JP2009213926A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out the specified game performance to be done for the variable display of symbols at an effective timing in a game machine which variably displays a plurality of symbols on a pattern display device upon the establishment of prescribed starting requirements and offers a game state advantageous for players when the plurality of symbols variably displayed on the pattern display device is stopped in a prescribed combination. <P>SOLUTION: With the establishment of the prescribed starting requirements, the Pachinko game machine determines the combination of the symbols with a main control part 50 as given when the variation is stopped while selecting one variation pattern out of a group of variation patterns corresponding to the combination of the figures determined. The combination of the figures and the variation pattern selected make commands to be outputted to a display control part 70, which in turn, works to variably display the symbols on the pattern display device 6 following the commands. In this process, the display control part 70 works to carry out the specified game performance (with appearance of characters) at a prescribed frequency free from the variation pattern, whatsoever, designated from the main control part 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a symbol is variably displayed on a symbol display device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and a gaming state that is advantageous to a player is achieved when the variably displayed symbol is stopped in a predetermined combination.

  In a pachinko machine that is a type of gaming machine, when a pachinko ball wins a predetermined winning opening, a plurality of symbols (usually three symbols) displayed on the symbol display device start to change. The symbol that has started to change is stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the change, and when a combination of symbols at the time of stopping becomes a predetermined combination (for example, a doublet such as 7, 7, 7, etc.), a specific winning opening is opened. It becomes a state [a so-called state advantageous to the player (hereinafter referred to as a special gaming state)]. Therefore, in such a gaming machine, the player's interest is concentrated on whether or not to shift to the special gaming state [that is, whether or not the fluctuating symbols become a predetermined combination when the fluctuation is stopped (whether it is a big hit or a loss)] It becomes. For this reason, in conventional gaming machines, when the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device, various game effects are performed, and the player may have a sense of expectation that the game may shift to a special gaming state. Has been done. As such a game effect, for example, a character is made to appear during a pattern change, and a game effect is made such that the player's expectation is made sharper depending on the presence or absence of the character.

  By the way, in a conventional gaming machine, whether or not to perform a game effect such as the appearance of a character (hereinafter referred to as a specific game effect) is determined by a variation pattern determined at the time of winning a start opening. This variation pattern defines the stop timing of each symbol, etc., and is selected by lottery when a pachinko ball wins a predetermined winning opening (when a start condition is established). Therefore, the specific game effect is performed only when the variation pattern for performing the specific game effect is selected, and whether or not the specific game effect is performed is determined by the chance of random drawing of the variation pattern. For this reason, in the conventional gaming machine, it could not be said that the specific game effect was always performed at an effective timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can perform a specific game effect performed at an effective timing when a symbol is variably displayed. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first gaming machine of the present invention is configured such that when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device, and a plurality of symbols variably displayed on the symbol display device are a predetermined combination. Is a gaming machine that is in a gaming state that is advantageous to the player when it is stopped, and includes a symbol control unit and a specific game effect control unit. The symbol control unit determines the symbol combination at the time of variation stop when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and selects one variation pattern from the variation pattern group corresponding to the determined symbol combination, and these are determined. The symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device according to the combination of symbols and the selected variation pattern. The specific game effect control unit displays a specific game effect at a predetermined frequency regardless of which variation pattern is selected from the variation pattern group when the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device. Do. In the above gaming machine, a special game effect control unit is provided in addition to the symbol control unit that selects the variation pattern and displays the symbol on the symbol display device. The special game effect control unit performs a specific game effect at a predetermined frequency regardless of which variation pattern is selected by the symbol control unit. Therefore, since a special game effect can be performed regardless of the variation pattern, the special game effect can be performed at an effective timing. Here, the above-mentioned “regardless of which variation pattern is selected from the variation pattern group” means that any variation pattern is selected from at least the variation pattern group (consisting of a plurality of variation patterns). It means' regardless of what is selected. Therefore, the frequency at which the special game effect is performed may be changed according to the “combination of symbols at the time of change stop” determined by the symbol control unit. For example, when the “combination of symbols at the time of variable stop” constitutes a reach, the frequency of performing a special game effect may be increased. In this case, the frequency of performing the special game effect is different between the variation pattern constituting the reach and the variation pattern not constituting the reach.

  It is preferable that the specific game effect control unit is switched between a high-frequency state where the frequency of the specific game effect is high and a low-frequency state where the frequency of the specific game effect is low. According to such a configuration, the specific game effects frequently appear in the high frequency state, and the specific game effects do not appear much in the low frequency state. Accordingly, the appearance frequency of the specific game effect can be clearly defined, and in particular, the player can be given a sense of expectation that “something will happen” by providing a period during which the specific game effect is frequently performed.

  The frequency at which a specific game effect is performed is preferably set high when the symbol combination determined by the symbol control unit constitutes reach during symbol variation. When the symbol variation constitutes the reach, the player's expectation that “the game state may be advantageous” is greater than that of the normal symbol variation. For this reason, it is possible to strongly leave an impression that the specific game effect has been performed on the player by performing the specific game effect at a high frequency during the symbol variation in which the player's sense of expectation is increasing.

  The specific game effect control unit is specified during the symbol variation when the combination of symbols determined by the symbol control unit is in a game state advantageous to the player during the high frequency state or after the end of the high frequency state. It is preferable to perform the game effects. According to such a configuration, a specific game effect that is performed by a symbol variation during a high-frequency state (“a symbol variation that does not become a game state advantageous to the player”) and a “game” during the high-frequency state or after the high-frequency state ends. The player recognizes the game by associating it with the specific game effect performed by the symbol variation, which is a “combination that provides a game state advantageous to the player”. That is, if a specific game effect is frequently performed, it is associated with the possibility that the symbol variation of “a combination that provides a game state advantageous to the player” is increased. Therefore, the player's willingness to play can be enhanced by such specific game effects.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the second gaming machine of the present invention is configured such that when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device, and a plurality of symbols variably displayed on the symbol display device are a predetermined combination. Is a gaming machine that is in a gaming state that is advantageous to the player when it is stopped, and has a symbol control unit and a specific game effect control unit. The symbol control unit determines the symbol combination at the time of variation stop when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and selects one variation pattern from the variation pattern group corresponding to the determined symbol combination, and these are determined. The symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device according to the combination of symbols and the selected variation pattern. The specific game effect control unit performs a specific game effect at a predetermined frequency when the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device. The specific game effect control unit performs a specific game effect at a high frequency during a predetermined specific period, and the combination of symbols determined by the symbol control unit during the specific period or after the specific period ends. When a combination that does not result in a gaming state advantageous to the player and the selected variation pattern is highly reliable in a gaming state advantageous to the player, a specific game effect is performed during the symbol variation. In the second gaming machine described above, during the frequent appearance of the symbol variation in which the specific game effect is performed, “there is a high reliability in a gaming state advantageous to the player” and “the game advantageous to the player” When the symbol variation that stops at “a combination that does not become a state” is performed, the specific game effect is also performed in the symbol variation. Therefore, the player recognizes the specific game effect performed during the symbol variation as a bad sign, and this can give the specific game effect a different meaning. Here, “there is a high level of reliability that is advantageous to the player” means that there is a high probability that it will be advantageous to the player, such as super reach in a pachinko machine. Symbol variation corresponds.

The front view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. The flowchart of game processing. The flowchart of a symbol variation process. The flowchart of a fluctuation | variation display process. The flowchart which shows the design variation process by a display control part. The figure which shows an example of the symbol fluctuation | variation displayed on a symbol display. The figure which shows an example of the symbol fluctuation | variation displayed on a symbol display. The figure which shows an example of the symbol fluctuation | variation displayed on a symbol display. The figure which shows the other example of the symbol fluctuation | variation displayed on a symbol display.

The invention described in the above-described claims can be suitably implemented in the forms described below.
(Mode 1) The specific game effect control unit causes a specific character to appear on the screen when the symbol variation is displayed on the symbol display device.
(Mode 2) The specific game effect control unit outputs a specific sound effect from the sound generation device when the symbol variation is displayed on the symbol display device.
(Mode 3) The specific game effect control unit emits specific effect light from the lamp device when the symbol variation is displayed on the symbol display device.
(Mode 4) The specific game effect control unit counts the number of times that the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device after the power is turned on, and switches between the high-frequency state and the low-frequency state depending on the counted number.
(Mode 5) The specific game effect control unit further performs the specific game effect at a predetermined frequency regardless of the combination of symbols determined by the symbol control unit. In this embodiment, a specific game effect appears at a predetermined frequency regardless of the type of symbol variation (a jackpot, a loss constitutes a reach, or a lose does not constitute a reach).

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the mechanical structures of the individual devices and members of the pachinko machine 2 are known, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted, and those relating to the present invention will be mainly described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a pachinko machine 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 2 is provided with an upper plate 30, a lower plate 32, a handle 34, a speaker 31, and a game board 22. The upper plate 30 is a tray for receiving a prize ball (not shown), and the lower plate 32 is a tray for storing the prize ball when the upper plate 30 overflows with the prize ball. The handle 34 is a member that is operated when the player plays with the pachinko machine 2. The speaker 31 generates sound effects and the like according to the gaming state.

  The game board 22 is provided with a symbol display device 4 in the center thereof, and a first type start port 44 and a big prize port 40 are provided below the game display device 22. The first type start port 44 is provided with a start port sensor 42. When the game ball wins the first type start port 44, the start port sensor 42 detects the game ball, and the symbol display device 4 described later starts symbol variation. Further, when the game ball enters the first type starting port 44, the prize ball is paid out to the upper plate 30. The special winning opening 40 is provided with an open / close lid 38 and a solenoid 28 for opening and closing the open / close lid 38. The opening / closing lid 38 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) when a symbol variation performed by the symbol display device 4 described later becomes a predetermined display mode. When the open / close lid 38 is opened, a game ball can be won in the big prize opening 40, and when a game ball wins in the big prize opening 40, the prize ball is paid out to the upper plate 30. The special winning opening 40 is provided with a V zone (not shown), and a V zone sensor 36 is provided in the V zone. When the open / close lid 38 is opened and a game ball is won in the V zone, the V zone sensor 36 detects the game ball, and based on this, the open / close lid 38 is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times).

  The symbol display device 4 includes a symbol display 6 made of a liquid crystal display. The symbol display 6 has three special symbols, namely, a left special symbol 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as a left symbol) on the left side of the screen, and a middle special symbol 14 (hereinafter simply referred to as a middle symbol) at the center of the screen. The right special symbol 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as the right symbol) is displayed (see FIG. 8). Numbers 0 to 9 are used for the left symbol 12, the middle symbol 14, and the right symbol 16, and these symbols start to change when a game ball wins the first type starting port 44 described above. The special symbols 12, 14, 16 that have started to change stop changing in the order of the left symbol 12, the right symbol 16, and the middle symbol 14 after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the combination of symbols at the time of stopping the change is a predetermined combination (this embodiment) Then, the open / close lid 38 of the special winning opening 40 described above is opened.

  Next, the configuration of a control system for variably displaying special symbols on the symbol display 6 described above will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a control system for variably displaying special symbols on the symbol display 6 is constituted by a main control unit 50 and a display control unit 70. The main control unit 50 is a control device that controls the operation of each device (electrical component) of the pachinko machine 2. In addition to the display control unit 70 described later, a payout control unit (not shown) that performs payout processing, A sound control unit (not shown) that performs processing for generating sound effects and BGM from the speaker, a lamp control unit (not shown) that performs lighting driving processing of a lamp mounted on the game board 22, and the like are connected. In addition, since the structure of each of these control parts is the same as that in the conventional pachinko machine, the description is abbreviate | omitted here. The main control unit 50 includes an input processing circuit 52, a ROM 56, a RAM 58, a communication control circuit 60, and a game control circuit 62 connected to the CPU 54 via a bus 64, with the CPU 54 as a center. The CPU 54 executes a game control program stored in the ROM 56 and controls the pachinko machine 2 in an integrated manner. This game control program includes a program for performing an opening / closing drive process for the opening / closing lid 38 of the special winning opening 40, various random number programs, a control program for transmitting commands created and created for various commands, and the like. Various data and input / output signals are stored in the RAM 58. The input processing circuit 52 is connected to the start port sensor 42, the V zone sensor 36, and the like described above, and converts signals output from these sensors into a data format that can be processed in the main control unit 50. The game control circuit 62 is connected to the solenoid 28 and opens / closes the solenoid 28 based on a signal output from the CPU 54. The communication control circuit 60 is a circuit that is connected to the display control unit 70 and transmits a command to the display control unit 70.

  Similar to the main control unit 50, the display control unit 70 includes a ROM 76, a RAM 78, a communication control circuit 72, and a display control circuit 80 that are connected to the CPU 74 via a bus 82 with the CPU 74 as the center. The CPU 74 operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 76, and performs display control of an image (special symbol variation display, etc.) displayed on the symbol display 6 based on command data transmitted from the main control unit 50. . That is, the received command data is analyzed, and a process corresponding to the analyzed result is output to the display control circuit 80. The ROM 76 stores all display data (special symbols, background diagrams, etc.) in addition to the control program. The RAM 78 stores various data such as command data transmitted from the main control unit 50 in accordance with the execution of the control program, and the number of times the special symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display 6 since the power is turned on. Is stored. The communication control circuit 72 is a circuit for receiving command data transmitted from the main control unit 50. The display control circuit 80 is a circuit for creating display image data and outputting the created image data to the symbol display 6. Specifically, when receiving a command output from the CPU 74, the display control circuit 80 first reads predetermined display data corresponding to the command from the ROM 76. Next, image data for displaying a predetermined image (background diagram, special symbol, character, etc.) on the symbol display 6 is created from the display data read from the ROM 76 and the image data is output to the symbol display 6. To do. As a result, a predetermined image (background, special symbol, character, etc.) is displayed on the symbol display 6.

  Next, in the pachinko machine 2 configured as described above, a processing procedure in the main control unit 50 and the display control unit 70 for realizing symbol variation in the symbol display 6 will be described based on FIGS. 3 to 6. . The processing procedure for realizing the symbol variation on the symbol display 6 is started by determining whether or not the pachinko ball wins at the first type starting port 44. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 50 first determines whether or not a pachinko ball has won the first type starting port 44, that is, a winning determination (S10). This winning determination is performed by setting “YES” if the main control unit 50 receives the signal output from the start port sensor 42 and “NO” if not receiving the output signal. When the pachinko ball wins the first type start port 44 (YES in step S10), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls has reached a predetermined upper limit (S12). Specifically, the determination is made based on the value of the number of reserved balls stored in the RAM 58 of the main control unit 50. If the number of reserved balls has not reached the predetermined upper limit (four in this embodiment) (NO in step S12), the number of reserved balls is added (S14), and various random numbers are read and stored (S16). ). The random numbers read and stored in step S16 are jackpot determination random numbers, jackpot symbol random numbers, variable selection random numbers, lost symbol random numbers, and the like. The jackpot determining random number is a random number for determining whether or not the jackpot. The jackpot symbol random number is a random number for determining a jackpot symbol. The variation selection random number is a random number for selecting a variation pattern. The lost symbol random number is a random number for determining a lost symbol in the case of a loss. When various random numbers are read in step S16, the process proceeds to the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 4 (S18). In addition, when the pachinko ball has not won the first type start port 44 (in the case of NO in step S10), or when the number of reserved balls has reached the upper limit (in the case of YES in step S12), the step Without performing the processes of S14 and S16, the process directly proceeds to the symbol variation process of step S18.

  When the process proceeds to the symbol variation process shown in FIG. 4, it is first determined whether or not the number of reserved balls is greater than 0, that is, whether or not there is a number of reserved balls (S20). If there is no number of reserved balls (NO in step S20), the symbol change process is terminated without displaying the special symbol on the symbol display 6 in a variable manner. On the other hand, if the number of reserved balls is greater than 0 (YES in step S20), the jackpot determination random number stored in step S16 of FIG. 4 is read (S22). Then, the number of reserved balls is subtracted and the stored ball information is shifted (S24), and the process shifts to the variable display process shown in FIG. 5 (S26).

  When the process moves to the variable display process shown in FIG. This determination is made based on whether or not the value of the jackpot determination random number read in step S22 of FIG. 5 matches the jackpot value. In the case of a jackpot (YES in step S40), the jackpot symbol random number stored in step S16 of FIG. 3 is read (S42), and the jackpot flag is set to “ON” (S44). If it is not a big hit (NO in step S40), the lost symbol random number stored in step S16 of FIG. 3 is read (S54), and the big hit flag is set to “off” (S56).

  When the process of step S44 or step S56 is completed, a special symbol stop symbol is determined using the jackpot symbol random number read in step S42 or the lost symbol random number read in step S54 (S46). That is, when a big hit symbol random number is read, a stop symbol (for example, 7, 7, 7) corresponding to the big hit symbol random number is read, and when a lost symbol random number is read, The stop symbol corresponding to the lost symbol random number is read. Once the special symbol stop symbol is determined, the variation pattern is determined using the variation selection random number read in step S16 (S48). Here, the fluctuation pattern is information for determining the timing from the start to the stop of the fluctuation of each special symbol (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol). The variation pattern determined in step S48 is selected from a variation pattern group determined by the stop symbol determined in step S46 (special symbol at the time of variation stop). That is, when the stop symbol determined in step S46 is a big hit, when the reach is constituted by the loss from the variation pattern group that is a big hit (when the left symbol 12 and the right symbol 16 are the same symbol). In the case where the stop symbol does not constitute a reach due to a loss, one variation pattern is selected from the variation pattern group that does not constitute a reach due to a loss. When the variation pattern is determined in step S48, next, a command related to the item determined in each of the above processes is transmitted to the display control unit 70 (S50). Specifically, a command related to a symbol when a special symbol is suspended (a winning symbol or a lost symbol) and a variation pattern are transmitted. As is clear from the above description, the commands transmitted from the main control unit 50 to the display control unit 70 are a command for designating a stop symbol of the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol, and a command for designating a variation pattern. The display control unit 70 determines a specific display effect (including whether or not to make a character appear) displayed on the symbol display 6. Therefore, in this embodiment, the display control unit 70 determines items related to the display effect, thereby reducing the burden on the main control unit 50.

  The display control unit 70 that has received the command transmitted from the main control unit 50 variably displays the special symbol on the symbol display 6 based on the command (S52). Processing by the display control unit 70 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when a command is output from the main control unit 50, the display control unit 70 performs a process of receiving the output command (S54). Specifically, the command received at the input port of the display control unit 70 is taken into the command buffer by an interrupt process by a write signal output from the main control unit 50. Next, the display control unit 70 analyzes the command fetched in the command buffer (S56). That is, as described above, the commands output from the main control unit 50 to the display control unit 70 are a command for designating a variation pattern and a command for designating a stop symbol of the left symbol / middle symbol / right symbol. Therefore, the display control unit 70 analyzes whether the received command is a command designating a variation pattern or a command designating a special symbol stop symbol, and stores the analysis result in the RAM 78. Once the command analysis is performed, it is next determined whether or not it is within the high frequency period (S58). Here, the high frequency period refers to a period in which the frequency of performing a specific game effect (effect that causes a character to appear in the present embodiment) during symbol variation is set high. In the present embodiment, the number of symbol fluctuations since the power is turned on is counted, and a high frequency period and a period other than that (hereinafter referred to as a low frequency period) are switched according to the counted number of symbol fluctuations. Specifically, when the number of symbol fluctuations since power-on is less than 100, it is a high-frequency period, from 101 to 200 times is a low-frequency period, and similarly, every time the number of symbol fluctuations is counted 100 times. The frequency period and the low frequency period are alternately switched. Therefore, in step S58, it is determined whether the high frequency period is a low frequency period based on the number of symbol fluctuations (stored in the RAM 78) counted from when the power is turned on. Since the number of symbol fluctuations stored in the RAM 78 is reset by turning off the power to the pachinko machine 2, the number of symbol fluctuations stored in the RAM 78 is zero when the power is turned on at the start of business. Yes.

  If it is not a high frequency period (NO in step S58), the process proceeds to step S66. If it is a high frequency period (YES in step S58), it is determined whether the symbol variation is a big hit (S60). ). Specifically, based on the result of the command analysis in step S56, the stop symbol of the special symbol specified by the command is a big hit combination (7, 7, 7 etc.) or a combination of loses (other than the big hit) Judgment based on whether or not If it is a big hit (YES in step S60), the process proceeds to step S64. If it is not a big hit (NO in step S60), it is determined whether or not the symbol variation constitutes a reach (S62). ). Specifically, if the left symbol and the right symbol are the same among the stop symbols specified by the command, it is determined that the reach is configured, and otherwise, it is determined that the reach is not configured. If the symbol variation constitutes reach (YES in step S62), the process proceeds to step S64. If the symbol variation does not constitute reach (NO in step S62), the process proceeds to step S66. In step S64, it is determined to make the character appear (perform a specific game effect) with the symbol variation (S64). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the specific game effect is generated regardless of the variation pattern instructed from the main control unit 50 as long as it is a symbol variation that constitutes a reach with a big hit or loss within a high frequency period. Will be done. On the other hand, in the low frequency period, even if a big hit or reach is caused by the symbol variation, the specific game effect is not performed during the symbol variation. In step S66, the special symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display 6 based on the results of steps S56 and S64 (S66). Specifically, when the specific game effect is performed by the process of step S64, the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display 6 according to the stop symbol and the variation pattern designated by the command analysis of step S56. A character appears while the symbols are changing. If the process of step S64 is not performed, the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display 6 according to the stop symbol and the variation pattern specified by the command analysis of step S56 without causing the character to appear. When the symbol variation process in step S66 is completed, the symbol variation number stored in the RAM 78 is incremented by 1 (S68), and the symbol variation process by the display control unit 70 is terminated.

  When the symbol variation process (step S52 in FIG. 5) shown in FIG. 6 ends, the process returns to FIG. 4 and the main control unit 50 determines whether or not the big hit flag is on (S28). That is, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is “ON” by the process of step S44 shown in FIG. When the jackpot flag is ON (in the case of YES), jackpot processing is performed as a jackpot (S30). Specifically, the main control unit 50 outputs a drive signal to the solenoid 28 to open the open / close door 38 of the special winning opening 40. As a result, a pachinko ball can be won in the special winning opening 40. Conversely, if the big hit flag is not on (NO in step S28), a loss process is performed as a loss (S32).

  Next, display effects displayed on the symbol display 6 by the above-described processing will be described with reference to FIGS. As is clear from the above, in the pachinko machine 2 of the present embodiment, the high frequency period in which the specific game effect is performed at a high frequency and the low frequency period in which the specific game effect is performed at a low frequency are 100 times. It is switched every time it is done. During the high frequency period, a specific game effect (appearance of a character) is performed in a symbol variation in which a reach is made up of jackpot or loss. On the other hand, in the low frequency period, the specific game effect (appearance of the character) is not performed in all the symbol variations. Specifically, when the game ball wins the first type starting port 44 during the high frequency period and the lottery result constitutes the reach with the loss, the symbol variation as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Is displayed on the symbol display 6. That is, when a pachinko ball wins at the first type starting port 44, the special symbols (left symbol 12, middle symbol 14, right symbol 16) displayed on the symbol display 6 start to change. The symbols 12, 14, and 16 that have started to fluctuate are scroll-displayed at high speed on the screen of the symbol display 6 from top to bottom. Then, at a predetermined timing determined by the variation pattern (reach pattern), the left symbol 12 first stops at ‘7’, and then the right symbol 16 stops at ‘7’, and a reach is configured. When the reach is configured, as shown in FIG. 7, rain B falls in the center of the screen (the area where the middle symbol 14 is variably displayed), and the character (Bakabon) A is displayed in the lower right of the screen. After such a specific game effect is performed, the middle symbol 14 is fixedly displayed as “6” as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the combination of symbols at the time of change stop is indicated to the player that the left symbol 12 is “7”, the middle symbol 14 is “6”, and the right symbol 16 is “7”. . On the other hand, when a pachinko ball wins the first type starting port 44 during the high frequency period and the lottery result is a big hit, symbol variations as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 are displayed on the symbol display 6. That is, when a pachinko ball wins at the first type starting port 44, the special symbols (left symbol 12, middle symbol 14, right symbol 16) displayed on the symbol display 6 start to change, and the left symbol 12, right symbol. Reach is configured by stopping in order of 16. When the reach is configured, as in the case described above, rain B falls at the center of the screen, and the character (Bakabon) A is displayed at the lower right of the screen. After such a specific game effect is performed, the middle symbol 14 is fixedly displayed as “7” as shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the combination of symbols at the time of the fluctuation stop is indicated to the player that the left symbol 12 is “7”, the middle symbol 14 is “7”, and the right symbol 16 is “7”. .

  As described in detail above, in the above-described embodiment, the specific game effect (appearance of the character) is always performed in the symbol variation in which the reach during the high frequency period is configured, regardless of the reach pattern (variation pattern). In addition, a specific game effect (appearance of a character) is always performed even in a symbol variation that becomes a big hit during a high frequency period. Generally, the probability of winning a jackpot is about 1/300, while the probability of reaching is set several times higher. For this reason, during the high-frequency period, there are frequent symbol fluctuations (those that can be reached by losing) with specific game effects (characters appearing). If there is, a specific game effect (appearance of a character) will be performed even in the symbol variation which becomes the big hit. Therefore, when a specific game effect is frequently performed during symbol variation, the player associates this specific game effect as a sign of a good phenomenon (big hit). Therefore, when the specific game effect is performed, the player is more motivated to continue the game in anticipation that the “big hit” is near. As described above, in this embodiment, the specific gaming effect is effectively performed, so that the gaming machine is timeless.

  Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. For example, the present invention can be implemented in several forms described below.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the character appearing during the symbol variation is a single character. However, unlike this, a plurality of types of characters may appear. In particular, each character that appears can have a different meaning. For example, the player may be made to think of a bad sign (a sign unfavorable for the player) depending on the characters that appear. Specifically, a character (headquarters) C as shown in FIG. 10 (a character of a different type from the character (bakabon) A shown in FIG. 7) is made to appear in the symbol variation that is lost in reach. In addition, the same character (headquarters) C is made to appear even in a symbol variation of a variation pattern (so-called super-reach variation pattern) that is lost and highly reliable. In general, the probability of super-reach is lower than the probability of normal reach. Therefore, when the symbol variation (Character variation that leads to lose) is frequently performed, if there is a symbol variation that happens to be lost due to Super Reach, the symbol variation (trust) Character (headquarters) C also appears in the highly-variable symbol variation) and loses. For this reason, the player associates this character (headquarters) C as a sign of a bad phenomenon (losing by super reach). As a result, for the player, a thrill arises as to what kind of character appears during the symbol variation, and the game becomes highly interesting. In the case where two types of characters associated with a good sign (for example, jackpot) and a character associated with a bad sign (for example, losing in super reach) are caused to appear during symbol variation as described above. It is possible to perform various game effects by using different types of characters. For example, after a symbol variation (synchronous symbol variation) in which a character associated with a bad sign appears is performed multiple times, a symbol variation (either loss or big hit) in which a character associated with a good sign appears is performed. In this way, it is possible to make the player think about the escape. Thereby, the player's willingness to play is improved and the game can be enjoyed more. Contrary to the above case, the symbol variation (super reach) in which the character associated with the bad sign appears after the symbol variation (loss pattern variation) in which the character associated with the good sign appears several times. In this case, it is possible to make the player think about a malfunctioning fall.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the specific game effect (appearance of the character) is performed only for the symbol variation (including the symbol variation that becomes a big hit) in which the reach is configured in the high frequency period. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, specific game effects are predetermined in all types of symbol variations (including symbol variations that do not constitute reach) performed during a high-frequency period (or low-frequency period). You may make it carry out with the frequency of. For example, a lottery may be performed every time a pachinko ball wins the first type start port 44 (every time a start condition is established), and a specific game effect may be performed according to the result of the lottery. In this case, the probability of winning in the lottery is increased during the high frequency period, and the probability of being lost in the lottery is decreased during the low frequency period. By configuring in this way, a specific game effect is performed even in the case of a losing symbol variation that does not constitute a reach, and the specific game effect can appear more frequently.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the specific game effect (appearance of the character) is not performed even when the symbol variation is a big hit during the low frequency period. However, even after the transition to the low frequency period, if the number of symbol fluctuations is within a small range (for example, the number of symbol fluctuations is less than 10), the specific game effect may be performed in the symbol variation that is a big hit. good. Even if configured in this way, the specific game effects (during the symbol change that is often lost and reached) and the specific game effects (big hit and hit) that are performed after the high frequency period ends. Can be recognized as related by the player.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the high frequency period and the low frequency period are alternately switched depending on the number of symbol fluctuations since the power is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It can also be switched depending on the operating time of the game machine. That is, when the power is turned on, a timer provided in the display control unit 70 is started, and the high frequency period and the low frequency period are switched according to the operation time counted by the timer. In this way, when switching between the high frequency period and the low frequency period by the timer, it is possible to switch between the high frequency period and the low frequency period regardless of the operating state of the pachinko machine (number of symbol fluctuations). Further, the high frequency period and the low frequency period may be switched according to an OR condition of both the number of symbol fluctuations and the operating time of the gaming machine. For example, even if the number of symbol fluctuations is less than a predetermined number (100 in the embodiment), if a predetermined operation time has elapsed, a high frequency period and a low frequency period are switched, or a predetermined operation time has elapsed. If not, the high frequency period and the low frequency period may be switched as long as the number of symbol fluctuations is a predetermined number.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, whether or not to perform the specific game effect is determined by the display control unit, but it may be determined whether or not the main control unit performs the specific game effect. In this case, the main control unit outputs a command to that effect (whether or not to perform a specific game effect) to the display control unit.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, a character is displayed on the symbol display as a specific game effect. However, the specific game effect is not limited to this, and what can be recognized by the player. It can be anything. Therefore, the background displayed on the symbol display, the sound effect output from the speaker, the effect light emitted from the lamp, or the like may be used as the specific game effect.

  (7) The above-described embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, an arrangement ball machine (a predetermined number of steel balls are injected onto a game board). It can also be applied to various gaming machines such as slot machines, sparrow ball machines, and pachislot machines.

  It should be noted that the technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

2 Pachinko machine 4 Symbol display device 6 Symbol display 12 Left symbol 14 Middle symbol 16 Right symbol 31 Speaker 50 Main controller 70 Sub controller A Character B Rain (background)
C character

Claims (5)

  A gaming machine in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and a gaming state that is advantageous to a player is achieved when the plurality of symbols variably displayed on the symbol display device stops in a predetermined combination When a predetermined start condition is satisfied, a combination of symbols at the time of variation stop is determined and one variation pattern corresponding to the determined symbol combination is selected, and the symbols of the determined symbols are selected. According to the combination and the selected variation pattern, the symbol control unit that variably displays the symbol on the symbol display device, and when the symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device, the symbol control unit may be selected from the variation pattern group. A game machine comprising a specific game effect control unit that performs a specific game effect at a predetermined frequency regardless of whether the change pattern is selected.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific game effect control unit is switched between a high-frequency state where the frequency of the specific game effect is high and a low-frequency state where the frequency of the specific game effect is low. .   The game according to claim 2, wherein the frequency at which the specific game effect is performed is set high when a combination of symbols determined by the symbol control unit constitutes a reach during symbol variation. Machine.   The specific game effect control unit is in the middle of the high frequency state or after the high frequency state ends, and when the combination of the symbols determined by the symbol control unit is a game state advantageous to the player, the symbol is changing. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein a specific game effect is performed.   A gaming machine in which a plurality of symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device when a predetermined start condition is satisfied, and a gaming state that is advantageous to a player is achieved when the plurality of symbols variably displayed on the symbol display device stops in a predetermined combination When a predetermined start condition is satisfied, a combination of symbols at the time of variation stop is determined and one variation pattern corresponding to the determined symbol combination is selected, and the symbols of the determined symbols are selected. A symbol control unit for variably displaying symbols on the symbol display device according to the combination and the selected variation pattern, and a specific game effect for performing a specific game effect at a predetermined frequency when the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display device A control unit, and the specific game effect control unit performs a specific game effect at a high frequency during a predetermined period, and after the specific period or after the end of the specific period, When the combination of symbols determined by the control unit is a combination that does not result in a gaming state advantageous to the player, and the selected variation pattern is highly reliable in a gaming state advantageous to the player, that symbol. A gaming machine characterized by performing a specific game effect during a change.