JP2008237816A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that performance raising players' expectation to probability variation or causing nervous reaction is hard to offer in a game machine not announcing probability variation shift. <P>SOLUTION: In a pachinko game machine 10, a given play execution means 122 shifts the game state to a probability variation state after the end of a special play in case for a win with a shift to the probability variation state. A play selecting means 250 selects each of play elements consisting of a play content from two or more candidates and selects it with a selection probability that is different by each candidate according to whether the game state is a probability variation state or not. A play state speculation means 260 decides the speculation value of probability for a decision that the game state is to shift to a probability variation state according to the play element candidate selected by the play selecting means 250 and its selection probabilities and informs the player of the speculated content implying the possibility that the decision for shifting to a probability variation state has been made according to the speculation value. The play selecting means 250 is contained in the main board. The play state speculation means 260 is contained in a sub-board. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a technique for supporting a player in a ball game machine.

Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine is used while changing a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board. Display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called jackpot where more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game when a combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped becomes a specific mode. It is known as a thing (for example, refer patent document 1). The variation display of the symbols in the display area is not just a variation display of multiple symbols, but the time of variation display in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach variation screen. For example, it is designed to increase the player's expectation such as making it longer than usual. Further, by providing a probability variation state in which the winning probability of jackpot is higher than the normal state, it is possible to create a situation where jackpots are generated in succession and raise the player's expectation.
JP 2003-230714 A

  Here, since the next jackpot is likely to occur relatively early in the probability fluctuation state, it can be said that it is an opportunity to obtain a particularly large profit for the player. It will be anxious about whether it is attached. The probability variation is a big concern for players, so in many models the probability variation when the winning symbol is a specific symbol such as “7” or “3” or when it is an odd number symbol The standard is clearly specified so that it can be easily grasped whether it shifts to the probability fluctuation as long as the winning design is seen. However, in recent years, although it is determined internally whether or not the big hit with probability fluctuation at the time of jackpot occurrence, the judgment result is not notified to the player on the spot, but at a slightly delayed timing, for example, during the jackpot game There are a variety of things, such as those that notify the user, and those that do not notify at all. In the case of such models, instead of delaying the notification or not reporting, if the player is not given an opportunity to guess whether or not the probability change has occurred in some way, the player's expectation for the probability change will be raised or aroused. You might lose the chance to do it.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an effect technique for maintaining a high expectation level of a player with respect to probability fluctuations in a ball game machine.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board on which a game area is formed, and a predetermined position in the game area. A winning lottery means for executing a winning lottery for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, triggered by entering the starting prize port, A symbol display device for variably displaying a symbol for showing the result of the winning / failing lottery, and a special game control for executing a special game when the variation of the symbol is stopped in a predetermined stop mode indicating that the winning / losing lottery is winning If it is determined that the winning probability lottery is determined and a transition to a probability variation state in which the winning probability in the winning lottery is higher than the normal state is determined, the gaming state after the end of the special game is determined. Special transition to the probability fluctuation state The game execution means and each of the plurality of game elements constituting the game content are selected from a plurality of options, and with different selection probabilities for each option depending on whether or not a decision to shift to the probability variation state is made. Based on the game selection means for selecting one of the choices, the choices of the game elements selected by the game selection means and the selection probabilities, the estimated value of the possibility of transition to the probability variation state is determined. And a game state estimation means for notifying the player of the estimated content that suggests the possibility of making a decision to shift to the probability variation state according to the estimated value. The game selection means is included in a main board that controls the progress of the game based on the game element selected by the game selection means, and the game state estimation means is based on the game element selected by the game selection means. It is included in the sub-board that controls the production.

  Here, the “plurality of game elements” may be an element that determines whether or not the game state is advantageous to the player, an element that determines the progress of the game, and the like. For example, for each type of symbol used in symbol variation, the symbol may be selected with a different selection probability depending on whether or not the gaming state at that time is in the probability variation state. As a specific example, the type of symbol is divided into two groups, the symbol of “Group A” is selected with a probability of 80% in the probability variation state, and the symbol of “Group B” is selected with a probability of 80% in the normal state. According to the specifications, it is possible to estimate with a likelihood of 80% whether or not the state is a probability variation state by simply observing the type of the symbol. Similarly, the number of executions of multiple unit games that make up a special game, the type of production during the special game, and the number of symbol changes that should be shortened in the state of reduced time to shift after the special game ends It may be an element that does. The “estimated value” may be a likelihood value determined based on a selection probability for each game element, or may be a value obtained comprehensively from the likelihood for each of a plurality of game elements. Good.

  According to this aspect, since the probability variation state is estimated based on a plurality of game elements, it can be estimated with a relatively high likelihood. Therefore, by notifying the player of the content of the estimation as to whether or not the player is in the probability variation state, the player's expectation for the probability variation can be maintained, and the accuracy of the estimation can be maintained at a high level.

  The gaming state estimation means may notify the player of the estimated content according to the sum of estimated values determined for each of the plurality of gaming elements. According to this aspect, since the reliability of the estimated content increases as the number of game elements that serve as the basis of the estimated content increases, the player's expectation with respect to the probability variation can be maintained high.

  The gaming state estimation means may determine the estimated value step by step for each of the plurality of gaming elements, integrate the estimated value every time it is determined, and change the estimated content to be notified according to the integrated value. According to this aspect, the player is notified step by step of the content of the estimation as to whether or not the probability variation state is present, and the reliability of the content of the estimation increases with time. In addition to maintaining a sense of sensation, it can also be annoying by changes.

  The main board does not have means for notifying the player whether or not the transition to the probability variation state has been determined, and means for notifying the sub-board whether or not the transition to the probability variation state has been determined. . In this mode, the main board that determines whether or not to shift to the probability variation state and controls the gaming state has no way of notifying the player of the gaming state, and also notifies the sub board of the gaming state. Can not. Even in such an environment, the gaming state estimating means of this aspect can estimate whether or not the player is in a probability variation state with a high likelihood, and the player's expectation can be kept high by such a content of the estimation.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball and ball game machine of the present invention, it is possible to provide an effect technique for increasing the player's expectation.

  FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the expanding mechanism of the start port 62. When the expansion mechanism of the start port 62 is expanded, the opening width of the start port 62 is expanded and the ease of entering the ball is improved. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball.

  The special symbol display device 61 provided on the left side of the game area 52 and the effect display device 60 provided in the approximate center of the game area 52 have a variation of the special symbol 192 on each screen and a decoration linked to the special symbol 192. The variation of the effect image including the symbol 190 is displayed (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol variation” or “variation display”). Here, the special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery performed when the game ball is dropped into the start port 62, and the symbol mode when the change display is stopped is determined to be the winning symbol. When the symbol is a symbol, the timing at which the stop symbol is displayed is the jackpot occurrence timing. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The effect display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays the decorative symbol 190 in a manner interlocked with the variation display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually rendering the lottery result display indicated by the special symbol 192. The effect display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 190, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol variation simulating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The effect display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by a mechanical rotating device such as a drum or other display means such as an LED. Since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have a role of production, in this embodiment, the special symbol 192 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the production display device 60. In the case of adopting a technique in which a decorative role is not displayed and a decorative symbol is not displayed, the special symbol may be displayed on a liquid crystal display such as the effect display device 60. The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passage of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers an open lottery for determining whether or not to expand the expansion mechanism of the start port 62. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a normal symbol, which is a symbol indicating the result of the open lottery, is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the lower right side of the effect display device 60. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center ornament 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60, and decoration. A lottery hold lamp 20 is provided below the effect display device 60, and an operation hold lamp 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right of the game area 52, which is a symmetrical position. . The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. Furthermore, game effect lamps 90 are respectively provided above and below the effect display device 60. The operation button 82 is a button that the player operates to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60. The variable display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to the display. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the decorative pattern 190 simulating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns are matched. In the special game, the grand prize winning slot 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 9 or more game balls are dropped. Such opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times or 7 times.

  In the normal game after the end of the special game, a variable shortening game (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction” as appropriate) that is one of the specific games is started. In the variation shortening game, the variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is shorter than usual. The variation time of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is returned to the original variation time after the variation display of a predetermined variation number is performed. When a special game occurs and a win is won by a predetermined specific game lottery, a probability variation game (hereinafter referred to as “probability change” as appropriate), which is one of the specific games, is further started after the special game ends. . In the probability variation game, a lottery with a higher win probability than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early. However, it is not notified to the player that the specific game lottery has been won or that the probability variation state has been reached, and the presumed content of whether the probability variation state has been reached as an alternative to the notification is predetermined. It is notified at the timing. The notification timing of the estimated content is, for example, during a symbol change in a normal game or during an effect in a special game.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 104 includes the liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the effect display device 60, operations of the plurality of movable objects 140, and lighting of the game effect lamp 90, and in particular, display contents according to the lottery result by the main board 102. And the lighting of the movable accessory 140 and the game effect lamp 90 is activated along with the progress of the production. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, and operation buttons 82. The speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, and the movable accessory 140 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game but also the staging operations such as the symbol variation display, the movable accessory 140, and the electric decoration. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

  In the present embodiment, the main board 102 is a ball determination unit 110, a winning / failing lottery unit 112, a game selection unit 250, a hold control unit 116, a main display control unit 118, a special game control unit 120, a specific game execution unit 122, and an opening / closing control. Means 124 are provided. The sub-board 104 in this embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 130, an effect determination unit 132, an effect display control unit 134, an accessory control unit 136, and a game state estimation unit 260. Note that each functional block other than the game selection means 250 included in the main board 102 may be configured such that any one of the functional blocks is mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block other than the gaming state estimation unit 260 included in the sub-board 104 may be configured such that any one of them is mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

  The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 accepts a random number value to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the game ball enters the start port 62. Get as a value. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to a success / failure table for determination of success / failure based on a normal probability in normal times, and refers to a success / failure table in which the winning probability is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure tables and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is variably displayed in a special symbol form on the special symbol display device 61. In addition, a decorative symbol that shows the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 in an effect manner is variably displayed on the effect display device 60.

  The game selection means 250 includes a symbol determination means 114, a specific game determination means 252, and a special game determination means 254. Here, the symbol determining means 114 will be described, and the specific game determining means 252 and the special game determining means 254 will be described later.

  The symbol determination unit 114 determines the stop symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 according to the lottery result by the success / failure lottery unit 112. Moreover, the symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 by lottery. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The symbol determination means 114 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a special symbol or a normal symbol stop symbol, or a pattern determination table to be referred to in order to determine a variation pattern.

  The symbol determination means 114 acquires a symbol determination lottery value for determining a special symbol, and determines the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the determination result of the success / failure lottery means 112 and the symbol determination lottery value. The symbol determination unit 114 selects one of a plurality of variation patterns in accordance with the determination result of the success / failure lottery unit 112. The symbol determination unit 114 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol and variation pattern to the main display control unit 118, the effect determination unit 132, and the gaming state estimation unit 260.

  The symbol determination means 114 stores a plurality of types of variation patterns in which variation modes from the variation start to the stop when the special symbol is variably displayed are defined. Multiple types of variation patterns have various variation times. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses.

  The symbol determining means 114 acquires a lottery random number for determining a normal symbol when the game ball passes through the operation port 68, and determines a stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the lottery random number. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the normal electric accessory at the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The holding control means 116 holds the winning / losing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery means 112 as a holding ball. The success / failure lottery value is accumulated until the number of holds reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4.

  The main display control means 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to display the lottery result by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a special symbol variation display according to the variation pattern determined by the symbol determination unit 114. The main display control means 118 transmits the change start command and the change stop command to the effect display control means 134 at the timing of starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol, so that the main display control means 118 and the effect display are displayed. The fluctuation display by the control means 134 is synchronized and interlocked. The main display control means 118 displays the normal symbol variation on the normal symbol display device 59.

  The special game control means 120 controls the execution process of the special game when the result of the lottery determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a win. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated for the number of times set by the special game determining means 254, and the big prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 120 starts the next unit game after the end of the current unit game if the number of continuations of the unit game has not reached the set number. When the set number of unit games is exhausted, the special game is terminated. The special game control means 120 displays the effect contents set by the special game determination means 254 on the effect display device 60 in the special game.

  The specific game execution means 122 executes control for shifting the game state from the normal state to the specific game state, and control for returning the specific game state to the normal state. The specific game in the present embodiment has a probability change in which the winning probability of the winning / failing lottery is switched from a normal probability state to a high probability state, and a short time in which the symbol variation time is switched from a normal time to a short time.

  The specific game executing means 122 is a case where the winning / not-win lottery value is a win, and when the result of the special game lottery by the specific game determining means 252 is a lottery result that should be shifted to the probable change state, To move to. The probability variation state is continued until the next jackpot is generated in principle, and during that time, the probability of the hit determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is maintained at a high value. In addition, the specific game executing means 122 shifts the game state to the time-shortened state after the special game regardless of the winning lottery value. The short time is continued until the number of changes in the special symbol after the special game reaches the number of times set by the specific game determination means 252, for example, 100 times or 90 times.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66.

  The game selection means 250 selects each of a plurality of game elements constituting the game content from a plurality of options, and with different selection probabilities for each option depending on whether or not a decision to shift to a probability change state is made. Select one of the options. For example, the symbol determining unit 114 selects the type of symbol to be displayed in a variable manner with different selection probabilities in the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state. In the present embodiment, the types of symbols are divided into “group A” and “group B”, and the selection probabilities set for them differ depending on whether or not they are in a probabilistic state. Accordingly, the probability that the symbol of the group A is selected is higher than that of the group B when the probability is changed, and the probability that the symbol of the group B is selected is higher than that of the group A when the probability is not changed. “Group A” and “Group B” each include ten types of numerical symbols “0” to “9”, and the appearance, for example, coloring and shape are different for each group.

  The specific game determination means 252 executes the specific game lottery when the winning lottery is won, and determines whether or not to shift the gaming state to the probable state after the end of the special game triggered by the jackpot. In addition, the specific game determination unit 252 selects the number of times that the variation time is shortened as the short time state with different selection probabilities in the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state. In this embodiment, either the number of time reductions “100” or “90” is selected, and the selection probability set for each differs depending on whether or not the probability change state is set. Thereby, the probability that “100 times” is selected at the time of probability change is higher than “90 times”, and the probability that “90 times” is selected at the time of non-change probability is higher than “100 times”. The content determined by the specific game determination unit 252 is notified to the specific game execution unit 122.

  The special game determination means 254 selects the number of unit games included in the special game and the type of effect displayed during the special game with different selection probabilities in the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state. In the present embodiment, either “15” or “7” is selected as the number of unit games of the special game, and the selection probability set for each differs depending on whether or not the probability change state. Accordingly, the probability that “15 times” is selected at the time of probability change is higher than “7 times”, and the probability that “7 times” is selected at the time of non-accuracy change is higher than “15 times”. In addition, it is determined that either “effect A” or “effect B” is selected as the effect contents of the special game, and the selection probability set for each of the effects varies depending on whether or not the probability is changed. Thereby, the probability that “effect A” is selected at the time of probability change is higher than “effect B”, and the probability that “effect B” is selected at the time of non-change probability is higher than that of “effect A”.

  As described above, the game selection means 250 selects various game elements with different selection probabilities depending on whether or not the probability variation state. However, the main board 102 including the game selection means 250 does not have means for notifying the player whether or not the current game state is a probable change state. Further, the main board 102 does not have a means for notifying the sub board 104 that controls the effect whether or not the current gaming state is a probable change state. Therefore, since it is not possible to determine with 100% accuracy whether or not the sub-board 104 is in the probability variation state, it is not possible to make a definitive notification as to whether or not the sub-substrate 104 is in the probability variation state even in a stunning display executed on the sub-substrate 104. However, whether or not it is in a probable state is an important concern for the player. If this is not notified at all, it may lead to a decrease in the expectation of the game unless some kind of resentment is made. Therefore, in the sub-board 104, there is a possibility that the game state estimation unit 260 has decided to shift to the probability variation state based on the choices of the game elements selected by the game selection unit 250 and the selection probabilities thereof. Determine the guess. The gaming state estimation means 260 informs the player of the estimated content that suggests the possibility that the transition to the probability variation state has been made according to the estimated value. Since the sub board 104 controls the effect of the game based on the game element selected by the game selection means 250, the selection status by the game selection means 250 can be grasped. By referring to the selection situation and the selection probability of the game element, it can be estimated whether or not it is in the probability variation state with a somewhat high likelihood.

  The gaming state estimation means 260 determines the estimated value step by step for each of the plurality of gaming elements, adds the estimated value every time it is determined, and notifies the estimated contents according to the integrated value. Further, depending on the change of the integrated value, the notification content is changed. The initial value of the estimated value immediately after the end of the special game is zero. In the present embodiment, as one of the gaming elements, the current gaming state is probabilistically changed based on the probability that the symbol type is selected in the probable state every time an instruction regarding the symbol type used for the variable display is received from the symbol determining means 114. The gaming state estimation means 260 estimates the possibility of being in a state. For example, when the symbol indication of “Group A” is received, if the selection probability of “Group A” at the time of probability change is higher than the selection probability of “Group B” which is another symbol, the estimated value is set to 1. Is accumulated. Conversely, when the selection probability is low, the estimated value is set to -1. If these estimated values are integrated and the total of the estimated values exceeds 0, there is a high possibility of being in a probability variation state, and if it is less than 0, there is a high possibility of being in a non-probability variation state. The game state inference means 260 suggests that there is a high possibility that the game state estimation means 260 is in the probability variation state on the screen of the effect display device 60 when the total of the estimated values exceeds 0 and the probability variation state is high. Is displayed to the player.

  As other game elements, the game state estimation means 260 estimates the possibility that the current game state is in a probabilistic state based on the number of time reductions and the probability that the short time is selected in the probable state. For example, if the time reduction exceeds 90 times, it is determined that the time reduction will continue to 100 times, so the probability that 100 time reductions will be selected at the time of probability change is the probability that 90 time reductions will be selected. If it is higher, the estimated value is 1, and if it is lower, the estimated value is -1. Similar to the estimation based on the symbol type, the estimated content is determined by integrating estimated values based on the number of time reductions. If the specific game determination unit 252 notifies the gaming state estimation unit 260 of the number of time reductions at the start of the time reduction, the content of the estimation may be determined based on the notified number of time reductions.

  As another game element, the game state estimation means 260 estimates the possibility that the current game state is a probable change state based on the number of unit games included in the special game and the type of effect of the special game. For example, if the special game is continued even if the number of unit games exceeds 7, it is determined that the number of unit games will continue to 15 times, so the probability that 15 unit games will be selected at the time of probability change is 7 times. If the number of unit games is higher than the probability of being selected, the estimated value is 1, and if it is lower, the estimated value is -1. Also, when the production type of the special game is “production A”, the estimated value is set to 1 if the selection probability at the time of the change of the “production A” is higher than the selection probability of “production B”, and the estimated value is − Set to 1. Similar to the above estimation based on the symbol type and the number of time reductions, the estimation content is determined by integrating the estimation value based on the number of unit games and the estimation value based on the special game effect type.

  In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the probability variation state or the non-probability variation state is determined based on whether the total of the estimated values is greater than or less than 0, and a notification is made when the estimated value exceeds 0. In the modified example, a threshold value for determination may be provided, for example, it may be determined whether the total of the estimated values is greater than or less than 20, and a notification may be given when 20 is exceeded.

  The pattern storage unit 130 holds a plurality of variation pattern data in which a variation process from variation start to stop in variation display is defined as a variation pattern of the effect image including the decorative design. The fluctuation pattern displays a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a symbol out of reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state. When the pattern is included. In particular, the pattern that passes through the reach state includes patterns having various fluctuation times. Each variation pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining means 132 selects the variation pattern of the effect image having the same variation time as that of the special symbol according to the variation pattern of the special symbol.

  The effect determining means 132 determines the combination of the stop symbols of the decorative symbols and their arrangement and variation pattern according to the result of the lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112, according to the stop symbol of the special symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol. The effect determining unit 132 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine a stop symbol of a decorative symbol and a pattern table to be referred to in order to determine a variation pattern.

  The stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates a shift to a special game, three symbols such as “777” and “111” are arranged. A combination is selected. In this case, it is preferable that the same numbers as the special symbols are selected as the numbers arranged as the decorative symbols. For example, when the special symbol is “3”, the decorative symbol is “333”. In the case where the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have three symbols such as “312” and “946” is selected. However, if the determination result is that the game does not shift to the special game, and the variation pattern of the special symbol indicating the loss with reach is selected, only one such as “191” or “727” is selected. Select a combination that does not have the same pattern. The effect determining unit 132 sends information about the stop symbol of the decorative symbol and the variation pattern of the effect image to the effect display control unit 134. The types of decorative symbols may be divided into two groups so as to correspond to the determination of the symbol types in the symbol determining means 114.

  The effect display control means 134 displays the effect image on the effect display device 60 in accordance with the selected variation pattern data as a result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  In accordance with the instruction received from the effect display control means 134, the accessory control means 136 causes the movable accessory 140 to act in an effect manner in accordance with the effect contents in the effect display device 60 and the blinking process of the game effect lamp 90.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between a plurality of game elements and their options. The game element selection table 200 includes a probability change option 202 and a non-probability change option 204. The probability variation option 202 includes a probability variation high probability option 206 and a probability variation low probability option 208, and the non-probability variation option 204 includes a non-probability variation high probability option 210 and a non-probability variation low probability option 212. As the selection probability 214, the high probability option 206 at the time of probability change and the high probability option 210 at the time of probability change are selected with a high probability of 80% at the time of probability change and non-probability, respectively. 212 is selected with a low probability of 20% at the time of probability change and non-probability change. The symbol type 216 is associated with the symbol “group A” as the probability variation high probability option 206, and the symbol “group B” as the probability variation low probability option 208. On the other hand, the symbol “group B” is associated as the non-probability variable high probability option 210 and the symbol “group A” is correlated as the non-probability variable low probability option 212. The time reduction count 218 is associated with “100 times” as the probability change high probability option 206 and “90 times” as the probability change low probability option 208. On the other hand, at the time of non-probability change, “90 times” is associated as the high probability option 210 at non-probability change, and “100 times” is associated as the low probability option 212 at non-probability change. The jackpot round number 220 is associated with “15 times” as the probability change high probability option 206 and “seven times” as the probability change low probability option 208. On the other hand, “7 times” is associated with the high probability option 210 at the time of non-probability change, and “15 times” is associated with the low probability option 212 at the time of non-probability change. The jackpot effect type 222 is associated with “production A” as the high probability option 206 at the time of probability change, and “effect B” as the low probability option 208 at the time of probability change. On the other hand, at the time of non-probability change, “Production B” is associated as the high probability option 210 at non-probability change, and “Production A” is associated as the low probability option 212 at non-probability change.

  Various game elements are selected with different selection probabilities in the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state in accordance with the correspondence relationship defined in the gaming element selection table 200 described above. In this way, since the selection probabilities for the choices of each gaming element in the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state are known in advance, it is possible to estimate with high accuracy whether or not the probability variation state is based on the selection result. it can.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows the notification of the estimated content of the probability variation state displayed together with the symbol variation on the screen of the effect display device 60. In the estimated notification screen 270 of this figure, the decorative symbol 190 is displayed in a variable manner, and the estimated content is notified by the characters “probability change?” In the estimated notification column 272 provided at the lower right. This notification content is not reported as a definitive or definitive content such as “probability rush!”, But is only a guess and suggests that the possibility of a certain change is only “high”. . This guess notification column 272 is displayed when the sum of the guess values indicating the possibility of the probability variation state exceeds zero. For example, even if the total of the estimated values once exceeds 0, the estimated notification column 272 is deleted when the estimated values are below 0 due to subsequent integration of estimated values. As a modified example, in addition to the suggestion of the probability change state, the total value of the estimated values may be displayed in the estimated notification column 272 as it is. In this case, the player can refer to the increase / decrease in the estimated value as a supporting or index of the estimated content. As the estimated value increases step by step, the player's belief that it is in a probabilistic state increases. However, the game state estimation means 260 does not definitely notify that the game state is in a probable variation state, but merely provides the player with a determination material. However, since the estimated value is objective and is a result estimated with a high likelihood, the player can almost certainly grasp whether or not the probability variation state, and the next jackpot to be given by the probability variation state. You can increase your expectation. As another modification, it is good also as a structure which changes the background image of a design fluctuation | variation using the color and pattern according to the magnitude | size of the possibility of being a probability change state. For example, the color may be changed to a color closer to red as the probability of the probability change state increases, and may be changed to a color closer to blue as the probability of the probability change state becomes lower. Also in this case, it is possible to notify the player of the possibility of a probable change state due to a difference in background color or pattern.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine. First, processing is performed when the game ball has won the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, or when the game ball has passed through the operation port 68 (S10). (N in S12), control processing for normal games such as winning / failing lottery is executed (S14), and if a special game is in progress (Y in S12), control processing for special game is executed (S16), from S10 to S16 In step S18, prize ball payout corresponding to various winnings is processed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is on hold (Y in S30) and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / losing lottery means 112 executes the determining process. (S34). In accordance with the determination result, the main display control means 118 starts changing display, transmits a change start command to the effect display control means 134, and the effect display control means 134 that receives the command displays the effect image according to the change pattern data. Fluctuation display is started (S36), and a probability variation state estimation process is executed (S37). If the winning / losing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S37 is skipped, and if the symbol variation is being displayed in S32 (Y in S32), S34 to S37. Is skipped. Subsequently, if the symbol variation display has already started (Y in S38), the symbol variation display process is executed (S40). If the symbol variation display has not started (N in S38), S40 is skipped. .

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the probability variation estimation process of S37 in FIG. The gaming state estimation means 260 refers to the type of gaming element such as the symbol type and the number of times reduced (S42), refers to the selection probability in the probability variation state of that type (S44), and estimates according to the size of the selection probability. The value is determined to be either 1 or -1 (S46), and the estimated values are integrated (S48). If the total of the estimated values is greater than 0 (S50), the estimated contents suggesting that there is a high possibility that the probability change state is high in the estimated notification column 272 displayed on the screen of the effect display device 60 (S52). ).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail S16 in FIG. First, if the special winning opening 66 has not been opened (N in S70), the production display control means 134 starts the special game production process (S72), and the opening / closing control means 124 opens the special winning opening 66 (S74). ), A probability variation state estimation process is executed (S75). If the big winning opening 66 has been opened, S72 to S75 are skipped (Y of S70). When the predetermined opening time has elapsed since the grand prize opening 66 was opened (Y in S76), or the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76), there are nine or more game balls to the big winning opening 66 When the player has entered the ball (Y in S78), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66 (S80). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76) and the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning opening 66 has not reached nine or more (N in S78), the processing after S80 is skipped and the flow of S16 Exit.

  If the number of rounds of the unit game has reached 15 after closing the special winning opening 66 in S80 (Y in S82), the effect display control means 134 ends the effect processing of the special game (S84), and the special game control means 120 ends the special game (S86). If the number of rounds has not reached 15 (N in S82), 1 is added to the number of rounds and the flow of S16 is terminated (S90). The probability variation estimation process in S75 is the process described with reference to FIG. However, in this case, in S42 of FIG. 8, the game state estimation means 260 refers to the number of unit games of the special game and the effect type of the special game as the type of game element (S42).

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the estimated value is set to 1 when the selection probability assigned to each type of game element is higher than the selection probability of other options, and the estimated value is set to -1 when the selection probability is low. . In the modified example, if the selection probability of the option in the probability variation state is 80%, the estimated value may be 0.8, and the estimated value may be integrated and divided by the number of integrations to determine the average value. In this case, it can be estimated that if the average value exceeds 0.5, the probability variation state is high, and if the average value is less than 0.5, the non-probability variation state is highly likely. As another modified example, the initial value of the estimated value is set to 1, if the selection probability of the option in the probability variation state is 80%, the estimated value is multiplied by 8, and if the selection probability is 20%, the estimated value is 2 In addition to multiplication, a value obtained by multiplying the judgment reference value (initial value is 1) by 5 is obtained each time. Then, if the estimated value exceeds the determination reference value, it is highly likely that the probability variation state is present, and if the estimated value is less than the criterion value, it can be presumed that the probability variation state is high. Also in the case of these modified examples, it is possible to perform estimation with a high likelihood based on the type of game element and its selection probability, and provide useful information to the player. In this case as well, it is possible to perform estimation with a high likelihood based on the type of game element and its selection probability, and provide useful information to the player.

  In the above embodiment, an example based on four types of game elements has been described. However, in a modified example, it may be estimated based on only a part of these game elements, or may be estimated based on other game elements. May be. Whatever game element is used, if it is determined that the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state are selected with different selection probabilities, it is estimated whether or not the probability variation state is based on the information. Is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the so-called first type pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example, but naturally it is not intended to be limited to such a model, but any model that has a function of shifting to a probability variation state. Even a model can be realized. For example, a model in which a plurality of first type pachinko gaming machines are combined, or a model in which a first type pachinko gaming machine and a second type pachinko gaming machine are combined may be used.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a figure of the table which shows the correspondence of a some game element and its choice. The notification of the estimated content of the probability variation state displayed together with the symbol variation on the screen of the effect display device is schematically shown. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the probability variation estimation process of S37 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows S16 in FIG. 6 in detail.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko gaming machines, 50 gaming boards, 52 gaming areas, 60 effect display devices, 100 gaming control devices, 102 main boards, 104 sub-boards, 114 symbol determining means, 120 special game controlling means, 122 specific game executing means, 250 games Selection means, 252 specific game determination means, 254 special game determination means, 260 game state estimation means.

Claims (4)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A special prize which is provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area and is advantageous to a player over a normal game, with a starting prize opening for entering a game ball as a trigger for a lottery, and entering into the starting prize opening A success / failure lottery means for executing a success / failure lottery for determining whether or not to shift to a game;
A symbol display device in which a symbol for indicating the result of the winning / failing lottery is variably displayed;
Special game control means for executing the special game when the variation of the symbol is stopped in a predetermined stop mode indicating that the winning / losing lottery is a win;
If it is determined that the winning lottery is a win, and it is determined to shift to a probability variation state in which the winning probability in the winning / failing lottery is higher than a normal state, the gaming state after the end of the special game is Specific game execution means for shifting to the probability variation state;
Each of the plurality of game elements constituting the game content is selected from a plurality of options, and one of the options is selected with a different selection probability depending on whether or not the decision to shift to the probability variation state is made. Game selection means for selecting
Based on the selection of the game element selected by the game selection means and the selection probability thereof, an estimated value of the possibility of the transition to the probability variation state is determined, and according to the estimated value, A game state estimation means for notifying the player of a guess content that suggests the possibility of the decision to shift to the probability variation state;
With
The game selection means is included in a main board that controls the progress of the game based on the game element selected by the game selection means,
2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game state estimation means is included in a sub-board for controlling the effect of the game based on the game element selected by the game selection means.   The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming state estimation means notifies the player of the content of the estimation according to the total of the estimated values determined for each of the plurality of gaming elements.   The gaming state estimation means determines the estimated value step by step for each of the plurality of gaming elements, integrates the estimated value every time the determination is made, and reports the estimated content to be notified according to the integrated value. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is changed.   Means for notifying the player whether or not the main board is determined to shift to the probability fluctuation state; and means for notifying the sub-board whether or not it is determined to shift to the probability fluctuation state. The bullet ball game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ball game machine is not included.

Images