JP2008029550A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of making a player more interested in the play without complicating the play while having game properties of a digital pachinko machine and a wing-opening/closing type game machine. <P>SOLUTION: When a game ball enters a starting hole, the variable display in a symbol display device is started. If a first jackpot symbol is displayed, a special game is immediately started. If a second jackpot symbol is displayed, a special winning hole is opened and if the game ball entering the special winning hole passes a specific area, the special game is started. After the special game is terminated, the opening time of the starting hole is extended, and the variable display time of the symbol display device is extended in the period when the opening time is extended. Accordingly, as the time from the entrance of the game ball into the starting hole till the opening of the special winning hole is extended, the player can determine whether the game ball should be made to enter the special winning hole or not during the period. As a result, the player can actively participate in the play, so that the player's interest in the play can be greatly aroused. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine that plays a game by launching a game ball onto a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances.

  Various types of game machines are known as ball game machines that play a game by firing a game ball toward the surface of the game board. For example, in a so-called digipachi machine type ball and ball game machine, a winning opening called a start opening is provided on the game board surface, and a symbol display device that stops and displays one of the symbols after the symbols are variably displayed. When a game ball enters the start opening, the symbol variation display is started, and when a predetermined winning symbol is stopped and displayed, a special game called a big hit is started.

  In addition, in a so-called winged type ball and ball game machine, a start opening and a center role (sometimes called a central device) are provided on the game board surface, and when a game ball enters the start opening The blades provided in the center accessory are in an open state, from which the game ball can enter the center accessory. A special area through which game balls can pass is provided in the center bonus, and when a game ball that has entered the center bonus passes through the specific zone, a special game called a big hit game is started. It has become.

  Furthermore, today, a ball game machine having both the gameability of a digital pachislot machine and the gameability of a feather is also proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2000-33141 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-6858

  However, the proposed ball game machine has a problem that the game is complicated due to the combination of two types of features that are completely different in playability, and it becomes difficult for the player to understand how to play the game. It was. In addition, since it has the characteristics of a digital pachislot machine and feathers, there is a problem that it is difficult to effectively enhance the interest of the player even though the structure and control of the gaming machine are complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and the game is not complicated even though it has both the playability of the digital pachislot machine and the playability of the feathers. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of effectively enhancing the interest of a player.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the bullet ball game machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In a ball game machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game board provided with a plurality of entrances into which a game ball can enter,
A starting position which is a predetermined entrance that can be switched between a normal state in which a game ball can enter and an open state in which the game ball is easier to enter than the normal state;
A predetermined entrance that is configured to be switchable between a closed state where a game ball cannot enter and an open state where a game ball can enter, and a specific area through which the game ball can pass is provided. A specific entrance,
When a game ball enters the start opening, lottery means for performing a lottery related to the progress of the game;
A symbol display device that displays a change in symbols when a game ball enters the start opening, and stops and displays the symbols according to the result of the lottery,
A first special game state starting means for starting a special game state which is a game state advantageous to the player when the first winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device;
When the second winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device, the specific entrance is set in an open state, and when the game ball entering the specific entrance passes through the specific area, the special entrance A second special gaming state starting means for starting the gaming state;
When a predetermined condition is established during the game, start port opening means for opening the start port for a predetermined time; and
An opening time extending means for extending the opening time of the start port for a predetermined period after the special gaming state is completed;
While the opening time of the start port is extended, a symbol variation display time extending means for extending a time during which the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device is provided.

  In such a ball game machine of the present invention, when a game ball enters the start port, the symbol display device starts displaying the symbols in a variable manner. When the gaming state is started and the second winning symbol is stopped and displayed, the specific entrance is in an open state. The special game state is also started when the game ball that has entered the specific entrance has passed the specific area. After the end of the special gaming state thus started, the opening time of the starting port is extended, and during the period when the opening time is extended, the time during which the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device It has been extended.

  The specific entrance is in the open state after the symbol display on the symbol display device is stopped, so if the display time is extended, the game ball will enter the start port accordingly. The time until the specific entrance is opened becomes longer. For this reason, if a player opens a specific entrance, the player aims to enter a special game state by entering a game ball into the specific entrance, or in the specific entrance Instead of entering the game ball, instead of entering the game ball into the starting port and stopping the first winning symbol, the game ball is inserted into the starting port. When it is done, it becomes possible to make a judgment according to the gaming state. As a result, the player can advance the game while deciding whether or not to enter the game ball at the specific entrance, so that the player can participate in the game more actively. It can be greatly excited. As described above, in the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to effectively enhance the interest of the player simply by extending the time period for displaying the symbol on the symbol display device.

  In addition, since it takes a long time for the specific entrance to open after the game ball enters the start opening, the specific entrance opens when the game ball enters the start opening. It is also possible to launch game balls aiming at the time. Therefore, unlike simply continuing to fire the game ball, it is possible to fire the game ball at the timing, and in that sense, the player can actively participate in the game. It becomes possible to excite the interest for.

  In addition, in the above-described bullet ball game machine of the present invention, when a game ball enters the start opening, a lottery is performed to determine the duration of the special game state, and the symbol display time of the symbol display device is changed. While extended, it is good also as notifying a player about the information regarding the duration of the special game state determined by the lottery.

  In this way, the player can determine whether or not to allow the game ball to enter the specific entrance based on the notified information regarding the duration of the special game state. Can do. As a result, the player can participate in the game more actively, and the excitement for the game can be increased.

  Alternatively, in the above-described bullet ball game machine of the present invention, when a game ball enters the start opening, a lottery is performed to determine a period for extending the opening time of the start opening, and the pattern change of the symbol display device While the display time is extended, the player may be notified of information regarding the period determined by the lottery (the period during which the opening time of the start port is extended).

  Even in this case, the player can determine whether or not to enter the game ball at the specific entrance based on the notified information, and thus can make an accurate determination. As a result, the player can participate in the game more actively, and the excitement of the game can be increased.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Configuration of control circuit:
B. Overview of the game:
C. Game control overview:
C-1. Normal pattern related processing:
C-2. Processing related to ordinary electric accessories:
C-3. Special design-related processing:
C-4. Small hit game-related processing:
C-5. Big hit game-related processing:
D. Fluctuation pattern setting process:
D-1. Normal symbol variation pattern setting processing:
D-2. Special symbol variation pattern setting process:

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 is mainly composed of a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a game board 10, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 10 is omitted. The front frame 4 is attached to a middle frame 3 (not shown), and the middle frame 3 is attached to a main body frame 2 (not shown). The middle frame 3 is formed of a plastic material and is attached to the inside of the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and forms an outer frame of the gaming machine 1. One end of the front frame 4 is pivotally supported with respect to the middle frame 3, and one end of the middle frame 3 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 2. The game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and the front side is covered with the front frame 4.

  The front frame 4 is formed of a plastic material, and a circular opening 4a is formed in a substantially central portion. A transparent plate such as a glass plate is fitted in the opening 4a so that the board surface of the game board 10 arranged on the back side can be visually recognized. Further, the front frame 4 is provided with various lamps 4b to 4f for enhancing the game effect.

  An upper dish portion 5 is provided below the front frame 4, and a lower dish portion 6 is provided below the upper dish portion 5. Further, a locking device 9 is provided on the right side of the front frame 4, and a prepaid card type ball lending device 13 (CR unit) is provided on the left side of the front frame 4.

  The upper dish part 5 is provided with a dish-shaped concave part and a dish outer edge part 5a formed so as to surround the concave part. The game balls are thrown into the recesses formed in the upper plate part 5 and supplied to the launcher unit 12 (see FIG. 5). The dish outer edge 5a is provided with various buttons such as a game ball lending switch 5b, a return switch 5c, and a discharge button for discharging the inserted game ball. Furthermore, a first speaker 5y having a plurality of long holes and a large number of small holes formed thereon is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper plate part 5. Furthermore, two operation switches SW1 and SW2 are provided on the front side (player side) of the upper plate part 5. By pressing this switch, the player can intervene in the progress of the game, such as changing the game conditions during the game.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided with a discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1, and the discharged game balls are stored in the lower plate part 6. Further, second speakers 6 c are provided on the left and right sides of the lower surface of the lower dish portion 6.

  A firing handle 8 is provided at the right end of the lower plate portion 6. The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a for detecting that the player is touching the handle. The rotation axis of the launching handle 8 is connected to a launching device unit 12 (not shown) mounted on the back side of the lower pan portion 6. Then, a launch motor (not shown) built in the unit rotates and a game ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10, and a central device is located at the center of the game area 11. 100 is installed. As will be described in detail later, the central device 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a set of variable entrances 102, an effect display device, a sorting device, a specific region, a non-specific region, and the like.

  In addition, three start ports 17, 18, and 19 are provided below the central device 100. Inside these start ports, start port switches 17s, 18s, 19s is provided. Among these three starting ports 17, 18, 19, the starting port 17 located in the center is a pair of wing pieces that can be opened and closed to the left and right, and an ordinary electric accessory (starting port) for operating the wing pieces. This is a so-called tulip-type starter provided with a solenoid 17m (see FIG. 5). When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, an opening state in which the game ball is likely to enter is in an open state, and the pair of wing pieces are in an upright state and the game ball is likely to enter the normal state.

  Further, a large winning opening 31d is provided below the tulip-type start opening 17. The special winning opening 31d is driven by a special winning opening solenoid 31m (see FIG. 5) to be in an open state when a predetermined condition described later is satisfied. As a result, the game ball enters the big winning opening 31d with a high probability, and the big hit gaming state, which is a gaming state advantageous to the player, is started. In addition, a big prize opening switch 31s is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball won in the big prize opening 31d.

  A fluctuation display device 28 is provided at the lower left of the central device 100. Although the detailed configuration will be described later, the variable display device 28 can display normal symbols and special symbols in a variable stop display.

  A left winning opening 16a and a normal symbol operating left gate 36a are provided on the left side of the gaming area 11, and a winning opening switch 16s for detecting the entry of a game ball is provided inside the left winning opening 16a. A gate switch 36s for detecting the passage of the game ball is provided inside the normal symbol operation left gate 36a. Similarly, a right winning opening 16b and a normal symbol operating right gate 36b are provided on the right side of the gaming area 11, and a winning opening switch 16t for detecting the entry of a game ball is provided inside the right winning opening 16b. A gate switch 36t for detecting the passage of a game ball is provided inside the normal symbol operation right gate 36b. Furthermore, a left lamp windmill 24a is provided above the normal symbol operating left gate 36a, and a right lamp windmill 24b is provided above the normal symbol operating right gate 36b, between and around these various devices. Many obstacle nails (not shown) are provided.

  An out port 48 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball preventing member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The back ball prevention member 58 has a function of preventing the game ball that has returned without reaching the game area 11 from returning to the launch position.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the central apparatus 100 of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, a pair of blade members 102a and 102b are mounted on both side surfaces of the upper portion of the central device 100 so as to be openable and closable. The blade members 102a and 102b are connected to a blade solenoid 102m (see FIG. 5) via a link mechanism (not shown), and can be opened and closed by driving the blade solenoid 102m. The game ball flowing down on the game board 10 can be taken into the central device 100 during the opening of the variable entrance 102 constituted by the blade members 102a and 102b.

  The game balls taken into the central device 100 are guided to a cron 136 as a sorting device provided almost at the center of the central device 100. The croon 136 is formed in a circular dish shape having a concave center, and the game ball guided to the croon 136 swivels on the concave upper surface. In addition, on the upper surface of the concave shape of the croon 136, there are provided three crunch holes into which game balls can enter, and each of the crunch holes has discharge ports 137a, 137b provided on the lower surface of the croon 136, 137c is connected internally to each of the clones 136. Then, the game ball taken into the central device 100 is swung on the upper surface of the croon 136, is captured in one of the crune holes, and is discharged from the corresponding discharge ports 137a, 137b, 137c connected inside. Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, guide passages 111a and 111b are provided below the discharge ports 137a, 137b, and 137c, and the game balls discharged from the discharge port 137a are placed in a specific area 141a by the guide passage 111a. Then, the passage of the game ball is detected by a specific area passage sensor 141c provided downstream of the specific area 141a. On the other hand, the game ball discharged from either the discharge port 137b or the discharge port 137c is guided to the non-specific region 141b by the guide passage 111b, and is then provided in the non-specific region provided downstream of the non-specific region 141b. The passage of the game ball is detected by the passage sensor 141d.

  Further, an effect display device 127 configured by a dot matrix screen is provided above the clown 136. As will be described in detail later, the effect display device 127 can display a symbol related to the progress of the game, and the player can determine the timing of game ball firing based on the symbol displayed on the effect display device 127. You can change the target. Thereby, it becomes possible for a player to participate actively by a game, and it is possible to excite the interest with respect to a game effectively.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the fluctuation display device 28 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. The variable display device 28 of the present embodiment is mainly composed of a normal symbol display unit 29 and a special symbol display unit 30. The normal symbol display unit 29 includes a left normal symbol display unit 29a and a right normal symbol display unit 29b, and the special symbol display unit 30 includes a left special symbol display unit 30a and a right special symbol display unit 30b. Has been. The two normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b are configured by using light emitting diodes (LEDs), the left normal symbol display portion 29a lights red light, and the right normal symbol display portion 29b lights green light. It is possible to do. The special symbol display unit 30 uses a so-called 7-segment LED. Of these, the 7-segment portion constitutes the left special symbol display portion 30a, and the comma portion constitutes the right special symbol display portion 30b. Yes. The 7-segment portion and the comma portion can be lit with red, orange, or green light. The variable display device 28 is also provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 29c and a special symbol hold display unit 30c. Each of these consists of four LEDs. The display contents of the variable display device 28 having such a configuration will be described later.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is composed of a number of control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and the like. Controls the main control board 200 that controls whether or not it is involved, the sub-control board 220 that controls the effects of the game using the effect display device 127, lamps, and speakers, and the control of the operation of paying out the rented or winning balls. The payout control board 240 and the launch control board 260 for controlling the launch of the game ball are configured. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, a RAM that stores temporary data when the program is executed, and peripheral devices. Peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the CPU, an oscillator that outputs a clock for the CPU to perform operations, a watchdog timer for monitoring the runaway of the CPU, and a CTC (counter that periodically generates an interrupt signal) A variety of peripheral LSIs such as a timer circuit are connected to each other via a bus. Further, the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6 represents the direction in which data or signals are input / output.

  As shown in the figure, the main control board 200 includes start port switches 17s, 18s, 19s, large winning port switches 31s, winning port switches 16s, 16t, gate switches 36s, 36t, specific area passing sensor 141c, and non-specific. After receiving a game ball detection signal from the area passing sensor 141d and the like and determining whether or not the basic progress of the game and the winning ball are involved, the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, etc. Command to command various operations. Further, the main control board 200 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces provided at the start opening 17, a large winning opening solenoid 31m for opening and closing the large winning opening 31d, A vane solenoid 102m for opening and closing a pair of vane members 102a and 102b provided in the apparatus 100, and a fluctuation display device 28 for performing fluctuation stop display of normal symbols and special symbols are connected via a relay terminal plate. The operation is also controlled by outputting signals toward these various solenoids 17m, 31m, 102m and the fluctuation display device 28.

  When receiving the command from the main control board 200, the sub control board 220 analyzes the contents of the command and determines the contents of the effect. Then, according to the result, a display signal is displayed on the effect display device 127, and a driving signal is sent to the amplifier board 224 that drives the various speakers 5y and 6c and the decorative driving board 226 that drives the various LEDs and lamps for decoration. The game is produced by outputting.

  The payout control board 240 is responsible for various controls relating to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when a player operates the ball lending switch 5b or the return switch 5c provided in the above-described upper plate part 5, this signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 242 to the ball lending device 13 via the relay terminal board. Is done. The ball lending device 13 pays out a ball while exchanging data with the payout control board 240. When the main control board 200 outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control board 240 receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball.

B. Overview of the game:
Next, an outline of the game performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be briefly described.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a game is performed as follows. First, when a player throws a game ball into the recess of the upper plate portion 5 and rotates the launch handle 8, the game balls thrown into the upper plate portion 5 are supplied to the launcher unit 12 one by one, The game area 11 is fired as described above with reference to FIG. The strength at which the game ball is launched can be adjusted by the rotation angle of the launch handle 8, and the player can aim the game ball by changing the rotation angle of the launch handle 8.

  When the launched game ball passes either the normal symbol operation left gate 36a or the normal symbol operation right gate 36b provided on the left and right of the game area 11, the variable display of the normal symbol is started on the variable display device 28. . As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the variable display device 28 is provided with the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display unit 29b. The left normal symbol display unit 29a is configured to be able to light red light, and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is configured to be able to light green light. When the normal symbol variation display is started, the left and right normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b perform blinking display.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which normal symbols are variably displayed. The normal symbol in the variable display can take the four states shown in the figure. First, the state shown in FIG. 6A represents a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned on and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned off. FIG. 6B shows a state where both the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display unit 29b are lit. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned on. FIG. 6D shows the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display. Each of the portions 29b represents a state where the light is extinguished. During the normal symbol variation display, these four display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed, and when a predetermined time elapses, they are stopped and displayed in one of the four display states. At this time, when the display is stopped in a predetermined display state, a so-called normal symbol is hit, and the middle start port 17 among the three start ports 17, 18, 19 is kept at a predetermined time (for example, 0). For 5 seconds). In the present embodiment, the display state shown in FIG. 6C, that is, the state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is lit is set for the normal symbol. Yes.

  If the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation left gate 36a or the normal symbol operation right gate 36b during the normal symbol variation display, the passage of this game ball is stored as the reserved number, and the current normal symbol variation is stored. After the display is finished, the variable display is performed. Up to four normal symbol holds can be stored, and the stored number of normal symbols is displayed on the normal symbol hold display section 29c (see FIG. 4).

  Next, when a game ball enters one of the three start ports 17, 18 and 19, this time, a special symbol variation display is started. Even if a game ball enters one of the three starting ports 17, 18, 19, the special symbol variation display is started, but the central starting port 17 is displayed with a normal symbol stopped and displayed as a symbol. Then, it is opened for a predetermined time, and it becomes easier for a game ball to enter than the left and right start ports 18 and 19 during the opening. The special symbol is displayed by the special symbol display unit 30 as described with reference to FIG. As described above, the special symbol display unit 30 of this embodiment is composed of the left special symbol display unit 30a composed of 7-segment LEDs and the right special symbol display unit 30b of the comma portion. The symbol display sections 30a and 30b can be lit in red, orange, or green.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which special symbols are variably displayed. During the special symbol variation display, the symbol “A” or “Y” is displayed on the left special symbol display unit 30a, and the comma “.” Is displayed on the right special symbol display unit 30b. Further, “A” and “Y” in the left special symbol display unit 30a and the comma “.” In the right special symbol display unit 30b can take three states of red, orange, and green. In the special symbol display unit 30 of the present embodiment, these display states can be combined to display 12 types of states shown in FIG. In the figure, the 7-segment LED or the comma portion that is finely hatched indicates that it is lit in a red state. In addition, a little rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in orange, and a rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in green. . When the special symbol variation display is started, these 12 types of display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed.

  If the symbol displayed in a stopped state is “−”, the special symbol is removed, but if a combination of symbols other than that is stopped, the special symbol is hit. That is, as combinations of symbols on which the special symbol is won, there are 10 types of combinations excluding “−” from the 12 types of symbols shown in FIG.

  If a game ball enters any of the starting ports 17, 18, and 19 while the special symbol is being displayed, the game ball is stored as the number of reserved special symbols, and the current special symbol is stored. After the change display is completed, the change display is performed. It is possible to store up to four special symbols on hold, and the number of reserved special symbols stored is displayed on the special symbol hold display section 30c (see FIG. 4).

  In addition, among the 10 types of combinations that the special symbol shown in FIG. 7 is a winning combination, the two types of combinations surrounded by a solid line are the combinations called “big hit symbols”, and the special symbols that are variably displayed are the big hits. When stopped at the symbol, a big hit game is started in which the special winning opening 31d is opened a predetermined number of times. In the jackpot game in which the big winning opening 31d is in an open state, it can be said that the game ball enters the ball with a high probability, which is a very advantageous game state for the player.

  On the other hand, among the 10 types of combinations for which the special symbol is a winning combination, the 8 types of combinations surrounded by a broken line are combinations called “small hitting symbols”. When you stop at any of the symbol combinations, the small hit game is started. In the small hit game, the pair of blade members 102a and 102b provided in the central device 100 shown in FIG. 3 are opened outward, so that the variable entrance 102 is opened, and the game ball is taken into the central device 100. It becomes possible. In addition, as described above, the croon 136 is mounted inside the central device 100, and the game balls taken into the central device 100 are either in the specific area 141a or the non-specific area 141b by the croon 136. It is distributed to. When the game ball passes through the specific area 141a, the big hit game is started, and when the game ball passes through the non-specific area 141b, the game ball comes off.

  As described above, in the special symbol display unit 30 provided in the fluctuation display device 28, when a game ball enters one of the three start ports 17, 18, 19, the fluctuation display of the special symbol is performed. Since it is started, the variable display device 28 of this embodiment constitutes one aspect of the “symbol display device” in the present invention. The “big hit game”, which is a game state advantageous to the player, corresponds to the “special game state” of the present invention, and the “big hit symbol”, which is a hit symbol at which the big hit game is immediately started, is the present invention. Corresponds to the “first winning symbol”. Furthermore, the “small hit symbol” that is a winning symbol at which the small hit game is started corresponds to the “second hit symbol” of the present invention, and the variable input that becomes an open state when the small hit game is started. The ball opening 102 corresponds to the “specific ball opening” of the present invention. In this embodiment, three start ports 17, 18, and 19 are provided. Of these, the tulip type start port 17 corresponds to the "start port" of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 shows a rough flow of a game performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, when a game ball enters the start opening, the special symbol change display is started, and when the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, the big winning opening 31d is opened and the big hit is made. A game is started. Such a game flow is the same as that of a so-called “digipachi machine”. On the other hand, when the game ball enters the start opening and the special symbol variation display is started and the small hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the variable ball opening 102 provided in the central device 100 is opened. . When the game ball taken into the central device 100 from the variable entrance 102 that has been opened passes through the specific area 141a in the central device 100, the big hit game is started. The flow of such a game is the same as that of a so-called “feather” game machine. When the special symbol is removed and stopped with the symbol, the game is continued as it is without starting the big hit game. The flow of such a game is the same as that of a game machine called a “digipachi machine”.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment displays the variation of the special symbol in response to the game ball at the start opening, and performs the jackpot game according to the symbol that is stopped. The general control is almost the same as the control in the “digipachi machine”. On the other hand, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the small hit symbol, the game is almost the same as the game of “feather”. Therefore, in this embodiment, a ball game machine having the same playability as a conventional winged object can be made relatively easily by changing a part of the control contents while being based on the control of the digital cracker machine. It is possible to provide it to a person.

C. Game machine control contents:
Below, in order to implement | achieve the game mentioned above, the control content which the game machine 1 of a present Example is performing is demonstrated in detail.

C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 to control the progress of the game. As shown in the figure, the game control process includes a prize ball-related process, a process related to a normal symbol, a process related to a normal electric accessory, a process related to a special symbol, a process related to a small hit game, and a big hit. Each process such as a process related to a game is repeatedly executed. The time required for one round of processing is about 4 msec. Therefore, these various types of processing are repeatedly executed about every 4 msec. The game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 will be described below according to the flowchart.

  When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process (pay ball related process) for paying out the game ball as a prize ball (S50). In such a process, among the various switches connected to the main control board 200, switches related to winning a game ball (start port switches 17s, 18s, 19s, winning port switches 16s, 16t, large winning port switch 31s, etc.). It is detected whether or not a game ball has entered. If a game ball is detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated, and then a process for outputting a prize ball number designation command to the payout control board 240 is performed.

  When the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command output from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 interprets the content of the command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the payout device 109 according to the result. Thus, a process of actually paying out the prize ball is performed.

C-1. Normal design related processing:
Following the prize ball related process (S50), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a process of determining whether or not to perform a normal symbol game process, that is, whether or not to perform a normal symbol variation stop display (S100). . FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing (normal symbol game start determination processing) performed to determine whether or not to start the normal symbol game processing. In determining whether or not to start the normal symbol game process, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through either the normal symbol operation left gate 36a or the normal symbol operation right gate 36b (S102). ).

  When the game ball passes through either the left or right normal symbol operation gate, the passage can be detected by the gate switches 36s and 36t incorporated in the gate. If the game ball has passed through any of the gates (S102: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of normal symbols held is 4 or more (S104). If the number of reservations has not reached 4 (S104: no), the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is stored is stored, and one is added to the number of reservations for the normal symbol (S106). As will be described later, the determination of whether or not the normal symbol is true is performed based on the normal symbol appropriateness determination random number thus stored. On the other hand, when the number of holdings of the normal symbol has reached 4 (S104: no), the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct is not acquired. As a result, it is possible to store up to four normal symbol success / failure determination random numbers.

  When the processing related to the holding of the normal symbol is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory is operating (S108). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the tulip-type start port 17 provided at the center of the three start ports 17, 18, and 19 corresponds to the ordinary electric accessory, and the ordinary electric accessory During the operation, the tulip type start port 17 is open. The ordinary electric accessory is an accessory that operates as a result of performing a normal symbol game. Therefore, if the normal electric accessory is in operation (S108: yes), it is not necessary to start the normal symbol game again, so it is determined that the normal symbol game does not start (that is, S100: no). On the other hand, if the ordinary electric accessory is not operating (S108: no), it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (S108: yes).

  In step S100 of the game control process shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol game is started as described above. When it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (S100: yes), the normal symbol game process described below is started (S150). On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol game is not started (S100: no), the normal symbol game process is skipped.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first half of the normal symbol game process performed in the game control process. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the latter half of the normal symbol game process performed in the game control process. When the normal symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is changing (S152). The normal symbol is variably displayed in the mode shown in FIG. The fluctuation display of the normal symbol display unit 29 is performed under the control of the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. Therefore, the CPU 201 can easily determine whether or not the normal symbol is changing.

  If it is determined that the normal symbol is not fluctuating (S152: no), either the normal symbol has not yet fluctuated, or it has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the fluctuating display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the normal symbol stop display time (S154). If it is determined that it is not during the normal symbol stop display time (S154: no), that is, if the normal symbol is not variably displayed and the normal symbol stop symbol is not being displayed, the normal symbol is suspended. It is determined whether or not the number is “0” (S156). If the number of reservations is not “0”, that is, if there is an ordinary symbol hold (S156: no), whether or not the ordinary symbol is appropriate is determined (S158). The normal symbol success / failure determination is performed by determining whether or not the normal symbol appropriateness determination random number (refer to S106 in FIG. 10) stored when the normal symbol is held matches a predetermined hit value. . If the stored normal symbol success / failure random number matches the winning value, it is determined that the normal symbol is hit, and if it does not match, it is determined that the normal symbol is out of the normal symbol.

  After determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts a process for setting the variation pattern of the normal symbol (S160). The time for variably displaying the normal symbol is determined according to the variation pattern of the ordinary symbol, and the variation time of the ordinary symbol is determined according to the set variation pattern. As will be described in detail later, in the normal symbol variation pattern setting process (S160) of the present embodiment, the variation time of the normal symbol is changed by setting a variation pattern according to the gaming state. Next, the normal symbol variation display is started (S162), and after subtracting 1 from the normal symbol holding number (S164), the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of normal symbols held is 0 (S156: yes), normal symbol win / fail determination processing (S158), normal symbol variation pattern setting processing (S160), normal symbol variation display, etc. Without performing it, the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing (S152: yes), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol change time has elapsed (S166). In other words, the normal symbol variation pattern is set prior to starting the normal symbol variation display, and the normal symbol variation display time is determined in accordance with the ordinary symbol variation pattern. Therefore, when the normal symbol is being displayed in a variable manner, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not the normal symbol fluctuation time determined according to the normal symbol fluctuation pattern has elapsed at the start of the fluctuation display. Determine whether. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S166: no), the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S166: yes), after the normal symbol is stopped and displayed (S168), the normal symbol is displayed so that the player can confirm the stopped normal symbol. A symbol stop display time is set (S170). Then, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol stop display time has elapsed (S172). If the stop display time has not elapsed (S172: no), the normal symbol game processing is terminated as shown in FIG. Return to the game control process. When returning to the game control process in this way, when the normal symbol game process of FIG. 11 is performed again, it is determined that the normal symbol is being stopped (S152: no, S154: yes), and the normal symbol is displayed. It is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S172). If it is determined that the stop display time of the normal symbol has elapsed while repeating these determinations (S172: yes), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol that has been stopped and displayed is “winning symbol”. (S174 in FIG. 12).

  Then, when the normal symbol that is stopped and displayed is not a winning symbol, that is, when it is a deviated symbol shown in any of FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6D (S174: no), the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the normal symbol that is stopped and displayed is the winning symbol shown in FIG. 6C (S174: yes), the start port 17 is open for a predetermined time as described above, but the start port 17 Before opening, it is determined whether or not the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is in operation (S176). Here, as described above, the ordinary electric accessory is the tulip-type starting opening 17 in this embodiment, and when the ordinary electric accessory is operated, the starting opening 17 is opened for a predetermined time. When the opening time extending function of the ordinary electric accessory is activated, the opening time of the start port 17 is extended to a predetermined time. The opening time extension function is activated when the big hit game is finished, as will be described later. Corresponding to this, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a winning symbol, it is determined whether or not the opening time extension function is in operation to set the operating time of the start port (ordinary electric accessory) 17. To do.

  If it is determined that the opening time extension function is in operation (S176: yes), the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory is set to the extended operation time when the opening time extension function is in operation. On the other hand, when the opening time extension function is not in operation (S176: no), the normal operation time when the opening time extension function is not in operation is set (S180). Then, after starting the operation of the ordinary electric accessory (S182), the ordinary symbol game process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is ended, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the normal electric accessory operating time (that is, the opening time of the start port 17) in a normal state where the opening time extending function is not operating is set to about 0.5 seconds. When the opening time extension function is activated, the operation time is extended to about 4.5 seconds. Here, the number of opening of the starting port 17 (number of operations) may be one time or multiple times as long as it does not exceed the set operation time (opening time). For example, the opening time is extended. If the operation time (opening time) of the start port 17 at the time of function operation is 4.5 seconds, even if the opening time in one opening operation of the start port 17 is 4.5 seconds, The opening operation may be performed three times with an opening time of 1.5 seconds. It should be noted that the process of operating the normal electric accessory and opening the start port 17 is performed while the main control board 200 executes the normal symbol game process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Therefore, the main control board 200 of this embodiment corresponds to the “starting port opening means” in the present invention.

C-2. Processing related to ordinary electric accessories:
As described above, in the normal symbol game process, the normal symbol variation display is performed, and as a result, when the winning symbol is stopped and displayed, the operation of the normal electric accessory is started. Therefore, in the game control process shown in FIG. 9, when returning from the normal symbol game process, a series of processes (ordinary electric actors) performed to stop the operation of the normal electric agent operated during the normal symbol game process. The processing related to () is started.

  In the processing related to the ordinary electric accessory, first, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory is in operation (S190). When the ordinary electric accessory is not in operation (S190: no), it is not necessary to repeatedly stop the operation of the ordinary electric accessory that has been stopped. The process (S200) is skipped. On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory is operating (S190: yes), the ordinary electric accessory stopping process as described below is started (S200).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ordinary electric accessory stopping process. When the ordinary electric accessory stopping process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory operating time has elapsed (S202). As described above, when the ordinary electric accessory is activated, the start port 17 is opened for a predetermined time. Prior to starting, it is preset in the normal symbol game process (see S178 and S180 in FIG. 12). Therefore, when the ordinary electric accessory stop process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the ordinary electric accessory operating time set at the start of the operation of the ordinary electric accessory has elapsed. If it is determined that the operating time has been reached (S202: yes), after stopping the operation of the ordinary electric accessory (S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated, and the game control process of FIG. Return to.

  On the other hand, if the operating time of the ordinary electric accessory has not elapsed (S202: no), it is determined whether or not a specified number of game balls have entered the ordinary electric accessory (S204). Even when it is determined that there is a prescribed number of balls (S204: yes), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory is stopped and the ordinary electric accessory game process shown in FIG. Return to 9 game control processing. That is, when it is determined that the normal electric accessory operating time elapses in advance (S202: yes) or that the specified number of game balls have entered the normal electric accessory, (S204: yes), the operation is stopped (S206). When the ordinary electric accessory stops operating in this manner, the opening state of the start port 17 returns to the normal state.

  On the other hand, when the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory has not reached the predetermined time (S202: no), and the number of game balls that have entered the ordinary electric accessory has not reached the specified number (S204: no). ), With the ordinary electric accessory operating, the ordinary electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 13 is terminated, and the game control process of FIG. 9 is resumed.

C-3. Special design-related processing:
In the game control process, when returning from the ordinary electric accessory stop process, the process related to the special symbol is started. In this process, after determining whether or not a predetermined condition for performing a special symbol game process described later is satisfied, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the special symbol game process is started.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing (special symbol game start determination processing) performed to determine whether or not to start special symbol game processing. In determining whether or not to start the special symbol game process, it is first determined whether or not a game ball has entered one of the three start ports 17, 18, and 19 (S302). As described above, the start ports 17, 18 s, and 19 s for detecting the entry of game balls are provided inside the respective start ports 17, 18, and 19 to detect that a game ball has entered. can do.

  If the game ball has passed through any of the start port switches 17s, 18s, 19s (S302: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 4 or more (S304). If the number of reservations has not reached 4 (S304: no), the special symbol success / failure determination random number is stored, and one is added to the number of reservations of the special symbol (S306). As will be described later, whether or not a special symbol is determined is determined based on the special symbol determination random number stored in this way. End up. Therefore, the process of acquiring the special symbol success / failure determination random number is equivalent to determining whether the special symbol is successful or not by lottery. From this, the main control board 200 corresponds to the “lottery means” of the present invention for the process of acquiring the special symbol success / failure determination random number in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. On the other hand, when the number of reserved special symbols has reached 4 (S304: no), the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is appropriate is not acquired. As a result, it is possible to store up to four special symbol success / failure determination random numbers, similar to the above-described normal symbol success / failure determination random numbers.

  When the process related to the special symbol hold is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the big hit game or the small hit game is being played (S308). The special game process to be described later is a process for starting a big hit game or a small hit game according to the win symbol when the special symbol is displayed in a variably displayed state and stopped at a predetermined hit symbol. If a big hit game or a small hit game is currently being played, there is no need to repeatedly start a big hit game or a small hit game. Therefore, when the processing related to the special symbol hold is completed, it is determined whether or not the big hit game or the small hit game is being played (S308). If there is no big hit game or small hit game (S308: no), it will be described later. It is determined that the special symbol game process is started (that is, S300: yes). On the other hand, if the game is already in the big hit game or the small hit game (S308: yes), it is determined that the special symbol game process is not started (that is, S300: no).

  15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the flow of the special symbol game process. When the special symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S322). As described above with reference to FIG. 4, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol display unit 30 is provided in the variable display device 28, and the special symbol can be displayed in a variable manner.

  If the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 is not changing (S322: no), it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol (S324). In other words, for a period of time after the special symbol's variable display has ended, there is a time for the player to stop display so that the player can confirm which symbol the special symbol has been stopped. It is judged whether it is in the middle. When it is confirmed that the special symbol is not variably displayed and the stop display time for displaying the special symbol is also elapsed (S324: no), the number of reserved special symbols is “0”. It is determined whether or not (S326). As described above, the special symbol holding number is set when a game ball enters any of the start ports 17, 18, and 19, and can be set until the upper limit value “4” is reached. If the number of special symbol hold is “0” (S326: yes), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the number of special symbol reservation is not “0”, in other words, if there is a special symbol reservation remaining (S326: no), the special symbol determination is started (S330).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining whether or not a special symbol is appropriate. As shown in the figure, when the special symbol success / failure determination process is started, first, a special symbol success / failure determination random number is read (S3300). The special symbol success / failure determination random number is a special symbol when it is determined in the special symbol game start determination process described above with reference to FIG. This is a random number acquired up to four until the number of holds reaches four. In the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 17, first, a process of reading one special symbol success / failure determination random number stored in advance is performed.

  Then, based on the read special symbol success / failure determination random number, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit (S3302). In the ROM mounted on the main control board 200, a success / failure determination table in which the value of the special symbol success / failure determination random number is associated with the determination result of the success / failure is stored. By referring to it, it is possible to determine whether or not it is a big hit.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a success / failure determination table in which special symbol success / failure determination random numbers are associated with the determination results. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the special symbol determination random number can take a range from “0” to “1023”, and for the read special symbol determination random number “0” to “2”, the determination result is “ “Big hit” is set, “Small hit” is set as a result of the determination of success / failure for the special symbol determination random numbers “3” to “1015”, and other random number ranges (that is, “1016” to “1016” 1023 ") is set as a result of the determination of whether or not it is" out ". In S3302 of the special symbol success / failure determination process of FIG. 17, it is determined whether or not the read randomness for determination is within the range of “0” to “2”. If it is within this range, the determination result is “big hit”. (S3302: yes), if it is not within this range, it is determined that it is not a “big hit” (S3302: no).

  If it is determined that the result of the determination is a big hit (S3302: yes), a big hit symbol determination random number is acquired so as to determine a big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 or a mode of the big hit game. (S3304). In this embodiment, the big hit symbol determination random number is a 1-byte random number that can take a range of “0” to “255”.

  Next, based on the acquired jackpot symbol determination random number, processing is performed to determine the jackpot symbol, the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the number of short-time games played after the jackpot game is over (S3306). FIG. 19 conceptually shows a jackpot game mode determination table that is referred to for determining the jackpot symbol, the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the number of short-time games after the jackpot game ends based on the jackpot symbol determination random number. FIG. As shown in the figure, in the jackpot game mode determination table, a jackpot symbol, a jackpot game round number, and a short-time game count are set in association with the jackpot symbol determination random number. That is, out of the possible range of the jackpot symbol determination random number, for a random number in the range of “0” to “126”, a symbol in which a red comma “.” Is combined with a red “A” (hereinafter, red “A” -red “.” Is abbreviated as a jackpot symbol, the number of jackpot game rounds is set to 15, and the number of short games played after the jackpot game is set to 100. In addition, for the jackpot symbol determined random number in the range of “127” to “255”, the jackpot symbol is set to green “Y” -green “.”, The jackpot game round number is 15 rounds, the jackpot game The number of short games played after the end is set to 50. In S3306 of the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 17, when it is determined that the special symbol's success / failure determination result is a big hit (S3302: yes), the jackpot gaming state determination table is referred to as described above. Thus, the process of determining the big hit symbol of the special symbol to be stopped, the number of rounds during the big hit game, and the number of short-time games to be performed after the big hit game is completed is performed. The number of short-time games corresponds to the number of special symbol fluctuations (the number of special symbol win / fail determination executions) after the big hit game ends.

  In the above, the process performed when it is determined that the determination result is a “hit” based on the determination random number read at the start of the special symbol determination process (S3302: yes) has been described. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special symbol win / fail determination result is not “big hit” (S3302: no), it is determined whether or not it is “small win” based on the win determination table shown in FIG. (S3308). If it is determined that the determination result is a small hit (S3308: yes), then a small hit symbol determination random number is acquired (S3310). In other words, as described above, in the case of a big hit, the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is a big hit is the same as the case where the big hit symbol determination random number is acquired in order to determine the mode of the big hit symbol or the big hit game. When it is determined that there is a small hit symbol determination random number for determining a small hit symbol, a small hit game mode, or the like. In the present embodiment, the small hit symbol determination random number is also a 1-byte random number that can take the range of “0” to “255”, similar to the big hit symbol determination random number described above.

  Then, based on the acquired small hit symbol determination random number, processing for determining the small hit symbol, the opening time and the opening time in the small hit game is performed (S3312). That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with eight types of small hits symbols. It is necessary to determine in advance whether or not the special symbol is to be stopped and displayed with the winning symbol. The small hit game is performed by opening the pair of blade members 102a and 102b to the outside and opening the variable entrance 102. The number of times the variable entrance 102 is opened during the small hit game or every time. Since the opening time can be changed in several stages, it is necessary to determine these in advance. Therefore, when it is determined that the determination result of the special symbol is a small hit (S3308: yes), a small hit symbol determination random number is acquired to determine these (S3310).

  Next, processing for determining the small hit symbol, the opening time and the number of openings in the small hit game based on the small hit symbol determining random number thus obtained is performed (S3312). These can be determined by referring to the small hit game mode determination table from the small hit symbol determination random number.

  FIG. 20 is a concept of a small hitting game mode determination table that is referred to for determining the small hitting symbol and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable entrance 102 in the small hitting game based on the small hitting symbol determination random number. It is explanatory drawing shown in figure. As shown in the drawing, in the small hit game mode determination table, a small hit symbol, an opening time at the small hit game, the number of times of opening, and the like are set in association with the small hit symbol determination random number. For example, a small hit symbol of red “A” -orange “.” Is set for the small hit symbol determining random number in the range of “0” to “31”, and the opening time at the small hit game is 0. .4 seconds, 1 opening is set. Similarly, for the small hit symbol determination random numbers in the range of “32” to “63”, the small hit symbol is orange “A” -red “.”, And the opening time during the small hit game is 0. 4 seconds, the number of times of opening is set once. In this manner, by referring to the small hitting game determination table shown in FIG. 20, it is possible to determine the small hitting symbol, the opening time and the number of openings in the small hitting game, from the small hitting symbol determination random number. In S3312 of FIG. 17, processing for determining the small hit symbol and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable entrance 102 in the small hit game is thus performed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 8, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the game ball passes a specific area during the small hit game, the big hit game is started after the small hit game is finished. The Therefore, in the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 17, when the mode of the small hit game is determined, the mode of the big hit game is also determined in preparation for the case where the big hit game is started from the small hit game. (S3314).

  In the special symbol success / failure determination processing of the present embodiment, the mode of the big hit game performed after the small hit game is determined based on the small hit symbol determination random number. That is, in the small hitting game mode determination table described above with reference to FIG. 20, the big hitting game determination mode is also set in association with the small hitting symbol determination random number. Thus, the big hit game mode can be determined immediately.

  In addition to the big hit mode (that is, the number of rounds and the number of short-time games) determined using the big hit game mode determination table shown in FIG. Opening prize opening) has been added. This is due to the following reason. The big hit game that is started when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a big win symbol is performed by opening the special winning opening 31d. On the other hand, in the mode of the big hit game started via the small hit game, the big hit game mode performed by opening the big winning opening 31d and the pair of blade members 102a and 102b are opened to the outside. There is a big hit game mode that is performed by opening the variable entrance 102. Therefore, in the case where the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is successful is a small hit, it is determined in advance in which mode the big hit game will be executed in case the big hit game is started through the small hit game. Keep it. After all, in S3314 of the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. 17, the big win 31d or the variable entrance 102 is opened in preparation for the case where the big win game is started via the small hit game. A process of determining whether the game is played, the number of rounds at the time of the big hit game, the number of short-time games started after the end of the big hit game, or the like is performed based on the small hit symbol determination random number.

  In the present embodiment, in the big hit game using the big winning opening 31d, the opening time of the big winning opening 31d in one round is set to 30 seconds and the opening time elapses or before the opening time elapses. When a prescribed number (9 in this embodiment) of game balls enter the big winning opening 31d, one round is completed. In the big hit game using the variable entrance 102, a pair of blade members 102a and 102b perform a round by repeating the operation of opening the variable entrance 102 for 0.8 seconds 18 times. One round ends when the repetitive operation ends or when a prescribed number (9 in this embodiment) of game balls enter the variable entrance 102 before the end of the repetitive operation. Yes.

  As described above, when the special symbol win / receive determination result is a big hit (S3302: yes), the big hit symbol, the big hit game mode, etc. are determined (S3306). (S3308: yes), after determining the jackpot symbol, the jackpot game mode, the jackpot game mode performed via the jackpot game (S3312, S3314), the special symbol success / failure determination process shown in FIG. Returning to the special symbol game process of FIG. In addition, when the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is correct is not a small hit (S3308: no), it is determined that the result of determining whether or not the result is correct is out. Therefore, after obtaining the out symbol determination random number and determining the out symbol (S3316), the special symbol success / failure determination processing of FIG. 17 is terminated and the processing returns to the special symbol game processing of FIG. In the present embodiment, as is clear from the success / failure determination table of FIG. 18, the probability of “small hit” is set to be very high in the determination of special symbol success / failure. For this reason, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game proceeds based on the gameability of the “feather”.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the special symbol game process, when returning from the special symbol success / failure determination process (S330), the special symbol variation pattern setting process is started (S336). The special symbol variation pattern is a pattern regarding how the special symbol is varied. In this embodiment, the special symbol variation pattern has a special symbol variation display time (special symbol variation display time). Is set. Therefore, by setting the variation pattern of the special symbol in the process of S336, the time for variably displaying the special symbol is set. As will be described in detail later, in the special symbol variation pattern setting process (S336) of this embodiment, the variation time of the special symbol is changed by setting the variation pattern according to the gaming state. In addition, in the special symbol variation pattern setting process (S336), processing for determining the display mode on the effect display device 127 of the central device 100 is also performed during the variation display of the special symbol. As will be described in detail later, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment having both the “digipachi machine” and the “feather” gaming characteristics, the variation time of the special symbol is changed according to the gaming state in this way, and the effect display is also performed. By switching the display mode of the device 127, it is possible to greatly enhance the interest of the player.

  When the special symbol variation pattern setting process is completed (S336), a command (display mode designation command) for designating the display mode of the effect display device 127 set during the variation pattern setting process is given to the sub-control board 220. (S338). Then, the special symbol variation display is started (S340), and after subtracting 1 from the number of special symbols held (S342), the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed.

  As described above, the detailed process performed in the special symbol game process when the special symbol is not variably displayed (that is, in the case of S322 of FIG. 15: no) has been described. On the other hand, when the special symbol game process of FIG. 15 is started while the special symbol is changing, it is determined that the special symbol is changing in the determination of S322 performed first (S322: yes). In this case, whether or not the special symbol is already determined is determined (S330), the special symbol variation pattern (that is, the special symbol variation time) is set (S336), and the special symbol variation is started. To do. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S344). If the special symbol variation time has not yet elapsed (S344: no), the special symbol game process shown in FIG. Returning to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S344: yes), the special symbol that is variably displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 of the variation display device 28 is stopped and displayed (S346). The special symbol that is stopped and displayed at this time is the special symbol that has been determined using the big hit symbol determination random number, the small hit symbol determination random number, or the out symbol determination random number during the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. It is a design. Next, a time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (stop display time) is set (S346), and it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has passed (S350). If the stop display time has not elapsed (S350: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350: yes), it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been stopped is a jackpot symbol (S352 in FIG. 16). And when it is judged that it is a jackpot symbol (S352: yes), the jackpot game mode (number of rounds at the time of jackpot game) determined in advance in the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. After the setting (S354), a so-called jackpot game is started by operating the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device (S356). Here, the condition device is a device that is a condition for operating the accessory continuous operation device described later, and when the condition device is operated, the special winning opening 31d is in an open state. In addition, the accessory continuous operation device is a device that reopens the closed prize winning opening 31d. Thus, the big hit game mentioned later is started by operating the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device. As described above, the process of starting the big hit game when the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the big win symbol is performed by the main control board 200 executing the special symbol game process described above. Accordingly, the main control board 200 of the present embodiment executing the special symbol game process constitutes one aspect of the “first special game state start means” of the present invention.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the time-shortening function and the opening time extending function of the ordinary electric accessory do not work during the big hit game. Here, the time reduction function is a function for shortening the time for which the normal symbol display unit 29 of the variable display device 28 displays the normal symbol in a variable manner. The opening time extension function is a function of extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory (starting port 17). When the time reduction function is activated, the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is also activated. Yes. Therefore, in S356 of FIG. 16, when the big hit game is started and the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is short of time (S358). If the time is shorter (S358: yes), the operation of the time reduction function and the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is stopped (S360, S362). On the other hand, if the current gaming state is not in the time saving state (S358: no), it can be determined that neither the time saving function nor the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is in operation, so the process of stopping the operation of these functions Without performing the process, the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is left as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  The processing in the case where the special symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device 28 is a jackpot symbol (S352: yes) has been described. However, when the special symbol stopped and displayed is not a jackpot symbol (S352: no), it is determined whether or not it is a small hit symbol (S364). And, when it is a small hit symbol (S364: yes), the small hit game mode (the opening time of the variable entrance 102 and the pre-determined in the special symbol hit determination process described above using FIG. 17) After setting the number of times of opening (S366), the special electric accessory is activated to start a so-called small hit game (S368). Here, the special electric accessory is a device that drives the pair of blade members 102a and 102b provided in the central device 100 to open the variable entrance 102 in a predetermined manner. On the other hand, if the special symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device 28 is not a small hit symbol (S364: no), the process of setting the small hit game mode and starting the small hit game (S366, S368) is skipped. To do.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is short of time (S370). If it is determined that the time is not short of time (S370: no), the special symbol game processing shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is performed as it is. Exit and return to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time is short (S370: yes), after counting the number of fluctuations of the special symbol during the time reduction (S372), it is determined whether or not the number of fluctuations has reached a predetermined number (S372). S374). As will be described later, a time-saving game (game played with the time-shortening function activated) is started after the end of the big hit game, and continues for a preset number of times for each big hit game (see FIGS. 19 and 20). . Therefore, when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the variable display device 28 is not a big hit symbol (S352: no), it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in a short time (S370). If there is (S370: yes), it is determined whether or not the predetermined number of times (the number of time-short games) has been reached as the number of times of the short-time game. If it is determined that the predetermined number of short-time games has been reached (S374: yes), the operation of the time-shortening function is stopped (S360), and then the operation of the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is also stopped. After that (S362), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is exited, and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed. On the other hand, if the variation number of the special symbol has not yet reached the predetermined short time game number (S374: no), the special symbol game process is exited while maintaining the short time state, and the game control process of FIG. 9 is resumed. .

C-4. Small hit game-related processing:
As shown in FIG. 9, in the game control process, when returning from the special symbol game process, the process related to the small hit game is started. That is, it is determined whether or not the small hit game has been started in the special symbol game process performed previously (S390). If it is determined that the small hit game is currently being played (S390: yes) Then, the small hit game process described below is started (S400). On the other hand, when it is determined that the small hit game is not started in the special symbol game process (S390: no), the small hit game process is unnecessary and is skipped.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of a small hit game process executed in order for the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment to perform a small hit game. Such a process is a process executed by the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIG.

  When the small hit game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the small winning game winning opening is open (S402). As described above, the small hit game in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is performed by opening the pair of blade members 102a and 102b provided in the central device 100 to the outside and opening the variable entrance 102. Therefore, the variable entrance 102 is a winning entrance for small hit games. Therefore, in S402, it is determined whether or not the variable entrance 102 is in an open state. Immediately after the start of the small hit game, the variable entrance 102 is not yet open, so in S402 it is determined “no”, and it is determined whether or not the end condition of the small hit game is satisfied. (S408). Here, as a condition for ending the small hit game, it is set that the variable entrance 102 is opened a predetermined number of times, and this predetermined number of times of opening / closing is a special symbol success / failure to be performed prior to the start of the small hit game. In the determination process (see FIG. 17), the small hit game mode is determined in advance along with the opening time.

  Of course, immediately after the small hit game is started, it is determined that the end condition for the small hit game is not satisfied (S408: no). It is determined whether the closing time of 102) has elapsed (S410). Immediately after the start of the small hit game, since the small hit game winning opening has been closed until then, it is determined that the closing time has passed (S410: yes), (S412), the small hit game process shown in FIG. 21 is terminated and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  When the small hit game processing (S400) is started next time after the variable pitch opening 102 is opened in this way, it is determined at the first judgment that the small hit game winning slot (variable pitch opening 102) is open. (S402: yes). Therefore, this time, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the small winning game winning opening has passed (S404). The opening time of the small winning game winning opening is determined in advance as the small winning game mode together with the number of opening in the special symbol success / failure determination processing (see FIG. 17) performed prior to the start of the small winning game. If it is immediately after opening the small winning game winning opening (variable ball opening 102), it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (S404: no), so the small winning game processing of FIG. Returning to the game control process of FIG. When the small hit game process is started again, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the small hit game winning opening has elapsed (S404), and if it has not elapsed (S404: no), the small hit game process is performed. End and return to the game control process. While such processing is repeated, the opening time of the winning opening for the small hit game processing will eventually elapse. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the elapsed time has passed (S404: yes), the winning hole for the small hit game is closed (S406).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the condition for ending the small hit game is satisfied (S408). If the number of openings of the small winning game winning opening has not reached the predetermined number (S408: no), after confirming that the closing time of the small winning game winning opening has elapsed (S410: yes), The small winning game winning opening is opened (S412), the small winning game process of FIG. 21 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As the process is repeated, it is determined that the number of times of opening of the small hit game winning opening (variable pitch opening 102) has reached a predetermined number (that is, the condition for ending the small hit game is satisfied) (S408). : Yes), the small hit game is terminated (S414).

  In this way, in the small hit game, the operation of opening the small hit game winning opening (variable pitch opening 102) for a predetermined time in accordance with the mode of the small hit game determined in the special symbol success / failure determination processing of FIG. Is repeated a predetermined number of times. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, when the variable entrance 102 is in an open state, a game ball can enter the central device 100 from here. When a game ball enters the inside of the central device 100, the game ball is guided to the croon 136, and is distributed to either the specific area 141a or the non-specific area 141b by turning on the croon 136. ing.

  Correspondingly, in the small hit game processing shown in FIG. 21, when the small hit game ends (S414), the game ball passes through the specific area 141a provided in the central device 100 during the small hit game. It is determined whether or not (S416). As shown in FIG. 3, a specific area passing sensor 141c is provided on the downstream side of the specific area 141a, and if a game ball passes through the specific area 141a, it can be detected using the specific area passing sensor 141c. it can. If it is determined that the game ball has passed the specific area 141a during the small hit game after the end of the small hit game (S416: yes), the big hit game mode is set (S418). The big hit mode set here is a big hit game mode determined together with the small hit game mode in the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. The number of rounds of the big hit game, the number of short-time games after the end of the big hit game, and the like are set.

  When the big hit game mode is set in this way, after the big hit game is started in accordance with the set big hit game mode (S420), the small hit game process of FIG. 21 is ended. On the other hand, when it is determined that the game ball does not pass the specific area 141a during the small hit game (S416: no), the big hit game is not set and the big hit game is set and the big hit game is started. Without doing so, the small hit game process of FIG. 21 is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As described above, the operation of starting the big hit game via the small hit game is performed by the main control board 200 executing the aforementioned small hit game process. Therefore, the main control board 200 of the present embodiment executing the small hit game process constitutes one aspect of the “second special game state start means” of the present invention.

C-5. Big hit game-related processing:
As shown in FIG. 9, in the game control process, when returning from the small hit game process, a process related to the big hit game is started. That is, there are cases where the big hit game is started in the special symbol game process described above and the case where the big hit game is started in the above-described small hit game process. Therefore, after the special symbol game process (S320) and the small hit game process (S400) are finished, it is determined whether or not the big hit game is started (S430). If it is determined that the big hit game is started in either the special symbol game process or the small hit game process (S430: yes), the big hit game process described below is started (S400). On the other hand, when it is determined that the big hit game is not started in either the special symbol game process or the small hit game process (S430: no), the big hit game process is unnecessary and is skipped.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of a jackpot game process executed in order for the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment to play a jackpot game. Such a process is a process executed by the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIG. In the big hit game process of the present embodiment, the big hit game can be realized by a process substantially similar to the small hit game process described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, in the following, the big hit game process will be briefly described while focusing on the difference from the above-described small hit game process.

  When the jackpot game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the jackpot for the jackpot game is open (S452). In the small hit game processing described above, the winning hole for the small hit game is only the variable winning hole 102, but in the big hit game processing, the big hit game mode determined in the special symbol success / failure determination processing shown in FIG. Accordingly, there are cases where the special winning opening 31d is opened and cases where the variable entrance 102 is opened. Corresponding to this, in S452, it is determined whether or not the winning opening that is determined to be opened during the big hit game is open. Naturally, immediately after starting the big hit game, since the big hit game winning opening has not yet been opened (S452: no), it is determined whether or not the big hit game end condition is satisfied (S458). Similarly to the case of the small hit game described above, the condition for ending the big hit game is determined in advance as the number of rounds performed at the time of the big hit game in the special symbol success / failure determination process (see FIG. 17). Immediately after starting the big hit game, the end condition for the big hit game is not satisfied (S458: no). Therefore, after confirming that the closing time of the jackpot game winning opening has elapsed (S460: yes), after opening the jackpot gaming prize opening (S462), the jackpot gaming process shown in FIG. Returning to the game control process of FIG.

  As a result of opening the jackpot game winning opening in this way, when the jackpot gaming process (S450) is started next, it is determined that the jackpot gaming winning opening is open (S452: yes). Therefore, this time, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the jackpot game winning opening has passed (whether or not the end condition of 1 round is satisfied) (S454), and that the opening time has passed (end of 1 round) If it is confirmed that the condition is satisfied (S454: yes), the jackpot game winning opening is closed (S456).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game end condition is satisfied (that is, whether or not the prescribed number of rounds has been consumed) (S458). If the jackpot game end condition is not satisfied (S458: no), it is confirmed that the closing time of the jackpot game winning opening has elapsed (S460: yes), and then the jackpot game winning opening is opened again. Then, the jackpot game process of FIG. 22 is terminated (S462), and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As the process is repeated in this manner, it is determined that the condition for ending the jackpot game is finally satisfied (S458: yes), and the jackpot game is ended (S464).

  When the big hit game is performed by opening the big winning opening 31d, the game ball that has entered from the big winning opening 31d during the big hit game is a big winning opening switch 31s provided inside the big winning opening 31d. Detected by. Each time the prize ball-related process (S50) of the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is started, the number of game balls corresponding to the number of entered game balls is paid out as a prize ball. In addition, when the big hit game is performed by opening the variable entrance 102, the game ball entered from the variable entrance 102 during the big hit game is in the vicinity of the variable entrance 102 (variable entrance The game ball detection process (S50) of the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is started, and is detected by a ball detection sensor (not shown) provided on the game ball flow path between the mouth 102 and the cruiser 136). Each time, a game ball corresponding to the number of game balls entered is paid out as a prize ball.

  In the big hit game processing, when the big hit game is finished in this way, it is determined whether or not the short time game is started (S466). Here, the short-time game is a game played in a state in which the function for shortening the fluctuation time of normal symbols is activated. In the special symbol success / failure determination process described above with reference to FIG. 17, the number of short-time games is also determined when determining the big hit game mode. As shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. 20, depending on the big hit game mode, there is a case where the time-short game is not performed after the big-hit game is finished (that is, the number of time-short games is 0). Therefore, in the jackpot game process of FIG. 22, when the jackpot game is finished (S464), it is determined whether or not the short-time game is started (S466). If it is determined that a short-time game is to be performed (S466: yes), the normal symbol variation time shortening function is activated (S468) and the ordinary electric accessory opening time extending function is activated (S470). ), The big hit game process shown in FIG. 22 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As a result, until the number of times that the special symbol is displayed in a variable stop state reaches the number of short-time games, the game is performed in a state where the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened and the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory is extended. It will be. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time-saving game is not performed (that is, when the time-saving number determined in the big hit game mode is 0) (S466: no), the normal symbol variation time reduction function or Then, without activating the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory, the big hit game process is terminated and the game control process of FIG. 9 is resumed.

  The process of extending the opening time of the start port 17 after the end of the jackpot game until the predetermined number of short-time games is consumed is performed by the main control board 200 performing the jackpot game process shown in FIG. Activating the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory, and then confirming that the number of time-saving games has been digested in the special symbol game processing (see FIGS. 15 and 16) described above, the time-saving function and opening time This is realized by stopping the extension function. Therefore, the main control board 200 of the present embodiment constitutes one aspect of the “opening time extending means” in the present invention.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game control process described above is repeatedly executed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, when a game ball enters any of the start ports 17, 18, and 19, the variation display device 28 starts the variation display of the special symbol, and the big hit symbol, the small hit symbol, Stopped and displayed with one of the off symbols. When the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the big hit game is started immediately. When the small hit symbol is stopped and displayed, when the game ball enters the specific area 141a in the central device 100, the big hit symbol is displayed. A game is started. Further, after the big hit game is completed, the short game is normally performed a predetermined number of times. At this time, during the short game, the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened, and the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory is activated. In addition, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the variation time of the special symbol is switched to an appropriate variation time depending on whether or not the time-saving game is being performed. As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment having both the gameability of the “Digipachi machine” and the gameability of the “feather”, the player can change the special symbol variation time in this way. It is possible to effectively excite the interest of. Hereinafter, a normal symbol variation pattern setting process performed for switching the variation time of the normal symbol and a special symbol variation pattern setting process performed for switching the variation time of the special symbol will be described.

D. Fluctuation pattern setting process:
D-1. Normal symbol variation pattern setting process:
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the normal symbol variation pattern setting process performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. Such a process is a process executed by the main control board 200 in the normal symbol game process described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  As shown in the figure, when the normal symbol variation pattern setting process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the variation time shortening function is operating (S1600). As described above, the variation time reduction function is started by the main control board 200 in the big hit game process shown in FIG. 22, and the main control board in the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. The function is stopped by the operation 200. Therefore, the main control board 200 can easily determine whether or not the variable time reduction function is currently operating.

  If it is determined that the fluctuation time shortening function is not activated (S1600: no), a normal symbol fluctuation pattern having a normal symbol fluctuation time of 30 seconds is set (S1604). On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time shortening function is activated (S1600: yes), a normal symbol fluctuation pattern with a normal symbol fluctuation time of 2 seconds is set (S1602). The normal symbol variation pattern setting process shown is finished, and the normal symbol game process of FIG. 11 is restored. In the normal symbol game process, the normal symbol variation display is performed according to the variation pattern set in this way, and as a result, when the variation time reduction function is activated, the normal symbol is variably displayed for a shorter time than when it is not activated. It will be.

D-2. Special symbol variation pattern setting process:
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a flow of special symbol variation pattern setting processing performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. Such a process is a process executed by the main control board 200 in the special symbol game process described above with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

  When the special symbol variation pattern setting process is started, it is determined whether or not the special symbol determination result is a small hit (S3360). As shown in FIG. 15, during the special symbol game process, the special symbol success / failure determination process is performed prior to the special symbol variation pattern setting process. ”Or“ out ”. In response to this result, in S3360, it is determined whether or not the determination result of special symbol is a small hit.

  If it is determined that it is not a small hit (S3360: no), a special symbol variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is set to 20 seconds is selected (S3362). Whether or not is a big hit is determined (S3364). First, when it is determined that the game is a big hit (S3364: yes), the variable display mode for jackpot is selected as the display mode performed by the effect display device 127 provided in the central device 100 (S3366). ). On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a big hit (S3364: no), since it is already determined that it is not a big hit, the result of the determination is not good. Therefore, in this case, after the variation display mode for removal is selected as the display mode performed by the effect display device 127 (S3368), the special symbol variation pattern setting process of FIG. 24 is terminated.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory view exemplifying a variable display mode displayed by the effect display device 127 when the determination result of the special symbol is not a small hit. The effect display device 127 can display three types of symbols, “heart”, “◯”, and “×”. If the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is a big hit (S3364: yes in FIG. 24), after these three symbols are variably displayed, the variable display mode is such that the “heart” symbol is stopped and displayed. Selected (). On the other hand, if the result of determining whether the special symbol is right or wrong (S3364: no), after these three symbols are variably displayed, the variable display mode is such that the symbol “x” is stopped and displayed. Selected (S3368).

  As described above, the case where it is determined that the determination result of the special symbol is not a small hit (S3360: no) has been described. However, if the result of the determination is a small hit (S3360: yes), this time, the normal symbol is used. It is determined whether or not the fluctuation time shortening function is in operation (S3370). As mentioned above, when the big hit game ends, the normal symbol variation time reduction function operates until the short-time game count set before the big hit game ends, and once the short-time game count is digested, the variable time reduction function Is stopped. Therefore, if the special symbol win / fail determination result is a small hit (S3360: yes), the small hit is a small hit generated during the short-time game after the big-hit game is completed, or the short-time game ends. It is judged whether it is a small hit that has occurred after. And when it is judged that it is a small hit that occurred after the short-time game has ended (S3370: no), after selecting a special symbol variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is set to 1 second (S3376), After selecting the display mode for small hits (in this embodiment, a graphic “O” is displayed on the effect display device 127) as the display mode performed on the effect display device 127 (S3378), the special display shown in FIG. The symbol variation pattern setting process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the small hit has occurred during the short-time game (S3370: yes), the special symbol variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is set to 5 seconds is selected (S3372). In other words, when a short-time game is started, the normal symbol variation time is shortened, while the special symbol variation time is conversely extended from 1 second when not in short-time game to 5 seconds. become. Then, after selecting a special symbol variation pattern in which the variation time is extended (S3372), after selecting a display mode representing a game condition at the time of occurrence of the big hit game as a display mode performed in the effect display device 127 (S3374), The special symbol variation pattern setting process in FIG. 24 is terminated.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display mode displayed by the effect display device 127 when a special symbol small hit occurs during a short-time game. As shown in the figure, when a small hit of a special symbol occurs during a short-time game, the effect display device 127 displays a big hit game mode that is performed when the small hit game is developed into a big hit game. The For example, in FIG. 26 (a), when a big hit game is started from the small hit game, 15 rounds of big hit game are performed in a manner in which the attacker (big prize opening 31d) is opened, and the big hit game ends. After that, it is displayed that a short game is played 100 times. In FIG. 26 (b), when a big hit game is started from the small hit game, a 7-round big hit game with the blades (variable entrance 102 provided in the central device 100) opened. After the big hit game is finished, it is displayed that 50 short-time games will be played.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 17, in the special symbol success / failure determination process, when the determination result is a small hit (S3308: yes in FIG. 17), not only the mode of the small hit game is determined ( In S3312), a big hit game mode is also determined in preparation for a case where a big hit game is started from the small hit game (S3314). And, as shown in FIG. 20, as the mode of the big hit game determined at this time, either the big winning opening 31d or the variable pitch opening 102 is opened to perform the big hit game, or the big hit game The number of rounds at the time, and the number of short-time games after the end of the big hit game are determined. Therefore, in S3374 of FIG. 24, a display corresponding to the jackpot gaming mode determined in this way is selected. For reference, FIG. 26 (c) also shows a symbol displayed on the effect display device 127 when a small hit occurs after the end of the short-time game. Further, during the short-time game (that is, during the game in which the opening time of the start port 17 is extended), the process of extending the special symbol variation display time is performed by the main control board 200 during the special symbol variation pattern setting process. This is done by selecting a variation pattern. Therefore, the main control board 200 of this embodiment corresponds to the “design variation display time extension means” in the present invention.

  In the special symbol variation pattern setting process shown in FIG. 24, as described above, according to the determination result of the special symbol, or when the determination result is a small hit, the small hit occurs. In some cases, the special symbol variation pattern is selected according to whether or not the normal symbol variation time shortening function has been activated, and the display mode displayed on the effect display device 127 of the central device 100 is determined. Then, the process returns to the special symbol game process shown in FIG.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 15, when the special symbol game process returns from the special symbol variation pattern setting process, the display mode on the effect display device 127 determined in the special symbol variation pattern setting process is designated. The command is transmitted toward the sub control board 220. As shown in FIG. 5, an effect display device 127 is connected to the sub control board 220, and when a display mode designation command is received from the main control board 200, the effect display device 127 is in the mode designated by the command. Display graphics or characters on the screen. For example, if the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is a big hit, as shown in FIG. 25, after the symbols “heart”, “o” and “x” are displayed in a variable manner, the special symbol is stopped. At the same time, the symbol “heart” is stopped and displayed. If the result of determining whether the special symbol is right or wrong is displayed, the symbols “heart”, “o”, and “x” are displayed in a variable manner, and then stopped with the symbol “x”. Also, if the special symbol win / fail determination result is a small hit and the small hit is not in the short-time game, the symbol “◯” is stopped and displayed on the effect display device 127. On the other hand, if a small hit has occurred during the short-time game, the contents regarding the big hit game mode when the big hit game is started from the small hit game are displayed.

  In addition, when a small hit occurs during a short-time game in this way, an indication regarding the big hit game mode when the big hit game is started from the small hit game (the number of rounds in the big hit game, and the short-time game after the big hit game ends) The main control board 200 selects a display mode in the special symbol variation pattern setting process (S3374 in FIG. 24), and further displays it toward the sub-control board 220 in the special symbol game process. This is realized by transmitting the mode designation command (S338 in FIG. 15). Therefore, the main control board 200, the sub control board 220, and the effect display device 127 of this embodiment constitute one aspect of the “special gaming state duration notification means” and the “opening extension period notification means” in the present invention. It has become.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when a small hit occurs during a short-time game, the variation time of the special symbol is extended although the variation display time of the normal symbol is shortened. It has become so. In addition, when the special symbol variation display time is extended, a display related to the game mode when the big hit game is started via the small hit game is displayed on the effect display device 127. ing. By doing so, it is possible to effectively enhance the interest of the player. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  First, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when a game ball enters one of the three start ports 17, 18, 19, a special symbol determination is made, and when a big hit occurs, a big hit game is started. After the big hit game is over, a short game is played a predetermined number of times. Such gameability is the same as that of a conventional ball game machine called a “digipachi machine”. Further, when a small hit occurs, the special symbol is immediately stopped and displayed, and the pair of blade members 102a and 102b provided in the central device 100 are opened, and the small hit game is started. This small hit game is a game in which the game balls taken into the central device 100 are distributed inside and pass through the specific area 141a, and the big hit game is started. It has the same playability as a ball game machine. In a ball game machine called “wings”, since the blades open as soon as a game ball enters the starting port, the game of the present embodiment is performed so as not to impair the playability of the “wings”. In the machine 1, the change time of the special symbol when the small hit occurs is set to a short time (1 second in this embodiment), and when the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the variable entrance 102 (that is, immediately) The pair of blade members 102a and 102b) are opened.

  On the other hand, when a small hit occurs during a short-time game, the change display time of the special symbol is extended. In other words, instead of immediately stopping the variable symbol display of the special symbol and opening the variable entrance 102, the variable symbol 102 is opened after the special symbol is variably displayed for a while. ing. As a result, a certain amount of time is secured from when the game ball enters the start port until the variable ball opening 102 opens, and the player can use this time to change the variable ball port. It is possible to determine whether or not to enter a game ball in 102 or to launch a game ball aiming at the variable entrance 102.

  For example, immediately after the big hit game in which the big winning opening 31d is opened, it is possible to play a short-time game for a while. During the short-time game, the opening time of the start port 17 is extended, so that the game ball is easy to enter, and it is easy to aim for a big hit in determining whether the special symbol is successful. In addition, every time a game ball enters the start port 17, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls. Therefore, during this period, it is possible to play a game with almost no decrease in game balls. Accordingly, just because a small hit is made in the determination of whether or not the special symbol is won and the variable entrance 102 is opened, it is not always necessary to allow the game ball to enter the variable entrance 102. That is, immediately after the end of the big hit game, if a large number of short-time games still remain, the small hit game is terminated without allowing the game ball to enter the open variable entrance 102 and the short-time game is continued. However, it is considered more advantageous to aim for a big hit in the special symbol determination. This is because, even if the big hit game is started from the small hit game, the number of time reductions may decrease instead. In particular, during a short-time game, it is easy for a game ball to enter the start opening 17, so special symbol determination is relatively frequent, and it is unlikely that a big hit will be obtained from the determination result. Absent. On the other hand, when the number of short-time games is reduced, such a problem does not occur. Therefore, when a small hit occurs and the variable entrance 102 is opened, the game shifts from the small hit game to the big hit game. Aiming at this, a game ball may be entered into the variable entrance 102.

  Thus, during the short-time game, just because the variable entrance 102 is opened, it is not limited to entering the game ball. Depending on the game situation, the variable entrance 102 is There are cases where it is advantageous to aim, and cases where it is advantageous to end the small hit game without aiming at the variable entrance 102. Therefore, if the player can advance the game in an advantageous manner while judging such a situation, the player can actively participate in the game, and the interest of the player can be greatly enhanced. . From this point of view, it can be said that the variation time of the special symbol in the normal gaming state (1 second in this embodiment) is too short. In other words, the variation time of the special symbol in the normal gaming state is set to a short time so as not to impair the playability of the “wings”, but the game ball at the start opening Then, the variation display of the special symbol is finished in a short time and the variable entrance 102 is opened, so that it is time to determine whether or not the game ball should enter the open variable entrance 102. In addition, even if it is determined instantaneously, the variable entrance 102 is closed after the game ball is fired until the game ball reaches the variable entrance 102. This is because there is no other way but to continue firing game balls.

  On the other hand, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when a small hit occurs during a short-time game, the variation time of the special symbol is extended, so that the variable entrance 102 is opened correspondingly. The timing is delayed, and a time for determining whether or not to enter the game ball into the variable entrance 102 based on the game situation is secured, and the game ball that is launched in response to the determination result reaches the variable entrance 102. In the meantime, it is possible to avoid the variable entrance 102 being closed. In addition, when it is immediately determined whether or not to aim at the variable entrance 102, it is possible to launch a game ball at an appropriate timing aiming at the time when the variable entrance 102 opens. Become.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, during the short-time game, the special symbol has a unique configuration in which the variation time of the special symbol is extended in spite of the fact that the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened. As a result, it is possible for the player to actively participate in the game by allowing the player to determine whether or not the game ball should enter the open variable entrance 102. As a result, it is possible to greatly enhance the interest of the player.

  In addition, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, an effect display device 127 is provided inside the central device 100, and when a small hit occurs during a short-time game, the game shifts from the small hit game to the big hit game. It is possible to notify the player of the game mode in the case of having played. With reference to the display of such an effect display device 127, the player can more appropriately determine whether or not the game ball should be entered into the opened variable entrance 102, and further. It is possible to excite the interest of the player.

  While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording of each claim unless it departs from the scope described in each claim. Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when a small hit occurs, the variable entrance 102 provided in the central device 100 opens, and the game ball passes through the specific area 141a provided in the central device 100. In such a case, it was described that the jackpot game is started. However, if the specific area 141a is provided inside the special winning opening 31d, it is possible to achieve the same gameability even in a gaming machine that does not necessarily have the central device 100 or the variable ball opening 102 mounted thereon. In other words, when a small hit of a special symbol occurs, the big winning opening 31d is opened to start a small hitting game, and a game ball entered from the big winning opening 31d during the small winning game is provided inside. When the specific area 141a is passed, the big hit game may be started. Or, conversely, even in a gaming machine that does not have the big prize opening 31d, if the variable ball opening 102 is opened instead of the big prize opening 31d, the same gaming characteristics as the gaming machine 1 described above can be realized. Is possible. In any case, the control performed inside the gaming machine can be easily realized by making a slight change to the control of the digital pachislot machine.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the three start ports 17, 18, and 19 are provided following the ball game machine called a feather object. However, the number of start ports is not limited to three. For example, only a tulip type start port 17 may be provided following a ball game machine called a digipachi machine.

  Furthermore, although the example which used the dot matrix display as the effect display apparatus 127 was demonstrated in the Example mentioned above, you may use a liquid crystal display as the effect display apparatus 127. FIG.

  In addition, although the example mentioned above demonstrated the example which alert | reports the jackpot game aspect visually using the production | presentation display apparatus 127, the alert | report of a jackpot game aspect is not limited to a visual alert | report. For example, without providing the effect display device 127, notification of a big hit game mode is performed according to the type of sound emitted from the speakers 5y, 6c, or visual notification and sound notification (audible notification) of the above-described embodiment. May be used to notify the jackpot game mode.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the cron 136 is provided as the distribution device in the central device 100 has been described. However, it is not necessary for the form of the sorting device to be a fixed device like the clune 136, and the game ball is specified or not specified by the action of a movable member that is periodically operated by an electric drive source such as a motor. It may be a movable sorter that sorts the areas.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the structure of the central apparatus of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the fluctuation | variation display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the normal symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that the special symbol was variably displayed. It is the block diagram which showed the rough flow of the game performed with the game machine of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the game control process which a main control board performs in order to control progress of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in order to judge whether the normal symbol game process is started. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the first half part of a normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the second half part of a normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a normal electric accessory stop process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in order to judge whether the special symbol game process is started. It is the flowchart which showed the first half part of the special symbol game process. It is the flowchart which showed the second half part of the special symbol game process. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process which performs the decision | availability determination of a special symbol. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the success / failure determination table which matched the special symbol success / failure determination random number and the success / failure determination result. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the jackpot game mode determination table referred in order to determine a jackpot symbol, the mode of jackpot game, etc. in the special symbol success / failure determination processing. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the small hitting game mode determination table referred in order to determine the small hitting symbol and the mode of a small hitting game in the special symbol win / fail determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the small hit game process performed in order that the gaming machine of a present Example may perform a small hit game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the big hit game process performed in order that the gaming machine of a present Example may play a big hit game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal symbol fluctuation | variation pattern setting process performed with the game machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the special symbol fluctuation pattern setting process performed with the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the fluctuation | variation display mode displayed on an effect display apparatus when the determination result of special symbol is not a small hit. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the display mode displayed on an effect display apparatus when the small hit of a special symbol generate | occur | produces during a time-short game.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Pachinko machine, 17, 18, 19 ... Start port,
28 ... Fluctuation display device (symbol display device), 100 ... Central device,
102 ... Variable entrance (specific entrance),
200 ... main control board (lottery means, first special game state start means, second special game state start means, start port opening means, opening time extension means, symbol variation display time extension means, special game state duration notification Means, opening extension period notifying means), 220... Sub-control board

Claims (3)

In a ball game machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game board provided with a plurality of entrances into which a game ball can enter,
A starting position which is a predetermined entrance that can be switched between a normal state in which a game ball can enter and an open state in which the game ball is easier to enter than the normal state;
A predetermined entrance that is configured to be switchable between a closed state where a game ball cannot enter and an open state where a game ball can enter, and a specific area through which the game ball can pass is provided. A specific entrance,
When a game ball enters the start opening, lottery means for performing a lottery related to the progress of the game;
A symbol display device that displays a change in symbols when a game ball enters the start opening, and stops and displays the symbols according to the result of the lottery,
A first special game state starting means for starting a special game state which is a game state advantageous to the player when the first winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device;
When the second winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device, the specific entrance is set in an open state, and when the game ball entering the specific entrance passes through the specific area, the special entrance A second special gaming state starting means for starting the gaming state;
When a predetermined condition is established during the game, start port opening means for opening the start port for a predetermined time; and
An opening time extending means for extending the opening time of the start port for a predetermined period after the special gaming state is completed;
A bullet ball game machine comprising: a symbol variation display time extending means for extending a time during which a symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device while the opening time of the start port is extended. In the ball game machine according to claim 1,
The lottery means performs a lottery for determining the duration of the special gaming state,
Special game duration notification for notifying information related to the duration of the special gaming state determined by the lottery during the variable display of the symbol display device while the symbol variation display time of the symbol display device is extended A bullet ball game machine comprising means. In the bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The lottery means performs a lottery for determining an operating period of the opening time extending means,
While the symbol variation display time of the symbol display device is extended, the information about the operating period of the opening time extension means determined by the lottery is notified during the variation display of the symbol display device. A bullet ball game machine comprising an informing means.

Images