality of the symbols are arranged in a predetermined combination for generating a big hit prize. Then, in the game program that functions as a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a reach effect when the reach state is reached, the display control unit causes the reach effect related to the reach announcement effect to be displayed when the reach effect is displayed. A game program displayed on a display means. 4. The game program according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of types of the reach announcement effect and the reach effect related thereto are provided according to the jackpot reliability.