JP2006051227A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sustain a player's expectation during a variable display of symbols. <P>SOLUTION: A chance pattern determination means 138 determines whether or not stationarily stopping a chance pattern formed by combining regular symbols and chance symbols. A display control means 160 sequentially stationarily displays a plurality of symbol alignments to constitute a predetermined symbol combination according to a lottery result. The display control means 160, when stationarily displaying the chance pattern, restarts the variable display of the symbols. This constitution, even if symbols stationarily stopped on an effective line do not constitute a ready-to-win constitution, when the chance symbol stops at a symbol display area which is still varied, provides a possibility that a big winning symbol combination may be stationarily displayed on the restart variable display. <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 method for displaying changes in symbols in a ball game machine.

Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, the first type pachinko game machine, in particular, displays a plurality of symbols on a display device such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board (hereinafter, such display). Are referred to as “symbol fluctuation” or “variation display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called jackpot, in which a larger number of prize balls can be obtained than usual when the combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variation is stopped becomes a specific mode. Known as a thing. In such a pachinko gaming machine, a three-column symbol display area simulating a slot machine is provided on the screen of the display device, and a plurality of types of symbols are varied, and a symbol combination corresponding to the lottery result is stopped and displayed. By doing this, the player is made to recognize various states such as jackpot, reach, and disengagement (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-230714 A

  In a conventional pachinko machine, after the symbol change is finished and the symbol combination is stopped and displayed, there is only a big hit or missed state. For this reason, when an out-of-order symbol combination is stopped and displayed, the player immediately distracts from the symbol variation display, which may impair interest.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a symbol variation display technique that can keep a player's attention directed to symbol variation display for a long period of time and maintain expectation. .

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ball game machine. This ball game machine is provided with a game board in which a game area is formed, a symbol variation start port provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and when a game ball falls into a lottery, and a game from a normal game. Storing a plurality of symbol arrays respectively corresponding to a plurality of symbol display areas, and a hit determination means for determining whether or not the result of the lottery is a hit as a condition for transitioning to a special game that is advantageous to a person, Each symbol arrangement is composed of a plurality of first symbols whose arrangement is determined in advance according to a certain rule, and a second symbol intended to cause the player to expect the symbol to change again. The two symbols are symbols that can constitute a jackpot symbol combination. Based on the symbol arrangement storage means and the display pattern prepared in advance, the specific symbol combination obtained by combining the first symbol and the second symbol is stopped and displayed. Let Specific symbol combination determining means for determining whether or not, and a plurality of symbol arrays so as to constitute a predetermined symbol combination according to the lottery result after variably displaying the symbol array corresponding to the plurality of symbol display areas Display control means for sequentially stopping and displaying the. Then, when it is determined that the specific symbol combination is to be stopped and displayed, the display control means stops the specific symbol combination in a plurality of symbol display areas and then restarts the variable display of the symbol. And

  According to this aspect, even if the symbol already stopped and displayed does not constitute the reach in the preset active line, if the second symbol is stopped in the symbol display area still changing. Since the symbol combination can be stopped and displayed in the variable display that is resumed after the specific symbol combination is established, the player's expectation can be maintained until the variable display is stopped. .

  Here, as the “first symbol”, for example, a numeric symbol or alphabet that constitutes a number sequence can be used. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a character or the like having a pattern arranged according to a certain rule. The “second symbol” corresponds to the chance symbol in the embodiment, and the “specific symbol combination formed by combining the first symbol and the second symbol” corresponds to the chance symbol in the embodiment. Note that the second symbol may be a symbol that can constitute a jackpot, or may be a dedicated symbol for shifting from chance chance to symbol re-display.

  The display control means may stop and display two or more first symbols in the symbol array in a part of the plurality of symbol display areas. This makes it possible to set various combinations of numbers as opportunities.

  The display control means may perform control so that one of the plurality of symbol display areas is stopped and displayed after the other symbol display areas are stopped. In this case, the specific symbol combination is a mode in which the first symbols stopped and displayed in the symbol display area are continuous, and the symbol that is finally stopped and displayed in the symbol display area is the second symbol. In this way, if the symbols other than the second symbol constituting the specific symbol combination have a certain condition, the player recognizes the condition, thereby improving the gameability when the reach is not constituted. be able to. The “continuous mode” here refers to a combination such as “1, 2,” “3,4” when the first symbol is a number, and when the first symbol is an alphabet, “A, B ”,“ C, D ”or the like.

  The display control means may restart the variable display of symbols based on a display pattern that is predetermined for the continuous mode of the first symbol that has been stopped. For example, when chances are aligned, re-variable display based on different reach display patterns can be performed depending on how the numbers are arranged. This makes it possible to produce a variety of effects.

  The symbol arrangement storing means may include a third symbol that does not constitute a jackpot symbol combination in the symbol arrangement. Here, the “third symbol” corresponds to the blank symbol in the embodiment. As a result, the appearance ratio of the jackpot symbol combination and the off symbol combination becomes different from the conventional one, and the gameability can be improved. Alternatively, both a symbol array including the third symbol and a symbol array not including the third symbol may be prepared, and the latter symbol array may be variably displayed in the symbol display area which is stopped and displayed last. As a result, when the symbols previously stopped and displayed on the active line constitute the reach, only the first symbol and the second symbol that can constitute the jackpot are displayed. The player can be recognized as high.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, if a specific symbol combination is established, there is a possibility that the jackpot symbol combination is stopped and displayed in the variation display that is resumed thereafter, until the variation display stops, A player's expectation can be maintained.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a bullet ball gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine in the present embodiment is premised on the first type pachinko gaming machine that can display the symbol variation regardless of whether or not the special game is being executed. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board surface. 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 that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be 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 made of glass or the like and capable of seeing through the game area 52 of the game board 50. 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. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a symbol display device 60, a first type start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62, a center decoration on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. 64, a large winning opening 66, an operation opening 68 and a general winning opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the start port. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes, and in this specification, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  The special symbol display unit 82 displays a symbol 92 (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol”) called a first type special symbol. The symbol display device 60 provided substantially at the center of the game board 50 displays the decorative symbol 200 linked with the special symbol while changing it (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variable display”). Here, the special symbol 92 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball falls into the start port 62, and has a role of indicating whether or not to generate a big hit. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually rendering a lottery result display. The symbol display device 60 is configured by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be another display device such as a mechanical drum or LED. The symbol display device 60 displays a plurality of rows of symbol variation moving images simulating a slot machine game as a decorative symbol 200 in the center area of the screen. The special symbol may be displayed in the screen of the symbol display device 60.

  A holding lamp 20 is provided around the special symbol display section 82. The holding lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of holding balls according to the number of lights. The number of reserved balls is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like.

  The starting port 62 is usually formed of an electric accessory, and its inlet can be expanded. When the normal electric accessory is in the expanded state, it becomes easier for the game ball to drop into the start port 62 than in the non-expanded state. The start port 62 is provided at a predetermined position in the game area 52. Hereinafter, with respect to the start port 62, a state in which the ordinary electric accessory is expanded and the game ball easily falls into the start port 62 is referred to as an open state. The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 92 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area.

  When the game ball enters the start port 62, the special symbol 92 of the special symbol display unit 82 and the decorative symbol 200 of the symbol display device 60 are displayed in a variable manner. In principle, the variable display of the special symbol 92 and the decorative symbol 200 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to display. When the special symbol 92 at the time of stoppage is a symbol indicating a big hit, the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening 66 is started, and the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game.

  In the special game, the special winning opening 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 9 or more game balls are dropped. The special winning opening 66 is opened again on condition that at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the special winning opening 66 is opened. The opening / closing of the special winning opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, a maximum of 15 times.

  When the special symbol 92 at the time of the stop is a symbol indicating a jackpot with probability variation, the probability variation game is started after the special game ends. In the probability variation game, a lottery with a higher win probability than usual is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the symbol display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the symbol display device 60, and decoration.

  When the game ball passes through the operating port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol 94 is variably displayed for a predetermined time. The normal symbol 94 is variably displayed on the normal symbol display unit 84 located at the lower right of the game area 52. When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 94 is stopped after the lapse of the predetermined time, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%.

  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 port 62. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the symbol display device 60, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The main board 41 and the sub board 49 constitute a game control device 100. 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 52 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 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 is electrically connected to each of the start port 62, the prize winning port 66, the symbol display device 60, the speaker 18, and the game effect lamp 90, and transmits and receives various control signals. Make it possible. The game control device 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game, but also staging operations such as symbol variation display and electrical decoration. The game control device 100 may be configured in such a manner that the functions are shared by the main board 41 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including the basic operation of the game, and the sub board 49 that controls the production of symbols and the like. Good.

  The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing. The game control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a ball entering determination unit 110 that determines whether or not each winning opening is entered, and a hit determination unit 120 that determines whether or not the lottery result is a win as a condition for shifting to a special game. , A pattern storage means 124 for holding a display pattern of symbol variation indicating a lottery result, a symbol determination unit 130 for determining a symbol variation stop symbol and a variation display display pattern, and a display control unit for controlling the display of symbols, illuminations, etc. 160, a holding control means 170 for controlling counting and display of a holding ball, a special game control means 180 for controlling a special game with a big hit, a specific game executing means 190 for executing a game in a probability variation state, a starting port 62, etc. There are provided an ordinary electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 for controlling the opening / closing of the electric accessory and a special prize opening / closing control means 194 for controlling the opening / closing of the special prize opening 66. .

  The winning detection device 74 is a sensor provided at the start port 62, detects the drop of the game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the drop. Upon receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62.

  When the winning determination means 120 has won a winning opening 62, it acquires a value of a predetermined counter at the winning timing as a lottery random number. However, if the number of reserved balls, which are game balls won in the starting port 62 during the symbol change, has reached the upper limit, no lottery random number is acquired. When the lottery random number is acquired, if the start of the symbol variation display according to the lottery result is not permitted, the lottery result is sent to the hold control means 170 and stored as a hold ball. The determination result may be stored in the hold control unit 170 as a hold ball together with the lottery result.

  The pattern storage means 124 holds a plurality of types of patterns as display patterns for variably displaying special symbols and decorative symbols. In the display pattern, a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a symbol out of reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state are displayed. When the pattern is included. The latter two patterns include a pattern that reaches a reach state after a chance eye to be described later is stopped and displayed. Further, the pattern in the reach state includes patterns having various display times. Each display pattern has a display time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the display time elapses.

  The symbol determining means 130 determines the content of the symbol to be displayed on the symbol display device 60 and its display pattern. The symbol determining unit 130 includes a decorative symbol determining unit 132 that determines a decorative symbol, a special symbol determining unit 150 that determines a special symbol, and a normal symbol determining unit 158 that determines a normal symbol.

  The special symbol determining unit 150 selects a pattern from the pattern storage unit 124 according to the lottery result by the winning determination unit 120, and the symbol for determining the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the lottery result. Selection means 154. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation, and is determined based on the symbol determination random number. If the lottery random number is a win, it is determined whether or not a win with probability variation is made based on the symbol determination random number.

  The decorative symbol determination unit 132 determines a pattern selection unit 136 that selects one of the patterns from the pattern storage unit 124 according to the determination by the special symbol determination unit 150, and a stop symbol combination of the decorative symbol according to the lottery result. Design selection means 140. When the special symbol is a winning symbol, the symbol selecting unit 140 determines a decorative symbol combination based on whether the symbol is a winning symbol with probability variation.

  The decoration symbol array storage means 144 is a left ornament for display in each of the symbol symbol display areas provided in the symbol display device 60, such as a left symbol display area, a middle symbol display area, and a right symbol display area (see FIG. 9). A symbol array, a middle decorative symbol array, and a right decorative symbol array are stored. The display control means 160 displays these symbol arrangements continuously in the corresponding symbol display area according to the display pattern selected by the pattern selection means 136, and then activates the stop symbol combination of the decorative symbols selected by the symbol selection means 140. Stop display on the line. Here, the “effective line” is an arrangement in which a combination of symbols is displayed, and is for showing a lottery result to the player.

  In the symbol display area, combinations of symbols corresponding to the result of the hit determination are stopped and displayed. If the lottery result is a win, the winning combination is displayed by aligning all the same decorative symbols on the effective lines in the three symbol display areas (for example, “777”) as a jackpot symbol combination. If the lottery result is off, other symbol combinations are displayed. A state in which the same decorative symbol is stopped and displayed in two of the three decorative symbol display areas, and the variable display of the symbols in the remaining one symbol display area is generally referred to as “reach”.

  The pattern selection unit 136 includes a chance eye determination unit 138. The chance eye determining means 138 determines whether or not to stop display the “chance eye” on a predetermined effective line. Here, the “chance” is a game effect in which a symbol combination that forms a disengaged state is temporarily stopped and then the symbol variation display is resumed. When such chances are stopped and displayed, and the symbols are changed again, there is a possibility that the symbol combination of the jackpot or the symbol combination that reaches the reach state is stopped and displayed. Whether or not to stop the chance eye is determined by the display pattern selected by the pattern selection unit 136. That is, when a specific display pattern is selected regardless of whether the result of the lottery is a win or not, the chance eye is stopped and displayed, and then the symbol is changed again. Thereafter, if the lottery result is a win, the jackpot symbol combination is stopped and displayed, and if it is off, the missed symbol combination is stopped and displayed. As will be described later, this re-variation is displayed based on a predetermined reach display pattern corresponding to the chance that has been temporarily stopped. Note that, regardless of the display pattern selected by the pattern selecting unit 136, the chance eye determining unit 138 may determine whether or not to stop displaying the chance eye on the effective line.

  The normal symbol determining means 158 obtains a lottery random number for determining the normal symbol when the entrance determining means 110 determines the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and the normal symbol determining means 158 obtains the normal symbol based on the lottery random number. decide. When the determined normal symbol is a specific symbol, the normal electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 widens the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The display control unit 160 causes the symbol display device 60 to display the lottery result acquired by the hit determination unit 120 in the form of symbol variation according to the display pattern selected by the symbol determination unit 130. The display control means 160 displays a plurality of types of decorative symbols in the symbol display area. The player can recognize various states such as jackpots, reach, and disengagement from the symbol combination finally stopped and displayed. When a combination of the same symbols is displayed in all the symbol display areas, it is a big hit, and a special game that can acquire a large number of game balls is given to the player. The display control means 160 also controls display of normal symbols and special symbols.

  The holding control unit 170 includes a holding storage unit 172 that controls counting and display of the holding ball, and temporarily stores the lottery random number acquired by the hit determination unit 120 during the display of the symbol variation as the holding ball. The upper limit of the number of reserved balls is, for example, four. The hold control means also controls turning on and off of the hold lamp 20.

  The special game control unit 180 controls the execution process of the special game when the determination result by the hit determination unit 120 is a win. The special game transition determining means 182 determines the timing of starting the special game according to whether or not the symbol variation corresponding to the winning lottery result has been stopped. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated up to 15 times, for example, and the grand prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. The unit game execution means 184 controls the special prize opening / closing control means 194 to open / close the special prize opening 66 to execute the unit game. The special prize opening / closing control means 194 sends an opening instruction to the special prize opening solenoid 80 to open the special prize opening 66 during the unit game. The special game ending means 186 determines whether or not to continue the unit game, that is, whether or not to start the next unit game, based on the number of continuations of the unit game and the presence / absence of the passage detection of the special winning opening 66. Determine. When the continuation condition for starting the next unit game is not satisfied, or when the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game ending means 186 ends the special game.

  When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the ordinary electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Thereby, the start port 62 changes to a state advantageous to the player. The specific game execution means 190 executes the probability variation game when the lottery result by the hit determination means 120 is a jackpot with probability variation.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process of a normal game and a special game. First, when a game ball wins at the start port 62, the acquisition of a lottery random number and a winning determination are processed (S10), and if it is a winning, the execution of a special game that is started after the end of the symbol variation display is controlled ( S12), processing for paying out a winning ball according to winning (S14).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in detail S10 in FIG. In the winning determination process of S10, first, a random number of lottery corresponding to the winning at the start port 62 is acquired (S20), the pattern variation according to the result of the lottery is processed (S22), and the lottery result is a win. In this case, the transition timing to the special game is determined based on whether or not the symbol variation display is completed (S24).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail S20 in FIG. In the random number acquisition process at S20, if there is no winning at the start port 62 (N at S30), the flow at S20 is terminated. If there is a winning at the starting port 62 (Y in S30), 4 which is the number of prize balls is added to the prize ball counter (S32), and if the number of reserved balls is already the upper limit number 4 (N in S34) Since it cannot be stored as a holding ball any more, the flow of S20 is terminated. If the number of reserved balls is less than 4 (Y in S34), a counter value is acquired as a lottery random number (S36), and a hit determination is made (S38).

  The symbol is determined according to the result of the hit determination (S46). If the symbol is changing (Y of S48), the lottery result and the symbol number are stored as a holding ball (S50), and if the symbol is not changing (S50). N in S48), a variation flag indicating permission to start symbol variation is turned on (S52).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail S46 in FIG. In the symbol determination process of S46, a symbol determination random number is acquired (S60), and if the lottery random number is a win (Y of S62), a symbol combination for jackpot is determined based on the symbol determination random number (S64), A display pattern corresponding to the symbol combination is selected (S66). In S62, if the lottery random number is out (N in S62), a symbol combination for removal is determined based on the symbol determination random number (S70), and a display pattern corresponding to the symbol combination is selected (S72). As the display pattern, a pattern for displaying chance eyes and a normal pattern not to be displayed are prepared, so that chance eyes are displayed with a predetermined probability according to symbol combinations as described later. You may allocate so that a chance symbol may be displayed as a stop symbol by the predetermined ratio among symbol determination random numbers.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail S22 in FIG. In the symbol variation process in S22, when the variation flag is on (Y in S80), the variation flag is turned off (S84). If the variation flag is not turned on (N in S80), and if the reserved ball is not stored, the flow in S22 is terminated (N in S82). When the reserved ball is stored (Y in S82), the symbol variation display is started based on the display pattern selected in S66 or S72 (S86). Then, based on the selected display pattern, it is determined whether or not the chance eye is stopped and displayed (S88). If the display pattern is a chance pattern display (Y in S88), the predetermined chance pattern is once stopped and displayed in the symbol display area (S90), and then the once stopped pattern is displayed again in accordance with the display pattern. (S92). If the display pattern does not display the chance eye (N in S88), S90 and S92 are skipped. Wait until the display time determined according to each display pattern elapses (N in S94), and when the display time elapses (Y in S94), the symbol variation display is terminated (S96), and determined in S64 or S70. The selected symbol combination is stopped and displayed in the symbol display area (S98).

  Next, the symbol display in a present Example is demonstrated.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of decorative symbols on the screen of the symbol display device 60. The decorative symbols are displayed in a decorative symbol display area simulating three rows of slot machines. The left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206 are vertically long display areas, and a predetermined symbol arrangement is variably displayed so as to rotate from top to bottom or from bottom to top. . Only the middle decorative symbol display area 204 is a substantially square display area, and a predetermined symbol arrangement is variably displayed so as to rotate from top to bottom or from bottom to top. As shown in the drawing, two or three decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206, and one decorative symbol is stopped and displayed in the middle decorative symbol display area 204. To be controlled. In this embodiment, the left decorative symbol display area 202, the middle decorative symbol display area 204, and the right decorative symbol display area 206 indicate display portions on the screen of the symbol display device 60, but the symbol display areas 202 to 206 are displayed. Separate symbol display devices may be configured, and these may be controlled in an integrated manner. Alternatively, the symbol array may be rotated in the horizontal direction in the horizontally long display area instead of the symbol array rotating in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 10 shows the symbol arrangement displayed in each symbol display area 202-206. The symbol arrangement displayed in each symbol display area 202 to 206 is determined in advance. That is, the left decorative symbol display area 202 displays the left decorative symbol array 212 variably, the middle decorative symbol display area 204 displays the middle decorative symbol array 214 variably, and the right decorative symbol display area 206 displays the right decorative symbol array 212. The decorative symbol array 216 is variably displayed.

  The decorative symbol arrays 212 to 216 include three types of symbols as decorative symbols. The normal symbol 220 is a symbol whose arrangement is determined in advance according to a certain rule. Here, the numerical sequences 1 to 7 are used. Other than this, for example, alphabets A to G may be used. The normal symbol 220 is also used when displaying a symbol combination of jackpot when the lottery result is a win. The jackpot is displayed in the symbol display areas 202 to 206 and is notified to the player by a symbol combination in which all symbols arranged on a predetermined active line are the same. In other words, when three normal symbols are aligned on the effective line, such as “111” to “777”, or when three chance symbols are aligned on the effective line, a jackpot symbol combination is made and the game shifts to a special game.

  The blank symbol 222 is a symbol that does not constitute a jackpot symbol combination even if all the same symbols are aligned on the effective line. In FIG. 9, the blank symbol 222 is represented by a simple white circle. However, the blank symbol may have another shape as long as it can be distinguished from the normal symbol, for example, a flower or a star. The blank symbol is controlled by the display control means so as to be stopped and displayed on the active line in the same manner as the normal symbol. Therefore, when the blank symbol is stopped and displayed on the active line, the jackpot symbol combination is not established on the line.

  The chance symbol 224 is a symbol indispensable for constituting a “chance eye”. The chance symbols 224 are included in any of the left decorative symbol array 212, the middle decorative symbol array 214, and the right decorative symbol array 216. Therefore, the chance symbols 224 are all aligned on the active line and the jackpot symbol combinations are arranged. It is also possible to configure. In this embodiment, the chance symbol 224 has the appearance of a boy's face, but it can be easily distinguished from the normal symbol and the blank symbol, and is intended to allow the player to expect the symbol to change again. If it is a thing, you may have other aspects.

  When the chance line is established on the active line, the symbols in the three columns are temporarily stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, and then the variable display of symbols is started again through a predetermined effect display. As a result, it is possible to give the player an impression that the jackpot symbol combination has been established and the chance to shift to the special game has increased, and the interest can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the blank symbols are included only in the left decorative symbol array 212 and the right decorative symbol array 216, and are not included in the middle decorative symbol array 214. Further, the display control means stops displaying the left decorative symbol array 212 in the left decorative symbol display area 202 first, and then displays the right decorative symbol display area 206 in the right when the symbol combination is stopped and displayed after the symbol variation is displayed. The decorative symbol array 216 is stopped and displayed, and finally, the middle decorative symbol array 214 is stopped and displayed in the middle decorative symbol display area 204. That is, since the last symbol of the medium decoration symbol array 214 that is stopped and displayed does not include a blank symbol, only a normal symbol or a chance symbol that may constitute a jackpot is variably displayed. The ratio in which the normal symbols with the same pattern are displayed in the middle decorative symbol display area 204 is higher than that in the left decorative symbol array or the right decorative symbol array, and the player's expectation can be enhanced.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing effective lines set on the screen of the symbol display device 60. In this embodiment, a central effective line 226 and diagonal effective lines 228 and 230 are set. In the figure, the effective line is indicated by an arrow, but it is not displayed on the actual screen. When a jackpot symbol combination, a missed symbol combination, or a chance is displayed on the active line, the game state shifts to a predetermined gaming state. Thus, a model having a plurality of effective lines is also referred to as a “multiline machine”. In multi-line machines, it seems that the possibility of winning a jackpot symbol combination or chance is higher than that with only one active line, so the impression that there is a high possibility of shifting to a special game Can be given to players. Note that the number of effective lines may be less than three or more than three.

  In FIG. 11, three effective lines 226 to 230 intersect in the medium decorative symbol display area 204. This means that the decorative symbols that are stopped and displayed in the medium decorative symbol display area 204 are all components of the symbol combinations that are stopped and displayed on the three effective lines.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the blank symbol is arranged between the normal symbol and the normal symbol, or between the normal symbol and the chance symbol. As a result, as described later, in the vertically long left decorative symbol display area 202 and right decorative symbol display area 206, only one or two normal symbols or chance symbols can be displayed. In other words, when the blank symbol is stopped and displayed on the central effective line 226, the normal symbol or the chance symbol is stopped and displayed on the diagonal effective lines 228 and 230, and the blank symbol is displayed on the diagonal effective lines 228 and 230. When the stop display is performed, the normal symbol or the chance symbol is stopped and displayed on the central effective line 226. As a result, various combinations can be set as opportunities.

  Next, an example of a chance eye in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the normal symbols stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206 have a continuous relationship, and the chance decorative symbol is displayed in the middle decorative symbol display area 204 as a chance. Yes. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the chance eye when the center decorative line 226 is a combination of a number of consecutive normal symbols in the left decorative symbol and the right decorative symbol, and the middle decorative symbol is a chance symbol. In addition to the combinations in which the right decorative design is “6” and the left decorative design is “7” as illustrated, “1, 2,” “2, 3”, “3, 4”, “4, 5 ”and“ 5, 6 ”. Here, the numbers in the brackets indicate the normal symbols that are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206 in order. In addition, the combination of normal symbols may be reversed from the above combination. The display control means 160 displays the symbol variation due to the “double reach” effect when the chance eye is stopped and displayed. That is, by displaying two symbol variations on the screen and displaying based on the reach effect in each symbol variation, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation that a jackpot symbol combination will be established.

  In FIG. 13, when two normal symbols are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and one normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the right decorative symbol display area 206, these normal symbols are combined in a number of consecutive numbers. Here is an example of a chance. When two normal symbols are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202, the number is always a continuous number. Therefore, the number of normal symbols in the right decorative symbol display region 206 is one larger or smaller than the consecutive number. When this is the case, this chance is established. For example, “1-2, 3”, “2-3, 4”. . . “5-6, 7” and “1, 2-3”. . . There are combinations of “5, 6-7”. Here, the numbers in square brackets represent normal symbols that are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206, and “−” indicates that two numbers are displayed in one display area. It is expressed that. In addition, the combination of normal symbols may be reversed from the above combination. When the chance is stopped and displayed, the display control means 160 displays the symbol variation based on the “triple reach” effect that displays three symbol variations on the screen.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a chance eye when two normal symbols are stopped and displayed in both the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206, and the normal symbols become a combination of consecutive numbers. In this case, since the numbers that are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206 are continuous numbers, respectively, the larger consecutive number in one of the display areas and the other display This chance is established when the smaller consecutive number in the region is the consecutive number. For example, there are combinations of “1-2, 3-4”, “2-3, 4-5”, “3-4, 5-6”, “4-5, 6-7”. The meanings in the brackets are the same as described above. Further, the normal symbols that are stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206 may be the reverse of the above combinations. When the chance is stopped and displayed, the display control means 160 displays the symbol variation based on the “force reach” effect that displays the four symbol variations on the screen.

  In the conventional pachinko gaming machine, if the reach pattern is not aligned with the normal symbols stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206, the stop display in the last middle decorative symbol display area 204 is seen. Soon, you won't be able to have a big hit, so you lose your interest early. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the middle decorative symbol array 214 including the chance symbol is stopped and displayed last, so that the player is stopped and displayed in the left decorative symbol display area 202 and the right decorative symbol display area 206. Expectation that even if the reach pattern is not established in the normal symbol, if the chance symbol is stopped and displayed in the middle decorative symbol display area 204, the chance eye is formed and the symbol is displayed again. Because it has a feeling, it is possible to attract the player until the symbol change display stops. In addition, since the blank design is not included in the middle decorative symbol array 214, the blank symbol is stopped and displayed on the middle decorative symbol in a situation that is likely to constitute a jackpot symbol combination or a chance eye, and the player is dissatisfied. Such a thing disappears.

  Furthermore, by providing a certain number of consecutive conditions as described above for the symbol combinations that make up the chance eye, the player can recognize the chance eye condition while experiencing many games. Therefore, since it will wait for a symbol combination that can be an opportunity even if it is not reach, it is possible to give a certain degree of expectation to a player who has experienced.

  The present invention has been described based on several embodiments. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

  If the symbols are usually expressed in alphabets instead of numbers, chances are to be satisfied when the symbols are arranged in alphabetical order, such as “A, B”, “A, BC”, “AB, CD”. Good. As a normal symbol, it is also possible to use a character or the like having a pattern arranged according to a certain rule.

  The chance eye determining means may determine, by lottery, which of the chance eyes prepared in advance to stop display in the symbol display area. As a result, the same chance is not stopped and displayed every time for each display pattern, and the player can be prevented from getting bored.

  In the embodiment, it has been described that when the chance is stopped and displayed in the symbol display area based on the display pattern selected by the pattern selection unit, the re-variation display of the symbol is always performed. A display pattern that does not execute the re-variation display of the symbol even if the chance eye is stopped and displayed may be included. According to this, since the player is interested in whether or not the symbol re-variation is started even after the chance is displayed, the player can be more interested.

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 figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process of a normal game and a special game. It is a flowchart which shows S10 in FIG. 4 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S20 in FIG. 5 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S46 in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S22 in FIG. 5 in detail. It is a figure which shows the screen display of the symbol display apparatus in a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of a decoration symbol arrangement | sequence. It is a figure which shows the effective line set on a screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a chance eye. It is a figure which shows an example of a chance eye. It is a figure which shows an example of a chance eye.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 60 symbol display devices, 62 start-up ports, 66 grand prize awards, 92 special symbols, 94 normal symbols, 100 game control devices, 110 entry determination means, 120 hit determination means , 124 pattern storage means, 130 symbol determination means, 138 chance eye determination means, 144 decoration symbol array storage means, 160 display control means, 170 hold control means, 180 special game control means, 200 decoration symbol, 202 left decoration symbol display area , 204 middle decorative symbol display area, 206 right decorative symbol display region, 212 left decorative symbol array, 214 middle decorative symbol array, 216 right decorative symbol array, 220 normal symbol, 222 blank symbol, 224 chance symbol, 226-230 effective line .

Claims (6)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A symbol variation start port provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and the entrance of the game ball is a trigger for the lottery,
Hit determination means for determining whether or not the result of the lottery is a win as a transition condition to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game;
A plurality of symbol arrays respectively corresponding to a plurality of symbol display areas are stored, and each symbol array has a plurality of first symbols whose arrangement is determined in advance according to a certain rule, and allows the player to expect re-variation of symbols. A symbol array storing means, which is composed of a second symbol intended as described above, and wherein the first symbol and the second symbol can constitute a jackpot symbol combination,
Based on a display pattern prepared in advance, a specific symbol combination determining means for determining whether to stop display a specific symbol combination formed by combining the first symbol and the second symbol;
Display control means for sequentially stopping and displaying the plurality of symbol arrays so as to constitute a predetermined symbol combination corresponding to the lottery result after the symbol arrays corresponding to the plurality of symbol display areas are variably displayed; ,
When it is determined that the specific symbol combination is to be stopped and displayed, the display control means stops the specific symbol combination in the plurality of symbol display areas, and then restarts the variable display of the symbol. A ball game machine.   2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit stops and displays two or more first symbols in a part of the plurality of symbol display areas. The display control means controls to stop and display one of the plurality of symbol display areas after stopping the other symbol display areas,
The specific symbol combination is a mode in which the first symbol stopped and displayed in the symbol display region is continuous, and the symbol that is finally stopped and displayed in the symbol display region is a combination of the second symbol. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or 2.   The display control means restarts the variable display of symbols based on a predetermined display pattern with respect to the continuous mode of the first symbol that has been stopped. The bullet ball game machine described.   The ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first symbol is a numeric symbol constituting a number sequence. 6. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the symbol array storage means further includes a third symbol that does not constitute a jackpot symbol combination in the symbol array.

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