JP2006025991A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a player select a decorative pattern display pattern. <P>SOLUTION: In a pinball game machine comprising a special pattern holding storage part 63 linked with special pattern variation and a decorative pattern holding storage part 98 linked with decorative pattern variation, pattern variation based on the decorative pattern display pattern for which a performance of improving the expectations of a big winning to be given to the player is executed correspondingly to the number of decorative pattern holding balls, that is the number of secured balls, inputted by the player is displayed. Thus, in addition to a normal game in a pinball game machine, the player is made to experience a savor like a kind of betting games and player's interest in the game is kept. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a variable display control of a ball game machine.

Conventionally, among various ball game machines, a game machine called a type 1 in particular displays a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board (hereinafter, referred to as a “game”). Such a display is called “symbol change” or “change display”). The first type of gaming machine is generally one that variably displays two types of symbols called special symbols and decorative symbols as effects. Among these, the decorative design is mainly for providing visual interest to the player and enhancing the player's expectation, and the display pattern is selected by lottery. A variety of display patterns are available, including so-called reach effects in which, for example, if one more symbols are aligned, the variation display time is longer than usual in a state where the game is a big hit. This display pattern has been devised in various ways depending on the gaming machine, and constitutes one wing of the gaming machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-230714 A

  However, since the display pattern of the decorative design is selected according to the lottery result as described above, even if the creator of the gaming machine has created dozens of types of display patterns, all of them are created. May not be viewed by the player. Further, if a player has a display pattern that cannot be viewed even if the game is continued for a long time, it may cause dissatisfaction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine in which a player can select a display pattern of a decorative design under a predetermined condition.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ball game machine. The ball game machine (for example, pachinko game machine 10) includes a lottery execution unit (for example, a special symbol lottery execution unit 60) that executes a lottery according to the winning of a game ball to the start winning opening (28). A display processing unit (92) for displaying a symbol variation based on a lottery result, and a game ball for which a winning at the start winning opening has occurred before and the symbol variation for the lottery result of the prize has not been executed yet An on-hold storage unit (63, 98) for storing the number as the number of on-hold balls, an input unit (for example, the sub input device 120) capable of inputting information by the player, and an input process for acquiring information input by the input unit (For example, sub input processing unit 78). Then, the display processing unit displays to notify the player that a plurality of reserved balls can be consumed as a price for displaying the symbol variation due to one special effect when the predetermined gaming state is entered. The processing unit outputs information input from the player in response to the notification to the display processing unit as the number of collateral balls. The display processing unit displays a symbol variation that produces an effect of improving the jackpot expectation given to the player based on the value of the number of collateral balls, and the holding storage unit is a collateral corresponding to the symbol variation. The number of balls is subtracted from the number of reserved balls.

  According to this aspect, the player can operate the input unit, and based on the input information, by consuming a plurality of reserved balls as consideration, an effect of improving the expectation of jackpot given to the player is made. Therefore, the interest of the player can be enhanced.

  Another aspect of the present invention also relates to a ball game machine. This ball game machine (for example, Pachinko game machine 10) executes a lottery according to the winning of a game ball at the start winning opening (28), and displays a special symbol variable display based on the result of the lottery. The symbol lottery execution unit (60) and the number of game balls for which a winning at the start winning opening has occurred previously and the special symbol variation for the lottery result of the prize has not been executed yet are stored as the number of special symbol reserved balls And a first reserved storage unit (for example, the special symbol reserved storage unit 63) that subtracts the number of the special symbols when the variable symbols are displayed, and a decoration to be displayed from a plurality of decorative symbol display patterns based on the lottery result. The decorative symbol pattern determining unit (84) for determining the symbol display pattern, the display processing unit (92) for displaying the decorative symbol on the basis of the determined decorative symbol display pattern, Occur In addition, the number of game balls that have not yet been subjected to the decorative symbol variation for the winning lottery result is stored as a decorative symbol reserved ball number, and a second reserved storage unit that subtracts the number when displaying the decorative symbol variation (for example, a decorative symbol) The symbol holding storage unit 98), a decoration symbol holding display unit (96) for displaying the number of decorative symbol holding balls, an input unit (for example, the sub input device 120) capable of inputting information by the player, and input by the input unit An input processing unit (for example, a sub input processing unit 78) that acquires the processed information. Then, the display processing unit displays a notification notifying the player that a plurality of decorative symbol holding balls can be consumed as a price for displaying the symbol variation due to one special effect when the predetermined gaming state is reached. The input processing unit outputs information input from the player in response to the notification to the display processing unit as the number of collateral balls. The decorative symbol pattern determination unit selects a decorative symbol display pattern that produces an effect of further improving the expectation of jackpot given to the player based on the value of the number of collateral balls, and the second reserved storage unit selects the symbol The number of collateral balls corresponding to the fluctuation is subtracted from the number of decorative symbol reserved balls.

  According to this aspect, in the ball game machine including the first reserved storage unit linked to the special symbol variation and the second reserved storage unit linked to the decorative symbol variation, the number of decorative symbol reserved balls input by the player In other words, in accordance with the number of collateral balls, since the symbol variation based on the decorative symbol display pattern that produces the effect of improving the jackpot expectation given to the player is displayed, in addition to the game in the normal ball game machine, A player can experience an interest like a kind of betting game and can keep the player's interest in the game.

  The input processing unit may be configured to determine whether or not a predetermined condition that enables input by the input unit is satisfied, and to enable the operation in the input unit only when the condition is satisfied. . Here, the “predetermined condition” is, for example, when the number of decorative symbol reservation balls is two or more and a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the previous symbol variation. According to this, since collateral is possible only when a specific gaming state is reached, the appearance probability of this game can be adjusted.

  The input processing unit may change the upper limit value of information that can be input in the input unit according to the gaming state. Thus, for example, when only one collateral ball can be selected, the normal reach display pattern is selected, and when the collateral ball can be selected up to the upper limit of the number of decorative symbol reserve spheres, a special game with a jackpot must be made after the end of symbol variation By setting so as to select a display pattern for confirming the advance notice to be executed, the player can be notified of the lottery result.

  The bullet ball game machine may further include a notifying means for notifying an upper limit value of the information. Thereby, the player can know the number of decorative symbol reserved balls that can be secured.

  The display processing unit may notify that a symbol change based on a different decorative symbol display pattern is made according to the number of collateral balls. Thereby, the motivation to increase the number of collateral balls can be given to the player.

  You may make it a display process part alert | report that the expectation degree of jackpot differs according to the said number of collateral balls. This gives the player an urge to see a display pattern with a high degree of expectation that does not easily appear in the normal gaming state, so that the motivation to increase the number of collateral balls can be given.

  You may comprise a 2nd reservation memory | storage part so that the number of decoration design reservation spheres different from the memory | storage upper limit number of the special symbol reservation spheres in a 1st reservation memory | storage part can be memorize | stored. Thus, for example, if the upper limit number of storage of the second reserved storage unit is set to be larger than the upper limit number of storage of the first reserved storage unit, the upper limit number of reserved balls in the special symbol will be exceeded during the symbol variation and the start winning opening will be set. Even when there is a win, the decorative symbol hold display is turned on, so that the player does not feel that the game ball is wasted. Conversely, if the upper limit number of storage in the second reserved storage unit is set to be smaller than the upper limit number of storage in the first reserved storage unit, the decorative symbol hold display does not decrease, but the design variation starts. And the player can recognize that an advantageous gaming state is being executed.

  The ball game machine may further include a special symbol hold display unit for displaying the number of special symbol hold balls stored in the first hold storage unit. In this case, the decorative symbol hold display unit displays the special symbol hold display unit. It is possible to display a number of decorative symbol reservation balls different from the display upper limit number of parts. In this way, the special symbol variation start timing and the decorative symbol variation start timing are different when the special symbol variation time and the decorative symbol variation time based on a single winning are adopted. Even when this happens, the decorative symbol hold display can be turned off in conjunction with the start or stop of the decorative symbol variation regardless of the special symbol variation display.

  The decorative symbol pattern determining unit selects a predetermined decorative symbol display pattern regardless of the number of collateral balls when the special symbol variable display is not performed for a predetermined period, and the second reserved storage unit selects the predetermined decorative symbol In the case of symbol variation based on the symbol display pattern, the number of decorative symbol reserved balls may be deleted. As a result, if the winning at the start winning opening does not occur for a long period of time, the decorative symbol holding ball is forcibly secured. For example, the second game ball is not operated by the player even though the ball game machine is not operated. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the decorative symbols corresponding to the number of decorative symbols held in the storage unit are displayed.

  The decorative symbol pattern determination unit selects a predetermined decorative symbol display pattern regardless of the number of collateral balls when the difference between the decorative symbol reserved ball number and the special symbol reserved ball number becomes a predetermined value or more, and the second The holding storage unit may set the number of decorative symbol reserved balls to a value equal to the number of special symbol reserved balls when the symbol changes based on the predetermined decorative symbol display pattern. In this way, when the difference between the number of decorative symbol reserved balls and the number of special symbol reserved balls reaches a predetermined value, the difference is forcibly secured, so that the decorative symbol reserved display in which no special symbol variation is actually executed is quickly displayed. Can be turned off.

  According to the bullet ball game machine of the present invention, the player can select the decorative symbol display pattern.

  Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example of a so-called first-type pachinko game machine that has two systems of special symbols and decorative symbols and uses both symbols for effect display as a so-called first-type pachinko game machine. Will be explained.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body aligned with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be freely opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is a plate through which a game area of a game board formed of glass or the like can be seen through. The door 14 supports the transparent plate 13. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. When the player rotates the launch handle 17, the game ball is launched.

  On the game board surface of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a large number of game nails 20, a windmill 21, an outer rail 22 and an inner rail 23, a general winning port 24, an out port 25, a symbol display device 26, a center decoration component 27, A one-type start winning opening (hereinafter referred to as “start opening”) 28, a large winning opening 29, a normal symbol operating port 30, and a normal symbol display device 32 are provided. The outer rail 22 guides the launched game ball to the game area 31, and the inner rail 23 defines the game area 31. The game balls that have not dropped into each winning opening such as the general winning opening 24 flow into the out opening 25. Note that each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes, and “incoming” in this specification includes “passing”.

  The symbol display device 26 displays on the screen while changing a symbol called a first type special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol”) and a decorative symbol linked to the special symbol. Here, the special symbol is a symbol for indicating whether or not to generate a jackpot according to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball falls into the start port 28, and the decorative symbol is the result of the lottery. It is a design for producing visually. The symbol display device 26 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a plurality of rows of symbol variation moving images simulating a slot machine game as a decorative symbol in the central area of the screen. When displaying a decorative symbol, the special symbol does not need to have an effect role, and is displayed in an inconspicuous area at the corner of the symbol display device 26. The special symbol may take a display form in which the symbols “O” and “X” are repeated during the fluctuation, but in the following, a case in which a display form in which C and the numbers 0 to 9 are repeated is shown. Specifically, the special symbol is displayed in the order of C, 0, 1,..., 8 and 9 during the fluctuation, and takes a display mode in which C to 9 are repeated again. The special symbol stop symbol indicates whether or not it is a jackpot. For example, if the stop symbol is an odd number of “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, “9”, the jackpot with probability variation is displayed. Further, when “0”, “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” is an even number, a normal jackpot may be indicated, and “C” other than that may indicate a loss. Here, the jackpot with probability variation means a jackpot subject to probability variation. In addition, from the viewpoint of improving the expandability of the production effect in the pachinko gaming machine 10, the numbers used as the special symbols are not limited to 10 numbers from 0 to 9, but for example, 12 numbers from 0 to 11 are used. May be. The twelve types of numbers can be equally divided into three or four, thus providing expansion of production.

  A center decorative component 27 is provided around the symbol display device 26, and has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the symbol display device 26, and decoration. One or a plurality of start ports 28 are provided at a position, for example, below the center decorative component 27. The big winning opening 29 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol stops in a specific manner, and is provided, for example, above the out opening 25. The inside of the special winning opening 29 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. On the normal symbol display device 32, symbols such as numbers are variably displayed as normal symbols. The normal symbol variation display is started when a game ball enters the normal symbol operating port 30. The normal symbol display device 32 is composed of, for example, a 7-segment display.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are launched one by one into the game area 31 with the strength corresponding to the turning angle, and the player launches the launch handle 17. When the rotation position is fixed by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at a constant time interval. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 31 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting the plurality of game nails 20, and when it falls into each prize opening such as the general prize opening 24 and the start opening 28, the prize is given. A prize ball corresponding to the type of mouth is paid out to the upper ball tray 15. When the game ball falls into the start opening 28, the special symbol and the decorative symbol are variably displayed on the symbol display device 26. The change display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is stopped after a lapse of a certain time, and when the special symbol at the time of stoppage is a number from “0” to “9”, the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening 29 is started as a so-called “big hit”. . At this time, the decorative pattern imitating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns are matched.

  The special winning opening 29 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls have dropped. If at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the big prize opening 29 is open, the big prize opening 29 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the big prize opening 29 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, on condition that at least one or more game balls drop into the specific area while the big prize opening 29 is opened once. When the special game is finished, a variation shortening game in which the time until the variation display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is stopped is executed with a predetermined probability.

  In the vicinity of the lower ball tray 16 of the pachinko gaming machine 10, a sub input device 120 operated by the player is provided. In one example, the sub input device 120 is a button, and is configured to increase the count value each time it is pressed by the player. The sub input device 120 is used by a player to input information when executing a special effect described later.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start opening 28 in particular. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the symbol display device 26, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 31 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 is a basic functional block diagram focusing on a configuration for controlling a game in the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main control unit 70 corresponds to the function of the main board 41 in FIG. 2, and mainly controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the basic operation of the game. The sub-control unit 80 corresponds to the function of the sub-board 49 in FIG. 2 and mainly controls staging operations such as decorative display variation display and lighting around the pachinko gaming machine 10. Instruction signals relating to various controls are sent from the main control unit 70 to the sub control unit 80, but feedback information or signals are not sent from the sub control unit 80 to the main control unit 70, and the main control unit 70 is always sent. To one-way communication to the sub-control unit 80. The main control unit 70 and the sub control unit 80 include elements such as a ROM for storing data and programs and a CPU used for arithmetic processing in terms of hardware. In this figure, the various functions are divided into the main control unit 70 and the sub control unit 80, but the division method is not limited to the illustrated example. Further, the main control unit 70 and the sub control unit 80 may be configured integrally.

  Hereinafter, each block will be described in order. The start winning detection unit 51 is a sensor provided in the start opening 28, detects a drop of a game ball into the start opening 28, and indicates start win information indicating that the drop has occurred. Send to 56. Upon receiving the start winning information from the start winning detection unit 51, the start winning processing unit 56 sends a payout instruction such as the number of prize balls to the payout control unit 79, and also to a special symbol lottery execution unit 60 that executes a lottery for the start win. Send lottery instructions.

  The special symbol lottery execution unit 60 receives the start winning information, and specifically receives a lottery instruction from the start winning detection unit 51 and then executes the lottery. The special symbol lottery execution unit 60 determines a random symbol determination unit 72 that generates and determines a random number in response to the start winning, a random determination unit 61 that acquires a random number and determines whether or not the lottery is successful, and a special symbol stop symbol. A special symbol determining unit 62 and a special symbol pattern determining unit 73 for determining a display pattern of the special symbol are included. The special symbol may be composed of, for example, numbers, letters, symbols, marks, and the like. In the present embodiment, the special symbols are composed of letters “C” and numbers “0” to “9”. Each time the random number determination unit 72 receives a lottery instruction from the start winning processing unit 56, the random number determination unit 72 generates a count value in a predetermined count range, for example, a range from 0 to 307 as a random number, and stores the random number in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 To do. The special symbol hold storage unit 63 has a storage area that can store a predetermined number, for example, up to four random numbers, and does not store any more random numbers until a free area is generated. If the symbol variation is not performed at the time of determining the random number, the random number determination unit 72 sends the random number to the success / failure determination unit 61 without storing the random number in the special symbol hold storage unit 63.

  The success / failure determination unit 61 determines whether the lottery result is “big hit” or “out” according to the random number value stored in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 or according to the random number value directly sent from the random number determination unit 72. Which of the following is determined. These results are respectively defined in the form of numerical ranges in the success / failure table of the success / failure determination unit 61. A part of the jackpot value range may be set as a jackpot range with probability variation. The special symbol determination unit 62 generates a symbol determination random number, and determines the symbol number of the special symbol stop symbol based on the random value. When the special symbol display mode is to repeatedly display C and symbols from 0 to 9 during symbol variation, if the lottery result is a normal jackpot, “0”, “2”, “4”, If “6”, “8” are jackpots with probability variation, “1”, “3”, “5”, “7”, “9” are determined, and if they are off, “C” is determined as the stop symbol. .

  The special symbol pattern determination unit 73 determines a display pattern of the special symbol, for example, determines a variation time of the special symbol. The determination of the success / failure by the determination unit 61, the determination of the special symbol stoppage by the special symbol determination unit 62, and the determination of the special symbol display pattern by the special symbol pattern determination unit 73, the symbol variation based on the previous lottery result ends. This is performed when the effect display based on the current lottery result is started. Note that the execution timing of these processes may be performed when the random number determination unit 72 determines a random number.

  The display instruction unit 74 instructs the sub-control unit 80 to display the special symbol in the lower left corner of the screen of the symbol display device 26 according to the determined special symbol display pattern and stop symbol. Specifically, as the display pattern of the special symbol, it is determined that the variation time of the special symbol is 60 seconds, the stop symbol is “3”, and the stop symbol is displayed in the last 2 seconds of the variation time. If it is determined, the display instructing unit 74 cyclically displays C and the numbers from 0 to 9 until 58 seconds have elapsed from the start of fluctuation, and 60 seconds after 58 seconds have elapsed. Instruct to display “3” as a stop symbol until the time elapses. The display processing unit 92 of the sub control unit 80 receives an instruction from the display instruction unit 74 and controls the display of the symbol display device 26. The special symbol may be displayed at a location other than the lower left corner in the symbol display device 26, or may be displayed on a display unit other than the symbol display device 26.

  When the random number value read from the special symbol hold storage unit 63 is a jackpot value, the success / failure determination unit 61 sends a special game start instruction to the special game execution unit 64 after the stop symbol is displayed. The special game execution unit 64 includes a special game processing unit 65, a continuation determination unit 66, and a probability variation determination unit 67. The special game processing unit 65 sends an instruction to open the big prize opening to the big prize processing unit 58. The special prize processing unit 58 opens the special prize opening 29 based on the opening instruction received from the special game processing unit 65. A game ball that falls into the opened big winning opening 29 is detected by a big winning detecting unit 53 that is a sensor provided inside the big winning opening 29. When a game ball falls into the big prize opening 29, the big prize processing unit 58 sends a payout instruction such as the number of prize balls to the payout control unit 79, and the number of game balls that fall when the big prize opening 29 is opened once. Count. The big prize processing unit 58 temporarily closes the big prize opening 29 when an opening period of about 30 seconds elapses or when nine game balls are dropped into the big prize opening 29.

  The area passage detection unit 54 is a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball to a specific area (V zone) provided in the special winning opening 29, and specific area passage information indicating that a game ball has passed. Is sent to the region passage processing unit 59. The region passage processing unit 59 receives the specific region passage information from the region passage detection unit 54 and sends it to the continuation determination unit 66 of the special game execution unit 64. The continuation determination unit 66 instructs the special game processing unit 65 to perform the next opening when the passing of one or more balls to the specific area is detected in the opening of the one big winning opening 29. The special game processing unit 65 repeats the special winning opening 29 at the maximum 15 times and keeps it in the open state under the continuation condition that the continuation determination unit 66 determines that the specific area has passed. The probability variation determination unit 67 determines whether the game after the jackpot is a normal game or a probability variation game with a high probability of hitting according to the random number value or the stop pattern of the special symbol, and the determination result is reliably varied. The data is sent to the execution unit 68. The probability variation determination unit 67 determines that the next game should be transferred to the probability variation game when the stop symbol is a specific symbol.

  When the probability change execution unit 68 receives a determination from the probability change determination unit 67 that it should shift to the probability variation game, the probability change execution unit 68 changes the success / failure table of the success / failure determination unit 61 to the probability variation game. Thereby, the jackpot probability at the time of the probability variation game becomes larger than that at the time of the normal game.

  The sub control unit 80 includes a special effect execution determination unit 75, a sub input processing unit 78, a decorative symbol determination unit 82, a decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84, a decorative symbol pattern storage unit 86, a display processing unit 92, and a decorative symbol hold storage unit 98. including. In the case where the lottery result is a jackpot, when the special symbol determining unit 62 determines the special symbol jackpot stop symbol, the decorative symbol determining unit 82 displays on the symbol display device 26 based on the lottery result in the success / failure determining unit 61. The jackpot stop symbol of the decorative symbols of a plurality of rows to be determined is determined. The jackpot stop symbol of the decorative symbol is a display mode in which three symbols of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol are aligned. If the stop symbol number of the special symbol indicates `` big hit '', each symbol number is determined so that the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol are the same symbol, and the stop symbol number of the special symbol is `` big hit with probability variation '' In order to present the player with a jackpot with a probability variation to the player, an odd symbol number having all of them is determined. On the other hand, when the lottery result indicates “out”, the decorative symbol determination unit 82 determines each symbol number so that at least one of the left symbol, the central symbol, and the right symbol does not match the other symbols.

  The decorative symbol determination unit 82 may determine a plurality of decorative symbols, generally three columns, based on the special symbol stop symbol number determined by the special symbol determination unit 62.

  The decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 determines the display pattern of the symbol variation of the decorative symbol based on the lottery result in the success / failure determination unit 61. Specifically, the decorative symbol display pattern mainly represents a decorative symbol image, a decorative symbol variation pattern, and a variation display effect pattern. In the variation pattern, the variation process of the decorative pattern is defined. The effect pattern defines how the display process including the decorative symbol change display and the reach operation proceeds or is effected. The decorative symbol pattern storage unit 86 stores various images such as a decorative symbol image, a background image, and a character image, and in what display form these images are changed in the screen of the symbol display device 26. Are stored, and a plurality of effect patterns are stored. The display processing unit 92 causes the symbol display device 26 to display the symbol variation of the decorative symbol with the variation pattern and the effect pattern of the decorative symbol determined by the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84, and the decorative symbol determining unit 82 determines the variation after the change. The stop symbol of the decorated decoration is displayed. The process in the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 will be further described later with reference to FIGS.

  The decorative symbol storage unit 98 receives start winning information from the start winning detecting unit 51. This start winning information is also given to the start winning processing unit 56 as described above, but is given separately to the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98. Therefore, the value and number of random numbers stored in the special symbol reservation storage unit 63 have no effect on the decorative symbol reservation storage unit 98. When receiving the start winning information, the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 increases the “decorative symbol holding ball number”, which increases or decreases in correspondence with the variable display of the decorative symbol, by one. When receiving the decoration design change start information, the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 decreases the number of decorative symbol reserved balls by one.

  The display processing unit 92 includes a special symbol hold display unit 94 and a decorative symbol hold display unit 96. The special symbol hold display unit 94 stores the number of random numbers held in the special symbol hold storage unit 63, that is, the number of random numbers for which the special symbol has not yet been displayed (hereinafter, the number of random numbers is also referred to as “special symbol hold ball number”). Is displayed on the game board as a special symbol hold display 110 (see FIG. 1). The special symbol hold display unit 94 controls lighting and extinguishing of the special symbol hold display 110. In this embodiment, the special symbol hold storage unit 63 can hold a maximum of four random numbers, so that the special symbol hold display 110 can be lit up to a maximum of four. In the example of FIG. 1, the special symbol hold display 110 is constituted by LEDs, but the number of special symbol hold balls may be directly displayed by 7 segments. The decorative symbol hold display unit 96 causes the symbol display device 26 to display the number of decorative symbol reserved balls stored in the decorative symbol hold storage unit 98.

  As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment displays the special symbol hold display unit 94 for displaying the number of reserved balls corresponding to the variation of the special symbol, and the number of game balls corresponding to the variation of the decorative symbol. One of the features is that the decorative symbol holding display unit 96 is separately provided.

  In the main control unit 70, when the display instruction unit 74 determines the variation display content of the special symbol, the display instruction unit 74 sends a variation start instruction to the display processing unit 92 of the sub-control unit 80 to count the display time of the symbol variation. When the display processing unit 92 of the sub-control unit 80 receives the change start instruction, the display processing unit 92 starts to display the decorative symbol change display.

  The sub input detection unit 76 detects the operation of the sub input device 120 by the player and passes the information to the sub input processing unit 78. The sub input processing unit 78 receives the information and counts the number of times the sub input device 120 is operated (if the sub input device 120 is a button, the number of times the button is pressed). The count number is passed to the special effect execution determination unit 75 and the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84.

  The special effect execution determining unit 75 determines whether or not to execute the special effect in a process different from the above, and in response to this, the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines the display pattern of the decorative symbol. This special effect is executed when the gaming state in the pachinko gaming machine 10 becomes a predetermined state.

  The special effects executed by the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment are the following effects. That is, when a predetermined gaming state is reached, the player is informed that the number of decorative symbol reserved balls can be selected. In response to this, when the player operates the sub input device 120 and inputs a desired number, it is determined that the decorative symbol holding ball has been selected, and the expectation of jackpot given to the player according to the number is determined. One decorative symbol display pattern with a different is selected, and the decorative symbol variation based on the selected display pattern is displayed. In the following description, the act of the player operating the sub input device 120 to input the number is “collateral”, the decorative symbol holding ball to be selected is “collateral ball”, and the number the player has input with the sub input device 120 Will be referred to as the “collateral ball count”. Note that the sub input processing unit 78 validates the operation in the sub input device 120 only when the special effect is executed.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example of the screen of the symbol display device 26 in the present embodiment. On the screen of the symbol display device 26, a special symbol display area 108, a decorative symbol display area 100, and a decorative symbol hold display 112 are displayed. The special symbol displayed in the special symbol display area 108 is determined by the special symbol pattern determining unit 73 based on the lottery result by the success / failure determining unit 61 and the symbol number determined by the special symbol determining unit 62, and the display instruction unit 74. Is used to control the variation display. The decorative symbols displayed in the decorative symbol display area 100 are composed of a left decorative symbol 102, a central decorative symbol 104, and a right decorative symbol 106. Each stop symbol, variation pattern, and effect pattern are determined by the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 as described above, and the variation display is controlled by the display processing unit 92.

  The decorative symbol hold display 112 is controlled to be turned on and off by the decorative symbol hold display unit 96 and displays the number of decorative symbol hold balls stored in the decorative symbol hold storage unit 98. In the example of FIG. 4, up to six decorative symbol hold displays 112 can be lit, and the left two are turned on and the right four are turned off. There is no limitation on the maximum number of lighting of the decorative symbol hold display 112, and it may be possible to light seven or more. The decorative symbol hold display 112 may be the same as or different from the special symbol hold display 110.

  In FIG. 4, the decorative symbol hold display 112 is shown as a circle, but the display form of the decorative symbol hold display is not limited to this, and may have other shapes such as coins and flowers, for example. . Alternatively, the number of decorative design reserved balls may be indicated by a number or a bar graph. Furthermore, instead of the decorative symbol holding display 112, the character displayed in the decorative symbol display area 100 is changed according to the number of decorative symbol holding balls (for example, "dog" for three, "monkey" for five, 10 The number of decorative symbol reserved balls may be presented in the same manner as in “雉”. Instead of displaying the decorative symbol hold display 112 on the screen of the symbol display device 26, LEDs provided on the game board surface may be turned on for the number of decorative symbol reserved balls.

  In addition, although the random number is memorize | stored in the special symbol reservation memory | storage part 63, you may make it not display on the game board surface about the number of special symbol reservation balls. This allows the player to recognize that the decorative symbol variation display is operating in conjunction with the decorative symbol hold display.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the decorative symbol reservation storage unit 98. When receiving the start winning information from the start winning detection unit 51 (Y in S10), the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 inquires of the display processing unit 92 whether or not the decorative symbol is changing (S12). When the information that the decorative symbol is changing is received (Y in S12), it is determined whether or not the decorative symbol holding ball number is less than a predetermined upper limit value (S14). If it is less than the upper limit value (Y in S14), the number of decorative symbol reserved balls is increased by 1 (S16). If information indicating that the decorative symbol has not changed is received (N in S12), or if the number of decorative symbol reserved balls has reached the storage upper limit (N in S14), S16 is skipped. Then, the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 subtracts the stored decorative symbol holding ball number in accordance with the instruction from the special effect execution determination unit 75 (S18).

  With the configuration as described above, it is possible to store the number of decorative symbol reservation balls regardless of the number of random numbers stored in the special symbol reservation storage unit 63, that is, the number of special symbol reservation balls. Therefore, the decorative symbol hold display can be turned on and off without being synchronized with the variation of the special symbol. As a result, the decorative symbol hold display can be turned off even before the special symbol change ends, and conversely, the decorative symbol hold display remains lit even after the special symbol change ends. It is possible to execute an effect such as.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the determination process of the special symbol variation display. First, when the start winning detection unit 51 detects the drop of the game ball into the start port 28 (Y in S20), the special symbol lottery execution unit 60 determines whether or not the special symbol is changing (S22). ). If the special symbol is not changing (N in S22), the random number determination unit 72 determines a random number (S32), and proceeds to S40. On the other hand, if the special symbol is changing (Y in S22), it is determined whether or not the random number can be reserved in the special symbol storage unit 63 (S24). If the random number of the upper limit of holding (for example, 4) is held in the special symbol holding storage unit 63, no more random numbers can be held (N in S24), so the special symbol holding storage unit 63 stores the random number. Don't get. On the other hand, if the number of pending random numbers is within 3 (Y in S24), the random number determination unit 72 determines a random number (S28). In this case, the random number determination unit 72 stores the random number in an empty area of the special symbol reservation storage unit 63 (S30). As a result, the number of special symbol reserved balls is increased by one.

  In S20, if there is no winning at the starting port 28 (N in S20), the winning / deciding unit 61 determines whether or not a random number is held in the special symbol holding storage unit 63, that is, whether or not there is a special symbol holding ball. Is determined (S26). If the random number is not held (N in S26), this routine is terminated. When the random number is suspended (Y of S26), it waits for the end of the symbol variation performed at that time. Note that the case where the random number is held indicates a state in which a winning has occurred before and the symbol variation of the winning lottery result has not yet been performed. At this time, in the symbol display device 26, the special symbol and the decorative symbol are displayed in a variable manner for the previous winning lottery result. Note that the symbol variation in S22 and the symbol variation displayed at the time of determination in S26 are referred to as “previous symbol variation” in this flow for convenience of explanation, and the symbol variation following this is referred to as “the current symbol variation”. This will be called “variation”.

  When the previous symbol variation is completed, the success / failure determination unit 61 reads out the random number stored first as a lottery result among the random numbers held in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 and erases the stored contents (S36). If random numbers of lottery results are stored in the second and subsequent areas of the special symbol storage section 63, they are each shifted to the previous storage area (S38).

  The special symbol determination unit 62 generates a symbol determination random number, and determines a special symbol stop symbol based on the random number value (S40). The stop symbol of the special symbol determines a different stop symbol depending on whether the random number is a jackpot value with probability variation, a normal jackpot value, or an outlier. Further, the special symbol pattern determination unit 73 determines different display patterns depending on whether the symbol determination random number is a jackpot value with probability variation, a normal jackpot value, or an outlier. The special symbol stop symbol and the display pattern number are sent to the sub-control unit 80.

  Based on the display pattern determined in S40, the display processing unit 92 displays the current special symbol on the symbol display device 26, and displays the special symbol stop symbol after the end of the variation (S42). If the random number is a jackpot value as a result of the determination of the success / failure determination unit 61 (Y in S44), the process shifts to a special game (S46). If the random number is an outlier (N in S44), S46 is skipped. To end this flow.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the decorative symbol variation display. Based on the current gaming state, the special effect execution determination unit 75 determines whether or not to execute a special effect that produces an effect different from the normal decorative symbol variation display (S50). This special effect is executed, for example, only when there are two or more decorative symbol reserved balls and a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the previous symbol variation. When it is determined that the special effect is to be executed (Y in S50), the special effect execution determination unit 75 does not receive a game ball at the start winning opening for a predetermined period, that is, has not received the start winning information. It is determined whether or not it continues for a predetermined period (S52). When the predetermined period has not been continued (N in S52), the special effect execution determination unit 75 obtains the number of special symbol reservation balls from the special symbol reservation storage unit 63 and the number of decoration symbol reservation balls from the decoration symbol reservation storage unit 98, respectively. It is received and it is determined whether or not the difference between the number of decorative symbol reserved balls and the number of special symbol reserved balls is a predetermined value (for example, four balls) or more (S54). When the difference is less than the predetermined value (N in S54), the special effect execution determination unit 75 receives all random numbers stored in the special symbol hold storage unit 63 (S56), and includes the jackpot value therein. It is determined whether or not (S58). When the jackpot value is included (Y in S58), the sub input processing unit 78 notifies the display processing unit 92 that the entire ball of the decorative symbol holding ball can be secured, and the display processing unit 92 displays the decorative symbol. It is displayed on the symbol display device 26 that the whole ball of the holding ball can be secured (S62). When the jackpot value is not included (N in S58), the sub input processing unit 78 sets an upper limit value of the collateralable number of balls and notifies the display processing unit 92, and the display processing unit 92 Is displayed on the symbol display device 26 (S64). The upper limit value is set to be equal to or less than the number of decorative symbol reserved balls at the time of determining the execution of special effects. The upper limit value may be determined based on the gaming state or the elapsed time since the previous execution of the special effect.

  When the player operates the sub input device 120 to input the number of collateral balls in accordance with the display of the collateral possible number of balls (S66), the sub input processing unit 78 counts the number of collateral balls and decorates the decorative pattern pattern determination unit. 84. The decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 selects a decorative symbol display pattern corresponding to the number of collateral balls (S68). This process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, the decorative design determination unit 82 determines a stop symbol of the decorative design based on the lottery result in the success / failure determination unit 61 (S70). Then, the display processing unit 92 displays the decorative symbols on the symbol display device 26 variably based on the decorative symbol display pattern determined in S68, and displays the decorative symbol stop symbols after the end of the variation (S74). In response to the start of the variable display, the special effect execution determination unit 75 instructs the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 to subtract the decorative symbol holding ball number by the number corresponding to the number of collateral balls input by the player. (S76).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart following FIG. In S52 of FIG. 7, when the state where the start winning information has not been received continues for a predetermined period (Y of S52), the flow proceeds to “A”, and the sub input processing unit 78 holds the decorative symbol at this time. It is determined that the decorative symbol holding ball stored in the storage unit 98 is forcibly secured as a whole ball (S80). At this time, the display processing unit 92 may display to the symbol display device 26 that the decoration symbol holding ball is collateralized to the player.

  Also, in S54 of FIG. 7, when the difference between the number of decorative symbol reserved balls and the number of special symbol reserved balls is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (Y in S54), the flow proceeds to “B”, and the sub input processing unit 78 It is determined to forcibly secure the decorative symbol reserved ball corresponding to the difference between the number of decorative symbol reserved balls and the number of special symbol reserved balls (S82). At this time, the display processing unit 92 may display on the symbol display device 26 to the player that the decorative symbol holding ball is forcibly secured. Then, after the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 selects a predetermined display pattern (S84), the flow proceeds to “C”. Alternatively, the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 may select a display pattern according to the number of reserved balls that is forcibly secured in S80 or S82.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the decorative design determining unit 82 determines the stop symbol of the decorative design based on the lottery result in the success / failure determining unit 61 (S <b> 70). Then, the display processing unit 92 displays the decorative symbol on the symbol display device 26 based on the display pattern of the decorative symbol determined in S84, and displays the decorative symbol stop symbol after the end of the variation (S74). In response to the start of the variable display, the special effect execution determination unit 75 instructs the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 to subtract the decorative symbol holding ball number by the number corresponding to the number of collateral balls input by the player. (S76).

  In this way, even if the player does not voluntarily secure the decorative symbol holding ball, if the decorative symbol holding ball exists even though the special symbol holding ball number is zero, or the decorative symbol holding ball number is When the number of reserved balls exceeds the number of special symbols, the number of collateral balls is forcibly set and a predetermined decorative symbol display pattern is selected. The gaming state up to S80 or S82 corresponds to the case where the decorative symbol hold display is lit while the special symbol change is not actually executed, so the decorative symbol hold display is quickly turned off by the above-mentioned forced collateral. can do. Thus, for example, avoiding a situation in which a decorative display corresponding to the number of decorative symbol holding balls in the decorative symbol holding storage unit 98 is displayed even though the pachinko gaming machine is not operated by the player. Can do.

  Instead of the determination in S52, it may be determined whether or not there is no game ball fired for a predetermined period.

  When it is determined in S50 that the special effect is not executed (N in S50), the decorative design determining unit 82 determines the stop symbol of the decorative design based on the lottery result, and the decorative design pattern determining unit 84 is used for the decorative design. Is determined (S72). The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 determines a decorative pattern display pattern for super reach, a decorative symbol display pattern for normal reach, and a decorative symbol display pattern without reach according to the display pattern number of the special symbol. It should be noted that when the special symbol stop symbol indicates that the lottery result is a big hit, it is desirable to always determine the display pattern for the reach effect. Then, the flow proceeds to S74, and the display processing unit 92 displays the decorative symbol on the symbol display device 26 based on the display pattern determined in S72, and displays the stop symbol of the decorative special symbol after the end of the variation. (S74).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for selecting a display pattern corresponding to the number of collateral balls shown in S68. As described above, the sub input processing unit 78 counts the number of collateral balls from the player's operation on the sub input device 120 and sends the information to the decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84. When the number of collateral balls is one (Y in S100), the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 selects a display pattern for reach (S102). When the number of collateral balls is 2 or 3 (Y in S104) and there is no big hit (N in S105), the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 selects a display pattern for super reach. (S106). When the number of collateral balls is 4 or 5 (Y in S108) and there is no big hit (N in S109), the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 selects a display pattern for development reach. (S110). When the number of collateral balls is six, that is, when the maximum value of the decorative symbol holding ball number in this embodiment is secured (Y in S112), the whole ball can be collateralized in S58 of FIG. Therefore, the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 selects a display pattern for a final announcement that gives a warning that a special game based on the jackpot will be executed after the end of symbol variation (S114). ). When there is no operation of the sub input device 120 by the player within a certain period, that is, when the number of collateral balls is zero (N in S112) and there is no big hit in the reserved random numbers (N in S115), The decorative symbol pattern determining unit 84 selects a normal off-display pattern (S116). In S105, S109, and S115, when there is a big hit in the collateral ball (Y in S105, Y in S109, Y in S115), the normal hit display pattern is preferentially selected (S118).

  Needless to say, the correspondence relationship between the number of collateral balls and the display pattern is not limited to the example in FIG. 9, and various combinations can be adopted. However, as the number of collateral balls increases, it is preferable to select a display pattern that further improves the jackpot expectation given to the player. In this way, the player actively bets the decorative symbol holding ball as a collateral ball to see a display pattern with a higher expectation, so the number of decorative symbol holding balls in the decorative symbol storage unit 98 can be quickly determined. Can be reduced.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a method for presenting the number of collateral balls using the decorative symbol hold display 112. “A” in the figure indicates the decorative symbol hold display 112 of FIG. In this example, the upper limit of the number of decorative symbol reservation balls is six, and the left four of them are lit, indicating that the number of decorative symbol reservation balls is four. If the player operates the sub input device 120 to secure two of the decorative symbol holding balls, two of the four lighting indications of the decorative symbol holding display 112 are displayed as indicated by “B” in the figure. Flashes one of them to indicate that there are two collateral balls.

  FIG. 11 shows another example of a method for presenting the number of collateral balls to the player. FIG. 11 shows a so-called “power gauge”. When the player operates the sub input device 120 to increase the number of collateral balls, the power gauge increases to 20%, 40%, 60%, and the like. Is displayed. As the value of the power gauge is larger, a display pattern having a higher expectation of jackpot given to the player is selected.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a method for presenting the number of collateralable balls to the player using the decorative symbol hold display 112. “A” in the figure is the decorative symbol hold display 112 of FIG. 4, and among the four lighting indications, the left two and the central two are lit in different colors to hold the four-ball decorative symbols on hold. It shows that the number of collateralable balls is two. If the player operates the sub input device 120 and one of the decorative symbol holding balls is secured, one of the two collateralable holding balls in the center flashes, so that one collateral ball is played. Present that.

  FIG. 13 shows another example of a method for presenting the number of collateralable balls to the player using the decorative symbol hold display 112. When the sub input processing unit 78 sets the number of reserved balls that can be secured, the display processing unit 92 displays the number of retained balls that can be secured on the right side of the decorative symbol holding display 112 of the symbol display device 26 in characters. In the example of FIG. 13, it is shown that the number of collateralable balls is four.

  FIG. 14 shows still another example of a method of presenting the number of collateralable balls to the player. In this example, a display pattern corresponding to the number of collateral balls is presented in advance to the player. For example, as shown in the figure, a display pattern for reach is secured if 1 ball is secured, a display pattern for super reach is secured if 2 or 3 balls are secured, and a display pattern for developed reach is secured if 4 or 5 balls are secured. Selected. In this way, the player is given an urge to see a display pattern with a high degree of expectation that does not readily appear in the normal gaming state, and thus can be motivated to increase the number of collateral balls.

  FIG. 15 is a timing chart for explaining the correspondence between the symbol variation and the hold display when the decorative symbol hold ball is secured by the player. In FIG. 15, the bars extending in the horizontal direction represent the start and stop timings of symbol variation. Further, circles arranged in one row in the figure represent the special symbol hold display 110 or the decorative symbol hold display 112, and the black circle represents lighting and the white circle represents light extinction. In this example, the special symbol hold display 110 can display up to four, and the decorative symbol hold display 112 can display up to six. In addition, this timing chart has shown the case where there was no winning to a starting port during a pattern fluctuation.

  It is assumed that four special symbol hold displays 110 and four decorative symbol hold displays 112 are lit at time t0. If the special effect is started and the reserved random number does not include the jackpot, and the player inputs 4 balls as the number of collateral balls, the decorative symbol pattern determination unit 84 displays according to the number of collateral balls Select a pattern. In the example described with reference to FIG. 9, the development reach is selected with respect to 4 collateral balls. Then, the display processing unit 92 simultaneously starts the special symbol variation display and the decorative symbol variation display from the time t1. In response to this, the special symbol hold memory is decremented by 1, and one special symbol hold display is turned off accordingly. On the other hand, the decorative symbol holding storage is subtracted from the value corresponding to the number of collateral balls, that is, four, and the decorative symbol holding display is extinguished four at a time accordingly. At time t2, t3, t4, the special symbol repeats the fluctuation, and at the time t5, when the fourth special symbol fluctuation ends, the decorative symbol fluctuation also ends. In this way, with four decorative symbol holding balls secured, the decorative symbol can be displayed only once. Instead, the player should enjoy a decorative symbol display pattern with a high expectation of jackpot. Can do.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine of the present invention, based on the player's operation, in order to see a decorative pattern display pattern with a high expectation of jackpot, bet as many collateral balls as collateral balls Can be provided. For example, a game state that is highly likely to be a big hit, such as during a probability change or during a short-time game, will give a dissatisfaction to the player if a big hit is not made. In such a case, by providing a game in which the player can select the decorative symbol display pattern under a certain condition, the player's interest in the game can be retained. However, it should be noted that the lottery result in the success / failure determination unit 61 is not affected.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine having the above-described configuration, when the effect that the variation time of the special symbol and the variation time of the decoration symbol are different from each other may occur, the number of decoration symbol reservation balls and the number of special symbol reservation balls may be different. According to the present invention, the number of reserved balls is input to the player and the number of reserved balls is erased from the decorative symbol storage, so that the decorative symbol holding display can be quickly eliminated.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications thereof are also effective as aspects of the present invention. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

  In the embodiment, the sub input device 120 has been described as a button. However, for example, a form in which the number of collateral balls can be directly input by operating a key on which numbers “1” to “9” are displayed may be used. .

  The decorative symbol pattern storage unit 86 may store a decorative symbol display pattern that is selected only when the decorative symbol holding ball is secured by the player. Thereby, in order to see a display pattern that cannot be seen unless secured, it is expected that the player actively increases the number of secured balls.

  In the embodiment, it has been described that the variation time of the decorative symbol display pattern (for example, the display pattern for development reach) is equal to the variation time of the special symbol multiple times. You may make it stop before a display, or may continue even after the special symbol fluctuation | variation display is stopped.

  When a variable display based on a decorative symbol display pattern that continues over a plurality of special symbol variation times is performed, a notification unit that notifies the player of that fact may be provided. For example, the notification means instructs the display processing unit 92 to display characters such as “displaying continuous variation” on the screen of the symbol display device 26. Thus, the player can know that the current decorative symbol is displayed in a variable manner based on the lottery results obtained by the winning / decision determining unit 61 a plurality of times.

  In the embodiment, it is described that the decorative symbol display pattern can be selected by securing the decorative symbol reservation ball. However, the special symbol display pattern can be selected by securing the special symbol reservation ball. It can also be configured.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a basic functional block diagram centering on the structure which controls the game in a pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of a symbol display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a decoration design holding | maintenance memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of the change display of a special symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the determination process of the change display of a decoration symbol. It is a flowchart continuing from FIG. It is a flowchart which selects the display pattern according to the number of collateral balls. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of presenting the number of collateral balls. It is a figure which shows another example of the method of presenting the number of collateral balls. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of presenting the number of collateralable balls. It is a figure which shows another example of the method of presenting the number of collateralable balls. It is a figure which shows another example of the method of presenting the number of collateralable balls. It is a timing chart explaining the correspondence of a pattern change and a hold display when a decoration design reservation ball is secured.

Explanation of symbols

10 Pachinko machines, 26 symbol display device, 51 start winning detection unit, 56 start winning processing unit, 60 special symbol lottery execution unit, 61 success / failure determination unit, 62 special symbol determination unit, 63 special symbol hold storage unit, 64 special game Execution unit, 70 main control unit, 72 random number determination unit, 73 special symbol pattern determination unit, 74 display instruction unit, 75 special effect execution determination unit, 76 sub input detection unit, 78 sub input processing unit, 80 sub control unit, 82 Decorative symbol determining unit, 84 Decorative symbol pattern determining unit, 86 Decorative symbol pattern storing unit, 92 Display processing unit, 94 Special symbol holding display unit, 96 Decorative symbol holding display unit, 98 Decorative symbol holding storage unit, 100 Decorative symbol display area , 102 to 106 Decorative symbols, 108 Special symbol display area, 110 Special symbol hold display, 112 Decorative symbol hold display, 120 Sub input device.

Claims (11)

A lottery execution unit that executes a lottery according to the winning of a game ball at the start winning opening;
A display processing unit for displaying symbol variations based on the result of the lottery;
A holding storage unit that stores the number of game balls in which the winning to the start winning opening has occurred before and the number of game balls that have not yet been subjected to symbol variation regarding the lottery result of the winning as a holding ball number;
An input unit capable of inputting information by the player;
An input processing unit for acquiring information input by the input unit;
With
The display processing unit displays when notifying a player that a plurality of reserved balls can be consumed as a price for displaying a symbol variation due to a single special effect when a predetermined gaming state is reached,
The input processing unit outputs information input from the player in response to the notification to the display processing unit as the number of collateral balls,
The display processing unit displays a pattern variation in which an effect of improving the jackpot expectation given to the player is made based on the value of the number of collateral balls
The reserve storage unit subtracts the number of collateral balls corresponding to the symbol variation from the number of reserved balls. A special symbol lottery execution unit that executes a lottery according to the winning of a game ball at the start winning opening, and displays a variation of the special symbol based on the result of the lottery;
The number of game balls for which a winning at the start winning opening has occurred before and the special symbol change for the winning lottery result has not been executed is stored as the special symbol holding ball number, and when the special symbol change display is performed A first holding storage unit for subtracting a number;
Based on the lottery result, a decorative symbol pattern determining unit that determines a decorative symbol display pattern to be displayed from among a plurality of decorative symbol display patterns;
A display processing unit that displays a variation of the decorative design based on the determined decorative design display pattern;
The number of game balls for which a winning at the start winning opening has occurred before and the decorative symbol variation for the winning lottery result has not yet been executed is stored as the decorative symbol holding ball number, and when the decorative symbol variation display, A second reserved storage for subtracting the number;
A decorative symbol holding display unit for displaying the decorative symbol holding ball number;
An input unit capable of inputting information by the player;
An input processing unit for acquiring information input by the input unit;
With
The display processing unit displays to notify the player that a plurality of decorative symbol holding balls can be consumed as a price for displaying the symbol variation due to one special effect when a predetermined gaming state is reached,
The input processing unit outputs information input from the player in response to the notification to the display processing unit as the number of collateral balls,
The decorative design pattern determining unit selects a decorative design display pattern that produces an effect of further improving the expectation of jackpot given to the player based on the value of the number of collateral balls,
The second holding storage unit subtracts the number of collateral balls corresponding to the symbol variation from the number of decorative symbol holding balls.   The input processing unit determines whether or not a predetermined condition that enables input by the input unit is satisfied, and enables an operation in the input unit only when the condition is satisfied. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 2.   The ball game machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the input processing unit changes an upper limit value of information that can be input in the input unit according to a gaming state.   The bullet ball game machine according to claim 4, further comprising notification means for notifying an upper limit value of the information.   The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the display processing unit notifies that a symbol variation based on a different decorative symbol display pattern is made according to the number of collateral balls.   The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the display processing unit notifies that the degree of expectation of jackpot differs according to the number of collateral balls.   The said 2nd reservation memory | storage part can memorize | store the number of decoration symbol reservation spheres of the number different from the memory | storage upper limit number of the number of special symbol reservation spheres in the said 1st reservation storage part. A bullet ball game machine according to any one of the above. A special symbol hold display unit for displaying the number of special symbol hold balls stored in the first hold storage unit;
9. The bullet according to claim 2, wherein the decorative symbol holding display unit can display a number of decorative symbol holding balls different from the display upper limit number of the special symbol holding display unit. Ball game machine. The decorative design pattern determining unit selects a predetermined decorative design display pattern regardless of the number of collateral balls when the special symbol is not changed and displayed for a predetermined period of time.
The ball game machine according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the second reserved storage unit erases the number of decorative symbol reserved balls when the symbol changes based on the predetermined decorative symbol display pattern. . The decorative symbol pattern determining unit selects a predetermined decorative symbol display pattern regardless of the number of collateral balls when the difference between the decorative symbol reserved ball count and the special symbol reserved ball count is a predetermined value or more. ,
The second reserved storage unit sets the number of decorative symbol reserved balls to a value equal to the number of special symbol reserved balls when the symbol changes based on the predetermined decorative symbol display pattern. A ball game machine according to any one of the above.

Images