JP2015051145A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that enables a user to estimate a degree of expectation for a jackpot on the basis of a series of notice images, and that is capable of realizing a notice performance of high interest and performing jackpot establishment performance.SOLUTION: In a game machine 100 comprising notice performance means 305, the notice performance means 305 includes performance level selecting means 311 that selects a performance level on the basis of a performance pattern from among a plurality of performance levels having different degrees of reliability for a jackpot, and notice performance selecting means 313 that sequentially selects a notice performance for each stage from among a plurality of notice performances on the basis of a selectivity set for each stage to the selected performance level. A special level selected only at the time of a jackpot is set at the plurality of performance levels.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that gives a player a sense of expectation for a jackpot by performing a notice effect within a variation period of a special symbol.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball wins at a start winning opening provided on the game board, a random number is obtained by controlling a main control unit at that timing to perform a big hit lottery. In the jackpot lottery, it is determined whether or not the acquired random number matches a predetermined jackpot random number. If the acquired random number matches the jackpot random number as a result of the determination, the special symbol is stopped at the symbol indicating the jackpot. The gaming state is shifted to a jackpot gaming state that is advantageous to the player.

  Such a gaming machine is provided with an effect control unit, and when this effect control unit receives a determination result of the big hit random number (result of the big win lottery) by the main control unit, a plurality of match control according to the variation of the special symbol. The effect design is variably displayed on the image display unit. Then, the result of the jackpot lottery is notified to the player by a stop display of the special symbol and the effect symbol.

  By the way, the effect control unit is configured to give the player a sense of expectation for a big hit by performing various effects within a period in which the effect symbol is fluctuating. One of such effects is a notice effect, and after the notice effect, the effect is developed into a reach effect, thereby increasing the player's expectation for the jackpot.

  Here, the reach effect is, for example, when three effect symbols (first, second and third effect symbols) are changed, the first and second effect symbols are the same or related on the effective line of the image display unit. This is an effect in which only the third effect symbol is changed and the effect time is set longer than usual to increase the player's expectation for jackpot after the symbols are arranged with a characteristic symbol. In this reach production, if the third production symbol stops at the same or related design as the first and second production designs, it will be a big hit and a jackpot production will be performed, and it will not stop at the same or related design Lost and returns to normal performance.

  In addition, the production control unit performs various productions before reaching the reach production. As an example of the production, a notice of a character image or the like that suggests whether or not to develop the reach production during the change of the production design. There is an effect of displaying an image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a step-up notice effect in which the notice image develops step by step, and the step-up notice effect is set such that the more the production stage is developed, the more likely the reach is and the reliability with respect to the jackpot.

  Then, even when the production has evolved into a reach production, the production control unit generates a voice (reach voice) to increase the player's expectation for the jackpot, and displays various notice images on the image display unit. The announcement effect to be displayed is performed. The notice effect in this case includes, for example, a group notice in which a large number of character image groups cross the screen, and a cut-in notice that causes the image display unit to interrupt a specific image.

JP 2000-126384 A

  By the way, in the notice effect, the degree of expectation for the jackpot differs depending on the type and content of the notice image. For example, when a character image is displayed as the notice image, the degree of expectation for the jackpot varies depending on the color of the character. It is

  Thus, when displaying a notice image in a conventional notice effect, the notice image at each stage of the change effect such as the change before reach and the change after reach is determined by lottery. In addition, it is divided into a jackpot reach that will be a big hit through reach production and a loss reach that will be lost through a reach production, and the notice image at each stage is determined by lottery for each production pattern of the jackpot reach and the lost reach. Here, the selection ratio of the notice image determined by lottery at each stage in each effect pattern of the jackpot reach and the loser reach is set separately for the jackpot reach and the loser reach. Specifically, the ratio of the high-expectation notice images selected in the jackpot reach is set to be high, and conversely, the low-expectation notice images determined in the loser reach are selected. Is set high. As a result, when a highly anticipated preview image is displayed, the player's expectation for the jackpot is increased as a result.

  However, even in the case of lose reach, the rate at which high-expected announcement images are drawn is not 0. Therefore, even in the case of lost reach, a high-expected announcement image may be displayed at an early stage. In such a case, the player progresses the game with great expectation for the jackpot, but eventually loses, so the notice image determined by lottery in the second half of each stage of the performance pattern has low expectation There is a high possibility that it will become a thing, and the player's disappointment when a low-expected preview image is displayed in the second half is large, and there is a problem that the player loses interest in the game.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to enable a player to estimate the degree of expectation for a jackpot based on a series of notice images, and to realize a highly interesting notice effect. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can perform a winning effect.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A jackpot determining means for determining whether or not a big hit is triggered by a winning of a game ball at the starting port;
Special symbol variation means for causing the determination result of the jackpot determination means to variably stop as a special symbol;
Effect pattern selection means for selecting an effect pattern based on the variation time of the special symbol that is variably stopped by the special symbol change means, the determination result of the jackpot by the jackpot determination means, and the presence or absence of the reach effect;
A notice directing means for executing a notice suggesting the degree of expectation for the jackpot at each stage during the directing variation of the directing pattern,
In a gaming machine comprising
The notice effect means is
Storage means for storing a plurality of notice effects to be executed at each stage during the fluctuating effects;
An effect level selecting means for selecting an effect level based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selecting means from a plurality of effect levels having different reliability for the jackpot,
Based on the selection rate set for each stage with respect to the stage level selected by the stage level selecting means, one notice stage effect is selected for each stage from the plurality of notice stage effects stored in the storage means. The notice effect selection means for selecting sequentially,
A notice effect control means for sequentially executing the notice effect selected by the notice effect selection means for each stage;
And a special level that is selected only at the time of winning is set for the plurality of performance levels.

  According to the present invention, since the plurality of performance levels include special levels that can be selected only at the time of winning, a winning confirmation effect can be performed and a preview image that can be selected only at the time of winning is displayed. Can increase the interest of the player in the game.

  Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of performance levels having different reliability levels for jackpots are set, and an effect level is selected from these effect levels based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selection means. Based on the selection rate set for each stage during the production variation with respect to the selected production level, for example, in the case of the announcement production of the image display unit, one announcement image is selected from the plurality of announcement images. Since selection was made sequentially for each stage, for example, the selection rate of the preview image determined by lottery for each stage in each effect pattern of jackpot reach and los-reach is set separately by jackpot reach and los-reach respectively Occurrence of problems in other gaming machines is prevented.

  That is, in a conventional gaming machine, a notice image with a high expectation level may be displayed at an early stage even in the case of losing reach. In such a case, the player plays a game with great expectations for the jackpot. Although it progresses, it will eventually become a loss, so it is highly likely that the preview image determined by lottery in the second half of each stage of the production pattern will have a low expectation, and a low expectation in the second half of the stage. When the image is displayed, the player is greatly discouraged, and there is a problem that the player loses interest in the game. On the other hand, according to the gaming machine according to the present invention, the production level is set in relation to the jackpot and lose, and the lottery of the notice image at each stage is made regardless of the jackpot and lose, so the same If it is a production level, a preview image is selected with the same probability regardless of whether it is a big hit or a loss, and even if a low-expected announcement image is selected in the latter stage as in the previous problem, the possibility of a big hit is each production level. As a result, there is no loss of interest for the player's game. As the notice effect, there are various notice effects such as a sound notice by the sound control part, a lamp notice by the lamp control part, and a gimmick notice in addition to the notice image by the image display part.

  Further, the player can estimate the expectation degree for the jackpot based on a series of notice effects executed at each stage at each effect level, and can realize a highly interesting notice effect. For example, in selecting a preview image at each stage, if a preview image with a high expectation level for a jackpot is set to be selected for the first time at a predetermined production level or higher, the player wins a jackpot at the stage when the preview image is displayed. It can be assumed that the degree of expectation for is high. In this case, it is assumed that the higher the production level, the higher the probability of jackpot (ratio of jackpot to lose).

It is a front view of the gaming machine according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control part in the game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the characteristic of the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which the main control part performs in the gaming machine according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the start port SW process in the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol process in the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the hit | judging determination process in the game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the fluctuation pattern selection process in the game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows a jackpot determination table. It is a figure which shows a loss determination table. It is a figure which shows the variation pattern table for jackpots. It is a figure which shows the fluctuation pattern table for reach. It is a figure which shows the fluctuation pattern table for loss. It is a flowchart which shows the production timer interruption process which the production supervision part performs in the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process in the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an effect pattern selection table. It is a figure which shows an effect pattern selection table. It is a figure which shows an effect level selection table. It is a flowchart which shows the production level selection process in the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the notice effect in the gaming machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image selection table in stage 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image selection table in stage 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image selection table in the stage 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning sound selection table in stage 4. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image selection table in step 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image selection table in step 6. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image selection table in step 7. It is a figure which shows an example of the notice effect performed sequentially for every step in each effect pattern.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
First, a basic configuration of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine 100 according to the present invention. The illustrated gaming machine 100 is a pachinko gaming machine, and a gaming board 103 having a gaming area 102 in which a gaming ball (not shown) flows down is formed at the center. I have. A frame member 104 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the game area 102 of the game board 103, and an operation handle 105 is rotatably provided at the lower right portion of the frame member 104 when viewed from the front. Here, the operation handle 105 includes a firing instruction member 106 for driving a launching portion 292 (see FIG. 2) disposed at a lower position of the game board 103 to launch a game ball. When the player rotates the player 106 clockwise, a game ball is launched toward the game area 102 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle of the firing instruction member 106.

  The game ball fired as described above rises between the pair of rails 107a and 107b provided on the game board 103 and reaches the upper position of the game board 103, and then falls within the game area 102 by its own weight. . At this time, the game ball falls through an unpredictable route by a plurality of unillustrated nails and windmills provided in the game area 102.

  In addition, an image display unit 108 made up of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game board 103, and a first start in which a game ball can win a prize is provided below the image display unit 108. A mouth 109 is provided, and on the right side of the image display unit 108, a second starting port 110 is also provided through which a game ball can be won. When winning of a game ball to the first start port 109 and the second start port 110 is detected, a jackpot lottery (a lottery for acquiring a right to execute the jackpot game) described later is performed. Then, when winning of game balls to the first start port 109 and the second start port 110 is detected, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game balls are paid out to the player as prize balls.

  By the way, the said 2nd starting port 110 is provided with the electric tulip 111 which can be opened and closed, and this electric tulip 111 is a closed state (closed state) which makes it difficult to win a game ball to the 2nd starting port 110. Then, it is movably controlled to an open state (opened state) that makes it easy to win the game ball in the second starting port 110. Here, the electric tulip 111 is selectively opened based on the result of the normal symbol lottery performed when the game ball has passed through the gate 112 disposed above the second start port 110, which will be described later. In the short game state, the opening time becomes longer, and the game ball can be more easily guided to the second starting port 110.

  Thus, in the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, in the non-short-time gaming state described later, the player strikes the left side and launches a game ball aiming at the first starting port 109, while the short-time gaming state or the jackpot game. In the state, the player hits the right and hits the second starting port 110 to launch a game ball and play the game. Specifically, when the player strikes left, the launched game ball flows down the left side of the game area 102 along the path indicated by the arrow 130. On the other hand, when the player hits the right, the launched game ball flows down the right side of the game area 102 along the path indicated by the arrow 140. A game ball that has not won the second starting port 110 by right-handed hitting the first starting member is obstructed by a fixed accessory 113 and a plurality of unillustrated nails arranged obliquely below the second starting port 110. The mouth 109 hardly receives a prize.

  Further, a large winning opening 114 is provided below the second starting opening 110, and this large winning opening 114 is normally kept closed to make it impossible to win a game ball. On the other hand, when a special game, which will be described later, is started, the special winning opening 114 is opened, and the game ball can be awarded to the special winning opening 114. When the winning of the game ball to the big winning opening 114 is detected, a preset number (for example, 15) of the game balls are paid out to the player as a prize ball.

  In addition, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) normal winning holes 115 are arranged obliquely to the left of the image display unit 108. When a game ball wins a prize in these normal winning holes 115, the number is set in advance. A predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls are paid out to the player as prize balls. Then, below the first start port 109 of the game area 102, that is, at the bottom of the game area 102, any of the first start port 109, the second start port 110, the big winning port 114, and the normal winning port 115 are provided. A recovery port 116 is provided for discharging game balls that have not won.

  Furthermore, a special symbol display unit 117 for displaying special symbols and a normal symbol display unit 118 for displaying normal symbols are arranged in the lower right part of the game board 103. Here, the special symbol display unit 117 includes a special symbol 1 display unit 117a (see FIG. 2) on which a first special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special diagram 1”) is displayed, and a second special symbol (hereinafter, “special symbol 1”). 2) (refer to FIG. 2).

  The special figure 1 display unit 117a notifies the result of the jackpot lottery performed when the game ball is won at the first starting port 109, and is composed of 7-segment LEDs (light emitting diodes). . That is, the special figure 1 display unit 117a is provided with a plurality of special symbols corresponding to the result of the big hit lottery, and the special figure corresponding to the result of the big hit lottery is displayed on the special figure 1 display unit 117a. The result of the jackpot lottery is notified to the player. For example, “7” is displayed when the jackpot is won, and “−” is displayed when the player wins. “7” and “−” displayed in this way are special figure 1, but this special figure 1 is not displayed immediately but is displayed after being variably displayed for a predetermined time.

  More specifically, when a game ball wins the first starting port 109, a jackpot lottery is performed, but the result of the jackpot lottery is not immediately notified to the player, and a predetermined time has elapsed. The player is notified at the time. And when predetermined time passes, the special figure 1 corresponding to the result of jackpot lottery is stopped and displayed, and a lottery result is alert | reported to a player.

  Further, the special figure 2 display unit 117b is for notifying the result of the jackpot lottery performed when the game ball has won the second starting port 110, and the display mode thereof is the special figure 1 display. It is the same as the display mode of the special figure 1 in the part 117a. The special figure 2 display unit 117b is also composed of 7-segment LEDs.

  The normal symbol display unit 118 is for notifying the result of the normal symbol lottery performed when the game ball has passed through the gate 112. That is, when the winning is won by the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol display unit 118 is turned on, and thereafter, the electric tulip 111 of the second start port 110 is controlled to be in the open state for a predetermined time. The normal symbol display unit 118 also does not immediately notify the lottery result when the game ball passes the gate 112, and the normal symbol display unit 118 blinks until a predetermined time elapses. It is trying to display.

  On the left side of the special symbol display portion 117 and the normal symbol display portion 118 of the game board 103, a reserved ball display portion 119 for displaying the number of reserved balls for the special symbol or the normal symbol is arranged. The unit 119 is composed of a plurality of LEDs. Here, when the game ball is won at the first start port 109 or the second start port 110 or the game ball passes through the gate 112 during the special symbol or normal symbol change display or the special game described later. Since the jackpot lottery and the regular symbol lottery cannot be performed immediately, the right of the jackpot lottery or the regular symbol lottery is reserved as the number of reserved balls under certain conditions, and the number of reserved balls is displayed on the reserved ball display unit 119. Displayed by turning on / off. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of reserved balls is set to four.

  By the way, the game board 103 of the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with effect devices that perform various effects. Specifically, the effect device includes the image display unit 108, an effect light unit 120 arranged at the upper and lower parts of the frame member 104, an effect button 121 and a cross key arranged at the lower part of the game area 102, respectively. 122, a speaker 254 (see FIG. 2) incorporated in the frame member 104, a stage effect 265 (see FIG. 2) arranged at a predetermined position such as around the image display unit 108, and the like.

  Each effect light unit 120 includes a plurality of (in the illustrated example, five) lamps 120a arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and various effects can be achieved by changing the light emission direction and emission color of each lamp 120a. Production is performed. In addition, the effect actor 265 is driven by an actuator (not shown) such as a solenoid or a motor. Further, the image display unit 108 is in parallel with the demonstration state of waiting for customers, the variation display of the design symbol based on the winning of the game ball to the first start port 109 or the second start port 110 (symbol variation effect), jackpot game. The jackpot production that will be performed.

  The effect button 121 is for a player to perform a pressing operation. For example, the effect button 121 is effective only when a message for operating the effect button 121 is displayed on the image display unit 108.

In the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the arrangement positions of the first start port 109 and the second start port 110 are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. 1. For example, the first start port 109 is placed in the game area 102. The second start port 110 and the electric tulip 111 may be disposed in a region where a winning can be achieved by left-handing, or the first start port 109 and the second start port 110 may be disposed below the image display unit 108. You may make it arrange | position close to an area | region. Further, the arrangement position of the gate 112 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 1, and the gate 112 can be arranged at an arbitrary position in the game area 102.
[Configuration of control unit]
Next, the configuration of the control unit 200 that controls the progress of the game in the gaming machine 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 200 of the gaming machine 100. The control unit 200 of the gaming machine 100 controls the main control unit (main board) 201 that controls the progress of the gaming machine 100 and the contents of the effects. An effect control unit (sub-board) 202 and a prize ball control unit 203 that controls the payout of prize balls. Details of the main control unit 201, the effect control unit 202, and the prize ball control unit 203 will be described below.

<1. Main control section>
The main control unit 201 controls the basic operation of the game, and includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like. The main control unit 201 functions to control the progress of the game of the gaming machine 100 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 212 while the CPU 211 uses the RAM 213 as a work area. Specifically, the main control unit 201 controls the progress of the game by setting the game state in addition to the winning lottery and the normal symbol lottery.

  The CPU 211 executes basic processing as the game content progresses based on various programs stored in the ROM 212 in advance. Here, the ROM 212 stores a hold storage program, a winning determination program, a winning symbol determination program, a special symbol variation program, a special winning opening control program, a game state setting program, and the like.

  The hold storage program is a program for storing the game ball detected by the first start port SW221 as a special 1 hold ball and storing the game ball detected by the second start port SW222 as a special 2 hold ball.

  The hit determination program is a program for performing a hit determination for a special 1 holding ball and a special 2 holding ball. There are big hits and small hits.

  The winning symbol determination program is a program for determining a winning symbol corresponding to the winning content. Here, the winning symbols include a long winning symbol that the winning ball can be expected, and a short winning symbol that the winning ball cannot be acquired. Note that the winning symbol determination for the second reserved ball makes it easier to win the long winning symbol that is advantageous to the player than the winning symbol determination for the first reserved ball.

  The special symbol variation program is a program for stopping the variation as a special symbol based on the hit determination or the hit symbol determination result. Here, the result of the hit determination and the hit symbol determination for the special 1 holding ball is variably stopped as the special figure 1 of the special symbol display unit 117a of the special symbol display unit 117 shown in FIG. The result of the hit determination and the hit symbol determination is suspended as the special figure 2 of the special figure 2 display unit 117b. Note that the change of the special symbol for the second reserved ball is performed in preference to the change of the special symbol for the special 1 reserved ball.

  The big prize opening program is a program that intermittently opens the big prize opening 114 (see FIG. 1), for example, 15 rounds, with a predetermined opening time corresponding to short win or long win as one round.

  By the way, there are two types of jackpots, one for long and one for short, and one for small jackpots. Here, in the long win, the opening time of the big winning opening 114 for each round is lengthened (for example, 30 seconds), and the predetermined winning number (for example, 15 rounds) is opened to open the big winning opening 114. It is a jackpot that allows a person to win a large number of prize balls. On the other hand, in the short win, the opening time of the big winning opening 114 for each round is shortened (for example, 0.1 second), and the predetermined winning number (for example, 15 rounds) is opened to open the large winning opening 114. This is a big hit so that there are few prize balls to be won by the player. In addition, for small wins, the winning prize opening 114 (0.1 second opening × 15 times) is operated as one round in the same way as short wins so that the player can hardly expect the winning balls. It is a hit. In the present embodiment, the jackpot game and the jackpot game are collectively referred to as a special game.

  The gaming state setting program is a program for setting a gaming state to any one of a normal gaming state, a short-time gaming state, a probability variation gaming state, and a latent gaming state.

  The normal gaming state is a low-probability gaming state with a low jackpot winning probability and a gaming state in which no electric chew support is added. Here, the low probability gaming state is a gaming state in which it is difficult to win a jackpot, and the high probability state is a gaming state in which it is easy to win a jackpot about 10 times compared to the low probability gaming state. In addition, the electric chew support is set such that the winning probability of the normal symbol is set high, the variation time of the normal symbol is set short, and the opening time of the electric tulip 111 (see FIG. 1) at the time of winning is set long. It is a function. Note that the gaming state when the game is started, that is, the initial gaming state of the gaming machine 100 is set to the normal gaming state.

  The short-time gaming state is a low-probability gaming state and a gaming state to which an electric chew support is added, and the probability variation gaming state is a high-probability gaming state and a gaming state to which an electric chew support is added. The latent game state is a high probability game state and a game state to which no electric chew support is added.

  Further, the main control unit 201 includes various switches (SW) for detecting a game ball, a solenoid for opening and closing an electric accessory such as a special prize opening 114, a special figure 1 display part 117a and a special figure 2 display part 117b. The normal symbol display unit 118, the reserved ball display unit 119, and the like are connected.

  Specifically, as the various switches (SW), a first start port SW221 that detects a game ball won in the first start port 109 and a second start port that detects a game ball won in the second start port 110. SW 222, a gate SW 223 for detecting a game ball that has passed through the gate 112, a big winning opening SW 224 for detecting a gaming ball that has won a prize winning opening 114, and a normal winning opening for detecting a gaming ball that has won a normal winning opening 115 The SW 225 is connected to the main control unit 201. Then, detection signals from the first start port SW221, the second start port SW222, the gate SW223, the special winning port SW224, and the normal winning port SW225 are input to the main control unit 201. Here, proximity switches or the like are used for the various SWs 221 to 225. It should be noted that a plurality (four in this embodiment) of the normal winning opening SW225 may be provided for each arrangement position of the normal winning opening 115.

  In addition, as the solenoid, an electric tulip solenoid 231 that opens and closes the electric tulip 111 and a large winning opening solenoid 232 that opens and closes the large winning opening 114 are connected to the main control unit 201. The driving of the electric tulip solenoid 231 and the special prize opening solenoid 232 is controlled.

  Further, an effect control unit 202 and a prize ball control unit 203 are connected to the main control unit 201, and the main control unit 201 outputs various commands to the effect control unit 202 and the prize ball control unit 203, respectively. To do. For example, the main control unit 201 outputs various commands such as a change start command and a change stop command to the effect control unit 202, and outputs a prize ball command to the prize ball control unit 203. The prize ball command includes information indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out.

<2. Production control unit>
The effect control unit 202 includes an effect control unit 202a, an image / audio control unit 202b, and a lamp control unit 202c, and has a function of controlling the contents of the effect of the gaming machine 100. Here, the production control unit 202a has a function of supervising the entire production control unit 202 based on various commands received from the main control unit 201, and the image / sound control unit 202b is provided from the production control unit 202a. Has the function of controlling the image and sound based on the instruction content. The lamp control unit 202c has a function of controlling lighting of lamps provided on the game board 103, the frame member 104, and the like. The details of the production control unit 202a, the image / sound control unit 202b, and the lamp control unit 202c will be described below.

(2-1. Director of Production)
The production control unit 202a includes a CPU 241, a ROM 242, a RAM 243, a real time clock (hereinafter referred to as "RTC") 244, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like.

  The CPU 241 executes processing for determining the production content based on various programs stored in the ROM 242 in advance. Here, the ROM 242 stores various programs necessary for the CPU 241 to execute the processing, and the RAM 243 functions as a work area for the CPU 241. When the CPU 241 executes various programs, the data set in the RAM 243 is output to the image / audio control unit 202b and the lamp control unit 202c at a predetermined timing.

  The production control unit 202a controls the entire production control unit 202 by executing various programs such as a production pattern selection program and a display control program stored in the ROM 242 while the CPU 241 uses the RAM 243 as a work area. Fulfills the function of

  The effect pattern selection program is a program for selecting an effect turn corresponding to a variation time of a special symbol that is variably displayed as a result of the jackpot lottery, and the display control program is a variation effect according to the selected effect content. This is a program for sequentially displaying a preview image on the image display unit 108 as each stage progresses.

  The RTC 244 measures real time, and is configured to continue the clocking operation by a backup power source (not shown) even when the power of the gaming machine 100 is cut off. In the present embodiment, the RTC 244 is arranged in the production control unit 202a in the production control unit 202, but the RTC 244 may be arranged in the main control unit 201. Further, the RTC 244 may be arranged alone.

  In addition, the production control unit 202a is connected to the production button 121 and the cross key 122, and corresponds to data indicating that the production button 121 has been operated (pressed) by the player, or a key selected by the player. The data to be input is input to the production control unit 202a.

(2-2. Image / Audio Control Unit)
The image / sound control unit 202b includes a CPU 251, a ROM 252, a RAM 253, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like.

  The CPU 251 executes image and sound generation and output processing, and the ROM 252 stores a program for image and sound generation and output processing, a background image necessary for the processing, an effect design image, and a character. Various image data such as images and various audio data are stored. The RAM 253 functions as a work area for the CPU 251 and temporarily stores image data displayed on the image display unit 108 and audio data output from the speaker 254.

  Thus, the image / sound control unit 202b causes the CPU 251 to execute various programs such as the preview image display program stored in the ROM 252 while using the RAM 253 as a work area. Function to control image and sound according to Here, the notice image display program is a program that selects and outputs a notice image such as a character image to be displayed on the image display unit 108 based on the effect command from the effect control unit 202a.

  Further, the CPU 251 executes various image processes such as a background image display process, an effect symbol variation / stop display process, a preview image process, and an audio process based on the instruction content output from the effect supervising unit 202a. At this time, the CPU 251 reads out image data and audio data necessary for processing from the ROM 252 and writes them in the RAM 253.

  Various image data such as the background image, effect design image, and preview image written in the RAM 253 are output to the image display unit 108 connected to the image / sound control unit 202b, and are displayed on the display screen of the image display unit 108. It is displayed superimposed. In this case, the extended symbol image is displayed so as to appear in front of the background image, and the preview image is displayed so as to be visible in front of the effect symbol image. When the background image and the effect design image overlap at the same position on the display screen, the effect is obtained by referring to the Z value of the Z buffer of each image data by a known hidden surface removal method such as the Z buffer method. The design image is preferentially stored in the RAM 253.

  The audio data written in the RAM 253 is output to the speaker 254 connected to the image / audio control unit 202b, and audio based on the audio data is output from the speaker 254.

(2-3. Lamp control unit)
The lamp control unit 202c includes a CPU 261, a ROM 262, a RAM 263, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like. Here, the CPU 261 executes a process of turning on the lamp 120a (see FIG. 1) of the effect light unit 120, and the ROM 262 stores various programs necessary for executing the process of the CPU 261. Various programs necessary for processing, control data used for lamp lighting necessary for the processing, and the like are stored. The RAM 263 functions as a work area for the CPU 261.

  The lamp control unit 202c is connected to the lamp 120a of the effect light unit 120, the panel lamp 264, and the effect agent 265, and outputs data for lighting control and data for operation control. As a result, the lamp control unit 202c functions to control the lighting of the lamp 120a and the panel lamp 264 provided on the game board 103, the frame member 104, and the operation of the director 265.

  In the present embodiment, the production control unit 202 is configured by different printed boards using the production control unit 202a, the image / sound control unit 202b, and the lamp control unit 202c, but the production control unit 202a, The image / sound controller 202b and the lamp controller 202c may be incorporated on the same printed circuit board. However, even in this case, it is assumed that the production control unit 202a and the functions of the image / sound control unit 202b and the lamp control unit 202c are independent.

<3. Prize Ball Control Unit>
The winning ball control unit 203 includes a CPU 281, a ROM 282, a RAM 283, an input / output interface (I / O) (not shown), and the like. Here, the CPU 281 performs a function of executing a prize ball control process for controlling a prize ball to be paid out to the player, and the ROM 282 stores a program necessary for the process. The RAM 283 functions as a work area for the CPU 281.

  The prize ball control unit 203 is connected to a payout drive motor 291, a launch unit 292, a fixed position detection SW293, a payout ball detection SW294, a ball presence detection SW295, and a full tank detection SW296. The award ball control unit 203 pays out a predetermined number of award balls to the payout drive motor 291 at the time of winning by signals from the fixed position detection SW 293, the payout ball detection SW294, the ball presence detection SW295, and the full tank detection SW296. Take control. Specifically, the winning ball control unit 203 has won the winning balls at the winning ports (the first starting port 109, the second starting port 110, the big winning port 110, and the normal winning port 115) with respect to the payout drive motor 291. Control is performed to pay out to the player the number of prize balls corresponding to

  In addition, the prize ball control unit 203 detects the operation of launching the game ball with respect to the launch unit 292 and controls the launch of the game ball. Here, the launch unit 292 launches a game ball for gaming, and includes a sensor (not shown) that detects a game operation by the player, a solenoid (not shown) that launches the game ball, and the like. Then, when a game operation is detected by the sensor of the launching unit 292, the prize ball control unit 203 intermittently fires the game ball by driving a solenoid or the like in response to the detected game operation. It is sent out to the game area 102 of the game board 103.

  By the way, a board external information terminal board 297 is connected to the main control unit 201, and various information executed by the main control unit 201 can be output to the outside. The prize ball control unit 203 is also connected to a frame external information terminal board 298, and various information executed by the prize ball control unit 203 can be output to the outside.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 201, the effect control unit 202, and the prize ball control unit 203 are provided on different printed circuit boards (main control board, effect control board, prize ball control board). The prize ball control unit 203 may be provided on the same printed circuit board as the main control unit 201.
[Basic operation of gaming machines]
Next, an example of the basic operation of the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention will be described.

  In the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention, the control during the game is performed by the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201, and each winning opening (the first starting opening 109, the second starting opening 110, the big winning opening 114, and the ordinary winning opening 115). ) Is output to the award ball control unit 203. Then, the prize ball control unit 203 pays out the number of prize balls corresponding to the winning situation to the player.

  In addition, the main control unit 201 outputs a corresponding command to the effect control unit 202 every time a game ball wins the first start port 109 or the second start port 110. Then, based on the command from the main control unit 201, the effect control unit 202 causes the image display unit 108 to display the effect symbols in a variable manner and then stops the display. When the big hit is confirmed, the production control unit 202 arranges and stops predetermined production symbols based on the corresponding command, and the main control unit 201 performs control to open the big prize opening 114 as the big win gaming state. .

  The production control unit 202 performs various productions corresponding to the selected event. For example, during the reach production until the big hit or the big hit occurrence, or at the time of the reach notice, the production display unit 108 displays the production symbols. In addition to the display, various effects are displayed. In addition, a specific drive is performed with respect to the effect actor 265, and an effect of changing the lighting state of the lamp 120a and the panel lamp 264 of the effect light unit 120 is performed. Here, the reach effect is, for example, by arranging two identical effect symbols on the effective line of the image display unit 108 and then changing and displaying only the remaining one effect symbol, thereby setting the effect time longer than usual. This is an effect that increases the player's expectation for the jackpot, and is performed after performing a notice effect using a predetermined character image or the like.

  For example, when a big hit occurs, the big prize opening 114 is opened 15 times. Specifically, 15 rounds are repeatedly executed with one release as one round. Here, the period of one round is a period until a game ball is won, for example, 10 or a predetermined period. In this embodiment, the opening time of one round per long is 30 seconds, and the opening time of one round per short is 0.1 seconds. In this case, the winning ball control unit 203 pays out with, for example, 15 winning balls for each winning game ball with respect to the big winning opening 114.

  Thus, after the jackpot is over, the jackpot gaming state is canceled, and if the gaming state before the end is, for example, about 15 rounds of probable length, the gaming state shifts to the probable gaming state, If there is, the gaming state shifts to the short-time gaming state.

In the high-probability gaming state, jackpot determination using a random-number determination table for high probability is performed. In this case, the high probability random number determination table is set to have a jackpot occurrence probability about 10 times higher than the low probability random number determination table used in the low probability state.
[Functional configuration of control unit]
Next, a functional configuration of the control unit 200 in the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 200 of the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention includes the main control unit 201 and the production control unit 201a. ing. Here, the main control unit 201 includes a jackpot determination unit 301, a special symbol variation unit 302, and an effect pattern selection unit 303.

  The jackpot determining unit 301 determines by lottery whether or not the game ball wins the first starting port 109 or the second starting port 110, and the special symbol changing unit 302 determines whether or not the jackpot determination The result of the jackpot determination by the unit 301 is variably stopped as a special symbol. The special symbol variation unit 302 is controlled by the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201. That is, the function of the special symbol changing unit 302 is realized by the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201 executing various programs stored in the ROM 212.

  The effect pattern selection unit 303 selects an effect pattern based on the variation time of the special symbol that is suspended by the special symbol variation unit 302, the determination result of the jackpot determination unit 301, the presence / absence of a reach effect, and the like. It is.

  The production control unit 202a includes a fluctuation production unit 304 and a notice production unit 305. The fluctuation production unit 304 responds to the variation time of the special symbol that is suspended by the special symbol variation unit 302 of the main control unit 201. The function of changing the effect design and developing the effect content step by step until the special design stops. Here, specifically, the stage is the same as the pre-reach fluctuation stage for changing the three effect symbols of the first effect symbol, the second effect symbol, and the third effect symbol, and the first effect symbol and the second effect symbol. Alternatively, there are a normal reach stage in which only the third stage design is changed after stopping at a related stage design, an SP (special) reach stage in which the reach stage is further developed, and an SPSP (super special) reach stage.

  In addition, the stages include, for example, each pseudo-variation effect such as a pseudo first time, a pseudo second time, a pseudo third time, and a pseudo fourth time in a pseudo continuous variation effect. Here, the pseudo continuous variation effect means, for example, that when the second effect symbol is stopped, a slip effect different from the normal stop effect is performed, and the second effect symbol is stopped at a predetermined effect symbol (chance symbol). By repeating the false stop to be shown multiple times, the effect is shown in the change of the effect symbol multiple times for one change of the special symbol. Note that this pseudo continuous variation effect is set such that the greater the number of times of pseudo variation, that is, the higher the expectation for jackpot the more the effect that becomes the fourth pseudo time.

  The notice effect unit 305 displays a notice image suggesting the degree of expectation for jackpots, emits a voice (reach voice), and performs a lamp effect at each stage during the change effect of the special symbol by the change effect unit 304. It includes an effect level selection unit 311, a storage unit 312, a notice effect selection unit 313, and a notice effect control unit 314. Here, the notice image includes a character image, a step-up image that gradually enlarges the window image, a character image such as a dialogue, a cut-in image into which a specific image is inserted, a group notice image that displays a group of character images, and the like. is there. In addition, the notice effect includes a notice sound by the image / sound control unit 202b, a notice lamp by the lamp control unit 202c, and a gimmick operation.

  The performance level selection unit 311 selects the level of reliability for the jackpot based on the performance pattern (for example, complete loss, jackpot normal reach, lose normal reach, jackpot SP reach, lose SP reach, jackpot SPSP reach, lose SPSP reach). It fulfills its function.

  The storage unit 312 stores a notice effect displayed at each stage during the changing effect in each effect pattern. Details of the plurality of notice effects at each stage during the fluctuating effects will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The notice effect selecting unit 313 selects a notice effect at each stage from a plurality of notice effects by lottery. When the notice effect is selected by the notice effect selection unit 313, the notice effect control unit 314 uses the notice effect selected by the notice effect selection unit 313, for example, along with the progress of each stage in the variable effect, for example, A preview image is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108 for each stage. The selection process of the notice effect (notice image and notice sound) at each stage by the notice effect selecting unit 313 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 20-1 to 20-7 and FIG.

By the way, the fluctuation effect unit 304, the effect level selection unit 311 of the notice effect unit 305, the storage unit 312, the notice effect selection unit 313, and the notice effect control unit 314 are controlled by the CPU 241 of the effect control unit 202a. That is, the CPU 241 of the production supervision unit 202a executes various programs, whereby the variation production unit 304, the production level selection unit 311 of the announcement production unit 305, the storage unit 312, the announcement production selection unit 313, and the production of the announcement production control unit. Each of 314 is controlled.
[Features of the present invention]
Next, the features of the present invention will be outlined with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the features of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the effect control unit 202 determines whether or not it is the start of variation (step S401). As a result of this determination, if the change is not started (step S401: No), the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when it is a change start (step S401: Yes), an effect pattern is selected based on the jackpot determination result, the special symbol change time, the presence / absence of reach effect, and the like (step S402).

Thereafter, an effect level is selected according to the selected effect pattern (step S403), and at the selected effect level, a notice effect selection process for selecting the notice effect by lottery at each stage at a preset selection rate. Is executed (step S404). And the notice effect of each step selected by lottery is performed. For example, if the selected notice effect is a notice image, the notice image is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108 (step S405), and the process ends. The details of the above processing will be described later with reference to FIGS.
[Timer interrupt processing of main control unit]
Next, timer interrupt processing performed by the main control unit 201 in the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process performed by the main control unit 201. This timer interrupt process is performed by the main control unit 201 every predetermined period (for example, 4 ms) during the power supply period. This is a process that performs an interrupt operation.

  In the timer interrupt process, the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201 performs a random number update process (step S501). In this random number update process, each random number is updated by, for example, adding “+1” to the jackpot random number, jackpot symbol random number, reach random number, or the like.

  Thereafter, a switch process is performed when a game ball wins the first start port 109 or the second start port 110 (step S502). In this switching process, a random number is acquired every time a game ball is detected by the gate SW 223, or a random number is acquired every time a game ball is detected by the first start port SW221 or the second start port SW222. Start-up SW processing is included. The starter SW process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, symbol processing is performed (step S503). This symbol processing includes special symbol processing described later with reference to FIG. Then, an electric accessory process is performed (step S504). In the electric accessory process, an electric chew process for operating the electric tulip 111 and a special prize opening process for operating the special prize opening 114 are performed. Etc. are included. Thereafter, a prize ball process for performing a winning ball for the winning game ball is executed (step S505), and an output process for outputting a command set in each process is executed (step S506).

<Start-up SW processing>
Here, the start port SW process included in the switch process executed in step S502 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the start port SW process. In this start port SW process, the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the first start port SW 221 of the first start port 109 is ON. (Step S601). As a result of this determination, when the first start port SW221 is OFF (step S601: No), the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, when the first start port SW221 is ON (step S601: Yes), the count value U1 of the first start port detection counter that counts the number of times the first start port SW221 is detected is “4”. It is determined whether it is smaller (step S602).

  As a result of the determination in step S602, when the count value U1 is “4” (step S602: No), the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, when the count value U1 is smaller than “4” (step S602: Yes), “1” is added to the count value U1 (step S603). Then, the random number is acquired, and the acquired random number is stored in the RAM 213 (step S604). The random number includes a hit random number, a design random number, a reach random number, and the like.

  Here, the winning random number is a random number for determining any one of big hit, small hit, and loss. For example, one random number is randomly obtained from 300 random numbers from “0” to “299”. Is done. The symbol random number is a random number for determining the hit type, and one symbol random number is randomly acquired from 250 random numbers “0” to “249”, for example. The reach random number is a random number for deciding whether or not to perform reach production. For example, one reach random number is randomly obtained from 250 random numbers “0” to “249”.

  Each acquired random number is stored in the RAM 213. The RAM 213 has a storage area for four reserved balls by winning a game ball to the first start port 109, and this storage area is for winning a game ball to the first start port 109. Information, hit random numbers, design random numbers, reach random number information, and the like are stored.

  Thereafter, a pre-determination process is performed (step S605). In this pre-determination process, it is determined whether or not a winning random number obtained in step S604 is used. In the prior determination process, in addition to the hit determination, symbol determination using a symbol random number or reach determination using a reach random number is performed. Thereafter, a first retained ball number increase command is set to indicate that the number of retained balls has increased due to the winning of a game ball to the first starting port 109 (step S606).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the second start port SW222 of the second start port 110 is ON (step S607). As a result of this determination, when the second start port SW222 is OFF (step S607: No), the processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the second start port SW222 is ON (step S607: Yes), the count value U2 of the second start port detection counter that counts the number of times of detection of the second start port SW222 is “4”. It is determined whether it is smaller (step S608).

  As a result of the determination in step S608, when the count value U2 is “4” (step S608: No), the processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the count value U2 is smaller than “4” (step S608: Yes), “1” is added to the count value U2 (step S609). Then, the random number is acquired, and the acquired random number is stored in the RAM 213 (step S610). The RAM 213 has a storage area for four reserved balls by winning a game ball to the second start opening 110, and this storage area is for winning a game ball to the second start opening 110. Information, hit random numbers, design random numbers, reach random number information, and the like are stored.

  Thereafter, a pre-determination process is performed (step S611). In this pre-determination process, a hit determination using the win random number acquired in step S610, a pattern determination using the design random number, and a reach determination using the reach random number are performed. Done. Thereafter, a second reserved ball number increase command indicating that the number of held balls has been increased by winning a game ball at the second starting port 110 is set (step S612).

<Special symbol processing>
Next, the special symbol process included in the symbol process executed in step S503 in FIG. 5 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the special symbol process. In this special symbol process, the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the winning game flag is ON (step S701). Here, the winning game flag is a flag that is set in the in-stop process executed in step S714, and specifically, a jackpot flag that is set to ON when the stopped special symbol is a jackpot or This is a small hit flag that is set to ON when the stopped special symbol is a small hit.

  If the result of determination in step S701 is that the winning game flag is ON (step S701: Yes), the processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (step S701: No), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (step S702). If the special symbol is changing (step S702: In Yes), the process proceeds to step S711. On the other hand, when the special symbol is not fluctuating (step S702: No), the count value of the second start port detection counter indicating the second number of retained balls by winning the game ball to the second start port 110 It is determined whether U2 is “1” or more (step S703).

  As a result of the determination, if the count value U2 is “1” or more (step S703: Yes), “1” is subtracted from the count value U2 (step S704), and the process proceeds to step S707. On the other hand, when the count value U2 is not “1” or more, that is, when U2 = 0 (step S703: No), it is determined as a special 1 holding ball by winning a game ball to the first starting port 109. It is determined whether or not the count value U1 of the first start port detection counter is “1” or more (step S705).

  As a result of the above determination, if the count value U1 is not equal to or greater than “1”, that is, if U1 = 0 (step S705: No), the processing is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the count value U1 is “1” or more (step S705: Yes), the count value U1 is decremented by “1” (step S706), and the process proceeds to step S707.

  In step S707, a hit determination process is performed. This winning determination process is a process for determining whether or not the winning random number acquired when the game ball wins the first starting opening 109 or the second starting opening 110 matches a predetermined winning random number. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In addition, as shown in steps S702 to S706, the second reserved ball number due to the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 110 is set to be larger than the first reserved ball number due to the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 109. Priority is given to digestion.

  Next, a variation pattern selection process is performed (step S708). This variation pattern selection processing is processing for selecting a variation pattern of a special symbol in accordance with the determination result of the hit determination processing in step S707, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, a change start command is set in the RAM 213 (step S709), and the special symbol change is started (step S710). Then, it is determined whether or not the variation time of the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection process in step S708 has elapsed (step S711). If the result of this determination is that the fluctuation time has not elapsed (step S711: No), the processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time has elapsed (step S711: Yes), a fluctuation stop command is set (step S712), and the special symbol fluctuation is stopped (step S713). Then, the stop process is executed (step S714), and the process is terminated. In the stop process, when the special symbol that is stopped indicates a win, the win flag indicating that it is a win is set to ON, or the short time flag indicating the short-time gaming state is set to the number of remaining games. This is a process of setting to OFF in response.

<Winning judgment process>
Next, the hit determination processing executed in step S707 of FIG. 7 will be described below based on FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the hit determination process. In the hit determination process, a hit random number determination process is first executed (step S801). In the winning random number determination process, the winning random number determination table is used to determine whether the winning random number acquired when the game ball wins the first starting port 109 or the second starting port 110 matches the big hit random number, Or whether it matches a lost random number. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the hit random number determination process is a big hit (step S802).

  If the result of the determination is a big hit (step S802: Yes), symbol random number determination processing is executed (step S803). Here, the symbol random number determination process uses the symbol random number determination table to indicate which type of jackpot the random number acquired when the game ball wins the first starting port 109 or the second starting port 110. This is a process for determining. Then, after this symbol random number determination process, the jackpot symbol is set (step S804), and the process is terminated as it is.

  As a result of the determination in step S802, if it is determined that it is not a big hit (step S802: No), it is determined whether or not it is a small win (step S805). If the result of this determination is a small hit (step S805: Yes), a small hit symbol is set (step S806), and the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S805 is not a small hit (step S805: No), a lost symbol is set (step S807), and the process is ended as it is.

<Change pattern selection processing>
Next, the variation pattern selection process executed in step S708 of FIG. 7 will be described below based on FIG. For the sake of simplification of explanation, it is assumed that the jackpot is a jackpot and the jackpot is not mentioned.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the variation pattern selection process. In this variation pattern selection process, the CPU 211 of the main control unit 201 determines whether or not the result is a big win as a result of the hit determination process in step S707 of FIG. (Step S901). Here, in the jackpot lottery, for example, one hit random number is randomly acquired from 300 random numbers from “0” to “299”, so that the jackpot lottery result is a jackpot as shown in FIG. The probability is “1/300”, and the probability of losing is “299/300”.

  Thus, if the result of determination in step S901 is a big hit (step S901: Yes), a big hit variation pattern is set (step S902). The jackpot variation pattern table is a table used when selecting a variation pattern for jackpot, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Then, a variation pattern random number determination process is performed using the set table (step S903), the variation pattern determined as a result of the variation pattern random number determination process is set (step S904), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S901 is not a big win (step 901: No), a reach determination process for determining whether or not there is a reach is performed (step S905), and it is determined whether or not it is a reach (step S906). . In this determination, the probability of being determined as reach is set to, for example, “1/12” as shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, the probability of being determined as complete loss that is lost without reaching reach is “11”. / 12 ".

  If the result of determination in step S906 is reach (step S906: Yes), a reach variation pattern table is set (step S907), and the process proceeds to step S903. Details of the reach variation pattern table will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in step S906 is not reach (step S906: No), a variation pattern table for loss is set (step S908), and the process proceeds to step S903. Details of the variation pattern table for loss will be described later with reference to FIG.

(Example of variation pattern table for jackpots)
Here, an example of the jackpot variation pattern table will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of a jackpot variation pattern table. The jackpot variation pattern table illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a plurality of variation patterns (reach contents), variation times required for each variation pattern, Each command for the variation pattern is shown. The command is for specifying the variation pattern on the production control unit 202a side, and these are transmitted to the production control unit 202a.

  A specific example will be described. When the variation pattern “R1” having a variation time of 30 seconds is selected, the variation effect selected on the effect control unit 202a side is indicated by the reach contents in parentheses (normal reach). When the variation pattern “R2” with a variation time of 40 seconds is selected, the variation effect is shown in parentheses (SP reach 1), and the variation pattern “R3” with a variation time of 60 seconds is selected. In this case, the variation effect is shown in parentheses (SPSP reach 1).

  In the big hit variation pattern table shown in FIG. 12A, the longer the variation time, the higher the selection ratio. Therefore, in the big hit, the longer the variation time, the easier the selection. .

(Example of reach variation pattern table)
Next, an example of the reach variation pattern table will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12-2 is a diagram showing an example of the reach variation pattern table. The reach variation pattern table shown in FIG. 12 includes a plurality of variation patterns, a variation time required for each variation pattern, and a command for each variation pattern. Are shown respectively. The command is for specifying the production pattern on the production control unit 202a side, and these are transmitted to the production control unit 202a.

  In the reach variation pattern table shown in FIG. 12B, variation patterns similar to the variation patterns stored in the jackpot variation pattern table shown in FIG. 12A are stored. Here, in the variation patterns S1 to S6 shown in the reach variation pattern table, the longer the variation time at the time of the reach production, the lower the selected ratio is. Therefore, the longer the variation time, the less likely it is to be selected. Yes.

  Thus, by using the jackpot variation pattern table shown in FIG. 12-1 and the reach variation pattern table shown in FIG. 12-2, in reach production, the longer the variation pattern variation time, the higher the expectation for the jackpot. The higher the change time of the change pattern, the lower the expectation for jackpot.

(Example of variation pattern for loss)
Next, an example of the variation pattern table for loss will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12-3 is a diagram showing an example of the variation pattern table for loss. The variation pattern table for loss shown in FIG. 12 includes a plurality of variation patterns, the number of reserved balls, the time required for each variation pattern, and a command. Are shown respectively. Note that the number of reserved balls indicates the number of reserved balls stored at the start of fluctuation.

A specific example will be described. When the number of held balls is “1” or “2”, a fluctuation pattern of 12 seconds is selected, and when the number of held balls is “3”, a fluctuation pattern of 8 seconds is selected. . Further, when the number of reserved balls is “4”, a variation pattern of 3 seconds is selected. In this way, when the number of held balls is large, a quick game can be performed by setting the variation time short.
[Production timer interrupt processing of production control unit]
Next, an effect timer interruption process performed by the effect control unit 202a of the effect control unit 202 in the gaming machine 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an effect timer interrupt process performed by the effect control unit 202a. This effect timer interrupt process is performed by the effect control unit 202a every predetermined period (for example, 4 ms) while the effect control unit 202a is activated. This is a process for interrupting the main effect control process to be executed.

  In the effect timer interrupt process, the CPU 241 of the effect control unit 202a executes a command reception process that is performed when a command is received from the main control unit 201 (step S1301). The command reception process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Thereafter, a command transmission process for transmitting a command to the image / audio control unit 202b or the lamp control unit 202c is executed (step S1302), and the process ends.

<Command reception processing>
Here, the details of the command reception process performed by the effect supervising unit 202a in step 1301 of FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing command reception processing performed by the production control unit 202a. In this command reception processing, the CPU 241 of the production control unit 202a determines whether or not a command to increase the number of reserved balls has been received from the main control unit 201. Determination is made (step S1401). Here, the retained ball number increase command is a command set in the start port SW process of the main control unit 201 (see step S606 and step S612 in FIG. 6).

  If the result of determination in step S1401 is that a pending ball number increase command has not been received (step S1401: No), the processing moves to step S1404. On the other hand, when a reserve ball number increase command is received (step S1401: Yes), the reserve ball number addition process which adds a reserve ball number is performed (step S1402). Then, the reserved ball number command indicating that the number of reserved balls has increased is set in the image / sound controller 202b and the lamp controller 202c (step S1403). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not a variation start command indicating the variation start of the special symbol has been received (step S1404). The change start command is a command set in the special symbol processing by the main control unit 201 (see step S709 in FIG. 7).

  As a result of the determination in step S1404, when the change start command is not received (step S1404: No), the process proceeds to step S1409. On the other hand, when the change start command is received (step S1404: Yes), the received change start command is analyzed (step S1405). In the analysis of the change start command, analysis is performed on the game state of the main control unit 201, whether it is a win, whether it is a reach, whether to stop the chance eye, and the like.

  Then, the reserved ball number subtraction process for subtracting the reserved ball number is executed (step S1406). Thereafter, effect pattern selection processing for selecting effect symbols and effect patterns is executed (step S1407). In the effect pattern selection process, an effect pattern selection table is used. Details of the effect pattern selection table will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When an effect pattern is selected in the effect pattern selection process in step S1407, an effect level selection process for selecting an effect level by lottery according to the selected effect pattern is executed (step S1208). Here, the production level indicates the reliability for the jackpot by the level, and the selection process is performed using the production level selection table shown in FIG. 17, and details of the process will be described later with reference to FIG. To do.

  When an effect level is selected by the effect level selection process in step S1408, a notice effect selection process for selecting a notice effect for each stage is executed at a selection rate determined for the selected effect level (step S1408). S1409). The notice effect selection process will be described later with reference to FIGS. 19, 20-1 to 20-7, and 21.

  Thereafter, a change effect start command indicating start of change of the effect symbol is set (step S1410), and it is determined whether or not a change stop command for stopping the effect symbol has been received (step S1411). The change stop command is a command indicating change stop of the special symbol, and is a command set in the special symbol process of the main control unit 201 (see step S712 in FIG. 7).

  If the result of determination in step S1411 is that a change stop command has not been received (step S1411: No), processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the change stop command is received (step S1411: Yes), the process during the end of change effect is executed (step S1412), and the process ends. In addition, the process during the end of the variation effect is a process of terminating the effect mode according to the gaming state according to the number of times of change.

(Example of production pattern selection table)
Here, an example of the effect pattern selection table used for selection of the effect pattern in the effect pattern selection process executed in step S1407 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an effect pattern selection table. In the effect pattern selection table shown in the drawing, a command and an effect pattern are associated with each jackpot and loss. Here, the command is transmitted from the main control unit 201, and “r” and “t” indicate commands for the big hit, and “h” indicates a complete loss (a loss without reach). “S” and “u” indicate commands at the time of losing reach (see FIGS. 12-1 to 12-3).

  As a specific example, when an “r5” command is received from the main control unit 201, an effect pattern of “SP reach 1 + SPSP reach 2” that develops a jackpot is selected. In addition, when the “h1” command is received from the main control unit 201, the “12-second complete loss” effect pattern is selected, and when the “s5” command is received from the main control unit 201, “ The effect pattern of the loss reach of “SP reach 1 + SPSP reach 2” is selected.

  In the effect pattern selection table shown in FIG. 15, one effect pattern is associated with one command transmitted from the main control unit 201. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of effect patterns may be associated with each other, and one effect pattern may be selected from the plurality of effect patterns by lottery.

  By the way, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, in the following description, as shown in FIG. 16, the production patterns are “complete loss”, “big hit normal reach”, “miss normal normal reach”, “big hit SP reach”, “ The display is limited to seven patterns of “losing SP reach”, “big hit SPSP reach”, and “losing SPSP reach”, and the effect level selection process (step S1408 in FIG. 14) performed for each of these effect patterns is selected. The notice effect selection process (step S1409 in FIG. 14) executed at the effect level will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ratio at which the jackpot is selected in the jackpot determination is set to “1/300”, and the ratio at which the loss is selected is set to “299/300”. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case of losing, the ratio of losing reach that develops to reach production is set to “1/12”, and the probability of complete losing without developing to reach production is “11”. / 12 ".

  Here, the ratio (relative) to which the jackpots (“big hit normal reach”, “hits SP SP reach”, “hits SPSP reach”), lost reach (“lost normal reach”, “lost SP reach”, “lost SPSP lost”) are selected. Value) is shown in FIG.

A specific example will be described. The ratio (relative value) at which “big hit SP reach” is selected in the case of jackpot is “4/10”, and the ratio at which jackpot is selected in the jackpot lottery is shown in FIG. Since the ratio is “1/300”, the ratio (absolute value) at which “big hit SP reach” is selected is
(1/300) × (4/10) = 4/3000 = 1/750
It becomes.

Further, in the case of losing reach, the ratio (relative value) at which “losing SPSP reach” is selected is “1/50”, and the probability that losing is selected in the jackpot lottery is “299” as shown in FIG. ”/ 300”, and the ratio (relative value) that develops to reach production in the case of losing is “1/12” as shown in FIG. 11, so “losing SPSP reach” is selected. The percentage (absolute value) is
(299/300) × (1/12) × (1/50) ≈1 / 6000
It becomes.

(Direction level selection table)
Next, an effect level selection table used for effect level selection processing executed in step S1408 of FIG. 14 is shown in FIG.

  Here, the production level indicates the level of reliability to the jackpot. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, “level 0” to “level 4” and “special level 1” to Eight levels of “special level 3” are set. Here, “level 0” to “level 4” are levels that are selected regardless of jackpot and loss, and the reliability (expectation for jackpot) is in the order of “level 0” to “level 4”. It is set high. In addition, “special level 1” to “special level 3” are levels that are selected only in the case of a jackpot. Therefore, when these “special level 1” to “special level 3” are selected, The production design must stop at the jackpot design.

  Thus, the reliability of “level 0” to “level 4” and “special level 1” to “special level 3” shown in FIG. 17 is the production pattern (“complete lose”, “big hit normal reach”, “lost normal reach”). ”,“ Big hit SP reach ”,“ losing SP reach ”,“ big hit SPSP reach ”,“ losing SPSP reach ”). In addition, the numerical value in FIG. 17 has shown the selection rate (%) of each production level.

  As is apparent from FIG. 17, the ratio of the higher performance level is set to be higher as the performance pattern becomes “complete lose”, “normal reach”, “SP reach”, or {SPSP reach ”. . Further, in each effect level, the ratio of selecting a higher effect level is higher in the case of “big hit” than in the case of “losing”.

  In the present embodiment, when “level 3” is selected as the production level, “SP reach” has a probability of winning about 30% (that is, the ratio of jackpot to lose is about 30%). The selection ratio of jackpot and loss is set to 3: 7). Specifically, the selection rate of “big hit SP reach” at “level 3” is set to 20%, and the selection rate of “losing SP reach” is set to 8%.

Accordingly, the probability of winning a jackpot when “Level 3” is selected when the production pattern is “SP reach” is calculated with reference to the ratios shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
(1/300) × (4/10) × (20/100) = 1/3750
It becomes.

Further, when the production pattern is “SP reach” and “level 3” is selected, the probability of losing is calculated with reference to the ratios shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
(299/300) × (1/12) × (5/50) × (10/100) ≈1 / 1500
It becomes.

  Therefore, when “level 3” is selected in “SP reach”, the ratio of jackpot to lose is about 3: 7. Note that the probability of a big hit when “level 3” is selected in “SPSP reach” is set to 30% or more.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when “level 4” is selected as the production level, the “SP reach” has a probability of winning about 50% (that is, the ratio of jackpot to lose is about The selection ratio of jackpot and loss is set to be 1: 1. Specifically, the selection rate of “big hit SP reach” in “level 4” is set to 20%, and the selection rate of “losing SP reach” is set to 16%.

Therefore, when the production pattern is “SP reach” and “level 4” is selected as the production level, the probability of winning a jackpot is calculated with reference to the ratios shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
(1/300) × (4/10) × (20/100) = 1/3750
It becomes.

Further, when the production pattern is “SP reach” and “level 4” is selected as the production level, the probability of losing is calculated with reference to the ratios shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
(299/300) × (1/12) × (1/50) × (16/100) ≈1 / 3750
It becomes.

  Therefore, when the effect pattern is “SP reach” and “level 4” is selected as the effect level, the ratio of jackpot to lose is about 1: 1. Note that the probability of a big hit when “level 4” is selected in “SPSP reach” is set to 50% or more.

  Note that the ratios of jackpots and loses (approximately 3: 7, approximately 1: 1) in “level 3” and “level 4” described above are examples, and it is necessary to set these ratios. Rather, the ratio of jackpot to loss at each of the performance levels “level 0” to “level 4” can be arbitrarily set. For example, “level 0” is an effect level at which only a loss is selected (ie, the ratio of jackpot to lose is 0:10), and the ratio of jackpot to lose is approximately 1: 9 for “level 1” and “level 2”, respectively. You may set so that it may be set to about 2: 8.

(Direction level selection process)
Next, the effect level selection process performed by the effect control unit 202a in step S1408 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the effect level selection process. In this effect level selection process, it is first determined whether or not it is reach (step S1801). If the result of this determination is not reach (step S1801: No), it is complete loss, so complete loss normal variation effect level selection processing is executed (step S1802), and complete loss in the effect level selection table shown in FIG. The production level (“level 0” or “level 1”) is selected according to the selection rate shown in the item.

  If the determination result in step S1801 is reach (step S1801: Yes), it is determined whether or not the reach is normal reach (step S1803). If the result of this determination is that the reach is normal reach (step S1803: Yes), it is determined whether or not the normal reach is a big hit (step S1804).

  As a result of the above determination, if the normal reach is a big hit (step S1804: Yes), a normal reach jackpot effect level selection process is executed (step S1805), which is shown in the jackpot normal reach section of the effect level selection table shown in FIG. The production level (“level 0” to “level 2” or “special level 1”, “special level 2”) is selected according to the selection rate.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S1804 is that the normal reach is not a big hit (step S1804: No), it is “losing normal reach”, so a normal reach / losing effect level selection process is executed (step S1806). The production level (“level 0” to “level 2”) is selected according to the selection rate indicated in the section of the loss normal reach in the production level selection table shown.

  If the reach is not normal reach as a result of the determination in step S1803 (step S1803: No), it is determined whether the reach is SP reach (step S1807). As a result of this determination, if the reach is SP reach (step S1807: YES), it is determined whether or not it is a big hit (step S1808). If the result of this determination is a big hit (step S1808: Yes), since it is a “big hit SP reach”, SP reach big hit effect level selection processing is executed (step S1809), and the effect level selection shown in FIG. The production level (“level 0” to “level 4”, “special level 1”, “special level 2”) is selected according to the selection rate shown in the jackpot SP reach section of the table.

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1808 is not a big hit (step S1808: No), since it is “losing SP reach”, SP reach-losing effect level selection processing is executed (step S1810), as shown in FIG. The production level (“level 0” to “level 4”) is selected according to the selection rate indicated in the section of the loss SP reach in the production level selection table.

  If the result of determination in step S1807 is that the reach is not SP reach (step S1807: No), the reach is SPSP reach. Next, it is determined whether or not this SPSP reach is a big hit (step S1811). ). If the result of this determination is a jackpot (step S1811: Yes), it is a “hit SPSP reach”, so an SPSP reach jackpot effect level selection process is executed (step S1812), and the effect level selection shown in FIG. The production level (“level 0” to “level 4”, “special level 1”, “special level 2”) is selected according to the selection rate shown in the jackpot SPSP reach section of the table.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1811 is not a big hit (step S1811: No), it is “losing SPSP reach”, and therefore SPSP reach-losing effect level selection processing is executed (step S1813), as shown in FIG. The production level (“level 0” to “level 4”) is selected according to the selection rate indicated in the section of the loss SPSP reach in the production level selection table.
[Outline of notice effect]
Next, the outline of the notice effect will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the notice effect, and shows the notice effect (notice image and notice sound) at each stage. Specifically, in the notice effect according to the present embodiment, before the reach effect is performed, the character notice at the start of change is performed as stage 1, the step-up notice is provided as stage 2, and the line notice is provided as stage 3 in this order. When the reach production is started, a reach voice notice is performed as stage 4, a notice after reach is established as stage 5, a cut-in notice during SP as stage 6, and a cut-in notice during SPSP as stage 7.

  For example, in the character notice at the start of change performed in stage 1 before the reach production, the notice of “none (character is not displayed)”, “blue”, “green”, “red”, “zebra”, “rainbow” One of the images is selected by lottery, and the degree of expectation for the jackpot increases in the order of “none”, “blue”, “green”, “red”, “zebra”, “rainbow”. Similarly, in the stage 3 dialogue prior to reach production, the expectation for jackpots increases in order: "...", "Chance?", "Chance!", "Red Chance", "Zebra Chance", " One is selected by lottery from the preview image of “money chance”.

  Also, in the SP cut-in notice in stage 6 after the start of reach production, the expectation for jackpots increases in order, “white background small”, “blue background small”, “green background medium”, “red background large” , “Zebra background” and “Rainbow background” are selected by lottery from the preview images. Then, in the SPSP cut-in notice performed in stage 7 after the start of reach production, as in the case of the SP cut-in notice in stage 6, the expectations for jackpots are sequentially increased to “white background small”, “blue background small”, One of the preview images “green background”, “red background large”, “zebra background”, and “rainbow background” is selected by lottery.

  When the production pattern is “completely lost”, the announcement production is performed from stage 1 to stage 3 and the production pattern is “normal reach” regardless of whether the jackpot lottery result is a big hit or a lost. In some cases, the notice effect including the reach effect is performed from stage 1 to stage 5, and when the effect pattern is “SP reach”, the notice effect is performed from stage 1 to stage 6, and the effect pattern is “ In the case of “SPSP reach”, the notice effect is performed from stage 1 to stage 7 (see FIG. 21).

(Example of preview image selection table)
Next, an example of the notice image selection table and the notice sound selection table used for the notice effect selection process executed in step S1409 of FIG. 14 will be described below based on FIG. 20-1 to FIG. 20-7.

  FIG. 20-1 is a diagram showing an example of the preview image selection table at stage 1, FIG. 20-2 is a diagram showing an example of the preview image selection table at stage 2, and FIG. 20-3 is the preview image selection at stage 3. FIG. 20-4 is a diagram showing an example of the notice voice selection table at stage 4, FIG. 20-5 is a diagram showing an example of the notice image selection table at stage 5, and FIG. FIG. 20-7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the preview image selection table at stage 6, and FIG. 20-7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the preview image selection table at stage 7.

  20-1 to 20-7 show the ratio (%) of a plurality of notice effects (notice images or notice sounds) selected in stages 1 to 7 at each level (level 0 to level 4 and special levels 1 to special). This is shown for each level 3). In this case, the higher the level of expectation, the higher the proportion of the notice effects that are expected to be selected, among the plurality of notice effects in each of the stages 1 to 7. For example, in the character notice at the start of change at stage 1, in levels 0 to 2, a low ratio of “None”, “Blue”, and “Green” that is low in expectation is set to be high, and in Level 4, an expectation is set. The ratio of “red” having a relatively high degree is selected to be the highest (40%). In level 4, the ratio of “zebra” having a higher expectation than “red” is selected to be the highest (40%). The special level 1 to the special level 3 are production levels that are always big hits. In these cases, a high ratio of “red” and “zebra” with high expectation is set.

  Here, “special level 1” to “special level 3” that are selected only when the jackpot is won will be described.

  In the notice image selection table and the notice sound selection table shown in FIGS. 20-1 to 20-7, the selection table of “special level 1” and “special level 2” is displayed with ★ (premium) at each stage. Notice production, specifically “rainbow” in stage 1, “step 5” in stage 2, “money chance” in stage 3, “silence” in stage 4, “rainbow notice” in stage 5, stage 6 and The “rainbow background” in Step 7 is included, but these notice effects are only selected when the jackpot. Therefore, when the notice effect displayed with ★ is displayed in at least one of the stages 1 to 7, the player can recognize that the jackpot has been confirmed.

  In addition, the selection table of “special level 3” includes the notice effect (notice effect that is selected only at the time of a big hit) displayed in ★ in the selection table of “special level 1” and “special level 2”. However, at each stage, the selection rate is set so that a notice effect with a relatively high degree of expectation for the jackpot is selected. Specifically, “Green” or “Zebra” in Stage 1, “Step 3” or “Step 4” in Stage 2, “Chance!” Or “Zebra Chance” in Stage 3, and “Step 3” in Stage 4. “Great chance” or “Super hot”, “Heart group notice” or “Star group notice” in stage 5, “Green background” or “Zebra background” in stage 6 and stage 7 Is set. Therefore, the player can recognize that the jackpot has been confirmed when these notice effects are continuously displayed.

  By the way, when only “level 0” to “level 4” that can be selected in both cases of jackpot and loss are set in the stage level selection table, there is a problem that the jackpot finalizing stage cannot be performed. However, in the present embodiment, since “special level 1” to “special level 3” that can be selected only when the jackpot is set, the jackpot finalizing effect can be performed and the above problem can be solved. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown by ★ in the selection table of “special level 1” and “special level 2”, it is possible to display a notice effect that is selected only at the time of a big hit.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the selection of the notice effect at each stage, it is set so that the notice effect having a high expectation level for the jackpot is selected for the first time at a predetermined effect level or higher. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20-1, FIG. 20-3, FIG. 20-6, and FIG. “Zebra”, which is selected for the first time, is set to be selected for the first time from level 4. Specifically, “red” in stage 1, “red chance” in stage 3, and “large red background” in stage 6 and stage 7 are set to be selected for the first time from level 3. “Zebra” in stage 1, “zebra chance” in stage 3, and “zebra background” in stage 6 and stage 7 are set to be selected from level 4 for the first time.

  Therefore, when a red notice image is displayed in at least one of the first, third, sixth, and seventh stages, it is recognized that the performance level is “level 3” or higher, and the zebra notice is given. When the image is displayed, it is recognized that the production level is “level 4” or higher. As described above, when the performance level is “level 3” or higher, it is determined that the probability of jackpot is approximately 30% or higher, and when the performance level is “level 4” or higher, jackpot It is determined that the probability of the game is approximately 50% or more. This also increases the interest of the player in the game.

(Execution example of notice effect selection processing and notice image effect)
Next, an execution example of the notice effect selection process executed in step S1409 of FIG. 14 and the notice effect selected by the notice effect selection process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a notice effect that is sequentially executed for each stage in each effect pattern.

1) Complete loss:
The effect pattern selected in step S1407 in FIG. 14 is “complete loss”, and the effect level selected using the effect level selection table shown in FIG. 17 in the loss normal variation effect level selection process in step S1802 in FIG. For example, in the case of “level 0”, FIG. 20-1 to FIG. 20C are selected from a plurality of preview images at each stage of steps 1 to 3 at level 0 of the preview image selection table of FIGS. Each notice image is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108 as shown in FIG.

  When the effect pattern is “completely lost”, the notice image does not develop into a reach effect in the notice effect, so the notice image is sequentially displayed in three stages from Step 1 to Step 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 21A, “blue” is displayed in the stage 1, “none” in the stage 2, and “.

2) Normal reach:
The effect pattern selected in step S1407 in FIG. 14 is “big hit normal reach” or “losing normal reach”, and in the normal reach big hit effect level selection process in step S1805 in FIG. 18 or the normal reach lose effect level selection process in step S1806. When the effect level selected using the effect level selection table shown in FIG. 17 is “level 1”, for example, in the level 1 of the notice image selection table and the notice sound selection table of FIGS. 20-1 to 20-5. In each stage from Step 1 to Stage 5, each notice image is displayed as an image display unit as shown in FIG. 21B, for example, according to the selection rate shown in FIGS. 108 are displayed sequentially, and a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 254. It is.

  In the case where the performance pattern is “big hit normal reach” or “losing normal reach”, the advancement effect is not executed into the SP reach effect, so the advancement effect is sequentially executed in five stages from step 1 to step 5. For example, as shown in FIG. 21B, the notice images “None” in Step 1, “Step 1” in Step 2, and “Chance?” In Step 3 are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108. In step 5, the “REACH” notice sound is emitted from the speaker 254, and in step 5 the “NO” notice image is displayed on the image display unit 108.

3) SP reach:
The effect pattern selected in step S1407 in FIG. 14 is “big hit SP reach” or “losing SP reach”, and the SP reach jackpot effect level selection process in step S1809 in FIG. 18 or the SP reach loss effect level selection in step S1810. In the processing, when the effect levels selected using the effect level selection tables shown in FIGS. 20-1 to 20-6 are both “level 3”, for example, the preview image selection in FIGS. 20-1 to 20-6 is performed. In the level 3 of the table and the notice voice selection table, each notice image is selected from the plurality of notice images at each stage of Step 1 to Step 6 according to the selection rates shown in FIGS. 20-1 to 20-6, for example, FIG. As shown in the figure, the images are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108, and a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 254.

  When the production pattern is “big hit SP reach” or “losing SP reach”, the advance production is not executed into the SPSP reach production in the advance production, so the advance production is sequentially executed in 6 stages from stage 1 to stage 6. . For example, as shown in FIG. 21C, “red” in stage 1, “step 2” in stage 2, and “chance!” In stage 3 are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108. In FIG. 5, a “chance” notice sound is emitted from the speaker 254, and “Heart group notice” in step 5 and “red background large” notice image are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108.

4) SPSP reach:
The effect pattern selected in step S1407 in FIG. 14 is “big hit SPSP reach” or “losing SPSP reach”, and the SPSP reach jackpot effect level selection processing in step S1812 in FIG. 18 or the SPSP reach loss effect level selection in step S1813. In the processing, when the effect level selected using the effect level selection table shown in FIG. 17 is “level 4”, for example, the notice image selection table and the notice sound selection table of FIG. 20-1 to FIG. In level 4, each of the preview images is displayed in an image display unit as shown in FIG. 21D, for example, at a selection rate shown in FIGS. 108 are sequentially displayed, and a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 254.

  When the performance pattern is “big hit SPSP reach” or “losing SPSP reach”, the notice image and the notice sound are sequentially executed in seven stages from stage 1 to stage 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 21D, the preview images “Zebra” in Step 1, “Step 3” in Step 2, and “Chance!” In Step 3 are sequentially displayed on the image display unit 108. In FIG. 5, a notice sound of “red chance” is emitted from the speaker 254, and notice images of “star group notice” in step 5, “zebra background” in step 6, and “red background large” in step 7 are displayed on the image display unit 108. Displayed sequentially.

  In the present embodiment, when an effect level is selected in accordance with each effect pattern, one notice is made from a plurality of notice images or notice sounds in each stage of stages 1 to 7 at the selected level. The images or the warning sound are selected at once in the batch, but the effect level is selected for each stage, and the warning image and the warning sound are sequentially selected for each stage at the selected effect level. Good.

  In the present embodiment, for simplification of explanation, one notice image is displayed at each stage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of notice images are displayed at each stage. It is also possible to do.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of performance levels (“level 0” to “level 4” and “special 1” to “special 3”) having different reliability levels for jackpots are set. Then, the production patterns selected by the production pattern selection unit 303 from these production levels (“completely lost”, “big hit normal reach”, “lost normal reach”, “big hit SP reach”, “lost SP reach”, “ Based on the jackpot SPSP reach ”, {losing SPSP reach”), the production level is selected at the ratio shown in FIG. 17, and the selection rate set for each stage in the production variation with respect to the selected production level (FIG. 20-1 to 20-7), one notice image or notice sound is sequentially selected for each stage from a plurality of notice images and notice sound. Because of this, for example, conventional gaming machines in which the selection ratio of the notice image and the notice sound determined by lottery for each stage in each stage pattern of jackpot reach and losing reach is set separately by the jackpot reach and losing reach Occurrence of problems is prevented.

  That is, in a conventional gaming machine, a notice image with a high expectation level may be displayed at an early stage even in the case of losing reach. In such a case, the player plays a game with great expectations for the jackpot. Although it progresses, it will eventually become a loss, so there is a high possibility that the preview image determined by the lottery in the latter half of each stage of the production pattern will have a low expectation, and a low-expected preview image in the second half When displayed, the player is greatly discouraged, and there is a problem that the player loses interest in the game. However, according to the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the production level is related to the jackpot and the loss. Since the lottery for the preliminary announcement at each stage is made regardless of the jackpot and the loss, if the same production level, the preview image will be the same probability for the jackpot or the loss. Even if a low-expectation preview image is selected in the latter half as in the conventional problem, the probability of a big hit will be the same according to each performance level. There is no loss of interest.

  Further, the player can estimate the degree of expectation for the jackpot based on a series of notice images and notice sounds displayed at each stage at each effect level, and can realize a highly interesting notice effect. In this embodiment, in the selection of the notice effect at each stage, the notice effects (“red” and “zebra”) with high expectation for the big hit are specified effect levels (“level 3”, “level 4”). ) Since it is set to be selected for the first time in the above, it can be assumed that the player has a high expectation for the jackpot at the stage when the notice effect is executed.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as the production level, a special level ("special level 1" to "special level 3") that is selected only at the time of the big hit is set, so a level including the big hit and the loss ("level 0" Even when “level 4”) is set, a jackpot finalizing effect can be performed and a notice effect that can be selected only when the jackpot is won can be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the effect level selection means 311 is provided in the effect control unit (sub-board) 202 and the effect level is selected on the effect control unit 202 side. However, the effect level selection means 311 is main-controlled. The effect level is selected on the main control unit 201 side, and the selected effect level is output to the effect control unit 202 together with the command (included in the command information). May be.

100 gaming machine 108 image display unit 109 first start port (start port)
110 Second start port (start port)
200 Control Unit 201 Main Control Unit 211 CPU
212 ROM
213 RAM
202 Production control unit 202a Production control unit 202b Image / sound control unit 202c Lamp control unit 241 CPU
242 ROM
243 RAM
301 jackpot judging part (jackpot judging means)
302 Special symbol variation part (Special symbol variation means)
303 effect pattern selection unit (effect pattern selection means)
304 Fluctuation production part (fluctuation production means)
305 Notice effect section (notice effect means)
311 Production level selection section (production level selection means)
312 Storage unit (storage means)
313 notice effect selection part (notice effect selection means)
314 Notice effect control unit (notice effect control means)

Claims (1)

A jackpot determining means for determining whether or not a big hit is triggered by a winning of a game ball at the starting port;
Special symbol variation means for causing the determination result of the jackpot determination means to variably stop as a special symbol;
Effect pattern selection means for selecting an effect pattern based on the variation time of the special symbol that is variably stopped by the special symbol change means, the determination result of the jackpot by the jackpot determination means, and the presence or absence of the reach effect;
A notice directing means for executing a notice suggesting the degree of expectation for the jackpot at each stage during the directing variation of the directing pattern,
In a gaming machine comprising
The notice effect means is
Storage means for storing a plurality of notice effects to be executed at each stage during the fluctuating effects;
An effect level selecting means for selecting an effect level based on the effect pattern selected by the effect pattern selecting means from a plurality of effect levels having different reliability for the jackpot,
Based on the selection rate set for each stage with respect to the stage level selected by the stage level selecting means, one notice stage effect is selected for each stage from the plurality of notice stage effects stored in the storage means. The notice effect selection means for selecting sequentially,
A notice effect control means for sequentially executing the notice effect selected by the notice effect selection means for each stage;
A special level that can be selected only when winning is set in the plurality of performance levels.

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