JP2016163824A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of performing a presentation more effectively.SOLUTION: A pachinko game machine 1 is provided with a presentation button 26 to be operated by a player. In the pachinko game machine 1, when a first presentation is being performed in a state where visibility of the prescribed first presentation is relatively low, if the presentation button 26 is operated by the player, visibility state is changed to a second visibility state where the visibility of the first presentation is higher than that in a first visibility state, and thereby the visibility of the first presentation is improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine including an effect executing means for performing an effect.

  In the pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball wins a predetermined starting port, it is determined whether or not a jackpot game advantageous to the player is executed, and the special symbol display is started on the special symbol display. Then, when a predetermined variation time has elapsed from the start of the variation display of the special symbol, the special symbol indicating the result of the determination is stopped and displayed, and when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed as the special symbol, the jackpot game is performed. In this type of pachinko gaming machine, when a special symbol is variably displayed, a plurality of types of display effects are performed using an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, in addition to the effect of variably displaying the decorative symbol for notifying the result of the determination during the variation display of the special symbol, the effect of displaying characters and items, the right of the determination An effect or the like for displaying a hold display image indicating that is held.

JP2011-177387A

  By the way, in the conventional gaming machine, the visibility of the effect that the player wants to see may be relatively low, and for this reason, the player cannot fully enjoy the effect and is not always effective. It could not be said that there was a performance.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of producing an effect more effectively.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. Note that the reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention at all. .

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine (1) that determines whether or not to execute a special game and executes the special game according to the result of the determination, and is an input means that can be input by a player (26), first effect execution means (141, 5) for executing a predetermined first effect (for example, notice effect), and visibility control means (141) for controlling the visibility of the first effect. The visibility control means receives the input from the input means when the first presentation is being executed in a first viewing state in which the visibility of the first presentation is relatively low (for example, FIG. 6A). On condition that there is an input, the visibility state is changed to a second visibility state (for example, FIG. 6B) in which the visibility of the first effect is higher than that in the first visibility state.

  Second effect execution means (141, 5) for executing a second effect (for example, another notice effect) different from the first effect is provided, and the visibility control means is configured to display the first effect and the second effect. The visibility control means controls the visibility of both or any one of the first visibility states (for example, FIG. 6A) in which the visibility of the first performance is lower than that of the second performance. When the first effect and the second effect are executed, the first effect is higher in visibility than the second effect on the condition that there is an input from the input means. You may change a visual recognition state to 2 visual recognition states (for example, Drawing 6 (B)).

  Even if it is provided with suggestion effect execution means (141, 61, 62) capable of executing an suggestion effect suggesting that the change of the visual recognition state to the second visual recognition state is possible in the first visual recognition state. Good.

  Priority determination means for determining whether or not the first effect has a higher priority than the second effect when the first effect and the second effect are being executed in the first viewing state. (141), the visibility control means, when the priority determination means determines that the priority of the first effect is not higher than that of the second effect, from the input means Even if there is an input, the second viewing state may not be changed.

  The first effect executing means and the second effect executing means may be the same effect executing means.

  The first effect executing means is an image display means (5) for displaying effect images, and the second effect executing means is an effect agent (61, 62) operable on the front surface of the image display means. May be.

  According to this invention, it is possible to produce more effectively.

Schematic front view of pachinko machine 1 A plan view showing a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the priority of each effect performed with the main liquid crystal 5 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the specific example of a 1st visual recognition state Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the suggestion effect performed at the time of a 1st visual recognition state, and the specific example of a 2nd visual recognition state Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the execution timing of each production Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between a 1st visual recognition state and a 2nd visual recognition state. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the control apparatus with which the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided. Detailed block diagram showing a configuration example of the image sound control board 140 The flowchart which shows an example of the timer interruption process performed in the game control board 100 Detailed flow chart of switch processing in step S2 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the first start port switch process in step S21 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the second start port switch process in step S22 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of jackpot determination processing in step S309 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of variation pattern selection processing in step S310 of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the timer interruption process performed in the production control board 130 Detailed flowchart of command reception processing in step S10 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the hold command reception process in step S103 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the fluctuating effect start process in step S105 of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the image sound control process performed in the image sound control board 140 The flowchart which shows an example of the image sound control process performed in the image sound control board 140 Explanatory diagram for explaining the effect of overlap period on visibility The flowchart which shows an example of the lamp control process performed in the lamp control board 150 Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of a 2nd visual recognition state Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of a 2nd visual recognition state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of a 2nd visual recognition state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of a 1st visual recognition state and a 2nd visual recognition state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of a 1st visual recognition state and a 2nd visual recognition state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of a 1st visual recognition state and a 2nd visual recognition state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of a 1st visual recognition state and a 2nd visual recognition state. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of visibility control

  Hereinafter, a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Example of schematic configuration of pachinko gaming machine 1]
First, a schematic configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the pachinko gaming machine 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a game board 2 provided with an accessory related to winning or determination and a frame member 3 surrounding the game board 2. The frame member 3 supports a transparent glass plate arranged in parallel with the game board 2 at a predetermined interval. The glass board and the game board 2 form a game area 10 in which a game ball can flow down. Has been.

  When the player grasps the handle 20 and rotates the lever 21 in the clockwise direction, the game balls stored in the upper plate 28 are guided to the launching device (not shown), and with a hitting force according to the rotation angle of the handle 20 Fired into the game area 10. This game area 10 is provided with game nails, windmills, etc. (not shown), and the launched game balls are guided to the upper position in the game area 10 and contacted with the game nails, windmills, etc. It falls along the game board 2 while changing the moving direction. Note that the game ball is temporarily stopped when the player operates the stop button 22.

  The upper plate 28 stores game balls and prize balls supplied to the launching device. Below the upper plate 28, a lower plate 29 for collecting prize balls is provided. When the player operates the take-out button 23 arranged close to the lower plate 29, a part of the lower surface of the lower plate 29 is opened, and the game balls accumulated in the lower plate 29 are arranged below the lower plate 29. Drop into a box not shown. In other embodiments, the upper plate 28 and the lower plate 29 may be configured as one plate, for example.

  When the player performs a so-called “left strike” in which the handle 20 is rotated at a small rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively weak hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left area in the game area 10 as exemplified by the arrow 31. On the other hand, when the player performs a so-called “right strike” in which the handle 20 is rotated at a large rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively strong hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right region in the game region 10 as illustrated by the arrow 32.

  A first starting port 11, a second starting port 12, two normal winning ports 14, a first gate 15, and an electric tulip 17 are provided in the passing path of the left-handed game ball as a prize and a winning combination. It has been. In addition, in the passage path of the right-handed game ball, the second starting port 12, the first big winning port 13, the two normal winning ports 14, the second gate 16, and the electric motor are used as the winning and judging functions. A tulip 17 and a second grand prize opening 19 are provided.

  The game balls launched into the game area 10 flow down along the game board 2 in the process of flowing down along the game board 2, the first start port 11, the second start port 12, the first large winning port 13, the normal winning port 14, and the second large winning port. There is a case where a player enters a winning entrance 19 to win a prize. As a result, a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the winning location are paid out to the upper plate 28 or the lower plate 29. The game balls that have not won a prize are discharged from the game area 10 through the discharge port 18.

  The first start port 11 as the first start region is a start port that is always open, and the second start port 12 as the second start region is operating the electric tulip 17 as a normal electric accessory. It is a starting port that is opened only when it is open. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, when a game ball wins through the first start port 11, or when a game ball wins through the second start port 12, a jackpot game (special game) advantageous to the player Is determined, and the determination result is displayed on the display 4 described later.

  In the following description, the determination executed on condition that a game ball wins the first start port 11 is referred to as “first special symbol determination”, and the game ball wins on the second start port 12 is a condition. The determination to be executed is referred to as “second special symbol determination”, and these determinations are collectively referred to as “special symbol determination”.

  The first big winning opening 13 is a special winning area that is opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. A plate for opening and closing the first big prize opening 13 is provided at the opening of the first big prize opening 13. The first big winning opening 13 is normally closed by this plate. On the other hand, when the predetermined jackpot symbol indicating that the determination result of the special symbol determination is “big jackpot” is stopped and displayed on the display 4, the plate is operated to open the first big winning opening 13. A jackpot game is executed. During the jackpot game, a predetermined condition is satisfied (in this embodiment, nine game balls are won in the first big prize opening 13 or 29.5 seconds have passed since the first big prize opening 13 was opened). Until the first grand prize winning opening 13 is maintained in the open state, the long open round game that is closed is executed a predetermined number of times.

  The second big prize opening 19 is a special prize area that is opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a blade member that opens and closes the second big prize opening 19 is provided at the opening of the second big prize opening 19. The second big prize opening 19 is normally closed by this blade member. On the other hand, when a predetermined jackpot symbol indicating that the determination result of the special symbol determination is “big jackpot” is stopped and displayed on the display 4, the blade member is operated to open the second big prize opening 19. A jackpot game is executed. During the jackpot game, a predetermined condition is satisfied (in this embodiment, nine game balls are won in the second big prize opening 19 or 29.5 seconds have passed since the second big prize opening 19 was opened). The long open round game that is closed after the second grand prize winning opening 19 is maintained in the open state is executed a predetermined number of times.

  In this way, during the jackpot game, the first big prize opening 13 or the second big prize opening 19 is opened long, so that the player hits the right during the jackpot game, and the jackpot game is being played. You can get more prize balls than when you don't.

  The electric tulip 17 is disposed close to the second starting port 12 and has a pair of blade members. The electric tulip 17 is configured to change its posture between a closed posture (see FIG. 1) in which the pair of blade members closes the second starting port 12 and an open posture (not shown) in which the second starting port 12 is opened. ing.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second start port 12 is normally closed by an electric tulip 17. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the first gate 15 or the second gate 16, it is determined whether or not the second start port 12 is to be opened although the prize ball is not paid out. Here, when it is determined that the second start port 12 is to be opened, the operation of returning to the closed posture after the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 has maintained the open posture for the specified time is performed a predetermined number of times. As described above, the second start port 12 is in a state in which it is difficult for the game ball to pass when the electric tulip 17 is not operated, whereas the game ball is easily passed by the operation of the electric tulip 17. Become. In the following description, the determination executed on condition that the game ball passes through the first gate 15 or the second gate 16 is referred to as “ordinary symbol determination”.

  The normal winning opening 14 is always open like the first start opening 11 and is a winning opening through which a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by winning a game ball. Unlike the first starting port 11 and the like, even if a game ball wins the normal winning port 14, no determination is made.

[Configuration example of presentation means of pachinko gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2, the game board 2 or the frame member 3 is provided with various effects such as a main liquid crystal display device 5, a left sub liquid crystal display device 61, a right sub liquid crystal display device 62, A speaker 24 and a panel lamp 25 are provided. Further, the frame member 3 incorporates a frame lamp 37 (see FIG. 9) not shown in FIG.

  The main liquid crystal display device 5 (hereinafter abbreviated as “main liquid crystal 5”) is an image display device that displays an effect image, and is provided at a position that is easily visible by a player. The main liquid crystal 5 has various display objects such as a decorative symbol for notifying the determination result of the special symbol determination, a character or item for performing a notice effect, a hold display image displayed as many as the number of special symbol determinations being held, and the like. An effect image including is displayed. Note that the image display device may be configured by another image display device such as an EL display device.

  The sub liquid crystal display devices 61 and 62 (hereinafter abbreviated as “sub liquid crystals 61 and 62”) are image display devices that display effect images, and are arranged on the front side of the main liquid crystal 5. The sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 have a display screen smaller than that of the main liquid crystal 5 and are used to display effects related to the display effects performed on the main liquid crystal 5 and information not displayed on the main liquid crystal 5. Is done.

  The sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are configured to be movable in the width direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1 (left and right direction in FIG. 1) on the front side of the main liquid crystal 5. In the present embodiment, the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 include an initial position where the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are respectively disposed on the sides of the main liquid crystal 5 (see, for example, FIG. 1), and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is configured to be movable between the combined positions (see, for example, FIG. 29A) arranged so as to contact at the center of the main liquid crystal 5 in the width direction. As described above, the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are configured to be movable with respect to the game board 2.

  The panel lamp 25 and the frame lamp 37 perform various effects by light, such as changing a lighting or blinking pattern and changing a light emission color. The speaker 24 produces a sound effect by outputting music, sound, sound effects, etc. in synchronism with the display effect performed in the main liquid crystal 5 or the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 or asynchronously.

[Configuration example of operation means of the pachinko gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame member 3 is provided with an effect button 26 and a cross key 27 as operation means operated by the player. The effect button 26 is a push button for inputting operation information when pressed by the player, and is used for a determination operation or the like. The cross key 27 is a so-called cross key for the player to perform a selection operation. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, there is a case where an effect corresponding to the operation of the effect button 26 or the cross key 27 is performed.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, an effective period in which the operation of the effect button 26 is effective is set, and a suggestion effect (see, for example, FIG. 6A) that prompts the player to operate the effect button 26 may be performed. On the other hand, when the player operates (presses) the effect button 26 during the effective period, an effect change corresponding to the operation occurs. As will be described in detail later, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the player operates the effect button 26 in accordance with the suggested effect, the effect (for example, FIG. 6A) performed on the main liquid crystal 5 is performed. From the first viewing state (for example, see FIG. 6A) in which the visibility of the illustrated image 51) is relatively low (for example, see FIG. 6A), the second viewing state in which the visibility of the effect is relatively high (for example, FIG. 6B). The viewing state changes to (see).

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, the effect button 26 includes a button lamp 261 (see FIG. 9). The button lamp 261 emits light during the effective period of the effect button 26, thereby implying the player that the operation of the effect button 26 is effective.

[Configuration Example of Display 4]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the display 4 in FIG. The display 4 mainly displays information related to special symbol determination and normal symbol determination. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first special symbol display 41, the second special symbol display 42, the first A special symbol hold indicator 43, a second special symbol hold indicator 44, a normal symbol indicator 45, a normal symbol hold indicator 46, a game state indicator 47, a round indicator 48 and the like are configured.

  When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol display 41 displays the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol, thereby displaying the first special symbol determination. The determination result is notified. When the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol display 42 displays the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the second special symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol, thereby displaying the second special symbol determination. The determination result is notified. In the first special symbol display 41 and the second special symbol display 42, as a determination symbol, a jackpot symbol indicating that the determination result of the special symbol determination is “big hit”, or the determination result of the special symbol determination is “losing” ”Is stopped and displayed.

  The first special symbol hold indicator 43 displays the number of holds for the first special symbol determination. The second special symbol hold indicator 44 displays the number of holds for the second special symbol determination.

  When the normal symbol determination is performed, the normal symbol display 45 notifies the determination result of the normal symbol determination by suspending and displaying the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the normal symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol. The normal symbol hold display 46 displays the number of holds for normal symbol determination. The game state display 47 displays the game state at the time when the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on. When the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol indicator 41 or the second special symbol indicator 42, the round indicator 48 is opened or closed during the jackpot game. 19 open patterns are displayed.

  In the following description, the symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 is called “special symbol”, and the symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 45 is “normal symbol”. Shall be called.

[Variation production]
In the pachinko gaming machine 1, when a game ball wins the first start port 11 (or the second start port 12), a special symbol determination is performed to determine whether or not to execute a jackpot game. Then, in the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), the special symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed after the special symbol is variably displayed. On the other hand, in the main liquid crystal 5, a variation effect is performed in which the decorative symbol is variably displayed as the special symbol is variably displayed (see FIG. 1), and the special symbol is stopped and displayed. The decorative symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination.

  During such a variation effect, a so-called reach effect may be performed. Specifically, on the main liquid crystal 5, for example, three rows of decorative symbols made up of a series of numbers in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction are displayed, and when the variation display of special symbols is started. These decorative symbols are variably displayed so as to scroll from top to bottom, for example. On the other hand, when the reach effect is performed, before all the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed, first, for example, the left and right column decorative symbols (the left symbol and the right symbol) are completely displayed. Make a pseudo stop so as not to stop. At that time, if the same decorative symbol on the active line as the left symbol and the right symbol is pseudo-stopped, reach will be established, and a reach effect will be given to give the player a sense of expectation that three identical decorative symbols will be gathered. Is called. When the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol indicator 41 (or the second special symbol indicator 42), the same decorative symbol is stopped on the active line and the jackpot is notified. . In addition, when different decorative designs as the left symbol and the right symbol are pseudo-stopped during the variation effect, the reach effect is not performed and the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42) loses. As the symbols are stopped and displayed, the three decorative symbols are stopped in a display manner in which the symbols are lost, and the variation effect ends.

[About various notice effects]
In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the main liquid crystal 5 is used for the purpose of informing the player of the reliability of the jackpot or giving the player a sense of expectation for the jackpot when the main liquid crystal 5 is performing the changing performance. And / or sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are used to perform various notice effects.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the priority of each notice effect produced in the main liquid crystal 5. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, during the variation effect of variably displaying the decorative symbols, the serif notice effect, the step-up notice effect, the character full screen display notice effect, the background change notice effect , Group notice effect, gigantic pattern notice effect, etc. are performed.

  The serif notice effect is a notice effect that displays on the main liquid crystal 5 an effect image representing a state in which a predetermined character emits a message. The reliability of the jackpot is suggested by the color of the frame. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, it is determined whether or not to perform the serif notice effect based on the determination result of the special symbol determination and the result of the effect lottery, and when it is determined to perform the serif notice effect, The production mode of the production (such as the type of character and the content of the dialogue described above), the execution timing of the dialogue notice production, and the like are also determined.

  The step-up notice effect is a notice effect that can be developed stepwise up to a predetermined number of steps with a predetermined number of steps (for example, “4”) as an upper limit. Suggests confidence in the jackpot. In the pachinko machine 1, whether or not to perform the step-up notice effect is determined based on the determination result of the special symbol determination or the result of the effect lottery. Based on the determination result of the symbol determination, the final step number, the execution timing of the step-up notice effect, etc. are set. This final number of steps is set based on the determination result of the special symbol determination, but if the determination result of the special symbol determination is “big hit”, it is likely to be set to a relatively large value. When the determination result of the determination is “losing”, it is easy to set a relatively small value.

  The character full-screen display notice effect (see, for example, FIG. 5B) is a notice effect in which an effect image including, for example, one or more kinds of characters is displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 in full screen, and the type of character to be displayed The reliability for the jackpot is suggested by the execution time of the character full screen display notice effect. The character full screen display notice effect includes a short version in which the effect image is displayed for a relatively short time and a long version in which the effect image is displayed for a relatively long time.

  The short version character full-screen display announcement effect is likely to be performed when the probability of a big hit is relatively low, and is difficult to be executed when there is a possibility of a big hit or the possibility is relatively high It has the characteristics. The long version character full-screen display notice effect is likely to be performed when there is a possibility of being a big hit or when the possibility is relatively high, and is difficult to be executed when the possibility of a big hit is relatively low It has the characteristics.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, it is determined whether or not to perform the character full-screen display notice effect based on the determination result of the special symbol determination and the result of the effect lottery. In addition, if it is determined that the character full screen display preview effect is to be performed, the character type used for the character full screen display preview effect, whether the short version or the long version will be executed, the character full screen display The execution timing of the notice effect is also determined.

  The background change notice effect is a notice effect that displays an effect image representing a state in which the background image displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 changes, and the reliability of the jackpot is suggested depending on the type of the background image after the change. . For example, the background change from the daytime background to the night background suggests that the reliability for the jackpot is relatively high. This background change notice effect is characterized in that it is easy to be performed when the reliability for the jackpot is relatively high and is difficult to perform when the reliability for the jackpot is relatively low.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, various random numbers are acquired when a game ball is won at the first starting port 11 (or the second starting port 12), and based on these random numbers, the display is performed at the start of the variable display of symbols. A pre-determination process is performed in which the same process as the jackpot determination process (see S309 in FIG. 15) and the variation pattern selection process (see S310 in FIG. 15) is performed at the time of winning the start opening. And the background change notice effect mentioned above may be performed when the prior determination result which shows that the possibility of jackpot is relatively high is obtained by performing this prior determination process.

  The group notice effect is a notice effect that displays on the main liquid crystal 5 an effect image representing a state in which a large number of characters are moving across the screen during the decorative pattern change display, and the characters included in the effect image are displayed. Depending on the type, the timing at which the group announcement effect is performed, etc., it is suggested that the reliability for the jackpot is relatively high. Similar to the background change notice effect, this group notice effect is characterized in that it is easy to be performed when the reliability for the jackpot is relatively high, and is difficult to perform when the reliability for the jackpot is relatively low. ing. Whether or not this group notice effect is executed, the type of character used for the group notice effect, the timing for executing the group notice effect, etc., are the same as other notice effects, the determination result of the special symbol determination and the result of the effect lottery. To be determined.

  The intense attention pattern notice effect is a notice effect that gives a specific pattern to a partial area of the effect image displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 (see, for example, FIG. 5A). FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the frame portion of the photographic image displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 is displayed in a zebra pattern. Like the background change notice effect and the group notice effect, this extreme hot pattern notice effect is easily performed when the reliability for the jackpot is relatively high, and is performed when the reliability for the jackpot is relatively low. It is difficult. Whether or not to execute this gigantic pattern preview effect, to which area of the production image a specific pattern is to be assigned, the execution timing of the gigantic pattern preview effect, etc. It is determined based on the result and the result of the production lottery.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, whether or not to execute a notice effect using the main liquid crystal 5 is individually determined for each notice effect. Specifically, whether or not to perform a step-up notice effect using the main liquid crystal 5 during the current changing effect is determined by effect lottery using the SU random effect effect random number. In addition, whether or not to perform the character full-screen display notice effect using the main liquid crystal 5 during the current variation effect is determined by the effect lottery using the character full-screen display notice effect effect random number. In addition, whether or not to perform the intense hot-spot announcement effect using the main liquid crystal 5 during the present variation production is determined by the production lottery using the intense random number for the hot-at-skin announcement effect.

  As described above, regarding the various notice effects performed in the main liquid crystal 5, whether or not to execute the notice effects is individually determined for each notice effect. The same applies to other notice effects that are not exemplified above. The execution timing for executing each notice effect is also determined individually for each notice effect. For this reason, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, during the variation effect, one type of notice effect may be executed on the main liquid crystal 5 or a plurality of types of notice effect may be executed simultaneously.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, a plurality of types of notice effects may be simultaneously executed in the main liquid crystal 5 as described above, and the following problems may occur.

[First viewing state]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing a specific example of the first visual recognition state. As illustrated in FIG. 5 (A), in the situation where an intense notice pattern notice effect (an example of the first effect) is executed on the main liquid crystal 5 and no other notice effect is executed, an intense notice pattern notice is given. Since all the production effect images 51 can be visually recognized, the visibility of the intense hot pattern notice effect is relatively high, and it is possible to obtain a high production effect by performing the intense hot pattern notice effect.

  However, for example, when the character full-screen display notice effect (an example of the second effect) is started during the execution of the gigantic pattern notice effect, the character full-screen display notice effect effect image 52 is the effect image of the gigantic pattern notice effect. 51 may be displayed in a superimposed manner (see FIG. 5B). In this case, since the transmittance of the effect image 52 of the character full-screen display notice effect is set to a higher value, the player recognizes that the effect image 51 of the extreme hot pattern notice effect is displayed behind. Although it is possible, the details of the effect image 51 cannot be visually recognized.

  In this way, when the character full-screen display notice effect is started during the execution of the gekiatsu pattern notice effect, the gekiatsu pattern notice effect has a lower visibility than the character full-screen notice notice effect. It may become. In the first visual recognition state, the visibility of the effect image 51 of the intense hot-spot notice effect is reduced, so that the high-effect effect is achieved by the notice effect even though the intense hot-spot notice effect is performed. Difficult to get. This is not limited to the case where the gekiatsu pattern notice effect is in the first viewing state, and the same applies to the case where another notice effect is in the first viewing state.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first effect (here, the super-hot pattern notice effect) is simultaneously performed in the first viewing state in which the visibility is lower than the second effect (character full-screen display notice effect). If the effect button 26 is pressed, the first effect is more visually recognized than the second effect in the second viewing state (see, for example, FIG. 6B). To improve the visibility of the first performance.

  In addition, if the first effect is a low-priority effect that makes it difficult for the player to have a sense of expectation for the jackpot, the first viewing state is switched from the first viewing state to the second viewing state in response to pressing of the rendering button 26. The visibility of the first performance in which the player does not easily have a sense of expectation for the jackpot will be improved. In addition, when the second effect is a high-priority effect that makes it easy to have a sense of expectation for the jackpot, the visibility of the second effect is also reduced. As described above, if the viewing state is switched even when the first effect is an effect with a low priority, not only the effect but also the effect may be reduced.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of such a problem, the first viewing according to the pressing of the effect button 26 is performed only when the first effect has a higher priority than the second effect. When the state is switched from the state to the second viewing state and the priority of the first effect is lower than that of the second effect, even if the effect button 26 is pressed, 2 Switching to the visual recognition state is not performed.

[Priority of each production]
As illustrated in FIG. 4, priorities are set in advance for each notice effect performed in the main liquid crystal 5. Specifically, with respect to the six types of notification effects illustrated in FIG. 4, priority information in which the types and priority levels of the respective notification effects are associated is the control ROM 144 of the image sound control board 140 (see FIG. 10). Is stored in advance. In this priority information, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the priority of the super-hit pattern notice effect that the player is likely to have a sense of expectation for the jackpot is the highest (priority: 6), and the player has 2 The group notice effect that is considered to be the second most likely to have the expectation for the jackpot is the second highest priority (priority: 5), and the background change notice effect that the player is most likely to have the expectation for the jackpot Is the 3rd highest priority (priority: 4), and the character full-screen display notice effect is considered to be the 4th highest (priority: 3). ), The priority of the step-up notice effect that is considered to be the fifth most likely to have the expectation for the jackpot is the fifth highest (priority: 2), and the player is unlikely to have the most expectation for the jackpot Se Priority of full announcement attraction is high sixth (Priority: 1) is information indicating that.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, since such priority information is stored in the control ROM 144, for example, in the following cases, switching from the first viewing state to the second viewing state is performed. . That is, for example, when these effects are simultaneously executed in the first viewing state where the visibility of the intense hot-spot design notice (priority: 6) is lower than the step-up notice effect (priority: 2), Since the hot pattern advance notice has higher priority than the step up notice effect, the first visual state in which the intense hot pattern notice effect is less visible than the step up notice effect according to the operation of the effect button 26. Therefore, switching to the second visual recognition state is performed in which the super-attention pattern notice effect is more visible than the step notice effect.

  Further, for example, when these effects are simultaneously executed in the first viewing state in which the character full-screen display notice effect (priority: 3) is lower in visibility than the serif notice effect (priority: 1). Since the full-screen display notice effect has a higher priority than the serif notice effect, in response to the operation of the effect button 26, the character full-screen display notice effect has a lower visibility than the serif notice effect. Thus, the character full screen display notice effect is switched to the second visual recognition state in which the visibility is higher than the serif notice effect.

  On the other hand, in the following cases, switching from the first viewing state to the second viewing state is not performed. For example, when these effects are simultaneously executed in the first visual state in which the step-up notice effect (priority: 2) is lower in visibility than the group notice effect (priority: 5), the step-up notice effect is performed. Since the priority is lower than the group notice effect, even if the effect button 26 is operated, the step-up notice effect is less visible than the group notice effect, and the step-up notice effect is lower than the group notice effect. Is not switched to the second viewing state in which the visibility is higher than that of the group lateral composition.

[Suggested production and second viewing state]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a suggestion effect performed in the first visual recognition state and a specific example of the second visual recognition state. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the execution timing of each effect. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the first visual recognition state and the second visual recognition state.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the effect image 52 of the character full-screen display notice effect with the lower priority is superimposed on the effect image 51 of the intense hot pattern notice effect with the higher priority. Show. Thus, these effects are executed simultaneously in the first viewing state, in which the first effect (here, the intense notice pattern notice effect) is less visible than the second effect (character full screen display notice effect). And when the priority of the 1st effect is higher than the 2nd effect, in the pachinko game machine 1, the following processes are performed.

  That is, first, an effective period in which the operation of the effect button 26 is valid is set. Specifically, the period during which the first effect and the second effect are simultaneously executed in the first viewing state described above is set as the effective period of the effect button 26 (see FIG. 7A), and the setting information is controlled. Stored in the RAM 145.

  When the effective period of the effect button 26 is set in this way, it is suggested to the player that the visual state can be changed from the first visual state to the second visual state during the set effective period. An suggestion effect and an implied effect implying that the effect button 26 is valid are performed (see FIG. 7A).

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment, as a suggestion effect, the phrase “I want to see the effect behind the scenes” is displayed on the left sub-liquid crystal 61, and the word “promotion” that prompts the user to press the effect button 26 is produced. A button image simulating the button 26 and a gauge image suggesting the remaining effective period are displayed on the right sub liquid crystal 62 (see FIG. 6A). Accordingly, as an implied effect, the button lamp 261 that basically does not emit light is emitted when it is not in the effective period (see FIG. 7A).

  Thus, since both the suggestion effect and the suggestion effect are performed during the effective period related to the first visual recognition state, if the player operates the effect button 26 while the effect button 26 emits light, the operation is effective. It is possible to clearly recognize that the viewing state can be changed from the first viewing state to the second viewing state by operating the effect button 26.

  When the player operates the effect button 26 while the suggestion effect and the implied effect are being performed (that is, during the effective period), display change control for changing the viewing state from the first viewing state to the second viewing state is performed. .

  The effect image displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 in the first viewing state is the effect image of the first effect (for example, the effect image of the gigantic pattern notice effect than the background image, as illustrated in FIG. 8A). 51) is seen in the foreground, the effect image of the second effect (for example, the character full-screen display notice effect) is seen in front of the effect image of the first effect, and the decorative pattern or A plurality of types of images are generated by combining and drawing using a known hidden surface removal method such as a Z buffer method so that the hold icon can be seen in front.

  On the other hand, when the effect button 26 is operated during the effective period set with respect to the first viewing state, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the effect image of the second effect is not included. The background image, the effect image of the first effect, and the image of the decorative symbol and the hold icon are combined and drawn, and the effect image obtained by the combined drawing is displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 (see FIG. 6B). ).

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the effect image of the second effect is erased in response to the operation of the effect button 26 during the effective period, the effect of the first effect is illustrated as shown in FIG. 6B. The second viewing state (here, the player can visually recognize the entire effect image of the first effect) in which the image (here, the effect image of the super-hit pattern notice effect) is more visible than the effect image of the first effect. The first stage production effect is improved.

  Note that if the player operates the effect button 26 during the effective period, the suggestion effect or the implied effect described above becomes unnecessary. For this reason, at the timing when the effect button 26 is operated, the effect image of the second effect (for example, the effect image 52 of the character full-screen display notice effect) is deleted, and the suggestion effect and the suggestion effect are ended ( (See FIG. 7B). On the other hand, when the effect button 26 is not operated during the effective period, the suggestion effect and the implied effect are ended when the effective period ends.

  Hereinafter, an example of the internal configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the processing performed in the pachinko gaming machine 1 for realizing the above-described visual state control based on FIGS. 4 to 8 will be described in detail.

[Configuration of control device of pachinko gaming machine 1]
On the back side of the game board 2, a control device for controlling the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided in addition to a ball tank for storing game balls sent to the upper plate 28 or the lower plate 29. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the control device of the pachinko gaming machine 1 controls the game control board 100 that controls the progress of the game, such as various determinations and command transmission, and the effects based on the commands received from the game control board 100 An effect control board 130 for controlling the image, an image sound control board 140 for controlling the effects by images and sounds, a lamp control board 150 for controlling effects by various lamps and movable bodies, and the like. Note that the configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the effect control board 130, the image sound control board 140, and the lamp control board 150 may be configured as one board.

[Configuration Example of Game Control Board 100]
The game control board 100 includes a main CPU 101, a main ROM 102, and a main RAM 103. The main CPU 101 performs various arithmetic processes related to determination and the number of payout balls based on a program stored in the main ROM 102. The main RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the main CPU 101 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The game control board 100 includes a first start port switch 111, a second start port switch 112, an electric tulip control unit 113, a first gate switch 114, a second gate switch 115, a first big prize port switch 116, and a second large size. A winning port switch 117, a first big winning port control unit 118, a second big winning port control unit 119, a normal winning port switch 120, and the respective indicators 41 to 48 constituting the display 4 are connected.

  The first start port switch 111 detects that a game ball has won the first start port 11 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The second start port switch 112 detects that a game ball has won the second start port 12 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. In response to a control signal from the game control board 100, the electric tulip control unit 113 opens and closes the second start port 12 by operating an electric solenoid coupled to the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 17 so as to be able to transmit driving. To do. The first gate switch 114 detects that the game ball has passed through the first gate 15 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The second gate switch 115 detects that the game ball has passed through the second gate 16 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100.

  The first grand prize opening switch 116 detects that a game ball has won the first big prize opening 13 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. The second big prize opening switch 117 detects that a game ball has won the second big prize opening 19 and outputs a detection signal to the game control board 100. Based on the control signal from the game control board 100, the first grand prize winning port control unit 118 operates the electric solenoid coupled to the plate that closes the first big prize winning hole 13 so as to be able to transmit the drive. Open / close the grand prize winning opening 13. Based on the control signal from the game control board 100, the second grand prize opening control unit 119 operates the electric solenoid coupled to the blade member that closes the second big prize opening 19 so as to be capable of driving transmission. Opens and closes the two major winning openings 19. The normal winning opening switch 120 detects that the game ball has won the normal winning opening 14 and outputs the detection signal to the game control board 100.

  The main CPU 101 of the game control board 100 receives a detection signal from the first start port switch 111, the second start port switch 112, the first big prize port switch 116, the second big prize port switch 117, or the normal prize port switch 120. When input, the payout control board (not shown) is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won, and the number of prize balls to be paid out is determined based on information from the payout control board. to manage. Although a detailed description is omitted, the payout control board supplies the game ball to the upper plate 28 or the lower plate 29 by controlling a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the ball tank. In addition, since the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment has the four normal winning opening 14, it has four normal winning opening switches 122. However, in FIG. 9, one ordinary winning opening switch 122 is provided. Only the notation.

  The main CPU 101 acquires various random numbers as acquisition information at the timing when the detection signal from the first start port switch 111 is input, and executes the first special symbol determination using the acquired random numbers. Also, various random numbers are acquired as acquisition information at the timing when the detection signal from the second start port switch 112 is input, and the second special symbol determination is executed using the acquired random numbers. If it is determined that the game is a big hit, the first grand prize port 13 (or the second big prize port 19) is passed through the first big prize port control unit 118 (or the second big prize port control unit 119). Open and close.

  Further, the main CPU 101 acquires a random number at the timing when the detection signal from the first gate switch 114 or the second gate switch 115 is input, and executes normal symbol determination using the acquired random number. And when it determines with opening the 2nd starting port 12, the 2nd starting port 12 is temporarily open | released by operating the electric tulip 17 via the electric tulip control part 113. FIG.

  Further, the main CPU 101 causes each of the display devices 41 to 48 constituting the display device 4 to execute the processing described above with reference to FIG.

[Configuration Example of Production Control Board 130]
The effect control board 130 includes a sub CPU 131, a sub ROM 132, a sub RAM 133, and an RTC (real time clock) 134. The sub CPU 131 performs a calculation process when controlling the presentation based on the program stored in the sub ROM 132. The sub RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the sub CPU 131 executes the program, or a work area for data processing. The RTC 134 measures the current date and time (date and time).

  The sub CPU 131 sets the production contents based on game information related to special symbol determination, normal symbol determination, jackpot game, and the like transmitted from the game control board 100. In that case, the input of the operation information from the production | presentation button 26 or the cross key 27 may be received, and the production | generation content according to the operation information may be set. The sub CPU 131 transmits a command instructing execution of the effect of the set effect content to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

[Configuration Example of Image Sound Control Board 140]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image sound control board 140. The image sound control board 140 performs image display control of the main liquid crystal 5 and sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 and effect sound output control of the speaker 24. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the image sound control board 140 includes an overall CPU 141, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 142, an sound DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 143, a control ROM 144, a control RAM 145, a sound ROM 146, and an SDRAM 147. , CGROM 148, and VRAM 149.

  The overall CPU 141 stores image data stored in the CGROM 148 with respect to the VDP 142 based on programs stored in the control ROM 144, various tables such as a display list creation table, commands received from the effect control board 130, and the like. An instruction to display on the main liquid crystal 5 or the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is given. This instruction is mainly performed by outputting a display list.

  Here, the display list is composed of commands for instructing execution of drawing in frame units. The type of image to be drawn, the position (coordinates) to draw the image, display priority, display magnification, and rotation. It includes various parameters such as angle and transmittance. The display list creation table is a table used for creating this display list.

  The overall CPU 141 instructs the sound DSP 143 to output the sound data stored in the sound ROM 146 from the speaker 24.

  The control ROM 144 is configured by a mask ROM, and stores a control program for the overall CPU 141, a display list generation program for generating a display list, various tables, and the like.

  The control RAM 145 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the general CPU 141 executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The CGROM 148 stores effect data necessary for executing a change effect accompanying a change display of a special symbol, an effect accompanying a jackpot game, and the like. The CGROM 148 includes a flash memory, an EEPROM, an EPROM, a mask ROM, and the like, and includes sprite data (one piece of image data) including a collection of pixel information in a predetermined range of pixels (for example, 32 × 32 pixels), a plurality of pieces of image data Compressed and stored movie data consisting of a collection of The pixel information is composed of color number information for specifying a color number for each pixel and an α value indicating the transparency of the image. Further, the CGROM 148 stores, without compressing, palette data or the like in which color number information for specifying a color number and display color information for actually displaying colors are associated with each other.

  Note that only a part of the image data stored in the CGROM 148 may be compressed. As a method for compressing movie data, various known compression methods such as MPEG4 can be used.

  The VRAM 149 is configured by an SRAM capable of writing and reading image data at high speed, and includes a display list storage area 1491, a development storage area 1492, a main liquid crystal frame buffer 1493, a left sub liquid crystal frame buffer 1494, and a right. A sub-liquid crystal frame buffer 1495 is included.

  The display list storage area 1491 temporarily stores the display list output from the overall CPU 141. The expanded storage area 1492 stores image data that has been read from the CGROM 148 and expanded. The main liquid crystal frame buffer 1493 is used for drawing and displaying image data displayed on the main liquid crystal 5. The main liquid crystal frame buffer 1493 is a double buffer type memory having two buffers. While the image data stored in one buffer is being output for display, the next image data is stored in the other buffer. By drawing, image data is drawn and displayed. The left sub liquid crystal frame buffer 1494 is a frame buffer that is used for both drawing and display for drawing and displaying the image data displayed on the left sub liquid crystal 61. The right sub liquid crystal frame buffer 1495 is a frame buffer that is used for both drawing and display for drawing and displaying image data displayed on the right sub liquid crystal 62. In another embodiment, one sub-liquid crystal 61 and 62 may share one frame buffer.

  The VDP 142 decompresses the image data stored in a compressed state in the CGROM 148 and stores the decompressed image data in the expanded storage area 1492. The VDP 142 uses the image data stored in the expanded storage area 1492 based on the display list stored in the display list storage area 1491, and uses the main liquid crystal frame buffer 1493, the left sub liquid crystal frame buffer 1494, and the right Drawing processing is performed on the sub liquid crystal frame buffer 1495. The VDP 142 generates an RGB signal as a video signal indicating the color of the image from the image data stored in the display frame buffer in the VRAM 149, and outputs the generated RGB signal to the main liquid crystal 5 and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. To do.

  Connected to the acoustic DSP 143 are an acoustic ROM 146 for storing various acoustic data relating to music, voice, sound effects, etc., an SDRAM 147 used as a work area for data processing by the acoustic DSP 143, and an amplifier 1431. The acoustic DSP 143 reads the acoustic data corresponding to the instruction from the overall CPU 141 from the acoustic ROM 146 to the SDRAM 147, executes data processing, and outputs the acoustic data after the data processing to the speaker 24 (via the amplifier 1431). The amplifier 1431 adjusts the volume according to an instruction regarding the volume obtained from the overall CPU 141 via the acoustic DSP 143 and causes the speaker 24 to output acoustic data.

[Configuration Example of Lamp Control Board 150]
Although not shown in the figure, the lamp control board 150 includes a lamp CPU, a lamp ROM, and a lamp RAM. The lamp CPU performs arithmetic processing when controlling the operations of the panel lamp 25, the frame lamp 37, and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 based on a program stored in the lamp ROM. The lamp RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the lamp CPU executes the program, or a work area for data processing.

  The lamp ROM stores light emission pattern data and operation pattern data. Here, the light emission pattern data is data indicating each light emission pattern of the panel lamp 25 and the frame lamp 37. The operation pattern data is data indicating the operation pattern of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62.

  The lamp CPU reads the light emission pattern data corresponding to the command received from the effect control board 130 from the light emission pattern data stored in the lamp ROM, and controls the light emission of the panel lamp 25 and the frame lamp 37. . Further, the lamp CPU reads out the operation pattern data corresponding to the command received from the effect control board 130 from the operation pattern data stored in the lamp ROM to the lamp RAM, and operates the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. The driving of the liquid crystal motor 611 and the right sub liquid crystal motor 621 (see FIG. 9) is controlled. Further, the lamp CPU causes the button lamp 261 to emit light in order to provide an implied effect when the suggestive effect is performed by the image sound control board 140.

[Timer interrupt processing by game control board 100]
Next, timer interrupt processing executed in the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the game control board 100. The game control board 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 11 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. . Note that the processing of the game control board 100 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 11 and subsequent figures is performed in accordance with a command issued by the main CPU 101 based on a program stored in the main ROM 102.

  First, the main CPU 101 executes a random number update process for updating various random numbers such as a jackpot random number, a design random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern random number, and a normal design random number (step S1).

  Here, the jackpot random number is a random number for determining jackpot or loss. The design random number is a random number for determining the type of jackpot when it is determined that the jackpot is a jackpot. The reach random number is a random number for determining whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach when it is determined that the reach is lost. The variation pattern random number is a random number for determining a variation pattern when a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner. The normal symbol random number is a random number for determining whether or not to open the second start port 12. The jackpot random number, the design random number, the reach random number, the variation pattern random number, and the ordinary design random number are incremented by “1” every time the process of step S1 is performed. Note that a loop counter is used as a counter for performing the processing of step S1, and each random number returns to “0” after reaching a preset maximum value.

  Subsequent to the process of step S1, the main CPU 101 executes a switch process when a detection signal is input from each switch (step S2). This switch processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the processing of step S2, the main CPU 101 executes special symbol determination, displays the special symbol on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42, and displays the determination result of the special symbol determination. A special symbol process including a process of stopping and displaying the determination symbol to be displayed is executed (step S3). This special symbol process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S3, the main CPU 101 includes a process of executing normal symbol determination, causing the normal symbol display unit 45 to display the normal symbol in a variable manner, and then stopping and displaying the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol determination. Normal symbol processing is executed (step S4).

  Following the process of step S4, the main CPU 101 performs the electric tulip process for operating the electric tulip 17 via the electric tulip control unit 113 when it is determined that the second start port 12 is opened as a result of the normal symbol determination. Is executed (step S5).

  Subsequent to the processing of step S5, when the main CPU 101 determines in step S3 that it is a big hit, the main CPU 101 controls the first big prize opening control unit 118 (or the second big prize opening control unit 119) to control the first big prize. A large winning opening opening control process for opening the winning opening 13 (or the second large winning opening 19) is executed (step S6).

  Subsequent to the process of step S6, the main CPU 101 executes a prize ball process for controlling the payout of the prize ball according to the winning of the game ball (step S7).

  Subsequent to step S7, the main CPU 101 transmits to the effect control board 130 information necessary for determining various commands and effect contents set (stored) in the main RAM 103 in the process step before step S7. Processing is executed (step S8).

[Switch processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 12 is a detailed flowchart of the switch process in step S2 of FIG. Subsequent to the process of step S1, the main CPU 101 monitors the presence or absence of a detection signal input from the first start port switch 111 as illustrated in FIG. 12, and is appropriately updated by the process of step S1. For the random number (big hit random number, symbol random number, reach random number, and variation pattern random number), the first start port switch process including the process of acquiring the value at the time when the detection signal from the first start port switch 111 is input is executed. (Step S21). The first start port switch process will be described in detail later based on FIG.

  Next, the main CPU 101 monitors the presence or absence of a detection signal input from the second start port switch 112, and the detection signal from the second start port switch 112 is received for various random numbers that are appropriately updated by the process of step S1. A second start port switch process including a process of acquiring a value at the time of input is executed (step S22). The second start port switch process will be described in detail later based on FIG.

  Then, the main CPU 101 monitors whether or not a detection signal is input from the first gate switch 114 or the second gate switch 115, and the first gate switch 114 or the normal symbol random number that is appropriately updated by the process of step S1. A gate switch process for obtaining a value at the time when the detection signal from the second gate switch 115 is input is executed (step S23).

[First Start Port Switch Processing by Game Control Board 100]
FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart of the first start port switch process in step S21 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 13, following the random number update process in step S <b> 1, the main CPU 101 detects a detection signal from the first start port switch 111 (specifically, the first start port switch 111 is turned “ON”). On the basis of whether or not an ON signal indicating that the first start port switch 111 has been turned ON is determined (step S210). Here, when it is determined that the first start port switch 111 is “ON” (step S <b> 210: YES), the hold number U <b> 1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether it is less than the maximum reserved number Umax1 (“4” in the present embodiment) of the first special symbol determination (step S211).

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the hold number U1 is less than the maximum hold number Umax1 (step S211: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the value of the hold number U1 to a value obtained by adding “1” (step S212).

  The main CPU 101 acquires jackpot random numbers, symbol random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers as acquisition information used for the first special symbol determination, and stores these random numbers in the main RAM 103 in association with each other (step S213). -Step S216).

  Next, based on the acquired information stored in the main RAM 103, the main CPU 101 executes the first special symbol determination based on the acquired information and starts the special symbol variable display on the second special symbol display 42. Prior to this, a pre-determination process is performed in which a process similar to a jackpot determination process (see FIG. 16) and a variation pattern selection process (see FIG. 17) described later is performed (step S217). Although detailed description is omitted, this pre-determination process is not performed in the probability-changing gaming state or the short-time gaming state that is advantageous to the player as compared to the normal gaming state.

  Then, the main CPU 101 sets a hold command including information indicating the prior determination result obtained by the process of step S217 in the main RAM 103 (step S218). This hold command is a command for notifying that the first special symbol determination has been put on hold, and is sent to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process in step S8.

[Second Start Port Switch Processing by Game Control Board 100]
FIG. 14 is a detailed flowchart of the second start port switch process in step S22 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the main CPU 101 detects the detection signal from the second start port switch 112 (specifically, the second start port switch 112 is “ON” following the first start port switch process in step S <b> 21. It is determined whether or not the second start port switch 112 has been turned “ON” based on whether or not an “ON signal indicating that it has turned“ ”has been input (step S220).

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the second start port switch 112 has been turned “ON” (step S220: YES), the second special symbol determination hold number U2 stored in the main RAM 103 is stored in the main ROM 102. It is determined whether it is less than the maximum reserved number Umax2 (in this embodiment, “4”) of the second special symbol determination (step S221).

  If the main CPU 101 determines that the hold number U2 is less than the maximum hold number Umax2 (step S221: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the value of the hold number U2 to a value obtained by adding “1” (step S222).

  The main CPU 101 acquires a jackpot random number, a symbol random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number as acquisition information used for the second special symbol determination, and stores these random numbers in association with each other in the main RAM 103 (step S223). -Step S226).

  Next, based on the acquired information stored in the main RAM 103, the main CPU 101 executes the second special symbol determination based on the acquired information and starts the special symbol variable display on the second special symbol display 42. Prior to this, a pre-determination process is performed in which a process similar to a jackpot determination process (see FIG. 16) and a variation pattern selection process (see FIG. 17), which will be described later, is performed (step S227).

  Then, the main CPU 101 sets a hold command including information indicating the prior determination result obtained by the process of step S227 in the main RAM 103 (step S228). This hold command is a command for notifying that the second special symbol determination is put on hold, and is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process in step S8.

[Special symbol processing by game control board 100]
Next, the details of the special symbol process executed by the game control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 15 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol process in step S3 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the jackpot game is in progress based on whether or not the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 103 is set to “ON” ( Step S301). This jackpot game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the jackpot game is being executed, and is set to “ON” at the start of the jackpot game, and is set to “OFF” at the end of the jackpot game. Here, when it is determined that the game is a big hit game (step S301: YES), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the jackpot game is not being played (step S301: NO), the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (step S302). If it is determined that the special symbol variation display is not being performed (step S302: NO), it is determined whether or not the second special symbol determination hold number U2 stored in the main RAM 103 is equal to or greater than “1”. (Step S303). Here, when it is determined that the holding number U2 is “1” or more (step S303: YES), the holding number U2 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S304).

  If the main CPU 101 determines that the holding number U2 is not “1” or more (step S303: NO), whether or not the holding number U1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 103 is “1” or more. Is determined (step S305). Here, when it is determined that the holding number U1 is not “1” or more (step S305: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hold number U1 is “1” or more (step S305: YES), the main CPU 101 updates the hold number U1 to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S306).

  Following the process of step S304 or the process of step S306, the main CPU 101 executes a shift process for the reserved storage area of the main RAM 103 (step S308). The main RAM 103 stores a determination storage area for storing acquired information used for the special symbol determination when the special symbol determination is actually executed, and a hold for storing the acquired information regarding the special symbol determination that is held. And a storage area. When the main CPU 101 executes a shift process following the process of step S304, the main CPU 101 shifts the oldest acquired information stored in the reserved storage area for second special symbol determination to the determination storage area, and The remaining acquired information is shifted to the determination storage area side. When the shift process is executed subsequent to the process of step S306, the oldest acquired information stored in the first special symbol determination holding storage area is shifted to the determination storage area, and the remaining The acquired information is shifted to the determination storage area side.

  Subsequent to step S308, the main CPU 101 executes jackpot determination processing based on the random number stored in the determination storage area (step S309). By executing the jackpot determination process, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is won (whether or not the jackpot game is executed), and when it is determined that the jackpot is determined, the type of jackpot is determined. Then, determination symbol setting information indicating the results of these processes is set in the main RAM 103. The jackpot determination process will be described in detail later based on FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S309, the main CPU 101 executes a variation pattern selection process for selecting a variation pattern of a special symbol (step S310). This variation pattern selection process will be described in detail later based on FIG.

  Subsequent to step S310, the main CPU 101 determines whether the symbol setting information set in step S309, the symbol setting information relates to the first special symbol determination, or the second special symbol determination. Is set in the main RAM 103 including information indicating whether or not, setting information of the variation pattern set in the process of step S310, information on the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the like (step S311). This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process in step S8.

  Subsequent to the process of step S311, the main CPU 101 starts the special symbol variation display based on the variation pattern setting information included in the variation start command set in step S311 (step S312). At this time, when the process of step S309 to step S311 is performed in a state in which the random number related to the first special symbol determination is stored in the determination storage area, the first special symbol display 41 displays a variation display of the special symbol. When the process from step S309 to step S311 is performed in a state where the random number related to the second special symbol determination is stored, the special symbol variable display is started on the second special symbol display 42.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S312, the main CPU 101 starts measurement of a variation time that is an elapsed time since the start of variation display in step S312 (step S313).

  When the main CPU 101 executes the process of step S313 or determines that the special symbol is changing (step S302: YES), the main CPU 101 is selected by the process of step S310 from the start of the measurement of the changing time in step S313. It is determined whether or not the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern has elapsed (step S315). Here, when it is determined that the variation time has not elapsed (step S315: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

  When the main CPU 101 determines that the variation time has elapsed (step S315: YES), the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. Is set in the main RAM 103 (step S316). This symbol confirmation command is transmitted to the effect control board 130 by the transmission process in step S8. Thereby, the process etc. which stop-display the decoration symbol which was variably displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 in the aspect which shows the determination result of special symbol determination, etc. are performed.

  Subsequent to the process in step S316, the main CPU 101 ends the special symbol variation display started in the process in step S312 (step S317). Specifically, the determination symbol set in the process of step S309 (a jackpot symbol or a lost symbol) is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display on which the special symbol is variably displayed. This stop display of the determination symbol is continued until at least a predetermined symbol determination time (1 second in the present embodiment) elapses.

  Thus, the main CPU 101 displays the determination symbol indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination process after the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 as the first special symbol display 41. Alternatively, the second special symbol display 42 is stopped and displayed.

  Subsequent to the process of step S317, the main CPU 101 resets the variation time when the measurement is started in the process of step S313 (step S318), and performs a process during stop including a process of starting the jackpot game when the jackpot is won. It executes (step S319).

[Big hit judgment processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 16 is a detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S309 of FIG. The main CPU 101 executes jackpot determination based on the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area (step S3091). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area is a jackpot based on whether or not it matches a preset winning value.

  As described above, the main CPU 101 has a start condition in which acquisition information such as a jackpot random number acquired when a game ball is won at the first start port 11 or the second start port 12 is stored in the determination storage area. If is established, it is determined whether or not to execute a jackpot game advantageous to the player based on the jackpot random number.

  Following the process of step S3091, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot (step S3092). Here, when it is determined that the game is a jackpot (step S3092: YES), the type of jackpot is determined with reference to the symbol determination table for the jackpot stored in the main ROM 102 (step S3093).

  Specifically, when the symbol random number stored in the determination storage area together with the jackpot random number used for the jackpot determination in step S3091 is related to the first special symbol determination, the symbol random number is The jackpot type is determined based on which random number value specified in the symbol determination table for the first start opening winning match. On the other hand, if it is related to the second special symbol determination, the type of jackpot is determined based on which random number value specified in the symbol determination table for the second start opening winning matches the symbol random number To decide.

  Then, the main CPU 101 sets jackpot symbol setting information corresponding to the jackpot type determined in this way in the main RAM 103 (step S3094). As a result, the jackpot symbol set here at the time of the processing of step S317 is stopped and displayed as a determination symbol on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42, and the jackpot game corresponding to the symbol is displayed. Will be done.

  On the other hand, when the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big hit (step S3092: NO), the main CPU 101 sets the lost symbol setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S3095). As a result, the lost symbol set here in the process of step S317 is stopped and displayed as a determination symbol on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. In this case, the jackpot game is not performed.

[Change pattern selection processing by game control board 100]
FIG. 17 is a detailed flowchart of the variation pattern selection process in step S310 of FIG. After executing the jackpot determination process in step S309 in FIG. 17, the main CPU 101 determines whether or not the determination result in step S3091 is a jackpot (step S3101). If it is determined that the game is a big hit (step S3101: YES), the big hit variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3102).

  On the other hand, if the main CPU 101 determines that it is not a big hit (step S3101: NO), whether or not the reach random number stored in the determination storage area matches the random number value of the reach random number stored in the main ROM 102. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not to perform a reach effect that makes the player expect a big hit (step S3103). If it is determined that a reach effect is to be performed (step S3103: YES), the reach variation pattern table is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3104). Conversely, when it is determined that the reach effect is not performed (step S3103: NO), the variation pattern table for loss is read from the main ROM 102 and set in the main RAM 103 (step S3105).

  Subsequently, the main CPU 101 executes a variation pattern random number determination process with reference to the variation pattern table set in the main RAM 103 by the process of step S3102, the process of step S3104, or the process of step S3105 (step S3106). Specifically, when the big hit variation pattern table or the reach variation pattern table is set in the main RAM 103, the variation pattern table in which the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area is set. The variation pattern is selected by reading from.

  If the variation pattern table for losing is set in the main RAM 103, the number of reserved special symbol determination is specified based on the number of reserved storage areas in which various types of information are stored immediately before the shift process of step S308 is performed. Then, the variation pattern corresponding to the specified number of holdings and the presence / absence of the current time is read out from the variation pattern table for loss to select the variation pattern.

  When the main CPU 101 selects the variation pattern, the main CPU 101 sets the selected variation pattern setting information in the main RAM 103 (step S3107). The variation pattern setting information is included in the variation start command and transmitted to the effect control board 130 together with the symbol setting information set in the main RAM 103 by the jackpot determination process in step S309 described above.

[Timer interrupt processing by production control board 130]
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the sub CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 sets a CTC cycle, which is a cycle for performing timer interrupt processing to be described later. And sub CPU131 repeats the random number update process which updates the production random number etc. which are used in order to determine the content of production with the predetermined period shorter than a CTC period. That is, the sub CPU 131 repeats the timer interrupt process at the CTC cycle while repeating the random number update process at a predetermined cycle while the pachinko gaming machine 1 is activated.

  Hereinafter, the timer interrupt process executed in the effect control board 130 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a timer interrupt process executed in the effect control board 130. Similar to the timer interrupt process performed on the game control board 100, the sub CPU 131 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 18 every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds). Note that the processing performed on the effect control board 130 described based on the flowcharts in FIG. 18 and the subsequent steps is performed according to a command issued by the sub CPU 131 based on a program stored in the sub ROM 132.

  First, the sub CPU 131 executes a command reception process for performing a process according to a command from the game control board 100 (step S10). This command reception process will be described in detail later based on FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S10, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not the effect button 26 or the cross key 27 has been operated based on whether or not the operation information is input from the effect button 26 or the cross key 27 (step S11). ). If it is determined that the effect button 26 or the cross key 27 has been operated (step S11: YES), an operation command for notifying that the effect button 26 or the cross key 27 has been operated is set in the sub RAM 133 ( Step S12). By transmitting this operation command to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150, processing for realizing an effect on the effect according to the operation of the effect button 26 or the cross key 27 is performed.

  If the sub CPU 131 determines that neither the effect button 26 nor the cross key 27 is operated (step S11: NO), or executes the process of step S12, the sub CPU 131 executes a transmission process (step S13). Specifically, the command set in the sub-RAM 133 by the processing of step S10 or step S12 is transmitted to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. By performing this command transmission process, the image acoustic control board 140 is instructed to perform an effect by image display, audio output, etc., and the lamp is activated by various lamps or by the operation of the effect agent 7. The control board 150 is instructed.

  Subsequent to the process of step S13, the sub CPU 131 executes a data transfer process (step S14). Specifically, since data relating to image acoustic control is transmitted from the image acoustic control board 140, the data is transferred to the lamp control board 150. Thereby, the lamp control board 150 controls the effect by the effect medium such as the effect agent 7 and the panel lamp 25 so as to synchronize with the effect performed by the liquid crystal display device 5 and the speaker 24.

[Command reception processing by effect control board 130]
FIG. 19 is a detailed flowchart of the command reception process in step S10 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the sub CPU 131 first determines whether or not a command transmitted from the game control board 100 has been received (step S <b> 101). If it is determined that a command has not been received (step S101: NO), the process proceeds to step S11.

  When the sub CPU 131 determines that the command from the game control board 100 has been received (step S101: YES), the command is controlled according to the process of step S218 (see FIG. 13) or step S228 (see FIG. 14). It is determined whether or not the hold command is transmitted from the substrate 100 (step S102). If it is determined that the command is not a pending command (step S102: NO), the process proceeds to step S104 described later.

  When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a hold command (step S102: YES), the sub CPU 131 executes a hold command reception process (step S103). The hold command reception process will be described in detail later based on FIG.

  If the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a pending command (step S102: NO), it determines whether or not the command is a change start command transmitted in accordance with the processing of step S311 (see FIG. 15). Determination is made (step S104). If it is determined that the received command is not a change start command (step S104: NO), the process proceeds to step S106 described later.

  When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is a change start command (step S104: YES), the sub CPU 131 executes a change effect start process (step S105). This variation effect start process will be described later in detail based on FIG.

  When the sub CPU 131 determines that the received command is not a change start command (step S104: NO), the symbol confirmation command transmitted from the game control board 100 in accordance with the process of step S316 (see FIG. 15). It is determined whether or not (step S106). If the sub CPU 131 determines that it is a symbol confirmation command (step S106: YES), it ends the decorative symbol variation display and stops displaying the decorative symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination executed at the start of symbol variation. A variable effect end command for instructing execution of the process is set in the sub-RAM 133 (step S107).

  By transmitting this variation effect end command to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 in the process of step S13, a special symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is displayed. As the special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42) is stopped and displayed, the decorative symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is stopped on the liquid crystal screen. Will be displayed.

[Reception command reception processing by effect control board 130]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 20, the hold command reception process executed in the effect control board 130 that has received the hold command transmitted from the game control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 20 is a detailed flowchart of the hold command reception process in step S103 of FIG.

  When the sub CPU 131 determines that the command received from the game control board 100 is a pending command (step S102: YES), first, a value obtained by adding “1” to the number of pending special symbol determinations stored in the sub RAM 133 (Step S1030). Specifically, based on the winning start information included in the advance determination information in the hold command, the received hold command is a hold command related to the first special symbol determination or related to the second special symbol determination It is determined whether the command is a hold command, and based on the determination result, the number of holds for the first special symbol determination or the number of holds for the second special symbol determination is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”. Then, the sub CPU 131 stores the advance determination information included in the received hold command in the sub RAM 133 (step S1031).

  As described above, the prior determination information includes information indicating whether or not the winning start information, the determination result of the special symbol determination is a jackpot, and if it is a jackpot, indicates what kind of jackpot Information, information indicating the variation pattern of the special symbol, information indicating the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the like are included.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S1031, the sub CPU 131 acquires a pre-reading effect execution random number and stores it in the sub RAM 133 (step S1032). The pre-reading effect execution random number is incremented by “1” every time the random number update process described above is performed, and the sub CPU 131 acquires the count value at the time when the hold command is received as the pre-reading effect execution random number.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S1032, the sub CPU 131 determines whether or not to execute a prefetch effect (step S1033). Specifically, it is determined whether or not to execute the prefetch effect based on whether or not the prefetch effect execution random number acquired in the process of step S1032 matches the random number value stored in advance in the sub ROM 132.

  The sub CPU 131 determines whether or not to execute the prefetch effect based on the determination result of step S1033 (step S1034). If it is determined that the pre-reading effect is not executed (step S1034: NO), the process proceeds to step S1036 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the prefetch effect is to be executed (step S1034: YES), the prefetch effect content is determined based on the prior determination information stored in the sub RAM 133 in the process of step S1031 (step S1035). Specifically, whether or not to change the initial display mode of the hold icon displayed on the screen (for example, the color of the hold icon), and whether or not to change the display mode of the hold icon until the variable display of the symbol corresponding to the hold icon is completed. When changing the display mode, the display mode change pattern and change timing are determined, and the determination result is set in the sub-RAM 133 as setting information.

  When the sub CPU 131 executes the process of step S1035 or determines that the prefetch effect is not executed (step S1034: NO), the sub CPU 131 sets an icon display command instructing display of a new hold icon in the sub RAM 133 (step S1036). When the process of step S1036 is executed subsequent to the process of step S1035, an icon display command including setting information indicating the determination result of step S1035 is set in the sub RAM 133.

  This icon display command is transmitted to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 by the transmission process in step S13. As a result, for example, a new hold icon is displayed on the main liquid crystal 5. In addition, when the setting information mentioned above is contained in the icon display command, based on the setting information, the hold icon is displayed in a special display mode different from normal, or the display mode of the hold icon is set to the hold A pre-reading effect that changes the content until it is digested will be performed.

[Variation effect start processing by effect control board 130]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 21, the variation effect start process executed in the effect control board 130 that has received the change start command transmitted from the game control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the variation effect start process in step S105 of FIG.

  When the sub CPU 131 determines that the command received from the game control board 100 is the change start command transmitted from the game control board 100 (step S104: YES), the effect random number that is appropriately updated by the random number update process described above. , The value at the time when the change start command is received from the game control board 100 is acquired and stored in the sub-RAM 133 (step S1051). Then, the received change start command is analyzed (step S1052).

  In this variation start command, as described above, the symbol setting information indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination process, whether the symbol setting information relates to the first special symbol determination, or relates to the second special symbol determination It includes winning start information indicating whether it is a thing, setting information of a special symbol variation pattern, information indicating a gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the like. Therefore, the type and result of the special symbol determination can be specified by analyzing the variation start command. That is, it is possible to identify the type of jackpot if the jackpot is a jackpot, a loss, or a jackpot. Further, by specifying whether or not the variation pattern is a variation pattern for loss based on the variation pattern setting information, it is possible to determine whether it is necessary to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach. . Similarly, the variation time of the special symbol can be specified based on the variation pattern setting information. Further, the current gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be specified based on the information indicating the gaming state.

  When the change start command is analyzed, the sub CPU 131 executes a change effect pattern setting process for setting a change effect pattern of the decorative design based on the analysis result (step S1053).

  Although not shown in the figure, the sub-ROM 132 stores at least three effect tables, a jackpot effect table, an effect table with a los-reach effect, and an effect table without a los-reach effect, with regard to the change effect accompanying the change display of the special symbol. ing. Each of these effect tables is provided with a plurality of tables corresponding to the variation pattern (variation time) determined in the game control board 100. For example, the jackpot effect table is provided with tables for 60 seconds, 80 seconds, 120 seconds, and 160 seconds.

  The sub CPU 131 selects one table from the plurality of tables based on the setting information included in the change start command. For example, when the setting information includes information indicating “big jackpot” and information indicating a variation pattern for jackpot whose variation time is 60 seconds, the sub CPU 131 selects a jackpot effect table for 60 seconds. In addition, when the setting information includes information indicating “losing”, information indicating that the gaming state is the short-time gaming state, and information indicating a variation pattern for losing whose variation time is 10 seconds, the sub CPU 131 The losing reachless effect table for 10 seconds is selected.

  In the effect table, effect random numbers and effect patterns are associated with each other. The sub CPU 131 selects one effect pattern by reading out the effect pattern corresponding to the effect random number acquired by the process of step S1051 from the many effect patterns stored in the selected effect table.

  By executing such a variation effect pattern setting process, a pseudo stop display is performed with respect to a decoration pattern variation mode, presence / absence of reach effect, reach establishment timing, content of reach effect, presence / absence of pseudo continuous effect, and pseudo continuous effect. The decorative symbol type, the timing at which the decorative symbol is displayed in a false stop, the timing at which the decorative symbol is restarted, and the like are determined.

  Subsequent to the process of step S1053, the sub CPU 131 executes a notice effect pattern setting process for setting the contents of the notice effect to be executed during the decorative symbol variation display (step S1054). Specifically, for example, with regard to the serif notice effect, a serif notice effect effect random number that is updated in the same manner as the effect random number obtained in step S1051 is acquired. Then, the effect pattern of the serif notice effect is determined by reading out the effect pattern corresponding to the acquired effect random number for the serif notice effect from the table in which the effect random number and the effect pattern of the serif notice effect are associated with each other.

  The sub ROM 132 has a table for determining the effect pattern for the step-up notice effect and a character full-screen display effect effect pattern in addition to the table for determining the effect pattern for the line notice effect. A table for determining the effect pattern of the background change notice effect, a table for determining the effect pattern of the group notice effect, a table for determining the effect pattern of the intense notice effect, etc. are stored in advance. As for these notice effects, the effect patterns are individually determined in the same manner as the above-mentioned line notice effects.

  Subsequent to the process of step S1054, the sub CPU 131 instructs the start of the change effect of the change effect pattern set in the process of step S1053 and the execution of the notice effect of the notice effect pattern set in the process of step S1054. The command is set in the sub RAM 133 (step S1055). This variable effect start command includes information indicating the variable effect pattern set by the process of step S1053 and information indicating the notice effect pattern set by the process of step S1054, and the image is transmitted by the transmission process of step S13. It is transmitted to the acoustic control board 140 and the lamp control board 150. Thereby, the game effect (the change effect and the notice effect) for which the effect pattern is determined on the effect control board 130 is realized by the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

  Subsequent to the process of step S1055, the sub CPU 131 subtracts “1” from the number of holds stored in the sub RAM 133 (step S1056). Specifically, when the change start command received from the game control board 100 is to notify the start of the symbol change related to the first special symbol determination, the number of suspension of the first special symbol determination is decremented by “1”. Update to the specified value. On the other hand, if the received change start command is for notifying the start of symbol variation related to the second special symbol determination, the number of pending special symbol determinations is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1”.

[Image Sound Control Processing by Image Sound Control Board 140]
22 and 23 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the image sound control process executed in the image sound control board 140. The image sound control board 140 performs a series of processes illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23 at regular intervals (for example, 33 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. Repeatedly.

  As illustrated in FIG. 22, the overall CPU 141 of the image sound control board 140 first determines whether or not a command transmitted from the effect control board 130 has been received (step S501). If it is determined that the command from the effect control board 130 has not been received (step S501: NO), the process proceeds to step S516 (see FIG. 23) described later.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the command from the effect control board 130 has been received (step S501: YES), the variable effect transmitted from the effect control board 130 in response to the process of step S1055 (see FIG. 21). It is determined whether it is a start command (step S502). Here, when it is determined that the command received from the effect control board 130 is not the change effect start command (step S502: NO), the process proceeds to step S504 described later.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the command received from the effect control board 130 is a change effect start command (step S502: YES), the general CPU 141 sets setting information regarding the change effect and the notice effect included in the change effect start command, and control. A control signal is generated based on the program stored in the ROM 144 for output, and the generated control signal is output to the VDP 142 and the sound DSP 143, thereby causing the VDP 142 and the sound DSP 143 to start a variation effect (step S503). As a result, the main liquid crystal 5 displays the decorative symbols in a variable manner, and the speaker 24 produces a changing effect in which an effect sound synchronized with this effect is started, and various notice effects are performed during the changing effect. When the process of step S503 is executed, the process proceeds to step S516.

  In addition, for each process related to image display and production sound output described below, a control signal is generated based on a command received from the production control board 130 and a program stored in the control ROM 144, and the generated control signal is generated. Is output to the VDP 142 and the acoustic DSP 143. The control signal output to the VDP 142 specifically includes the display list described above.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the received command is not a variation effect start command (step S502: NO), the received command is transmitted from the effect control board 130 in accordance with the process of step S107 (see FIG. 19). It is determined whether the command is a variation effect end command (step S504). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the variation effect end command (step S504: NO), the process proceeds to step S506 described later.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the received command is a change effect end command (step S504: YES), the overall CPU 141 outputs a control signal instructing the end of the change effect started by the process of step S503 to the VDP 142 and the sound DSP 143. As a result, the variation effect is terminated (step S505). When the process of step S505 is executed, the process proceeds to step S516.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the received command is not a variable effect end command (step S504: NO), the received command is transmitted from the effect control board 130 in accordance with the process of step S1036 (see FIG. 20). It is determined whether the command is an icon display command (step S506). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not an icon display command (step S506: NO), the process proceeds to step S508, which is followed vertically.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the received command is an icon display command (step S506: YES), the central CPU 141 displays a hold icon having a display mode indicated by the setting information included in the icon display command, for example, in a predetermined display area on the main liquid crystal 5 The icon display process to be newly displayed is executed (step S507). When the received icon display command does not include setting information, a new hold icon having a normal display mode is displayed.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the received command is not an icon display command (step S506: NO), the operation command transmitted from the effect control board 130 in response to the process of step S12 (see FIG. 18). It is determined whether or not (step S508). If it is determined that the received command is not an operation command (step S508: NO), processing according to another command is executed (step S509).

  When the overall CPU 141 determines that the received command is an operation command (step S508: YES), the overall CPU 141 determines whether or not the suggestion effect in the first visual state described above is being performed (step S510). Specifically, the general CPU 141 stores the first production in the control ROM 144 at the beginning of a period in which these productions are simultaneously executed in the first visual state in which the visibility is lower than the second production. On the basis of the priority information (see FIG. 4), it is determined whether the first effect has a higher priority than the second effect, and the first effect has a higher priority than the second effect. If it is determined, the effective period during which the operation of the effect button 26 is effective is set as described above, and the above-described suggestion effect (for example, see FIG. 6A) is executed during this effective period. In step S510, the overall CPU 141 determines whether or not it is in the effective period based on the information indicating the effective period stored in the control RAM 145, and whether or not the suggestion effect is being performed based on the determination result. Determine whether. Whether or not the suggestion effect is being performed may be determined based on whether or not the VDP 142 is performing the rendering process of the suggestion effect effect image.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the suggestion effect is not being performed (step S510: NO), in response to receiving an operation command notifying that the effect button 26 has been operated, an effect change corresponding to the operation is generated (step S510: NO). Step S511). As an effect change here, when the character is displayed on the main liquid crystal 5, the effect change of further displaying the character's words according to operation of the effect button 26 is mentioned as an example.

  On the other hand, when determining that the suggestion effect is being performed (step S510: YES), the overall CPU 141 changes the viewing state from the first viewing state to the first viewing state in response to receiving an operation command notifying that the effect button 26 has been operated. The visual recognition state changing process for changing to the 2 visual recognition state is executed (step S512). Specifically, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 6A, the first effect (for example, the gigantic pattern notice effect) has lower visibility than the second effect (for example, the character full-screen display effect). When the effect button 26 is operated in the first viewing state, the display list stored in the display list storage area 1491 via the VDP 142 is used to erase the effect image 52 of the second effect from the main liquid crystal 5. Update.

  Subsequently, the overall CPU 141 executes effect sound output level change processing for changing the output level of effect sound output from the speaker 24 (step S513). For example, when the first effect and the second effect are executed simultaneously, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment, both the first effect sound related to the first effect and the second effect sound related to the second effect are generated. Are output from the speaker 24. At this time, if the first effect is in the first viewing state in which the visibility is lower than the second effect, the first effect sound related to the first effect is the first volume so as to correspond to the visibility of these effects. And the second effect sound related to the second effect is output from the speaker 24 at a second volume higher than the first volume. In such a situation, when the visual state change process of step S512 is performed, in the present embodiment, the effect image 52 of the second effect (for example, the character full screen display notice effect) is deleted from the main liquid crystal 5, and the first effect is obtained. The visibility of the effect image 51 (for example, the intense hot pattern notice effect) is improved. Therefore, in step S513, the overall CPU 141 stops the output of the second effect sound related to the second effect and generates a control signal for making the volume higher than the first volume of the first effect sound related to the first effect, thereby generating the sound DSP 143. Output to.

  As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the first effect effect image is from the first viewing state in which the first effect effect image is lower in visibility than the second effect effect image. In the case of changing to the second viewing state in which the visibility is higher than the effect image of the second effect, the first effect sound is lower in volume than the effect sound of the second effect from the first volume state. The effect sound of one effect changes to the second volume state where the sound volume is larger than the effect sound of the second effect.

  As a result, although the effect image of the first effect is emphasized due to the change from the first viewing state to the second viewing state, the effect sound output from the speaker 24 is the first effect. In addition, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the visual state and the sound volume state that the second effect is emphasized rather than the corresponding state.

  In this embodiment, since the effect image 52 of the second effect is not displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 when the state is changed to the second viewing state, the output of the second effect sound related to the second effect is made at the timing of shifting to the second viewing state. Is going to be terminated. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the visibility of the effect image of the first effect is made higher than that of the effect image of the second effect while continuing to display the effect image of the second effect even in the second viewing state. Thus, it is also conceivable to form the second viewing state (see, for example, FIG. 26). In such a case, when the overall CPU 141 changes to the second visual recognition state, the first effect sound is lower in volume than the second effect sound from the first sound volume state. It is preferable to output to the sound DSP 143 a control signal for changing the effect sound of the effect to the second sound volume state in which the sound volume of the effect is larger than that of the effect sound of the second effect.

  When executing the processing of step S513, the overall CPU 141 ends the suggestion effect in the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 (step S514). Although not shown in the figure, if the suggestion effect ends before the effective period ends, the effective period may end in the middle even if it is not the end of the preset effective period. become.

  The overall CPU 141 executes the process of step S514, executes the process of step S511, executes the process of step S509, or determines that the command from the effect control board 130 has not been received (step S501). : NO), when the process of step S503 is executed, when the process of step S505 is executed, or when the process of step S507 is executed, as illustrated in FIG. Judgment is made (step S516). Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not the changing effect is being performed based on whether or not the change effect start command is received after receiving the changing effect start command from the effect control board 130 ( Step S516). Here, when it is determined that the variation effect is not being performed (step S516: NO), the process proceeds to step S528 described later.

  On the other hand, when determining that the fluctuating effect is being performed (step S516: YES), the overall CPU 141 determines whether or not the first visual recognition state has occurred (step S517). In the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 4 and the like, a plurality of types of notice effects may be simultaneously executed during the changing effects. When the variation effect start command is received from the effect control substrate 130, the image sound control board 140 uses the change effect pattern setting information and the notice effect pattern setting information included in the change effect start command for control. Stored in the RAM 145. Based on the setting information of the notice effect pattern stored in the control RAM 145 and the execution status of the drawing process by the VDP 142 in the process of step S517, the general CPU 141 has one notice effect than the other notice effect. It is determined whether or not a first visibility state with low visibility has occurred (step S517). If it is determined that the first visual recognition state has not occurred (step S517: NO), the process proceeds to step S524 described later.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the first viewing state has occurred (step S517: YES), the overall CPU 141 uses the priority information stored in the control ROM 144 as the priority of each of the two types of notice effects that are being executed simultaneously. The notice effect with the lower visibility (hereinafter also referred to as “first notice effect”) is identified than the notice effect with higher visibility (hereinafter also referred to as “second notice effect”). Whether the priority is high is also determined (step S518). Here, when it is determined that the priority of the first notice effect is not higher than the second notice effect (step S518: NO), the process proceeds to step S524.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that the first notice effect has a higher priority than the second notice effect (step S518: YES), the overall CPU 141 sets an overlapping period in which the first notice effect and the second notice effect are simultaneously executed. Specify (step S519). Specifically, the period from when the first notice effect and the second notice effect are simultaneously executed until one of these notice effects ends is specified as the overlap period.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 24, the influence of the length of the overlapping period in which the first notice effect and the second notice effect are simultaneously executed on the visibility will be described. Here, FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the influence of the overlapping period on the visibility.

  FIG. 24A illustrates the case where the second notice effect is started during the execution of the first notice effect, and the overlap period in which these notice effects are simultaneously executed becomes a relatively long time. . As illustrated in FIG. 24A, when the overlapping period is a relatively long time, the first viewing state in which the first notice effect is lower in visibility than the second notice effect is similarly long. Become. For this reason, the above-mentioned suggestion effect is performed in the first viewing state, and the second viewing state is deleted by, for example, deleting the effect image of the second notice effect from the main liquid crystal 5 in accordance with the operation of the effect button 26 by the player. By switching to, the second visual recognition state can be continued for a long period of time, depending on the operation timing of the player. For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 24A, when the overlap period of the first notice effect and the second notice effect is relatively long, the suggestion effect is executed and the game is performed in the first viewing state. Switching to the second viewing state according to the operation by the user is effective in ensuring the visibility of the first notice effect.

  FIG. 24B illustrates a case where the first notice effect is started during the execution of the second notice effect, and the overlap period in which these notice effects are simultaneously executed becomes a relatively long time. . As illustrated in FIG. 24B, when the overlap period is a relatively long time, the first viewing state in which the first notice effect is less visible than the second notice effect is similarly long. Become. For this reason, as in the case illustrated in FIG. 24A, it is possible to execute the suggestion effect in the first viewing state and switch to the second viewing state according to the operation by the player. This is effective in ensuring the visibility of the notice effect.

  FIG. 24C illustrates a case where the second notice effect is started during the execution of the first notice effect, and the overlap period in which these notice effects are simultaneously executed is a relatively short time. . In the example shown in FIG. 24, in the overlap period, the first notice effect is in the first viewing state in which the visibility is lower than that of the second notice effect. However, as illustrated in FIG. Is relatively short, the time for executing the suggestion effect and the effective period for accepting the player's operation corresponding to the suggestion effect will inevitably be shortened. For this reason, even if the player operates the effect button 26 in accordance with the suggested effect, the operation may become an operation after the end of the effective period (that is, the operation is not in time). In addition, even if the player can perform an operation within the effective period and the viewing state is switched to the second viewing state, the overlap period is relatively short, and therefore the period during which the player enters the second viewing state Inevitably shorter. As described above, when the first notice effect is lower in visibility than the second notice effect and the overlapping period in which these effects are simultaneously executed is relatively short, it is suggested that the first notice effect is in the first view state. It can be said that executing the effect and switching to the second viewing state in accordance with the operation by the player is not very effective for ensuring the visibility of the first notice effect.

  FIG. 24D illustrates the case where the first notice effect is started during the execution of the second notice effect, and the overlap period in which these notice effects are simultaneously executed is a relatively short time. . In the example shown in FIG. 24D, the overlap period is relatively short, similar to the example described above with reference to FIG. 24C, so that the suggestion effect is executed and the player is in the first viewing state. It can be said that switching to the second visual recognition state according to the operation by is not very effective for ensuring the visibility of the first notice effect.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 24D, the second notice effect ends at the end of the overlapping period, and the first notice effect has a relatively high visibility, and the second notice state is inevitably shifted. The second viewing state continues for a relatively long time. For this reason, it can be said that there is a low need to cause the player to perform an operation in a relatively short overlapping period and to switch from the first viewing state to the second viewing state according to the operation. This is because even if the player does not perform an operation within the effective period, the player shifts to the second viewing state.

  As described above, when the overlap period in which the first notice effect and the second notice effect are simultaneously executed is relatively long, the suggestion effect is performed in the first visual recognition state, and the first notice effect and the second notice effect are performed according to the player's operation. 2 While changing the viewing state to the viewing state is effective in ensuring the visibility of the first notice effect, if the overlap period is relatively short, the suggestion effect is performed and the player's operation is performed. Accordingly, it is not very effective to change the viewing state to the second viewing state.

  Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the length of the overlap period is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the suggestion effect is performed to accept the operation by the player, while the length of the overlap period is less than the predetermined time. In such a case, the suggestion effect and the player's operation are not accepted. In order to realize such control, specifically, the following processing is performed.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the overall CPU 141 determines whether or not the overlap period is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) when the overlap period is specified by the process of step S519 (step S520). . Here, when it is determined that the overlap period is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S520: YES), an effective period during which the operation of the effect button 26 is valid is set (step S521). Specifically, the setting information of the effective period in which the start timing of the overlap period specified in the process of step S519 starts and the end timing of the overlap period ends is set in the control RAM 145.

  Then, the overall CPU 141 starts the suggestion effect by outputting a control signal instructing execution of the suggestion effect to the VDP 142 and the sound DSP 143 (step S522). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the suggested effect image is displayed on the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62, and the effect sound related to the suggested effect image is output from the speaker 24.

  In other embodiments, the suggestion effect may be performed in the following manner. That is, the suggestion effect that suggests that switching to the second viewing state is possible and prompts the player to operate the effect button 26 is performed using one of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. Alternatively, the main liquid crystal 5 may be used in place of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. The suggestive effect may be performed using both the main liquid crystal 5 and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. Further, the suggestion effect may be performed using only the speaker 24, for example, without using the main liquid crystal 5 and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. Further, instead of performing the suggestion effect using the main liquid crystal 5 and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62, an implied effect by the button lamp 261 may be performed as the suggestion effect.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the overlap period is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S520: NO), the process proceeds to step S524 without performing the processes of steps S521 and S522. In this case, the suggestion effect in the first visual recognition state and the operation of the effect button 26 are not accepted.

  When the overall CPU 141 executes the process of step S522 and determines that the first viewing state has not occurred (step S517: NO), the first notice effect has a higher priority than the second notice effect. If it is determined that the overlap period is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S520: NO), the effective period is determined based on the information indicating the effective period stored in the control RAM 145. It is determined whether it is during the period (step S524). If it is determined that the period is not valid (step S524: NO), the process proceeds to step S528.

  If the overall CPU 141 determines that it is during the effective period (step S524: YES), whether or not the operation command for notifying that the effect button 26 has been operated during the effective period has been received from the effect control board 130. Is determined (step S525). If it is determined that the operation command has not been received (step S525: NO), it is determined whether or not the end of the effective period has been reached based on the information indicating the effective period (step S526). If the overall CPU 141 determines that the end of the valid period has been reached (step S526: YES), the general CPU 141 ends the suggestion effect being executed (step S527).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation command has been received during the effective period (step S525: YES), or when it is determined that it is not the end of the effective period (step S526: NO), it is not within the effective period. As in the case of the determination, the process proceeds to step S528.

  The overall CPU 141 executes the process of step S527, determines that it is not in the valid period (step S524: NO), determines that the operation command has been received (step S525: YES), and sets the valid period. When it is determined that it is not the final period (step S526: NO), or when it is determined that it is not during the changing effect (step S516: NO), the data transmission control process is executed (step S528). Specifically, data related to image sound control performed on the image sound control board 140 is transmitted to the effect control board 130.

  On the other hand, the effect control board 130 transfers the data received from the image sound control board 140 to the lamp control board 150. Thus, various effect operations and the like are controlled by the lamp control board 150 so as to synchronize with the effects performed by the liquid crystal display device 5 and the speaker 24.

  Here, the control of the display effect performed by the main liquid crystal 5 and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 based on the command received from the effect control board 130 has been described. However, the output control of the effect sound from the speaker 24 is the display effect. Since it corresponds, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

[Ramp control processing by the lamp control board 150]
Next, a lamp control process executed in the lamp control board 150 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of a lamp control process executed in the lamp control board 150. The lamp control board 150 is transmitted from the image sound control board 140 via the command from the effect control board 130 and the effect control board 130 in a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. On the basis of the data relating to the image sound control, the series of processes illustrated in FIG.

  First, the lamp CPU of the lamp control board 150 executes a data reception process for receiving data relating to the image sound control transmitted from the image sound control board 140 via the effect control board 130 (step S601). The lamp CPU controls various rendering means so as to synchronize with the rendering by the main liquid crystal 5, the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62, and the speaker 24 based on the data relating to the image sound control received by the process of step S <b> 601.

  Following the processing of step S601, the lamp CPU determines whether or not a command transmitted from the effect control board 130 has been received (step S602). If it is determined that the command from the effect control board 130 has not been received (step S602: NO), the process proceeds to step S612, which will be described later.

  When the lamp CPU determines that the command from the effect control board 130 has been received (step S602: YES), the change of the command transmitted from the effect control board 130 in accordance with the process of step S1055 (see FIG. 21). It is determined whether the command is an effect start command (step S603). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the variation effect start command (step S603: NO), the process proceeds to step S608 described later.

  When the lamp CPU determines that the received command is a variation effect start command (step S603: YES), the lamp CPU reads the light emission pattern data corresponding to the received variation effect start command from the lamp ROM and sets it in the lamp RAM. The light emission pattern of each light emitting element such as the panel lamp 25 and the frame lamp 37 is set (step S604). Then, based on the set light emission pattern data, light emission control of these light emitting elements is started (step S605).

  Following the processing in step S605, the lamp CPU determines whether or not the operation of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 related to the variation effect is necessary based on the information indicating the variation effect pattern included in the received variation start command. Is determined (step S606). When it is determined that the operations of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 related to the change effect are not necessary (step S606: NO), the process proceeds to step S612.

  When the lamp CPU determines that the operation of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 related to the change effect is necessary (step S606: YES), the lamp CPU executes an operation setting process for setting the operation of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 (step S607). ). Specifically, the operation pattern and the operation start timing of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are specified based on the information indicating the change effect pattern included in the change effect start command, and information regarding these is set in the lamp RAM as setting information. set. When the process of step S607 is executed, the process proceeds to step S612.

  When the lamp CPU determines that the received command is not a variation effect start command (step S603: NO), the received command is transmitted from the effect control board 130 in accordance with the process of step S107 (see FIG. 19). It is determined whether or not it is a change effect end command (step S608). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the variation effect end command (step S608: NO), the process proceeds to step S610 described later.

  When the lamp CPU determines that the received command is a variation effect end command (step S608: YES), the lamp CPU executes a variation effect end process (step S609). Specifically, the light emission control started in the process of step S605 is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received command is not a variation effect end command (step S608: NO), processing according to other commands is executed (step S610).

  When the lamp CPU executes the process of step S610, executes the process of step S607, executes the process of step S609, or determines that the command is not received (step S602: NO), the fluctuating effect. When it is determined that the operation of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is not necessary (step S606: NO), it is determined whether it is the operation start timing of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 (step S612). Specifically, the setting information of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 in which the operation patterns of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are associated with information indicating the operation start timings of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is stored in the lamp RAM. The lamp CPU determines whether or not it is the operation start timing of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 based on whether or not the operation start timing indicated by the setting information has come. If it is determined that it is the operation start timing of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 (step S613: YES), a sub liquid crystal operation control process is executed (step S613). Specifically, the setting information at the operation start timing is determined from the setting information stored in the lamp RAM. Then, the operation pattern data corresponding to the operation pattern indicated by the determined setting information is read from the lamp ROM to the lamp RAM, and the stepping motors (the left sub liquid crystal motor 611 and the right sub liquid crystal motor 621) operate the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. ) Is controlled.

  When the lamp CPU executes the process of step S613 or determines that it is not the operation start timing of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 (step S612: NO), the lamp CPU is based on the data relating to the image acoustic control acquired in the process of step S601. Then, it is determined whether or not the suggestion effect in the first visual recognition state is started (step S614). Here, when it is determined that the suggestive effect is started (step S614: YES), that is, when it is the start timing of the suggestive effect, the light emission of the button lamp 261 is started (step S615).

  When the lamp CPU executes the process of step S615 or determines that the suggestive effect is not started (step S614: NO), that is, when it is not the start timing of the suggestive effect, the image sound control acquired in the process of step S601 is obtained. Whether or not the suggestion effect ends is determined based on the data regarding (step S616). Here, when it is determined that the suggestion effect is ended (step S616: YES), the light emission of the button lamp 261 is ended (step S617).

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the visibility of the first effect is improved according to the operation of the effect button 26 by the player. For this reason, a 1st effect can be performed more effectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the player operates the effect button 26 in a state where the first effect and the second effect are simultaneously executed in the first viewing state, the first effect is more visible than the second effect. The viewing state changes from the first viewing state having a lower visibility to the second viewing state in which the first rendering has higher visibility than the second rendering. For this reason, it is possible to improve the visibility and interest of the 1st production which were reduced by performing the 1st production and the 2nd production simultaneously according to operation by a player.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the suggestion effect suggests that the change of the visual recognition state from the first visual recognition state to the second visual recognition state is possible (see, for example, FIG. 6A), the change of the visual recognition state is performed. Although it is possible, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the player cannot arbitrarily select whether or not to change the visual recognition state without noticing that fact.

  By the way, when the first effect is a higher priority than the second effect (for example, a more important effect for the player), the player wants to visually recognize the first effect as highly visible as possible. However, if the first effect is an effect with a lower priority than the second effect (for example, an effect that is not very important for the player), the player does not necessarily have the highest visibility of the first effect. I don't think I want to see it in a state. For this reason, if the visual recognition state is changed up to the latter case, the player may be uncomfortable.

  On the other hand, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the first effect has a higher priority than the second effect, the suggestion effect is performed and the effect button 26 is displayed in accordance with the suggestion effect. When operated, the viewing state changes from the first viewing state to the second viewing state. Conversely, if the priority of the first effect is lower than that of the second effect, the suggestion effect is not performed, and even if the effect button 26 is operated in the first viewing state, the second viewing state The viewing state does not change. For this reason, the suggestion effect is performed until the first effect has a lower priority than the second effect, and the suggestion effect is frequently performed, which causes discomfort to the player. Can be suppressed. Moreover, it can suppress that the 2nd visual recognition state unpreferable for a player will be formed.

[Modified example of second viewing state]
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for describing a modified example of the second visual recognition state.

  In the present embodiment, a game is produced when the first effect image (for example, the effect image of the first notice effect) is lower in visibility than the second effect image (for example, the effect image of the second notice effect). When the effect button 26 is operated by a person, the visual effect is changed to the second visual state in which the first effect image has higher visibility than the second effect image by erasing the second effect image. The case has been described (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, in other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the display layers (specifically, Z) of these effect images are displayed so that the first effect image is superimposed on the second effect image. By replacing (value), the first viewing image may form a second viewing state with higher visibility than the second rendering image.

[Other specific examples of the second viewing state]
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for describing another specific example of the second visual recognition state. In FIG. 27A, as in FIG. 6A, the second effect image (character full-screen display notice effect image 52) is superimposed on the first effect image (here, the fierce hot pattern notice effect image 51). The state in which the suggestive effect using the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is performed in the displayed first viewing state is illustrated.

  In another embodiment, when the player operates the effect button 26 according to the suggestion effect in the first viewing state as illustrated in FIG. 27A, the second effect image (here, the character By reducing the full-screen display notice image 52) and changing its display position, the first effect image may form a second viewing state with higher visibility than the second effect image. Good (see FIG. 27B).

  27 illustrates that the VDP 142 performs both the reduction process for reducing the second effect image and the shift process for shifting the display position of the second effect image to form the second viewing state. However, you may make it form the 2nd visual recognition state where the direction of a 1st effect image has higher visibility than a 2nd effect image by performing any one process of a reduction process and a shift process.

[Other specific examples of the second viewing state]
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram for describing another specific example of the second visual recognition state. In FIG. 28 (A), as in FIG. 6 (A), the second effect image (character full-screen display notice effect image 52) is superimposed on the first effect image (here, image 51 of the intense hot-spot notice effect). The state in which the suggestive effect using the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is performed in the displayed first viewing state is illustrated.

  In another embodiment, when the player operates the effect button 26 according to the suggestion effect in the first viewing state as illustrated in FIG. 28A, the second effect image (here, the character The image 52) of the full screen display notice effect is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 so that the first effect image forms a second viewing state with higher visibility than the second effect image. It may be set (see FIG. 28B).

  In FIG. 28, it is exemplified that the second visual effect is formed by reducing the second effect image and displaying it on both the left sub-liquid crystal 61 and the right sub-liquid crystal 62. By displaying the image on one of the left sub-liquid crystal 61 and the right sub-liquid crystal 62, the first effect image may form a second viewing state in which the visibility is higher than that of the second effect image. .

[Other Specific Examples of First Viewing State and Second Viewing State]
FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram for describing another specific example of the first visual recognition state and the second visual recognition state.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first effect executing means for executing the first effect and the second effect executing means for executing the second effect are the same effect executing means (main liquid crystal 5) has been described. The effect execution means may be a different effect execution means.

  FIG. 29A shows the main liquid crystal 5 in which the first effect executing means displays the effect image, and the second effect executing means is the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 as effect agents operable on the front surface of the main liquid crystal 5. In some cases, the first viewing state in which the visibility of the display effect (first effect) by the main liquid crystal 5 is lower than that of the accessory effect (second effect) by the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is illustrated. In the example shown in FIG. 29A, a state in which the image of the suggestive effect displayed on the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 in the present embodiment is displayed on the main liquid crystal 5 is illustrated.

  When the player operates the effect button 26 in accordance with the suggestion effect in the first visual state as illustrated in FIG. 29A, the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are retracted to the initial position, and the first A second viewing state is formed in which the performance is more visible than the second performance (see FIG. 29B).

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, in order to switch from the first viewing state to the second viewing state, specifically, the following processing is performed. That is, when the effect button 26 is operated in the first visual recognition state, an operation command for notifying that effect is transmitted from the effect control board 130 to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

  In contrast, the overall CPU 141 of the image sound control board 140 causes the VDP 142 to delete the suggested effect image (see FIGS. 29A and 29B). The lamp CPU of the lamp control board 150 controls the driving of the left sub liquid crystal motor 611 and the right sub liquid crystal motor 621 to return the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 to their initial positions, thereby sub liquid crystals 61 and 62. Causes the running operation to stop.

  Here, the case where the second viewing state is formed by stopping the operation of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 has been described. However, the operation pattern of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is changed to the visibility of the display effect by the main liquid crystal 5. An operation pattern (for example, sub liquid crystal 61, 62) in which the visibility of the display effect by the main liquid crystal 5 is difficult to decrease from an operation pattern (for example, an operation pattern in which the sub liquid crystals 61, 62 cover a part of the main liquid crystal 5) is easily reduced. The second visual recognition state may be formed by switching the operation pattern 62 to an operation pattern 62 that does not cover the main liquid crystal 5.

[Other Specific Examples of First Viewing State and Second Viewing State]
FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for describing another specific example of the first visual recognition state and the second visual recognition state.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first effect is a notice effect during a changing effect using the main liquid crystal 5 and the second effect is a notice effect during a changing effect using the main liquid crystal 5 has been described. Is, for example, an effect of displaying a jackpot effect image on the main liquid crystal 5 during a long open round game in the jackpot game (for example, an effect of playing a predetermined moving image), and the second effect displays the number of rounds of the jackpot game It may be a round number display or a winning prize number display for displaying the total number of winning balls paid out during the big hit game.

  In FIG. 30A, during the jackpot game, the jackpot effect image is displayed in the entire screen area of the main liquid crystal 5, and the round number display image and the winning prize ball number image are displayed above the screen of the main liquid crystal 5. The state is illustrated. In the state where the screen display of FIG. 30A is performed, the visibility of the jackpot effect image is lower than the state where the round number display image and the acquired prize ball number image are not displayed on the main liquid crystal 5. It is the 1st visual recognition state. In such a first visual recognition state, a suggestive effect using the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is performed as in the present embodiment (see FIG. 30A).

  When the player operates the effect button 26 while the suggestion effect is being performed, for example, the round number display image moves from the main liquid crystal 5 to the left sub-liquid crystal 61 and the acquired winning ball number image is the main liquid crystal 5. To the right sub liquid crystal 62 (see FIGS. 30A and 30B). Thereby, since the round number display image and the acquired winning ball number image are not superimposed on the jackpot effect image displayed on the main liquid crystal 5, the visibility of the jackpot effect image is improved.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, in order to switch from the first viewing state to the second viewing state, specifically, the following processing is performed. That is, when the effect button 26 is operated in the first visual recognition state, an operation command for notifying that effect is transmitted from the effect control board 130 to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

  In contrast, the overall CPU 141 of the image sound control board 140 causes the VDP 142 to delete the suggested effect image (see FIGS. 30A and 30B). Then, by controlling the VDP 142, the round number display image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the left sub liquid crystal 61, and the acquired winning ball number image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the right sub liquid crystal 62. On the other hand, when the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are in operation, the lamp CPU of the lamp control board 150 stops the operations of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 and returns them to their initial positions, or the main liquid crystal 5 The operation pattern of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is changed to an operation pattern in which it is difficult to reduce the visibility of the jackpot effect image being displayed.

  Here, the case where the round number display image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the left sub liquid crystal 61 and the acquired winning ball number image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the right sub liquid crystal 62 has been described. Both the display image and the acquired winning ball number image may be moved to either the left sub liquid crystal 61 or the right sub liquid crystal 62.

[Other Specific Examples of First Viewing State and Second Viewing State]
FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram for describing another specific example of the first visual recognition state and the second visual recognition state.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first effect is a notice effect during a changing effect using the main liquid crystal 5 and the second effect is a notice effect during a changing effect using the main liquid crystal 5 has been described. Is an RTC effect that starts using the main liquid crystal 5 when a predetermined time condition is satisfied, and the second effect is an effect that causes the main liquid crystal 5 to display a fluctuating effect or a hold icon that fluctuates and displays decorative symbols. May be. As the predetermined time condition here, N hours (N is a natural number) has elapsed since the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 was turned on, and the current time indicated by the RTC 134 is a predetermined time. As mentioned.

  In FIG. 31A, the display area of the main liquid crystal 5 is divided into an upper area and a lower area whose display area is smaller than the upper area, and an RTC effect image which is an effect image of the RTC effect is displayed in the upper area. In addition, a state in which the variation effect image and the hold icon image are displayed in the lower area is illustrated. In the state where the screen display of FIG. 31A is performed, the visibility of the RTC effect image is lower than the state where the change effect image and the hold icon image are not displayed on the main liquid crystal 5. It is a 1st visual recognition state. In other words, since the lower area for displaying the fluctuating effect image and the hold icon image is formed, the display area of the RTC effect image becomes narrower than that in the case where the RTC effect image is displayed on the full screen. This is a state where the visibility of the effect image is lowered.

  In such a first visual recognition state, a suggestive effect using the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is performed as in the present embodiment. Note that the display area configuration illustrated in FIG. 31A continues until the RTC effect ends. For this reason, the suggestion effect is continuously performed until the RTC effect is ended unless the effect button 26 is operated in the first viewing state illustrated in FIG.

  When the player operates the effect button 26 while the suggestion effect is being performed, for example, the hold icon image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the left sub-liquid crystal 61, and the variable effect image is transferred from the main liquid crystal 5 to the right sub-liquid crystal. It moves to the liquid crystal 62 (see FIGS. 31A and 31B). As a result, the lower area of the main liquid crystal 5 is opened, and the RTC effect image displayed in the upper area is switched to full screen display. As a result, since the display area of the RTC effect image is widened and the RTC effect image is enlarged, the visibility of the RTC effect image is improved.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, in order to switch from the first viewing state to the second viewing state, specifically, the following processing is performed. That is, when the effect button 26 is operated in the first visual recognition state, an operation command for notifying that effect is transmitted from the effect control board 130 to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

  On the other hand, the overall CPU 141 of the image sound control board 140 causes the VDP 142 to delete the suggested effect image (see FIGS. 31A and 31B). Then, by controlling the VDP 142, the hold icon image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the left sub liquid crystal 61, and the variation effect image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the right sub liquid crystal 62. Further, the RTC effect image displayed in the upper area is switched to full screen display.

  On the other hand, when the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 are in operation, the lamp CPU of the lamp control board 150 stops the operations of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 and returns them to their initial positions, or the main liquid crystal 5 The operation pattern of the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 is changed to an operation pattern in which the visibility of the displayed RTC effect image is difficult to be reduced.

  Note that if the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 that are displaying the hold icon image and the variation effect image are continuously operated, the visibility of the hold icon image and the change effect image is lowered. For this reason, when the hold icon image or the fluctuating effect image is moved to the sub liquid crystal 61 or 62 to shift to the second viewing state, the sub liquid crystal 61 or 62 is visually recognized by the sub liquid crystal 61 or 62 as the RTC effect image. It is preferable to return to the initial position where the performance is not lowered and stop.

  Further, here, a case has been described in which the hold icon image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the left sub-liquid crystal 61 and the variation effect image is moved from the main liquid crystal 5 to the right sub-liquid crystal 62. Both effect images may be moved to either the left sub liquid crystal 61 or the right sub liquid crystal 62. When the effect button 26 is operated in the first visual recognition state, the effect image of the notice effect that is performed during the change effect is also moved to the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 in the same manner as the change effect image.

[Other Specific Examples of First Viewing State and Second Viewing State]
FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram for describing another specific example of the first visual recognition state and the second visual recognition state.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the first effect is a notice effect during a changing effect using the main liquid crystal 5 has been described. However, in another embodiment, the first effect is, for example, during the changing effect, the left sub liquid crystal 61 and There may be an effect in which a predetermined effect image is displayed on both or either one of the right sub liquid crystal 62.

  FIG. 32A illustrates a state where a character image is displayed on the left sub liquid crystal 61. The state in which the screen display of FIG. 32A is performed is a first viewing state in which the visibility of the character image is reduced as compared with the case where the character image is displayed largely on the main liquid crystal 5.

  In such a first visual recognition state, a suggestive effect using the main liquid crystal 5 is performed as illustrated in FIG. 29A (see FIG. 32A). When the player operates the effect button 26 while the suggestion effect is being performed, the character image moves from the left sub-liquid crystal 61 to the main liquid crystal 5, and the moved character image is enlarged and displayed (FIG. 32 ( A) and (B)). As a result, the display position of the character image moves to the center in the width direction of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the display size of the character image increases, so that the visibility of the character image is improved.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1, in order to switch from the first viewing state to the second viewing state, specifically, the following processing is performed. That is, when the effect button 26 is operated in the first visual recognition state, an operation command for notifying that effect is transmitted from the effect control board 130 to the image sound control board 140 and the lamp control board 150.

  On the other hand, the overall CPU 141 of the image sound control board 140 causes the VDP 142 to delete the suggested effect image (see FIGS. 32A and 32B). Then, the VDP 142 is controlled so that the character image is moved from the left sub liquid crystal 61 to the main liquid crystal 5 and enlarged and displayed on the main liquid crystal 5.

[Variation of visibility control]
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram for describing a modified example of visibility control. As illustrated in FIG. 33A, the first effective period is set for the first half of the overlap period in which the first effect and the second effect are simultaneously executed, and the first effect period is set for the second half of the overlap period. Two valid periods may be set. If the effect button 26 is not operated in the first effective period (the first half of the overlap period), the first effective period starts, regardless of whether or not the effect button 26 is operated by the player. The viewing state may be changed from the viewing state to the second viewing state.

  In addition, when the production button 26 is operated during the first effective period, it is preferable to switch the visual state from the first visual state to the second visual state from when the operation is performed (FIG. 33 (B)).

  Further, when the effect button 26 is not operated during the first effective period and the effect button 26 is operated after the second effective period, the second viewing period from the first viewing state is reached at the timing when the second effective period starts. The viewing state may be changed to the viewing state, and when the effect button 26 is operated, switching from the second viewing state to the first viewing state may be performed (see FIG. 33C). At this time, the viewing state may be changed from the second viewing state to the first viewing state on the condition that the effect lottery using random numbers is won, or unconditionally according to the operation of the rendering button 26. The viewing state may be changed from the second viewing state to the first viewing state.

  In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 33D, the first visual recognition is performed regardless of whether or not the effect button 26 is operated by the player in the overlapping period in which the first effect and the second effect are simultaneously executed. You may make it switch a state and a 2nd visual recognition state alternately. In this case, the first viewing state in which the first effect is more visible than the second effect and the second viewing state in which the second effect is more visible than the first effect are alternately switched. Both the first effect and the second effect can be emphasized.

[Other variations]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following forms may be sufficient. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the suggestion effect is suggested to suggest that the change of the visual recognition state to the second visual recognition state is possible in the first visual recognition state. You may do it. However, in such a case, for example, an effect sound relating to the first effect is output from the speaker 24 so that the player can grasp that the first effect is being executed in the first viewing state with low visibility. It is preferable to keep it. Moreover, you may make it perform only the suggestion effect by the button lamp 261 in a 1st visual recognition state, without performing explicit suggestion effect.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where an input means was the effect button 26, an input means is not limited to this, The touchscreen which can detect the touch operation of the effect key 27 and a player, for example, a game Other input means such as an optical sensor or a joystick capable of detecting a player's hand held over the board 2 may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a plurality of image display means including the main liquid crystal 5 and the sub liquid crystals 61 and 62 has been described. However, the number of image display means may be one.

  In addition, the configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the operation mode of each member described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized with other configurations and operation modes. Further, the order of processing, the set value, the threshold value used for determination, etc. in the flowcharts described above are merely examples, and the present invention can be realized with other orders and values without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say. The screen diagrams and the like exemplified in the above embodiment are merely examples, and other modes may be used.

1 Pachinko machine (an example of a game machine)
2 Game board 5 Main liquid crystal display device 7 Production role 24 Speaker 25 Board lamp 37 Frame lamp 61 Left sub liquid crystal 62 Right sub liquid crystal 100 Game control board 101 Main CPU
102 Main ROM
103 Main RAM
130 Production control board 131 Sub CPU
132 Sub ROM
133 Sub RAM
134 RTC
140 Image Sound Control Board 141 General CPU
142 VDP
143 Acoustic DSP
144 ROM for control
145 RAM for control
150 Lamp control board

Claims (1)

A game machine that determines whether or not to execute a special game, and executes the special game according to a result of the determination,
Input means that can be input by the player;
First effect executing means for executing a predetermined first effect;
Visibility control means for controlling the visibility of the first effect,
The visibility control means includes:
The visibility of the first effect is provided on the condition that there is an input from the input means when the first effect is being executed in the first viewing state in which the visibility of the first effect is relatively low. The gaming machine is characterized in that the viewing state is changed to a second viewing state that is higher than that in the first viewing state.

Images