JP2006192156A - Pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for satisfying the needs of various players in a pachinko game machine wherein two or more effective lines are set. <P>SOLUTION: In the pachinko game machine 10, a representation figure display unit 60 forms the two or more effective lines by the combination of the identification information which is stopped and displayed on two or more variation display sections. When the player operates an operation button 82 and appoints the variation display section, an input acceptance means 170 accepts the appointment operation. A display control means 150 annihilates the appointed variation display section and makes a block with for example, a brick pattern to be displayed to prevent the variation display on the above variation display section so that the number of the effective lines is reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine.

In a ball game machine, whether a symbol is a big hit by acquiring a random number when a hit ball is won at the starting winning hole on the game board and comparing the acquired random number with a predetermined determination value Decide whether or not. In the case of a big win, the game shifts to a special game in which a prize opening called a big prize opening is opened. Various designs have been proposed to produce a lottery.For example, when a specific symbol is displayed on one of a plurality of active lines, such as a spinning machine such as a slot machine, Some are generated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-10-216314

  By setting a plurality of active lines, it is possible to give the player a feeling that the chance of winning a jackpot increases. It is possible to achieve an effect that attracts the player's interest by performing reach production using various active lines, for example, by generating reach simultaneously on a plurality of active lines. By effectively utilizing a plurality of effective lines, a player who likes the production can enjoy a very attractive production.

  In such a ball game machine, the ratio of the reach effect tends to be higher than that of other types of ball game machines by enhancing the reach effect. However, some players do not like the reach that is performed when they are out. Such a player tends to feel bored of the game without expectation of the reach effect when the reach effect with low reliability continues. Moreover, since it is necessary to see all the symbols in a plurality of active lines, some players find it troublesome. Therefore, in a ball game machine in which a plurality of effective lines are set, it is desired to introduce a technique for satisfying the needs of various players.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a ball game machine capable of adjusting the number of effective lines.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a bullet ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a game board in which a game area is formed, a start opening provided in the game area, into which a game ball can enter, and a start opening. Lottery means for determining whether or not to generate a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the base game based on the incoming game balls, and any one of a plurality of types of identification information can be stopped and displayed. A plurality of variable display units, a variable display device capable of forming a plurality of effective lines by a combination of identification information stopped and displayed in the plurality of variable display units, a pattern storage means for storing a plurality of variation patterns, In accordance with the lottery result by the lottery means, the pattern determining means for selecting the fluctuation pattern stored in the pattern storage means, and the variable information display unit variably displays the identification information according to the selected fluctuation pattern. Comprising a display control unit, and the player-operable operation unit, and an input accepting unit for accepting an operation of the operating unit by the player. In the ball ball game machine of this aspect, when the input receiving unit receives an instruction operation for designating at least one variable display unit from the operation unit, the display control unit does not perform the variable display on the designated variable display unit. Execute processing to reduce the number of active lines.

  According to the ball ball game machine of this aspect, the player can stop the variable display on the variable display unit by operating the operation unit and specifying the variable display unit. As a result, the number of active lines can be reduced, and the player may pay attention to symbol variations in the remaining active lines. On the other hand, the player who wants to enjoy the production may leave all the effective lines without designating the variable display portion. In this way, the ball and ball game machine of this aspect can give an option to adjust the number of effective lines to a player who wants to enjoy the production or a player who does not, and produces the production according to the needs of various players. It is possible to provide. Thereby, the game interest of a bullet ball game machine can be heightened.

  When it is determined that the special game is generated by the lottery means, the display control means causes the reach effect to be executed on the remaining active lines. Thereby, even if the number of effective lines decreases, it is possible to reliably execute the reach effect. Even if it is determined that the special game is not generated by the lottery means, if the pattern determining means selects the reach effect pattern, the display control means executes the reach effect on the remaining effective lines. Let

  The pattern storage means holds a first table having a plurality of variation patterns and a high reach production selection probability, and a second table having a plurality of variation patterns and a low reach production selection probability, The pattern determining means may select the variation pattern from the second table when the number of active lines decreases. As a result, the probability that the reach effect is selected when the number of effective lines decreases is reduced. Therefore, the ratio of reach production when no special game is generated is reduced, and the reach reliability can be increased.

  The pattern determining means may determine whether or not the number of active lines has decreased, and if the number has decreased, may reduce the selection probability of reach production. As a result, when the number of effective lines decreases, the probability that the reach effect is selected is reduced, so that the reach reliability can be increased.

  According to the present invention, a technique capable of adjusting the number of effective lines can be provided.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board surface. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, a launch handle 17, a speaker 18, and operation buttons 82.

  The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like. The transparent plate 13 is a plate made of glass or the like and capable of seeing through the game area 52 of the game board 50. The door 14 supports the transparent plate 13. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown).

  The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16 to reproduce sound effects according to the gaming state.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect symbol display device 60, a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. 62, a center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66 and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed.

  The start port 62 includes a winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the start port. The start port 62 is provided at a predetermined position in the game area 52. The starting port 62 is usually formed of an electric accessory, and its inlet can be expanded. When the ordinary electric accessory is in the expanded state, the game ball easily falls into the start port 62.

  The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area. The special winning opening 66 exists as a variable pitching device capable of changing the receiving state of the game ball to a state advantageous to the player during a special game with a predetermined number of times being the maximum number.

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

  The special symbol display device 61 and the production symbol display device 60 provided substantially in the center of the game board 50 are displayed on the respective screens while changing the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 in conjunction with the variation display of the special symbol 202. (Hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). The special symbol display device 61 is a display means composed of, for example, LEDs, and the effect symbol display device 60 is a display means composed of a liquid crystal display. The effect symbol display device 60 may be composed of other display means such as a mechanical drum or LED.

  Here, the special symbol 202 is a symbol corresponding to the result of a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol lottery”) that is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and whether or not a big hit is generated. Have a role to show. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually producing the result display of the special symbol lottery indicated by the special symbol 202. The effect symbol display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 200, for example, a moving image of symbol variation imitating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. Since the special symbol 202 does not need to have a role of production, the special symbol 202 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the production symbol display device 60 in this embodiment.

  The effect symbol display device 60 is a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of stopping and displaying any one of a plurality of types of identification information. The effect symbol display device 60 can form a plurality of effective lines by combining the identification information stopped and displayed in the plurality of variable display portions. For example, almost the entire surface of the production symbol display device 60 is divided into a total of nine variable display portions of 3 rows × 3 columns, and predetermined identification information such as numbers, character images, symbols, etc. fluctuate in each variable display portion. Is displayed. By arranging the variable display section as 3 rows x 3 columns, there are 3 effective lines, 3 in the horizontal direction, 3 in the vertical direction, 1 line in the lower left to the upper right direction, and 1 in the upper left to the lower right direction. Is set. It should be noted that there are three variable display portions in the effective line, and it is shown that the big hit is obtained by gathering three pieces of the same identification information on the effective line.

  The operation button 82 is an operation unit that can be operated by the player. In this embodiment, the operation button 82 is formed as a cross key that allows input operations in four directions, left, right, and up. This cross key enables a decision input by pressing the center of the cross. In the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the player operates the operation button 82 to select the variable display unit set on the effect symbol display device 60, and as the variable display region of the variable display unit The function can be disabled. Hereinafter, this process may be simply referred to as “invalidation”, and by invalidating the variable display portion, the function of the active line including the variable display portion is invalidated. . Selection of the variable display portion is performed by operating the cross key to designate the variable display portion and pressing the center of the cross key.

  The player invalidates the variable display unit by selecting at least one of the variable display units arranged in a matrix of 3 rows × 3 columns, and the activated line including the disabled variable display unit By invalidating, the number of active lines can be reduced. The form of the operation button 82 is not limited to the cross key, and may be configured as a switch button that can be turned on and off. Moreover, a touch panel may be provided in the effect symbol display device 60 so that the player can disable the variable display unit by touching an area where the variable display unit is formed.

  Fig.2 (a) shows the variable display part set to an effect symbol display apparatus. Here, the display area of the effect symbol display device 60 is divided into a matrix of 3 rows × 3 columns, and nine variable display portions 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d, 101 e, 101 f, 101 g, 101 h, 101 i (hereinafter collectively referred to as “general name”). In this case, it is called “variable display portion 101”). In each variable display unit 101, a plurality of types of identification information fluctuate, and any one of the identification information is stopped and displayed. In the initial state of the pachinko gaming machine 10, that is, the state immediately after the power is turned on, nine variable display portions 101 are set. As shown in the drawing, a total of eight effective lines are formed: line 1 to line 3 in the horizontal direction, line 4 to line 6 in the vertical direction, line 7 and line 8 in the diagonal direction. The effective line is formed by a combination of identification information stopped and displayed on each variable display unit.

  FIG. 2B shows a variable display part partially invalidated. When the player designates the variable display portions 101e and 101g using the operation button 82, the variable display portions 101e and 101g are invalidated, and the variable display on the variable display portions 101e and 101g is not performed. Here, the designated variable display unit 101 is displayed as a brick block, but may be displayed in another pattern. In any case, the image assigned to the invalidated variable display unit 101 may be any image that indicates to the player that it is not involved in symbol variation.

  By specifying the variable display portions 101e and 101g, the line 1, the line 3 to the line 5, the line 7 and the line 8 including the variable display portions 101e and 101g are invalidated, and only the lines 2 and 6 are included. Functions as an active line. In this way, the player can reduce the number of active lines using the operation buttons 82, so that the player can pay attention to the pattern variation in the remaining active lines. Further, when the number of active lines is reduced, the reliability of reach production can be increased by reducing the selection probability of reach production. Note that the player who wants to enjoy the production does not have to invalidate the variable display unit 101 and can enjoy the production such as double reach by leaving all the nine variable display units shown in FIG. Can do.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 202 is displayed in the special symbol display device 61, and the decorative symbol 200 is displayed in the effect symbol display device 60 in a variable manner. The When the special symbol 202 at the time of the stop is a symbol indicating a big hit, the effect symbol display device 60 takes a display mode in which three symbols coincide on at least one effective line. When the symbol stops at the jackpot symbol, a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game is executed.

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

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect symbol display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the effect symbol display device 60, and decoration. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like.

  When a game ball passes through the operation port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol 204 is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time. The normal symbol 204 is variably displayed at the lower right corner of the effect symbol display device 60. When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 204 stops after the lapse of a predetermined time, the start port 62 is expanded for a predetermined time with a predetermined probability. Therefore, it becomes easy for the game ball to drop into the start port 62 temporarily.

  FIG. 3 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the effect symbol display device 60, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The main board 41 and the sub board 49 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 4 is a basic functional block diagram focusing on a configuration for controlling a game in the pachinko gaming machine 10. The start opening 62, the special winning opening 66, the special symbol display device 61, the effect symbol display device 60, the speaker 18, the various game effect lamps 90, the operation buttons 82, and the game control device 100 are electrically connected. . The game control device 100 can be realized by hardware such as a ROM for storing data and programs, a CPU and a RAM used for arithmetic processing and control processing, and in terms of software, an image processing function, a control function, and random number generation. This function is realized by a program such as a function, but in this drawing, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The game control device 100 stores a ball entry determination unit 110 that determines whether or not to enter a ball entrance, a determination unit 120 that determines whether or not to give an advantageous privilege to a player, and a plurality of variation patterns of symbols. From the pattern storage means 130, the symbol determination means 140 for determining the stop symbol and the variation pattern, the display control means 150 for controlling the variation display of the symbol, the special game control means 160 for controlling the special game during the jackpot, and the operation button 82 Input accepting means 170 for accepting the input.

  The winning detection device 74 is a sensor provided at the start port 62, detects the drop of the game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the drop. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62. At the timing when the winning determination means 110 receives the start winning information, the random number acquisition means 122 in the success / failure determination means 120 acquires a random number for the starting winning. The random number acquisition means 122 may acquire and acquire a random number mathematically, or may acquire a count value generated by a counter (not shown) as a random number. The lottery means 124 executes a lottery based on the acquired random number value, and determines whether or not a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game is generated.

  The pattern storage unit 130 stores a plurality of variation patterns of the decorative design 200. The fluctuation pattern includes a normal performance pattern when displaying a normal out symbol, a reach effect pattern when displaying a out symbol through a reach state that is a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a big hit through a reach state A jackpot effect pattern for displaying symbols is included. Although the manner of holding the variation pattern is arbitrary, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a normal effect pattern and a reach effect pattern are prepared as a variation pattern for losing, and a jackpot effect pattern is prepared as a variation pattern for jackpot Shall. The jackpot effect pattern includes a reach effect.

  The pattern storage unit 130 holds a plurality of normal effect patterns, reach effect patterns, and jackpot effect patterns in a plurality of types of tables. That is, a normal effect pattern, a reach effect pattern, and a jackpot effect pattern are prepared for each table. The pattern storage means 130 holds at least two tables. One table has a high probability that a reach effect pattern is selected when the lottery result is out of place, and the other table has a lottery result out of place. There is a low probability that a reach production pattern is selected at a certain time. Hereinafter, a table having a high reach production pattern selection probability is referred to as a “first table”, and a table having a low reach production pattern selection probability is referred to as a “second table”. Note that the selection probability is relative, and the first table only needs to have a higher reach probability selection probability than the second table.

  The symbol determination unit 140 selects a variation pattern according to the lottery result by the lottery unit 124, and determines a stop symbol according to the lottery result. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The symbol determination means 140 determines a special symbol and a decorative symbol.

  The special symbol determining unit 142 determines a variation pattern of the special symbol. The variation display time of the symbol is determined by this variation pattern. The decorative symbol determination unit 144 determines the variation pattern and stop symbol of the decorative symbol in accordance with the variation display time of the special symbol determined by the special symbol determination unit 142. At this time, the decorative symbol determination unit 144 determines a table to be referred to in the pattern storage unit 130 depending on whether or not at least one variable display unit 101 is invalidated by an operation input from the operation button 82. To do.

  The input accepting unit 170 has a function of accepting the operation of the operation button 82 by the player. When an operation input for invalidating the variable display unit 101 is accepted, the input accepting unit 170 informs the pattern determining unit 146 to that effect. When the input receiving unit 170 has not received an operation input for invalidating the variable display unit 101, that is, when all eight effective lines exist, the pattern determining unit 146 uses the first table to change the variation pattern. Select. On the other hand, when the input receiving unit 170 receives an operation input for invalidating the variable display unit 101, that is, when the number of valid lines is less than 8, the pattern determining unit 146 uses the second table. Select the variation pattern. Thereby, when the lottery result by the lottery means 124 is out of the range, the ratio in which the reach effect is generated can be reduced when the variable display unit 101 is invalidated. The stop symbol determining means 148 determines a stop symbol for displaying the lottery result by the lottery means 124.

  The display control means 150 reflects the operation content from the operation button 82 on the effect symbol display device 60. Specifically, first, the player operates the operation button 82 to designate one of the variable display portions 101 on the effect symbol display device 60. This operation is preferably performed before or at the start of the game, and the player designates the variable display unit 101 while watching the standby screen displayed on the effect symbol display device 60. When the input receiving unit 170 receives an instruction operation for designating at least one variable display unit 101 from the operation button 82, the display control unit 150 displays an image of a brick pattern block on the designated variable display unit 101. . As a result, the number of effective lines can be reduced without performing variable display in the designated variable display unit 101. As described above, FIG. 2B shows a state where the player operates the operation button 82 to invalidate the two variable display portions 101e and 101g, and the active line is the line 2 and the line It is reduced to 2 of 6.

  The display control means 150 controls display of symbols such as special symbols and decorative symbols and lighting of the game effect lamp 90. The display control means 150 displays the special symbol on the special symbol display device 61 and displays the decorative symbol on the effect symbol display device 60 based on the determined variation pattern and stop symbol. When the reach effect pattern is selected as the variation pattern, when all the effective lines remain, the stop symbols of the nine variable display portions are determined so that the reach effect is performed on any of the effective lines. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the number of effective lines is reduced, the display control means 150 is enabled so that the reach effect is performed on the remaining effective lines. The stop symbol of the display unit 101 is determined. The player only needs to pay attention to the pattern variation of the remaining effective lines, and can realize a simple and easy-to-understand gameability for a player who does not like a complicated performance. On the other hand, a player who wants to enjoy an effect in which a plurality of reaches are generated at the same time does not have to invalidate the variable display unit 101. Therefore, in a state where all the effective lines shown in FIG. It becomes possible to enjoy the production.

  In addition, when the lottery result in the lottery means 124 shows a big hit, the reach effect is always executed, so the display control means 150 performs the same display process as described above. That is, when some of the variable display units 101 are invalidated, the display control unit 150 displays the reach effect on the remaining effective lines. In the case of a big win, the display control means 150 stops the symbol variation at the big hit design, and the special game control means 160 causes the special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game to be executed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic process in the pachinko gaming machine 10. When the entrance determination means 110 determines the entrance of the game ball into the start port 62 (S10), the random number acquisition means 122 acquires a random number for the special symbol lottery, and the lottery means 124 based on the acquired random number. It is determined by lottery whether or not a special game is generated (S12). Based on the lottery result, the symbol determining unit 140 determines the variation pattern and stop symbol of the special symbol and the decorative symbol, and the display control unit 150 controls the variation display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol (S14). When it is determined that a special game is to be generated by lottery, the special game control means 160 executes the special game (S16).

  FIG. 6 shows an execution flow of the effect control process shown in S14 of FIG. The effect control process is executed on the main board 41 and the sub board 49 in FIG. 3, but the flow of FIG. 6 shows the processing contents on the main board 41.

  In the effect control process, first, it is determined whether or not the number of effective lines on the effect symbol display device 60 has decreased (S20). This is determined by whether or not the input receiving unit 170 has received an operation input for invalidating the variable display unit 101 from the operation button 82. When one variable display unit 101 is not invalidated (N in S20), the pattern determining unit 146 selects a variation pattern from the first table with a high reach effect pattern selection probability (S22), and determines a stop symbol. The means 148 determines a stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. On the other hand, when at least one variable display unit 101 is invalidated (Y in S20), the pattern determining unit 146 selects a variation pattern from the second table with a low reach effect pattern selection probability (S24) and stops. The symbol determination means 148 determines a stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. Thereby, the game according to a player's liking can be developed. The determined variation pattern and stop symbol are transmitted to the sub-board 49 (S26).

  FIG. 7 shows the contents of the effect control process in the sub-board 49. In the sub board 49, the display control means 150 receives the variation pattern and the stop symbol from the main board 41 (S30). The display control means 150 performs symbol variation using the received variation pattern and stop symbol, and performs effect display (S32). At this time, if the variation pattern having the reach effect is selected (Y in S34), the reach effect is executed on the active line (S36). When the number of effective lines is reduced, the display control unit 150 searches for the remaining effective lines and performs a reach effect. The display control unit 150 recognizes the variable display unit 101 invalidated by the information from the input reception unit 170, and can know the remaining effective lines. When there is no reach effect (N of S34), the display control means 150 determines the stop symbol and stop order in the plurality of variable display units 101 so that the reach effect does not occur, and performs the effect with the decorative symbol. The above example is a case where the display control means 150 is provided on the sub board 49, but this display control function may be set on the main board 41.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the pattern determining unit 146 determines the variation pattern by selecting the table in the pattern storage unit 130 has been described. However, the pattern determining unit 146 determines the pattern storage unit according to the number of effective lines. It is also possible to autonomously determine the variation pattern from 130.

  FIG. 8 shows a modification of the execution flow of the effect control process shown in S14 of FIG. The effect control process is executed on the main board 41 and the sub board 49 in FIG. 3, but the flow in FIG. 8 shows the processing contents on the main board 41. In this modification, it is first determined whether or not the lottery result by the lottery means 124 indicates the occurrence of a special game (S40). When the lottery result indicates the occurrence of a special game, that is, in the case of a jackpot (Y in S40), the symbol determination means 140 selects a jackpot effect pattern that displays the jackpot symbol through the reach state as a variation pattern (S52). ).

  If it is not a big hit (N in S40), the pattern determining means 146 determines whether or not the number of effective lines has decreased (S42). This is determined by whether or not the input receiving unit 170 has received an operation input for invalidating the variable display unit 101 from the operation button 82. When one variable display unit 101 is not invalidated (N in S42), the pattern determination unit 146 sets the selection probability of the reach effect pattern among the variation patterns for detachment to a high probability (S44), and changes A pattern is selected (S46), and the stop symbol determination means 148 determines a stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. On the other hand, when at least one variable display unit 101 is invalidated (Y in S42), the pattern determining unit 146 sets the selection probability of the reach effect pattern among the variation patterns for detachment to a low probability (S48). ), The variation pattern is selected (S50), and the stop symbol determination means 148 determines the stop symbol corresponding to the lottery result. Note that the reach probability pattern selection probabilities are relative to each other, and the selection probability set in S44 only needs to be higher than the selection probability set in S48. Thereby, the game according to a player's liking can be developed. Note that the selection probability of the reach effect means the probability of selecting the reach effect pattern from a plurality of deviation patterns.

  When the number of effective lines is decreasing (Y in S42), it is preferable that the special symbol determining means 142 selects a special symbol variation pattern with a short variation display time. The pattern determining means 146 determines the variation pattern of the decorative symbol according to the variation display time of the special symbol. By selecting the variation pattern of the special symbol having a short variation display time, the normal effect pattern of the decorative symbol can be easily selected. May be. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the probability of reaching that does not generate a big hit, and it is possible to increase the reliability of reach production when the number of effective lines is reduced. Further, by reducing the reach effect, it is possible to shorten the average fluctuation display time of the symbols as a result, and it is also possible to realize an attractive game performance for a player who wants to know the results quickly. The determined variation pattern and stop symbol are transmitted to the sub-board 49 (S54). In the sub-board 49, the display control means 150 performs symbol variation using the received variation pattern and stop symbol, and performs effect display. When the number of effective lines is reduced, the display control means 150 searches for the remaining effective lines and performs a reach effect. The processing on the sub-substrate 49 is as shown in FIG.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment, the case where the player selects and invalidates a plurality of variable display units 101 has been described. However, for example, the number of variable display units 101 that can be invalidated may be limited to one. If a player freely selects a plurality of variable display portions 101, there may be a case where there is no valid line. Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, one variable display portion 101 may be invalidated. . In the case where the variable display portions 101 are arranged in 3 rows × 3 columns, there are cases where no effective line exists when at least three variable display portions 101 are selected. For example, when the variable display portions 101a, 101e, and 101i are invalidated, all the effective lines disappear. Therefore, the input receiving unit 170 may reject the selection instruction of the variable display unit 101 such that all the effective lines disappear. In the case of 3 rows × 3 columns, invalidation of up to two variable display units 101 may be accepted, and three or more invalidations may not be accepted. By limiting the number of variable display units 101 that can be invalidated, there is an advantage that reception control in the input reception unit 170 is facilitated.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the two tables of the first table and the second table are set has been described. However, the table may be set according to the number of valid lines. A table associated with the number of effective lines may be set so that the selection probability of reach production decreases as the number of effective lines decreases. Thereby, the reliability of reach production changes according to the number of effective lines, and it becomes possible to improve game play. In addition, although the modification which sets the selection probability of reach production was demonstrated in relation to FIG. 7, it is the same in this case, and the selection probability of reach production may be changed according to the number of effective lines. . That is, the selection probability may be set according to the number of effective lines so that the selection probability of reach production decreases as the number of effective lines decreases.

  Note that the symbol variation control may be executed by, for example, determining the stop symbols of the variable display units 101 in the right column and the left column at random, and controlling the stop symbols in the center column. If the symbols in the left and right columns are stopped first, reach occurs when the same symbols are aligned on the active line. At this time, if the variable display unit 101 is invalidated, the probability that the reach occurs correspondingly decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence frequency of reach that does not generate jackpots, and to increase reach reliability.

  The disabled variable display unit 101 is preferably released from the disabled state by being selected again by the operation button 82. Thereby, the player can freely invalidate and enable the variable display unit 101.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the variable display part set to an effect symbol display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a basic functional block diagram centering on the structure which controls the game in a pachinko gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the basic process in a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the execution flow of the production | presentation control process shown to S14 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the process by the side of the sub board | substrate of the execution flow of effect control processing. It is a figure which shows the modification of the execution flow of the production | presentation control process shown to S14 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Game board, 52 ... Game area, 60 ... Production | presentation symbol display apparatus, 62 ... Start-up opening, 101 ... Variable display part, 124 ... Lottery means, 130 ... Pattern Storage means 140... Symbol determination means 146... Pattern determination means 150... Display control means 170.

Claims (4)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start opening provided in the game area and capable of entering a game ball;
Lottery means for determining whether or not to generate a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game based on the game ball entering the start opening;
A plurality of variable display portions capable of stopping and displaying any one of a plurality of types of identification information are provided, and a plurality of effective lines can be formed by combining the identification information stopped and displayed on the plurality of variable display portions. A variable display device;
Pattern storage means for storing a plurality of variation patterns;
Pattern determining means for selecting a variation pattern stored in the pattern storage means according to a lottery result by the lottery means;
Display control means for variably displaying the identification information in a plurality of variable display sections according to the selected variation pattern;
An operation unit that can be operated by the player;
A ball game machine comprising input receiving means for receiving an operation of the operation unit by a player,
When the input accepting unit accepts an instruction operation for designating at least one variable display unit from the operation unit, the display control unit does not perform variable display on the designated variable display unit, and the number of effective lines. A ball game machine characterized by reducing the number of balls.   2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined by the lottery means that the special game is to be generated, the display control means causes a reach effect to be executed in the remaining active line. . The pattern storage means includes a first table having a plurality of variation patterns and a high reach production selection probability, and a second table having a plurality of variation patterns and a low reach production selection probability. Hold and
3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the pattern determining unit selects a variation pattern from the second table when the number of active lines decreases. The said pattern determination means determines whether the number of effective lines is reducing, and when it is decreasing, makes the selection probability of reach production low, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. A ball game machine.

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