JP2009066316A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot machine having an excellent property which enables more players to enjoy various performances set to the slot machine. <P>SOLUTION: The slot machine 1 is provided with an internal lottery means 42 which implements an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from among winning combinations including a plurality of kinds of small winning combinations; a flag control means 41 which forms an internal winning flag corresponding to an internal winning combination determined by the internal lottery means; a prize-winning determination means 49 which determines a prize-winning pattern; a game performance means 53 which implements a performance of a game; and a performance selection means 46 which selects a performance to be implemented by the game performance means 53 from among a plurality of kinds of performances according to the combination of the kind of the small winning combination having won internally or having won a prize and the flag state of a bonus flag being an internal winning flag corresponding to the bonus winning combination. The flag control means 41 can forcibly form the internal winning flag corresponding to at least one of the plurality of kinds of small winning combinations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that performs various effects according to game situations.

  Conventionally, for example, there is a slot machine that determines an internal winning combination by internal lottery and establishes an internal winning flag corresponding to the determined internal winning combination. In this slot machine, only the combination corresponding to the established internal winning flag is set in a state where a prize can be won. In many slot machines, the internal winning flag corresponding to a small role is valid only in the established game and will be erased by the next game regardless of whether or not a prize has been won, while the bonus flag corresponding to a bonus role will be won. Until then, it is carried over to the next game. In such a slot machine, once a bonus combination is won internally, a bonus final state is established, and thereafter, a bonus combination can always be won.

  In the slot machine as described above, the flag state of the internal winning flag such as a small combination or a bonus combination is a concern for the player. Therefore, a slot machine configured to perform various effects according to the flag state of the internal winning flag has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Among these, the flag state of the bonus flag is the greatest concern for the player. Therefore, the production frequency suggests that there is a high possibility that the bonus flag is established, and the frequency of occurrence tends to be set lower. In this way, the so-called rare effect with a low occurrence frequency not only raises a sense of expectation for the bonus flag, but also satisfies the slot machine enthusiast by the occurrence itself and can entertain the eyes. Generating rare productions itself is one of the fun of slot machine games.

  However, the conventional slot machine described above has the following problems. That is, while the presence of rare productions is introduced by magazines related to slot machines, such rare productions do not often occur in actual games, so the player feels dissatisfied or doubts whether they really exist. There is a possibility of feeling, there is a risk of obstructing the entertainment of the game. In recent years, there are many fans who enjoy taking photos and collecting them, showing them to friends, or publishing them on the web when rare effects occur. It is very difficult to take a photo with high certainty.

JP 2000-176084 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and intends to provide a slot machine having excellent characteristics that allows more players to enjoy various effects set in the slot machine. Is.

The present invention includes a symbol variation display means including a variation display unit that variably displays a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement in the symbol display area;
Game start operating means operated by the player to start the game;
An internal lottery means for carrying out an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a combination including a plurality of types of small roles in response to an operation of the game start operation means
Flag control means for establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination determined by the internal lottery means;
A stop operation means operated by the player to stop the display of variation of symbols in the variation display section;
Display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the established internal winning flag when the stop operation means is operated within a predetermined drawing range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the symbol stopped and displayed in the symbol display area of the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
Privilege granting means for granting a player a privilege set in advance for the winning combination;
Game effect means configured to be able to perform a plurality of types of effects suggesting a flag state of a bonus flag which is an internal winning flag corresponding to a bonus combination,
An effect selection means for selecting an effect to be executed by the game effect means from the plurality of kinds of effects according to a combination of the type of the winning combination or winning small role and the flag state of the bonus flag; ,
The flag control means is configured to forcibly establish an internal winning flag corresponding to at least one of the plurality of types of small roles in exchange for a predetermined number of game media. It exists in a slot machine (Claim 1).

  The game effect means in the slot machine of the present invention implements the effect selected by the effect selection means according to the combination of the type of a small combination won or won and the flag state of the bonus flag. Further, the flag control means provided in the slot machine does not only establish the internal winning flag in accordance with the result of the internal lottery by the internal lottery means. The flag control means can forcibly establish an internal winning flag corresponding to at least one of the plurality of types of small roles in exchange for a predetermined number of game media.

  In the slot machine, an internal winning flag corresponding to one of the small winning combinations is forcibly established or a winning combination corresponding to the internal winning flag is awarded to generate an effect related to the small winning combination. Easy to do. According to the slot machine, the occurrence probability of any effect can be increased by forcibly establishing the internal winning flag. Furthermore, in the slot machine, the flag state of the bonus flag is estimated according to what kind of effect the effect selection means selects in a state where the internal winning flag of any small role is forcibly established. Can do.

  As described above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, it is possible to increase the occurrence frequency of effects that the player wants to see by the player's involvement, and many players can enjoy various effects by generating them. Furthermore, in the slot machine, it is possible to practice so-called pressing, in which the internal winning flag is forcibly established to stop the target small symbol.

The slot machine of the present invention may be a slot machine in a narrow sense using medals and coins as game media, or a parrot (R) using pachinko balls as game media.
In addition, in the case where an effect selected according to the type of the small winning combination is performed, it is preferable to perform the effect in the game in which the internal winning has occurred, and the effect selected according to the winning small combination In the case of performing, it is preferable to perform the effect in the game next to the winning game. If the presentation is performed at such timing, the player's expectation can be effectively increased.

  Further, the meaning of the plurality of types of effects suggesting the flag state of the bonus flag is that the occurrence probability of the plurality of types of effects differs depending on whether or not the bonus flag is established, This means that the flag state of the bonus flag can be inferred according to the occurrence of multiple types of effects. For example, if the effect is set such that the probability of occurrence is high when the bonus flag is established, the effect may indicate that the bonus flag is established. On the other hand, if the effect is set such that the probability of occurrence is low when the bonus flag is established, it can be an effect that suggests that the establishment of the bonus flag cannot be expected so much.

Further, when a bonus notification effect for notifying the player that the bonus flag has been established is executed, the bonus combination corresponding to the bonus flag is won after the bonus notification effect is executed. It is preferable that the plurality of types of effects are not implemented (claim 2).
Further, it may be configured to generate a state in which the internal winning flag can be forcibly established in response to establishment of a predetermined condition set in advance (Claim 3).

In these cases, by limiting the game period in which the internal winning flag can be compulsorily established, or by generating it in a limited manner, the number of rare so-called rare effects can be suppressed, and its rarity The production value based on can be kept high.
In addition, as the predetermined condition, winning of a specific combination or achievement of a mini game can be set.

Further, the privilege granting unit is configured to grant a privilege to the player side when a combination corresponding to the internal winning flag is determined as an internal winning combination in a game in which the internal winning flag is compulsorily established. (Claim 4).
When the internal winning flag is compulsorily established, there is a possibility that the player may have a suspicion that a combination corresponding to the internal winning flag may be won internally according to the internal lottery. If such a suspicion arises, there is a risk that the interest of the game will be impaired. Then, if a privilege is given when the combination corresponding to the internal winning flag that has been compulsorily established is awarded internally, the above-mentioned suspicion can be dispelled.

Further, in the privilege granting means, the number of game media payouts corresponding to winnings is defined in advance for each small role,
In the flag control means, as the predetermined number necessary to forcibly establish the internal winning flag, a payout number of game media according to a winning combination of a small role corresponding to the internal winning flag is set. (Claim 5).
In this case, the gameability that the internal winning flag can be compulsorily established is easily understood by the player, and the balance of the game media viewed from the game hall side is improved.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
Example 1
This example is an example related to the slot machine 1 capable of performing a plurality of types of effects. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 1 of the present example includes three variable display units 21 (hereinafter referred to as reels 21) that display a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined arrangement in a symbol display area 110. Depending on the operation of the start lever 62, the symbol variation display means 2 provided, the game start operation means 62 (hereinafter referred to as the start lever 62) operated by the player to start the game, An internal lottery means 42 for carrying out an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from among the winning combinations, and a flag control means 41 for establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination determined by the internal lottery means 42; A stop operation means 61 (hereinafter referred to as a stop button 61) operated by the player to stop the variable display of the symbol 20 on the reel 21, and a stop button A display control means 45 for drawing a symbol corresponding to the established internal winning flag within a predetermined drawing range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area 110 when the button 61 is operated; A winning determination unit 49 for determining whether or not the symbol stopped and displayed in the symbol display area 110 is a predetermined winning symbol, and a privilege granting unit for granting a privilege set in advance for the winning combination to the player side 43, game effect means 53 configured to be able to perform a plurality of types of effects suggesting the flag state of a bonus flag which is an internal winning flag corresponding to the bonus combination, And an effect selection means 46 for selecting an effect to be executed by the game effect means 53 from the plurality of kinds of effects according to a combination with the flag state of the bonus flag. There.
The flag control means 41 is configured to forcibly establish an internal winning flag corresponding to at least one of a plurality of types of small roles in exchange for a predetermined number of game media (hereinafter referred to as medals). ing.
Hereinafter, this content will be described in detail.

  First, the combination of the slot machine 1, the internal winning combination, and the winning combination will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, the names of the respective roles are shown in the left column, the winning symbols that are combinations of the symbols 20 of the respective roles are shown in the middle row, and the benefits that are given to the player side by winning are shown in the right column. In the slot machine 1 of this example, in addition to a bonus combination and a replay combination, a small combination of a bell combination, a watermelon combination and a cherry combination are set as winning combinations. In this slot machine 1, the replay combination and all the small combinations can be won at the same time as the bonus combination in one game. In the slot machine 1, an internal winning combination by the internal lottery means 42 becomes an internal winning combination. When the winning symbols corresponding to the internal winning combination are arranged along the winning line, the winning combination becomes the winning combination.

  The slot machine 1 of this example has an external configuration as shown in FIG. In the slot machine 1, the front portion facing the player is formed by a front frame body 10 having a substantially rectangular symbol display window 11 provided substantially at the center. The front frame 10 includes a liquid crystal display unit 532, a pair of left and right speakers 520, and a lamp unit 560 disposed above the symbol display window 11. The front frame 10 has a base 100 that forms the base of the slot machine 1 below the symbol display window 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 100 is formed so as to protrude relatively toward the player with respect to the symbol display window 11 located behind the player. The base unit 100 has a table-like operation surface 14 at the upper end adjacent to the symbol display window 11, a medal tray 15 for paying out medals at the lower end, and an operation panel 13 below the operation surface 14. Have.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation surface 14 is credited with a bet button 64 for betting a credited (stored) medal and a forcible flag set button 67 for forcibly establishing an internal winning flag. A credit settlement button 65 for paying out medals and the like, and a medal insertion slot 630 for inserting medals to bet on the game are arranged. On the operation panel 13, a start lever 62 for starting the symbol variation of the reel 21 and a stop button 61 for stopping the symbol variation are arranged.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bet button 64 is an operation button for setting 3 bets as a maximum bet as the bet number. The bet button 64 generates a 3-bet signal representing the bet number 3. When the credit is less than 3, the bet button 64 generates a 2-bet signal or a 1-bet signal according to the credited number.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the forced flag set button 67 is an operation button for forcibly establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to a small combination. The forced flag set button 67 includes three buttons, a cherry flag set button 671, a watermelon flag set button 672, and a bell flag set button 673. The cherry flag set button 671 is an operation button that forcibly establishes a cherry flag that is an internal winning flag for the cherry role. The watermelon flag set button 672 is an operation button that forcibly establishes a watermelon flag that is an internal winning flag of a watermelon role. The bell flag set button 673 is an operation button that forcibly establishes a bell flag that is an internal winning flag for the bell role.

  In this example, after the internal winning flag is forcibly established according to the operation of any of the forced flag set buttons 67, all the forced flag set buttons 67 are set to be invalidated. . Further, the forced flag set button 67 of this example is invalidated even when the bonus game flag is in an on state, that is, during the execution of the bonus game.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the start lever 62 is an operation lever that generates a game start signal, which is a control signal for the reel 21, at a timing when the player operates. In the slot machine 1, the start lever 62 is set to the valid state when a medal is directly inserted or when three medals are bet by operating the bet button 64.

  The stop button 61 is an operation button that is generated at a timing when a player operates a variable stop signal that is a control signal of the reel 21. The stop button 61 of this example is a combination of a left stop button 61L corresponding to the left reel 21L, a middle stop button 61C corresponding to the middle reel 21C, and a right stop button 61R corresponding to the right reel 21R.

  The liquid crystal display unit 532 is composed of a liquid crystal display as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and constitutes a game effect means 53 together with a display control board 531 described later. The liquid crystal display unit 532 displays various effect screens that produce games as the game progresses. The liquid crystal display unit 532 of this example displays an effect screen based on a predetermined moving image as a background image without a break between games that are temporally continuous. Further, effects A to I described later are selectively replaced according to the flag state of the internal winning flag of each combination.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display window 11 is a display window including symbol display areas 110L, C, and R. According to the symbol display window 11 in which three symbol display areas 110 each displaying three symbols in the vertical direction are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, nine symbols arranged in a two-dimensional matrix of three rows and three columns. 20 can be displayed. The portion corresponding to each symbol display area 110 in the symbol display window 11 is formed of a transparent resin plate so that the symbol 20 can be seen from the player side. For nine symbols 20 arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, winning lines 111 to 115, which are the arrangement direction of symbols to be awarded, are set. The winning lines include horizontal winning lines 111 to 113 and diagonal winning lines 114 and 115.

  On the back side of each symbol display area 110L, C, R, reels 21L, C, R constituting the symbol variation display means 2 are respectively arranged as shown in FIGS. The reels 21L, C, and R are rotary reels having a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of 21 types of symbols 20 arranged at a substantially constant interval on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Each reel 21L, C, R has a reference position piece (not shown) at one reference position in the rotation direction. The reference position piece is a detected piece that is detected by a reference position detection unit 66 described later. The reel 21 may be an image-type reel that displays the symbols on the liquid crystal display in place of the rotary reel of this example.

  On the right side of the symbol display window 11, a credit display unit 551 and a payout number display unit 552 are arranged. The credit display unit 551 is a display unit that displays the number of medals credited (stored) by the credit function. The payout number display unit 552 is a display unit that displays the number of payout medals at the time of winning a prize.

Next, the slot machine 1 of this example has a mechanical configuration as shown in FIG.
A control board 3 that controls the overall operation of the slot machine 1 and each part that is electrically connected to the control board 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For the control board 3, in addition to the above-described configuration, the inserted medal detection unit 63 that detects a medal inserted as a game medium, the reel 21 together with the reel 21, and the rotation of the reel 21 that constitutes the symbol variation display means 2. A reference position detecting unit 66 for detecting a position, a medal paying unit 54 for paying out medals, a lamp control board 56 for controlling lighting of the lamp unit 560, a setting value operating unit 68 for setting a setting value representing the player's advantage degree, a speaker The display control board 531 which constitutes the game effect means 53 together with the voice control board 52 for controlling the 520 (voice output part), the various display parts 55 including the credit display part 551, the payout number display part 552, and the liquid crystal display part 532 is electrically connected. Connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inserted medal detection unit 63 is configured to output an insert signal each time a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 630. In the slot machine 1 of this example, when the medal is inserted through the medal insertion slot 630 or when three medals are bet according to the operation of the bet button 64, the start lever 62 is in an effective state. It becomes a state where the game can be started.

  The reel drive unit 22 is means for driving the reel 21 to rotate. As shown in FIG. 1, the reel driving unit 22 includes a stepping motor (not shown) that can be controlled in units of steps, and rotationally drives the reel 21 by the rotational driving force of the stepping motor. The stepping motor rotates one step each time a control pulse is taken from the control board 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference position detection unit 66 is a detection unit that detects the passage of the reference position piece and outputs a detection signal for each of the reels 21L, 21C, and 21R.
The medal payout unit 54 is configured to pay out a predetermined number of medals to the medal tray 15 under the control of the control board 3.
The set value operation unit 68 is an operation unit for changing a set value for setting the winning probability of a bonus combination or the like step by step using the setting key 680.

  The display control board 531 is a control board for displaying the effect selected by the effect selection means 46 on the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 532. The display control board 531 constitutes the game effect means 53 together with the liquid crystal display unit 532.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control board 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 33 and a RAM 34 as memory means, and an I / O unit 32 as an input / output interface. The CPU 31 executes a software program read from the ROM 33, thereby extracting a random number extraction means 48 for extracting random numbers, a winning determination means 49 for determining a winning combination, a display control means 45 for controlling the symbol variation display means 2, an internal winning combination An internal lottery means 42 for lottery, a flag control means 41 for controlling an internal winning flag, a count means 44 for counting the number of bets and credits, and an effect selection means 46 for selecting a type of effect to be executed by the game effect means 53. And each function as the privilege provision means 43 which provides a privilege with respect to a winning combination is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ROM 33 as the memory means stores a winning random number table used by the internal lottery means 42 for the lottery of the internal winning combination. The winning random number table is a data table that defines winning random numbers for each winning combination. The winning random number table includes a winning random number table (not shown) applied to the normal gaming state, a winning random number table (not shown) applied to the bonus game, and the like. In the slot machine 1 of this example, a winning random number table is prepared for each set value.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ROM 33 stores a stop table (not shown) used when stop control of the reel 21 is performed. The stop table is a data table that defines the number of drawn symbols (number of smooth frames) for each symbol arranged on the reel 21. The number of drawn symbols is a variable symbol number until the reel 21 is actually stopped when the corresponding symbol is positioned on the winning line 112 at the moment when the stop button 61 is operated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the random number extraction means 48 is a means for extracting a random number by an internal calculation of the CPU 31. The random number extraction means 48 of this example extracts a random number according to the operation of the start lever 62 and inputs it to the internal lottery means 42.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the internal lottery means 42 is means for determining an internal winning combination by internal lottery. The internal lottery means 42 determines the internal winning combination by collating the random number extracted by the random number extracting means 48 against the winning random number of each combination specified in a winning random number table (not shown). It should be noted that the internal lottery means 42 of this example is configured not to establish the internal winning flag of the small role determined by the internal lottery in a game in which the internal winning flag is forcibly set to the on state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flag control means 41 is a means for controlling an internal winning flag indicating a state where each winning combination can be won and a state flag for controlling a gaming state. The flag control means 41 establishes a corresponding internal winning flag when the internal winning combination is determined by internal lottery or when the forced flag set button 67 is operated. The flag control means 41 sets the number of medals to be paid out when a small combination corresponding to the internal winning flag wins as a consideration when the internal winning flag is forcibly established according to the operation of the forced flag set button 67. Has been. When forcibly establishing the internal winning flag, the flag control means 41 withdraws the number of medals corresponding to the consideration from the credit.

  For other internal winning flags (including those that are forcibly established) other than the bonus flag that is the internal winning flag for the bonus combination, the flag control means 41 is a game in which the internal winning flag is set to the on state. Regardless of whether or not a prize has been won, the game is switched off before the next game starts. On the other hand, the bonus flag is carried over to the next game until winning. By such control of the flag control means 41, the bonus combination won internally can always be won, while all the combinations other than the bonus combination are missed when the internal winning game is not won.

  The state flag controlled by the flag control means 41 includes a bonus game flag corresponding to the bonus game. The bonus game flag is set to 1 (ON state) according to the winning of the bonus combination, and is reset to zero (OFF state) when a predetermined bonus end condition is satisfied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the counting means 44 is a means for counting the number of bets representing the number of medals bet on the game and the number of credits representing the number of medals that the player has acquired and stored electronically. . The counting means 44 includes a bet counter that counts the number of bets and a credit counter that counts the number of credits. The bet counter counts up to three values, which is the maximum bet number, as the bet number. The credit counter counts up to 50 credits as the credit limit.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display control unit 45 is a unit that controls symbol variations of the reels 21 </ b> L, C, and R via the reel driving unit 22. The display control means 45 starts the symbol variation of the reel 21 in response to the game start signal and stops the symbol variation of the reel 21 in response to the variation stop signal. The display control means 45 inputs a control pulse to the stepping motor constituting the reel driving unit 22 and rotates the stepping motor by one step for each pulse. The display control means 45 counts the number of control pulses input to the reel drive unit 22, that is, the number of steps rotated by the stepping motor. In particular, in this example, for each reel 21, the number of steps can be counted with reference to the reference position piece by resetting the number of steps to zero each time the detection signal of the reference position piece is fetched.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display control means 45 performs so-called pull-in control in which symbols within a pull-in range determined by rules (rules for game machine certification, type verification, etc.) are stopped on the winning line. In this example, a range corresponding to 4 symbols is set as the pull-in range. The display control means 45 calculates the bita symbol, which is the symbol 20 instantaneously located on the winning line 112, based on the number of steps when the fluctuation stop signal is taken in, and compares the bitter symbol with the stop table. And the drawing symbol number prescribed | regulated with respect to the bita symbol is acquired, the symbol for the drawing symbol number is drawn in, and the reel 21 is stopped.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the winning determination means 49 determines the number of steps for the stepping motor (reel drive unit 22) corresponding to each reel 21L, C, R after each reel 21L, C, R stops. take in. The winning determination means 49 obtains the type of the symbol 20 stopped on the winning lines 111 to 115 based on the number of steps, and determines whether or not a winning combination is established for the combination of the symbols 20. The winning determination means 49 outputs a medal payout number (see FIG. 3) according to the type of winning combination to the medal payout unit 54.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, the effect selection means 46 is a means for selecting an effect to be executed by the game effect means 53 in place of the effect being played from a plurality of types of effects. There are productions A to I as a plurality of types of productions. In the effect selection means 46, as shown in FIG. 5, each effect is selected with a predetermined selection probability according to the internal lottery result by the internal lottery means 42.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, the selection probabilities of the various effects according to the internal lottery results of the combinations other than the bonus combination are different depending on the flag state of the bonus flag. For example, the selection probability of the effect A when the bell combination is won internally differs greatly depending on the flag state of the bonus flag. The selection probability is 2% when the bonus flag is off and the bell flag is on, and 20% when both the bonus flag and the bell flag are on. Therefore, when the production A is generated in the game in which the bell flag is established, it can be predicted that the possibility that the bonus flag is established is high, and the expectation for the bonus winning is felt.

  For example, the selection probability of the production A when the watermelon combination is won internally is lowered according to the establishment of the bonus flag. The selection probability is 20% when the bonus flag is off and the watermelon flag is on, but is 5% when both the bonus flag and the watermelon flag are on. Therefore, when the production A is generated in a state where the watermelon flag is established, the possibility that the bonus flag is established may be low, and the expectation for bonus winning cannot be maintained high.

  Further, for example, the selection probabilities of the effects A to E when the replay combination is won internally change little depending on whether or not the bonus flag is established. Therefore, even if any of the effects A to E occurs in the game in which the replay role is won internally, the player's sense of expectation for the bonus winning will not be beaten.

  Furthermore, for example, the effects F to I may be selected only when the bonus flag is established. That is, the effects F to I are bonus finalized effects. In particular, the effects F to H are rare effects that the probability of occurrence is less than 1% even in the state where the bonus flag is established, and that any of the small roles can only occur in a game that is won internally. It has become. For example, when a player knows that there is a high possibility that a bonus flag is established, there is a possibility that a rare effect will occur by forcibly establishing an internal winning flag for a small role. Can be made.

  The effect selecting means 46 of this example is configured to always select “no replacement” (see FIG. 5) after the bonus confirmed effects of effects F to I are implemented. If the execution of the effects A to I is prohibited in the bonus determination period until the bonus combination winning after the bonus fixed effect is performed, for example, the possibility that the rare effects such as the effects F to H will be generated unnecessarily is avoided. In addition, the rare production value can be maintained high. It should be noted that the effects A to I may be generated at the occurrence probability shown in FIG. 5 even during the bonus determination period so that a rare effect can be presented to the player based on the opposite concept.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the privilege granting means 43 is a means for granting a privilege to the player according to the establishment of a predetermined condition. The privilege grant means 43 grants the privilege defined in FIG. 3 when any winning combination is won.

Next, the operation of the slot machine 1 of the present example configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game executed by the slot machine 1. FIG. 7 is a flow showing the flow of the medal detection process P1. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the forced flag setting process P2. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the medal settlement process P3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game start process P4. FIG. 11 is a flow showing the flow of the winning process P5.
As shown in FIG. 6, the slot machine 1 of this example executes a game by processing the medal detection process P1 to the winning process P5 in this order.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the medal detection process P1, it is first determined whether or not a medal is inserted as in step S101. When a medal is inserted, it is first determined whether or not the background image is being reproduced as in step S111. If the background image has not been reproduced, the process proceeds to step S121, where the background image is reproduced. Subsequently, as in step S102, it is determined whether or not the bet counter is two or less. If there are two or less bet counters, one bet counter is added as in step S103.

  On the other hand, when there are three bet counters, it is determined whether or not the credit counter is less than 50 as in step S113. If the credit counter is less than 50, one credit counter is added as in step S114. On the other hand, when the credit counter is 50 (step S113), the medal outlet is opened as in step S115, and the inserted medal is returned to the medal tray 15.

  Next, the flow of the forced flag setting process P2 will be described with reference to FIG. As in steps S201, S211, and S221, the operation of the forced flag set button 67 is determined. When the cherry flag set button 671 is operated (step S201), it is determined whether there are four or more credit counters as in step S202. When there are four or more credit counters, after the cherry flag is set to the on state (1), four credit counters are subtracted (steps S203 and S204).

  When the watermelon flag set button 672 is operated (step S211), it is determined whether there are five or more credit counters as in step S212. When there are five or more credit counters, after the watermelon flag is set to the on state (1), five credit counters are subtracted (steps S213 and S214).

  On the other hand, when the bell flag set button 673 is operated (step S221), it is determined whether there are ten or more credit counters as in step S222. When there are 10 or more credit counters, the bell flag is set to the on state (1), and then 10 credit counters are subtracted (steps S223 and S224). Thereafter, the operation of the forced flag set button 67 is invalidated as in step S205, and the medal outlet is closed as in step S206.

  Next, the flow of the medal settlement process P3 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S301, the operation of the credit check button 65 is determined until the start lever 62 is operated. When the credit check button 65 is operated, the flag states of the cherry flag, the watermelon flag, and the bell flag that are internal winning flags of the cherry role, watermelon role, and bell role are determined as in steps S302, S312, and S322. When the cherry flag is in the on state (1) (step S302), the cherry flag is reset to the off state (zero), and four medals are paid out (steps S303 and S304).

  When the watermelon flag is in the on state (1) (step S312), the watermelon flag is reset to the off state (zero), and five medals are paid out (steps S313 and S314). If the bell flag is in the on state (1) (step S322), the bell flag is reset to the off state (zero), and ten medals are paid out (steps S323 and S324). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S305, where the operation of the forced flag set button 67 can be effectively detected, and the medal outlet is closed as in step S306.

  When none of the cherry flag, the watermelon flag, and the bell flag is established (step S332), the counter value of the bet counter is determined. If there are one or more bet counters, the bet counter is reset to zero after the medals for the bet counter have been paid out (steps S333 and S334). When the bet counter is zero (step S332), the counter value of the credit counter is determined as in step S342. If there are one or more credit counters, the credit counter is reset to zero after the medals for the credit counter have been paid out (steps S343 and S344). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S306, and the medal discharge port is closed.

  Next, the flow of the game start process P4 will be described with reference to FIG. As in step S401, the operation of the start lever 62 is determined. When the start lever 62 is operated, an internal winning combination lottery process P41 is performed. When the bonus combination is won internally (step S402), the bonus flag is set to the on state (1) as in step S403. Subsequently, as in step S404, the flag state of the small combination flag (cherry flag, watermelon flag, bell flag) is determined. If none of the compulsory flag set buttons 67 are operated and all of the small combinations flags are in the off state, the internal winning state of the small combinations including the replay combination is determined in steps S405, S415, S425, and S435. The When the replay combination is won internally (step S405), the replay flag is set to the on state (1) (step S406).

  On the other hand, if the cherry combination is won internally (step S415), the cherry flag is set to the on state (1) (step S416). When the watermelon combination is won internally (step S425), the watermelon flag is set to the on state (1) (step S426). If the bell combination is won internally (step S435), the bell flag is set to the on state (1) (step S436). Thereafter, the effect lottery process P42 by the effect selection means 46 is performed based on the flag state of the internal winning flag of each combination. Subsequently, as in step S407, it is determined whether any of the effects A to I has been won. When any of the effects A to I is won and selected, the effects are replaced as in step S417. Thereafter, the rotation of the reel 21 is started as in step S408. If the effects A to I are not won in step S407 and none of them are selected, step S417 is bypassed and the effects are not replaced.

  Next, the flow of the winning process P5 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S501, a stop operation for the left reel 21L, that is, a press operation of the left stop button 61L is determined. When the left stop button 61L is pressed, a fluctuation stop signal is transmitted as in step S502, and the left reel 21L is stopped. In step S521, a stop operation on the middle reel 21C, that is, a depression operation of the middle stop button 61C is determined. When the middle stop button 61C is pressed, a fluctuation stop signal is transmitted as in step S522, and the middle reel 21C is stopped. In step S531, it is determined whether to stop the right reel 21R, that is, press the right stop button 61R. When the right stop button 61R is pressed, a fluctuation stop signal is transmitted as in step S532, and the right reel 21R is stopped. Then, as in step S503, the above-described processing is repeatedly performed until all the reels 21L, C, and R are stopped.

  After all the reels 21 are stopped (step S503), the symbols stopped on the winning line are determined as in step S504, and the presence / absence of a winning combination is determined. When the replay combination is won as in step S505, a replay game is set for the next game (step S506). When the bonus combination is won as in step S545, the bonus flag is reset to the off state (zero) (step S546), and the bonus game flag is set to the on state (1) (step S547). Then, the operation of the forced flag set button 67 is invalidated as in step S548.

  When the cherry role is won as in step S555, four medals are paid out (step S556). When the watermelon winning combination is won as in step S565, five medals are paid out (step S566). If the bell combination is won as in step S575, ten medals are paid out (step S576). Thereafter, in step S507, all the small combination flags including the internal winning flag of the replay combination are reset to an off state (zero).

  In step S509, the flag state of the bonus game flag is determined. If the bonus game flag is on, it is determined whether or not the bonus game end condition has been achieved as in step S581. If the bonus game end condition is achieved, the bonus game flag is reset to the off state (zero) (step S582). When the bonus game flag is in the off state (zero) (steps S509 and S582), the operation of the forced flag set button 67 is validated as in step S510.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 of the present example, the flag state of the bonus flag or the rare effect can be generated by forcibly establishing the internal winning flag, thereby enhancing the interest of the game. Yes. Furthermore, the slot machine 1 can perform so-called “push-up” practice in which a small role symbol corresponding to the internal winning flag compulsorily established is stopped and displayed.

In this example, the number of medals bet is set to three, but the number of medals bet may be one or two. Furthermore, it is also possible that the number of bets can be selected according to the player's preference.
Further, in this example, the number of medals required for compulsory establishment of the internal winning flag is matched with the number of medals paid out by winning a small role corresponding to the internal winning flag, but may be different.

  In this example, in a game in which any of the internal winning flags is compulsorily established, the internal winning flag of the small part determined by the internal lottery is not established. Instead of this, even in a game in which the internal winning flag is forcibly established, the internal winning flag for the small role determined by the internal lottery may be established.

Furthermore, when a small combination corresponding to the internal winning flag that has been forcibly established is determined by repeated internal lottery, some privilege may be given to the player side. If it does so, the disappointment of the player who paid the value to the internal winning flag that should have been established by the internal lottery can be suppressed to some extent. As a privilege in this case, for example, it is preferable to set a privilege that can be advantageous to the player, such as paying out medals or performing AT (assist time) for several games.
In addition, a game that can forcibly establish the internal winning flag may be limitedly executed, or the number of times that the forcible establishment can be established may be limited. For example, it is possible to set the number of times such as 3 times according to the winning of a specific combination and 5 times according to the achievement of the mini game.

  In this example, an effect using the liquid crystal display unit 532 is implemented, but instead of this, an effect by sound using the audio output unit 520 and an effect by light using the lamp unit 560 are provided. Also good. In addition, an effect obtained by combining at least two of the effect by the liquid crystal display unit 532, the effect by the audio output unit 520, and the effect by the lamp unit 560 may be used.

  It is also possible to implement a bonus notification effect that informs the player that the bonus flag has been established. In this case, it is preferable not to perform the effects A to I until the bonus combination corresponding to the bonus flag is won, as in the case where the bonus finalized effects of the effects F to I are performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a mechanical configuration of the slot machine in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an appearance of the slot machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a role, a role symbol, and a payout number of the slot machine in the first embodiment. The expanded view which expands and shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of the reel in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the production | presentation table in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a game flow in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of medal detection processing in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of forced flag setting processing in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of medal settlement processing in the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the game start process in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of a winning process in the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 11 Symbol display window 2 Symbol fluctuation display means 21 Symbol display part (reel)
22 reel drive unit 20 design 3 control board 41 flag control means 42 internal lottery means 43 privilege grant means 44 count means 45 display control means 46 effect selection means 48 random number extraction means 49 winning determination means 53 game effect means 61 stop button (stop operation) means)
62 Start lever (game starting operation means)
67 Force flag set button

Claims (5)

A symbol variation display means comprising a variation display unit that varies and displays a plurality of types of symbols according to a predetermined arrangement in the symbol display area;
Game start operating means operated by the player to start the game;
An internal lottery means for carrying out an internal lottery for determining an internal winning combination from a combination including a plurality of types of small roles in response to an operation of the game start operation means
Flag control means for establishing an internal winning flag corresponding to the internal winning combination determined by the internal lottery means;
A stop operation means operated by the player to stop the display of variation of symbols in the variation display section;
Display control means for drawing a symbol corresponding to the established internal winning flag when the stop operation means is operated within a predetermined drawing range and stopping and displaying it in the symbol display area;
Winning determination means for determining whether or not the symbol stopped and displayed in the symbol display area of the symbol variation display means is a predetermined winning symbol;
Privilege granting means for granting a player a privilege set in advance for the winning combination;
Game effect means configured to be able to perform a plurality of types of effects suggesting a flag state of a bonus flag which is an internal winning flag corresponding to a bonus combination,
An effect selection means for selecting an effect to be executed by the game effect means from the plurality of kinds of effects according to a combination of the type of the winning combination or winning small role and the flag state of the bonus flag; ,
The flag control means is configured to forcibly establish an internal winning flag corresponding to at least one of the plurality of types of small roles in exchange for a predetermined number of game media. Slot machine.   In the case where the game effect means performs a bonus notification effect for notifying the player that the bonus flag is established, after the bonus notification effect is performed, the bonus combination corresponding to the bonus flag is won. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is configured not to perform any of the plurality of types of effects until the time is reached.   3. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is configured to generate a state in which the internal winning flag can be forcibly established in response to establishment of a predetermined condition set in advance.   The privilege granting means is configured to grant a privilege to the player side when a combination corresponding to the internal winning flag is determined as an internal winning combination in a game in which the internal winning flag is forcibly established. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: In the privilege granting means, the number of game media payouts corresponding to winnings is defined in advance for each small role,
In the flag control means, as the predetermined number necessary to forcibly establish the internal winning flag, a payout number of game media according to a winning combination of a small role corresponding to the internal winning flag is set. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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