JP2010137094A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of giving a new impression unlike before to a player, stimulating the curiosity of the player, arousing thrills and excitements and increasing expectations and tension that the player has for a specified symbol array. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine such as a Pachinko game machine, when symbol display columns 110, 130, and 150 on a screen 20a form a ready-to-win form, stop variation and form a losing symbol array, when a big winning symbol array can be formed by moving the position of the symbol of a center symbol display column 130 which has stopped the variation at the end, three symbols of the center symbol display column 130 are shielded by shielding bodies A1, A2, and A3, respectively, and the positions of the shielded symbols are moved at such a speed that the player can identify them. Thereafter, shielding by the shielding bodies A1, A2, and A3 is canceled and the shielded symbols are displayed on the screen 20a again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a technique for displaying a display by changing a symbol on a display unit of the gaming machine.

In a pachinko machine that is one of the gaming machines, a lottery is performed by reading various random numbers when a pachinko ball (game ball) enters or passes through a predetermined area (for example, the first type starting port). Based on the result, it is determined whether the jackpot or not.
Moreover, the fluctuation | variation of the symbol of the symbol display apparatus (for example, special symbol indicator) provided on the game board surface based on a random number is started.
When a predetermined symbol array is formed, for example, when a jackpot symbol array in which three identical symbols are aligned on one line is formed, it is notified that a jackpot game (privilege) has been given to the player. .
Specifically, in the jackpot game, a process such as opening a big prize opening for a certain period is performed, and an almost constant number of balls are paid out.
When a symbol array other than the jackpot symbol array (outlier symbol array) is formed, no jackpot game is awarded.

In such a pachinko machine, for example, when two of the three symbol display columns stop changing and reach a reach state that is one step before forming the jackpot symbol array, the player's interest stops last. Concentrate on the variation of symbols in the symbol display sequence.
However, after reaching the reach state, simply stopping the fluctuation of the last symbol display column only displays the result after reach, and does not increase the player's expectation for the jackpot. It was.
In this way, in the conventional gaming machine, the fluctuation of the symbol display sequence to be stopped at the end stops, and once the symbol arrangement is formed, the deviation is fixed, so the display mode is monotonous, there is no freshness, and the game It was not possible to stimulate thrill and excitement by stimulating the curiosity of the people.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to give the player a novel impression that has never existed, and to stimulate the player's curiosity, thereby making the thrill and excitement more. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be further aroused and that can increase the sense of expectation and urgency of a specific symbol arrangement held by the player.

Means for solving the above-described problems are as described in claims 1 to 5. Here, the terms used in claim 1 and other claims and in the detailed description of the invention are interpreted as follows.
(1) “Design” includes not only special symbols but also all symbols (alphanumeric characters, kanji characters, kana characters, symbols, symbols, patterns, graphics, etc. that are displayed on the display in relation to the game, such as ordinary symbols. , Still images, moving images, etc.).
The number of symbols includes not only one but also a plurality.
(2) “Shading of the symbol” includes not only the case where the symbol is covered by the shielding object but also the case where the symbol is hidden by turning the symbol upside down (for example, turning the card over).
(3) The “display unit” includes not only one special symbol display but also a plurality of special symbol displays.
In the case of displaying a plurality of symbols, there are a mode in which all symbols are displayed on one special symbol display and a mode in which a plurality of symbols are sorted and displayed on the plurality of special symbol displays.
(4) “Big jackpot symbol arrangement” is to give a jackpot game to a player when the display unit stops changing and is confirmed with this symbol arrangement.
In general, a case where the same symbols are determined on a single line is called a “big hit symbol arrangement”.
On the other hand, the “missing symbol array” is a symbol array other than the “big hit symbol array”.
(5) The “symbol display string” is formed in the direction of variation in accordance with the variation of symbols in a display unit such as a special symbol display.
Usually, the symbol display row is formed in the vertical direction toward the display unit, but it also includes the case where the symbol display row is formed in the horizontal direction toward the display unit and fluctuates.
(6) The “specific symbol arrangement” includes a “reach symbol arrangement” in addition to the “big hit symbol arrangement”.
(7) “Stop” includes not only the case where the fluctuation completely stops at the predetermined position, but also the case where the actuator is moving slightly at the predetermined position.

According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, when the specific symbol arrangement is not formed on the display unit, the specific symbol arrangement can be formed by the symbols stopped and displayed on the display unit. Shield the symbol and move the position of the shielded symbol.
As a result, the player can be given an unprecedented novel impression, and the player's curiosity can be stimulated by moving while blocking the symbol.
For example, even if a shifted symbol array is formed on the display unit and stopped once, there is a possibility that a jackpot symbol array is formed (becomes a big hit) by moving the position of the shielded symbol thereafter.
Therefore, the player's curiosity can be stimulated to arouse thrill and excitement, and the expectation and urgency for the jackpot can be enhanced.

Here, as shown in claim 2, the shielded symbol moves at a speed at which the player can identify the moving state, that is, at a speed at which the moving state can be determined if the player watches closely. It is preferable that it is comprised.
Accordingly, the player can identify the movement of the shielded symbol by storing the symbol before being shielded.
Therefore, the player is given the pleasure of chasing the shielded pattern with his eyes.

According to the gaming machine described in claim 3, when the position of the shielded symbol is moved, a specific symbol arrangement (for example, a jackpot symbol arrangement) is formed.
As a result, a player who has confirmed that the position of the shielded symbol has moved can be stimulated with curiosity and further arouse thrills and excitement, further enhancing the expectation and urgency of a particular symbol arrangement. Can do.

Further, according to the gaming machine described in claim 4, for example, in a pachinko machine having three symbol display rows that stop changing in the order of left, right, and middle, the symbols in the middle symbol display row are shielded.
Thus, for example, the left symbol display column and the right symbol display column stop changing and a reach state is formed, and even if the middle symbol display column forms a symbol pattern after the stop, the displayed middle symbol display column When symbols that can form a jackpot symbol array are included, the symbols in the middle symbol display column are shielded and their positions are moved.
Therefore, even when the reach state is formed and the game is stopped at the dismissed symbol array, there is a possibility that the player will be changed to the jackpot symbol array after that, so that the player is further increased in expectation and sense of urgency for the jackpot symbol array.

Further, according to the gaming machine described in claim 5, since the movement of the position of the shielded symbol is performed a plurality of times from the start of the change of the display unit to the determination, for example, it is specified by the first movement. Even when the symbol arrangement (for example, the jackpot symbol arrangement) is not formed, a specific symbol arrangement may be formed by the next movement.
Therefore, it is possible to give a more novel impression to a player who expects a specific symbol arrangement, and to stimulate the player's curiosity and further arouse thrill and excitement.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to give a player an unprecedented impression and stimulate the player's curiosity to further arouse thrill and excitement. It is possible to realize a gaming machine that can increase the expectation and urgency of the symbol arrangement.

It is a front view which shows the external appearance of a pachinko machine. It is the front view which expanded and represented the compound apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode displayed on the screen of the special symbol display of this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, an example of a display mode of symbols displayed on the screen of a special symbol display (corresponding to the display unit of the present invention) of a so-called first type pachinko machine (5-line machine) will be described.
Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the first type pachinko machine.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the composite apparatus.
Moreover, FIGS. 3-10 has shown an example of the display mode displayed on the screen 20a of the special symbol display 20 of this Embodiment all.

First, in FIG. 1, on the game board surface 12 of the pachinko machine 10 as a gaming machine according to the present invention, a composite device 14, a first type starting port 30, a big winning port 34, a lower starting port 62, a general winning port, etc. Arranged appropriately.
The first type starting port 30 has a starting port sensor 56, and when a pachinko ball wins, a prize ball (prize ball) is paid out in the same manner as a normal winning port.
The middle gate 32 has a gate sensor 54 and does not pay out a prize ball even if a pachinko ball passes.
The big prize opening 34 has a lid 66, and the lid 66 is opened and closed by a solenoid 50.
The special winning opening 34 has a V zone 52, and the V zone 52 has a V zone sensor 48.
If the pachinko ball wins the V zone 52 within the opening period of the big winning opening, the big hit game can be continued within the required number of times (for example, 16 times).
As the above-mentioned large winning opening opening period, for example, 10 pachinko balls are won in the large winning opening 34 or 30 seconds have passed after opening, whichever comes first.
Further, a lower start port 62 having a function equivalent to that of the first type start port 30 is disposed below the lid 66.
The lower start port 62 has a start port sensor 60 having the same function as the start port sensor 56.

Here, the start port sensors 56 and 60 detect pachinko balls that have won the respective start ports.
The V zone sensor 48 detects a pachinko ball winning in the V zone 52.
The gate sensor 54 detects the pachinko sphere that has passed through the middle gate 32.
For the gate sensor 54, the start port sensors 56 and 60, and the V zone sensor 48, for example, proximity sensors, microswitches, optical sensors (light emitters and light receivers), or the like are used.

The game board surface 12 has one or a plurality of decorative gates, and in this example, has a left gate 23 and a right gate 24.
The right gate 24 has a normal symbol display 26, but the left gate 23 does not have a normal symbol display.
The normal symbol display 26 has one or a plurality of light emitters (in this example, two LEDs), and the light emitter is turned on / off as a normal symbol.
The normal symbol starts blinking, for example, when a pachinko ball passes through the middle gate 32, and then turns on or off for each light emitter.
Then, the lid of the lower start port 62 is opened for a certain period (for example, 4 seconds) in accordance with the lighting or extinguishing mode of each light emitter (for example, when the right LED of the two LEDs is lit).
The lamps 16 use light emitters such as light bulbs and LEDs, and are not limited to the illustrated positions, and are disposed at appropriate positions according to the type of pachinko machine 10, game content, and the like.

Next, the configuration of the composite device 14 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the composite device 14 is provided with a winning prize opening 14 a and a special symbol display 20 as a display unit.
The winning prize opening 14a is one of general winning prize openings.
As the special symbol display 20, for example, a liquid crystal display is used.
A special symbol or the like is displayed on the screen 20a of the special symbol display 20.
Note that the symbols used as special symbols include characters (alphanumeric characters, kanji characters, etc.), symbols, figures, patterns, and the like.
In addition, examples of background patterns include moving images (video, animation, etc.) and still images.
In addition to the liquid crystal display, the special symbol display 20 may be a display capable of displaying special symbols such as a CRT, LED display, plasma display or the like.
In addition, a holding ball lamp 28 for special symbols is displayed at a lower position of the screen 20a.
A plurality of (for example, four) holding ball lamps 28 are arranged in a substantially horizontal manner, and display the number of pachinko balls that have won the first type starting port 30 during the special symbol variation.

The screen 20a is formed in a square shape, and three symbol display columns (left symbol display column 110, middle symbol display column 130, and right symbol display column 150) are formed at positions where special symbols are displayed.
In addition, the symbols can be displayed at the upper, middle, and lower positions of each symbol display row.
Then, the symbol display columns 110, 130, and 150 stop changing and notify the player whether or not it is a big hit to give a big hit game to the player by the arrangement of the symbols displayed on the screen 20a.
Specifically, when the jackpot symbol array is formed based on the symbols displayed in the symbol display columns 110, 130, 150, the jackpot symbol array is formed, and when other symbol arrays are formed, the symbol is “out of”.
Note that the symbols displayed in the symbol display columns 110, 130, and 150 are, for example, a total of ten types of “0” to “9”.

Next, the aspect displayed on the screen 20a of the special symbol display 20 of this Embodiment is demonstrated in detail, referring FIGS. 3-10.
In FIGS. 7 to 10, symbols arranged outside the screen 20a are indicated by two-dot chain lines.
In FIG. 1, when a pachinko ball wins the first type starting port 30, the three symbol display rows 110, 130, 150 on the screen 20a of the special symbol display 20 are in the forward variation direction (the direction of arrow 10 in FIG. 2). The variation starts almost simultaneously (for example, at such a high speed that the symbols cannot be recognized).
When a pachinko ball wins the first type starting port 30, various random numbers that determine the display mode of the screen 20a are read.
Then, based on the random number read in advance, the symbol display columns 110, 150, and 130 stop changing and form a predetermined symbol array in the order of left, right, and middle.
At that time, when a specific symbol array can be formed by moving the symbol position of the middle symbol display row 130 that has stopped the last variation, the symbol shielding operation described below is performed.
The symbol shielding operation is determined based on a random number read in advance.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, after the left symbol display column 110 and the right symbol display column 150 stop changing, the middle symbol display column 130 stops changing.
At this time, when the left symbol display column 110 and the right symbol display column 150 stop changing, reach lines L2, L1, and L3 (reach states) are formed at the upper, middle, and lower positions of the screen 20a, respectively.
Then, the middle symbol display row 130 stops changing and, for example, the off symbol as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.
In this case, the position of symbol “6” or symbol “7” in the middle symbol display row 130 is moved to “7, 7, 7” on the reach line L1, or “6” on the reach line L3. , 6, 6 "jackpot symbol arrangement (corresponding to a specific symbol arrangement in the present invention) can be formed.
Therefore, the condition for performing the symbol shielding operation of the middle symbol display row 130 is satisfied.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 5, with the appearance of the character 80 or the like, the screens 20a display the shielding bodies A1, A2, and A3 formed in the same color and the same box shape. .
In addition to the character 80, voice or the like can be used as means for notifying the display of the shielding bodies A1, A2, A3.
Then, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the three symbols of the middle symbol display row 130 are shielded by the operation in which the shields A1, A2, and A3 store the symbols of the middle symbol display row 130, respectively.
In the present embodiment, the shielding body A1 shields the symbol “5”, the shielding body A2 shields the symbol “6”, and the shielding body A3 shields the symbol “7”.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the three symbols in the middle symbol display row 130 (hereinafter referred to as “shielded symbols”) are shielded by the three shields A1, A2, A3, It is shuffled as shown by the arrow in the figure at an identifiable speed, that is, a speed at which the moving state can be determined if the player is watching closely.
In the present embodiment, due to the shuffle, the shielding body A1 moves to the lower stage, the shielding body A2 moves to the upper stage, and the shielding body A3 moves to the middle stage.
Here, the player remembers the correspondence between the shields A1, A2, A3 in FIG. 6 and the shielded symbols “5”, “6”, “7”, and further, the shield in the shuffle in FIG. By following the positions of A1, A2, and A3, the positions of the shielded symbols “5”, “6”, and “7” after the shuffle can be grasped.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, the middle symbol display row 130 reciprocates in the directions of arrows 70 and 72 at a speed that can be identified by the player.
For example, the middle symbol display row 130 moves in the direction of the arrow 70 in FIG. 8 until the shield A3 is arranged at the upper stage of the screen 20a, and then the middle symbol display until the shield A3 is arranged at the lower stage of the screen 20a. The row 130 moves in the direction of arrow 72 in FIG.
Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the middle symbol display row 130 stops reciprocating, and the shielding bodies A1, A2, and A3 are displayed on the screen 20a, and then the shielding state by the shielding bodies A1, A2, and A3 is released. Thus, the shielded symbols “5”, “6”, and “7” are displayed again in the middle symbol display row 130.
In the present embodiment, the shield A3 stops at the middle stage of the screen 20a, and the shielded symbol “7” that has been shielded by the shield A3 is displayed on the reach line L1, and the jackpot symbol array “7,7,7” is displayed. Is formed.
As a result, the design of the screen 20a is confirmed, the player is notified that the jackpot game has been given, and the player continues to play the jackpot game described above.

In the present embodiment, the case where the jackpot symbol array “7, 7, 7” is formed on the reach line L1 after the symbol shielding operation of the middle symbol display row 130 is described. The jackpot symbol arrangement “6, 6, 6” can also be formed on the line L3.
In such a case, the jackpot that is advantageous to the player, for example, the jackpot formed with the probability variation symbol “7” is configured to be effective.
In the present embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the three shields A1, A2, and A3 that shield the shielded symbols are displayed on the middle symbol display column 130 again after the shuffle or reciprocation. Alternatively, after the reciprocation, only a part of the three shielding bodies can be displayed.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the left symbol display column 110 and the right symbol display column 150 stop changing and a reach state is formed, and the middle symbol display column 130 is stopped after the stop. If the symbols that can form the jackpot symbol array are included in the displayed middle symbol display column 130 even if the symbol is formed, each symbol of the middle symbol display column 130 is shielded, and the symbol of the shielded symbol is displayed. The position is moved.
Therefore, even if the game is stopped after the formation of the reach state, which is the state one step before forming the jackpot symbol array, there is a possibility that the player will change to the jackpot symbol array, so that the player will have a jackpot Can amplify the expectation and urgency of the game and enhance the fun of the game.

Further, according to the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the player can identify the movement of the shielded symbols “5”, “6”, “7” shielded by the shields A1, A2, A3. The player moves the shielded symbols “5”, “6”, and “7” in the shielded state because the player moves at a high speed, that is, a speed that can determine the moving state if the player is watching closely. Can be identified.
Therefore, the player is given the pleasure of chasing the shielded pattern with his eyes.

Further, according to the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, after the positions of the shielded symbols “5”, “6”, “7” are moved, the jackpot symbol array (in this embodiment, “7, 7 , 7 ").
As a result, the player who has confirmed that the position of the shielded symbol moves can stimulate the curiosity and further arouse thrills and excitement, further enhancing the expectation and urgency of the jackpot symbol arrangement. it can.

[Other Embodiments] In the pachinko machine (game machine) 10 described above, the structure, shape, material, number, arrangement, operating conditions, etc. of other parts are not limited to the above embodiment, Various changes can be made as necessary.
For example, each of the following embodiments to which the above embodiment is applied can be implemented.

(A) In the above embodiment, the case of performing the symbol shielding operation on the middle symbol display column 130 that stops the last change is described. However, the symbol display column that is the target of the symbol shielding operation is It is not limited.
For example, a symbol shielding operation can be performed on a plurality of symbol display columns.
If comprised in this way, since the shielded symbol moves freely not only within the frame of each symbol display row but also outside the frame, the player may have a strong awareness that the symbol display row is divided into three. In addition, a fresh display mode can be realized.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the to-be-shielded design shielded by shielding body A1, A2, A3 was shuffled and reciprocated was described, the operation | movement after shielding is not limited to this, but various as needed It can be changed.
For example, the shielded design can be configured to move by being stirred in a circular direction (for example, a mahjong pie stirring operation), or to be moved vertically and horizontally like a number puzzle.

(B) In the above embodiment, when the jackpot symbol arrangement as a specific symbol arrangement can be formed after reaching the reach state, the position of the symbol to be shielded is moved by the symbol shielding operation. However, when a reach symbol arrangement as a specific symbol arrangement can be formed, a symbol shielding operation can be performed.

(C) Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where a design was shielded by shielding body A1, A2, A3 was described, the aspect in which a design is shielded is not limited to this, but various changes are made as needed. Is possible.
For example, the design itself can be configured to be shielded by turning the design upside down (the operation of turning the playing cards upside down).

(D) Also, in the above embodiment, the shielded symbol is described for the case where the player moves at a speed that can be identified by the player, that is, at a speed that can determine the moving state if the player watches closely. The speed at which the shielded symbol moves is not limited to this, and can be variously changed as necessary.

(E) Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the display mode of the symbol displayed on the screen 20a was made into 3 rows 3 columns, another display form may be sufficient.
For example, the present invention can be applied to display modes such as 1 row, 2 columns, 1 row, 4 columns, 2 rows, 1 column, 2 rows, 2 columns, 3 rows, 1 column, 4 rows, 4 columns, and the like.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although 5 line machine (pachinko machine) was described, For example, this invention is applicable similarly to 1 line machine and 8 line machine.

(F) In the above embodiment, the shielding operation in which the position of the shielded symbol is moved is performed once until the symbol display sequence 110 to 150 of the screen 20a starts to change and is confirmed. Although described, the frequency | count of shielding operation | movement is not limited to this, It can change as needed.
For example, the number of times can be determined according to an appropriate condition such as a random number.

(G) In the above embodiment, the shielding bodies A1, A2 and A3 formed in the same color and the same box shape are described. However, the colors, shapes, etc. of the shielding bodies A1, A2 and A3 are the same. It is not limited to.
For example, by changing the shape or color of each shielding body, it is possible to make the movement of the shielded symbols easier to understand for the player.

(H) Further, in the above embodiment, the case where three symbols “7” are arranged on the line is the jackpot symbol arrangement, but the jackpot symbol arrangement is not limited and may be a case where different symbols are arranged. .
For example, a case where symbols “1”, “2”, and “3” are aligned on a line may be a jackpot symbol.

(I) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the symbol displayed in the complete form on the screen 20a is shielded has been described. However, for example, in one line machine, the symbol is displayed in an incomplete form (one of the symbols). (If the part is hidden and displayed at the top or bottom of the symbol display column), the symbol may be shielded.
With this configuration, for example, even when a symbol that may be able to form a jackpot symbol array is displayed in an incomplete shape, the symbol is shielded and the position is moved. Later, since there is a possibility of forming a jackpot symbol arrangement, it is possible to amplify the player's sense of expectation and urgency for the jackpot and enhance the interest of the game.

(J) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 10.
Instead of this form, it is a gaming machine other than the first type pachinko machine (for example, the third type pachinko machine, slot machine, arrange ball machine, video game machine, etc.) having a display unit that displays the symbols in a variable manner. The present invention can be similarly applied to.

10 ... Pachinko machine (game machine)
14 ... Composite device 20 ... Special symbol display (display unit)
20a ... Screen 30 ... First type starting port 34 ... Grand prize opening 110 ... Left symbol display column 130 ... Middle symbol display column 150 ... Right symbol display column

Claims (5)

In a gaming machine that causes a player to recognize that the benefit is granted by changing a symbol for displaying information related to the granting on the display unit and forming the jackpot symbol array.
When the specific symbol arrangement is not formed on the display unit, when the specific symbol arrangement can be formed by the symbols stopped and displayed on the display unit, the predetermined symbol on the display unit is shielded and covered. A gaming machine configured to move the position of a shielding symbol. A gaming machine according to claim 1,
The gaming machine is characterized in that the shielded symbol is configured to move at a speed at which a player can identify the moving state. A gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A gaming machine configured to form the specific symbol arrangement when the shielding is released after the position of the shielded symbol is moved. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A gaming machine configured to block a symbol of a symbol display row that stops changing last among a plurality of symbol display rows of the display unit. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The game machine is characterized in that the movement of the position of the shielded symbol is performed a plurality of times from the start of the display unit to the determination of the change.

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