JP2006320396A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can effectively prevent the target shooting by players by applying a value added to the shooting of game balls with the starter prizes held in memory. <P>SOLUTION: The winning of the starter prize winning slot 11 with game balls makes the number of reserved balls in memory exceed three (reservation LEDs 25a, 25b and 25c lit) and if a ready for win state presently exists in the slot game during the variable display on an image display part 30 or in that to be executed with the reserved balls, a prescribed effect sound is generated each time a shot ball is detected thereafter. The effect sound is so set as to vary the tone depending on the reliability of the ready for win state and the frequency of sound emission is altered as the memory of the reserved balls is consumed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine having a display control function for performing a lottery drawing by variably displaying a predetermined symbol on an image display device.

  Conventionally, gaming machines have been devised in various ways to improve their taste. In particular, a gaming machine equipped with an image display device on a gaming area has various contrivances because the popularity and unpopularity of gaming machines are determined depending on how the display method of the image display device is devised. As a game machine equipped with a typical image display device, for example, there is a so-called fever-type pachinko game machine, and this type of game is specially provided in an image display section of a special symbol display device as an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device. A pseudo image showing a state in which three symbol display portions for displaying symbols are set, and the symbols, characters, numbers, symbols, characters, and the like as special symbols are rotated on each symbol display portion based on the winning of the winning prize opening. The variable display is displayed, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the variable display is sequentially stopped to perform special symbol matching (hereinafter also referred to as a slot game).

  In this slot game, when the two special symbols are stopped, it is reached when it matches a predetermined combination of three special symbols (big hit symbol), and the special symbol display device has an elaborate reach action. It is displayed, and effects such as sound and light are also performed at the same time to appeal to players that they are in a reach state that is likely to be a big hit. When the third special symbol is stopped, if the stop symbol of each symbol display portion matches the jackpot symbol, the game state is shifted to a jackpot game that is extremely valuable to the player. It has become.

  The probability of becoming a jackpot symbol is set in advance as a predetermined probability (hit probability), and the jackpot game generally has a big winning mouth called an attacker during a plurality of rounds (for example, the first round to the 16th round). It is converted into a state advantageous to the player in a predetermined manner. Therefore, the player can acquire a large number of game balls (for example, about 2000 balls) by this jackpot game, and how many game balls are awarded at the start winning opening is the biggest concern of the game. Yes.

  By the way, in such a pachinko gaming machine, when a slot game has already been performed in the special symbol display device when winning a winning prize opening, up to four winnings are stored, and the special symbol display device It is common to control the lighting of LEDs, lamps, and the like provided in the vicinity to inform the player how many times the slot game will be performed after the slot game is completed.

  Therefore, many players avoid the so-called overflow ball that is not memorized even when winning at the start winning opening when the start winning memory is full or nearly full (the start winning memory is 3 or 4). Therefore, by constantly monitoring the start winning memory and adjusting the launch of the game ball (a launch operation and a launch stop operation, hereinafter also referred to as a stop), the game ball is not wasted unnecessarily. Also, some players stop from the expectation that they may win big hits when they reach reach. This is because if the big win is reached, the start winning memory will be filled up during the big hit game, and this also prevents the game ball from being unnecessarily fired.

  That is, in the pachinko gaming machine as described above, there is a problem that the sales of the game hall does not increase because the player frequently stops. In particular, a gaming machine with a high probability of occurrence of a reach state in order to enhance the effect of the production is even more so. Further, such a pachinko gaming machine has a drawback in that there is no expectation of a big hit except when a reach occurs in a state where the special symbol is fluctuating.

Therefore, while the special symbol is changing in the slot game, the start winning prize opening is made so that the player can know the contents of the slot game currently being played on the special symbol display device (big hit, losing reach, losing). When a game ball wins, a winning sound is generated to notify the content of the slot game in response to the winning so that even if the special symbol fluctuates, a sense of expectation for the big hit can be obtained. Thus, a technique for preventing a player from stopping is proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1, hereinafter referred to as a conventional technique).
JP 2000-135315 A

  However, in such a conventional technique, there is a problem that the effect cannot be enjoyed unless a game ball wins a winning prize opening. In other words, even if the game ball continues to be fired when the memory of the start prize is full or nearly full, or when it is in the reach state, if the game ball does not win the start prize port, the player has launched the game ball in vain Therefore, it is impossible to add value to such a waste ball. In addition, even if a game ball wins a start winning opening, since a single winning sound is notified only for a short time, there is also a problem that there is no excitement as an effect for the player.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least one of these problems, and the object of the present invention is to add value to the player launching a game ball, and to stop the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that effectively prevents the above-described problem.

  In order to solve such a problem, the gaming machine according to the present invention is provided with launching means capable of continuously launching game balls at predetermined intervals in the game area, as described in claim 1, and provided in the game area. And a starting game device that allows the launched game ball to win or pass, an image display device that displays a slot game that is determined by stopping after changing at least a predetermined symbol, and a game that has won or passed the starting game device A starting ball detecting means for detecting a ball; and a random number is extracted based on the fact that the starting ball detecting means has detected a game ball, and a slot game having a different effect according to the extracted random number value is displayed on the image display device. Control means for displaying a slot game having a high effect when the extracted random number is a predetermined random number, and the image display device as a result of the slot game having a high effect. A game machine comprising special game generating means for generating a special game advantageous to a player when the symbol that is confirmed and displayed is a specific design, and is fired or fired by said launching means; And an effect execution means for executing a predetermined effect based on the detection of the game ball by the fired ball detection means when the extracted random number is a predetermined random number. It is characterized by having.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 2, when the random number is extracted while the slot game is displayed on the image display device in the gaming machine according to claim 1, the extracted random number Storage means for storing up to a predetermined number, the control means sequentially displays the slot game on the image display device by the number of random numbers stored in the storage means, and the effect execution means is stored in the storage means. It is also executed when the predetermined random number is included among the random numbers being stored.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 3, in the gaming machine according to claim 2, the effect executing means is executed when the storage means stores a predetermined number or more of random numbers. .

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 4, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the effect executing means is executed at least during the symbol variation display in the slot game, Alternatively, it is executed continuously during the symbol variable display period.

  Further, the gaming machine according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the effect executed by the effect executing means is sound, light, display, vibration, or air blow alone. Or it is a combination.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 6, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the effect executed by the effect executing means changes a firing interval of the game balls of the launching means. It was made to do.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 7, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the effect executed by the effect executing means is detected by the fired ball detecting means. It is characterized by producing a predetermined sound effect each time.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 8, in the gaming machine according to claim 7, a plurality of types of slot games with high performance effects are provided, and the result of the plurality of types of slot games is the specific symbol. The effect execution means generates the sound effect sound differently depending on which of the plurality of types of slot games corresponds to the extracted random number. It is characterized by performing.

  The gaming machine according to claim 9 is the gaming machine according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the effect executing means is continuously executed across a plurality of slot games, and each slot. It is characterized in that the number of sound effects that are pronounced during the game is sequentially increased.

  The gaming machine according to claim 10 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fired ball detecting means is a game for a predetermined time during the execution or standby of the effect executing means. When a sphere is not detected, a prohibiting unit that prohibits execution of the effect executing unit is provided.

  The gaming machine according to claim 11 is the gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein after the prohibiting means is executed and the fired ball detecting means detects a gaming ball, the effect executing means is The present invention is characterized by comprising a low performance execution means for executing a performance having a lower performance effect than the performance to be performed.

  A gaming machine according to claim 12 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a gaming ball launched from the launching means is launched again at the entrance of the gaming area. A return ball prevention device for preventing a return to the path is provided, and the fired ball detecting means is provided on the game area side and in the vicinity of the return ball prevention device.

  A gaming machine according to claim 13 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fired ball detecting means detects a game ball fired after the special game is finished. Counting storage means for counting and storing is provided, and each time the number of game balls in the counting storage means reaches a predetermined number, the effect effect of the effect execution means is enhanced step by step.

  The invention of claim 1 is provided with a launching means capable of firing 100 game balls continuously at a predetermined interval, for example, 1 minute, in a game area of a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and is launched from this launching means. A part of the game balls won or passed to a start winning opening or an operation gate as a start gaming device provided in the game area. When the starting ball detecting means such as a proximity sensor detects a game ball that has won or passed the starting gaming device, the control means extracts a random number, and displays a slot game with different effects according to the extracted random value. Display on the device. In this slot game, at least a predetermined symbol is displayed after a change, and a lottery display for symbol matching is performed. If the extracted random number is a predetermined random number, a slot game with a high effect is displayed. The When a slot game with a high performance effect is performed, the result may be a specific symbol. That is, as a result of the slot game with a high performance effect, the symbol that is confirmed and displayed on the image display device is a specific symbol. In the case of a symbol, the special game generating means generates a special game advantageous to the player.

  Here, various modes can be considered as the slot game. For example, the number of symbols of the slot game may be composed of a single symbol or a plurality of symbols (for example, a three-digit symbol), or the plurality of symbols and a single symbol. Both symbols are displayed in large numbers as pseudo symbols, while a single symbol is displayed as a symbol related to a real lottery, and the display result of a single symbol (for example, a big hit) is displayed as multiple symbols. The case where it is expressed in a manner reflected in the result is also included.

  In addition, a slot game with a high effect is a so-called reach that matches a specific symbol when the two symbols are stopped, for example, when the symbol of the slot game is composed of three-digit symbols, Examples include those that suddenly stop after a specific symbol fluctuates synchronously without going through reach (so-called full rotation), etc. An effect display (reach action), that is, a slot game with a high effect is displayed.

  The random number extraction executed by the control means is, for example, creating a loop counter for generating random numbers from 0 to 99 in a storage area such as a microcomputer, and corresponding slot games having different effects to the random numbers from 0 to 99. It is only necessary to extract one random number from 0 to 99 based on the timing when the starting ball detection means detects the game ball. Therefore, the slot game having the effect set in the extracted random number is displayed on the image display device. In this way, for each of the slot games having different effects, the extraction probability is set to a predetermined probability, and uniformity and irregularity are ensured with respect to the actual extraction order.

  More specifically, in the above example, among the random numbers from 0 to 99, a slot game related to reach with a high production effect is set corresponding to the random values from 0 to 9, and corresponding to the random numbers from 10 to 12 If a slot game related to full rotation with a high production effect is set, and a slot game that cannot be a specific symbol with a low production effect corresponding to a random value of 13 to 99 is set, those slot games are displayed as images. The probabilities displayed on the device are 10%, 3% and 87%, respectively. In this case, the predetermined random number corresponding to the slot game having a high production effect is a random number value of 0 to 12, that is, if the random number value is 0 to 12, the predetermined random number is set to the image display device. A slot game with a high effect is displayed.

  Therefore, when a predetermined random number is extracted and a slot game with a high effect is displayed on the image display device, the player has a great expectation that a specific game is confirmed and a special game advantageous to him is generated. be able to. That is, the player attempts to win or pass the game ball to the starting game device by launching the game ball in the game area so that a slot game with a high effect is displayed on the image display device.

  Special games that are advantageous to the player generated by the special game generating means include, for example, an attacker or electric motor that can be converted into a state in which a game ball can be easily received when it is open and a state in which a game ball is not received when it is closed. A mode is conceivable in which a variable winning device such as a tulip is controlled to be repeatedly opened a plurality of times for a predetermined time.

  And in such a gaming machine, a shot ball detecting means (for example, a ball feeding device of the launch means, the vicinity of the launch rail, or the vicinity of the entrance of the game area or the game area) When the extracted random number is a predetermined random number, that is, when a slot game with a high effect is displayed on the image display device, the effect execution means A predetermined effect is executed based on the detection of the game ball by the ball detection means.

  According to the invention of claim 1 having the above-described configuration, when a slot game with a high effect such as reach is displayed on the image display device, only the fired or fired game ball is detected. In other words, the player can add a value to the player's launching the game ball, so that the player can see the slot game with a high stage effect such as reach and launch the game ball. Stopping (stopping) can be effectively prevented, and as a result, the operating rate of the gaming machine increases and leads to an increase in sales at the amusement hall.

  Also, even if the frequency of occurrence of slot games with high performance effects is improved, the operating rate of gaming machines does not decrease, so that it is possible to provide a gaming machine that is interesting for a player, while a gaming machine that is easy to use for a game hall Is possible. Moreover, the player can enjoy this effect only by an extremely simple operation of launching a game ball, that is, the player can execute this effect evenly, and as a result, the player The added value for launching a game ball is increased, and the taste of the game is improved.

  The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the starting ball detecting means detects the gaming ball and extracts a random number while the slot game is displayed on the image display device. In this case, the random number extracted by the storage means is stored up to a predetermined number (for example, 4). The control means sequentially displays the slot games on the image display device by the number of random numbers stored in the storage means. For example, when the storage means stores two random numbers, the slot games corresponding to the two random numbers are displayed in chronological order based on the generation order of random numbers after the currently executed slot game ends. To do.

  In the present invention, even if there is a predetermined random number in which a slot game with a high effect is displayed among the random numbers stored in the storage means, the predetermined effect is executed by the above-described effect execution means. . In other words, in the present invention, when there is a slot game with a high effect in the random number stored in the storage means, that is, in the slot game to be executed later, the effect is executed as in the invention of claim 1. The means executes a predetermined effect based on the detection of the game ball by the shot ball detection means.

  Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2 configured as described above, when there is a slot game having a high effect in the slot game stored in the storage means and executed later, the game ball that has been launched or has been launched. Since the predetermined effect is executed only by detecting the game, that is, the player has added value for launching the game ball in the state where the memory means is stored, the invention of claim 1 is further added. The effect can be made remarkable, the execution frequency of a predetermined effect is increased, and the game taste is further improved.

  The gaming machine according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the effect execution means is executed when the storage means stores a predetermined number or more of random numbers. For example, as described above, when the number of random numbers that can be stored by the storage unit is four, and when the number of random numbers stored by the storage unit that the execution executing unit is to be executed is three or more, The effect is produced.

  In other words, when the storage means stores three or four, the player executes the above-mentioned stop-bet in order to avoid so-called overflow balls (waste balls) that are not stored even when winning or passing through the starting winning device. However, according to the present invention, when the memory of the storage means is full or nearly full (three or four memories), the effect is produced in the slot game that is stored in the storage means and executed later. When there is a highly effective slot game, a predetermined effect is executed by the effect execution means. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3 having such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2, a game Even if there is a lot of memory in the memory means and there is a high possibility that the launched game ball will become an overflow ball (waste ball), a slot game (for example, The game ball can continue to be fired with great expectation that there will be a big hit), which can effectively prevent the player from stopping, and as a result, the operating rate of the gaming machine is dramatically improved Can be made.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 4, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the effect executing means is executed at least during the display of the variation of the symbol in the slot game, or It is executed continuously during the symbol change display period. For example, when a predetermined effect is executed before a high-effect effect display is displayed (for example, before reaching reach), that is, when reach is occurring in a state where the symbol is changing. The player can predict that an effect display (for example, reach) with a high effect is displayed, that is, when a predetermined effect is executed, the player may generate a special game advantageous to him / her. It is possible to face a game with great expectation that there is no such result, and as a result, the taste of the game can be further improved, and a gaming machine that always has a sense of expectation can be provided regardless of the changing situation of the design. Moreover, if this effect is continuously executed during the symbol display period, the player's expectation will be maintained for a long time, and the player will be able to fully enjoy this effect. The taste of is greatly improved.

  Various effects performed by the effect execution means are conceivable, and may be as follows, for example. That is, the gaming machine according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the performance performed by the performance execution means is sound, light, display, vibration, air blow alone or those. It is configured as a combination of For sound, light, and display, for example, an existing control circuit provided in a gaming machine and an existing speaker, lamp, LED, display device, etc. provided in a game board or a game frame are easily used. Can be realized. In addition, vibration may be provided to a player by providing a vibrator on a launching handle of a launching unit or a gaming chair outside the gaming machine, for example, and blowing may be performed on a gaming machine dish or gaming frame or outside the gaming machine. In a place adjacent to a gaming machine, for example, a so-called curtain board or bampan (upper part of the gaming machine) of an island stand where the gaming machine is installed, an inter-unit (side part of the gaming machine), a top board or a waist board (lower part of the gaming machine) ) May be incorporated with a blower so that the player can experience it. In particular, if these are combined as appropriate, an elaborate production is possible, and a higher effect can be achieved.

  The effects executed by the effect execution means may be as follows. That is, in the gaming machine according to claim 6, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the effect executed by the effect executing means changes the firing interval of the game balls of the launching means. To do. In other words, in the present invention, when the effect execution means is executed, the effect of giving a change different from the normal (predetermined interval) to the timing at which the game ball is launched is performed. For example, as described above, when 100 game balls are continuously fired per minute, the game balls are fired at intervals of 0.6 seconds. In the present invention, however, each time one game ball is fired. The firing interval is changed (for example, 0.5 seconds → 0.7 seconds → 0.6 seconds ...), the firing interval is generally shortened (less than 0.6 seconds), or long (0.6 seconds) (Super). In this way, it is possible to easily realize the effect execution means, and the player recognizes that the timing at which the game ball is fired is different from the normal game, and that this state is likely to be a special game. If you experience this, you will be surprised and interested in the game.

  Further, the performance executed by the performance execution means may be as follows. That is, the gaming machine according to claim 7 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the effect executed by the effect executing means is predetermined each time the shot ball detecting means detects the game ball. Try to pronounce sound effects. For example, each time a game ball is fired, an imitation sound such as “can”, “buy” or “journ” may be generated. Even in this way, the effect execution means can be easily realized, and the same effect as that of the invention of claim 6 can be obtained.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 8, in the gaming machine according to claim 7, a plurality of types of slot games with high performance effects are provided, and the probability that the result of the plurality of types of slot games is a specific symbol is provided. Are set differently in advance. That is, each of a plurality of types of slot games with high performance effects (for example, a slot game related to reach) is provided with different reliability. The effect execution means determines the tone color of the sound effect depending on which of the plurality of types of slot games the extracted random number corresponds to, that is, which of the slot games related to reach having different reliability levels. Produce pronunciations differently.

  For example, there are three types of slot games related to reach: high, medium, and low. The extracted random number is “Journ” when the slot game is related to reach with high reliability, and reach with medium reliability. For example, “buy” is used for the slot game related to the game, and “can” is used for the slot game related to the reach having a low reliability. According to the invention of claim 8 having such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 7, the player can also know the reliability of the possibility of becoming a special game due to this effect. The added value for launching a ball is increased, and the taste of the game is greatly improved. When the effect is other than the sound effect, the effect may be changed according to the reliability of the slot game with high effect (slot game related to reach) according to the present invention.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 9, in the gaming machine according to claim 7 or claim 8, the effect execution means is continuously executed across a plurality of slot games, and during each slot game. Sequentially increase the number of sound effects to be pronounced. For example, when the sound effect is pronounced “Kan” and the production is executed across three slot games, “Kan” is pronounced once during the execution of the first slot game and the next slot game is being executed. Is pronounced twice as “kang” and “kang”, and “kang” “kang” “kang” is pronounced three times during the last slot game. According to the invention of claim 9 having such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 7 or claim 8, the effect of the effect execution means increases step by step with the progress of the slot game, and the player Can enjoy the production while maintaining the expectation for a long time. In the present invention, the light may be blinked together with the sound effect or in place of the sound effect. In this case, the light blinking speed may be sequentially increased.

  The gaming machine according to claim 10 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shot ball detecting means detects the game ball for a predetermined time during the execution or standby of the effect executing means. When not detected, the prohibiting means prohibits the execution of the effect executing means. In other words, according to the present invention, even when the effect of the effect executing means is performed, or when a predetermined random number is extracted and the effect of the effect executing means is about to be performed, When the game ball is not fired (for example, 5 seconds), it is determined that the stop hit has been executed, and execution of the effect execution means thereafter is prohibited.

  According to the invention of claim 10 having such a configuration, in addition to the effect of any one of claims 1 to 9, the player recognizes that this effect is prohibited when the stop is performed. As a result, they will be discouraged from stopping, and as a result, the operating rate of the gaming machine will further increase and sales will improve. It should be noted that the determination as to whether or not the stop hit has been executed is made by replacing the detection of the game ball by the shot ball detecting means with, for example, a hit ball operation handle switch provided in the shot means, a ball feed solenoid of the hit ball launching device, a launch motor or a hit ball operation. You may make it perform based on signals, such as a stop switch.

  In the meantime, if a player has stopped playing against his will, the following is recommended. That is, the gaming machine according to claim 11 is the gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein after the prohibiting means is executed, when the shot ball detecting means detects the gaming ball, that is, the player releases the stop-off. When the game ball is fired again, the low effect execution means executes an effect with a lower effect than the effect executed by the effect execution means. Examples of the effects having a low effect include, for example, generating a pseudo sound or blinking a lamp or LED for a short period of time. According to the invention of claim 11 having such a configuration, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 10, due to the effect that the effect effect of the low effect execution means is low, the player is further interested if the player does not stop. He will have a sense of expectation that a certain performance may be performed, and will be discouraged afterwards. That is, it is possible to prevent the player from stopping. Furthermore, even a stopped player can enjoy an effect with a low effect, so even a stopped player does not feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, the launch ball detecting means including a proximity sensor or the like may be provided in the vicinity of the ball feeder of the launch means, the launch rail, the launch path, or the entrance of the game area. You may do as follows. That is, the gaming machine according to claim 12 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the game ball launched from the launching means is returned to the launch path again at the entrance of the game area. A return ball prevention device for preventing the return ball is provided, and the shot ball detection means is provided on the game area side and in the vicinity of the return ball prevention device. According to the invention of claim 12 having such a configuration, in addition to the effects of any one of claims 1 to 11, the game ball that has flowed into the game area can be reliably detected, while being launched. Nevertheless, since the game ball that has not reached the game area is not detected, it is possible to prevent the performance of the performance execution means from being performed by the so-called empty shot of the intentional player.

  Further, in the gaming machine according to claim 13, in the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the shot ball detecting means counts the game balls that have been launched after the special game is finished. Each time the number of game balls stored in the count storage means reaches a predetermined number, the effect effect of the effect execution means is enhanced step by step. For example, every time the number of game balls stored in the counting storage means is a multiple of 500, the healing tone is gradually increased. According to the invention of claim 13 having such a configuration, in addition to the effect of any one of claims 1 to 12, the interest of the game is increased even for a player who cannot easily acquire a special game, As a result, the operating rate of gaming machines is improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is an overall front view of the gaming machine 1, FIG. 2 is a front view of a special symbol display device 6, and FIG. 3 is a principal block diagram of a gaming machine control device 100 provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1, FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the relationship between the main control circuit 44 and the display control circuit 111 constituting the gaming machine control device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment includes an outer frame 22 fixed to a game island (not shown) and an inner frame 23 attached to the outer frame 22. The game board 21 that provides the player with a pachinko game, the hitting operation handle 2 that operates the hitting ball launching device 43 described later when operated by the player, and the game ball launched by the hitting ball launching device 43 are guided. A striking ball guide rail 3 to be played, a game region forming rail 4 provided so that the launched game ball flies within a certain range, a game region 5 surrounded by the striking ball guiding rail 3 and the game region forming rail 4, A return ball prevention valve 24 for preventing a game ball attached to the tip of the game area forming rail 4 and being launched into the game area 5 from returning to the firing path between the hit ball guiding rail 3 and the game area forming rail 4. The launch ball detection sensor 124 attached to the hit ball guide rail 3 in the vicinity of the return ball prevention valve 24 for detecting the game ball launched into the game area 5 and the game ball launched into the game area 5 are changed in an unexpected direction. A special symbol display device 6 composed of a windmill 20 that gives a special display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) that performs a pseudo display (hereinafter also referred to as scroll display) showing a state in which the special symbol rotates, and a game ball wins a prize The start winning opening (electric tulip) 11 for starting the special symbol display (scroll display) on the special symbol display device 6 by doing this, and the game ball is the start winning port while the special symbol display device 6 is displaying the special symbol variation If the player wins 11 (hereinafter, such a game ball is also referred to as a holding ball), after the change display ends, the player is notified how many times the change is displayed (up to 4 times). Four hold LEDs 25 (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, see FIG. 2) for sequentially performing a turn-on display of the hold memory to know, an image display unit 30 for displaying a predetermined image in the special symbol display device 6, In this image display unit 30, the left symbol display unit 8, the middle symbol display unit 9, the right symbol display unit 10, and the display results of the special symbol display device 6, which display three special symbols individually, are predetermined ( In the case of a big hit), the big winning opening (attacker) 7 that is advantageously opened to the player, the hitting ball supply tray 12 for supplying the game ball to the hitting ball launching device 43, and the hitting ball supply tray 12 cannot be fully accommodated. An extra ball receiving tray 13 that can store a ball and can move a game ball to a storage ball box (not shown), a normal winning opening 14 through which a winning ball is paid out by winning, A game effect lamp 15 for notifying of award balls for ball award, clogging, and abnormality, an out port 16 for collecting game balls provided at the bottom of the game area 5, and a glass door frame 17 provided for opening and closing. When a normal symbol of one digit is displayed and the normal symbol is a predetermined normal symbol (winning), the normal symbol constituted by a 7-segment LED or the like that opens the blade of the electric tulip as the start winning opening 11 The symbol display device 18, a normal symbol operation gate 19 that causes the normal symbol display device 18 to start the normal symbol variation display when the game ball passes, and the normal symbol display device 18 displays the normal symbol variation display during the normal symbol variation display. When the normal symbol actuating gate 19 is passed (hereinafter, such a game ball is also referred to as a pass-holding ball), after the change display is finished, how many times the change display is performed (up to 4 times). It is constituted by the four pending LED26 sequentially performing the lighting display of the pending memory for informing the player (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, see FIG. 2) and.

  In the gaming machine 1 configured as described above, first, a game ball is launched from the hit ball launching device 43 by the operation of the hitting operation handle 2 of the player, and passes between the hit ball guiding rail 3 and the game area forming rail 4. A game ball is launched into the game area 5 on the game board 21. Then, the game ball falls in the game area 5 due to its own weight, and in the process of falling, the game ball is changed in the direction of dropping by a game nail or windmill 20 (not shown) implanted in the game board 21, In the case where the normal winning opening 14 is won, the normal symbol operating gate 19 is passed, or all the winning holes are not won, the payout is collected at the out opening 16.

  When the game ball wins the start winning opening 11, a predetermined prize ball is given to the player, and the game ball is detected by a start winning detection sensor 116 described later, and each symbol display unit 8 of the special symbol display device 6 is detected. , 9, 10 are displayed in a scrolled manner, and after a predetermined time, a slot game is performed in which a special symbol is stopped in the order of the left symbol display unit 8, the right symbol display unit 10, and the middle symbol display unit 9, and a lottery is performed. When the special symbol of the part 8 and the special symbol of the right symbol display part 10 are stopped, a combination of special symbols constituting a big hit (for example, the special symbol of the left symbol display part 8 and the special symbol of the right symbol display part 10 are The same special symbol combination) is reached, and a predetermined reach action is displayed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6, and then the special symbol of the middle symbol display unit 9 is displayed. When the special symbol that is confirmed and displayed at the time of the stoppage is a combination of a special symbol that is determined in advance, it is a big hit, and the attacker as the big winning opening 7 is opened in a predetermined manner. If it is a combination of special symbols, it will be out of place.

  Further, when the game ball wins the normal winning opening 14, a predetermined prize ball is given to the player. When the game ball passes the normal symbol operation gate 19, the game ball is detected by an operation gate detection sensor 121, which will be described later, the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 18, a lottery is performed, and the confirmation display When the normal symbol is a normal symbol determined in advance, it is a win and the blades of the start winning opening (electric tulip) 11 are opened for a predetermined time.

Next, the gaming machine control device 100 provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The gaming machine control device 100 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, and the main control circuit 44 mainly constituting the gaming machine control device 100 includes an input circuit 101, an output circuit 110, a one-chip microcomputer 27, and a bus connecting them. 115 (data bus, address bus, control bus, etc.), and the one-chip microcomputer 27 is connected to the output circuit 110 on the basis of signals from the sensors and switches acquired via the input circuit 101. A predetermined control program for controlling various circuits and devices is executed. The one-chip microcomputer 27 includes a CPU 102 that executes a control program, a ROM 103 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 102, and a RAM 104 that temporarily stores data processed by the CPU 102.

  When the winning of the game ball provided in the start winning opening 11 is detected in the input circuit 101, a start winning detection sensor 116 that sends a special symbol variation start signal (hereinafter also referred to as a start signal), and the starting winning opening 11 is won. A count switch 123 that detects a game ball, an operation gate detection sensor 121 that sends a normal symbol variation start signal (hereinafter also referred to as an operation signal) when the passage of the game ball provided in the normal symbol operation gate 19 is detected, and a grand prize A count switch 117 that detects a game ball that has won a prize in the grand prize opening 7 by opening the mouth 7, and a hitting operation handle switch 119 that is turned on when the hitting operation handle 2 is rotated and the gaming ball is fired. The hitting operation is stopped by stopping the operation of the game ball by turning off the operation of the ball hitting device 43 by pressing the ball operating handle 2 provided at a predetermined position. The operation stop switch 120, the safe ball detection sensor 122 that outputs the safe signal necessary for counting the game balls won in each winning opening as safe balls and paying out the game balls as prizes, and the game area 5 were launched. A launch ball detection sensor 124 for detecting a game ball is connected.

  The output circuit 110 includes a lamp control circuit 37 that controls lighting / flashing of LEDs (for example, the hold LED 25 and the hold LED 26) and various display lamps (for example, the game effect lamp 15) provided on the game board surface, and a grand prize. A solenoid 106 for opening the attacker as the mouth 7, a solenoid 107 for opening the electric tulip as the start winning opening 11, and a voice for performing voice control for amplifying various sound effects from the speaker 113. The control circuit 38 is connected to an external information terminal 109 connected to a hall management computer or the like (not shown).

  Furthermore, the payout control circuit 40 and the display control circuit 111 are connected to the output circuit 110. The payout control circuit 40 includes a payout control CPU (not shown), a RAM having a storage area for storing the work area of the payout control CPU, the number of prize balls corresponding to each prize ball command, and the like. And a ROM in which control data and a control program for paying out a prize ball are stored. The payout control circuit 40 drives and controls the prize ball payout device 41 according to the prize ball command instructed from the CPU 102 of the main control circuit 44, and performs prize ball payout control. In addition, the payout control circuit 40 is connected to a hitting ball launching device 43 for projecting a pachinko ball toward the game area 5 via the launching control circuit 42. And control.

  Next, the display control circuit 111 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the display control circuit 111 includes a CPU 140 that executes a display control program therein, a ROM 142 that stores a display control program executed by the CPU 140, and a RAM 141 that is built in the CPU 140 that forms a work area of the CPU 140. ing. The display control circuit 111 stores VDP 143 that controls an image displayed on the special symbol display device 6 as an LCD, display control data (variation pattern, etc.) corresponding to each command read by the VDP 143, and characters, symbols, backgrounds, etc. A VRAM 144 having a storage area for temporarily storing and holding the image data processed by the CGROM 145 and the VDP 143 for the image data.

  That is, the display control circuit 111 receives a control signal such as a one-way strobe signal or a display control command signal from the CPU 102 of the main control circuit 44 via an input circuit (not shown). The control CPU 140 recognizes the display control command. Then, the VDP 143 reads display control data, characters, symbols, backgrounds, and the like from the data area corresponding to the display control command from the CGROM 145 and stores them in the VRAM 144 that temporarily stores the image data. The VDP 143 reads out the stored image data from the VRAM 144 when the display order is reached, and displays the image data on the LCD (special symbol display device 6) in a predetermined manner in accordance with a command from the CPU 140.

  Note that the display control circuit 111 includes a RAM and a VRAM backup 146 circuit that can retain the stored contents of the RAM 141 and the VRAM 144 even when the power is turned off. Thus, a normal symbol display device 18 as a 7-segment LED is connected. The main control circuit 44 has a RAM backup 130 circuit that can retain the stored contents of the RAM 104 even when the power is turned off, similar to the display control circuit 111. Further, the main control circuit 44 is externally connected to the main control circuit 44. A test terminal for testing the contents of 44, for example, a connector is also provided.

  Thus, if the RAM 104 of the main control circuit 44 and the RAM 141 and VRAM 144 of the display control circuit 111 have a backup function capable of retaining stored contents even when the power is turned off, for example, lightning occurs nearby. Even if the power supply of the gaming machine 1 is suddenly cut off due to surge current entering the gaming machine 1 or the like, the game is stored in the RAM 104 of the main control circuit 44, the RAM 141 of the display control circuit 111, and the VRAM 144. Since all the data is preserved, when the power of the gaming machine 1 is restored, the game can be resumed from the previous gaming state, and the game arcade can provide a fair game to the player, while the player, for example, Even if the power is cut off in an advantageous gaming state, it is possible to continue the advantageous gaming state after the power is restored, so there is an unexpected disadvantage It can be avoided. In addition to the RAM 104 of the main control circuit 44 and the RAM 141 and VRAM 144 of the display control circuit 111, this backup function is also provided in the RAM of other control circuits such as the RAM of the payout control circuit 40 that controls the payout of prize balls as described above. May be. The RAM 141 described above may not be built in the CPU 140 and may be external to the CPU 140.

  Further, the control signal (strobe signal, command signal, etc.) is communicated in one direction from the CPU 102 of the main control circuit 44 to the display control circuit 111, that is, by eliminating the input from the display control circuit 111 to the main control circuit 44. The number of inputs to the main control circuit 44 that controls the main control of the entire gaming machine 1 can be reduced, and illegal signal input to the main control circuit 44 can be eliminated as much as possible, and the game field can provide appropriate games to the player. At the same time, the circuit configuration and program related to the communication between the two can be simplified, and it becomes easy to develop and produce the gaming machine 1, leading to cost reduction. Note that the one-way communication from the CPU 102 of the main control circuit 44 is not limited to the display control circuit 111 as shown in FIG. 3 but also to other control circuits such as the payout control circuit 40 for paying out the prize balls. To do.

  When the substrate on which the main control circuit 44, the payout control circuit 40, etc. are stored is stored in the substrate BOX, a so-called caulking structure that is sealed by a predetermined means so as to leave a trace of opening the substrate BOX remains. It is desirable to adopt. As a result, fraud to the main control circuit 44 and the payout control circuit 40 can be further eliminated. Further, the normal symbol display device 18 connected to the display control circuit 111 may be directly connected to the output circuit 110 of the main control circuit 44, or the lamp control circuit directly connected to the output circuit 110 of the main control circuit 44. 37 and the audio control circuit 38 may be connected to the display control circuit 111 or the payout control circuit 40. Further, the hitting operation handle switch 119 and the hitting operation stop switch 120 connected to the input circuit 101 may be directly connected to the launch control circuit 42 or the payout control circuit 40. These may be appropriately designed according to the functions and arrangement of various devices constituting the gaming machine control device 100, the processing speed of each CPU, the capacity of a storage device such as ROM, RAM, and the like.

  In the gaming machine 1 configured as described above, the gaming machine control device 100 performs overall control of the gaming machine 1 by executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIG. Various images corresponding thereto are displayed on the special symbol display device 6 or the like. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main game process (main routine) executed by the CPU 102 of the main control circuit 44. Immediately after the power is turned on, the CPU 102 performs initialization processing (step S10, hereinafter step S is simply abbreviated as S), and initialization of each flag, each register, and each storage area necessary for stack setting and the following processing is performed. Do. When the CPU 102 finishes the initialization process of S10, the process proceeds to the random number update process of S20. The CPU 102 executes a main routine (each program stored in the ROM 103 of the main control circuit 44), that is, each process of S20 to S60 described below, every reset interrupt (4 msec).

  FIG. 6 is a list of main random numbers handled in the main control circuit 44. In the main control circuit 44, as shown in FIG. 6, various counters C1 to C7 (random numbers 1 to 7) are set as random numbers for randomly setting the game mode. The CPU 102 updates the values related to the counters C1 to C7 in the random number update process of S20. The counters C1 to C7 shown below are provided in order to always create an invariant complete probability. For example, the counter C1 to C7 creates a probability that changes every time, for example, a forklift that does not return a drawing lot. is not.

  The big hit determination counter C1 (random numbers 1, 0 to 314) is a random number counter (a big hit in the case of 7 at normal times, a probability of 1/315) that draws whether or not a special symbol combination is a big hit. It starts from 0 at the time of input, and is incremented (added by 1) every reset interrupt (4 msec). However, when this random number counter C1 becomes 315, it is rewritten to 0.

  Random number counter for determining the stop symbol of a special symbol is a random number that creates an off symbol other than the jackpot symbol, which will be described later, as a special symbol combination (including a case where the symbol is disengaged after reaching reach; Counters for left stop symbol determination C2 (random numbers 2, 0 to 13), middle stop symbol determination counter C3 (random numbers 3, 0 to 13), right stop symbol determination counter C4 (random numbers 4, 0 to 13) 13) is provided.

  The left stop symbol determination counter C2 is a counter used to create a symbol for the left symbol, starts from 0 when the power is turned on, and is incremented (added by 1) every reset interrupt (4 msec). However, when the random number counter C2 becomes 14, it is rewritten to 0. The middle stop symbol determination counter C3 is a counter used to create a middle symbol, starts from 0 when the power is turned on, and is incremented (added by 1) each time the left stop symbol determination counter C2 is set to zero. The However, when the random number counter C3 becomes 14, it is rewritten to 0. The right stop symbol determination counter C4 is a counter used for creating the right symbol, starts from 0 when the power is turned on, and is incremented (added by 1) each time the intermediate stop symbol determination counter C3 is set to 0. The However, when this random number counter C4 becomes 14, it is rewritten to 0. By doing so, it is possible to prevent synchronization of the left, middle and right symbols.

  The reach determination counter C5 (random numbers 5, 0 to 11) is a random number counter that draws whether or not to reach out when the special symbol combination is out of symbol (in the case of 3, out of reach, probability 1/12) ) And starts from 0 when the power is turned on, and is incremented (added by 1) every reset interrupt (4 msec). However, when the random number counter C5 becomes 12, it is rewritten to 0.

  The jackpot symbol determination counter C6 (random numbers 6, 0 to 13) is a random number counter that creates a jackpot symbol as a combination of special symbols. The counter is started from 0 when the power is turned on and is incremented every reset interrupt (4 msec) (1 Added). However, when this random number counter C6 becomes 14, it is rewritten to 0.

  The variation pattern determination counter C7 (random numbers 7, 0 to 51) is a random number counter for lottery of which variation pattern is adopted when the combination of special symbols is a big hit and the reach is out of or out of reach. It starts from 0 at the time of input, and is incremented (added by 1) every reset interrupt (4 msec). However, when this random number counter C7 becomes 52, it is rewritten to 0.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the CPU 102 finishes the random number update process of S <b> 20, the CPU 102 proceeds to the normal game process of S <b> 30. Since the normal game process is not a main part of the present invention, it will be briefly described here. That is, in the normal game process, based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 19, the numbers 1 to 9 as normal symbols are variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 18 by the operation signal from the operation gate detection sensor 121. When 7 is confirmed and displayed, the process is performed for opening the blades of the electric tulip as the start winning opening 11 for a predetermined time. Note that the game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operation gate 19 while the normal symbol is variably displayed become pass-holding balls. Up to four pass-holding balls are stored, and the hold LEDs 26 (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) are sequentially stored. Turned on or off to notify the player how many times the normal symbol variation display is performed after the normal symbol variation display is completed.

  When the normal game process (S30) is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to S40 and executes the special game process. The special game process includes a start prize opening prize process, a special symbol game process, and an effect process that is a main part of the present invention. First, the start prize opening prize process will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the start winning opening winning process. When the start winning award winning process is started, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a game ball won in the start winning opening 11 is detected (start signal input from the start winning detection sensor 116) (S102). If a ball has not been detected (NO in S102), the start winning award winning process is terminated. On the other hand, when a game ball is detected (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S104 to determine whether the value of counter B is less than 5.

  The counter B is a counter set in the main control circuit 44 to store the number of reserved memories (the number of held balls) of the hold LED 25, and detects the game ball won by the start winning detection sensor 116 at the start winning opening 11. When the power is turned on, the minimum value is changed from 0 to a maximum value of 5, and when the power is turned on, the value is initialized and the minimum value of 0 is set.

  If NO in step S104, that is, if the counter B has a value of 5 or more, the start winning opening winning process is terminated. On the other hand, if YES in S104, that is, if the counter B has a value of 0 to 4, the process proceeds to S106, and the CPU 102 increments (adds 1) the value of the counter B based on the start signal described above. The process proceeds to S108, and random number acquisition processing is executed. When the CPU 102 proceeds to the random number acquisition process of S108, the CPU 102 acquires the current values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 out of the counters C1 to C7 described above and stores them in the acquired numerical value storage area of the RAM 104, respectively. When the random number acquisition process of S108 is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to S110 and executes the hold LED lighting control process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the hold LED lighting control process (S110). When the hold LED lighting control process is executed, the CPU 102 first determines whether or not the value of the counter B is 2 in the process of S120, and if it is 2 (YES in S120), stores the hold ball. Since there is one, the process proceeds to S122, and the hold LED 25a is turned on. On the other hand, when the value of counter B is not 2 (NO in S120), the process proceeds to S124, and CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of counter B is 3, and in the case of 3 (YES in S124). Since there are two storages of the holding ball, the process proceeds to S126, and the holding LED 25b is turned on.

  On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 3 (NO in S124), the process proceeds to S128, and CPU 102 determines whether the value of counter B is 4 or not (YES in S128). Since there are three stored balls, the process proceeds to S130 and the hold LED 25c is turned on. On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 4 (NO in S128), the process proceeds to S132, and CPU 102 determines whether the value of counter B is 5 or not (YES in S132). Since there are four storage balls, the process proceeds to S134, and the storage LED 25d is turned on.

  On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 5 (NO in S132), that is, if the value of counter B is 0 or 1, the hold LED is lit without lighting any of the hold LEDs 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d. The control process (S110) is terminated.

  Next, the special symbol game process will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the special symbol game process. The special symbol game process is processed in parallel with the above-described start winning opening winning process (FIG. 7). When this special symbol game process is executed, the CPU 102 first determines whether or not the value of the counter B is 1 or more in the process of S318, and if the value of the counter B is not 1 or more (NO in S318). That is, when the value of the counter B is 0, the special symbol game process is terminated. On the other hand, when the value of the counter B is 1 or more in the process of S318 (YES in S318), the process proceeds to S345, and the CPU 102 sets values in the big hit flag F1 and the reach flag F2, respectively. To do.

  Here, main flags set in the main control circuit 44 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a list of main flags in the main control circuit 44. As shown in FIG. 10, there are five main flags in total, and each of these flags is set to 0 when the power is turned on. F1 and F2 are a big hit flag and a reach flag, and these flags are big hits based on the values of the big hit determination counter C1 and the reach determination counter C5 in the process of S345 described later, 1 is set when it is determined to reach, and the big hit flag F1 is set to a special symbol control process (FIG. 19) when the big hit game is finished in the process of S408 of the big hit game process (FIG. 19) described later. When the slot game related to reach is completed in the process of S375 of 14), 0 is set for each.

  F5 is an effect sound effect flag, and this flag is used when the big hit game process, the nonstop effect process, and the sound effect effect process are not executed in the process of S210 of the effect process (FIG. 21) described later. 1 is stored when it is determined that 3 or 4 or more are stored (the value of the counter B is 4 or more), and there is at least one reach among these reserved balls based on the value of the reach determination counter C5. On the other hand, 0 is set when the sound effect production process is completed in the process of S222, or when the non-stop is released in the process of S250 of the non-stop production process (FIG. 27) described later. That is, when the sound effect effect flag F5 is 1 (and a later-described stop effect flag F6 is 0), it indicates that the sound effect effect process is being executed.

  F6 is a stop hit effect flag, and this flag is used when the fired ball detection sensor 124 cannot detect the fired ball for a predetermined time during the sound effect effect process in the process of S226 of the effect process (FIG. 21) described later. 1 is set. On the other hand, 0 is set when the stop hit is released in the process of S248 of the stop hit effect process (FIG. 27) described later. That is, when the stop effect flag F6 is 1 (and the sound effect flag F5 is 1), it indicates that the stop effect process is being executed.

  F7 is a probability variation flag. This flag is set to 1 when a specific big win symbol (odd big hit symbol) is fixedly displayed and the big hit probability is increased in the processing of S428 (FIG. 9) described later. When the big hit game is started in the process of S389 of the big hit game process (FIG. 19), 0 is set. That is, when the probability variation flag F7 is 1, it indicates that the big hit probability is high.

  Returning to FIG. 9, that is, in the process of S345, in the random number acquisition process of S108 of the start winning opening winning process, the acquisition value of the big hit determination counter C1 (random numbers 1, 0 to 314) is normal (F7 = 0). 7 when the big hit probability is high (F7 = 1), the big hit flag F1 is set to 1 in the case of 7, 33, 77, 111, 222. Note that if the acquired value of the big hit determination counter C1 is other than that, the big hit flag F1 remains zero. Accordingly, the jackpot probability at normal time is 1/315, the probability of loss is 314/315, the probability of jackpot at high probability is 1/63, and the probability of loss is 62/63 (see FIG. 16 described later).

  Further, when the obtained numerical value of the reach determination counter C5 (random numbers 5, 0 to 11) is 3, 1 is set to the reach flag F2. It should be noted that the reach flag F2 remains 0 if the acquired value of the reach determination counter C5 is not 3, that is, 0-2 and 4-11. Therefore, in this case, the probability of detachment of reach is 1/12, and the probability of detachment of non-reach is 11/12 (see FIG. 16 described later). CPU102 transfers to the special symbol determination process of S346, after complete | finishing the process of S345.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the special symbol determination process (S346). When this special symbol determination process is executed, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of the big hit flag F1 is 0 in S347. If the value of the big hit flag F1 is not 0 (NO in S347), the process proceeds to S353, and the big hit symbol storage buffer is created in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 104 and stores the big hit symbol data. Get the corresponding jackpot symbol data.

  Here, using FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the left stop symbol determination counter C2 (random numbers 2, 0 to 13), the middle stop symbol determination counter C3 (random numbers 3, 0 to 13), and the right stop symbol determination counter A special symbol (left symbol display unit 8, middle symbol display unit) as an off symbol or jackpot symbol based on the random number values of C4 (random numbers 4, 0 to 13) and jackpot symbol determination counter C6 (random numbers 6, 0 to 13) 9. A case where each special symbol displayed on the right symbol display unit 10 is created will be described. 12 and 13 show the relationship between the random numbers of the stop symbol determination counters C2, C3, C4 and the jackpot symbol determination counter C6 and the special symbols, and the special symbols are the stop symbol determination counters C2, C3, C4 and It is explanatory drawing which shows the process produced based on the random value of the big hit symbol determination counter C6. First, with reference to FIGS. 12A, 12 </ b> B, 12 </ b> C, and 13 </ b> A, a case where a special symbol combination (including a reach deviation) is created as a special symbol combination will be described.

  The left stop symbol determination counter C2 (random numbers 2, 0 to 13), the middle stop symbol determination counter C3 (random numbers 3, 0 to 13) and the right stop symbol determination counter C4 (random numbers 4, 0 to 13) are respectively As shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C, the special symbols 1 to 14 correspond to the random numbers 0 to 13 and are counted up as described in the random number update process of S20. However, since the process of continuing to update during the remaining time of the main game process is performed by the random number update process of S60 shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, each random value takes a random value every 4 msec. As a result, each special symbol corresponding to the random number is also created as random data every 4 msec.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13A, the data of each special symbol created to be displayed on the left symbol display unit 8, the middle symbol display unit 9, and the right symbol display unit 10 every 4 msec is stored in the RAM 104. Are stored while being rewritten in a predetermined symbol storage buffer created in the storage area. Here, as a special symbol combination, when reach outlier data is created, the reach symbol storing buffer is created. Each of them is stored in the storage buffer, and when the jackpot symbol data shown in FIG. 12D is created as a special symbol combination, it is not stored. In FIG. 13 (A), “1, 2, 1” is shown as an example of a special combination of out-of-reach and “5, 5, 1” is shown as an example of a combination of out-of-reach special symbols. ing.

  Next, the case where a big hit symbol is created as a combination of special symbols will be described using FIG. 12 (D) and FIG. 13 (B). The jackpot symbol determination counter C6 (random numbers 6, 0 to 13) is, as shown in FIG. 12D, jackpot symbols “1, 1, 1” to “14, 14 and 14 ”, and is counted up as described in the random number update process of S20 above. However, the remainder of the main game process is determined by the random number update process of S60 shown in FIG. Therefore, the random value takes a random value every 4 msec, and as a result, the jackpot symbol corresponding to the random value is created as random data every 4 msec.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the big hit symbol data created to be displayed on the left symbol display unit 8, the middle symbol display unit 9, and the right symbol display unit 10 every 4 msec is stored in a predetermined memory of the RAM 104. The jackpot symbol storage buffer created in the area is stored while being rewritten. In FIG. 13B, the big hit symbol “5, 5, 5” as a combination of special symbols is shown as an example. In addition, among the jackpot symbols, odd numbered numbers (“1, 1, 1” “3, 3, 3” “5, 5, 5” “7, 7, 7” “9, 9, 9” “ 11, 11, 11 "," 13, 13, 13 ") is a specific big symbol, and the other numbers are even numbers (" 2, 2, 2 "," 4, 4, 4 "," 6, 6, 6 ”,“ 8, 8, 8 ”,“ 10, 10, 10 ”,“ 12, 12, 12 ”,“ 14, 14, 14 ”) is a normal big bonus symbol, and the specific big bonus symbol is more than the normal big bonus symbol Benefits more advantageous to the player are given. That is, when the specific bonus symbol is confirmed and displayed, a process for increasing the jackpot probability is executed in the process of S426 described later.

  Returning to FIG. 11, that is, in the processing of S353, if the big hit flag F1 is set to 1 (in the case of big hit), the CPU 102 reads out the big hit symbol data stored in the big hit symbol storage buffer and reads it. The jackpot symbol corresponding to the jackpot symbol data is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6 this time, and stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 104.

  On the other hand, in the case of YES in S347, the process proceeds to S348, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of the reach flag F2 is 0. If the value of the reach flag F2 is 0 (YES in S348), the process proceeds to S349, and the CPU 102 reads out the missed symbol data stored in the missed symbol storage buffer that does not become reach, The outlier corresponding to the read out out symbol data is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6 this time, and stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 104.

  On the other hand, in the case of NO in S348, the process proceeds to S351, and the CPU 102 reads out the missed symbol data stored in the reach symbol storing buffer, and displays the reach missed symbol corresponding to the read missed symbol data. This time, it is determined as a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6, and is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 104.

  When any one of S349, S351, and S353 is completed, the CPU 102 ends the special symbol determination process (S346), and proceeds to the special symbol control process of S354. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the special symbol control process (S354). When this special symbol control process is executed, CPU 102 executes a special symbol variation display process shown in FIG. 15 in S356.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the special symbol variation display process (S356). When this special symbol variation display process is executed, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of the big hit flag F1 is 0 in the process of S358. If the value of the jackpot flag F1 is not 0 (NO in S358), that is, the symbol data acquired this time is the jackpot symbol acquired from the jackpot symbol storage buffer in S353 of the special symbol determination process (S346) described above. If it is data, the process proceeds to S360, and the CPU 102 displays the display of any variation pattern from among the variation pattern 4, the variation pattern 22, the variation pattern 32, the variation pattern 52, and the variation pattern 62. A process of outputting a variation pattern designation command or the like instructed to the control circuit 111 is executed.

  On the other hand, if YES in the process of S358, the process proceeds to S362, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of the reach flag F2 is zero. If the value of the reach flag F2 is 0 (YES in S362), that is, the symbol data acquired this time is acquired from the outlier symbol storage buffer that does not become reach in S349 of the special symbol determination process (S346) described above. If the pattern data is out of order, the process proceeds to S365, and the CPU 102 executes a process of outputting a variation pattern designation command or the like for instructing the display control circuit 111 to display the variation pattern 1 or the variation pattern 7. To do.

  On the other hand, in the case of NO in the process of S362, that is, when the symbol data acquired this time is the reach deviation symbol data acquired from the reach symbol storage buffer in S351 of the special symbol determination process (S346) described above. Shifts to the processing of S366, and the CPU 102 displays the display of any variation pattern from among the variation pattern 21, the variation pattern 22, the variation pattern 31, the variation pattern 32, the variation pattern 52, and the variation pattern 62. A process of outputting a variation pattern designation command or the like instructed to 111 is executed.

  In the processes of S360, S365, and S366, one fluctuation pattern is selected from the plurality of fluctuation patterns because the fluctuation pattern determination counter C7 (random numbers 7, 0 to 0) acquired in the random number acquisition process of S108 is selected. 51) (see FIG. 16 described later).

  When the process of S360 or S366 is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S372 and executes the LED / lamp lighting control process. In the LED / lamp lighting control process (S372), the CPU 102 controls the LED lamp and the like disposed on the game board surface to light up or blink in a predetermined manner by driving the lamp control circuit 37 described above. Execute. By this processing, it is possible to notify the player that the special symbol display device 6 has displayed the variation pattern related to the big hit or the reach, and it is possible to improve the performance level of the game. When the LED / lamp lighting control process of S372 or the process of S365 is finished, the CPU 102 ends the special symbol variation display process (S356) and proceeds to the process of S373.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, the nine types of variation patterns related to the special symbol will be described. FIG. 16 is a distribution diagram of variation patterns in the main control circuit 44, and FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing reliability of variation patterns related to reach. As shown in FIG. 16, each variation pattern includes a big hit determination counter C1 (random numbers 1, 0 to 314), a reach determination counter C5 (random numbers 5, 0 to 11), and a variation pattern determination counter C7 (random numbers 7, 0). To 51) are determined based on the obtained numerical values. In FIG. 16, the numbers “62/63” and “1/63” in parentheses of “out” and “big hit” are the probability of loss and the big hit probability at high probability, and in this case the big hit determination counter C1 The value of is not shown.

  The variation pattern 1 and the variation pattern 7 are variation patterns that are selected only when the out-of-reach symbols that are not reach are determined. The appearance rates in this case are 30/52 for the variation pattern 1/22/22 for the variation pattern 7. 52. The fluctuation pattern 21 and the fluctuation pattern 31 are fluctuation patterns that are selected only when the out-of-reach symbols are determined. The appearance rates in this case are 15/52 for the fluctuation pattern 21 and 10/52 for the fluctuation pattern 31. It has become.

  The variation pattern 22, the variation pattern 32, the variation pattern 52, and the variation pattern 62 are variation patterns that are selected when a reach-out symbol is determined or a jackpot symbol is determined, and appear when a reach-out symbol is determined. The rate is 12/52 for the variation pattern 22, 8/52 for the variation pattern 32, 5/52 for the variation pattern 52, and 2/52 for the variation pattern 62. On the other hand, the appearance rate when the big hit symbol is determined is 3/52 for the variation pattern 22, 5/52 for the variation pattern 32, 18/52 for the variation pattern 52, and 24/52 for the variation pattern 62. The variation pattern 4 is a variation pattern that is selected only when the jackpot symbol is determined, and the appearance rate in that case is 2/52.

  Based on the above appearance rate, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the reliability of the variation pattern related to reach is defined as follows. That is, the variation pattern 21, the variation pattern 22, the variation pattern 31, and the variation pattern 32 have low reliability reach, the variation pattern 52 and variation pattern 62 have high reliability reach, and the variation pattern 4 has the highest reliability premium reach. To do.

  Here, referring to FIG. 18, the display control circuit 111 that has received the display instruction of the variation pattern from the main control circuit 44 displays the variation display (slot) of the special symbol displayed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6. Game). FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of transmission data as a change pattern display instruction transmitted from the main control circuit 44 and received by the display control circuit 111 that controls the special symbol display device 6. The main control circuit 44 displays the left symbol of the special symbol display device 6 using the special symbol (stop symbol) determined in the special symbol determination process in S346 using the variation pattern determined in the special symbol variation display process in S356. The transmission data shown in FIG. 18 is output for final display after variation display (scroll display) on the unit 8, the middle symbol display unit 9, and the right symbol display unit 10.

  This transmission data is output from the main control circuit 44 to the display control circuit 111, and is confirmed from the start of fluctuation of the special symbols displayed by the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10 of the special symbol display device 6. Until then, it is defined that five commands are transmitted as display control commands. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, these five commands are first transmitted with a variation pattern designation command, then with a left special symbol designation command, and subsequently with a right special symbol designation command, A medium special symbol designation command and all symbol stop designation commands are transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the five special commands are transmitted when the time T1 elapses after the first variation pattern designation command is transmitted, and the left special symbol designation command is The right special symbol designation command is transmitted when the time T2 has elapsed since the transmission, and the middle special symbol designation command is transmitted when the time T3 has elapsed since the right special symbol designation command has been transmitted. The all symbol stop designation command is transmitted when the time T has elapsed since the variation pattern designation command was transmitted. Therefore, this time T is a special symbol variation time, that is, a time from when the special symbol (the left special symbol, the middle special symbol, and the right special symbol) starts to fluctuate on the special symbol display device 6 until it stops. The special symbol variation time T is normally set to 7 to 42 seconds (13 to 42 seconds for a big hit or reach, and 7 seconds for others).

  The variation pattern designation command transmitted first includes the value of the variation pattern determination counter C7 (random numbers 7, 0 to 51) acquired in the random number acquisition process of S108 and each flag (big hit flag F1 and reach flag F2). ), And as described above, variation pattern 1, variation pattern 21, variation pattern 22, variation pattern 31, variation pattern 32, variation pattern 4, variation pattern 52, variation pattern 62 and variation Nine types of patterns 7 are prepared, and the variation state (variation pattern and variation time) of all symbols is designated. When this is transmitted, the variation of the special symbol is started.

  There are 14 types of left special symbol designation commands corresponding to the left special symbols 1 to 14 shown in FIG. 12, and the stop symbol (determined symbol) in the left column is instructed. There are 14 types of right special symbol designating commands corresponding to the right special symbols 1 to 14 shown in FIG. 12, and the stop symbol (determined symbol) in the right column is instructed. There are 14 types of medium special symbol designation commands corresponding to 1 to 14 of the medium special symbols shown in FIG. 12, and the stop symbol (determined symbol) in the middle row is instructed. One type of all symbol stop designation commands is prepared, and the stop timing of special symbols in the left column, right column, and middle column is instructed. The above variation pattern designation command, left special symbol designation command, right special symbol designation command, middle special symbol designation command and all symbol stop designation command are transmitted from the main control circuit 44 and received by the display control circuit 111. One change display from when the special symbol starts to change until it is fixedly displayed after being stopped is displayed by each of the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10 of the special symbol display device 6.

  In other words, the special symbol display displayed on the special symbol display device 6 is different in the time from the start of change to the stop of each of the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10, and each symbol display at the start of the change. The parts 8, 9 and 10 are performed simultaneously, and when the fluctuation is stopped, the left symbol display unit 8 is first stopped, then the right symbol display unit 10 is stopped, and finally the middle symbol display unit 9 is stopped. It has become. When the left symbol display unit 8 and then the right symbol display unit 10 are stopped based on the variation pattern related to the big hit or the reach, when a reach that has the same special symbol appears, the special symbol display device 6 In the image display unit 30, various effects (reach actions) that make the player entertained are performed using characters stored in the CGROM 145 of the display control circuit 111.

  In addition, the aspect until each symbol display part 8,9,10 stops from a fluctuation | variation start may be other than above, and various aspects can be considered. For example, a time difference may be provided when each of the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10 starts changing, or may be stopped simultaneously when each of the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10 stops changing. Furthermore, the order in which the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10 start changing may be changed, or the order in which the symbol display units 8, 9, and 10 stop changing may be changed. In addition, such various modes may be mixed so that the player is notified that the result of the variation display will be a big hit or reach. If it does in this way, according to the aspect from a change start to a stop, a player can assume what kind of result the present change display will become, gameability will improve, and a player's willingness to play will increase.

  In addition, the special symbol stop means not only the state where it is completely stopped, but also a state where, for example, several frames are slightly moved up and down on each of the symbol display portions 8, 9, 10 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as such). Also referred to as “shake”). That is, the special symbol may be stopped in any manner as long as the player can recognize the special symbol even if the special symbol is not completely stopped.

  Returning to FIG. 14, when the process proceeds to S373, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the special symbol variation time T (see FIG. 18) is up (T = 0). If NO in step S373, that is, if it is determined that the special symbol variation time T has not increased, the CPU 102 ends the special symbol control process (S354) and proceeds to the process of S378. . On the other hand, if YES in the process of S373, that is, if it is determined that the special symbol variation time T has timed up, the process proceeds to the special symbol confirmation display process of S374.

  When shifting to the process of S374, the CPU 102 executes a process of confirming and displaying the special symbol determined in the special symbol determining process of S346 on the special symbol display device 6 as described above, and proceeds to the process of S375. The value of the reach flag F2 is set to 0. If YES is determined in the processes of S348 and S362, the CPU 102 does not execute anything in the process of S375. When the process of S375 is completed, the CPU 102 ends the special symbol control process (S354).

  Returning to FIG. 9 and proceeding to the processing of S378, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the special symbol is fixedly displayed on the special symbol display device 6 here, and if it is not fixedly displayed (NO in S378). This special symbol game process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S378 that the special symbol is confirmed and displayed on the special symbol display device 6 (YES in S378), the process proceeds to S380, where the CPU 102 sets the big hit flag F1. It is determined whether or not the value is 1. If NO in S380, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S434. On the other hand, in the case of YES in S380, the process proceeds to S381, and the CPU 102 executes the big hit game process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the big hit game process (S381). When the jackpot game process (S384) is executed, the CPU 102 first decreases the jackpot probability raised in the process of S426 described later. The process of reducing the jackpot probability is a process for limiting the number of slot games when the jackpot probability is set to a high probability, that is, when the player wins the jackpot probability, the jackpot probability is high. Therefore, if the jackpot probability is not set to a high probability, the process of S387 is skipped.

  When the process of S387 is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S389, sets the probability variation flag F7 to 0, proceeds to the process of S392, and determines whether or not the interval time is in effect here. This interval time is the time during which the big prize opening (attacker) 7 provided during each round in the so-called jackpot game is closed. In this case, the jackpot game process (S381) is terminated and the process proceeds to S410. On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S392 that the interval time is not reached (NO in S392), the process proceeds to S394.

  When the process proceeds to S394, the CPU 102 controls the solenoid 106 to open the special winning opening 7. Then, the process shifts to the process of S396, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not the preset opening time 30 of the predetermined prize winning opening 7 has expired, and NO in the process of S396, that is, a big prize. If it is determined that the opening time of the mouth 7 is not 30 seconds, the process proceeds to S398, and it is determined whether the value of the counter D is 10 or more. The counter D is a main control circuit 44 for counting the number of game balls won in the big prize opening 7 until the opened big prize opening 7 is closed after the opening time of the big prize opening 30 seconds elapses. Is counted up when the count switch 117 detects a game ball, and is initialized and set to 0 when the power is turned on.

  If NO in step S398, that is, if it is determined that the value of the counter D is less than 10, the CPU 102 ends the jackpot game process. On the other hand, when it is determined YES in the process of S396 or S398, that is, when it is determined that the opening time 30 seconds of the special winning opening 7 has expired or when the value of the counter D is determined to be 10 or more In step S400, the CPU 102 controls the solenoid 106 to close the special winning opening 7. Then, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S401, sets the value of the counter D to 0, proceeds to the process of S402, and increments (adds 1) the value of the counter E. This counter E is a counter set in the main control circuit 44 in order to count how many times the big winning opening 7 is opened, in other words, how many times each round in the big hit game is executed. , Every time the process of S400 is executed and the special winning opening 7 is closed, it is counted up, and is initialized and set to 0 when the power is turned on.

  When the process of S402 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of S406, and it is determined whether or not the value of the counter E is less than 16. In the process of S406, it is determined whether or not the number of times that the big winning opening 7 is opened, that is, whether or not the number of rounds in the big hit game has become 16 times. If YES in the process of S406, that is, if the value of the counter E is determined to be less than 16, the CPU 102 ends the jackpot game process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined NO in the process of S406 (when the value of the counter E is determined to be 16 or more), the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S407 and sets the value of the counter E to 0. , The process proceeds to S408, the value of the big hit flag F1 is set to 0, and this big hit game process is terminated.

  Returning to FIG. 9 and proceeding to the processing of S410, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of the big hit flag F1 is 0, that is, whether or not all of the predetermined big hit game processing (S381) is completed, and the big hit flag F1 is set. If the value is not 0 (NO in the process of S410), it is determined that all the predetermined big hit game processes have not ended, and the special symbol game process is ended. On the other hand, if the value of the big hit flag F1 is 0 (YES in S410), the process proceeds to S411, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not the big hit symbol is an odd numbered number symbol, that is, a specific bonus. It is determined whether or not it is a symbol.

  If YES in S411, that is, if the jackpot symbol acquired this time is a specific bonus symbol, the process proceeds to S426, and the CPU 102 determines the jackpot determination counter C1 to be updated in the random number update processing in S20. The contents of (random numbers 1, 0 to 314) are changed, and the jackpot probability is increased from the normal probability 1/315 to the high probability 5/315. This is because the contents of the big hit determination counter C1 (random numbers 1, 0 to 314) are the big hit random numbers of the big hit random numbers composed of 0 to 350 as 7, 33, 77, 111 and 222. This is done by changing to a big hit random number. When the processing of S426 is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to the processing of S428 and sets 1 to the probability variation flag F7. By the processing of S428, the main control circuit 44 recognizes that the jackpot probability has shifted to a high probability as a gaming state. When the process of S428 is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S434.

  On the other hand, as described above, also in the case of NO in S380 and in the case of NO in S411 (when the acquired jackpot symbol is not a specific big symbol symbol), the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S434, and The value of the counter B incremented (added by 1) in the process of S106 (FIG. 7) is decremented (subtracted by 1), and the process proceeds to S436 to execute the hold LED extinguishing control process.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the hold LED extinguishing control process (S436). When the hold LED extinguishing control process is executed, the CPU 102 first determines whether or not the value of the counter B is 4 in the process of S438, and if it is 4 (YES in S438), stores the hold ball. , The process proceeds to S440, and the hold LED 25d is turned off. On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 4 (NO in S438), the process proceeds to S442, and CPU 102 determines whether the value of counter B is 3 or not (YES in S442). In step S444, the storage LED 25c is turned off.

  On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 3 (NO in S442), the process proceeds to S446, and CPU 102 determines whether or not the value of counter B is 2, and in the case of 2 (YES in S446). Since the number of stored balls is one, the process proceeds to S448, and the held LED 25b is turned off. On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 2 (NO in S446), the process proceeds to S450, and CPU 102 determines whether the value of counter B is 1 or not (YES in S450). In step S452, it is determined that the number of stored balls has become zero, and the held LED 25a is turned off.

  On the other hand, if the value of counter B is not 1 (NO in S450), that is, if the value of counter B becomes 0, none of the hold LEDs 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d are lit, so this hold LED This process (S436) is terminated without performing any process in the extinguishing control process.

  Next, the rendering process will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the effect process. The effect process is performed in parallel with the start winning award winning process (FIG. 7) and the special symbol game process (FIG. 9). When this effect process is executed, CPU 102 first determines in S200 whether or not the above-described S381 big hit game process is being executed, and if the big hit game process is being executed (in S200) If YES, this process ends. That is, the effect process is not executed during the big hit game process.

  On the other hand, when the big hit game process is not executed (NO in S200), the process proceeds to S202, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not 1 is set in the stop effect flag F6, that is, in S228 described later. It is determined whether or not the stop effect production process is being executed. If YES in the process of S202, the CPU 102 proceeds to the stop effect process of S228.

  On the other hand, if NO in the process of S202, the process proceeds to the process of S204, and the CPU 102 executes whether or not the sound effect effect flag F5 is set to 1, that is, a sound effect effect process of S216 described later. It is determined whether or not. If NO in step S204, the process proceeds to step S206, in which the CPU 102 determines whether the value of the counter B is 4 or more, that is, whether there are three or four stored balls. In other words, it is determined whether or not the hold LEDs 25a, 25b, and 25c or the hold LEDs 25a, 25b, 25c, and 25d are lit. If the result of S206 is NO, the CPU 102 ends this effect process.

  On the other hand, if YES in the process of S206, the process proceeds to the process of S208, and the CPU 102 determines whether there is a game related to reach among the slot game currently being executed and the slot game corresponding to the holding ball. judge. The determination in S208 is performed as follows. That is, as described above, when a game ball wins the start winning opening 11, the current values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 are respectively acquired in the random number acquisition process (S108) of the start winning opening winning process, and the acquired numerical values are stored in the RAM 104. Each area is stored. For example, it is assumed that the current values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 are acquired as shown in FIG. 22 with respect to the value of the counter B (1 to 5). FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of examples of the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 acquired for the values of the counters B and the variation pattern determined by the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7.

  Referring to FIG. 22 (see also FIG. 16), the slot game currently being executed corresponds to the counter B = 1, and the content is changed from the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 to the variation pattern 1 (reach). This is for determining the missing symbols). The first slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the lighting of the holding LED 25a corresponds to the counter B = 2, and the content is a variation pattern 7 (for determining symbols that are not reachable) from the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7. It becomes.

  The second slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the lighting of the holding LED 25b corresponds to the counter B = 3, and the content thereof is the variation pattern 32 (for determining the out-of-reach symbol) from the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7. . The third slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the lighting of the holding LED 25c corresponds to the counter B = 4, and the content thereof is the variation pattern 1 from the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 (for determining symbols that do not reach). It becomes. The fourth slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the lighting of the holding LED 25d corresponds to the counter B = 5, and the content is a variation pattern 7 (for determining symbols that do not reach) from the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7. It becomes.

  In other words, the process of S208 is performed by the CPU 102 for the start winning prize stored in the acquired numerical value storage area of the RAM 104 for the slot game (3 or 4) of the currently held slot game and all the stored balls. By referring to the values of the counters C1, C5, and C7 created at the time of winning a prize in the mouth 11, it is determined whether or not there is a fluctuation pattern related to reach.

  If the result of S208 is NO, the CPU 102 ends this effect process. On the other hand, in the case of YES in the process of S208, the process proceeds to S210, and the CPU 102 sets 1 to the sound effect effect flag F5, and the process proceeds to S212. On the other hand, when 1 is already set to the sound effect flag F5 in the process of S204 (YES in S204), the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S212.

  After shifting to the process of S212, the CPU 102 turns on the input from the shot ball detection sensor 124 here, and shifts to the process of S214 to determine whether or not a shot ball has been detected, that is, the game area 5 by the hit ball launching device 43. It is determined whether or not a game ball has been launched. If a shot ball is detected in the process of S214 (YES in S214), the CPU 102 proceeds to S216 and executes a sound effect generation process.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the sound effect generation process (S216). When the sound effect generation process is executed, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the fluctuation pattern related to the reach determined as YES in the process of S208 of the above-described effect process in the process of S230 is low reliability, that is, reach. It is determined whether or not the variation pattern related to is one of the variation patterns 21, 22, 31 or 32 (see FIG. 17). If YES in step S230, the process proceeds to step S232, where the CPU 102 generates a sound “can” as the sound effect, ends the sound effect generation process, and proceeds to step S218. .

  On the other hand, if NO in the process of S230, the process proceeds to S234, and the CPU 102 determines whether or not the variation pattern related to the reach determined as YES in the process of S208 of the effect process is highly reliable. That is, it is determined whether or not the variation pattern related to reach is the variation pattern 52 or 62 (see FIG. 17). If YES in step S234, the process proceeds to step S236, and the CPU 102 generates a “buoy” sound as a sound effect, ends this sound effect generation process, and proceeds to step S218. .

  On the other hand, if NO in the process of S234, the CPU 102 determines that the fluctuation pattern related to the reach determined as YES in the process of S208 of the effect process is premium reach, that is, the fluctuation pattern 4 (see FIG. 17). ), The process proceeds to S238, the sound “Jurn” is generated as the sound effect, the sound effect generation process is terminated, and the process proceeds to S218.

  Here, the sound effect generation process will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26 are explanatory diagrams showing an example (one session) of sound effect generation processing. First, referring to FIG. 24, (A) shows a case in which the symbol display that does not reach reach in the slot game currently being executed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6 is in the variable display (variation pattern 1 or 7). This represents a state in which a game ball is won at the start winning opening 11, the number of stored balls is three (the value of the counter B is 4), and the holding LEDs 25a, b, c are lit.

  In this state, the contents of the first slot ball corresponding to the hold LED 25a and the third slot ball corresponding to the hold LED 25c are not reach (variation pattern 1 or 7), while the hold ball corresponding to the hold LED 25b. The content of the second slot game is low-reliability reach (any one of the variation patterns 21, 22, 31 or 32), so the sound effect generation processing is on standby (1 is set in the sound effect flag F5). Is done. In this state, when a shot ball launched into the game area 5 is detected, a sound effect generation process is executed. This sound effect generation process is executed by starting the winning prize opening where the hold LED 25c is first lit. Each time a game ball launched into the game area 5 is detected after the winning of the game ball to 11, a “kang” that announces a low-reliability reach is pronounced once (in FIG. 24, described as “kang once”). This is continued until the slot game related to the loss that does not become the currently executed reach is completed (see FIG. 24A).

  Then, when the slot game related to the loss that does not become reach is completed, as shown in FIG. 24B, the hold LED 25c is turned off, and the image display unit 30 displays the change display of change symbols that do not become reach again (variation pattern 1). Or 7) is started. After this start, each time a game ball launched into the game area 5 is detected, “Kan” “Kan” is pronounced twice (indicated as “Kan 2” in FIG. 24), and this is the reach currently being executed. It will continue until the slot game related to the losing is finished.

  Then, when the slot game related to the loss that does not become reach is finished, as shown in FIG. 24C, the hold LED 25b is turned off, and this time the fluctuation display of the low reliability reach (change pattern 21, 22, 31 or 32) is started. After this start, each time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, “Kan”, “Kan”, and “Kan” are pronounced three times (indicated as “Kan 3 times” in FIG. 24). Continue until the medium low confidence reach variation pattern stops. That is, it is pronounced even during the reach state. When the fluctuation pattern of the low reliability reach is stopped, the current sound effect generation process (one session) is terminated, and the special symbol is stopped and displayed on the image display unit 30 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). 0 is set in the sound effect flag F5.

  Next, another example of the sound effect generation process (one session) will be described with reference to FIG. This example is different from the example of FIG. 24 described above in that two of the three holding balls are slot games related to reach. First, referring to FIG. 25A, the content of the second slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the holding LED 25b is not reach (variation pattern 1 or 7), while the first holding ball corresponding to the holding LED 25a and The contents of the third slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the holding LED 25c are low reliability reach (any one of the variation patterns 21, 22, 31 or 32) and high reliability reach (variation pattern 52 or 62). Therefore, the sound effect generation process is put on standby (1 is set in the sound effect effect flag F5). 25A is the same as FIG. 24A described above, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  Then, when the slot game related to the loss that does not become reach is completed, as shown in FIG. 25B, the hold LED 25c is turned off, and this time, the fluctuation display (variation patterns 21, 22) of the low reliability reach is displayed on the image display unit 30. , 31 or 32) is started. After this start, each time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, “Kan” “Kan” is pronounced twice (indicated as “Kan 2” in FIG. 25). It continues until the slot game related to the reliability reach is finished. That is, it is pronounced even during the reach state.

  Then, when the slot game related to the low reliability reach is completed, as shown in FIG. 25C, the hold LED 25b is turned off, and this time, the change display of change symbols (variation pattern 1) that does not become reach on the image display unit 30. Or 7) is started. After this start, every time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, a “buoy” for notifying a high-reliability reach is pronounced once (indicated as “buy once” in FIG. 25). It continues until the slot game related to the outage that does not become the current reach is completed.

  Then, when the slot game related to the loss that does not become reach is finished, as shown in FIG. 24D, the hold LED 25a is turned off, and this time, the change display of the high-reliability reach (change pattern 52 or 62) is started. After this start, each time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, “buy” and “buy” are pronounced twice (shown as “buy twice” in FIG. 25). Continue until the reliability reach variation pattern stops. That is, it is pronounced even during the reach state. When the variation pattern of the high-reliability reach is stopped, the current sound effect generation process (one session) is terminated, and the special symbol is stopped and displayed on the image display unit 30 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). 0 is set in the sound effect flag F5.

  Next, still another example of the sound effect generation process (one session) will be described with reference to FIG. This example is an example when the state shown in FIG. 26C ′ is changed to the state shown in FIG. 24C in the example shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 26C ′, in the state of FIG. 24C, while the low-reliability reach slot game is being executed, three game balls are won at the start winning opening 11, and the hold LED 25b, The state where c and d are lit is shown. In this state, as described above, the sound effect generation process for one session is continued until the fluctuation pattern of the low-reliability reach currently being executed is stopped (three times). This low-reliability reach When the slot game related to is completed, there are three or more holding balls stored (four in this example), so if there is a slot game related to reach among these holding balls, the sound effect of one session is again The generation process is put on standby. In this example, the content of the third slot game of the holding ball corresponding to the holding LED 25c is premium reach (variation pattern 4), and the content of the other slot game of the holding ball is not reach (variation pattern 1). Or 7)

  Now, referring to FIG. 26D, when the slot game related to the low-reliability reach is finished, the hold LED 25d is turned off, and this time, the image display unit 30 does not reach reach, and the change display (change pattern 1 or 7) is started. After this start, each time this time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, “Jarn” is announced once to announce the premium reach (indicated as “Jarn 1” in FIG. 26), which is currently executed. It continues until the slot game related to the outage that does not become a middle reach ends.

  Then, when the slot game related to the loss that does not become reach is completed, as shown in FIG. 26E, the hold LED 25c is turned off, and the change display of change symbols that do not become reach again (change pattern 1 or 7) is started. After this start, each time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, “Jarn” and “Jarn” are pronounced twice (shown as “Jarn 2” in FIG. 26), and this is the reach currently being executed. It will continue until the slot game related to the losing is finished.

  Then, when the slot game related to the loss that does not become reach is finished, as shown in FIG. 26 (F), the hold LED 25b is turned off, and the premium reach fluctuation display (fluctuation pattern 4) is started on the image display unit 30 this time. Is done. After this start, each time a game ball launched in the game area 5 is detected, “Jarn”, “Jarn” and “Jarn” are pronounced three times (shown as three times in FIG. 26), which is currently executed It continues until the premium reach fluctuation pattern stops. That is, it is pronounced even during the reach state. When the premium reach variation pattern stops, the current sound effect generation process (one session) ends, and the special symbol is stopped and displayed on the image display unit 30 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). 0 is set in the flag F5.

  Returning to FIG. 21, when the process proceeds to S218, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the sound effect generation process is completed. If YES in S218, the CPU 102 proceeds to S220 and launches. The input from the sphere detection sensor 124 is turned off, the process proceeds to S222, the sound effect effect flag F5 is set to 0, and this effect process ends. On the other hand, if NO in the process of S218, the CPU 102 ends this effect process without performing any process.

  As is apparent from the description of FIGS. 24 to 26, when YES is determined in the process of S218, the reach fluctuation pattern is stopped, and the sound effect flag is determined in the process of S222. F5 is set to 0 when a special symbol is confirmed and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the reach fluctuation pattern has stopped. As a result, when the sound effect generation process (one session) occurs continuously (example in FIG. 26), an interval is obtained only for a predetermined time during which the special symbol is confirmed and displayed, thereby improving the game taste.

  On the other hand, if the fired ball is not detected in the process of S214 (NO in S214), the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S224, and whether a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has passed without the fired ball being detected. Determine whether or not. That is, in the process of S224, it is determined whether or not a stop hit is executed to avoid the occurrence of a so-called overflow ball that is not stored as a holding ball even if the player wins the start winning opening 11. If the result of S224 is NO, the CPU 102 proceeds to S218. On the other hand, if YES in the process of S224, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S226, sets 1 to the stop effect flag F6, shifts to S228, and executes the stop effect process.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the stop hit effect process (S228). When the stop hitting effect process is executed, the CPU 102 determines whether or not a shot ball is detected in the process of S240, that is, whether or not the player's stop hit is released, as in the process of S214. judge. If the result of S240 is NO, the CPU 102 ends this stop effect processing. On the other hand, in the case of YES in the process of S240, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S242 and makes the sound “bon” sound once as a sound effect.

  Then, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S244 and blinks a lamp, LED, etc. provided on the game board surface at high speed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). That is, when the player's stop is released and a shot ball is detected, a “bon” sound is generated, and further, a lamp, an LED, and the like blink rapidly. Then, the CPU 102 proceeds to the process of S246, turns off the input from the firing ball detection sensor 124, proceeds to the process of S248, sets 0 to the stop hit effect flag F6, and proceeds to the process of S250. Thus, the sound effect effect flag F5 is set to 0, and this stop effect processing is ended.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the non-stop effect processing will be described more specifically. 28 and 29 are explanatory diagrams showing an example (one session) of the stop effect production process. First, referring to FIG. 28, (A) shows during the fluctuation display of fluctuation symbols (variation pattern 1 or 7) that does not become reach in the slot game currently being executed on the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6. This represents a state in which a game ball is won at the start winning opening 11, the number of stored balls is three (the value of the counter B is 4), and the holding LEDs 25a, b, c are lit.

  In this state, the contents of the first slot ball corresponding to the hold LED 25a and the third slot ball corresponding to the hold LED 25c are not reach (variation pattern 1 or 7), while the hold ball corresponding to the hold LED 25b. The content of the second slot game is low-reliability reach (any one of the variation patterns 21, 22, 31 or 32), so the sound effect generation processing is on standby (1 is set in the sound effect flag F5). Is done.

  Accordingly, the player stops when the game ball is won at the start winning opening 11 and the memory of the hold ball becomes three, that is, when the hold LED 25c is lit and the sound effect flag F5 is set to 1. When a predetermined time elapses without detecting a game ball launched into the game area 5 after starting hitting, the sound effect generation process is not executed and 1 is set in the stop hit effect flag F6. The stop effect production process is executed.

  Then, after the player starts the stoppage, that is, after the stoppage effect process is started, the slot game related to the losing that does not become the reach shown in FIG. 28A is finished, and the reach shown in FIG. Assume that the slot game related to the loss that does not become the end is completed and the slot game related to the low reliability reach shown in FIG. 28C is started. At this time, only the hold LED 25a is lit, that is, one hold ball is stored.

  Then, after the low reliability reach variation pattern is started, it is confirmed that the game ball is launched into the game area 5 only when the player finishes the stoppage shortly, that is, after the player starts the stoppage. When it is detected, the sound of “bon” is sounded once as the player's stop is released (indicated as “bon once” in FIG. 26), and at the same time, the lamp and LED blink rapidly. Then, 0 is set to the stop effect flag F6 and the sound effect flag F5.

  Next, another example of the stop effect production process will be described with reference to FIG. This example is different from the example of FIG. 28 described above in that the sound effect generation process is executed before the stop-off effect process is started. Referring to FIG. 29A, when a game ball is won in the start winning opening 11 and the number of stored balls is three, that is, the hold LED 25c is lit and 1 is set in the sound effect flag F5. When the player has not yet started to stop, the game ball that has been launched into the game area 5 after the winning time of the game ball to the start winning port 11 where the hold LED 25c has been turned on is Each time it is detected, “kang” that announces low reliability reach is pronounced once (indicated as “kang once” in FIG. 29).

  Then, in this state, when the player starts to stop and when a predetermined time has elapsed without detecting a game ball to be launched into the game area 5 thereafter, the sound effect generation process ends, and the stop effect flag 1 is set in F6 and the stop effect production process is executed. In FIG. 29, the process after the start-up effect process is started is the same as that in FIG. 28 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. That is, in the example of FIG. 29, “Kan” is pronounced while the sound effect generation process is being executed, and then the sound effect is not sounded while the player is performing the stop hitting. When the stop is released, a “bon” sound is produced, and at the same time, the lamp and LED blink rapidly.

  When the stop-attack effect process of S228 is completed, the CPU 102 ends the effect process and ends the special game process (S40). Returning to FIG. 5, when the special game process is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to S50 and executes other processes. In the other processing of S50, the CPU 102 sends a signal indicating that the big hit processing or the gaming state is in the probable change state from the external information terminal 109 based on the big hit flag F1, the probability change flag F7, or the like. 1 Output to an external hall management computer (not shown).

  Since the gaming machine 1 also outputs signals indicating the number of shot balls (out balls) and the number of winning balls (safe balls) to the hall management computer or the like, the hall management is performed by the processing of S50. The player considers various game data of the gaming machine 1, for example, what kind of gaming state was when the big hit occurred, that is, whether the big hit was a big hit with increasing big hit probability, or considered various gaming states (for example, big hit The number of payout balls (base balls) to the player per unit time (when the probability is not increasing) can be known. That is, since the game data of the gaming machine 1 can be analyzed in detail, adjustment of the gaming machine 1 after closing, for example, nail adjustment can be performed accurately.

  Note that all or part of such game data may be displayed on the special symbol display device 6 included in the gaming machine 1 itself, in addition to the hall management computer outside the gaming machine 1 or the like. In this way, the hall clerk can refer to this game data during business, so it is possible to provide various services to the player based on this game data, which is beneficial for sales. Become.

  In the other processes of S50, various processes other than these processes are executed. However, since these processes are not particularly related to the present invention, the description thereof is omitted here. When the process of S50 is completed, the CPU 102 proceeds to S60 and executes a random number update process. This performs a loop process that continuously updates the values of the random number counters C1 to C7 (see FIG. 6) in the random number update process of S20 described above until the next reset interrupt occurs.

  Specifically, the CPU 102 executes each process of S20 to S60 every reset interrupt (4 msec), but the time required to execute these processes is not the same every time. Accordingly, the time of 4 msec for generating the reset interrupt needs to be set with a margin, and the remaining time still occurs when the CPU 102 finishes the processing of S50. In S60, the remaining time is used to update the values of the random number counters C1 to C7. For example, the values of the random number counters C1 to C7 are incremented (added by 1) until the remaining time is consumed. A process of continuing to decrement (1 subtraction) is executed, or a process of continuously updating the values of the random number counters C1 to C7 by a predetermined mathematical expression.

  It should be noted that only random number counters that have a large effect on the player's profit, such as specific random number counters such as jackpot determination counter C1 and jackpot symbol determination counter C6, without updating the values of the random number counters C1 to C7. The values of the random number counters C1 to C7 may not be updated every reset interrupt (4 msec). For example, every time the random number value of each random number counter is one cycle, You may make it do. In this way, program design is facilitated and processing operations of the CPU 102 and the like can be reduced. In this way, by updating the predetermined random number counter using the remaining time of the reset interrupt that is repeatedly executed every 4 msec of the main game process, the increment of the value of the predetermined random number counter in one process is irregular. Thus, it is possible to make it difficult for an unfair strategy using a player's sensory device or the like, for example, a player's strategy to hit a big hit random number or the like.

  The display control circuit 111 receives various variation patterns in the image display unit 30 of the special symbol display device 6 based on input of variation pattern designation commands as various display control commands from the main control circuit 44. The display process is performed, but the description here is omitted.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, there are three or four reserve balls stored (the hold LEDs 25a, 25b, 25c or the hold LEDs 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d are lit). ) And the slot game corresponding to the currently executed slot game and the holding ball, when the player launches the game ball into the game area 5 without stopping, Every time a game ball that has been launched is detected, an effect with a sound effect that gives notice of a reach or a big hit is performed, so the player has a lot of memory of reserved balls, and the game ball that has been launched overflows Even if there is a high possibility of becoming a ball, it keeps firing game balls with great expectations that there will be a reach or a big hit in the holding ball, Can be effectively prevented because beating.

  That is, the effect by the sound effect is continuously executed in the special symbol display device 6 of the special symbol display device 6 during the special symbol variation display, the reach state, or across a plurality of slot games. Therefore, in addition to changing the presentation (change the sound effect) according to the reliability of reach, or when straddling multiple slot games, the stage effects can be increased step by step as the slot game progresses. (The number of sound effects is changed, the step-up notice is made), that is, the player has added value for launching a game ball in a state where there is a memory of the hold ball. However, on the other hand, the operating rate of the gaming machine 1 rises and sales increase on the game hall side. Further, the developer of the gaming machine 1 has a high probability of reach, and the player can have a sense of expectation even in a special symbol variation state where the reach has not occurred. 1 can be provided. In addition, the player can continuously enjoy this effect by an extremely simple operation that only keeps firing game balls in the game area 5.

  Furthermore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the player who has performed the stop hit, during the stop hit period, the effect with the sound effect having the high effect is not executed, and the player stops the hit. When the game ball is released into the game area 5 and released, the single effect is not so high and the sound is produced with light. If you do not execute the stop, you will have a sense of expectation that a more interesting production may be performed, and you will be discouraged after that. Therefore, this can also prevent the player from stopping.

  In addition, this one-time effect on the player's stoppage has a meaning of relief treatment for the player who stopped, in addition to preventing the player's stoppage. In other words, a stop-off is executed, and a single, more modest effect is performed even for a player who has not been able to benefit from the above-described high added value. As a result, even a stopped player can receive a modest performance that is not so high in the production effect, so that even a stopped player can improve the game taste.

  Note that in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the effect of preventing the player from stopping and enhancing the interest of the game is performed by making full use of the tone color, the number of pronunciations, the flashing speed of the light, etc. as described above. However, the tone color, the number of times of sound generation, or the flashing speed of light are not particularly limited, and instead of or in addition to this, it is executed by display, or by vibration or air blow. In addition, the timing at which the game ball is fired may be changed differently from normal (for example, the firing interval is changed for each ball). In addition, the game balls launched into the game area 5 after the end of the big hit game are counted by the launch ball detection sensor 124, and this effect is changed step by step every time the shot balls reach a predetermined number of balls. Good (for example, to gradually heal the tone of healing).

  In addition, it is determined that the player's stop hitting is executed when the shot ball detection sensor 124 does not detect the game ball for a predetermined time. This is based on the ON signal from the hit ball operation handle switch 119. Alternatively, when a driving signal of a ball feeding solenoid or a firing motor (not shown) of the hitting ball launching device 43 is not input for a predetermined time, or when an ON signal of the hitting operation stop switch 120 is input for a predetermined time, the player is stopped. You may make it judge that it is carried out.

  In the effect process shown in FIG. 21 of the present embodiment, when the input from the firing ball detection sensor 124 is turned ON in the process of S212, the following may be performed. In other words, when a player makes a stop hit, for example, even if the player makes a stop hit immediately when the game ball enters the start winning opening 11 and the number of stored balls reaches three or four, the hit ball In the firing path between the guide rail 3 and the game area forming rail 4, there are 1 to 2 game balls that have already been fired. Therefore, if the input from the shot ball detection sensor 124 is immediately turned on in the process of S212, the sound effect generation process (S216) is also executed for the player who has stopped. .

  Therefore, if it is not desired to execute the sound effect generation process (S216) in such a case, the execution of the process of S212 may be delayed for a predetermined time. The predetermined time to be delayed may be a time that allows one or two of the already-launched game balls to pass through the shot ball detection sensor 124. For example, it is sufficient to make it about 5 seconds with a margin. In this way, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the sound effect generation process for the player who has actively stopped, and the game is sharpened.

  On the other hand, there is the following way of thinking. In other words, contrary to the above, the input from the shot ball detection sensor 124 is immediately turned on in the process of S212, and the sound effect generation process is very slight even for the player who has actively stopped. Let it run for hours. This is because the player may listen to the sound effect generated by the sound effect generation process and discourage stopping.

  In view of this, in the present embodiment, when the stop hit effect process (S228) is executed, when a shot ball is detected next, a single modest effect as the stop hit effect process is unconditionally executed. This is a stop-attack effect process when the player's stop is released and the next launch ball is detected before the stored ball is stored below the predetermined number (for example, 1-2 or less). It is also possible to perform an effect with a high effect by the sound effect generation process without performing a single, unobtrusive effect. This is because the player is likely to hear the sound effect of the sound effect generation process in the same manner as described above and discourage the subsequent stop.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the specific big win symbol is confirmed and displayed, the jackpot probability is increased with a high probability, but in addition to this, the specific big win symbol is confirmed and displayed. Until a predetermined number (for example, 100 times) of slot games is exhausted or until the next big hit comes, the probability that the normal symbol is won is increased, or the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol is shortened. Alternatively, the opening time of the start winning opening 11 may be extended, or the special symbol variation time T may be shortened. Note that these processes may be executed other than when the specific big win symbol is confirmed and displayed, for example, for all big hit symbols, or while the big hit probability is rising, It may be executed when a big hit is made. In the latter case, even if a normal bonus symbol is played, processing that is advantageous to the player is executed a predetermined number of times, so that the player wins a big hit with the normal bonus symbol, for example. Even in such a case, it is possible to face the game without being excessively discouraged, that is, it is possible to give the player a suitable joyfulness, and as a result, the gameability is remarkably improved.

  Note that the various lottery probabilities including the big hit probability are not limited to those described above, and may be set as appropriate within the scope of the present technical idea. The contents of the jackpot game may be contents other than the above jackpot game as long as they do not deviate from this technical idea. For example, it may be the contents of a big hit game such as those employed in so-called third type pachinko gaming machines. The special symbol display device 6 and the normal symbol display device 18 may be any device that can display symbols and numbers such as a liquid crystal display, a CRT display, a plasma display, and a dot matrix LED display.

  In addition, the symbol for generating the jackpot (the jackpot symbol) has been described using a predetermined three-digit symbol (special symbol). However, the jackpot symbol is not limited to three digits but may be any number of digits. . Moreover, although the above jackpot symbols have been described with the same symbol, they can be arbitrarily set, and any combination such as “ABC”, “Shochiku Ume” may be used as the jackpot symbol.

  In addition, although the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has been described using the pachinko gaming machine that is one aspect of the embodiment, the gaming machine 1 is not limited to this. For example, in a gaming machine where a player operates a start lever, such as a throttle gaming machine, extracts a random number related to a hit or the like, and a spinning reel is driven based on the extracted random number value. The present invention can be employed.

Next, the main correspondence between the configuration of the claims and the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Claim 1: The game area corresponds to the game area 5, the launching means corresponds to the launch control circuit 42 and the hit ball launching device 43, and the start gaming device corresponds to the start winning opening (electric tulip) 11, which is predetermined. 12 corresponds to the special symbols 1 to 14 shown in FIG. 12, the image display device corresponds to the special symbol display device (LCD) 6, the starting ball detecting means corresponds to the starting winning detection sensor 116, and a random number. Corresponds to a random number 1 (0 to 314) for jackpot determination, a random number 5 (0 to 11) for reach determination, and a random number 7 (0 to 51) for determination of a variation pattern. The random number 1 of 7 corresponds to 7 (normal time), 7, 33, 77, 111, 222 (when the big hit probability is high) or the random number 5 for reach determination corresponds to 3, and a slot game with a high effect is shown in FIG. Variation patterns 21, 22, 31, 3 shown 4, 52, 62 corresponds to the slot game, the control means corresponds to the gaming machine control device 100, and the specific symbols are the jackpot symbols “1, 1, 1” to “14, 14” shown in FIG. , 14 ", the special game corresponds to the big hit game, the special game generation means corresponds to the big hit game processing of S381, the shot ball detection means corresponds to the shot ball detection sensor 124, and the effect execution means. Corresponds to the game machine control device 100 (voice control circuit 38, speaker 113) and the effect process shown in FIG.

Claim 2: The predetermined number is the maximum number of reserved balls and corresponds to four, and the storage means corresponds to the counter B.
Claim 3: The storage of a predetermined number or more corresponds to the number of reserved balls and the value of the counter B is 4 or more (the number of reserved balls is 3 or 4) as shown in S206.

  Claim 4: The effect execution means is executed during the symbol variation display in the slot game, or is continuously executed during the symbol variation display period, the effect processing shown in FIG. This corresponds to the description in the description of FIGS.

  Claim 5: The effect executed by the effect execution means is sound, light, display, vibration, and air blowing. The sound effect generation process of S216, the process of S244, Or in addition, it may be executed by display, or may be executed by vibration or air blowing.

  Claim 6: The effect executed by the effect execution means is that the change in the launch interval of the game balls of the launch means has an unusual change in the timing at which the game balls are fired later in the text. This may correspond to the description that “the firing interval may be changed for each ball, for example”.

  Claim 7: The effect executed by the effect executing means is to produce a predetermined sound effect each time the upper-ball-detecting means detects a game ball, the effect processing shown in FIG. 21, and FIGS. 24 to 26 in the text. This corresponds to the description in the explanation.

  Claim 8: A slot game with a high level of effect is equivalent to the low-reliability reach, high-reliability reach, and premium reach shown in FIG. The fact that the probabilities are set differently corresponds to the description in the description of FIG. 16, and the sound effect sound is sounded differently depending on which of the multiple types of slot games with high production effects is supported. Performing an effect to perform corresponds to the sound effect generation processing in S216 (FIG. 23).

  Claim 9: The effect execution means is continuously executed across a plurality of slot games, and the number of sound effects generated during each slot game is sequentially increased as shown in FIG. It corresponds to the description in the explanation of FIGS. 24 to 26 in the text.

Claim 10: The prohibiting means corresponds to the case of NO in the process of S214 of the effect process shown in FIG. 21, and YES in the process of S224.
Claim 11: The low performance execution means corresponds to the stop effect processing in S228 (FIG. 27).

  Claim 12: The launch path corresponds to between the hitting ball guide rail 3 and the game area forming rail 4, the return ball prevention device corresponds to the return ball prevention valve, and the shot ball detecting means is on the game area side. Providing in the vicinity of the return ball prevention device corresponds to the description in the description relating to the shot ball detection sensor 124 of FIG.

  Claim 13: Every time the number of game balls in the count memory means and the count memory means reaches a predetermined number of balls, the effect of the effect execution means is increased step by step, “after the end of the big hit game” The game balls launched into the game area 5 are counted by the shot ball detection sensor 124, and this effect may be changed step by step each time the shot balls reach a predetermined number of balls (for example, healing in steps). This is equivalent to the description of “enhance the tone of the system”).

It is a front view showing game machine 1 of this embodiment. It is a front view which shows the special symbol display apparatus 6 of this embodiment. It is a principal part block diagram of the game machine control apparatus 100 of this embodiment. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a relationship between a main control circuit 44 and a display control circuit 111 according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main game process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a list figure of the main random numbers handled in the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the start winning a prize winning process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the pending | holding LED lighting control processing which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a list figure of the main flags in the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol determination process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the random number value of each of the left stop symbol determination counter C2, the middle stop symbol determination counter C3, the right stop symbol determination counter C4, and the big hit symbol determination counter C6 of this embodiment and each special symbol. . The process of creating the special symbol of the present embodiment based on the random numbers of the left stop symbol determination counter C2, the middle stop symbol determination counter C3, the right stop symbol determination counter C4, and the jackpot symbol determination counter C6 is shown. It is explanatory drawing. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol control process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol fluctuation | variation display process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a distribution pattern of the fluctuation pattern in the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reliability of the fluctuation pattern concerning the reach of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the transmission data which the display control circuit 111 transmitted from the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment and controls the special symbol display apparatus 6 receives. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the hold LED extinction control process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the effect process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing of the variation pattern determined by an example of the value of counter C1, C5, C7 acquired with respect to the value of each counter B of this embodiment, and the value of counter C1, C5, C7. It is a flowchart which shows the sound effect generation process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (1 session) of the sound effect generation process of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (1 session) of the sound effect generation process of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (1 session) of the sound effect generation process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the stop effect production process which the main control circuit 44 of this embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (1 session) of the nonstop production process of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example (1 session) of the nonstop production process of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... game machine, 2 ... hit control handle,
3 ... Hitting ball guide rail, 4 ... Game area formation rail,
5 ... gaming area, 6 ... special symbol display (LCD),
7 ... Grand prize opening (Attacker), 8 ... Left symbol display section,
9 ... middle symbol display part, 10 ... right symbol display part,
11 ... Starting prize opening (electric tulip), 12 ... Hit ball supply tray,
13 ... Extra ball tray, 14 ... Ordinary prize opening,
15 ... Game effect lamp, 16 ... Out port,
17 ... Glass door frame, 18 ... Normal symbol display device (7-segment LED),
19 ... Normal symbol operation gate, 20 ... Windmill,
21 ... Game board, 22 ... Outer frame,
23 ... Inner frame, 24 ... Return ball prevention valve,
25 (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) ... hold LED,
26 (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) ... hold LED,
27 ... One-chip microcomputer, 30 ... Image display unit,
37 ... Lamp control circuit, 38 ... Audio control circuit,
40 ... payout control circuit, 41 ... prize ball payout device,
42 ... Launch control circuit, 43 ... Hitting ball launcher,
44 ... main control circuit, 100 ... gaming machine control device,
101 ... Input circuit, 102 ... CPU,
103 ... ROM, 104 ... RAM,
106 ... Solenoid, 107 ... Solenoid,
109: External information terminal, 110: Output circuit,
111 ... Display control circuit, 113 ... Speaker,
115: Bus, 116: Start winning detection sensor,
117 ... Count switch, 119 ... Hitting ball operation handle switch,
120 ... Hitting ball operation stop switch, 121 ... Actuation gate detection sensor,
122: Safe ball detection sensor, 123 ... Count switch,
124 ... Launch ball detection sensor, 130 ... RAM backup,
131: Test terminal, 140: CPU,
141 ... RAM, 142 ... ROM,
143 ... VDP, 144 ... VRAM,
145 ... CGROM, 146 ... RAM, VRAM backup,
B, D, E ... counter, C1 ... jackpot judgment counter,
C2 ... Left stop symbol determination counter, C3 ... Middle stop symbol determination counter,
C4: right stop symbol determination counter, C5: reach determination counter,
C6: Big hit symbol determination counter, C7: Fluctuation pattern determination counter,
F1 ... Big hit flag, F2 ... Reach flag,
F5: Sound effect effect flag, F6: Stop effect flag,
F7 ... Probability change flag, T ... Special symbol change time,
T1, T2, T3 ... time

Claims (13)

Launching means capable of continuously launching game balls at predetermined intervals in the game area;
A starting gaming device provided in the gaming area and capable of winning or passing a launched gaming ball;
An image display device that displays a slot game that is determined by stopping at least a predetermined symbol after change;
Start ball detecting means for detecting a game ball winning or passing through the start game device;
A random number is extracted based on the fact that the starting ball detection means has detected a game ball, and a slot game with different effects is displayed on the image display device according to the extracted random number value. Control means for displaying a slot game with a high production effect when the random number is a predetermined random number;
A game comprising special game generating means for generating a special game that is advantageous to the player when the symbol determined and displayed on the image display device is a specific symbol as a result of the slot game having a high effect. Machine,
When the extracted random number is a predetermined random number, based on the detection of the game ball by the shot ball detecting means, the shot ball detecting means for detecting the game ball fired or fired by the launch means is provided. A gaming machine comprising an effect execution means for executing a predetermined effect. In the case where the random number is extracted while the slot game is displayed on the image display device, the random number is extracted. The storage unit stores the extracted random number up to a predetermined number. The control unit stores the random number. The slot game is sequentially displayed on the image display device by the number of random numbers,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect execution means is executed even when the predetermined random number is included in the random numbers stored in the storage means.   The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the effect executing means is executed when the storage means stores a predetermined number or more of random numbers.   4. The production system according to claim 1, wherein the effect execution means is executed at least during the symbol variation display in the slot game, or continuously during the symbol variation display period. The gaming machine described in 1.   The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the effect executed by the effect executing means is a single or a combination of sound, light, display, vibration, and ventilation.   6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect executed by the effect executing means changes a firing interval of the game balls of the firing means.   7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect executed by the effect executing means generates a predetermined sound effect each time the shot ball detecting means detects a game ball. A plurality of types of slot games with high performance effects are provided, and the plurality of types of slot games are set so that the probabilities that the result will be the specific symbol are different in advance.
The said effect execution means performs the effect which pronounces the sound effect sound differently depending on which of the plurality of types of slot games corresponds to the extracted predetermined random number. The gaming machine described.   8. The effect execution means is continuously executed across a plurality of slot games, and the number of sound effects generated during each slot game is sequentially increased. Alternatively, the gaming machine according to claim 8.   A means for prohibiting execution of the effect executing means is provided when the fired ball detecting means does not detect a game ball for a predetermined time during the execution or standby of the effect executing means. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   After the prohibiting means is executed, when the fired ball detecting means detects a game ball, a low effect executing means for executing an effect having a lower effect than the effect executed by the effect executing means is provided. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the gaming machine is characterized. At the entrance of the game area, a return ball prevention device for preventing the game ball launched from the launching means from returning to the launch path again is provided.
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the shot ball detecting means is provided on the game area side and in the vicinity of the return ball preventing device.   The fired ball detecting means includes count memory means for counting and storing game balls that have been fired after the special game is completed, and each time the number of game balls in the count memory means reaches a predetermined number The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the effect of the effect executing means is enhanced.

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