JP2005349118A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for eliminating jitteriness which a player feels in waiting a game start. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine limits a game start time so as to allow an interval between one game start and a succeeding game start to exceed a prescribed time S443, S445. When it is determined that the combination of specified patterns is obtained, the limit of the game start time is released S442. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine, for example, a game machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot machine) or a pachinko machine.

  In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, a game fee (400 yen / minute) that can be used within a certain period of time is determined by law so that there is no fear of gambling. In response to this, it has become a rule to design at least 4.1 seconds from the start of one game to the start of the next game, taking into account various conditions such as dividends for winning prizes. In the control of the slot machine, if the time from the start of the previous game to the start of the current game is less than 4.1 seconds, a so-called “weight” control is performed and 4.1 seconds from the start of the previous game. Until this time, a waiting time is set so that this game does not start.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine in which an allocation time from the start of one game to the start of the next game is set to 6.7 seconds, and a reel is automatically rotated after digesting a wait time by weight control.
No. 5-33173

  However, the conventional game machine has the following problems.

  For example, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, regarding the game start operation within the allotted time allocated for one game execution, the game is automatically started after waiting for the allotted time to elapse. Become. This does not provide a game that reflects the player's skill level, etc., and even if the player wants to play games efficiently and continuously, the frustration that the next game cannot be started immediately. To recruit.

  If there is a medal payout process by winning a prize with a specific symbol stopped, the next game starts after this medal payout process ends, and these series of actions are included in the game time. In many cases, there is an impression that there was a short waiting time until the start of the next game due to the payout time.

  However, if the game result is lost, there is no medal payout process performed after the symbol stops, so the player waits for the next game to start immediately after the symbol stops, and the long waiting time You may get the impression that is set. As a result, the player feels that he cannot play at a good tempo.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a game table that eliminates the irritability caused by waiting for the start of the game that the player felt. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming table that eliminates the fear of irritability when the irritation caused by waiting for the game to start is eliminated.

  In order to solve this problem, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a game control means including a weight means for limiting a game start time so that an interval from one game start to the next game start exceeds a predetermined time. The game control means has a determination means for determining whether or not a combination of specific symbols has been prepared, and the weight is determined when the determination means determines that the specific symbols have been prepared. The restriction on the game start time by the means is released.

  Here, the game control means releases the restriction on the game start time by the weight means for a predetermined number of games from the next game determined that the specific symbols have been prepared. The game control means includes game number lottery means for determining the number of games to be released from the game start time limit by lottery, and the game number lottery is determined from the next game determined to have the specific symbol. The restriction on the game start time by the weight means is canceled for the number of games determined by the means. In addition, the game control means includes a first consumption time measuring means for measuring the game digestion time for the predetermined number of games, and whether the game digestion time exceeds a predetermined first time at the end of the game count. First digestion time determination means for determining whether or not the game starts by the weight means when the first digestion time determination means determines that the game digestion time has exceeded the predetermined first time. Add more games to unlock the time limit. The game control means includes storage means for storing non-game time, and subtraction means for subtracting the game time shortened by releasing the restriction on the game start time by the weight means from the stored non-game time. And the restriction on the game start time by the weight means is released until the non-game time is eliminated by the subtraction by the subtraction means. The game control means includes a second consumption time measuring means for measuring a game digestion time that is digested by a predetermined number of games set in a predetermined game state, and at the end of the predetermined number of games, the game digestion Second digestion time determination means for determining whether or not the time has exceeded a predetermined second time, and the game digestion time is less than the predetermined second time by the second digestion time determination means. If it is determined, a predetermined privilege is given in subsequent games.

  According to the present invention, when the specific symbols are arranged, the restriction on the game start time is released, thereby eliminating the irritating feeling caused by the game start waiting that the player felt. In addition, by appropriately controlling the number of games for which the restriction on the game start time is released, the fear of irritability is eliminated when the irritability caused by waiting for the game start is eliminated.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a slot machine will be described as a representative of the gaming machine of the present invention. However, any gaming machine with a gaming fee that can be used within a certain period of time, for example, It is clear that the present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine and exhibits the same effect, and these are also included in the present invention.

<Example configuration of the entire game stand>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the center of the slot machine 100, there are three cylindrical reels (left reel 111, middle reel) in which a plurality of types of symbols (red bell, BAR, etc .: not shown) are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. 112, the right reel 113) is housed and is configured to be rotationally driven inside the main body of the slot machine 100. The front door of the slot machine 100 is provided with a reel display window 110. When the reels 111 to 113 are viewed from the front, three symbols applied thereto can be seen from the reel display window in the vertical direction. Yes. That is, when all the reels 111 to 113 are stopped, the player can see a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3. When these reels 111 to 113 are rotationally driven and the reels 111 to 113 are stopped at an appropriate timing, various combinations of symbols are displayed. In the present embodiment, three reels are provided, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this. On the back side of each reel 111 to 113, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the reel display window is arranged. The backlight is capable of emitting light of, for example, seven colors (three primary colors of red, green, and bluish purple and a mixed color such as white) and includes an LED corresponding to each primary color. Is done.

  The winning line display lamp 125 is a lamp indicating the winning line 114 that is valid for each game. The effective pay line 114 changes depending on the number of game media (in this embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of having five winning lines 114, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line, when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are shown. When three winning lines are added, three lines are added, and five diagonal lines are added. The winning combination is determined based on the combination of symbols arranged on the effective winning line. Of course, the number of winning lines is not limited to five.

  The payout number display 123 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player when winning a winning combination with a medal payout. The game number display 122 is a display for displaying the number of general games in the big bonus game. The stored number display unit 121 is a display unit that displays the number of medals stored electronically (credit). The effect lamp 126 is a lamp used for the effect to enhance the interest of the game. The medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are insertion buttons for electronically inserting the stored medals into the slot machine 100, and are called so-called bet buttons. In the present embodiment, a maximum medal insertion button 131 (a so-called “max bet button”) and a single medal insertion button 130 are provided. By pressing any of these buttons, 1 to 3 medals required for the game can be obtained. It is electronically inserted into the slot machine 100. When two medals are inserted, the one-medal insertion button 130 is pressed twice. The number of inserted medals is subtracted from the current stored number, and the remaining number is displayed on the stored number display 121. The medal slot block 136 has an opening through which a player directly inserts medals when starting a game. In this specification, the insertion of medals means both the electronic insertion of medals by the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 and the insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot block 136.

  The start lever 132 is a lever-type switch for performing an operation that triggers the start of rotation of the reels 111 to 113 as a game start operation. The stop buttons 133, 134, and 135 are buttons corresponding to the reels 111 to 113, and are button switches that stop the corresponding reels 111 to 113 when pressed. Each stop button 133 to 135 is provided with a lamp (not shown). After the start lever 132 is operated, all the lamps are turned on when the reels 111 to 113 can be stopped. Each time the stop buttons 133 to 135 are pressed, the lights are turned off. The medal discharge port 151 is an opening for discharging medals, and medals paid out at the time of winning a prize are discharged from here. The discharged medals are accumulated in a tray provided around the discharge port 151. The upper lamp 144, the side lamp 141, the lower back lamp 142, the lower lamp 143, and the saucer lamp (configured as a medal saucer) 161 are effects lamps for exciting the game, and are turned on / off / flashing according to the game state. To do.

  The liquid crystal display device 171 can display various types of information relating to the game (effect information that excites the game, error information that displays an error content when an abnormality occurs in the slot machine, and the like). Of course, instead of the liquid crystal display device 171, other display means such as a dot matrix display device in which a plurality of LEDs are two-dimensionally arranged may be used. The sound hole 181 of the upper speaker and the sound hole 160 of the central speaker are equipped with a decorated speaker cover, from which game sound effects are output.

<Configuration example of the control unit of this game table>
The configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control unit in the present embodiment includes a main control unit 300 that controls the whole, a sub-control unit 400 that performs control related to effects for exciting the game, and a liquid crystal display control unit that controls a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 171. 500.

(Main control unit 300)
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as “Main CPU”) 310 serves as a center of control in the slot machine 100, and exchanges control signals and data with peripheral units via the bus 370. The random number generator 311 generates a random number, and includes a plurality of counters, a clock oscillator, a frequency divider, a latch circuit, and the like. The random value generated by the random number generator 311 is stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 313 via the bus 370 and is sent to the Main CPU 310 as necessary. There are a plurality of types of random number values, and each is used according to the processing content. The Main CPU 310 has a medal sensor 320 for detecting a medal inserted from the insertion slot of the medal insertion slot block 136 via the input interface 330 and the bus 370, a start lever sensor 321 for detecting the operation of the start lever 132, and a stop button 133. When any one of 135 to 135 is pressed, a stop button sensor 322 for detecting which stop button is pressed, and when one of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 is pressed, which medal insertion button is pressed. A medal insertion button sensor 323 for detecting whether or not, a reset switch 324 for resetting the control unit, a setting switch 325 for changing the setting of the internal winning probability of each winning combination, and a setting key switch 326 for switching availability of the setting switch 325 Is connected To have.

  A ROM (read only memory) 312 is one of storage means for storing programs for performing various controls, various table data to be described later, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 313 has a work area for a program processed by the Main CPU 310 and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  The essential variable data stored in the RAM 313 in this embodiment includes a flag and a counter. Here, the configuration of the RAM will be described with reference to FIG. The game interval timer 313A is a timer that controls the wait time by measuring a predetermined period, in this example, 4.1 seconds. The “WaitCut” flag 313a is a flag for storing that “WaitCut” has been prepared. The abbreviated game flag 313b is a flag indicating that the weight cancellation in this embodiment is being performed. The shortened game number counter 313c is used in the third embodiment, and is a counter in which the number of games for releasing the weight is set and the number of games is counted down. The shortened game digestion time 313d is used in the third embodiment, and is an area for storing an integrated value of digestion time for shortened games. The short game threshold value T1313e is used in the third embodiment, and is a time threshold value used for determination of short game extension. The game digestion time 313f is used in the sixth embodiment, and is an area for storing a predetermined number of game digestion times. The threshold value T2313g of the predetermined number of games is a threshold value of time used in the sixth embodiment and used for determining the execution of the privilege after the predetermined number of games. The non-game time 313h is used in the fifth embodiment, and is a value that stores the non-game time and is subtracted during a shortened game. Other flags / counters 313i and other data 313j indicate data types not directly related to operations specific to the present embodiment, such as a selection flag of a lottery table and other winning flags. In the present embodiment, the ROM and the RAM are employed as described above, but it goes without saying that other storage means can be employed. This also applies to the sub-control unit 400 and the liquid crystal display control unit 500 described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a motor control unit 331 for controlling a motor (not shown) for rotating the reels 111 to 113 and a hopper control unit 332 for controlling a medal payout device (so-called hopper: not shown) are entered. The main CPU 310 is connected via the output interface 340 and the bus 370. The lamps 333 collectively represent lamps such as the winning line display lamp 125 shown in FIG. 1 and various displays such as the payout number display 123 and the game number display 122. The main CPU 310 is connected via a bus 370. The output interface 360 transmits various main control commands to the input interface 430 of the sub-control unit 400 based on instructions from the Main CPU 310.

(Sub-control unit 400)
The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as SubCPU) 410 receives various commands transmitted from the main control unit 300 via the input interface 430 and the bus 460, and controls the sub-control unit 400 as a whole according to the contents of the received commands. To do. The ROM 411 is one of storage means for storing programs, data, and the like for controlling the sub-control unit 400 as a whole. The RAM 412 has a work area for programs processed by the SubCPU 410, and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like. The lamps 413 collectively represent a backlight that illuminates the design of the reel from the back, a production lamp 126, an upper lamp 144, a side lamp 141, a waist lamp 143, a lower lamp 142, a tray lamp 161, and the like, and an output interface The sub CPU 410 is connected to the sub CPU 410 via the bus 420 and the bus 460, and is turned on / flashes / extinguishes according to an instruction from the sub CPU 410.

  The tone signal forming unit 450 forms a tone signal based on the control signal and data delivered from the SubCPU 410 and outputs the tone signal. The musical sound signal is amplified by an amplifier 451 and then output as a sound from a speaker (specifically, the upper speaker 181 and the central speaker 160) 452. The output interface 440 transmits various control data to the liquid crystal display control unit 500 based on an instruction from the SubCPU 410. Based on this control data, the liquid crystal display controller 500 controls the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 171.

(Liquid crystal display controller 500)
Next, the liquid crystal display control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The liquid crystal display control unit 500 includes a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as LCD CPU) 510, a data bus and an address bus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each IC and each circuit, and has a configuration described below. The LCD CPU 510 receives a signal from the Sub CPU 410 output via the output interface 440 of the sub-control unit 400 via the input interface 530 and the bus, and controls the entire liquid crystal display control unit 500. The ROM 511 stores programs and data for controlling the entire liquid crystal display control unit 500. The RAM 512 has a work area for programs processed by the LCD CPU 510. Further, a VDPCPU 520 is connected to the LCDCPU 510 via a bus. A ROM 521, a RAM 522, and a VDP (video display processor) 540 are connected to the VDPCPU 520 via a bus. The ROM 521 stores a program processed by the VDPCPU 520. The RAM 522 has a work area for programs processed by the VDPCPU 520 and the like. An LCD 171 is connected to the VDP 540 via an output interface 541 and performs display control of the LCD 171.

<Example of symbols on this game table>
FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each of the reels 111 to 113 is expanded in a plane. As shown in the figure, each reel 111 to 113 has a plurality of types of symbols arranged in a predetermined number of frames (here, 21 frames). In the figure, each symbol is simplified and shown by characters, but actually, for various designs, for example, “bell”, a picture or the like imitating a bell is drawn. Numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of symbols on the reels 111 to 113. For example, the number 0 frame on the left reel 111 has a red seven symbol, the frame number 4 on the middle reel 112 has a bell symbol, and the frame number 7 on the right reel 113 has a cherry symbol. Has been placed.

  Wait cuts (WaitCut) are arranged at positions surrounded by thick frames in FIG. 3, for example, numbers 1 and 6 of the left reel 111, numbers 0 and 5 of the middle reel 112, numbers 3 and 6 of the right reel 113, and the like. Has been.

  The layout of “WaitCut” in FIG. 3 is an arrangement that can be pulled in by 100% in the case of a loss in the lottery, so that the reel stop table of the loss is always aligned with the “WaitCut-WaitCut-WaitCut” on the winning line. Is set. In other words, the next game after losing is always a shortened game.

  In the vicinity of each of the reels 111 to 113 inside the slot machine 100, detection means for detecting the rotational position of each of the reels 111 to 113 is provided (not shown). This detection means is composed of, for example, an optical sensor comprising a light projecting part and a light receiving part, and a certain length provided on each reel 111 to 113 between the light projecting part and the light receiving part of this optical sensor. The light-shielding piece passes through. Based on the detection result of the light shielding piece by the optical sensor, the position of the symbol on the reels 111 to 113 is determined in the rotational direction, and the reels 111 to 113 are arranged so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line 114. Stop.

<Game state of this game stand and type of winning prize>
Here, each gaming state and winning combination related to the present embodiment will be briefly described. The kind of winning combination can be arbitrarily adopted, but in the present embodiment, the following winning combination is adopted.

(1) General game ・ Specific role (BB)
In the present embodiment, the winning combination is the start of a big bonus game (BB game). In the present embodiment, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of medals are paid out when winning. Corresponding symbol combinations include, for example, “Red Seven-Red Seven-Red Seven” and “White Seven-White Seven-White Seven”. In this embodiment, flag carryover is performed for BB. That is, when BB is won internally, a flag indicating this is raised (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 313), but even if the BB is not won in the game, the flag is kept standing until winning. Even after the next game, it is assumed that BB is currently in internal winning.

・ Special role (RB)
In the case of the present embodiment, it is a winning combination in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started. In the present embodiment, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of medals are paid out when winning. The corresponding symbol combination is, for example, “BAR-BAR-BAR”. Note that it is possible to carry over the flag for RB as well as BB. That is, when the RB is won internally, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 313), but even if the RB is not won in the game, the flag is maintained until winning. It is assumed that the RB is being elected internally even after the next game.

-Small role As a small role, there are, for example, bell and cherry (Chy). The corresponding symbol combinations are “Bell-Bell-Bell” and “Chy-any-any”. In the case of cherry, the symbols of the middle reel 112 and the right reel 113 may be any symbol.

・ Replay
The winning combination is a winning combination in which a game can be performed without inserting medals in the next game, and medals are not paid out. The corresponding symbol combination is, for example, “Rep-Rep-Rep”.

-Short game In the first embodiment, the short game occurs due to a loss. However, as will be described later in the fourth embodiment, there is a case where the shortened game is controlled as one of the winning combinations. The corresponding symbol combination is, for example, “WaitCut-WaitCut-WaitCut”.

-AT game In the assist time game, the pressing order of the stop button is notified for a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times.

(2) General game of BB game ・ Special role (shift regular bonus / SRB):
A winning combination that is won only during a general game of the BB game, and a special game having the same content as the special game of the general game (hereinafter also referred to as a shift regular bonus game or an SRB game) is started by winning. is there. In this embodiment, a predetermined number (15 in this case) of medals is paid out when winning. In the case of this embodiment, the corresponding symbol combination is “Rep-Rep-Rep”. Compared to RB, SRB has a much higher internal winning probability. That is, in the BB game, the player can obtain a larger profit by making it easy to win the SRB. Note that the SRB may carry over the flag as in the case of the BB, or may not carry over the flag.

(3) Property game:
The only winning combination in RB games is JAC (combination). For example, this winning combination is a winning combination that is won only during RB gaming, and a predetermined number (for example, 15) of medals is paid out by winning. Corresponding symbol combinations are, for example, “Rep-Rep-Rep”, “Bar-Rep-Rep”, and “777-Rep-Rep”.

<Operation procedure example of this game stand>
(Basic game control)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing basic control of the game in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment. The basic control of the game is performed mainly by the Main CPU 310, and the game execution process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this game execution process will be described. When the power is turned on, various initialization processes are executed, and the following processes are repeatedly executed.

  In step S410, a reception process related to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not medals have been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 125 is turned on according to the number of inserted medals. Note that when a replay is won in the previous game, it is not necessary to insert a medal. In step S420, a reception process related to a game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start lever 132 has been operated. If it is determined that the start lever 132 has been operated, the number of inserted medals is determined, and an effective pay line 114 is determined.

  In step S430, the random number generated by the random number generator 311 is acquired, and an internal lottery of a winning combination is performed using the acquired random number value and the lottery data stored in the ROM 312. As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination is won internally, the internal winning flag of the winning combination is turned ON. A part of the acquired random number value is also used in other lottery processes described later. A specific winning combination (specific combination and special combination) carries over the flag, but if the winning combination is won internally while the flag is carried over, the internal winning for one time may be carried over (so-called flag shift). It is also possible to carry over multiple internal winnings (so-called bonus stock).

  As processing related to the present embodiment, there is a possibility that the game fee (400 yen / minute) that can be used within a certain period of time will be exceeded in the case of a shortened game in which the restriction on the game start time is released. Therefore, for example, in abbreviated games, this restriction can be maintained by control such as changing the internal winning probability of a small role to be high (in the example, from 1/15 to 1/10). However, it is necessary to pay attention to the relationship with the overall play rate limit.

  In step S440, as reel rotation preparation processing, reel stop control data selection processing is performed to perform stop control of the reels 111 to 113 in accordance with the internal lottery result in step S430, and the shortened game of this embodiment is executed. (See Figure 5 for details). In step S450, rotation of all reels 111 to 113 is started. In step S460, the stop buttons 133 to 135 can be received, and when any one of the stop buttons is pressed, any of the reels 111 to 113 corresponding to the pressed stop button is selected as the reel stop selected in step S440. Stop based on control data. Although the processing in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, the reel stop control is not a specific control in the present embodiment, and therefore the other processing is not described in detail.

  In step S470, a winning determination is made (details are shown in FIG. 6). Here, when a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination won internally or a winning combination with a flag carried over is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won. For example, if “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is arranged on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the watermelon is won. In addition, the flag corresponding to the winning combination won is reset. In this example, the “WaitCut” flag is set when “WaitCut” is available. In step S480, if any winning combination with a payout has been won, a process of paying out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is performed. This control will not be described in detail.

  In step S490, a game state update process is executed (details are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9). In this game state control process, control is mainly performed for shifting the game state. For example, in the case of winning a specific game, a specific game is prepared so that it can be started next time. Prepare to get started. In relation to this example, control such as continuation / termination of the shortened game is performed. Details thereof will be described later.

  As described above, one game is completed, and thereafter, the process proceeds by returning to step S410 and repeating the same processing.

<Procedure example of Embodiment 1>
Details of the processing of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment will be described below.

(Reel rotation preparation process: S440)
Next, details of the reel rotation preparation process in step S440 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S441, selection of a reel stop control table that is not directly related to the present embodiment, for example, when an internal winning is made in the lottery process (S430), is performed. In step S442, it is determined whether the shortened game flag 313b is ON / OFF. If it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S443, and loops and waits until an interval time between games (for example, 4.1 seconds) is reached. If so, the game interval timer 313A is set (initialized) in step S445. On the other hand, if the shortened game flag 313b is ON, the process proceeds from step S442 to S444, the shortened game flag 313b is turned OFF, and the process proceeds to step S445.

  According to this process, the shortened game is executed in one game unit. In the second embodiment, the shortened game flag 313b in step S444 is not turned off.

(Winning determination process: S470)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the winning determination process in step S470 of FIG.

  First, in step S471, it is checked whether or not there is a winning as a result of the reel stop control by the reel stop control. If there is a winning, a process for obtaining a winning determination result or a payout number corresponding to the winning combination is set. Execute the process. The contents are not detailed.

  In step S472, it is determined whether or not the result of reel stop by the reel stop control is “WaitCut”. If “WaitCut” is aligned, the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned ON in step S473.

(Game state update processing: S490)
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the gaming state update process in step S490 of FIG. 4 will be described. Here, description will be made mainly on the shortened game of the present embodiment, and other controls will not be described in detail in order to avoid complexity.

  First, in step S491, a process such as winning or winning a BB game is performed.

  In step S492, ON / OFF of the “WaitCut” flag 313a is determined. If ON, the shortened game flag 313b is turned ON in step S493, and the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned OFF in step S494.

<Specific Example of Embodiment 1>
The operation procedure of the first embodiment will be described according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 to 7.

  First, if the game is not a shortened game ("WaitCut" is not complete), the reel rotation preparation process S440 in the flow of FIG. 4 proceeds from step S442 to S443 in FIG. 5 and waits for a game interval time. The game interval (4.1 seconds in this example) is maintained.

  If “WaitCut” is aligned in the reel stop process, the process proceeds from step S472 to S473 in FIG. 6 in the winning determination process S470, and the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned ON. In the subsequent game state update processing S490, the process proceeds from step S492 to S493 in FIG. 7, the shortened game flag 313b is turned on, and the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned off in step S494.

  At this time, in the next flow of FIG. 4, the shortened game flag 313b is ON when the reel rotation preparation process S440 is reached. Accordingly, the process proceeds from step S442 to S444 in FIG. 5, waiting for the game interval time in step S443 is skipped, and the shortened game flag 313b is turned OFF in step S444.

  As described above, in each game, if “WaitCut” is prepared, only the next game becomes a shortened game. That is, the shortened game is executed independently every time. If "WaitCut" is continuously arranged, abbreviated games are also continuously executed.

<Procedure example of Embodiment 2>
Details of the processing in FIG. 4 according to the second embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the reel stop process S460 is changed, and in the case of a loss, “WaitCut” is not always aligned, but a reel stop control table in which “WaitCut” is aligned and a reel stop control table that is not aligned are selected, and one of them is selected. To do. Only parts different from the first embodiment will be described. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

(Reel stop processing: S460)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure in the reel stop process S460 in the present embodiment.

  In step S461, the internal winning result in the lottery process S430 is acquired, and in the case of a loss, the reel stop control table 11a in which “WaitCut” is aligned in step S462 and the reel stop control table 11b in which “WaitCut” is not aligned are selected by lottery. select. In this example, the lottery probability is 1/2, but is not limited thereto.

<Example Procedure of Embodiment 3>
Details of the processing of FIG. 4 in the third embodiment will be described below. In the present embodiment, the game state update process is changed, and when “WaitCut” is prepared, a plurality of consecutive shortened games are executed. Only parts different from the first embodiment will be described. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the mode is a mode in which a plurality of shortened games are performed. Therefore, the game is shortened not only in the case of losing as in the first and second embodiments but also in the case of winning a small role. Therefore, unlike the case of FIG. 3, for example, only one “WaitCut” is arranged on one reel, and the reels are arranged so that “WaitCut” is aligned with the winning line. Also good. Alternatively, the reel stop control table may be selected by lottery as in the second embodiment.

(Reel rotation preparation process: S440)
In the third embodiment, as described above, step S444 is deleted from FIG.

(Game state update processing: S490)
FIG. 9 illustrates the gaming state update process in step S490 of FIG. 4 in the third embodiment. Here, description will be made mainly on the shortened game of the present embodiment, and other controls will not be described in detail in order to avoid complexity.

  First, in step S800, processing such as when winning or winning a BB game or RB game is performed.

  Step S801 is an ON / OFF branch of the shortened game flag 313b. If ON, the process branches to step S802, and S802 to S804 are executed. Step S805 is an ON / OFF branch of the “WaitCut” flag 313a. If it is ON, the process branches to step S806, and S806 to S809 are executed.

  First, if the shortened game flag 313b is ON in step S801, the number of shortened games (shortened game number counter 313c) is decremented by 1 in step S802. Next, it is determined in step S803 whether or not the number of shortened games is 0. If it is 0, the process proceeds to step S804, the shortened game flag 313b is turned OFF, and the process proceeds to step S805. If it is not 0, the process proceeds to step S805.

  Next, if the “WaitCut” flag 313a is ON in step S805, it is determined in step S806 whether the shortened game flag 313b is ON / OFF. If it is ON, the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned OFF in step S807. If the shortened game flag 313b is OFF, the process proceeds to step S808, the shortened game flag 313b is turned ON, and in step S809, the number of shortened games is set to 20 times, for example. That is, the shortened game number counter 313c is initialized to 20.

<Specific Example of Embodiment 3>
The operation procedure of the third embodiment will be described according to the flowcharts of FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG.

  First, if the game is not a shortened game ("WaitCut" is not complete), the reel rotation preparation process S440 in the flow of FIG. 4 proceeds from step S442 to S443 in FIG. 5 and waits for a game interval time. The game interval (4.1 seconds in this example) is maintained.

  If “WaitCut” is aligned in the reel stop process S460, the process proceeds from step S472 to S473 in FIG. 6 in the winning determination process S470, and the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned ON.

  In the subsequent game state update processing S490, the process branches from step S805 to S806 in FIG. 9 and the shortened game flag 313b is OFF. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S808, the shortened game flag 313b is turned ON, and the shortened game number counter 313c is set in step S809. 20 is set.

  The next game is a shortened game, and in FIG. 5, the process jumps from step S442 to S445, and the game interval time is not waited for in step S443.

  In the game state update process S490 of FIG. 9, since the shortened game flag 313b is ON, the process branches from step S801 to S802, and the number of shortened games is decremented by one. In this example, it becomes 20 to 19. Since the determination in step S803 is not 0, the process proceeds to step S805. Since the “WaitCut” flag 313a is ON, the process proceeds from step S806 to S807, and the “WaitCut” flag 313a is turned OFF.

  In the next 19 shortened games, the number of shortened games is subtracted one by one in step S802, and the shortened game number counter 313c becomes 0 at the 19th time (20 times including the first one). Therefore, the process proceeds from step S803 to S804, and the shortened game flag 313b is turned OFF, so that the shortened game ends.

  If “WaitCut” is prepared during the shortened game, the process proceeds from step S805 to S806 and S807, and the “WaitCut” flag 313a is immediately turned OFF, so that the number of shortened games is not added. If step S807 is omitted, the next shortened game will continue after the shortened game ends. In addition, if “WaitCut” is prepared during a shortened game with a simple change, it can be initialized to 20 times.

<Modification of Embodiment 3>
FIG. 10 is a modification of FIG. 9 of the third embodiment. In this modified example, the digestion time during the shortened game is accumulated, and if the digestion time is longer than a predetermined time (threshold value), the shortened game is further executed. In this example, six more shortened games are executed.

  FIG. 10 shows a modification between steps S803 and S805 of FIG.

  If the number of shortened games is not 0 in step S803, the digested time of the shortened game is added in step S901, and the shortened game time 313d is updated. On the other hand, when the number of shortened games reaches 0 in step S803 and proceeds to step S902, the digestion time (shortened game digestion time 313d) is compared with a threshold T1 (for example, 1 minute: shortened game threshold 313e). It is determined whether the digestion time exceeds the threshold value T1, and if it is equal to or less than the threshold value T1, the shortened game is terminated as in FIG. 9, but if it is less than the threshold value T1, the process proceeds to step S903. The number of shortened games (shortened game number counter 313c) is set to 6, and the following six shortened games are continued.

<Example Procedure of Embodiment 4>
Details of the processing of FIG. 4 in the fourth embodiment will be described below. In the present embodiment, the lottery process S430 is changed, and “WaitCut-WaitCut-WaitCut” is handled as one winning combination instead of a lost symbol. Only parts different from the first to third embodiments will be described. Others are the same as in the first to third embodiments.

(Lottery processing: S430)
(A) of FIG. 12 is a figure which shows the setting of the probability of "WaitCut" winning in a lottery process. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the winning probability of the “WaitCut” winning combination is 1/250 in the general game.

  FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the winning probability when the number of shortened games when the “WaitCut” combination is won or won is determined by lottery.

  In the third embodiment, the number of shortened games is fixed at 20, but in this embodiment, the number of shortened games is determined by lottery.

<Procedure Example of Embodiment 5>
As the fifth embodiment, the time from when the player stops the game until the next game is started is accumulated as “free time” (non-game time), and the game can be shortened as many times as the accumulated time is consumed. . In this case, the vacant time is stored in the non-game time 313h of FIG. 10, and is subtracted at the time of the shortened game, and when it becomes 0, the shortened game is not performed. For example, if it takes 3 minutes for the liquid crystal display to display the demo screen after the game is stopped, the time is pooled up to the limit of 3 minutes after the player stops the game. Thereafter, when the game is performed, the shortened time is subtracted from the three minutes, and the shortened game can be played until the three minutes are consumed. For example, since a demo screen display is always displayed in the morning, it is always possible to play a shortened game in the morning game.

  An example of a processing procedure in the present embodiment is shown below. Other procedures are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

(Medal reception process: S410)
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a procedure example of the medal acceptance process in the present embodiment.

  First, in step S411, a timer for determining the time during which the player has stopped the game is initialized. In step S412, it is determined whether or not a medal has been inserted. If there is a medal, the process proceeds to start operation reception in step 420 in FIG. If no medal has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S413 to determine a time-out (3 minutes in this example). If no time-out has occurred, the process returns to step S412 to wait for medal insertion.

  If timed out, the process proceeds to step S414, and 3 minutes is stored in the non-game time 313h. Next, a demonstration screen is displayed in step S415. When the demonstration screen is displayed, the process returns to step S411 to wait for the medal insertion again.

(Reel rotation preparation process: S440)
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of a procedure example of the reel rotation preparation process in the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is obtained by adding steps S <b> 141 and S <b> 142 to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, and the changed part will be described.

  Before determining whether the shortened game flag is ON / OFF in step S442, it is determined in step S141 whether or not the non-game time 313h is 0 or less. If 3 minutes is stored in step S414 in FIG. 13, it is greater than 0, so the process proceeds from step S444 to step S142. In step S142, the digestion time from the game interval time (4.1 seconds in this example) set in step S445 of the previous game is subtracted from the current time to shorten the time (ie, when there is a start acceptance operation, The time until reaching the game interval timer value 313A) is obtained, and the reduced time shortened by the current reduced game is subtracted from the non-game time 313h (non-game time-reduced time), and the result is stored in the non-game time 313h. To do.

  Therefore, the shortened game is executed regardless of the shortened game flag until the non-game time 313h becomes 0 or less. The shortened game is played until the non-game time 313h is 0 or less, that is, until 3 minutes stored when the player stops the game and enters the demonstration screen.

<Procedure Example of Embodiment 6>
As a sixth embodiment, in a game table for performing a shortened game, a predetermined number of specific games (for example, AT game 15 times (assist time; notification of stop button pressing)) within a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) If you digest it within (within), you will get benefits such as adding one AT game. In this process, the digestion time is accumulated for 15 times of the AT game in the specific game digestion time 313f of FIG. 10, and compared with the threshold value 313g (1 minute in this example) at the end of the 15th game, If the accumulated time is shorter than the threshold value, control is performed so as to give a privilege. In other words, during AT games, it is more efficient to run a lot of shortened games with “WaitCut” at the time of loss, and it is more efficient, and there is a benefit that many medal payouts can be received by frequent winning of small roles is there. Although the number of AT games has been described as an example of the specific game, the present invention is not limited to the AT game, and the above processing may be performed according to a predetermined number of times of digestion of the BB game, the RB game, or the general game.

  Below, the example of a change of this embodiment of a game state update process is shown. Other processes are the same as in the above embodiment.

(Game state update processing: S490)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a modification example of the present embodiment of the game state update process. This process is added to the step of setting the number of games in any game and the step of determining the number of games in the game state update process.

  As the setting of the number of games, when entering a step S156 under a certain condition (for example, a game flag or the like), it is determined whether the condition for setting the number of games is satisfied, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to a step S157. Set the number of games to add. In FIG. 15, for example, 15 AT games are set.

  In the determination of the number of games, if step S150 is entered under certain conditions, the number of games is decremented by 1 in step S150. In step S151, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of games (for example, AT game) has been executed. If not, the current digestion time is added to the game digestion time 313f in step S152.

  If the predetermined number of games has been executed, the process proceeds to step S153 to determine whether or not the game digestion time 313f is less than the predetermined number of games threshold T2 (313g). If the game digestion time 313f is not less than the predetermined number of times of game threshold T2 (313g), the game is turned off in step S154 when the predetermined game flag is turned ON. If the game digestion time 313f is less than the predetermined number of game thresholds T2 (313g), a predetermined privilege game is set in step S155.

  Such privilege games include, for example, addition of AT games and changes in winning probabilities, and are not particularly limited.

  In this embodiment, “WaitCut” is a game that is a loss to the player in the case of an arrangement that needs to be pushed in order to prevent a shortened game from being lost. If you shorten the digestion time by doing, you can expect benefits, so it has the effect of increasing the fun of the game.

<Other embodiments>
As yet another embodiment, a game advantageous to the player may be activated for the selected number of games at the same time as the shortened game is started. For example, a game start condition such as “high probability replay” with almost no increase or decrease in medals may be used (the “WaitCut” symbol is the same as the high probability replay symbol).

  Also, the general game weight is set to 4.1 seconds or more (4.2 seconds, etc.), and from the probability that the “WaitCut” pattern is aligned and the number of games selected at that time, the total game weight is usually 4.1 seconds You may set the time weight.

  In the shortened game, display means for displaying that it is a shortened game may be provided. In other words, the abbreviated game is ineffective for a leisurely gamer, but providing a display means has an effect of encouraging the player to execute more games. In this case, control is provided by providing a “short game state display flag” in the RAM 313 of FIG.

  In addition, it is possible to make it easier to win a part of the winning combination (eg, cherry) that is missed by trying to align the “WaitCut” symbol every time. Or you may make it difficult to win. For example, “WaitCut” is arranged at a part of the reel in the symbol arrangement. Aiming at each game "WaitCut", it becomes a stop operation at a point where cherry symbols can be drawn. There may be elements of benefits that are advantageous / disadvantageous to the player.

  Although the embodiments have been described independently, a combination of a plurality of these embodiments, or a combination of some of these embodiments, enables various more interesting operations. The present invention includes combinations thereof. In addition, although described at the beginning of the embodiment, the present embodiment has described the present invention taking a slot machine as an example of a game machine, but the present invention is also applied to other game machines such as a pachinko machine. The same effects are shown and these are also included in the present invention.

It is the schematic of the external appearance of the game stand of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the game stand of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the symbol in the reel of the game stand of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a game procedure of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a procedure of the reel rotation preparation process (S440) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a detailed procedure of the winning determination process (S470) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a procedure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of the game state update process (S490) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a procedure which concerns on Embodiment 2 of the reel stop process (S460) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a procedure which concerns on Embodiment 3 of the game state update process (S490) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a change of the detailed procedure which concerns on Embodiment 3 of the game state update process (S490) of FIG. It is a figure which shows the variable data example on RAM used by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the lottery probability of the shortened game which concerns on Embodiment 4 of the lottery process (S430) of FIG. 4, and the lottery probability of the number of shortened games. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a procedure which concerns on Embodiment 5 of the medal acceptance process (S410) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed example of a procedure which concerns on Embodiment 5 of the reel rotation preparation process (S440) of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a detailed procedure of the part which concerns on Embodiment 6 of the game state update process (S490) of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 110 Reel display window 111 Left reel 112 Middle reel 113 Right reel 114 Winning line 121 Stored number display 122 Game frequency display 123 Payout number display 125 Winning line display lamp 126 Effect lamp 130 1-medal insertion button 131 Maximum medal insertion button 132 Start lever 133 Stop button 134 Stop button 135 Stop button 136 Medal insertion slot block 141 Side lamp 142 Lower lamp 143 Lumbar lamp 144 Upper lamp 151 Medal outlet 160 Central speaker sound hole 161 Receptacle lamp 171 Liquid crystal display device 181 Upper speaker sound hole

Claims (6)

In a gaming machine equipped with game control means, including weight means for limiting the game start time so that the interval from one game start to the next game start exceeds a predetermined time,
The game control means has determination means for determining whether or not a combination of specific symbols has been prepared, and when the determination means determines that the specific symbols have been prepared, the game start time is limited by the weight means A game table characterized by canceling.   The game control means releases the restriction on the game start time by the weight means for a predetermined number of games from the next game in which it is determined that the specific symbols are aligned. The listed game table.   The game control means has game number lottery means for determining the number of games to be released from the game start time limit by lottery, and the game number lottery means starts with the game number lottery means from the next game determined that the specific symbols are arranged. 2. The game table according to claim 1, wherein a restriction on a game start time by said weight means is canceled during the determined number of games.   The game control means includes a first consumption time measuring means for measuring the game digestion time of the predetermined number of games, and whether or not the game digestion time exceeds a predetermined first time at the end of the number of games. A first digestion time determination means for determining, and when the first digestion time determination means determines that the game digestion time has exceeded the predetermined first time, 3. The game table according to claim 2, wherein the number of games for releasing the restriction is further added.   The game control means includes a storage means for storing a non-game time, a calculation means for calculating a game time shortened by releasing a restriction on a game start time by the weight means, and the stored non-game time from the stored non-game time. 2. The subtraction means for subtracting the shortened game time, and the restriction on the game start time by the weight means is released until the non-game time is eliminated by the subtraction by the subtraction means. Game console.   The game control means includes a second consumption time measuring means for measuring a game digestion time that is digested by a predetermined number of games set in a predetermined game state, and the game digestion time at the end of the predetermined number of games. Second digestion time determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined second time has been exceeded, and the second digestion time determination means determines that the game digestion time is less than the predetermined second time. 2. The game table according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined privilege is given in a subsequent game when it is played.

Images