JP2007222437A - Game machine, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute a notification intelligible for unskilled persons by executing a novel notification with performance sound while suppressing the data amount to the minimum. <P>SOLUTION: When a stop button is pressed, the slot machine draws a lottery for determining whether attenuating the continuously output performance sound or not (a sound attenuation lottery). When determining to attenuate the performance sound as a result of the sound attenuation lottery, the slot machine attenuates the performance sound while the pressing state of the stop button is retained. This constitution can notify a player of a game in winning a special game shift role, which may be shifted to a special game such as a BB mode or an RB mode, by making a player feel discomfort on the continuity of the performance sound. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine installed in a game hall such as a pachinko parlor, and more particularly to a gaming machine, a program, and a storage medium that perform notification using voice during a game.

  A slot machine is an example of a gaming machine installed in a game hall represented by a pachinko parlor. In this slot machine, when a game medium such as a medal is inserted and the start lever is pressed, the game is executed, and a lottery is determined by lottery in the game. After the lottery is performed, for example, three reels are rotated, and the reel associated with the pressed stop button is stopped in accordance with the pressing operation of the stop button by the player. Then, for example, when the same symbols are arranged on the winning line that becomes valid when the medal is inserted, the winning is made, and the medal is paid out for the winning. In general, this is a single game, and the player generally repeats the game a plurality of times intermittently.

  In such a slot machine, during a series of intermittently repeated games, the lighting of the LED, the animation displayed on the liquid crystal display device, or the effect sound output from the speaker provided in the housing, etc. Ingenuity that does not exhaust the player's interest is made. Especially in special games that are more advantageous to the player than normal games, such as BB (Big Bonus) mode and RB (Regular Bonus) mode, You can enjoy further enjoyment of games with slot machines. Recently, not only the special games such as the BB and RB modes described above, but also in the normal game, various effects are continuously performed, and the game sound is always output during the normal game ( For example, Patent Document 1).

Many players strongly feel the fun of playing with a slot machine in a special game such as the BB or RB mode as described above. However, if the player is unaware that he has been elected as an elector who can transition to a special game (hereinafter referred to as “special game transition”), he / she will postpone the special game opportunity. It will be. Therefore, during the normal game, the player plays the game while always paying attention to whether or not the current game is elected as a special game transition role. Depending on the slot machine, in order to notify the player whether or not the current game is elected as a special game transition role, for example, the above-mentioned LED lighting or animation displayed on the liquid crystal display There are a lot of players who play games while being angry at the production of the game.
JP 2001-58024 A

  As described above, the player plays the game while enjoying or expecting various effects. Therefore, there are a wide variety of presentation methods for notification by the slot machine. However, even in the case of a slot machine that informs whether a special game transition role is won or not by lighting an LED, displaying an animation, or effect sound, etc. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for a person skilled in the slot machine to determine the difference in performance. Furthermore, since there is a limit to the capacity of the memory that stores the data necessary for production, enormous amounts of data are required to produce music and animation, and it is easy to increase the number of types. There is also a problem that is not.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and enables a novel notification by a production sound while minimizing the increasing amount of data, and is easy to understand even for non-experts. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine, a program, and a storage medium that can perform the above.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is one of a plurality of winning combinations including a special game transition combination that can shift to a special game mode in which a profit-giving value for a player is higher than a game in a normal mode, or is lost In a gaming machine comprising a winning combination determining means for determining whether or not and at least an effect sound reproducing means for reproducing an effect sound during a period from the start to the end of the game, at least the special game transition combination by the winning combination determining means Is selected, a mute determining means for determining whether or not to mute the effect sound reproduced by the effect sound reproducing means, and mute the effect sound being reproduced by the mute determination means. And a mute unit for receiving the operation signal output in the progress of the game and muting the reproduced effect sound. Note that winning a special game transition role means winning a special game transition role as a result of the winning role lottery performed immediately before, but in this specification, it was performed in a previous game. This includes cases where a special game transition combination is won as a result of the winning combination lottery, and a special game transition combination is carried over to the current game. The mute of the production sound means that the player cannot recognize the production sound by sufficiently reducing the volume of the production sound, stopping the reproduction of the production sound, or a combination thereof.

  Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising a mute canceling unit that cancels mute of the effect sound muted by the muffling unit when the output of the operation signal is stopped.

  Further, the mute determining means determines whether to mute the played effect sound even when the special game transition combination is not won, and when the special game transition combination is won In addition, the probability of deciding to mute the reproduced effect sound in the mute determining means is A, and when the special game transition role is not elected, the mute determining means mutes the reproduced effect sound. Then, when the probability of determination is B, A> B is satisfied.

  Whether the program of the present invention is one of a plurality of winning combinations including a special game transition combination that can shift to a special game mode in which a profit-giving value for a player is higher than a game in a normal mode, or is a loss A winning combination determining means for determining the winning combination and an effect sound reproducing means for reproducing the effect sound at least during a period from the start to the end of the game, and at least the special game transition combination is won by the winning combination determining means. The sound effect determining means for determining whether or not to silence the effect sound reproduced by the effect sound reproducing means, and the sound effect determining means to mute the effect sound being reproduced. In order to cause the computer to function as a silencer for receiving the operation signal that is determined and output in the course of the game and that silences the replayed sound. A.

  The storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that the program is stored and the program can be read by a computer.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention performs a lottery to determine whether or not to mute the effect sound being reproduced. Based on the result of the lottery, an operation signal from a stop button or the like is received and the reproduced effect sound is muted, so that the player can feel a sense of discomfort regarding the continuity of the effect sound. Further, the player can feel the sense of incongruity due to the silence of the effect sound regardless of the skill level of the player.

  Therefore, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with an effective and innovative notification method and effect means while minimizing the amount of data increased for the effect by performing the notification using the above-mentioned uncomfortable feeling. Can be provided.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine. The slot machine 2 includes a first reel 10, a second reel 11, a third reel 12, which will be described later, inside a housing 3 including a storage box 4 and a front door 5 provided on the front surface of the storage box 4. A speaker 15, a hopper device, a power supply device (not shown), and the like are arranged.

  The front door 5 is composed of two doors, an upper door 6 and a lower door 7. Speakers 15 for outputting effect sounds are provided behind the upper right and upper left of the upper door 6. A decorative panel 8 is provided at the center of the upper door 6, and a display window 9 is provided at the approximate center of the decorative panel 8. A first reel 10, a second reel 11, and a third reel 12 are disposed in the back of the display window 9. As is well known, a plurality of types of symbols, for example, are arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12. When the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are stopped, three symbols arranged on the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 through the display window 9. Displayed. As a result, the total number of symbols displayed through the display window 9 is nine, and there are three horizontal pay lines that are obtained by combining the symbols of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 one by two. A total of five books are set.

  Various operation buttons such as a MAX bet button 45 and a payout button 46 which are operated at the start of the game are provided on the upper portion of the lower door 7. The MAX bet button 45 is pressed when three medals that are used among the credited medals are inserted. The inserted medals include not only directly inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 55 but also operating the above-described MAX bet button 45 using the credited medals. The payout button 46 is a button that is pressed when paying out a credited medal.

  In the vicinity of these buttons, a start lever 50, a first stop button 51, a second stop button 52, and a third stop button 53 are provided. The start lever 50 is operated when a game is executed. The first stop button 51 is a button that is pressed when stopping the rotating first reel 10. Similarly, the second stop button 52 and the third stop button 53 are buttons that are pressed when the rotating second reel 11 and third reel 12 are stopped.

  The lower door 7 is provided with a medal slot 55 for inserting a medal when playing a game. A selector (not shown) is incorporated in the back of the medal insertion slot 55, and inappropriate medals are discharged to the medal tray 57 through the medal payout opening 56. In addition, when the medal is inserted at an improper timing such as when the selector is inserted in the middle of a game or in a state where various operation buttons are pressed, the selector receives the inserted medal as the medal tray 57. To discharge. Since the number of medals that can be inserted prior to the start of the game is limited to 1 to 3, medals up to the first to third inserted are automatically inserted when the credit function is not used. The medals inserted after the fourth sheet are discharged to the medal tray 57.

  On the other hand, when the credit function is on, medals inserted after the fourth sheet are detected by the medal sensor 64 (see FIG. 2) provided in the selector, and then, for example, the inside of the slot machine 2 is limited to 50 sheets. It is stored in. When medals are credited, if medals are inserted through the medal slot 45, the first to third medals are automatically inserted and inserted after the fourth one. Medals are credited. If there is a credited medal, a medal insertion operation is performed by operating the above-described MAX bet button 45, and the inserted number is sequentially subtracted from the credit number. Further, as a result of the game, when a winning is obtained, medals as a payout are also credited, and medals credited when the payout button 46 is operated are paid out to the medal tray 57.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine 2. The slot machine 2 includes a game control device 60 that performs basic control in the game. The game control device 60 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, and a RAM 63. When power is supplied to the slot machine 2, the CPU 61 reads the activation program stored in the ROM 62 and executes the program. The RAM 63 stores data for control during the game, and also stores setting values at the time of setting change.

  The medal sensor 64 is provided inside the selector and detects a medal that is determined to be a regular medal by authenticity determination by the selector. The CPU 61 is provided with a medal counter (not shown). For example, when the credit function is enabled, the detection signals of the fourth and subsequent medals are counted by the medal counter. On the other hand, in the case of detection signals for medals inserted up to the first to third sheets, based on the respective detection signals, the CPU 61 turns on an LED provided on the back surface of the display unit and becomes a valid winning prize. Display the line.

  The bet switch sensor 65 is disposed inside the MAX bet button 45. When the MAX bet button 45 is pressed, the bet switch sensor 65 is turned on, and an on signal (hereinafter referred to as an insertion signal) is output to the CPU 61. In response to the input signal, the CPU 61 refers to the RAM 63 and then reads out the input program stored in the ROM 62 to perform the input process. During this insertion process, display of the display unit using the LED, that is, display of a valid winning line is performed.

  The start switch sensor 66 is turned on when the start lever 40 is pressed, and an on signal (hereinafter referred to as a start signal) is output to the CPU 61. In response to the input start signal, the CPU 61 reads out a game control program (not shown) stored in the ROM 62 and data temporarily stored in the RAM 63, and starts the game process.

  Indexes 10a, 11a, and 12a are provided at the reference positions of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12, respectively. The passage of the indexes 10a, 11a, 12a is photoelectrically detected. Detection signals from the photo sensors 70, 71, 72 are output to the CPU 61 as a reset signal for each reel. The first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are press-fitted with drive shafts of stepping motors 75, 76, and 77, respectively. The reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 rotate. In FIG. 3, for convenience, the first reel 10 and the stepping motor 75, the second reel 11 and the stepping motor 76, and the third reel 12 and the stepping motor 77 are surrounded by solid lines. Reference numerals 78, 79, and 80 denote drivers that drive the stepping motors 75, 76, and 77, respectively.

  The CPU 61 is provided with a pulse counter (not shown) for each stepping motor, and counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each stepping motor. As a result, every time a reset signal is input from the photosensors 70, 71, 72, it is cleared and up-counted again. By monitoring the count value of the pulse counter for each reel, the CPU 61 can identify, for example, which symbol has moved on the horizontal center winning line, and how much the reel can be rotated. For example, it is possible to predict whether the target symbol will move on the winning line where the symbol becomes valid.

  The first stop switch sensor 82 is provided inside the first stop button 51 and is turned on when the first stop button 51 is pressed and outputs an on signal (operation signal) to the CPU 61. In response to this, the CPU 61 refers to the symbol table 101 stored in the ROM 62 so as to be stopped on the winning line where the target symbol becomes valid among the symbols arranged on the first reel 10. The driver 78 controls the supply of drive pulses to the stepping motor 75. Further, when the pressing state of the first stop button 51 is released, the first stop button 51 is turned off, and the output of the on signal to the CPU 61 is stopped.

  The second stop switch sensor 83 is provided inside the second stop button 52 and is turned on when the second stop button 52 is pressed, and outputs an on signal (operation signal) to the CPU 61. In response to this, the CPU 61 refers to the symbol table 101 stored in the ROM 62 so that the symbol of the symbols arranged on the second reel 11 is stopped on the winning line where the target symbol is valid. The driver 79 controls the supply of drive pulses to the stepping motor 76. Further, when the pressed state of the second stop button 51 is released, it is turned off, and the output of the on signal to the CPU 61 is stopped.

  The third stop switch sensor 84 is provided inside the third stop button 53 and is turned on when the third stop button 53 is pressed and outputs an on signal (operation signal) to the CPU 61. In response to this, the CPU 61 refers to the symbol table 101 stored in the ROM 62 so as to be stopped on the winning line where the target symbol is valid among the symbols arranged on the third reel 12. The driver 80 controls the supply of drive pulses to the stepping motor 77. Further, when the pressed state of the third stop button 51 is released, the third stop button 51 is turned off, and the output of the on signal to the CPU 61 is stopped.

  The CPU 61 includes a control unit 90, a first random number acquisition unit 91, a second random number acquisition unit 92, a winning combination determination unit 93, a mute determination unit 94, an effect management unit 95, and a timer 96. Based on the game control program stored in the ROM 62, the control unit 90 executes, for example, rotation / stop control of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12, a payout control in the case of winning, etc. . In addition, a medal insertion process is performed.

  When power supply to the slot machine 2 is started, the first random number acquisition unit 91 starts a random number update process, and obtains a random number (hereinafter referred to as a first random number) when a start signal is output from the start switch sensor 66. get. The first random number acquired by the first random number acquiring unit 91 is stored in the RAM 63 and used by the winning combination determining unit 93.

  When power supply to the slot machine 2 is started, the second random number acquisition unit 92 starts a random number update process, and obtains a random number (hereinafter referred to as a second random number) when a start signal is output from the start switch sensor 66. get. The second random number acquired by the second random number acquiring unit 92 is stored in the RAM 63 and used by the mute determining unit 94.

  The winning combination determination unit (winning combination determination means) 93 is one of a plurality of types of winning combinations from the first random number acquired by the first random number acquisition unit 91 and the first random number table stored in the ROM 62, or Decide whether it is lost. Below, the acquisition of the 1st random number in the 1st random number acquisition part 91 and the determination of either of the some winning combination in the winning combination determination part 93, or a lose will be demonstrated as a winning combination lottery. The result of the winning combination lottery is stored in the RAM 63. The multiple winning combinations include, for example, the BB mode in which the starting rate is higher than the game in the normal mode, the BB transition combination to shift to the RB mode (special game), and the RB transition combination (special game transition combination), In addition to the bell role that only pays out medals when winning a prize and the role of plum, it consists of a replay role that allows you to obtain the right of the next game without having to insert medals when winning a prize. . The acquisition of the right for the next game means that a medal is automatically inserted without using a credited medal or a medal from the medal insertion slot 55 when winning. Further, the BB transition combination and the RB transition combination (special game transition combination) that shift to the BB mode and the RB mode (special game) are carry-over combinations that can be carried over to the next and subsequent games when the prize is not won.

  The mute determining unit (mute determining unit) 94 is operated by pressing the stop button from the second random number acquired by the second random number acquiring unit 92 and the first probability table 98 or the second probability table 99 stored in the ROM 63. When it is done, it is determined whether or not to mute the production sound. In the following description, the acquisition of the second random number in the second random number acquisition unit 92 and the determination of whether or not to mute the effect sound in the mute determination unit 94 will be described as a mute lottery. The result of the mute lottery is stored in the RAM 63. Here, mute of the production sound means that the player cannot recognize the production sound. The slot machine of the present embodiment silences the effect sound by stopping the reproduction of the effect sound. However, in addition to stopping the reproduction of the effect sound as in the slot machine of the present embodiment, for example, the effect sound may be muted by sufficiently reducing the volume of the effect sound.

  The effect management unit (effect sound reproducing means, mute means, mute release means) 95 performs control related to effects such as playback stop, in addition to reproduction of effect sounds and volume adjustment of effect sound to be reproduced. The effect management unit 95 receives the effect sound start signal output from the control unit 90 and refers to the effect sound file in the effect sound directory 100 described later. And the production | presentation management part 95 operates the speaker 15 via the sound driver 85, and reproduces | regenerates the production sound based on the referred production sound file.

  When it is determined that the production sound is to be silenced by the mute lottery described above, the production management unit 95 reproduces the production sound when an ON signal is input from the stop switch sensor via the control unit 90. Stop. When the output of the ON signal from the stop switch sensor is stopped, the output time of the ON signal from the control switch 90 is input to the effect management unit 95 as pressing time data. Since the elapsed time (hereinafter referred to as playback time) since the start of reproduction of the effect sound data can be obtained by referring to the index data of the effect sound file described later, the effect management unit 95 The effect sound data corresponding to the new reproduction time obtained by adding the pressing time data to the reproduction time of the effect sound when the reproduction is stopped is read from the effect sound file, and the reproduction of the effect sound is resumed.

  The timer 96 is a timer that measures the time during which the pressed state of the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third stop button 53 is maintained. For example, when the first stop button 51 is pressed, an ON signal is output from the first stop switch sensor 82 to the CPU 61. When receiving an ON signal from the stop switch sensor, the CPU 61 resets the timer 96, and the timer 96 starts measuring time. Further, when the pressing state of the first stop button 51 is released, the output of the ON signal output from the first stop switch sensor 82 to the CPU 61 is stopped. When the output of the ON signal from the first stop switch sensor 82 is stopped, the CPU 61 ends the time measurement by the timer 96. In this way, the time during which the stop button is pressed is measured. Then, after obtaining the time measured by the timer 96, the CPU 61 outputs this time to the effect management unit 95 as pressing time data. Similarly, the timer 96 measures the time during which the pressed state of the stop button is maintained even when the second stop button 52 and the third stop button 53 are pressed.

  In the ROM 62, in addition to programs such as an activation program, a game control program, and an insertion program, a random number table 97, a first probability table 98, a second probability table 99, an effect sound directory 100, a symbol table 101, and a plurality of effect sounds Data (not shown) and the like are stored. In the random number table 97, a first random number is assigned to each of a plurality of winning combinations and loses, and when the winning combination determining unit 93 determines which of the plurality of winning combinations or loses. Used. The symbol table 101 is a table in which symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first reel 10, the second reel 11, and the third reel 12 are associated with the number of steps from the reference position.

  In the first probability table 98, the second random number is assigned to whether the sound is muted or not muted. In the muting determination unit 94, the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third This is used for a mute lottery to determine whether or not to mute the effect sound being played when the stop button 53 is pressed. In particular, in the first probability table 98, as a result of the winning combination lottery, the special game transition combination that can shift to the BB mode or the RB mode is won, or the special game transition combination is carried over from the previous game. In this case, the probability table is used for the mute lottery.

  In the second probability table 99, the second random number is assigned to whether the sound is muted or not muted. In the muting determination unit 94, the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, the third This is used for a mute lottery to determine whether or not to mute the effect sound being played when the stop button 53 is pressed. In particular, the second probability table 99 does not win a special game transition that can shift to the BB mode or the RB mode as a result of the winning combination lottery, and the special game transition combination is not carried over from the previous game. It is a probability table used in the case. Note that, as a result of the mute lottery using the first probability table 98 described above, the probability determined to mute the reproduced production sound is A, and the mute lottery using the second probability table 99 is reproduced. The first probability table 98 and the second probability table 99 are set so as to satisfy A> B, where B is the probability determined to mute the effect sound being played.

  The effect sound directory 100 is a directory in which a plurality of effect sound files (not shown) storing effect sounds used in the effect are stored. The effect sound file stored in the effect sound directory 100 includes not only data as sound but also various information related to the effect sound such as the length of the effect sound. For example, the effect sound file is composed of effect sound data and index data indicating a reproduction time after the effect sound is reproduced. By referring to the index data, it is possible to start the reproduction of the effect sound from an arbitrary reproduction time. The effect sound directory 100 and the plurality of effect sound files in the effect sound directory 100 are referred to by the effect management unit 54.

  Next, the effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIG. 3, FIG. When starting the game, the player directly inserts medals from the medal slot 55. Insertion processing is performed on medals inserted up to the first to third medals. That is, when the first medal is inserted, one winning line becomes valid. When the second medal is inserted, two more pay lines are activated and a total of three pay lines are activated. When the third medal is inserted, two more winning lines are valid and all five winning lines are valid. Note that, when a medal is inserted using a credited medal, when the MAX bet button 45 is pressed, an insertion signal is input to the CPU 61. Upon receiving this input signal, the CPU 61 performs the above-described input process.

  When the player operates the start lever 50 in this state, a start signal from the start switch sensor 66 is input to the CPU 61. Upon receiving this start signal, the CPU 61 executes a game control program and the like from the ROM 62. In addition, the production management unit 95 receives the production sound start signal output from the control unit 90, refers to the production sound directory 100, and starts reproducing the production sound. At the same time, the first random number acquisition unit 91 acquires the first random number, and the second random number acquisition unit 92 acquires the second random number. At the same time, a winning combination lottery is performed to determine which of a plurality of winning combinations or lost.

  In response to the result of the winning combination lottery performed in the winning combination determination unit 93, the silencing lottery unit 94 performs the silencing lottery. As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the special game transition combination is won or when the special game transition combination is carried over from the previous game, the mute determination unit 94 stores the first high mute probability stored in the ROM 63. A mute lottery is performed using the probability table 98. On the other hand, as a result of the winning combination lottery, when the special game transition combination is not won and the special game transition combination is not carried over from the previous game, the mute determination unit 94 has the low mute probability stored in the ROM 63. A mute lottery is performed using the second probability table 99. At the same time, the CPU 61 rotates the first reel 10, the second reel 11 and the third reel 12 via the drivers 78, 79 and 80.

  Thereafter, when the stop button is pressed, an ON signal is output to the CPU 61 from the corresponding stop switch sensor. Upon receiving the ON signal from the stop switch sensor, the CPU 61 resets the timer 96, and the timer 96 starts measuring the time during which the stop button is pressed. At the same time, if it is determined to mute the effect sound being reproduced as a result of the mute lottery, the effect management unit 95 mutes the sound by stopping the reproduction of the effect sound. At the same time, upon receiving an ON signal from the stop switch sensor, the CPU 61 controls to stop the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button based on the winning combination lottery result.

  Then, when the pressing state of the stop button is released, the output of the ON signal from the stop switch sensor corresponding to the stop button that has been pressed is stopped. In response to the stop of the output of the ON signal from the stop switch sensor, the CPU 61 ends the time measurement in the timer 96 and outputs the measured time to the effect management unit 95 as pressing time data. Receiving this press time data, the production management unit 95 produces an effect corresponding to a new reproduction time obtained by adding the time that was muted to the reproduction time of the production sound when the reproduction of the production sound is stopped. The sound data is read and the reproduction of the production sound is started. Similarly, when another stop button is pressed, the same processing as described above is performed.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific state in which the effect sound is muted when the stop button is in the pressed state. The time when the start lever 50 is pressed is set to 0 seconds as a reference. Simultaneously with the pressing of the start lever 50, the effect management unit 95 starts to reproduce the effect sound. For example, when the first stop button 51 is pressed when 34 seconds have elapsed from the time (0 seconds) when the start lever 50 is pressed, the effect management unit 95 stops the reproduction of the effect sound. Thereafter, assuming that the pressing state of the first stop button 51 is continued for 2 seconds, the effect management unit 95 uses the pressing time data (2 seconds) acquired by the timer 96 as the reproduction time when the effect sound is stopped ( Reproduction of the effect sound is resumed from the part of the new reproduction time (36 seconds) obtained by adding to (34 seconds).

  Similarly, when the second stop button 52 is pressed when 38 seconds have elapsed from the time when the start lever 50 is pressed (0 seconds), the effect management unit 95 stops the reproduction of the effect sound. Thereafter, assuming that the pressing state of the second stop button 52 is continued for 1 second, the effect management unit 95 uses the pressing time data (1 second) acquired by the timer 96 as the playback time when the effect sound is stopped ( The playback of the production sound is resumed from the portion of the new playback time (39 seconds) obtained by adding to (38 seconds).

  Similarly, when the third stop button 53 is pressed when 41 seconds have elapsed from the time (0 seconds) when the start lever 50 is pressed, the effect management unit 95 stops the reproduction of the effect sound. . Thereafter, assuming that the pressing state of the third stop button 53 is continued for 1 second, the effect management unit 95 uses the pressing time data (1 second) acquired by the timer 96 as the reproduction time when the effect sound is stopped ( The playback of the effect sound is resumed from the part of the new playback time (42 seconds) obtained by adding to (41 seconds).

  As described above, the slot machine according to the present embodiment is stopped as a result of the mute lottery performed when the special game transition role that enables the transition to the special game such as the BB mode or the RB mode is being won. When it is determined to mute the effect sound at the time of pressing the button, the effect sound is muted when the stop button is pressed. Also, when the stop button is released, using the pressing time data acquired by the timer 96, the amount of time that has been muted is added to the playback time of the effect sound when the playback of the effect sound is stopped. The effect sound data corresponding to the reproduction time obtained in this manner is read, and the reproduction of the effect sound is started. Therefore, the player feels uncomfortable that the production sound is interrupted when the stop button is in the pressed state. When all the stop buttons are pressed, all reels stop, and if a symbol or symbol combination corresponding to any of a plurality of winning combinations stops on an effective winning line, a prize is awarded. Medals are paid out.

  Further, the time during which the stop button is kept pressed may be any time, and the length can be changed by the player. In the conventional notification, if it is an unfamiliar player, training was necessary to distinguish the performance sound that is unilaterally notified, but by making the specification like this embodiment, the player can By arbitrarily pressing and holding the stop button, it is possible to notify at the player's pace. This is very kind to a player who is not familiar with the slot machine.

  As described above, according to the slot machine of the present embodiment, it can be used as a method for notifying a sense of incongruity in which the production sound has been muted, and the currently played game can be shifted to a special game such as the BB mode or the RB mode. The player can be informed that the special game transition role is being won. Furthermore, since the notification is performed by muting the production sound, the slot machine according to the present embodiment performs the notification by muting the production sound, as compared with a case where the production method is increased by increasing the production sound or animation. Therefore, the amount of data that needs to be increased when implementing the notification method of the present embodiment is small. In addition, it is difficult for a skilled person to distinguish between various types of effect sounds, but it is difficult for a skilled person to understand how to mute effect sounds as in the slot machine of this embodiment. It is.

  In addition, in the slot machine of this embodiment, not only when winning a special game transition role that can shift to a special game such as BB mode or RB mode, but also a special game transition role is won in the winning role lottery. The mute lottery is also performed when the special game transition combination is not carried over from the previous game. However, if the mute lottery is performed at least in a game that is won for the special game transition combination, the effect of the present invention can be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, for example, only when the special game transition combination is won, the mute lottery may be performed, and it may be determined whether or not the effect sound being played is to be silenced simultaneously with the pressing operation of the stop button. However, if such a specification is used, it will be clear that if the production sound being played is muted, it will be clear that the special game transition role has been won. However, it may be unsatisfactory for a skilled person. On the other hand, by using the same specifications as the slot machine of this embodiment, it is possible to always give a sense of expectation to a skilled player that he may have been elected as a special game transition role. It is possible to improve the playability. Therefore, even if the special game transition combination is not won in the winning combination lottery and the special game transition combination is not carried over from the previous game, the mute lottery is performed and played with a predetermined probability depending on the second probability table 99. The same specifications as those of the slot machine of the present embodiment that mute the effected sound are preferable.

  In the slot machine according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not to mute the effect sound when the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third stop button 53 are pressed by one mute lottery. In addition, a mute lottery may be performed for each of the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third stop button 53, and it may be determined whether or not the effect sound is muted when the individual stop buttons are pressed. However, in order to achieve such specifications, it is necessary to provide an individual random number acquisition unit or probability table.

  For example, by providing three random number acquisition units, random numbers may be acquired individually by mute lottery at each of the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third stop button 53. In addition, the probability table used when the mute lottery corresponding to each of the three stop buttons is the probability table used when the special game transition combination is won and the probability table used when the special game transition combination is not won These may be common to the three stop buttons, or may be individually provided so as to correspond to each stop button, as will be described later.

  Further, for example, two types of probability tables used in the mute lottery for each of the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third stop button 53 may be provided, for a total of six types. In this case, one of the two types of probability tables provided for each stop button is used when the special game transition combination is won, and the other is used when the special game transition combination is not won. In addition, the random number acquired at the time of the mute lottery corresponding to each of the three stop buttons may be acquired as one common to the mute lottery corresponding to each of the stop buttons. (3 in total) may be acquired.

  In the slot machine of the present embodiment, when the effect sound is resumed after the effect sound is muted, the pressing time data acquired by the timer 96 is used as the playback time of the effect sound when the playback is stopped. The effect sound data corresponding to the new reproduction time obtained by the addition is read out and the reproduction of the effect sound is started, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the effect sound is resumed after the effect sound is muted, the effect sound may be reproduced from the beginning. Further, for example, when the effect sound is resumed after the effect sound is silenced, the effect sound may be resumed from the silenced portion.

  Further, in the slot machine of the present embodiment, the effect sound is muted when the stop button is pressed, but the time for muting the effect sound is not limited to this. For example, the effect sound may be muted for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) at the same time that the stop button is pressed regardless of the pressing state of the stop button. However, in view of the object of the present invention, it is preferable to set the predetermined time so long that the game is not hindered.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the reproduction time and timing of the effect sound when such a silenced effect sound is resumed. In FIG. 6, the time when the start lever 50 is pressed is set to 0 seconds as a reference, and at the same time when the start lever 50 is pressed, the effect management unit 95 starts reproducing the effect sound. For example, when the first stop button 51 is pressed when 34 seconds have elapsed from the time when the start lever 50 is pressed (0 seconds), the effect management unit 95 stops the reproduction of the effect sound. Thereafter, it is assumed that the pressed state of the first stop button 51 continues for 2 seconds. For example, in FIG. 6A, at the same time as the pressing state of the first stop button 51 is released, the effect management unit 95 stops the effect sound from the pressing time data (2 seconds) counted by the timer 96. The reproduction of the effect sound is resumed from the part of the new reproduction time (36 seconds) obtained by adding to the current reproduction time (34 seconds).

  Further, in FIG. 6B, at the same time as the pressing state of the first stop button 51 is released, the production management unit 95 resumes the reproduction of the production sound from the reproduction time (34 seconds) when the production sound is stopped. To do. Further, in FIG. 6C, at the same time as the pressing state of the stop button 51 is released, the effect management unit 95 resumes the reproduction of the effect sound from the head part (reproduction time 0 second) of the effect sound.

  In FIG. 6D, the effect management unit 95 does not depend on the timing at which the first stop button 51 is released, and after the effect sound is muted for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second), The reproduction of the effect sound is resumed from the part of the new reproduction time (35 seconds) obtained by adding the predetermined time (one second) to the reproduction time (34 seconds) when the effect sound is stopped.

  As described above, when the effect sound is muted and then the effect sound is resumed, the effect of the present invention is further enhanced by appropriately setting the effect sound playback time and the playback restart timing. Can be expected.

  In the slot machine of the present embodiment, the stop button is pressed, receives an ON signal (operation signal) output from the corresponding stop switch sensor, and the effect sound being played is muted according to the result of the mute lottery. However, the timing to mute is not limited to this. For example, in response to a start signal (operation signal) output when the start lever 50 is pressed, the effect sound being played may be muted according to the result of the mute lottery. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to operation signals output from levers, buttons, and the like that are operated during the progress of a game such as a bet button.

  In the slot machine of this embodiment, the reproduction of the production sound is started simultaneously with the depression of the start lever 50. However, depending on the game form, the production is often performed over a plurality of games. Since the present invention is not affected by the start timing of the performance, even if the performance continues before the start lever 50 is pressed, after the start lever 50 is pressed, the special game transition role is won. It is possible to perform a mute lottery according to whether or not it is present, and there is no problem in applying the present invention.

  In the slot machine of this embodiment, the mute lottery is performed before the stop button pressing operation, and it is determined in advance whether or not the sound is muted when the stop button is pressed. Not limited to. For example, a mute lottery may be performed at the same time as each of the first stop button 51, the second stop button 52, and the third stop button 53 is pressed, and it may be determined whether or not to mute the effect sound. However, in the case of such specifications, it is necessary that the slot machine can sufficiently reduce the time required for the mute lottery.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which a storage medium (magnetic disk, flexible disk, IC memory, etc.) 170 is installed in the slot machine. The storage medium is shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 2 and the flowcharts of FIGS. A program for realizing such a means by a slot machine 173 including a CPU 171 and a memory 172 is stored. In this case, in a gaming machine provided with effect sound output means for outputting effect sound, a plurality of rotating reels, and a stop button for stopping the rotation of the reels, a lottery for determining whether or not to mute the effect sound is performed. The storage medium 170 stores a program for realizing the lottery means to be performed and the mute means for muting the effect sound when the stop button is pressed based on the result of the lottery. Then, the storage medium 170 is loaded into the reading device 174 and the program is installed in the slot machine 173.

  Further, instead of installing the program using a storage medium, the program can be distributed pachinko using the Internet. Further, by adding a program for executing the basic operation of the gaming machine to the above program, it can be installed on a personal computer and played on a monitor.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of this invention. It is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the game in the slot machine. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the game in the slot machine. It is the timing chart showing a mode that a production sound is muted according to pressing operation of a stop button. It is the timing chart showing a mode that a production sound is muted according to pressing operation of a stop button. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram when a storage medium storing a program is installed in a slot machine.

Explanation of symbols

2 Slot machine 10 1st reel 11 2nd reel 12 3rd reel 15 Speaker 60 Game control device 61 CPU
62 ROM
63 RAM
85 Speaker Driver 90 Control Unit 91 First Random Number Acquisition Unit 92 Second Random Number Acquisition Unit 93 Winning Role Determination Unit (Winning Role Determination Unit)
94 Silence determination unit (silence determination means)
95 Production management section (production sound reproduction means, mute means, mute release means)
96 timer 98 first probability table 99 second probability table 100 effect sound directory

Claims (5)

A winning combination decision that determines whether one of a plurality of winning combinations including a special game transition combination that can shift to a special game mode in which a profit-giving value for a player is higher than a game in a normal mode, or whether it is a loss In a gaming machine provided with a means and an effect sound reproducing means for reproducing an effect sound at least during a period from the start to the end of the game,
A mute determining means for determining whether to mute the effect sound reproduced by the effect sound reproducing means when at least the special game transition combination is won by the winning combination determining means;
The mute determining means determines to mute the reproduced effect sound, and receives an operation signal output in the progress of the game, and mute the reproduced effect sound;
A gaming machine characterized by comprising:   The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a mute release unit that releases mute of the effect sound muffled by the mute unit when the output of the operation signal is stopped. The mute determining means determines whether or not to mute the reproduced production sound even when the special game transition combination is not won,
When the special game transition combination is won, the mute determination means determines the probability to mute the reproduced production sound, and when the special game transition combination is not won, the mute determination The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein A> B is satisfied, where B is a probability of determining that the reproduced effect sound is muted in the means.   A winning combination decision that determines whether one of a plurality of winning combinations including a special game transition combination that can shift to a special game mode in which a profit-giving value for a player is higher than a game in a normal mode, or whether it is a loss And an effect sound reproducing means for reproducing an effect sound during a period from the start to the end of the game, and when at least the special game transition combination is won by the winning combination determination means, It is decided to mute the effect sound being reproduced by the effect sound reproducing means, and to determine whether to mute the reproduced effect sound by the mute determination means for determining whether or not to mute the effect sound being reproduced. A program that causes the computer to function as a silencer that receives the operation signal output above and silences the reproduced effect sound.   A storage medium characterized in that the program according to claim 4 is stored and the program can be read by a computer.

Images