JP2011218224A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine capable of preventing a time-shortening game from becoming uniform.SOLUTION: When a winning symbol stops on a symbol display device, a big-win game is performed, and after the end of the big-win game, the time-shortening game starts. If the big-win game starts during the time-shortening game, the number of times of symbol variation displays which are performed during the time-shortening game by the symbol display device (a variation frequency during time shortening) is stored. The upper limit of duration of the time-shortening game, which is started after the end of the big-win game, is set to the variation frequency during time shortening stored. Thereby, the upper limit of duration of the time-shortening game can be changed diversely so as to prevent the time-shortening game from becoming uniform. The variation frequency during time shortening is stored only when the big-win game occurs during the time-shortening game and the stored variation frequency during the time shortening is set as the upper limit of duration of the next time-shortening game, so that control of the game machine is not complicated.

Description

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

  When a game ball is launched on a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances into which game balls can be entered, and a game ball enters any of the entrances, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls. 2. Description of the Related Art A ball game machine that performs a game to be paid out is widely known. On the game board surface of such a ball game machine, there are provided a symbol display device capable of variably displaying symbols, a special entrance called a start entrance, a special entrance called a grand prize entrance, etc. When the game ball enters the start opening, the symbol display starts the symbol change display on the symbol display device, and when the predetermined symbol is stopped, the special winning opening is opened and the special winning opening is advantageous to the player. (So-called jackpot game) is started. In addition, after the end of the big hit game, a game state (so-called short-time game) is started in which the variation time of the special symbol and the variation time of the normal symbol are shortened and the time at which the start port is opened is extended, At this time, the short game is continued until the symbol change display and the stop display are performed a predetermined number of times on the symbol display device.

  Of course, when the jackpot game ends, the short-time game state is always started, and the short-time game always continues until a predetermined number of symbol variations are displayed unless the game is a big-hit game. There is a tendency to become. Therefore, in view of these points, a big hit game is started before a predetermined number of symbol variation display ends during a short-time game. A technique has been proposed in which the number of symbol fluctuations in a short-time game is not always the same by adding the number of fluctuations to the number of symbol fluctuations in the next short-time game (Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-187715 A

  However, the proposed technique has a problem that the short-time game is still easily felt even though the number of symbol fluctuations during the short-time game is not constant. In addition, in the proposed technique, control such as changing the effect mode during the short-time game is performed in order to give a change to the short-time game, and there is a problem that the control of the game becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and can prevent the game during the operation of the open extension function from being uniformed without complicating the control. The purpose is to provide a machine.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
When a game ball is launched on a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances into which game balls can be entered, and a game ball enters any of the entrances, a predetermined number of prize balls are awarded. In a ball game machine that performs a game in which game balls are paid out,
A starting port that is configured to be switchable between a normal state and an opening state in which a game ball is easier to enter than the normal state;
A large winning opening as the entrance that is configured to be switchable between a closed state where a game ball cannot enter and an open state where a game ball can enter;
When a game ball enters the start opening, after performing a variable display of the symbol, a symbol display device that stops and displays in any symbol,
When a predetermined winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device, a big hit game executing means for performing a big hit game by opening the big winning opening;
An opening time extending means for extending the opening time of the start port until the symbol is displayed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot game ends;
When the jackpot game is started while the opening time extension means is operating, the symbol is displayed in a variable manner between the start of the opening time extension means and the start of the jackpot game. Or a variation number storage means for storing the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of times the symbol has been subjected to variation display from the predetermined number of times,
Prior to the start of operation of the opening time extending means, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game performed immediately before the operation of the opening time extending means was started during the operation of the opening time extending means, If it is determined that the opening time extension means has been started, the number of times the symbol has been subjected to variable display is subtracted from the predetermined number of times based on the memory of the fluctuation number storage means. Short time upper limit duration setting means to set as the upper limit duration of operation of the extension means,
It is characterized by providing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first aspect, the upper limit duration setting means is configured so that the jackpot game performed immediately before the opening time extension means is operated. When it is determined that the operation has not been started during the operation of the time extension means, the predetermined number of times is set as the upper limit continuation number of operations of the opening time extension means.

  In the bullet ball game machine according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the opening time extension game is started after the end of the big hit game. In addition, the number of times that the symbol display device performs a variable display of the symbol between the start of the opening time extension game and the start of the jackpot game when the jackpot game is started during the opening time extension game ( The number of fluctuations) is stored. On the other hand, when the opening time extension game has already ended at the start of the big hit game, it is not necessary to store the number of times of change. Then, when setting the upper limit duration of the opening time extension game to be performed following the jackpot game, if the opening extension game has ended at the start of the jackpot game, the predetermined number of times is set as the upper limit of the opening time extension game. Set as duration. On the other hand, if the opening extension game is operating at the start of the big hit game, the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of fluctuations from the predetermined number is set as the upper limit duration.

  When a big hit game occurs during the opening time extended game, the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of fluctuations from the predetermined number of times is set as the upper limit duration. For this reason, when storing the number of fluctuations, the number of fluctuations is indirectly stored by storing the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of fluctuations from a predetermined number of times instead of storing the number of fluctuations as it is. You may make it leave.

  Since the time at which the big hit game is started during the opening time extension game varies in various ways, the number of fluctuations, and further, the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of fluctuations from the predetermined number of times can take various values. Therefore, when the big hit game is started during the open time extended game, it is possible to variously change the upper limit duration of the open time extended game that follows the big hit game. In addition, if the big hit game is not started easily and is started after the opening time extension game is finished, the upper limit duration is set to a predetermined number of times for the opening time extended game that follows the big hit game. As long as the big hit game is not started on the way, it is possible to secure a sufficient period of the open time extended game.

In addition, the following configuration was adopted for the first ball game machine. That is,
When a game ball is launched on a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances into which game balls can be entered, and a game ball enters any of the entrances, a predetermined number of prize balls are awarded. In a ball game machine that performs a game in which game balls are paid out,
A starting port that is configured to be switchable between a normal state and an opening state in which a game ball is easier to enter than the normal state;
A large winning opening as the entrance that is configured to be switchable between a closed state where a game ball cannot enter and an open state where a game ball can enter;
When a game ball enters the start opening, after performing a variable display of the symbol, a symbol display device that stops and displays in any symbol,
A jackpot game execution means for playing a jackpot game by opening the jackpot when a predetermined winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device;
After the jackpot game is finished, a time-short game execution means for performing a short game when a period for making the start port in the open state is extended;
If the jackpot game is started during the short-time game, the short-time is the number of times that the symbol display device performs the variable display between the start of the short-time game and the start of the jackpot game. A short-to-medium fluctuation number storage means for storing the number of middle fluctuations;
Prior to the start of the short-time game, it is determined whether or not the number of times of short-to-medium variation associated with the big hit game performed immediately before the short-time game has been stored, and the number of times of short-to-medium variation has been stored Is characterized by comprising short-time upper limit duration setting means for setting, as the upper-limit duration of the short-time game, a period until the symbol display device performs the fluctuation display of the number of short-time fluctuations.

In such a first ball game machine, the symbol display device displays a variation of the symbol, and when the stop display is performed with a predetermined winning symbol, the big hit game is started, and after the big hit game is finished, the short-time game is started. The And, when a big hit game is started during the short-time game, the number of times the symbol display device displays the variable display between the start of the short-time game and the start of the big hit game (the number of fluctuations during the short-time game) ) Is stored, and after the big hit game is finished, the time-short game is started with the stored number of short-to-medium fluctuations as the upper limit duration.
Since the time at which the big hit game is started during the time-short game varies in various ways, the number of times of change in the time-short game can also take various values. Therefore, if a jackpot game is started during a short-time game, the upper-limit duration of the short-time game can be changed variously by setting the upper-limit duration of the short-time game to be performed following the jackpot game to the number of fluctuations in the short-time game. As a result, it is possible to avoid uniformizing the short-time game. In addition, only when a big hit game occurs during a short-time game, it is only necessary to store the number of short-time fluctuations and set the stored short-to-short fluctuation number as the upper limit duration of the next short-time game, The control of the gaming machine is not complicated.

  In the above-described invention, two types of jackpot games may be provided as follows. That is, when the predetermined first winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device, the first big winning game is performed by opening the big winning opening in the predetermined first mode. When the second winning symbol is stopped and displayed, the second big hit game is performed by opening the big winning opening in the second mode which is completed in a shorter time than the first mode. Then, when the second jackpot game is started during the time-saving game, the number of time-short-time fluctuations may be stored.

  In this way, two short-time games are played across the second jackpot game, and the second big-hit game is completed in a short time, so for the player, two short-time games are one continuous short-time game. It feels as if there is. As described above, in the first ball game machine of the present invention, the number of fluctuations of the short-time game performed previously is set as the upper limit duration of the short-time game, so that the player can It feels as if the upper-limit duration of the short-time game has become very long, and as a result, it is possible to avoid uniformizing the short-time game. Also, in the present invention, the number of fluctuations that have not been performed in the previously performed short-time game (the number obtained by subtracting the number of short-time fluctuations from the predetermined number) is set as the upper limit duration of the subsequent short-time game Therefore, by playing two short-time games via the second jackpot game, the player did not play two short-time games, but as if one short-time game was played until the upper limit duration. It feels like As a result, it is possible to make the player more difficult to notice that the second jackpot game has been performed.

  In the above-described invention, when the set upper limit duration is smaller than the predetermined lower limit number, the lower limit number may be set as the upper limit duration of the short-time game.

  In this way, it is possible to avoid that the player is discouraged because the upper-limit duration of the short-time game has become too short and the interest in the game is reduced. If the jackpot game is the second jackpot game, the upper limit duration of the short-time game may be set as it is, even if the number is smaller than the lower limit number.

  Furthermore, in the above-described ball game machine of the present invention, when the set upper limit duration is larger than the predetermined upper limit number, the upper limit number may be set as the upper limit duration of the short-time game. Good.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the player from getting bored with the game because the upper limit duration of the short-time game has become too long, and cooling the entertainment.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a uniform game during operation of the opening extension function.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of a game board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the symbol display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen structure of the effect display apparatus mounted in the game machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the normal symbol is variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that the special symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that a display symbol was variably displayed on the liquid crystal screen of an effect display apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the rough flow of the game control process which a main control board performs in order to control progress of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a normal electric accessory stop process. It is the flowchart which showed a part of special symbol game process. It is the flowchart which showed the remaining part of the special symbol game process. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the success / failure determination table referred in order to perform the determination of the success / failure of a special symbol in the special symbol game process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the hit mode determination table referred in order to determine a big hit mode when the determination result of the special symbol is a big win. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which sets the variation pattern of a special symbol in a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a part of special electric accessory game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the remaining part of a special electric accessory game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a time-shortening upper limit frequency setting process of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the upper limit frequency | count of a time-short game changed according to the game state at the time of jackpot occurrence by performing the time limit upper limit frequency setting process of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where the big hit by the specific probability change symbol occurs by performing the time limit upper limit number setting process of 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a time-shortening upper limit frequency setting process of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the upper limit frequency | count of a time-short game changes according to the game state at the time of jackpot occurrence by performing the time limit upper limit frequency setting process of 2nd Example.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Control circuit configuration:
B. Overview of the game:
C. Overview of control:
C-1. Game control processing:
C-2. Special design game processing:
C-3. Special electric game game processing:
D. Time limit upper limit number setting process of the first embodiment:
E. Time reduction upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment:

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 is mainly composed of a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a game board 10, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 10 is omitted. The front frame 4 is attached to a middle frame 3 (not shown), and the middle frame 3 is attached to a main body frame 2 (not shown). The middle frame 3 is formed of a plastic material and is attached to the inside of the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and forms an outer frame of the gaming machine 1. One end of the front frame 4 is pivotally supported with respect to the middle frame 3, and one end of the middle frame 3 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 2. The game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and the front side is covered with the front frame 4.
The front frame 4 is formed of a plastic material, and a circular opening 4a is formed at a substantially central portion. A transparent plate such as a glass plate is fitted in the opening 4a so that the board surface of the game board 10 arranged on the back side can be visually recognized. The front frame 4 is provided with various lamps 4b to 4f for effectively producing a game.
An upper dish portion 5 is provided below the front frame 4, and a lower dish portion 6 is provided below the upper dish portion 5. A locking device 9 is provided on the right side of the front frame 4, and a prepaid card type ball lending device 13 (CR unit) is provided on the left side of the front frame 4.

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

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

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

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. In addition, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by the outer rail 14 and the inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10.

  A central device 26 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11, a variable winning device 18 is provided in a lower portion of the gaming area 11, and between the central device 26 and the variable winning device 18. A starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is provided. The starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is a so-called tulip type starting port configured such that a pair of blade pieces can be opened and closed on the left and right. Inside the start port 17, there are a start port (ordinary electric accessory) switch 17s (see FIG. 5) for detecting the passing of the game ball, and an ordinary electric accessory (start port) solenoid 17m for operating the wing piece. (See FIG. 5). When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the opening state, and when the pair of wing pieces are upright, the game ball is less likely to enter the normal state than the opening state. It becomes. The starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 of the present embodiment is configured so that a game ball can always enter, but in the normal state, the game ball cannot enter and is opened. It may be possible to enter the ball only in the state. In this case, in addition to a start opening (ordinary electric accessory) that can enter only in the open state, a start opening that can be entered constantly is provided by a general entrance that does not have a blade piece. It is desirable.

  An effect display device 27 is provided substantially in the center of the central device 26. The effect display device 27 is equipped with a liquid crystal screen, and can change and display various effect symbols such as character symbols and background symbols. Various symbols displayed on the screen of the effect display device 27 will be described later.

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

  A normal symbol operation gate 36 is provided at the left end of the game area 11, and a gate switch 36 s for detecting the passage of the game ball is provided inside the gate. Further, a lamp windmill 24 is provided between the normal symbol operating gate 36 and the central device 26. A number of obstacle nails 23 are provided between and around each of these gaming devices.

  In the variable winning device 18 provided below the central device 26, a large winning device 31 is provided substantially in the center. This special winning device 31 is composed of a special winning opening 31d that opens substantially in a substantially rectangular shape, a special winning opening solenoid 31m (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing the special winning opening 31d, and the like. The special winning opening 31d repeats the opening operation in a predetermined manner a plurality of times when a predetermined condition described later is satisfied. The game state in which the special winning opening 31d repeats the opening operation is called a special game state (or a big hit game). Generally, when the special winning opening 31d is in an open state, the game ball enters the special winning opening 31d with a high probability, so that the player can acquire a large number of gaming balls. In addition, a big prize opening switch 31s is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball won in the big prize opening 31d.

  An out port 48 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball preventing member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The back ball preventing member 58 has a function of preventing a game ball that has returned without reaching the game area 11 from returning to the launch position.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the symbol display device 28 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. The symbol display device 28 of the present embodiment is roughly composed of a normal symbol display unit 29 and a special symbol display unit 30. The normal symbol display unit 29 includes a left normal symbol display unit 29a and a right normal symbol display unit 29b, and the special symbol display unit 30 includes a left special symbol display unit 30a and a right special symbol display unit 30b. Has been. The two normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b are configured by using light emitting diodes (LEDs), the left normal symbol display portion 29a lights red light, and the right normal symbol display portion 29b lights green light. It is possible to do. The special symbol display unit 30 uses a so-called 7-segment LED. Of these, the 7 segment portion constitutes the left special symbol display portion 30a, and the comma portion constitutes the right special symbol display portion 30b. Yes. The 7-segment portion and the comma portion can be lit with red, orange, or green light. In addition, the symbol display device 28 is also provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 29c and a special symbol hold display unit 30c. Each of these consists of four LEDs. The display contents of the symbol display device 28 having such a configuration will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the screen configuration of the effect display device 27 installed in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. As described above, the effect display device 27 is mainly configured using a liquid crystal display screen, and three character symbols 27a, 27b, 27c and a background symbol 27d are displayed on the liquid crystal screen. . Among these, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed in various manners in accordance with the display of the special symbol display unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 so that a game can be produced. Detailed contents of the effects performed by the effect display device 27 will be described later.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is composed of a plurality of control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and the like. A main control board 200 that controls the success / failure involved, a sub-control board 220 that controls the overall control of various effects performed in accordance with the game, and various designs for effects on the liquid crystal screen of the effect display device 27. And an effect control board 230 for controlling the control of the game, a payout control board 240 for controlling the operation of paying out the rented or prize balls, a launch control board 260 for controlling the game ball launch, and the like. Yes. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, a RAM that stores temporary data when the program is executed, and peripheral devices. Peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the CPU, an oscillator that outputs a clock for the CPU to perform operations, a watchdog timer for monitoring CPU runaway, and a CTC that periodically generates an interrupt signal Various peripheral LSIs such as (counter / timer circuit) are connected to each other via a bus. Also, the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5 represents the direction in which data or signals are input / output. In FIG. 5, only the CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are shown, and the other various devices are not shown.

  As shown in the drawing, the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the start port switch 17s, the big prize port switch 31s, the gate switch 36s, etc. Are determined, commands for instructing various operations are output toward the sub-control board 220, the effect control board 230, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like. Further, the main control board 200 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces provided at the start port 17, a large prize opening solenoid 31m for opening and closing the big prize opening 31d, and The symbol display device 28 for displaying the fluctuation stop of the normal symbol and the special symbol is connected via the relay terminal board, and outputs signals to these various solenoids 17m and 31m and the symbol display device 28. The operation is also controlled.

  When the sub-control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the command and produces a game according to the result. That is, various effects are directed toward the effect control board 230 that controls the effect display device 27 described above, the amplifier board 224 that drives the various speakers 5y and 6c, and the decoration drive board 226 that drives the various LEDs and lamps for decoration. The game is rendered by outputting commands and driving signals. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation switches SW <b> 1 and SW <b> 2 provided on the front side of the upper plate part 5 are connected to the sub control board 220 via the effect button board 228. When the player operates the operation switches SW1 and SW2, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control board 220, and the sub-control board 220 reflects the received operation signal on various effect contents including the effect display device 27. It is possible.

  When the effect control board 230 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, the effect display device 27 is controlled in accordance with the contents of the command, thereby variably displaying the three character symbols 27a, 27b, 27c and the like on the liquid crystal screen. Produce.

  The payout control board 240 is responsible for various controls relating to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the ball lending switch 5b or the return switch 5c provided in the upper platen 5 described above, this signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 242 to the payout control board 240. The ball lending device 13 pays out a ball while exchanging data with the payout control board 240. When the main control board 200 outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control board 240 receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball.

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

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

  When the launched game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 provided on the left side of the game area 11, the normal symbol variation display is started in the normal symbol display unit 29 of the symbol display device 28. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the left normal symbol display portion 29a and the right normal symbol display portion 29b. The left normal symbol display unit 29a is configured to be able to light red light, and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is configured to be able to light green light. When the normal symbol variation display is started, the left and right normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b perform blinking display.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which normal symbols are variably displayed. The normal symbol in the variable display can take the four states shown in the figure. First, the state shown in FIG. 6A represents a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned on and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned off. FIG. 6B shows a state where both the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display unit 29b are lit. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned on. FIG. 6D shows the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display. Each of the portions 29b represents a state where the light is extinguished. During the normal symbol variation display, these four display states are displayed in a mode of switching one after another at a high speed, and when a predetermined time elapses, the display is stopped in any one of the four display states. At this time, when the display is stopped in a predetermined display state, a so-called normal symbol is reached and the start port 17 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). In the present embodiment, the display state shown in FIG. 6C, that is, the state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is lit is set for the normal symbol. Yes.

  If the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 during the normal symbol variation display, the passage of this game ball is stored as the number of holdings, and after the current normal symbol variation display ends, the variation display Is done. Up to four normal symbol holds can be stored, and the stored number of normal symbols is displayed on the normal symbol hold display section 29c (see FIG. 3).

  Next, when a game ball enters the start port 17 that is in an open state, a special symbol variation display is started. The special symbol is displayed by the special symbol display unit 30 as described with reference to FIG. As described above, the special symbol display unit 30 of this embodiment is composed of the left special symbol display unit 30a composed of 7-segment LEDs and the right special symbol display unit 30b of the comma portion. The symbol display sections 30a and 30b can be lit in red, orange, or green.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which special symbols are variably displayed. During the special symbol variation display, the symbol “A” or “Y” is displayed on the left special symbol display unit 30a, and the comma “.” Is displayed on the right special symbol display unit 30b. Further, “A” and “Y” in the left special symbol display unit 30a and the comma “.” In the right special symbol display unit 30b can take three states of red, orange, and green. In the special symbol display unit 30 of the present embodiment, these display states can be combined to display 12 types of states shown in FIG. In the figure, the 7-segment LED or the comma portion that is finely hatched indicates that it is lit in a red state. In addition, a little rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in an orange state, and a rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in a green state. . When the special symbol variation display is started, these 12 types of display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed.

  Among the 12 types of display modes shown in FIG. 7, a combination of red “Y” and red “comma” (hereinafter, this combination is expressed as “red Y-red comma”), and The combination of orange “Y” and red “comma” (that is, “orange Y-red comma”) is set as an out-of-band design. The remaining 10 combinations of symbols are “winning symbols”. After the special symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device 28, when the symbol that is stopped and displayed is a winning symbol, a so-called special gaming state is started and a gaming state in which the special winning opening 31d is opened in a predetermined manner ( Round) is repeated a predetermined number of times. If a game ball enters the start port 17 during the special symbol variation display, the game ball entry is stored as the number of special symbols held, and after the current special symbol variation display ends, Fluctuation display is performed. It is possible to store up to four special symbols on hold, and the number of stored special symbols is displayed on the special symbol hold display section 30c (see FIG. 3).

  In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a “specific probability variation symbol” is provided in addition to the “normal symbol” and the “probability variation symbol” as the symbol. In FIG. 7, “normal winning symbol” is surrounded by a broken line, “probable variation winning symbol” is surrounded by a solid line, and “specific certain variation changing symbol” is surrounded by a one-dot chain line. When a game ball enters the start port 17, whether or not a special symbol is determined is determined, and any of these 12 types of special symbols is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 according to the determination result. Is done. For example, when the success / failure determination result is a normal hit, the normal hit symbol indicated by a broken line in FIG. 7 is stopped and displayed, and when the determination result is a probable hit, it is indicated by a solid line. If the winning / failing test result is a specified probability change, the specified probability changing symbol surrounded by a one-dot chain line, and if the winning / failing result is out of the range, it is surrounded by a thin solid line. The symbol is stopped and displayed. As described above, the special symbol is a symbol representing the result of the determination of success / failure performed on the main control board 200.

  When the special symbol of the special symbol display unit 30 in the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed as “normal winning symbol” or “probable winning symbol”, the special gaming state is started and the special winning opening 31d is in a predetermined mode. The round opened at is repeated up to 15 rounds. When the “normal winning symbol” or the “probable variation winning symbol” is stopped and the big winning opening 31d is in an open state, it becomes easier for the game ball to enter, and the player receives a number of awards until the 15th round is completed. It becomes possible to acquire a ball. Such a game state is a so-called “hit game”. In addition, even after the special game state ends, for a while, the opening time of the start port 17 is extended so that the game ball can easily enter the start port 17 and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol and the special symbol is shortened. State (so-called short-time state). In addition, when the winning symbol is “probable variation winning symbol”, the probability that the winning symbol is stopped and displayed again is set to a high value. A gaming state in which the probability of being stopped and displayed with a winning symbol is high is called a probability variation state (or probability variation state). In this way, when the “normal winning symbol” or the “probable variation winning symbol” is stopped and displayed, the player can proceed with the game very advantageously. It is normal to do.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed with the “specific probability change symbol”, the big hit game is started, and after the big hit game is ended, the above-described probability change state is obtained. However, the big hit game started by being stopped and displayed with the “specific probability change symbol” is performed only for two rounds. In addition, one round is finished only when the special winning opening 31d is opened for a very short time (0.1 seconds in this embodiment). For this reason, even if a big hit game is started with the “specific probability change symbol”, the prize ball is almost not paid out, and it ends in a very short time, and the player is unaware that the big hit game has been performed. The game continues. As a result, when the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed with the “specific probability change symbol”, the game state can be switched from the normal game state to the probability change state without the player noticing.

  In this embodiment, “normal hit symbol” or “probable variation symbol” corresponds to “first hit symbol” in the present invention, and “normal hit symbol” or “probability variable symbol” is stopped. The 15-round jackpot game started when the game is played corresponds to the “first jackpot game” of the present invention. Further, the “specific probability variation symbol” in the present embodiment corresponds to the “second probability variation symbol” in the present invention, and the two round big hit that is started when the “specific probability variation symbol” is stopped and displayed. The game corresponds to the “second jackpot game” of the present invention.

  In this way, the special symbol variably displayed on the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed in which symbol greatly influences the gaming state. However, it is not always easy to determine whether the special symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 is “ordinary winning symbol”, “probable variation winning symbol”, or “disappearing symbol”. In addition, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, in addition to these symbols, a “specific probability variation symbol” is also provided. It is difficult. Therefore, in accordance with the above-described special symbol variation stop display, the effect display device 27 also performs an effect of causing the character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c to be variable and displayed.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating an aspect of the effect performed using the three character symbols displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the effect display device 27. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the three character symbols 27 a, 27 b, 27 c and the background symbol 27 d are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen constituting the effect display device 27. When the variation display of the special symbol is started on the symbol display device 28 described above, the effect display device 27 also starts the variation display of these three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c all at once. In the present embodiment, as a character design, a design in which nine numbers from “1” to “9” are designed is prepared.

  FIG. 8A conceptually shows a state in which the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed on the screen on which the background image 27d is displayed. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left character symbol 27b is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right character symbol 27d is stopped and displayed. The middle character symbol 27c is stopped and displayed. The combination of the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are stopped and displayed on the effect display device 27 is configured to be interlocked with the combination of the special symbols that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 described above. For example, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at “normal hit symbol”, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c of the effect display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol representing an even number, In the case of stopping at “symbol”, the display is stopped with the same symbol representing an odd number. On the other hand, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the “specific probability change symbol”, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a predetermined combination that is not aligned with the same symbol, and the “off symbol” is displayed. In the case of stopping, the display is stopped in other combinations (a combination of symbols in which the three symbols are not aligned with the same symbol and are not a specific probability variation).

  As described above, the special symbols displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the effect display device 27 correspond to each other in the display contents, and the respective display symbols are displayed. The timing for confirmation is also set the same. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 27 is provided at a position that is more easily noticeable than the symbol display device 28, and the display screen is large and the display content is easy to understand. It is normal to play a game while watching the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the screen of the device 27. Therefore, when the left character symbol 27b that is first stopped and displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 27 and the right character symbol 27d that is subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol, it is stopped and displayed last. The middle character symbol 27c also stops at the same symbol, and the player pays attention to the variation of the symbol so that the so-called big hit game is started. In this way, the effect of variably displaying the last symbol with the two character symbols stopped at the same symbol is called a reach effect, and it is possible to increase the interest of the player by performing the reach effect. It has become.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, even when the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are not aligned with the same symbol in the effect display device 27 (so-called “split eyes”), it is not always “out”. In some cases, the symbol display device 28 may be stopped and displayed with a “specific probability variation symbol”. However, since the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is set to a similar symbol, it is determined whether the special symbol that has been stopped is “Out of symbol” or “Specific probability variation per symbol”. In addition, the character symbols that are stopped and displayed on the effect display device 27 are exactly the same in that they are “separated” in which the three symbols are not aligned, and are difficult to distinguish. In addition, the two-round jackpot game, which is performed following the stop display of the “specific probability variation symbol”, ends in a very short time without obtaining a prize ball. Is often not noticed. For this reason, it is possible to switch the gaming state to a probabilistic state without knowing the player, and as a result, the player always plays a game with a sense of expectation that "I will hit a big hit soon". It is possible.

  Hereinafter, in order to realize the above-described game, details of control executed mainly on the main control board 200 and the sub control board 220 will be described.

C. Overview of control:
The progress of the game performed in the gaming machine 1 is controlled by the main control board 200. Below, the game control process performed by the main control board 200 in order to advance a game is demonstrated.

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

  When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process (pay ball related process) for paying out a game ball as a prize ball (S50). In this process, it is detected whether or not a game ball has entered a switch related to winning a game ball (such as the start opening switch 17s or the big prize opening switch 31s) among various switches connected to the main control board 200. To do. When a game ball is detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated, and then a process for outputting a prize ball number designation command to the payout control board 240 is performed.

  When a prize ball number designation command output from the main control board 200 is received, the payout control board 240 interprets the content of the command. And according to the result, a drive signal is output to the payout motor 109m mounted in the payout device 109, and the process of actually paying out the winning ball is performed.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 outputs a prize ball number designation command (S50), this time, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol game process is performed, that is, whether or not the normal symbol variation stop display is performed (S90). ). Such a determination is made by detecting whether or not the ordinary electric accessory is in operation, in other words, whether or not the starting port 17 is open. If the normal electric accessory is not operating, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is performed (S90: yes), and if the normal electric accessory is operating, it is determined that the normal symbol game process is not performed (S90: no).

  When it is determined that the normal symbol game process is to be performed (S90: yes), the normal symbol game process described below is performed (S100). On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol game process is not performed (S90: no), the normal symbol game process (S100) is skipped.

  In the normal symbol game process (S100), the following processes are mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not the number of held ordinary symbols is present (whether it is “0”). If the number of retained symbols is present, whether or not the ordinary symbol is present is determined. Here, the reserved number of normal symbols is set by the game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate 36, and in this embodiment, the upper limit value of the reserved number is set to “4”. Then, based on the determination result of the normal symbol, it is determined whether the normal symbol is to be stopped and displayed as a winning symbol (see FIG. 6 (c)) or any other outlier symbol. Next, after setting the normal symbol fluctuation display time, the normal symbol fluctuation display is started. When the variable display time has elapsed, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol. When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed at this time, the operation of the normal electric accessory is started. . In the normal symbol game process, the normal symbol variation stop display is performed as described above, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the winning symbol, the process of operating the normal electric accessory is performed. When the ordinary electric accessory operates, the pair of blade pieces provided at the start port 17 rotate outward, and the start port 17 is in an open state.

  When the normal symbol game process is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory is operating (S190). If it is in operation (S190: yes), a process for stopping the ordinary electric accessory (ordinary electric accessory stopping process) is performed (S200). On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory is not operating (S190: no), it is not necessary to perform the ordinary electric accessory stopping process, and the process is skipped.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ordinary electric accessory stopping process. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart. In the ordinary electric accessory stop process, first, it is determined whether or not a predetermined operating time of the ordinary electric accessory has passed (S202). As described above, when the ordinary electric accessory is operated, the start port 17 is in an open state, but when a predetermined time has elapsed, the pair of blade pieces are restored to the normal state in which they are upright again. Accordingly, in S202, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory has reached a preset operation time. If it is determined that the operating time has been reached (S202: yes), after stopping the operation of the ordinary electric accessory (S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated and the game control shown in FIG. Return to processing. Note that the normal electric accessory operating time (that is, the opening time of the start port 17) is set to a short time (0.5 seconds in this embodiment) in the normal gaming state, but the opening time extending function described later. When is operated, it is extended to a long time (5 seconds in this embodiment).

  On the other hand, when a prescribed number of game balls enter the opening 17, the opening 17 returns to the normal state even when the opening time has not reached the set time. Correspondingly, if the operating time of the ordinary electric accessory has not reached the predetermined time (S202: no), it is determined whether or not a specified number of game balls have entered the ordinary electric accessory ( S204) When it is determined that a specified number of game balls have entered (S204: yes), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory is stopped and the ordinary electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 10 is terminated. On the contrary, when it is determined that there is no predetermined number of balls (S204: no), the ordinary electric game game process shown in FIG. Return to the game control process shown in.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the game control process, when returning from the ordinary electric accessory stop process, it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process (S300). Such a determination is made by detecting whether the condition device is operating. Here, the condition device is a device that is a condition for operating the accessory continuous operation device, and the special symbols are “normal hit symbol”, “probable hit symbol”, and “specific probability variable symbol” shown in FIG. This is a device that starts operation when a stop display is displayed. The condition device operates the accessory continuous operation device, thereby starting a gaming state (so-called big hit game) in which the big winning opening 31d is continuously opened. Here, “whether or not the condition device is operating” means “whether or not a big hit game is being played”. The condition device and the accessory continuous action device are configured by a control program executed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200. Then, if the condition device is not in operation (if it is not in jackpot game), it is determined that special symbol game processing is to be performed (S300: yes). If the condition device is in operation (if in jackpot game) It is determined that the special symbol game process is not performed (S300: no).

  If it is determined that the special symbol game process is to be performed as a result of the above determination (S300: yes), the special symbol game process described below is performed (S320). On the other hand, when it is determined not to perform the special symbol game process (S300: no), the special symbol game process (S320) is skipped.

  As will be described in detail later, in the special symbol game process (S320), the following process is performed. First, whether or not the special symbol is successful is determined to determine whether it is “normal hit”, “probable hit”, “specific probability hit”, or “out”. Then, if it is any one of “normal hit”, “probability change hit”, or “specific probability change hit symbol”, the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated to start a so-called jackpot game.

  When the special symbol game process (S320) is completed and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed, it is determined whether or not the condition device is in operation (S390). Then, if it is determined that the condition device is in operation (S390: yes), a process for playing the big hit game (special electric accessory game process) is started (S400). The details of the special electric accessory game process will be described later, but the big hit game is performed in either of 15 round big hit or 2 round big hit depending on the special symbol winning pattern that activated the condition device. Is called. On the other hand, if it is determined that the condition device is not in operation (S390: no), the process returns to the top of the game control process without performing the special electric accessory game process, and the prize ball related process is started again.

  In addition, when the winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 30, either of the 15 round jackpot game (first jackpot game) or the two round jackpot game (second jackpot game) is selected according to the winning symbol. The process of opening the big winning opening 31d in the aspect and playing the big hit game is executed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200. Therefore, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of this embodiment corresponds to the “big hit game execution means” of the present invention.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game progresses by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performing the game control processing as described above. Then, whether or not the special symbol is successful is determined in the special symbol game process (S320), the operation of the condition device is started according to the result, and the big hit game is executed in the special electric game game process (S400). It is like that. The detailed contents of the special symbol game process (S320) and the special electric accessory game process (S400) will be described below.

C-2. Special design game processing:
11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the flow of the special symbol game process. As described above, this process is a process executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIG. When the special symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S322). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol display unit 30 is provided in the symbol display device 28, and the special symbols can be variably displayed.

  If the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 is not changing (S322: no), it is determined whether it is during the display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol (S324). That is, since a stop display time is provided for the player to confirm the stop symbol for a while after the special symbol change display is ended, it is determined whether or not the stop display time is in progress. When it is confirmed that the special symbol is not variably displayed and the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S324: no), it is determined whether or not the number of special symbols held is “0”. (S326). Here, the special symbol holding number is set when a game ball enters the start port 17 and can be set until the upper limit value “4” is reached. If the number of special symbol hold is “0” (S326: yes), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the number of special symbol hold is not “0”, in other words, if the special symbol hold remains (S326: no), the special symbol determination is started.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, prior to determining whether or not a special symbol is appropriate, it is determined whether or not the probability of jackpot occurrence is in a high probability state (probability variation state) (S328). The probability variation state is when the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 is stopped at either the “probability variation symbol” or the “specific probability variation symbol” shown in FIG. It continues until the next special game starts. Therefore, in S328, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a probable change state. If the probable change is in progress (S328: yes), whether or not the special symbol is determined in a state where the probability of jackpot is set high. A determination is made (S330). On the other hand, if the probability change is not in progress (S328: no), whether the special symbol is true or not is determined with the probability of jackpot set to a normal value (S332).

  The special symbol determination is performed by referring to the following determination table and jackpot determination table. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a success / failure determination table referred to for determining whether or not a special symbol is successful in the special symbol game process of the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the success / failure determination table includes a probability change table shown in FIG. 13 (b) and a non-probability change table shown in FIG. 13 (a). The special symbol success / failure determination random number is stored in association with the success / failure determination result of either “big hit” or “out”. As is clear from comparison between FIG. 13 (a) and FIG. 13 (b), the probability change success / failure determination table has a higher probability of occurrence of “big hit” than the non-probability change / failure determination table. Yes. Here, the special symbol success / failure determination random number is a random number that is acquired when a game ball enters the start port 17 and stored in the RAM 203 on the main control board 200. A special symbol is determined by referring to the success / failure determination table from the special symbol determination random number. As a result, if it is determined to be a “big hit”, the special symbol is determined by referring to the jackpot state determination table. Determine the jackpot aspect of.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a big hit mode determination table that is referred to in order to determine the big hit mode when the determination result of the special symbol is a big hit. As shown in the figure, in the big hit mode determination table, a big hit mode of “normal hit”, “probability variable hit”, or “specific probability change hit” is stored in association with the big hit mode determination random number. Yes. Here, the random number for determining the big hit mode is a random number acquired when the determination result of the special symbol is “big hit”. The determination of the big hit mode may be performed together with the determination of the special symbol stop symbol in the special symbol variation pattern setting process (see FIG. 15) to be described later. In this case, the big hit is made by the special symbol stop symbol determination random number. Since the mode is also determined, it is not necessary to provide a big hit mode determination random number or a big hit mode determination table.

  In S328 to S332 of the special symbol game process shown in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the probability change is in progress prior to the determination of whether or not the special symbol is correct. If the probability change is in progress, the success / failure determination table shown in FIG. If the special symbol is judged with reference to the big hit mode determination table of FIG. 14 and the probability change is not in progress, the special symbol is judged with reference to the big hit mode determination table of FIG. 13 (a) and the big hit mode determination table of FIG. Judgment is made. As described above, when it is determined whether or not the special symbol is appropriate, a process of setting a variation pattern of the special symbol is performed (S338).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing (special symbol variation pattern setting processing) for setting a variation pattern of a special symbol in the special symbol game process. Here, the special symbol variation pattern determines the variation time of the special symbol, and the variation time of the special symbol corresponds to the variation time of the character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c. When the special symbol variation pattern setting process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is a probability variation (S3380). If it is a probability variation (S3380: yes), a special symbol stop symbol for probability variation is determined (S3382). As shown in FIG. 7, since four patterns are set as the probability variation winning symbols, one of the symbols is determined by lottery.

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination is not a positive hit (S3380: no), it is determined whether or not the normal hit is obtained (S3384). If it is determined that the winning pattern is normal (S3384: yes), the stop symbol of the special symbol for normal winning is determined (S3386). As shown in FIG. 7, since five patterns are set as the normal winning symbols, a lottery is performed to determine any one symbol.

  Further, when the result of the determination is not a normal hit (S3384: no), it is next determined whether or not it is a specific probability change (S3388). If it is determined that the specific probability variation has occurred (S3388: yes), the specific probability variation symbol is determined (S3390). As shown in FIG. 7, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, only one specific probability variation symbol is set, so if the determination result is a specific probability variation, a lottery is performed. The stop symbol can be determined without any change. Of course, a plurality of types of symbols with specific probability variation may be provided, and the symbols may be determined by lottery.

  As described above, when the determination result of the special symbol is a hit, after determining the stop symbol of the special symbol according to the hit mode such as the probability variation hit, the normal hit, the specific probability variation hit, A variation pattern of the special symbol is determined according to the hit mode (S3395). When determining the variation pattern of the special symbol, if a plurality of variation patterns are provided according to the winning mode, a lottery is performed and one variation pattern is selected from them. Thus, when the special symbol variation pattern is determined according to the hit state of the special symbol, the special symbol variation pattern setting process of FIG. 15 is terminated and the process returns to the special symbol game process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the result of the determination is not a specific probability variation (S3388: no), since it is not any of the “probability variation”, “normal success”, or “specific probability variation”, the determination result of the success / failure is Since it can be determined that it is “displacement”, it is only necessary to determine a stop symbol and a variation pattern for removal. However, in the case of “disappearing”, there are a case where it is disengaged after the reach effect and a case where it disengages without reaching the reach effect. Therefore, before determining the stop symbol and the variation pattern, first, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not a reach effect is to be performed (S3396). Then, depending on the presence or absence of the reach effect, a special symbol stop symbol and a special symbol variation pattern are determined by lottery (S3398).

  When the special symbol stop pattern and the variation pattern are determined according to the determination result by performing the above-described processing, the special symbol variation pattern setting process shown in FIG. Return to symbol game processing.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns from the special symbol fluctuation pattern setting process, it outputs a special symbol fluctuation pattern designation command to the sub-control board 220 (S340), and displays the special symbol fluctuation display on the symbol display device 28. Start (S342). The special symbol variation pattern designation command output here is a command for designating the special symbol variation pattern determined in the special symbol variation pattern setting process shown in FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts displaying the variation of the special symbol (S342), the CPU 201 subsequently performs a process of subtracting 1 from the number of special symbol hold (S344). As described above, the symbol display device 28 of this embodiment can display the twelve kinds of special symbols shown in FIG. 7, and performs variable display by switching the display of these symbols one after another. Also, when the special symbol variation display is started, the number of special symbols held is decremented by 1, so 1 is subtracted from the data of the number of special symbols held stored in the RAM 203 on the main control board 200. It is. Then, when 1 is subtracted from the special symbol holding number, a special symbol stop information designation command is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S346). The special symbol stop information designation command output here is a command for designating a special symbol stop symbol determined together with the special symbol variation pattern in the special symbol variation pattern setting process described above with reference to FIG.

  Based on these commands output from the main control board 200, the CPU 221 on the sub-control board 220 side acquires a special symbol variation pattern and a special symbol stop symbol. And after determining the effect aspect in the effect display apparatus 27, various commands are output toward the effect control board 230 which controls operation | movement of the effect display apparatus 27. FIG. In the effect control board 230, the control of the effect display device 27 is executed based on the command from the sub control board 220 in this way. As a result, on the liquid crystal screen of the effect display device 27, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed. Fluctuation display and stop display are performed.

  The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines the special symbol variation pattern and the special symbol stop symbol as described above, and sub-commands the special symbol variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command corresponding thereto. When output to the control board 220, the special symbol game process shown in FIG. 11 is terminated, and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 is fluctuating in the process of S322 immediately after the special symbol game process is started (S322: yes), the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol is already stopped. It is considered that the symbol has been determined and the change in the special symbol has started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S348). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting the timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S348: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S348: yes), the character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c (and background symbols depending on the case) that are variably displayed on the effect display device 27 toward the sub-control board 220. 27d) is output (S350), and the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 that is variably displayed on the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed (S352). Then, after setting the special symbol stop display time on the symbol display device 28 (S354), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S356). If the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S356: no), the special symbol game process is terminated and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S356: yes), it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed is a symbol that will activate the condition device (S358 in FIG. 12). Here, the symbol that activates the condition device is one of the normal hit symbol, the probability variation symbol, and the specific probability variation symbol (that is, the big hit symbol) shown in FIG. In S358 of FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the symbols stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 of the symbol display device 28 are these jackpot symbols.

  If the symbol that is stopped and displayed is a symbol that activates the conditional device (S358: yes), it is determined whether or not the symbol corresponds to a symbol with specific probability variation (S360). If the symbol is not a specific probability variation symbol, that is, if the symbol that caused the condition device to operate is a normal symbol or a probability variation symbol (S360: no), the accessory continuous activation device is continuously activated. The number of times (the number of continuous operations) is set to the standard number (15 in this embodiment) (S364). On the other hand, when the symbol that causes the condition device to operate is the symbol with specific probability variation (S360: yes), the number of continuous operations is set to the number for specific probability variation (two in this embodiment). (S362).

  Next, a process for setting the upper limit number of time-saving games (time-limit upper limit number setting process) is performed (S1000). That is, as described above, after the big hit game is over, the short game is started when the opening time of the start port 17 is extended, and the short game is a special symbol of the symbol display device 28 (and the character symbol 27a of the effect display device 27). , 27b, 27c) is continued until a predetermined number of fluctuation display and stop display are performed, or until the big hit game is started again in the middle. Therefore, before the big hit game is started, a process for setting the upper limit number of short-time games to be started after the big hit game is completed is performed. In the time limit upper limit number setting process of the present embodiment, in order to avoid that the time-saving game becomes uniform, the processing is performed after the jackpot game ends according to the gaming state when the jackpot game is started. It is possible to change the maximum number of short games when played. Details of the time reduction upper limit number setting process will be described later.

  When the upper limit number of short-time games is set (S1000), the operation of the condition device and the continuous accessory operating device is started (S366). Here, the accessory continuous operation device is a device that reopens the once closed big prize opening 31d, and is a device that starts the operation when the condition device operates. Further, as described above, the condition device and the accessory continuous action device are configured by a control program executed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the probability changing function and the time-shortening function do not work when the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated. Therefore, when the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated in S366 of FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is being changed (S368). If the probability change is in progress (S368: yes), since the probability change function and the time reduction function are operating, these functions are stopped (S370). On the other hand, if the current gaming state is not in a certain change (S368: no), it is checked whether the time is short (S374), and if it is short (S374: yes), the time reduction function is stopped. (S376). Further, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when the time reduction function is activated, the function of extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory also works. Therefore, if the time reduction function is stopped in S370 or S376, the normal electric operation is performed. After the function opening time extension function is also stopped (S372), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is exited, and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed. On the other hand, if the game state when the condition device and the accessory continuous action device are operated in S366 is neither probable nor short (S374: no), the special symbol game process is exited and the game control process is resumed. .

  As described above, the processing in the case where the special symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 is a symbol that activates the conditional device (S358: yes) has been described. If the symbol is not activated (S358: no), the following processing is performed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in a short time or a certain change (S380). If it is determined that neither the time saving nor the probability change is occurring (S380: no), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is directly exited, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the time is short or the probability is changing (S380: yes), after counting the number of fluctuations of the special symbol (S382), it is determined whether or not the number of fluctuations reaches a predetermined upper limit number (S384). Here, the predetermined upper limit number is set in advance in the time limit upper limit number setting process (S1000) before the start of the big hit game. Further, the number of fluctuations of the special symbol counted in S382 is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the time-short state is set to continue until the number of times of special symbol variation display reaches the upper limit number or the next big hit game is started. Therefore, if the current gaming state is short (S380: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of changes in the special symbol has reached the upper limit (S384). If the upper limit number has been reached (S384: yes), the time reduction function is stopped (S386), and the number of symbol fluctuations that have been counted is also initialized (S388). In other words, the count value of the number of symbol fluctuations is retained when a big hit occurs during the time reduction, but is not maintained after the time reduction game ends. Next, after the function of extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory is stopped (S372), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the number of fluctuations of the special symbol has not yet reached the upper limit number (S384: no), the special symbol game process is exited while maintaining the short-time state, and the game control process of FIG. 9 is resumed.

  As described above, in the special symbol game process, whether the special symbol is successful or not is determined, and if the normal hit, the probability variation, or the specific probability variation is detected, the operation of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device is started. Process. As a result, in the game control process shown in FIG. 9, the special electric accessory game process is subsequently started, and a so-called jackpot game is performed.

  Note that when the big hit game is started in a short time, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 stores the count value of the number of symbol fluctuations in the special symbol shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. This is done by executing a game process. Therefore, the CPU 201 of this embodiment corresponds to the “time / medium fluctuation number storage means” in the present invention. Further, the process of setting the upper limit number of time-short games is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 executing a time-shortline limit number setting process described later. Therefore, the CPU 201 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “short time upper limit duration setting means” in the present invention.

C-3. Special electric game game processing:
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a partial flow of the special electric accessory game process. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the remaining flow of the special electric accessory game process. By executing such special electric accessory game processing, a special gaming state (so-called big hit gaming state) occurs. Hereinafter, the special electric accessory game process will be described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, but as a preparation, the contents of a game called a special game state will be briefly described.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a special winning opening 31d is provided below the game board, and the special winning opening 31d is closed in a normal gaming state. However, when the special game is started, the special winning opening 31d is opened. The “special electric accessory” referred to in this specification refers to the special winning opening 31d. Since the big winning opening 31d can be opened larger than the other winning openings, when the big winning opening 31d is in the open state, the game ball enters with high probability. The opened large winning opening 31d is once closed when a predetermined opening time elapses or a predetermined number of game balls enter, but is again opened when a predetermined closing time elapses. A game from when the special winning opening 31d is opened until it is closed is called “round”. After repeating these rounds and digesting a predetermined number of rounds, the big hit game ends.

  In addition, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, a “special probability variation symbol” is set as a special symbol, and when the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are activated by this symbol, the following big hit game is performed. Done. That is, after the special winning opening 31d is opened for about 0.1 seconds, it is immediately closed to end one round, and when this is repeated two rounds, the special game is ended. The special game performed in such a manner is completed in a very short time with almost no game balls entering the large winning opening 31d, and thus no prize balls are paid out. Therefore, the game is continued without the player noticing that the big hit game has been performed.

  The jackpot game described above is realized by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performing the special electric accessory game process shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, detailed processing contents will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  When the special electric accessory game process is started, the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the special winning opening 31d is open (S402). The special winning opening 31d is closed in the normal gaming state, and therefore, the special winning opening 31d is closed immediately after the start of the special game. Therefore, it is determined that the special winning opening is not open (S402: no), and it is determined whether or not the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory has reached a predetermined number (S404). In the special symbol game process described above with reference to FIG. 12, the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory is set to 15 times for “probable hit” or “normal hit” and to 2 for “specific probability hit”. Also, when the big hit gaming state occurs, the special electric accessory is opened a predetermined number of times, and a predetermined number of rounds are repeated. Corresponding to this, when the special winning opening 31d is closed (S402: no), whether or not the number of times of operation of the special electric accessory has reached a predetermined number, in other words, a predetermined number of rounds is determined. It is determined whether or not the processing has been completed (S404).

  As a matter of course, immediately after the special game is started, the number of times of operation of the special electric accessory has not reached the predetermined number (S404: no), so it is determined whether or not the closing time of the special winning opening has elapsed. (S406). The closing time of the big prize opening is a time during which the big prize opening 31d is in a closed state between rounds. Immediately after the special game is started, the special winning opening 31d is in a closed state, so it is naturally determined that the closing time of the special winning opening 31d has passed (S406: yes), and the special winning opening 31d is opened. After the opening (S408), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 16 is temporarily ended, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, as shown in FIG. 9, after performing a series of various processes after the prize ball-related process (S50), the special electric equipment game process (S400) again. To start. As described above, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process shown in FIG. 9 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 16 is also executed about every 4 msec. Then, when the special game is started and the special electric accessory game process of FIG. 16 is executed for the first time, as described above, the special winning opening 31d is opened in S406 and the process is ended as it is. When the second round process is performed after 4 msec, it is determined in S402 that the special winning opening 31d is being opened (S402: yes).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined time (S410). As described above, in the special game, the special winning opening 31d is in an open state, but is closed when the opening time reaches a predetermined time or when a predetermined number of game balls enter the special winning opening 31d. In response to this, in S410, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined time. If the opening time has reached the predetermined time (S410: yes), after closing the special winning opening 31d (S414), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 16 is exited, and the game control of FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, if the opening time has not reached the predetermined time (S410: no), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 31d has reached a specified number (S412). When the number of game balls reaches the specified number (S412: yes), the special winning opening 31d is closed (S414). On the other hand, when the prescribed number has not been reached (S412: no), the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has not yet reached the predetermined time, and the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 31d is also the prescribed number. Therefore, the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 16 is exited and the game control process shown in FIG. 9 is resumed while the special winning opening 31d is kept open.

  While the game control process of FIG. 9 is repeatedly executed, whether the opening time of the special winning opening 31d reaches a predetermined time (S410: yes in FIG. 16) or a predetermined number of games in the special winning opening 31d. The ball enters (S412: yes), and the special winning opening 31d is closed (S414). Thus, one round of game is completed. Then, when the special electric accessory game process is executed next, it is determined in S402 that the special winning opening 31d is closed (S402: no), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of rounds have ended (S404). If all the rounds have not ended (S404: no), after confirming that the closing time of the big prize opening has reached a predetermined time (S406: yes), the new prize opening 31d is opened again and a new one is opened. A round is started (S408). As described above, when the symbol for operating the condition device is “specific probability variation symbol”, the opening time of the special winning opening 31d is set to about 0.1 second. Even if the special winning opening 31d is opened, the opening time immediately passes (S410: yes), the opening is closed again (S414), and one round is completed in a very short time.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S404 that the predetermined number of rounds have ended (S404: yes), the operation of the condition device and the accessory continuous action device is stopped in order to end the big hit game (S416). In addition, as described above, when the symbol that caused the condition device to operate is “specific probability variation symbol”, since the number of rounds is set to two, the predetermined number of rounds immediately ends. (S404: yes), the operation of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device is stopped (S416), and the big hit game is ended.

  When the big hit game is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the special symbol for operating the condition device is the “probable variation per symbol” or the “specific certain variation per symbol” (S418 in FIG. 17). If it is determined that the symbol is one of these symbols (S418: yes), after the operation of the probability variation function is started (S420), the special symbol that activates the conditional device is “probability per symbol”. It is determined whether or not (S422). As a result, when it is determined that the symbol is a “probable change symbol” (S422: yes), in addition to the probability change function, the operation of the opening time extension function and the time reduction function of the ordinary electric accessory is started (S428, S430). . When the opening time extension function is activated, the opening time of the start port 17 is extended. Therefore, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 that operates the opening time extension function corresponds to the “short time game execution means” of the present invention.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the symbol is not “probable variation per symbol” (S422: no), the condition device has started to operate according to “specific probability variation per symbol”. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory has been activated at the start of the operation of the condition device (S424). If it is determined that the opening time extension function has been activated at the start of the operation of the condition device (S424: yes), the operation of the opening time extension function and the time reduction function of the ordinary electric accessory is started (S428, S430). On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening time extension function has not been activated at the start of the operation of the condition device (S424: no), the process for starting the opening operation of the opening time extension function and the time reduction function of the ordinary electric accessory. Skip.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the special symbol that will cause the condition device to operate is not the “probable variation symbol” or the “specific certain variation symbol” (S418: no), the special symbol that will cause the condition device to operate. Since the symbol is “ordinary winning symbol”, the normal electric accessory opening time extension function is started without activating the probability changing function (S428), and then the time-shortening function is started ( S430).

  As described above, depending on the type of special symbol that caused the condition device to operate and the presence / absence of the opening time extension function at the start of operation of the condition device, the probability variation function, the time shortening function, and the opening time extension function are activated. Finally, a command indicating the end of the jackpot game (a jackpot game end command) is output to the sub-control board 220 (S432), and the special electric accessory game process shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is performed. finish. The so-called big hit game is performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 executing the special electric accessory game process as described above.

  On the main control board 200, the above-described game control process is performed, and a big hit game is played according to the determination result of the special symbol, and after the big hit game, the game progresses by performing a short-time game. In addition, if the duration of the short-time game that is performed after the big hit game is always displayed until the predetermined number of times the variable display is performed on the symbol display device 28, the short-time game will be standardized. In the machine 1, the occurrence of such a problem is avoided by performing the following time-shortening upper limit number setting process.

D. Time limit upper limit number setting process of the first embodiment:
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the time limit upper limit number setting process of the first embodiment. This process is performed when it is determined in the special symbol game process described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 that the special symbol that has been stopped is the symbol that activates the condition device (S358 in FIG. 12: yes). ), A process executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200.

  In the time limit upper limit number setting process (S1000 in FIG. 18) of the first embodiment, first, it is determined whether or not the opening time extension function has been activated when the special symbol stops at the symbol that activates the condition device ( S1002). If the opening time extension function has not been activated (S1002: no), it is determined whether the stopped symbol is a normal winning symbol (S1018). If the symbol is a normal winning symbol (S1018: yes) ), The time limit upper limit number is set to 100 (S1022). The set time limit upper limit count is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200, and can be referred to whenever necessary. In addition, as described above, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the normal winning symbol, the big winning opening 31d is opened and the big winning game is started, and after the big winning game is finished, the short-time game is started. During the time-saving game, the number of changes is counted one by one every time the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S382 in FIG. 12), and the time-saving game is continued until the counted number of changes reaches the time limit upper limit number.

  On the other hand, when the stopped special symbol is not a normal winning symbol (S1018: no), it is determined whether or not it is a probability variation winning symbol (S1020). If the symbol is a probable variation (S1020: yes), the upper limit of time reduction is set to 10000 (S1016). As described above, when the probability change winning symbol is stopped and displayed, after the jackpot game is finished, the probability changing function is activated to enter the probability change gaming state (S420 in FIG. 17). Then, during the probability variation game, the number of changes of the special symbol is counted (S382), similarly to the above-mentioned short time gaming state, and it is determined whether or not the counted number of changes reaches the short time upper limit number (S384). It is almost impossible that no big hit will occur while the special symbol is displayed fluctuating 10,000 times. Therefore, in practice, when the probability variation game is started, it is continued until the next big hit occurs.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the stop symbol that has caused the condition device to operate is neither a normal hit symbol nor a positive predictive symbol (S1020: no), the stop symbol is a specific probability variable hit symbol. I can judge. Here, since the case where the opening time extension function is not activated when the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S1002: no) is assumed, the upper limit of the time reduction is set to 0 (S1024). . That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 17, after the big hit game with the specific probability variation symbol is completed, the opening time extension function is not activated at the start of the big hit game (at the start of the operation of the condition device). The time-shortening function and the opening time extension function are not operated, and therefore, the time-saving game is not performed. Accordingly, in the time-shortening upper limit number setting process shown in FIG. At the time of operation (S1002: no), when the condition device is operated by a specific probability variation symbol (S1020: no), the upper limit of the time reduction is set to zero.

  As described above, the process when it is determined that the opening time extension function is not in operation when the special symbol for operating the condition device is stopped and displayed (S1002: no) has been described. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening time extension function has been activated (S1002: yes), the upper limit of time reduction is set as follows.

  First, the setting value of the time limit upper limit number set when the special symbol is stopped and displayed is acquired (S1004). As described above, the upper limit of time reduction is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200, and can be referred to at any time.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired short time upper limit number is 10,000 (S1006). As described above, the time limit upper limit number is set to 10,000 times when a probability change occurs during the normal gaming state. If the upper limit of time reduction is 10,000 (S1006: yes), it is determined whether or not the current winning symbol is a normal winning symbol (S1012), and if it is a normal winning symbol (S1012: yes), The upper limit of time reduction is set to 100 times (S1014), and if it is another winning symbol (S1012: no), the upper limit of time reduction is set to 10000 (S1016). That is, a time-short game is started from a normal gaming state through a probability variation (corresponding to a state in which the time limit upper limit is set to 10,000), and when a certain probability variation or a specific probability variation occurs during the short game at that time (S1012) : Corresponding to no), by continuing the setting of the time limit upper limit number of 10,000 (S1016), the time-short game is continued until the next big hit occurs. On the other hand, when the normal hit occurs (S1012: yes), the upper limit number of subsequent short-time games is set to 100 (S1014).

  On the other hand, if the acquired short time upper limit number is not 10,000 times (S1006: no), the number of fluctuations of the special symbol when the hit occurs is acquired (S1008). As described above, during the probability change or time reduction, the number of special symbol fluctuations is counted (S382 in FIG. 12), and the counted number of fluctuations is stored in the RAM 203 of the main control board 200. In S1008 of the time limit upper limit number setting process shown in FIG. 18, the number of fluctuations of the special symbol stored in the RAM 203 is acquired. When the number of fluctuations reaches the upper limit of time reduction, the operation of the time reduction function and the opening time extension function is stopped (S386 and S372 in FIG. 12), so that the opening time extension function was activated when a big hit occurred (FIG. 18). S1002: yes) means that the number of fluctuations of the special symbol has not reached the upper limit of the time and the number of undigested symbol fluctuations has occurred. Therefore, the remaining number obtained by subtracting the number of symbol fluctuations at the time of jackpot occurrence is set as a new time limit upper limit number from this undigested symbol fluctuation number, that is, the time limit upper limit number (S1010).

  As described above, in the time limit upper limit count setting process of the first embodiment, the time limit upper limit count is set to a different value according to the gaming state when the big hit occurs. For this reason, the upper limit number of times that a short-time game that can be started after a big hit game can continue is changed according to the gaming state at the time of the big hit, and it is possible to avoid uniformizing the short-time game It has become. This point will be described in detail.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the upper limit number of times that the short-time game can continue is changed according to the game state when the big hit occurs. Further, FIG. 20 shows a case where a big hit occurs due to a specific probability variation hit symbol. First, the case where a big hit occurs from the normal gaming state will be described. When a big hit occurs from the normal gaming state, if the big hit is based on the normal winning symbol, the upper limit number of times that the short-time game can be continued is set to 100 (see FIG. 19 (a)), and depending on the probability variation winning symbol If it is a thing, the upper limit number of times which can be continued is set to 10,000 times (refer FIG.19 (b)). In addition, if a maximum number of times of 10,000 games is started after the probability variation has occurred, and if a big hit occurs during the short game at that time, the maximum number of times will be 100 if the big hit is based on the normal winning symbol. If the short-time game is started and the big hit is based on the probable hit symbol, the short-time game is started with the upper limit being 10,000 times. FIG. 19C illustrates a case where a big hit with a normal hit symbol occurs during a short-time game after a positive hit.

  On the other hand, if a big hit occurs during a short-time game after a normal hit (in other words, during a short-time game when a substantial upper limit is set), Is set to the upper limit number of short-time games to be played following the jackpot. In FIG. 19 (d), when the upper limit is set to 100 times, when the special symbol is displayed for the 70th variation, a big hit due to a normal hit symbol or a probability hit symbol is generated. Illustrated. During the short game with the upper limit of 100 times, the big hit was generated in the 70th variation display, so the number of unsettled symbol variations is 30, and this symbol variation number is the upper limit of the next short game. . That is, in the conventional ball game machine, the upper limit number of short-time games is set to a predetermined fixed number (in most cases, 100 times or 50 times), or the upper limit number is substantially determined. In the ball ball game machine of this embodiment, the big hit occurs during the short-time game, and the number of fluctuations that have not been digested is the place where the short-time game tends to be uniform. When it occurs, the number of unaltered changes is set as the upper limit of the next time-short game. For this reason, the maximum number of times that a short-time game that can be started after a big hit game can be continued changes according to the number of undigested symbol fluctuations that occurred when the big hit occurs, thus avoiding uniformization of the short-time game. Is possible.

  In addition, in the short time upper limit number setting process described above, when a big hit occurs during a short game when the substantial upper limit number is set, whether the big hit is due to a normal hit symbol or a probable change hit symbol, The short-time game corresponding to the number of times the short-time game has changed is started, and after the short game has ended, the operation of the short-time function and the opening time extension function is stopped (in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, The time shortening function and the opening time extension function start and stop at the same time, and therefore, in order to avoid complicated explanation, the time shortening function and the opening time extension function are In some cases, it may simply be a time-saving function. Here, when the big hit game is based on the probability change symbol, the probability change function is activated in addition to the time reduction function and the opening time extension function. For this reason, the player cannot easily determine whether or not the probability variation function is activated (that is, whether or not a big hit is likely to occur) even when the time reduction function or the opening time extension function is not activated. . As a result, even if the probability variation function is not activated, the player can continue the game while expecting that a big hit will soon occur, and can maintain interest in the game. It becomes possible.

  In addition, when a big hit game with a specific probability variation symbol occurs, the upper limit number of times that the short-time game can be continued is set to the following number. FIG. 20 (a) shows a case where a big hit game with a specific probability variation symbol occurs during the normal game state. If the big hit that occurred during the normal gaming state is due to the specific probability change symbol, the two rounds of big hit game will be completed in a short time that the player will not notice, and no short-time game will be played (see FIG. 17). ) Correspondingly, the upper limit number of short-time games is set to 0 (S1024 in FIG. 18). As a result, it is possible to switch the gaming state from the normal gaming state to the probability changing state (latent probability changing state) without the player being aware of it.

  On the other hand, FIG. 20 (b) shows a case where the symbol with specific probability variation is stopped and displayed during the short game when the upper limit number is set to 10,000. Also in this case, the two-round jackpot game is completed in a short time that the player does not notice, and then the short game is started when the upper limit number is set to 10,000. For this reason, the player feels as if the short-time game is continuing without noticing that the big hit game with the specific probability variation symbol has been performed.

  On the other hand, if a big hit due to a specific probability change occurs during the short-time game for which the upper limit number has been set substantially, the short-time game will continue after the short round-hit game of two rounds ends, The upper limit of the number of games is set to the number of fluctuations of the unsettled short-time game caused by the big hit. For example, as shown in FIG. 20 (c), when the upper limit is set to 100 times and the special symbol per symbol is stopped and displayed when the special symbol displays the 70th variation display. In this case, an undigested time-short game corresponding to 30 fluctuations occurs. Therefore, after the end of the two rounds of the big hit game, the short game is started when the upper limit is 30 times. When the time-short game for 30 symbol variations is completed, the latent probability changing state in which the probability changing function is activated is entered even though the time-shortening function and the opening time extension function are not activated.

  As described above, since the big hit game with the specific probability variation symbol is completed in a short time, the player does not notice that the big hit game has been performed, and whether the short game is only completed at the upper limit of 100 times. It feels like For this reason, it is possible to switch the gaming state to the latent probability changing state without being noticed by the player.

  As explained above, in the ball game machine of the first embodiment, when a big hit occurs during a short-time game and an undigested short-time game is generated, Set the maximum number of short games to be played following the big hit. Since the number of symbol fluctuations corresponding to an undigested short-time game varies in various ways depending on when the jackpot occurs, the number of undigested symbol variations is set to the upper limit of the short-time game following the jackpot game. By setting, it is possible to avoid the uniforming of time-saving games. In addition, when the big hit game is based on the probability variation symbol, after performing the upper limit number of symbol variations set in this way, a so-called latent probability variation state is obtained. This makes it difficult for the player to determine whether the current gaming state is likely to cause a big hit or not, and can continue to play the game while always expecting that it will soon be a big hit. .

  In addition, the following great effects can be obtained by setting the number of undigested symbol fluctuations as the upper limit of the next short-time game. In other words, when the specific probability change symbol is stopped and displayed, a short hit game that is not noticed by the player is performed. Then, when an undigested short-time game has occurred due to the occurrence of a big hit, after the short-time big hit game has ended, the short-time game is played with the number of undigested symbol variations as the upper limit. For this reason, the player can feel that the game has been switched to the probabilistic state because the player feels that the game has simply been completed and the short-time game has ended. It becomes possible not to be. If you set the maximum number of short-time games that start after the end of a short-time jackpot game to a different number from the number of fluctuations of short-time games when you have not been used up, you will not realize that a big-hit game has been played. However, since the number of fluctuations in the short-time game has changed greatly, there is a possibility that the player may realize that a short hit game has been played. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, there is no such fear, and therefore, it is possible to switch the gaming state to the probable state by performing a big hit for a short time with a specific probability variation pattern without being realized by the player at all. Become.

  In the time limit upper limit setting process of the first embodiment described above, if a big hit occurs immediately before reaching the upper limit number of time-saving games, the time-short game performed following the big hit game may end immediately. . If the short-time game ends in a very short time, the player may be discouraged and lose interest in the game. Therefore, a lower limit is set for the upper limit of the number of time reductions, and if the number of fluctuations of the unsettled time reduction game is smaller than the lower limit, the number of times of the lower limit may be set as the upper limit of the time reduction. good.

E. Time reduction upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment:
In the time limit upper limit number setting process of the first embodiment described above, if an unsettled time-short game occurs due to the occurrence of a big hit game, the upper limit number of time-short games to be performed following the big hit is set as It explained as setting to the same number of times as the number of symbol fluctuations of the short-time game. However, it is also possible to set the maximum number of short-time games to be performed following the jackpot, instead of the number of unsettled short-time game symbol variations, and the short-time game symbol variation number at the time of the big hit game. . In the following, the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment. In this process as well, the special symbol that is stopped and displayed in the special symbol game process described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 is similar to the time limit upper limit number setting process according to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. This is a process executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 when it is determined that the symbol is to activate the condition device (S358 of FIG. 12: yes).

  Also in the time reduction upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment, when the process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the opening time extension function has been activated when the big hit occurs (S1502). If the opening time extension function has not been activated (S1502: no), the same processing as the time reduction upper limit number setting processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is performed. Briefly described below, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol from which the big hit game is started is a normal hit symbol (S1508). If the stop symbol is a normal hit symbol (S1508: yes), the upper limit of time reduction Is set to 100 times (S1516). On the other hand, if it is not a normal winning symbol (S1508: no), it is determined whether or not it is a probable variation symbol (S1510). It sets (S1512). Further, when it is determined that the symbol is neither a normal winning symbol nor a probable variation symbol (S1510: no), the stop symbol can be determined to be a specific probability variable symbol, so the upper limit of the time reduction is set to zero (S1514). .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening time extension function is in operation when the big hit occurs (S1502: yes), first, the number of times the special symbol is counted when the special symbol is stopped is displayed. Obtain (S1504). As described above, during the probability change or time reduction, the number of special symbol fluctuations is counted (S382 in FIG. 12), and the counted number of fluctuations is stored in the RAM 203 of the main control board 200. Also in the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the number of fluctuations of the special symbol stored in the RAM 203 is acquired. Then, in the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment, the variation number acquired when the big hit occurs is set as the time limit upper limit number of the short time game to be performed after the big hit is finished (S1506).

  Thus, in the time limit upper limit count setting process of the second embodiment, the time limit upper limit count can be set to a different value according to the gaming state at the time of occurrence of the big hit, as in the first embodiment described above. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the uniformization of time-saving games. In addition, in the second embodiment, compared with the first embodiment, it is possible to greatly change the upper limit number of short-time games, and it is possible to surely avoid the uniformization of short-time games. Become. This point will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying how the upper limit number of short-time games changes in accordance with the game state at the time of occurrence of a big hit in the time-limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment. FIG. 22A shows a case where the big hit game is started again in a relatively short period after the short-time game is started. In the illustrated example, after the start of the short-time game, a case where a big hit occurs in the 20th special symbol variation display is shown. In the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment, when a big hit game is generated by the 20th symbol variation, the short time game that is played following the big hit game is relatively short as a short time game of 20 times. Set to the upper limit. Further, FIG. 22B illustrates a case where a big hit game is generated when the special symbol is displayed variably 150 times after the short-time game is started. In this case, the upper limit number of short-time games to be subsequently performed is set to a relatively long period of 150 short-time games.

  As described above, in the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment, the upper limit number of time limit games can be greatly changed, so that it is possible to avoid uniform time limit games. Also, as shown in FIG. 22 (b), even if the special symbol is variably displayed during the short-time game, if the big hit game is not easily started, the player gradually becomes frustrated and cools the interest in the game. Although there is a possibility, in the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment, the next time-short game can be continued longer as the occurrence of the big hit game becomes slower during time reduction. For this reason, even when a big hit game does not occur easily, it is possible to prevent the player from getting frustrated and cooling the game.

  In addition, the feature of the time limit upper limit count setting process of the second embodiment that the upper limit count of the time limit game can be greatly changed is particularly noticeable when a big hit by a specific probability variable hit symbol occurs. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 (c), when a short-time game is started after a big hit game ends and a specific probability change occurs in a relatively short period of time, a short big hit game due to the specific probability change hits. After that, when the short-time game is completed for a short time, the latent probability change state is entered. In the example shown in FIG. 22 (c), if a short game of 10 symbol variations is performed twice with a short big hit game due to a specific probability variation, a latent probability variation state is entered. As described above, since the big hit due to the specific probability change ends before the player notices, for the player, two short-time games are played continuously, as if the short-time game is just performed 20 times. Will feel as if it has ended.

  FIG. 22 (d) shows a case where a specific probability variation occurs at the time when symbol variation is performed 150 times in a short time. In this case, when the short-time big hit game by the specific probability change ends, the time-short game is started again, and when the special symbol fluctuates 150 times, the latent probability change state is entered. A short hit game with a specific probability change ends before the player notices it, so two short-time games are played in succession, as if the short-time game continues for as many as 300 symbol variations. It will be felt. In this way, in the time limit upper limit number setting process of the second embodiment, it is possible to make the player feel as if the number of times the time-short game has continued to change greatly, particularly when a specific probability variation occurs. For this reason, it becomes possible to avoid uniforming the short-time game.

  In the time limit upper limit count setting process of the second embodiment described above, a lower limit value (for example, 30 times) is provided for the time limit upper limit count, and the upper limit count of the lower limit value is substituted for the number of fluctuations less than the lower limit value. May be set. Further, in the second embodiment, when the next big hit does not occur easily in the short time game after the probability change, the upper limit number of the short time games may be set to a very large value. In consideration of such a case, an upper limit value (for example, 200 times) is provided for the upper and lower speed limit number, and the upper and lower speed limit number of the upper limit value is set instead of the number of fluctuations larger than the upper limit value. good. In this way, the short-time game has ended in a very short period of time, so the player is discouraged and loses interest in the game, or because the short-time game has continued for a long period of time, the player is bored with the game. It is possible to avoid being loose or having excessive euphoria.

  In addition, as below, it is good also as giving all the time-saving frequency | counts in consecutive resorts after a big hit. For example, it is assumed that during the probability change after the end of the probability change, the probability change is made at the 85th rotation, the accuracy change is made again at the 70th rotation, and the normal change is made at the 40th rotation. In this case, the number of times that are reduced after the normal hit is the total number of times that are reduced during the consecutive play (when the probability change is continued). That is, the number of time reductions is 85 + 70 + 40 = 195 times. By doing so, the more the number of consecutive resorts, the more the number of time reductions after a normal hit tends to increase, so that the player can feel more interested in the consecutive resorts.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bullet ball game machine, 17 ... Starting port, 28 ... Symbol display apparatus,
31d: Grand prize opening 200: Main control board,
201... CPU (big hit game execution means, time-short game execution means, time-short / medium fluctuation count storage means, time-short upper limit duration setting means)

Claims (2)

When a game ball is launched on a game board surface provided with a plurality of entrances into which game balls can be entered, and a game ball enters any of the entrances, a predetermined number of prize balls are awarded. In a ball game machine that performs a game in which game balls are paid out,
A starting port that is configured to be switchable between a normal state and an opening state in which a game ball is easier to enter than the normal state;
A large winning opening as the entrance that is configured to be switchable between a closed state where a game ball cannot enter and an open state where a game ball can enter;
When a game ball enters the start opening, after performing a variable display of the symbol, a symbol display device that stops and displays in any symbol,
When a predetermined winning symbol is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device, a big hit game executing means for performing a big hit game by opening the big winning opening;
An opening time extending means for extending the opening time of the start port until the symbol is displayed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot game ends;
When the jackpot game is started while the opening time extension means is operating, the symbol is displayed in a variable manner between the start of the opening time extension means and the start of the jackpot game. Or a variation number storage means for storing the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of times the symbol has been subjected to variation display from the predetermined number of times,
Prior to the start of operation of the opening time extending means, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game performed immediately before the operation of the opening time extending means was started during the operation of the opening time extending means, If it is determined that the opening time extension means has been started, the number of times the symbol has been subjected to variable display is subtracted from the predetermined number of times based on the memory of the fluctuation number storage means. Short time upper limit duration setting means to set as the upper limit duration of operation of the extension means,
A ball game machine characterized by comprising:   The upper limit duration setting means determines that the predetermined number of times when the jackpot game performed immediately before the operation of the opening time extension means is not started during the operation of the opening time extension means, 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is set as an upper limit duration of operation of the opening time extending means.

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