JP2010051496A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique capable of performing an appropriate presentation, that does not offend a player, in accordance with a game state till the occurrence of winning. <P>SOLUTION: When a game ball enters a start hole, propriety is determined by lottery. When the result of the lottery is winning, a winning state is determined and also a winning game is performed by opening a specified winning hole. Then, the number of the shot game balls (the number of shot balls) is counted from the termination of the winning game to the winning in the result of the lottery. When the result of the lottery becomes the winning, the content of the presentation to be performed is determined in response to the number of counted shot balls and the winning state. Thus, when the number of the shot balls is larger (i.e., a so-called slump state), the performance content is changed-over into the content different from that of the smaller number of shot balls, so as to perform the appropriate presentation in consideration of the mood of the player. Consequently, the interest of the player in the occurrence of the winning is effectively enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game board surface.

  A ball that plays a game in which a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as a prize ball when a game ball is fired toward a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances and a game ball enters any of the entrances Ball game machines are widely known. In addition, when a game ball enters a specific entrance called a start entrance, a lottery is performed, and if the result of the lottery is a win, a variable entrance called a grand prize entrance is opened for a predetermined period. A ball game machine that starts a so-called jackpot game is also known. This big winning opening is normally closed and game balls will not enter, but if it becomes open, game balls will enter with high probability, so if it is a big hit game, there will be many players A prize ball can be obtained.

  In such a ball game machine having a big hit game, in order to increase the interest of the player by changing the game, “normal hit” and “probable hit” are set as hit modes, In the case of "", it is widely performed to start a game state called "probability change state" after the end of the big hit game. Here, the “probability change state” is a gaming state in which the probability of winning in the lottery is set to a high probability. Also, in recent years, “special probability variation” has been established as a kind of “probability variation”, and in the case of “specific probability variation”, most of the prize balls that start the big hit game (with the big prize opening opened) There is also known a ball game machine that is finished in a short period of time that cannot be obtained and that changes the subsequent game state to a probable change state. Furthermore, in such a ball game machine, there is known a technique aiming to further enhance the player's interest by performing various effects (winning effects) when the lottery result is a win.

  For example, when the result of the lottery is “probable hit”, first, an effect of notifying the player that it is “normal hit”, and then an effect of notifying that “probable hit” (so-called There is known a technique for making an impression that a winning mode is promoted by performing a promotion effect). Also, when the result of the lottery is “special probability change hit”, the big hit game is completed in a short period without winning a prize ball, and the player usually does not notice that the big hit game has been played. For this reason, there has been proposed a technique that gives an impression that the gaming state is suddenly switched to a certain probability change state by performing an effect of notifying the occurrence of a specific probability variation (Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-329876 A

  However, depending on the game situation until the hit occurs, if the promotion effect or the specific probability change effect as described above is performed, the player's interest may be reduced. In other words, if the game period until a hit occurs is long, or if the amount of money spent on the game is large, a promotion effect is performed, so that a player who wants to execute a big hit game early can start a big hit game It feels like it has been tempered, and as a result, it can be irritating to the player. In particular, the case where the promotion is not promoted by the promotion effect (when it is a so-called Gase promotion effect) is even more so. In addition, in the probability variation state in which a hit is likely to occur, if the hit does not occur easily, and the hit that has finally occurred is a specific probability change hit (a hit mode in which almost no winning ball is obtained), the player has substantially no profit. Therefore, if an effect at a specific probability change is performed, the player may be greatly discouraged and the game entertainment may be cooled.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and according to the game situation until the hit occurs, it is possible to execute an appropriate performance that does not offend the player. Aims to provide new technology.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the bullet ball game machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A ball game machine that launches a game ball toward a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances, and performs a game in which when a game ball enters the entrance, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. In
When a game ball enters a predetermined start port among the plurality of entrances, a determination unit for determining whether or not to win by a lottery;
When the lottery result by the success / failure determination means is a winning, the winning aspect determining means for determining the winning aspect from a plurality of aspects having different profits given to the player;
An effect execution means for executing an effect based on the lottery result by the winning / failing determination means;
A specific winning opening that is configured to be switchable between a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter and an open state in which a game ball can enter, and is normally closed,
When the lottery result by the winning / decision determining means is a winning, the winning game execution means for executing a winning game according to the winning mode by setting the specific winning opening to the open state;
From the end of the winning game until the lottery result by the success / failure determining unit becomes a winning, and a firing ball number counting means for counting the number of shot balls of the game ball,
When the lottery result by the success / failure determination unit is won, the effect execution unit is responsive to the number of shot balls counted by the number of shot ball counting unit and the winning mode determined by the hit mode determining unit. In addition, there is provided an effect content determining means for determining the content of the effect to be executed.

  In such a ball game machine according to the present invention, when a game ball enters the start opening, whether or not a lottery is determined is determined by lottery, and an effect is performed based on the lottery result. In addition, when the lottery result is a win, one of a plurality of winning modes with different profits to be given to the player is determined, and the specific winning opening is opened to make a win. The winning game is executed according to the mode. Then, in order to detect the exact amount of money spent (used) by the player during the game period from the end of the winning game until the winning of the lottery result, the game ball fired during this period The total number of shots (number of shot balls) is counted. When the lottery result is a hit, the content of the effect to be executed is determined according to the number of shot balls counted so far and the hit mode. It is supposed to be. It should be noted that determining the content of the effect according to the counted number of shot balls includes not performing a specific effect if the number of shot balls is a predetermined value.

  In this way, it is possible to execute an appropriate effect in consideration of the player's mood when winning in the lottery. In other words, if the number of shot balls is small, the amount of money that the player has thrown into the game is small, and the remnant of the previous hit game remains, so that the player's mood is greatly enhanced by hitting again . On the other hand, if the number of shot balls is large, the amount of money that the player has invested in the game is large, and since it has already been a long time since the previous hit game, the player may feel frustrated Even if it is a hit, the player's mood does not tend to be so high. This is especially true when the winning mode that has been generated is a winning mode in which the profit given to the player is small. Therefore, when the number of shot balls is large, even if the same effect as when the number of shot balls is small is performed, the player's interest cannot be sufficiently increased, and depending on the winning mode, the game interest is reduced. In some cases. However, if the content of the production is determined according to the number of shot balls and the manner of winning, when the number of shot balls is large, it is possible to produce an effect different from when the number of shot balls is small, and the profit is small. It is possible to produce an effect in consideration of the winning mode. As a result, it is possible to effectively increase the interest of the player.

  Such a ball game machine of the present invention may be configured as follows. First, when the result of the lottery is a win, the winning mode is determined as either a normal win or a probable change. The probability of winning is higher than normal). In addition, when it is determined to be probable, it will produce an effect (promotion effect) to indicate that it is probable after presenting that it is normal, but when it is determined to be probable, the number of shot balls counted When the value reaches a predetermined reference value, it is possible to produce an effect that presents that it is a probable variation without presenting that it is normal.

  In this way, since the contents of the effect can be switched according to the number of shot balls until the probability variation occurs, it is possible to perform an appropriate effect without harming the player. In other words, by performing a promotion effect at the occurrence of a probable hit, it is possible to impress the player as if the hit mode was promoted from a normal hit to a probable hit and excite the player's interest, but until a probable hit occurs If the period of the game is long (when the number of shot balls is large), the promotion effect will cause the player who wants to know the result of whether or not it is advantageous to the player as soon as possible, which will harm the player's mood. May cause irritation. However, when the number of shot balls reaches a predetermined reference value, it is configured to switch to an effect that directly presents that it is a probable variation, and if the predetermined reference value is set appropriately in advance, the game It is possible to perform an appropriate performance that does not irritate a person.

  Further, the above-described bullet ball game machine of the present invention may be configured as follows. First, if the result of the lottery is a win, the winning mode is determined to be a normal hit, a probability variation or a specific probability variation, and if it is a probability variation or a specific probability variation, the game after the end of the winning game The state is set to a probability change state (a state in which the probability of winning in the lottery is higher than usual). Further, in the case of a specific chance change, the winning game is executed by opening the specific winning opening for a shorter period than in the case of the normal chance or the probability change. Then, when it is determined that the specific probability change is not in the probability variation state, an effect (probability inrush effect) is presented to indicate that the gaming state is set to the probability variation state. In the state, and when the counted number of shot balls has reached a predetermined reference value, it is possible to perform an effect (outage effect) that is performed when the result of the lottery is out.

  In this way, since the contents of the production can be appropriately switched according to the number of shot balls until the specific probability variation occurs in the probability variation state, the interest of the player is reduced due to the occurrence of the specific probability variation. Can be avoided. In other words, in the case of specific probability variation, the opening period of the specific prize opening is shorter than in the case of normal or probability variation, so the possibility that the game ball will enter the specific prize opening is more likely than in the case of normal or probability variation. (The player receives fewer prize balls than the normal or probable wins). Also, if the probability variation state has already occurred, even if a specific probability variation occurs, it does not change to any advantageous state for the player. Therefore, if the number of shot balls increases in spite of the probability variation state and the probability variation entry effect indicating the occurrence of specific probability variation is performed, the player may be greatly discouraged and cool the game entertainment. is there. However, if the number of shot balls in the probability variation state reaches a predetermined reference value, even if a certain probability variation occurs, the player will not be able to notice the occurrence of the certain probability variation by performing a deviating effect. Therefore, it becomes possible to maintain the interest of the player.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Configuration of control circuit:
B. Overview of the game:
C. Game machine control details:
C-1. Game control processing:
C-2. Special design game processing:
C-3. Special electric game game processing:
C-4. Production control processing:
D. Variation:

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

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

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

  The upper dish portion 5 is provided with a dish-shaped recess and a dish outer edge portion 5a formed so as to surround the recess. The game ball is thrown into a recess formed in the upper plate part 5 and supplied to the launching device unit 12 (see FIG. 5). The dish outer edge 5a is provided with various buttons such as a game ball lending switch 5b, a return switch 5c, and a discharge button for discharging the inserted game ball. Furthermore, a first speaker 5y having a plurality of long holes and a large number of small holes formed thereon is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper plate part 5. Further, two effect buttons SW1 and SW2 are provided on the front side of the upper plate part 5. The player can intervene in the progress of the game by pressing these effect buttons SW1 and SW2 to select characters and game conditions appearing in the game effect.

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

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

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10. The game ball fired from the launcher unit 12 described above passes between the outer rail 14 and the inner rail 15 and is released to the game area 11. In addition, the outer rail 14 is provided with a launch ball detection switch 37 at a position facing the final end of the inner rail 15, so that it is possible to detect a game ball launched toward the game area 11. Yes.

  A central device 26 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11. A starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is provided below the central device 26. The starting port 17 is a so-called tulip type starting port configured such that a pair of blade pieces can be opened and closed on the left and right. A start port switch 17s (see FIG. 5) for detecting the passage of a game ball and a start port solenoid 17m (see FIG. 5) for operating a pair of wing pieces are provided inside the start port 17. Yes. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, an opening state in which the game ball is likely to enter is in an open state.

  A fluctuation display device 27 is provided in the approximate center of the central device 26. Further, the central device 26 is provided with a movable object (movable accessory) (not shown) that performs various operations in accordance with the progress of the game. The variable display device 27 is configured by a liquid crystal display, and can display various symbols such as a design symbol and a background symbol in a variable display and a stop display. Various symbols displayed on the display screen of the variable display device 27 will be described later.

  A symbol display device 28 is provided at the lower left of the central device 26. Although the detailed configuration will be described later, the symbol display device 28 can display normal symbols, special symbols, and the like in a variable stop manner.

  A normal symbol operation gate 36 is provided on the left of the central device 26, and a gate switch 36s for detecting the passage of the game ball is provided inside the gate. Further, a lamp windmill 24 is provided above the normal symbol operating gate 36. A number of obstacle nails 23 are provided between and around each of these gaming devices.

  A big winning device 31 is provided below the start port 17. The large winning device 31 includes a large winning opening 31d that opens largely in a substantially rectangular shape, an open / close door 31e for opening and closing the large winning opening 31d, and a large winning opening solenoid 31m for operating the open / close door 31e (see FIG. 5). ) Etc. When a predetermined condition to be described later is satisfied and the opening / closing door 31e is opened, the special winning opening 31d is opened, and as a result, the game ball enters the special winning opening 31d with a high probability. A big hit gaming state, which is a gaming state advantageous for the player, is started. In addition, a big prize opening switch 31s is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball that has entered the big prize opening 31d. In addition, since the special winning opening 31d is configured to be switchable between a closed state and an open state, and is normally a closed entrance, the special winning opening 31d of the present embodiment is the "" It constitutes one aspect of the “special prize opening”.

  An out port 48 is provided below the grand prize winning device 31, and a back ball prevention member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The back ball prevention member 58 has a function of preventing the game ball that has returned without reaching the game area 11 from returning to the launch position.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the symbol display device 28 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the symbol display device 28 of the present embodiment is configured by incorporating twelve small light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a substantially rectangular region. Of these twelve LEDs, the uppermost three LEDs constitute the normal symbol display unit 29, and the remaining nine LEDs constitute the special symbol display unit 30. Furthermore, the normal symbol display unit 29 has one LED for displaying a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as a normal symbol LED 29a) and two LEDs for displaying the number of reserved normal symbols (hereinafter, a normal symbol). Called hold display LED 29b). Further, the special symbol display unit 30 displays seven LEDs for displaying special symbols (hereinafter referred to as special symbol LED 30a) and the number of special symbols reserved (hereinafter referred to as special symbol reserved number). The two LEDs (hereinafter referred to as special figure hold display LED 30b). The manner in which the symbol display device 28 of this embodiment uses these 12 LEDs to display the normal symbol, the number of ordinary symbols reserved, the number of special symbols, and the number of reserved special symbols will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the screen configuration of the variable display device 27 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As described above, the variable display device 27 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and on the display screen, three design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c and a background symbol 27d of the background are displayed. Of these, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed in various manners in accordance with the display of the special symbol in the special symbol display unit 30 shown in FIG. Yes. That is, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c start changing display every time a special symbol determination (big win lottery) described later is performed, and stop display when a predetermined variation time has passed. This is a symbol for notifying the player of the special symbol winning / failing determination result (big hit lottery result) by the display mode (stop display mode) when the stop display is performed.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is composed of a number of control boards and various boards. However, focusing on the function, it is possible to determine whether the game is related to the basic progress or the winning ball. Main control board 200 for controlling, sub-control board 220 for controlling game effects using symbols, lamps, movable objects (movable accessories) and sound effects, and variable display under the control of sub-control board 220 It includes an effect control board 230 that performs specific control of the device 27, a payout control board 240 that controls the operation of paying out a rental ball and a prize ball, a launch control board 260 that controls the launch of a game ball, and the like. ing. These control boards include various types of CPUs, such as a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, and a RAM that stores temporary data when the program is executed. Peripheral LSIs are connected to each other via a bus. Also, the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5 represents the direction in which data or signals are input / output. 5, only the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220, the ROM 222, and the RAM 223 are illustrated.

  As shown in the drawing, the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the start port switch 17s, the big prize port switch 31s, the gate switch 36s, etc. Are determined, commands for instructing various operations are output toward the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like. The main control board 200 has a start port solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces provided at the start port 17, a large winning port solenoid 31m for opening and closing a large winning port 31d, A symbol display device 28 that displays fluctuation stop display of normal symbols and special symbols is connected, and these solenoids 17m, 31m and signals are output to the symbol display device 28 to control these operations. ing.

  When the sub-control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the command and produces a game according to the result. That is, a command for designating display contents is output to the effect control board 230 that performs display control of the above-described variable display device 27, the amplifier board 224 that drives the various speakers 5y and 6c, various decorative LEDs, The game is rendered by outputting a drive signal to the decorative drive board 226 that drives the lamp and the movable object (movable accessory). In addition, the operation signals from the effect buttons SW 1 and SW 2 described above are input to the sub-control board 220 via the effect button board 228. In addition, when a game ball launched toward the game area 11 is detected by the shot ball detection switch 37, the detection signal is input to the sub-control board 220.

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

  In addition, under the control of the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 outputs a signal for allowing the game ball to be launched (launch permission signal) toward the launch control board 260. In response to the launch permission signal, performs various controls for launching the game ball.

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

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

  When the launched game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 provided on the left side of the game area 11, the symbol display on the symbol display device 28 is started. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the normal symbol display unit 29 is provided in the symbol display device 28, and the normal symbol display unit 29 is equipped with a normal symbol LED 29 a and a general symbol hold display LED 29 b. Of these, the normal symbol LED 29a is used to display the variation of the normal symbol.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which normal symbols are variably displayed. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the normal symbol LED 29a is repeatedly blinked to display the normal symbol variation display. In the figure, the state in which the normal symbol LED 29a is lit is represented by a radial solid line, and the state in which the normal symbol LED 29a is lit is represented by a broken line. When the blinking normal symbol LED 29a stops in a lighting state, the normal symbol is hit and the start port 17 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). On the contrary, when it stops in the light-off state, it is normally out of the design and the start port 17 does not open.

  If the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 during the normal symbol variation display, the passage of the game ball is stored as a hold, and after the current normal symbol variation display is completed, the variation display is displayed. Done. Up to four normal symbols can be stored, and the number of stored normal symbols is displayed by the general symbol display LED 29b.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the number of normal symbols held is displayed by the universal symbol hold display LED 29 b provided in the symbol display device 28. When there is no normal symbol hold (that is, when the number of hold is zero), the two general map hold display LEDs 29b are both turned off. When there is one hold, the left-hand general map hold display LED 29b remains off and the right-hand general map hold display LED 29b lights up. When there are two holds, the left-hand general map hold display LED 29b is lit in addition to the right-side normal map hold display LED 29b. Next, when there are three holds, the right-hand general map hold display LED 29b blinks and the left-hand general map hold display LED 29b lights. When the number of holdings further increases to the upper limit of four, the left and right map holding display LEDs 29b blink. As described above, the normal symbol display unit 29 can display the number of holds from 0 to 4 by turning on, turning off, or blinking the two general-purpose hold display LEDs 29b.

  Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the special symbol display unit 30. When a game ball enters the start port 17, the special symbol change display is started. The display is stopped with any of the symbols described below.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a special symbol stop display mode. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the special symbol LED 30a of the special symbol display unit 30 is composed of seven LEDs, and the special symbols are displayed by lighting them. As shown in FIG. 7, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, eight special symbol stop display modes are provided, and a unique lighting state is set for each stop display mode. Further, the stop display modes of these eight kinds of special symbols are roughly classified into four symbols. First, the stop display modes of the two special symbols shown at the top in the figure are classified as “normal hit symbols”. It is classified as “design”. In addition, the stop display mode of the two special symbols shown in the third row from the top is classified as “two round (2R) probability variation per symbol”, and further, the stop display mode of the two special symbols shown in the bottom row Are categorized as “out-of-line”.

  In the special symbol display unit 30, the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner by blinking seven LEDs (special symbol LEDs 30a) for a predetermined time. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol display unit 30 is stopped and displayed according to any stop display mode. Then, when any of the “normal winning symbol”, “probable variation symbol”, or “2R probability variation symbol” symbol (so-called jackpot symbol) is stopped and displayed, the big winning game in which the big winning opening 31d is opened starts. Is done. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when either of the “normal winning symbol” or the “probable winning symbol” is stopped and displayed, the game ball that has been fired enters with a high probability in a mode of winning 31d. The big hit game that opens is started. On the other hand, when the “2R probability variation symbol” is stopped and displayed, a special big hit game (special big hit game) in which the big winning opening 31d is opened in a mode in which the game ball does not easily enter the ball starts. Is done. This point will be described in detail later. The “2R probability variation hit” in the present embodiment corresponds to the “specific probability variation hit” in the present invention.

  In addition, when the special symbol that has been variably displayed is stopped and displayed with the “probable hit per symbol” shown in the second row from the top of FIG. If displayed, the probability that the special symbol will be stopped and displayed in the jackpot symbol until the predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, until the next jackpot game is generated or until the special symbol is changed a predetermined number of times). Becomes a state set with a high probability (so-called a probability variation state or simply a probability variation state).

  In addition, even if a game ball has entered the starting port 17, the special symbol variation display cannot be started (for example, when the special symbol is variation display or a big hit game) Even so, the fact that a game ball has entered the start port 17 is stored as a special symbol hold. When the special symbol can be displayed in a variable manner, the stored information can be displayed using the stored hold. The number of reserved special symbols stored (the number of special figure reservations) is displayed by the special figure hold display LED 30b. The manner of displaying the number of special figure hold using the special figure hold display LED 30b is exactly the same as the case of the general figure hold display LED 29b shown in FIG.

  In accordance with the above-described variation display and stop display of the special symbol, the variation display device 27 performs various effects using the design symbol. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an aspect of the effect performed by the variable display device 27. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the three design symbols 27 a, 27 b, and 27 c are displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display that constitutes the variable display device 27. When the variation display of the special symbol is started by the symbol display device 28 described above, also in the variation display device 27, these three design symbols 27a, 27b and 27c start the variation display all at once. In the present embodiment, a design is prepared by designing nine numbers from “1” to “9” as a design. In addition, the design symbol may be a design in which characters, figures, symbols, and the like are designed in addition to numbers, and may be in a form that allows the player to identify the determination result of the special symbol.

  FIG. 8A conceptually shows how the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left design symbol 27a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right design symbol 27c is stopped and displayed. The medium design symbol 27b is stopped and displayed. The combination (stop display mode) of the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are stopped and displayed on the variable display device 27 is interlocked with the stop display mode of the special symbol that is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 described above. It is configured. For example, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at “normal hit symbol” or “probable hit symbol”, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c of the variable display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol. In particular, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the “probable change symbol”, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c of the variable display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol representing an odd number, In the case of stopping at the “design”, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c of the variable display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol representing an even number. On the other hand, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at “2R probability variation symbol”, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a predetermined combination that does not align with the same symbol. Furthermore, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at “out of symbol”, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are not aligned with the same symbol except for the combination corresponding to “2R probability variation symbol”. It is stopped and displayed in combination.

  As described above, the special symbols displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the variable display device 27 correspond to each other in the display contents. The timing for confirmation (stop display) is also set to be the same. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the variable display device 27 is provided at a position that is more visible than the symbol display device 28, and the display screen is large and the display content is easy to understand. It is normal to play a game while looking at the screen of the device 27. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the left design symbol 27a initially stopped and displayed on the display screen of the variable display device 27 and the right design symbol 27c subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol. In such a case, the player pays attention to the change in the design so that the middle design symbol 27b that is stopped and displayed at the end also stops at the same design and enters a so-called jackpot gaming state. In this way, the effect of variably displaying the last design with two design symbols stopped at the same design is called a reach effect, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the player by performing the reach effect It has become.

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

C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 to control the progress of the game. As shown in the figure, in the game control process, each process such as a prize ball-related process, a normal symbol game process, a start opening return process, a special symbol game process, and a special electric game game process is repeatedly executed. The time required for one round of processing is about 4 msec. Therefore, these various types of processing are repeatedly executed about every 4 msec. Then, during these processes, various commands are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the various control boards including the sub control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 progresses, and the sub control board 220 controls the effect according to the progress of the game. The game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 will be described below according to the flowchart.

  When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process (pay ball related process) for paying out a game ball as a prize ball (S100). In such processing, among the various switches connected to the main control board 200, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered a game ball winning switch (such as the start opening switch 17s and the big winning opening switch 31s). To detect. If a game ball is detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated, and then a process for outputting a prize ball number designation command to the payout control board 240 is performed. When the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command output from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 interprets the content of the command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the payout device 109 according to the result. Thus, a process of actually paying out the prize ball is performed.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs the process related to the prize ball (S100), this time, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol game process is performed, that is, whether or not the normal symbol variation stop display is performed ( S102). Such a determination is made by detecting whether or not the start port 17 is open. If the start port 17 is not open, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is performed (S102: yes), and if the start port 17 is open, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is not performed (S102: no). . If it is determined that the normal symbol game process is to be performed (S102: yes), the normal symbol game process described below is performed (S104). On the other hand, when it is determined not to perform the normal symbol game process (S102: no), the normal symbol game process (S104) is skipped.

  In the normal symbol game process (S104), the following processes are mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not there is a holding of a normal symbol (whether or not the number of holdings is “0”). Here, the holding of the normal symbol is set when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 36, and in this embodiment, the upper limit value of the holding number is “4”. Then, based on the result of the normal / bad determination of the normal symbol, it is determined whether the normal symbol is to be stopped and displayed as a winning symbol or a missing symbol (see FIG. 6A). Then, after setting the normal symbol variation display time, the normal symbol variation display is started. When the variable display time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol, and when the hit symbol of the normal symbol is stopped and displayed at this time, the start port 17 is opened.

  When the normal symbol game process is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the start port 17 is open (S106). If the opening is being opened (S106: yes), a process (starting port returning process) for returning the opened starting port 17 to the normal state is performed (S108). On the other hand, if the start port 17 is not open (S106: no), the start port return process need not be performed and is skipped.

  In the start port return process (S108), if any of the following conditions is satisfied, that is, whether the opening time of the start port 17 has elapsed, or whether a specified number of game balls have entered the start port 17 When any of the above conditions is satisfied, a process of returning the start port 17 in the open state to the normal state is performed. The opening time of the start port 17 is set to about 0.5 seconds in the normal gaming state, but is about 5 seconds when the opening time extension function described later is activated (1 when the number of times of opening is 1). The opening time of one time is extended to about 5 seconds, or when the number of times of opening is a plurality of times, the total of the opening times of the plurality of times is extended to about 5 seconds). On the other hand, when the opening time of the start port 17 has not elapsed and the number of balls entering the start port 17 has not reached the specified number, the start port return process (S108) is performed while the start port 17 remains open. finish.

  In the game control process, it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process following the start port return process, that is, whether or not to display the special symbol variation stop display (S110). Such a determination is made by detecting whether or not a big hit game is being played. Here, in the big hit game, the special symbol variation display is started in the special symbol game processing described later, and the above-mentioned “normal hit symbol”, “probability variable symbol”, or “2R probability variable symbol” is stopped and displayed. It is a game that starts. In addition, the big hit game of the present embodiment is performed by repeating a round game that is performed with the big winning opening 31d being opened. If a big hit game is currently being played, there is no need to repeat the big hit game. Therefore, it is detected whether or not the jackpot game is being played. If the jackpot game is not being played, it is determined that the special symbol game process is to be performed (S110: yes), and the special symbol game process (described below) ( S112) is started. On the other hand, if it is already a big hit game, it is determined that the special symbol game process is not performed (S110: no), and the special symbol game process (S112) is skipped. As described above, when a game ball enters the start port 17 during the special symbol fluctuation display, the received ball is stored as a special symbol hold, and the number of special symbols held is the upper limit value. The process of storing the hold until reaching “4” and the process of adding “1” to the number of hold of the special symbol (and changing the display of the special figure hold display LED 30b) are also performed with the determination of S110.

C-2. Special design game processing:
10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of the special symbol game process. When the special symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S200). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol display unit 30 is provided in the symbol display device 28, and the special symbol can be displayed in a variable manner.

  When the special symbol of the special symbol display unit 30 is not changing (S200: no), it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol (S202). That is, for a period of time after the change display of the special symbol is finished, a stop display time is provided for the player to confirm which symbol the special symbol is stopped and displayed. It is judged whether it is in the middle. When it is confirmed that the special symbol is not variably displayed and the stop display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol has elapsed (S202: no), the number of special symbols held (special symbol) It is determined whether or not the figure hold count is “0” (S204). As described above, the special symbol hold can be stored until the special figure hold number reaches the upper limit “4”. If the special figure hold number is “0” (S204: yes), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the number of special symbol hold is not “0” (S204: no), a process of determining whether or not a special symbol is appropriate (special symbol appropriateness determination process) is started (S206). The special symbol success / failure determination corresponds to “determination of success / failure by lottery” according to the present invention, and the special symbol success / failure determination processing is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200. The CPU 201 mounted on the control board 200 constitutes one aspect of the “appropriate determination unit” in the present invention.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of special symbol success / failure determination processing. As shown in the figure, when the special symbol success / failure determination process is started, first, the success / failure determination random number is read (S300). Here, the special symbol success / failure determination random number is a random number that is acquired when a game ball enters the start port 17 and stored in association with the hold. Then, the oldest determination random number stored is read from the stored determination random numbers.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a probability variation state (S302), and if it is not in the probability variation state (S302: no), a decision table for non-probability variation is selected (S304). If there is (S302: yes), an appropriateness determination table for probability change is selected (S306). Here, the success / failure determination table is a table in which the success / failure determination result of the special symbol is set in association with the randomness determination random number, and is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200. Further, during the probability change state, a dedicated flag called a probability change flag is set to ON, and it can be determined whether or not the probability change state is in effect based on the state of this flag. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 is assigned as a probability change flag.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a success / failure determination table used for determining whether or not a special symbol is successful in the present embodiment. FIG. 13A shows a success / failure determination table for non-probability change, and FIG. 13B shows a success / failure determination table for probability change. As shown in the drawing, in the success / failure determination table, a success / failure determination result of either “win” or “miss” is associated with the randomness determination random number. Further, as is clear from comparison between FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, the success / failure determination table for the probability variation is more “hit” than the success / failure determination table for the uncertain variation. Is set to

  When the success / failure determination table is selected according to the gaming state, the success / failure determination is performed using the selected table (S308). That is, referring to the selected determination table, the determination result corresponding to the acquired determination random number value is read to determine whether it is “win” or “out”. As described above, the success / failure determination table for the time of probability change that is referred to during the probability change state is “hit” for more random numbers than the success / failure determination table for the time of non-change probability that is referred to when not in the probability change state. Therefore, during the probability change, the success / failure determination result becomes “hit” with a higher probability than during the non-probability change.

  Once the determination is made in this manner, the symbol determination random number is read out (S310). Here, the symbol determination random number is a random number that is acquired together with the above-described success / failure determination random number when the game ball enters the start port 17 and stored in association with the hold. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the determination result is “winning” (S312), and a special symbol stop symbol is determined according to the determination result. As described above with reference to FIG. 7, as the special symbol stop symbols, six types of jackpot symbols and two types of outliers are provided. Therefore, when the determination result is “hit” (S312: yes), a stop symbol is determined from the six types of big hit symbols (S314). The stop symbol is determined by referring to a dedicated table called a symbol determination table based on the acquired symbol determination random number. Since the process of determining the winning mode (winning pattern) is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of the present embodiment is the "hitting mode determining" of the present invention. Constitutes one aspect of the means.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory view exemplifying a jackpot symbol determination table referred to in order to determine a jackpot symbol of a special symbol. This jackpot symbol determination table is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200. As shown in the figure, in the jackpot symbol determination table, the six types of jackpot symbols shown in FIG. 7 are set in advance in association with the symbol determination random numbers. If the special symbol's success / failure judgment result is “hit”, the special symbol is stopped at any jackpot symbol by reading the jackpot symbol corresponding to the acquired symbol decision random number while referring to the jackpot symbol decision table You can decide whether to display it.

  On the other hand, when the determination result is “displaced” (S312: no), a stop symbol is determined from two types of missed symbols (see FIG. 7) (S316). The process of determining an out symbol as a stop symbol of the special symbol is performed by referring to an out symbol determination table in which the out symbol is preset for the symbol determination random number.

  When the special symbol stop symbol (either the big win symbol or the off symbol) is determined in accordance with the result of the determination as described above, the special symbol success / failure determination process of FIG. 12 is terminated and the special symbol game of FIG. Return to processing.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the special symbol game process, after returning from the special symbol success / failure determination process (S206), the process for determining the variation pattern of the special symbol (variation pattern determination process) is subsequently started (S208). . Here, the variation pattern of the special symbol is a mode in which the special symbol is variably displayed. However, as described above, since the variation display of the special symbol only blinks the special symbol LED 30a, Corresponds to the time (variation time) during which the special symbol is variably displayed. However, as described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the special symbol variation display performed by the symbol display device 28 and the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c variation display performed by the variation display device 27 are linked to each other. Therefore, when the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol is determined, the time for variably displaying the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is determined. Then, the content of the specific variation display (effect display) is determined by the sub-control board 220 within the range of the variation display time. This point will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the variation pattern determination process performed to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol. When the variation pattern determination process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a short-time state (S400). Here, the short-time state is a gaming state in which the variation time of the special symbol is set short. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, even when the special symbol is “normal hit symbol”, “probable hit symbol”, or “2R probability hit symbol”, the time-short state is started after the big hit game is ended. This is continued until the next jackpot game occurs or the number of times the special symbol fluctuates reaches the upper limit of the time limit. In addition, during the time reduction state, a dedicated flag called a time reduction flag is set to ON, and this time reduction flag is also assigned to a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200, similarly to the probability variation flag described above. ing.

  If the time reduction flag is set to OFF and it is determined that the time reduction state is not set (S400: no), the normal time variation pattern table is selected (S402). On the other hand, when the time reduction flag is set to ON and it is determined that the gaming state is the time reduction state (S400: yes), the time reduction variation pattern table is selected (S404). Here, the variation pattern table is a dedicated table that is referred to in order to determine the variation pattern. A plurality of variation patterns are set in advance in the variation pattern table, and correspond to the variation times of special symbols that differ for each variation pattern. In addition, as described above, when the gaming state is the short-time state, since the variation time of the special symbol is set short, the short-time variation pattern table to be referred to when the gaming state is the short-time state, and the game A normal-time fluctuation pattern table to be referred to when the state is not the short-time state is provided, and an appropriate fluctuation pattern table is selected according to the gaming state. Note that these variation pattern tables are stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

  After selecting the variation pattern table according to the gaming state in this way, next, after obtaining the variation pattern determination random number (S406), it is determined whether or not the result of the special symbol determination is successful (S408). Here, the fluctuation pattern determination random number is a random number used to determine the fluctuation pattern. Further, the special symbol success / failure determination result is already determined in the special symbol success / failure determination processing (S206 in FIG. 10) before starting the variation pattern determination processing. If the result of the determination is wrong (S408: no), referring to the variation pattern table selected according to the gaming state, the variation pattern of the failure is determined based on the variation pattern determination random number acquired previously. Is determined (S410). On the other hand, when the determination result is a win (S408: yes), it is determined whether or not the winning mode is “2R probability variation hit” (S412). As described above, if the winning / failing determination result of the special symbol is a win, the hit mode is determined as “normal hit”, “probable hit”, or “2R-probable hit” (see FIG. 12). When the winning mode is “2R probability variation hit” (S412: yes), the variation pattern for 2R is determined based on the variation pattern determination random number with reference to the selected variation pattern table (S414). On the other hand, when the hit mode is “normal hit” or “probable hit” (hereinafter referred to as “per 15R”) (S412: no), the selected variation pattern table is referred to. However, the fluctuation pattern for 15R is determined based on the fluctuation pattern determination random number (S416).

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a normal time variation pattern table selected when not in the time-short state. As shown in the drawing, in the normal variation pattern table, the variation pattern determination random value and the special symbol determination result are divided into the cases of “per 15R”, “per 2R”, and “out”. Correspondences with a plurality of variation patterns are set. Referring to such a variation pattern table, it is determined whether the special symbol success / failure determination result is “per 15R”, “per 2R”, or “out”, and the previously obtained variation pattern determination random number is obtained. By reading out the corresponding variation pattern, the variation pattern can be immediately determined. As an example, if the obtained variation pattern determination random number is “60”, if the determination result of the special symbol is “per 15R”, the variation pattern is determined as “pattern 3” and “per 2R” ”Is determined as“ Pattern 5 ”, and when it is“ Out ”, it is determined as“ Pattern 23 ”.

  FIG. 16 shows a variation time of a special symbol corresponding to each variation pattern together with a plurality of variation patterns, and the variation time corresponding to each variation pattern is different. In addition, the presence or absence of reach is associated with each fluctuation pattern in advance, and the fluctuation pattern per 15R is all “reach”, whereas the fluctuation pattern per 2R is “reach”. Is set to In addition, the deviation variation pattern includes a variation pattern of reach “present” and a variation pattern of reach “none”. As described above, when the reach effect is performed, the variation time of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c in the variable display device 27 becomes longer than when the reach effect is not performed. Correspondingly, the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern of reach “present” tends to be longer than the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern of reach “none”.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory view exemplifying a time-short time variation pattern table selected in the time-short state. In the time variation pattern table, as in the case of the normal variation pattern table described above, the variation pattern determination random number of each of the cases where the special symbol success / failure determination results are “per 15R”, “per 2R”, and “out”. Correspondences between values and a plurality of variation patterns are set, but a variation pattern different from the normal variation pattern table is set. As described above, when the time is shortened, the variation time of the special symbol is shortened compared with the normal time. Therefore, as is clear from comparison between FIG. 16 and FIG. In FIG. 17, a variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is shorter than that in the normal variation pattern table (FIG. 16) is set.

  When the winning variation pattern or the unsuccessful variation pattern is determined in accordance with the special symbol success / failure determination result as described above, the variation pattern determination processing in FIG. 15 is terminated and the processing returns to the special symbol game processing in FIG. .

  In the special symbol game process of FIG. 10, when returning from the variation pattern determination process (S208), the variation display of the special symbol on the symbol display device 28 is started (S210). As described above, the symbol display device 28 of this embodiment can display the eight types of special symbols shown in FIG. 7, and performs variable display by switching the display of these symbols one after another. When the special symbol fluctuation display is started, after subtracting “1” from the number of special symbols held (S212), a command (fluctuation for designating the special symbol fluctuation pattern determined in the above-described fluctuation pattern determination processing). After the pattern designating command is output to the sub control board 220 (S214), a command (stop design designating command) for designating the special design stop pattern determined according to the determination result is also sub-control board 220. (S216).

  The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the special symbol variation pattern designation command and the stop symbol designation command in this manner, thereby changing the special symbol variation time displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the special symbol suspension symbol. You can get information about. Therefore, the display mode (variable display mode of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c) to be performed by the variable display device 27 is determined according to these pieces of information, and a control command that instructs the determined display mode is sent to the effect control board 230. Output toward. By doing so, various effect displays using the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are also performed on the variation display device 27 in accordance with the variation display and stop display of the special symbols performed on the symbol display device 28.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines the variation pattern and stop symbol of the special symbol as described above and outputs the variation pattern designation command and the stop symbol designation command to the sub-control board 220, FIG. The special symbol game process shown is finished, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  As described above, the detailed process performed in the special symbol game process when the special symbol is not variably displayed (that is, in the case of S200 of FIG. 10) has been described. On the other hand, when the special symbol game process of FIG. 11 is started while the special symbol is changing, it is determined that the special symbol is changing in the determination of S200 performed first (S200: yes). This case corresponds to the case where the special symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol have already been determined and the special symbol variation display is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S218). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether or not the predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting the timer at the same time as starting the variation display of the special symbol. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S218: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S218: yes), a command (design stop command) indicating that the special symbol is to be stopped is output to the sub-control board 220 (S220). At the same time, the special symbol variably displayed on the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed with the symbol determined in advance (S222). Next, after setting the special symbol stop display time (S224), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S226). If the stop display time has not elapsed (S226: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S226: yes), it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been stopped is one of the six types of jackpot symbols shown in FIG. 11 S228). If the symbol that has been stopped is a jackpot symbol (S228: yes), the jackpot flag is set to ON (S230). Here, the big hit flag is a flag indicating that the big hit game is started, and a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 is assigned to the big hit flag. When the value of the predetermined address is set to “1”, the big hit flag is turned ON.

  Subsequently, the opening time of the special winning opening 31d and the number of round games (round times) performed during the big hit game are set (S232). The opening time and the number of rounds of the big winning opening 31d are determined in advance according to the type of the big hit symbol. That is, when the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is the “normal winning symbol” or “probable winning symbol” shown in FIG. 7, the opening time of the special winning opening 31d is about 25 seconds, and the number of rounds is 15 Set to On the other hand, when the special symbol stopped and displayed is “2R probability variation symbol”, the opening time of the special winning opening 31d is set to about 0.2 seconds and the number of rounds is set to two.

  When the opening time and the number of rounds of the special winning opening 31d are set in this way, it is determined whether or not the stopped big display symbol is a “2R probability variation winning symbol” (S234). If it is not 2R probability variation, that is, if the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed is “normal hit symbol” or “probability variation symbol” (S234: no), the jackpot game with 15 rounds is started. A command (a big hit start command) indicating that this is to be performed is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S236). On the other hand, in the case of 2R probability variation symbol (S234: yes), a command (special jackpot start command) indicating the start of a special jackpot game with two rounds is sent to the sub-control board 220. And output (S238). When these commands are received, the sub control board 220 determines the specific contents of the effect according to the command, and performs the effect accompanying the big hit game. This point will be described in detail later.

  When the jackpot start command or special jackpot start command is output as described above, it is subsequently determined whether or not the probability change flag is ON (S240). If the probability change flag is set to ON (S240: yes), the current game state is the probability change state, and the probability change function and the time shortening function (function to shorten the variation time of the special symbol) are operating. It can be judged. Therefore, by setting the probability variation flag to OFF (ie, changing the value of the probability variation flag from “1” to “0”), the operation of the probability variation function is stopped (S242), and the time reduction flag is also set to OFF (ie, The operation of the time reduction function is also stopped by changing the value of the time reduction flag from “1” to “0” (S244).

  On the other hand, if the probability variation flag is not set to ON (S240: no), it is determined whether or not the time reduction flag is set to ON (S248). If the time reduction flag is set to ON (S248: (S248: yes) Since it is determined that the current gaming state is the time-saving state and the time-saving function is activated, the time-saving flag is turned OFF to stop the time-saving function (S244). In addition, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when the time reduction function is activated, the function (opening extension function) of extending the opening time of the start port 17 (ordinary electric accessory) is also working. Therefore, when the time reduction flag is turned off and the time reduction function is stopped (S244), the opening extension flag is turned off to stop the opening extension function (S246), and then the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is performed. Exit and return to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, if neither the probability variation flag nor the hourly flag is set to ON (S240: no, S248: no), the special symbol game process is left as it is, Return to the game control process.

  The processing in the case where the special symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 is a jackpot symbol has been described (S228: yes). I do.

  First, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is short-time, that is, whether the short-time flag is ON (S250). If the time reduction flag is ON (S250: yes), after counting the number of fluctuations of the special symbol during the time reduction (S252), it is determined whether or not the number of fluctuations has reached the upper limit of time reduction (S254). ). In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, even when the special symbol is “normal hit symbol”, “probable hit symbol”, or “2R probability hit symbol”, the time-short state is started after the big hit game is ended. This is continued until the next jackpot game occurs or the number of times the special symbol fluctuates reaches the upper limit of the time limit. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the count value of the number of fluctuations during the time reduction has reached the upper limit of the time reduction (S254). If the time limit upper limit has been reached (S254: yes), the time reduction flag is turned off to stop the time reduction function (S244), and then the opening extension flag is also turned off to stop the opening extension function of the start port 17. (S246), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is exited, and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed. On the other hand, if the number of fluctuations of the special symbol has not yet reached the upper limit of the time reduction (S254: no), while maintaining the time reduction state (with the time reduction flag and the opening extension flag set to ON), the special symbol game processing is performed. Exit and return to the game control process of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the game control process, when returning from the special symbol game process, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is set to ON (S114). As described above, the big hit flag is a flag that is set to ON when a special symbol is stopped and displayed as a big hit symbol. And if the big hit flag is set to ON (S114: yes), CPU201 mounted in the main control board 200 will start the special electric accessory game process demonstrated below (S116). On the other hand, if the big hit flag is not set to ON (S114: no), the special electric utility game process (S116) is skipped and the process returns to the top of the game control process, and the above-described prize ball related process (S100) and the subsequent steps. The series of processes is repeated. In addition, since the winning game (opening of a specific prize opening) is executed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 executing the following special electric game game process, it is mounted on the main control board 200 of the present embodiment. The CPU 201 constitutes one aspect of the “winning game execution means” of the present invention.

C-3. Special electric game game processing:
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the special electric accessory game process. A so-called jackpot game is performed by executing the special electric accessory game process. Hereinafter, the special electric accessory game process will be described with reference to FIG. 18, but as a preparation, the contents of a game called a so-called jackpot game will be briefly described.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a special winning opening 31d is provided below the gaming board 10, and the special winning opening 31d is closed in a normal gaming state. However, when the big hit game is started, the big winning opening 31d is opened. Since the big winning opening 31d is opened larger than the other winning openings, when the big winning opening 31d is in an open state, the game ball enters with high probability. The opened large winning opening 31d is once closed when a predetermined opening time elapses or a specified number of game balls enter, but is again opened when a predetermined closing time elapses. The game from the opening of the special winning opening 31d to the closing is referred to as “round game (or simply round)”. If such a round game is repeated and a predetermined number of round games are consumed, the big hit game ends. Hereinafter, the special electric accessory game process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 in order to execute the jackpot game described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the special electric accessory game process, first, it is determined whether or not the special winning opening 31d is open (S500). The big prize opening 31d is closed in a normal game state, and therefore, the big prize opening 31d is in a closed state immediately after the start of the big hit game. Accordingly, it is determined that the special winning opening 31d is not open (S500: no), and it is determined whether or not the number of opening of the special winning opening 31d (that is, the number of rounds) has reached a predetermined number (S502). As described above, during the big hit game, the big winning opening 31d is opened, and a predetermined number of round games are repeated. In response to this, when the special winning opening 31d is closed (S500: no), it is determined whether or not the number of times of opening (the number of rounds) of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined number (S502). .

  As a matter of course, immediately after the big hit game is started, the number of opening of the big prize opening 31d has not reached the predetermined number (S502: no), so it is determined whether or not the closing time of the big prize opening 31d has elapsed. (S504). The closing time of the special winning opening 31d is a time during which the special winning opening 31d is in a closed state between rounds. Immediately after the big hit game is started, the big prize opening 31d is in a closed state, so it is naturally determined that the closing time of the big prize opening 31d has passed (S504: yes), and the big prize opening 31d is opened. The game is opened and a round game is started (S506). Then, after outputting a command (round number designation command) for designating to the sub-control board 220 what round game the started round game is (S508), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. Is temporarily terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, as shown in FIG. 9, after performing a series of various processes after the prize ball related process (S100), the special electric game game process (S116) again. To start. As described above, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process shown in FIG. 9 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 18 is also executed about every 4 msec. Then, when the special game is started and the special electric accessory game process of FIG. 18 is executed for the first time, as described above, the special winning opening 31d is opened in S506 and the process is ended as it is. When the second round of processing is performed after 4 msec, it is determined in S500 that the special winning opening 31d is being opened (S500: yes).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined time (S510). As described above, in the big hit game, the big winning opening 31d is in an open state, but is closed when the opening time reaches a predetermined time or a specified number of gaming balls enter the big winning opening 31d. In response to this, in S510, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined time. As described above, the predetermined time is set to 25 seconds if the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is “normal hit symbol” or “probable variable symbol”, and the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is “2R probability variable symbol”. If so, it is set to 0.2 seconds. If the opening time has reached the predetermined time (S510: yes), after closing the special winning opening 31d (S514), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 18 is exited, and the game control of FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, if the opening time has not reached the predetermined time (S510: no), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 31d has reached a specified number (S512). When the specified number is reached (S512: yes), the special winning opening 31d is closed (S514). On the other hand, when the specified number has not been reached (S512: no), the opening time of the big prize opening 31d has not yet reached the predetermined time, and the number of game balls that have entered the big prize opening 31d is also the prescribed number. Therefore, the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 18 is exited and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed while the special winning opening 31d is kept open.

  While the game control process of FIG. 9 is repeatedly executed, the opening time of the special winning opening 31d reaches a predetermined time (S510: yes), or a predetermined number of gaming balls enter the special winning opening 31d. A ball is formed (S512: yes), and the special winning opening 31d is closed (S514). Thus, one round game is completed. When the special electric accessory game process is executed next, it is determined in S500 that the special winning opening 31d is closed (S500: no), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of round games have ended (S502). ). As described above, the predetermined number of times varies depending on the type of the jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed, and is set to 15 times in the case of “normal hit symbol” or “probable variation symbol”, and 2 in the case of “2R probability variation”. Is set to times. If all the round games have not ended (S502: no), it is confirmed that the closing time of the special winning opening 31d has elapsed (S504: yes), and the new winning opening 31d is again opened. After starting the round game (S506), a round number designation command is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S508). On the other hand, if it is determined in S502 that the predetermined number of round games have ended (S502: yes), the big hit flag is set OFF to end the big hit game (S516), and then the big hit game is ended. Is output to the sub-control board 220 (S518).

  When the big hit game is terminated as described above, it is determined whether or not the big hit symbol from which the big hit game is started is the probability variation symbol or the 2R probability variation symbol (S520). If it is a probability variation symbol or a 2R probability variation symbol (S520: yes), the probability variation flag is set to ON (S522), and the time variation flag and the opening extension function of the start port 17 are activated. After the opening extension flag is set to ON (S524, S526), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 18 is terminated. On the other hand, when the big hit symbol is neither the probability variation symbol nor the 2R probability variation symbol, that is, when it is a normal symbol (S520: no), the time reduction function and the opening extension function are operated with the probability variation flag set to OFF. In order to make it possible, after setting the time reduction flag and the opening extension flag to ON (S524, S526), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 18 is terminated, and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed. Note that the game state is set to the probability change state by setting the probability change flag to ON, and such processing is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200. Therefore, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of the present embodiment. Constitutes one aspect of the “probability changing state setting means” of the present invention.

  The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines the number of game balls to be paid out as prize balls while repeating the game control process as described above, outputs a prize ball command to the payout control board 240, The control for advancing the game is performed while changing the gaming state to various gaming states such as a big hit gaming state, a probability variation state, a short-time state, etc. by determining whether or not the game is successful or not. As a result, the gaming machine 1 can perform the game as described above.

  Further, as described above, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 outputs various control signals and control commands related to the effects of the game to the sub-control board 220 while executing the game control process shown in FIG. The sub-control board 220 determines specific contents of presentation based on the received control signal and control command, and uses the variable display device 27, various speakers 5y and 6c, various LEDs, and lamps 4b to 4f. Directing. Hereinafter, a process (effect control process) executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 to receive a game by receiving various control signals or commands output from the main control board 200 will be described. Since various effects are performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executing the following effect control process, the CPU 221 mounted on the sub-control board 220 of the present embodiment is the “effect execution means” of the present invention. Is configured.

C-4. Production control process:
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of effect control processing executed by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220. When starting the effect control process, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 first performs an effect change management process (S600). As described above, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes various effects based on the control command received from the main control board 200. And in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the content of the production is changed when a predetermined condition is established during the game. In the effect change management process, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, a process for changing the contents of the effect is performed.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the effect change management process executed in the effect control process. As shown in the drawing, in the effect change management process, first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has been fired (S700). As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the outer rail 14 of the game board 10 is provided with the firing ball detection switch 37 at a position corresponding to the final end of the inner rail 15. The detection signal is supplied to the sub-control board 220 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 can determine whether or not a game ball has been launched based on this signal. When the game ball is detected to be launched (S700: yes), a process of adding “1” to the shot ball counter is performed (S702). Here, the fired ball number counter is a dedicated counter for counting the number of game balls (number of shot balls) fired after the previous big hit game (or special big hit game) is completed. Is set to a predetermined address of the RAM 223 mounted on the. Since the process of counting the number of shot balls is performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220, the CPU 221 mounted on the sub-control board 220 of this embodiment uses the “shot ball number counting means” of the present invention. It constitutes one aspect.

  When “1” is added to the firing ball number counter, it is determined whether or not the numerical value of the firing ball number counter is “5000” (S704). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the content of the predetermined effect is changed on the condition that the number of shot balls has reached 5000. If the numerical value of the firing ball number counter is “5000” (S704: yes), the effect change A flag is set to ON (S706). Here, the effect change A flag is a flag for storing that the effect content is changed when the number of shot balls reaches 5000.

  On the other hand, when the numerical value of the firing ball number counter is not “5000” (S704: no), it is next determined whether or not the numerical value of the firing ball number counter is “500” (S708). If the numerical value of the shot ball counter is “500” (S708: yes), it is subsequently determined whether or not the probability change flag is set to ON (S710). In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the content of the predetermined effect is set to be changed on the condition that the gaming state is a probable change state and the number of shot balls has reached 500. Therefore, when the probability variation flag is set to ON (S710: yes), the effect change B flag is set to ON (S712). Here, the effect change B flag is a flag for storing that the content of the effect is changed when the number of shot balls reaches 500 during the probability change state.

  On the other hand, when the numerical value of the shot ball counter is not “500” (S708: no), or when the probability variation flag is set to OFF (S710: no), the effect change B flag is turned on. The process of setting to (S712) is not performed.

  In the above, the process performed when the game ball is detected in S700 (S700: yes) has been described. However, when the game ball is not detected (S700: no), the number of shot balls is “ The process of adding "1" (S702) and the process of checking the numerical value of the number of shot balls counter (S704, S708) are skipped, and it is determined whether or not a jackpot end command has been received (S714). As described above, when the big hit game is terminated when the number of rounds in the big hit game reaches a predetermined number, the big hit end command is output from the main control board 200 (S518 in FIG. 18). Then, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the big hit game is completed or the change of the player is detected, the number of shot balls counted so far is cleared. Therefore, if a jackpot end command is received (S714: yes), it is determined that the jackpot game has ended, and after resetting the shot ball counter to count the number of shot balls from “0” again (S718) Then, the effect change management process of FIG. 20 is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when neither a big hit start command nor a special big hit start command has been received (S714: no), it is determined whether or not a player change is detected (S716). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, it is determined that the player has changed when a certain time (for example, 1 minute) has passed with the demonstration effect. Here, the demonstration effect is an effect started when the variable display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is not performed on the variable display device 27 for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds). If it is determined that the player has changed (S716: yes), after resetting the number-of-fired ball counter (S718), the effect change management process of FIG. 20 is terminated, and the effect control process of FIG. Return. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the change of the player is detected based on the elapsed time with the demonstration effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is detected by a signal from the touch switch 8a provided on the firing handle 8 that the player has not touched the firing handle 8 for a certain time (for example, 1 minute), it is determined that the player has changed. May be. Further, it may be determined that the player changes when a ball removal button (not shown) is operated in order to discharge the game balls stored in the lower plate part 6.

  On the other hand, when the change of the player is not detected (S716: no), the effect change management process of FIG. 20 is terminated without resetting the number-of-balls counter, and the effect control process of FIG. Return to.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the effect control process, when returning from the effect change management process (S600), it is determined whether or not a variation pattern designation command and a stop symbol designation command have been received (S602). As described above, the variation pattern designation command is a command that designates a special symbol variation pattern (variation time), and the stop symbol designation command is a command that designates a special symbol stop symbol. These commands are output from the main control board 200 when the special symbol variation display is started (S214 and S216 in FIG. 10). When a variation pattern designation command and a stop symbol designation command are received (S602: yes), a process of performing an effect (symbol variation effect process) in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol on the symbol display device 28 is started ( S604). On the other hand, when the variation pattern designation command and the stop symbol designation command are not received (S602: no), the symbol variation effect process (S604) is skipped.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol variation effect process executed in the effect control process. In the symbol variation effect process, first, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol of the special symbol is a big hit symbol by interpreting the content of the received stop symbol designation command (S800). If the special symbol stop symbol is not a big hit symbol, that is, if the stop symbol is a dismiss symbol (S800: no), the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are disengaged based on the received variation pattern designation command. The effect display pattern is determined (S802). That is, by interpreting the contents of the variation pattern designation command, the variation time of the special symbol that is variably displayed on the symbol display device 28 can be known, so that within the range of the variation time of the special symbol, the variation display device 27 A specific variation display (effect display) mode of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is determined, and a stop display mode of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is determined to be stopped. After that, when the variable display device 27 starts the variable display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c by outputting a control command instructing the determined off-line display pattern to the display control board 230 (S804), The symbol variation effect process of 21 is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the stop symbol of the special symbol is a jackpot symbol (S800: yes), it is determined whether or not the jackpot symbol is a “2R probability variation symbol” (S806). If it is not 2R probability variation, that is, if the big hit symbol is “normal hit symbol” or “probable variation symbol” (S806: no), whether or not the effect change A flag is set to ON. Judgment is made (S808). As described above, the effect change A flag is a flag for storing that the effect content is changed when the number of shot balls reaches 5000. If the effect change A flag is set to OFF (S808: no), the number of fired balls has not reached 5000 and there is no need to change the effect contents, so the presence or absence of the promotion effect is determined by lottery ( S810).

  Here, the promotion effect is a combination of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c corresponding to the normal winning symbols (the same symbols representing even numbers) when the special symbol stop symbol is “probable hit symbol”. ) Is temporarily stopped and displayed, and then switched to a mode corresponding to the probability variation winning symbol (a combination of the same symbols representing odd numbers). As described above, the “probable hit” is a win mode that is more advantageous to the player than the “normal hit”. Therefore, by giving such an effect, the player is given an impression that the hit mode is promoted. be able to. The promotion effect may also be performed when the special symbol stop symbol is “normal hit symbol”. In this case, there is no actual promotion, and after the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to the normal winning symbol, the stop display mode is switched. The display is stopped in a manner corresponding to the winning symbol.

  When the presence / absence of the promotion effect is determined, the effect display pattern per design symbol 27a, 27b, 27c is determined based on the presence / absence of the promotion effect and the received variation pattern designation command (S812). In other words, in the case of the promotion effect “Yes”, the specific variation display mode and hit of the design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c accompanied by the promotion effect are within the range of the variation time of the special symbol designated by the variation pattern designation command. The stop display mode is determined. On the other hand, in the case of the promotion effect “none”, the specific change display mode and the winning stop display mode of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that do not perform the promotion effect are determined in accordance with the change time of the special symbol. To do. After that, when the variable display device 27 starts to display the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c in a variable manner by outputting a control command instructing the determined winning display pattern to the effect control board 230 (S804), The symbol variation effect process of 21 is finished, and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the effect change A flag is set to ON (S808: yes), the number of shot balls has reached 5000, and the effect content needs to be changed. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the number of shot balls reaches 5000, the promotion effect described above is not performed. Therefore, after determining the effect display pattern (specific change display mode and win stop display mode) of the design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c that do not perform the promotion effect based on the received change pattern designation command (S814) ), The effect change A flag is set to OFF (S816). When the variable display device 27 starts to display the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c in a variable manner by outputting a control command instructing the determined winning display pattern to the effect control board 230 (S804), The symbol variation effect process of 21 is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG. Note that the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 according to the present embodiment performs the process of determining the contents of the effect according to the number of shot balls by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220. It constitutes one aspect of the “determination means”.

  In the above description, the processing performed when the special symbol stop symbol is either the “normal hit symbol” or the “probable hit symbol” (S806: no), but the special symbol stop symbol is If it is “2R probability variation symbol” (S806: yes), it is subsequently determined whether or not the effect change B flag is set to ON (S818). As described above, the effect change B flag is a flag for storing that the effect content is changed when the number of shot balls reaches 500 during the probability change state.

  If the effect change B flag is set to OFF (S818: no), there is no need to change the effect contents. Therefore, based on the received variation pattern designation command, the design symbol 27a for 2R probability variation is provided. The effect display patterns 27b and 27c (specific change display mode and stop display mode) are determined (S820). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the stop symbol of the special symbol is “2R probability variation per symbol”, the predetermined combination in which the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are not aligned with the same symbol. The stop display is made with. Further, if the special symbol stop symbol is “2R probability variation symbol”, the reach “none” variation pattern is determined (see FIGS. 16 and 17), so that the reach effect is not performed. Then, an effect display pattern for stopping and displaying the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is determined in a predetermined combination that does not match the same symbols.

  On the other hand, when the effect change B flag is set to ON (S818: yes), the number of shot balls has reached 500 during the probability change state, and it is necessary to change the effect contents. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the number of shot balls reaches 500 during the probability changing state, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are associated with the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c without performing the reach effect (the same) Arbitrary combinations that do not align with the symbol) are stopped and displayed. Therefore, in accordance with the variation time of the special symbol designated by the received variation pattern designation command, the design display 27a, 27b, 27c of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that do not perform the reach design (specific variation display mode and stop of separation) Display mode) is determined (S822). As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the fluctuation pattern of “2R probability variation” has a longer fluctuation time than the fluctuation pattern of “out” without reach. If the effect display pattern is set, the variation time tends to be excessive. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, an effect (so-called quasi-continuous effect) is performed in which the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed a plurality of times with respect to one variation display of the special symbol. Yes. In other words, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are temporarily stopped and displayed in a detachment manner during the variation display of the special symbol, and the variation display is immediately resumed. By performing such re-variation once or several times, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in accordance with the special symbol stop display (elapse of the special symbol change time).

  As described above, when the effect display patterns of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are determined in accordance with the state (ON / OFF) of the effect change B flag, a control command that indicates the determined effect display pattern is output. After the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c on the variation display device 27 is started (S804), the symbol variation effect process in FIG. 21 is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process in FIG.

  In the effect control process shown in FIG. 19, when returning from the symbol variation effect process (S604), it is determined whether or not a symbol stop command has been received (S606). As described above, the symbol stop command is a command indicating that the special symbol is stopped and displayed, and is output from the main control board 200 when the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S220 in FIG. 10). When the symbol stop command is received (S606: yes), the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in the determined stop display mode by outputting the control command to the effect control board 230. (S608). On the other hand, when the symbol stop command has not been received (S606: no), the process of displaying the design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c in a stopped manner (S608) is skipped.

  In the effect control process, it is then determined whether or not a jackpot start command has been received (S610). As described above, the big hit start command is a command indicating that the big hit game with the number of rounds of 15 is started, and the special symbol is stopped and displayed in either of “normal hit symbol” or “probable hit symbol”. In this case, it is output from the main control board 200 (S236 in FIG. 11). And when the big hit start command is received (S610: yes), the process for producing a big hit game (big hit game effect process) is started (S612).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of the jackpot game effect process executed in the effect control process. In the big hit game effect processing, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal hit symbol (whether or not the special symbol specified by the received stop symbol designation command is a probable hit symbol). (S900). Then, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal winning symbol (S900: yes), an effect (successful jacking game effect) is executed to impress that it is a 15R jackpot game advantageous to the player (S902). . Such effects are performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determining specific contents of the effects and controlling the variable display device 27, the various speakers 5y and 6c, the various LEDs, the lamps 4b to 4f, and the like. When the jackpot game effect is thus executed, the jackpot game effect process of FIG. 22 is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the probability variation per symbol (S900: no), the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c correspond to the probability variation per symbol of the special symbol (the same symbol representing an odd number). It is determined whether or not the stop display is made with the complete combination (S904). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the special symbol stop symbol is “probable hit symbol”, the promotion effect may be performed. The promotion effect is the design symbol 27a, 27b, This is an effect of switching 27c to a mode corresponding to a probable variation symbol after stopping and displaying 27c in a mode corresponding to a normal symbol of a special symbol (a combination of the same symbols representing even numbers). Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, as a timing for switching (promoting) to a mode corresponding to the probability variation winning symbol, it is promoted within the variation time of the special symbol (until the special symbol is stopped and displayed) The case where the player is promoted during the execution of the jackpot game is set. If the special symbol is stopped and displayed with a probability variation symbol, but the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to the normal winning symbol (S904: no), the variation time of the special symbol is not exceeded. Therefore, it is determined that the design symbol 27a, 27b, 27c stopped and displayed in the mode corresponding to the normal winning symbol is promoted to the mode corresponding to the probability variation winning symbol. An effect is executed (S906). Thereafter, the big hit game effect process of FIG. 22 is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to the probability variation per symbol of the special symbol (S904: yes), it is determined that the promotion effect is not performed or the variation time of the special symbol Therefore, after only the jackpot game effect is executed (S902), the jackpot game effect process of FIG. 22 is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  In the effect control process of FIG. 19, when returning from the big hit game effect process (S612), the process returns to the head of the effect control process, and a series of processes after the effect change management process (S600) described above are performed.

  In the above, the processing performed when the big hit start command is received in S610 (S610: yes) has been described. It is determined whether or not (S614). As described above, the special jackpot start command is a command indicating that a special jackpot game with two rounds is started, and the main control board is displayed when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as “2R probability variation winning symbol”. 200 (S238 in FIG. 11). If a special big hit start command has not been received (S614: no), the process returns to the head of the effect control process, and a series of processes after the effect change management process (S600) are performed. On the other hand, when a special jackpot start command is received (S614: yes), a process for producing a special jackpot game (special jackpot game effect process) is started (S616).

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the special big hit game effect process executed in the effect control process. In the special jackpot game effect process, first, it is determined whether or not the effect change B flag is set to ON (S1000). As described above, the effect change B flag is a flag for storing that the effect content is changed when the number of shot balls reaches 500 during the probability change state. If the effect change B flag is set to OFF (S1000: no), an effect (probability change entry effect) that impresses the player that the probability change state is started is executed (S1002). As described above, when the stop symbol of the special symbol is “2R probability variation symbol”, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a predetermined combination that does not align with the same symbol. In addition, the special jackpot game that is started thereafter is completed by performing two rounds in which the grand prize winning opening 31d is opened for a short time (0.2 seconds), so that the player has the special symbol “2R probability change”. There is a tendency that it is difficult to notice that the display is stopped at the “hit symbol”. Therefore, by executing the probability variation entry effect during the special big hit game, it is possible to impress the player as if the gaming state suddenly changed to the certain probability variation state. When the probability change entry effect is executed in this manner, the special big hit game effect process of FIG. 23 is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the effect change B flag is set to ON (S1000: yes), the number of shot balls has reached 500 during the probability change state, and it is necessary to change the effect contents. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the number of shot balls reaches 500 during the probability changing state, the design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c are displayed during the special big hit game without performing the above-described probability changing entry effect. Thus, the display is stopped and displayed in a deviating manner (arbitrary combinations that do not have the same pattern). Therefore, the design display patterns 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed with an effect display pattern (specific change display mode and stop display mode for disconnection are determined (S1004), and the effect change B flag is set to OFF (S1006). Then, by outputting a control command instructing the decided off effect display pattern toward the effect control board 230, the design display 27a, 27b, 27c is displayed in a variable manner on the variable display device 27, and then is stopped and displayed in an off state. If it is made to do (S1008), the special big hit game effect process of FIG. 23 will be complete | finished and it will return to the effect control process of FIG.

  In the effect control process of FIG. 19, when returning from the special jackpot game effect process (S616), the process returns to the head of the effect control process, and a series of processes after the effect change management process (S600) are executed.

  In the foregoing, various processes executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 to produce a game have been described. Here, as described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of game balls fired after the end of the big hit game is counted by the sub-control board 220. And if “winning” occurs in the determination of whether or not the special symbol is successful, the content of the production is determined according to the number of game balls that have been fired so far, and this makes it possible to consider the player's mood and It is possible to perform various effects. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  FIG. 24 is a time chart illustrating the contents of effects performed when the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is “probable hit”. FIG. 24A shows the contents of effects performed when the number of fired balls is less than 5000 when “probable hit” occurs in the determination of whether or not a special symbol is appropriate. As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, if the determination result is “probable hit”, the presence / absence of the promotion effect is determined by lottery, as shown in FIG. In the example, a decision is made to perform a promotion effect. Therefore, when the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, 28c is started according to the variation time of the special symbol, first, the reach effect corresponding to the normal hit (that is, the left design symbol 27a and the right design symbol with the same symbol representing an even number). In the state in which 27c is stopped and displayed, the medium design symbol 27b is variably displayed), and the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are once in a normal hit mode (a combination of the same symbols representing even numbers). Stopped display. Thereafter, an effect (promotion effect) for switching the stop display mode of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is performed, and at the same time as the variation time of the special symbol elapses, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are probable variations. It is stopped and displayed (a combination of the same symbols representing odd numbers). When the special symbol stop display time elapses, the variable display device 27, various speakers 5y and 6c, various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are synchronized with the opening / closing (big hit game) of the special winning opening 31d. A big hit game effect using is performed.

  On the other hand, FIG. 24B shows the contents of the effect that is performed when the number of fired balls is 5000 or more when “probable hit” occurs in the special symbol success / failure determination. As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the promotion effect is set not to be performed if the number of shot balls reaches 5000. Therefore, when the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is started according to the variation time of the special symbol, the reach effect corresponding to the probability variation (that is, the left design symbol 27a and the right design symbol 27c with the same symbols representing odd numbers). After the middle design symbol 27b is variably displayed in a stopped state, the special design variation time elapses, and at the same time, the three design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c are in a positive variation mode ( A combination of the same symbols representing odd numbers) is stopped and displayed. After that, the special symbol stop display time elapses, and the opening / closing of the big prize opening 31d (big hit game) is started, and the big hit game effect is executed.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of game balls fired after the end of the previous jackpot game is counted, and when a “probable hit” occurs in the determination of whether or not the special symbol is successful, Since the promotion effect is not performed when the number reaches 5000 balls, it is possible to execute an appropriate effect that does not offend the player. In other words, by performing the promotion effect, it is possible to give the impression that the winning mode has been promoted from “normal hit” to “probable hit”, and it is possible to excite the player's interest, but the previous big hit game When a promotion effect is performed when the period from the end to the occurrence of a probable change is long (that is, when the player has invested a large amount of money), the result of whether or not the hit that has finally occurred is a probable change or not Since it seems to be repelled by a player who wants to know quickly, there is a risk that the player may feel offended (frustrated). On the other hand, the content of the production is determined according to the number of shots that are directly related to the amount of money thrown by the player. If the player has fired more than 20,000 yen), it will not harm the player's mood if he decides the contents of the performance that directly indicates a probable hit without performing the promotion effect. Production can be performed. In this way, by counting the number of game balls (number of shot balls) that have been fired until the probability change occurs, it is possible to calculate an accurate investment amount (amount that the player has invested in the game). Then, if the production is set according to the number of shot balls, it is possible to execute an appropriate production in consideration of the player's mood, and as a result, the player's interest at the time of occurrence of a probable change is effectively improved. Can be increased.

  FIG. 25 is a time chart illustrating the contents of effects performed when the result of the special symbol determination made during the probability variation state is “2R probability variation hit”. FIG. 25A shows the contents of effects performed when the number of shot balls is less than 500 when “2R probability variation hit” is generated in the determination of success or failure during the probability variation state. As shown in the figure, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed in accordance with the variation time of the special symbol, and at the same time as the variation time of the special symbol elapses, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are subjected to 2R probability variation. Are stopped and displayed (predetermined combinations that do not have the same pattern). Then, when the special symbol stop display time elapses, the special winning opening 31d is opened and closed (special big hit game), and the probability variation entry effect is executed. As described above, in the case of 2R probability variation, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are set to a predetermined combination in which the stop display modes of the design symbols are not aligned with each other, and the opening / closing of the special winning opening 31d is performed in a short period ( It is difficult for the player to notice the occurrence of the 2R probability change, and the game state suddenly switches to the probability change state by executing the probability change entry effect. It is possible to impress players.

  On the other hand, FIG. 25 (b) shows the contents of the effect performed when the number of shot balls is 500 or more when “2R probability variation hit” is generated in the probability determination in the probability variation state. As shown in the drawing, when the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is started in accordance with the variation time of the special symbol, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are disengaged without performing the reach effect (same Arbitrary combinations that do not align with the symbols). However, since the variation time of the special symbol has not yet elapsed, the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is resumed, and at the same time as the variation time of the special symbol has elapsed, the display is stopped and displayed in a detachment manner. When the special symbol stop display time elapses, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed again during the period when the special winning opening 31d is opened and closed (special jackpot game), and the special jackpot game ends. Sometimes the design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c are stopped and displayed in a disengaged manner.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the “2R probability variation hit” occurs during the probability variation state and the number of shot balls has reached 500, the player determines that the 2R probability variation has occurred. Since an effect is made to make it difficult for the player to be noticed, it can be avoided that the player's interest is reduced. That is, in the case of 2R probability variation, the big winning opening 31d is opened in such a manner that the game ball does not easily enter (the opening for 0.2 seconds is performed only twice), so that the player Can hardly get. Also, if the probability variation state is already in effect, the player can substantially not gain any profit due to the occurrence of the 2R probability variation. Therefore, if a probability change entry effect indicating the occurrence of 2R probability change is performed after launching more than 500 game balls (2,000 yen equivalent to 4 yen per ball) during the probability change state, There is a risk of discouragement and cooling of the game entertainment. On the other hand, if more than 500 game balls have been fired in the probability variation state before the occurrence of 2R probability variation, the design symbol 27a, from the start of the special symbol variation until the special jackpot game ends. By repeating the change display of 27b and 27c and the stop display in the out-of-phase state, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to notice the occurrence of the 2R probability change, so that the player's interest can be maintained. Become.

D. Modified example:
In the embodiment described above, the design symbols 27a and 27b at the time of hitting are based on the number of game balls that have been fired until the hit occurs (the number of shot balls) and the variation pattern (variation time) of the special symbol. , 27c effect display patterns (specific variation display mode and winning stop display mode) are determined, and this special symbol variation pattern is determined regardless of the number of shot balls. It was. However, the variation pattern of the special symbol may be determined according to the number of shot balls until the hit occurs. Below, the modification which employ | adopted such a structure is demonstrated.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of the variation pattern determination process executed in the gaming machine 1 according to the modification. Similarly to the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 15), in the variation pattern determination process of the modified example, first, when the process is started, whether or not the time-shortening state is in effect, that is, whether or not the time-shortening flag is set to ON. (S1100: no), when the time reduction flag is set to OFF (S1100: no), the normal time variation pattern table is selected (S1102), whereas the time reduction flag is set to ON. If it is found (S1100: yes), the time variation pattern table is selected (1104).

  Subsequently, when the fluctuation pattern determination random number is acquired (S1106), it is determined whether or not the result of the special symbol determination is successful (S1108). If the result of the determination is wrong (S1108: yes), after referring to the selected variation pattern table and determining the variation pattern to be deviated based on the acquired variation pattern determination random number (S410). 26, the variation pattern determination process in FIG. 26 is terminated, and the process returns to the special symbol game process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is a win (S1108: yes), it is determined whether or not the winning mode is a “probable change hit” (S1112). S1112: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls (number of fired balls) fired after the end of the previous jackpot game is 5000 or more (S1114). In the gaming machine 1 of the modified example, when the number of shot balls counted on the sub control board 220 reaches 5000, a control command indicating that is output from the sub control board 220 toward the main control board 200. Thus, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 can determine whether or not the number of shot balls has reached 5000 based on this command. The number of shot balls may be counted by the main control board 200 by supplying a detection signal from the shot ball detection switch 37 provided in the game board 10 to the main control board 200. If the number of shot balls is 5000 or more (S1114: yes), a process of replacing the previously selected variation pattern table with a special variation pattern table is performed (S1116).

  FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a special variation pattern table used in the gaming machine 1 according to the modification. In the special variation pattern table, as in the normal variation pattern table (FIG. 16) and the short-time variation pattern table described above, the correspondence between the variation pattern determination random number value and a plurality of variation patterns is set. Since the special variation pattern table is used at the time of occurrence of the probability variation, only the variation pattern for probability variation is set, and all variation patterns are set to reach “present”. In addition, in the special variation pattern table (FIG. 27), the variation time of the special symbol corresponding to each variation pattern is shorter than that in the normal variation pattern table (FIG. 16) and the short time variation pattern table (FIG. 17). It has become.

  After replacing the fluctuation pattern table with the special fluctuation pattern table, refer to the special fluctuation pattern table and determine the fluctuation pattern according to the winning mode, that is, the fluctuation pattern per probability change based on the obtained fluctuation pattern determination random number. (S1118), the variation pattern determination process of FIG. 26 is terminated, and the process returns to the special symbol game process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the winning mode is not a probable hit (S1112: no), or when the number of shot balls is less than 5000 (S1114: no), referring to the previously selected variation pattern table, After determining the variation pattern according to the winning mode based on the acquired variation pattern determination random number (S1118), the variation pattern determination processing of FIG. 26 is terminated and the process returns to the special symbol game processing shown in FIG. .

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the modified example, when the number of shot balls reaches 5000 at the time of occurrence of the probability variation, the variation pattern table referred to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined. The special variation pattern table is replaced with a variation pattern in which the variation time of the special symbol is shorter than that of the variation pattern table referred to when the time is short. Therefore, if the variation display and stop display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are performed according to the determined variation time of the special symbol, it is possible to quickly indicate to the player that the hit mode that has finally occurred is the probability variation. As described above, by switching the timing of presenting the occurrence of the probability variation to the player according to the number of shot balls until the probability variation occurs, it is possible to effectively enhance the interest of the player when the probability variation occurs. It becomes possible.

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

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the contents of the effects are determined separately for the effects that are performed in accordance with the variation time of the special symbol and the effects that are performed during the opening / closing of the special prize opening 31d (special jackpot game). It was. However, when the 2R probability variation occurs during the probability variation state and the number of shot balls is 500 or more, a special symbol variation time and stop display time, and a series over the opening / closing period of the special winning opening 31d. It is good also as performing the production of. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are started to be displayed together with the start of the variation of the special symbols, and the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed before the variation time of the special symbols elapses. The stop display is made once in a manner of detachment. Then, when the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is resumed, even if the variation time of the special symbol elapses, the variation display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c is continued and the stop display time of the special symbol elapses. After the opening / closing (special big hit game) of the special winning opening 31d is started, the design symbols 27a, 27b, 27c are stopped and displayed in a disengaged manner. After that, the display of the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c may be started again, and the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c may be stopped and displayed in a disengaged manner at the end of the special big hit game. In this way, as a series of productions from the start of the change of the special symbol to the end of the special jackpot game, the design symbol even when the special symbol stops or when the special jackpot game (opening and closing of the big prize opening) If the change display of 27a, 27b, and 27c is performed, the player's attention can be attracted to the design symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c, so that the player recognizes the occurrence of the 2R probability variation. It becomes possible to make it more difficult.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the shot ball detection switch 37 is provided at a position corresponding to the final end of the inner rail 15 on the outer rail 14 so as to detect the game ball shot toward the game area 11. It was. However, the position for detecting the launch ball is not limited to this position. For example, by providing the shot ball detection switch 37 at a portion where the shot ball from the game ball launch position to the final end of the inner rail 15 passes, the game ball that has not reached the game area 11 is also detected. You may make it do. In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, a game ball passage gate 38 is provided at a position called “bump” in the upper left of the variation display device 27, and a game ball detection switch provided inside the game ball passage gate 38. The shot ball may be detected by 38s. Since a player usually launches a game ball aiming at a “bub” in order to efficiently enter the starting port 17, if the game ball passing gate 38 is provided at this position, The game ball launched toward the region 11 can be detected almost accurately. In this way, since the sub-control board 220 is generally installed at the rear (back side) of the variable display device 27, the game ball detection switch 38s and the sub-control board 220 are easily connected. be able to. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which calculates the number of discharge balls by adding the number of discharged balls detected by the out port 48, and the number of balls detected by the starting port 17 grade | etc.,.

  In addition, in the above-described modification, when the number of shot balls reaches 5000 at the time of occurrence of the probability variation, the variation pattern table to be referred to is replaced with a special variation pattern table. However, it is not always necessary to replace the special variation pattern table.For example, referring to the variation pattern table selected earlier, the variation pattern with the shortest variation time of the special symbol regardless of the obtained variation pattern determination random number. It is also possible to advance the timing at which the player is informed of the occurrence of the probability variation.

  Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the case of having a normal hit, a probability variation, and a 2R probability variation as a hit mode has been described. However, as a hit mode, a mode other than these hit modes may be used as long as there is a large difference in profits given to the player. For example, in a hit mode in which there is a difference in the number of prize balls paid out by entering a game ball into the big winning opening 31d during the big hit game, or a time until the big hit game ends (opening time of the big winning opening 31d) The hit mode etc. with a size difference are mentioned. Even in the case of these hit modes, by referring to the game state and the number of shot balls at the time of hit, it is equivalent to the above-described embodiment and modification example by performing an appropriate presentation without harming the player's mood. The effect of can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the content of the effect is switched on condition that the number of shot balls reaches 5000 or 500. However, the reference value for switching the content of the effect is limited to these numerical values. However, it can be changed as appropriate according to a so-called ball rental rate (a fee to be paid for lending one game ball) or the like.

  In addition, the manager of the game shop may be able to freely set the number of shot balls for switching the production contents. For example, assuming that a dip switch that can be switched to multiple levels (for example, can be switched to three levels of setting positions A, B, and C) is provided on the sub-control board, the administrator lends the setting position of this dip switch. Switching according to the sphere rate is conceivable. Specifically, for the setting position A of the dip switch, the number of shot balls for switching the production contents is set to 2000 or 200 for high rate, and for the setting position B, the medium rate is set. For this purpose, the number of fired balls for switching the effect contents is set to 4000 balls or 400 balls, and for the setting position C, the number of fired balls for switching the effect contents is 6000 balls or 600 balls for the low rate. It may be set as follows. In this way, if the manager can freely change the timing of switching the content of the production according to the rental rate of the game store, an appropriate performance that does not reduce the player's gaming interest will be executed more effectively. It becomes possible.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of a game board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the symbol display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen structure of the fluctuation | variation display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the normal symbol is variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that the special symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the one aspect | mode of the effect performed with a fluctuation | variation display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the rough flow of the game control processing which CPU mounted in the main control board performs in order to control progress of a game. It is the flowchart which showed a part of special symbol game process performed in a game control process. It is the flowchart which showed the remaining part of the special symbol game process performed in a game control process. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the special symbol success / failure determination process performed in the special symbol game process. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the success / failure determination table used for the determination of the success / failure of the special symbol of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the jackpot symbol determination table referred in order to determine the jackpot symbol of a special symbol. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the variation pattern determination process performed in a special symbol game process. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the normal time fluctuation pattern table selected when it is not a time-short state. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the time change pattern table selected when it is a time reduction state. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the special electric accessory game process performed in a game control process. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the presentation control process which CPU of a sub control board performs. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the production change management process performed in production control processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the symbol fluctuation effect process performed in an effect control process. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the big hit game production process performed in production control processing. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the special jackpot game effect process performed in an effect control process. It is the time chart which illustrated the contents of the production performed when the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is “probable hit”. It is the time chart which illustrated the contents of the production performed when the result of the judgment decision of the special symbol performed in the probability variation state is “2R probability variation hit”. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the variation pattern determination process performed with the game machine of a modification. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the special variation pattern table used with the game machine of a modification. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that a series of effects are performed from the variation start of a special symbol to the end of a special jackpot game. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board which provided the game ball passage gate in the upper left part of the fluctuation | variation display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Machine machine 17 ... Starting port,
27 ... Fluctuation display device, 28 ... Symbol display device,
31d ... Grand prize opening (specific prize opening), 37 ... Launch ball detection switch,
200 ... main control board,
221 ... CPU (win / fail determining means, winning game executing means, winning mode determining means, probability variation state setting means),
220 ... Sub-control board,
221... CPU (effect execution means, number of shot balls counting means, effect content determination means)

Claims (3)

A ball game machine that launches a game ball toward a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances, and performs a game in which when a game ball enters the entrance, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. In
When a game ball enters a predetermined start port among the plurality of entrances, a determination unit for determining whether or not to win by a lottery;
When the lottery result by the winning / decision determining means is a winning, the winning aspect determining means for determining the winning aspect from a plurality of aspects having different benefits given to the player,
An effect execution means for executing an effect based on the lottery result by the winning / failing determination means;
A specific winning opening that is configured to be switchable between a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter and an open state in which a game ball can enter, and is normally closed,
When the lottery result by the winning / decision determining means is a winning, the winning game execution means for executing a winning game according to the winning mode by setting the specific winning opening to the open state;
From the end of the winning game until the lottery result by the success / failure determining unit becomes a winning, and a firing ball number counting means for counting the number of shot balls of the game ball,
When the lottery result by the success / failure determination unit is won, the effect execution unit is responsive to the number of shot balls counted by the number of shot ball counting unit and the winning mode determined by the hit mode determining unit. An effect content determining means for determining the content of the effect to be executed is provided. In the ball game machine according to claim 1,
The hit mode determining means is means for determining the hit mode as either normal hit or probable hit,
When the winning mode is the probability variation, the game state after the winning game is provided with probability variation state setting means for setting a probability variation state in which the probability of winning in the lottery is higher than usual,
The production content determination means includes
When the hit mode is determined for the probability variation and the number of shot balls counted by the shot ball number counting means does not reach a predetermined reference value, the fact that the hit is normal is presented. The first effect content determination means for determining the content of the effect to the content to be presented later that the probability variation,
When the hit mode is determined for the probability variation and the number of shot balls counted by the shot ball number counting means reaches the reference value, the fact that the hit is normal is presented. A bullet ball game machine comprising: a second effect content determining means for determining the content of the effect as a content that immediately indicates that it is a probability change. In the ball game machine according to claim 1,
The hit mode determining means is a means for determining the hit mode as one of a normal hit, a probability change, and a specific probability change,
When the winning mode is the probability variation or the specific probability variation, probability variation state setting means for setting the gaming state after the winning game to a probability variation state in which the probability of winning in the lottery is higher than usual. Prepared,
When the winning mode is the specific probability variation, the winning game execution means sets the specific winning opening to the open state for a shorter period than when the winning mode is the normal probability or the probability variation. The hit game is executed by
The production content determination means includes
When the winning mode is determined for the specific probability variation, if the gaming state is not the certain probability variation state, the content of the effect is determined to present the fact that the gaming state is set to the certain probability variation state. First production content determination means to perform,
When the winning mode is determined for the specific probability variation, the gaming state is the probability variation state, and the number of firing balls counted by the number of firing ball counts reaches a predetermined reference value Includes a second effect content determining means for determining, as the content of the effect, an effect content to be executed when the lottery result by the success / failure determination means is lost. Gaming machine.

Images