JP2005066182A - Slot machine and game control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a player to carry out a game with desired development without selecting or changing a game board. <P>SOLUTION: In a slot machine accumulating/discharging prize winning flags (BB flags) for a big bonus, three kinds of tables TA1, TA2, TA3 are prepared for lottery for determining the number of games (the number of games for accumulation) performed before discharge. When the big bonus is completed, a control part displays the ceilings (the maximum values of the number of games for accumulation) of the tables TA1, TA2, TA3, receives the selective operation of the player, and determines the next number of games for accumulation using the lottery table corresponding to the selected ceiling. Also in the case of performing a pressing order information game after the big bonus, the table for lottery for determining the number of pressing order information games is selected according to the previously selected ceiling value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, after a plurality of symbol arrays are moved and displayed, the movement display of each symbol array is sequentially stopped, and the winning or losing is determined depending on whether or not a combination of winning symbols is aligned on a predetermined winning line crossing each symbol array. It relates to the slot machine which was made. The present invention also relates to a game control method for causing a computer to control the above-described game.

  A typical slot machine incorporates three reels having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the peripheral surface, a control board on which a computer is mounted, and the like. In addition, a symbol display window for displaying symbols on the three reels is provided on the front of the machine body, and a start switch, a stop switch for each reel, and the like are provided below the symbol display window.

  The combination of symbols for winning a prize in a slot machine is generally called a “comb”, and in addition to a small role that involves paying out a predetermined number of medals, a special bonus that shifts to a big bonus (BB) or regular bonus (RB) A combination (hereinafter referred to as “bonus combination”) is set. The computer on the control board functions as a control unit of the slot machine together with peripheral circuits, and when a player's starting operation is performed, a lottery for various roles is executed and aligned in the symbol display window. Each reel is started after the combination of symbols is determined. This lottery process is generally called “internal lottery”, and a winning flag indicating a winning state in the internal lottery is set for each combination. If any winning flag is turned on after starting each reel, the control unit designates the symbol corresponding to the winning flag set on (hereinafter referred to as “winning symbol”) for the reel that has been operated to stop. .) Is pulled into an active winning line and stopped (pull-in control) is executed.

  Furthermore, in recent slot machines, when a bonus combination is won, a lot of bonus winning flags (hereinafter referred to as “bonus flags”) are accumulated by performing control that does not pull in winning symbols. . When a predetermined condition is established, one stored bonus flag is used, control for drawing a symbol (bonus symbol) corresponding to the flag is executed, and a winning is established. In this manner, consuming the accumulated winning flag and drawing the symbol corresponding to the winning flag is called “flag release” in the industry.

  In a slot machine that accumulates and releases the above-mentioned flag, generally, a predetermined upper limit is set for the number of times the game is not released, and it is ensured that the number of times the game is executed exceeds the upper limit. The winning flag is released. This upper limit is generally called “ceiling”.

  Patent Document 1 below describes that when bonus flags are accumulated, the accumulated bonus flags are released on condition that the number of games determined by lottery has been executed.

JP 2002-219214 A (see paragraphs [0097] [0117], FIG. 4)

  In the control disclosed in Patent Document 1, the maximum number of game executions set in the lottery table for determining the number of game executions is the ceiling described above. That is, the winning flag is always released when the game corresponding to the ceiling is consumed at most.

  Any player who plays a game in a slot machine hopes that a prize for a bonus role (hereinafter referred to as “bonus prize”) will be established. In particular, it is considered that a player who has few medals on hand or who has no spare time desires to develop a game in which a bonus winning is likely to be established in order to aim for “one-shot reversal”.

  In the conventional slot machine, the control of the winning probability of the internal lottery and the accumulation / release of the bonus flag is such that the total payout rate (refers to the ratio of the number of medals paid out to the number of medals inserted) within a predetermined numerical range. It is set to fit. This setting is performed for each gaming table, and the player selects a table set according to his / her preference and plays the game.

  The present invention pays attention to the player's psychology and the actual situation of the game hall as described above, and allows the game to change the control state for establishing a special prize according to the player's selection. It is an object of the present invention to improve customer service by allowing a player to execute a desired game without selecting or changing a game table. Another object of the present invention is to adjust the total payout rate in accordance with the change in the control state.

  The slot machine according to the present invention is configured to execute a game in which each symbol array is stopped in order after moving and displaying a plurality of symbol arrays, and to be able to control winning in special roles. When stopping each symbol arrangement, it is possible to perform “pull-in control” for drawing the symbols (winning symbols) constituting the winning combination in the lottery to the stop display position.

  For example, the symbol array is arranged on the surface of the belt-like body, and the symbol array is moved and displayed by a rotating body in which the belt-like body is rotated with both ends thereof connected. A typical example of such a rotating body is a reel having a configuration in which a belt-like body is mounted on the peripheral surface of the frame body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a belt-like body having a predetermined thickness is formed at both ends without using a frame body. May be connected and rotated. Further, the configuration for displaying the symbols is not limited to the above rotating body, and various symbols may be scroll-displayed on a display screen such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel.

Further, it is desirable that the slot machine according to the present invention receives a predetermined number of game media, executes a game, and pays out the game media as a reward when a winning is established. The game medium may be a medal or a small ball such as a pachinko ball. In addition, a storage medium (such as a magnetic card or an IC card) in which a valuable value is stored is accepted, the valuable value stored in the storage medium is regarded as a gaming medium, and a predetermined amount of valuable value is consumed for each game. May be.
Note that the payout of game media at the time of winning a prize can be performed by a method of adding the number of payouts to the number of stored game media, in addition to a method of releasing the actual game media out of the machine body. Further, when the storage medium is used, the payout can be performed by a method of adding the valuable value of the storage medium.

  In the present invention, for example, a symbol combination that shifts to a big bonus can be used as the special combination (hereinafter, this symbol combination is referred to as “BB” for convenience). In addition, the winning combination of the special combination can be controlled by accumulating the winning flag of the special combination and releasing the winning flag in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition and drawing the symbols related to the special combination. . In this case, the possibility of winning a special combination can be changed by variously changing the conditions for releasing the winning flag.

  The slot machine according to the present invention is selected by the selection operation means for causing the player to select one of a plurality of control states having different possibilities of winning the winning combination for the special prize winning control, and the selection operating means. And a control means for executing the game under the control state and changing the magnitude of the privilege associated with winning the special combination in accordance with the selected control state. In addition, the control means executes control such that an expected value of a privilege associated with winning a prize for the special role decreases as the possibility of winning a prize corresponding to the selected control state increases.

In the above slot machine, the “possibility of winning a prize” is expressed by the probability that a special part is won or the frequency at which a special part is won while a predetermined number N of games are executed. be able to.
The plurality of control states may be a plurality of control states having different winning flag release conditions. For example, when the winning flag is released on condition that the number of games determined by lottery is executed as in Patent Document 1, the maximum number of game executions (ceiling) determined by the lottery A plurality of control states with different values can be set. Or, even if the ceiling value is the same, the winning state, such as a control state with an increased probability of winning a relatively small number of game executions and a control state with an increased probability of winning a relatively large number of game executions, etc. A plurality of control states having different probability breakdowns can be set.

  In addition, when a lottery for determining whether or not a winning flag is to be released for each game or every predetermined period is executed and the winning flag is released on the condition that the lottery has been won, a plurality of winning probabilities in the lottery are different. The control state can be set.

  In the above slot machine, for example, assuming that two control states with different chances of winning a special role are set, when the control state with the higher possibility of winning is selected. However, instead of increasing the frequency of winning a special role, the privilege associated with the winning increases. On the contrary, when the control state with the smaller possibility of winning is selected, the winning frequency for the special role is reduced, but the tendency that the privilege when winning is increased becomes strong. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game with a desired development to a player who wants to increase the frequency of winning the special role, and to suppress an increase in the payout rate due to the increased winning frequency. In addition, if the possibility of winning a special role is set low, the tendency to increase the benefits associated with winning a special role is strengthened. It becomes possible to return to the person.

  Note that the special combination is not limited to BB, and a combination of symbols that shifts to a regular bonus or a general small combination that has a large privilege at the time of winning a prize may be used as the special combination. Further, the winning control for the special combination is not limited to the accumulation / release of the winning flag, and may be performed by, for example, a method of changing the winning probability for the special combination in the internal winning.

  In a preferred aspect of the slot machine, the plurality of control states are set such that the upper limit value of the number of game executions until the winning control for the special combination becomes possible.

  In the above slot machine, for example, an upper limit value corresponding to each control state is displayed, and a control state can be selected by accepting an operation for selecting one of these upper limit values. The selection of the control state is not limited to the above. For example, rankings such as 1, 2, 3,... Are ranked in descending order of possibility of winning, and an operation for selecting one of the ranks is accepted. Also good.

  The slot machine according to another aspect is provided with special game execution means for executing a predetermined number of special games after winning a special combination. Further, the control means variably sets the number of executions of the special game according to the selection by the selection operation means.

  For example, when the special role is BB, a general game during the big bonus period can be set as the special game. In addition, when a game for notifying a stop operation order (push order) for winning a small role after the big bonus is completed (hereinafter referred to as “push order notification game”), this push order notification game is executed. You may think of it as a special game.

  According to the above aspect, as the possibility of winning a special role increases, the possibility that the number of times of execution of a special game will decrease increases, so that the demand of a player who wants to increase the chance to win a special role is met. On the other hand, it is possible to limit the profit that the player obtains from the special game and adjust the total payout rate. In addition, if a control state with a low possibility of winning a special role is selected, the possibility of increasing the number of executions of the special game is increased. Lost game media can be returned to the player.

  Next, the slot machine according to another aspect also has the same special game execution means as described above (for the special game, as in the previous aspect, consider a general game in BB, a push order notification game, etc. Can do.) Further, the control means in this aspect is configured to vary the number of game media paid out during the execution period of the special game in accordance with the selection by the selection operation means.

  According to the above aspect, as the possibility of winning a special combination increases, the possibility that the number of game media to be paid out during the execution of the special game decreases. Therefore, while the frequency at which special winnings are established is increased, the profits obtained by the player through the special game can be limited, and the total payout rate can be adjusted. On the other hand, if a control state with a relatively low possibility of winning a special role is selected, the possibility of an increase in the number of game media to be paid out during the execution of the special game is increased. It is possible to return to the player the game media that has been lost before winning.

  Note that the privilege associated with winning a special combination may be the number of game media paid out for the special combination itself. Further, the probability that an accompanying game such as the push order notification game described above is executed may be varied depending on the control state.

  Next, the game control method according to the present invention is configured to execute a game in which the movement display of each symbol array is stopped in order after the plurality of symbol arrays are moved and displayed, and to control winning in special roles. A step of accepting an operation for selecting one of a plurality of control states with different winning possibilities for winning control for the special role, and executing the game under the control state selected by the selecting operation Performing a step and a step of varying a privilege size associated with winning the special combination according to the selected control state. Further, in the step of varying the size of the bonus associated with winning the special role, the expected value of the bonus associated with winning the special role becomes smaller as the possibility of winning corresponding to the selected control state increases. Perform such control.

  The above method is performed by a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display means capable of moving and displaying a plurality of symbol arrays or displaying a part of each symbol array in a stopped state as in the slot machine described above. Can be executed. This method can also be executed by a television game machine, a personal computer, a portable game machine or the like having means for displaying an image of a symbol array.

  In the slot machine and the game control method described above, the winning control for the special combination is not limited to the one based on the accumulation or release of the winning flag. For example, even in a slot machine of a type that does not accumulate a winning flag, if a plurality of control states with different internal winning probabilities for special roles are set, the possibility of winning a special role can be changed according to the selected control state. Can do.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of control states having different possibility of winning a special role can be switched and executed in accordance with a player's selection operation, so that a game developed in accordance with the player's request is executed. Can improve the service. In addition, if the possibility of winning a special role is increased, the benefits associated with the winning will be relatively small. If the possibility of winning a special role is low, the benefits associated with the winning will be relatively small. Since it can be increased, the total payout rate can be adjusted to an appropriate range.

  1 and 2 show the external appearance and internal structure of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied. The machine body 1 of the slot machine of this embodiment includes a housing 2 having a front opening, and a door 3 assembled to the housing 2 so as to cover the opening 2A. Inside the housing 2, a medal dispenser 6 having a hopper 6 a at the bottom, a power supply unit 10, and the like are disposed above the reel block 4. Further, on the rear plate of the housing 2, a low-frequency output speaker 14, a board 5 on which a control unit 30 (shown in FIG. 4) for game control is mounted.

  The door 3 has three panels 11, 12, 13 and the like assembled in a metal frame. These panels 11, 12, and 13 are formed by performing silk screen printing on the surface of a transparent synthetic resin plate or tempered glass.

The upper upper panel 12 is printed with information such as a combination of symbols and the number of medals to be paid out as information indicating the contents of various winnings, and the lower lower panel 13 is printed with information such as a model name. .
Speakers 15 and 16 for outputting sound effects are provided on both sides of the upper panel 12. Below the lower panel 13, a medal payout port 17, a medal tray 18, and the like are provided.

  The center front panel 11 is used as an area for displaying the progress of the game. An uncolored and transparent symbol display window 20 is formed at the center of the front panel 11, and a storage number indicator 21, a payout number indicator 22, a bonus game indicator 23, and the like are further provided below the symbol display window 20. The

  Between the front panel 11 and the lower panel 13, a medal slot 24 for receiving medals for gaming, a start lever 25 for rotating the reels 8a, 8b, 8c all at once, and the reels 8a, 8b, 8c. Stop switches 26a, 26b, and 26c for individually stopping, a bet switch 27 for setting a bet medal to a game from a credit medal stored in an electronic data format, and a settlement switch 28 for settlement of the credit medal Etc. are deployed.

  If there are up to three medals inserted from the medal slot 24, a winning line corresponding to the number of medals is activated and a state in which the game can be executed is set. When further medals are inserted from this state, these medals are stored as credit medals. In addition, when a winning is achieved in a game played by consuming credit medals by the bet switch 27, a medal payout process is performed by adding medals for the number of payouts to the credit medals.

  The reel block 4 in the housing 2 has a structure in which three reels 8 a, 8 b, and 8 c are assembled to a resin frame 7, and is disposed at a position corresponding to the symbol display window 20. Each of the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c is formed by attaching a strip-shaped tape having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the reel frame. The reel blocks 4 are connected to the reel block 4 together with stepping motors 9a, 9b, and 9c serving as driving sources. It is attached.

  FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration of the front panel 11 including the symbol display window 20. The symbol display window 20 displays the symbols 19 for three frames so that the three reels 8a, 8b, and 8c in the horizontal direction can be seen from the outside, and the length in the vertical direction is when the reels are stopped. Thus, it is formed in a rectangular shape that is long horizontally. In the symbol display window 20, a total of five pay lines L1 to L5 are set so as to connect the stop display position of each symbol, three in the horizontal direction and two in the diagonal direction.

  The stored number display 21 displays the number of stored credit medals, and the payout number display 22 displays the number of medals to be paid out as a reward when a winning is achieved by the game. The bonus game display 23 is used to display the number of winnings that can be expected and the number of times the game has been executed in the case of a big bonus (BB) or a regular bonus (RB). Each of the displays 21, 22, and 23 is a liquid crystal display and is configured to display a numerical value of 3 to 4 digits.

FIG. 4 shows an electrical configuration of the slot machine.
Reference numeral 30 in the figure denotes a control unit on the control board 5. The control unit 30 includes a ROM 31, a working memory 33, a random number generator 34, etc., in addition to a CPU 31 that is a control subject.

  In addition to the program, the ROM 32 stores a symbol arrangement table showing a symbol arrangement of each reel 8a, 8b, 8c, a lottery table for various lotteries including an internal lottery, and the like. The work memory 33 is a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, and is used for reading and writing work data necessary for advancing the game, such as a winning flag when winning in the internal lottery. The random number generator 34 is for generating a random number to be sampled when the CPU 31 performs a lottery process.

  Various input / output units are connected to the control unit 30 via a bus 35. As the input unit, the start lever 25, the stop switches 26a, 26b, 26c, the bet switch 27, the settlement switch 28, and a medal detection sensor 37 for detecting a medal inserted into the medal slot 24 are connected. The The output unit includes reel driving units 36a, 36b, 36c for driving the stepping motors 9a, 9b, 9c of the reel unit 4, a medal payer 6, a stored number display 21, a payout number display 22, a bonus. A game display 23 or the like is connected.

  The above three types of numerical indicators 21, 22, and 23 display three types of numerical values (details will be described later) corresponding to “ceiling” in the next BB flag release control after the end of the big bonus. Used for. Each stop switch 26a, 26b, 26c is used for allowing the player to select a specific one from these three types of numerical values.

  In the slot machine configured as described above, in addition to a plurality of types of small roles, special bonuses that shift to big bonuses and regular bonuses, and symbol combinations (replays) of draws are set. The control unit 30 sets a state in which the game can be started according to the insertion of medals or the operation of the bet switch 27. When an operation signal from the start lever 25 is received, an internal lottery is executed for various combinations including replay, and the reels 8a, 8b, and 8c are rotated. Further, each time the stop switch 26a, 26b, 26c is operated, a control for drawing the symbol for the winning combination by the internal lottery is executed to the corresponding reel 8a, 8b, 8c to stop the reel. The number of pieces that can be slid on the reel for this pull-in is set to 4 pieces, and if the winning symbol is not included in this number of pieces, the game result is “out of place”.

  Further, in the slot machine of this embodiment, normally, even if the big bonus is won, the winning symbol winning flag (hereinafter referred to as “BB flag”) is accumulated without performing the winning symbol pull-in control. The BB flag is released in response to the number of games determined by lottery being executed.

  Further, in the slot machine of this embodiment, when a BB winning is established by releasing the BB flag, a push order for establishing a small bonus winning is notified with a predetermined probability after the end of the big bonus accompanying the BB winning. A game (push order notification game) is executed. Note that whether or not to execute the push order notification game and the number of times the game is executed are determined by lottery.

  Hereinafter, the lottery for determining the number of game executions until the BB flag is released is referred to as “accumulated game number determination lottery”, and the lottery for determining the number of game executions of the push order notification game is referred to as “push order notification game”. It is called “number determination lottery”. In this embodiment, lottery tables as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are prepared as these lottery tables. In these lottery tables, only the numerator when the winning probability is expressed with the denominator being 256 is described.

  First, in the stored game number determination lottery, three types of lottery tables TA1, TA2, and TA3 shown in FIG. 5 are set. In each of these lottery tables TA1, TA2, and TA3, a predetermined numerical value is “ceiling”, and a winning probability is assigned to a plurality of sections in the range up to the ceiling. The numerical value of the ceiling and the breakdown of the winning probability for each section are set to be different for each of the tables TA1, TA2, and TA3. Specifically, the ceiling of the table TA1 is set to “512”, the ceiling of the table TA2 is set to “1024”, and the ceiling of the table TA3 is set to “2048”.

  In the above setting, assuming that the expected values of the accumulated game numbers set by the lottery tables TA1, TA2, and TA3 are A1, A2, and A3, respectively, A1 <A2 <A3. That is, when the lottery table TA1 is selected, the tendency for the BB flag to be released with a shorter interval becomes stronger than when the other lottery tables TA2 and TA3 are selected. On the other hand, when the lottery table TA3 is selected, the tendency that the release interval of the BB flag becomes longer than when the other lottery tables TA1 and TA2 are selected.

  In the actual stored game number determination lottery, a predetermined section is selected by a lottery in which one of the three types of lottery tables TA1, TA2, and TA3 shown in the drawing is selected, and a predetermined section included in the selected section is selected. A lottery to select a numerical value is executed. The numerical value selected in the two-stage lottery is set as the number of game executions. The same applies to the push order notification game number determination lottery.

  Three kinds of lottery tables TB1, TB2 and TB3 shown in FIG. 6 are set in the push order notification game number determination lottery. In these lottery tables TB1, TB2 and TB3, 10 common sections are targeted, but the breakdown of winning probabilities for each section is set to be different. Comparing the ranges in which the winning probability is 87-90% (223-231 in terms of the number of numerators) between these tables TB1, TB2, TB3, as shown in bold lines in the figure, 100 games are played in table TB1. The table TB2 is 200 games or less, and the table TB3 is 400 games or less.

  In the above setting, if the expected values of the push order notification games set by the lottery tables TB1, TB2, and TB3 are B1, B2, and B3, respectively, B1 <B2 <B3. That is, the number of push order notification games when the lottery table TB1 is selected tends to be smaller than when the other lottery tables TB2 and TB3 are selected. On the other hand, the number of push order notification games when the lottery table TB3 is selected tends to be larger than when the other lottery tables TA1 and TA2 are selected.

  In this embodiment, each time the BB flag is released, the player selects a favorite value from the three types of ceilings corresponding to the lottery tables TA, TA2, and TA3 in FIG. 6 and corresponds to the selected ceiling. The stored game number determination lottery is executed using the lottery table. After the end of the big bonus, the numerical values corresponding to the ceilings are displayed on the three numerical indicators 21, 22, and 23 of the front panel 11, and the operation of the stop switches 26a, 26b, and 26c under the display state. Thus, one of the numerical values is selected.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the predetermined number of games are executed based on the selected lottery table based on the selected lottery table, the BB flag is released again, and when the push order notification game is performed, the push order notification is performed. A lottery table used for the game number determination lottery is selected based on the selection result of the ceiling. Specifically, when the ceiling “512” corresponding to the table TA1 is selected, the table TB1 is selected, and when the ceiling “1024” corresponding to the table TA2 is selected, the table TB2 is selected. When the ceiling “2048” corresponding to TA3 is selected, the table TB3 is selected.

  According to the above control, when “512” is selected as the ceiling, the lottery table TA1 is selected in the next stored game number determination lottery, so the next BB flag is released at a relatively short interval. . However, when the push order notification game is performed after the release of the BB flag, the push order notification game number determination lottery based on the table TB1 is performed, so the set number of push order notification games is set to a relatively small value. Is likely to be. Specifically, it is set within 40 games with a probability of about 70%.

  When “1024” is selected as the ceiling, the lottery table TA2 is selected in the next stored game number determination lottery, so the probability that the next BB flag will be released within 512 games is about 57%. . However, when the push order notification game is performed after the release of the BB flag, the push order notification game number determination lottery based on the table TB2 is performed. It becomes larger than the case where “512” is selected. Specifically, the probability that the number of game executions is set within 40 games is reduced to 42.9%, and is set to a range of 41 to 200 games with a probability of about 45%.

  When “2048” is selected as the ceiling, the lottery table TA3 is selected in the next stored game number determination lottery, so the probability that the next BB flag will be released within 512 games is about 43%. . Moreover, the probability that the BB flag is released after the 1024th game, which is the ceiling when the table TA2 is used, increases to 43.75%. However, when a push order notification game is performed after the release of the BB flag, a push order notification game number determination lottery based on the table TB3 is performed. As a result, the probability that the number of executions of the push order notification game is greater than 40 games increases to about 88%. Furthermore, the number of game executions of 200 games or more can be set with a probability of 30%.

Next, a series of game control flow in the slot machine will be described with reference to FIG.
The CPU 31 normally executes a “non-release mode” game that does not release the BB flag, but releases the BB flag when the number of games determined in the stored game number determination lottery is executed in the non-release mode. Transition to possible “release mode”. In the slot machine of this embodiment, the accumulated number of BB flags is written in the non-volatile work memory 33, and the accumulated number is maintained even after the power is turned off. The game in the non-release mode is executed immediately after being thrown in. The number of game executions set in the stored game number determination lottery, the ceiling value of the lottery table used for the lottery, and the number of games executed in the non-release game control are also stored in the work memory 33. It shall be carried over at the next start-up.

  In FIG. 7, in the first ST1, the data in the work memory 33 is reset except for the number of accumulated BB flags, the number of times the game has been set last time, and the ceiling value. In the next ST2, the control mode is confirmed. If the BB flag has been accumulated immediately after the power is turned on, ST2 becomes “NO” and proceeds to ST15 as long as the switch from the non-release mode to the release mode has not been performed when the power was turned off last time. When game control is executed.

  The non-release game control is not described in detail here, but a control that does not draw the winning symbol of BB is executed for each reel 8a, 8b, 8c. Further, every time BB is won by internal lottery, the accumulated number is updated to one larger number.

  When the game by non-release game control is executed for the number of times set by the stored game number determination lottery, ST16 becomes “YES”, the process proceeds to ST17, and the control mode is switched to the release mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds from ST2 to ST3, and the game control at the time of release is executed. Although this game control will not be described in detail, control for drawing the winning symbol of BB into the winning line is executed using the accumulated BB flag. As a result, when the BB winning is established, ST4 becomes “YES” and the process proceeds to ST5, and it is determined whether or not to execute the push order notification game by lottery. The winning probability in this lottery is set to about 50%.

  In the next ST6, a big bonus process is executed in response to the establishment of the BB winning. This big bonus process consists of a regular game with a higher probability of winning a small role and a regular bonus. When 30 regular games are executed, or when 3 regular bonuses are executed. finish.

  When the big bonus is over, in ST7, the lottery result in ST5 is checked. If it is determined from the lottery that the push order notification game is to be performed, the process proceeds to ST8, and the push order notification game number determination lottery is executed. In this process, as described above, the lottery process is performed by selecting one of the three types of lottery tables TB1, TB2, and TB3 based on the currently set ceiling value.

  In the next ST9, a push order notification game is executed for the number of times determined in ST8. In this push order notification game, in addition to the normal internal lottery, a lottery for determining a push order for drawing a winning symbol is executed, and the determined push order is notified to the player. Then, when the stop operation is performed in the notified order, the winning symbol is drawn and the winning is established.

When the set number of push order notification games is completed, in the next ST10, three types of ceilings corresponding to the lottery tables TA1, TA2, and TA3 are numerically displayed. When a predetermined numerical value is selected here, the next ST11 becomes “YES” and the process proceeds to ST12, and any one of the lottery tables TA1, TA2, TA3 of FIG. 6 is selected. In ST12, specifically, a lottery table with the numerical value selected in ST11 as a ceiling is selected. In the next ST13, a lottery for determining the number of accumulated games is performed using the selected lottery table, and the number of games until the next BB flag is released is determined. Thereafter, in ST14, the control mode is switched to the non-release mode, and then the process returns to ST2.
Even when the push order notification game is not executed after the big bonus process, the number of game executions until the next BB flag is released based on the ceiling value selected by the player by executing the process after ST10. To decide.

  Hereinafter, by repeating the above procedure, each time the BB flag is released, the player is allowed to select the ceiling for the next BB flag release, and the stored game number determination lottery is performed using the lottery table corresponding to the selection. Execute. Further, when the push order notification game is performed after the number of games set by the lottery are executed and the BB flag is released, the lottery tables TB1, TB2, TB3 are selected based on the ceiling value selected previously. One of them is selected, and a lottery for determining the number of games is executed.

Although details are not shown in FIG. 7, ST2 becomes “YES” when the BB flag is not accumulated at power-on or when all accumulated BB flags are released. Proceeding to ST3, release game control is executed. However, the winning symbol of the BB is drawn in by the game control at the time of release only when the accumulated BB flag exists, and the BB winning is not established until the BB flag is not accumulated. Absent.
Further, although the detailed flow is not shown in FIG. 7, when winning a BB in a state where the BB flag is not accumulated, the game shifts to the non-release game control immediately after the winning and the accumulated game number determination lottery is performed. Execute. That is, the non-release game control is started immediately after the accumulated number of the BB flag is changed from 0 to 1, and the non-release game control is continued until the number of games set by the accumulated game number determination lottery is executed. It will be.
If the number of game executions reaches the number set by the stored game number determination lottery when the power is turned off last time, the process of ST17 is executed before turning off the power. Thereby, the determination of ST2 when the power is turned on is “YES”, and the game control at the time of release is executed. That is, the BB flag is released in the first game after the power is turned on.

  According to the control in FIG. 7 above, when the player selects “512” as the ceiling value, the next BB flag is released within 512 games, so that the player's request for early release of the BB flag is met. Easy state. On the other hand, the number of executions of the push order notification game after the big bonus accompanying the release is set to a relatively small value. Therefore, an increase in the payout rate due to a decrease in the release interval of the BB flag can be covered by a decrease in the number of medals paid out in the push order notification game.

  When the player selects “1024” or “2048” as the ceiling value, the interval required until the next BB flag is released tends to be longer than when “512” is selected. . However, in this case, when the push order notification game is performed after the big bonus, there is a higher possibility that more games can be executed than when “512” is selected. Therefore, even if the BB winning is not established for a long time because the ceiling is set to a high value, the player is given a chance to receive a large number of medals through the push order notification game.

  In the above embodiment, the probability of the drawing order notification game number lottery is changed according to the ceiling selection value. Instead, the winning in the lottery of ST5 for determining whether or not to perform the pressing order notification game is performed. The probability may be varied. In this case, the smaller the selected ceiling value, the smaller the winning probability.

  The number of executions of the push order notification game may be constant, and the number of medals to be paid out by winning in the push order notification game may be varied according to the ceiling selection value. In this case, the smaller the selected ceiling value, the smaller the medal payout number. Further, instead of the push order notification game, the number of game executions and the number of medals paid out during the big bonus may be changed according to the ceiling selection value.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a slot machine. It is a front view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of a front panel. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the lottery table for accumulation | storage game number determination lottery. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the lottery table for pushing order notification game number determination lottery. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in a slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

8a, 8b, 8c Reel 30 Control unit 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 Work memory

Claims (5)

In a slot machine capable of controlling the winning of a special role while executing a game in which the movement display of each symbol arrangement is stopped in order after moving and displaying a plurality of symbol arrangements,
With respect to winning control for the special role, selection operation means for causing the player to select one of a plurality of control states with different possibilities of winning winning,
A control means for executing the game under the control state selected by the selection operation means, and for varying the magnitude of the privilege associated with winning the special combination according to the selected control state;
The slot machine which performs control so that the expectation value of the privilege accompanying the winning of the special role becomes smaller as the possibility of winning a prize corresponding to the selected control state increases. A slot machine according to claim 1,
A slot machine in which the plurality of control states are set such that the upper limit value of the number of game executions until a winning combination control for a special combination becomes possible. A slot machine according to claim 1 or 2,
Comprising special game execution means for executing a predetermined number of special games after winning the special role,
The control means is a slot machine that variably sets the number of executions of the special game according to the selection by the selection operation means. A slot machine according to claim 1,
Comprising special game execution means for executing a predetermined number of special games after winning the special role,
The control means is a slot machine that variably sets a payout number of game media during the execution period of the special game according to the selection by the selection operation means. A game control method for executing a game for sequentially stopping the movement display of each symbol arrangement after moving and displaying a plurality of symbol arrangements, and controlling a winning for a special role,
A step of accepting an operation for selecting any one of a plurality of control states with different possibilities of winning the winning combination for the special role;
Executing a game under the control state selected by the selection operation;
Varying the size of the privilege associated with winning the special role according to the selected control state,
In the step of varying the size of the bonus associated with winning the special role, the expected value of the bonus associated with winning the special role decreases as the possibility of winning corresponding to the selected control state increases. Control method for executing various controls.

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