JP2006130061A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out wide performance in a game machine which carries out a lottery in response to starting prize-winning being prize-winning into a specific prize-winning port in a game area and which carries out display corresponding to this result. <P>SOLUTION: A special pattern being a pattern corresponding to a lottery result is displayed by an LED 50, and a decoration pattern being a pattern for carrying out performance corresponding to the drawing result is displayed on a liquid crystal display of a structure 34. Variation of the special pattern is started in response to starting prize-winning, and the number of time of variation of the decoration pattern is decided in response to starting prize-winning. In the case of reaching the decided number of times of variation, the variation of the special pattern is stopped first. In a period from the start to the stop of variation of the special pattern, various kinds of performance can be carried out with the decoration pattern, so that the width of the performance is expanded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, a special symbol stop condition for a gaming machine using a special symbol that is a symbol corresponding to a lottery result and a decorative symbol that is a symbol for performing an effect corresponding to the lottery result, and the process thereof It relates to the production in the display above.

Conventionally, in an effect using a decorative symbol (demo symbol), a series of display effects from the start to the stop of the special symbol and the decorative symbol correspond one-to-one. In other words, when the special symbol is a win, an effect of displaying the demo symbol is also performed, and when the special symbol is a loss, an effect of displaying the demo symbol is also performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The display device includes a display device that can display the identification information in a variable manner, and a display control unit that executes control for confirming and displaying the display result after the identification information displayed on the display device is displayed in a variable manner. In a gaming machine that can be controlled in a gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result to be confirmed and displayed is a predetermined specific display result, the display control means displays the identification information until the display result is confirmed and displayed. There is also known a technique that enables a series of display effects regarding the variable display to be performed over a plurality of variable display executions so that the game progress can be performed smoothly and the fun of the game is improved (for example, And Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 2954859 JP 2003-230699 A

The technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique that is employed in many current gaming machines. In this technique, a special design and a decorative design have a one-to-one correspondence with a series of display effects from the start to the end of the change. For this reason, there is a problem that an unexpected display effect is not seen and the advantage that two kinds of symbols are purposely used is not fully utilized.
The technique described in Patent Document 2 has a maximum of four start rights stored for starting a variable display of identification information when a ball wins a start winning opening. For this reason, the feasible effects having a story characteristic by characters or the like are the maximum values in five stages including the maximum memory added to the stage currently being produced. Therefore, the number of memories is insufficient to produce a story-like performance. In other words, since the maximum value of the number of stored start rights is low, there is a problem that the effect such as a highly reliable notice effect is limited with respect to fluctuations greater than the maximum number of stored start rights.

Therefore, it has been desired to realize a gaming machine that can solve the above two problems and perform a wide range of effects.
By the way, when the display number display of the start right becomes “0”, an effect having a story after that cannot be realized until the start winning opening is again won. For this reason, when the number of stored start rights is “0”, there is a clear break in the gaming state, which may be a good opportunity for the player to end the game. Therefore, there is a problem that it hinders improvement in the operating rate of the gaming machine.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine capable of performing a wide range of effects and to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the operating rate. Is to provide.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention performs a lottery in response to a start winning, which is a winning to a specific winning port in a gaming area surrounded by guide rails and through which a game ball can pass, A gaming machine that performs a corresponding display, a special symbol display means for displaying a special symbol that is a symbol corresponding to the lottery result (for example, the special symbol display LED 50 in FIG. 1), and the lottery result A decorative symbol display means (for example, a decorative symbol display LCD 20 in FIG. 1) for displaying a decorative symbol, which is a symbol for performing an effect, and a means for starting a change in a special symbol in response to a start winning (for example, a graphic symbol) Step S406 in FIG. 6), a variation number determination means (for example, Step S404 in FIG. 6) for determining the number of variations of the decorative symbol in response to the start winning, and the variation number of the decorative symbol is the variation number. Variation stopping means for the stopping the variation of special symbol when it reaches the variation time count which is determined by the determining means (e.g., step S414 in FIG. 7), characterized in that it comprises a. With such a configuration, the special symbol does not stop until the decorative symbol fluctuates the determined number of times, so that various effects can be performed and the range of effects can be expanded.

  A gaming machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein, when the lottery result is a win, the decorative symbol display means stops the fluctuation of the special symbol by the fluctuation stopping means. It is characterized by displaying a symbol indicating that is a win. By doing so, the player can know that the lottery result is a win only when the special symbol fluctuation stops, so various effects can be performed from the fluctuation start to the stop, The range of production can be widened, and the operating rate of gaming machines can be improved.

  A gaming machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the variation number determination means is referred to according to the lottery result in order to determine the variation number of the decoration symbol (for example, FIG. 9), and the variation stopping means includes a counter (for example, a decorative symbol variation count counter 242 in FIG. 7) that counts the number of variations of the decorative symbol, and the count value of the counter is determined by referring to the table. When the specified number of times is reached, the variation of the special symbol is stopped. Since the table is referenced when determining the number of fluctuations of the special symbol, the number of fluctuations can be adjusted according to the contents of the table, a wide range of effects can be performed, and an improvement in the operating rate of the gaming machine can be realized.

  A gaming machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of types of the table according to the third aspect (for example, mode 1 and mode 2 in FIG. 9), and each table has a distribution pattern of the number of variations of the decorative symbol to each other. Unlike the above, these tables are used by switching at a predetermined timing. By preparing a plurality of types of tables, a wide range of effects can be performed and an improvement in the operating rate of the gaming machine can be realized.

  A gaming machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the storage means (for example, the start storage counter 241 in FIG. 2) stores the number of start winnings. It further includes lottery means (for example, step S204 in FIG. 4) that performs the lottery according to a random number only when the number of times stored in the storage means does not exceed a predetermined upper limit value. And With such a configuration, a lottery can be performed within a predetermined upper limit number of times.

  The gaming machine according to claim 6 of the present invention is the decoration displayed by the decoration symbol display means in any one of claims 1 to 5 rather than the special symbol displayed by the special symbol display means. It is characterized in that the symbol is displayed larger (see FIG. 8). With such a configuration, the player pays attention to the decorative symbols, so that various effects can be performed with the decorative symbols from the start to the stop of the special symbol variation, and the range of effects can be expanded. Improve machine availability.

In short, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the special symbol stop time (the number of times the special symbol changes until the special symbol ends changing) is determined on the basis of establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, a start prize), and the determined decorative symbol change When the number of times ends, the special symbol changes. For this reason, the special symbol continues to change until the change of the determined number of decorative symbol changes is completed.
Then, during the variation of the special symbol, the variation of the decorative symbol is visually started corresponding to the start memory display means (memory) when the start prize is received. At this time, since the special symbol continues to fluctuate, there is a high possibility that the starting right is actually stored up to the upper limit.

The decorative symbol can continue a series of display effects having a story characteristic until the determined number of decorative symbol variations ends. For example, the operation from the start of change to the stop of change is repeated for each start winning prize, but the story of the display effect is made consistent. And finally, it ends with a display effect corresponding to the loss of hitting the special symbol.
For the special symbol stop time (that is, the number of decorative symbol fluctuations), one of a plurality of lottery tables with different distribution patterns of the number of decorative symbol fluctuations is selected depending on the establishment of a predetermined condition (for example, after the end of a major role).

  The present invention is capable of arbitrarily setting the number of decorative symbol fluctuations, which is a special symbol stop condition, so that there is only one-to-one correspondence between the special symbol and the decorative symbol, and an effect according to the number of memories of the start right, In other words, it is possible to solve the problem of staying only in the production with a maximum of 5 consecutive winning stories, which is the maximum number of start winning memories, and even when there is no memory of the start memory, a highly reliable notice effect can be performed. There is an effect that the width of can be expanded infinitely.

Further, by displaying the starting right memory number in a pseudo manner, even if the starting right memory number is displayed as “0”, the player can perform an effect such that a special prize can be obtained with a small number of remaining fluctuations. After that, there is an effect that you can expect big hits and it will lead to improved operation.
Furthermore, the present invention has an effect that it is possible to provide the enjoyment expected for a player who predicts the next jackpot with a data device or the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same parts as those in the other drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals.
(Game board configuration)
First, the configuration of the game board 14 provided in the gaming machine will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view of the game board 14.
In FIG. 1, a guide rail 30 is provided on the left side of the board surface of the game board 14 to guide a game ball launched by a launcher 161 (described later) above the board surface of the game board 14. The guide rail 30 is provided with a ball return prevention valve 30a for preventing the game ball launched by the launching device from returning to the launching device. A game that passes through the board surface of the game board 14 is an area surrounded by the guide rails 30 and ahead of the ball return prevention valve 30a in the board surface of the game board 14 and through which the game ball can pass (game area). A plurality of game nails 32 for changing the course of the ball are provided.

  In addition, a structure 34 called a center role equipped with a liquid crystal display device is provided at substantially the center of the surface of the game board 14. The structure 34 is provided with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying a decorative pattern, which will be described later, and displays the decorative pattern. A start memory number display lamp 52 for displaying the number of start rights, that is, the start memory number, is provided above the structure 34. In this example, four start memory number display lamps 52 are provided, and the number of lamps corresponding to the number of start right lights up. That is, it is possible to display up to “4”, which is the maximum number of start rights stored.

A special symbol display LED (Light Emitting Diode) 50 for displaying a special symbol is provided at the lower left portion of the structure 34. In this example, an LED for two-digit display is employed, but the number of display digits is not limited, and an LED that displays a larger number of digits may be employed.
Since the decorative symbol displayed by the decorative symbol display LCD provided on the structure 34 is larger than the special symbol displayed by the special symbol display LED 50, the player pays particular attention to the former. . For this reason, it is possible to produce an effect using decorative symbols.

Below the structure 34, there is provided a start winning port 38 that allows a game ball to be always awarded. The start winning port 38 has a start winning port sensor 131 (described later) for detecting that a game ball has won. Is provided.
Below the start winning opening 38, there is provided a large winning opening 40 that is normally closed but is open in a predetermined pattern so that a game ball can be won when it is in a special state. The big prize opening 40 is provided with a big prize opening sensor 132 (described later) for detecting that a game ball has won. Further, a V winning opening (not shown) is provided at the center of the large winning opening 40 so that a game ball can be won when the large winning opening 40 is opened.

An out port 42 for collecting game balls that have not won any of the winning ports etc. is provided below the big winning port 40 and at the lowermost part of the surface of the game board 14.
Hereinafter, the gaming state that occurs when the symbols displayed in the three areas on the symbol display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display device of the structure 34 become the jackpot symbol (FIG. 8E) is referred to as the “special award state”. "

(Main board configuration)
Next, the structure of the main board in the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main board 200.
As shown in FIG. 2, the main board 200 includes a CPU 220 that controls the gaming state of the gaming machine based on the gaming control program, a ROM 230 that stores a gaming control program of the CPU 220 in a predetermined area, A RAM 240 that stores data read from the ROM 230 and the like and a calculation result necessary in the calculation process of the CPU 220, and an I / O 250 that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device are configured. These transfer data. Are connected to each other via a bus 260 which is a signal line for data exchange.

  In addition, referring to the figure, the ROM 230 stores a jackpot lottery table 231 and a special symbol variation stop time lottery table 232. Further, the start memory counter 241 is realized by storing the start memory number in the RAM 240, and the decorative symbol variation frequency counter 242 is realized by storing the decorative symbol variation frequency in the RAM 240.

  The I / O 250 includes, as external devices, a start winning opening sensor 131, a large winning opening sensor 132, a special symbol display LED 50, a display control board 150 that performs display control on the decorative symbol display LCD 20, and a start. Control of the output of sound effects for the memory number display lamp 52, the lamp control board 152 for controlling the decoration lamp 52a, and the speaker 54 provided on the gaming machine main body (not shown) to which the gaming board 14 is attached. The effect sound control board 154 to be performed, the prize ball payout control board 156 for performing the payout control of the prize ball to the prize ball payout device 157, the information regarding the prize ball payout information and the game control from the prize ball payout control board 156 An external terminal board 158 for outputting to the computer 159 is connected. From the external terminal board 158, the count value of the decorative symbol variation counter 242 is output as a decorative symbol frequency signal. By outputting this, it is possible to cope with the display rotation speed of the data device and the start adjustment at the time of nail inspection.

The launch control board 160 controls the launch of the game ball to the launch device 161 that launches the game ball onto the surface of the game board 14.
The CPU 220 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, and operates based on a game control program capable of executing one cycle with a predetermined operation clock (for example, 4 [ms]) by a reset signal from a reset circuit (not shown). It has become. In addition, the CPU 220 starts a game control program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 230, and executes the game control process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

(Game control processing)
The game control process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the game control process.
When the game control process is executed in the main control unit 220, as shown in the figure, first, the process proceeds to step S100.
In step S100, it is determined whether or not the process is executed for the first time after the power is turned on. If it is determined that the process is executed for the first time (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102 to initialize the RAM 240 and the initial data. The initialization process such as the set of is executed, and the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, for example, processing for outputting game control processing results to the lamp control board 152, the sound effect control board 154, and the prize ball payout control board 156, information on game control, and the like are transmitted via the external terminal board 158 to the hall computer. The process which outputs to 159 is performed and it transfers to step S106.
In step S106, random numbers used for the jackpot lottery for determining whether or not the special prize state is to be generated and for the reach lottery for determining whether to perform the reach, the random number value for determining the type of symbol to be displayed, and the randomness required for the game control. The numerical value is updated using the time until one cycle of the operation clock elapses, and when that time elapses, the process proceeds to step S100. Specifically, in step S106, a random number counter that cyclically counts in a predetermined numerical range (for example, “0” to “999”) is used to update various random number values.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S100 that the process is not executed for the first time after the power is turned on (No), the process proceeds to step S108, where a start winning process (the process of FIG. 4 described later) is executed, and step S110 is executed. Migrate to
In step S110, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine is in an abnormal state such as signal transmission / reception not being performed normally. When it is determined that the gaming machine is in an abnormal state (Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. When it determines with (No), it transfers to step S112 and performs a symbol fluctuation command process (process of FIG.6 and FIG.7 mentioned later). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S113 to execute a jackpot process (the process of FIG. 5 described later), and the process proceeds to step S104.

(Start-up winning process)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start winning process corresponding to step S108 in FIG. This start winning process is executed by the CPU 220. In the figure, it is determined whether or not a winning at the starting winning port is detected by the starting winning port sensor (step S201). When a winning at the starting winning port is detected by the starting winning port sensor, a process for transmitting a prize ball payout command signal is performed (step S202). The prize ball payout command signal is transmitted to the prize ball payout control board. Thereby, a prize ball payout process is performed by the prize ball payout device.

Next, it is determined whether or not the current start storage counter value is an upper limit value (step S203). In this example, “4” is the upper limit value. If the result of this determination is that it is not the upper limit value, a jackpot lottery process is performed (step S204). At this time, “1” is added to the value of the start memory counter. If the lottery result is a big hit, a winning flag is set.
In step S201, when no winning at the start winning opening is detected, the processing is ended as it is. In step S203, if the value of the start memory counter is the upper limit value, the big hit lottery process is not performed, and the process ends as it is.

(Big jackpot processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot process corresponding to step S113 in FIG. This jackpot process is executed by the CPU 220. In the figure, it is determined whether the special symbol stop result is a specific display, that is, whether the above-described winning flag is set (step S301). If the winning flag is set, the winning flag is cleared (steps S301 → S302).

  Next, the opening / closing process of the special winning opening is performed (step S303). In this case, the big prize opening solenoid is driven. When the big prize opening solenoid is driven and the big prize opening is in an open state, a large number of game balls are likely to win. Then, when there is a winning at the big winning opening, a process for transmitting a prize ball payout command signal is performed (step S304). The prize ball payout command signal is transmitted to the prize ball payout control board. Thereby, a prize ball payout process is performed by the prize ball payout device.

Then, a lottery process for decoration symbol stop conditions is performed (step S305). That is, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to change the mode, and the mode is set based on the lottery result. For example, “mode 1” or “mode 2” described later is set.
Note that if the winning flag is not set in step S301, the processing ends as it is.

(Design variation command processing)
6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the contents of the symbol variation command process corresponding to step S112 in FIG. This symbol variation command process is executed by the CPU 220. In FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the decorative symbol variation start condition is satisfied (step S401). If it is determined that the change condition is satisfied, it is then determined whether the special symbol is changing (steps S401 → S402). If it is determined that the special symbol is changing, it is determined whether the value of the decorative symbol change count counter is “0” (steps S402 → S403).

  When the value of the decorative symbol variation number counter is “0”, a special symbol variation stop timing lottery process is performed (steps S403 → S404). In this example, “mode 1” or “mode 2” described later is selected. Thereby, by referring to a special symbol stop condition distribution table (FIG. 9) described later, it is determined how many times the decorative symbol is changed before the special symbol change is stopped. Next, a process of setting a numerical value corresponding to the lottery result in the decorative symbol variation number counter is performed (step S405). Then, special symbol variation start processing is performed (step S406). Thereafter, a process of subtracting “1” from the value of the start memory counter is performed (step S407).

  Further, a process of transmitting a decorative symbol variation start command signal to the image control unit is performed (step S408). As a result, processing by the image control unit is performed, and the decorative symbol variation display is started. If the value of the decorative symbol variation counter is not “0” in step S403, similarly, the decorative symbol variation start command signal is transmitted to the image control unit, and the decorative symbol variation display is started (step S403 → S408). Thereafter, a process of subtracting “1” from the value of the decorative symbol variation number counter is performed (step S409).

  If it is determined in step S401 that the decorative symbol variation start condition is not satisfied, it is determined whether the decorative symbol is changing (steps S401 → S410). If it is determined in step S402 that the special symbol is not changing, it is similarly determined whether the decorative symbol is changing (steps S402 → S410). If it is determined in step S410 that the decorative symbol is not changing, a process of transmitting a decorative symbol change start command signal to the image control unit is performed (step S410 → S408). As a result, processing by the image control unit is performed, and the decorative symbol variation display is started. Thereafter, a process of subtracting “1” from the decorative symbol variation number counter is performed (step S409).

After the process of subtracting “1” from the decorative symbol variation counter, the process shifts to FIG. Similarly, when it is determined in step S410 that the decorative symbol is changing, the process proceeds to FIG.
In FIG. 7, it is first determined whether or not the decorative symbol variation stop condition is satisfied (step S411). If the result of this determination is that the decorative symbol variation stop condition is not satisfied, the processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the decorative symbol variation stop condition is satisfied, it is determined whether the value of the decorative symbol variation counter is “0” (steps S411 → S412). If the value of the decorative symbol variation counter is not “0” as a result of this determination, a decorative symbol normal stop display process is performed (steps S412 → S418). In this case, it is notified that the lottery result is a loss, but the effect by the decorative design is set to display contents that will continue thereafter.

As a result of the determination in step S412, if the value of the decorative symbol variation number counter is “0”, it is determined whether the winning flag is set (steps S412 → S413). In this case, it is determined whether or not the winning flag is currently set for a subject whose special symbol is changing.
When the winning flag is set, a special symbol specific stop display process is performed (steps S413 → S414), and it is notified that the lottery result is a win. Thereafter, the process of transmitting the decorative symbol specific stop command signal is performed (step S415). Thereby, the hit notification and the display effect process are completed.

On the other hand, when the winning flag is not set, a special symbol non-specific stop display process is performed (steps S413 → S416), and it is notified that the lottery result is lost. Thereafter, a process of transmitting a decorative symbol non-specific stop command signal is performed (step S415). Thereby, the loss notification and display effect processing are completed.
By performing the processing as described above, the special symbol variation does not stop unless the decorative symbol varies a predetermined number of times. That is, on the display of the decorative symbol display LCD, the special symbol continues to fluctuate even if the decorative symbol storage number is “0”. The number of decorative symbol fluctuations can be further expanded in game characteristics by determining with reference to a special symbol stop condition distribution table (FIG. 9) as will be described later according to the mode in which the user is currently staying.

(Example of symbol display)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of special symbols and decorative symbols. The figure shows a display example of the liquid crystal display device of the LED 50 and the structure 34 in FIG. 1 by the special symbol display LED 50 and the decorative symbol display LCD 20 in FIG. 2.
Here, it is assumed that the result of the lottery performed by winning the game ball at the start winning opening is a win. Then, in steps S406 and S408 in FIG. 6, the variation of the special symbol and the decorative symbol starts as shown in FIG. The arrow in the figure indicates that the symbol is changing.

Thereafter, in step S418 in FIG. 7, the variation of the decorative symbol is stopped as shown in FIG. Here, the symbol “123” is displayed. At this time, since the number of times the decorative symbol fluctuates has not reached the number determined by referring to the special symbol stop condition distribution table, the special symbol remains fluctuating.
Thereafter, when a game ball wins at the start opening, as shown in FIG. At this time, since the number of times the decorative symbol has changed has not reached the determined number, the special symbol remains changing. Thereafter, in step S418 in FIG. 7, the variation of the decorative symbol is stopped as shown in FIG. Here, the symbol “456” is displayed. Also at this time, since the number of changes in the decorative design has not reached the determined number, the special design remains changing.

  When the decorative symbol variation start and stop as described above are repeated, and the number of variations of the decorative symbol reaches the number determined by referring to the table, the variation of the special symbol is changed as shown in FIG. Stop. Here, “Iro” is displayed. At this time, the variation of the decorative design stops simultaneously. Here, the symbol “333” is displayed. The player is informed that the winning pattern is a win by stopping the variation of the decorative symbol. Thereafter, the special winning opening is opened, and the player gets a lot of prize balls.

(Special symbol change stop time lottery table)
With respect to the start right generated by winning the start opening, the number of decorative symbol fluctuations as a special symbol stop condition is determined with reference to the special symbol fluctuation stop time lottery table. In this example, the table to be referenced differs depending on the “winning” and “lost” of the lottery result.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a distribution table for special symbol stop conditions. As shown in the figure, in this example, there are a table that is referred to when a special symbol jackpot is won and a table that is referred to when a special symbol loses. In this example, the probability that the result of the special symbol lottery will be a big hit is ½.

In this example, there are two types of mode 1 and mode 2, and each mode is distributed at a ratio of 50%. It is assumed that it is set to stay in mode 1 when the power is turned on.
At the time of special symbol loss, the number of times of decoration symbol variation, that is, the number of decorative symbol rotations, is selected from the same table regardless of whether mode 1 or mode 2 is staying. There are eight types of decorative symbol rotation speeds: “1”, “5”, “10”, “30”, “50”, “100”, “500”, “1000”. “1” has the highest allocation rate. Then, an average of 3.1 decorative symbol variations are required before the result of the loss is displayed, and the special symbol is stopped at the end of the variation of the selected number of revolutions.

  At the time of special symbol jackpot winning, if you are staying in mode 1, the decorative symbol rotation number is selected from the mode 1 table, and if you are staying in mode 2, the decorative symbol rotation number is selected from the mode 2 table. Is done. The number of times of selection is the number of decorative symbol rotations required for displaying the winning result in the case of winning the jackpot. When staying in mode 1, there are the above-mentioned eight kinds of decorative symbol rotation speeds, and the rotation speed "100" has the highest distribution rate. When the number of rotations “100” is selected, the special symbol changes after the decorative symbol has changed 100 times, and the winning result is displayed.

On the other hand, in the case of staying in mode 2, there are the above-mentioned eight types of rotation speeds of decorative symbols, and the rotation speed “30” has the highest distribution rate. When the rotation number “30” is selected, after the decorative symbol fluctuates 30 times, the variation of the special symbol is stopped and the winning result is displayed.
Referring to the figure, before the winning result is displayed, in the case of mode 1, an average of 187 decorative pattern changes is required, whereas in mode 2, the average of decorative pattern changes is 18.6 times. That's it. Therefore, in the case of mode 2, it can be said that the time until the change of the special symbol is stopped and the winning result is displayed is shorter.

  As described above, since the number of times the decorative symbol fluctuates is selected depending on the mode in which the user stays, for example, if “100” is selected, an effect with a story characteristic of 100 revolutions can be achieved. Therefore, it is difficult to stop the game for 100 revolutions, which leads to an improvement in the operation of the gaming machine. In addition, since the player can keep expectation until the number of rotations that can be easily selected (“100” in the figure) is consumed, the player can play the game without stress. In other words, although the probability does not change in the current gaming machine, it is not a function that gives a sense of expectation due to a change in performance, but it is possible to create a state in which expectations can be expected in a big jackpot.

In addition, there are decorative symbol fluctuation rotation speeds that are easy to win depending on the mode, so by checking the data display machine etc. attached to the game machine, there is a model that you can enjoy while predicting the rotation speed until the next big hit It becomes feasible.
The transition from the current mode to another mode shall be performed with a certain probability after the end of the jackpot state, and the decorative symbol variation lottery after that refers to the table corresponding to the mode during stay. Shall be determined. In this way, it is possible to intentionally create a mode in which jackpots are likely to continue. In the above description, there are two types of modes. However, three or more modes may exist, Mode may be used.

  By the way, the sign effect can be performed using the effect at the time of big hit or lost. For example, when “100” is selected as the decorative symbol rotation number in a state where a special symbol that is currently fluctuating has been won, a message such as “hot after 100 rotations” is displayed, thereby giving a prelude effect. Can be included. As a result, a navigation function for the number of revolutions that hit a jackpot (a so-called jackpot latency function), a hamari relief function (a so-called ceiling function), and the like can be realized with effects.

  It is assumed that the count value of the decorative symbol variation counter can be reset to non-business hours. When reset, the decorative symbol rotation number can be selected again. This reset function can be freely operated by the salesperson of the game shop in which the gaming machine is installed, and by using it according to the customer base, it leads to an operational improvement effect at the time of opening the store. For example, by not resetting, displaying “recommended table” or the like on a gaming machine with a small remaining number of decorative symbol variations, the operation of the gaming machine can be improved.

(Relationship between starting prizes and changes in decorative patterns)
If there is a winning at the start after the number of decorative symbol fluctuations is determined, the winning and the movement of the decorative symbol variation are visually linked. This is so that there is no sense of incongruity in the relationship between the timing at which the ball is won at the start opening and the increase / decrease in the number of decorative symbol variation memories. In order to realize this, on the main board, a process of decreasing the decorative symbol variation number counter in accordance with the start prize is performed. However, it is not decreased when the value of the start memory counter overflows (in this example, when it is “4” or more).
When the decorative symbol variation count reaches the determined number of rotations, the decorative symbol display LCD 20 performs an effect according to the lottery result. At the same time, the special symbol is also stopped. After the special symbol is stopped, the above process is repeated.
Note that a touch sensor may be provided so that the decoration pattern can be prevented from changing when the player operates the touch sensor.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in game machines when the range of effects is widened and the operating rate is improved.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the game board provided in the gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main board | substrate in a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process. It is a flowchart which shows a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows a jackpot process. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol fluctuation command process. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol fluctuation command process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a special symbol and a decoration symbol. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the distribution table of special symbol stop conditions.

Explanation of symbols

14 Game board 20 LCD for decorative design display
30 Guide rail 30a Ball return prevention valve 32 Game nail 34 Structure 38 Start winning opening 40 Large winning opening 42 Out opening 50 Special symbol display LED
52 Start memory number display lamp 52a Decoration lamp 54 Speaker 131 Start winning opening sensor 132 Large winning opening sensor 150 Display control board 152 Lamp control board 154 Sound effect control board 156 Prize ball payout control board 156 Prize ball payout control board 157 Prize ball payout Device 158 External terminal board 159 Hall computer 160 Launch control board 161 Launch device 200 Main board 220 Main controller 231 Lottery table 232 Special symbol variation stop timing lottery table 241 Start memory counter 242 Decoration symbol variation frequency counter 260 Bus

Claims (6)

  A gaming machine that performs a lottery in response to a start winning that is a winning to a specific winning port in a gaming area that is surrounded by a guide rail and through which a game ball can pass, and that displays a display corresponding to the lottery result, A special symbol display means for displaying a special symbol which is a symbol corresponding to the lottery result, a decorative symbol display means for displaying a decorative symbol which is a symbol for performing an effect corresponding to the lottery result, and responding to the start prize. Means for starting the variation of the special symbol, a variation number determining unit for determining the number of variations of the decorative symbol in response to the start prize, and a variation in which the variation number of the decorative symbol is determined by the variation number determining unit A game machine comprising: fluctuation stopping means for stopping the fluctuation of the special symbol when the number of times is reached.   When the lottery result is a win, the decorative symbol display means displays a symbol indicating that the lottery result is a win when the variation stop means stops the variation of the special symbol. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The variation number determining means includes a table referred to according to the lottery result to determine the variation number of the decorative symbol, and the variation stopping unit includes a counter for counting the variation number of the decorative symbol, The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the count value of the counter reaches a specified number of times determined by referring to the table, the variation of the special symbol is stopped.   4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of types of the tables are included, and each table has a different distribution pattern of the number of variations of the decorative symbols, and the tables are switched at a predetermined timing.   And a storage means for storing the number of start winnings and a lottery means for performing the lottery according to a random number only when the number of times stored in the storage means does not exceed a predetermined upper limit. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by:   6. The decorative symbol displayed by the decorative symbol display means is displayed larger than the special symbol displayed by the special symbol display means. The gaming machine according to the item.

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