JP2013046870A - 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 performance pattern corresponding to a variation pattern; and a sudden winning performance execution decision means deciding whether to execute a sudden winning performance. When the decision means decides that the sudden winning performance is not executed, the game machine selects the performance pattern corresponding to the variation pattern, and performs a symbol variation performance which is completed when a variation time specified by the variation pattern elapses. When deciding that the sudden winning performance is executed, the game machine selects the performance pattern corresponding to the variation pattern that specifies the variation time longer than the variation pattern, advances the symbol variation performance, and terminates the symbol variation performance in process when the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern elapses. During the latter symbol variation performance, the game machine executes a fanfare performance including displaying final winning symbols that indicates winning.

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” The design variation effect according to the production mode is started, and during the progress of the design variation production, the production mode is switched to another production mode, and the stop design (big hit design) is confirmed and displayed. A gaming machine that performs a “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”, after the effect mode of the symbol variation effect is suddenly switched in the course of its progress, 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 determined, and in this effect pattern, the change timing of the effect mode is determined. In the case where it is determined at the time of 20 seconds after the start of the design variation effect, a “display (a specific background design, a specific character design, etc.) to be made 20 seconds after the design variation effect starts” is generated. The production mode is always switched at the timing to perform, and then the stop symbol (big hit symbol) is confirmed and displayed at a fixed time. In other words, even if it is an effect that suddenly stops the big hit symbol (big hit display), the timing of the big hit symbol stop (big hit display) and the mode of the symbol variation effect executed in the previous stage are determined in advance. It has been. For this reason, the “timing at which the big hit symbol stops (big hit display)” suddenly is easily overlooked by the player based on empirical rules, which may reduce the interest of the player.
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 a plurality of effect patterns with different aspects of the symbol variation effect executed at the previous stage are set (when timing of the jackpot symbol is stopped (hit display)) It is highly likely that the player will simply store the execution timing after the reach display, etc., and even 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 winning game with the content of performing a hitting operation to change the variable winning device in the closed state to the open state when it is determined whether or not it is a win in accordance with the start winning prize and the result of the hitting determination is win A gaming machine that executes
A variation pattern storage means for storing a plurality of variation patterns for specifying different variation times;
A variation pattern selecting unit that selects a predetermined variation pattern from among a plurality of variation patterns stored in the variation pattern table storage unit based on the result of the determination of success / failure;
Effect pattern storage means provided corresponding to each variation pattern stored in the variation pattern storage means and storing a plurality of effect patterns for specifying the effect mode;
A sudden hit effect execution determining means for determining whether or not to execute a sudden hit effect in the effect display means when the result of the determination is successful;
When the sudden hit effect is not executed, an 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 selected by the change pattern selecting unit is selected. An effect pattern selecting means for selecting an effect pattern corresponding to a variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the pattern;
When the sudden hit effect execution determination means does not execute the sudden hit effect, the effect display means advances the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and is selected. When the variation time specified by the variation pattern elapses, a general variation effect execution means for stopping and displaying a winning symbol indicating that the result of the determination is successful
When executing the sudden hit effect, the effect display means causes the symbol variation effect to proceed according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the variation pattern selected by the change pattern selection means. When the variation time specified by is terminated, special variation effect execution means for ending the symbol variation effect in progress,
When the result of the determination is successful, the fanfare effect is executed over the effect time specified in advance in the effect display means after the end of the symbol variation effect and before the start of the hit operation. Fanfare production execution means, and
The fanfare production execution means includes:
In the case where the sudden hit effect is not executed, the fanfare effect for general effect composed of the hit game start notification effect for notifying the start of the hit game is executed as the fanfare effect,
In the case of executing the sudden hit effect, the sudden hit fanfare effect including the sudden hit effect indicating that the result of the determination is a win and the hit game start notification effect is executed as the fanfare effect. Is what
The effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of effect patterns corresponding to a predetermined variation pattern.

  According to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, since the “effect pattern specifying the sudden hit effect (sudden hit type symbol change effect)” and the “change pattern” are not associated with each other, there are various timings, This “sudden hit effect” can be executed with a pattern. That is, when the “sudden hit effect” is executed, an effect pattern corresponding to “a variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the selected variation pattern” is selected. Then, according to the difference in the selected variation pattern and the selected effect pattern for production, the “timing to stop the jackpot symbol” and the mode of the symbol variation production executed in the previous stage (sudden hit production) Execution mode) can be changed.

  For example, in the case where “a variation pattern that identifies a variation time of t seconds” is selected, (a) “an effect pattern corresponding to a variation pattern that identifies a variation time of t1 seconds (t1> t)” is selected. The symbol variation effect is started, and when t seconds have elapsed after the start, the symbol variation effect is suddenly stopped, and the winning symbol is suddenly displayed in the sudden hitting fanfare effect, and (b) “t2 seconds (t2 > The effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern that specifies the variation time of t1) is selected to start the symbol variation effect, and when t seconds have elapsed after the start, the symbol variation effect is suddenly stopped and suddenly hit. In the fanfare effect, the symbol variation effect executed in the stage before the “success symbol confirmation display” can be made different from the case where the symbol is confirmed and displayed. In other words, in the design variation effect, if there is a difference in the decorative elements to be displayed (background design, character design, live-action video, etc.) according to the length of the variation time, according to the invention of claim 1, “short variation The decoration element that is not displayed when the “variation pattern specifying the time (t seconds or t1 seconds)” is selected, but is displayed when the “variation pattern specifying the longer variation time (t2 seconds)” is selected. This is because even when the “variation pattern for specifying a short variation time (t seconds or t1 seconds)” is selected, the “prediction display of winning symbol” can be displayed in advance. In other words, even if the variation pattern is the same, when a different production pattern is selected, the production mode displayed at the stage before the sudden hit production is executed is different.

It is also selected in the case where the “design variation effect corresponding to the variation pattern that identifies a specific variation time” is selected and the symbol variation representation is started, and the specific symbol variation representation corresponding to the production pattern proceeds. If the variation pattern is different, the fanfare effect for sudden hitting can be started at a different timing (before reach display, during reach display, during reach effect after reach display), after the symbol change effect is ended. As described above, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the “sudden hitting fanfare effect” can be executed with various timings and various patterns, so that it is easy to enhance the interest of the player. A gaming machine can be obtained.
The effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of effect patterns corresponding to the variation pattern, and one effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) (the effect for 60 seconds is 1). A plurality of (two or more) effect patterns (60 seconds effect A, 60 seconds 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 gaming machine of the invention of claim 2, in the gaming machine of claim 1,
The sudden hit effect is composed of an effect display before stop display performed prior to a stop symbol display, and a stop symbol stop display.

  In the gaming machine of the second aspect of the present invention, after the operation of the special variation effect execution means is stopped (after the symbol variation effect is stopped in progress), a specific example in which the confirmation display of the winning symbol is performed across the effect display before the confirmation display Is shown. According to the second aspect of the invention, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained. Here, examples of the “effect display before confirmation display” include, for example, “effect display for notifying that the winning symbol confirmation display is performed”, “effect notifying that the fanfare effect for sudden hitting has started”, etc. Can be illustrated.

In the gaming machine of the invention of claim 3, in the gaming machine of claim 1,
The sudden hit effect is formed by a stop display of a hit symbol.

  In the gaming machine of the invention according to claim 3, after the operation of the special variation effect execution means is stopped (after stopping in the middle of the progress of the symbol variation effect), the winning symbol is confirmed and displayed without interposing other effect indications. In addition to the invention and effects of the first aspect, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, in the invention of claim 3, after the symbol variation effect stops in the middle of progress, the effect of performing the effect of confirming and displaying the symbol at a stretch is given to the player. It is even easier to give an “impression”.

In the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the result of the determination is not good, “the effect pattern selecting means stores one general effect effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selecting means in the effect pattern storage means. While selecting from the produced production patterns,
In the effect display means, when the design variation effect is advanced in accordance with the effect mode specified by the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern has elapsed, the result of the success / failure determination is obtained. A stop symbol indicating that it is out of place can be confirmed and displayed.

  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 general fluctuation effect (symbol fluctuation effect) and the fanfare effect for general effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a general fluctuation effect (symbol fluctuation effect) and the fanfare effect for general effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a general fluctuation effect (symbol fluctuation effect) and the fanfare effect for general effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a general fluctuation effect (symbol fluctuation effect) and the fanfare effect for general effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a general fluctuation effect (symbol fluctuation effect) and the fanfare effect for general effects. It is a time figure for demonstrating a general fluctuation effect (symbol fluctuation effect) and the fanfare effect for general effects. It is a time chart for explaining a special change effect (design change effect) and a fanfare effect for sudden hit effect. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the fanfare effect for general effects, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the fanfare effect for sudden hit effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a dummy production pattern. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the special change effect (design change effect) and the fanfare effect for sudden hit effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the special change effect (design change effect) and the fanfare effect for sudden hit effects. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the special change effect (design change effect) and the fanfare effect for sudden hit effects. (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. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. FIG. 41A is an explanatory diagram illustrating “contents of processing in S1120” in FIG. 40, and FIG. 41B is an explanatory diagram illustrating other specific examples of “contents of processing in S1120” in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the jackpot game effect process of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the jackpot game effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. In Example 2, it is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the special change effect (design change effect) and the fanfare effect for sudden hit effects. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the jackpot game effect process of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

  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. Further, in this region forming part 10B (that is, a portion located in the game region 11 in the game board 10), the main accessory device 20, the normal symbol operating gate (normal symbol operating port) 16, and the 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. It is arranged.

  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. , Specified by an effect pattern (effect data) to be described later.

  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) determines whether or not it is determined whether or not it is a big hit due to a start winning prize, “variation pattern storage means”, “variation pattern selection means”, “ It will function as a “big hit game execution means for executing a big hit game”. 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”, “effect pattern selection means”, “general variation effect execution means”, “special change effect execution means”, “ It functions as “fanfare production execution 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”. Then, when the determination result indicating the big hit is derived and the “definite display time of the big hit symbol (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment)” has passed, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the game of the gaming machine 1 The state becomes a big hit gaming state (special gaming state). Thus, after the fanfare effect (general effect fanfare effect or sudden hit effect fanfare effect) is executed for a specific time (5 seconds in this embodiment), the big hit operation is started. 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 operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is ended. Hereinafter, the display content of the present symbol and the pseudo symbol will be briefly described. Here, the opening operation of the big winning device 31 constitutes a specific example of the “hit operation (winning operation) performed by the big winning device 31”.

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”. Note that the random number (big hit symbol determination random number) for performing the “lottery lottery” is acquired at the timing when the start winning is generated, in the same manner as the random number for determining whether or not it is successful (such as the random number for the big hit lottery).

  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 “hit game”) in which the opening operation (hit 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. , "First jackpot 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 due to the “second probability variation jackpot”, the opening operation (big hit operation) of the winning device 31 is performed twice with a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 2 seconds) in between ( 2 rounds) repeated. 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 a sudden hit effect 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) Outline of Symbol Variation Production etc. The symbol variation production executed by the gaming machine 1 can be classified into “general variation production” and “special variation production”. Hereinafter, after describing common items of the “general variation effect” and the “special variation effect”, the characteristics of the “general variation effect” and the “special variation effect” will be described. In addition, the symbol variation effect (design variation effect performed on the display screen 27a) executed in the general variation 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 (symbol variation effect using the pseudo symbol) executed in the special effect is terminated without performing the decisive display of the jackpot symbol (however, in the present symbol, the definite display indicating the jackpot is performed). . Then, in the first half of the “sudden hit fanfare effect (display effect performed on the display screen 27a)” executed after the end of the symbol variation effect, an effect that notifies the hit that is not related to the symbol variation effect so far. (Through a “pre-display effect” which will be described later, the effect of definitely displaying “big hit symbol”) is executed (started). For example, when all three symbols start to fluctuate and then the two symbols try to stop at the same symbol (reach arrangement), suddenly the effect of forming the reach arrangement is interrupted The symbol variation effect ends. Thereafter, with the start of the “sudden hit fanfare effect”, an effect of notifying the hit that is not related to the previous symbol variation effect and an effect of notifying the start of the big hit game are executed (started). . Note that, in the case of performing either “general variation effect” or “special variation 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 done.

a. Common Items In both cases of “general variation effect” and “special variation effect”, if a game ball wins (start win) to the start winning device 17, a special symbol change start condition (presence / absence determination execution condition) ) Holds. 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 addition, in the effect pattern table, “effect patterns” in a state corresponding to each change pattern stored in the change pattern storage means (“big hit change pattern table” and “outgoing change pattern table”) are stored. ing. The “arrows pointing to the right on the paper” displayed in FIGS. 13 to 16 are arrows indicating the effect patterns in which each variation pattern has a corresponding relationship.

  Each effect pattern specifies the effect mode of the effect over the same variation time as the “variation pattern in correspondence”, and is displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 according to the selected effect pattern. A mode of production 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.

  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 the execution time (0.6 seconds in this embodiment) of this fixed display (determined display of the jackpot symbol) has elapsed, the jackpot game is started and after the “fanfare effect (transition display)” is executed, Start operation. However, in the special variation effect, reach display is performed on the symbol variation display (variation display), and “big hit symbol” is confirmed and displayed in the fanfare effect (sudden hitting fanfare effect) (see FIGS. 26 and 27). ) And “big hit symbol” may be confirmed (see FIG. 28) in the fanfare effect (sudden hitting fanfare effect) without performing reach display in symbol variation display (variation display).

b. Characteristics of general variation effect and special variation effect Although the display mode in the special symbol display unit 62 is the same in the case of performing the general variation effect and the case of performing the special variation effect, the display on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is performed. The embodiment is different. For this reason, in the following description, the difference between the display mode on the display screen 27a in the general variation effect (design variation effect mode) and the display mode on the display screen 27a in the special variation effect (design variation effect mode). The explanation will be focused on. 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 specifying 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) is executed when the general variation effect is executed. Selects “effect pattern a2 corresponding to variation pattern A2” as the 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, when executing the general variation effect, the CPU 222a displays “corresponding to the variation pattern A3” as the effect pattern. The production pattern a3 "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 variation effect, the CPU 222a displays “corresponding to the variation pattern A5” as the effect pattern. A production 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 X25). 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 (X25). 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) (X26).

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

  On the other hand, the special variation effect has 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 an effect pattern to be used based on the variation pattern. Specifically, among the production patterns corresponding to the “variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the selected variation pattern”, “the production pattern used in the special variation production (hereinafter referred to as“ dummy production pattern ”). ) ”Is selected by random number drawing.

  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. Assuming that “variation pattern A3 (variation pattern specifying a variation time of 40 seconds)” is selected as the variation pattern, “effect patterns a4 to an” corresponding to each of “variation patterns A4 to An” Can be selected. In this case, the CPU 222a selects any one of “effect patterns a4 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 this special variation effect, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the symbol variation effect is started on the display screen 27a using a movie (normal movie) corresponding to the selected “dummy effect pattern”. Then, when the symbol variation effect using the “normal movie” is performed only for “the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern”, it is suddenly terminated. For this reason, in the symbol variation effect, “decision display of the jackpot symbol” is not performed, but the scheduled time of the “determination display execution time (0.6 seconds in this embodiment)” is not counted. Then, the special variation production is finished. Then, after the end of the special variation effect, “definite display of big hit symbol” is performed at “the last of the sudden hit effect” which occupies the first half of the “sudden hit fanfare effect” executed on the display screen 27a. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the sudden hit effect is composed of a “pre-display effect” and a “determined display (determined display of big hit symbol)” performed subsequently thereto. In addition, the “sudden hit effect” is an effect that is performed in a manner lacking in continuity with the “symbol variation effect”, and is an effect that gives the player the impression that a sudden big hit has occurred. . Specifically, “a design variation effect that progresses according to a dummy effect pattern and ends suddenly in the middle of the progress” is an effect that does not have continuity (an effect that is not an effect that continues the suddenly ended design change effect) For example, “an effect without variable display using numbers”, “an effect using a background image different from the design variation effect”, and the like can be exemplified.

  Next, the special variation effect and the “fanfare effect (transition display)” executed after the end of the special variation effect will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 27.

  When the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the “low-probability normal variation mode”, the main control unit 200A sets “variation pattern A3 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 40 seconds)” as the variation pattern. And the sub-control unit 220A selects the effect pattern a5 (effect pattern for 60 seconds) as the dummy effect 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 30 seconds have elapsed, 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 reach effect is started (X23 and the like).

  In this specific example 1, when 40 seconds have elapsed after starting the symbol variation effect, as shown in FIG. 26, the ongoing symbol variation effect is abruptly terminated. That is, the symbol variation effect in the middle of the reach effect is suddenly terminated. Then, after the elapse of “the scheduled display execution time (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment)”, the special variation effect is terminated and the “sudden hit fanfare effect” is started. .

  When the “sudden hit fanfare effect” is started, the background image and the character image displayed on the display screen 27a are switched from those used in the special variation effect. Specifically, the squid character image and the moon character image are displayed on the display screen 27a so as to face each other, and the background image is a background image with a “closed open / close door”. (Y1). Next, a background image with “open / closed door” is displayed on the display screen 27a to suddenly end the hit effect, and a big hit symbol appears from inside the open / closed door (y2).

  Thereafter, an image for informing the start of the big hit game (hereinafter referred to as “fanfare display image”) is displayed on the display screen 27a. That is, after the short type “fanfare display image” is displayed on the display screen 27a and the “start notification effect informing the start of the big hit game (hereinafter referred to as“ short fanfare display ”) is executed (y3, y4). , “Effect display related to jackpot game (round display, interval display, ending display)” is executed. In the first specific example, the reach effect noticed by the player is suddenly terminated and the sudden hit effect is started, so that a strong impact can be given to the player. In addition, when “the production pattern corresponding to the selected variation pattern” is used, the production (“squid” and “crab” character design, “background image showing above the cloud”) that is not displayed (cannot be visually recognized) ).

  When the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the “low-probability normal variation mode”, the main control unit 200A sets “variation pattern A3 (variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 40 seconds)” as the variation pattern. And the sub control unit 220A selects the effect pattern a8 (the 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 35 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 reach effect is started (X33, etc.).

  Also in this specific example 2, when 40 seconds elapse after starting the symbol variation effect, as shown in FIG. 27, the ongoing symbol variation effect is abruptly terminated. Then, after the elapse of “the scheduled display execution time (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment)”, the special variation effect is terminated and the “sudden hit fanfare effect” is started. . Further, in the first half of the “fanfare effect”, as in the first example, the “sudden hit effect with the final display of the big hit symbol” is executed (y1, y2), and the “short fanfare display” is displayed in the second half. Perform (y3, y4). Thereafter, “effect display related to the big hit game (round display, interval display, ending display)” is executed.

  Also in the second specific example, since the reach effect noticed by the player is suddenly terminated and the sudden hit effect is started, a strong impact can be given to the player. In addition, when “the production pattern corresponding to the selected variation pattern” is used, the production (“squid” and “whale” character design, “background image showing the sea” that is not displayed (not visible) ).

  When the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is the “low-probability normal variation mode”, the main control unit 200A displays “variation pattern A1 (a variation pattern that specifies a variation time of 28.0 seconds) as a variation pattern. ) "And the sub-control unit 220A selects the production pattern a5 as the dummy production 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 28.0 seconds elapse, as shown in FIG. 28, the symbol variation effect is suddenly terminated. Then, after the elapse of “the scheduled display execution time (0.6 seconds in the present embodiment)”, the special variation effect is terminated and the “sudden hit fanfare effect” is started. .

  That is, in the first half of the “sudden hit fanfare effect”, the “sudden hit effect with the decisive display of the big hit symbol” is executed (y1, y2) as in the first specific example, and in the second half, “short” "Fanfare display" is performed (y3, y4). Thereafter, “effect display related to the big hit game (round display, interval display, ending display)” is executed.

  Also in the third specific example, when the “effect pattern corresponding to the selected variation pattern” is used, the character patterns of “squid” and “whale” that are not displayed (not visible), “underwater” Can be visually recognized. In addition, in Example 3, since the symbol variation effect is suddenly terminated and the sudden hit effect is started before the reach display is performed, the player has a strong impression that a big hit is suddenly generated. Become.

  That is, in the first embodiment, it is possible to execute the sudden hit effect at various timings and various patterns without providing the “abrupt hit effect dedicated effect pattern”. In other words, depending on “the length of the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern” or which production pattern is selected as the dummy production pattern, the timing at which the big hit symbol is suddenly confirmed and displayed (before reach display, reach display) Or after reach display), or the effect mode of the sudden hit effect is changed. 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, it is possible to produce a sudden hit effect with various timings and various patterns.

  Next, using FIG. 22 to FIG. 24, various display control commands transmitted from the main control unit 200 </ b> A to the sub-control unit 220 </ b> A and effects executed on the display screen 27 a of the effect display device 27 (general variation effects, The relationship with the special variation effect and fanfare effect) will be described. 22 and 24, for convenience of illustration, (A) “variation pattern designation command for specifying a variation pattern” is denoted as “variation C”, and (B) “design variation effect (variation display)”. The symbol stop command to be output from the main control unit 200A during the stop is indicated as “stop C”. In addition, (C) a “big hit game start command” output from the main control unit 200A to instruct the start of the fanfare effect is expressed as “start C”, and (D) the first opening action (in the big hit game, The “round number designation command (round number designation command for designating the start of the first round)” output by the main control unit 200A is set to “1R designation C” to specify the start of the first opening operation performed by the winning device 31). ".

  In the general variation effect, as shown in FIG. 22, when the sub control unit 220A receives the variation pattern designation command (variation C) transmitted from the main control unit 200A, the sub control unit 220A displays the symbol variation effect (variation display). To start. Then, when the sub control unit 220A receives the symbol stop command (stop C) at the timing when the variation time specified by the variation pattern designation command (variation C) ends, the sub control unit 220A matches the end of the symbol variation effect. Display the jackpot symbol.

  When the sub-control unit 220A receives the “big hit game start command (start C)” after the end of the general variation effect, the “general effect fanfare effect” is spent about 5 seconds on the display screen 27a. Run. That is, the “start notification effect for notifying the start of the big hit game” is executed by spending about 5 seconds by “long fanfare display”. The sub-control unit 220A receives the “first round number designation command (1R designation C)” at the timing of ending the “general effect fanfare production”, so the sub-control unit 220A displays the display screen 27a. , “Round display for specifying the first round (display indicating that the first big hit operation is being executed)” is executed.

  Also in the special variation effect, as shown in FIG. 23, when the sub control unit 220A receives the variation pattern designation command (variation C) transmitted from the main control unit 200A, the sub control unit 220A displays the symbol variation effect (variation display). ). Then, at the timing when the variation time specified by the variation pattern designation command (variation C) ends, the sub-control unit 220A receives the symbol stop command (stop C). At this time, the symbol variation effect is in progress, but is forcibly terminated at the timing when the variation time specified by the variation pattern designation command (variation C) ends (timing to receive the symbol stop command).

  When the sub-control unit 220A receives the “big hit game start command (start C)” after the end of the special variation effect, the “fanfare effect for special effect” is spent about 5 seconds on the display screen 27a. Run. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, about 2.5 seconds are spent to execute the “sudden hit effect with the big hit symbol fixed display”. Thereafter, the “start notification effect for notifying the start of the big hit game” is performed by the “short fanfare display”, and the “fanfare effect for special effects” is ended.

  The sub-control unit 220A receives the “first round number designation command (1R designation C) at the timing when the“ sudden hit effect fanfare production ”is finished, so the sub-control unit 220A displays on the display screen 27a. , “Round display for specifying the first round (display indicating that the first big hit operation is being executed)” is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the “general effect fanfare effect” effect time and the “sudden hit effect fanfare effect” effect time are equal. Both of them are started when the sub-control unit 220A receives a “big hit game start command (start C)” and receives a “round number designation command (1R designation C) for designating the first release operation”. End with. Then, in “after the end of the general variation effect” and “after the end of the special variation effect”, the main control unit 200A outputs the “big hit game start command (start C)” and “designates the first release operation. This is because the output timing of the “round number designation command (1R designation C)” is always constant.

  The “fanfare effect for general effects” is composed only of “start notification effect (long fanfare display) to notify the start of jackpot game”, and the “fanfare effect for sudden impact effect” is “sudden hit effect” and “hit hit effect”. “Start notification effect (short fanfare display)” that notifies the start of the game. Then, in the “sudden hit effect fanfare effect”, the “sudden hit effect” effect time (about 2.5 seconds) and the “start notification effect informing the start of the big hit game (short fanfare display) effect time (about 2.5 seconds) ”is equal to the effect time of“ start notification effect (long fanfare display) for notifying the start of the big hit game ”constituting the“ general effect fanfare effect ”.

(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, (A) variation pattern designation command (indicated as “CHP” in FIG. 29), (B) special symbol stop information designation command (indicated as “CJS” in FIG. 29), (C) symbol stop command (Denoted as “CZE” in FIG. 29), (D) jackpot game start command (a command for designating the start of fanfare production, denoted as “CIS” in FIG. 29), (E) jackpot game end The designation command (CIE), (F) “round number designation command” (indicated as “CRS” in FIG. 29), (G) “round end command” (indicated as “CRE” in FIG. 29), etc. is there. 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. If the winning information for the start winning detection switch 17s or the like has already been stored on the RAM 202, an appropriate payout number including the previously stored information is specified and a payout signal is output. 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 the normal symbol game process (S100), the normal symbol display of the lower left display device 50 is triggered by the detection of the game ball by the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s (detection that the game ball has passed the normal symbol operation gate 16). 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 special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display mode is a mode of jackpot (big jackpot symbol) (S352 of FIG. 32).

  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 jackpot game flag (set to ON) and a process of outputting a “hit game start command (start C)” toward the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) are performed. Is called. Here, by setting the “big hit game flag”, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit game state” (the big hit game execution means starts operating), and a fanfare effect (“fanfare effect for general effect” or “ When the production time of the “sudden hitting fanfare production” (about 5 seconds in the present embodiment) elapses, the game machine 1 starts the big hit operation (opening operation for changing the big winning device 31 to the open state). To start. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the probability variation function, the time shortening function (variable time shortening function), and the opening extension function do not work while the “big hit game flag” is being set (that is, when the big hit game execution means is operating). I am going to do that. 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)
If the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines that the “big hit game flag” is set (set to ON) while repeating the game control processing of FIG. 30 (S602; YES), the big hit game processing 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 the process of S376 in FIG. 32) 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 the standby time has elapsed (S614). Here, immediately after the start of the big hit game (the stage where the big hit action has not yet started), in the processing of S614, the fanfare production time ("fanfare production for general production" or "fanfare production for sudden production") In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not a time corresponding to about 5 seconds has elapsed after the start of the big hit game. Then, since the waiting time has not yet elapsed immediately after the big hit game is started, the big hit game process shown in FIG. 36 is once ended and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, 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. Then, when a positive determination is made in the process of S614, a process of opening the special winning opening 31a and a round that specifies “the first round starts (the first jackpot operation starts)” After performing the process of transmitting the “number designation command (CRS)” toward the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) (S616), the jackpot game process shown in FIG. Return to the game control process.

  Then, the big hit game process (S600) is started again, and if a positive determination is made in the process of S604, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the big winning opening 31a has passed (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 special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S606; YES), the process for closing the special winning opening 31a and the "command at closing" are sub-controlled. After performing the process of transmitting toward the unit 220A (sub control board 220) (S610), the big hit game process (S600) shown in FIG. 36 is exited and 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), a process for closing the big winning opening 31a and a “command at closing” are directed to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220). After performing the transmission process (S610), the big hit game process (S600) shown in FIG. 36 is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  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. Here, the “command at closing” shown in the process of S610 is “a jackpot game end designation command (CIE)” in the “when the final round (the jackpot action that is finally executed) during the running jackpot game is completed”. In the case where a round other than the last round (a jackpot operation other than the jackpot operation executed at the end) is completed, the command is a “round end command (CRE)”.

  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 player exits the big hit game process of FIG. 35 and 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 standby 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). That is, after confirming that the interval time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed (S614; YES), a new unit operation for opening the special winning opening 31a again is executed (S616). That is, in this case, the standby time determined in the process of S614 is “interval time provided between unit operations (rounds)”. If this interval time has elapsed, a positive determination is made in the process of S614. Is made.

  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) Effect Control Processing Using FIG. 38, sub-control unit 220A (CPU 220a of sub-control board 220 constituting sub-control unit 220A) cooperates with effect display control unit 222A (CPU 222a of 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)
First, the symbol variation effect process (S1100) performed by the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the sub control unit 220A receives the “design variation start command” (S1105; YES), the CPU 220a executes the process of S1110. 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 based on the “special symbol stop information designation command received in the process of S1105” is a big hit. 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 hit (S1110; YES), the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A determines whether or not the sudden hit effect can be executed based on the “selected variation pattern” (S1111). . That is, when the “selected variation pattern” is for specifying the longest variation time in the target variation pattern table, a negative determination result is obtained in the processing of S1111 and the longest variation time is calculated. If not specified, a positive determination result is obtained in the processing of S1111.

  If a positive determination result is obtained in the process of S1111, a lottery (random number lottery) is performed as to whether or not a sudden hit effect is to be executed (S1112). If the lottery is lost for this process (S1113; NO), based on the received “effect pattern selected corresponding to the change pattern designation command”, the “effect display (design change effect) execution mode ( 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 (S1115). ). In other words, the effect pattern corresponding to the received variation pattern is selected, the execution mode of the symbol variation effect is specified, and the process of determining the “hit stop symbol (a pseudo symbol mode in which the jackpot is determined and displayed)” is performed. Later (S1115), the process proceeds to S1160. Also, when a negative determination result is obtained in the processing of S1111 (S1111; NO), the processing proceeds to S1160 after performing the processing in S1115.

  If a positive determination result is obtained in the process of S1111 and the lottery in S1112 is won (S1113; YES), a special effect flag is set (S1117), and the received “variation pattern” Based on the “dummy effect pattern selected in consideration of the designation command”, the execution mode of “effect display (symbol variation effect)” (the variation display mode of pseudo symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, the mode of reach display) Etc.) ”and“ Big hit stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for definite display of big hit) ”are performed (S1120).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 41A, 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 specifies a variation time longer than the variation pattern and that corresponds to the variation pattern stored in the same variation pattern table is detected (from a plurality of performance patterns, a sudden hit effect is detected). Select a production pattern that can be selected for execution). 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), “from the received variation pattern Is a variation pattern that specifies a long variation time and is stored in the variation pattern table shown in the column A of FIG. 13 (patterns A4 to A9...) ”(Patterns a4 to a9...・) Is detected. Furthermore, using the random number lottery from the detected effect patterns (patterns a4 to a9...) (However, when the number of detected effect patterns is one, the detected effect pattern) The dummy effect pattern is selected (for example, the pattern a7 is selected from the patterns a4 to a9...), And based on this dummy effect pattern (pattern a7), the “effect display (design variation effect)” is selected. "Actual execution mode" is determined, and "a process of specifying the big hit symbol confirmed display time in the middle of the sudden hit effect fanfare effect is specified after 2.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of the sudden hit effect fanfare effect." Process) and a process of determining “big hit stop symbol (a pseudo symbol form to be confirmed)” (S1120). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1160.

  As shown in FIG. 41 (b), among the “detected effect patterns”, a “variation pattern (specifying a variation time that is longer than a variation time that identifies the selected variation pattern (pattern A 3)” ( An effect pattern (pattern a4) "corresponding to pattern A4)" may be selected as a dummy effect pattern, and an "execution mode of effect display (design variation effect)" may be determined based on this dummy effect pattern. Further, other methods (for example, “one effect pattern is randomly detected from the same variation pattern table, and it is determined whether or not the detected effect pattern can be a dummy effect pattern. In such a case, the detected effect pattern can be used as a dummy effect pattern, and if it is impossible, a dummy effect pattern can be selected by using a method of repeating the random detection and determination again. In addition, the processing of S1111, S1112 and S1113 constitutes a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as a sudden hit effect execution determination unit.

  When it is determined that the result of the determination is wrong (S1110; NO), based on the received “effect pattern selected corresponding to 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“ outage stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for confirming outage) ”(S1145). , The process proceeds to S1160. In S1115, S1120, and S1145, the process of selecting “the 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 the general variation effect (when the processing of S1115 or S1145 has been performed), the symbol variation is performed according to the “effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern” until the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern elapses. An effect is executed to complete this symbol variation effect. On the other hand, when the special variation effect is performed (when the processing of S1120 is performed), when the “variation time specified by the selected variation pattern” elapses, the “selected dummy effect pattern” is related to the effect time specified. Before the end of the production time, the symbol variation production is forcibly terminated.

  When the sub control unit 220A receives the symbol stop designation command (CZE) transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) in both the general effect and the sudden hit effect (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 variation display on the effect display device 27”. Note that the processing from S1115 to S1160, S1165, and S1170 constitutes a specific example of processing that the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A performs as “general variation effect execution means”, and the processing from S1120 to S1160. , S1165, and S1170 constitute a specific example of processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control unit 220A as “special variation effect execution means”.

b. Big hit game effect processing (S1300)
Next, the big hit game effect processing (S1300) performed by the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This jackpot game effect process (S1300) is performed when the gaming machine 1 plays a jackpot game. In the jackpot game effect process (S1300), when the CPU 220a receives a "hit game start designation command" (S1305; YES), the processes after S1307 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, as described above, the main control unit 200A sends a jackpot game start designation command (COR) to the sub-control unit 220A at the timing of setting (set to ON) the “big hit game flag” (see S378 in FIG. 33). Send.

  Receiving the big hit game start designation command, the sub-control unit 220A determines whether or not the special effect flag (see the process of S1117 in FIG. 40) is set (S1307), and if not set (S1307; NO) ) After executing the fanfare effect for general effects (S1315), the process proceeds to S1320. On the other hand, when it is set (S1307; YES), after performing the process of suddenly producing the fanfare effect for the effect and the process of canceling the special effect flag (S1313), the process proceeds to S1320.

  Here, in the process of S1313, a fanfare effect for special effects consisting of “a sudden hit effect including a confirmed display of the jackpot symbol (the jackpot symbol specified in the process of S1120)” and “short fanfare display” is executed, In the process of S1315, a general effect fanfare effect including only “long fanfare display” is executed. Also, the “sudden effect fanfare effect of the processing of S1313” and the “general effect fanfare effect of the processing of S1315” can be performed in a manner corresponding to the type of the big hit this time. That is, it is possible to analyze the jackpot game start designation command received in the processing of S1305 to identify the type of the jackpot of this time and to perform the mode corresponding to the type of jackpot of the current time.

  When a big hit occurs, the main control unit 200A transmits a big hit game start designation command (COR), and then “timing to start each round (timing to open the big winning opening 31 and S616 in FIG. 36). ) ”Transmits a“ round number designation command (CRS) ”to the sub-control unit 220A. Accordingly, the sub-control unit 220A receives the “first round number designation command (command for specifying the start of the first round)” (S1338). Based on the effect pattern, a “round effect (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 S610 in FIG. 36) ”. ". 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 (CIE)” is transmitted from the main control unit 200A to the sub control unit 220A at the timing of ending the final round while executing the big hit game, the sub control unit 220A receives the “big hit end designation command (CIE)” (S1390; YES). Then, the sub-control unit 220A that has received the “hit end designation command (CIE)” 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 the gaming machine 1 of the present gaming machine 1, the “effect pattern specifying the sudden hit effect (sudden hit type symbol change effect)” is not associated with the “change pattern”. This “sudden hit effect” can be executed with various timings and various patterns. That is, when the “sudden hit effect” is executed, an effect pattern corresponding to “a variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the selected variation pattern” is selected. And according to the difference of the variation pattern selected and the difference of the effect pattern for production selected, the timing of stopping the big hit symbol and the mode of the symbol variation production executed in the previous stage can be changed. . Therefore, it is easy to increase the interest of the player.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44 and FIG. 45, the effect mode of the “sudden hit effect fanfare effect” is different from that of the first embodiment.

  Also in the gaming machine of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 45, when a positive determination is made in the processing of S1307 (S1307; YES), the processing for suddenly performing the fanfare effect for performance and the special performance flag are canceled. Is performed (S1314). However, in the “sudden hit effect fanfare effect” of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 44 and 45, the “big hit symbol (the big hit symbol specified in the processing of S1120)” is displayed as “sudden hit effect”. When the “Fanfare Production” is started, it is performed immediately. In addition, the “sudden hit effect” includes only “definite display of the big hit symbol”, and “middle fanfare display” is performed after the “sudden hit effect”. The “middle fanfare display” is a “fanfare display (hit game start notification effect)” that takes longer time (eg, 4.94 seconds) than the “short fanfare display” in the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, in the gaming machine of the second embodiment, after the symbol variation effect stops in the course of its progress, the player performs the effect of confirming and displaying the symbol at a stretch. It is even easier to give the impression that “

  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. In each embodiment, the variation pattern stored in the variation pattern table and the corresponding production pattern are set in a “1: 1” relationship. However, a plurality of productions are provided for each variation pattern. A pattern may correspond. In this case, the effect pattern selection means selects one effect pattern from the plurality of effect patterns. Also, in the process of “S1111” shown in FIG. 39, if the variation time specified by the selected variation pattern is equal to or shorter than the predetermined time, a negative determination may be made that the effect is low.

  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-control unit (effect pattern storage means, sudden hit effect execution determination means, effect pattern selection means, general hit change effect execution means, special change effect execution means, fanfare effect execution means),
222A; effect display control unit.

Claims (3)

A winning game with the content of performing a hitting operation to change the variable winning device in the closed state to the open state when it is determined whether or not it is a win in accordance with the start winning prize and the result of the hitting determination is win A gaming machine that executes
A variation pattern storage means for storing a plurality of variation patterns for specifying different variation times;
A variation pattern selecting unit that selects a predetermined variation pattern from among a plurality of variation patterns stored in the variation pattern table storage unit based on the result of the determination of success / failure;
Effect pattern storage means provided corresponding to each variation pattern stored in the variation pattern storage means and storing a plurality of effect patterns for specifying the effect mode;
A sudden hit effect execution determining means for determining whether or not to execute a sudden hit effect in the effect display means when the result of the determination is successful;
When the sudden hit effect is not executed, an 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 selected by the change pattern selecting unit is selected. An effect pattern selecting means for selecting an effect pattern corresponding to a variation pattern that specifies a variation time longer than the pattern;
When the sudden hit effect execution determination means does not execute the sudden hit effect, the effect display means advances the symbol variation effect according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and is selected. When the variation time specified by the variation pattern elapses, a general variation effect execution means for stopping and displaying a winning symbol indicating that the result of the determination is successful
When executing the sudden hit effect, the effect display means causes the symbol variation effect to proceed according to the effect mode specified by the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means, and the variation pattern selected by the change pattern selection means. When the variation time specified by is terminated, special variation effect execution means for ending the symbol variation effect in progress,
When the result of the determination is successful, the fanfare effect is executed over the effect time specified in advance in the effect display means after the end of the symbol variation effect and before the start of the hit operation. Fanfare production execution means, and
The fanfare production execution means includes:
In the case where the sudden hit effect is not executed, the fanfare effect for general effect composed of the hit game start notification effect for notifying the start of the hit game is executed as the fanfare effect,
In the case of executing the sudden hit effect, the sudden hit fanfare effect including the sudden hit effect indicating that the result of the determination is a win and the hit game start notification effect is executed as the fanfare effect. Is what
A game machine characterized in that the effect pattern storage means stores a plurality of effect patterns corresponding to a predetermined variation pattern.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sudden hit effect includes an effect display before stop display performed prior to a stop symbol display and a stop symbol stop display.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sudden hit effect includes a stop display of a hit symbol.

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