JP2004147783A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of giving a player the pleasure of speculating about the possibility of obtaining a privilege such as a jackpot and the hope on the contents of an image. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine comprises a memory part 3 for storing the image 4 whose contents to be displayed in a display part 9 along axes of the coordinate system including at least two axes vary and related information 5 interrelating criteria in the axes expressing the degree of expectation for a privilege which can be obtained by the player 8, an image display means 6 for determining the criteria of the degree of expectation of the privilege based on the result of a lottery by a lottery means 1 for executing the lottery, extracting the coordinate position of each axis based on the criteria of the degree of expectation of the privilege by referring to the related information 5, and displaying the corresponding partial image in the display part 9, and a game control means 2 for controlling the progress of the game based on the result of the lottery by the lottery means 1. Since the image 4 and the criteria are interrelated in this way, the player can have the pleasure of speculating about the possibility of obtaining the privilege and the hope on the contents of the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００２７】
表１に従えば、例えばＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度（α軸）およびＢＢ当選の期待度（γ軸）がともに大きい場合には部分画像９０ａを表示し、ＡＴ当選の期待度（β軸）およびＢＢ当選の期待度（γ軸）がともに大きい場合には部分画像９０ｃを表示し、ＡＴ抽選の高確率突入（α軸）およびＲＢ当選の期待度（δ軸）がともに大きい場合には部分画像９０ｄを表示し、ＡＴ当選の期待度（β軸）およびＲＢ当選の期待度（δ軸）がともに大きい場合には部分画像９０ｇを表示する。これに対して、ＢＢ当選の期待度（γ軸）のみが大きい場合には部分画像９０ｂを表示し、ＲＢ当選の期待度（δ軸）のみが大きい場合には部分画像９０ｆを表示し、これらの期待度がいずれも小さい場合には部分画像９０ｅを表示する。このようにして、遊技者８はどの部分画像が表示されるかで特典の期待度に対する尺度を容易に推測することができる。なお、平面画像９０に備えた部分画像のうちで、一以上の部分画像（例えば部分画像９０ｅ等）について平面画像９０の範囲内で移動表示可能にするのが望ましい。こうすれば平面画像９０の内容が固定化されないので、どの位置にどのような内容の部分画像があるのかを推測する楽しみを遊技者８に与えることが可能になる。
【００２８】
次に、上記構成のスロットマシン１０で本発明を実現するための手続きについて、図６，図７を参照しながら説明する。図６，図７には通常ゲームを実現する通常ゲーム処理の手続きを、図８には演出表示部１２に画像を表示する画像表示処理の手続きをそれぞれフローチャートで表す。これらの手続きは各々が適当なタイミングで実行し、例えば図５に示すメイン制御基板１００やサブ制御基板１０６で実現する。また、演出表示部１２の画面に表示する内容の一例を図９に示し、当該画面の表示例と画像との位置関係を図１０に示す。
なお、図６のステップＳ２０は抽選手段１に相当し、図７のステップＳ２６〜Ｓ４８は遊技制御手段２に相当し、図８のステップＳ５０〜Ｓ６０は画像表示手段６に相当し、図８のステップＳ６２は演出手段７に相当する。
【００２９】
図６，図７に示す通常ゲーム処理は、ボーナスゲーム（ＢＢゲーム遊技やＡＴゲーム遊技等のような特典）を除いた通常のスロット遊技を実現する。当該図６と図７との間は、結合子Ｊを通じて処理が継続する。
【００３０】
まず図６では、リール５６，６０，６４を始動（回転）させる前に必要な準備を行う〔ステップＳ１０〕。この準備は、例えばベットスイッチの操作、投入されたメダルの検出やカウント、クレジット数のカウント等を行う。遊技者８が投入口２０にメダルを投入するか、ベットボタン４４，４６，４８を操作してクレジットから引き出すと、ベット数に応じた有効ライン（上段・中段・下段の横一列ラインや斜めライン）を設定してライン表示部１６に表示する。通常は始動レバー４２の操作を無効とするが、上述したような始動に必要な準備が整ったときには（ステップＳ１２でＹＥＳ）、始動レバー４２の操作を有効にするとともに〔ステップＳ１４〕、基準となる部分画像を表示する〔ステップＳ１６〕。例えば図９（Ａ）に示す画面１２ａには、図５に示す平面画像９０に含まれる部分画像９０ｅ（本例では人物等のキャラクタ）を基準画像として表示する。当該基準画像を見た遊技者８は、始動や抽選の準備等が整ったことを認識できる。当該画面１２ａは、図１０の実線で示す領域ａ４を表示したものである。
【００３１】
始動レバー４２の操作が無効であるときや、有効であったとしても遊技者８が操作していないときは上述したステップＳ１０〜Ｓ１６を繰り返し実行する（ステップＳ１８でＮＯ）。そして操作が有効であるときに遊技者８が始動レバー４２を操作すると（ステップＳ１８でＹＥＳ）、乱数を読み込んでメイン制御基板１００のＲＡＭ１００ｃあるいはサブ制御基板１０６に備えたＲＡＭ等に記憶するとともに〔ステップＳ２０〕、次回以降の処理に備えて始動レバー４２の操作を無効にする〔ステップＳ２２〕。ステップＳ２０で読み込む乱数は、ＢＢゲーム遊技の当選／落選を判別する当落判別用乱数Ｒ２や、後述する画像表示処理で表示すべき部分画像を決定する部分画像用乱数Ｒ４等が該当する。こうして記憶した乱数（すなわち抽選結果）に基づいて演出表示部１２に部分画像を表示するべく画像表示処理を実行する〔ステップＳ２２〕。当該画像表示処理の具体的な手続きについて、図８を参照しながら説明する。
【００３２】
図８の画像表示処理では、まずＲＡＭ１００ｃ等に記憶した乱数（例えば部分画像用乱数Ｒ４等）を取得し〔ステップＳ５０〕、取得した乱数に基づいて尺度（例えば平面座標系における各軸の座標位置）を決定する〔ステップＳ５４〕。当該尺度としては、例えば第１軸にはＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度を適用し、第２軸にはＡＴ当選の期待度を適用し、第３軸にはＢＢ当選の期待度を適用し、第４軸にはＲＢ当選の期待度を適用する。図５の例では、α軸（図面左方向）に沿ってＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度が大きくなり、β軸（図面右方向）に沿ってＡＴ当選の期待度が大きくなり、γ軸（図面上方向）に沿ってＢＢ当選の期待度が大きくなり、δ軸（図面下方向）に沿ってＲＢ当選の期待度が大きくなる。ここに尺度の決定は、抽選によって決定した何らかの演出と類似する演出（あるいは関連する内容の演出）が行われた場合に対する当たりの確率（すなわち信頼性）と、演出そのものの派手さからくる遊技者８の心理的な期待度とを加味して行う。本例で求めた期待度は、そのまま各軸の座標位置となる。
【００３３】
ステップＳ５４で決定した尺度（座標位置）に基づいて上述した表１の画像テーブルを参照して部分画像を決定し〔ステップＳ５６〕、図６のステップＳ１６で表示した部分画像を起点としてステップＳ５４で決定した座標位置までスクロールして表示し〔ステップＳ５８〕。このスクロール表示は直線的に移動するような表示であってもよく、迂回するようなルートで移動するような表示であってもよく、スクロール表示そのものを省略してもよい。例えば図９（Ｂ）の例はスクロール中の画面１２ｂであり、部分画像９０ｂ，９０ｃの一部分がそれぞれ見える。当該画面１２ｂは、図１０において二点鎖線で示す領域ａ６を表示したものである。例えば図９（Ｂ）で画像が矢印Ｄ２方向に移動して見えるようにするには、表示すべき領域を図１０では矢印Ｄ４方向に移動させればよい。
なお、一部の部分画像（例えば図９（Ｂ）に二点鎖線で表す部分画像９０ｅ）を表示しながらスクロール表示を行う構成としてもよい。こうすれば、あたかも部分画像９０ｅが部分画像９０ｃの座標位置に向かって移動しているように見えるので面白味があり、遊技者８は部分画像９０ｅを注視するようになる。
【００３４】
図８に戻ってスクロール表示を行なった後、ステップＳ５６で決定した部分画像を表示する〔ステップＳ６０〕。例えば図９（Ｃ）に示すような画面１２ｃには、部分画像９０ｃと、平面画像９０に対する部分画像９０ｃの相対位置を示す位置表示領域９４とを表示している。当該画面１２ｃは、図１０において二点鎖線で示す領域ａ８を表示したものである。このような部分画像を見た遊技者８は、本例では二つの尺度（すなわちβ軸に対応させたＡＴ当選の期待度と、γ軸に対応させたＢＢ当選の期待度）の大小や高低等を推測できる。また位置表示部Ｐに相当する位置表示領域９４には、十字状の形状からなる十字図形９４ａ（マーカーＰａに相当する）によって部分画像９０ｃの相対位置を示す。当該十字図形９４ａは、β軸上の目盛りから大当たりの期待度は３／４を超え、γ軸上の目盛りから高確率の期待度は２／３を超えた位置にある。そのため、遊技者８は大きな期待感を持って遊技するようになる。
【００３５】
なおＢＢ当選の期待度やＲＢ当選の期待度は低いものの、ＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度が高い場合は、図１０において二点鎖線で示す領域ａ２に相当する部位の部分画像が表示される。すなわち、部分画像９０ａと部分画像９０ｄの一部分だけが表示されるので、遊技者８は当該表示内容から尺度を推測しようとする。また各軸上の目盛りに数値を併せて表示すると、さらに分かり易くなる。
【００３６】
ステップＳ６０で部分画像を表示するとともに、必要に応じて当該部分画像に関連する演出を行い〔ステップＳ６２〕、画像表示処理を終える。当該演出は部分画像の内容に合わせて行うのが望ましく、スピーカ３４から音を響かせたり、ランプ類１４等のような発光体を点灯／点滅させたり、始動レバー４２や遊技者８が座る椅子等を振動させるなどが該当する。例えばスピーカ３４から響かせる音については、部分画像９０ａの場合はファンファーレの楽器音を響かせ、部分画像９０ｃの場合は水車が回る際に生ずる打撃音等を響かせ、部分画像９０ｄの場合は鳥の鳴き声や列車の通過音等を響かせ、キャラクタ等を模した可動体を備えた場合には当該可動体の一部（例えば口，手，足など）または全部を動かすなどが該当する。いずれか一の形態で演出を行なってもよいが、二以上の形態（例えば演出表示部１２の表示とスピーカ３４から響かせる音など）を組み合わせてほぼ同時に演出を行えば遊技者８の認識率が向上する。
【００３７】
画像表示処理を終えると図７に移って、ＲＡＭ１００ｃ等に記憶したＢＢフラグに基づいて現在の遊技状態を把握する〔ステップＳ２６〕。当該ＢＢフラグは、ＢＢゲーム遊技に移行可能な状態か否かを判断する指標である。ＢＢフラグ等の各種フラグは遊技の方向性を示す指標を意味し、通常のスロットマシン１０では実現する遊技ごとに対応させた複数のフラグが存在する。
【００３８】
もしＢＢフラグがオフならば（ステップＳ２６でＹＥＳ）、未だにＢＢゲーム遊技に移行可能な状態には到達していない。そのために図６のステップＳ２０で記憶した乱数（例えば当落判別用乱数Ｒ２等）に基づいて、ＢＢゲーム遊技に移行可能な状態にするか否か、小役によるメダルを払い出し可能な状態にするか否かなどを判別する〔ステップＳ２８，Ｓ４２〕。
すなわち、もし当落判別用乱数Ｒ２がＢＢゲーム遊技の当選値と一致すれば（ステップＳ２８でＹＥＳ）、抽選に当選したのでＢＢゲーム遊技に移行可能にするべくＢＢフラグをオンにしてＲＡＭ１００ｃ等に記憶する〔ステップＳ３４〕。ＢＢゲーム遊技の当選値は一個または二個以上が存在し、当該値自体は遊技中に変化させてもよく不変としてもよい。
【００３９】
ＢＢフラグが既にオンになっているか（ステップＳ２６でＮＯ）、あるいは当落判別用乱数Ｒ２がＢＢゲーム遊技の当選値と一致しなかったときは（ステップＳ２８でＮＯ）、小役によるメダルを払い出し可能にするか否かを判別する〔ステップＳ４２〕。もし当落判別用乱数Ｒ２が小役の当選値と一致したときは（ステップＳ４２でＹＥＳ）、ＢＢゲーム遊技には移行しないが賞品としてのメダルを獲得可能にするべく小役フラグをオンにしてＲＡＭ１００ｃ等に記憶する〔ステップＳ４４〕。ＢＢゲーム遊技の当選値と同様に、小役の当選値は一個または二個以上が存在し、当該値自体は遊技中に変化させてもよく不変としてもよい。
こうして上述したステップＳ２６，Ｓ２８，Ｓ３０，Ｓ４２，Ｓ４４を実行すると、ＢＢゲーム遊技を行うための準備が整うか、ステップＳ４０の実行によって小役が当選したゲームを行うための準備が整うか、あるいはハズレゲームを行うための準備が整うことになる。
【００４０】
遊技者８は既に始動レバー４２を操作しているので（図６のステップＳ１８でＹＥＳ）、リール５６，６０，６４を回転させ始めてから停止ボタン２８，３２，３６の操作やタイムアウト等に基づいてリール５６，６０，６４を停止させるまでを制御する〔ステップＳ３２〕。当該ステップＳ３２を実行している間は、リール５６，６０，６４の始動を重ねて行えないようするべく始動フラグを一時的にオフにする。なお、リール５６，６０，６４の回転と停止のための制御については周知であるので、図示および説明を省略する。
【００４１】
ＢＢフラグがオンのときにいずれかの有効ライン上にボーナス図柄が揃うと（ステップＳ３４でＹＥＳ）、当該ボーナス図柄に対応する枚数のメダルを払い出すとともに〔ステップＳ３６〕、ＢＢゲーム遊技を実現し〔ステップＳ３８〕、次回以降のゲームに備えて小役フラグをオフにした上で〔ステップＳ４０〕、今回の通常ゲーム処理を終える。
【００４２】
また、小役フラグがオンのときにいずれかの有効ライン上に小役図柄が揃うと（ステップＳ３４でＮＯ，ステップＳ４６でＹＥＳ）、当該小役図柄に対応する枚数のメダルを払い出し〔ステップＳ４８〕、次回以降のゲームに備えて小役フラグをオフにした上で〔ステップＳ４０〕、今回の通常ゲーム処理を終える。
【００４３】
その一方、ボーナス図柄や小役図柄のいずれもが揃わずハズレ図柄になったときは（ステップＳ３８，Ｓ４６でともにＮＯ）、次回以降のゲームに備えて小役フラグをオフにした上で〔ステップＳ４０〕、今回の通常ゲーム処理を終える。こうして今回の通常ゲーム処理を終えた後は、再び図６のステップＳ１０から実行してスロット遊技を繰り返す。
【００４４】
上述した実施の形態によれば、以下に示す各効果を得ることができる。
（１）四つの軸（α軸，β軸，γ軸，δ軸）からなる平面座標系９２の各軸に沿って演出表示部１２に表示可能な内容が変化してゆく平面画像９０をキャラクタジェネレータ１２８に記憶し、遊技者８が取得可能な特典の期待度を表す尺度を各軸ごと関連させた画像テーブル｛関連情報５；表１を参照｝をＲＯＭ１００ｂに記憶した。乱数（例えば当落判別用乱数Ｒ２等）を用いて行う抽選｛抽選手段１；図６のステップＳ２０を参照｝によって得られた抽選結果に基づいて尺度を決定し（図８のステップＳ５４を参照）、画像テーブルを参照して当該尺度から各軸の座標位置を導き対応する部分画像を演出表示部１２に表示した｛図６のステップＳ６０，図９（Ｃ）を参照｝。また、抽選結果に基づいて遊技の進行を制御した｛遊技制御手段２；図７を参照｝。このように平面画像９０と尺度とを関連付けたので、遊技者８はＢＢゲーム遊技を得る可能性を推測する楽しみとともに当該平面画像９０の内容に期待感を持つことができる。
【００４５】
（２）抽選結果に対応した部分画像を表示するとともに、ＢＢ当選の期待度に対応する尺度を表すγ軸と、ＲＢ当選の期待度に対応する尺度を表すδ軸とを表示した｛図９（Ｃ）を参照｝。ＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度に対応する尺度を表すα軸や、ＡＴ当選の期待度に対応する尺度を表すβ軸を表示する場合も同様である｛図５を参照｝。また図９（Ｃ）の例では、位置表示領域９４内に平面画像９０に対する部分画像９０ｃの相対位置を示した。よって、遊技者８は尺度の程度（大小や高低等）を部分画像とともに一目で認識することができる。
【００４６】
（３）基準の部分画像を表示し｛図６のステップＳ１６，図９（Ａ）を参照｝、その後に演出表示部１２の画面をスクロールさせて抽選結果に基づく部分画像を表示した｛図８のステップＳ５８，Ｓ６０、図９（Ｂ），図９（Ｃ）を参照｝。スクロールさせる方向が分かれば、遊技者８は各軸に関連付けた尺度がそれぞれどのように変化するのかを容易に推測することができる。
【００４７】
（４）演出表示部１２に表示する部分画像に関連する演出を行なった｛演出手段７；図８のステップＳ６２を参照｝。単に部分画像を表示するだけでなく関連する演出を行えば、遊技者８を飽きさせず、演出表示部１２を見ていなかった遊技者８であっても尺度の程度を認識することができる。
【００４８】
〔他の実施の形態〕
上述したスロットマシン１０（遊技機）において、他の部分の構造，形状，大きさ，材質，配置および動作条件等については、上記実施の形態に限定されるものでない。例えば、次の各形態を実施することもできる。
（１）上述した実施の形態では、スロットマシン１０に本発明を適用した。この形態に代えて、スロットマシン以外の他の遊技機（例えばパチンコ機，アレンジボール機，雀球遊技機，テレビゲーム機等）であって画像を表示可能に構成したものにも同様に本発明を適用することができる。パチンコ機に適用する例としては、次のようになる。すなわちパチンコ球が始動口に入賞することを契機に、乱数を抽出して抽選を行うとともに、表示部（液晶表示装置等）で図柄変動を表示する。図柄変動では、例えばリーチに達する前に図９（Ａ）に相当する表示を行い、リーチ後に図９（Ｂ）や図９（Ｃ）に相当する表示を行う。こうすればリーチ後に表示される部分画像の内容によって、遊技者８は大当たり等の特典を得る可能性を推測することが可能になる。このように他の遊技機に適用しても、遊技者８は特典を得る可能性を推測する楽しみとともに当該画像の内容に期待感を持つことができ、より表示部を見て遊技するようになる。
【００４９】
（２）上述した実施の形態では、一の平面画像９０を用いて部分画像を表示する構成とした｛図８のステップＳ５４〜Ｓ６０，図９を参照｝。この形態に代えて（あるいは加えて）、二以上の相異なる平面画像をキャラクタジェネレータ１２８等に記憶しておき、いずれか一の平面画像に備えた部分画像を表示する構成としてもよい。例えばＢＢゲーム遊技に対する平面画像や、ＡＴゲーム遊技に対する平面画像等のように、遊技ごとに対応した平面画像を用いる。こうすれば遊技ごとに異なる平面画像を表示できるので、遊技者８を飽きさせない。
また、乱数（例えば部分画像用乱数Ｒ４等）等を用いた抽選によって、いずれか一の平面画像を選択するように構成してもよい（図８のステップＳ５２を参照）。この構成によれば、どの平面画像を選択するのか予測がつかないので、遊技者８に表示の期待感を持たせることができる。同様に、例えば部分画像９０ａ，９０ｂ，９０ｃ，９０ｄ，９０ｅ，９０ｆ，９０ｇ等を個別にキャラクタジェネレータ１２８等に記憶しておき、抽選によって一以上の部分画像を選択して平面画像上に配置する構成としてもよい。こうすれば、抽選のたびに平面画像の内容が変わるので、遊技者８は見ていて飽きない。
【００５０】
（３）上述した実施の形態では、平面画像９０を用いる構成とした｛図５を参照｝。この形態に代えて（あるいは加えて）、二軸，三軸あるいは五軸以上で表現可能な画像を用いる構成としてもよい。例えば三軸（Ｘ軸，Ｙ軸，Ｚ軸）からなる空間座標系に対応した空間画像を用いると、立体的な画像を演出表示部１２に表示できるので、現実感のある表示を行える。さらに空間座標系に加えて時間軸を用いると、同一の座標位置における過去−現在−未来の変化を見せることができる。こうして様々の数からなる軸に対して相異なる尺度を適用すると画像の表現力が大幅に向上し、面白味のある画像を表示できる。
【００５１】
（４）上述した実施の形態では、α軸にはＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度を適用し、β軸にはＡＴ当選の期待度を適用し、γ軸にはＢＢ当選の期待度を適用し、δ軸にはＲＢ当選の期待度を適用する構成とした（図５を参照）。この形態に代えて、どのような尺度をどの軸に適用するのかを遊技中に変化させる構成としてもよい。特に、尺度は三以上を規定しておくのが望ましい。この構成によれば、抽選による抽選結果や遊技者８が操作部材によって行う選択などによっては、β軸にＡＴ抽選の高確率突入の期待度を適用し、α軸にＡＴ当選の期待度を適用する場合もある。こうすれば尺度そのものが変化するので、遊技者８はどの尺度が選択されるのかを期待する期待感を持って遊技するようになる。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、画像と特典の期待度の尺度とを関連付けたので、遊技者は大当たり等の特典を得る可能性を推測する楽しみとともに当該画像の内容に期待感を持つことができ、より表示部を見て遊技するようになる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の概要を模式的に示す図である。
【図２】スロットマシンの外観を示す正面図である。
【図３】スロットマシンの内部を示す正面図である。
【図４】各種の基板と装置にかかる概略構成を示すブロック図である。
【図５】平面画像の一例を示す図である。
【図６】通常ゲーム処理の手続きを示すフローチャートである。
【図７】図６に続く通常ゲーム処理の手続きを示すフローチャートである。
【図８】画像表示処理の手続きを示すフローチャートである。
【図９】演出表示部の表示例を示す図である。
【図１０】平面画像と演出表示部に表示する例との関係を説明する図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 抽選手段
２ 遊技制御手段
３ 記憶部
４ 画像
４ａ，４ｂ，４ｄ，４ｅ 図形（部分画像）
４ｃ キャラクタ（部分画像）
５ 関連情報
５ａ 第１軸
５ｂ 第２軸
６ 画像表示手段
７ 演出手段
８ 遊技者
９ 表示部
９ａ，９ｂ 画面
１０ スロットマシン（遊技機）
１２ 演出表示部（表示部）
１２ａ，１２ｂ，１２ｃ 画面
１４ ランプ類（演出手段）
３４ スピーカ（演出手段）
５４，５８，６２ 表示窓
５６，６０，６４ リール
９０ 平面画像（画像）
９０ａ，９０ｂ，９０ｃ，９０ｄ，９０ｅ，９０ｆ，９０ｇ 部分画像
９２ 平面座標系
９４ 位置表示領域
９４ａ 十字図形
１００ メイン制御基板（抽選手段，遊技制御手段，画像表示手段，演出手段）
１００ａ，１２２ ＣＰＵ
１００ｂ，１２４ ＲＯＭ（記憶部）
１００ｃ，１２６ ＲＡＭ（記憶部）
１０６ サブ制御基板（抽選手段，遊技制御手段，画像表示手段，演出手段）
１２０ 表示制御基板（画像表示手段）
１２８ キャラクタジェネレータ（記憶部）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of displaying an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a pachinko machine, which is one of gaming machines, when a pachinko ball wins a starting port, a symbol change starts to be displayed on a display. The player is interested in whether or not a symbol change causes a jackpot, and looks at the display with expectation. Therefore, there is known a pachinko machine in which the background is scrolled in the horizontal direction of the screen while the design is changing, so that the possibility of a big hit can be estimated based on whether or not a specific image is displayed (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873). Reference 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-235429 (pages 8-9, FIG. 7-9)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional pachinko machine, since the background and the degree of expectation are not related, it can be inferred only whether there is a possibility of a big hit. From the player's point of view, it is sufficient to look at the display while paying attention to whether or not a specific screen is displayed during scrolling in order to estimate the possibility of a jackpot. For this reason, the player was not interested in the background, and had no expectation of the content displayed as the background.
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and by associating an image such as a background with a scale indicating an expectation of a privilege that can be acquired by a player, it is possible to obtain a privilege such as a jackpot. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can have a feeling of expectation in the contents of the image as well as a fun to guess.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problem 1]
Means 1 for solving the problem is as described in claim 1.
Here, the terms described in claim 1 are interpreted as follows. This interpretation applies to the other claims and the detailed description of the invention.
(1) The “coordinate system” includes two or more axes, and the number of axes can be set arbitrarily. For example, a plane coordinate system composed of two axes, a spatial coordinate system composed of three axes, and the like are applicable.
(2) The “display unit” may be almost the entire screen capable of displaying a symbol for one display (or display device, display body, or light-emitting body), or may be a part of the screen. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to one display, and may be configured with two or more displays.
(3) “Image” corresponds to one screen (still image) or moving image, and includes a lottery display symbol, a decorative symbol, and the like.
(4) "Privileges that can be acquired by the player" include, for example, a pachinko machine in which the symbol fluctuation period is shortened (so-called time savings), the number of time savings, the winning probability is changed (so-called probability fluctuations), and the number of game media paid out. Changes, jackpot games, operation of movable parts (lids, blades, wings, etc.) provided in a winning device, a gate, and the like correspond to the above. Similarly, taking a slot machine as an example, a big bonus game, a regular bonus game, a challenge time, an assist time, a change in the number of game media paid out, and the like are applicable.
(5) The “measure of expectation degree of privilege” includes, for example, an expectation degree corresponding to a subjective measure of a player as a possibility of realizing a privilege, and an objective degree that a privilege is realized with respect to the number of times of lottery. And the like corresponding to various measures.
[0006]
According to the means 1, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, the image 4 and the player 8 whose contents that can be displayed on the display unit 9 change along each axis of the coordinate system including two or more axes are acquired. Based on a lottery result obtained by the lottery means 1 for performing a lottery, a storage unit 3 for storing related information 5 in which a scale indicating a possible privilege expectancy is associated for each axis, and a scale of the privilege expectation degree The image display means 6 for determining the coordinate position of each axis from the scale of the degree of expectation of the privilege with reference to the related information 5 and displaying the corresponding partial image on the display unit 9, and the lottery result obtained by the lottery means 1 Game control means 2 for controlling the progress of the game based on the game.
[0007]
In the example of FIG. 1, the coordinate system of the image 4 represented by a dashed line is composed of a first axis 5a (vertical axis) and a second axis 5b (horizontal axis) represented by broken lines. On the first axis 5a, the scale of the expectation of the privilege increases in the upward direction in the drawing, and for example, the expectation of high probability is applied to the measure of the expectation of the privilege. On the second axis 5b, the scale of the expectation of the privilege increases in the right direction in the drawing, and the expectation of the jackpot is applied to the measure of the expectation of the privilege. In the image 4, a plurality of partial images that can be displayed on the display unit 9 are arranged at coordinate positions represented by a first axis 5a and a second axis 5b. In this example, a character 4c imitating a person or the like and figures 4a, 4b, 4d, and 4e used for playing cards (in this example, diamond, club, spade, and heart figures) are arranged. Under such circumstances, when the character 4c is displayed as the screen 9a in accordance with the lottery result of the lottery performed by the lottery means 1, the high probability and the jackpot expectation are both medium, and the spade graphic 4d is When displayed as a screen 9b represented by a dashed line, the player 8 knows that the high probability and the jackpot expectation are both high and moderate. Since the image 4 and the scale of the expectation degree of the privilege are associated in this manner, the player 8 can have a pleasure of estimating the possibility of obtaining the privilege such as a big hit and have a sense of expectation in the content of the image.
[0008]
[Means for solving the problem 2]
Means 2 for solving the problem is as described in claim 2.
According to the means 2, the image display means 6 displays the partial image, and displays one or both of the axis and the positional relationship of the partial image with respect to the image 4. According to the example of FIG. 1, the form in which the first axis 5a and the second axis 5b are displayed and the position of the partial image currently displayed on the position display section P provided in the display section 9 are indicated using the marker Pa. The form is applicable. In the example of FIG. 1, the marker Pa is displayed using a black circle, but the marker Pa may be displayed using a figure, code, symbol, or the like whose position can be recognized, such as a frame, a cross, or an arrow. Further, if the first axis 5a or the second axis 5b is displayed with a scale, it becomes easier to understand. In this way, the player 8 can recognize at a glance the size of the scale of the expectation of the privilege and the level of the privilege together with the partial image.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problem 3]
Means 3 for solving the problem is as described in claim 3.
According to the means 3, after displaying the reference partial image, the image display means 6 scrolls the screen to display the partial image based on the lottery result obtained by the lottery means 1. According to the example of FIG. 1, for example, after the screen 9a is displayed as a reference partial image, the display content is scrolled so as to move in the direction of the arrow Da (the player 8 moves the display content from the upper right to the lower left). ), And the screen 9b is displayed. If the scrolling direction is known, the player 8 can easily guess whether the scale of the expectation of the privilege associated with each axis is large or small, high or low, respectively.
[0010]
[Means for solving the problem 4]
Means 4 for solving the problem is as described in claim 4.
Here, the term “effect” described in claim 4 includes all means that can be transmitted to a target person (player, clerk, etc.) through a transmission medium. For example, display with a light-emitting body that can be turned on and off, sound (specifically, voice, music, sound effect, etc.) emitted through an acoustic device, vibration of a member using a vibrating body, exercise using a movable body, and the like One or more forms are applicable. The transmission medium corresponds to, for example, a light emitting body, an acoustic device, a vibrating body, a movable body, and the like. The relationship between the production and the transmission medium is arbitrary, and a form in which one production is performed using a plurality of transmission media, a form in which a plurality of productions are performed using one transmission medium, and a plurality of forms using a plurality of transmission media. There is a form of performing. This interpretation applies to the other claims and the detailed description of the invention.
[0011]
According to the means 4, the image display means 6 includes the effect means 7 for effecting effects related to the partial images displayed on the display unit 9. If a related effect is performed instead of merely displaying the partial image, the player 8 does not get bored and even the player 8 who did not look at the display unit 9 measures the degree of the expectation degree of the privilege (large or small, Height, etc.) can be recognized.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine, which is one of gaming machines, and will be described with reference to FIGS. For the sake of simplicity, the scale of the expectation of the privilege is simply expressed as “scale”, the big bonus is simply expressed as “BB”, the regular bonus is simply expressed as “RB”, and the assist time is simply expressed as “AT”, The challenge time is simply expressed as “CT” and the jack-in is simply expressed as “JI”. Therefore, for example, a big bonus game is represented as a “BB game”. Further, an example will be described in which a medal is used among game media to which a pachinko ball, a medal, a coin, a token, and the like correspond.
[0013]
First, a configuration example of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. On the front door 52 of the slot machine 10, an effect display section 12 for displaying symbols, various information, and the like, lamps 14 for lighting / flashing a luminous body (a lamp, an LED, or the like) at a predetermined timing, reels 56, 60, 64, display windows 54, 58, and 62 for recognizing respective symbols, a line display section 16 for notifying an effective line capable of forming a required display mode (for example, a symbol pattern [777], etc.), and stored in a slot machine. A credit indicator 50 capable of displaying the number of medals (hereinafter referred to as "credits"), a game number indicator 66 capable of displaying the number of games consumed in the bonus game, and a payout capable of displaying the number of prizes to be paid out. Number display 18, return button 22 for requesting the return of medals inserted from insertion slot 20, bet button for setting the number of bets to be placed in one slot game 4, 46, 48, a guide plate 24 for explaining a game method, etc., a start lever 42 for starting to rotate the reels 56, 60, 64, and a stop button for individually stopping the rotating reels 56, 60, 64, respectively. 36, 32, 28, and a settlement button 40 for requesting the return of credited medals.
Each of the bet buttons 44, 46, 48, the start lever 42, the stop buttons 36, 32, 28, etc. also has a contact switch for sending a signal to a main control board 100 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) described later. . The start lever 42 and the stop buttons 36, 32, 28 correspond to operation members that can be operated by the player 8.
[0014]
For example, a liquid crystal display is used for the effect display unit 12 corresponding to the display unit 9, but a fourth reel configured similarly to the reels 56, 60, and 64 may be used. The reel 56 can be seen from the display window 54, and similarly, the reels 60 and 64 can be seen from the display windows 58 and 62, respectively. The number of active lines varies depending on the number of bets on which the bet buttons 44, 46, 48 have been operated. For example, the bet button 46 (1 bet button) for placing one bet is only one line on the middle row, and the bet button 48 (2 bet button) for placing 2 bets is 3 lines on the upper row, middle row, and lower row. The bet buttons 44 to be placed (MAX bet buttons) are all five horizontal and diagonal lines. The number of bets on the normal bet button 44 is 3, but there are some slot machines that reduce the number of bets to 1 during a specific game (for example, a JAC game).
[0015]
Below the front door 52, there are provided an ashtray 38 for holding cigarette butts, etc., a built-in speaker 34 for sound (sound, music, sound effect, etc.) and a tray 26 for temporarily storing medals. In the example of FIG. 2, two speakers 34 are provided on the left and right as shown by broken lines. When the rotating reels 56, 60, 64 have the required display mode, the medals to be paid out come out of the payout port 30 and are stored in the tray 26.
[0016]
Next, an internal structure that is visible when the front door 52 of the slot machine 10 is opened will be described with reference to FIG. A portion corresponding to the back side of the effect display section 12 includes a main control board 100, a sub control board 106, and the like for controlling a game by the slot machine 10. The main control board 100 is sealed in a case 70 and the sub-control board 106 is sealed in a case 72 to prevent fraud.
[0017]
In the vicinity of the main control board 100, there is provided an external centralized terminal board 116 for connection to an external processing device (for example, a hall computer in a game arcade, an island computer in island facilities, etc.). The reels 56, 60, and 64 are arranged on the mounting table 74 in a horizontal row. A left reel device 110 having a motor for rotating the reel 56, an index for recognizing a rotation angle (rotational position, posture), a sensor for detecting the index, and the like is provided inside or near the reel 56. Similarly, a middle reel device 112 and a right reel device 114, which are configured similarly to the left reel device 110, are provided inside and near the reels 60 and 64, respectively.
[0018]
Below the mounting table 74, a hopper 82 for temporarily storing medals inserted from the insertion port 20, a power supply 76 for supplying necessary power to the main control board 100 and the like, and a payout port 30 from the hopper 82 A medal payout device 80 for paying out a predetermined number of medals to the tray 26, and a payout sensor 78 and the like are provided in a passage connecting the hopper 82 and the payout opening 30. The medal payout device 80 receives a signal transmitted from the main control board 100 or a signal output by the payout sensor 78 when detecting an actually paid out medal, and pays out while counting a required number of medals.
[0019]
Next, an example in which a board, a device, and the like are connected to realize a slot game by the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the term “connect” means to electrically connect unless otherwise specified.
[0020]
The main control board 100 mainly composed of a CPU (processor) 100a includes a ROM 100b storing a game control program and the like, a RAM 100c capable of storing temporary data such as random numbers and flags, an input / output circuit, a communication control circuit, and the like. The CPU 100a executes a game control program to implement a slot game. The game control program includes a program for implementing procedures such as a normal game process and an image display process, which will be described later. For example, although an EPROM is used for the ROM 100b and an SRAM is used for the RAM 100c, other types of memory (for example, EEPROM, DRAM, flash memory, etc.) may be used.
[0021]
A signal output from the main control board 100 is transmitted to various devices through a reel relay terminal board 102, a relay lamp board 104, a sub control board 106, and the like. The sub control board 106 that has received the signal output from the main control board 100 further transmits the signal to various devices through the reel relay terminal plate 102, the relay terminal plate 108, and the like. According to this configuration, the signal output to the reel relay terminal board 102 may be transmitted directly from the main control board 100 or transmitted via the sub-control board 106. The sub-control board 106, the display control board 120, and the like are configured around a CPU similarly to the main control board 100, and have a ROM, a RAM, an input / output circuit, and the like. Further, the reel relay terminal plate 102 and the relay terminal plate 108 perform a function of transmitting a signal.
[0022]
A left reel device 110, a middle reel device 112, a right reel device 114, an external centralized terminal plate 116, and the like are connected to the reel relay terminal plate 102.
On the relay lamp board 104, a medal selector 118 for discharging defective medals and returning medals when the power is cut off, stop buttons 28, 32, 36, bet buttons 44, 46, 48, a start lever 42, a settlement button 40, a game And lamps 14 for displaying lighting / extinguishing, blinking, etc., are connected in connection with.
The relay terminal plate 108 is connected to a display control board 120 for controlling the display of symbols, various kinds of information, and the like on the effect display section 12, a decorative display board 130 for performing decorative display using the lamps 14, a speaker 34, and the like.
[0023]
The display control board 120 is configured around a CPU 122 like the main control board 100 and has a ROM 124 storing a display control program and the like, a RAM 126 capable of storing temporary data such as images and display commands, and a character ROM having a generation ROM and the like. A generator 128 (shown as “CG” in the drawing), a VDP (Video Display Processor) having a palette RAM and the like, an input / output circuit, a communication control circuit, and the like are provided. The CPU 122 executes the display control program and displays symbols, various information, and the like on the effect display unit 12 in the display command received from the main control board 100 or the sub control board 106. The character generator 128 generates or develops display data such as images, characters, and designs stored in the generation ROM in advance according to the display information included in the display command. It is desirable that the VDP can independently control the display / non-display of two or more layers. The VDP reads data generated by the character generator 128, performs image editing such as color specification and sprite processing, and stores design data in a VRAM or a palette RAM. And finally output a video signal, a synchronization signal, and the like to the effect display unit 12. Note that the RAM 126, the character generator 128 (generation ROM), the VDP (palette RAM), and the like correspond to the storage unit 3, respectively.
[0024]
Here, an example of an image stored in the generation ROM provided in the character generator 128 is shown in FIG. The plane image 90 corresponding to the image 4 includes characters such as a partial image 90a imitating a palace, a partial image 90b imitating a crystal, a partial image 90c imitating a windmill hut, a partial image 90d imitating a woodland railway, and a person. It has a partial image 90e that imitates, a partial image 90f that imitates a street with a gate, a partial image 90f that imitates an overpass and houses, and the like. These partial images are set at different coordinate positions as shown in the plane coordinate system 92 composed of, for example, α axis, β axis, γ axis, and δ axis.
[0025]
An example in which a partial image is set in association with the plane coordinate system 92 will be described. For example, the image table stored in the ROM 100b or the like shows an example in which partial images are set according to the magnitude of a scale corresponding to each of four axes (α axis, β axis, γ axis, and δ axis) in the plane coordinate system 92. 1 is shown. The α axis in the table is “the degree of expectation of high probability entry of AT lottery”, the β axis is “the degree of expectation of AT win”, and the γ axis is “the degree of expectation of BB win”. Yes, the δ axis is “the degree of expectation of RB winning”. "Normal" in the table means a region where the scale of each axis is not large. In this example, the plane image 90 is not divided stepwise, but may be divided into two or more preset stages or the number of stages determined by lottery.
[0026]
[Table 1]

[0027]
According to Table 1, for example, when the expected degree of high probability entry of AT lottery (α-axis) and the expected degree of BB winning (γ-axis) are both large, the partial image 90a is displayed, and the expected degree of AT winning (β Axis) and the expected degree of BB winning (γ-axis) are both large, the partial image 90c is displayed. When the high probability entry (α-axis) of AT lottery and the expected degree of RB winning (δ-axis) are both large, Displays the partial image 90d, and displays the partial image 90g when the expected degree of AT win (β-axis) and the expected degree of RB win (δ-axis) are both large. On the other hand, when only the expected degree of BB winning (γ axis) is large, the partial image 90b is displayed, and when only the expected degree of RB winning (δ axis) is large, the partial image 90f is displayed. If the degree of expectation is small, the partial image 90e is displayed. In this way, the player 8 can easily guess the scale for the expected degree of the privilege based on which partial image is displayed. It is desirable that among the partial images provided in the planar image 90, one or more partial images (for example, the partial image 90e) can be moved and displayed within the range of the planar image 90. In this way, the contents of the plane image 90 are not fixed, so that it is possible to give the player 8 a pleasure of guessing at what position and what kind of partial image is present.
[0028]
Next, a procedure for realizing the present invention in the slot machine 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing a procedure of a base game process for realizing a base game, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a procedure of an image display process for displaying an image on the effect display unit 12. Each of these procedures is executed at an appropriate timing, and is realized by, for example, the main control board 100 and the sub-control board 106 shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of the content displayed on the screen of the effect display unit 12, and FIG. 10 shows the positional relationship between the display example of the screen and the image.
Note that step S20 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the lottery means 1, steps S26 to S48 in FIG. 7 correspond to the game control means 2, steps S50 to S60 in FIG. 8 correspond to the image display means 6, and FIG. Step S62 corresponds to the rendering means 7.
[0029]
The normal game processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 realizes a normal slot game excluding a bonus game (a privilege such as a BB game game or an AT game game). The processing is continued through the connector J between FIG. 6 and FIG.
[0030]
First, in FIG. 6, necessary preparations are made before starting (rotating) the reels 56, 60, 64 [Step S10]. This preparation includes, for example, operating a bet switch, detecting and counting inserted medals, counting the number of credits, and the like. When the player 8 inserts a medal into the insertion slot 20 or operates the bet buttons 44, 46, 48 to withdraw from the credit, an effective line corresponding to the number of bets (horizontal one-line line or diagonal line in the upper, middle, and lower stages) ) Is set and displayed on the line display unit 16. Normally, the operation of the starting lever 42 is invalidated. However, when the preparation necessary for starting as described above is completed (YES in step S12), the operation of the starting lever 42 is enabled [step S14], and the reference and Is displayed (step S16). For example, a partial image 90e (in this example, a character such as a person) included in the plane image 90 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed as a reference image on the screen 12a shown in FIG. 9A. The player 8 who sees the reference image can recognize that preparations for starting and lottery are completed. The screen 12a displays an area a4 indicated by a solid line in FIG.
[0031]
When the operation of the starting lever 42 is invalid, or when the player 8 is not operating even if it is valid, the above-described steps S10 to S16 are repeatedly executed (NO in step S18). Then, when the player 8 operates the starting lever 42 when the operation is valid (YES in step S18), the random number is read and stored in the RAM 100c of the main control board 100 or the RAM provided in the sub control board 106 and [ Step S20], the operation of the starting lever 42 is invalidated in preparation for the next and subsequent processes [Step S22]. The random numbers read in step S20 correspond to a random number R2 for winning determination for determining winning / losing of the BB game game, a random number R4 for partial image for determining a partial image to be displayed in an image display process described later, and the like. An image display process is executed to display a partial image on the effect display unit 12 based on the random numbers (that is, the lottery results) thus stored [Step S22]. A specific procedure of the image display processing will be described with reference to FIG.
[0032]
In the image display process of FIG. 8, first, a random number (for example, a random number R4 for a partial image) stored in the RAM 100c or the like is obtained [Step S50], and a scale (for example, a coordinate position of each axis in a plane coordinate system) is obtained based on the obtained random number. ) [Step S54]. As the scale, for example, the expectation of the high probability entry of the AT lottery is applied to the first axis, the expectation of the AT winning is applied to the second axis, and the expectation of the BB winning is applied to the third axis. Then, the RB winning expectation is applied to the fourth axis. In the example of FIG. 5, the expectation of high probability entry of the AT lottery increases along the α-axis (left direction in the drawing), the expectation of AT winning increases along the β-axis (right direction in the drawing), and the γ axis The expected degree of BB winning increases along (upward in the drawing), and the expected degree of RB winning increases along the δ axis (downward in the drawing). Here, the determination of the scale is based on the probability of winning (that is, reliability) when an effect similar to some effect determined by lottery (or an effect of related content) is performed, and the player's fancyness of the effect itself 8 in consideration of psychological expectations. The degree of expectation obtained in this example becomes the coordinate position of each axis as it is.
[0033]
Based on the scale (coordinate position) determined in step S54, a partial image is determined with reference to the image table of Table 1 described above [step S56], and the partial image displayed in step S16 in FIG. The display is scrolled to the determined coordinate position [Step S58]. The scroll display may be a display that moves linearly, a display that moves on a detour route, or the scroll display itself may be omitted. For example, FIG. 9B shows an example of the screen 12b during scrolling, in which parts of the partial images 90b and 90c can be seen. The screen 12b displays an area a6 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. For example, in order to make the image move in the direction of arrow D2 in FIG. 9B, the region to be displayed may be moved in the direction of arrow D4 in FIG.
The scroll display may be performed while displaying a partial image (for example, a partial image 90e represented by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9B). In this way, it is interesting because the partial image 90e appears to move toward the coordinate position of the partial image 90c, and the player 8 gazes at the partial image 90e.
[0034]
Returning to FIG. 8, after the scroll display is performed, the partial image determined in step S56 is displayed [step S60]. For example, on a screen 12c as shown in FIG. 9C, a partial image 90c and a position display area 94 indicating a relative position of the partial image 90c with respect to the planar image 90 are displayed. The screen 12c displays an area a8 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In this example, the player 8 who sees such a partial image determines the magnitude of the two scales (that is, the expectation of the AT win corresponding to the β-axis and the expectation of the BB win corresponding to the γ-axis). And so on. In a position display area 94 corresponding to the position display section P, a relative position of the partial image 90c is indicated by a cross graphic 94a (corresponding to the marker Pa) having a cross shape. The cross graphic 94a is located at a position where the expected degree of the jackpot from the scale on the β axis exceeds 3/4 and the expected degree of high probability from the scale on the γ axis exceeds 2/3. Therefore, the player 8 plays the game with great expectation.
[0035]
When the expectation of BB winning or RB winning is low, but the expectation of high probability entry of AT lottery is high, a partial image of a portion corresponding to the area a2 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 is displayed. You. That is, since only a part of the partial images 90a and 90d is displayed, the player 8 tries to guess the scale from the display contents. If numerical values are displayed together with the scales on each axis, it becomes easier to understand.
[0036]
In step S60, the partial image is displayed, and if necessary, effects related to the partial image are performed [step S62], and the image display process ends. It is desirable that the effect be performed in accordance with the content of the partial image, such as sounding the speaker 34, lighting / flashing a light-emitting body such as the lamps 14, a starting lever 42, a chair on which the player 8 sits, or the like. And vibrating. For example, the sound from the speaker 34 is resonated by the sound of a fanfare in the case of the partial image 90a, the striking sound generated when the water wheel rotates in the case of the partial image 90c, and the sound of a bird or the like in the case of the partial image 90d. In the case where a moving body imitating a character or the like is provided by making the sound of a train pass and the like, a part (for example, a mouth, a hand, a foot, or the like) or all of the moving body is moved. Although the effect may be performed in any one of the forms, if the two or more forms (for example, the display of the effect display unit 12 and the sound resonating from the speaker 34) are performed at substantially the same time, the recognition rate of the player 8 will increase. improves.
[0037]
When the image display processing is completed, the process proceeds to FIG. 7, and the current game state is grasped based on the BB flag stored in the RAM 100c or the like (step S26). The BB flag is an index for determining whether or not the state can be shifted to the BB game game. Various flags such as the BB flag mean an index indicating the directionality of the game, and the ordinary slot machine 10 has a plurality of flags corresponding to each game to be realized.
[0038]
If the BB flag is off (YES in step S26), it has not yet reached a state where it is possible to shift to the BB game game. For that purpose, based on the random number (for example, the random number R2 for hitting determination) stored in step S20 of FIG. 6, whether or not to make it possible to shift to the BB game game or to make it possible to pay out medals by the small role It is determined whether or not it is not (steps S28, S42).
That is, if the random number R2 for winning determination matches the winning value of the BB game game (YES in step S28), since the lottery has been won, the BB flag is turned on so that the game can be shifted to the BB game game and stored in the RAM 100c or the like. [Step S34]. There are one or more winning values of the BB game game, and the value itself may be changed during the game or may be unchanged.
[0039]
If the BB flag has already been turned on (NO in step S26), or if the winning determination random number R2 does not match the winning value of the BB game game (NO in step S28), a medal by a small role can be paid out. Is determined (step S42). If the winning determination random number R2 matches the winning value of the small winning combination (YES in step S42), the small winning flag is turned on so that the game does not proceed to the BB game but can acquire a medal as a prize, and the RAM 100c And so on [Step S44]. Similar to the winning value of the BB game game, there is one or more winning values of the small role, and the value itself may be changed during the game or may be unchanged.
When steps S26, S28, S30, S42, and S44 described above are executed in this manner, the preparation for performing the BB game is completed, or the preparation for performing the game in which the small win is won by executing step S40 is completed, or You are ready to play the losing game.
[0040]
Since the player 8 has already operated the start lever 42 (YES in step S18 in FIG. 6), the player 8 starts rotating the reels 56, 60, 64 and then operates based on the operation of the stop buttons 28, 32, 36, timeout, and the like. Control is performed until the reels 56, 60 and 64 are stopped (step S32). During the execution of step S32, the start flag is temporarily turned off so that the reels 56, 60 and 64 cannot be started repeatedly. Since the control for rotating and stopping the reels 56, 60, 64 is well known, illustration and description are omitted.
[0041]
If the bonus symbols are aligned on any of the activated lines when the BB flag is on (YES in step S34), the number of medals corresponding to the bonus symbols is paid out (step S36), and the BB game game is realized. [Step S38], the small combination flag is turned off in preparation for the next and subsequent games [Step S40], and the current base game process ends.
[0042]
When the small win symbols are on and any of the small win symbols are aligned on any of the activated lines (NO in step S34, YES in step S46), the number of medals corresponding to the small win symbols is paid out [step S48]. After turning off the small combination flag in preparation for the next and subsequent games [Step S40], the current base game process is terminated.
[0043]
On the other hand, when neither the bonus symbol nor the small winning symbol is aligned and the lost symbol is obtained (NO in both steps S38 and S46), the small winning flag is turned off in preparation for the next and subsequent games, and S40], the current base game process ends. After the current base game process has been completed in this way, the process is executed again from step S10 in FIG. 6 to repeat the slot game.
[0044]
According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A plane image 90 whose contents that can be displayed on the effect display unit 12 changes along each axis of a plane coordinate system 92 composed of four axes (α axis, β axis, γ axis, and δ axis) is represented by a character. The image table {related information 5; see Table 1} in which a scale indicating the expectation of the privilege that can be obtained by the player 8 is stored for each axis is stored in the ROM 100b. A scale is determined based on a lottery result obtained by a random number (for example, a random number R2 for winning determination, etc.) {lottery means 1; see step S20 in FIG. 6} (see step S54 in FIG. 8). The coordinate position of each axis is derived from the scale with reference to the image table, and the corresponding partial image is displayed on the effect display unit 12 (see step S60 in FIG. 6, FIG. 9C). Also, the progress of the game is controlled based on the lottery result {game control means 2; see FIG. 7}. Since the plane image 90 and the scale are associated in this manner, the player 8 can have a pleasure in estimating the possibility of obtaining the BB game game and have a sense of expectation in the contents of the plane image 90.
[0045]
(2) A partial image corresponding to the lottery result is displayed, and a γ-axis indicating a scale corresponding to the expected degree of BB winning and a δ axis indicating a scale corresponding to the expected degree of RB winning are displayed {FIG. See (C)｝. The same applies to the case where an α-axis representing a scale corresponding to the expectation of high probability entry into the AT lottery and a β-axis representing a scale corresponding to the expectation of AT winning are displayed (see FIG. 5). In the example of FIG. 9C, the relative position of the partial image 90c with respect to the planar image 90 is shown in the position display area 94. Therefore, the player 8 can recognize the degree of the scale (large or small, high or low, etc.) together with the partial image at a glance.
[0046]
(3) The reference partial image is displayed (see step S16 in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 (A)), and then the screen of the effect display unit 12 is scrolled to display the partial image based on the lottery result {FIG. Steps S58 and S60, see FIGS. 9 (B) and 9 (C)}. If the scrolling direction is known, the player 8 can easily guess how the scale associated with each axis changes.
[0047]
(4) An effect related to the partial image displayed on the effect display unit 12 was performed {effect means 7; see step S62 in FIG. 8}. By performing a related effect as well as simply displaying a partial image, the player 8 does not get bored and the player 8 who has not seen the effect display unit 12 can recognize the degree of the scale.
[0048]
[Other embodiments]
In the above-described slot machine 10 (game machine), the structure, shape, size, material, arrangement, operating conditions, and the like of the other parts are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the following embodiments can be implemented.
(1) In the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to the slot machine 10. Instead of this mode, the present invention is similarly applied to a game machine other than the slot machine (for example, a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a video game machine, etc.) which can display an image. Can be applied. An example applied to a pachinko machine is as follows. That is, when the pachinko ball wins the starting port, a random number is extracted and a lottery is performed, and a symbol change is displayed on a display unit (a liquid crystal display device or the like). In the symbol variation, for example, a display corresponding to FIG. 9A is performed before reaching the reach, and a display corresponding to FIG. 9B or 9C is performed after the reach. In this way, it becomes possible for the player 8 to estimate the possibility of obtaining a privilege such as a big hit, based on the content of the partial image displayed after the reach. Even when applied to other gaming machines in this way, the player 8 can have a pleasure of estimating the possibility of obtaining a privilege and also have a sense of expectation in the contents of the image, and play the game more by looking at the display unit. Become.
[0049]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the partial image is displayed using one plane image 90 (see steps S54 to S60 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9). Instead of (or in addition to) this embodiment, two or more different planar images may be stored in the character generator 128 or the like, and a partial image provided for any one of the planar images may be displayed. For example, a plane image corresponding to each game, such as a plane image for a BB game game and a plane image for an AT game game, is used. In this way, different plane images can be displayed for each game, so that the player 8 is not bored.
Alternatively, any one of the planar images may be selected by lottery using a random number (for example, a random number R4 for a partial image) (see step S52 in FIG. 8). According to this configuration, since it is impossible to predict which planar image is to be selected, it is possible to give the player 8 a sense of expectation of display. Similarly, for example, the partial images 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, 90f, 90g and the like are individually stored in the character generator 128 and the like, and one or more partial images are selected by lottery and arranged on the plane image. It may be configured. In this way, the content of the plane image changes each time a lottery is performed, so that the player 8 is not tired of watching.
[0050]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration using the planar image 90 is employed (see FIG. 5). Instead of (or in addition to) this mode, a configuration using an image that can be expressed in two axes, three axes, or five axes or more may be used. For example, when a spatial image corresponding to a spatial coordinate system including three axes (X axis, Y axis, and Z axis) is used, a three-dimensional image can be displayed on the effect display unit 12, so that a realistic display can be performed. Further, when a time axis is used in addition to the spatial coordinate system, a past-present-future change at the same coordinate position can be shown. By applying different scales to the axes composed of various numbers in this way, the expressiveness of the image is greatly improved, and an interesting image can be displayed.
[0051]
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the expectation of the high probability entry of the AT lottery is applied to the α axis, the expectation of the AT winning is applied to the β axis, and the expectation of the BB winning is applied to the γ axis. The configuration is such that the expectation degree of RB winning is applied to the δ axis (see FIG. 5). Instead of this mode, a configuration may be adopted in which what scale is applied to which axis is changed during the game. In particular, it is desirable to specify three or more scales. According to this configuration, depending on the lottery result of the lottery or the selection performed by the player 8 using the operation member, the expectation of the high probability entry of the AT lottery is applied to the β axis, and the expectation of the AT win is applied to the α axis. In some cases. In this way, the scale itself changes, so that the player 8 plays the game with an expectation of expecting which scale is to be selected.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the image is associated with the measure of the expectation of the privilege, the player can have a pleasure of estimating the possibility of obtaining a privilege such as a jackpot and have a sense of expectation in the content of the image. The player starts to play while watching the display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an outline of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the inside of the slot machine.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of various substrates and devices.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a planar image.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a base game process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a base game process following FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image display process.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an effect display unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a planar image and an example displayed on the effect display unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 lottery method
2 game control means
3 storage unit
4 images
4a, 4b, 4d, 4e figures (partial images)
4c Character (partial image)
5 Related information
5a 1st axis
5b 2nd axis
6 Image display means
7 Production means
8 Player
9 Display
9a, 9b screen
10 slot machines (game machines)
12 Effect display section (display section)
12a, 12b, 12c screen
14 lamps (production means)
34 speakers (production means)
54, 58, 62 Display window
56, 60, 64 reel
90 Plane image (image)
90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, 90f, 90g Partial image
92 plane coordinate system
94 Position display area
94a cross
100 main control board (lottery means, game control means, image display means, effect means)
100a, 122 CPU
100b, 124 ROM (storage unit)
100c, 126 RAM (storage unit)
106 Sub-control board (lottery means, game control means, image display means, effect means)
120 display control board (image display means)
128 Character Generator (Storage)

Claims (4)

Related information that associates, for each axis, an image whose content that can be displayed on the display unit changes along each axis of a coordinate system consisting of two or more axes, and a scale indicating the degree of expectation of the privilege that the player can acquire And a storage unit for storing
The scale of the expectation of the privilege is determined based on the lottery result obtained by the lottery means for performing the lottery, and the coordinate position of each axis is derived from the scale of the expectation of the privilege with reference to the related information, and the corresponding portion is determined. Image display means for displaying an image on a display unit;
A gaming machine comprising: game control means for controlling the progress of a game based on a lottery result obtained by the lottery means. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A game machine displaying a partial image and displaying one or both of a positional relationship of the partial image with respect to an axis and an image. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The image display means is a gaming machine which displays a partial image based on a lottery result obtained by the lottery means by scrolling a screen after displaying a reference partial image. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an effect unit for performing an effect related to the partial image displayed on the display unit by the image display unit.

Images