JP2007181610A - Game machine, control program for game machine and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine for improving player's interest in a game by displaying the performance of the game sufficiently utilizing the image display function of a variable display device capable of displaying images. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a drawing part 72 for performing drawing for generating a game event when a given game condition is satisfied and drawing performance image generation means 84 and 88 for generating drawing performance images to be displayed at a display part 12 on the basis of the result of the drawing. The drawing performance image generation means generates a first image by arranging the image of a plurality of patterns or the image of a character to be used for a drawing performance on a background color which is a first color on the basis of the drawing result, performs the processing of extracting the contour of the pattern or the character arranged at the position corresponding to the spot part of a second image to be the background of the drawing performance image in the first image, and displays the silhouette of the pattern or the character at the spot part of the second image to be the background of the drawing performance image on the basis of the extracted contour. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, a control program, and an information storage medium that perform lottery display on a display unit.

  Conventionally, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine is known as a gaming machine that performs lottery display by changing a plurality of combination symbols.

  Taking a pachinko machine as an example, display means such as a liquid crystal display is arranged at the center of the board, and three rows of reels for lottery display are displayed on this display. Symbols such as numbers are displayed.

  When a game ball hit by a player wins a start winning slot called a start chucker provided on the surface of the game board, a lottery for granting a right (special game state) to the player is performed. The symbols (special symbols) displayed on the three rows of reels start to fluctuate all at once, and on each reel, for example, 12 types of symbols from 1 to 12 are repeatedly displayed. After that, the reels in the three rows are stopped sequentially based on the result of the lottery, and when all the stopped three rows of symbols are displayed with the same value, the big hit state is established and the big hit winning opening is controlled to be opened. Many prize balls are paid out.

  Normally, in this type of pachinko machine, after the symbol variation of the three rows of reels has started, the two rows of symbols that were stopped first become the same symbol, and if a reach is established, the pachinko machine is in a state where a big hit is possible. Visual presentation processing (reach action) is performed to inform the player and increase the expectation of the big hit.

In such a gaming machine, when a game ball hit by a player wins a start winning hole called a start chucker provided on the board surface of the game board, the development to reach or a big hit (special game state) A major factor that affects the fun of the gaming machine is to perform a lottery effect that gives the player the expectation result while giving the expectation to the player.
JP-A-10-155985

  However, as a display effect of the conventional variable display game performed by the variable display device, the effect of making the variable display game interesting is to change the scroll speed of the symbol or reduce or enlarge the size of the symbol. It could not be said that the effect was sufficiently obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interest in a player's game by performing a game effect display that fully utilizes the image display function of a variable display device capable of displaying an image. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the game performance.

(1) The present invention
A lottery effect for performing a lottery process for generating a game event by satisfying a given game condition and confirming and stopping after a plurality of combination symbols for notifying the lottery process result fluctuate based on a given rule A gaming machine that outputs an image to a display unit,
Lottery means for performing a lottery to generate a game event when a given game condition is satisfied;
Based on the result of the lottery, a lottery effect for displaying a plurality of symbols displayed on the display means after being variably displayed for a predetermined time and then stopping the display, and notifying the player of the result of the lottery by a combination of the symbols that are stopped and displayed A lottery effect image generating means for generating an image,
The lottery effect image generation and output means
Based on the lottery result, images of a plurality of symbols or images of characters used for the lottery effect are arranged on the background color that is the first color to generate the first image,
In the first image, a process of extracting the outline of a pattern or character arranged at a position corresponding to the spot portion of the second image serving as a background of the lottery effect image is performed, and the lottery effect is performed based on the extracted contour. The present invention relates to a gaming machine characterized in that a symbol or a silhouette of a character is displayed on a spot portion of a second image as a background of the image. The present invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above means. The present invention also relates to a computer-readable information storage medium that stores (records) a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described means.

  In the present invention, the gaming machine corresponds to, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or a gaming machine of a type that displays various lottery results as images. Here, winning means not only that, for example, a game ball or a game coin enters the start gate but also passes.

  A lottery process for generating a game event (for example, a special game state) is performed by winning the start gate. The special gaming state refers to a gaming state that gives a special benefit to the player. For a pachinko gaming machine, for example, a jackpot gaming state in which a lot of prize balls are paid out to the player.

  The lottery effect image is an effect display for visually informing the player of the result of the lottery process, and is determined after a plurality of combination symbols (special symbols) fluctuate based on a given rule corresponding to the lottery process. Includes image effects to stop. The lottery effect image may be, for example, an effect image when the lottery is won (for example, a reach effect image), or an effect image when the lottery is lost (for example, a false reach effect image or a lost image).

  According to the present invention, a lottery result or a symbol that changes in accordance with an effect pattern set in association with the lottery result, an appearing character, or the like is a spot portion (for example, a portion where an image effect such as a spotlight is performed). Silhouette is displayed. Here, the silhouette display is an image effect display that can distinguish at least the outline of the pattern or character outline, such as a display in which the outline of the pattern or character placed in the spot portion is raised or a display such as a silhouette that shows the outline portion. That means.

  The spot portion means a predetermined place (for example, a portion where an image effect such as a spotlight is performed). The shape of the spot portion is arbitrary. For example, when expressing a spotlight, the shape may be a circle or another shape. The shape of the spot can be appropriately set according to the purpose of the spot effect.

  The process of extracting the outline may be, for example, a process of clipping the pattern of the spot portion or the outline of the character from the first image.

  If a normal lottery effect image is generated by placing a combination symbol on a background image, the present invention provides an image expression that allows the silhouette of the combination symbol existing behind to be seen through the spot portion of the background image. Is possible.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate a lottery effect image in which a silhouette or a silhouette of a character that has fluctuated or fixedly stopped from the spot portion of a predetermined background image (or foreground image) is displayed.

For this reason, in comparison with the case of only a lottery effect image in which a pattern or character that has been changed or fixed is directly displayed, an elaborate image effect that can give a sense of expectation without getting tired of what is seen is performed. The lottery effect image generation and output means can provide a gaming machine capable of
Assuming that the first image including the combination pattern that has fluctuated or the image confirmation has been stopped is arranged behind the second image serving as the background of the lottery effect image, the first image behind the spot portion of the second image. It is also possible to perform display so that the pattern of the image and the outline of the character can be seen.

(2) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
The lottery effect image generation and output means
A mask image storage unit for storing a mask image in which the spot portion is transparent and the first color is set in an area other than the spot portion;
A light image storage unit that has a spot part congruent with the spot part of the mask image, stores a light image in which the second color is set in the spot part, and the first color is set in an area other than the spot part;
The image covered with the mask image at a position corresponding to the spot portion of the second image of the first image is stored in the texture area as a mask texture, and the light image and the mask texture are translucently processed in the second image. A spot processing unit that displays a symbol or a silhouette of a character on a spot portion of the second image by performing
It is characterized by including.

  The shapes of the mask image and the light image may be, for example, a rectangle (eg, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, or the like) that encloses the spot portion.

  The first color of the portion other than the spot portion of the mask image and the light image may be black or another color, for example. Black is preferable when the subtractive translucent process is performed in the translucent synthesis process.

  The light image may be set so as to have a spot portion that is congruent (same size and shape) with the mask image and congruent (same size and shape) with the spot portion of the mask image.

  The second color of the spot portion of the light image may be white or another color, for example.

  Here, the first color which is a color other than the spot portion of the mask image and the light image is preferably the same as the background color of the first image.

  The translucent process is a technique for drawing (combining) an image based on translucent information.

  Here, the translucent information is equivalent to the transparency information and is information stored in association with each image unit or each pixel. For example, transparency (opacity) as plus alpha information (α value) other than color information (Or equivalent to translucency). When the translucent information indicates transparency information as, for example, plus alpha information, for example, translucent blending using the translucent information (α blending), addition translucent using the translucent information (α addition), and translucent information are used. There are composite processing methods such as subtractive translucency (α subtraction).

(3) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
The spot portion of the light image is characterized in that a second color having a different luminance is set depending on the part.

  For example, the brightness of the second color (for example, white) of the spot portion of the light image may be set higher as it approaches the center portion. The above setting may be set so that the luminance changes step by step in units of area, or may be set so that the luminance changes continuously as the distance from the center of the spot portion increases.

  In this way, it is possible to generate a light image in which the center of the spot portion is bright and darkens as the distance from the center increases.

  Further, for example, the brightness of the contour portion of the spot portion may be made lower than that of other portions. In this way, it is possible to generate a light image with a smooth contour portion.

(4) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
The symbol or character of the first image is composed of white.

  In this way, when the mask texture is translucent and placed on the second image and the light image, the pattern or character white is inverted to black. Therefore, it is possible to generate an image in which a pattern or a character's shadow appears in the spot portion.

(5) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
The lottery effect image generation and output means
In the case where a plurality of spot portions are provided in the lottery effect image, a mask texture corresponding to the spot portion is generated using an unused first image for each spot portion.

  An unused first image means a first image that has not been subjected to a process of generating a mask texture that has not yet been covered with a mask image.

  In order to generate a mask texture using an unused first image for each spot portion, every time a mask texture corresponding to the spot portion is generated, it is used for multiple symbol images or lottery effects based on the lottery result. The image of the character to be played may be arranged on the background color that is the first color (black) to regenerate the first image.

  Alternatively, the first image copied from the original may be used every time the mask texture corresponding to the spot portion is generated while the original of the first texture is held.

(6) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
When providing a plurality of spot portions in the lottery effect image, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion in the mask texture to be generated based on at least one of the position and size of the spot. A mask texture corresponding to a spot portion is generated using an unused first image for each portion.

(7) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
When providing a plurality of spot portions in the first image, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion in the generated mask texture based on at least one of the position and size of the spot. The mask texture is generated by covering the first image with a mask image corresponding to a plurality of spot portions.

(8) The gaming machine, program and information storage medium of the present invention are:
Further includes photographing means.

The lottery effect image generating means
A gaming machine, wherein an image of a character used for a lottery effect is generated based on an image photographed by the photographing means.

1. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated below does not limit the content of this invention described in the claim at all. In addition, all the configurations described in this embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the invention.

In the embodiment described below, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various other gaming machines.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

  This pachinko gaming machine is provided with a game board surface 10 in the upper half of the front, a pachinko ball hitting tray 36 in the lower half of the front, and a surplus ball receiving tray 38 and a handle 34 below. ing.

  On the game board surface 10, a display unit 12 configured by using image display means such as liquid crystal is arranged at the center. The display unit 12 displays a game effect image of the pachinko gaming machine and other necessary information.

  A through chucker 14 that functions as a normal symbol winning opening is arranged on the left and right of the display unit 12, and further, a starting winning port 16 called a start chucker that functions as a special symbol starting winning opening and a jackpot winning is provided below the display unit 12. An opening 18 is provided, and an out ball entrance 40 is provided at the lower end.

  When the player holds the handle 34 and rotates the pachinko ball, the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball supply tray 36 are launched by a hitting ball launching mechanism (not shown), and the outer rail 30 is interposed between the outer rail 30 and the inner rail 32. Is drawn in an arcuate path and rolls clockwise in the upward direction, and then falls within the board surface 10.

  In addition to the through chucker 14 and the start winning port 16 shown in the drawing, a plurality of normal winning ports (not shown) are arranged on the board surface 10. When a ball enters each winning opening, this is detected by a detecting means such as a switch. When a ball enters the winning opening, the winning ball is paid out to the hitting ball supply tray 36. The balls that did not win the prize enter the out ball entrance 40 and are collected.

  When the winning prize opening 16 is won (a ball enters or passes), a special symbol lottery process for generating a special gaming state is performed according to a given rule. In the present embodiment, the special symbol lottery process determines whether or not to grant a jackpot right to the player as a special gaming state. At this time, a lottery effect image using a combination of a plurality of symbols is displayed on the display unit 12 as a part of the game effect image. Then, a special game is executed, the jackpot winning opening 18 is opened, and when a ball enters the jackpot winning opening 18, many balls are paid out.

  When winning through the through chucker 14 (a ball enters or passes), a so-called normal symbol lottery process is performed to increase the winning probability of the starting winning port 16 as the start chucker for a predetermined short time in accordance with a given rule. . Then, when the normal symbol lottery process determines that the start winning opening 16 is instructed to be opened for a predetermined short time, the starting winning opening 16 is opened for a certain period of time (about 3 seconds in this embodiment). After the time has elapsed, the start winning opening 16 is closed. As a result, the number of special symbol lottery processes is increased, and the player can have a big hit expectation.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a block diagram of a main part of the pachinko gaming machine in the present embodiment.

  The pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment is configured to include at least a detection unit 50 that detects a winning at each winning opening, a processing unit 70, a storage unit 90, and an information storage medium 92.

  The processing unit 70 performs various processing such as control of the entire system, instruction instruction to each block in the system, image processing or sound processing, and functions thereof are various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), or It can be realized by hardware such as ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a given program.

  The storage unit 90 serves as a work area for the processing unit 70 and the like, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.

  The storage unit 90 functions as a mask image storage unit and a light image storage unit.

  The information storage medium 92 (a computer-readable storage medium) stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a memory (ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MO). ) And hardware such as an optical disk (CD, DVD). The processing unit 70 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on information stored in the information storage medium 92. That is, the information storage medium 92 stores information (program or data) for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 70).

  Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 92 is transferred to the storage unit 90 when the system is powered on. The information stored in the information storage medium 92 includes program code, image data, sound data, display object shape data, table data, list data, and processing of the present embodiment for performing the processing of the present embodiment. It includes at least one of information for instructing, information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction, and the like.

  A program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host computer (server) to the information storage medium 92 via the network and the communication unit. Also good. Use of the information storage medium of such a host computer (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The display unit 12 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as an LCD or a CRT.

  The display unit 12 includes a first display unit and a second display unit, a lottery effect image is output to the first display unit, and text information corresponding to the lottery effect image is output to the first display unit. You may make it do.

  The processing unit 70 includes a lottery unit 72, a calculation processing unit 74, and an image generation unit 88.

  The lottery unit 72 performs a lottery process for generating a special gaming state according to a given rule when the detection unit 50 detects a winning of a ball to the start winning port 16 as a start chucker, and the lottery result Is provided to each part 74 to 88. In the present embodiment, a random number is acquired and a lottery process is performed, so that one mode is determined from two types of modes, that is, a big hit mode and a miss mode as a special gaming state.

  Further, when the big hit mode is determined, the lottery unit 72 similarly determines whether or not to perform a hit effect from a plurality of hit effect patterns by acquiring random numbers. Further, when the out-of-mode is determined, it is determined which one of the out-of-reach effect mode and the complete out-of-effect mode.

  The arithmetic processing unit 74 includes a game control unit 76 and a lottery effect unit 82, and performs various arithmetic processes.

  The game control unit 76 performs processing for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine such as a normal gaming state, a special gaming state, a probability variation gaming state in which the winning probability of the big hit mode is high. Specifically, based on an input signal from the detection unit 50, a signal provided from the lottery unit 72, saved data, etc., a program for performing a normal game, a special game, a probability change game, etc. is executed, Perform mouth opening and closing control.

  The game control unit 76 also functions as the probability variation time control unit 76, and sets a time for executing the probability variation game when the probability variation game is set based on the lottery result of the lottery unit 72.

  Furthermore, the game control unit 76 also functions as a lottery number control unit 80 and controls the number of lotteries for the normal symbol lottery based on a signal provided from the lottery unit 72. Here, when the lottery count control unit 80 increases the number of lotteries for the normal symbol lottery, the number of times the start winning opening 16 is opened increases, and so-called short-time game is performed.

  The lottery effect section 82 performs processing for realizing various lottery effects performed on the gaming machine. Specifically, based on the input signal from the detection unit 50, the signal provided from the lottery unit 72, stored data, etc., processing for the lottery effect performed by the display unit 12, various lamps and speakers (not shown), etc. To do.

  In addition, the lottery producing unit 82 displays a plurality of special symbols displayed on the display means after a predetermined time variation display based on the result of the lottery, stops the display, and displays the result of the lottery according to the combination of the symbols that are stopped and displayed. The content of the lottery effect including the special symbol variation display effect notified to the person is calculated.

  The lottery effect unit 82 includes an effect image calculation unit 84.

  As specific processing of the effect image calculation unit 84, the position and rotation angle of an object (one or a plurality of primitive planes) arranged in a three-dimensional space (object space) (a world for specifying a position in the object space) Processing for obtaining a rotation angle around the coordinate system X, Y, or Z axis, processing for moving an object (motion processing), viewpoint position (virtual camera position), line-of-sight angle (virtual camera rotation angle), or viewpoint position A process of moving (virtual camera position), a process of arranging an object such as a map object in the object space, and the like are performed.

  With these processes, for example, a lottery effect image or the like for displaying a lottery result is calculated after the combination symbols fluctuate based on a given rule.

  The image generation unit 88 functions as a lottery effect image generation unit that generates and outputs a lottery effect image according to the determined lottery effect contents, and based on the calculation processing results of the effect image calculation unit 84 and the like described above, An image is generated and output to the display unit 12.

  Based on the result of the lottery, the effect image calculating unit 84 and the image generating unit 88 cause the plurality of symbols displayed on the display means to be variably displayed for a predetermined time, and then stop the display. It functions as a lottery effect image generating means for generating a lottery effect image for notifying the player of the result of the above.

  The lottery effect image generating and generating means generates a first image by arranging a plurality of design images or a character image used for the lottery effect on the background color as the first color based on the lottery result, In the first image, a process of extracting the outline of a pattern or character arranged at a position corresponding to the spot portion of the second image serving as a background of the lottery effect image is performed, and the lottery effect is performed based on the extracted contour. A symbol or character silhouette is displayed on the spot portion of the second image as the background of the image.

  The lottery effect image generating and outputting means includes a mask image storage unit that stores a mask image in which the spot portion is transparent and the first color is set in an area other than the spot portion, and a spot portion that is congruent with the spot portion of the mask image. A light image storage unit that stores a light image in which the second color is set in the spot portion and the first color is set in an area other than the spot portion, and the second image of the first image The image covered with the mask image at a position corresponding to the spot portion is stored in the texture region as a mask texture, and the light image and the mask texture are rendered on the spot portion of the second image by performing a semi-transparent process. A spot processing unit that displays a symbol or a silhouette of a character in the spot portion of the second image may be included.

  Further, the lottery effect image generating means may generate an image of a character used for the lottery effect based on an image photographed by a not-shown photographing means (a camera or the like, see 746 in FIG. 15).

  3A to 3E are diagrams for explaining an example of a general special symbol variation display effect.

  FIG. 3A is an example of a plurality of combination symbols (special symbols) 200a, 200b, and 200c for displaying a lottery result during fluctuation, and FIG. 3B is a combination symbol (special symbol) without reaching reach. ) 200a, 200b, 200c represents the combination symbols (special symbols) 200a, 200b, 200c in the disengaged state in which the fixed stop is performed, and FIG. 3 (C) shows the combination symbols (special symbols) 200a, 200b, 200c in the reach state. FIG. 3D shows the combination symbols (special symbols) 200a, 200b, and 200c in the unreached state, and FIG. 3E shows the combination symbol (special symbols) in the reach state at the time of jackpot ) 200a, 200b, and 200c.

  In the present embodiment, when it is determined that a ball has entered a start winning hole called a start chucker, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of combination symbols (special symbols) 200a, 200b for displaying lottery results are displayed. 200c starts to change. And when it comes off without reaching reach, as shown in FIG.3 (B), a fixed stop is carried out in the state where three combination symbols (special symbols) 200a, 200b, 200c are not aligned. Further, when reaching reach, as shown in FIG. 3C, the final combination 200b is fluctuating, with the combination symbol (special symbols) 200a and 200c being fixed and stopped.

  Then, when the result is removed after the reach, as shown in FIG. 3D, the final symbol 200b is fixedly stopped in a state where it is not aligned with the two combination symbols (special symbols) 200a and 200c that have already stopped.

  Further, in the case of a big hit after reaching, as shown in FIG. 3E, the final symbol 200b is stopped in a state of being aligned with two combination symbols (special symbols) 200a and 200c that have already stopped.

  In the present embodiment, a lottery effect image having a display form as shown in FIG. 6 (A) is generated. Therefore, behind the second image (background image) shown in FIG. 6 (C), FIG. Assuming that the symbols change as shown in (E), a lottery effect image is generated so that the silhouette of the symbols behind can be seen from the spot portion 210 in FIG. 6 (A). Such a lottery effect image generation method will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of a series of processes of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not a ball has been won at a start winning opening called a start chucker (step S10). If a prize is won, a lottery process is performed by a lottery unit (step S12). In the lottery process, two types of modes, a jackpot mode and a miss mode, are determined using random numbers.

  Next, an effect pattern determination process for determining an effect pattern based on the lottery result is performed. (Step S20). The effect pattern may be determined using a random number.

  Next, a lottery effect process based on the determined lottery result is performed (step S34). In the lottery effect processing, the development pattern of the lottery effect image performed in association with the special symbol variation display effect based on the effect pattern set in association with the lottery result such as the big hit mode, out of mode (reach out of mode, complete out of mode) or the like Determine status settings.

  If it is a big hit mode, a winning process is performed (steps S36 and S37), and if it is a losing mode, a losing process is performed (steps S36 and S38).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the effect pattern determination process of the present embodiment.

  When the big hit mode is determined in the lottery process, it is determined to perform the lottery effect with the win lottery display effect pattern (steps S22 and S23). In the winning lottery display effect pattern, the reach notice effect (the effect that is performed until the three special symbols rotate and the two special symbols are confirmed and stopped) and the winning notice effect (after the reach, until the final special symbol is confirmed and stopped) Production).

  In addition, when the release mode is determined in the lottery process, it is determined by a random number or the like whether or not the reach effect is performed (step S24). When the reach effect is to be performed, it is determined that the lottery effect is to be performed in the reach out-of-reach lottery display effect pattern as the reach off mode (the false hit announcement effect image output mode) (step S25). Reach out-of-reach lottery display effect pattern Reach notice effect (the effect that is performed until three special symbols rotate and the two special symbols are confirmed and stopped) and hit notice effect (after the reach, until the last special symbol is confirmed and stopped) Production) is performed.

  In addition, when the outage mode is determined in the lottery process and the reach effect is not performed, it is determined to perform the lottery effect with the complete out lottery display effect pattern as the complete out mode (step S26). In the full-off lottery display effect pattern, only the reach notice effect (the effect that is performed until the three special symbols rotate and the two special symbols are confirmed and stopped) is performed, and then reach is not established. After that, the production performed until the last special symbol is confirmed and stopped) is not performed.

2. Spot Processing Next, spot processing according to the present embodiment will be described.

  6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams for describing features of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 6A is an example of the lottery effect image of the present embodiment displayed on the display unit 12. 210 is a spotlighted spot (spot part), and 220 is a silhouette of a special symbol behind.

  FIG. 6B shows a first image (design image) 250. The first image includes a solid image (a first color (for example, black) as a background color and an image of a special symbol 230-1 to 230-3 to be spot-processed or a character image used for a lottery effect. .

  FIG. 6C is a second image (background image).

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of special symbol images 230-1 to 230-3 as shown in FIG. 6B or a character image used for a lottery effect is used as the first image, and FIG. Assuming that a first image (FIG. 6C) is placed behind a given second image as shown in FIG. 6, the spot portion 210 of the second image Spot processing for displaying a special symbol of an image (FIG. 6B) or a silhouette of a character 220 is performed.

  Specifically, a subtractive semi-transparent process is performed on the symbol clipped with the shape of the spot portion (here, a special symbol) to create a shadow, and a silhouette display as shown at 220 in FIG. 6A is performed.

  First, as a pre-display process, the spot portion is clipped on the frame buffer, and then the materials are displayed side by side.

  7A, 7B, and 7C are an example of a special symbol that is a target of spot processing, a mask image, and a light image.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the second image (background image) as shown in FIG. 6C and the first image (design image) as shown in FIG. 6B, FIG. And a texture of a light image as shown in FIG. 7C is prepared.

  The special symbol of the first image may be configured in white as shown in FIG.

  In this way, when the mask texture is translucent and placed on the second image and the light image, the pattern or character white is inverted to black. Therefore, it is possible to generate an image in which a pattern or a character's shadow appears in the spot portion.

  In the mask image 300, as shown in FIG. 7B, the spot portion 310 corresponding to the shape of the spot portion may be transparent, and the first color (black) may be set in the portion 320 other than the spot portion.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, the light image 350 is congruent (same size and shape) with the mask image (300 in FIG. 7B) and congruent (same size) with the spot portion 31 of the mask image 300. , The spot shape 360 having the same shape), a second color (for example, white) is set in the spot portion 360, and a first color (for example, black) is set in the portion 370 other than the spot portion.

  Here, the first color which is a color other than the spot portion of the mask image and the light image is preferably the same as the background color of the first image.

  Although the mask image 300 and the light image 350 have the same shape, the inside of the spot portion 310 of the mask image 300 is transparent, so the mask image 300 and the light image 350 are prepared as different texture data.

  8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the spot clipping process.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the mask image 300 is synchronized with (corresponding to) the spotlight (210 in FIG. 6A) applied to the second image with respect to the first image 250. Cover (overwrite).

  Then, the masked rectangular area 400 is stored in the texture area as a mask texture as indicated by 410 in FIG.

  FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams for explaining the process of image composition processing of a lottery effect image.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10A, a first image is drawn.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the light image is arranged translucently based on the position of the given spotlight (for example, it may be given by the value of XY of the screen coordinates) (first Semi-transparent composition of image and light image, where semi-transparency mode (addition semi-transparency or subtraction semi-transparency, etc.) and transparency (composition coefficient α, etc. when performing semi-transparency calculation) are arbitrary. The arrangement position and size are synchronized with the arrangement position and size of the mask image in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the clipped mask texture (FIG. 9) is placed on the light image with subtraction semi-transparency to display a silhouette display in which the white of the pattern is inverted and becomes a shadow. it can. Here, the transparency when subtractive translucent synthesis is performed on the synthesized image of FIG. 10 is arbitrary.

  Displaying a plurality of spotlights can be realized by creating mask textures by the method described in FIGS. 7 to 9 by the number of spotlights.

  FIG. 11 is a lottery effect image 500 having a plurality of spot portions.

  In the case where a plurality of spot portions are provided in the lottery effect image, a mask texture corresponding to the spot portion is generated using the unused first image for each of the spot portions 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3. It may be.

  An unused first image means a first image that has not been subjected to a process of generating a mask texture that has not yet been covered with a mask image.

  When generating such a lottery effect image, as shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C, every time a mask texture corresponding to the spot portions 210-1, 210-2, 210-3 is generated. Based on the lottery result, images of a plurality of symbols or characters used for the lottery effect are arranged on the background color which is the first color (black) and the first image 250 is regenerated and used. You may do it.

  Alternatively, the first image copied from the original may be used every time the mask texture corresponding to the spot portion is generated while the original of the first texture is held.

  For example, when there is no overlapping portion in the spot portion, a portion other than the spot portion of the mask image remains in the first image without regenerating an unused first image for each spot. The problem does not occur.

  Therefore, when providing a plurality of spot portions in the lottery effect image, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion in the generated mask texture based on at least one of the position and size of the spot. Then, a mask texture is generated by using an unused first image for each spot portion, and when there is no overlapping portion, a mask texture corresponding to a plurality of spot portions is covered with the first image. You may make it produce | generate.

  13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining another example of the light image.

  FIG. 13A is an example in which the brightness of the second color (for example, white) of the spot portion of the light image is set higher as it approaches the center portion. That is, if 362-1, 362-2, 362-3, and 362-4 are sequentially arranged from the area closer to the center of the spot portion, the luminance increases in the order of 362-1> 362-2> 362-3> 362-4. The second color is set so that

  The above setting may be set so that the luminance changes step by step in units of area, or may be set so that the luminance changes continuously as the distance from the center of the spot portion increases.

  In this way, it is possible to generate a light image in which the center of the spot portion is bright and darkens as the distance from the center increases.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the brightness of the contour portion 364 of the spot portion 360 may be made lower than that of other portions. In this way, it is possible to generate a light image with a smooth contour portion.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of spot processing of a lottery effect image according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a case where n spot portions (spotlights) are provided in the lottery effect image will be described as an example.

  First, a first image is generated by arranging a symbol to be subjected to spot processing on a plain color (black) (step S10). What kind of symbols are arranged here may be determined by a lottery effect pattern selected according to the lottery result.

  Next, a mask image is placed on the first image so as to synchronize with a spotlight to be arranged later (so as to be in a position corresponding to the spot set in the second image) (step S20).

  Next, the rectangular area masked with the mask image is temporarily copied (saved) to the texture area as a mask texture (step S30).

  The processing from step S20 to S30 is repeated until the processing for the number of writes is completed, and the following processing is performed when the processing for the number of writes is completed (step S40).

  A background and a character are arranged on the second image (step S50).

  First, n light images are arranged for the second image and rendered by translucent synthesis. The translucency mode and transparency at this time are arbitrary, and the position and size of the mask image at the time of mask texture generation are synchronized (step S60).

  Subtractive translucent composition is performed by placing n mask textures copied to the texture area on the light image (step S70).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

  The control circuit of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment is configured around a main control board 700 including a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like, for example, with a CPU as a core.

  A detection unit 710 is connected to the input side of the main control board 700.

  In the present embodiment, the detection unit 710 detects a winning sensor 712 that detects a winning at the start winning port 16 as a special symbol winning port, and a winning sensor 714 that detects a winning at the through chucker 14 as a normal symbol winning port. And a winning sensor 716 provided at each other winning opening.

  An input unit 740 is connected to the input side of the main control board 700.

  In the present embodiment, the input unit 740 is configured to include the handle 742, but may be configured to include at least one of the cross key 744 and the camera 746 as necessary.

  In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, various sub-control boards 800 that execute commands from the main control board 700 are provided. As the sub control board 800, a display control board 810, a launch control board 820, an electric tulip control board 830, an accessory control board 840, a payout control board 850, a lamp control board 860, and an audio control board 870 are provided.

  In the main control board 700, basic programs and data relating to games are recorded in an information storage medium such as a ROM, and the CPU and the like execute various arithmetic processes based on the programs and data. Various control signals calculated by the main control board 700 are output to the corresponding sub control board 800, and each sub control board 800 independently executes processing based on the input control signal.

  Each sub-control board 800 includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like with a CPU as a core, and is configured to execute various functions.

  The display control board 810 has a function of generating an image to be displayed on the display unit 814 via the display driver 812. For example, based on a control signal from the main control board 700, an effect image having a given game effect effect is generated and displayed on the display unit 814.

  Further, the display control board 810 performs display control of the normal symbol display unit 818 via the display driver 816.

  Specifically, the main control board 700 functions as a lottery means, and draws a special symbol or a normal symbol. Then, based on the lottery result, the display content of the lottery effect displayed on the display unit 814 is selected, and a control signal is output to the display control board 810.

  The display control board 810 stores data of different display contents based on these various control signals in advance, selects stored data based on the input control signals, and has a lottery effect image having a corresponding effect. Is displayed on the display unit 814, and the display control of the normal symbol display unit 818 is performed via the display driver 816.

  The launch control board 820 controls the launch of a game ball by operating the player's handle 742.

  The electric tulip control board 830 controls opening and closing of the electric tulip 834 via the solenoid 832.

  The accessory control board 840 controls the operation of various kinds of accessories provided in the gaming machine.

  The payout control board 850 controls payout of game balls.

  The lamp control board 860 controls the lighting of the special symbol reservation lamp 862 and the normal symbol reservation lamp 864.

  When there is a prize in the through-chucker 14 which is a normal symbol winning opening, this prize is held for a maximum of four pieces, and when the series of normal symbol effect processing is completed, the held part is digested. . The amount of the normal symbol held is displayed using the normal symbol hold lamp 864.

  In addition, a maximum of four winnings in the special symbol start winning opening 16 are reserved, and when the series of lottery effect processing ends, the reserved amount is digested. The number of reserved special symbols is displayed using a special symbol holding lamp 862.

  The lamp control board 860 further controls lighting of various electric decoration members 866 attached to the gaming machine.

  The audio control board 870 controls the output of various sound effects output from the speaker 872.

  Each gaming machine is connected to a hall computer 730 as a host computer via a management control board 720 network.

  The hall computer 730 is for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines provided in a store via a network, collects necessary data from each gaming machine, and controls necessary for each gaming machine. It is configured to output a signal and control settings of each gaming machine.

  In the control circuit shown in FIG. 15, the main control board 700 and each sub control board 800 operate based on programs and data stored in a storage medium (not shown), and function as, for example, each unit shown in FIG. The various processes shown in FIG. 13 are executed.

  The present invention is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example. The present invention can also be applied to coin-type gaming machines such as pachislot machines, slot machines, and medal games where effect display is performed, other game machines that perform lottery effect display, and video game machines.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the region other than the spot portion of the mask image or the light image is composed of black has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it comprise with another color.

  In the above embodiment, the mask texture is drawn by subtraction semi-transparency on the portion where the second image is covered with the light image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may draw by other translucent processing.

  Moreover, although the case where the shape of the spot part was circular was demonstrated as an example in the said embodiment, it is not restricted to this, Other shapes may be sufficient.

It is front explanatory drawing of the pachinko game machine in this Embodiment. It is an example of the block diagram which shows the principal part of the game machine of this Embodiment. FIGS. 3A to 3E are diagrams for explaining an example of the special symbol variation display effect of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a series of processes of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the production | presentation pattern determination process of this Embodiment. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams for describing features of the present embodiment. 7A, 7B, and 7C are an example of a special symbol that is a target of spot processing, a mask image, and a light image. It is a figure for demonstrating the clipping process of a spot part. Mask texture. FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams for explaining the process of image composition processing of a lottery effect image. It is a lottery effect image having a plurality of spot portions. It is a figure for demonstrating the spot process in the case of having a some spot part. 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining another example of the light image. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating the flow of the spot process of the lottery effect image of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions which can implement | achieve this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

12 Display unit 18 Big prize opening 70 Processing unit 72 Lottery unit 74 Operation processing unit 78 Probability change time control unit 80 Lottery number control unit 82 Lottery production unit 84 Effect image calculation unit 88 Image generation unit 90 Storage unit 91 Text information storage unit 92 Information Storage media 200a, 200b, 200c Special design

Claims (10)

A lottery effect for performing a lottery process for generating a game event by satisfying a given game condition and confirming and stopping after a plurality of combination symbols for notifying the lottery process result fluctuate based on a given rule A gaming machine that outputs an image to a display unit,
Lottery means for performing a lottery to generate a game event when a given game condition is satisfied;
Based on the result of the lottery, a lottery effect for displaying a plurality of symbols displayed on the display means after being variably displayed for a predetermined time, stopping the display, and notifying the player of the result of the lottery by a combination of the symbols that are stopped and displayed A lottery effect image generating means for generating an image,
The lottery effect image generation and output means
Based on the lottery result, images of a plurality of symbols or images of characters used for the lottery effect are arranged on the background color that is the first color to generate the first image,
In the first image, a process of extracting the outline of a pattern or character arranged at a position corresponding to the spot portion of the second image serving as a background of the lottery effect image is performed, and the lottery effect is performed based on the extracted contour. A gaming machine, wherein a symbol or a silhouette of a character is displayed on a spot portion of a second image as a background of the image. In claim 1,
The lottery effect image generation and output means
A mask image storage unit for storing a mask image in which the spot portion is transparent and the first color is set in an area other than the spot portion;
A light image storage unit that has a spot part congruent with the spot part of the mask image, stores a light image in which the second color is set in the spot part, and the first color is set in an area other than the spot part;
The image covered with the mask image at a position corresponding to the spot portion of the second image of the first image is stored in the texture area as a mask texture, and the light image and the mask texture are translucently processed in the second image. A spot processing unit that displays a symbol or a silhouette of a character on a spot portion of the second image by performing
A gaming machine characterized by including: In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 2.
The spot machine of the said light image is set with the 2nd color from which a brightness | luminance changes with parts, The game machine characterized by the above-mentioned. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A gaming machine, wherein the design or character of the first image is composed of white. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The lottery effect image generation and output means
A gaming machine, wherein when a plurality of spot portions are provided in a lottery effect image, a mask texture corresponding to the spot portion is generated using an unused first image for each spot portion. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
When providing a plurality of spot portions in the lottery effect image, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion in the mask texture to be generated based on at least one of the position and size of the spot. A gaming machine that generates a mask texture corresponding to a spot portion by using an unused first image for each portion. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.
When providing a plurality of spot portions in the first image, it is determined whether or not there is an overlapping portion in the generated mask texture based on at least one of the position and size of the spot. A gaming machine, wherein a mask texture is generated by covering a first image with a mask image corresponding to a plurality of spot portions. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
Further includes photographing means.
The lottery effect image generating means
A gaming machine, wherein an image of a character used for a lottery effect is generated based on an image photographed by the photographing means. A lottery effect for performing a lottery process for generating a game event by satisfying a given game condition and confirming and stopping after a plurality of combination symbols for notifying the lottery process result fluctuate based on a given rule A program for controlling a gaming machine that outputs an image to a display unit,
Lottery means for performing a lottery to generate a game event when a given game condition is satisfied;
Based on the result of the lottery, a lottery effect for displaying a plurality of symbols displayed on the display means after being variably displayed for a predetermined time, stopping the display, and notifying the player of the result of the lottery by a combination of the symbols that are stopped and displayed The computer functions as a lottery effect image generating means for generating an image,
The lottery effect image generation and output means
Based on the lottery result, images of a plurality of symbols or images of characters used for the lottery effect are arranged on the background color that is the first color to generate the first image,
In the first image, a process of extracting the outline of a pattern or character arranged at a position corresponding to the spot portion of the second image serving as a background of the lottery effect image is performed, and the lottery effect is performed based on the extracted contour. A program for displaying a symbol or a silhouette of a character on a spot portion of a second image as a background of an image.   A computer-readable information storage medium in which the program according to claim 9 is stored.