JP2011200693A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a presentation control technology that preferably enhances game characteristics in a pinball game machine whose winning probability is variable.SOLUTION: When a game ball enters a start pocket 62, a win/fail lottery means 112 performs a lottery. A special game controller 120 moves the game status to the first special game when the lottery result becomes a first or second win, or moves the game status to the second special game when the lottery result becomes a third win. In the first or third win, the lottery winning probability is changed to a high-probability setting. A pattern memory means 130 memorizes a presentation pattern that shows a presentation display process as a story developable to a plurality of kinds of results. A presentation display controller 134 performs a presentation display as a story developing to a first result when the first or second win occurs in the high-probability setting, or performs a presentation display as a story developing to a second result when the third win or a miss shot occurs in the high-probability setting.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a technique for improving the game performance of a ball game machine.

  Various types of pachinko machines are popular as bullet ball machines. Some conventional pachinko machines have a random lottery value as a result when a game ball falls into a starting port formed on the game board. The acquired lottery values are temporarily stored, for example, up to four as reserved balls. The reserved balls are sequentially read out one by one to determine whether or not they are correct, and a symbol called a special symbol is variably displayed according to the determination result. At this time, there is a case where a design for the effect purpose called a decorative design is displayed in a variable manner in conjunction with the display of the special design. Based on the lottery result based on the read lottery value, the stop display mode of the special symbol is determined.

When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a specific manner after the fluctuation display for a predetermined time, the gaming state shifts to a special game as a so-called “big hit”. A special game is composed of a plurality of unit games. The big prize opening formed on the game board is opened at the start of the unit game. The unit game ends when a predetermined period, for example, 30 seconds elapses from the start of the unit game, or when nine or more game balls are won in the big prize opening during the unit game. At this time, the grand prize opening is also temporarily closed. During a unit game, if the game ball passes through a specific area called a V zone provided in the special winning opening, the unit game is continued to the next unit game. At this time, the grand prize opening is opened again. The unit game can be continued up to a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times. When the game balls fall into the big prize opening, more game balls than usual are paid out as prize balls.
A general player plays a game mainly for the purpose of opening a special winning opening in order to obtain many prize balls, that is, shifting the game state to a special game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Some of the ball game machines shift the game state to a specific game advantageous to the player, which is also called “probability change”, even after the special game is finished. Since the winning range of the lottery value is expanded in this probability variation state, the probability variation state is easier to shift to a special game than the non-probability variation state. Of the hits, if a hit with probability variation is entered, the probability variation state is obtained.

In the case of such a ball game machine,
1. 1. Whether or not to win, in other words, whether or not to shift to special games On the condition that it is a win, it can be said that two game elements are determined by a lottery method, whether or not the game will become more probable, in other words, whether or not to shift to a specific game.

JP 2003-230714 A

  Therefore, in addition to the reorganization of such lottery contents and the probability change (hereinafter referred to as “first win”) to shift to a normal special game (hereinafter referred to as “first special game”), A ball that is set to have a probable change (hereinafter referred to as "3rd per game") to be transferred to a special game (hereinafter referred to as "2nd special game") designed to reduce the beneficiary of 1 special game. A gaming machine can be considered. The second special game may be designed as a game that is substantially impossible to benefit. Note that the conventional non-probable hit is distinguished from these hits and is called "second hit". When the second hit, the game shifts to the first special game. In such a ball game machine, the three types of hits, the first to third hits, serve as an opportunity for shifting to a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  In the case of the above design, it can be said that the merit for the player is small even if the third hit is already in the probabilistic state. This is because the benefit of the second special game is suppressed compared to the first special game. Therefore, the present inventor has recognized that the occurrence of the third hit when in the probable state may cause the player to feel even a sense of discomfort as if he has used useless luck. In other words, the present inventor may provide a situation where the player's profit is substantially reduced in spite of such a hit in providing deep games by the three types of hits of the first to third hits. Recognized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an effect control technique for suitably improving the playability in a ball game machine in which the hit probability can be varied.

One embodiment of the present invention is a ball game machine.
This ball game machine is provided with a game board in which a game area is formed, a start port provided at a predetermined position in the game area, into which a game ball can enter, and a game ball entering the start port. , Lottery means for executing lottery for determining a plurality of types of hits, which is a condition for shifting the gaming state to either the first special game or the second special game, and the design varies depending on the result of the lottery When the symbol display control means to be displayed and the symbol is stopped and displayed in the mode indicating the first or second win, the game state is shifted to the first special game, and the symbol is stopped and displayed in the mode indicating the third win. Then, a special game control means for shifting the gaming state to the second special game, and when the lottery result reaches the first or third, the winning probability of the lottery after the first special game is finished is set to a high probability, 2nd when the result is 2nd Probability changing means for setting the winning probability of the lottery by the lottery means after the end of another game to a normal probability, effect pattern storage means for storing the effect pattern indicating the effect display process as a story that can be developed into a plurality of types of endings, Based on the stored production pattern, production display means for performing production display in parallel with the variable display period of the symbol, and a clear condition that is a condition for developing the story displayed in the production with a predetermined ending Condition determining means for determining success or failure.
The condition determination means determines that the clear condition is satisfied when the lottery result reaches the first or second in the high probability setting state, and clears if the lottery result reaches the third hit in the high probability setting state. The effect display means does not determine that the condition is satisfied, and the effect display means performs effect display with an effect pattern in which the story develops to a predetermined ending when the clear condition is satisfied.

  The effect pattern here may be a moving image reproduction pattern that defines a reproduction process for reproducing an effect image as a moving image in accordance with a predetermined story development. In addition, the story developed at that time may be a story that develops in either a so-called positive ending or a negative ending, and at least the ending branches into two or more depending on the lottery result. It is desirable to be a story. The “story that develops to a predetermined ending” may be a story that develops to a positive ending, for example. The story shown at this time may be a story that changes to various contents by connecting a plurality of performance patterns.

  The symbol that is variably displayed may be represented by graphics, or may be represented as a blinking display such as an LED. In other words, it may be a visual expression indicating a variation mode for a predetermined period.

  The effect display means may select an effect pattern with reference to a data table that specifies selection probabilities of various effect patterns. The data format may be a data format managed in a so-called array format or list format, for example. In this specification, the “table” may indicate two or more types of data recorded in the storage area of the memory in a format in which the other data corresponding to one data can be specified, or a recording format thereof. .

  The effect display means may execute the effect display corresponding to the symbol variation period, but does not necessarily need to be linked. When the clear condition is satisfied, the effect display content may be controlled so that the story reaches a predetermined ending in accordance with the timing at which the symbol variation stops and shifts to the first special game. Hereinafter, a predetermined ending developed when the clear condition is satisfied is also referred to as a “clear ending”. On the other hand, when the clear condition is not satisfied, the story displayed in the effect may be continued after the symbol is stopped without being developed at the clear end, or may be developed at a different end from the clear end.

In each of the first special game and the second special game, a difference may be provided in the number of prize balls that the player can normally expect. For example, by setting the maximum duration of the first special game to be longer than the maximum duration of the second special game, the first special game may be a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the second special game.
A game in which when the third hit occurs in the normal probability setting state (hereinafter simply referred to as “non-probability variation state”), the game shifts to the high probability setting state (hereinafter simply referred to as “probability variation state”). The interests of the people are obvious. However, if the second special game is designed as a game that cannot be expected to benefit as much as the first special game, even if the third hit occurs when the game is already in a probable state, the player may not expect much benefit. is there. In other words, there is a possibility that the substantial player's merit greatly differs depending on whether the third hit occurs in the probability variation state or in the non-probability variation state. Therefore, if it is set that the clear condition is satisfied even if the third hit occurs even though it is a kind of hit, and if the story is developed to the clear ending, the expectation aroused by such a production mode and the actual game May cause an unnatural divergence between the interests of the owners. This can be a factor that reduces the interest in gaming.
On the other hand, according to the aspect in which the occurrence of the third hit in the probability variation state is not regarded as a clear condition, it becomes easy to execute an effect in accordance with the actual player profit, so the relationship between the effect contents and the player profit is normal. It is effective in becoming.

  The condition determination means determines that the clear condition is satisfied when the lottery result reaches the first or second in the normal probability setting state, and clears if the lottery result reaches the third hit in the normal probability setting state. Without determining that the condition is satisfied, the effect display means may display that the third hit has occurred as an effect image when the symbol indicating the third hit is stopped in the normal probability setting state.

If it is designed to reduce the beneficiary of the second special game compared to the first special game, the player can win the latest prize ball by the first special game in the first and second wins in the non-probable state. The third hit in the non-probable change state is a chance to expect the player to win a prize ball in the future for the probability change state that makes it easier to shift to the first special game. It can be said that there is.
According to such an aspect, the difference between the first hit and the second hit and the third hit can be visually clarified by the difference in story development. In addition, by suggesting or clearly showing the player merit that the game shifts to the probability change state when the third hit occurs in the non-probability change state, the player can easily grasp the game state correctly.

  The effect display means may continue the effect display until the predetermined period elapses after the effect display is started or the clear condition is satisfied even if the symbol stop timing is reached during the effect display.

  According to such an aspect, the effect display with the story that develops without excessively being restricted by the variation time of the pattern while the effect reflects the result of the lottery in which the story development changes depending on the success or failure of the clear condition Makes it easier to execute.

  The effect display means may be able to continue the effect display based on a predetermined story over a plurality of symbol variation display periods.

  Even in such an aspect, it is possible to produce and display a story that develops over a long period of time without being excessively restricted by the variation time of the symbol.

  When the clear condition is established, the effect display means executes an effect display for directing the first special game with an effect pattern indicating an effect display process as a story having continuity with respect to a predetermined ending. Also good.

  According to such an aspect, when a story develops at a predetermined ending, the continuity of the story developed to produce the story and the first special game can be provided. For this reason, it is possible to develop a story that has continuity with respect to the production of the first special game, and it is possible to further enhance the story and thus the production effect. The player is aroused a sense of expectation for the success of the lottery depending on whether or not the story developed by the effect display for success / failure continues with a clear ending that continues to the story developed to produce the first special game. Will be.

  The effect display means starts the effect display by the effect pattern as the first story in the normal probability setting state, and is a story different from the first story in the high probability setting state and is expanded in the normal probability setting state. The effect display may be started by the effect pattern as the second story not to be performed.

  By making a story that develops in a probabilistic state different from a story that develops in a non-probable state, it is possible to further enhance the production effect of a story that develops only in a probable state.

  The effect display means starts the effect display by the effect pattern as a story by the first character in the normal probability setting state, and is a character different from the first character in the high probability setting state and in the normal probability setting state. The effect display may be started by an effect pattern as a story by the second character not selected.

  By making the character for the performance appearing in the story developed in the probabilistic state different from the character appearing in the story developing in the non-probable state, the effect of the character appearing only in the probable state is further enhanced. Can be increased.

  The special game control means may execute the second special game as a special game having a shorter maximum duration than the first special game.

  According to such an aspect, it becomes easier to suppress the player profit of the second special game than the first special game. Therefore, it becomes easy to clarify the difference between the two types of special games, the first special game and the second special game.

  The lottery means has one lottery value acquisition means for acquiring a random value as a lottery value when a game ball enters the start opening, and one lottery value for each of the first, second and third lottery values. Reference may be made to the success / failure determination table defined above to determine the result of the lottery for the acquired lottery value. The probability variation means is a normality determination table or a high-probability determination table with different numbers of lottery values to be won, as the determination table to be referred to by the determination unit to identify the lottery result. You may change the winning probability of the lottery by selecting the.

  According to such an aspect, it becomes easy to easily switch between the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state.

  The special game control means may suppress the action of an accessory that suggests to the player that the game has shifted to the second special game.

  According to such an aspect, the player's profit in the second special game can be suppressed. Alternatively, it is possible to make it difficult for the player to recognize even the transition to the second special game. Since the third win can be clarified as “a chance to shift to a probable change but not directly related to winning a prize ball”, the difference from the first hit that is directly related to the expectation of winning the first special game It becomes easier to clarify.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a ball game machine.
This ball game machine is provided with a game board in which a game area is formed, a start port provided at a predetermined position in the game area, into which a game ball can enter, and a game ball entering the start port. , A lottery means for executing a lottery for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special game, a display control means for variably displaying symbols according to the result of the lottery, and a first hit or a second win Special game control means for shifting the game state to a special game when the symbol is stopped and displayed in the mode, and when the lottery result is first or third, the winning probability of the lottery is set to a high probability, and the lottery result The probability variation means for setting the winning probability of the lottery by the lottery means to the normal probability when the second hit is achieved, and the effect pattern storage means for storing the effect pattern showing the effect display process as a story that can be developed into a plurality of types of endings The effect display means for executing the effect display in parallel with the variation display period of the symbol according to the stored effect pattern, and the clear condition that is a condition for developing the story displayed in the effect to a predetermined ending And a condition determination means for determining success or failure of.
The condition determination means determines that the clear condition is satisfied when the lottery result reaches the first or second in the high probability setting state, and clears if the lottery result reaches the third hit in the high probability setting state. The effect display means does not determine that the condition is satisfied, and the effect display means performs effect display with an effect pattern in which the story developed by the effect display develops to a predetermined ending when the clear condition is satisfied.

  Even if the third hit occurs in the probability variation state, it is easier to execute the production in accordance with the actual player profit by not setting the clear condition, so normalize the relation between the production contents and the player profit. It is effective on the above.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, it is effective to improve the game performance of the ball game machine by suitably controlling the effect display according to the game situation.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a time chart for demonstrating the relationship between the change display process of a special symbol, and the moving image display process of an effect image. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating an effect display process. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the production | presentation display process in the non-probable change production shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the production | presentation display process in the effect at the time of probability change. It is a data structure figure which shows the relationship between a symbol lottery value and effect content. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. 9 in detail. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process in S34 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the presentation display control process in a sub board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the special game control process in S16 of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st special game control process in S112 of FIG. 13 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd special game control process in S114 of FIG. 13 in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine.
Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has mechanisms such as storage of game balls, delivery of game balls to the launch rail, and extraction of game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Further, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start opening 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the normal electric accessory at the start opening. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined manner. More specifically, the winning symbol is an open state when the special symbol 192 is first, second and third. Hereinafter, when the first hit, the second hit, and the third hit are collectively referred to as “big hit”. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area.

  The special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60 provided substantially in the center of the game area 52 display the variation of the effect image including the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 linked to the special symbol 192 on each screen ( Hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). Also, in the effect display device 60 of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment, an effect image separate from the decorative symbol 190 is displayed. Details will be described later. Here, the special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol lottery”) that is performed when the game ball enters the start port 62. If the symbol pattern when the variable display is stopped is a symbol determined to be a win, the timing at which the stop symbol is displayed is the jackpot occurrence timing. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The special symbol display device 61 circulates numbers in the range of 0 to 9 as a variation display of the special symbol 192. When the first hit time is 0, the second hit time is 1, the third hit time is 2, and when it is off, any number from 3 to 9 is stopped and displayed as a stop symbol.

  The effect display device 60 is a liquid crystal display that variably displays the decorative symbol 190 in a manner interlocked with the variation display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually producing the result display of the special symbol lottery indicated by the special symbol 192. The effect display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 190, for example, a plurality of rows of symbol variation moving images that simulate a slot machine game. The effect display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by other display means such as a mechanical drum or LED. Since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have a role of production, in this embodiment, the special symbol 192 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the production display device 60. In the case of adopting a technique in which the decorative design 190 is not displayed with the role of production, the special design 192 may be displayed on a liquid crystal display such as the production display device 60.

  The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passing of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol lottery”) for expanding the start port 62.

  When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60. The variable display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to the display. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. At this time, the decorative pattern 190 simulating the game of the slot machine takes a display mode in which the three patterns are matched. In the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the game shifts to the first special game when the first hit or the second win, and to the second special game when the third win. Hereinafter, when these two types of special games are collectively referred to, they are simply referred to as “special games”.

First special game:
The big winning opening 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball falls into a specific area while the big prize opening 66 is open, the big prize opening 66 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the grand prize opening 66 is repeated up to a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, on condition that at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the big prize opening 66 is opened once. It is.

Second special game:
The big prize opening 66 is closed for about 0.2 seconds and then closed. After closing, after a predetermined time, for example, 0.1 second has elapsed, the special winning opening 66 is opened again for about 0.2 seconds and then closed. Thus, the second special game ends. As described above, the second special game is designed as a game that is not practically advantageous to the player.

  When the first win or the second win occurs, the probability variation game is started as the specific game after the first special game or the second special game is finished. In the probability variation game, a special symbol lottery is performed at a setting with a higher probability of winning than a normal probability state, and a new special game is likely to occur relatively early.

  When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 for a predetermined time. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the right side of the effect display device 60. The normal symbol display device 59 includes two lamps. The operation in which the respective lamps alternately flash is an operation corresponding to “ordinary symbol variation display”. When the normal symbol variation display is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%. At this time, one of the two lamps of the normal symbol display device 59 is lit up.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60, and decoration. The center decoration 64 is provided with a lottery holding lamp 20 at the upper part thereof and an operation holding lamp 22 at a left side part thereof. The lottery hold lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of special symbol lottery hold depending on the number of lights. The number of special symbol lotteries held is the number of special symbol lottery results won in the starting slot 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. The operation hold lamp 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of hold of normal symbol fluctuations depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like.

FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine.
The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as special symbol lottery when winning the start port 62 in particular. The sub board 104 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the effect display device 60, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 102 in particular. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment.
In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, a speaker 18, The game effect lamps 90 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game, but also staging operations such as symbol variation display and electrical decoration. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

  In the present embodiment, the main board 102 is a ball determination unit 110, a winning / failing lottery unit 112, a symbol determination unit 114, a hold control unit 116, a main display control unit 118, a special game control unit 120, a specific game execution unit 122, and an opening / closing control. Means 124 are provided. The sub-board 104 in this embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 130, an effect determination unit 132, and an effect display control unit 134. Each functional block included in the main board 102 may be configured to be mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block included in the sub-board 104 may be configured to be mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

  The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 accepts a random number value to determine whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the game ball enters the start port 62. Get as a value. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a range of 0 to 65535. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, the determination result of winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the success / failure probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting.

The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to a success / failure table for determination of success / failure based on a normal probability (hereinafter referred to as an “uncertain change determination table”), and a probability table (where the probability of winning is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes) ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as a “probability variation determination table”. Specifically, in the uncertain change determination table, it is determined that the winning lottery value in the range of 0 to 255 is a win. In the probability variation determination table, it is determined that a winning lottery value in the range of 0 to 2500 is a win. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure tables and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win. The determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is indicated by the special symbol 192 on the special symbol display device 61 by a variable display. In addition, the decorative symbol 190 that shows the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 in an effect manner is variably displayed on the effect display device 60.
Further, in the effect display device 60, a moving image of an effect image having a story is appropriately displayed separately from the decorative symbol 190.

The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol and display pattern of the special symbol 192 to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61. The symbol determining unit 114 determines a special symbol display pattern according to a pattern lottery value generated in the range of 0 to 255. Moreover, the symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol aspect of a special symbol according to the symbol lottery value produced | generated in the range of 0-255. When the winning / losing lottery value is a win, the stop symbol is a symbol indicating one of first to third hits. It can be said that the winning content is determined by the symbol lottery value. Note that if the winning / failing lottery value is off, any one of a plurality of types of off symbols is determined as a stop symbol.
The symbol determination means 114 also determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol to be displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 by the normal symbol lottery. The symbol determination unit 114 sends the data indicating the display pattern and the stop symbol to the main display control unit 118 and the effect determination unit 132 as a result of the special symbol lottery.

  The symbol determination unit 114 stores a plurality of types of display patterns in which a variation mode from the start to the stop when the special symbol is variably displayed is determined. The plural types of display patterns have various fluctuation times. That is, for each display pattern, a variation time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation time elapses.

  When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, the symbol determination means 114 acquires a lottery random number for determining the normal symbol, and determines a stop symbol of the normal symbol according to the lottery random number. When the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a specific symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the normal electric accessory at the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The hold control means 116 holds the winning / losing lottery value acquired by the winning / failing lottery means 112 as a holding ball. The success / failure lottery value is accumulated until the number of holds reaches a predetermined upper limit. The upper limit of the number of holds is 4. The holding control means 116 holds the upper limit of four of the normal symbol lottery results.

  The main display control means 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to variably display the special symbol. The main display control means 118 transmits the change start command and the change stop command to the effect display control means 134 at the timing of starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol, thereby causing the special display by the main display control means 118 to be displayed. 192 and the variation display of the decorative symbol 190 by the effect display control means 134 are synchronized, and interlocking is maintained. The main display control means 118 displays the normal symbol variation on the normal symbol display device 59.

  The special game control means 120 controls the execution process of the special game when the special symbol lottery is won. The specific game execution means 122 shifts the game state after the special game to the probable change state when the success / failure lottery value is a value to be transferred to the specific game, that is, when the first win or the third win occurs. The probability variation state is continued until the next jackpot is generated in principle, and during that time, the probability of the hit determination by the success / failure lottery means 112 is maintained at a high value. When the second hit in the probability variation state, the state shifts to the non-probability variation state. The specific game executing means 122 sets an uncertain change appropriateness determination table as the appropriateness determination table to be referred to by the success / failure lottery means 112 for the special symbol lottery.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66.

  The pattern storage means 130 holds a plurality of types of decorative symbol display patterns. The effect determining unit 132 determines the stop symbol and display pattern of the decorative symbol according to the lottery result by the success / failure lottery unit 112, the special symbol stop symbol, the special symbol display pattern, and the variation time thereof.

  The stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates a shift to a special game, three symbols such as “777” and “111” are arranged. A combination is selected. In the case where the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates that the game does not shift to the special game, a combination that does not have three symbols such as “312” and “946” is selected. However, if the determination result is that the game does not shift to the special game, and the display pattern of the special symbol indicating the detachment with reach is selected, only one such as “191” or “727” is selected. Select a combination that does not have the same pattern. The effect determining unit 132 sends information on the stop symbol of the decorative symbol and the display pattern to the effect display control unit 134.

  The display pattern of the decorative symbol 190 defines a variation display mode of the decorative symbol 190, that is, an effect process from the start of variation to the stop of variation of the decorative symbol 190. In the display pattern, a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a dismissed symbol through a reach state that becomes a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state are displayed. When the pattern is included. In particular, the pattern that passes through the reach state includes patterns having various fluctuation times. Each display pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses.

  The effect display control means 134 for controlling the display related to the effects further includes a decorative symbol display means 136 and an effect image display means 138. The decorative symbol display means 136 displays the result of the special symbol lottery in a variable manner on the effect display device 60 according to the selected display pattern data. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

In the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment, a moving image as a story that can be developed into a plurality of endings is displayed separately from the decorative symbols. Although the decorative display variation display is also a display for the purpose of production, in this embodiment, in particular, the display of moving images with a story that is executed separately from such a decoration design is “production”. I will call it "display". The pattern storage means 130 also stores a plurality of types of effect patterns that define the moving image playback process in effect display. The effect determining unit 132 appropriately selects these effect patterns. The effect image display means 138 of the effect display control means 134 displays the effect image as a moving image in accordance with the effect pattern thus selected. As will be described in detail later, the effect determining means 132 determines that a clear condition, which is a precondition for developing the story to a clear end, is established when the first or second hit is reached. On the contrary, when the third hit or miss, it is determined that the clear condition is not satisfied.
Next, the execution process of the effect display will be described in comparison with the decorative pattern variation display.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the relationship between the special symbol variation display process and the effect image moving image display process.
In the figure, the special symbol 192 is displayed varies from time t ₀ to time t _2. Hereinafter, it is referred to as “first variation”. And is a non-probability variation state at time t _0. It is assumed that the special symbol lottery executed prior to the first change is missed. Next, continue from time _{t 2} to time _{t 5,} it is new is the special symbol 192 is displayed change. Hereinafter, it is referred to as “second variation”. It is assumed that the special symbol lottery executed prior to the second change is the first win. Therefore, the first special game is executed after the time t _5. First special game is to herein as being performed from time t ₅ to time t _6. The first per generation, the transition from the first time t ₆ after the special game terminated probability variation state.
From time _{t 5} to time _{t 8,} and, from time _{t 9} to the time _{t 11,} the special symbol 192 each of which is variably displayed. Hereinafter, these are referred to as “third variation” and “fourth variation”, respectively. It is assumed that the special symbol lottery executed prior to the change display is lost. In summary, it can be said that the first variation and the second variation are variation displays in the non-probable variation state, and the third variation and the fourth variation are variation representations in the probability variation state.
In addition, the decorative symbol 190 simulating a slot machine is also displayed in a variable manner in conjunction with the display of the four special symbols 192.

On the other hand, the effect display by effect image display unit 138 is started at time t ₁ of the first in variation. The effect determining means 132 randomly determines whether to start the effect display or at which timing during the first change to start the effect display. Here, starting from the time t ₁ is determined. Effect pattern for the effect display from the time t ₁ is selected. Here, the effect pattern for the time t ₁ to t ₄ is selected. The effect image display means 138 starts effect display from time t ₁ according to the selected effect pattern. For special symbol lottery for the first variation is off, in the time t _2, the special symbol 192 and the decorative pattern 190 is stopped and displayed at the symbol off respectively. Clear condition is not satisfied. If there is the situation of such a clear condition is not satisfied, the effect display also reached the time t ₂ is the symbol stop timing is continued.
The timing of starting the effect display is not random, and may be started at a predetermined timing. For example, the effect display may be started in synchronism with the timing when the variation display of the special symbol 192 starts. Even if it is random, when the special symbol lottery is won, the start timing specifying probability may be set so that the timing at which the effect display is started is relatively earlier than when it is out of play. According to such an aspect, since the effect display is started early after the variable display of the special symbol 192 is started, a player's sense of expectation for the jackpot can be aroused.
When a predetermined effect end condition is established during the effect display as well as the effect display start timing, the execution may be stopped even during the effect. In this case, instead of the effect display, a variation display of the decorative symbol 190 may be displayed over the entire area of the effect display device 60. The success or failure of the production end condition may also be specified by the special symbol lottery.
Furthermore, you may start the effect display of another aspect about a 2nd story during the effect display about a 1st story. For example, during the development of the first story centered on the character A, a second story centered on the character B may be newly started. When the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the selection probability of the effect pattern may be defined so that the story centered on the character B is relatively easier to develop than the character A compared to when the special symbol lottery is lost. In this case, when the second story about the character B is started during the development of the first story about the character A, it is possible to further arouse the player's expectation for the jackpot.

The special symbol lottery for the second variation is the first win, and the clear condition is satisfied. In the clear condition establishment situation, the effect display is also terminated at the timing when the second variation is terminated. If the figure, the effect display which is started at time t ₁ is terminated at the timing leading up to the time t _5. The effect determining means 132 selects an effect pattern that develops the story with a clear ending. In the figure, from time t ₄ to time t _5, the effect display by the effect pattern that story to the clear conclusion is executed. The story to expand by the effect display from the story and time t ₄ when developed by the effect display of the time from time t ₁ to time t ₄ to time t _5, it is desirable to have continuity in the content. In this way, effect display is executed as a story that can be developed in a plurality of types by connecting a plurality of effect patterns. From the viewpoint of the player, it seems that the story starting at time t ₁ and completing at time t ₅ continues without being constrained by the transition of the special symbol 192, that is, the timing of time t _2. .

At time t ₆ from the time t _5, also effect display having a story as the effect display of the first special game is executed. At this time, it is desirable that the story developed from time t ₁ to time t ₅ has continuity with the story developed from time t ₅ to time t ₆ . In this case, since the story development has continuity from time t ₁ to time t ₆ , the story and thus the production effect can be further enhanced.

In the third variation and the effect pattern corresponding from time t ₇ to the time period of time t ₁₀ is selected. The special symbol lottery for the third variation is out of place. For this reason, it has not deployed to the clear conclusion at time t ₈ the third change is completed. Also, special symbol lottery of a fourth variation which is started at time t ₉ is also off. In such a case, the story to expand by been the effect display started at time t _7, the ends led to different ending the clear consequences at time t ₁₀ is timing when the predetermined.
In addition, as described above, when it is possible to start the effect display of another aspect during the effect display starting from time t _7, the timing at which the series of effect display ends is newly started. It is specified at a timing determined by the effect display. In addition, as described above, the end timing of the effect display may be determined at runtime depending on the success or failure of the effect end condition.

Incidentally, and time _{t 1} from time _{t 0,} even at time _{t 7} from the time _{t 6,} may effect display is performed. The effect display at this time may be an effect display by a predetermined effect pattern not directly related to the game content. In the figure, although the effect display in accordance with the time t ₅ that the second variation is completed it is desirable to reach a clear conclusion, the timing may be back and forth within a certain time range. When the first or second hit occurs, the timing to reach the clear end may be defined by the variation end timing of the special symbol 192.
In the above, the variation of the time t ₅ from time t ₁ has been described as the effect display as a whole by the two demonstration pattern is stitched together is performed. In fact, even in the period of time t ₄ from time t _1, by a plurality of types of effect patterns are stitched together, effect display may be performed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the effect display process.
As shown in FIG. 4, the effect display is started at a timing that does not need to coincide with the fluctuation start timing of the special symbol 192. The normal effect screen 140 is a screen diagram at the time of effect display on the effect display device 60. In the lower right of the normal effect screen 140, three decorative symbols 190 simulating a slot machine are displayed in a variable manner. In the normal performance screen 140, the main character 148 is walking to search for the special character 150 as an enemy. In other words, the effect determining means 132 stores an effect pattern indicating such a moving image reproduction process. It can be said that the effect image display means 138 is performing the effect display according to this effect pattern.

  After the effect display shown on the normal effect screen 140 is executed, a further effect pattern is selected. When in the non-probability change state, the non-probability change effect 144 shown in the normal effect screen 140 is executed. Details of the non-probable change effect 144 will be described with reference to FIG. When in the certainty change state, the certainty change effect 146 is executed. Details of the certainty change effect 146 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, there are provided an effect pattern group that is selected on the condition that it is in a probability variation state and an effect pattern group that is selected on the condition that it is in a non-probability state. The effect determining unit 132 selects an effect pattern from the corresponding effect pattern group according to whether the effect change state or the non-probability change state.

  When the first hit or the second win is reached, the special game control means 120 executes the first special game. In this case, as described in relation to the second variation in FIG. 4, the story develops with a clear ending. After shifting to the first special game, the effect display control means 134 effects display the battle scenes of the hero character 148 and the special character 150 in a moving image mode. On the other hand, the second special game is a very short game as described above, and no special effect display is executed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an effect display process in the non-probable change effect shown in FIG.
An encounter screen 152 that encounters the normal character 156 when the main character 148 is searching for the special character 150 for a predetermined time is displayed. The normal character 156 is a character that is different from the special character 150 and should be an enemy of the main character 148. When the main character 148 meets the normal character 156, the battle is started. On the battle screen 158, the effect display is executed according to the effect pattern for the battle scenes of the main character 148 and the normal character 156.

When the special symbol lottery is first hit or second hit, the clear condition is satisfied. When the clear condition is satisfied, a victory screen 162 is displayed as a clear ending that the main character 148 wins the normal character 156. Thereafter, the process shifts to the first special game. At that time, the main character 148 starts a battle with the special character 150 as a new enemy. In order to develop a story that the main character 148 fights the special character 150, it can be said that the story must be developed with a clear ending that the main character 148 defeats the normal character 156. In this way, the clear ending shown on the victory screen 162 is a premise on the story for developing into the story shown on the special performance screen 142. Since the special symbol lottery is first or second, the decorative symbols 190 on the lower right of the victory screen 162 are stopped and displayed. In terms of FIG. 4, which corresponds to the timing of t _5.

On the other hand, when the special symbol lottery is the third winning or losing, the losing screen 160 is displayed as a ending different from the clear ending that the main character 148 loses the battle with the normal character 156. At this time, since the main character 148 has been defeated by the normal character 156, the main character 148 will not be developed into a story of fighting the special character 150 thereafter. The defeat screen 160 is displayed, in FIG. 4, for example, it corresponds to the timing of time t _10.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an effect display process in the effect change effect.
When the main character 148 is searching for the special character 150 for a predetermined time, an suggestion screen 164 for predicting the encounter is displayed. This suggestion screen 164 is a screen that suggests the appearance of the special character 150. When the special symbol lottery is first hit or second hit, an encounter screen 168 where the main character 148 encounters the special character 150 is displayed as a clear ending. At this time, the decorative symbol 190 at the lower right of the encounter screen 168 is fixedly displayed in a form in which three numbers are aligned. Thereafter, the process shifts to the first special game. At that time, the main character 148 starts a battle with the special character 150. In order to develop a story that the hero character 148 fights the special character 150, it can be said that the story must develop to a clear ending that the hero character 148 meets the special character 150.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol lottery is the third hit or miss, a failure screen 166 is displayed in which the main character 148 keeps walking without encountering the special character 150. Since the main character 148 could not meet the special character 150, the story does not shift to the special effect screen 142 for fighting the special character 150 thereafter.

FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram showing the relationship between the symbol lottery value and the effect contents.
As already described, when a game ball enters the start port 62, a winning / no-win lottery value is acquired in the range of 0 to 65535. At the same time, a symbol lottery value for determining the stop symbol of the special symbol in the range of 0 to 255 is obtained. Based on the precondition that the winning / failing lottery value is a win, it is determined from the first to third wins according to the symbol lottery value.

1. First hit When the symbol lottery value is in the range of 0 to 127, the first hit is obtained. The special game control means 120 executes the first special game after the change display of the special symbol 192 is stopped. The specific game execution means 122 sets the game state after the end of the first special game to a certain change state. The effect determining unit 132 determines that the clear condition is satisfied. For this reason, the effect determination means 132 selects the effect pattern which develops the story development with a clear end in accordance with the timing when the variation display of the special symbol 192 ends.

  If it is a non-probable change state, it will be a story development in which the main character 148 fights against the normal character 156 and wins. That is, the story develops to the special effect screen 142 through the normal effect screen 140, the encounter screen 152, the battle screen 158, and the victory screen 162. As described above, when the first hit occurs in the uncertain change state, the main character 148 fights against the normal character 156 and wins, so that an effect of shifting to the first special game is executed. In the victory screen 162, the fact that the transition to probability change may be displayed as, for example, the characters “probability change!”. Alternatively, it may be indicated suggestively that the main character 148 has reached a certain probability by developing to a clear ending in a mode of overwhelming the normal character 156.

  If it is in a probable state, the hero character 148 searches for the special character 150 and develops a story to meet. That is, the story develops to the special effect screen 142 through the normal effect screen 140, the suggestion screen 164, and the encounter screen 168. In this way, when the first hit occurs in the probability variation state, the main character 148 meets the enemy character, the special character 150, and thus the effect of shifting to the first special game is executed. In the encounter screen 168, the fact that the probability variation state is maintained may be displayed as, for example, the text “probability variation continued!”. Alternatively, it may be suggested that the change in probability is maintained by developing the appearance of the special character 150 into a clear ending in a manner different from normal.

2. Second hit When the symbol lottery value is in the range of 128-191, the second hit is obtained. The special game control means 120 executes the first special game after the change display of the special symbol 192 is stopped. The specific game execution means 122 sets the game state after the first special game is ended to an uncertain change state. At this time, the effect determination means 132 determines that the clear condition is satisfied. Also at this time, the effect determining means 132 selects an effect pattern suitable for developing the story development with a clear end in accordance with the timing at which the variation display of the special symbol 192 ends.

The effect display process when the second hit occurs is the same as the effect display process when the first hit occurs. In the non-probability change state, the fact that the process does not shift to the probability change may be displayed as the characters “probability change failure!”. Alternatively, it may be suggested that the protagonist character 148 does not shift to a probable change by developing a clear ending in a mode in which the main character 148 wins over the normal character 156.
In the case of the probability change state, the fact that the probability change state ends may be displayed on the encounter screen 168 as the characters “end of probability change!”. Alternatively, it may be suggested that the change of probability is terminated by developing the appearance of the special character 150 into the clear ending in the normal mode.

3. Third hit The third hit is when the symbol lottery value is in the range of 192 to 255. The special game control means 120 executes the second special game after the change display of the special symbol 192 is stopped. The specific game execution means 122 sets the game state after the second special game is ended as a probability change state. At this time, the effect determination means 132 does not determine that the clear condition is satisfied. The effect determining means 132 selects an effect pattern in which story development continues regardless of the timing when the variation display of the special symbol 192 ends. In this case, for example, an effect pattern that develops a story with a ending shown in the defeat screen 160 or the failure screen 166 may be selected.

  When the third hit occurs in the non-probable change state, there is a player merit of shifting to the probability change state. Therefore, it is desirable that the effect display control means 134 displays that the non-probability change state shifts to the probability change state. For example, on the victory screen 162, the fact that the transition to probability change may be displayed as, for example, the characters “probability change!”. Alternatively, the main character 148 may fight the normal character 156 and draw, so that the difference between the first hit per third and the second hit may be suggested. On the other hand, even if the third hit occurs in the probability variation state, the player shifts to the second special game in which the player's profit is suppressed, and thus the player's merit is equal to nothing. In this case, the effect display is the same as when it is off.

4). Outgoing When the lottery value is in the outlier range, it is out of place. In this case, the special game is not executed, and the game state does not shift to the probability change state. In the non-probable state, the main character 148 fights against the normal character 156 and loses a story. In the probabilistic state, the main character 148 searches for the special character 150 but cannot meet it.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the story development is related to the normal character 156 or the special character 150 regardless of whether the winning / failing lottery value is, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a normal character 156 that should appear according to a symbol lottery value may be selected from a plurality of types of normal characters. The same applies to the special character 150. In the effect display in the uncertain change state, the battle between the normal character 156 and the main character 148 may be started only when the symbol lottery value is within a predetermined range. According to such an aspect, as in the so-called reach production, the appearance of the normal character 156 is effective in particularly arousing the player's sense of expectation for the jackpot.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine.
First, processing is performed when a game ball has won the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, or when the game ball has passed through the operation port 68 (S10). (N in S12), a control process for a normal game such as a special symbol lottery is executed (S14). If a special game is in progress (Y in S12), a special game control process is executed (S16), and S10 to S16 The award ball payout according to the various winnings in the process up to is processed (S18).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the normal game control process of S14 in FIG.
In the normal game control process, if the winning / losing lottery value is on hold (Y in S30) and the symbol variation is not being displayed (N in S32), the winning / losing lottery means 112 executes the determining process. (S34). In accordance with the determination result, the main display control means 118 starts changing display and transmits a change start command to the effect display control means 134. Upon receiving this, the decorative symbol display means 136 starts changing display of the decorative symbol 190. (S36). Details of the success / failure determination process in S34 will be described later with reference to FIG. If the winning or failing lottery value is not held in S30 (N in S30), the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped, and if the symbol variation is being displayed in S32 (Y in S32), S34 and S36 Is skipped. Subsequently, if the symbol variation display has already started (Y in S38), the symbol variation display process is executed (S40). If the symbol variation display has not started (N in S38), S40 is skipped. .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the success / failure determination process in S34 of FIG.
First, the success / failure lottery means 112 determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is successful, that is, whether it is a big hit or not, with reference to the success / failure determination table (S90). As described above, the range of the lottery value to be a big hit differs depending on whether the state is a probable change state or a non-probability change state.

  If it is the first hit (Y in S142), the specific game executing means 122 shifts the game state after the end of the first special game to the probability change state (S144). More specifically, the validity determination table to be referred to by the validity determination lottery means 112 when determining the validity is set in the probability variation determination table. If it is already in the probability variation state, the probability variation determination table is continuously set and maintained as a reference target. If it is the second hit (N in S142, Y in S146), the specific game executing means 122 shifts the game state after the end of the first special game to the non-probable change state (S148). If it is the first hit or the second hit, the effect determining means 132 determines that the clear condition is satisfied (S150).

  If it is the third hit (N in S142, N in S146, Y in S152), the specific game executing means 122 shifts the gaming state after the end of the second special game to the probability changing state (S154). If it is off (N in S152), S154 is skipped. That is, the gaming state is not changed. If it is the third hit or miss (N in S142, N in S146), the effect determining means 132 determines that the clear condition is not satisfied. The symbol determination unit 114 acquires the pattern lottery value and determines the display pattern of the special symbol 192 (S158).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an effect display control process in the sub-board.
The flowchart shown here shows the process performed mainly by the effect determining means 132 and the effect image display means 138 of the sub-board 104. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the start and stop timings of the effect display do not always coincide with the fluctuation display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 in terms of time. In the present embodiment, the effect display control on the sub-board 104 is executed as a process different from the main flow on the main board 102.

  If the effect is not being displayed yet (N in S160), the effect determining means 132 determines whether the predetermined effect start timing has been reached (S176). If it has arrived, the effect determination means 132 selects an effect pattern (S178). Thus, the effect display by the selected effect pattern is started (S180). If the production start timing has not been reached (N in S176), the processes in S178 and S180 are skipped.

On the other hand, if the effect display is already being executed (Y in S160), the effect determining means 132 determines whether the clear condition is newly established after the change display is started (S162). If it is newly established (Y in S162), an effect pattern to be developed with a clear end is selected (S170). At this time, an effect pattern that develops with a clear end is selected according to the timing when the symbol variation ends. On the other hand, if the clear condition is not newly established (N in S162), it is determined whether or not the special symbol 192 is being displayed with the clear condition already established (S164). If the clear condition is not satisfied at all (N of S164), it is determined whether or not the effect display being executed at this stage has reached a break in the effect (S166). If it has arrived, the effect pattern is reselected for the subsequent effect display (S168). In the example of FIG. 4, time t ₄ corresponds to a production break. In the example of FIG. 6, the timing of transition to the battle scene after encountering an enemy character corresponds to a break in production. That is, when the effect by the effect pattern for the encounter scene is finished, the effect display by the effect pattern for the battle scene is started. The production pattern has an intermediate ending like an encounter scene, in other words, a production pattern that develops to a ending that should become a break in the production, and a final ending of the story like a battle scene. It can be said that it can be divided into two types of production patterns.
Actually, in S166, the success / failure determination may be made depending on whether it is a predetermined time before the production break.

  On the other hand, when the clear condition has already been established (Y of S164) or when the stage of the production has not been reached (N of S166), the production display ends, that is, the timing when the story ends. Is determined (S172). If it has arrived (Y in S172), the effect display ends (S174). If not reached (N in S172), the effect display continues.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game control process in S16 of FIG.
When the first special game is already being executed (Y in S110), the first special game control process is executed (S112). If the first special game is not being executed (N in S110), the second special game control process is executed (S114). Each process will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the first special game control process in S112 of FIG.
First, if the special winning opening 66 has not been opened (N in S70), the production display control means 134 starts the special game production process (S72), and the open / close control means 124 opens the special winning prize port 66 (S72). ). The effect at this time is the content of the hero character 148 and the special character 150 fighting as shown in the special effect screen 142. If the big winning opening 66 has been opened, S72 and S74 are skipped (Y in S70). When the predetermined opening time has elapsed since the grand prize opening 66 was opened (Y in S76), or the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76), there are nine or more game balls to the big winning opening 66 When the player has entered the ball (Y in S78), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66 (S80). If the opening time has not elapsed (N in S76) and the number of balls entered into the grand prize winning hole 66 has not reached nine or more (N in S78), the process from S80 is skipped and the flow in S112 is performed. Exit.

  If the number of rounds of the unit game has reached 15 after the closing of the special winning opening 66 in S80 (Y in S82), the effect display control means 134 ends the effect process of the first special game (S84), and the special game The control means 120 ends the first special game (S86). If the number of rounds has not reached 15 (N in S82), 1 is added to the number of rounds and the flow in S112 is terminated (S90).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail the second special game control process in S114 of FIG.
First, if the big prize opening 66 has not been opened (N in S120), the opening / closing control means 124 opens the big prize opening 66 (S122). If the special winning opening 66 has been opened, S122 is skipped (Y in S120). When a predetermined opening time of 0.2 seconds has elapsed since the winning opening 66 is opened (Y in S124), the opening / closing control means 124 closes the winning opening 66 (S126). When the opening time has not elapsed (N in S124), the processing after S126 is skipped and the flow of S114 is terminated.

  If the number of rounds of the unit game has reached 2 after closing the special winning opening 66 in S126 (Y in S128), the special game control means 120 ends the second special game (S130). If the number of rounds has not reached 2 (N in S128), 1 is added to the number of rounds, and the flow of S114 is terminated (S132). Thus, the second special game is a special game that is executed only for a very short time compared to the first special game of 0.2 × 2 of about 0.4 seconds. Therefore, the effect display as in the first special game is not executed.

  As a modified example, the special game control unit 120 may suppress various accessory actions when the game is shifted to the second special game. For example, the special game control means 120 may suppress the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 of S122 or S126 and the blinking operation of the game effect lamp 90. The special game control means 120 internally manages about 0.4 seconds as the second special game state, and when 0.4 seconds have passed, the special game control means 120 may automatically return from the second special game state to the normal game state. Good. In this case, since the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 and the blinking operation of the game effect lamp 90 are not executed, the player does not even recognize that the player is in the second special game state. Since the profit as the second special game cannot be expected and cannot be recognized, the third hit can be defined as a pure “probability change opportunity”. Since the difference between the three types can be clarified, it is possible to provide a game that is easier for the player to understand.

  Further, as a modified example, the special game control means 120 executes the normal special game as shown as the first special game of the present embodiment when the first hit and the second hit occur, but the third hit occurs. When this happens, the game state may not be shifted to the special game. In this case, the process itself of S114 is not executed. Even in such an aspect, the difference between the three types of hits can be clarified, which is effective in providing a game that is easier to understand for the player.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in the present embodiment, when the third hit occurs in the probability variation state, the effect display is executed with the same effect contents as the detachment. Therefore, it is possible to display effects in line with actual player benefits. Further, the development of the production can be given a story, and the production effect can be further enhanced by the continuity with the story when the first special game is executed.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in the present embodiment, the production pattern is selected so that the story developed in the probability variation state and the non-probability variation state is different. Therefore, there is an effect in increasing the rarity of the production pattern unique to the probability variation state and improving the production effect. Further, at that time, by making the characters appearing for the production effect different, the difference between the special character 150 and the normal character 156 can be clarified, thereby making the character characteristic stand out.

  Further, in the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in the present embodiment, a marked difference is provided between the player profit of the first special game and the player profit of the second special game. As a result, the difference between the first jackpot that shifts to the first special game with probability change and the third jackpot that shifts to the second special game with probability change is clarified, and the gaming interest associated with various jackpots of three types of jackpots is enhanced. be able to.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  10 Pachinko machines, 50 game boards, 52 game areas, 59 normal symbol display device, 60 performance display device, 61 special symbol display device, 62 start opening, 64 center decoration, 66 big prize opening, 68 action opening, 100 game control Device 102 main board 104 sub board 110 entry determination means 112 winning lottery means 114 symbol determination means 116 hold control means 118 main display control means 120 special game control means 122 specific game execution means 124 Open / close control means, 130 pattern storage means, 132 effect determination means, 134 effect display control means.

Claims (1)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A starting opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area and allowing a game ball to enter;
When a game ball enters the start opening, a lottery is performed to determine a plurality of types of hits that are conditions for shifting the game state to either the first special game or the second special game. Lottery means to
Symbol display control means for variably displaying symbols according to the result of the lottery,
When the symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode indicating the first win or the second win, the game state is shifted to the first special game, and when the symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode indicating the third win, the game is changed to the second special game. Special game control means for shifting the game state;
When the lottery result is the first or third win, the winning probability of the lottery after the first special game is finished is set to a high probability, and when the lottery result is the second win, the second special game is finished. A probability changing means for setting a normal probability as a winning probability of the lottery by the lottery means later;
Production pattern storage means for storing production patterns indicating production display processes as stories that can be developed into a plurality of types of endings;
Effect display means for executing effect display in parallel with the variable display period of the symbol by the stored effect pattern;
Condition determining means for determining success or failure of a clear condition that is a condition for expanding the story displayed in the effect to a predetermined ending,
The condition determining means determines that the clear condition is satisfied when the result of the lottery reaches the first or second in the high probability setting state, and the result of the lottery is determined to be the third winning in the high probability setting state. It is not determined that the clear condition is satisfied depending on
The ball game machine characterized in that the effect display means executes effect display in an effect pattern in which the story develops to the predetermined ending when the clear condition is satisfied.

Images