JP2006141847A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine having a game property with variously changing big winning probabilities. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with a start winning hole 38 where the winning of a game ball becomes a chance of a lottery of the big winning, a display device 20 displaying the lottery result, and a start storage part storing the lottery results when excessively winning the start winning hole 38 during a symbol variation. This game machine sets high a big winning probability in the start storage upper limit of the start storage part and sets a symbol variable time in each start storage state short so as to lower the possibility of the start winning till the start storage upper limit value. However, when a specific variable pattern such as a next-to-win state is selected, the symbol variable time is elongated and the start storage is easily stored during the time, so that a chance of winning the start winning hole to the start storage upper limit is increased. The appearance of the variable pattern arouses the player's expectation to the big winning to make the player fully enjoy the thrilling game property. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to manipulation of a jackpot lottery probability in a gaming machine.

  In general, a gaming machine called a “seven machine” is usually provided with a start winning opening that triggers a lottery lottery at the time of winning a prize, a symbol display unit that shows a lottery result, and a start storage unit that stores and holds the lottery result. ing. Generally, there is an upper limit (for example, four) for the number of storage suspensions by the start storage unit, and an invalid prize that does not make a big prize lottery for winning at the start winning opening when this upper limit is exceeded. .

  The general game flow for the gaming machine as described above is as follows. First, when a game ball wins at the start winning opening, a lottery win and a variation pattern related to the lottery result are selected, and the selected variation pattern (variation of the symbol) is variably displayed on the symbol display unit and finally stopped. The lottery result is displayed. With respect to those that have won the start winning opening during the change of the symbol, the lottery result is temporarily stored in the start storage unit after the jackpot lottery. With regard to the jackpot lottery, the probability lottery is generally performed with the same jackpot probability regardless of the number of memories.

Here, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for changing the jackpot lottery probability of a gaming machine in accordance with the number of starting memories. In the same document, the jackpot probability is changed according to each memory number, and the player is divided while paying attention to the difference in the jackpot probability, or the starting memory upper limit value is set to a high probability and the player aims at it. There is a description about the potential to keep eagerly striking.
JP 2002-315895 A

In the above-described Patent Document 1, only the aim of the player is mentioned, and the involvement with other special game characteristics is not specified, and the change that the hit probability increases or decreases extremely according to a specific state. Does not have a rich gameplay. In addition, if the starting memory limit is high, it is natural to continue to aim at it, and if you just keep hitting it, there will be no difference from normal games, and there is a problem of lack of game diversity .
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having game characteristics in which the jackpot probability varies in various ways.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention draws a lottery in response to the winning of the game ball at the start winning opening, notifies the lottery result by the symbol display device, and the player according to the lottery result A gaming machine that transitions to an advantageous gaming state,
Storage means (for example, a start storage counter 241 in FIG. 3) for storing the number of game balls won in the start winning opening as a start memory number;
A lottery probability associated with the starting memory number is provided, and a lottery probability at a predetermined specific value among the starting memory numbers is higher than a probability until the specific value is reached. Lottery means to perform, for example, steps S204 and S205 in FIG.
Symbol variation means (for example, step S302 in FIG. 7) for performing symbol variation as a notification effect of the lottery result of the lottery means,
Symbol variation time setting means for setting the symbol variation time by the symbol variation means for each start memory number based on the specific value and the launch time interval of the game ball (for example, see step S302 in FIG. 7); It is characterized by including.

  Set the jackpot winning probability at a specific starting memory number high, set the symbol variation time in each starting memory state short so as to reduce the possibility of starting winning up to a specific starting memory number, and a specific variation pattern such as reach When selected, the start variation time is extended, and during that time, it becomes easier to accumulate start memory, so the chance to start winning up to a specific start memory number increases, so the player expects a big hit when the change pattern appears Will increase the thrill of the game.

  A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the symbol variation time setting means includes a plurality of tables in which variation times are set (for example, variation pattern determination tables 233a to 233d and 234 in FIG. 3). ) And a selection means (for example, refer to step S405 in FIG. 6) for selecting a table corresponding to the number of starting memories among the plurality of tables, and using the selected table by the symbol variation means A feature variation time is set. By doing this, it is possible to manipulate the lottery result probability that is a big hit by changing the probability of occurrence of the reach or the like according to the number of starting memories, so that it is possible to realize a gaming machine having game characteristics in which the big hit probability changes variously.

  A gaming machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the second aspect, wherein in the plurality of tables, the table selected when the start winning number stored in the storage means is the specific value is the specific table. The variable time is set longer than the table selected before reaching the value. By doing this, it is possible to freely change the jackpot occurrence rate simply by changing the appearance rate of specific fluctuation patterns such as reach, so the jackpot probability without changing the jackpot probability that the gaming machine originally has is changed. You can manipulate the appearance rate.

  In short, in the present invention, even when the starting memory number is the upper limit even in the normal state, the probability of hitting is set higher than others, such as when the starting memory number is a specific value, and other cases The symbol variation time in each start memory state is set to be short so that the possibility of reaching a specific start memory number is low. However, when a specific variation pattern such as a reach effect is selected, the symbol variation time is extended to make it easy to store start-up memory during that time.

  As described above, the jackpot winning probability at a specific starting memory number is set high, the symbol variation time in each starting memory state is set short to reduce the possibility of starting winning up to a specific starting memory number, reach, etc. When a specific variation pattern is selected, the start variation time is extended, and during that time, it becomes easier to accumulate the start memory, so that the chance of winning a start up to a specific start memory number increases, so the player appeared that change pattern You can enjoy a thrilling gameplay with an increased expectation of jackpot. In addition, by changing the appearance rate of a specific fluctuation pattern under certain conditions, the chance of reaching a specific starting memory number is changed according to the state, and a gaming machine with game characteristics in which the jackpot probability changes variously is realized it can. Furthermore, since it is possible to freely change the jackpot occurrence rate simply by changing the appearance rate of a specific fluctuation pattern, it is possible to manipulate the jackpot appearance rate without changing the jackpot probability that the gaming machine originally has As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to easily increase the number of mobilization at the time of opening a store and a relief measure for players who are forced to invest.

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 gaming board used in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment 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 the game ball launched by the launching device above the board surface of the game board 14. A plurality of game nails 32 for changing the course of the game ball passing through the board surface of the game board 14 are provided in an area through which the game ball can pass.

  In addition, an area 34 where a symbol display screen is displayed in the pachinko game screen is provided at the approximate center of the surface of the game board 14. This area 34 is provided with a decorative design display LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), which will be described later, and displays decorative designs. In the upper part of this area 34, a lamp 52a for displaying the number of starting rights, that is, the starting memory number is provided. In this example, four lamps 52a are provided, and the number of lamps corresponding to the number of start rights is turned on. That is, it is possible to display up to “4”, which is the maximum number of start rights stored.

In addition, a start winning opening 38 is provided below the area 34 so that a game ball can always be won. The start winning opening 38 detects a start winning opening sensor (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 (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 in the area 34 become a jackpot symbol is referred to as a “special prize state”.

(Main board configuration)
Next, the configuration of the main board in the gaming machine 1 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 1 based on a game control program, and a ROM 230 that stores a game control program of the CPU 220 in advance in a predetermined area. The RAM 240 stores data read from the ROM 230 and the like and the calculation result necessary for the calculation process of the CPU 220, and the I / O 250 that mediates input / output of data to / from an external device. These transfer data. Are connected to each other via a bus 260 which is a signal line for data transmission.

The contents stored in the ROM 230 and the RAM 240 are shown in FIG. Referring to the figure, the ROM 230 has a jackpot lottery table 231 with a high probability of winning, a jackpot lottery table 232 with a low probability of winning, and a start memory number from “0” to “3”. A variation pattern determination table 233a to 233d composed of four tables to be referred to and a variation pattern determination table 234 to be referred to when the start memory number is “4” are stored. In these variation pattern determination tables 233a to 233d and 234, variation times having different lengths are set. In this example, “4”, which is the upper limit value of the starting memory number, is the “specific value”. Note that which of the variation pattern determination tables 233a to 233d is to be referred to is determined based on the number of start memories and the number of variations.
Further, as shown in the figure, the start memory counter 241 is realized by storing the start memory number in the RAM 240, and the symbol variation counter 242 is realized by storing the symbol variation frequency in the RAM 240, respectively. Is done.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the I / O 250 includes a display control board 150 that performs display control on the display device 20 using a start winning port sensor 131, a large winning port sensor 132, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as external devices. A lamp control board 152 that performs display control on the lamp 52, a sound effect control board 154 that performs output control of sound effects on the speaker 54, and a prize ball payout control for the prize ball payout device 157. A prize ball payout control board 156 to be performed, an external terminal 158 for outputting information relating to prize ball payout information and game control from the prize ball payout control board 156 to the hall computer 159, and a large opening / closing control for the big prize opening 40. A winning opening solenoid 50 is connected.

Connected to the prize ball payout control board 156 is a launch control board 160 that controls the launch of the game ball to the launcher 161 that launches the game ball onto the surface of the game board 14.
The CPU 220 includes a microprocessing unit MPU and 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). ing. Further, the CPU 220 activates 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)
First, the game control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the game control process.
When the game control process is executed by the CPU 220, as shown in FIG. 4, 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, and when it is determined that the process is executed for the first time (Yes), the process proceeds to step S101 to initialize the RAM 240 and the initial data. The initialization process such as the set of the above is executed, and the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, random numbers used in the jackpot lottery for determining whether or not a special prize state is to be generated and reach lottery for determining whether or not to reach, a random number value for determining the type of symbol to be displayed, and randomness required for game control. The numerical value is updated using the time until one period (4 [ms]) of the operation clock elapses, and when that time elapses, the process proceeds to step S100. Specifically, in step S102, 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 S103, a start winning process (see FIG. 5 described later) is executed, and the process proceeds to step S104. Transition.
In step S104, a variation pattern determination process (see FIG. 6 described later) is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105, and a jackpot process (see FIG. 8 described later) is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S102, and the random number value is updated.

(Start-up winning process)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start winning process corresponding to step S103 in FIG. In the figure, it is determined whether or not a winning at the start winning opening has been detected (step S201), and if the winning is not detected, the process is ended as it is. If a winning at the start winning opening is detected, it is then determined whether the starting memory number is the upper limit value (in this example, “4”) (step S201 → S202). It becomes.

If it is determined in step S201 that a winning at the start winning opening has been detected, and it is determined in step S202 that the starting memory number is not the upper limit value, the starting memory number is a value that is “1” less than the upper limit value (this example) Is “3”) (step S201 → S202 → S203). When the starting memory number is a value “1” less than the upper limit value, a big hit lottery is performed using a high probability table (steps S203 → S204). In this case, a jackpot lottery table with a high probability of winning is referred to. On the other hand, if the starting memory number is not “1” less than the upper limit value, a big hit lottery is performed using the low probability table (steps S203 → S205). In this case, a jackpot lottery table with a low probability of winning is referred to.
Thereafter, the process ends.

(Change pattern determination process)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern determination process corresponding to step S104 in FIG. In the figure, it is determined whether or not the symbol variation is stopped (step S401). If the symbol variation is not stopped, the processing is terminated as it is. When the symbol variation is stopped, it is determined whether or not there is a start memory (steps S401 → S402). If there is no start memory, the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S401 that the symbol variation is stopped and it is determined in step S402 that there is a start memory, it is determined whether the start memory number is the upper limit value (in this example, “4”) (step S401). S401 → S402 → S403). When the starting memory number is the upper limit value, a variation pattern with a high probability is selected (steps S403 → S404). On the other hand, if the starting memory number is not the upper limit value, a variation pattern determination table corresponding to the current variation number is selected (steps S403 → S405), and a variation pattern is selected from the selected table (steps S405 → S406). ).

Thereafter, a change start command command based on the selected change pattern is transmitted to the display control board 150 (step S407). Then, “1” is added to the variation counter (step S408). This variation counter is reset to “0” when a big hit occurs as will be described later. As a result, a big hit occurs, and the number of fluctuations since the opening and closing of the big prize opening is counted.
Finally, “1” is subtracted from the start memory counter (step S409).

(Design variation processing)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the symbol variation process performed based on the variation start command command transmitted in step S407 in FIG. In the figure, it is determined whether a change start command command has been received from the main board (step S301).
When it is determined that the variation start command command has been received, the symbol variation display process based on the received variation start command command is performed (steps S301 → S302). In this case, each variation time from the start memory number “0” to “4” is set to be short so that it is difficult for the start memory to become the fourth start memory. However, when the specific condition is satisfied, the fluctuation time becomes long. For example, at the time of reach production, the fluctuation time becomes long. The conditions for generating this reach will be described later.
If it is determined in step S301 that the change start command command has not been received, after other control processing is performed (step S301 → S303), the processing ends.

(Big jackpot processing)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot process corresponding to step S105 in FIG. In the figure, it is determined whether or not the jackpot occurrence condition is satisfied (step S501), and if not, the process is terminated. When the jackpot occurrence condition is satisfied, a big winning opening / closing process is performed (step S501 → S502). That is, the game state is changed to a game state advantageous to the player according to the lottery result.
Thereafter, the variation counter is reset to “0” (step S503).

(Design variation time setting)
FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the symbol variation time for each start memory number. Here, the starting storage upper limit value is set to “4”, and the variation time specification generally used conventionally (hereinafter referred to as a conventional example) is compared with the variation time in the present invention.
In the figure, the variation time is shown for the values from the starting memory number “0” to “4”. Regarding the variation time, values in the case of setting example 1, setting example 2, and setting example 3 in the present invention are shown in addition to the conventional example. Furthermore, the same figure shows the start memory fourth arrival frequency per hour calculated by simulation based on these fluctuation times.
Referring to the figure, the frequency of arrival of the fourth start memory per hour is “65.9” in the conventional example, “2.9” in the setting example 1, and “3.0” in the setting example 2. In the case of setting example 3, it is “3.0”.

  Since the symbol variation time is set to a shorter number of seconds than in the conventional example, even if a ball continuously wins at the start winning opening, the start memory tends to be already consumed. Of course, the opportunity to reach the start memory upper limit is also greatly reduced compared to the conventional example. The variable time setting in the above setting example is derived by simulation so that the frequency of reaching the fourth start memory in a game of 1 hour is about 3 times in a game machine with general nail adjustment. .

(Simulation contents)
The contents of this simulation will be described below.
10 to 13 show simulation results for calculating the “starting memory fourth arrival frequency” from the “starting opening winning rate” and the “symbol variation time” for each stored number. 10 shows a simulation result in the case of the conventional example, FIG. 11 shows a simulation result in the case of setting example 1, FIG. 12 shows a simulation result in the case of setting example 2, and FIG. 13 shows a simulation result in the case of setting example 3.
In these figures, the “start opening prize rate” is the probability of winning at the start winning opening for one game ball shot. The “symbol stopped state” is a state in which the symbol is stopped and the number of memories is zero.

  “Memory 0” is a state in which a transition is made by winning one game ball from the symbol stop state to the start winning opening. In this state, the number of memories remains zero, but the symbols are changing. “Memory 1” is a state in which transition from the state of memory 0 is made by winning one game ball to the start winning opening. In this state, the number of memories is one and the symbols are changing. “Memory 2” is a state in which transition from the state of memory 1 is made by winning one game ball to the start winning opening. In this state, the number of memories is two and the symbols are changing. “Memory 3” is a state in which transition from the state of the memory 2 is made by winning one game ball to the start winning opening. In this state, the number of memories is three and the symbols are changing. “Memory 4” is a state in which a transition is made from the state of memory 3 by winning one game ball to the start winning opening. In this state, the number of memories is four and the symbols are changing.

(A) The “symbol variation time” is a set value of the variation time (seconds) in each stored number.
(B) “Variation time → fired number conversion” is a value obtained by calculating how many firings each fluctuation time corresponds to. Since the launch time interval of game balls in a normal gaming machine is 100 shots per minute (per 60 seconds), if the variation time in the memory number n is Tn and the number of shots at that time is Kn,
Kn = 100/60 × Tn
It becomes. However, n = 0-4. In the stop state, n = -1.

(C) “State drop probability at one launch” represents the probability of falling from that stored number state per shot when staying at each stored number during a game. In each stored number state, when each variation time elapses, the state automatically shifts to the stored number state of -1. For example, when the time for the change of three memories passes in the state of three memories, the state shifts to the two-memory state. Therefore, if the fall probability in the state of the number of stored n is Dn, Dn = 1 / Kn. In the case of the start memory number n = −1 (stop state), the fall probability is 0 because the state is not lowered any more.

(D) “State promotion probability at the time of one launch” represents the probability of promotion from the memory number state per launch when staying at each memory number during a game. Since it is promoted by winning at the start winning opening (the number of start memories becomes +1), it is promoted by the start winning opening winning rate per shot. Therefore, here, the winning rate to the start winning opening is applied as it is. If the value is S, here S = 0.06. In the case of the upper limit of the starting memory number (here, n = 4), the promotion probability is 0 because the state does not rise any further.

(E) "State maintenance probability at the time of one launch" represents the probability that the memory number state is maintained at one shot per shot when staying at each memory number during the game . As a formula,
1- (above (c) + above (d))
= 1− (1 / Kn + S) = 1− (60/100 × 1 / Tn + S)
It becomes. This value (state maintenance probability when the starting memory number is n) is set to Jn.

Note that “overflow” in the figure represents the winning frequency at the starting winning opening from the four starting memories. As the state, there are four start memories. However, in this case, the winning portion to the start winning opening becomes an invalid winning without a lottery, so it is not possible to receive a high-probability lottery with four start memories.
Based on the above numerical values, the inventor simulated the arrival frequency of each start memory state in 6000 shots (1 hour game).

In this simulation, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, for the number of shots “0” to “6000”, the “stop probability” that is the probability of being in the stop state, and the probability of being in the memory 0 state. A certain “memory 0 probability”, a “memory 1 probability” that is a memory 1 state, a “memory 2 probability” that is a memory 2 state, a “memory 3 probability” that is a memory 3 state, a memory The “memory 4 probability”, which is the probability of being in 4 states, was calculated. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an arrival frequency simulation result of each start storage state in the case of the conventional example, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an arrival frequency simulation result of each start storage state in the case of setting example 1, and FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the arrival frequency simulation result of each start memory state in the case of setting example 3. FIG.
In this calculation, as the initial state, when the launch is 0, the probability of the stop state = 1, and the other state probability = 0.

Next, the probability of each state when one shot is made is calculated.
(1) The stop probability is “probability of maintaining the state + probability of falling from the previous memory 0 state”.
(2) The memory 0 probability is “the probability of maintaining the memory 0 state from the previous time + the probability of being promoted from the previous stop state + the probability of falling from the previous memory 1 state”.
(3) The memory 1 probability is “the probability of maintaining the memory 1 state from the previous time + the probability of being promoted from the previous memory 0 state + the probability of falling from the previous memory 2 state”. The memory 2 probability is “the probability of maintaining the memory 2 state from the previous time + the probability of being promoted from the previous memory 1 state + the probability of falling from the previous memory 3 state”. The memory 3 probability is “probability of maintaining the memory 3 state from the previous time + probability of promotion from the previous memory 2 state + probability of falling from the previous memory 4 state”.
(4) The memory 4 probability is “probability of maintaining the memory 4 state + probability of promotion from the previous memory 3 state”.

Hereinafter, each memory number state probability until launch 6000 (1 hour game) is calculated incrementally.
Assuming that the probability of staying at the starting memory number n when hitting the number m of fires as a general formula is P (m, n),
P (m, n)
= P (m-1, n) x Jn + P (m-1, n-1) x S + P (m-1, n + 1) x Dn
It becomes.
Here, the sum of the probabilities ΣP (m, n) [m = 1 to 6000] in the n number of stored states from 1 to 6000 firings.
Is the number of fired balls in the state of n stored in one hour.
If this is set to Hn, it will become the frequency that HnxS reaches a memory | storage (n + 1) state.
Here, the finally obtained value is obtained by H3 × S because the start memory is the fourth arrival frequency.

(Contents of each setting example)
Returning to FIG. 9, setting example 1 in FIG. 9 sets the variation time uniformly to 3.3 seconds. When this number of seconds is set, the player can continue to play the game while always holding the feeling of reaching the fourth start memory, regardless of the start memory number.
In setting example 2, the variation time of the third start memory is set to 13.3 seconds, and the change time of other start memories is set to 2.0 seconds. When this number of seconds is set, the frequency of reaching the third memory is reduced, but once the third memory is reached, the fluctuation time at that time is as long as 13.3 seconds, so there is a chance to reach the next four memory During this period, the specification has a gameability that can intensively increase the player's expectation.

  Setting example 3 is set to the number of seconds in which the variation time increases as the starting memory number increases. As the starting memory number is accumulated, the player's expectation increases proportionally, and as the starting memory number decreases, the discouragement feeling increases, so the player's impatience, expectation, feeling of achievement, etc. are born according to the starting memory number , Can always provide thrilling gaming.

  Although it can be said in any of the above three setting examples, although it is actually difficult to reach the fourth start memory, the player plays with the goal of reaching the fourth start memory. Since a game ball is to be fired, it is highly likely that the player will continue to hit the game ball at all times. Here, in the item (b) of the simulation, since the fluctuation time is converted into the number of shots according to the launch time interval of the game ball, the symbol change time is set in consideration of the launch time interval of the game ball. become. In this way, by setting the symbol variation time considering based on the game ball firing time interval and the number of starting memories, it is possible to realize a dramatic increase in operation compared to the prior art.

  Regarding the above three setting examples, the variable time was set so that the frequency of reaching the fourth start memory per hour was about three times, but of course it is not necessary to be concerned with this numerical value, but rather the specific fluctuation described below The frequency of arrival of the fourth memory is set in consideration of the appearance rate of the pattern and its variation time, the probability setting at the time of the fourth memory and other memory, and the like, and the variation seconds are simulated therefrom. Is even more desirable.

  Further, instead of using the above three setting examples individually, a method of switching each setting example in accordance with a predetermined condition may be considered. As the predetermined condition here, the number of symbol rotations after the end of the jackpot, a specific number of start memory arrivals, and the like can be considered. The variation over the setting example is increased with respect to the variation time, and more varied game play can be provided. Also, in order not to cause confusion for the player, it is possible to clearly notify the player by displaying which variable time is currently set. As the display form of the change time in each start memory number, (a) display of change time by specific numerical values, (b) meter display by dot display, (c) color display by start memory unit LED, and the like are conceivable.

(Fluctuation pattern with long stop time)
Next, a specific variation pattern different from the normal symbol variation time setting described above will be described.
In the case where a specific variation pattern having a longer variation time than the normal symbol variation is selected from among the variation patterns to be selected, the symbol of the symbol is displayed as long as the variation pattern is varied. Stopping will be later than usual. For this reason, it becomes easy to accumulate the starting memory number, and naturally, the possibility of winning up to the upper limit of the starting memory, that is, the possibility of lottery with a high probability increases.

  This variation pattern is an effect generally called reach. This reach itself is one step before the jackpot, that is, a variation pattern effect that increases expectation. For this reason, the player often observes this change by interrupting the player from hitting the game ball by releasing his / her hand from the handle while thinking of “hit, hit”. Therefore, hitherto, hitting a game ball is often interrupted, and there is an adverse effect that the operation of the gaming machine is lowered.

On the other hand, in the present invention, the occurrence of the reach becomes a few chances to reach the start memory upper limit, and the player actively launches the game ball during the reach performance and aims at the start memory upper limit winning. Therefore, as a result, it contributes to the improvement of the operation of the gaming machine.
Further, by changing the reach variation time and the generation condition, the opportunity to reach the start memory upper limit changes depending on the state, so that it is possible to provide a game characteristic that does not get bored even in normal times. The role of the conventional reach was mainly the effect of notifying that it is close to the big hit according to the lottery result of the symbol, but in the present invention it also serves as a role and also as a chance to obtain a lottery opportunity with high probability Can be.

The increase in the starting memory limit due to the occurrence of reach and the increased chance of receiving the benefits of high-probability lottery means that the occurrence of reach and the variation time of that reach will determine the status of the winning probability. By changing the conditions, it is possible to operate a state that is easy to hit and a state that is difficult to hit even during normal times.
Here, it should be noted that the final jackpot probability has changed although the jackpot lottery probability that the starting memory originally has is fixed. One of the most important points in the present invention is that by changing the reach appearance rate without changing the jackpot lottery probability separately, it is possible to variously change the jackpot winning probability. is there.

  In the prior art, the law only allows two types of high and low jackpot probabilities, and the game state is clearly divided into high and low probabilities, and the game is only an uninteresting game that is obvious to the player. It could not be realized. In contrast, in the present invention, there are two types of high and low jackpot probabilities, and various lottery opportunities are generated by intentionally changing each lottery opportunity, and a thrill that cannot predict when a jackpot will occur. An overflowing gaming machine can be provided.

(Example of setting reach conditions)
As a specific example, the upper limit value of the number of starting rights stored is “4”, the jackpot winning probability in the case of 0 to 3 memories is 1/400, the jackpot winning probability in the case of 4 memories is 1 When / 16 is set, the following setting examples can be considered as the setting of the reach generation condition.

(Setting example A)
Reach occurrence probability is set to change depending on the number of symbol fluctuations. The reach occurrence probability is determined as shown in FIG. 18 in accordance with the number of symbol variations starting from the end of the jackpot.
If the reach probability is determined as shown in the figure, the reach probability increases from the first to the 50th rotation after the jackpot ends, and the winning probability for the jackpot increases accordingly. On the other hand, the setting is such that the reach is hardly generated from the 51st rotation to the 200th rotation. However, when the 200th rotation is exceeded, the reach occurrence rate is slightly increased, and when the 1000th rotation is exceeded, a reach occurs with a high probability. For this reason, the jackpot can be easily obtained.

  Even if the winning probability of each start memory number is not changed, the chance of high-probability lottery changes by changing the reach occurrence probability, and as a result, the jackpot winning probability can be changed. For this reason, it is possible to increase the expectation of the jackpot again after the jackpot ends, or to provide a remedy for a player who is forced to invest without getting a big jackpot.

(Setting example B)
The reach occurrence probability is set to change according to the state of the gaming machine. A plurality of modes are set, and it is determined as shown in FIG. 19 so as to shift to each mode according to conditions.
In the figure, different reach occurrence probabilities are determined for each of the four modes A, B, C, and D. Each mode can shift to another mode.
As specific mode transition conditions, (1) when a specific reach occurs, (2) when a specific number of symbol fluctuations has been exceeded since the previous mode transition, (3) a specific reach appears a specific number of times If not, set the mode to shift to, etc.

  It is also possible to correct the reach generation rate to an appropriate level depending on the situation, such as when the reach does not occur easily or when the reach appears excessively. In addition, by shifting to a mode in which reach is generated with high probability when the power is turned on (mode D in the above example), it is possible to increase the expectation of jackpot immediately after opening the store, and to increase the number of customers at the time of opening the store. . In addition, by continuously staying in a mode in which the probability of reach occurrence is high (mode D in the above example), it is possible to generate jackpots in succession, and to maintain a sense of expectation for the player and to stimulate A game machine to be given can be provided.

(Summary)
In the present invention, only when the starting memory is the upper limit, the jackpot probability is set higher than the others, and the symbol variation time in each starting memory state reduces the possibility of starting winning up to the starting memory upper limit value. It is set as short as possible. However, when a specific variation pattern such as reach is selected, the variation time is extended and the possibility of starting winning is improved up to the upper limit of the start memory. As a result, the expectation of jackpot when a specific variation pattern appears increases, and thrilling gaming can be enjoyed.

  Furthermore, by changing the appearance rate of a specific variation pattern under a certain condition, it is possible to realize a gaming machine having game characteristics in which the chance of reaching the start memory upper limit value is changed according to the state, and the jackpot probability varies in various ways. Furthermore, because the occurrence rate of jackpot can be freely changed simply by changing the appearance rate of a specific fluctuation pattern, the jackpot appearance rate can be manipulated without changing the jackpot probability that the gaming machine originally has As a result, it is possible to easily increase the mobilization at the time of opening a store and remedies for players who are forced to invest.

  In the above embodiment, the number of changes is reset when a big hit occurs in this example (step S503 in FIG. 8), but the number of changes may be reset at the timing when the player ends the game. In addition, at game stores that adopt the membership card system, when the game is finished, it will not be reset, and when the game is resumed with another game machine in the same store, the number of changes in the game machine that had been played before is continued. Alternatively, the counting of the number of fluctuations may be resumed. In this case, the number of changes may be stored in the membership card inserted into the gaming machine, and the number of changes may be read and used when the membership card is inserted into another gaming machine.

  In the above embodiment, only when the starting memory number is a specific value, symbol variation with a long variation time such as reach production is performed, but if the starting memory number reaches the specific value once. After that, even if the value does not become a specific value, the symbol variation with a long variation time may be performed. Further, the specific value is not limited to the upper limit value (“4” in the above example), but may be another value such as an upper limit value−1 (“3” in the above example).

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used when various jackpot probabilities are changed in gaming machines.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a game board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a main board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the memory content of ROM and RAM in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start winning process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the symbol fluctuation process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot process. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the symbol variation time in each starting memory | storage number. It is a figure which shows the simulation result in the case of a prior art example. It is a figure which shows the simulation result in the case of the example 1 of a setting. It is a figure which shows the simulation result in the case of the example 2 of a setting. It is a figure which shows the simulation result in the case of the example 3 of a setting. It is a figure which shows the arrival frequency simulation result of each starting memory | storage state in the case of a prior art example. It is a figure which shows the arrival frequency simulation result of each starting memory | storage state in the case of the example 1 of a setting. It is a figure which shows the arrival frequency simulation result of each starting memory | storage state in the case of the example 2 of a setting. It is a figure which shows the arrival frequency simulation result of each starting memory | storage state in the case of the example 3 of a setting. It is a figure which shows the example of the correspondence of a symbol variation frequency and reach occurrence probability. It is a figure which shows the example of the correspondence of each mode and reach occurrence probability.

Explanation of symbols

14 game board 20 display device 30 guide rail 32 game nail 34 area 38 start winning port 40 large winning port 42 out port 50 large winning port solenoid 52, 52a lamp 54 speaker 131 starting winning port sensor 132 large winning port sensor 150 display control board 152 Lamp control board 154 Sound effect control board 156 Prize ball payout control board 157 Prize ball payout apparatus 158 External terminal 159 Hall computer 160 Launch control board 161 Launch apparatus 200 Main board 220 CPU
231, 232 Big hit lottery tables 233a to 233d, 234 Fluctuation pattern determination table 241 Start memory counter 242 Fluctuation counter 250 I / O
260 bus

Claims (3)

A game machine that makes a lottery in response to the winning of a game ball at the start winning opening, notifies the lottery result by the symbol display device, and changes to a gaming state advantageous to the player according to the lottery result There,
Storage means for storing the number of winning game balls to the start winning opening as the start memory number;
A lottery probability associated with the starting memory number is provided, and a lottery probability at a predetermined specific value among the starting memory numbers is higher than a probability until the specific value is reached. Lottery means to perform;
Symbol variation means for performing symbol variation as a notification effect of the lottery result of the lottery means,
A gaming machine, comprising: a symbol variation time setting unit that sets a symbol variation time by the symbol variation unit for each of the start memory numbers based on the specific value and a launch time interval of the game ball.   The symbol variation time setting means includes a plurality of tables in which variation times are set, and a means for selecting a table corresponding to the number of start memories from the plurality of tables at the start of the symbol variation. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a symbol variation time by the symbol variation means is set using the table that is set.   In the plurality of tables, the table selected when the number of winning prizes stored in the storage means is the specific value is set to a variable time longer than the table selected before reaching the specific value. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine is configured.

Images