JP2009254835A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change the frequency of game presentation associated with an internal state according to a player's preference. <P>SOLUTION: In a slot machine 1, rotation of reels 5, 7 and 9 is started by the operation of a starting lever 25, and the rotation of the reels 5, 7 and 9 is stopped by the operation of reel stopping buttons 27, 28 and 29. When the time elapsing after the start of rotation of the reels 5, 7 and 9 in the last game round does not reach the lowest play time, the rotation of the reels 5, 7 and 9 is suspended even if the starting lever is operated. In the slot machine 1, a lottery is executed for the internal state when the starting lever 25 is operated, and an advance notice sound associated with the internal state is output from a speaker 46. The frequency of the output of the advance notice sound from the speaker 46 is different if the rotation of the reels is suspended or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a game device is activated by an operation of a start operation unit, and a privilege is given to a player according to a stop mode of the gaming device when the operation is stopped.

For example, in a gaming machine such as a slot machine, the operation and stop of the gaming device are set as one gaming unit (hereinafter referred to as a game), and the game progresses by repeating this game. In each game, a privilege (typically, payout of a game medium such as a medal) is given to the player in accordance with the stop mode of the gaming device when the operation is stopped. Since the gaming apparatus is activated by operating the start operation unit, the time interval of each game is basically determined by the time interval at which the player operates the start operation unit. However, it is not preferable to completely leave the time interval of each game to the player from the viewpoint of maintaining a healthy game. Therefore, in this type of gaming machine, when the time elapsed from the start of the operation of the game device of the immediately previous game to the operation of the start operation unit of the next game is less than the preset minimum game time, The game apparatus waits for the operation start of the gaming apparatus until the minimum gaming time elapses.

In such a gaming machine, the stopping mode that the gaming device can take when the operation is stopped is determined by an internal state that is drawn for each operation of the gaming device. For example, in the above-mentioned slot machine, the stop mode that the gaming device can take, that is, the combination of symbols that can be stopped and displayed on the symbol display device is determined by the internal state drawn for each operation (however, in the slot machine, Since the game device is stopped by the operation of the stop operation unit by the player, it is necessary for the player to operate the stop operation unit at an appropriate timing and / or operation sequence in order to stop in the lottery internal state. ). In this way, the stop modes that can be taken when the operation of the gaming apparatus is stopped, that is, whether or not a privilege can be given to the player is determined by the lottery internal state, so what kind of internal state has been drawn Is a major concern for players. For this reason, game machines have been developed that aim to enhance the interest of the game by providing a game effect related to the internal state drawn at the start of the operation of the gaming device. In this conventional gaming machine, a special sound effect or the like is emitted at the start of operation of the gaming device, thereby notifying the player that the internal state that is a stop mode to which a privilege is given has been drawn. Therefore, the player's sense of expectation for the game changes depending on the presence or absence of a sound effect generated at the start of operation of the gaming apparatus, and the player can enjoy the game more.

By the way, in this type of gaming machine, the probability that an internal state to which a privilege can be granted is lottery is set low. For this reason, if a game effect is performed only when an internal state to which a privilege can be granted is selected, the number of times that the game effect is performed is too small. Therefore, in the above-described conventional gaming machine, a game effect (so-called game effect) is performed even when an internal state to which a privilege can be granted is not selected. In such a configuration, the more the game effect is played, the higher the frequency of the game effect, but conversely, the expectation that the player has at the time of the game effect is lowered. On the other hand, if the game effect of the game is reduced, the expectation of the player at the time of the game effect is enhanced, but the frequency of the game effect is reduced. Some players find it more interesting that the frequency of game effects is high even if the expectation at the time of game effects is not high, while the expectation at the time of game effects is low even if the frequency of game effects is low. Some people say that the higher one is more interesting. However, in the conventional gaming machine, the player cannot control the frequency of the game effect, and it cannot be a gaming machine preferred by either player.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of changing the frequency at which a game effect is performed according to the player's preference.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the gaming machine according to claim 1, the operation of the gaming device is started by the operation of the start operation unit, and a game that gives a privilege according to the stop mode when the operation of the gaming device is stopped is repeated. And when the time elapsed from the start of the operation of the gaming device in the immediately preceding game to the operation of the starting operation unit in the next game after the immediately preceding game ends is less than the preset minimum gaming time A gaming machine that waits for the start of operation of the gaming device until the minimum gaming time elapses, and for each operation of the gaming device, means for lottering an internal state that determines a stop mode that the gaming device can take when the operation stops, and the lottery Means for performing a game effect related to the internal state drawn by the means. Then, the operation rate of the game effect means is different between when the operation start of the gaming apparatus is on standby and when the operation start is not on standby. In the above gaming machine, the operation rate of the game effect means (that is, the frequency of the game effect) differs depending on whether the operation of the game device is on standby or not. For this reason, the frequency of the game effect in either one can be increased, and the frequency of the game effect in either one can be decreased. Whether or not to wait for the operation of the gaming device is determined by the operation of the start operation unit by the player. For this reason, the player can decide whether or not to wait for the gaming apparatus according to his / her preference, and can play a game at a favorite game production frequency.

It is preferable that a plurality of operation timings at which the game effect means is operated are set from the start to the end of the game, and the operation rate of the game effect means is different for each operation timing. According to such a configuration, the player can recognize at what operating rate the game effect has been performed based on the timing at which the game effect means is operated.

The plurality of set operation timings include a first operation timing set between the operation of the start operation unit and the start of operation of the gaming device, and a second operation timing set after the start of operation of the gaming device. Is preferably included. In other words, since the time required from the operation of the start operation unit to the start of the operation of the gaming device is short unless the operation of the gaming device is on standby, even if the game effect is performed at the first operation timing, the game effect is not changed to the first operation timing. It is not possible to recognize whether it was performed at the second operation timing. For this reason, if it is desired to know whether or not the game effect has been performed at the first operation timing, the player needs to operate the start operation unit so that the operation of the gaming apparatus is on standby. For this reason, according to the above configuration, (1) the operation rate of the game effect when the operation of the gaming device is on standby, and (2) the determination of whether or not the game effect is performed at the first operation timing. It is necessary for the player to review the matter and decide whether or not to wait for the operation of the gaming apparatus. For this reason, the degree of influence of the player's operation on the game result is increased, and the gaming machine is more interesting for the player.

Moreover, it is preferable that the game effect performed by the game effect means is either the first aspect that matches the internal state drawn by the lottery means or the second aspect that does not match the lottery internal state. In this case, it is preferable that the first operation timing and the second operation timing have different probabilities that the game effect of the first aspect is performed. According to such a configuration, since the probability that a game effect is performed in the first mode (that is, the probability that a game effect that is not gusset is performed) is different between the first operation timing and the second operation timing, A player's desire to determine whether the operation is performed at the first operation timing or the second operation timing is increased. For this reason, since the player operates the start operation unit so that the operation of the gaming device is on standby, the number of games per unit time played in the gaming machine increases and the operating rate of the gaming machine is increased. Can do. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first operation timing has a higher probability that the game effect of the first aspect is performed than the second operation timing. According to such a configuration, there is a high probability that the game effect performed at the first operation timing is not a frustration, so the player has a strong desire to clearly recognize the case where the game effect is performed at the first operation timing. . For this reason, the player's incentive to operate the start operation unit so that the operation of the gaming apparatus is on standby is increased, and the operating rate of the gaming machine can be further increased.

Further, it is preferable that the determination as to whether or not the game effect is performed by the game effect means is made after the internal state is drawn by the lottery means. In such a configuration, since it is possible to determine whether or not a game effect is performed after the internal state is determined, it is possible to control the reliability of the game effect (probability that the game effect is not frustrating) to a set value. In this case, a plurality of lottery timings at which the lottery is performed by the lottery unit is set from the start to the end of the game, and the game effect unit operates at the operation timing after the lottery unit has performed the lottery. It is preferable. Since there are a plurality of lottery timings by the lottery means, the game is diversified and the gaming machine is more interesting. Further, the plurality of lottery timings set as described above include the first lottery timing set between the operation of the start operation unit and the start of operation of the gaming device, and the first lottery timing set after the start of operation of the gaming device. 2 lottery timings are included, and when the lottery is performed at the first lottery timing, the game effect is performed at the first operation timing or the second operation timing, and when the lottery is performed at the second lottery timing, the game effect is performed at the second operation timing. It is preferable that the operation rate of the game effect means at the first operation timing is lower than the operation rate of the game effect means at the second operation timing. Each of the above gaming machines further includes a stop operation unit that is operated by a player to stop the operation of the gaming device, and the game effect performed by the game effect means is the operation of the stop operation unit. It is preferable that the effect is to assist. In this gaming machine, the stoppage of the operation of the gaming device is determined by the operation of the stop operation unit by the player. In addition, since the game effect performed by the game effect means assists the player's operation of the stop operation unit, the probability that the player can obtain a privilege if the game effect matches the internal state. Becomes higher. For this reason, it is an important problem whether the game effect is not gusset or not, that is, whether the operation rate of the game effect means is high or low, and the operational effects of the gaming machine described above can be further enhanced.

The front view of the slot machine which concerns on the Example of this invention Diagram showing display window and winning line Perspective view of symbol display device Reel perspective view Symbol arrangement on reel Diagram showing the control configuration of the slot machine Game processing flow chart Production decision process flowchart Flowchart of the gaming process of the slot machine according to the second embodiment Flow chart of game processing of slot machine according to the third embodiment

The gaming machines described in the above claims can be suitably implemented in the forms shown below. (Embodiment 1) The gaming machine described in each claim described above is a slot machine. (Mode 2) The gaming apparatus according to each of the above-described claims is a symbol display device that displays a plurality of columns of a symbol row in which two or more symbols are arranged in a band shape. (Mode 3) The game effect means of the gaming machine described in each claim described above performs a game effect that notifies that a specific internal state has been drawn. (Mode 4) The first operation timing is a timing when the start operation unit is operated, and the second operation timing is a timing when the operation of the gaming apparatus is started. (Mode 5) The first lottery timing is a timing when the start operation unit is operated, and the second lottery timing is a timing when the operation of the gaming apparatus is started.

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a slot machine will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front panel 3 of the slot machine 1 is provided with a left display window 11, a middle display window 13, and a right display window 15. A symbol display device, which will be described in detail later, is disposed on the back side of each display window 11, 13, 15 from each display window 11, 13, 15 from the left reel 5, the middle reel 7, Each of the right reels 9 is visible. Various symbols are arranged on the outer circumferences of the reels 5, 7, 9 as described later. When the reels 5, 7, 9 are rotating, the display windows 11, 13, 15 display the state where the reels 5, 7, 9 are rotating. In a state where the reels 5, 7, 9 are stopped, a part of symbols (three in this embodiment) arranged on the reels 5, 7, 9 are displayed on the display windows 11, 13, 15. The

Below each display window 11, 13, 15, a payout number display unit 32, a game number display unit 31, a big bonus symbol temper display lamp 30, and a credit display unit 20 are provided. The payout number display unit 32 displays a predetermined payout number corresponding to the winning symbol. The game number display unit 31 displays the number of remaining games of the big bonus game and the regular bonus game. The big bonus symbol template display lamp 30 is in a state where when one of the reels 5, 7, 9 is stopped, the other one is stopped and the big bonus symbol may be won (big bonus symbol template state). Light. The credit display unit 20 displays the number of stored medals (number of credits). In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, up to 50 medals can be stored, and in the state where medals are stored, there is no need to insert medals in the next game, and only the bet button described below is operated. Good.

Below the display units 32, 31, 30, and 20 described above, three bet buttons 22, 23, and 24 that are operated by the player are provided. The bet buttons 22, 23, and 24 are buttons for inserting medals for the next game when medals are stored in the slot machine 1. The MAX bet button 22 is a button for inserting the maximum number of medals that can be inserted according to the number of stored medals. In the present embodiment, a maximum of three medals can be inserted in one game, so that when operated when three or more medals are stored, three medals are inserted. On the other hand, when operated when two medals are stored, two medals are inserted, and when operated when one medal is stored, one medal is inserted. Since only one medal can be inserted in the bonus game and the regular bonus game in the big bonus game, even if the MAX bet button 22 is operated in a state where two or more medals are stored, only one medal is used. Not thrown in. The 1-bet button 23 is a button for inserting one medal, and the 2-bet button 24 is a button for inserting 2 medals.

As is apparent from the above description, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the player selects the number of medals that can be inserted per game from 1, 2, or 3. As the number of selected medals is increased, the number of winning lines (that is, activated winning lines) for determining whether or not a prize is awarded at the end of the game increases. Here, the relationship between the pay line and the number of medals inserted in each game will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the circles indicate symbols drawn on the reels 5, 7, and 9. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the reels 5, 7, and 9 are stopped, the symbol groups (3 rows × 3 columns) displayed on the display windows 11, 13, and 15 are aligned on a predetermined winning line. It is determined that the prize is won. When one medal is inserted, only the central winning line L1 on the reels 5, 7, and 9 is validated as shown in FIG. When two medals are inserted, the three horizontal pay lines L1, L2A, and L2B are validated as shown in FIG. 2 (b). When three medals are inserted, the five pay lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A and L3B are activated as shown in FIG. When symbols are arranged on these activated pay lines, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the symbols are paid out. In addition, when specific symbols are arranged on the winning line, the player enters a big bonus game or a regular bonus game in which a player can obtain many medals.

The medal line lamps 16 to 18B arranged on the left side of the display window 11 are turned on in conjunction with the winning line being activated according to the number of medals inserted by the player (see FIG. 1). ). Specifically, when one medal is inserted, only one medal line lamp 16 is lit. When two medals are inserted, the 1 medal line lamp 16 and the 2 medal line lamps 17A and 17B are turned on. When three medals are inserted, a total of five lamps including the three lamps described above and the three medal line lamps 18A and 18B are turned on.

Returning to FIG. 1, a payout payout table 26 is arranged on the right side of each bet button 22, 23, 24. The payout payout table 26 displays the number of medals to be paid out when each symbol wins. In this embodiment, 10 “replays” are printed next to the symbols “Ringo” and “R”, and big bonus games are printed next to the symbols “7” and “BAR”. Printed with regular bonus games. In addition, two sheets are printed on the side where only one “cherry” symbol is drawn. On the right side of the payout dividend table 26, a medal slot 45 is provided. The medal slot 45 is an slot for inserting medals into the slot machine 1. When a medal is inserted from the medal slot 45, the game can be started.

A start lever 25 and reel stop buttons 27, 28, and 29 are provided below the bet buttons 22, 23, and 24 and the payout payout table 26. The start lever 25 is an operation member for starting rotation of the reels 5, 7, and 9 of the symbol display device. When the start lever 25 is operated with medals inserted, the reels 5, 7, and 9 of the symbol display device start to rotate. The reel stop buttons 27, 28, and 29 are buttons corresponding to the reels 5, 7, and 9, and are buttons that stop the rotation of the corresponding reels. Specifically, the left reel stop button 27 stops the rotation of the left reel 5, the middle reel stop button 28 stops the rotation of the middle reel 7, and the right reel stop button 29 stops the rotation of the right reel 9. A credit settlement button 21 is provided at the lower left of the start lever 25. The credit check button 21 is a button for canceling medal storage (credit). When the credit clearing button 21 is operated, the medals stored in the slot machine 1 are paid out.

Further, a start lamp 35, a medal insertion lamp 37, a replay lamp 39, a regular bonus lamp 41, and a big bonus lamp 43 are arranged on the right side of the display window 15. The start lamp 35 is a lamp that displays whether or not the start lever 25 is operable. Specifically, it is turned off when the start lever 25 is not operable, and is lit when the start lever 25 is operable. The case where the start lever 25 cannot be operated is, for example, when any of the reels 5, 7, 9 is rotating or when no medal is inserted. The medal insertion lamp 37 is a lamp that displays whether or not a medal can be inserted. Specifically, the light is turned off when a medal cannot be inserted, and the light is turned on when a medal can be inserted. The case where a medal cannot be inserted is, for example, when any of the reels 5, 7, and 9 is rotating or when a replay game is being performed. The replay lamp 39 is a lamp that indicates that the replay game is in progress, and is turned on when the replay symbol 73 wins. The regular bonus lamp 41 and the big bonus lamp 43 are lamps for indicating that the regular bonus game and the big bonus game are in progress, respectively.

Further, a liquid crystal display 44 is provided above the front panel 3. The liquid crystal display 44 displays various effects performed during the big bonus game and the regular bonus game, and displays the number of medals earned in each bonus game. Also, at the lower part of the slot machine 1, a medal payout port 33 for paying out medals to the player and a medal tray 34 which is a tray for the paid out medals are arranged. Further, two speakers 46 for outputting a warning sound, BGM, etc., which will be described in detail later, are disposed on the left and right of the medal payout opening 33.

A symbol display device is disposed on the back side of the front panel 3 configured as described above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the symbol display device. As shown in FIG. 3, three brackets 57a to 57c are fixed to the frame 56 of the symbol display device. Stepping motors 50 are respectively attached to the brackets 57 a to 57 c, and reels 5, 7, and 9 are attached to the rotation shafts of the stepping motors 50. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the left reel 5. The left reel 5 includes a reel drum 53 and a reel band 6. The reel drum 53 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 53a, a coupling portion 51 to which the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 50 is fixed, and five coupling portions 52 that couple the outer circumferential portion 53a and the coupling portion 51. ing. A reel band 6 on which a symbol row composed of a plurality of symbols is arranged is attached to the outer peripheral portion 53a. The symbol rows arranged on each of the reel band 6 attached to the left reel 5, the reel band 8 attached to the middle reel 7, and the reel band 9 attached to the right reel 9 will be described in detail later. .

A shielding plate 60 is attached to one of the connecting portions 52 so as to be perpendicular to the connecting portion 52. The shielding plate 60 shields light incident on the photo sensor 59 attached to the bracket 57a, and thereby the rotational position of the reel drum 53 is detected. That is, when the reel drum 53 is rotated by the rotation of the stepping motor 50, the shielding plate 60 shields light incident on the photosensor 59 every time the reel drum 53 rotates once. Therefore, the photo sensor 59 detects the timing when the light is blocked by the shielding plate 60, and thereby detects the rotational position of the reel drum 53. A lamp case 47 is attached to the bracket 57a. The lamp case 47 is positioned to face the display window 11 when the symbol display device is assembled to the gaming machine 1. The lamp case 47 is provided with three sections corresponding to the three symbols displayed on the display window 11, and back lamps 47a to 47c are attached to the sections. Therefore, when the back lamps 47a to 47c are turned on, the symbols displayed on the left display window 11 are illuminated. Since the middle reel 7 and the right reel 9 are configured in the same manner as the left reel 5 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The symbol sequence arranged on each reel band 6, 8, 10 of the symbol display device described above will be described. FIGS. 5A to 5C show symbol arrays arranged on the reel strips 6, 8, and 10, respectively. The symbol 70 shown in FIG. 5A is a big bonus symbol composed of the number “7”. When the big bonus symbols 70 are aligned on a valid pay line, the big bonus game is started. The symbol 71 is a regular bonus symbol composed of alphabets “BAR”. When the regular bonus symbols 71 are aligned on a valid pay line, the regular bonus game is started. The symbol 72 is a small role symbol imitating “cherry”. When the small symbol 72 is stopped at any of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the left display window 11, two medals are paid out for each winning line. For example, in a game in which three medals are inserted, when the small cherry symbol 72 stops at the upper stage of the left display window 11, it is positioned on two valid winning lines (L2A and L3A lines in FIG. 4). Therefore, 4 medals are paid out. Note that the three small role symbols 72 are called single symbols because they do not need to be arranged on the effective winning line (it is only necessary to stop at the left display window 11). The symbol 73 is a replay symbol composed of symbols in which the symbol “R” is surrounded by a circle. When the replay symbols 73 are aligned on an effective winning line, the replay game is started. In the replay game, the game can be played on the same effective pay line as the previous game without betting medals. Further, when the replay symbols 73 are aligned on an effective pay line during the small role game in the big bonus game, the bonus game (JAC game) is started. In the bonus game, 15 medals are paid out when so-called JAC symbols are arranged. In many slot machines, the JAC symbol and the replay symbol are combined, and even in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the replay symbol 73 is the JAC symbol. Therefore, 15 medals are paid out when the replay symbols 73 are aligned on a valid pay line during the bonus game of this embodiment. The symbol 74 is a small character symbol composed of symbols imitating “apples”. When the small role symbols 74 are aligned on an effective winning line, ten medals are paid out.

In the slot machine 1 configured as described above, a circuit configuration including a control circuit 100 that controls game processing operations, a display / voice control circuit 120, and peripheral devices connected thereto will be described with reference to FIG. The control circuit 100 includes a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, input control circuit 105, and output control circuit 106. These are connected to each other by a bus line (not shown) to input / output signals. The CPU 101 comprehensively controls the operation of each electrical device of the slot machine 1 in accordance with a predetermined game control program stored in the ROM 102. The game control program stored in the ROM 102 includes processing for obtaining a random number when the start lever 25 is operated, processing for determining the stop positions of the reels 5, 7, and 9 (reel stop control), and the like. Is included. The RAM 103 is a main storage element used as a work memory. The RAM 103 stores various flags indicating the state of the slot machine 1. For example, flags such as a big bonus flag, a regular bonus flag, a replay flag, and a small role flag are stored. The counter 104 is a free running counter whose upper limit is a predetermined numerical value (16383 in this embodiment). When the counter 104 receives the signal output from the CPU 101, the counter 104 acquires the numerical value counted at that time and holds it in the register. When the numerical value held in the register matches the winning value of big bonus, regular bonus, replay, small role, etc., the corresponding flag in the RAM 103 is turned ON. For example, when the numerical value held in the register matches the big bonus hit value, the big bonus flag in the RAM 103 is turned ON.

The input control circuit 105 is a circuit that converts an input signal into a signal that can be processed in the control circuit 100 and outputs the converted signal to the CPU 101 or the like. Connected to the input control circuit 105 are bet buttons 22 to 24, a start lever 25, reel stop buttons 27 to 29, a storage settlement switch 21, and the like. When these operation switches are operated by the player, signals are output from these switches toward the control circuit 100 (specifically, the input control circuit 105). Further, the medal selector 108, the payout medal sensor 131, and the photo sensor 59 are connected to the input control circuit 105. The medal selector 108 detects a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 45 and outputs a detection signal. The payout medal sensor 131 detects a medal paid out from the hopper 130 and outputs a detection signal. The photo sensor 59 outputs a detection signal (reset pulse) when light incident on the photo sensor 59 is blocked.

The output control circuit 106 outputs an output signal from the CPU 101 to a display / audio control circuit 120 described later and various driving devices (stepping motor 50, hopper 130, etc.). The stepping motor 50 is rotated by a drive signal output from the control circuit 100. Based on the signal output from the control circuit 100, the hopper 130 pays out medals according to the winning symbol.

The display / audio control circuit 120 includes a CPU 121, a VDP 122, a ROM 123, a RAM 124, an input control circuit 125, and an output control circuit 126. Based on the command data output from the control circuit 100, the CPU 121 performs display control of various lamps such as the big bonus symbol template display lamp 30, various display units such as the credit display unit 20, and the liquid crystal display 44. Various lamps 30 and various display units 20 and the like are lit by a drive signal output from the CPU 121 via the output control circuit 126. Further, the CPU 121 performs a process for determining whether or not to perform a notice effect as described in detail later, and a process for outputting a notice sound from the speaker 46 when the notice effect is determined. The VDP 122 displays a predetermined image on the liquid crystal display 44 based on the signal output from the CPU 121. Specifically, the VDP 122 creates image data corresponding to the signal output from the CPU 121 using the display data stored in the ROM 123, and outputs the created image data to the liquid crystal display 44. Other lamps that are turned on by the display / voice control circuit 120 include the medal line lamps 16 to 18B, the bet buttons 22 to 24, the replay lamp 39, and the like, and the display / voice control circuit 120 performs display control. Other display units include a payout number display unit 32, a game number display unit 31, and the like, which are not shown in FIG.

In the slot machine 1 configured as described above, the processing performed by the control circuit 100 and the display / voice control circuit 120 in one game from the insertion of a medal (bet) to the winning process will be described with reference to FIGS. To explain. As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 100 first determines whether or not a medal has been inserted or whether or not a bet has been placed (S10). If a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45 or one of the bet buttons 23 to 25 is operated, “YES” is determined. Otherwise, “NO” is determined. If a medal is bet [YES in step S10], a bet button acceptance process or a medal insertion acceptance process is performed (S12), and an effective line in the game is set (S14). Accordingly, the corresponding winning line is validated from among the winning lines L1, L2A, L2B, L3A, and L3B according to the number of medals received in step S12. Next, the operation of the start lever 25 is validated (S16), and the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, it is determined whether or not the start lever 25 is valid and the start lever 25 has been operated. When the start lever 25 is valid and the start lever 25 is operated [YES in step S18], the process proceeds to step S20. Conversely, when the start lever 25 is not effective and / or the start lever 25 is not operated [NO in step S18], the process returns to step S10 and the processes from step S10 are repeated. Therefore, unless the winning line is validated, the symbol display device does not operate even if the start lever 25 is operated.

In step S20, invalidation processing of the start lever 25 is performed, and then a random number of the game is obtained (S22). Specifically, first, the CPU 101 outputs a signal to the counter 104, and the counter 104 holds a numerical value counted when the signal is received in a register. The numerical value held in the register is read by the CPU 101, whereby the CPU 101 acquires the random number of the game. When a random number is acquired in step S22, it is determined whether or not the acquired random number matches the big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), replay, or small role winning value. If so, the corresponding flag is turned on (S24). For example, if the random value acquired in step S22 matches the big bonus hit value, the big bonus flag is turned ON. If the random value acquired in step S22 does not match any winning value, the process proceeds to the next step S26 without turning on any flag.

In step S26, effect determination processing is performed. The effect determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The effect determination process in step S26 is performed by the display / sound control circuit 120. As shown in FIG. 8, in the effect determination process, first, it is determined whether or not a big bonus flag or a regular bonus flag is ON (S50). If the big bonus flag or the regular bonus flag is ON [YES in step S50], next, it is determined whether or not to perform a game effect (that is, a bonus warning sound) and the timing for performing the game effect (S58). . As a specific procedure, first, it is determined whether or not a game effect is to be performed. At this time, the probability of not performing the game effect is set to 50%, and as a result, the game effect is performed once every two times. When it is determined not to perform the game effect, the process of step S58 is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when it is determined that the game effect is to be performed, the timing for performing the game effect is determined next. That is, in this embodiment, a game effect is performed at two timings when the start lever is operated and when the reel rotation is started. For this reason, it is determined at which timing the game effect of the game is to be performed. In this embodiment, the probability of performing a game effect at the time of operating the start lever is set to 40% (80% for the number of times determined to perform the game effect in step S58). The probability of performing is set to 10% (20% for the number of times determined to perform the game effect in step S58). Therefore, the game effects that are not gusset are set to be performed more when the start lever is operated than when the reel rotation is started. It should be noted that, for example, a lottery process using a known random number can be used to determine whether or not to perform a game effect and at what timing the game effect is performed.

On the other hand, if the big bonus flag or the regular bonus flag is not turned on [NO in step S50], it is next determined whether or not all the flags are turned off (S52). If all the flags are not turned off (NO in step S52), the process proceeds to step S60, and if all the flags are turned off (YES in step S52), a game effect (a so-called “gasse bonus warning sound effect”). And whether to perform the game effect is determined (S54). The specific procedure is the same as the process in step S58 described above, but in step S54, the probability of performing the game effect is different from the probability of each operation timing for performing the game effect. That is, the probability of performing the game effect is set to 10% (the probability of not performing the game effect is 90%). Further, the probability of performing a game effect at the time of operating the start lever is set to 2% (20% for the number of times determined to perform the game effect in step S54), and the probability of performing the game effect at the start of reel rotation is 8% ( The probability is set to 80%) for the number of times determined to perform the game effect in step S54. Therefore, the game play effect is more often performed at the start of reel rotation than when the start lever is operated.

In step S60, the lever effect flag or the rotation effect flag is turned ON / OFF based on the content determined in step S54 or S58. Therefore, if it is determined in step S54 or S58 that the game effect is to be performed when the start lever is operated, the lever effect flag is turned on, and if it is determined that the game effect is performed at the start of reel rotation, the rotation effect flag is turned on. . On the other hand, when it is determined not to perform the game effect, both the lever effect flag and the rotation effect flag are turned OFF.

When the above-described effect determination process ends, the process returns to step S28 in FIG. 7 to determine whether or not the lever effect flag is turned on (S28). If the lever effect flag is not ON [NO in step S28], the process proceeds to step S32. If the lever effect flag is ON [YES in step S28], an effect process is performed (S30). That is, a bonus warning sound is output from the speaker 46.

In step S32, it is determined whether or not the wait timer has counted a preset time (that is, corresponding to the minimum game time in the claims). The wait timer is a timer for determining whether to wait for the rotation of the reels 5, 7, 9, and is started when the reels 5, 7, 9 start to rotate in the immediately preceding game. If the wait timer does not count for the set time [NO in step S32], the process of step S32 is repeated until the set time is counted, and if the wait timer counts for the set time [in step S32 If YES, go to step S34. Therefore, unless the set time elapses after the reels 5, 7, and 9 start rotating in the immediately preceding game, the reels 5, 7, and 9 do not start rotating even if the start lever 25 is operated in the next game. That is, the reels 5, 7, and 9 are put on standby.

In step S34, the start flag is turned on to allow rotation of the reels 5, 7, 9 and then rotation of the reels 5, 7, 9 is started (S36). That is, the control circuit 100 outputs a drive signal to the stepping motor 50 to drive the stepping motor 50. As a result, the reels 5, 7, 9 start rotating, and the rotating reels 5, 7, 9 are visually recognized in the display windows 11, 13, 15. When the rotation of the reels 5, 7, and 9 is started, it is next determined whether or not the rotation effect flag is ON (S38). If the rotation effect flag is not ON (NO in step S38), the process proceeds to step S42. If the rotation effect flag is ON (YES in step S38), a bonus warning sound is output from the speaker 46. Output (S40).

In step S42, a wait timer is started for the next game. Next, the reels 5, 7, 9 are stopped according to the player's operation of the reel stop buttons 27, 28, 29 (S44). Specifically, when the reel stop buttons 27, 28, 29 are appropriately operated, the reels 5, 7, 9 are stopped so that symbols matching the flag turned on in step S24 are aligned on the winning line. For example, when the big bonus flag is ON, the reels 5, 7, and 9 are stopped so that the big bonus symbols 70 (that is, “7”) are aligned on the pay line. On the other hand, if the reel stop buttons 27, 28, and 29 are not properly operated, the reels 5, 7, and 9 are stopped so that symbols different from the flag turned on in step S24 are aligned on the winning line. Note that the reel stop control in step S44 is the same as the reel stop control in a conventionally known slot machine, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted here.

When each reel 5, 7, 9 stops, a winning process is performed (S46). In the winning process, it is determined whether or not the symbols displayed on the display windows 11, 13, and 15 have won a prize on the active line. If not, preparation processing for the next game (for example, turning off the small role flag or replay flag) is performed, and the processing ends. Since the winning process in step S46 is the same as the process in the conventionally known slot machine, the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

As apparent from the above description, in the slot machine 1, a bonus warning sound is output at one of two timings when the start lever is operated and when the reel rotation is started. Here, when the start of rotation of the reels 5, 7, 9 is not waited, the timing at which the start lever is operated and the start of rotation of the reel are substantially the same timing, and the player cannot distinguish the notice sound effect at each timing. For this reason, the player recognizes that the notice sound effect at the start lever operation and the notice sound effect at the start of reel rotation are the same, and the number of times the notice sound effect is performed at the start lever operation (or at the start of reel rotation). The player recognizes that (the operation rate of the speaker 46) has increased. On the other hand, when the rotation start of the reels 5, 7, and 9 is on standby, the notice sound effect at the time of operating the start lever and the notice sound effect at the start of the reel rotation are recognized as different game effects performed at different timings. For this reason, when the reel rotation waits, the number of times that the warning sound effect is performed at each timing (when the start lever is operated or when the reel rotation is started) compared to when the reel rotation is not waited (the operation of the speaker 46). The player recognizes that the rate has decreased. Therefore, the player can play the game with the frequency (operation rate) of the notice sound effect that suits his / her preference by determining whether or not to wait for the reel rotation. In other words, “the operation rate is different” in claim 1 includes a case where the player recognizes the frequency of the game effects to be different.

Further, in the slot machine 1, the probability of drawing a big bonus or a regular bonus is set low (in this embodiment, 1/300). Therefore, the frequency of the notice sound effect (notice sound effect) that is determined when the big bonus or regular bonus is drawn is 1/600, and the notice that is determined when the big bonus or regular bonus is not drawn. The frequency of the sound production (gase warning sound production) is 299/3000 (≈1 / 10). In addition, when performing a notice sound effect that is not gusset, a lot of game effects are performed when the start lever is operated, and a lot of game effect is performed when the reel rotation starts. As a result, the number of warning sound effects when operating the start lever is small, but its reliability (probability of non-chase) is high, and the number of warning sound effects when starting reel rotation is high, but its reliability (probability of non-gase) is low. Become. Therefore, if it is desired to discriminate between gusset and non-gusset, the player plays the game so that the reel rotation waits, and the operating rate of the slot machine 1 can be increased.

(Example 2) Next, a slot machine according to Example 2 in which the above-described slot machine 1 is modified will be described. The slot machine according to the second embodiment also has the same mechanical and control configuration as the slot machine according to the first embodiment. However, in the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the lottery timing is only when the start lever 25 is operated, whereas in the slot machine according to the second embodiment, the lottery timing is when the start lever 25 is operated and the reel rotation starts. It differs in that it takes place at two times. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same parts as the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of processing performed after the start lever is operated in the slot machine according to the second embodiment. That is, FIG. 9 is obtained by omitting a part of the processing (steps S10 to S20 and the like in FIG. 7) performed in the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, when the start lever is operated, it is first determined by lottery which timing is used for the lottery timing (S70). That is, it is determined whether a lottery is performed when the start lever is operated or a lottery is performed when the reel rotation is started. Next, it is determined whether or not lottery is performed when the start lever is operated (S72). Specifically, “YES” is determined if the lottery timing determined in step S70 is when the start lever is operated, and “NO” is determined if the determined lottery timing is at the start of reel rotation. When a lottery is performed when the start lever is operated [YES in step S72], random number extraction is performed to determine whether or not the game is winable (S74), and then an effect determination process is performed to determine whether or not a notice sound effect is to be performed. (S76). In this effect determination process, it is determined whether or not the notice sound effect is to be performed, and when the notice sound effect is to be performed, the timing at which the notice sound effect is performed (that is, whether the start lever is operated or the reel rotation is started). Note that, in the effect determination processing in step S76, the probability that the warning sound effect at the time of operating the start lever is not gusset is increased, and the probability that the warning sound effect performed at the time of reel rotation is high is set high. In step S78, it is determined whether or not a warning sound effect is to be performed when the start lever is operated. If the warning sound effect is to be performed, the warning sound effect is performed (S80), and if the warning sound effect is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S82. In step S82, it is determined whether or not the wait timer has expired. If the wait timer has not expired, the process waits without proceeding to the previous process. If the wait timer is up, reel rotation is started (S84). Next, it is determined whether or not lottery is performed during reel rotation (S86). That is, it is determined whether or not the lottery timing determined in step S70 is during reel rotation. If lottery is not performed during reel rotation (NO in step S86), the process proceeds to step S92. If lottery is performed during reel rotation (YES in step S86), the process proceeds to step S88. In step S88, random number extraction is performed to determine whether or not the game can be won, and then an effect determination process is performed to determine whether or not a notice sound effect is to be performed (S90). In the effect determination process in step S90, it is only determined whether or not the notice sound effect is performed, and the timing of the notice sound effect is not determined. This is because the timing for producing the warning sound effect is only during reel rotation. It should be noted that the effect determination process in step S90 is set so that the notice sound effect, which is a frustration, increases compared to the effect determination process in step S76. That is, the frequency at which the notification sound effect is determined is set high. In step S92, it is determined whether or not a notice sound effect is to be performed at the time of reel rotation. Next, if a notice sound effect is to be performed, a notice sound effect is performed (S94), and if no notice sound effect is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S96. In step S96, a wait timer is started for the next game. Then, similarly to the first embodiment, the reel stop (S98) and the winning process (S100) are performed and the process is terminated.

As apparent from the above description, in the slot machine of the second embodiment, lottery is performed when the start lever is operated and the reel is rotated, and it is determined whether or not a game effect is performed at each timing. The game effect determined at the time of operating the start lever is set to have a higher probability of becoming a game effect that is not gusset compared to the game effect determined at the time of reel rotation, and even the game effect determined at the time of operating the start lever The probability that the game effect performed when the start lever is operated is higher than the game effect performed when the reel rotation is started. For this reason, the reliability of the game effect performed at the time of operation of a start lever is raised more, and the appearance frequency becomes low. For this reason, a player who wants to know whether or not a game effect has been performed at the time of operating the start lever performs a game so that reel rotation is on standby, so that the operating rate can be improved. In addition, since random number lottery is performed at a plurality of timings, it is difficult to perform a fraudulent act such as so-called random number aiming, and it is possible to prevent a loss of a game store. In the above-described second embodiment, when a lottery is performed at the time of operating the start lever, a game effect is performed either at the time of operating the start lever or at the start of reel rotation. If a lottery is performed simply when the intelligent start lever is operated, a game effect may be performed only when the start lever is operated.

Third Embodiment Next, a description will be given of a slot machine in which each of the above-described embodiments is modified. The slot machine of the third embodiment also has the same mechanical and control configuration as the slot machines of the above-described embodiments. However, the third embodiment is different in that the lottery timing and the game effect timing are set to one, and the reliability of the game effect is set differently when the reel rotation is simply waited and when it is not waited. . That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the start lever is operated [YES in step S110], random number extraction is performed to determine whether or not the game can be won (S112), and then there is a weight. Is determined (S114). That is, it is determined whether the wait timer is up. When a weight is generated [YES in step S114], a first effect determination process is performed (S116), and when no weight is generated [NO in step S114], a second effect determination process is performed (S118). In the first effect determination process, the frequency of the warning sound effect is set to be low (that is, the probability that it is a frustration is low), and in the second effect determination process, the frequency of the warning sound effect is high (that is, a frustration). (Probability is high). Then, it waits until it is determined whether or not the wait timer has expired (S120). When the wait timer expires, the reel rotation (S122), the warning sound effect (S124), the wait timer start (S126), Reel stop (S128), winning process (S130) and processing are performed.

In the third embodiment, when a game is played so that the reel rotation start is on standby, a low-frequency but highly reliable notice sound effect is set. When a game is played so that the reel rotation start is not on standby, the frequency is high. Is a setting for performing a warning sound effect with low reliability. For this reason, the player can select the setting of the notice sound effect by his game operation.

As mentioned above, although the several specific example of this invention was demonstrated in detail, these are only illustrations and do not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the bonus notice sound is used as the game effect has been described. However, the type of the game effect is not limited to the bonus notice sound. For example, a small role navigation effect (effect that assists the operation of the reel stop buttons 27 to 29) may be performed. An example of the effect of navigating the small cherry symbol 72 in the first embodiment will be described. In this example, it is programmed to determine whether or not the cherry small combination flag is ON either when the start lever is operated or when the reel rotation is started. For example, the probability of determining when the start lever is operated is 1/10, and the probability of determining when starting reel rotation is 9/10. Further, the operation rate of the navigation effect when determining at the time of operating the start lever is 1/5, and the operation rate of the navigation effect when determining at the start of reel rotation is 1/2. Therefore, the probability that the navigation effect is activated when the start lever is operated is 1/50, and the probability that navigation is performed when the reel rotation starts is 9/20. Further, the small role navigation effect is set so that the probability of becoming a gusset itself is set to be low, and when either the big bonus or the regular bonus flag is turned on. According to such a configuration, most of the operated child role navigation is not gusset, and the player knows that any bonus flag is turned on when the small role navigation effect is gusset. Further, the probability that the small role navigation is activated when the start lever is operated is lower than when the reel starts rotating. For this reason, when the small role navigation is produced at the time of operating the start lever where the navigation is difficult to operate, the player has a high expectation that any of the bonus flags may be turned on. Therefore, it is a profound game effect for the player, and a more interesting game is possible.

In addition, the slot machines of the above-described embodiments perform games using medals, but the present invention can also be applied to slot machines that perform games using pachinko game balls.

In addition, the technical elements described in the present 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 illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

1: slot machine 3: front panel 5: left reel 7: middle reel 9: right reel 11: left display window 13: middle display window 15: right display window 25: start lever 27: left reel stop button 28: middle reel stop Button 29: Right reel stop button 45: Medal slot 50: Stepping motor 59: Photo sensor 70: Big bonus symbol 71: Regular-bonus symbol 72: Small role symbol (cherry) 73: Replay symbol 74: Small role symbol (apple) 100: Control circuit 101: CPU 102: ROM 103: RAM

Claims (9)

The operation of the gaming device is started by the operation of the start operation unit, and a game for giving a privilege is repeatedly performed according to the stop mode when the operation of the gaming device is stopped, and the game device immediately before the start of the operation of the gaming device in the immediately preceding game A game in which the start of the operation of the gaming device is waited until the minimum gaming time elapses when the time elapsed until the operation of the start operation unit in the next game after the game ends is less than the preset minimum gaming time A means for lottery of an internal state for determining a stop mode that can be taken by the gaming apparatus when the game apparatus is stopped, and a means for performing a game effect related to the internal state lottery by the lottery means for each operation of the gaming apparatus; The operation rate of the game effect means is different between when the operation start of the gaming device is waited and when the operation start is not waited. Tricks machine. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of operation timings at which the game effect means is operated are set from the start to the end of the game, and an operation rate of the game effect means is different for each operation timing. The plurality of set operation timings include a first operation timing set between the operation of the start operation unit and the start of operation of the gaming device, and a second operation timing set after the start of operation of the gaming device. The gaming machine according to claim 2, further comprising: The game effect performed by the game effect means is either the first mode that matches the internal state that is drawn by the lottery unit or the second mode that does not match the lottery internal state. 3. The gaming machine according to 3. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the first operation timing and the second operation timing have different probabilities that the game effect of the first aspect is performed. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the first operation timing has a higher probability of performing the game effect of the first mode than the second operation timing. A plurality of lottery timings at which a lottery is performed by the lottery unit is set from the start to the end of the game, and the game effect unit operates at the operation timing after the lottery is performed by the lottery unit. The gaming machine according to claim 3. The plurality of set lottery timings include the first lottery timing set between the operation of the start operation unit and the start of operation of the gaming device, and the second lottery timing set after the start of operation of the gaming device. When the lottery is performed at the first lottery timing, a game effect is performed at the first operation timing or the second operation timing. When the lottery is performed at the second lottery timing, the game effect is performed at the second operation timing. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein an operation rate of the game effect means at the first operation timing is lower than an operation rate of the game effect means at the second operation timing. It further includes a stop operation unit operated by a player to stop the operation of the gaming apparatus, and the game effect performed by the game effect means is an effect assisting the operation of the stop operation unit. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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