JP2006320461A - Game system and information management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To urge a game by a new player and to improve a savor of a game in a present player. <P>SOLUTION: In a game system provided with a plurality of game machines and an information management device connected to them, the information management device comprises: a lottery execution part 304 for performing lottery for the putout of cumulative game values obtained by adding the game values of a prescribed ratio corresponding to a game operation in the game machine; a lottery probability table storage part 305 for storing a plurality of lottery probabilities for the putout of the cumulative game values; a central control part 302 for specifying the lottery probability stored in the lottery probability table storage part 305; and a reporting part for performing reporting corresponding to the lottery probability specified by the central control part 302. When a prescribed condition is satisfied, the central control part 302 specifies the lottery probability for which the winning probability of the cumulative game values is higher than the winning probability at present. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system and an information management device, and more particularly to a gaming system and an information management device that realize a so-called jackpot function.

  Currently, some game machines installed in so-called game centers and casinos employ a system called a jackpot system. A jackpot system is a system that accumulates a certain percentage of medals and coins used in gaming machines (hereinafter referred to as “game value”) and fulfills certain conditions such as winning a lottery. This is a system that pays some of the accumulated game value to any game machine or a player playing the game machine. Since the player can acquire the game value that can be acquired by the jackpot system in addition to the game value that can be acquired by the game of the gaming machine, the player has a feature that the player's willingness to play is further increased.

In such a jackpot system, when the amount of accumulated game value reaches a certain value, a new game is gained by giving a certain benefit to the player who finally participated in the arrival. In addition, there has been proposed a system that increases the player's expectation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, it is expected that a certain predetermined value is predicted by the player, thereby attracting the interest of a player other than the player who is actually playing the game and promoting the game.
JP 2004-267428 A

  However, in the conventional gaming system described above, a predetermined value cannot be understood unless the player actually plays the game, and even when the player finally participated in reaching the value, the value was accumulated. Since the game value cannot be acquired, there is a problem that the game is not necessarily promoted by a player other than the player who actually plays the game.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a game system and an information management device that can promote a game by a new player and can enhance the interest of the game of the current player. For the purpose.

  The present invention provides a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming machines and an information management device that collects and manages information in the plurality of gaming machines, wherein the information management device is a predetermined one corresponding to a gaming operation in the gaming machine. A lottery unit for performing a lottery for paying out the accumulated game value obtained by adding a percentage of game values; a storage unit for storing a plurality of lottery probabilities for paying out the accumulated game value; and a lottery stored in the storage unit A control unit that specifies a probability, and a notification unit that performs notification corresponding to the lottery probability specified by the control unit, the control unit winning probability of the cumulative game value when a predetermined condition is satisfied Designates a lottery probability higher than the current winning probability.

  According to this configuration, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when the value of the accumulated game value exceeds a certain value, the control unit designates a lottery probability that the winning probability of the accumulated game value is higher than the current winning probability. In response to this, the notification unit performs notification corresponding to the designated lottery probability. As a result, the notification corresponding to the lottery probability having a higher cumulative game value win probability than the present is performed, so that it is possible to promote the game by the new player through attracting the interest of the new player. In addition, since the probability that the accumulated game value can be obtained is increased, it is possible to attract the interest of the current player and stimulate its gambling, so that it is possible to enhance the interest of the game in the current player. Become.

  In the above gaming system, the storage unit corresponds to a lottery probability used at a normal time for paying out the accumulated game value, a lottery probability having a winning probability of the cumulative game value higher than a lottery probability used at the normal time, and each lottery probability. The content notified by the notification unit may be stored. In this case, the lottery probability used in the lottery and the lottery probability having a cumulative game value winning probability higher than the lottery probability used in the normal time are stored in the storage unit, so the lottery probability used in the lottery unit can be easily specified by the control unit. It becomes possible to do. Moreover, since the notification content corresponding to the lottery probability specified by the control unit can be easily specified, it is possible to perform notification corresponding to the lottery probability specified by the control unit with simple control.

  In the above gaming system, it is preferable that the storage unit stores a plurality of lottery probabilities in which the winning probability of the accumulated game value is higher than the lottery probability used in the normal time. In this case, by specifying a lottery probability having a high cumulative game value winning probability in stages, it is possible to increase the cumulative game value winning probability in stages. As a result, it is possible to encourage a new player's game that could not attract interest by only increasing the winning probability of the accumulated game value by one step.

  In the gaming system, the control unit designates a lottery probability that the winning probability of the cumulative gaming value is higher than the current winning probability when the cumulative gaming value exceeds a predetermined value. Alternatively, when the number of players in the plurality of gaming machines falls below a predetermined value, it may be possible to designate a lottery probability in which the winning probability of the accumulated gaming value is higher than the current winning probability. By changing the lottery probability according to such an opportunity, it becomes possible to simplify the control accompanying the change of the lottery probability. In the former case, if the cumulative gaming value exceeds a certain value, the winning probability of the cumulative gaming value is increased. Therefore, by setting the certain value high to some extent, it is possible to stimulate the gambling feeling of a new player. The effect of promoting the game by the new player can be further expected. In the latter case, when the number of players falls below a certain value, the winning probability of the accumulated game value is increased, so that it is possible to increase the operating rate in this gaming system by the player who is encouraged to play the game. It becomes.

  In addition, the present invention provides an information management apparatus that collects and manages information in a plurality of gaming machines connected via a communication network, and obtains a predetermined percentage of gaming values according to gaming operations in the gaming machines. A lottery unit for performing lottery for paying out the accumulated game value; a storage unit for storing a plurality of lottery probabilities for payout of the accumulated game value; a control unit for designating the lottery probability stored in the storage unit; A notifying unit that performs notification corresponding to the lottery probability specified by the control unit, and the control unit is a lottery in which the winning probability of the cumulative gaming value is higher than the current winning probability when a predetermined condition is satisfied It is characterized by specifying the probability.

  According to this configuration, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when the value of the accumulated game value exceeds a certain value, the control unit designates a lottery probability that the winning probability of the accumulated game value is higher than the current winning probability. In response to this, the notification unit performs notification corresponding to the designated lottery probability. As a result, a notification corresponding to the lottery probability having a higher cumulative game value win probability is performed than before, so that it is possible to promote a game by the new player through attracting the interest of the new player. . In addition, since the probability that the accumulated game value can be obtained is increased, it is possible to attract the interest of the current player and stimulate its gambling, so that it is possible to enhance the interest of the game in the current player. Become.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to promote a game by a new player and enhance the interest of the game in the current player.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A progressive system is applied to the gaming system according to the present embodiment. A progressive system is a system that includes at least one gaming machine, and is based on a gaming operation by a player in the gaming machine and is obtained by cumulatively adding a predetermined percentage of gaming values (hereinafter referred to as “cumulative gaming”). This is a system in which at least a part of “value” is given to any gaming machine according to predetermined conditions (for example, payout conditions, winning by lottery, etc.).

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the gaming system 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (4 in FIG. 1) gaming machines 1a to 1d and various information in each of the slot machines 1a to 1d. Is connected to the information management apparatus 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as “management apparatus”) 200 through the communication network 300.

  The management device 200 includes a management unit 201 and a notification unit 202 connected thereto. The management unit 201 is connected to the slot machines 1a to 1d via the communication network 300, and can perform bidirectional communication with the slot machines 1a to 1d. Note that the connection between the management unit 201 and each of the slot machines 1a to 1d can be either a wired connection or a wireless connection.

  The management unit 201 manages the gaming system 100 so as to realize a progressive system. In other words, addition and subtraction of the accumulated game value is performed, and a lottery for paying out the accumulated game value is performed. In addition, a predetermined effect is performed by the notification unit 202 according to the lottery result, and the accumulated gaming value is paid out to the selected slot machine 1. In addition to the above, the management unit 201 notifies the notification unit 202 of the probability of paying out the accumulated game value (hereinafter referred to as “accumulation probability of accumulated game value”), and the accumulated game when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Increase the winning probability of value.

  The notification unit 202 includes a display unit 203 and a speaker 204. The display unit 203 displays the value of the accumulated game value and also displays image data (including character data) for performing a predetermined effect including notification of the winning probability of the accumulated game value. For example, the display unit 203 displays a message (for example, a message such as “chance” or “big chance”) notifying the player that the winning probability of the accumulated game value is currently set higher than normal. To do. The speaker 204 outputs a BGM of the game and a sound effect for performing a predetermined effect including a notification of the winning probability of the accumulated game value. For example, when the winning probability of the accumulated game value is set higher than usual, the speaker 204 outputs a sound effect that attracts the player's interest, which is different from normal.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the management unit 201. As shown in FIG. 2, the management unit 201 includes a communication control unit 301, a central control unit 302 connected to the communication control unit 301, a cumulative game value storage unit 303 connected to the central control unit 302, and a lottery execution unit. 304, a lottery probability table storage unit 305 and a notification instruction unit 306.

  The communication control unit 301 executes a communication protocol for performing communication with each slot machine 1. The central control unit 302 determines, controls, adjusts, adds and subtracts the accumulated game value, etc. In particular, the central control unit 302 updates the lottery probability of the accumulated game value registered in a lottery probability table described later in a predetermined case. Specifically, when a predetermined condition such as the value of the accumulated game value exceeds a certain value is satisfied, a lottery probability that the winning probability of the accumulated game value is higher than the current winning probability is designated. Update lottery probability of value.

  The cumulative game value storage unit 303 stores the value of the cumulative game value. In response to a lottery request from the slot machine 1, the lottery execution unit 304 executes a lottery for paying out the accumulated game value. At this time, the lottery execution unit 304 executes a lottery of accumulated game values using the lottery probability designated by the central control unit 302. The lottery probability table storage unit 305 stores a table (hereinafter referred to as “lottery probability table”) in which a plurality of lottery probabilities of accumulated game values are registered.

  The notification instructing unit 306 causes the notification unit 202 to execute a predetermined effect when the occurrence of winning of the accumulated game value is notified, and also notifies the predetermined effect when the winning probability of the accumulated game value is increased. To run. Under such an instruction from the notification instruction unit 306, the notification unit 202 performs notification corresponding to the lottery probability designated by the central control unit 302 to the player. Note that the notification instruction unit 306 only gives instructions to the slot machines 1 to execute the effects associated with the occurrence of winning of the accumulated game value or the increase of the winning probability of the accumulated game value, and the notification means provided in each slot machine 1 It is good also as a structure which performs these effect processes.

  Here, the contents registered in the above-described lottery probability table will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of contents registered in the lottery probability table. FIG. 3 shows a case where there are three accumulative game values that can be acquired by the player. These are jackpot 1 (hereinafter referred to as “JP1”), jackpot 2 (hereinafter referred to as “JP2”). And Jackpot 3 (hereinafter referred to as “JP3”). The amount of game value that can be acquired by JP1, JP2, and JP3 is managed so as to decrease in the order of JP1, JP2, and JP3.

  In the lottery probability table, lottery probabilities and notification contents are registered corresponding to the three stages of “normal mode”, “first special game mode”, and “second special game mode”. In the “normal mode”, the lottery probability of the accumulated game value used in normal times is registered, and in the “second special game mode”, the lottery in which the winning probability of the accumulated game value is significantly higher than that in the “normal mode”. The probability is registered, and in the “first special game mode”, a lottery probability in which the winning probability of the accumulated game value is set between the “normal mode” and the “second special game mode” is registered. In the lottery probability, values of lottery probabilities corresponding to “JP1”, “JP2”, “JP3”, and “losing” are registered, and in the notification content, display data by the display unit 203 and audio data by the speaker 204 are registered. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lottery probabilities (winning probabilities) in “JP1”, “JP2”, and “JP3” are higher in the “first special game mode” than in the “normal mode”. The “second special game mode” is higher than the “special game mode”. On the other hand, the lottery probability of “losing” is lower in the “first special game mode” than in the “normal mode”, and is lower in the “second special game mode” than in the “first special game mode”. In other words, the probability that the player can acquire the accumulated game value is higher in the “first special game mode” than in the “normal mode” and in the “second special game mode” than in the “first special game mode”. Is set high.

  In the “normal mode”, the display data by the display unit 203 is not particularly specified. In this case, the accumulated game value is displayed on the display unit 203. BGM at the time of a normal game is designated as audio data from the speaker 204. In the “first special game mode”, a “chance” message is designated as image data (character data) by the display unit 203, and “sound effect 1” is designated as audio data by the speaker 204. In the “second special game mode”, a “big chance” message is designated as image data (character data) by the display unit 203, and “sound effect 2” is designated as sound data from the speaker 204. It is preferable that “sound effect 2” is designated as content that raises the player's expectations more than “sound effect 1”. For example, it may be possible to distinguish between the melody content and the output volume.

  Here, the configuration of the slot machine 1 in the gaming system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the slot machine 1 in the gaming system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, the slot machine 1 has a cabinet 2 that forms the whole, and a lamp 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the cabinet 2. An upper liquid crystal display 3 is disposed at the upper front portion of the cabinet 2, and a lower liquid crystal display 4 is disposed at the front central portion of the cabinet 2. The upper liquid crystal display 3 is constituted by a generally used liquid crystal display, and the lower liquid crystal display 4 is constituted by a so-called transparent liquid crystal display. On the lower liquid crystal display 4, four variable display portions 22, 23, 24, and 25 are displayed, and one effective pay line L is provided on these four variable display portions 22 to 25.

  An operation table 5 is provided below the lower liquid crystal display 4 so as to protrude toward the front side. The operation table 5 includes a change button 6 from the leftmost side, a cashout button 7 and a help (HELP). A button 8 is arranged, and a coin insertion unit 9 and a bill insertion unit 10 are provided on the right side of the help button 8. Also, a 1-BET button 11, a spin (SPIN / REPEATBET) button 12, a 3-BET button 13, and a 5-BET button 14 are arranged on the front side of the operation table 5 from the left side.

  The exchange button 6 is a button for turning on the lamp 20. The payout button 7 is a button that is pressed at the end of the normal game, and coins as game value acquired in the game are paid out from the coin payout exit 15 to the coin receiving unit 16 in response to the press. The help button 8 is a button that is pressed when the operation method or the like of the game is unknown, and various help information is displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 or the lower liquid crystal display 4 in response to the press.

  A coin sensor 65 is disposed in the coin insertion portion 9 to detect the inserted coin. A bill sensor 66 is disposed in the bill insertion unit 10 to detect the inserted bill. The 1-BET button 11 is a button for betting one by one each time the button is pressed. The spin button 12 is a button for starting the variable display of each symbol on each variable display unit 22 to 25 of the lower liquid crystal display 4 in order to start the game with the current bet number or the previous bet number when pressed. It is.

  The 3-BET button 13 is a button for starting a game with three bets based on the depression thereof. The 5-BET button 14 is a button for starting a game with 5 bets based on the depression thereof. A coin payout exit 15 is formed at the lower portion of the cabinet 2, and a coin receiving portion 16 that receives coins paid out from the coin payout exit 15 is provided.

  Next, a configuration related to the control system of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine.

  In FIG. 5, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basically configured around a CPU 50 as a control means, and a ROM 51 and a RAM 52 are connected to the CPU 50. The ROM 51 is a game control program to be described later, various effect programs for performing various effects on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 as the game progresses, a lottery table for performing lotteries for various winning roles, etc. Various programs and data tables necessary for controlling the slot machine 1 are stored. The RAM 52 is a memory that temporarily stores various data calculated by the CPU 50.

  In the present embodiment, the programs, data, and the like used when controlling the slot machine 1 are not limited to being stored in the ROM 51 or the RAM 52 in advance, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the same program, data, and the like may be stored in a storage medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark) and downloaded from the storage medium to the ROM 51 or the like.

  Connected to the CPU 50 are a clock pulse generation circuit 53 and a frequency divider 54 for generating a reference clock pulse, and a random number generator 55 and a random number sampling circuit 56 for generating a random number. The random numbers sampled through the random number sampling circuit 56 are used for various lotteries such as a winning combination.

  The CPU 50 includes a spin switch 58 attached to the spin button 12, a 1-BET switch 59 attached to the 1-BET button 11, a 3-BET switch 60 attached to the 3-BET button 13, and a 5-BET button 14. A 5-BET switch 61 attached to the exchange button 6, a change switch 62 attached to the exchange button 6, a refund (CASHOUT) switch 63 attached to the refund button 7, and a help (HELP) attached to the help button 8 ) Switches 64 are connected to each other. The CPU 50 performs control to execute various operations corresponding to the buttons based on the switch signals output from the switches when the buttons are pressed.

  The CPU 50 is connected to a coin sensor 65 disposed in the coin insertion unit 9 and a bill sensor 66 disposed in the bill insertion unit 10. The coin sensor 65 detects a coin inserted from the coin insertion unit 9, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins inserted based on a coin detection signal output from the coin sensor 65. The bill sensor 66 detects the type and amount of the bill inserted from the bill insertion unit 10, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins equivalent to the amount of the bill based on the bill detection signal output from the bill sensor 66.

  Four stepping motors 68 that rotate the reels 220 are connected to the CPU 50 via a motor drive circuit 167. When a motor drive signal is output from the CPU 50 to the motor drive circuit 167, each stepping motor 68 is rotationally driven by the motor drive circuit 167. Thereby, each reel 220 is rotated.

  At this time, after the rotation of each reel 220 is started, the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 68 is calculated, and the calculated value is written in a predetermined area of the RAM 52. Further, a reset pulse is output from each reel 220 for each rotation and is input to the CPU 50. When the reset pulse is input to the CPU 50 in this way, the calculated value written in the RAM 52 is cleared to “0”, and the CPU 50 determines the calculated value corresponding to the rotational position within one rotation range of each reel 220. Based on the symbol table in which the rotational position of each reel 220 stored in the ROM 51 is associated with the symbol formed on the phase of each reel 220, the rotational position of the symbol on each reel 220 is recognized.

  A position change detection circuit 69 is connected to the CPU 50. The position change detection circuit 69 detects a change in the stop position of the reel 220 after the stop control is performed by the motor drive circuit 167 described above. For example, in the position change detection circuit 69, the stop position is changed by the player so as to be a combination of stop symbols that is in a winning mode, even though it is not actually a combination of stop symbols in a winning mode. A change in the stop position of the reel 220 in some cases is detected. The position change detection circuit 69 is configured to detect a change in the stop position of the reel 220 by detecting fins attached to the inner portion of the reel 220 at predetermined intervals, for example.

  A hopper 71 is connected to the CPU 50 via a hopper drive circuit 70. When a driving signal is output from the CPU 50 to the hopper driving circuit 70, the hopper 71 pays out a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout exit 15. Further, a coin detection unit 73 is connected to the CPU 50 via a payout completion signal circuit 72. The coin detection unit 73 is disposed inside the coin payout exit 15. When it is detected that a predetermined number of coins have been paid out from the coin payout exit 15, a coin payout detection signal is output from the coin detection unit 73 to the payout completion signal circuit 72, and the payout completion signal circuit 72 is based on this signal. The payout completion signal is output to the CPU 50.

  An upper liquid crystal display 3 and a lower liquid crystal display 4 are connected to the CPU 50 via a liquid crystal driving circuit 74. As the liquid crystal drive circuit 74, a graphic board or the like can be used. The upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 may be configured to be controlled by separate liquid crystal driving circuits.

  An LED 78 is connected to the CPU 50 via an LED drive circuit 77. A large number of LEDs 78 are arranged on the front surface of the slot machine 1 and are controlled to be turned on by the LED drive circuit 77 based on a drive signal from the CPU 50 when performing various effects. A sound output circuit 79 and a speaker 80 are connected to the CPU 50, and the speaker 80 generates various sound effects when performing various effects based on output signals from the sound output circuit 79.

  The lamp 20 is connected to the CPU 50 via a lamp driving circuit 75. The lamp 20 is disposed on the upper surface of the slot machine 1 (see FIG. 4), and when the exchange button 6 is pressed, the lamp drive circuit 75 controls lighting based on a drive signal from the CPU 50.

  The transparent touch panel 30 is connected to the CPU 50 via the touch panel drive circuit 67. The transparent touch panel 30 is provided on the screen of the lower liquid crystal display 4 and outputs the coordinate position information of the part touched by the player via the touch panel drive circuit 67 so that the CPU 50 can determine where the touch is made. It has become.

  The CPU 50 is provided with a progressive interface (I / F) 81 that is a communication port for performing communication with the management apparatus 200. The CPU 50 sends a lottery request to the communication control unit 301 (see FIG. 2) of the management apparatus 200 via the progressive I / F 81, while the accumulated game value and the lottery result are transmitted from the communication control unit 301 of the management apparatus 200. You can receive notifications such as.

  Next, an operation example of the gaming system 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the gaming system 100 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, only one slot machine 1 that communicates with the management apparatus 200 is shown. In FIG. 6, the management device 200 performs control according to the lottery probability table shown in FIG. 3, and the lottery probability of the accumulated game value is set to “normal mode” before the sequence shown in FIG. It shall be.

  FIG. 6 shows a sequence in the case where the lottery probability of the accumulated game value is updated in the management device 200 and the lottery regarding the payout of the accumulated game value is performed. In this case, the management device 200 performs an accumulation game value addition process in response to an addition request from the slot machine 1, updates the lottery probability of the accumulated game value when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and updates the updated content to the player. To inform. Further, in accordance with a lottery request from the slot machine 1, a lottery for paying out the accumulated game value is performed, and the accumulated game value is paid out.

  First, it is assumed that a game is started in the slot machine 1 and a credit accumulation condition is generated in the course of the game (ST601). In this gaming system 100, every time a credit accumulation condition is generated from each slot machine 1, the management device 200 collects and accumulates a certain percentage of the gaming value, and specifies the accumulated gaming value obtained as a result of the winning occurrence as a condition To the next player. Various credit accumulation conditions can be selected. For example, it is conceivable that a coin accumulation condition as a gaming value, an operation of a BET button such as the 1-BET button 11 or the like is used as a credit accumulation condition.

  When the credit accumulation condition occurs, the slot machine 1 notifies the management device 200 of the game value that should be newly added to the current accumulated game value, thereby adding the game value to the accumulated game value. The requested addition request is transmitted (ST602). Receiving this addition request, management device 200 performs an addition process for adding the game value notified from slot machine 1 to the accumulated game value already stored at this time (ST603). At this time, the management apparatus 200 displays the accumulated game value obtained by performing this addition process on the display unit 203.

  After performing the addition process, it is assumed that a condition for updating the lottery probability of the accumulated game value in the management apparatus 200 (hereinafter referred to as “lottery probability update condition”) has occurred (ST604). Various lottery probability update conditions can be selected. For example, when the value of the accumulated game value reaches a predetermined value, when the total number of games played in the connected slot machines 1 reaches a predetermined value, or when these accumulated games are It is conceivable that the lottery process is performed irrespective of the value of the value and the total number of games, and the lottery probability update condition is selected when the lottery probability of the accumulated game value is updated based on the lottery result. Here, it is assumed that the lottery probability update condition occurs when the value of the accumulated game value reaches a predetermined value.

  When the lottery probability update condition occurs, the management device 200 performs a process of updating the lottery probability of the accumulated game value (hereinafter referred to as “lottery probability update process”) (ST605). This lottery probability update process is performed according to the contents registered in the lottery probability table. That is, in the lottery probability update process, the management device 200 switches the mode to be used from “normal mode” to “first special game mode” or “second special game mode” as shown in FIG. The lottery probability of the game value is updated, and the winning probability of the accumulated game value is increased.

  In the lottery probability update process, it is possible to arbitrarily set whether to update from the “normal mode” to the “first special game mode” or the “second special game mode”. For example, the mode updated from the “normal mode” may be switched in order between the “first special game mode” and the “second special game mode”, or from the “normal mode” to the “first special game mode”. Switching to the “second special game mode” may be performed on condition that the game mode is updated a certain number of times.

  After performing the lottery probability update process, the management device 200 performs a process of notifying the updated information to the player who plays the game in the slot machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as “update information notification process”) (ST606). This update information notification process is performed according to the contents registered in the lottery probability table. That is, the management apparatus 200 notifies the notification unit 202 of the notification content according to the mode determined in the lottery probability update process. For example, when the “normal mode” is updated to the “first special game mode”, a “chance” message is displayed on the display unit 203, and “sound effect 1” is output from the speaker 204. On the other hand, when the “normal mode” is updated to the “second special game mode”, the display unit 203 displays a “big chance” message and the speaker 204 outputs “sound effect 2”.

  As described above, when the update condition occurs (ST604), the winning probability of the accumulated game value is increased by the update information notification process (ST606) after the winning probability of the accumulated game value is increased by the lottery probability update process (ST605). The notification unit 202 notifies a message or sound effect indicating that. This attracts the interest of a player who is not currently playing in the slot machine 1 (for example, a player who is watching the game situation around the gaming system 100) and is currently playing a game in the gaming system 100. It is possible to attract the interest of the player who is playing.

  After the update information notification process is performed, it is assumed that a lottery condition is generated while a game is being played in the slot machine 1 (ST607). Various lottery conditions can be selected. For example, it is conceivable that the lottery conditions include the appearance of a winning mode in which a specific symbol such as “All Seven” is arranged, or the appearance of a winning mode including a symbol allowing a lottery for obtaining the accumulated game value. In addition, the above-mentioned “all seven” is a case where all the symbols stopped on the effective pay line L are the symbols “Seven”.

  When the lottery condition is generated, the slot machine 1 transmits a lottery request for requesting a lottery regarding the payout of the accumulated game value to the management apparatus 200 (ST608). Upon receiving this lottery request, management device 200 executes a lottery (ST609). For example, the lottery may be determined to be a win if the random number generated in response to the lottery request matches a predetermined value, and if it does not match, it may be treated as a loser. It doesn't matter.

  As a result of the lottery process, when it is determined that the winning is made (ST610), the management device 200 causes the notifying unit 202 to execute a predetermined operation in order to notify the player of the slot machine 1 that the winning has occurred. Winning occurrence notification processing is performed (ST611). As the winning occurrence notification process, it is conceivable that the accumulated game value value paid out on the display unit 203 of the notification unit 202 is blinked and voice data such as a fanfare is output from the speaker 203 of the notification unit 202. .

  Subsequent to the winning occurrence notification process, the management device 200 assigns a cumulative game value. Specifically, the slot machine 1 to which the accumulated game value is to be granted is notified of the winning and the value of the accumulated game value to be given as a lottery result (ST612).

  Upon receiving notification of the winning and the value of the accumulated game value to be given, the slot machine 1 performs a credit addition process (ST613). That is, the slot machine 1 adds the accumulated game value value notified from the management device 200 to the credit value stored at the time of receiving the notification, and stores the added value as a new credit value. To do. That is, the player of the slot machine 1 receives a payment such as a credit by so-called jackpot winning.

  On the other hand, after notifying that the player has won and the value of the accumulated game value to be given, the management device 200 sets the value of the accumulated game value to the initial value (ST612, ST613) in order to correspond to the payout of the accumulated game value (ST612, ST613). For example, a subtraction process for returning to “0”, “100”, etc.) is performed (ST614).

  After performing the subtraction process, the management apparatus 200 performs the lottery probability update process again (ST615). The lottery probability update process in this case is to return the lottery probability of the accumulated game value updated in the lottery probability update process of ST605 from “first special game mode” or “second special game mode” to “normal mode”. .

  After performing the lottery probability update process, the management device 200 performs the update information notification process again (ST616). The update information notification process in this case stops the update information notification process performed in ST606. Thereby, the lottery probability of the accumulated game value in the gaming system 100 is returned to the original “normal mode”. In this way, a series of operations in the gaming system 100 is completed, and the same processing is repeated again.

  As described above, according to the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, the cumulative gaming value exceeds a certain value, the management device 200 increases the winning probability of the cumulative gaming value. In addition, the player is notified of a message or sound effect indicating that the winning probability of the accumulated game value has increased. As a result, it is possible to attract the interest of a player who is not currently playing the game in the slot machine 1, so that it is possible to promote a game by a new player. In addition, since the probability that the accumulated game value can be acquired increases, it is possible to attract the interest of the current player and stimulate its gambling, so that it is possible to enhance the interest of the game in the current player. Become.

  Also, in the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment, the lottery probability used at the normal time for paying out the accumulated game value, the lottery probability having a cumulative game value winning probability higher than the lottery probability used at the normal time, and the respective lottery probabilities. Accordingly, the management device 200 holds the content notified by the notification unit 202. Specifically, a lottery probability table in which a lottery probability used in normal times and a lottery probability having a cumulative game value winning probability higher than the lottery probability used in normal times is registered, and the registration probability of cumulative game value in the lottery probability table is stored. The notification content corresponding to is specified. By using this lottery probability table, the management device 200 can easily specify the lottery probability used at the time of lottery for paying out the accumulated game value. Moreover, since the notification content corresponding to the designated lottery probability can be easily specified, the notification corresponding to the designated lottery probability can be performed with simple control.

  In particular, in the lottery probability table, a plurality (two in the present embodiment) of lottery probabilities having a cumulative game value winning probability higher than the lottery probabilities used in normal times are registered. Thereby, it is possible to raise the cumulative game value winning probability step by step and perform notification corresponding to the changed winning probability. In this way, by increasing the winning probability of cumulative game value step by step, it is possible to encourage a new player's game that could not attract interest only by increasing the winning probability by one step. Become. In addition, since it is possible to further stimulate the gambling feeling of the current player, it becomes possible to enhance the interest of the game in the current player.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the management device 200 manages various lottery probabilities and notification contents according to the lottery probabilities using the lottery probability table. However, the configuration for managing the lottery probability and the notification content corresponding to the lottery probability is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, as specified in the lottery probability table, the first special game mode that is more advantageous for the player to obtain the accumulated game value than the normal mode and the normal mode, and the second special game that is more advantageous than the first special game mode. Any method may be used as long as the game mode and the notification content corresponding to the various modes can be specified.

  Furthermore, in the gaming system 100 of the present embodiment, the lottery probability update condition is generated when the value of the accumulated game value reaches a predetermined value, and the winning probability of the accumulated game value is increased. By setting the predetermined value to be high to some extent, it is possible to stimulate the gambling feeling of a new player, and further expect the effect of promoting the game by the new player.

  The lottery probability update condition described above is an example, and can be changed as appropriate according to the operation status of the gaming system 100, the current time, the installation location, or the like. For example, when the number of players in the plurality of slot machines 1 falls below a predetermined value, a lottery probability update condition may be generated to increase the winning probability of the accumulated game value. When changed in this way, it becomes possible to increase the operating rate in the gaming system 100 by the player who is prompted to play the game by increasing the winning probability of the accumulated game value.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, the size, shape, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed within a range in which the effect of the present invention is exhibited. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention. The modification of this invention is illustrated below.

  In the above embodiment, in the lottery probability update process, the setting when switching from the “normal mode” to the “first special game mode” or the “second special game mode” is an example. In consideration of the above, etc., it can be appropriately modified. For example, in addition to switching from the “normal mode” to the “first special game mode” or the “second special game mode”, the “first special game mode” is switched to the “second special game mode”. May be set.

  In addition, the mode transition destination in the lottery probability update process may be determined by lottery. In such a lottery, it may be possible to determine the transfer destination according to the correspondence between the random number and a predetermined value, but the transfer destination may be determined using other methods. At that time, the correspondence between the random number and the predetermined value may be set to one-to-one or may be set to plural one-to-one. In addition, the random number used for the lottery is not used as it is, but the transfer destination mode may be determined according to the calculation result obtained by performing a predetermined calculation process on the random number.

  Further, the switching destination mode may be changed according to the number of players playing in the gaming system 100. For example, when the occupancy rate by the player of the connected slot machine 1 is 40% to 60%, the mode is switched to the “first special game mode”, while when the occupancy rate is less than 40%, the “second You may make it switch to "special game mode." In this way, it can be expected that the operating rate of the gaming system 100 is controlled by changing the switching destination mode according to the number of players.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it has shown about the case where the alerting | reporting part 202 performs alerting | reporting content corresponding to the lottery probability updated by the lottery probability update process in update information alerting | reporting process. However, the content of notification by the notification unit 202 can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the promotion of a game by a new player. For example, notification corresponding to the winning probability of the accumulated game value that can be updated in the next lottery probability update process may be performed. Further, along with this notification, a condition until the lottery probability is updated (for example, a value until a certain value of the accumulated game value is reached) may be notified. In the case of such notification, it is possible to attract a new player's interest before actually increasing the winning probability of the accumulated game value, and it is possible to promote a game by the new player. In addition, when performing such notification, it is preferable that the notification unit 202 always performs the notification.

  The present invention is applied to a game system and an information management device that realize a so-called jackpot function, and promotes a game by a new player and enhances the interest of the game in the current player. Have potential.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the management part in the management apparatus of the said game system. It is an example of the content registered in the lottery probability table in the lottery probability table storage part in the said management part. It is a perspective view shown about the external appearance structure of the slot machine in the said game system. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the said slot machine. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the said game system.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine (game machine)
50 CPU
81 Progressive I / F
200 management device 201 management unit 202 notification unit 203 display unit 204 speaker 301 communication control unit 302 central control unit 303 cumulative game value storage unit 304 lottery execution unit 305 lottery probability table storage unit 306 notification instruction unit

Claims (6)

  A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming machines and an information management device for collecting and managing information in the plurality of gaming machines, wherein the information management device has a predetermined ratio according to gaming operations in the gaming machines A lottery unit for performing a lottery for paying out the accumulated game value obtained by adding the game values, a storage unit for storing a plurality of lottery probabilities for the payout of the cumulative game value, and a lottery probability stored in the storage unit. A control unit for designating, and a notification unit for performing notification corresponding to the lottery probability designated by the control unit, wherein the control unit presents the winning probability of the accumulated gaming value when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A gaming system characterized by designating a lottery probability higher than the winning probability.   The storage unit has a lottery probability used at a normal time for paying out the accumulated game value, a lottery probability having a winning probability of the cumulative game value higher than a lottery probability used at the normal time, and the notifying unit according to each lottery probability. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the contents to be notified are stored.   3. The gaming system according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of lottery probabilities having a winning probability of the accumulated game value higher than a lottery probability used in the normal time.   The said control part specifies the lottery probability whose winning probability of the said cumulative gaming value is higher than the current winning probability when the value of the cumulative gaming value exceeds a predetermined value. Item 4. The gaming system according to any one of Items 3 to 4.   The control unit designates a lottery probability that a winning probability of the cumulative gaming value is higher than a current winning probability when the number of players in the plurality of gaming machines falls below a predetermined value. The gaming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   An information management device for collecting and managing information in a plurality of gaming machines connected via a communication network, the cumulative gaming value obtained by adding a predetermined percentage of gaming values according to gaming operations in the gaming machine Designated by the control unit, a lottery unit for performing lottery for the payout of the game, a storage unit for storing a plurality of lottery probabilities for the payout of the accumulated game value, a control unit for designating a lottery probability stored in the storage unit, and the control unit A notifying unit that performs notification corresponding to the selected lottery probability, and the control unit specifies a lottery probability that the winning probability of the cumulative gaming value is higher than the current winning probability when a predetermined condition is satisfied An information management apparatus characterized by that.

Images