JP2013046869A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that easily enhances the interest of a player.SOLUTION: This game machine includes: a performance pattern storage means storing a general performance pattern or the like corresponding to a variation pattern; a sudden winning performance execution decision means deciding whether to execute a sudden winning performance; a performance pattern selection means selecting the general performance pattern corresponding to the variation pattern when the decision means decides that the sudden winning performance is not executed, and selecting the general performance pattern corresponding to the variation pattern that specifies a variation time equal to or longer than a variation time specified by the variation pattern when deciding that the sudden winning performance is executed; a general winning performance execution means that advances a symbol variation performance according to the general performance pattern, and displaying jackpot symbols when the variation time elapses; and a special winning performance execution means that starts the sudden winning performance during the symbol variation performance based on the general performance pattern, and displays the final jackpot symbols at the end of the sudden winning performance when the variation time ends.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and is applied to a so-called seven machine, a ball-type gaming machine such as a winged article, a right thing, or an arrangement ball, and a revolving type gaming machine called a slot machine (or pachislot). be able to.

  Usually, a ball-type game machine (pachinko machine) includes a start winning device and a large winning device (variable winning device). In such a gaming machine, it is determined whether or not to generate a winning due to a game ball winning a start winning device (causing a start winning). In other words, “a gaming machine that determines whether or not to generate a big win due to a start winning prize” is determined as a big hit lottery, or “a game that determines whether or not to generate a big hit due to a start winning prize, A gaming machine that performs a lottery on whether or not to generate a small hit when the result of the big hit lottery is a loss is used as a lottery lottery.

  In recent years, as a gaming machine of this kind, (a) a main control unit that constitutes a go / no-go determination means for making a go / no-go decision and (b) a display control by the main control unit and the result of the go / no-go determination The display is controlled by the main variable display means for confirming the display via the variable display, and (b) the sub control unit (sub control unit) that receives the display control command transmitted from the main control unit, What is provided with the production | presentation display means which carries out a fixed display through a symbol fluctuation production becomes mainstream.

  In such a gaming machine, the main control unit (variation pattern selection means) selects a variation pattern based on the result of the determination, and the sub-control unit displays an effect pattern corresponding to the selected variation pattern as an effect pattern storage means. Select from the production patterns memorized in. Then, in the main variable display means, after the variation display is performed in a very simple and inconspicuous manner during the variation time specified according to the selected variation pattern, the determination of success / failure is made in a very simple and inconspicuous manner. The result is finalized. On the other hand, in the effect display means, the design variation effect is advanced according to the effect mode specified by the selected effect pattern, and when the variation time specified by the variation pattern elapses, the result of the determination is determined and displayed. However, the symbol variation effect and the final display are generally performed in a manner rich in performance and decoration while using decorative elements (background symbols, character symbols, live-action images, etc.).

  In this type of gaming machine, when a stop symbol (big hit symbol) indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is “hit (big hit)” is confirmed and displayed on the main variable display means and the effect display means, the gaming machine Is started, the opening / closing member constituting the large winning device is opened, and the large winning device in the closed state is changed to the opened state. As a result, it is possible or easy to win a game ball in the big prize opening that constitutes the big prize winning device, and the “big hit effect (effect indicating that the big hit game is being played, the number of rounds, etc.)” is produced. It is executed in the display device. Thereafter, when a predetermined number of game balls are won in the grand prize winning opening or a predetermined time elapses, the opening / closing member is temporarily closed to close the grand winning device and applied to the opening / closing member. Complete one unit drive. When this “unit driving of the opening / closing member” is repeated a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”), the gaming machine ends the big hit game.

  In this type of gaming machine, an attempt has been made to enhance the game entertainment by diversifying the contents of the symbol variation effect executed by the effect display means. For example, when the result of the determination is a big hit, in the effect display means, (a) the reach display is executed after the reach display is performed during the progress of the symbol variation effect, and the stop is stopped when the reach effect is ended. In addition to the symbol variation effect (hereinafter referred to as “general type symbol variation effect”) whose content is to confirm and display the symbol (big hit symbol), the same as (b) “general type symbol variation effect” A symbol variation effect (hereinafter referred to as “design change effect”) that starts the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode, switches the effect mode to another effect mode during the progress of the symbol variation effect, and then displays the stop symbol (big hit symbol). , A game machine that performs “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect”) is disclosed (see Patent Document 1, hereinafter referred to as “conventional example”).

  Then, in the “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect”, the effect of the symbol variation effect is suddenly switched in the course of its progress, and then the stop symbol (big hit symbol) is confirmed and displayed to the player as if “ It is intended to give the impression of suddenly hitting a jackpot without any notice. Here, in the description related to this conventional example, “the effect performed after the effect mode is switched in the sudden hit type pattern effect” is hereinafter referred to as “the sudden hit effect”.

JP 2009-119155 A

  In the gaming machine according to this conventional example, since the effect pattern for specifying the “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect” is predetermined in a state corresponding to the variation pattern, (Occurrence) timing (at which timing of the design variation effect the effect of sudden occurrence) cannot be diversified, and it is difficult to enhance the interest of the player.

For example, an effect pattern for specifying a “sudden hit type pattern change effect” in a state corresponding to “a change pattern that specifies a change time of 30 seconds” is defined. When the start timing is set at a time point of 20 seconds after the start of the design variation effect, “display that should be scheduled at a time point 20 seconds after the start of the design variation effect (a specific background design or a specific character design). Etc.) ”will always occur at the timing of occurrence. For this reason, the execution timing of the “explosive hit effect” is easily overlooked by the player based on the rule of thumb, and there is a possibility that the interest of the player is lowered.
In other words, in the prior art, the timing at which the normal symbol variation effect ends halfway and the sudden hit effect (big hit display) is executed is the specific timing of the specific effect pattern (specific reach) (after the symbol variation effect starts). It is fixed at 20 seconds). Therefore, a player who has rarely seen the effect is surprised by the sudden hit effect that suddenly occurred, but the player who touched the effect many times has a timing at which the sudden hit effect can occur. As such, such a player first expects the occurrence of the sudden hit effect at the specific timing in the middle of the normal variation effect, and when the specific timing elapses, the player hits at the final symbol stop timing. As a result, a stop display of the symbol is expected. In this case, the more the game is played, the more the game will be lost.

  Even if a large number of effect patterns for executing the “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect” are provided in association with various variation patterns, the storage capacity in the storage means (effect pattern storage means) constituting the sub-control unit However, it is not possible to obtain a great effect simply by expanding. In other words, even if multiple execution timings of “sudden hit effect” are set (the execution timing is before the reach display, the execution timing is after the reach display, etc.), the player will eventually execute the execution timing, etc. In this case, it is difficult to enhance the interest of the player.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily enhance the interest of the player.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A determination unit for determining whether or not to execute a winning game with a start winning prize;
A variation pattern storage means for storing a plurality of variation patterns for specifying different variation times;
A variation pattern selecting means for selecting a predetermined variation pattern from among a plurality of variation patterns stored in the variation pattern storage means based on the result of the determination of success / failure;
An effect pattern for general effect for specifying the effect mode of the general effect and a sudden hit effect for specifying the effect mode of the sudden hit effect provided corresponding to each change pattern stored in the change pattern storage means Production pattern storage means for storing a plurality of production patterns including
A sudden hit effect execution determining means for determining whether or not to execute the sudden hit effect in the effect display means when the result of the success / failure determination is a win;
When the sudden hit effect is not executed, a general effect effect pattern corresponding to the change pattern selected by the change pattern selecting unit is selected. When the sudden hit effect is executed, the change pattern selecting unit is selected. Production pattern selection means for selecting a production pattern for general production corresponding to a fluctuation pattern that specifies a fluctuation time that is greater than or equal to the fluctuation time specified by the selected fluctuation pattern;
If the do not run the sudden per effect, in the effect display unit, the presentation pattern selecting means to proceed the symbol variation effect in accordance representation embodiment which is identified generally for effect effect pattern selected, the selected variation pattern specific A general winning effect execution means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is a winning when the fluctuation time elapses,
When executing the sudden hit effect, the effect display means starts the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the symbol variation started. During the course of the production, the design mode of the symbol variation production is switched to the production mode according to the production pattern for the sudden hit production, the sudden hit production is started, and the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern selected by the fluctuation pattern selection means When the elapses, special hit effect execution means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is a win in accordance with the end of the sudden hit effect,
With
The production pattern storage means stores a plurality of production patterns for the sudden hit production having different variation times.

  According to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, since there is no correspondence between the “effect pattern that identifies the sudden variation pattern variation effect (“ special effect ”described later)” and the “variation pattern”, various timings, This “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect (special effect)” can be executed in various patterns. In other words, when executing the “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect”, the general effect effect pattern corresponding to “the selected variation pattern” or “the variation pattern specifying the variation time longer than the variation pattern” is selected. To do. Then, after leaving the execution time of the sudden hit effect (design variation effect after switching to the effect mode), if the sudden hit effect is started, the difference of the selected variation pattern or the difference of the selected effect pattern for the effect Accordingly, it is possible to change the start timing of the sudden hit effect and the mode of the symbol variation effect executed in the previous stage.

  That is, even when one variation pattern (a variation pattern specifying a variation time of t seconds) is selected, (a) “general effect production pattern (for t seconds) corresponding to the one variation pattern” is selected. The design variation effect is selected to start, and when t1 seconds (t> t1) have elapsed since the start, the effect mode is suddenly switched to start the “sudden hit effect”, and (b) “one variation pattern” The general effect production pattern (for T seconds) corresponding to another variation pattern that specifies a longer variation time (T> t) is selected to start the symbol variation production, and t1 seconds have elapsed since the start. By the way, in the case of suddenly switching the effect mode and starting the “sudden hit effect”, there is a difference in the timing of the sudden hit effect in the progress of the symbol variation effect and the pattern change effect mode executed in the previous stage. Provide Door can be. For example, in the symbol variation effect, a difference may be provided in the decorative elements (background symbol, character symbol, live-action video, etc.) to be displayed depending on the length of the variation time, and t1 seconds (t> t1) from the start of the variation display. ) Is not displayed when an effect pattern corresponding to a “variation pattern (for example, one variation pattern) specifying a short variation time (for example, t seconds)” is selected in t1 seconds until elapses). When an effect pattern corresponding to “a variation pattern that specifies a variation time (for example, T seconds (T> t))” is selected, there are also decorative elements that are displayed. That is, when a different production pattern is selected, the production mode displayed at the stage before the sudden hit production is executed is different.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when “a variation pattern that specifies a shorter variation time (one variation pattern)” is selected, “a variation that identifies a variation time longer than the one variation pattern”. Since the “general effect production pattern corresponding to the pattern” may be selected, the player can see the production mode, decoration elements, and the like that should not be originally visible. Even if the same variation pattern is selected, if the general effect production pattern to be selected is different, there will be a difference in the sudden hit production start timing (before reach display, during reach display, during reach production after reach display, etc.). Can be provided. Furthermore, even if the selected general effect effect pattern is the same, if the selected variation pattern is different, a difference can be provided in the start timing of the sudden hit effect. Thus, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect, since the “sudden hit-type symbol variation effect” can be executed at various timings and various patterns, it is easy to enhance the interest of the player.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The effect pattern for the sudden hit effect specifies the effect mode of the symbol change effect over a special change time shorter than the change time specified by any change pattern that can be selected when the result of the determination of success / failure is win. With
When the sudden hit effect is executed, the effect display means selects the effect display means only for the time obtained by subtracting the special change time from the change time specified by the change pattern selected by the change pattern selection means. According to the production mode specified by the production pattern for general production, the design variation production is advanced,
The sudden hit effect is started when the remaining time of the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection means reaches the special variation time.

  In the gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the variation time (for example, 10 seconds) of the production pattern corresponding to the sudden hit effect is set to all the general effect production patterns (for example, the shortest variation time of 30 that can be selected at the time of the big hit). If the winning time is shorter than (second), the winning effect can be executed suddenly regardless of which variation pattern is selected. Thereby, the sudden hit effect can be executed more easily (with simpler control). Therefore, a gaming machine that can easily enhance the interest of the player can be obtained more easily.

Here, in the invention of each claim, the effect pattern storage means may store only one sudden hit effect pattern, or a plurality of sudden hit effect effects patterns (each over different varying times). "Sudden hit effect pattern specifying the effect mode related to the symbol variation effect)" may be stored.
Further, one production pattern (one production for 60 seconds) may be stored corresponding to a fluctuation pattern (for example, 60 seconds) for a predetermined time, or a plurality (two or more) production patterns (60 or more). Second effect A and 60 second effect B) may be stored. In the case where the sudden hit effect is not executed, if the relationship between the variation pattern and the effect pattern is 1: 1, the effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern is naturally determined by the selection of the variation pattern. In this case, which production pattern is to be executed is determined by lottery. Then, the effect pattern determined by the lottery is executed.

In the aspect in which the effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of sudden hit effect patterns,
All the effect patterns for sudden hits stored in the effect pattern storage means are
Even if the design aspect of the design variation effect that is executed over a performance time shorter than the variation time specified by any variation pattern that can be selected when the result of the determination is successful Good.

Further, in the aspect in which the effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of sudden hit effect patterns,
Among the effect patterns for sudden hits stored in the effect pattern storage means,
Cases in which an effect mode of a symbol variation effect that is executed over a shorter effect time is included than the variation time specified by any variation pattern that can be selected when the result of the determination is successful is included The following processing may be performed.
In other words, it has a sudden hit effect pattern selection means for selecting a sudden hit effect pattern that specifies an effect mode of a symbol change effect that is executed over a shorter effect time than the change time specified by the selected change pattern. ,
The sudden hit effect may be performed using the sudden hit effect pattern selected by the sudden hit effect pattern selection means.

Regardless of whether the effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of sudden hit effect patterns or a single sudden hit effect pattern,
Among the effect patterns for sudden hits stored in the effect pattern storage means,
Cases in which an effect mode of a symbol variation effect that is executed over a shorter effect time is included than the variation time specified by any variation pattern that can be selected when the result of the determination is successful is included In addition, the sudden hit effect execution determination means can process this.
That is, when the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern becomes shorter than the effect time specified by the sudden hit effect pattern, the sudden hit effect execution determination means may give a negative determination result. Good.

In the gaming machine of the invention of claim 3, in the gaming machine of claim 1 or 2,
The effect pattern storage means is stored without corresponding to the variation pattern stored in the variation pattern storage means, and stores the effect pattern for sudden hitting for specifying the effect mode of the sudden hit effect.
If the result of the determination is wrong, the effect display means comprises a gash sudden hit effect execution determining means for determining whether to execute the gash sudden hit effect in the effect display means,
The effect pattern selection unit, when it is determined that the Gase not perform sudden per effect, select General stagecraft effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern of the variation pattern selecting means selects, executes the Gase suddenly per effect When selecting the effect pattern for general effect corresponding to the variation pattern that specifies the variation time greater than the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection means,

When executing the sudden hit effect, the effect display means advances the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the selected variation pattern is When the specified variation time elapses, a general outage effect executing means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is out of place,
When determining to perform a per effect the Gase suddenly, in the effect display means, along with to start the symbol variation effect in accordance representation embodiment of the effect pattern selection means to identify the selected general effect for effect pattern and the start During the progress of the symbol variation effect, the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection means is started by switching the effect mode of the symbol variation effect to an effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden attack effect effect pattern. When the fluctuation time specified by elapses, a special off-stage effect execution means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is out of sync with the end of the sudden hit effect on the gash,
It is characterized by providing.

  In the gaming machine according to the third aspect, in addition to the sudden hit effect, the sudden hit effect can be executed with various timings and various patterns. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine that makes it easier to enhance the interest of the player.

In the gaming machine of the invention of claim 4, in the gaming machine of claim 1 or 2,
When the result of the determination is wrong, the effect pattern selecting means selects a general effect effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selecting means,
When the result of the determination is not good, the effect display means causes the symbol change effect to proceed according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the selected change pattern When the variation time specified by is determined, there is provided an off-state effect executing means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the determination of success / failure is out.

  In the gaming machine of the invention of claim 4, in the off-stage production, it is intended to increase the “premium feeling (rareness) at the time of sudden hit production execution, as it does not dare to perform“ a special production in which the production mode is switched in progress ” In the invention of claim 4, it is intended to enhance the interest of the player by giving scarcity to the occurrence of the sudden hit effect.

  In this specification, “hit” may refer only to “big hit”, or may refer to both “big hit” and small hit. In other words, the gaming machine of the invention of each claim is “a gaming machine that determines whether or not to generate a big hit due to a winning of a game ball to the start winning device (whether the big hit lottery or the small win lottery "A game machine that only draws a big hit in a game)" or a "hit lottery due to the winning of a game ball in the start winning device, and a small win (the player gains compared to the big win). A gaming machine that performs a lottery to determine whether or not to generate a small profit) (that is, a gaming machine that performs a big winning lottery and a small winning lottery by determining whether or not it is true). In the former case, only the big hit game is played as the hit game, and in the latter case, the big hit game or the small hit game is played as the win game. In the latter case, a random number different from the random number for the big hit lottery may be used as the random number for the lottery lottery, or the random number for the big hit lottery may be used for the lottery lottery. (The winning value of the lottery lottery is selected from the random number values that are out of the lottery lottery).

In addition, the gaming machine of the invention of each claim constitutes a determination unit and is controlled by the main control unit that controls the basic progress of the game and the main control unit, and the result of the determination is determined by a variable display. Main variable display means for fixed display;
The effect display means that is display-controlled by a sub-control unit (sub-control unit) that receives a display control command transmitted from the main control unit, and that displays the result of the success / failure determination through a symbol variation effect display. You may prepare.
In this case, the main variable display means and the effect display means may be configured by separate symbol display devices, or may be configured by different portions of the display units configured by the same symbol display device. Examples of the symbol display device include a liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal display), a “symbol display device using a 7-segment LED display”, various display devices such as a plasma display and a CRT display. The display control commands include a variation pattern designation command for specifying the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination means, a special symbol stop information designation command (described later), a stop symbol designation command (described later), and the like. It can be illustrated.
Further, in a gaming machine provided with a main variable display means and an effect display means, the display content of the effect display means is usually easier for the player to recognize than the display content of the main variable display means. For example, (a) the effect display means displays a larger symbol than the main variable display means, (b) the effect display means displays a symbol that is established as a character / number, and the main variable display means displays a character / number. (C) Arranging the effect display means closer to the center of the game area than the main variable display means, or two or more of (a) to (c) For example, the display contents of the effect display means are easier to recognize than the display contents of the main variable display means.

  In the present specification, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine (that is, a direction closer to the player)”, and “rear” and “back” with respect to the gaming machine. To the rear (i.e., away from the player) ". Further, “left” indicates “left” as viewed from the player, and “right” indicates “right as viewed from the player”. Further, in “a member that can be opened and closed like a door (hereinafter referred to as a“ door type member ”)” such as a main body frame, a front frame, an upper plate member, a lower plate member, etc., “left”, “right” , “Front”, “rear”, etc. are based on the case where these door-type members are in use, that is, in the closed state.

  As described above, according to the invention of each claim, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine that can easily enhance the interest of the player.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory view for explaining a main body frame and the like in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows a game board in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is a schematic front view which shows a special symbol display part in each Example of this invention, (b) is the outline which shows the display content displayed on the display screen of an effect display apparatus in each Example of this invention. It is a typical front view. (A) is a schematic front view of a lower left display apparatus, (b) is a schematic front view of a lower right display apparatus. It is a back view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. In the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the aspects of the stop symbol of the main symbol and the stop symbol of the pseudo symbol. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a symbol fluctuation production. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern table and the production pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern table and the production pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern table and the production pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern table and the production pattern table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a pattern fluctuation effect. It is a time chart for explaining a general effect. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a general effect, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a special effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a special effect. It is a time chart for explaining a special effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a special effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a special effect. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a special effect. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a command was output from the main control part in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows a normal electric accessory game process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows a success / failure determination process in the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a symbol change start process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the jackpot game end of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production control processing of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. (A) is an explanatory view showing “contents of processing of S1120” in FIG. 39, and (b) is an explanatory view showing another specific example of “contents of processing of S1120” in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the jackpot game effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the jackpot game effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern table of Example 2, and the effect pattern table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the design fluctuation effect added in Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Example 2; It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern table of Example 3, and an effect pattern table. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Example 3;

  Hereinafter, an embodiment showing the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each example described below, each specific example in which the invention according to each claim is applied to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H attached to the outer frame 2. Although not shown, the outer frame 2 is fixed to an installation site provided in the island facility of the pachinko hall and supports the gaming machine main body H. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) configured by a substantially rectangular frame-like body, and a front plate portion 22 that covers a lower front portion of the outer frame main body 21.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably attached to the left end side of the outer frame 2 using upper and lower hinges H1 and H2 (see FIG. 1) on the left end side of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 1, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, the upper dish member 5, and the lower dish member 6. The game board 10 (see FIG. 4), the back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 7), and the like are the main parts. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. A locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the main body frame 3.

  The main body frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, and is constituted by a frame-like body as shown in FIG. The main body frame 3 includes a frame main body portion 3b including a window portion 3M in an upper half portion, and a protruding portion 3c protruding in a substantially rectangular frame shape from the back surface portion of the frame main body portion 3b. And the main body frame 3 comprises the holding | maintenance part for hold | maintaining the game board 10 using this protrusion part 3c. That is, the holding tool 3f is mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c in a state where the holding tool 3f can rotate on the left and right sides of the window 3M and the right and left sides of the window 3M. The game board 10 is held by the main body frame 3 by bringing the protruding end of the game board 10 into contact with the rear surface of the game board 10.

  When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 configured on the front surface portion 10 a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the main body frame 3 through the window 3 </ b> M. Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 7) is mounted on the back surface portion of the game board 10 so as to cover the back surface portion. A game ball payout device 109 for paying out game balls to the upper plate member 5 is provided on the back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 has a visual recognition window 41a at the center thereof. This viewing window 41a is provided in a state of penetrating the front and rear of the front frame 4, and is opened in a substantially circumferential shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the game area 11 (see FIG. 4) formed on the board surface of the game board 10. When the front frame 4 is closed, the game area 11 disposed behind the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front through the viewing window 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 includes a frame main body 41, a glass plate 43 attached to the frame main body 41, and a holder (not shown) for holding the glass plate 43 on the frame main body 41. Is provided. Speakers SP1 and SP2 (see FIG. 9) are built in on the left and right sides of the upper end portion of the front frame 4, respectively. In the gaming machine 1, speakers SP3 and SP4 (see FIG. 9) are also incorporated in the left and right ends of the front plate portion 22. In the gaming machine 1, sound effects and other sounds (sounds) corresponding to the gaming state are generated using the speakers SP1 to SP4.

  An upper plate member 5 and a lower plate member 6 are provided in a portion below the front frame 4 in the front portion of the gaming machine main body H. In other words, the upper plate member 5 is disposed below the front frame 4 and includes a receiving port 5b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1 inside the container. A ball rental display board 410 (see FIG. 8) and an effect button board 228 (see FIG. 9) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and an “effect button SW” is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5. Is arranged (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower plate member 6 is disposed below the upper plate member 5. At the approximate center of the lower plate member 6, a receiving port 6 a for receiving a game ball discharged from the upper plate member 5 is provided in the inside of the substantially container shape. An ashtray 6 b is provided at the left end of the lower plate member 6, and a firing handle 9 is provided at the right end of the lower plate member 6.

  A launching device unit 90 (see FIG. 4) is disposed in a front portion of the main body frame 3 and located below the game board 10 and on the left end side. The firing handle 9 is connected to the launcher unit 90. Here, the launcher unit 90 launches a game ball sent out from a ball feeder (not shown) substantially vertically upward, and reaches the game area 11 via the guide path Y (see FIG. 4). belongs to. The launch handle 9 is equipped with a touch switch (touch sensor) 9a for detecting that the player is touching, and in the vicinity thereof, the launch stop for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is stopped. A switch 9b is attached.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A configured using a substantially rectangular plywood in front view, and various board components (the outer rail 12, the inner rail 13, and the main accessory attached to the game board main body 10A. Device 20 etc.) is mounted. Note that a sheet-like object on which a cell image is printed is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A, but the illustration is omitted.

  The game board main body 10A includes a region forming portion 10B that is substantially circular in a front view, and a region outside 10C that is positioned around the region forming portion 10B. In addition, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 that are both configured using a band-shaped metal plate are disposed on the front surface of the game board main body 10A. And the front surface part of the area | region formation part 10B comprises the game area | region 11, being enclosed by the substantially circular surrounding wall which this outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 form.

  In this area forming part 10B (that is, a part located in the game area 11 in the game board 10), a main accessory device 20, a normal symbol operating gate (normal symbol operating port) 16, a start winning device 17, A lower device 30, a lower left display device 50, a lower right display device 60, four general winning devices 40, 41, 43, 44, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), a windmill 19 and the like are arranged. Has been.

  The main accessory device 20 includes an attachment member (decorative plate) 21 and an effect display device 27. Among these, the attachment member 21 is comprised by the plate-shaped body with which the front part of the area | region formation part 10B is mounted | worn, and comprises the site | part except the left end side among the upper half parts of the game area | region 11. The attachment member (decorative plate) 21 is provided with a window portion forming hole 21d, and the window portion forming hole 21d constitutes a substantially rectangular display window 21e in front view.

  The part extending from the top of the mounting member 21 to the lower end of the right edge is close to the outer rail 12, and the part extending from the top to the upper end of the left edge is mounted so that the upper decorative member 21n protrudes forward. Yes. Further, the left decorative member 21q is mounted on the left edge of the mounting member 21 so as to protrude forward, and the stage member 21p is mounted on the lower edge of the mounting member 21 so as to protrude forward. . Furthermore, the left decorative member 21q includes a model 21r in which a game ball passage (not shown) is formed. The entrance of the game ball passage is opened obliquely upward to the left, and the game ball flowing down the game area 11 is received at the entrance and enters the main accessory device 20.

  The stage member 21p constitutes a rolling surface of the game ball by its upper surface portion, and this rolling surface is an inclined surface that descends from the left and right end portions toward the central portion. However, the central portion of the rolling surface is a raised portion that slightly rises upward. The stage member 21p is provided with a discharge passage for discharging the game ball on the rolling surface to the outside of the main accessory device 20. The outlet 21u of the discharge passage opens at a position continuous with the central portion behind the central portion of the rolling surface, and the outlet 21v of the discharge passage opens at a position below the central portion. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 11 and entered the main accessory device 20 reaches the left end of the rolling surface, rolls right on the rolling surface, Roll in the direction. When the momentum of the game ball has declined, the game ball passes through the discharge passage and is discharged out of the main accessory device 20 or from the front edge portion of the rolling surface. To be discharged. Note that a start winning device 17 described later is located immediately below the exit portion 21v.

  The effect display device 27 is configured by a liquid crystal display device, and performs a special symbol variation display and a stop display as in the lower right display device 60 described later. However, in this effect display device 27, effect display (symbol variation display) linked to the special symbol variation display and stop display in the lower right display device 60 is executed. In the present embodiment, the lower right display device 60 constitutes a display device (main display means) for displaying the present symbol (one specific example of the special symbol). In addition, the effect display device 27 displays a pseudo symbol (another specific example of a special symbol is shown) and the like, and constitutes a specific example of the effect display means.

  The display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 can display various symbols using the whole or a part thereof. On this display screen 27a, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d and a background screen display portion 27h composed of other portions may appear. In this case, the three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the display screen 27a. In each of the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d that appear in this manner, an effect display (fluctuation display) using “pseudo symbols”, a stop display, and the like are performed. Further, when the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d are displayed on the display screen 27a, the background screen display portion 27h is displayed by the other part of the display screen 27a. The background screen display unit 27h displays a symbol indicating the background (hereinafter referred to as a background symbol), a symbol indicating the character (hereinafter referred to as a character symbol), a live-action image, and the like together with the background symbol. can do. These “pseudo symbols”, “background symbols”, and “character symbols” are specific examples of “effect symbols” displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27. These “pseudo symbols”, “ A “design variation effect” is realized by “background design”, “character design”, “live-action video”, and the like. The type, size, display speed, display timing, etc. of the “pseudo symbols” and decorative elements (elements that make up the effect symbols, such as background symbols, character symbols, live-action images, etc.) to be displayed on the display screen 27a. The effect pattern is specified by a general effect pattern (effect data), which will be described later, or a sudden hit effect pattern (effect data).

  The normal symbol operating gate (ordinary symbol operating port) 16 is disposed in a portion located on the left side of the main accessory device 20 in the game area 11. Further, a normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s (see FIG. 8) is disposed in the normal symbol operation gate 16. When the “normal symbol variation start condition (normal symbol lottery execution condition)” is established on the assumption that the game ball is detected by the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the lower left display device 50 (described later). The normal symbol variation display (specifically, the blinking display of the lamp device for the normal symbol) is started. Then, when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed after the start of normal symbol fluctuation, the normal symbol is confirmed (lit or extinguished). When the normal symbol hit display (lighted display) is performed, the normal electric accessory 17d (described later) is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

  The start winning device 17 is disposed at a position located directly below the discharge path of the stage portion 21d. The first start winning portion 17a and the second start winning portion 17b are arranged vertically. Among these, the first start winning portion 17a is provided with a pocket shape with an opening, that is, a first start opening opened upward. Since the first start port is located directly below the outlet portion 21v of the discharge passage, the probability that the game ball that has passed through the discharge passage will win the start winning device 17 through the first start port is increased. Yes.

  The second start winning portion 17b is located substantially directly below the first start winning portion 17a, and includes an ordinary electric accessory 17d at the entrance side portion. The ordinary electric accessory 17d is a so-called tulip type and is formed so that a pair of wing pieces are opened and closed on the left and right. That is, the second start winning portion 17b includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17c (see FIG. 8) for operating the pair of blade pieces. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the open state, and the pair of wing pieces are erected so that the game ball is less likely to enter. It becomes.

  Inside the start winning device 17, a start opening winning detection switch 17s (see FIG. 8) for detecting the passage of the game ball through the first start winning portion 17a or the second start winning portion 17b is disposed. Yes. That is, the game ball won in the first start winning portion 17a and the game ball won in the second start winning portion 17b pass through the same passage (not shown) in the start winning device 17, and this passage This is detected by the start opening winning detection switch 17s disposed in the middle of the route.

  The big winning device 31 includes an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the big winning port 31a, a big winning port solenoid 31c (see FIG. 8) for driving the opening / closing plate 31b, and a game to the big winning port 31a. A large winning opening winning detection switch 31s (see FIG. 8) for detecting a winning of a ball. Further, the opening / closing plate 31b is tiltable by pivotally supporting the lower end portion thereof. When the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the big winning opening 31a, so that it is impossible to win a game ball to the big winning device 31, and the opening / closing plate 31b has its lower end as a fulcrum. When the player leans forward and assumes a forward leaning posture, the special winning opening 31a is opened.

  The lower left display device 50 is arranged on the left side of the big prize device 31. As shown in FIG. 6A, the lower left display device 50 is configured in a substantially arc shape and includes a mounting plate 51 that is attached to the front portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate 51 is provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 52, a special symbol hold display unit 53, a game state display unit 55, and a normal symbol display unit 56.

  The normal symbol hold display unit 52 is configured by using two LEDs, and displays a so-called “number of hold for a normal symbol” with an upper limit of four. In other words, “the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operation gate (normal symbol operation port) 16 but have not yet been digested (ie, the number of reserved balls)” is displayed as the upper limit number of four and undigested games. Each time a ball is digested, the “number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)” is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” relating to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 56, which will be described later, shows the result of the lottery result associated with the passage. This indicates a game ball in which neither display nor change display preceding this (in this embodiment, blinking display using an LED) is made.

  The special symbol hold display section 53 is also configured by using two LEDs, and displays a so-called “number of hold for a special symbol” with an upper limit of four. That is, “the number of game balls that have been won in the start winning device 17 but are still undigested (ie, the number of reserves)” is displayed as the upper limit number of 4 and every time an undigested game ball is digested "The number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)" is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” related to the special symbol wins the start winning device 17, but in the special symbol display unit 82 described later, whether or not to win or not (determination of success / failure) This indicates a game ball in which the result display and the change display preceding the result are not made.

  In the normal symbol hold display unit 52 and the special symbol hold display unit 53, the number of holds is displayed in the same manner. That is, (a) two LEDs are turned off and “holding number” is “zero”, (b) one LED is turned on, one LED is turned off and “holding number” is It is “1”, (c) two LEDs are turned on and “holding number” is “2”, (d) one LED is blinked and one LED is turned on. The “hold number” is “3”, and (e) two LEDs are blinked to indicate that the “hold number” is “4”.

  The gaming state display unit 55 is composed of one LED, and is used to display a gaming state (game mode) when the gaming machine 1 is turned on (when the gaming machine 1 is activated). Specifically, turning off the LED indicates that “the gaming state is the normal gaming state (normal mode)”, and turning on the LED indicates that “the gaming state is the probability variation gaming state (high probability mode)”. Is displayed. In other words, the LED of the game state display unit 55 is lit only when the game mode is in the high probability mode when the power is turned on (when activated). In this case, when “hit” is obtained as a result of the special symbol winning / rejecting determination, the LED of the gaming state display unit 55 is turned off thereafter.

  And even if the gaming state is in the probability changing mode until the gaming machine 1 is turned off (while the gaming machine 1 is operating), the LED of the gaming state display unit 55 is not lit. Here, in this embodiment, when the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the “normal mode” to the “high probability mode”, the probability variation means (the probability that the big hit determination is made in the lottery determination) Means for setting a high probability), and means for shortening the variation time (means for increasing the possibility of setting the variation time of special symbols and normal symbols to a shorter time than normal (when the variation time shortening means is not in operation)). Then, the opening extension means (means for setting the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d to a longer time than usual or setting the number of times of opening to a higher number than usual) operates. When the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the “high probability mode” to the “time reduction mode”, the fluctuation time shortening means and the opening extension means continue to operate, and only the probability changing means stops operating. Further, when the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the “time reduction mode” to the “normal mode”, the operation of the variable time shortening means and the opening extension means stops.

  Next, the lower right display device 60 includes the special symbol display unit 62 and the big hit mode display unit 63 as described above. Among these, as shown in FIG. 6B, the special symbol display unit 62 is configured by using seven LEDs 62 a to 62 g, and “game ball winning to the start winning device 17 (hereinafter referred to as“ start winning ”). The display of the result of the determination of success / failure associated with “)” is executed through the variable display (in the present embodiment, lighting display using a plurality of LEDs). That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the execution time of the “variable display preceding the display of the result regarding the determination of success / failure” comes, “seven LEDs 62a to 62g” are sequentially turned on. Then, this variable display (hereinafter referred to as “circular display using the LEDs 62b to 62g”) is executed, and when the execution time of “display of the result related to the determination of whether or not the special symbol is reached” comes, the special symbol display unit 62 A special symbol stop display (confirmed display) is executed.

  The big hit mode display unit 63 is configured by using two LEDs 63a and 63b, and mainly displays “the type of big hit that is generated based on the result when the determination result of special symbol is a win (big hit)”. Used to do. That is, when the big symbol display is not performed in the special symbol display unit 62, the two LEDs 63a and 63b are turned off. When the special symbol display unit 62 performs a big hit display, any of the LEDs 63a and 63b is turned on to display the type of the big hit.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the two general winning devices 40 and 41 are integrated with a mounting plate 51 constituting the lower left display device 50. In each of the general winning devices 40 and 41, winning detection switches 40s and 41s (see FIG. 8) for detecting the winning of the game ball are arranged.

  Returning to FIG. 4, a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for a pachinko game in consideration of the positional balance with each board component described above, and below the game board 10. Is provided with an outlet 18. Further, a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18.

c. Next, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 is a structure in which various devices are mounted on the large back pack 102, and the back pack 102 is pivotally supported by the pair of hinges 103 so as to be opened and closed. Yes.

  The back pack 102 stores a game ball tank 105 in which game balls are stored, a game ball payout device 109 for paying out game balls as prize balls or rental balls, and a main control board 200 constituting the main control unit 200A. A main control board case, a launcher control board case 130 storing a launch control board 260 for controlling the launcher unit, and a payout control board case storing a payout control board 240 for controlling the game ball payout device 109. 118, a relay terminal board for relaying the main control board 200 and various switches, and the like are mounted. In addition, the game ball tank 105 is provided with a tank switch at the bottom, and can detect a broken ball. The game ball tank 105 and the game ball payout device 109 are connected by a tank rail 106. Further, in FIG. 7, a ball removal lever is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106, and a refilling ball breakage detection switch is provided on the downstream side of the tank rail 106.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub control units (220A, 240A, 260A). That is, the main control unit 200A that is configured using the main control board 200 and controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not the prize ball is involved, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 240A, 260A) I have.

  The sub-control unit is composed of (a) the sub-control board 220 and “sub control that controls various effects of the game using symbol display, lamp emission, sound effects, movement of moving objects, etc.” An effect control for controlling various effects of the game using symbol display, lamp emission, sound effects, movement of moving objects, etc., while being configured using the control unit 220A and (b) the effect display control board 222. 222A, (c) a payout control board 240, and a payout control part 240A for controlling the operation of paying out rented or winning balls, and (d) a fire control board 260. And a launch control unit 260A that controls the launch of the game ball.The sub-control unit includes a primary sub-control unit (220A, 240A) directly connected to the main control unit 140, and the first control unit. Main control unit via secondary / sub control unit Second sub-control unit which is connected to the 00A (260A) and are present.

  The control board (200, 220, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 240A, 260A) is a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and various programs and data executed by the CPU. ROM in which the CPU is stored, the RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, the peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the peripheral device, and the clock for the CPU to perform operations are output Various peripheral LSIs are connected to each other via a bus, such as an oscillator that performs CPU, a watchdog timer that monitors CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal. Note that the directions of the arrows in FIGS. 8 to 10 indicate the directions in which data or signals are input / output. In FIG. 8, only the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are shown. The PIO mounted on the main control board 200 and further the CPU mounted on another control board. Further, illustration of RAM, ROM, etc. is omitted.

  The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) receives game ball detection signals from the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the start winning detection switch 17s, the winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, 44s, etc. Sub-control unit 200A (sub-control board 220), payout control part 240A (payout control board 240), launch control part 260A (launch control board 260), etc. Toward this, various signals (commands) described later are output. The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball fired from the launcher unit.

  Further, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) performs these operations by outputting signals to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the special winning opening solenoid 31c, the lower left display device 50, and the lower right display device 60. Direct control. That is, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) functions as a “win / fail judgment means”, “fluctuation pattern storage means”, “fluctuation pattern selection means”, “big hit game execution means for executing a big hit game”, and the like. It will be. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively.

  When the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and plays games according to the results. The production of. That is, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) controls the game effects based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) includes an effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect button board 228. And are electrically connected to each other. The sub control board 220 includes a CPU 220a, a ROM 220b, and a RAM 220c.

  The CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives each control signal from the main control board 200 and controls each board such as the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. The ROM 220b stores data (especially information related to game decoration) necessary for controlling each board. The CPU 220a receives a display control command (that is, a display control signal) sent from the main controller 200A (main control board 200) and analyzes it according to a program stored in the ROM 220b. Then, the CPU 220a configuring the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) can display a predetermined display control command determined by the CPU 220a or a display control command that has been transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). Is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the effect display control board 222 has a CPU 222a, a control ROM 222b, a control RAM 222c, a VDP (video display processor) 222d, a work RAM 222e, a display ROM (character ROM) 222g, and a video. A RAM 222h is mounted. In addition, an effect display device 27 is electrically connected to the VDP 222d. The sub-control board 220 cooperates with the effect display control board 222 to provide “effect pattern storage means”, “sudden hit effect execution determination means”, “effect pattern selection means”, “general hit effect execution means”, It functions as “special hit effect execution means” and “outgoing effect execution means”. In the second embodiment to be described later, it also functions as “general losing effect executing means” and “special losing effect executing means”.

  The CPU 222a receives various display control signals (commands) transmitted from the sub-control board 220 and analyzes the received signals (commands) according to a program stored in the control ROM 222b. Then, the CPU 222a transmits the analysis result to the VDP 222d. The control ROM 222b stores various image display control programs according to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, and the control RAM 222c is provided with a storage area, a work area, and the like for temporarily storing various data. ing. Further, the display ROM 222g stores data related to display of various effect symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 (eg, pseudo symbol data that is variably displayed).

  The VDP 222d reads the data stored in the effect display ROM 222g based on the “analysis result” by the CPU 222a, generates image data in the work RAM 222e based on the read data, and temporarily stores it in the video RAM 222h. Thereafter, the image data stored in the video RAM 222h is loaded on the signal (RGB image signal) from the transmission unit 222k and transmitted to the effect display device 27.

  Speakers SP1 to SP4 that output predetermined sound effects are electrically connected to the amplifier board 224. Further, the decoration driving board 226 is connected to various LED boards on which various decoration LEDs (lamps) provided on the front frame 4 and the game board 10 are mounted. The decoration drive board 226 receives signals from the sub-control board 220A and performs control related to game decoration.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a relay terminal plate, a launch control unit 260A, a lower pan full tank switch 6s, and the like are connected to the payout control unit 240A. The payout control unit 240A is connected to a payout motor 109m, a front payout switch 109a, and a rear payout switch 109b constituting a game ball payout device (payout device) 109 via a relay terminal plate. Further, the main control unit 200A is connected to the payout control unit 240A so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The payout control unit 240A is responsible for various types of control related to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the lending button 5c or the return button 5q, the operation signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 410 to the payout control board 240 via the relay terminal board, and the payout motor 109m is based on the operation signal. A drive signal for driving the game ball is transmitted to the game ball payout device (payout device) 109 (the payout motor 109m).

  When the main controller 200A outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball. The game balls to be paid out are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and are input to the payout control unit 240A. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch 109c and counted by the main controller 200A.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) will be described. As described above, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. Further, as described above, when the sub-control unit 220A receives various effect commands (display control commands, etc.) from the main control unit 200A, the sub-control unit 220A interprets the content of the command and (a) the effect display device 27 Specific display contents, (b) sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) various LEDs mounted on various LED boards 4b to 4h and other lamps or other lamps The specific aspect of is determined.

  Next, a drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display control unit 222A to perform variable display and stop display of effect symbols (pseudo symbols, background symbols, character symbols, etc.). At this time, the display data (still image data, moving image data, etc.) of the displayed effect symbols (pseudo symbol, background symbol, character symbol, live-action image, etc.) is displayed on the effect display device 27 or the effect display control board 222. The data stored in the display ROM (not shown) built in is used.

  Sound effects are output from the speakers SP <b> 1 to SP <b> 4 by outputting sound signals to the amplifier substrate 224 in accordance with the pseudo symbol variation display and stop display. In addition, by supplying signals to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals of the various LED lamps 4b to 4h) from the decorative drive board 226, various lamps (LEDs, etc.) can be turned on and blinked. Control. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW provided on the front side of the upper plate member 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220A is configured to be able to reflect the operation result on various effect contents including the effect display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

(3) Game Flow by the Gaming Machine 1 As described above, in the gaming machine 1, the fixed display (stop display) indicating the result of the determination of whether or not the special symbol is determined, and the variable display performed before the final display, Are simultaneously executed in two types of symbol display devices (lower right display device 60 and effect display device 27). Here, the special symbol (special symbol indicated by turning on and off the LEDs 62a to 62g) displayed on the lower right display device 60 (that is, the special symbol display unit 62) is “main symbol”. In the gaming machine 1, the display mode (at least “stop symbol” and “variation time”) is determined in the “main control unit 200A (described later)” that governs the basic progression of the game.

  On the other hand, the special symbol displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is a “pseudo symbol”, and “a sub-control unit 220A that controls a game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A (described later). ) "Determines the variation mode (design variation effect mode) and the stop symbol. Usually, this “pseudo symbol” is displayed for the same amount of time as this symbol, and the “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)” of this “pseudo symbol” stop symbol is the stop symbol of this symbol. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)”. In the present embodiment, when symbol variation effect display (variable game) such as reach display using a special symbol is performed, the symbol variation effect display is performed on the effect display device 27 (pseudo symbol).

  Further, in this gaming machine 1, in the “low probability mode (normal probability mode) in which the probability changing means does not operate”, if the winning / nothing determination is made due to the winning of the game ball to the start winning device 17, this jackpot is won. The probability that the determination result shown is derived is about “1/315”. When the determination result indicating the big hit is derived, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 becomes the big hit gaming state (special gaming state). As a result, the main control unit 200A drives the large winning opening solenoid 31c, changes the open / close plate 31b in the standing position to the forward inclined position, changes the closed large winning opening 31a to the open state, and the big hit game is performed. Be started. The open prize opening 31a in the open state has a predetermined time even if a predetermined number (for example, eight) of game balls enter the big prize opening 31a or a predetermined number of game balls do not enter. When the time has elapsed, the closed state is restored and one round is completed. When the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is terminated. Hereinafter, the display content of the present symbol and the pseudo symbol will be briefly described.

a. The jackpot display in this symbol When the winning / nothing judgment is performed due to the winning of the game ball to the start winning device 17 and the judgment result indicating the jackpot is derived, the main control unit 200A determines that “the type of jackpot (the jackpot symbol of the jackpot symbol) Type) ”is determined by random number lottery (hereinafter referred to as“ sort lottery ”). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the random number lottery determines the mode (type) of jackpot as one of “normal jackpot”, “first probability variation jackpot”, or “second probability variation jackpot”. Incidentally, "sorting lottery" random for performing (jackpot symbol determination random number), as well as the random number for spruce determination (such as a random number for jackpot lottery) is acquired at a timing which caused the start winning.

  Here, when the “ordinary big hit” occurs, the first big hit game in which the possibility of winning a prize ball is extremely high is executed, and the probability of the success / failure determination result being a big hit after the end of the first big hit game. Is a low probability (normal probability). The first jackpot game is a type of jackpot game (hereinafter referred to as “first game”) in which the opening / closing operation of the winning device 31 is repeated 15 times (15 rounds) with a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 2 seconds) interposed therebetween. Is called a big hit game.) At this time, the time (first opening time) for which the grand prize winning device 31 is open in each round is set to “25 seconds”. In this way, the gaming state in which the probability that the result of the success / failure determination is a big hit is a low probability (normal probability) is the “low probability mode (low probability state)”. In addition, the “main symbol indicating a big jackpot (stop symbol)” is displayed by turning on two LEDs as shown in the column in FIG. Note that the probability variation means will not operate after the special game related to the “normal jackpot” (the first jackpot game) ends, but the number of times the special symbol changes will be “100” or the next jackpot Until this occurs, the opening extension means and the fluctuation time shortening means (means for shortening the fluctuation time of the special symbol) are in the operating state.

  When the “first probable big hit” is generated, the first big hit game is executed, and after the first big hit game is executed, the probability of the success / failure determination being a big hit is high until the next big hit is generated. Probability. In this way, a gaming state in which the probability that the result of the success / failure determination is a big hit is a high probability (a winning probability that is approximately five times the normal probability) is the “high probability mode (high probability state)”. In addition, as shown in the column in FIG. 11 (c), the “main symbol (stop symbol) indicating“ first probability variation big hit ”” is displayed by lighting three LEDs.

  When the “second probability variation big hit” is generated, the second big hit game is executed, and after the second big hit game is finished, until the next big hit is generated, there is a high probability that the result of the determination is a big hit. It is said. However, as the second jackpot game resulting from the “second probability variation jackpot”, the opening / closing operation of the winning device 31 is repeated twice (two rounds) with a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 2 seconds) interposed therebetween. It is. In the second jackpot game, the time (second opening time) for which the winning device 31 is open in each round is set to “0.2 seconds”. In addition, as shown in the column in FIG. 11D, the main symbol (stop symbol) indicating “second probability variation big hit” is displayed by turning on four LEDs. In addition, if a “first probable big hit” or “second probable big hit” is generated, after the big hit game related to the big hit, the special symbol changes to “10,000 times” or the next big hit Until it occurs, the opening extension means and the fluctuation time shortening means are in an activated state.

b. Out-of-line display with the present symbol The stop display (determined display) of the present symbol is performed by turning on one LED of the “special symbol display section 62” as shown in the column in FIG. The stop symbol (determined symbol) displayed by the lighting of this one LED becomes a “disappearing symbol” indicating that the result of the special symbol winning lottery is “disappearing”. In this case, the big hit game execution means does not operate.

c. Pseudo design (directing design)
Also in the effect display device 27, each time a special symbol variation start condition (presence / absence determination execution condition) is satisfied, a pseudo symbol variation display (symbol variation effect display) is started on the display screen 27a. Then, when this variable display period (that is, a predetermined time) elapses, pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed. At this time, the pseudo symbol stop display also displays the result of the lottery determination as in the case of the stop symbol of the main symbol.

  On the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the pseudo symbol variable display is started, three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d appear, and each pseudo symbol display portion is displayed. In 27b to 27d, variable display using “pseudo symbols”, stop display, and the like are performed. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. It consists of repeated “circular display”. Further, when the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d start the variable display, the background screen display unit 27h is displayed by other parts of the display screen 27a. And on this background screen display part 27h, a background design can be displayed or a character design can be displayed with this background screen.

  The confirmed symbols that are fixedly displayed on the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d include the modes shown in FIGS. That is, there are a “stop symbol indicating a loss (disconnection display)” in FIG. 11A and a “stop symbol indicating a big hit (big hit display)” in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11B to 11D, the “ordinary big hit symbol” is configured by arranging three “even identical numbers” on the display screen 27a, and the “first probability variation big hit symbol” is the display screen. 27a is composed of three "odd identical numbers" arranged, and "second probability variable big hit symbol" is composed of "different odd numbers" arranged in ascending order from left to right. In addition, the “off symbol” is a stop symbol constituted by displaying a different number on at least one of the three pseudo symbol display portions, excluding the “second probability variation big hit symbol”. .

  The effect display device 27 performs reach display in principle during the symbol variation effect (variation display), which is the premise of any “hit symbol” display. However, in the special effects described later, a “hit symbol” may be displayed without performing reach display (see FIG. 28). Further, in the case of displaying the “stop symbol indicating detachment” on the effect display device 27, the reach display is not performed during the presumed variation display (that is, detachment variation) (hereinafter referred to as “simple detachment”). And reach display (hereinafter referred to as “reach out”). In addition, the reach display of the present embodiment is such that two of the pseudo symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 are stopped at the same symbol and the other one of the pseudo symbols is changing. It is a display as content. However, when the “stop symbol indicating the second probability variation big hit” is stopped and displayed, the reach display may not be performed during the change.

(4) the symbol variation effect that Overview The gaming machine 1 executes a symbol variable effect, "production which is performed without the sudden per effect (hereinafter," General director "of.)," With the "suddenly hit effect Production (hereinafter referred to as “special production”) ”. Hereinafter, after describing the common items of the general effect and the special effect, the characteristics of the general effect and the special effect will be described. In addition, the symbol variation effect (design variation effect performed on the display screen 27a) executed in the general effect is executed continuously (in order). For example, all three symbols start changing, then the two symbols stop at the same symbol (that is, reach), one symbol continues to fluctuate for a predetermined time, and then the same as the reach symbol If it stops at a symbol (three symbols are the same symbol), it will be per hit, and if it stops at a different symbol, it will come off. In addition, the symbol variation effect executed in the special effect (the symbol variation effect performed on the display screen 27a) informs that the effect being executed is a hit that is not related to the effect so far. It will be switched to production (sudden hit production). For example, when all three symbols start to fluctuate and then two symbols try to stop at the same symbol (reach arrangement), the symbol variation effect (display screen 27a) that suddenly tries to form a reach arrangement. The symbol variation effect performed in step 1 is interrupted, and instead, an effect that informs a hit that is not related to the previous symbol variation effect is executed (started). In both cases of “general effect” and “special effect”, the special symbol display unit 62 (variable display using this symbol, fixed display) displays the same type of variable display and fixed display. Is called.

a. Common Items In any of the general effects and the special effects, when a game ball is won (start winning) in the start winning device 17, the special symbol variation start condition (presence / absence determination execution condition) is satisfied. Thereby, the special symbol display unit 62 starts the symbol variation of the main symbol and, as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the display screen 27a (pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d) of the effect display device 27. Then, the symbol variation effect using the pseudo symbol is started. In FIGS. 12A to 12C, illustration of decorative elements (“background symbol”, “character symbol”, “actual video”, etc.) displayed on the display screen 27a is omitted.

  The execution time of the symbol variation effect varies depending on the variation pattern selected when the variation of the special symbol is started in the special symbol display unit 62 (at the start of variation of the present symbol). It is selected by random number lottery using the variation pattern tables shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 in consideration of the result and the gaming state at that time. Each of the variation pattern tables shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 is set in advance in the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200, and a predetermined storage area of the ROM 203 (storage area for storing the variation pattern table) is A specific example of the variation pattern storage means is configured. In addition, in the variation pattern tables shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, a plurality of variation patterns are stored in association with “random value”, and based on random lottery, “variation pattern used for symbol variation” is determined to be any one. Is done. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, FIGS. 13 to 16 show a variation pattern table in which a small number of variation patterns are stored. Actually, these variation pattern tables include a large number of variation patterns (for example, 20 types, 50 types and 100 types) are stored.

  Here, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show a plurality of “big hit variation pattern tables” used when the result of the success / failure determination is a big hit, and FIGS. 15 and 16 show the result of the success / failure determination. A plurality of “displacement variation pattern tables” used in the case where is out of place are shown. That is, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 describe a plurality of “big hit variation pattern tables” selected according to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 and the type of big hit that occurs, and FIG. 15 and FIG. A plurality of “outgoing variation pattern tables” selected according to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, the number of holds (the number of holds relating to special symbols), and whether or not reach display is executed are described.

  As will be described later, the type of jackpot that is generated is determined by obtaining a symbol determining random number and determining the mode of the jackpot symbol to be stopped. In addition, in the symbol variation effect performed when the result of the determination is wrong, the determination as to whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by random number lottery using reach random numbers, as will be described later. In the present embodiment, the gaming state of the gaming machine is determined depending on whether the probability varying means and the varying time shortening means are activated. In other words, by not operating the probability variation means and the variation time shortening means, a “low probability and no shortening variation state (low probability normal variation mode)” is realized, and the probability variation means is not activated. By operating the time shortening means, a “state with low probability and performing shortening variation (low probability shortening variation mode)” is realized. Further, by operating the probability variation means and the variation time shortening means, a “high probability and state of performing shortening variation (high probability shortening variation mode)” is realized. In this embodiment, the probability variation means is activated and the variation time shortening means is not activated, thereby realizing a “high probability and no shortening variation (high probability normal variation mode)”. .

  When the result of the determination is a big hit, and the generated big hit is “normal big hit” or “first probability variation big hit” (the determined big hit symbol is “big hit symbol indicating normal big hit” or “first In consideration of the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 (game mode), the “big hit variation pattern table” shown in the A column of FIG. 13 and the B column of FIG. Either “big hit fluctuation pattern table” or “big hit fluctuation pattern table” shown in column C of FIG. 14 is selected, and a process of setting (selecting) the fluctuation pattern is performed. That is, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with low probability (low probability normal variation mode)”, the “low probability normal variation pattern table” shown in the column A of FIG. 13 is selected. When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)”, the “low probability shortening variation pattern table” shown in the B column of FIG. When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability shortening variation mode)”, a “high probability shortening variation pattern table” shown in the column C in FIG. 14 is selected. Then, the process of setting (selecting) the variation pattern is performed.

  In this embodiment, the “shortening variation mode (time reduction mode)” refers to a state in which the variation time reduction means (time reduction function) is in operation, and is a game mode in which the release extension means is operated, that is, “ In the “high probability open extension mode” and the “normal probability open extension mode”, the variable time reduction function (time reduction function) operates. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, “shortening variation mode (short time mode)” can be read as “open extension mode”.

  The result of the determination is a big hit, and the generated big hit is “the second probability variable big hit (when the determined big hit symbol is a big hit symbol indicating the second probability variable big hit)”, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 In consideration of (game mode), the “big hit fluctuation pattern table” shown in the D column of FIG. 14, the “big hit fluctuation pattern table” shown in the E column of FIG. 14 and the “big hit fluctuation pattern” shown in the H column of FIG. One of the “pattern tables” is selected, and the process of setting (selecting) the variation pattern is performed. That is, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with a low probability (low probability normal variation mode)”, the “low probability normal variation pattern table” shown in the D column of FIG. 14 is selected. When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)”, the “low probability shortening variation pattern table” shown in the E column of FIG. 14 is selected, When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability shortening variation mode)”, a “high probability shortening variation pattern table” shown in the H column of FIG. 14 is selected. Then, the process of setting (selecting) the variation pattern is performed.

  When the result of the determination is wrong, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, the number of holdings at that time (the number of holdings related to special symbols), and whether or not reach display is performed are shown in FIGS. A process of setting (selecting) a fluctuation pattern is performed by selecting any one of the “outlier fluctuation pattern tables”. That is, when the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with a low probability (low probability normal variation mode)” and no reach is performed in the starting symbol variation effect, FIG. From the “low probability normal fluctuation pattern table for non-reach” shown in the N column, the portion corresponding to the number of reservations at that time is selected. Further, when the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with a low probability (low probability normal variation mode)” and the reach is performed in the starting symbol variation effect, P in FIG. Select “Low probability normal variation pattern table for reach” shown in the column.

  When the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)” and no reach is performed in the starting symbol variation effect, the column S in FIG. The portion corresponding to the number of reservations at that time is selected from the “low probability reduced variation pattern table for non-reach” shown in FIG. Further, when the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)” and the reach is performed in the starting symbol variation effect, T in FIG. Select “Low probability shortening variation pattern table for reach” shown in the column. Furthermore, when the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability normal variation mode)” and no reach is performed in the starting symbol variation effect, FIG. Of the “high probability shortening variation pattern table for non-reach” shown in the U column, the portion corresponding to the number of reservations at that time is selected. In addition, when the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability shortening variation mode)” and the reach is performed in the starting symbol variation effect, V in FIG. Select “High probability shortening variation pattern table for reach” shown in the column.

  When the determination result is “out”, when the number of holds is small (for example, when the number of holds at the time of determining the change pattern is “1”), the fluctuation pattern for specifying a longer fluctuation time Is selected and there is a large number of holdings (for example, when the number of holdings at the time of determining the variation pattern is “3” to “4”), a variation pattern that specifies a shorter variation time tends to be selected. In addition, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when it is determined that the reach display is not performed is compared with the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the reach display is determined. There is a tendency to be shortened. Further, in each variation pattern table illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16, the variation pattern described below specifies a variation time longer than the variation pattern described above. Further, in the case of realizing “a state with high probability and no shortening variation (high probability normal variation mode)”, a big hit variation pattern table corresponding to this gaming state and a deviation variation pattern table are also provided. .

  In FIGS. 13 to 16, an effect pattern table is also written. This effect pattern table is provided in a specific storage area of the ROM 220b mounted on the sub-control board 220, and the ROM 220b (specific storage area) constitutes a specific example of the effect pattern storage means. In the effect pattern table, the “general effect effect pattern” in a state associated with each change pattern stored in the change pattern storage means (“big hit change pattern table” and “outgoing change pattern table”). And “a sudden hit effect pattern” that is not associated with each variation pattern is stored. The “arrows pointing rightward on the paper” displayed in FIGS. 13 to 16 are arrows indicating the general effect effect patterns in which each variation pattern has a corresponding relationship.

  Each general effect effect pattern specifies an effect aspect of the effect over the same variation time as the “variation pattern in correspondence”, and the display of the effect display device 27 is performed by the selected general effect effect pattern. The aspect of the effect displayed on the screen 27a is specified. That is, the types, sizes, display positions, display speeds, and the like of the pseudo-symbol display units 27b to 27d displayed on the display screen 27a and decoration elements (such as “background design”, “character design”, and “live-action video”) are determined. Or a variation mode (presence / absence of re-variation, presence / absence of super reach) or the like in the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d is specified.

  The effect pattern for the sudden hit effect is a big hit in the result of the determination of the success / failure, and is used when performing the special effect, and is always the same regardless of the change time specified by the change pattern to be selected. A sudden hit effect pattern (which specifies a 20-second symbol variation effect) is used. In addition, the mode of the effect displayed on the display screen 27a according to the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect is different from the mode of the effect displayed on the display screen 27a according to any of the effect patterns for general effect (the type and arrangement of the decoration elements). The number is different, the animation / live action is different from that for general effects, or the display is completely different).

  Returning to FIG. 12, when the “variation time specified by the variation pattern” elapses after the variation display is started, the special symbol display unit 62 confirms and displays the stop symbol of the present symbol and the display screen 27 a. The stop symbol of the pseudo symbol is fixedly displayed at. Here, the “out-of-display” illustrated in FIG. 12A is “out-of-display with no reach effect (so-called“ normal out ””), and the “out-of-display” illustrated in FIG. This is an out-of-call display with a reach effect (so-called “out-going reach”) ”. Here, the reach display (reach effect) refers to, for example, a symbol other than a symbol that finally stops (hereinafter referred to as “final stop symbol”) in the middle of the variation display (effect display) as a predetermined symbol. This is a stunning display that indicates that there is a possibility that a jackpot display may be made depending on the type of the final stop symbol. For example, if the “hit display” is completed when the stop symbols of multiple symbols are the same symbol, the symbols other than the final stop symbol are stopped at the same symbol and the game machine “ This indicates an indication that there is a possibility of occurrence.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, when a stop display (a jackpot display) is made using the “special symbol (pseudo symbol) stop symbol” to the effect that “the result of the determination is a big hit”. As a general rule, after the “reach display” is performed in the middle of the symbol variation display (variation display) of the special symbol (pseudo symbol), this fixed display is performed. When this “big hit display” is made, after executing “shift display for shifting to big hit” or the like, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the big hit state, and the big hit game is started. However, in the special effects described later, a “hit symbol” may be displayed without performing reach display (see FIG. 28).

b. Characteristics of general effects and special effects The general display and the special effects are displayed in the same manner in the special symbol display unit 62, but the display form in the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is different. Yes. For this reason, in the following description, the difference between the display mode on the display screen 27a in the general effect (the pattern change effect mode) and the display mode on the display screen 27a in the special effect (the pattern change effect mode) will be mainly described. Explained. Further, for convenience of explanation, the case where the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with a low probability (low probability normal variation mode)” will be mainly described. That is, the case where the variation pattern table shown in the A column of FIG. 13 is selected will be described as an example. The CPU 222a of the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) can identify the selected fluctuation pattern by receiving the fluctuation pattern designation command transmitted from the main control board 200.

  For example, when “variation pattern A2 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 30 seconds)” is selected as the variation pattern, the CPU 222a of the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) executes the general effect. Then, “general effect production pattern a2 corresponding to variation pattern A2” is selected as the general production effect pattern. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 222a starts the symbol variation effect while displaying the character symbol of “flower” on the edge of the display screen 27a (X1).

  When 13 seconds have elapsed after the start of the symbol variation effect, reach display is executed on the display screen 27a (X2), and then the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) are reduced to achieve the reach effect. Started (X3). This reach production is performed by enlarging the display of the “flower” character design. The “flower” character gradually blooms, and all of them bloom (full bloom). Done. Furthermore, when 30 seconds have elapsed after the start of the symbol variation effect, the symbol variation effect is terminated, and the big symbol symbol is displayed using the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) enlarged to the original size. (For example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed (X4).

  When “variation pattern A3 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 40 seconds)” is selected as the variation pattern, the CPU 222a selects “general effect production pattern a3 corresponding to variation pattern A3” as the general effect production pattern. ”Is selected. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 222a starts the symbol variation effect while displaying the character symbols “octopus” and “squid” on the edge of the display screen 27a (X11).

  Then, when 15 seconds have elapsed after starting the symbol variation effect, reach display is executed on the display screen 27a (X12), and then the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) are reduced to reach the reach effect. Is started (X13 to X15). This reach production is performed while enlarging the character designs of “octopus” and “squid” and displaying a “background image showing the ground”. The character design of “octopus” and the character design of “squid” It is a battle production that fights. Then, a battle effect is performed in which “squid (character A)” and “octopus (character B)” fight, and in the case of winning, an effect that “squid” wins at the end of the battle is executed. Performs the performance of losing “squid” at the end of the battle. Furthermore, after the start of the symbol variation effect, the battle effect is settled immediately before 40 seconds elapse (X15). In the case of FIG. 18, since the result of the determination of success or failure is a big hit, the effect that “squid” wins is executed, and when 40 seconds elapse, the symbol variation effect is ended and the original size is enlarged. Using the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5), the big hit symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed (X16).

  When “variation pattern A5 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 60 seconds)” is selected as the variation pattern, when executing the general effect, the CPU 222a displays “to the variation pattern A5 as the general effect effect pattern”. A corresponding general effect effect pattern a5 ”is selected. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 222a starts the symbol variation effect while displaying the character symbols “squid” and “crab” on the edge of the display screen 27a (X21).

  Then, when 20 seconds have elapsed after starting the symbol variation effect, reach display is executed on the display screen 27a (X22), and then the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) are reduced to reach the reach effect. Is started (X23 to X27). This reach production is performed while enlarging the character designs of “squid (character A)” and “crab (character C)” and displaying a “background image showing a cloud”, and the character design of “squid” This is a battle effect in which the character design of “Crab” fights. Then, a battle effect is performed in which “squid (character A)” and “crab (character C)” fight, and in the case of winning, an effect that “squid” wins at the end of the battle is executed. Performs the performance of losing “squid” at the end of the battle. Furthermore, after the start of the symbol variation effect, the battle effect is settled immediately before 60 seconds elapse (X27). In the case of FIG. 19, since the result of the determination is a big hit, the effect that “squid” wins is executed, and after 60 seconds, the symbol variation effect is terminated and enlarged to the original size. A jackpot symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed using the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) (X28).

  When “variation pattern A8 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 120 seconds)” is selected as the variation pattern, when executing the general effect, the CPU 222a displays the “variation pattern A8 as the general effect effect pattern”. The corresponding general effect effect pattern a8 "is selected. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the CPU 222a starts the symbol variation effect while displaying the character symbols “squid (character A)” and “whale (character D)” on the edge of the display screen 27a (X31). ).

  Then, when 25 seconds have elapsed after starting the symbol variation effect, reach display is executed on the display screen 27a (X32), and then the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) are reduced, and FIG. And as shown in FIG. 21, reach production is started (X33-X40). This reach production is performed while enlarging the character design of “squid” and “whale” and displaying the “background image showing the underwater”. The character design of “squid” and the character design of “whale” However, it is a battle effect that fights for a long time (about 85 seconds). Then, a battle effect is performed in which “squid (character A)” and “whale (character D)” fight, and in the case of winning, an effect that “squid” wins at the end of the battle is executed. Performs the performance of losing “squid” at the end of the battle. Furthermore, after starting the symbol variation effect, the battle effect is settled immediately before 120 seconds elapse (X40). In the case of FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, since the result of the determination of success / failure is a big hit, the effect that “squid” wins is executed, and after 120 seconds, the symbol variation effect is ended and the original size is restored. Using the enlarged pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5), a big hit symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed (X41).

  In these general effects, for example, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 (a), using a movie corresponding to the selected general effect effect pattern (hereinafter referred to as “normal movie”), the pattern variation is performed. Produce. That is, on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, during the “variation time specified by the selected variation pattern”, the symbol variation effect is performed using the normal movie.

  On the other hand, the special effects have the following characteristics. That is, when the variation pattern is selected in the main control unit 200A, the CPU 222a of the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) performs a process of selecting a general effect effect pattern to be used based on this variation pattern. Specifically, an effect pattern for general effect (hereinafter referred to as “dummy effect pattern”) corresponding to “a change pattern specifying a change time (of length) longer than or equal to the change time specified by the selected change pattern”. Are selected using a random number lottery.

  This point will be described using a specific example shown in FIG. For example, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with a low probability (low probability normal variation mode)”, the main control unit 200A displays the variation pattern described in the column A in FIG. Any one of them {any one of the fluctuation patterns A1 to An (n is a natural number)} is selected. Then, assuming that “variation pattern A5 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 60 seconds)” is selected as the variation pattern, “general effect production patterns a5 to an” corresponding to “variation patterns A5 to An”, respectively. "Is a selection target. In this case, the CPU 222a selects any one of “general effect production patterns a5 to an” as a “dummy effect pattern” by random number lottery. However, the method of selecting the “dummy effect pattern” is not limited to this (this will be described later).

  In the special effect, for example, as shown in FIG. 23A and FIG. 25, the symbol variation effect is started on the display screen 27a using a movie (normal movie) corresponding to the selected “dummy effect pattern”. . Then, the symbol variation effect using this “normal movie” is performed only for “the time obtained by subtracting 20 seconds (special variation time) from the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern”. Then, when the remaining time of the fluctuation time becomes 20 seconds (special fluctuation time), the sudden hit effect is started. That is, the sudden hit effect is started using the sudden hit movie on the display screen 27a. In addition, the sudden hit effect of the present embodiment is an effect that is poor in continuity with the symbol variation effect that was executed before the sudden hit effect was started. This is an effect that gives the impression that it has occurred. Specifically, the fluctuating display (variable display) of the ongoing pseudo symbol (identification information) according to the “dummy effect pattern” is interrupted at once, and the symbol fluctuating effect that was executed before the sudden hit effect was started Are different designs (at least one of the type, number, combination, arrangement position, size, etc. of the decoration elements is different).

  Furthermore, at the end of the variation time specified by the variation pattern, the big hit symbol is confirmed and displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 at the end of the sudden hit effect, and the special effect is ended. Hereinafter, the special effects will be further described using specific examples.

  When the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the “low-probability normal variation mode”, the main control unit 200A uses “variation pattern A5 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 60 seconds)” as the variation pattern. And the sub control unit 220A selects the general effect production pattern a5 as the dummy production pattern (hereinafter referred to as “specific example 1”). In this specific example 1, as shown in FIG. 19, the character variation effect of “squid” and “crab” is displayed on the display screen 27a, the symbol variation effect is started (X21), and after the symbol variation effect is started, When 20 seconds elapse, reach display is executed on the display screen 27a (X22). Thereafter, the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) are reduced, and a battle effect is started (X23 and the like).

  In this specific example 1, when 40 seconds elapse after starting the symbol variation effect, as shown in FIG. 26, the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is switched to the effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect. That is, during the execution of the reach effect, the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is switched to the effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect, and the sudden hit effect is started.

  When this sudden hit effect is started, the background image displayed on the display screen 27a and the character image are naturally switched. Specifically, the squid character image and the moon character image are displayed on the display screen 27a so as to face each other, and a “shining plain background image” is displayed (y1). Then, after the background image changes to a background image with a “closed open / close door” (y2), when the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation pattern ends (when 60 seconds have elapsed), “open” is displayed on the display screen 27a. A background image with the “open / closed door” is displayed to end the sudden hit effect, and a big hit symbol appears from the inside of the open / closed door.

  In this specific example 1, the reach effect that the player pays attention to is suddenly terminated, and the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is switched to the “effect mode according to the effect pattern for sudden impact effect”. Can be given.

  When the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the “low-probability normal variation mode”, the main control unit 200A uses “variation pattern A5 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 60 seconds)” as the variation pattern. And the sub-control unit 220A selects the general effect effect pattern a8 (effect pattern for 120 seconds) as the dummy effect pattern (hereinafter referred to as “specific example 2”). In the second specific example, as shown in FIG. 20, the symbol variation effect is started while displaying the character symbols of “squid” and “whale” on the display screen 27a (X31).

  Then, when 25 seconds have elapsed after starting the symbol variation effect, reach display is executed on the display screen 27a (X32). Thereafter, the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d (see FIG. 5) are reduced, and a battle effect is started (X33 and the like).

  Also in this specific example 2, when 40 seconds elapse after starting the symbol variation effect, as shown in FIG. 27, the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is switched to the effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect. Then, at the end of the variation time specified by the variation pattern (when 60 seconds have elapsed), the display screen 27a displays “background image with open / closed door in an open state” to terminate the sudden hit effect and open it. The jackpot symbol appears from inside the open door.

  Also in this specific example 2, the reach effect that the player pays attention to is suddenly ended, and the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is switched to the “effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect”. It can give an impact. Further, when the “general effect production pattern (a5) corresponding to the selected variation pattern (A5)” is used, the characters (“squid” and “whale” characters that are not displayed (cannot be visually recognized) are displayed. The design, “background image showing the sea”) can be displayed (viewed).

  When the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the “low-probability normal variation mode”, the main control unit 200A uses “variation pattern A2 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 30 seconds)” as the variation pattern. Suppose that the sub-control unit 220A selects the general effect effect pattern a8 (the effect pattern for 120 seconds) as the dummy effect pattern (hereinafter referred to as “specific example 3”). In Specific Example 3, as shown in FIG. 20, while displaying the character designs of “squid” and “whale” on the display screen 27a, the symbol variation effect is started (X31), and after the symbol variation effect is started, When 10 seconds elapse, as shown in FIG. 28, the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is switched to the effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect. At the end of the variation time specified by the variation pattern (30 seconds have elapsed), the display screen 27a displays "background image with open / closed door in an open state" to end the sudden hit effect and open The jackpot symbol appears from inside the open door.

  Also in this specific example 3, when the “general effect production pattern corresponding to the selected variation pattern” is used, the character design of “squid” and “whale”, “underwater The background image shown)) can be visually recognized. Moreover, in the third specific example, before the reach display is performed, the sudden hit effect is started and the big hit symbol is confirmed and displayed on the display screen 27a. Normally, when the player starts displaying the fluctuation, the player is playing with the expectation that he will first reach reach, but skips the reach or subsequent fluctuation display and suddenly reports the big hit. By doing so, I feel joy with surprise. Thereby, a player's preference can be improved.

  In other words, in Example 1, various special effects are formed by combining all the general effect patterns and the sudden hit effect effects pattern without providing “the effect pattern dedicated to the special effects” as the entire effect pattern. Special effects can be executed with various timings and patterns. In other words, depending on “the length of the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern” and which general effect production pattern is selected as the dummy production pattern, the sudden hit production start timing (before reach display, during reach display) , After the reach display), and the aspect of the effect performed before the sudden hit effect is started. Therefore, in this embodiment, the player can have a sense of expectation for the big hit throughout the entire period of execution of the symbol variation effect (regardless of whether it is before reaching or after reaching). At the same time, special effects can be executed with various timings and various production patterns.

(5) Command transmission The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment performs various controls in order to realize the above-described “symbol variation effect” and the like. When executing this control, various commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220). Next, how this command is transmitted will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  The main control unit 200A and the sub control unit 220A are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. Of these, one bit is allocated for outputting a strobe signal, and the remaining eight bits are allocated for command output. When a command is output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then A 1-bit strobe signal is output. Further, the sub control unit 220A can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control unit 200A by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal. Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) include those illustrated in FIG. 29B. That is, there are (A) a variation pattern designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CHP”), (B) a special symbol stop information designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CJS”), and the like. . The variation pattern designation command is a command for specifying the variation pattern, and is a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol and designating the variation time of the pseudo symbol.

(6) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, each process such as a prize ball payout process (S80), a normal symbol game process (S100), a normal electric game game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), a big hit game process (S700), etc. Is executed repeatedly. Note that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S80 to S600 of FIG. 30 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. That is, the processing of S80 to S600 in FIG. 30 is repeatedly executed every 4 msec.

  The above-mentioned CTC (counter / timer circuit) is set to generate an interrupt every about 2 msec. When an interrupt is generated by CTC, various random numbers are updated and various game balls are detected. The process of detecting the state of the switches (normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, start winning opening winning ball detection switch 17s, winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, 44s, etc.) is performed. In the game control shown in FIG. 30, the normal symbol game processing (S100), the normal electric power generation are performed while generating various interrupts and detecting the game state by generating interrupts almost twice each time the control goes around. An accessory game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), a big hit game process (S600), and the like are performed. During these processes, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, the game control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A. Prize ball payout processing (S80)
The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process of paying out game balls as prize balls (prize ball payout process) (S80). That is, the state of the start winning opening winning ball detection switch 17s or the winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s and 44s is detected to determine whether or not a game ball has entered. If a game ball has entered, this information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. Based on the information stored on the RAM 202, a prize ball payout signal is output toward the payout control board 240. Further, on the RAM202, if a winning information to start winning detection switch 17s and the like were already stored, then the appropriate payout number including information stored previously, the output of the payout signal To do.

  When outputting a payout signal from the main control unit 200A to the payout control unit 240A, first, a strobe signal is output toward the payout control unit 240A (payout control board 240), and then signal data is output. On the other hand, when the CPU mounted on the payout control board 240 constituting the payout control unit 240A receives the payout signal, the CPU interprets the content of the signal and sends a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the prize ball payout device 109. Is output and award balls are paid out. The prize ball payout device 109 is provided with two payout switches (front payout switch 109a and rear payout switch 109b) for detecting the payout game balls. While detecting each one, a process of paying out the number of prize balls designated by the payout signal is performed. The game ball payout device 109 constitutes a specific example of a “payout device”.

B. Normal symbol game processing (S100)
In normal symbol game processing (S100), in response detection (detection of that has passed through the game ball is normal symbol operating gate 16) of the game ball by normal symbol operating gate passage detection switch 16s, a normal symbol display in the lower left display device 50 In part 56, the normal symbol variation display is started. If the CPU 201 determines that the execution time of the normal symbol variation display has elapsed while repeatedly performing the game control process of FIG. 30, the CPU 201 performs the stop display of the normal symbol stop symbol. Furthermore, when the CPU 201 determines that the stop symbol stop display time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed while repeating the game control process of FIG. 30, the stop symbol activates the ordinary electric accessory 17d. It is determined whether it is a symbol to be activated (a normal symbol hit symbol) or not a symbol to be actuated (ordinary symbol deviating symbol).

  If the stop symbol is a symbol that activates the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) (a normal symbol winning symbol), whether or not the opening extension function of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is activated. (That is, whether or not the opening extension means is in operation) is determined, and when the opening extension means is in operation, the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is set to “open extension. After setting the opening time at the time of function operation (for example, 5 seconds), the normal symbol game process (S100) is terminated and the game control process of FIG. 30 is resumed. On the other hand, when the opening extension means is not in operation, after setting the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d to “opening time when the opening extension function is not operated (for example, 0.5 seconds as described above)”, the normal symbol game process Is finished and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Note that the CPU 201 does not execute the normal symbol variation display in the normal symbol display unit 56, and the normal symbol stop display is not performed in the normal symbol display unit 56 when the normal electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is not operating. If it is determined that the number of holds for the normal symbol is not “0”, the normal symbol variation display is started. Further, the number of holdings for the normal symbol is “+1” when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 16 and the number of holdings for the normal symbol is less than a predetermined number (four in this embodiment). It is set to “−1” every time the symbol variation display is started.

C. Normal electric game processing (S200)
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ordinary electric accessory game process. When the ordinary electric accessory game process is activated while the CPU 201 performs the game control process of FIG. 30, the ordinary electric accessory 17d ( It is determined whether or not the second start winning portion 17b) is in operation (whether or not the second start winning portion 17b is in an open state). If it is determined that the second start winning device 17b is in an open state (S201; YES), the operation time (second second) of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is determined. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time for maintaining the start winning device 17b in the open state has elapsed (3 seconds in the open extension mode and 0.5 seconds in the normal open mode) (S202). When it is determined that the operation time has passed the predetermined time (S202; YES), the second start winning device in the open state is stopped by stopping the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b). 17b is brought into a closed state (S206), and the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated.

  However, when the CPU 201 determines that a predetermined number (for example, 8) of game balls have entered the second start winning device 17b while the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is opened. Even when the aforementioned operating time (opening time) has not reached the predetermined time, the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is stopped (S206), and the ordinary electric accessory 17d game processing is performed. Terminate. Further, in the gaming machine 1, when the ordinary electric accessory 17d is operated, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c provided therein is driven, and a pair of wing pieces of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is driven. The portion rotates outward, and the second start winning portion 17b is opened.

D. Special Symbol Game Processing Next, an outline of the special symbol game processing will be described with reference to FIGS. When the special symbol game process is activated, as shown in FIG. 32, it is first determined whether or not a game ball has won the start winning device 17 (S302). If a negative determination (determination that no game ball has been won) is made in the process of S302 (S302; NO), the process proceeds to S308 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that a game ball has won the start winning device 17 (S302; YES), it is determined whether or not the “special symbol hold count” is less than a predetermined number (in this embodiment, less than 4). Determination is made (S304). In the process of S304, if it is determined that the number is less than the predetermined number (S304; YES), a determination random number (lottery random number) related to winning in the start winning device 17 is acquired, and this determination random number (lottery random number) is acquired. ) Is stored at a predetermined address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200, and the "number of special symbols reserved" is incremented by "+1" (S306).

  Here, as the determination random number (lottery random number) acquired in the process of S306, (a) whether or not to determine whether or not to make a big hit (whether a big hit is caused or not) caused by winning a game ball to the start winning device 17 (B) Random number for lottery used at the time of determination) (b) Random number for determination for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 62 (hereinafter referred to as “symbol determined random number”), (c) Effect display There is a reach random number for determining whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo symbol variation display displayed on the apparatus.

  In the process of S308, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being executed (S308). Specifically, if the big hit game flag (see the process of S378 in FIG. 33) is set (set to ON), a positive determination is made in the process of S308. The jackpot game flag indicates that the jackpot game execution means (a control program, which is stored in the ROM 203) is in operation.

  When the CPU 201 determines that the big hit game is being executed (S308; YES), it ends the special symbol game process and returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S308 that the big hit game is not being executed (S308; NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S310). If the special symbol is not changing (S310; NO), it is considered that either the special symbol has not yet changed, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the change display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (in this embodiment, this stop display time is set to 0.6 seconds) (S312). If the special symbol is not variably displayed (S310; NO), and is not within the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S312; NO), whether or not the variable display can be started. Is determined (S314).

  The “condition for starting the variable display of the special symbol” is that “the number of holds regarding the special symbol” is not “zero”. Then, when “the number of holds regarding the special symbol” is “zero” (S314; YES), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the “number of reserved symbols related to special symbol” is not “zero”, the oldest determination random number (obtained in S306) is read from a predetermined address in the RAM 202 (S316), and a correctness determination process is performed (S320b). In this success / failure determination process (S320), as shown in FIG. 34, it is first determined whether or not the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability mode (S322), and when it is a high probability mode (S322; (YES), “Winning determination (lottery to determine whether or not to generate a big hit)” is performed using the “high probability data table” and the “determination random number read in the process of S316” (S324). When the game mode of the machine 1 is the low probability mode (normal probability mode) (S322; NO), the determination of success / failure is made by using the “low probability data table” and the “determination random number read in the process of S316”. (Lottery of whether or not to generate a big hit) "is performed (S326). In the high probability mode, the fluctuation shortening function for shortening the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol as compared with the normal is operated, and the opening extension function of the second start winning portion 17b (ordinary electric accessory 17d) is provided. Operate.

  If the win / no-go determination made in the process of S324 or S326 is a big hit (S330; YES), after setting the big hit flag (set to ON) (S332), the win / no-go determination process (S320) is terminated and the symbol variation start process The process proceeds to (S500). Further, when the result of the determination is wrong (S330; NO), “after setting a set off flag (a flag indicating that no big hit has occurred) (set to ON) (S339), the success / failure determination process (S320) is performed. The process ends, and the process proceeds to the symbol variation start process (S500).

  In the symbol variation start processing (S500), as shown in FIG. 35, first, variation setting processing (S510, S540) and the like are performed based on the result of the success / failure determination processing (S320). That is, in the process of S502, when it is determined that the result of the success / failure determination process (S320) is “big hit” (S502; YES), the process proceeds to S510 and “big hit fluctuation setting process” is performed. In the jackpot variation setting process (S510), the symbol determination random number acquired in the process of S306 (see FIG. 32) is read, and the symbol (hit symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 62 is set (determined). Thereafter, a process of setting (selecting) a variation pattern by random lottery using a “variation pattern table selected in consideration of the determined jackpot symbol aspect and the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1” I do.

  That is, when the determined jackpot symbol is “a jackpot symbol indicating a normal jackpot” or “a jackpot symbol indicating a first probability variation jackpot”, the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 is taken into consideration. And the corresponding variation pattern table is selected from the variation pattern table shown in FIG. 14, and the variation pattern is set (selected) using random number lottery. That is, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with low probability (low probability normal variation mode)”, the “low probability normal variation pattern table” shown in the column A of FIG. 13 is selected. When the variation pattern is set (selected) and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with a low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)”, the “low probability” shown in the B column of FIG. The “shortened fluctuation pattern table” is selected and a fluctuation pattern is set (selected). Further, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability shortening variation mode)”, the “high probability shortening variation pattern table” shown in the column C of FIG. 14 is selected. To set (select) the fluctuation pattern.

  Further, when the determined jackpot symbol is “a jackpot symbol indicating the second probability variation jackpot”, the variation corresponding to the variation pattern table illustrated in FIG. 14 is considered in consideration of the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1. A pattern table is selected, and a variation pattern is set (selected) using random number lottery. That is, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with a low probability (low probability normal variation mode)”, the “low probability normal variation pattern table” shown in the D column of FIG. 14 is selected. When the variation pattern is set (selected) and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)”, the “low probability” shown in the E column of FIG. The “shortened fluctuation pattern table” is selected and a fluctuation pattern is set (selected). Further, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability shortening variation mode)”, the “high probability shortening variation pattern table” shown in the H column of FIG. 14 is selected. To set (select) the fluctuation pattern. Note that the process of setting (selecting) the variation pattern in S510 constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 as the “variation pattern selection unit”.

  On the other hand, in the process of S502, if it is determined that the result of the success / failure determination process (S320) is not “big hit” (S502; NO), the process proceeds to S540, and “outgoing fluctuation setting process” is performed. In this outlier variation setting process (S540), the “variation pattern tail shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is selected in consideration of the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 and whether or not the reach effect is executed”. Using the variation pattern table, processing for setting (determining) the variation pattern by random number lottery is performed. Thereafter, a process of setting a stop symbol is performed by acquiring a symbol determining random number. The presence / absence of execution of the reach effect is determined based on the reach random number acquired in the process of S306 (see FIG. 32) and the read reach random number.

  That is, the CPU 201 indicates that the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which normal variation is performed with low probability (low probability normal variation mode)”, and the reach is determined in the symbol variation to be started based on the read reach random number. If it is determined not to be performed, the portion corresponding to the number of holdings at that time in the “variation pattern table for non-reach” shown in the N column of FIG. 15 is selected to set (select) the variation pattern, and reach is determined. If it is determined to be performed, the “variation pattern table for reach” shown in the P column of FIG. 15 is selected to set (select) the variation pattern. In addition, the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with low probability (low probability shortening variation mode)”, and the reach is not performed in the starting symbol variation based on the read reach random number. When the determination is made, it is determined that, in the “variation pattern table for non-reach” shown in the S column of FIG. 15, a portion corresponding to the number of holdings at that time is selected, a variation pattern is set (selected), and reach is performed. Then, the “variation pattern table for reach” shown in the T column of FIG. 15 is selected and a variation pattern is set (selected). Further, the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 is “a state in which shortening variation is performed with high probability (high probability shortening variation mode)”, and the reach is not performed in the starting symbol variation based on the read reach random number. When the determination is made, it is determined that, in the “variation pattern table for non-reach” shown in the U column of FIG. 16, the portion corresponding to the number of holdings at that time is selected, the variation pattern is set (selected), and the reach is performed. Then, the “variation pattern table for reach” shown in the V column of FIG. 16 is selected and a variation pattern is set (selected). Note that the process of setting (selecting) the variation pattern in S540 also constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 as the “variation pattern selection unit”.

  After the processing of S510 or S540, the CPU 201 starts the variation of the special symbol in the special symbol display unit 62 (S590) and indicates the start of the symbol variation toward the sub control unit 200A (sub control board 220). A predetermined command (design variation start command) is transmitted (S592). That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits a “variation pattern designation command (command for designating a fluctuation pattern)”, a “special symbol stop information designation command”, and the like to the sub control board 220. Further, the CPU 201 performs a process of subtracting “1” from the “number of reserved special symbols” and a process of transmitting a command for specifying the number of held after the subtraction to the sub-control board 220 (S595). ), The symbol variation start process (S500b) is terminated, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Note that when the processing of S510 or S540 is completed, a start condition for special symbol variation display is established. In other words, if all of the hold memory preceding the target hold memory is processed, the special symbol variation display is not being continued, and if the big hit game is not being executed, determination of success / failure, selection of the variation pattern, After the stop symbol is determined, the start condition for the special symbol variation display is established.

  Next, when it is determined that the special symbol is changing (S310; YES) in S310 of the special symbol game processing (S300) (see FIG. 32), the special symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol are already present. Is determined, and the change of the special symbol is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). 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 a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S341; YES), the changing special symbol is stopped (S344), the stop symbol is displayed, and a symbol stop command is sent to the sub-control board 220. (S346). The symbol stop command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the stop display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (S348), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S350).

  If it is determined in S350 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S350; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the game control process shown in FIG. 30 is resumed. . On the other hand, when the stop display time of the special symbol has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display mode is a mode indicating a big hit (big hit symbol) (S352 in FIG. 33).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the processing of S352, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 uses a buffer (reference buffer at the end of the big hit game) for reference at the end of the “big hit game” as shown in FIG. Then, information indicating the current game progress is set (stored) (S354). Specifically, “type of jackpot (whether or not it is a promising big hit)” and “game state flag state” are set (stored) (S354). Here, the “gaming state flag” is a flag (probability change flag, fluctuation shortening flag, release extension flag, etc.) indicating “the gaming state of the gaming machine 1”. Whether “set” or “set to OFF” is set. In addition, a specific area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 functions as a buffer (buffer for reference at the end of the big hit game) used in the process of S354.

  The “probability change flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is in the high probability mode (the mode in which the probability changing means operates), and the “change shortening flag” is the game of the gaming machine 1. It is a flag indicating that the mode (game state) is in a variation shortening mode (a mode in which the execution time of symbol variation display is likely to be shortened). The “open extension flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is in the open extension mode (a mode in which the opening time of the “variable start winning device” is extended). Further, the jackpot game flag described later is a flag indicating that the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the jackpot gaming state.

  Subsequent to the process of S354, the process proceeds to S372 and subsequent processes, and the mode of “big hit game” is distributed according to the type of big hit that has occurred. First, when the generated “big hit is“ second probable big hit (2R big hit) ”(S372; YES), after setting the“ opening pattern of the big winning opening 31a in the second big hit game ”(S374) , The process proceeds to S378, and if the generated big hit is “ordinary big hit or first probability variation big hit” (S372; NO), after setting the “open pattern of the big winning opening 31a in the first big hit game” (S376), the process proceeds to S378.

  In the process of S378, a process of setting a big hit game flag (set to ON) is performed. The game state of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the “hit game state” by setting the “hit game flag” (the jackpot game execution means starts operating). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, While the “big hit game flag” is set (that is, when the big hit game execution means is in operation), the probability changing function, the time shortening function (variable time shortening function), and the opening extension function are not activated. For this reason, after the process of S378, the special symbol game process (S300) is completed through a series of processes after S380.

  That is, in the process of S378, if the “big hit game flag” is set, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is set (set to ON) (S380), and if not set (S380; NO), it remains as it is. When the process proceeds to S384 and is set (S380; YES), the probability variation flag is canceled (set to OFF) (S382), and then the process proceeds to S384. Then, in the process of S384, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). If it is not set (S384; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited. Returning to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S384 that the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S384; YES), after the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are canceled (set to OFF) ( S386, S387), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In any case, when returning to the game control process of FIG. 30, the big hit game process (S700) is started, and the aforementioned big hit game (the first big hit game or the second big hit game) is executed.

On the other hand, when the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S398; YES), that is, when the game mode at the time of occurrence of the deviation is “low probability shortening variation mode” or “high probability shortening variation mode” After the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “−1” (S400), it is determined whether or not the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is “zero” (S404). If it is not “zero” (S404; NO),
As it is, the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the game control process of FIG. 30 is resumed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S404 that the value of the variation shortening counter has become “zero” (S404; YES), the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the low probability shortening variation mode to the low probability normal variation mode. Will be switched to. For this reason, the process of canceling the fluctuation shortening flag (set to OFF) (S410), the process of canceling the release extension flag (setting to OFF) (S416), and the process of transmitting the mode designation command to the sub control board 220 (S416). After performing S430), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In the process of S430, a “mode designation command” that designates the low-probability normal variation mode is transmitted to the sub-control board 220.

E. Big hit game processing (S600)
Is CPU201 mounted on the main control board 200, while repeatedly performing the game control process in FIG. 30, when it is determined that "the jackpot gaming flag" is set (set to ON) (S602; YES), the jackpot gaming process Is started (S600), and a “big hit game” is realized.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the flow of the big hit game process (S600). When the special winning opening 31a is opened, as described above, a predetermined opening time (set in the process of S374 or S376 in FIG. 33) elapses, or a predetermined number of game balls are received in the special winning opening 31a. Once a prize is won, it will be closed once, but after a predetermined closing time, it will be opened again. Here, a game whose content is that the closed big winning device 31 is opened and then opened again is referred to as “unit action (in the case of a big hit game)”. When this unit operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (2 times or 15 times), the big hit game is terminated. Hereinafter, detailed processing contents will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 and 37.

  When the big hit game is started, first, it is determined whether or not the big winning opening 31a is open (S604). Here, the big winning opening 31a is closed in the “normal gaming state not in the big winning gaming state”. Therefore, since it is in a closed state immediately after the start of the hit game, it is determined that the big winning opening 31a is not open immediately after the start of the big game (S604; NO), and then the end of the big game It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (S612). That is, whether or not “the number of unit actions executed after the start of the big hit game” has reached the corresponding hit game set number (two or fifteen times, set in the processes of S374 and S376 in FIG. 33). Is determined (S612).

  However, immediately after the jackpot game is started, the condition for ending the jackpot game is not satisfied, so in the process of S612, a negative determination is inevitably made (S612; NO). Therefore, the process proceeds to S614, and it is determined whether or not an interval time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed (S614). That is, it is determined whether or not the closing time of the special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S614). Here, the closing time (interval time) of the special winning opening 31a is a time during which the special winning opening 31a is in a closed state between unit operations. Immediately after the big hit game is started, since the big prize opening 31a is in a closed state, it is inevitably determined that the closing time of the big prize opening has passed (S614; YES). After the big winning opening 31a to be opened is opened (S616), the big hit game process shown in FIG. 36 is once ended and the game control process shown in FIG. 30 is resumed.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, it performs a series of various processes shown in FIG. 30, and then starts the big hit game process (S600) again. At this time, 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. 30 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the big hit game process (S600) shown in FIG. 36 is also repeatedly executed about every 4 msec. When a positive determination is made in the process of S604, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S606). That is, when the big hit game being executed is the “first big hit game”, it is determined whether or not the first opening time (25 seconds) has elapsed. When the big hit game being executed is the “second big hit game”, it is determined whether or not the second opening time (0.2 seconds) has elapsed. Here, the first opening time (25 seconds) is a sufficient time for a large number of game balls (for example, a predetermined number of game balls, such as 8) to win, and the second opening time is It is a difficult time for a game ball to win a prize.

  If the opening time (first opening time or second opening time) of the big winning opening 31a has elapsed (S606; YES), after closing the big winning opening 31a (S610), the big hit shown in FIG. After exiting the game process (S600), the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the opening time of the special winning opening 31a has not elapsed (606; NO), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls won in the special winning opening 31a has reached a specified number (eight balls) (S608). . Even when the number of winning game balls reaches the specified number (S608; YES), the special winning opening 31a is closed (S610). That is, when the number of winning game balls reaches the specified number, the special winning opening 31a is closed without waiting for the opening time to elapse.

  If the opening time (first opening time or second opening time) of the special winning opening 31a has not elapsed (S606; NO) and the number of winnings has not reached the specified number (S608; NO), the special winning opening While leaving 31a open, the big hit game process of FIG. 36 is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “big hit gaming state” (when the big hit gaming flag is set), while the game control process of FIG. 30 is repeatedly executed, "Opening time" elapses (S606; YES), or a predetermined number of game balls are won in the "big prize opening 31a" (S608; YES), and the big prize opening 31a is closed (S610). Thus, one unit operation is completed.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the “big hit game state”, the big hit game process (S600) is executed again, and if it is determined in S604 that the big prize opening 31a is closed (S604; NO), It is determined whether or not the “big hit game” end condition is satisfied (S612). That is, in the case of the “first jackpot game”, it is determined whether or not the number of unit operations (number of rounds) executed during the “jackpot game” has reached “15”. ", It is determined whether or not the number of unit operations (number of rounds) executed during the" hit game "has reached" 2 ". If the number of unit movements (number of rounds) has not reached the set number (S612; NO), it is confirmed that the interval time (for example, 2 seconds) has passed (S614; YES), and then a big prize is won again. A new unit operation for opening the mouth 31a is executed (S616).

  On the other hand, in the process of S612, if it is determined that the termination condition of the “big hit game” is satisfied (S612; YES), after performing the “big hit game end process (S700)” shown below, The process (S600) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Next, referring to FIG. 37, the process at the end of the big game (S700) will be described.

  When the big hit game end process (S700) is activated, the CPU 201 releases (sets to OFF) the big hit game flag (the big hit game flag set to ON in the process of S378 in FIG. 33) as shown in FIG. (S705) By referring to the above-mentioned “big hit end reference buffer (see S354 of FIG. 33)”, the big hit symbol stop display state is acquired (S710). That is, “information about the type of winning symbol (normal jackpot symbol, first probability variation big winning symbol, second probability variation big winning symbol) stopped in the process of S344 of FIG. 32 is acquired (S710). Next, based on the information acquired in the process of S710, it is determined whether or not the jackpot symbol that triggered the occurrence of the current jackpot game was a “probable big bonus symbol” (S720).

  In the process of S720, if it is determined that the jackpot symbol is "probability variation jackpot symbol (first probability variation jackpot symbol or second probability variation jackpot symbol)" (S720; YES), processing for setting the probability variation flag (set to ON). After performing (S725), the process of setting “10,000” to the fluctuation shortening counter (S760), the process of setting the shortening fluctuation flag (S775), and the process of setting the release extension flag (S780) , The process proceeds to S785. Here, the “variation shortening counter” indicates “the upper limit number of variations of the special symbol executed while shortening the variation”. When the value becomes “zero”, the shortening variation is not performed in the next symbol variation. I will not.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in the process of S720 (S720; NO), the process of setting “100” to the fluctuation shortening counter (S770), the process of setting the fluctuation shortening flag (S775), and the open extension After performing the process of setting a flag (S780), the process proceeds to S785.

  In S785, a process of transmitting a “mode designation command” to the sub-control board 220 is performed, and when this process ends, the big hit game end process (S700) ends. Here, the “mode designation command” is based on the state of the game state flag (probability variation flag, variation shortening flag, release extension flag), “low probability normal variation mode”, “low probability shortening variation mode”, “high probability shortening” This is a command for designating one of “variation modes”.

(7) using the effect control process Figure 38, the sub-control section 220A (CPU220a sub control board 220 of the sub-control unit 220A) is cooperating with the representation display control section 222A (CPU222a of the effect display control board 222) The outline of the “effect control process” performed in this way will be described. Note that FIG. 38 illustrates only main processes among the processes constituting the effect control process. In this effect control process, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed (S950; YES), first, an initialization process is performed (S960). Thereafter, until the power is turned off (until affirmative determination is made in S2300), main processes such as the symbol variation effect process (S1100) and the big hit game effect process (S1300) are repeatedly executed. Here, the CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220 of this embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S1100 to S2300 in FIG. 38 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 2 msec occurs after the power is turned on. . That is, the processing of S1100 to S2300 in FIG. 38 is repeatedly executed every 2 msec. The effect control process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

a. Symbol variation effect processing (S1100)
CPU220a mounted on the sub control board 220, in the symbol variation effect process (S1100), as shown in FIG. 39, the sub control unit 220A receives a "symbol variation start command"(S1105; YES), S1110 The process is executed. Here, the “design variation start command” is a command transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A when the symbol variation of the special symbol is started, and includes a variation pattern designation command (CHP) The symbol stop information designation command (CJS) corresponds to this command.

  In the process of S1110, the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A determines whether or not the result of the correct / incorrect determination executed in the main control unit 200A is a big hit based on the “special symbol stop information designation command received in the process of S1015”. Judgment is made (S1110). That is, based on the received special symbol stop information designation command, the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A can determine the result of the determination of success / failure and the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) in the case of jackpot.

  When it is determined that it is a big win (S1110; YES), the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A performs a lottery (random number lottery) as to whether or not to execute a sudden hit effect (S1112). When the lottery is lost (S1113; NO), based on the received “general effect effect pattern selected in response to the change pattern designation command”, the “effect display (symbol change effect) execution mode” (Pseudo symbol variation display mode displayed on display screen 27a of effect display device 27, reach display mode, etc.) "and" hit stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for definite display of jackpot) "are performed ( S1115). In other words, a process for selecting a general effect effect pattern corresponding to the received variation pattern, specifying an execution mode of the symbol variation effect, and determining a “hit stop symbol (a pseudo symbol mode for confirming and displaying the big hit)” (S1115), the process proceeds to S1160.

  On the other hand, when the lottery of S1112 is won (S1113; YES), based on the received “dummy effect pattern selected in consideration of the change pattern designation command”, the execution mode of “effect display (symbol change effect)” ( A process of determining “variable display mode of pseudo symbol displayed on display screen 27a of effect display device 27, mode of reach display, etc.” and “hit stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for definite display of jackpot)” is performed (S1120). ).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 40A, the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A specifies the variation pattern selected for the current symbol variation effect by the received variation pattern designation command. A variation pattern that identifies a variation time that is greater than or equal to the variation time specified by the variation pattern and that is stored in the same variation pattern table is detected (a plurality of performance patterns). To select an effect pattern that can be selected to execute the sudden hit effect). For example, when the variation pattern specified by the received variation pattern designation command is “stored in the variation pattern table shown in the column A of FIG. 13” (for example, pattern A3), “the variation specified by the variation pattern” A general effect effect pattern (pattern a3) corresponding to a variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the time and that is stored in the variation pattern table shown in column A of FIG. 13 (patterns A3 to A9...). ˜a9... Are detected. Furthermore, random number lottery is used from the detected general effect effects patterns (patterns a3 to a9...) (However, when the number of detected general effect effects patterns is one, The detected effect pattern for general effects is determined as it is.) A dummy effect pattern is selected (for example, pattern a7 is selected from patterns a3 to a9...), And this dummy effect pattern (pattern a7) is selected. The process of determining the “execution mode of the effect display (design variation effect)” and specifying “the effect for 20 seconds before the end of the design variation effect” as the “sudden hit effect” (the effect using the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect) And a process of determining “hit stop symbol (pseudo symbol form to be confirmed)” (S1120). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1160.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 40B, among the “detected general effect effects pattern”, the next long variation time is specified after the “variation time specifying the selected variation pattern (pattern A3)”. A general production effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern (pattern A4) (pattern a4, but if this general production production pattern does not exist, a general production production pattern corresponding to the selected variation pattern) is a dummy It may be selected as an effect pattern, and “execution mode of effect display (design variation effect)” may be determined based on the dummy effect effect pattern. Further, other methods (for example, “whether one general effect production pattern is randomly detected from the same variation pattern table and the detected general production effect pattern can be a dummy production pattern or not. If it can be, the detected effect pattern for general effect is used as a dummy effect pattern. If it is not possible, the dummy effect pattern is determined using a method of repeating the random detection and determination again. It can also be selected.

  Further, the processing of S1112 and S1113 constitutes a specific example of processing that the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A performs as a sudden hit effect execution determination unit. Furthermore, in the “big hit variation pattern table” shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, only the variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the “sudden hit effect execution time (20 seconds in this embodiment)” is stored. However, “a variation pattern for specifying a variation time shorter than the execution time of the sudden hit effect (20 seconds in this embodiment)” may be stored in the “big hit variation pattern table”. In this case (for example, the variation pattern corresponding to the second probability variation jackpot), as shown in FIG. 41, for the symbol variation effect process, a special effect is given according to the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern. The process of determining whether or not it can be executed (S1111) ”can be dealt with by adding or the like. In other words, when the “abrupt hit effect execution time” exceeds the “variation time specified by the selected variation pattern”, a negative determination result is obtained in the processing of S1111. In this case, the processes of S1111, S1112, and S1113 constitute a specific example of the process that the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A performs as a sudden hit effect execution determination unit.

  When it is determined that the result of the determination is incorrect (S1110; NO), based on the received “general effect effect pattern selected in response to the change pattern designation command”, “effect display execution mode (pseudo) After performing the process of determining the symbol variation display mode, whether or not reach display is performed, the reach display mode when the reach display is performed, etc.) and “outage stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for confirming the outage)” (S1145), the process proceeds to S1160. In S1115, S1120, and S1145, the process of selecting the “general effect effect pattern used for the design variation effect” constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as the effect pattern selection means. .

  In the process of S1160, the sub-control unit 220A transfers the received variation pattern designation command (CHP) to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), and the “effect” determined in the process of S1115, S1120, or S1145. A command (effect display detail command) for designating “display execution mode” and “pseudo symbol stop symbol” is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), and display is started on the effect display device 27 ( S1160).

  In the case of performing a general effect (when the processing of S1115 or S1145 is performed), the “general effect effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern” is followed until the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern elapses. The symbol variation effect is executed. On the other hand, in the case where a special effect is performed (when the process of S1120 is performed), “a time obtained by subtracting 20 seconds (the execution time of the sudden hit effect) from the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern” elapses. After the symbol variation effect is executed according to the “selected dummy effect pattern”, the sudden hit effect is performed according to the sudden hit effect pattern until “the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern elapses”.

  In any of the general effects and the special effects, when the sub control unit 220A receives the symbol stop designation command (CZE) transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) (S1165; YES), the sub control unit 220A Transfers the received symbol stop designation command to the effect display control unit 222A, and stops the “special fluctuation display on the effect display device 27”. Note that the processing from S1115 to S1160, S1165, and S1170 constitutes a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as “general hit effect execution means”, and after processing of S1120, S1160. , S1165, and S1170 constitute a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as “special hit effect execution means”. In addition, the process from S1145 to S1160, S1165, and S1170 constitutes a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as “out-of-run effect executing means”.

b. Big hit game effect processing (S1300)
The jackpot game effect process (S1300) is performed when the gaming machine 1 plays a jackpot game. In the jackpot gaming effect process (S1300), as shown in FIG. 42, CPU220a of the sub-control board 220, upon receiving the "jackpot game start designation command"(S1305; YES), S1310 and subsequent steps are executed . Here, in the gaming machine 1, when a big hit occurs, a big hit game start designation command (COR) is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A. That is, the main control unit 200A transmits a big hit game start designation command (COR) to the sub-control unit 220A at the timing when the “big hit game flag” is set (set to ON) (see S378 in FIG. 33).

  Receiving the jackpot game start designation command, the sub-control unit 220A analyzes the received jackpot game start designation command to identify the type of the jackpot game this time, and in the effect display device 27 or the like, corresponds to the type of the jackpot game this time. A fanfare effect (a big hit start effect) is executed (S1310). And after performing the process (S1320) which sets the round effect pattern for big hits according to the kind (mode) of big hits, it transfers to the process of S1338.

  When a big hit has occurred, the main control unit 200A transmits a big hit game start designation command (COR), and then “a timing for starting each round (a timing for opening the big winning opening 31 in S622 in FIG. 37). ) ”Transmits a“ round number designation command (CRS) ”to the sub-control unit 220A. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 43, the sub-control unit 220A receives the “first round number designation command (command for specifying the start of the first round)” (S1338). At 27 etc., “a round effect based on the set round effect pattern (effect indicating that it is one round)” is started (S1340).

  Thereafter, the main control unit 200A makes a “round end command (CRE)” to the sub-control unit 220A at “timing to end the round (timing to close the special winning opening 31 and S608 in FIG. 37)”. ". As a result, the sub-control unit 220A detects the end of the “first round” (S1345; YES), so the “round effect” is temporarily ended and the “interval display (effect between each round) is displayed on the effect display device 27 and the like. Display) "is started (S1348). Further, every time the subsequent “round number designation command (CRS)” is received, the sub-control unit 220A ends the “interval display” and starts the “round effect” (S1338; YES, S1340). Every time the “round end command (CRE)” is received, “interval display” is started (S1345; YES, S1348). In this manner, the “round effect” is repeated while displaying the “interval display” until the final round is displayed.

  In this way, when the “big hit end designation command (COE)” is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub control unit 220A at the timing of ending the final round in the execution of the big hit game, the sub control unit 220A receives the “big hit end designation command (COE)” (S1390; YES). Then, the sub-control unit 220A that has received the “hit end designation command (COE)” executes the “hit end effect (hit ending effect)” in the effect display device 27 and the like (S1395). Then, after executing the “hit end effect (big hit ending effect)”, the big hit game effect is ended.

(8) Effects of the embodiment According to this gaming machine 1, since the “effect pattern that identifies the special effect (sudden hit-type symbol variation effect)” and the “variation pattern” are not associated with each other, there are various timings and variations. “Special effects” can be executed with various patterns. In other words, the start timing of the sudden hit effect and the pattern change effect mode executed in the previous stage can be changed according to the difference in the selected variation pattern or the selected effect pattern for the effect. . Therefore, according to this gaming machine 1, it is easy to enhance the interest of the player.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a sudden hit effect is executed. In Example 2, except that FIG. 44 is used instead of FIG. 16, FIG. 45 is added, and part of FIG. 39 is modified as shown in FIG. The drawings used in Embodiment 1 and the description thereof can be applied as they are.

  In the effect pattern storage means used in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44, “the effect pattern for the sudden hitting effect used when the result of the determination of success / failure is out” is also stored. In addition, as shown in FIG. 45, the sudden hit effect of the gaze proceeds in the same manner as the sudden hit effect. However, in accordance with the end of the sudden hit effect, the “stop indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is out of place” The point of definite display of “symbol (outgoing symbol)” is different from the sudden hit effect.

  The symbol variation effect process (S1100) of the second embodiment is different from the symbol variation effect process (S1100) of the first embodiment in the following points. In other words, in the symbol variation effect processing (S1100) of the second embodiment, when it is determined that the result of the determination is wrong (S1110; NO), as shown in FIG. 46, the received variation pattern has a specific variation. It is determined whether or not it is a pattern (S1130). That is, it is determined whether or not the variation pattern specifies a variation time that can secure the effect time per sudden attack (whether or not the variation pattern identifies a variation time exceeding 20 seconds) (S1130). If a negative determination is obtained (S1130; NO), the process directly proceeds to S1145.

  If an affirmative determination is obtained in the processing of S1130 (S1130; YES), a lottery (random lottery) is performed as to whether or not to perform a sudden hit effect (S1132). If the lottery is lost (S1133; NO), the process directly proceeds to S1145. On the other hand, when the lottery is won (S1133; YES), based on the received “dummy effect effect pattern selected in consideration of the change pattern designation command”, “effect display execution mode (pseudo symbol change) After performing the process of determining “display mode, reach display execution / reach display mode when reach display, etc.” ”and“ stop stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for confirming the release) ”(S1150) , The process proceeds to S1160. Here, the processing of S1130, S1132, and S1133 constitutes a specific example of processing that the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A performs as a sudden hit effect execution determination unit.

  In the process of S1150, a dummy effect pattern is selected according to the specific example shown in FIG. 40 (a) described above, and the “effect display (design variation effect) execution mode” is determined based on the dummy effect effect pattern. At the same time, the process of specifying “the effect for 20 seconds before the end of the design variation effect” as “the effect of using the effect pattern for the sudden hit effect” (the process of specifying the effect using the effect pattern for the effect of the sudden attack of the gaze), (Pseudo symbol mode for definite display) ”is determined (S1150). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1160. However, the process of S1150 can also be performed according to the specific example shown in FIG. Note that the processing from S1145 to S1160, S1165, and S1170 constitutes a specific example of the processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as “general losing effect execution means”, and the processing from S1150 to S1160. , S1165, and S1170 constitute a specific example of the process performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as the “special gusset effect execution means”.

  According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment, in addition to the sudden hit effect, the sudden hit effect can be executed with various timings and various effect patterns. Therefore, it is even easier to increase the interest of the player.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 48, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a plurality of sudden hit effect production patterns are stored in the production pattern storage means.

  In the symbol variation effect process (S1100) of the third embodiment, the process of S1120 is performed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 48, the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A specifies the variation pattern selected for the current symbol variation effect by the received variation pattern designation command. Then, a variation pattern that identifies a variation time that is greater than or equal to the variation time specified by the variation pattern and that is stored in the same variation pattern table is detected.

  Furthermore, a random effect pattern is selected using random number lottery from the specified general effect effects patterns (provided that there are a plurality of detected general effect effects patterns). In addition, from among a plurality of effect patterns for sudden hit effects stored in the effect pattern storage means, those that specify an effect time less than the variation time specified by the variation pattern are detected and used from these. The “sudden hit effect production pattern” is specified by random lottery. Then, based on the specified effect pattern for the sudden hit effect and the effect pattern for the dummy effect, the “execution mode of the effect display (symbol variation effect)” is determined, and the “hit stop symbol (a pseudo-display for confirming the big hit is displayed) A process of determining “design mode” ”is performed (S1120). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1160. In the third embodiment, the dummy effect pattern may be specified by the method shown in FIG.

  According to the gaming machine of the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, since a plurality of production patterns for sudden hitting effects are provided to further diversify the effects, the player's interest can be further enhanced.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and is not limited to the wording of each claim without departing from the scope described in each claim. Can be easily replaced by these, and improvements based on knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate.

  That is, a specific example in which the hit is a big hit is illustrated, but the invention of each claim can also be applied to a gaming machine that realizes a small hit as a win. Moreover, in each Example, the variation pattern memorize | stored in the variation pattern table and the production pattern for general production corresponding to it were set to the relationship of "1: 1", However, For each variation pattern, a plurality Individual general effect production patterns may correspond. In this case, the effect pattern selecting means selects one general effect effect pattern from the plurality of general effect effect patterns.

  Although the third embodiment has been described as a modification of the first embodiment, the third embodiment may be a modification of the second embodiment. In other words, the gaming machine according to the second embodiment may store a plurality of effect patterns for the effect of sudden hitting in the effect pattern storage means.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing and selling gaming machines.

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
2; outer frame,
17: Start winning device,
27; effect display device (effect display means),
27a; display screen,
31; Grand prize device (variable prize device),
200; main control unit (win / fail judgment means, fluctuation pattern storage means, fluctuation pattern selection means),
203; ROM (variation pattern storage means)
220A; sub-controller (performance pattern storing means, directing execution determining means, effect pattern selection means, generally per demonstration execution unit, special per demonstration execution means, out demonstration execution means, Gase suddenly hit effect execution determining means, generally out demonstration execution Means, special offense production execution means),
222A; effect display control unit.

Claims (4)

A determination unit for determining whether or not to execute a winning game with a start winning prize;
A variation pattern storage means for storing a plurality of variation patterns for specifying different variation times;
A variation pattern selecting means for selecting a predetermined variation pattern from among a plurality of variation patterns stored in the variation pattern storage means based on the result of the determination of success / failure;
An effect pattern for general effect for specifying the effect mode of the general effect and a sudden hit effect for specifying the effect mode of the sudden hit effect provided corresponding to each change pattern stored in the change pattern storage means Production pattern storage means for storing a plurality of production patterns including
A sudden hit effect execution determining means for determining whether or not to execute the sudden hit effect in the effect display means when the result of the success / failure determination is a win;
When the sudden hit effect is not executed, a general effect effect pattern corresponding to the change pattern selected by the change pattern selecting unit is selected. When the sudden hit effect is executed, the change pattern selecting unit is selected. Production pattern selection means for selecting a production pattern for general production corresponding to a fluctuation pattern that specifies a fluctuation time that is greater than or equal to the fluctuation time specified by the selected fluctuation pattern;
When the sudden hit effect is not executed, the effect display means causes the symbol change effect to proceed in accordance with the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the selected change pattern is specified. A general winning effect execution means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is a winning when the fluctuation time elapses,
When executing the sudden hit effect, the effect display means starts the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the symbol variation started. during progression of the effect, said effect is produced in the symbol variation effect initiates the sudden per presentation switch to representation embodiment according effect pattern for the sudden per effect, the change pattern selection means varies time to identify the variation pattern selected When the elapses, special hit effect execution means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is a win in accordance with the end of the sudden hit effect,
With
The game machine characterized in that the production pattern storage means stores a plurality of production patterns for the sudden hit production having different variation times. The effect pattern for the sudden hit effect specifies the effect mode of the symbol change effect over a special change time shorter than the change time specified by any change pattern that can be selected when the result of the determination of success / failure is win. With
When the sudden hit effect is executed, the effect display means selects the effect display means only for the time obtained by subtracting the special change time from the change time specified by the change pattern selected by the change pattern selection means. According to the production mode specified by the production pattern for general production, the design variation production is advanced,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sudden hit effect is started when the remaining time of the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection means becomes the special variation time. The effect pattern storage means is stored without corresponding to the variation pattern stored in the variation pattern storage means, and stores the effect pattern for sudden hitting for specifying the effect mode of the sudden hit effect.
If the result of the determination is wrong, the effect display means comprises a gash sudden hit effect execution determining means for determining whether to execute the gash sudden hit effect in the effect display means,
The effect pattern selection unit, when it is determined that the Gase not perform sudden per effect, select General stagecraft effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern of the variation pattern selecting means selects, executes the Gase suddenly per effect When selecting the effect pattern for general effect corresponding to the variation pattern that specifies the variation time greater than the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection means,

When executing the sudden hit effect, the effect display means advances the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the selected variation pattern is When the specified variation time elapses, a general outage effect executing means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is out of place,
When determining to perform a per effect the Gase suddenly, in the effect display means, along with to start the symbol variation effect in accordance representation embodiment of the effect pattern selection means to identify the selected general effect for effect pattern and the start During the progress of the symbol variation effect, the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection means is started by switching the effect mode of the symbol variation effect to an effect mode according to the effect pattern for the sudden attack effect effect pattern. When the fluctuation time specified by elapses, a special off-stage effect execution means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is out of sync with the end of the sudden hit effect on the gash,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: When the result of the determination is wrong, the effect pattern selecting means selects a general effect effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selecting means,
When the result of the determination is not good, the effect display means causes the symbol change effect to proceed according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern for general effect selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the selected change pattern 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an off-line production executing unit that stops and displays a symbol indicating that the result of the determination of whether or not the game is off when the fluctuation time specified by the time elapses.

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