JP2005102835A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dullness of a game and weariness of a player. <P>SOLUTION: A representation mode is switched over in representation modes other than a chaos mode among two or more representation modes and a display of a background image of a special symbol display device 40 is controlled on the basis of the representation mode after the switching over in this pachinko machine. Here, a mode switching over condition is satisfied regardless of shifting to a jackpot, so the expectation of shifting to the jackpot does not change even when the representation mode is switched over and the dullness can be prevented by the change of the background image. On the other hand, when a specific switching over condition other than the mode switching over condition is satisfied, the representation mode is switched over to the chaos mode and the display of the background image of the special symbol display device 40 is controlled on the basis of the chaos mode. Here, the specific switching over condition is satisfied in relation to the shifting to the jackpot, so the expectation of the jackpot is changed when the representation mode is switched over to the chaos mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Conventionally, there is known a pachinko machine that allows a player to recognize whether or not a transition to an advantageous gaming state has been made depending on a stop mode of an identification element after the end of fluctuation when a predetermined start condition is satisfied It has been. Patent Document 1 proposes a pachinko machine in which a player plays a game by selecting an effect mode by operating a changeover switch provided on the front surface of the casing. In this pachinko machine, by operating the appearance rate changeover switch, a lot of super reach and reach notice appear in a short time, but even if it appears, the high appearance rate mode with low expectation of jackpot and the number of reach of the reach notice are One of the low appearance rate modes with a high expectation degree of jackpots can be selected once it appears. Also, by operating the image changeover switch, one of the male image information mode in which the character at the time of reach notice is a sexy woman and the female image information mode in which the character at the time of reach notice is a cute elephant is selected. be able to. Furthermore, it is also disclosed that the effect mode is switched according to the time zone.
JP 2003-210748 A

  However, in the pachinko machine described above, although it is possible to prevent the production mode from becoming monotonous in a long-time game by switching the production mode, the production mode is switched regardless of the information related to the jackpot. There was a problem that the player's sense of expectation did not change when the mode was switched, and the player was easily bored in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that prevents the game from becoming monotonous and prevents the player from getting bored.

  Effective means for achieving the above object will be described below. In addition, the operation | movement etc. are demonstrated as needed.

Means 1. A gaming machine that starts a change of the identification element on the display means when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and allows the player to recognize whether or not the gaming state has shifted to an advantageous gaming state by the stop mode of the identification element after the end of the fluctuation,
Effect mode storage means for storing a plurality of effect modes having different effect modes at the time of variation of the identification element;
A mode switching condition establishment propriety determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined mode switching condition is established regardless of the presence or absence of transition to the advantageous gaming state;
Specific switching condition establishment propriety determination means for determining whether or not a specific switching condition different from the predetermined mode switching condition is established in relation to the presence or absence of transition to the advantageous gaming state;
First mode switching means for switching the effect mode in effect modes other than the specific effect mode among the plurality of effect modes stored in the effect mode storage means when the predetermined mode switching condition is satisfied;
Second mode switching means for switching the effect mode to the specific effect mode stored in the effect mode storage means when the specific switching condition is satisfied;
Effect mode control means for controlling the effect mode at the time of variation of the identification element in the display means based on the effect mode switched by the first mode switching means or the second mode switching means;
A gaming machine equipped with.

  In this gaming machine, when a predetermined mode switching condition is satisfied, the effect mode is switched among the effect modes other than the specific effect mode among the plurality of effect modes, and when the identification element changes based on the effect mode after the switching. The production mode is controlled. Here, since the predetermined mode switching condition is established regardless of whether or not there is a transition to the advantageous gaming state, even if the presentation mode is switched, the expectation for the transition to the advantageous gaming state does not change, Since the aspect changes, monotonization can be prevented. On the other hand, when a specific switching condition different from the predetermined mode switching condition is satisfied, the mode is switched to the specific performance mode, and the performance mode at the time of variation of the identification element is controlled based on the specific performance mode. Here, since the specific switching condition is established in relation to the presence or absence of the transition to the advantageous gaming state, the expectation for the transition to the advantageous gaming state changes when switching to the specific effect mode. For this reason, the player does not get tired of the game because he / she plays while hoping to switch to the specific effect mode. The “effect mode” is determined according to the effect mode at the time of change of the identification element, and may be determined depending on, for example, what is used as the background image at the time of change of the identification element. However, it may be determined depending on what character is used as the identification element.

  Mean 2. The gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the number of held balls is stored, the number of stored balls is stored for each holding, the determination information storing unit that stores the determination information for each holding, and when the predetermined start condition is satisfied The hold execution means for holding the start of the change of the identification element display means and adding it as the number of held balls to the reserved ball number storage means and storing the determination information corresponding to the hold in the validity determination information storage means, and the identification The specific display condition, comprising: a reserve digesting unit that digests the number of reserved balls stored in the reserved ball number storage unit and starts the variation of the identification element display unit when the element display unit can start the variation. The establishment possibility determination means is a gaming machine that determines whether the specific switching condition is established based on the success / failure determination information corresponding to each hold. In this way, whether or not the specific switching condition is satisfied is determined based on whether or not the success / failure determination information corresponding to each hold is hit or not, so whether or not the specific switching condition is satisfied and whether or not there is a transition to an advantageous gaming state It is easy to relate.

  Means 3. The gaming machine according to means 2, further comprising: a reserved ball number determining unit that determines whether or not the reserved ball number stored in the reserved ball number storage unit has reached a predetermined number, wherein the specific switching condition is satisfied The determination unit determines whether the specific switching condition is satisfied based on the determination information corresponding to the predetermined number of holdings when the holding ball number determination unit determines that the number of the holding balls has reached a predetermined number. A game machine that decides whether or not. In this way, the specific switching condition is not established and the specific effect mode is not switched until the reserved ball number reaches the predetermined number, so that the player plays while looking forward to the reserved ball number reaching the predetermined number.

  Means 4. The gaming machine according to means 3, wherein the predetermined number is a holding upper limit value. In this way, the player plays the game while looking forward to the number of reserved balls reaching the upper limit.

  Means 5. In the gaming machine according to any one of means 2 to 4, when the specific switching condition establishment possibility determination means includes information indicating that it is a big hit in the success / failure determination information corresponding to each hold, A gaming machine that determines that the specific switching condition is satisfied with the first lottery rate. In this way, even if the information indicating that the winning / failure determination information corresponding to each hold includes a big hit is included, the specific switching condition may not be satisfied and the specific effect mode may not be switched. In other words, it may be a big hit even if it is not the specific effect mode at the time of the reservation digestion. For this reason, the expectation to shift to an advantageous gaming state does not disappear even if the production mode is other than the specific production mode. Here, “big hit” means that the game state is advantageous to the player.

  Means 6. The gaming machine according to means 5, wherein the specific switching condition establishment propriety deciding means includes the first lottery when the success / failure determination information corresponding to each hold does not include information indicating a big hit. A gaming machine that determines that the specific switching condition is satisfied with a second lottery rate lower than the rate. In this way, there may be no big hit even if it is in the specific production mode during the reservation. For this reason, even if it is a specific production mode, it does not necessarily shift to an advantageous gaming state.

  Mean 7 The gaming machine according to any one of means 2 to 6, wherein the effect mode control means switches to the specific effect mode while the reserved digest means digests the number of reserved balls when the specific switching condition is satisfied. A gaming machine that controls an effect mode at the time of variation of the identification element on the display unit. If it carries out like this, the production | generation aspect based on specific production | generation mode will continue until the number of reserve balls when specific switching conditions are satisfied is digested.

  Means 8. The gaming machine according to means 7, wherein the production mode control means is adapted to change the discriminating element at least once while the reservation digesting means digests the number of reserved balls when the specific switching condition is satisfied. A gaming machine that executes an arousal mode. In this way, the production mode based on the specific production mode continues until the number of reserved balls when the specific switching condition is satisfied, but even if it ends as a result, at least once in the meantime Since the arousal mode is executed, when the arousal mode is executed, a sense of expectation for the jackpot is increased. Here, the “arousal mode” refers to a mode that attracts the player's attention as compared to the previous mode or arouses a sense of expectation that a special gaming state will occur thereafter, and is conventionally known. It is a concept that includes various reach and various notices.

  Means 9. 9. The gaming machine according to means 8, wherein the effect mode control means executes an awakening mode at least at the time of the last holding out of the number of holding balls when the specific switching condition is satisfied. In this way, the production mode based on the specific production mode will continue until the number of reserved balls when the specific switching condition is satisfied, but even if it ends as a result, the awakening mode at the time of the last on-hold digestion Therefore, when the awakening mode is executed, the expectation for the jackpot is increased.

  Means 10. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 9, wherein each effect mode has at least a different background image. In this way, the background image is switched, so that the player can easily recognize that the effect mode has been switched, and is not bored with the same background image.

  Means 11. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 10, wherein each effect mode has at least a different arousing mode. If it carries out like this, since a different arousal mode is performed by switching production modes, it does not get tired of the same arousal mode.

  Means 12. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 11, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine. If it carries out like this, the effect of the means 1-11 will be obtained in a pachinko machine. Here, the pachinko machine may be a so-called first type, second type, or third type model, but the game according to any one of means 1 to 11 may be a model other than these types. What is necessary is just to have a machine configuration.

  Means 13. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 11, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. By so doing, the effects of the means 1 to 11 can be obtained in the slot machine. Here, the slot machine includes, for example, an A type (a big bonus game is a set of 30 small role games and 3 JAC games), and a B type (a big bonus game is 30 small role games and a JAC game). There are 2 types), C type (types with single bonuses frequently), A type and C type multifunction devices, B type and C type multifunction devices, etc. There may be a slot machine other than these types as long as it has the configuration of the gaming machine according to any one of means 1-11.

  Means 14. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 11, wherein the gaming machine is a fusion machine obtained by fusing a pachinko machine and a slot machine. By doing so, the effects of the means 1 to 11 can be obtained in a fusion machine obtained by fusing a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Here, examples of the fusion machine include a slot machine that uses a game ball instead of a medal as a game medium.

  Note that the gaming machine of the present invention can also be applied to various gaming machines (for example, a gaming machine installed in a game center).

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of the pachinko machine 20 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the game board 30 of the pachinko machine 20, and FIG. 3 is a pachinko machine according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates 20 electrical connections. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 20 according to the present embodiment includes a game board 30 covered with a polycarbonate transparent plate fitted in a front frame 22, an upper tray 24 and a lower tray 26 that store game balls. A launch handle 28 for launching a game ball to the game board 30 and a main controller 70 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the entire pachinko machine 20 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 30 includes a normal symbol display device 32 arranged at the upper center of the game board 30, and a normal symbol start that detects the passage of the game ball respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the game board 30. Normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b having mouth switches 36a and 36b, a special symbol display device 40 arranged below the normal symbol display device 32, and a game ball arranged below the special symbol display device 40 A start opening 42 having a special symbol start opening switch 44 for detecting the winning of a prize, a tulip-type ordinary electric accessory 46 which is attached to the start opening 42 and can be opened and closed, and a large opening which can be opened and closed. A winning port 50, four normal winning ports 60a to 60d arranged at the left and right lower portions of the game board 30, and an out port 69 for collecting game balls that have not entered any of the winning ports are provided.

  The normal symbol display device 32 includes symbols “a” and “x” 32a and 32b which are displayed in a variable manner by switching lighting of a lamp (not shown) provided behind, and symbols “a” and “x” 32a, And four normal symbol variation holding lamps 33a to 33d arranged on the upper side of 32b. The symbols “a” and “x” 32a and 32b start to be changed when it is detected that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b. And the change display is finished in a state where either of the symbols 32a and 32b of "x" is lit. The normal symbol fluctuation holding lamps 33a to 33d pass the normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b while the normal symbol display device 32 displays the fluctuations of the symbols “O” and “X” 32a and 32b. By turning on one by one from the left side every time, and every time the fluctuation display of the symbols 32a and 32b of “O” and “X” by the normal symbol display device 32 is started, it is turned off in the reverse order of lighting. The number of passes through the normal symbol display device operation gates 34a and 34b during the variable display is shown as the number of reserved balls up to four times.

  The tulip-type ordinary electric accessory 46 provided at the start opening 42 opens the tulip for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) as a hit when the fluctuation display by the normal symbol display device 32 stops at the symbol 32a. It is structured as a thing.

  The special symbol display device 40 is configured as a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by the display control device 90 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the special symbol display device 40 is composed of a three-stage symbol row of an upper stage U, a middle stage M, and a lower stage L. For each stage, three symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) Discriminating element) is displayed and displayed in a horizontal direction from right to left. The display control device 90 variably displays a series of symbols on each of the upper stage U, the middle stage M, and the lower stage L when detecting that the game ball wins the start opening 42. A series of symbols is composed of a main symbol combining a dog as a character and a number and a sub symbol composed of a heart, and the main symbol and the sub symbol are variably displayed from right to left with periodicity. In the middle M and the lower L, the display order of this series of symbols is as follows: the main symbol with the number “1” added to the dog breed “Boston Terrier”, the sub-design consisting of the heart, and the number “2” for the dog species “Beagle”. ”, A sub-pattern consisting of a heart, a main symbol with a number“ 3 ”on the dog breed“ Pomeranian ”, a sub-pattern consisting of a heart, a main design with a number“ 4 ”on the dog“ pug ” , A sub-pattern consisting of a heart, a main design with the number “5” attached to the dog breed “Cavalier”, a sub-pattern made up of the heart, a main design with the number “6” added to the dog type “Welsh Corgi”, and a heart Sub-design, the main design with the number “7” on the dog breed “Yorkshire Terrier”, the sub-design consisting of the heart, the main design with the number “8” on the dog species “Shi Tzu”, the sub-design consisting of the heart The main design with the number “9” attached to the dog breed “Papillon” Consisting of an order, that is ascending order of the sub-pattern, returns to the main symbol was denoted by the numeral "1" to this after again breed "Boston Terrier". On the other hand, in the upper stage U, a similar series of symbols is displayed, but the display order is not an ascending order but a descending order. Then, the variable display is stopped in the order of the upper stage U, the lower stage L, and the middle stage M, and the main symbol is displayed in any one of the vertical left column L1, the vertical center column L2, the vertical right column L3, the diagonal upper right column L4, and the diagonal upper left column L5. A special game video is displayed as a big hit when all the items are available.

  The game board 30 is provided with four special symbol variation holding lamps 41 a to 41 d between the normal symbol display device 32 and the special symbol display device 40. The special symbol variation holding lamps 41a to 41d are arranged such that the game ball is placed at the start port 42 while the special symbol display device 40 is displaying the upper U, middle M, and lower L variations or displaying the special game animation. Each time a prize is won, the display is turned on one by one from the left side, and each time the display of the upper stage U, middle stage M, and lower stage L by the special symbol display device 40 is started, the display is turned off in the reverse order of lighting. The number of balls won in the start opening 42 during the time of the display or during the display of the special game video is shown as the number of reserved balls up to four.

  The special winning opening 50 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball is not received by an opening / closing plate, and is provided in the ten count switch 54 (see FIG. 3) for counting the winning of the game ball or in the central portion of the special winning opening 50. Further, a V count switch 58 (see FIG. 3) for detecting that a game ball has won in the V zone 56 is provided. In the big winning opening 50, the open / close plate is operated by the big winning opening driving device 52 shown in FIG. 3 during a big hit, and an open state in which a game ball is easily received and a normal closed state are repeated. Specifically, a round determined as follows is repeated up to 16 times. That is, when ten game switches have been won by the ten-count switch 54 in the open large winning opening 50 or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the tenth switch has been opened, one round is played. At the end, the grand prize opening 50 is closed by the opening / closing plate, but when a game ball that has won the big prize opening 50 during the round passes the V zone 56 and the V count switch 58 is turned on, the next time. You can proceed to a round and repeat this round up to 16 times.

  In addition to this, the game board 30 includes a rail 62 that guides the launched game ball on an arc, lamp windmills 64a and 64b arranged on the left and right shoulders that lead to the center of the game board 30, and a normal symbol display device operation gate. A total of eight indicators 68a to 68h attached to both sides of the windmills 66a and 66b and the special symbol display device 40 arranged in the vicinity of 34a and 34b are also attached. In addition, illustration was abbreviate | omitted about the several nail which guides and plays a game ball and raises the game property.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main controller 70 is configured as a microcomputer centered on a CPU 72. In addition to a power supply circuit 73 that supplies power to the CPU 72, a ROM 74 that stores various processing programs and a temporary storage are provided. A RAM 76 that stores data, a clock circuit 78 that outputs a rectangular wave having a predetermined frequency, and an input / output processing circuit 80 are connected by a bus 82. The main controller 70 includes a normal signal starting port switch 36a, 36b, a passing signal from the special symbol starting port switch 44, a count signal from the ten count switch 54, a V signal from the V count switch 58, a normal signal. An input signal from another input device 88 such as a winning switch or a winning ball count switch is input via the input / output processing circuit 80. Further, the main control device 70 turns on the driving signal to the normal symbol display device 32, the driving signal to the special winning opening driving device 52, the normal symbol variation holding lamps 33a to 33d and the special symbol variation holding lamps 41a to 41d. A signal, a drive signal to the ordinary electric accessory 46, a control signal to the sound control device 84 to which the speaker 86 is connected, a control signal to the display control device 90 that controls display of the special symbol display device 40, and a prize ball A drive signal or the like to another output device 89 such as a prize ball control device that controls the payout is output via the input / output processing circuit 80. The display control device 90 has the block configuration shown in FIG. 8, and outputs a control signal to the sound control device 84 or outputs a lighting signal to a decorative lamp (not shown) as necessary. Note that the lighting signals to the indicators 68 a to 68 h are output from another output device 89.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram mainly showing the configuration of the display control device 90. The display control device 90 performs processing of an image to be displayed on the special symbol display device 40 based on a display command or the like input from the main control device 70, and the upper stage U to the special symbol display device 40 according to the processing of the CPU 91. The VDP 92 as an image controller that controls the display of variation and display of background symbols in the middle row M and lower row L is the center, and includes a processing program executed by the CPU 91 and a character that is variably displayed in each symbol row. A program ROM 93 for storing the color of the figure, a work RAM 94 for temporarily storing the data, a VRAM 95 for writing the number of the symbol (character number) to be displayed on the special symbol display device 40 and the palette number for determining the color; , Character R that memorizes and displays character diagrams and background diagrams that are variably displayed in each symbol sequence And M96, and a writable palette RAM97 color data as 32 palette number composed of 16 color number. The CPU 91 determines a stop symbol of each symbol row based on a processing program activated by a display command from the main control device 70, writes the character number and the palette number in the VRAM 95, and writes the palette data in the VRAM 95. Write to the position of the palette RAM 97 corresponding to the palette number. The VDP 92 reads the color number from the corresponding character in the character ROM 96 with reference to the character number written in the VRAM 95, reads the corresponding color data in the palette RAM 97 from the palette number and the read color number, and displays the special symbol display device. By outputting to 40, the symbol of each symbol row of the special symbol display device 40 and its background diagram are displayed. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the character ROM 96 stores background diagrams corresponding to the four types of effect modes of the town mode, the forest mode, the field mode, and the chaos mode. Specifically, roads along the streets are displayed as a background map in the town mode, a path with trees is displayed as a background map in the forest mode, and a field is displayed as a background map in the field mode. When in mode, the background is displayed as a rainbow-colored flash.

  Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 20 thus configured will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a main routine executed by the main controller 70. This routine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, every 2 msec).

  When the main routine is executed, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 performs the start winning process (step S100) illustrated in FIG. 10, the variation start process (step S200) illustrated in FIG. 11, and the variation stop process illustrated in FIG. (Step S300), the counter update process (Step S400) illustrated in FIG. 13 is executed, and thereafter, the out symbol counter update process (Step S500) illustrated in FIG. 14 is repeatedly executed during the remaining time. For ease of explanation, first, the counter update process and the off symbol counter update process will be described, and then other processes will be described.

[Counter update processing]
In the counter update process, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 72 of the main controller 70 executes a process of incrementing each of the internal random number counter C1, the reach random number counter C2, the jackpot symbol counter C3, and the variation pattern counter C4. (Step S410). As shown in FIG. 15, the internal random number counter C1 is a counter used when determining whether or not it is a big hit. In this embodiment, 0 to 599 are incremented by 1 in order, and the maximum value (that is, 599). This is a loop counter that returns to 0 after reaching. The reach random number counter C2 is a counter used when determining whether or not a reach game is to be performed at the time of detachment. In the present embodiment, the reach random number counter C2 is incremented by 1 in order from 0 to 11, and reaches the maximum value (that is, 11). This is a loop counter that returns to 0 again. The jackpot symbol counter C3 is a counter that is used when determining the symbols at the time of variation stoppage (the jackpot symbol) of the upper stage U, middle stage M, and lower stage L that are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 40 at the time of the jackpot, In this embodiment, the counter is a loop counter that increments from 0 to 44 sequentially by 1 and reaches the maximum value (that is, 44) and then returns to 0 again. The variation pattern counter C4 is a counter used when determining a pattern for variably displaying the upper U, middle M, and lower L of the special symbol display device 40. In this embodiment, the variation pattern counter C4 is incremented by 1 in order from 0 to 99. The loop counter returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (ie 99). When each counter is updated in this way, each counter is stored in the counter buffer 76a set in a predetermined area of the RAM 76 (step S420), and the counter update process is terminated.

[Outgoing symbol counter update processing]
In the off symbol counter update process, as shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first executes a process of incrementing the off symbol upper stage counter CU (step S510). The upper symbol CU of the upper stage U of the upper stage U, the middle stage M, and the lower stage L when the fluctuation is stopped is displayed on the special symbol display device 40 at the time of deviation. , A counter used when determining the right symbol. As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the number obtained by subtracting the value 1 from the number of symbols 0 to 0 is incremented by 1 in order and reaches the maximum value. This is a loop counter that returns to 0 again. FIG. 16A is a table showing an example of a correspondence relationship between the value of the off symbol upper stage counter CU and the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol of the upper stage U. As is apparent from this table, the upper stage U appears in descending order from left to right.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the outlier symbol upper stage counter CU has a value of 0 (step S520). If the outlier symbol upper stage counter CU has a value of 0, the outlier symbol lower stage counter CL is incremented (step S530). The lower symbol CL of the lower symbol is the left symbol of the lower symbol L and the middle symbol of the upper symbol U, the middle symbol M, and the lower symbol L when the variable symbol is stopped. , A counter used when determining the right symbol. As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the value 1 is sequentially obtained from 0 to the number obtained by subtracting the value 1 in the same way as the off symbol upper counter CU. It is a loop counter that increments by one and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. FIG. 16B is a table showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the value of the off symbol lower counter CL and the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol of the lower symbol L. As is apparent from this table, the lower row L appears in ascending order from left to right.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the off symbol lower counter CL has a value of 0 (step S540). If the off symbol lower counter CL has a value of 0, the off symbol middle counter CM is incremented (step S550). Here, the middle symbol CM of the off symbol is the left symbol of the middle symbol M among the symbols at the top U, middle M, and bottom L when the symbol is stopped (out symbol). , A counter used when determining the middle symbol and the right symbol. As shown in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, the value 1 from the number of symbols 0 to 0 as in the case of the off symbol upper counter CU and the off symbol lower counter CL. This is a loop counter that increments the value up to the number obtained by subtracting 1 in order and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. FIG. 16C is a table showing an example of the correspondence relationship between the value of the off symbol middle stage counter CM and the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol of the middle stage M. As is apparent from this table, in the middle stage M, as in the lower stage L, they appear in ascending order from left to right.

  It is determined that all the off symbol counters CU, CL, CM are incremented, or that the off symbol upper counter CU is determined to be non-zero in step S520, or that the out symbol lower counter CL is not zero in step S540. In this case, the main symbols of the upper U and the lower L are aligned in any of the vertical left column L1, the vertical center column L2, the vertical right column L3, the diagonal upper right column L4, and the diagonal upper left column L5 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S560). When the main symbols of the upper stage U and the lower stage L are not aligned in any of the lines, the values of the outlier counters CU, CM, CL are stored in the outlier buffer set in the counter buffer 76a of the RAM 76 ( Step S570), this routine is finished. On the other hand, when the upper U and lower L main symbols are aligned on any of the lines, it is determined whether or not the middle M main symbols are aligned on the same line (step S580). Here, when the main symbols of the middle stage M are not aligned, so-called outreach reach symbols are obtained, so the values of the outreach symbol counters CU, CM, CL are stored in the outreach symbol buffer set in the counter buffer 76a of the RAM 76. (Step S590), and this routine is finished. On the other hand, when the main symbols of the middle stage M are also prepared, this routine is executed without storing the values of the respective out symbol counters CU, CM, and CL in the symbol symbols and the outreach symbol buffer because they are not big symbols but big hit symbols. finish.

  As will be understood from the flowchart of the main routine illustrated in FIG. 9, the off symbol counter update process is repeatedly performed during the idle time until the main routine is executed every predetermined time. Accordingly, other counters such as the internal random number counter C1 and the reach random number counter C2 are incremented every time the main routine is executed, whereas the outlier symbol upper stage counter CU is additionally available every time the main routine is executed. Counts up every time it is repeatedly executed.

[Start-up winning process]
In the start winning process, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether or not the game ball has won the start opening 42 (step S110). This determination can be made based on whether or not the special symbol start port switch 44 is turned on. If it is determined that the game ball has won the start opening 42, it is checked whether or not the number N of retained balls is less than 4 (step S120). As described above, this is because there are four pending upper limit values in the present embodiment. This reserved ball number N is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 74. Note that the winning of the game ball at the start port 42 corresponds to “the predetermined start condition is satisfied” of the present invention.

  When the number of retained balls N is less than 4, the number of retained balls N is incremented by 1 (step S130), and one of the special symbol variation retaining lamps 41a to 41d is lit in order from the left (step S140), and the counter of FIG. The internal random number counter value, the reach random number counter value, the jackpot symbol counter value, the miss symbol counter set value (the miss symbol buffer) stored in the counter buffer 76a of the RAM 76 in the update process S420 or the miss symbol counter update process S570 in FIG. Are stored in the first area of the free storage area of the reserved ball storage area 76b set in the predetermined area of the RAM 76 (step set). S208). An example of the structure of the reserved ball storage area 76b is shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure, the reserved ball storage area 76b is composed of one execution area and four reserved areas (first to fourth reserved areas). Each area has an internal random number counter value, a reach random number counter value, and a jackpot symbol counter. Values and outlier symbol counter set values can be stored.

  After the processing for storing each counter value in the reserved ball storage area 76b is completed, when it is determined in step S110 that the game ball has not won the start opening 42, or in step S120, the number N of retained balls is 4. If it is not determined that the number is less than 0, it is determined whether or not the number N of retained balls is greater than 0 (step S160). If the number of retained balls N is greater than 0, the number of retained balls N is 4 (that is, the retention upper limit). (Step S170), and when N is 4, a process routine for determining whether or not a specific switching condition is satisfied is performed (step S180). After the specific switching condition availability determination processing routine is completed or when it is determined in step S170 that the number N of retained balls is not 4, the special symbol display device 40 is displaying the upper U, middle M, and lower L symbol sequences in a variable manner. It is determined whether or not there is a jackpot or not (step S190), and when it is neither variable display nor big hit, it is possible to cause the special symbol display device 40 to start symbol variation, so the variation permission flag The value 1 is set to F1 (zero at the initial setting) (step S195), and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the number of reserved balls N is 0 in step S160, or when the variable display is being made or the big hit is being made in step S190, this routine is ended as it is.

  Next, the specific switching condition establishment possibility determination processing routine in step S180 will be described in detail based on FIG. When this routine is started, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether the value of the chaos flag is zero or one (step S181). The chaos flag is a flag that is set to a value of 1 when the effect mode is set to the chaos mode, and is reset to a value of zero at other times, and is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM. When the value of the chaos flag is 1 in step S181, this routine is ended as it is. That is, when the value of the chaos flag is 1, the rendering mode is already set to the chaos mode, so that the chaos mode is not newly set again until the chaos mode ends. On the other hand, when the value of the chaos flag is zero in step S181, the determination information is read from the first to fourth reserved areas in the reserved ball storage area 76b of the RAM 76 (step S182). The first to fourth reserved areas store an internal random number counter value, a reach random number counter value, a jackpot symbol counter value, and a missed symbol counter aggregate value for each pending, but here, information regarding jackpots as the success / failure determination information Read the internal random number counter value. Subsequently, the CPU 72 determines whether or not there is a big hit among the read four internal random number counter values (step S183). Specifically, if the internal random number counter value takes any value from “0” to “599”, and “7” and “307” are determined to be jackpot values, the presence / absence of jackpot The determination is made based on whether or not there is a jackpot value among the read four internal random number counter values. When there is a big hit, the success or failure of the specific switching condition is drawn at the first lottery rate (for example, 1/2) (step S184), and when there is no big hit, the rate is lower than the first lottery rate. Success or failure of the specific switching condition is lottery at the second lottery rate (for example, 1/20) (step S185). In other words, when there is a big hit during the hold, the specific switching condition is likely to be established, and when there is no big hit during the hold, the specific switching condition is difficult to be established. It can be said. After step S184 or step S185, it is determined whether or not the specific switching condition is satisfied as a result of the lottery (step S186). When the specific switching condition is satisfied, a chaos command is transmitted to the display control device 90, The value of the currently held ball number N, that is, “4” is set to the value K of the chaos counter built in the control device 70, and the chaos flag is set to the value 1 (step S187), and this routine is terminated. The value K of the chaos counter represents the remaining number of times that the symbol variation display is executed in the chaos mode. On the other hand, when the specific switching condition is not satisfied in step S186, this routine is finished as it is. The operation of the display control device 90 that has received the chaos command will be described later.

  Here, the lottery of success or failure of the specific switching condition in step S184 is performed as follows. That is, first, a random number for success or failure of specific switching condition is acquired. This random number is any value from “0” to “19”, and is updated every predetermined timing (for example, several msec). When the acquired random number is an even number, the specific switching condition is satisfied, and when the acquired random number is an odd number, the specific switching condition is not satisfied. For this reason, the probability (first lottery rate) that the specific switching condition is satisfied is ½. In addition, the lottery of success or failure of the specific switching condition in step S185 is performed as follows. That is, first, the random number for success / failure of the specific switching condition is acquired as before. When the acquired random number is “7”, the specific switching condition is satisfied, and when the acquired random number is other than “7”, the specific switching condition is not satisfied. For this reason, the probability (second lottery rate) that the specific switching condition is satisfied is 1/20.

[Variation start processing]
In the change start process, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first executes a process of determining whether or not the change permission flag F1 is 1 (step S210). When the variation permission flag F1 is not a value 1, the number of reserved balls N is a value 0, or the special symbol display device 40 is variably displaying the symbol rows of the upper U, middle M, and lower L, or is a big hit It is determined that this is the case, and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, when the variation permission flag F1 is 1, the special symbol variation holding lamps 41a to 41d are turned off one by one from the right (step S220), and the number N of reserved balls is decremented by the value 1 (step S230). A process of shifting the data stored in the reserved ball storage area 76b is performed (step S240). This data shift process is a process for shifting the data stored in the first to fourth reserved areas illustrated in FIG. 17 by one block to the execution area side. That is, the data in the first reserved area is used as the execution area, the data in the second reserved area as the first reserved area, the data in the third reserved area as the second reserved area, and the data in the fourth reserved area as the third reserved area. It is processing to move to. Subsequently, it is determined whether the chaos flag has a value of 1 or zero (step S250). When the chaos flag is a value of 1, that is, when the current effect mode is the chaos mode, the value K of the chaos counter is decremented by a value of 1 (step S260). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S270, and when the chaos flag is zero, that is, when the current effect mode is not the chaos mode, the process proceeds to step S270 as it is. In step S270, a display command determination processing routine is executed. This routine will be described in detail later. The display command includes a stop symbol command for setting a symbol when the variable display is stopped after the symbol rows of the upper symbol U, middle symbol M, and lower symbol L are variably displayed in the horizontal direction, and the special symbol display device 40. It consists of a variation pattern command for setting a variation pattern of symbols in the upper U, middle M, and lower L. Then, the display command determined in step S270 is transmitted to the display control device 90 via the input / output processing circuit 80 (step S280), the value 0 is set in the variation permission flag F1 (step S290), and this routine is executed. finish. Upon receiving the display command, the display control device 90 variably displays the upper U, middle M, and lower L symbol sequences and the background image in accordance with the variation pattern command of the display commands, and confirms later. When the command is received, according to the stop symbol command, the variable symbol display of the upper symbol U, middle symbol M, and lower symbol L of the special symbol display device 40 is stopped, and the stop symbol of the stop symbol command is displayed.

[Display command decision processing]
In the display command determination processing routine of the previous step S270, as shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether the value of the internal random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area 76b is a big hit. Whether or not is determined based on the relationship between the internal random number counter value and a predetermined jackpot value (step S602). For example, the internal random number counter value is any numerical value from 0 to 599, and a predetermined numerical value is determined as a jackpot value. Therefore, the jackpot determination is performed by determining whether or not the internal random number counter value matches the jackpot value.

  Now, if it is determined that the jackpot, the table corresponding to the value of the jackpot symbol counter C3 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area 76b (table that represents the correspondence between the jackpot symbol counter value and the symbol) ) And the symbol is set as a stop symbol command (step S604). Specifically, the jackpot symbol counter value is one of values from 0 to 44, and the jackpot symbol has 45 patterns from any of the nine main symbols in any of the five lines L1 to L5. Each of the 45 jackpot symbols corresponds to the counter value. For this reason, any of the 45 jackpot symbols is set in the stop symbol command. In addition, when these symbols are matched with a predetermined specific symbol, the probability shift state (a state in which the jackpot probability is increased) is subsequently shifted. However, when the symbols are matched with a non-specific symbol, the probability variation state is not shifted. . Subsequently, it is determined whether the chaos flag has a value of 1 or zero (step S605). When the chaos flag is zero, that is, when the current effect mode is not the chaos mode, the big hit hour variation pattern command determination process illustrated in FIG. 20 is performed. The variation pattern command is set (step S606), and this routine is terminated. In the big hit hour variation pattern command determination process, the value of the variation pattern counter C4 stored in the counter buffer 76a of the RAM 76 is checked (step S640). When the variation pattern counter C4 is less than 20, the pattern B is set as the variation pattern command. When the variation pattern counter C4 is 20 or more and less than 60, the pattern C is set as a variation pattern command (step S644). When the variation pattern counter C4 is 60 or more, the pattern D is set as a variation pattern command (step S642). Step S646). Each variation pattern will be described later. On the other hand, when the chaos flag is 1 in step S605, that is, when the current production mode is the chaos mode, the pattern B is uniformly set as a variation pattern command (step S622), and this routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a big hit in step S602, it is determined whether or not the value of the reach random number counter C2 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area 76b is a reach (step S608). In this embodiment, the reach random number counter C2 is any one of 0 to 11, and the value per reach is set to “7”. Therefore, the probability with reach is 1/12. If it is determined that the reach is reached, each value of the out symbol upper stage counter CU, the out symbol middle counter CM, and the out symbol lower counter CL stored in the out symbol design buffer of the RAM 76 is set as a stop symbol command (step S610). Then, it is determined whether the chaos flag has a value of 1 or zero (step S612), and when the chaos flag is zero, that is, when the current effect mode is not the chaos mode, the change pattern command determination process at the time of outlier reach illustrated in FIG. A variation pattern command is set (step S614), and this routine ends. In the variation pattern command determination process at the time of outreach, the value of the variation pattern counter C4 stored in the counter buffer 76a of the RAM 76 is checked (step S650). If the variation pattern counter C4 is less than 50, the pattern B is used as the variation pattern command. When the variation pattern counter C4 is 50 or more and less than 90, the pattern C is set as a variation pattern command (step S654). When the variation pattern counter C4 is 90 or more, the pattern D is set as a variation pattern command. (Step S656). On the other hand, when the chaos flag is 1 in step S612, that is, when the current effect mode is the chaos mode, the pattern B is uniformly set as a variation pattern command (step S622), and this routine is terminated. As a result, the pattern B is set when the game is a big hit in the chaos mode or when it is out of reach.

  If it is determined in step S608 that the chaos flag is not reached, it is determined whether the chaos flag has a value of 1 or zero (step S616). When the chaos flag has a value of 1, that is, when the current effect mode is the chaos mode, the chaos is continued. It is determined whether or not the counter value K is zero (step S618). When the counter value K is zero, that is, when the current symbol variation is the last time (fourth time) of the chaos mode, the outlier stored in the RAM76 outreach symbol buffer is stored. Each value of the symbol upper stage counter CU, the outlier symbol middle counter CM, and the outlier symbol lower counter CL is set as a stop symbol command (step S620), the pattern B is set as a variation pattern command (step S622), and this routine is terminated. . Thus, reach is always executed at the time of the last symbol change in the chaos mode. On the other hand, when the chaos flag is zero in step S616, that is, when the current production mode is not the chaos mode, or when the value K of the chaos counter is not zero in step S618, that is, when the current chaos mode is not the last time, The out symbol counter set value stored in the execution area is set as a stop symbol command (step S624), the pattern A is set as a variation pattern command (step S626), and this routine is terminated.

  In this embodiment, each variation pattern is set as follows. “Pattern A” is a pattern for displaying an out-of-order symbol, and after the special symbol display device 40 starts displaying the variation of the upper U, middle M, and lower L symbol sequences, it stops the symbol variation of the upper U seven seconds later. 8 seconds later, the symbol variation of the lower stage L is stopped (the main symbols of the upper stage U and the lower stage L are not aligned in any of the lines L1 to L5 (see FIG. 4)), and the symbol fluctuation of the middle stage M is observed after 9 seconds. It is set as a pattern to stop. “Pattern B” is a so-called normal reach pattern, and after the special symbol display device 40 starts displaying changes in the upper U, middle M, and lower L symbols, 7 seconds later, the upper U U symbol variation is stopped. After 2 seconds, the lower symbol fluctuation is stopped (the main symbols of the upper U and the lower L are aligned in any of the lines L1 to L5), and then the middle M symbol is changed at a low speed for 7 seconds without any special change. It is set as a pattern that displays with fluctuation and stops. “Pattern C” is a so-called super-reach pattern. At the stop timing of the pattern M in the middle stage of pattern B, the pattern display of the middle stage M is stopped at a high speed for another 5 seconds without stopping. It is set as a pattern. “Pattern D” is a so-called special reach pattern. At the stop timing of the symbol M in the middle part of the pattern C, the symbol F in the middle part M is displayed at a low speed for another 10 seconds without stopping the fluctuation display. Alternatively, it is set as a pattern that stops at the symbols before and after the winning symbol. In super reach and special reach, not only the upper U, middle M, and lower L symbols are variably displayed, but a predetermined reach game or reach animation is displayed. In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, the pattern D is easier to set in the big hit hour variation pattern command determination process than the outlier reach variation pattern command determination processing, and on the contrary In the reach variation pattern command determination process, the pattern B is easier to set than the jackpot variation pattern command determination process. In other words, when it comes to special reach, it is often a big hit, and when it reaches normal reach, it often goes out of reach. However, the reach pattern in the chaos mode is only normal reach.

  By the way, in each pattern of this embodiment, there are three types, one with a high expectation notice, one with a low expectation notice, and one without a notice. Here, the advance notice is a function that informs the player that there is a possibility that a reach will occur or that a jackpot may occur. For example, the pattern B will be described as an example. In step S642 in the big hit hour variation pattern command determination process of FIG. 20, when the value of the variation pattern counter C4 is 0 to 19, the pattern B is set in the variation pattern command. Specifically, pattern C is accompanied by a high expectation notice when C4 is 0 to 11, pattern B is accompanied by low expectation notice when C4 is 12 to 17, and pattern is not accompanied when notice C4 is 18 or 19. B, etc. are set. In other words, the pattern B with a big hit is most likely to come out with a high expectation notice, followed by a pattern with a low expectation notice, and the pattern B without a notice is most difficult to come out. On the other hand, in step S650 in the outlier reach fluctuation pattern command determination process of FIG. 21, pattern B is set when the value of the fluctuation pattern counter C4 is 0 to 49. Specifically, the pattern B is high when the value of C4 is 0 to 2. When the values of the patterns B and C4 with the expectation notice are 3 to 20, the pattern B with the low expectation notice and the pattern B without the notice when the value of C4 is 21 to 49 are set. In other words, the pattern B at the time of detachment reach is most likely to be accompanied by a high-expectation notice, and then is less likely to be accompanied by a low-expectation notice, and is most likely to occur without a notice. As a result, the probability of winning a jackpot is highest for pattern B with a high expectation notice, next highest for pattern B with a low expectation notice, and lowest for pattern B without a notice. For other patterns, there are three types of high-expectation notice, low-expectation notice, and no-notification, but the probability of winning a jackpot is set to decrease in this order. Then, there are three types of change pattern commands included in the display command: high expectation notice, low expectation notice, and no notice for each pattern. Therefore, the display control device 90 that has received the display command executes a display with a high expectation notice, with a low expectation notice, or without a notice according to the variation pattern command included in the display command.

  In addition, the type of notice in the present embodiment varies depending on each production mode, as shown in FIG. That is, when the town mode is set as the effect mode, step-up notice is adopted as the notice type. Specifically, when a runaway car crosses the road in the background while the pattern is changing at high speed, a low expectation notice, when a police car follows the runaway tribe following that runaway car It becomes a high expectation notice. Further, when the forest mode is set as the production mode, the post-reach notice is adopted as the notice type. Specifically, when a leaf flies in the background after reaching, a low expectation notice is given, and when a bird group crosses in the background after reaching, a high expectation notice is given. Note that the timing when the leaves flutter and the timing when the birds cross are set to be the same. Further, when the field mode is set as the production mode, a pre-change start notice (pre-reach notice) is adopted. Specifically, a low expectation notice is given when it rains at the start of symbol change, and a high expectation notice is given when thunder sounds at the start of symbol change. These notice images are set by determining whether there is a high expectation notice, a low expectation notice, or no notice according to the change pattern command received by the display control device 90 from the main control device 70. A background image corresponding to the effect mode being displayed is displayed on the special symbol display device 40. In addition, when the production mode is set to the chaos mode, the background other than the symbols is flashed in rainbow until four reservations are consumed, but step S183 of the specific switching condition availability determination processing routine of FIG. As shown in S185, switching to the chaos mode when a specific condition is established means that there is a high possibility that a jackpot exists during the four holdings because there are many jackpots during the four holdings. To do. From this, the chaos mode itself has a continuous noticeable implication.

[Variation stop processing]
In the change stop process, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 72 of the main control device 70 first determines whether or not a big hit is being made (step S310). Here, the jackpot includes a special game displayed on the special symbol display device 40 in the case of a big jackpot and a predetermined time after the special game ends. The predetermined time after the end of the special game is set as, for example, the time required for adjusting each state of the pachinko machine 20. If it is determined that the jackpot is not being hit, it is determined whether or not the variation time in the variation pattern has ended (step S320). As described in the variation start process, this process is performed by determining whether the time has elapsed since each variation pattern has a variation time set for each pattern. When the fluctuation time is over, the stop symbol set for stopping and checking the fluctuation is transmitted as a confirmation command to the display control device 90 (step S330). Subsequently, it is determined whether the chaos flag has a value of 1 or zero (step S340). When the chaos flag has a value of 1, that is, in the chaos mode, it is subsequently determined whether the value K of the chaos counter is zero (step S350). . When the chaos counter value K is zero, the fluctuation display stopped this time is the last fluctuation display in the chaos mode, so the chaos flag is reset to zero and the chaos mode end command is displayed to end the chaos mode. It transmits to the control apparatus 90 (step S360). Thereafter, or when the chaos flag is zero in step S340, that is, when the chaos mode is not set, it is determined whether or not the current fluctuation result is a big hit (step S370). And the chaos mode end command are transmitted to the display control device 90 (step S380), and this routine is terminated. The display control device 90 that has received the jackpot execution command causes the special symbol display device 40 to display the special game moving image after displaying the stop symbol. The special winning opening driving device 52 opens and closes the special winning opening 50. Here, since the jackpot determination in S370 is performed in the display command determination process (FIG. 19) in S270 in the variation start process, the determination result may be used, or the execution area of the reserved ball storage area 76b may be used. The determination may be made using the value of the stored internal random number counter C1. In addition, when the jackpot is reached, a chaos mode end command is transmitted to the display control device 90, so that the chaos mode ends. On the other hand, when it is determined at step S310 that the jackpot is being hit, when it is determined at S320 that the variation time has not ended, or when it is determined that the jackpot determination at S370 is not a jackpot, this routine is terminated after the determination.

[Display control]
When receiving the display command from the main controller 70, the display control device 90 reads the stop symbol command and the variation pattern command included in the display command, and the special symbol based on the variation pattern corresponding to the read variation pattern command. When the upper U, middle M, and lower L symbol sequences of the display device 40 are started and the confirmation command is received from the main control device 70, the symbol variation of the special symbol display device 40 is stopped and a predetermined stop symbol is displayed. indicate. When receiving the display command, the display control device 90 executes the process related to the symbol variation display as described above, and also executes the effect mode switching process based on the display command. The program for the effect mode switching process is stored in the program ROM 93. As shown in FIG. 23, when the effect mode switching process routine is started, the CPU 91 of the display control device 90 determines whether or not the effect mode currently set in the work RAM 94 is the chaos mode (step). S710) In the chaos mode, the mode is not switched until the chaos end command is received from the main control device 70, and thus this routine is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the present production mode is not the chaos mode, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol command included in the display command received this time is a combination of reach (including a jackpot) (step S720), and the combination of reach is determined. In some cases, the value of the mode movement counter is acquired (step S730), and the mode switching condition success / failure lottery is performed by checking the acquired mode movement counter value against the mode switching success / failure table (step S740). Here, the mode movement counter is a counter that is incremented by 1 every several msec and is built in the display control device 90. The mode switching success / failure table is a table in which the relationship between the value of the mode movement counter and the success / failure of the mode switching condition is tabulated, and is stored in the internal memory of the display control device 90. This mode switching success / failure table is determined so that the mode switching condition is satisfied for a predetermined ratio (for example, 1/10) of the value that the mode movement counter can take. Then, as a result of the lottery, it is determined whether or not the mode switching condition is satisfied (step S750). When the mode switching condition is satisfied, the value of the destination mode determination counter is acquired (step S760). The destination mode is determined by checking the value of the determination counter against the destination mode reference table (step S770), the destination mode is set as the effect mode in the work RAM 94 (step S780), and this routine ends. Here, the destination mode determination counter is a counter that is incremented by 1 every several msec and is built in the display control device 90. The destination mode reference table is a table in which correspondence values between destination mode determination counter values and destination modes (town mode, forest mode, or field mode) are tabulated. It is stored in the internal memory of the device 90. On the other hand, if the stop symbol command included in the display command received this time in step S720 is not a reach combination, or if the mode switching condition is not satisfied in step S750, this routine is terminated without switching the effect mode. To do. It is assumed that the production mode is set to the town mode at the initial setting.

  In addition, the display control device 90 executes the chaos mode switching process routine shown in FIG. 24 as an interrupt process interrupted every several milliseconds. The chaos mode switching process program is stored in the program ROM 93. When the chaos mode switching processing routine is started, the CPU 91 of the display control device 90 determines whether or not a chaos command is received from the main control device 70 (step S810). The chaos mode is set as the effect mode (step S820), and then the process proceeds to step S830. On the other hand, when the chaos command is not received, the process proceeds to step S830 as it is. In step S830, it is determined whether or not a chaos end command has been received. When a chaos end command is received, the value of the destination mode determination counter is acquired (step S840), and the value of the destination mode determination counter is determined. The destination mode is determined in light of the destination mode reference table (step S850), the destination mode is set as the effect mode in the work RAM 94 (step S860), and this routine ends. On the other hand, when the chaos end command is not received in step S830, this routine is ended as it is. The destination mode determination counter and the destination mode reference table are as described above.

  The display control device 90 reads the background image from the character ROM 96 and displays it on the special symbol display device 40 in accordance with the effect mode set in this way. Further, based on the fluctuation pattern command included in the display command, it is recognized whether there is a high expectation notice, a low expectation notice, or no notice, and the notice contents corresponding to the recognition result are read from the character ROM 96 and displayed in a variable manner. The notice content is displayed on the inside background image.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The character ROM 96 of the display control device 90 of the present embodiment corresponds to the effect mode storage means of the present invention, and the display control device 90 is configured to determine whether or not the mode switching condition is satisfied, the first mode switching means, the second mode switching means, and The main control device 70 corresponds to the production mode control means, and the specific switching condition establishment propriety determination means.

  According to the embodiment described in detail above, when the mode switching condition is satisfied, the mode is switched to the mode other than the chaos mode among the town mode, the forest mode, the field mode, and the chaos mode, and the mode is switched to the mode after the switching. Based on this, the display of the background image when the symbol changes is controlled. Here, since the mode switching condition is established regardless of whether or not the jackpot is transferred, even if the production mode is switched, the expectation of shifting to the jackpot does not change, but the display of the background image changes and is monotonous Can be prevented. In this embodiment, since the notice type changes for each production mode, monotonization can also be prevented in this respect. On the other hand, when the specific switching condition is satisfied, the mode is switched to the chaos mode, and the display of the background image at the time of symbol variation is controlled based on the chaos mode. Here, since the specific switching condition is established depending on whether or not there is a jackpot during the four suspensions, when switching to the chaos mode, the sense of expectation for shifting to the jackpot changes. For this reason, the player does not get bored with the game because he / she plays while hoping to switch to the chaos mode.

  In addition, since whether or not the specific switching condition is satisfied is determined based on whether or not the internal random number counter C1 corresponding to each hold is a jackpot value, it is easy to correlate whether or not the specific switching condition is satisfied and whether or not there is a transition to jackpot. .

  Furthermore, since the specific switching condition is not established and the chaos mode is not switched until the number N of reserved balls reaches a predetermined number (here, the upper limit value 4), the player can prevent the number of reserved balls from reaching the predetermined number. Play games while looking forward.

  Furthermore, even if a jackpot value is included in the internal random number counter value corresponding to each hold, the specific switching condition may not be satisfied and the chaos mode may not be switched. In other words, it may be a big hit even if it is not in the chaos mode during the reservation digestion. For this reason, just because it is a production mode other than the chaos mode, there is no loss of expectation for shifting to a jackpot.

  In addition, even when the jackpot value is not included in the internal random number counter value corresponding to each hold, the specific switching condition may be established at a low rate and the chaos mode may be switched. For this reason, even if it is chaotic mode at the time of reservation digestion, it may not become a big hit. In other words, just because it is a chaos mode does not necessarily mean a big hit.

  Furthermore, when the specific switching condition is satisfied, the display of the background image at the time of symbol variation is controlled without switching the chaos mode to another effect mode while the number of reserved balls (four in this case) is consumed. The For this reason, the chaos mode continues until the number of reserved balls when the specific switching condition is satisfied is exhausted, but in the chaos mode there are many cases where a jackpot exists during the hold, so the chaos mode As such, it has implications for continuous notice. Also, even in the chaos mode, it may end as a result, but in the chaos mode, the reach is forcibly executed at least at the time of the last digestion, so when the reach is executed, the big hit Expectation to be increased.

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various forms can be adopted as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the notice type is different in the effect modes (town mode, forest mode, field mode) other than the chaos mode, but the reach pattern may be different for each effect mode. For example, even in the same super reach, the super reach in the town mode, the super reach in the forest mode, and the super reach in the field mode are different in the behavior of the character dog, or a character other than the dog (person, etc.) May be different.

  In the above-described embodiment, the specific switching condition availability determination processing routine is executed when the number of reserved balls N is four, which is the upper limit (steps S170 and S180 in FIG. 10). In the case of (for example, two or three), the specific switching condition availability determination processing routine may be executed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the destination mode is determined by obtaining the value of the destination mode determination counter when the mode switching condition is satisfied in the effect mode switching processing routine (FIG. 23) (steps S750 to S770). At this time, the destination mode may be the same as the current production mode, in which case the production mode is not switched. For this reason, after step S770, it is determined whether or not the destination mode and the current presentation mode are the same. If both modes are the same, the process returns to step S760 to acquire the value of the destination mode determination counter again. Only when both modes are different, the process may proceed to step S780 to set the effect mode to the destination mode. In this way, when the mode switching condition is satisfied, the production mode is always switched. In addition, when the destination mode is determined, the effect modes may be switched according to a predetermined order without using the destination mode determination counter. This also applies to steps S840 and S850 in FIG.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the reach pattern in the chaos mode is set to the uniform pattern B. However, the reach pattern in the chaos mode may be selected and set from various patterns. For example, if steps S605 and S612 in the display command determination processing routine of FIG. 19 are omitted, the reach pattern can be selected and set from various patterns even in the chaos mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the model belonging to the so-called “first type” has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a model belonging to the so-called “third type” (also referred to as a right item). Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine, such as a slot machine or a fusion machine (a model that performs a slot game using a pachinko ball).

It is the external view which looked at the pachinko machine which is this embodiment from the front. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the game board of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical connection of the pachinko machine of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the special symbol display apparatus when production mode is town mode. It is explanatory drawing of the special symbol display device when production mode is forest mode. It is explanatory drawing of the special symbol display apparatus when production direction is field mode. It is explanatory drawing of the special symbol display apparatus when production mode is chaos mode. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical connection of the control apparatus for a display. It is a flowchart of a main routine. It is a flowchart of a start winning process. It is a flowchart of a fluctuation start process. It is a flowchart of a fluctuation | variation stop process. It is a flowchart of a counter update process. It is a flowchart of an off symbol counter update process. It is explanatory drawing of the buffer for counters and various counters. It is a table showing an example of the correspondence between the value of each off symbol counter and the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol of each stage. It is explanatory drawing of a holding ball storage area. 10 is a flowchart of a process routine for determining whether or not a specific switching condition is satisfied. It is a flowchart of a display command determination processing routine. It is a flowchart of a big hit hour variation pattern command determination process. It is a flowchart of a fluctuation pattern command determination process at the time of outreach. It is a table showing the correspondence between production mode classification and notice classification. It is a flowchart of an effect mode switching process routine. It is a flowchart of a chaos mode switching process routine.

Explanation of symbols

20 Pachinko machine, 22 Front frame, 24 Upper tray, 26 Lower tray, 28 Launch handle, 30 Game board, 32 Normal symbol display device, 32a symbol, 40 Special symbol display device, 41a-41d Special symbol variable hold lamp, 42 Start Mouth, 44 Special design start switch, 46 Normal electric accessory, 50 Grand prize opening, 52 Grand prize opening drive unit, 54 Ten count switch, 56 V zone, 58 V count switch, 69 Out port, 70 Main control unit, 72 CPU, 73 Power supply circuit, 74 ROM, 76 RAM, 76a Counter buffer, 76b Reservation ball storage area, 78 Clock circuit, 80 Input / output processing circuit, 82 Bus, 84 Audio control device, 86 Speaker, 88 Input device, 89 Output device, 90 Display control device, 92 VDP, 93 Program ROM, 94 Work RAM, 95 VRAM, 96 Character ROM, 97 Pallet RAM, C1 Internal random number counter, C2 Reach random number counter, C3 Design counter, C4 Fluctuation pattern counter, CL out symbol lower counter, CM out symbol middle counter, CU Outlier symbol upper counter.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that starts a change of the identification element on the display means when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and allows the player to recognize whether or not the gaming state has shifted to an advantageous gaming state by the stop mode of the identification element after the end of the fluctuation,
Effect mode storage means for storing a plurality of effect modes having different effect modes at the time of variation of the identification element;
A mode switching condition establishment propriety determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined mode switching condition is established regardless of the presence or absence of transition to the advantageous gaming state;
Specific switching condition establishment propriety determination means for determining whether or not a specific switching condition different from the predetermined mode switching condition is established in relation to the presence or absence of transition to the advantageous gaming state;
First mode switching means for switching the effect mode in effect modes other than the specific effect mode among the plurality of effect modes stored in the effect mode storage means when the predetermined mode switching condition is satisfied;
Second mode switching means for switching the effect mode to the specific effect mode stored in the effect mode storage means when the specific switching condition is satisfied;
Effect mode control means for controlling the effect mode at the time of variation of the identification element in the display means based on the effect mode switched by the first mode switching means or the second mode switching means;
A gaming machine equipped with.

Images