JP2016214321A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of achieving amusement differing from before.SOLUTION: Ball entry into a second start pocket almost becomes a minor jackpot. When an electric tulip affecting the ball entry into the second start pocket is not open, the ball entry into the second start pocket is prevented and heading of the game balls for a major winning hole is not prevented. However, when the electric tulip is opened, the ball entry into the second start pocket is facilitated and ball entry into the major winning hole is prevented. Thus, the number of winning balls is suppressed in a time-shortening state, and is larger in a non-time-shortening state than in a time-shortening state. Setting to the time-shortening state is determined using a high-probability pattern type, and information relating to whether the time-shortening state is being set in special pattern determination performed with the ball entry into the second start pocket as an opportunity. When the time-shortening state is being set in the special pattern determination, the time-shortening state is maintained with a probability of 50%, and a shift to the non-time-shortening state is performed with a probability of 50%. In the non-time-shortening state, the non-time-shortening state is maintained with a probability of 80%, and a shift to the time-shortening state is performed with a probability of 20%.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that draws a jackpot by winning a game ball.

  In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a big winning lottery is performed by winning a game ball in a starting hole or other role, and if a big win is won, the big winning opening is opened and many prize balls are displayed. It becomes a jackpot gaming state that can be acquired.

  Various types of game contents have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the first start port is a variable start port, the other first start port and the second start port are fixed start ports, and the ball enters the first start port and the other first start port. The variation display based on and the variation display based on the ball entering the second starting port are performed at the same time, and in the non-time-short state, or the time short and high-accuracy state, the time of the variable display based on the ball entering the second start port In 14 hours, the lottery result is not fixed, and in the non-time-saving and high-accuracy state, the time for the variable display based on the entrance to the first starting port and another first starting port is 14 hours, and the lottery result is not fixed, If a big win is won based on a ball entering the first starting port and another first starting port, a game ball always enters the probability variation area provided in the first attacker device, and enters the second starting port. If you win the jackpot based on this, there is a 50% chance that the game ball will not enter the probability variation area and will be in a low probability state Configuration in which the line is disclosed.

JP2013-233243A

Here, if game characteristics different from conventional ones can be mounted on the gaming machine, it becomes possible to enhance the interest of the game.
An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can implement | achieve the game property different from the past.

  A gaming machine to which the present invention is applied includes a passage detection switch (for example, gate switch 214) that detects that a game ball has passed through a specific region (for example, gate 124) provided in the gaming region (for example, gaming region 111). A ball entry detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) for detecting that a game ball has entered a start port (for example, the second start port 122) provided in the game area (for example, the game region 111); First information (for example, jackpot random number) and second information (for example, jackpot symbol random number) are acquired when the entrance of a game ball is detected by the entrance detection switch (for example, second start port switch 212) To the player with the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) and the first information (for example, jackpot random number) acquired by the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) Special game determination means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) for determining whether or not to perform an advantageous special game, and the second information (for example, jackpot symbol random number) acquired by the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) In the event that the passage of the game ball is detected by the type determination means (for example, the CPU 201) for determining the type of the special game and the passage detection switch (for example, the gate switch 214), an auxiliary game advantageous to the player is performed. If the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) for determining whether or not the special game determination unit (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) is to perform the special game, Special electric accessory (for example, special symbol determination unit) that repeats a first state (for example, a closed state) that is impossible and a second state (for example, an open state) in which a ball can be entered 34) and when the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) performs the auxiliary game, it is difficult to enter the starting port (for example, the second starting port 122). An ordinary electric accessory (e.g., electric motor) that makes it easy for the player to enter the ball and makes it difficult for the game ball to reach the special electric accessory (e.g., the big prize opening 125) due to the transition to the easy state. A tulip 123), a control means (for example, CPU 201) for controlling the entry into the difficult state and the easy entry state with the ordinary electric accessory (for example, the electric tulip 123), and the type determination means ( For example, based on the second information (e.g., jackpot symbol random number) used for determination by the CPU 201), the control means (e.g., CPU 201) can easily control the entry into the easy state. Determining means (for example, CPU 201) for determining whether to enter a non-time-short state that is less likely to be controlled to be in a state where the entry is easier than the time-short state.

  In addition, the said code | symbol in this column is attached | subjected illustratively in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by this code | symbol.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a gameability different from the conventional one.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board, (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the basic process by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process at the time of the power supply cutoff by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the main control process of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot random number, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot symbol random number, (c ) Is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reach random number, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hit random number. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the fluctuation pattern used in a fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a figure which shows the structure of a command, (a) is a figure which shows the data structure of a command, (b) is a figure which shows the structure as a bit string of a command. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an effect control part, (a) is a figure which shows a main process, (b) is a figure which shows an interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of command reception processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a mode flag. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during completion | finish of the fluctuation effect of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the win production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ending effect selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the customer waiting command reception process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect button processing. It is a figure explaining the board surface composition concerning this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the setting about time reduction in case the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery which concerns on 1st Embodiment is a high probability symbol. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a figure explaining a gaming state etc. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the progress example of a game. It is a figure explaining the modification about this Embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described separately for the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment.
[First Embodiment]
First, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. Since the first to third embodiments have common configurations, functions, and the like, such common portions may be described as the present embodiment.

[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a gaming ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 surrounding the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the determination result of the special symbol lottery as the game progresses by the player. An effect image by appearance or appearance of an item or an effect image using a hold display described later is displayed.
In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with outlets 117 and 118 for discharging, out of the game area 111, game balls that have been launched in the game area 111 and that have not been won in the winning area. In the present embodiment, a discharge port 117 positioned below the game area 111 and a discharge port 118 positioned on the right side of the game area 111 are provided.

In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) is started when a game ball wins, and when a game ball passes, it is normal. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 for starting a symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is disposed on the game board 110. In FIG. 1, the gate 124 is provided on the right side of the game area 111, but an example in which another gate is provided on the left side of the game area 111 is also conceivable.
Moreover, the 1st starting port 121 and the 2nd starting port 122 here say the winning opening used as the operation opportunity of 1 predetermined special symbol display. Specifically, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are provided with switches (a first start port switch 211 and a second start port switch 212 described later) that detect the passage of a game ball when winning a prize. It has been. And when a game ball wins the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122, this switch will detect the passage of a gaming ball as an opportunity to operate a special symbol display.

The second starting port 122 includes an electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off when one blade is opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In the electric tulip 123, when the blade is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122, but when the blade is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded and the game ball is moved to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while lighting or blinking.
In the present embodiment, the electric tulip 123 is configured to have one blade on the opposite side (endward) to the center of the second starting port 122 in front view, but another example is provided. For example, an example in which the electric tulip 123 is configured such that a pair of blades in the shape of a tulip is opened and closed by an electric solenoid is also conceivable.

The pachinko gaming machine 100 has, as gaming states, a low probability state with a low winning probability based on the winning probability of the special symbol lottery and a high probability state (probability variation state) with a higher winning probability than the low probability state. . Then, the state is controlled to be either a low probability state or a high probability state based on a predetermined condition. In addition to the low probability state and the high probability state, it is possible to set a medium probability state in which the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is higher than the low probability state and lower than the high probability state. In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is controlled to one of a low probability state, a medium probability state, and a high probability state based on a predetermined condition.
Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Based on a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to be either a timeless state or a timeless state. The short-time state is any one of, for example, extending the opening time when the electric tulip 123 opens and closes, increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, or reducing the normal symbol variation time. A gaming state controlled by one or more combinations. In the short time state, the special symbol variation time of the special symbol may be shortened.

Also, in this embodiment, as other prizes and lottery items, a lottery is performed even if a game ball wins a grand prize opening 125 as a special electric bonus that opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery. An ordinary winning opening 126 that is not present is arranged on the game board 110.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower left position of the game board 110.

  Also, on the back side of the game board 110, there are a game control board for performing game control including determination of special symbol lottery, an effect control board for comprehensively controlling effects, an image control board for controlling effects by images and sounds, Various boards (not shown) such as a lamp control board for controlling the effect of the lamp and the movable accessory 115 are attached. In addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power source into a DC power source and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the back surface of the game board 110.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle. And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing interlocked with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. And a plate 153 for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In the present embodiment, the plate 153 is configured as an integrated upper and lower plate, but a configuration example in which the upper plate and the lower plate are separated is also conceivable. Further, a configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launcher is caused to emit light or vibrate under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

The frame member 150 also includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball stored in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs announcements and various effects using music, voice, and sound effects. The frame lamp 157 is composed of a light emitting body such as an LED, and performs various effects by light depending on a pattern due to lighting and blinking, a difference in emission color, and the like. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 is provided with an openable / closable front frame (not shown), and the front frame includes a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing an example of the display unit 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. FIG. 2B is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display unit 221 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the first start port 121 after variably displaying. The second special symbol display 222 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the second start port 122 after variably displaying. Based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the normal symbol display unit 223 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the normal symbol after being variably displayed. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are each constituted by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode. Similarly, the normal symbol display 223 is also composed of a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 are each configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of holds is determined depending on the lighting mode. Is displayed.

  Here, the hold will be described. If a game ball wins in the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change display operation (while the change display for one win is being performed), the special symbol is changing. In addition, the special symbol variation display operation based on the subsequent winning cannot be started. Therefore, the number of subsequent winnings is memorized up to a specified number (for example, 4), and the right to start a special symbol for the winning game ball is until the variable display operation for the previously winning game ball ends. Deferred. For normal symbols, the same processing as for special symbols is performed. The fact that such a hold has been made and the number of hold (unchanged number) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219 and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which three LEDs are arranged. One of the three LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state where the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win the second starting port 122. Still another one is to notify by lighting whether or not the player is in a state advantageous to the player by making a right strike (by changing the hitting force of the game ball). Note that the status indicator 224 may be further provided with an LED to notify information related to other gaming states.

  In addition, the indicator 130 includes a round number indicator 225 for displaying the number of rounds when the big winning opening 125 is operated in the jackpot game performed according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery. The jackpot game will be described later. The round number display 225 is configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of operating rounds of the big winning opening 125 in the jackpot game is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161, an effect key 162 that is adjacent to the effect button 161 and includes a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape, Is disposed on the frame member 150. For example, consider a case where an operation for selecting one image from a plurality of images is received in the production. In this case, for example, the player operates one of the effect keys 162 including four keys arranged in a cross to indicate one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114, and the effect button 161. An operation such as selecting an instructed image can be employed by operating. In addition to the effect buttons 161 and the effect keys 162 shown in the figure, various input forms such as levers, dials, and the like can be adopted as the input device.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that determines whether a special symbol is won or the like as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A lamp control unit 320 for controlling the payout, and a payout control unit 330 for performing payout control of the payout ball.

  The game control unit 200 as the main control means is configured by a game control board (not shown) as a main board. In addition, each of the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, the lamp control unit 320, and the payout control unit 330, which are sub-control means, includes an effect control board, an image control board, a lamp control board (not shown), And the payout control board.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining a lottery result of a special symbol lottery, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. And a RAM 203 used as the above.

The game control unit 200 controls the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 in either a high probability state or a low probability state, a time-short state or a time-short state. As a result, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a high probability state and a short time state, a high probability short time gaming state, a low probability state and a short time state, low probability short time gaming state, a high probability state, and a short time short state. It can be any one of a short-probability game state, a low-probability state, and a low-probability game state of low probability. In the present embodiment, an example in which there is no low probability state and a short probing state, which is a low probability state, and a short probing state, which is a low probability state, is also possible.
Then, the game control unit 200 switches between the high probability state and the low probability state based on a predetermined condition, and switches between the short time state and the short time state. In addition, the game control unit 200 performs control such as increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery in the short time state, shortening the normal symbol variation time, and extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123 in the short time state. I do.

  The game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery when the game ball is won at the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Then, a special game such as a jackpot game is performed according to the determination result of the special symbol lottery. In the special game, the game control unit 200 performs a predetermined number of rounds that maintain an open state until the special winning opening 125, which is a special electric accessory, satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won). Control to repeat only. And the game control part 200 controls the opening-and-closing operation space | interval at the time of the jackpot big winning opening 125 opening.

In addition, the game control unit 200 performs a normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 124. And the action | operation of the electric tulip 123 is controlled according to the determination result of a normal symbol lottery.
In addition, the game control unit 200 holds the game ball when the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change, or the game ball passes through the gate 124 during the normal symbol change. Set the hold that occurs.
Further, the game control unit 200 accompanies the game control such as the determination result of the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state, the change information of the time short state and the short time state, the setting information of the hold, etc. Information is sent to the production control unit 300.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 330 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 330 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 330 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction with it.
When the payout control unit 330 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 330. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol hold indicator 218 for displaying the number of unreserved reserves won in the first start port 121 during the change of the special symbol, and the second special symbol hold indicator 218 during the change of the special symbol. A second special symbol hold indicator 219 that displays the number of unchanged reserves that have been won at the start port 122, and a normal symbol hold indicator that displays the number of unchanged symbols that have passed through the gate 124 while the normal symbol is changing. 220 are connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a special symbol variation display and a special symbol lottery result performed by winning a game ball in the first starting port 121, and a second starting port. A second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol variation display and special symbol lottery performed by winning the game ball to 122, and the normal symbol display that displays the normal symbol variation display and the normal symbol lottery result A device 223 and a state indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 350 for transmitting various information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits the information about the number of paid-out prize balls acquired from the payout control unit 330 and the information indicating the state of the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 350. To do.

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
The effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs calculation processing when controlling the effect, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data, a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring.
The effect control unit 300 sets the contents of the effect, for example, based on the determination result of whether or not the winning in the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200 and the variation pattern. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the effect key 162, the effect content corresponding to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as the effect button 161, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect.
In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, the production control unit 300 instructs the setting of screen display for waiting for a customer as one of the productions.
Furthermore, the production control unit 300 sets the production content based on the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state received from the game control unit 200, and the change information of the short time state and the short time state.
In addition, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the image and sound representing the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored.
The ROM 312 further stores various types of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, etc., and voice processing using the read acoustic data are performed using the read image data.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.
Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 330 includes a CPU 331 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling payout of payout balls, a ROM 332 that stores programs executed by the CPU 331, various data, and the like, and a RAM 333 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 331 and the like. And.
The payout control unit 330 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 330 acquires, from the game control unit 200, a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (the first start port 121 or the like). Then, the payout driving unit 334 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 334 is constituted by a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the game ball storage unit.

The payout control unit 330 includes a payout ball detection unit 335 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout driving unit 334, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Detecting unit 336 for detecting presence / absence of storage of the game, and detecting whether or not the plate 153 for holding the game ball used when the player plays the game or the paid-out prize ball is full. A full tank detection unit 337 is connected. The payout control unit 330 receives the detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, the ball presence detection unit 336, and the full tank detection unit 337, and performs a predetermined process according to these detection signals.
Further, the payout control unit 330 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 340 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall. Then, the payout control unit 330, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 334, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 340. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process associated with special symbol variation.
In addition, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc. As a function unit, a prize winning opening operation control unit 237, an electric tulip operation control unit 238, and a prize ball processing unit 239 are provided. And an output control unit 240 and a random number control unit 241.

The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value used for the special symbol lottery and a random value used for the normal symbol lottery. In the case of a random number value used for the special symbol lottery, specifically, on the condition that a game ball has won a prize at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122, a numerical value within a predetermined range for each type of random number. One numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from the inside. The acquired random number value is used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234. As will be described in detail later, the random numbers used in the special symbol lottery include a jackpot random number indicating whether or not the jackpot, a symbol random number indicating the type of jackpot, a variation pattern random number, a reach random number, and the like.
Further, in the case of a random number value used in the normal symbol lottery, specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of values on the condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 124. ) The acquired random number value is used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232. In addition, as a random number used for the normal symbol lottery, a symbol random number indicating a winning type, a variation pattern random number, or the like may be set in addition to a winning random number indicating whether or not the winning is made.
When the special symbol lottery is performed, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol in the first special symbol indicator 221 or the second special symbol indicator 222 according to the lottery result.

  The special symbol determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 17 to be described later at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and whether the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is “big hit or not” Type "," whether or not a small win if the big win is not won "or the like. That is, the special symbol determination unit 234 determines whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player based on the random number value for special symbol lottery acquired by the random number acquisition unit 231. The special symbol lottery is a process performed by the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. That is, the types of jackpots based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game are the jackpots that become the short game state with a high probability after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, the jackpot of the short game state with a high probability), the short game state with a low probability Jackpot to become a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot of a low probability short game state), a jackpot to be a high probability short gameless state (hereinafter a jackpot of a high probability short gameless state), a jackpot to become a low probability short gameless state (hereinafter low) There is a possibility of a jackpot of probable short gameless state). Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the grand prize opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). It is. In the “short win”, a round in which the special winning opening 125 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

In addition, in the case of “small winning” when the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened for a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) for 0.1 seconds. At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the high probability short game state, the high probability short time gaming state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the low probability short-time non-game state, the low-probability short short no-game state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the game state does not shift.
Also, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. Specifically, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern based on the determination result whether or not to play the jackpot game, the determination result whether or not to reach and the like. Then, based on the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection unit 235, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol. Details of operations of the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 and the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 will be described later.
Here, “reach” is an effect for causing a player to expect a big hit in a decorative pattern to be described later.

The normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether or not the lottery result of the normal symbol is “winning” using a random number table as shown in FIG. That is, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether or not to perform an auxiliary game that opens and closes the electric tulip 123 based on the random number value for normal symbol lottery acquired by the random number acquisition unit 231. When a plurality of types of winning are set in the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol determining unit 232 determines “winning type” when the determination result is winning. The normal symbol lottery is a process performed by the random number acquisition unit 231 and the normal symbol determination unit 232.
When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display unit 223 according to the lottery result.
The electric tulip movement control unit 238 opens the electric tulip 123 for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines “winning” in the normal symbol lottery, and a game ball is placed at the second start port 122. Generate a state that makes it easy to win. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

When the special symbol determination unit 234 determines that it is a “big hit” in the special symbol lottery, the big winning mouth operation control unit 237 uses the operation pattern specified based on the type of the winning jackpot as the jackpot game. The opening operation of 125 is controlled. Also, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 opens the special winning opening 125 for a specified time and a specified number of times as a small winning game when the special symbol determining unit 234 determines “small hit” in the special symbol lottery. .
The prize ball processing unit 239 sets commands for controlling the number of prizes received for various types of winning-related items and lottery, and for controlling the dispensing of prize balls according to the prizes.
The output control unit 240 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 330.
The random number control unit 241 updates various random number values that the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires at a predetermined timing.

It should be noted that a variation in which the special winning opening 125 of the present embodiment has a special winning opening (not shown) is conceivable. The case of such a modification will be described.
In such a modification, the game ball that has entered the grand prize opening 125 is configured to be able to enter a special prize opening provided inside. In addition, opening / closing of the special prize opening is controlled by the game control unit 200. In the present embodiment, the special winning opening is opened and closed based on a predetermined opening / closing pattern when a jackpot game is performed.
Then, when the ball game ball enters the special winning opening, the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 shifts to a predetermined game state after the end of the jackpot game. In the present embodiment, when a game ball enters the special winning opening, it is set to shift to a high probability state. Here, when a special winning opening is won, the predetermined game state to be shifted after the end of the jackpot game is not limited to the high probability state, and may be set to shift to, for example, a short-time state or a medium probability state. good.
It should be noted that the grand prize opening 125 and the special prize opening are not limited to being configured integrally. For example, a second prize winning opening may be provided separately from the prize winning opening 125, and the second prize winning opening may function as the special prize winning opening described above.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
When the power is turned on, the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs initialization and initial setting of various devices as a basic process at the time of activation. And after performing a basic process, the game control part 200 repeatedly performs the main control process which is a series of processes regarding progress of a game. In addition, when the power is shut off, the game control unit 200 executes a series of power-off processing.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating an operation of basic processing by the game control unit 200.
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on, the game control unit 200 first permits access to the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) (step (hereinafter, “step” will be referred to as “S”) 101). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not a RAM clear switch for clearing the RAM 203 is ON (S102).
If the RAM clear switch is OFF (No in S102), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the backup flag relating to the operation at the time of power-off is ON (S103).
If the backup flag is ON (Yes in S103), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the checksum created when the power is turned off is normal (S104).
If the checksum is normal (Yes in S104), the game control unit 200 next executes a return process (S105). In this return processing, the game control unit 200 performs setting of sub-control means such as the effect control unit 300 accompanying the recovery from the state where the power is cut off. Specifically, the game control unit 200 is configured so that the internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is cut off (whether the game is a big hit game, either a high probability state or a low probability state, a short time state and a short time state) The command for setting the sub-control means is output to the effect control unit 300 so that any one of them is reflected. In this return process, the game control unit 200 turns off the backup flag.

  On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is ON (Yes in S102), the backup flag is OFF (No in S103), and the checksum is abnormal (No in S104), then the game control unit 200 is initialized. As processing, the stored contents of the RAM 203 are cleared (S106), and the work area of the RAM 203 is set (S107). Then, the game control unit 200 outputs a command for setting (initializing) the sub control means to the effect control unit 300, and sets the sub board (sub control means) (S108). The setting of the sub board includes clearing the RAMs 303, 313, and 323 mounted on each sub board.

After the return process (see S105) is completed or after the setting of the sub-board (see S108) is finished, the game control unit 200 sets various counters and timers used for game control (S109). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the interrupt permission (S110), the interrupt prohibition (S111), the symbol random number control process (S112), the initial value random number update process (S113), and the power shutoff flag are ON. (S114) is repeatedly executed as a loop process.
Here, interrupt permission (S110) and interrupt prohibition (S111) are provided to enable execution of interrupt processing during execution of the loop processing (S110 to S114). In the present embodiment, main control processing in game control is executed by this interrupt processing. Details of the main control process will be described later.
In the symbol random number control process (S112), the game control unit 200 updates the variation pattern random number used in the special symbol lottery.
In the initial value random number update process (S113), the game control unit 200 updates initial values of various random number values used in the game control.
In the determination of the power cut-off flag, when the power cut-off flag is OFF (No in S114), the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not cut off, and the game control unit 200 performs main control by interruption together with the loop processing (S110 to S114). The process is executed repeatedly. On the other hand, when the power shut-off flag is ON (Yes in S114), the game control unit 200 starts a process for shutting off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (power shut-off process).

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of power-off processing by the game control unit 200.
In the power-off process, the game control unit 200 first clears the setting of the output port for performing various outputs (S115). Next, the game control unit 200 creates a checksum and stores it in the RAM 203 (S116). Next, the game control unit 200 turns on the backup flag (S117), prohibits access to the RAM 203 (S118), and shifts to an infinite loop.

[Main control processing of gaming machines]
Next, main control processing of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
In the main control process, the game control unit 200 controls the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100, instructs the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, to control the effect, and gives a prize ball to the payout control unit 330. Instructs payout control.

FIG. 5-3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the main control process of the game control unit 200.
The main control process includes a series of processes in game control, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds). In the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 generates an interrupt every predetermined time set in advance, and when the interrupt is permitted in the loop process shown in FIG. Execute main control processing. As shown in FIG. 5C, in the main control process, a random number update process, a switch process, a symbol process, an electric accessory process, a prize ball process, and an output process are sequentially executed (S501 to S506).

  In the random number update process (S501), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the random number control unit 241, and updates various random number values used in the game control by the game control unit 200. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (S502), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231, monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. If this happens, a special symbol lottery process is executed.
In the gate switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231 to monitor the state of the gate switch 214 in FIG. 3, and when the switch is turned on, for the normal symbol lottery. Execute the process.
Details of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (S503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235, and executes the special symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation. To do.
In the normal symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the normal symbol variation control unit 236 and the normal symbol determination unit 232, and executes the normal symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (S504), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the special prize opening operation control unit 237 and controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 which is a special electric accessory based on a predetermined condition.
In the electric tulip process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the electric tulip operation control unit 238 and controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 that is a normal electric accessory based on a predetermined condition.
Detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

  In the winning ball process (S505), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the winning ball processing unit 239, and sets a command for controlling the number of winnings and a control for paying out a winning ball according to the winnings.

  In the output process (S506), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240, outputs a command for effect control to the effect control unit 300, and sends a command for payout control to the payout control unit 330. Output. The effect control command is generated in each processing from S502 to S504, and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. The payout control command is generated in the processing of S 505 and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. A storage area is set in the RAM 203 for each type of control command.

  The output control unit 240 sequentially checks the storage area of each control command in the RAM 203 in the output process (S506), and if the control command is stored in each storage area (that is, the control command is used in the process of S502 to S505). If a command has been generated), the control command is read and output to the output destination (the effect control unit 300 or the payout control unit 330).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, output processing is performed at the end of a series of main control processing. That is, the command generated in each process of S502 to S505 by the above functions as the first processing means is stored in a corresponding storage area of the RAM 203 in each process. Then, after these series of processing, the output control unit 240 as the second processing means collectively outputs the commands generated in each processing accumulated in the storage area of the RAM 203. In other words, in this embodiment, when the main control process is executed for one cycle, the command generated in the execution of the one cycle is output after the last command generation in the execution of the one cycle is performed.

[Configuration example of RAM of game control unit]
Although not particularly illustrated, the RAM 203 is provided with a command storage area for storing the command generated by the main control process for each command type.
As will be described in detail later, the command sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is, for example, 2-byte information including a code indicating the type of command and data indicating the content of the command. A code is described in 1 byte, and data is described in another 1 byte. The code is, for example, information such as a special symbol lottery or a stop symbol related to a normal symbol lottery, a variation pattern, a hold, a preliminary determination, an operation instruction of the big prize opening 125 or the electric tulip 123, an error notification related to the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100, etc. Identify the type. The data specifies the specific contents of the information specified by the code. For example, information such as the type of stop symbol in the special symbol lottery, the selected variation pattern, the number of holds, the specific contents of the operation of the special winning opening 125 (open or closed), an instruction to start or end error notification, etc. Described.

Each command storage area of the RAM 203 described above is associated with one or more types of commands for one command storage area. Then, in the main control process shown in FIG. 5C, the game control unit 200 stores the generated command in a command storage area associated with the command.
Here, in the main control process, not every command is necessarily generated every time one cycle of the process is executed. For example, when there is no winning at the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, a command related to a special symbol lottery stop symbol or a variation pattern is not generated. In addition, the command for operating the prize winning port 125 and the electric tulip 123 is not generated unless it is the timing at which these electric accessories are to be operated. Also, an error notification command is not generated unless an error has occurred.
Therefore, when the output process of the main control process (see S506 in FIG. 5-3) is performed, commands are usually stored in some command storage areas of the command storage area provided in the RAM 203. In other command storage areas, no commands are stored.

[Output processing by output controller]
Next, output processing (S506 in FIG. 5-3) by the output control unit 240 will be described.
The output control unit 240 of the game control unit 200 first pays attention to one of the command storage areas provided in the RAM 203 and checks whether or not a command is stored in the focused command storage area. If the command is stored, the output control unit 240 reads out the stored command and outputs it to the effect control unit 300.

If no command is stored in the focused command storage area, the output control unit 240 checks whether there is an unprocessed command storage area after outputting the command stored in the command storage area. When there is an unprocessed command storage area, the output control unit 240 pays attention to one of the unprocessed command storage areas, and repeats confirmation and output of the presence / absence of a command for the focused command storage area.
Then, when processing has been performed for all command storage areas, the output processing is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when one cycle of the main control process is executed, a command is generated according to the situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 at that time, and the generated command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 203. Stored. At the end of one cycle of the main control process, the commands generated by the execution of the one cycle are collectively read from the command storage area of the RAM 203 and output.

  With this configuration, in the main control process, in order to output the generated command, it is only necessary to call the function of the output control unit 240 once. That is, since it is not necessary to prepare a function (subroutine) that outputs a generated command every time a command is generated, the number of control instructions can be reduced and an increase in the size of a program related to output processing can be suppressed. Further, since it is not necessary to call a function for outputting the generated command every time a command is generated, the time required for the entire output process can be shortened.

[Modified example of basic operation of gaming machine]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the interrupt is permitted in the loop process portion of the basic process, and the main control process including a series of processes is executed as the interrupt process. However, the main control process only needs to be configured to be repeatedly executed at regular intervals, and specific implementation means (execution procedure) is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. It is not limited. For example, the main control process may be incorporated in a series of operations of the basic process, the elapsed time may be measured at a predetermined timing, and the process may return to the main control process every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds). In addition, while incorporating the main control process in the series of operations of the basic process, as in the operation described with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. If it occurs, it may be configured to return to the main control process incorporated in the basic process.

  When a command generated in the basic process is output, in principle, every time a command is generated, the command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 203, and the output control unit 240 serving as the second processing means in the main control process is stored. Call and output the function. The basic process is a special process such as an initial operation that is performed when the power is turned on, and the processing procedure may vary depending on conditions such as the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is turned on. This is to promptly output the generated command so that there is no such thing. In addition, when a command is continuously generated by a plurality of related processes, a process procedure for storing a plurality of commands in the command storage area of the RAM 203 and outputting them in response to a specific process request is adopted. May be.

[Random number update processing by game control unit]
A random number value as determination information used for various lotteries in game control such as special symbol lottery is counted by a counter and starts from a predetermined initial value, and is updated by a random number update process (S501) of the main control process shown in FIG. ) Is incremented by one each time. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). The This random number counter is an infinite loop counter, and after the counted random number value reaches the set random number maximum value (for example, 299 for the jackpot random number shown in FIG. 17A to be described later) Return to the initial value again. In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on the update interval and the initial value information. Therefore, after returning from the main control process to the basic process shown in FIG. 5A, the initial value of each random number is randomly changed in the initial value random number update process of S113.

[Start-up switch processing by game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in S502 of FIG. 5-3.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 6, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned on (S601). If the first start port switch 211 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (S602). . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit (No in S602), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S602), the game control unit 200 next adds 1 to the value of the hold number U1 (S603). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S604). Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of the preceding S501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random numbers here include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after the end of jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state and low probability state, long hit, short Symbol random number value that determines the winning pattern, jackpot symbol random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value for specifying the variation pattern in symbol variation, reach random number value that determines whether or not to perform with reach in the event of a loss, etc. Is included.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (S605). In this preliminary determination process, the lottery result is determined not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize (that is, in S605). In addition, in the gaming machine that does not perform the notice effect based on the advance determination, the advance determination process may be omitted.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U1 in S603 in a predetermined storage area for the control command set in the RAM 203 (S606). Then, the process for winning in the first start port 121 is terminated. When the advance determination process of S605 is performed, the information on the determination result of the advance determination obtained in S605 is included in the pending number increase command.

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 6, next, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (S607). If the second start port switch 212 is turned ON, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (S608). . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in S608), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the holding number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S608), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (S609). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for a lottery by the current winning and stores it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S610). Here, since the winning of the second start port 122 is won, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random number value, reach random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value, etc.) are acquired as in S604 above. Is done. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (S611). The content of this pre-determination process is the same as that of said S605. This prior determination process may also be omitted in a gaming machine that does not perform a notice effect based on prior determination.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in S609 in a predetermined storage area for the control command set in the RAM 203 (S612). Then, the process for winning in the second start port 122 is terminated. When the advance determination process of S611 is performed, the information on the determination result of the advance determination obtained in S611 is included in the pending number increase command.

[Gate switch processing by game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (S701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (S702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in S702), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations G is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S702), the game control unit 200 then adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations G (S703). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

  After the random number value is acquired in S704, the game control unit 200 performs a predetermined command for the control command set in the RAM 203 with a hold number G increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number G in S703. The storage area is set (S705), and the winning process in the gate 124 is terminated.

[Special symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S503 of FIG. 5-3.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( S801). Here, the winning game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the big hit game. Either the long hit game flag or the short hit game flag is set according to the type of the big hit game being executed. In the present embodiment, these are collectively called a winning game flag.

  When the winning game flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in the jackpot game, the special symbol process is terminated without starting the special symbol change (Yes in S801). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (No in S801), then the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (S802). If the special symbol is not changing (No in S802), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 6) of the special symbols that have not been changed (S803 to S806). In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (S803). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in S803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (S804). On the other hand, if the holding number U2 = 0 (No in S803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the holding number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (S805). When the number of holds U1 is 1 or more (Yes in S805), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holds U1 (S806). On the other hand, if the holding number U1 = 0 (No in S805), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting process for waiting for customers set in another routine To finish the process (S816).
In the present embodiment, priority is given to the processing related to the holding number U2 related to winning in the second start port 122. That is, when the number of holdings U2 is 1 or more, the processing related to the number of holdings U2 is performed, and when the number of holdings U2 = 0, the processing related to the number of holdings U1 is performed (see S803 to S806). On the other hand, regardless of which of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 is won, for example, it is also possible to perform a control in which the hold numbers U1 and U2 are subtracted in the order of winning.

  After subtracting the reserved number U1 or the reserved number U2 in S804 or S806, the special symbol variation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S807). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (S816, see FIG. 12).

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (S808, S809). Although details will be described later, the setting information for changing the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 by the jackpot determination processing and the variation pattern selection processing (the jackpot symbol, game State, variation pattern, etc.) are determined. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 is displayed by the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The special symbol change is started (S810). Then, a change start command including setting information (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in a predetermined storage area for the control command set in the RAM 203 (S811). The change start command set in S811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

  When it is determined in S802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in S802), or after the change start command is set in S811, the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed (S812). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the variation of the special symbol in S810 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in S809. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in S812), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in S812), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines the variation of the special symbol in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit determination process in S808. It stops at the symbol determined in (S813). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design, which will be described later, is set in a predetermined storage area for a control command set in the RAM 203 (S814). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (S815). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in S814 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (S808 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (S901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit is made (S902). , S905). Whether or not the jackpot or the jackpot is determined is whether or not the value of the jackpot random number acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches the value set as the jackpot winning value or the value set as the jackpot winning value It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 17A).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is a big hit (Yes in S902), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number value (S903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value for each jackpot type (FIG. 17 ( b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the type of jackpot determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) as setting information in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S904). ).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is a small hit (No in S902, Yes in S905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses a symbol representing the small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol) as setting information. A predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 is set (S906).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is neither big win nor small win (No in S902 and S905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses the symbol indicating that the lottery is lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) as the setting information in the RAM 203. Is set in a predetermined storage area set in (S907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (S809 in FIG. 8).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in the current special symbol lottery using the determination result in S902 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). (S1001). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1002).

  When the big hit is not made (No in S1001), the variation pattern selecting unit 235 next determines whether or not a small hit is made in this special symbol lottery (S1003). If it is a small hit (Yes in S1003), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for small hits from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1004).

On the other hand, when neither big hit nor small hit is made (No in S1001, No in S1003), the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a big hit. The random number value is determined for this purpose (S1005). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value (see FIG. 17C). .
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1006), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203. (S1007). When the reach effect is not performed (No in S1006), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1008).
Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers (see FIG. 18). .

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random value using the variation pattern random value acquired in S604 or S610 of FIG. 6 and the variation pattern table set in S1002, S1004, S1007, and S1008. (S1009). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern table is different, the determined variation pattern is different.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in S1009 as setting information in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1010). The variation pattern setting information set in S1010 is included in the variation start command set in S811 of FIG. 8, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S506 of FIG. 5-3. Details of the variation pattern selected in this embodiment and its setting will be described later.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the suspension process (S815 in FIG. 8).
In this stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter referred to as a short time flag) is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1101). When the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in S1101), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (S1102), and whether or not the number of lotteries J has become zero. (S1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in S1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (S1104). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in S1101), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in S1104, or if the value of the number of lotteries J after subtraction in S1102 is not 0 (No in S1103), then game control The unit 200 checks whether or not a flag indicating a high probability state (hereinafter, a probability variation flag) is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1105-1). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  If the probability change flag is ON (Yes in S1105-1), the game control unit 200 next determines whether the gaming state has fallen (S1105-2). Here, the fall of the gaming state means that the gaming state shifts from the high probability state to the low probability state (the pachinko gaming machine 100 having such a specification is also called a falling machine). In this type of pachinko gaming machine 100, whether or not to drop the gaming state every time the special symbol lottery is performed in a gaming state where the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high (high probability state in the present embodiment). (Falling lottery) is performed. In this determination (falling lottery), for example, a random number value (falling random number value) is acquired at the time of winning the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122 in the same manner as the determination of jackpot or jackpot symbol, etc. It is possible to use a table configured so that a gaming state falls with a probability of.

When it is determined that the gaming state is to be dropped (Yes in S1105-2), the game control unit 200 turns off the probability change flag (S1108).
When it is determined that the gaming state does not fall (No in S1105-2), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) X in the high probability state (S1106), and the number of lotteries X is 0. It is checked whether or not (S1107). If the number of lotteries X = 0 (Yes in S1107), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1108). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  When the probability variation flag is OFF (No in S1105-1), or after the probability variation flag is turned OFF in S1108, or when the value of the number of lotteries X after subtraction in S1106 is not 0 (No in S1107), then The game control unit 200 determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (S1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1109), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the big hit type is a long win (S1110).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the jackpot is possible can be made based on the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 17B to be described later is set, “Yes” is determined in S1109. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in S1109.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in S1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the long hit game flag (S1111). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the jackpot type is not long hit (No in S1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the short hit game flag (S1112). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the winning game flag in S1111 or S1112, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (S1113). In addition, when the time reduction flag is ON in S1101 and the lottery count J is not 0 in S1103, the game control unit 200 turns the time reduction flag OFF (S1114). Similarly, if the probability change flag is ON in S1105 and the number of lotteries X is not 0 in S1107, the game control unit 200 turns the probability change flag OFF (S1114).

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in S1113, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (S1117). Here, the contents of the opening operation differ depending on which of S1111 and S1112 the winning game flag is turned on. That is, according to the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation corresponding to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in a predetermined storage area for the control command set in the RAM 203 (S1118). ), And terminate the process during stoppage. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big win (No in S1109), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (S1115). ). If it is not a small hit (No in S1115), the stopped process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is a small hit (Yes in S1115), the game control unit 200 starts a small hit game and ends the stopped process (S1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning opening 125 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and is ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (S816 in FIG. 8).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1201). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  If the customer waiting flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and thus the processing is terminated as it is (Yes in S1201). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game control unit 200 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in a predetermined storage area for the control command set in the RAM 203 (S1202), and turns on the customer waiting flag. (S1203). The customer waiting command set in S1202 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG. The customer waiting flag is a flag that is set in a state where there is no suspension since the change of the special symbol is stopped (see FIG. 8).

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S503 of FIG. 5-3.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1301). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 16) described later, and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in S1301). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in S1301), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (S1302). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in S1302), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether the number G of the normal symbol remaining unchanged (see FIG. 7) is 1 or more (S1303). If the holding number G = 0 (No in S1303), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in S1303), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (S1304). Then, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines a winning random number value in the current normal symbol lottery to determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (S1305). Whether or not the winner has been won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in S704 of FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. It is determined. When a plurality of types of hits are set in the normal symbol lottery, for example, when the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines that it is a hit in S1305, the normal symbol determination unit 232 next determines a random value (winning symbol random number value) related to the hit type. Identify hit types.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets a normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery (S1306). That is, when the normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set as setting information in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 sets a normal symbol fluctuation time, which is a time during which the normal symbol is variably displayed on the normal symbol display 223 (see FIG. 3). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing such as S1104 and S1114 in FIG. 11 and S1505 in FIG. 15 described later (S1307). In other words, if the hour / short flag is not ON (No in S1307), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets the normal symbol variation time to a relatively long (long time), for example, 5 seconds (S1308). On the other hand, if the hour / short flag is ON (Yes in S1307), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets the normal symbol variation time to a relatively short one (short time), for example, 0.5 seconds (S1309). . After this setting, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 starts normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol display unit 223 shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 based on the setting contents of S1308 and S1309 (S1310).

  After starting the variation of the normal symbol in S1310 or when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing in S1302 (Yes in S1302), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed (S1311). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of normal symbol fluctuation in S1310 has reached the fluctuation time set in S1308 and S1309. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in S1311), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in S1311), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 (S1312). Then, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the determination result in S1305 is a win (S1313). If it is a win (Yes in S1313), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (S1314). On the other hand, if it is off (No in S1313), the normal symbol process is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in S504 of FIG. 5-3.
In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1401). If the winning game flag is OFF, there is no prize winning in the big prize opening 125, and the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1401). On the other hand, when the winning game flag is ON (Yes in S1401), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then opens in the operation control at the time of the big hit started by the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11). It is determined whether or not the operation is in progress (S1402).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in S1402), the next prize opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not a predetermined time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed. (S1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1403), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then sets the operation of the special winning opening 125 (S1404) and initializes the winning number C (C = 0). Then, the value of the number R of rounds of operation of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (S1406), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (S1407).

  In the operation setting of S1404, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. In the jackpot game, it is stipulated that the winning prize opening 125 is continuously operated a plurality of times (a plurality of rounds). As an example, in the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, two rounds (2R) are operated and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.5 seconds is released once in this round.

  As another example of the operation pattern and the number of rounds, for example, in the case of per unit, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same in the case of short win and small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, as described above, when it is difficult to visually distinguish the operation at the small hit and the operation at the short hit, the small hit is within a range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in S1404 has elapsed (S1408). If the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in S1408), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 then sets the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 to a predetermined number (for example, 9). It is determined whether or not (S1409). When the opening time has not elapsed and the winning number C is less than the specified number, the operation state (opening state) of the large winning opening 125 is continued, so the large winning opening process is terminated (No in S1409). ). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1408) or the winning number C reaches the specified number (Yes in S1409), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 finishes operating the special winning opening 125 (closing). (S1410).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the number R of rounds of operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in S1404 (S1411). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1411).

If the number of rounds R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in S1411), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then starts an ending operation (S1412). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the winning game flag among the ending operations set in the long hit game and the short hit game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 sets an ending command for performing an effect in the ending operation corresponding to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in a predetermined storage area for the control command set in the RAM 203. (S1413). This ending command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 resets the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 to 0 (S1414), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether the power time (ending time) has elapsed (S1417). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1417). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1417), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then performs a game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (S1418), then turns off the winning game flag, The big prize opening process is terminated (S1419). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in S1402 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in S1402), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not it is ending (S1415). If the ending is in progress (Yes in S1415), the operations after S1417 are executed.

  On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in S1415), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the special winning opening 125 is operating (opening) (S1416). If it is not in operation (No in S1416), the operation after S1405 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in S1416), the operation after S1408 is executed.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 15 shows the contents of the game state setting process (S1418) performed by the game control unit 200, which is executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1417).
When the game state setting process is performed, as a premise, the winning game flag is set to ON in S1401 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of the hit (S1501, S1502, S1504). These determinations can be made based on the types of symbols set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), for example. Since the determination of the hit type is substantially the same as S902, S903, and S905 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of S902, S903, and S905 may be used.
In addition, the game control unit 200 determines a fall determination result (S1503). That is, it is determined whether the determination result (S1105-2) is a game state that falls or does not fall.

If it is a small hit (Yes in S1501), the gaming state (internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100) is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
When the hit type is a big hit of the high probability gaming state and the gaming state is to be dropped (No in S1501, No in S1502, Yes in S1503), the game control unit 200 does not turn on both the time flag and the probability variation flag. The process ends.
When the winning type is a big hit of the high probability gaming state and does not cause the gaming state to fall (No in S1501, No in S1502, No in S1503), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not there is a short time (S1504). If it is determined that there is a short time (Yes in S1504), the short time flag is turned ON (S1505), and the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is set (S1506). In this case, the initial value of the number J of lotteries is 10,000 in the illustrated example. In addition, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability variation flag (S1507), and sets an initial value of the number of lotteries X (S1508). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. When the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, or when the falling lottery (S1503) causes the game state to fall, the high probability short game state ends, and the low probability short short game state and Become.

  If it is determined in S1504 that there is no time saving (No in S1504), the game control unit 200 turns on the probability change flag and sets the initial value of the number of lotteries X (S1507, S1508). That is, the process is terminated without turning on the time reduction flag. Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state.

Here, in the first embodiment, when the winning type is the high probability gaming state, it is determined whether or not there is a short time according to the gaming state at the time of winning. In other words, whether or not there is a short time is not uniquely determined by the type of jackpot, but is determined using other factors.
In the first embodiment, as another judgment element here, when entering the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122 that triggers the special symbol lottery (the first starting port switch 211 or the second The gaming state (when the start port switch 212 is detected) is employed. Details of this determination will be described later.

  When the hit type is a big hit in the low probability gaming state (that is, the low probability short time no gaming state) (No in S1501, Yes in S1502), the game control unit 200 does not turn on both the time flag and the probability variation flag. finish. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability game state.

Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the winning type is the low probability gaming state, the low probability timeless no gaming state is always set. That is, in the case of the low probability game state (Yes in S1502), unlike the high probability game state in which it is determined whether or not there is a short time (No in S1502, No in S1503, S1504), the winning type is a low probability game. In the case of a state, it is not determined whether there is a short time. In addition, as will be described later, there is no jackpot symbol random number for which the winning type is a jackpot for the low-probability short-time gaming state, and the low-probability gaming state is set because the winning type is for the low-probability short-time gaming state. It is only a jackpot of the gaming state (see FIG. 17B).
As described above, there is no big hit of the low probability short-time gaming state as the winning type, but if the gaming state setting process when there is such a winning type, the game control unit 200 keeps the probability variation flag OFF. The time flag is set to ON, the game state setting in the RAM 203 is set to the low probability time short game state, the initial value of the number of lotteries J is set, and the process ends.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in S504 of FIG. 5-3.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1601). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1601). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in S1601), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 determines whether the electric tulip 123 is operating (S1602).

When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in S1602), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (S1603 to S1605), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern ( S1606). Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1104 and S1114 in FIG. 11, S1505 in FIG.
For example, if the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting the operation pattern (No in S1603), the release state is assumed to be relatively short, and for example, an operation pattern that opens twice with a release time of 1.2 seconds is set. (S1604). Further, when the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in S1603), it is assumed that the open state is relatively long, and for example, an operation pattern is set to release the open time of 5.8 seconds once (S1605).
Thus, normally, when the time reduction flag is ON (when it is in the time reduction state), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second start port 122 (electricity chewing support). Is done. A plurality of operation patterns (types of auxiliary games) of the electric tulip 123 when the time flag is ON or OFF are prepared, and the operation is performed according to the type determined in the normal symbol processing (see FIG. 13). You may comprise so that a pattern may be set.

  When it is determined in S1602 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in S1602), or after the electric tulip 123 is operated in S1606, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 passes the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether it has been done (S1607). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1607). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1607), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF (S1608) and ends the electric tulip process.

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 13), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a random number (determination table) used in the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery in the present embodiment.
FIG. 17A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number used in the special symbol lottery, FIG. 17B shows a configuration example of the jackpot random number used in the special symbol lottery, and FIG. 17C shows a special symbol lottery. A configuration example of reach random numbers used, and FIG. 17 (d) each show a configuration example of hit random numbers used in normal symbol lottery.

Referring to FIG. 17 (a), as the jackpot random number judgment value, the jackpot when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 at the time of jackpot determination is a low probability state (hereinafter, jackpot of the low probability state) and the game at the time of jackpot determination Two types of jackpots when the state is a high-probability state (hereinafter, jackpots of the high-probability state) and a small jackpot are set. In such a setting, when the random number value used for the special symbol lottery is acquired when entering the first starting port 121 (S604) and when entering the second starting port 122 (S610) It is done for each. The range of the value of the random number (big hit random number) is 300 from 0 to 299 for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122.
More specifically, in the first start port 121, in the case of a special symbol lottery in a low probability state (big hit lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the first symbol 121 is won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability state. In addition, no winning value is set at the first start port 121.
In the second starting port 122, as in the case of the first starting port 121 described above, one winning value in the low probability state is set, the winning probability is 1/300, and ten winning values in the high probability state are set. The winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). Also, unlike the case of the first start port 121 described above, the second start port 122 has 285 winning values set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 285 / 300 (= 19/20). That is, the probability of winning a small hit at the second starting port 122 is 95%, and if the second starting port 122 is won, the player will win almost at the small hit.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the jackpot setting is the same between the first start port 121 and the second start port 122, while the first hit port 121 and the second start port 122 are the same. The two start ports 122 are different from each other. For this reason, even if it makes it enter the 1st starting port 121, it does not become a small hit, and if it does not enter the 2nd starting port 122, it does not become a small hit. More specifically, the second start port 122 is disposed in the right region of the game region 111, and it is difficult to enter the second start port 122 unless it is hit to the right. For this reason, a small hit is a so-called right-handed case, and a left-handed one is not a small hit. As described above, the reason why the special winning opening 125 is arranged in the right region of the game region 111 is due to such a reason. In the case of the first start port 121, an example of setting a winning value for small hits is also conceivable. In such an example, one big winning opening 125 is arranged in each of the right area and the left area in the gaming area 111, or the big winning opening 125 is arranged at a position where a right or left strike can be entered. A board surface configuration can be considered.

  In addition, the value of the loss (in the case of neither big win nor small win) will be described. At the first start port 121, there are 299 special symbol lotteries in the low probability state, and the probability of loss is 299/300. In the case of the special symbol lottery in the high probability state, there are 290 pieces, and the probability of losing is 290/300. In addition, in the second starting port 122, there are 14 outliers in the special symbol lottery in the low probability state, and the probability of loss is 14/300, while there are 5 in the special symbol lottery in the high probability state. The probability of loss is 5/300.

  Referring to FIG. 17B, five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, high probability symbol C, and high probability symbol D. Here, the low-probability symbol A is a symbol indicating that it is a jackpot of a low-probability state, and represents a long time and no shortage of time (a jackpot of a low-probability and short game state). The high probability symbol A, the high probability symbol B, the high probability symbol C, and the high probability symbol D are symbols representing a big hit in the high probability state, and among these, the high probability symbol A and the high probability symbol C are long hits ( The high probability gaming state jackpot), the high probability symbol B and the high probability symbol D respectively represent short winning (high probability gaming state jackpot). As described above, the low-probability symbol A has no time and does not include a symbol with a low probability and a short time. Further, none of the high probability symbols A to D are associated with the presence or absence of the short time, and in the case of any of the high probability symbols A to D, it is a big hit of the high probability short time gaming state depending on other judgment factors. It is determined whether it is a jackpot of a high probability short-time non-game state.

The range of values of random numbers (big hit symbol random numbers) is 250 from 0 to 249. Further, even with the jackpot symbol random number, winning values are set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.
For the low probability symbol A (long per hour, no short time), 50 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low-probability symbol A when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 50/250 (20%).
Also, 50 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low-probability symbol A when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 50/250 (about 20%).

In the high probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 25/250 (10%).
On the other hand, 20 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 20/250 (8%) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

In the high probability symbol B, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 175/250 (70%).
On the other hand, 30 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B when winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 30/250 (12%).

In the high-probability symbol C and the high-probability symbol D, the winning value when winning in the first start port 121 is not assigned.
On the other hand, the winning value in the case of winning the second start port 122 is assigned. That is, in the high probability symbol C, 140 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol C is 140/250 (56%) in the case of winning a jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122. Further, in the high probability symbol D, 10 values are assigned as winning values when winning the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol D is 10/250 (4%) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

As described above, 200 winning values for the high-probability symbols A to D are assigned when the second starting port 122 is won. And since the winning value of the high probability symbol A (per length) is 20, the allocation is 10%. In addition, the winning value for high-probability symbol B (per short) is 30 and the allocation is 15%, the winning value for high-probability symbol C (per long) is 140, the allocation is 56%, and high probability The allocation of symbol D (per short) is 10 and the allocation is 5%. That is, the winning value per high probability length (high probability symbols A and C) when winning the second starting port 122 is 160, and the winning value per high probability short rate (high probability symbols B and D) is 40. It is a piece.
On the other hand, the winning value per high probability length (high probability symbol A, C) when winning the first starting port 121 is 25, and the winning value per high probability short symbol (high probability symbol B, D). Is 175.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 17B, the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 has the highest probability of being a short hit (high probability symbols B and D) in the high probability gaming state, The jackpot when winning the second starting port 122 has the highest probability of becoming a long hit (high probability symbols A and C) of the high probability gaming state, so the second starting port is higher than when the first starting port 121 is won. The allocation is such that the player who wins 122 wins is more advantageous to the player.
In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 in the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), a table having high probability symbols A to D and a low probability symbol A is adopted, and a lottery lottery is performed every time a special symbol lottery is performed. Game control (see S1503) is executed. That is, the low probability game state after the jackpot game is one of the high probability symbols A to D in addition to the case where the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery is the low probability symbol A and the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery This is also the case where the result of the falling lottery falls the gaming state. Therefore, a situation in which a high-probability gaming state before the jackpot game and a transition to a low-probability gaming state after the jackpot game occurs in the case of a fall due to a jackpot symbol and the case of a fall due to a fall lottery.
With regard to the present embodiment, a variation in which a table (not shown) having high probability symbols A to D without having a low probability symbol A is considered as a jackpot symbol. That is, the low probability gaming state after the jackpot game is only in the case of a fall by a fall lottery.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17 (c), the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125). Here, the reach effect is an effect performed in the image display unit 114 when the special symbol changes. Hereinafter, the effect at the time of the special symbol change that does not perform the reach effect is referred to as an effect without reach, and the reach effect is also referred to as an effect with reach correspondingly.

  In many cases, when the special symbol changes, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 (hereinafter referred to as the special symbol display units 221 and 222 if they are not distinguished) are linked with display control. In the image display unit 114, an effect using a decorative design is performed. The decorative design is configured, for example, by displaying three rows of symbols composed of a number sequence in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction. Then, at the same time when the special symbol display on the special symbol indicators 221 and 222 is started, the decorative symbol displayed on the image display unit 114 starts scrolling. In addition, at the same time that the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the decorative symbol is also stopped. Generally, when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, three identical numbers are arranged on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally in the stop display of the decorative symbol. An effect using a decorative symbol performed in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol is referred to as a variation effect.

In the production with reach, the following unique operation is performed with respect to the decorative design as a variation production. First, when the decorative symbol scrolling stops and each symbol is stopped and displayed, first, any two symbols (sequence) stop first. At this time, the same number is stopped and displayed on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. Next, the last row gradually slows down the scroll speed, giving the player a sense of expectation that three identical numbers will be aligned on a straight line. In such an effect with reach, there is a case where a so-called super reach effect in which various characters appear or a story develops before the last one column of scrolling stops. In addition, the above-described variation effect performed together with the reach effect is also referred to as a reach variation effect.
On the other hand, in the non-reach effect, the design is stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally without producing an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation like the effect with reach.

As described above, the reach random number is used to determine whether to perform the effect with reach or the effect without reach in the image display unit 114 when the result of the determination of the jackpot random number is out of order. A reachable effect appears with a probability, so that the player is appropriately expected.
In addition, when a big win is won, a reachable effect is always performed, and finally the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. On the other hand, in the case of winning with a small win or a loss effect, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on the straight line.

Next, the determination of the winning random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17D, the range of the random number value is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and as the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery is performed in the timeless state, the winning is performed with a probability of 1/10 (10%). On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery is performed in the short time state, the winning is performed with a probability of 9/10 (90%).
In addition, although not particularly illustrated, it is possible to set a plurality of hits with different contents of the auxiliary game (open pattern of the electric tulips 123) performed when it is determined that the normal symbol lottery is won. In this case, for example, the winning symbol random number for specifying the winning type in the normal symbol lottery is set in the same manner as the jackpot symbol random number for specifying the winning symbol type in the special symbol lottery (see FIG. 17B). Then, the game control unit 200 acquires the random number value of the winning design random number together with the random number value of the winning random number in the gate switch process (see FIG. 7) by the random number acquiring unit 231, and is acquired by the normal symbol determining unit 232. The hit type is specified based on the random value.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 17 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Setting example of fluctuation pattern]
Next, an example of setting a variation pattern used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 10 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of a variation pattern used in the variation pattern selection process illustrated in FIG.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, three types of variation patterns A to C are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (in the case of Yes in S1001 in FIG. 10). Also, three types of variation patterns D to F are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a small hit (No in S1001 and Yes in S1003). Furthermore, six types of variation patterns G to L are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of place (No in S1001 and No in S1003). The variation time is 90 seconds for variation pattern A, 60 seconds for variation pattern B, 30 seconds for variation pattern C, 5 seconds for variation pattern D, 1.8 seconds for variation pattern E, 2 seconds for variation pattern F, variation pattern G is 60 seconds, fluctuation pattern H is 30 seconds, fluctuation pattern I is 15 seconds, fluctuation pattern J is 13 seconds, fluctuation pattern K is 7 seconds, and fluctuation pattern L is 3 seconds. That is, the special symbol variation pattern determines the determination result in the special symbol lottery and the special symbol variation time.

  The variation patterns G to I are variation patterns that are selected when the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1006 in FIG. 10), and the variation patterns J to L are when the reach effect is not performed (FIG. 10). 10 in the case of No in S1006). The special symbol variation due to the variation pattern accompanying the reach effect like the variation patterns G to I is also referred to as reach variation. Since the reach effect is always performed when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the presence or absence of the reach effect is not referred to when the variation patterns A to F are selected.

  Further, among the variation patterns J to L, when the variation pattern J has a holding number of 0, when the variation pattern K has one or two holding numbers, the variation pattern L has a holding number of three or four. It is set as a variation pattern to be selected for each of the individual patterns. That is, the average time of the special symbol variation is set to be shorter as the number of pending determinations in the special symbol lottery is larger.

  The game control unit 200 determines whether or not the variation pattern random value (see S604 and S610 in FIG. 6) acquired when the game ball wins the start ports 121 and 122, the determination result shown in the setting example in FIG. The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on conditions such as the number of holds. Then, the information of the determined variation pattern of the special symbol is included in the variation start command and is sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300. As will be described later, in the effect control unit 300, an effect corresponding to a change time specified based on information of a change pattern included in the change start command (executable during the change time) as an effect when the special symbol changes Is selected and executed.

Although not shown, the variation pattern A is selected at the highest rate among the variation patterns A to C selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, and the variation at the next highest rate. It can be set so that the pattern B is selected and the variation pattern C is selected at the lowest rate.
In the example shown in FIG. 18, there is no distinction between the case where the game ball wins the first start port 121 and the case where the game ball wins the second start port 122, but the first start port 121 and the second start port 121 It is also possible to vary the setting of the variation pattern depending on which of 122 is won.

In other words, as described above, since the small hit is limited to the case where the second start opening 122 is won (see FIG. 17A), the variation patterns E to F shown in FIG. This is selected when winning a prize. The fluctuation pattern E having a fluctuation time of 1.8 seconds is set as a fluctuation pattern that is selected when the time is short. Further, the fluctuation pattern F having a fluctuation time of 2 seconds is set as a fluctuation pattern that is selected when there is no time saving.
Note that the variation pattern D having a variation time of 5 seconds shown in FIG. 18 is selected when the first start port 121 is won. In other words, the variation pattern D is selected when a small hit in the first starting port 121 winning is allocated.

[Control command configuration and transmission method]
Here, the configuration and transmission method of commands (effect control commands and setting commands) output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating a command configuration. 19A shows the data structure of the command, and FIG. 19A shows the structure of the command as a bit string.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of 2 bytes. This command is composed of a 1-byte “code portion” as a first data portion and a 1-byte “data portion” as a second data portion. In the “code part”, a code indicating a command type is described, and in the “data part”, data indicating a command value is described. This command is transmitted from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 using asynchronous synchronization by one serial signal. More generally, the “code” that is the first data part has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 2 or more), and the value of the leading 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0. The “data” as the second data part has a size of n × a bits (n is an integer of 1 or more), and the value of the first 1 bit is different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data part. Specific to the value.

  Since start-stop synchronization is used, a 1-bit start bit (indicated by “S” in the figure) is provided at the head of each of the “code part” and “data part” that constitutes the command, and is added at the end. Is provided with one end bit (indicated by “E” in the figure). Each of the “code part” and “data part” constituting the command is provided with one parity bit (bit indicated as “P” in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 19A, both the “code part” and “data part” constituting the command have a data size of 1 byte (8 bits). When transmitted, the “code portion” and the “data portion” are each provided with a start bit, an end bit, and a parity bit. Therefore, it is not easy for the effect control unit 300 that receives a command to identify whether the received data string is a “code part” or a “data part” of the command from the outline of the data string. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flag for identifying the “code portion” and the “data portion” is set. Specifically, the value of the specific portion of the 8-bit value constituting the “code portion” is different from the value of the portion corresponding to the specific portion of the “code portion” among the 8-bit values constituting the “data portion”. Like that.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19B, the first 1 bit of each “code part” and “data part” is used as a flag. That is, in the 8-bit value constituting the “code part”, the first 1-bit value is “1”, and in the 8-bit value constituting the “data part”, the first 1-bit value is “0”. And Thereby, the production control unit 300 can identify whether the data string is a “code part” or a “data part” by examining the value of the first bit following the start bit of the received data string. The specific value of the flag is merely an example, and a value different from the above value may be used as long as the “code portion” and the “data portion” can be identified. In this embodiment, the “code part” and “data part” are each an 8-bit data string, but the same applies to other data sizes (a bits (a is an integer of 2 or more)). The “code part” and the “data part” can be identified by this method.

  Here, since the value of the first 1 bit of the “code part” is specified as “1”, the range of values that the “code part” can take is from 10000000B (= 80H) to 11111111B (= FFH). There are 128 pieces. Note that the letter “B” attached to each value indicates binary notation, and the letter “H” indicates hexadecimal notation. In addition, since the value of the first 1 bit of the “data part” is specified as “0”, the range of values that the “data part” can take is 128 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 01111111B (= 7FH). It is a piece. That is, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, 128 types of commands that can take 128 types of values can be set. Then, by associating the value of each code with each command storage area of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200, the generated command is stored in the command storage area associated with the command. Will be stored.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, many types of effects are executed according to the gaming state, the determination result of the special symbol lottery, and the like. Therefore, a large number of commands are prepared for the commands for effect control. In particular, the “data portion” that is a value indicating the specific content of the command may be insufficient with the above 128 (for example, a command specifying a variation pattern of a special symbol). On the other hand, the “code part” indicating the type of command is usually smaller than the above 128. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a part of the bit string of the “code part” to describe the value of the “data part”.

  For example, consider the case where the last 1 bit of the “code part” is used to describe the value of the “data part”. Hereinafter, each bit in the 8-bit bit string constituting the “code portion” and the “data portion” is referred to as a first bit to an eighth bit. Separately from the bit string that constitutes the “code part”, the code value that actually indicates the type of command is called the “code value”, and separately from the bit string that constitutes the “data part”, the actual command value is The indicated data value is referred to as a “data value”. Then, the code value is described using the first bit to the seventh bit in the bit string of the “code part”, and the data value is all of the bit string of the “data part” (from the first bit to the eighth bit). ) And the 8th bit of the “code part”.

  With this configuration, the possible range of the code value is that the value of the first bit is specified as “1” and the total size is 7 bits, so that the range from 1000000B (= 40H) to 1111111B (= 7FH) ) Up to 64). The possible range of the data value is 128 values represented by 8 bits of the “data part” in which the value of the first bit is specified as “0” and the value “0” of the 8th bit of the “code part”. , “1”, and 256. Therefore, it is possible to set a command having 256 kinds of values as data values. Since the value of the first bit of the “data portion” is specified as “0”, the specific range of the data value is from 000000000000B (= 000H) to 001111111B (= 07FH), 100000000B (= 100H) to 101111111B ( = 17FH).

  According to another view, the method of describing a data value using a part of the above “code part” is the same for commands having two types of codes that differ only in the value of the eighth bit in the “code part”. This means that it is handled as a command of the type. For example, in the example in which the code value of the command for specifying the variation pattern is 11011000B (= D8H), if a method of describing a data value using a part of the “code part” is used, A command in which the value 11011001B (= D9H) in which the value of the eighth bit of the value 11011000B (= D8H) is “1” is set as the value of the “code part” is also used as a command for specifying the variation pattern.

  Note that the above configuration in the case where a data value is described using a part of the “code portion” is merely an example, and the specific number of bits and value are not limited to the above configuration example. For example, the data value may be described using the seventh bit and the eighth bit of the “code portion”. More generally, a data value is described using predetermined bits constituting the “code part” and bits constituting the “data part”, and using bits constituting the remaining part of the “code part”. A code value is described. The size of the “code part” and “data part” is a bit, and the size of data used to describe the data value in the “code part” is b bits (b is smaller than a-1 and is an integer of 1 or more). Then, the size of the data value is (a + b) bits.

  Further, as a means for increasing the number of data values that can be handled, it is conceivable to increase the bit string of the “data part” describing the data value. For example, it is conceivable to prepare “data part 1” and “data part 2” as bit strings describing data values. In this case, if each bit string is 8 bits, a data value can be described by a bit string of 16 bits in total. In order to identify “data part 1” and “data part 2”, if the second bit of the 8-bit bit string is used as a flag, for example, the first bit and the second bit of “data part 1” Can be set to “00B”, and the first bit and the second bit of “data portion 2” can be set to “01B”. The first bit has a value “0” as a flag for identifying the “code portion”. That is, in the case of such a data configuration, the data value described in the “data part” including “data part 1” and “data part 2” is the first bit and the ninth bit of the 16-bit bit string. The value of the bit is “0” representing the “data portion”. More generally, when a data value is described by a plurality of “data parts” of the same size, if the size of each “data part” is a bit, “data part” A value representing that is described.

  With this configuration, the range of values that the “data portion 1” can take is 64 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 00111111B (= 3FH), and the range of values that the “data portion 2” can take is Since there are 64 from 01000000B (= 40H) to 01111111B (= 7FH), the total is 4096 (= 64 × 64). Here, the first bit is used as a flag for distinguishing between “code part” and “data part” (“data part 1” and “data part 2”), and “data part 1” and “data part” The second bit is used as a flag for identifying “2”, but a flag for identifying four types of bit strings may be set using the first and second bits. For example, the value of the first and second bits of the “code part” is “11B”, and the value of the first and second bits is “00B”, “01B”, and “10B”. It is possible.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 19-2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 19-2 (a) and an interrupt process shown in FIG. 19-2 (b). Referring to FIG. 19-2 (a), the production control unit 300 first performs an initial setting at startup (S1901), sets a cycle of a CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (S1902), and then sets a set cycle. Accordingly, the interrupt process is accepted while updating various random numbers used in the production control (S1903).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the cycle set in S1902. Referring to FIG. 19-2 (b), in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (S1911). In this command reception process, the effect content (effect pattern) is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting an operation of the effect button 161 and the like by the player (S1912). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs command transmission processing for transmitting a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (S1913). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the command reception process (S1911 in FIG. 19-2 (b)).
In this command reception process, the production control unit 300 first determines whether or not the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (holding number increase command) (S2001). This pending number increase command is set by the game control unit 200 in the start port switch process shown in FIG. 6 (S606, S612), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3. Command.
If the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (Yes in S2001), the effect control unit 300 adds 1 to the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (S2002), and sets the value of the number of holds after the addition. The indicated hold number command is set in the RAM 303 (S2003).

When the received command is not a pending number increase command (No in S2001), or when a command is received after setting the pending number increase command in S2003, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change start command. (S2004). This variation start command is a command set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (S811) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3. is there.
When the received command is a change start command (Yes in S2004), the effect control unit 300 executes an effect selection process (S2005). When a change start command is received, a random number value for effect control used in the effect selection process is acquired. This random number value is a random number value that is periodically updated in S1903 of the main process shown in FIG. Details of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a variation start command (No in S2001 and S2004), or when a command is received after execution of the effect selection process in S2005, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change stop command. (S2006). This variation stop command is a command that is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (S814) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3. is there.
When the received command is a change stop command (Yes in S2006), the effect control unit 300 executes a process during end of change effect (S2007). Details of the process during the end of the variation effect will be described later.

When the received command is not the change start command and the change stop command (No in S2001, S2004, and S2006), or when the command is received after the execution of the variable effect end process in S2007, the effect control unit 300 determines that the received command is It is determined whether or not it is an opening command for starting the opening in the jackpot effect (S2008). This opening command is a command that is set in the stop process shown in FIG. 11 (S1118) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3.
When the received command is an opening command (Yes in S2008), the effect control unit 300 executes a hit effect selection process (S2009). Further, when the opening command is received, a random value for effect control used in the hit effect selection process may be acquired. This random number value is a random number value that is periodically updated in S1903 of the main process shown in FIG. Details of the winning effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a change start command, a change stop command, and an opening command (No in S2001, S2004, S2006, and S2008), or when a command is received after execution of the hit effect selection process in S2009, the effect control unit 300 It is determined whether or not the received command is an ending command for starting the ending in the jackpot effect (S2010). This ending command is a command that is set in the special winning opening process shown in FIG. 14 (S1413) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3.
When the received command is an ending command (Yes in S2010), the effect control unit 300 executes an ending effect selection process (S2011). Further, when an ending command is received, a random number value for effect control used in the ending effect selection process may be acquired. This random number value is a random number value that is periodically updated in S1903 of the main process shown in FIG. Details of the ending effect selection process will be described later.

  If the received command is not a variation start command, variation stop command, opening command and ending command (No in S2001, S2004, S2006, S2008 and S2010), or if a command is received after the end of the ending effect selection process in S2011, The effect control unit 300 executes a customer waiting command reception process for the received command to shift to the customer waiting state (S2012). Details of the customer waiting command reception process will be described later.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the mode flag.
When an effect is performed by the effect control unit 300, various effect patterns are selected and executed based on the set effect mode. This effect mode is determined by a mode flag set in the RAM 303. Here, the mode flag is set to any value from 0 to 6, and seven types of effect modes from A mode to G mode are assigned. The mode flag is set according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery or the number of lotteries of the special symbol lottery.

Mode flag 1 for jackpot of high probability symbol A, mode flag 2 for jackpot of low probability symbol A, mode flag 3 for jackpot of high probability symbol B, mode flag 4 for jackpot of high probability symbol C However, the mode flag 5 is assigned to the jackpot of the high probability symbol D, and the mode flag 6 is assigned to the jackpot. Here, the types of these symbols are the same as those shown in FIG. No mode flag 0 is assigned to any of them. In mode flags 1 to 6, mode flag 0 is set by executing special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 21, the parameter M (M value) used in the process during the end of the changing effect is set individually for each mode except the A mode. As will be described later, the value of the parameter M undergoes special symbol variation, and is decremented by 1 each time it stops.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect selection process (S2005) of FIG.
In this effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation start command (S2201). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2202), and subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (S2203). Then, the effect control unit 300 is based on various setting information (information about jackpot type, gaming state after jackpot game, variation pattern, etc.) obtained from the analysis result of the change start command and the effect mode determined by the mode flag. Then, an effect pattern (fluctuation effect pattern) of symbol variation by an image displayed on the image display unit 114 in the effect mode is selected (S2204). Finally, the effect control unit 300 reads from the ROM 302 image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern, and sets a change effect start command instructing the start of execution of the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. Then, the effect selection process ends (S2205).

  In the design variation effect pattern selection process in S2204, the effect mode, the variation pattern, and the effect random number (one of the random numbers updated in S1903 in FIG. 19-2, the effect random number value is acquired when the variation start command is received. The production pattern is determined based on the above. Based on the effect pattern determined here, the decorative display variable display, the background effect to be executed, and the notice effect are determined. The decorative symbol variation display is an effect display performed by the image display unit 114 in accordance with the special symbol variation display performed by the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. In this variable display of decorative symbols, a reach effect or the like is executed.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the changing effect end process (S2007) of FIG.
In this variation effect end process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation stop command (S2301). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2302). Then, the production control unit 300 determines whether or not the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is based on the information indicating the type of the symbol when the special symbol variation obtained from the analysis result of the variation stop command is stopped (big hit or small hit). It is determined whether or not (S2303). If it is any hit (Yes in S2303), the mode flag set in the RAM 303 is changed based on the setting example shown in FIG. 21 according to the type of the hit (S2304).

  On the other hand, if the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is not successful (No in S2303), the effect control unit 300 next checks whether or not the value of the mode flag is 0 (S2305). When the mode flag is not 0 (No in S2305), the effect control unit 300 subtracts 1 from the parameter M (S2306), and checks whether the value of M has become 0 (S2307). That is, the value of the parameter M is decremented by 1 each time a variation stop command is received (that is, every time a special symbol variation stops), unless it is 0 when the variation stop command is received. If the value of M becomes 0 (Yes in S2307), the effect control unit 300 sets the mode flag to 0 (S2308).

  If the mode flag is 0 in S2305 (Yes in S2305), if the value of the parameter M is not 0 in S2307 (No in S2307), or after setting the mode flag to 0 in S2308, or in S2304 After changing the mode flag, the effect control unit 300 sets a change effect end command for instructing the end of the design change effect in the RAM 303, and ends the change effect end process (S2309). Here, referring to FIG. 21, when the mode flag is changed in S2304, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is an effect mode corresponding to the winning type. When the mode flag is 0 in S2305 and when the mode flag is set to 0 in S2308, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is the A mode. If the value of parameter M does not become 0 in S2307, the previous production mode is continued.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the contents of the hit effect selection process (S2009) of FIG.
In this winning effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received opening command (S2401), and selects an effect pattern (winning effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S2402). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets a hit effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (S2403). As a result, the performance during the big hit is determined. In the selection of the winning effect pattern (S2402), a determination based on a random value acquired at the time of command reception may be performed.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ending effect selection process (S2011) of FIG.
In this ending effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received ending command (S2501), and selects an effect pattern (ending effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S2502). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets an ending effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (S2503). In the selection of the ending effect pattern (S2502), the determination may be made based on the random value acquired when the command is received.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting command reception process (S2012) of FIG.
The effect control unit 300 determines whether or not a customer waiting command for shifting to the customer waiting state has been received (S2601). When the customer waiting command is received (Yes in S2601), the effect control unit 300 starts measuring the elapsed time (S2602), and turns on the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (S2603). On the other hand, when the received command is not a customer waiting command (No in S2601), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 is ON (S2604). If the measurement flag is OFF (No in S2604), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated.

  When the measurement flag is ON (Yes in S2604 or after being turned ON in S2603), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether or not the measurement time has reached a predetermined time-up time (S2605). . If the time is not up (No in S2605), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, when the time is up (Yes in S2605), the effect control unit 300 turns off the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (S2606), and sets a customer waiting effect command for performing the customer waiting effect in the RAM 303. The customer waiting command reception process is terminated (S2607).

  When the command reception process is completed as described above, the RAM 303 is set with any one of a variation effect start command, a variation effect end command, a hit effect start command, an ending effect start command, and a customer waiting effect command.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect button process (S1912 in FIG. 19-2 (b)).
In this effect button process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not an operation means such as the effect button 161 by the player has been operated (S2701). Here, the operation of the operation means includes turning on the effect button 161 and turning it on when the center key and the surrounding keys of the effect key 162 are pressed. In addition, when an operation device other than the effect button 161 and the effect key 162 such as a touch panel is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100, this includes detecting the operation of the device. The effect control unit 300 receives an operation signal from the controller of these devices and detects that an operation has been performed.

  If the operation means such as the effect button 161 is operated (Yes in S2701), the effect control unit 300 sets an effect button command including information indicating the operation content of the operation means in the RAM 303, and ends the effect button process. (S2702).

  After that, the effect control unit 300 performs the command transmission process (S1913) of FIG. 19-2 (b), and the command set in the RAM 303 by the command reception process and the effect button process described above is displayed in the image / sound control unit 310. And transmitted to the lamp controller 320. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 display an image on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the received command. Is controlled to execute the set effect.

[Description of playability in this embodiment]
Next, game play in the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, as described above, the first start port 121 is positioned at the lower side of the image display unit 114 in a substantially central portion in front view (see FIG. 1), and the game balls that are left-handed mainly are the first. It is configured to be able to enter the starting port 121. Then, it is the right-hand side view of the game area 111, that is, the right side of the game area 111, such as an image of the right-handed game ball entering the second start port 122, the gate 124, and the grand prize winning port 125. It is located on the right side of the display unit 114 (see FIG. 1). That is, the second start opening 122, the gate 124, and the big winning opening 125 are arranged so that a left-handed game ball is difficult to enter.
Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, a big hit random number is set so that there is a small win in the winning of the second starting port 122, although a small win is not won in the case of winning the first starting port 121, In addition, the second start port 122 wins almost a small hit (see FIG. 17A). Then, when winning a small win, the big winning opening 125 performs a round which is an opening time that is difficult to enter many balls although it is possible to enter at the time of opening. The number of game balls that enter the big prize opening 125 in the small hit game (the number of balls entered in the small hit) is about one, and the ratio of the number of the single balls is one in many cases, and sometimes it becomes zero. It is a round that becomes two. For this reason, when hitting right, it is possible to increase the number of prize balls by winning a small hit.
In the case of winning the first starting port 121 and in the case of winning the second starting port 122, although there is a difference in the small hit, the probability of the big win is the same (see FIG. 17A).

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the gaming state after the big hit includes three gaming states of a high probability short-time gaming state, a high probability short-time non-gaming state, and a low probability short-time short gaming state.
As described above, the determination as to whether the gaming state is the high probability gaming state or the low probability gaming state is made based on the result of the special symbol lottery using the jackpot symbol random number (see FIG. 17B). If the result of the special symbol lottery is a high probability gaming state, the determination of whether the high probability short gaming state or the high probability short time non-gaming state is not based on the special symbol lottery using jackpot symbol random numbers, but other judgment factors It is judged using. Details thereof will be described later.
Even if the result of the special symbol lottery is the high probability gaming state, the result of the falling lottery may be the low probability gaming state (see S1503).

In addition, the normal symbol lottery performed when the gate 124 passes is almost won in the short-time state, and is not won much in the non-short-time state (see FIG. 17D). The fluctuation time by the normal symbol lottery is relatively short in the short time state and relatively long in the non-short time state (see S1309 and S1308). When the normal symbol lottery is won, the electric tulip 123 operates so that many right-handed game balls enter the second starting port 122 in the short-time state, and enters the second starting port 122 in the non-time-short state. It operates so that the number of balls is not as large as the short time state (see S1605 and S1604). For this reason, the right-handed game ball passes through the gate 124, so that it becomes easy to enter the second start port 122 by opening the electric tulip 123 in the short-time state, while in the non-short-time state, the electric tulip 123 is easy to enter. It is difficult to enter the second starting port 122 due to the opening of the.
In addition, the variation time at the time of the special symbol lottery performed when the second start port 122 is entered is shorter in the high probability short game state than in the high probability short short game state (see FIG. 18).

Here, it is conceivable that the pachinko gaming machine 100 has such a gaming property that the number of prize balls per predetermined time by the game in the high probability short-time non-game state is larger than that in the high-probability short time game state. . That is, the number of prize balls that a player can acquire in the high-probability gaming state is greater in the non-time-short state than in the time-short state. Such gameability can be said to be more advantageous for the player in the non-time-short state than in the time-short state.
However, in general, it is easier to obtain more prize balls in the time-short state than in the non-time-short state. That is, it is easy to win in the normal symbol lottery performed when the gate 124 passes, and when the electric tulip 123 is released by the winning of the normal symbol lottery, it becomes easy to enter the second start port 122, and the second start port 122. You can get a prize ball by winning. Then, a special symbol lottery performed when the second starting port 122 is entered is easy to win a small hit, and the big winning port 125 is opened by such a small hit, and a prize ball in the small hit game is obtained. On the other hand, in the non-short-time state, it is difficult to win in the normal symbol lottery than in the short-time state, so it is difficult to open the electric tulip 123 and enter the second start port 122. It is difficult to obtain.
Thus, in the short time state described above, the number of winning balls is likely to increase due to the winning of the second starting port 122 and the winning of the big winning port 125 in the small hit game, compared to the non-short time state. Therefore, it is difficult to design the non-time-short state so that a prize ball can be obtained more easily than the time-short state even if the conventional board configuration and game control are used.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to provide a gaming machine that can increase the number of prize balls in the non-time-short state compared to that in the time-short state, the following board surface configuration is adopted.
Hereinafter, the board surface structure in this Embodiment is demonstrated more concretely. Since the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment has the above-described gaming characteristics, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is left-handed in the low-probability gaming state (normal state) and is right-handed when the high-probability gaming state (probability variation state) is entered. It is a model to do.

[About the board configuration]
The panel configuration in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a board surface configuration according to the present embodiment, and is a partially enlarged view of the right side area of the game area 111 (the right side area of the image display unit 114; see FIG. 1). (A) of FIG. 28 shows a state where the electric tulip 123 is not opened, and (b) shows a state where the electric tulip 123 is in operation and opened.
As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, the right-handed game ball is directed toward the big prize opening 125, and the second start opening 122 and the gate 124 are disposed above the big prize opening 125. The board configuration. The gate 124 is arranged in the middle of the route toward the special winning opening 125.
In addition, the electric tulip 123 that affects the entry to the second starting port 122 can be rotated in the region 111a that will flow down when the game ball that has been hit to the right goes to the grand prize opening 125. Arranged in position.
In the region 111a, a discharge port 118 is disposed above the special winning port 125 and on the right side of the large winning port 125. In other words, the discharge port 118 is located between the electric tulip 123 and the grand prize winning port 125.

To explain further, as shown in FIG. 28A, if the electric tulip 123 is not opened, the electric tulip 123 makes it difficult for a right-handed game ball to enter the second starting port 122. It is a posture to do. Further, when the electric tulip 123 is not opened, the posture is such that it does not affect the right-handed game ball toward the big prize opening 125. In other words, the electric tulip 123 that has not been opened prevents or inhibits (inhibits) the ball entering the second starting port 122 and permits (allows) the game ball to not enter the big winning port 125. .
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 28B, when the electric tulip 123 is open, the electric tulip 123 makes it easy for the game ball to enter the second start port 122. In addition, the posture is such that it influences the game ball heading toward the grand prize winning opening 125. In other words, the open electric tulip 123 facilitates entry into the second start opening 122 and prevents the game ball from moving toward the big winning opening 125.
More specifically, the electric tulip 123 prevents the game ball that has passed through the gate 124 from entering the grand prize opening 125 by opening, and the game that stops at the grand prize opening 125 without passing through the gate 124. It also prevents the ball from entering the winning prize opening 125. That is, the open electric tulip 123 prevents a right-handed game ball from entering the big prize opening 125 regardless of whether or not it passes through the gate 124.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), when the electric tulip 123 is open, the game ball may come off from the right side of the electric tulip 123. And the game ball which spilled from such an electric tulip 123 flows down toward the discharge port 118 as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. That is, it is possible to prevent the game ball from reaching the big prize opening 125 by the discharge port 118. For this reason, the game ball spilled from the electric tulip 123 during the opening operation is prevented from reaching the big prize opening 125.

Thus, in this Embodiment, when the electric tulip 123 opens, even if the big winning opening 125 is in an open state, it does not enter the big winning opening 125. Therefore, even if the special symbol lottery performed when the second starting port 122 is entered and the big winning port 125 is activated, when the electric tulip 123 is released by winning the normal symbol lottery, The tulip 123 prevents entry into the grand prize opening 125.
For this reason, in the short time state when the opening ratio of the electric tulip 123 by right-handed is large, the entry into the big winning opening 125 is more easily prevented than in the non-time-short state where the opening ratio of the electric tulip 123 by right-handed is small. That is, for example, the degree of entry (number of entered balls) into the big winning opening 125 opened by small hits is larger in the non-short-time state than in the short-time state. , The non-short-time state increases more than the short-time state.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, by adopting the above-described board surface configuration, it is possible to increase the number of prize balls in the non-short-time state than in the time-short state while suppressing the number of short-time prize balls. . Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of prize balls per predetermined time in the non-short-time state than in the short-time state.

The board configuration in the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
As shown in FIG. 28, with respect to the vertical direction, the gate 124, the second starting port 122, and the big winning port 125 are arranged in this order. That is, among the gate 124, the second start opening 122, and the big winning opening 125, the gate 124 is located at the uppermost position, the big winning opening 125 is located at the lowermost position, and the second starting opening 122 is the gate in the vertical direction. It is located between 124 and the special winning opening 125.
Further, the gate 124 and the big prize opening 125 are substantially the same position in the left-right direction, and the big prize opening 125 is located below the gate 124. In addition to the case where the special winning opening 125 is directly below the gate 124, it is conceivable that the prize winning opening 125 is slightly shifted in either the left or right direction.

And when the electric tulip 123 is not open | released, it is in the standing state, and becomes sideways by opening. In this way, the electric tulip 123 acts to block the path that passes when entering the second start port 122 when standing, and to block the path that passes when entering the grand prize port 125 when it is turned sideways. To do.
The game board 110 (see FIG. 1) is provided with, for example, a central decoration that decorates the periphery of the image display unit 114. The central decoration portion has a wall portion 158 located on the right side of the image display portion 114 when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 28, the wall portion 158 is positioned on the left side of the second starting port 122 in order to make sure that the entrance limit to the second starting port 122 by the single-open electric tulip 123 is more reliable. . That is, the wall portion 158 blocks the path of entering the second starting port 122 together with the electric tulip 123 when the electric tulip 123 is not open.

  As described above, the electric tulip 123 affects the game ball that is about to enter the second starting port 122 when it is not open. It affects the ball, but does not affect the passage of the game ball to the gate 124.

[How to determine the contents of the high probability gaming state according to the first embodiment]
Next, in the first embodiment, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit instead of a big hit, and the big hit symbol is not a low probability symbol A, that is, the big hit symbol is a high probability symbol A, a high probability If the symbol B is one of the symbol B, the high probability symbol C, or the high probability symbol D, it is determined whether or not the time is given unless it falls. Such a determination is not based on the jackpot symbol, but it can be considered whether or not it is in a time-saving state at the time of special symbol lottery (at the time of special symbol determination).
Therefore, in the first embodiment, a description will be given of how to determine whether or not to give a short time when the result of the special symbol lottery is a transition to the high probability gaming state after the jackpot game ends. Note that the description given using FIG. 29 is based on the assumption that the result of the falling lottery does not cause the gaming state to fall.

FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining the setting for time reduction when the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery is a high probability symbol, (a) shows an example table used for setting the time reduction, and (b) shows ( It is explanatory drawing explaining the change (time progress of a game) of the time setting by the table of a). In addition, the high probability symbol A, the high probability symbol B, the high probability symbol C, and the high probability symbol D shown in (a) of the figure are jackpot symbols illustrated in FIG.
Referring to (a) of FIG. 29, for each of the four types of jackpot symbols, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, high probability symbol C and high probability symbol D, at the time of special symbol lottery (at the time of special symbol determination) ) Shows a table for determining whether or not to give a time reduction in the case of a time reduction state or a non-time reduction state.
As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment employs a table having high probability symbols A to D and low probability symbols A (see FIG. 17B), and a special symbol lottery. The game control (refer to S1503) for performing the falling lottery is performed every time. However, a modified example in which a table (not shown) having a high probability symbol A to D but not having a low probability symbol A is employed, and falling to a low probability state by a falling lottery is conceivable. It is possible to divert the explanation by 29.

More specifically, when the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol A, as shown in FIG. 29 (a), time is given regardless of whether it is in the short-time state or the non-short-time state at the time of the special symbol lottery ( ○). That is, in the case of the high probability symbol A, time saving is always given. The allocation of such a high probability pattern A is 5%.
Therefore, in the case of the high probability symbol A, both the short time flag and the probability variation flag are turned ON (No in S1503, S1505, S1507), and after the big hit game is over, the high probability short time gaming state is entered.

When the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol B, a short time is given in the short time state at the time of the special symbol lottery (○ mark), and a short time is not given in the non-short time state (× symbol). That is, in the case of the high probability symbol B, the time-short state / non-time-short state is not switched before and after the big hit game and is maintained as it is. The allocation of such a high probability symbol B is 45%.
When the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol C, no time is given to the special symbol lottery regardless of whether it is in the short-time state or the non-short-time state (× mark). In other words, if the symbol C has a high probability, no time is given. The allocation of such a high probability symbol C is 35%.
When the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol D, no short time is given in the short time state at the time of the special symbol lottery at the special symbol lottery (× mark), and short time is given in the non-short time state (○ mark). That is, in the high-probability symbol D, the time-short state / non-time-short state is not maintained before and after the big hit game and is switched. The allocation of such a high probability symbol D is 15%.

  In other words, if the jackpot symbol is a high probability symbol A, the game shifts to a high probability short-time gaming state after the jackpot game ends, and if the jackpot symbol C is a high probability symbol C, shifts to a high probability short-time no-game state after the jackpot game ends. If the jackpot symbol is a high probability symbol B, the time-short state / non-time-short state is maintained before and after the jackpot game, and if the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol D, the time-short state / non-time-short state is reversed.

And, as shown in FIG. 29 (b), it is the high probability symbol A and the high probability symbol B (○ mark) that are in the short time state even after the jackpot game ends in the case of the short time state at the time of the special symbol lottery, The probability is 50%. Further, when the special symbol lottery is in the short-time state, it is the high-probability symbol C and the high-probability symbol D (×) that are in the non-time-short state after the jackpot game ends, and the probability is 50%.
That is, in the time-short state at the time of the special symbol lottery, the time-short state is set with a probability of 50% (loop), and the non-time-short state is set with a probability of 50% (see right arrow).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 29 (b), when the special symbol lottery is in the non-short-time state, it is the high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol D that are in the short-time state after the jackpot game is over (circle mark). The probability is 20%. Further, when the special symbol lottery is in the non-time-short state, it is the high-probability symbol B and the high-probability symbol C (x mark) that become the non-time-short state after the jackpot game ends, and the probability is 80%.
That is, when the special symbol lottery is in the non-time-short state, the time-short state is set with a probability of 20% (see the left arrow), and the non-time-short state is set with a probability of 80% (loop).
Thus, according to the allocation shown in FIG. 29, the probability (50%) of transition from the short-time state to the non-short-time state is higher than the probability (20%) of transition from the non-time-short state to the short-time state. It becomes easy to shift to a short time state. In addition, the probability of being maintained in the non-time-short state (80%) is higher than the probability of being maintained in the time-short state (50%), and the non-time-short state is easily maintained.

In the case of entering the second starting port 122, it is almost a small hit (see FIG. 17 (a)), and at that time, if it is in a short time state, entering the big winning port 125 for playing the small hit game Is hindered by the electric tulip 123, and there is a low possibility of winning a prize ball by a small hit game. On the other hand, in the non-time-short state, since the ball enters the big winning opening 125 without being obstructed by the electric tulip 123, there is a high possibility that a prize ball by a small hit game can be obtained.
When the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery is high probability symbols A to D, the time-short state / non-time-short state is maintained or the time-short state / non-time-short state is switched.

In addition, when the special symbol lottery is performed by entering the first starting port 121, the high probability symbol A or the high probability symbol B may be a big hit symbol (see FIG. 17B). As described above, the time-short state is always given for the high-probability symbol A, and the time-short state / non-time-short state is maintained as it is for the high-probability symbol B. Therefore, if it is not in the non-time saving state when left-handed, it does not shift to the non-time saving state after the big hit game ends.
In addition, when the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery is the low probability symbol A, since it shifts to the non-time-short state, even if the right-handed game ball passes through the gate 124, it is difficult to win the normal symbol lottery. Therefore, there is a low possibility that the game ball will be blocked by the electric tulip 123 from entering the grand prize opening 125, and if it is a low probability pattern A, it is possible to obtain a prize ball according to the long hit, With the low probability symbol A, it is possible to obtain a prize ball according to the short hit.

An example in which the effect is informed that the time-short state / non-time-short state is present can be considered. For example, the image display unit 114 may notify the user with an image, the speaker 156 may notify the user with sound, the panel lamp 116 or the frame lamp 157 may notify with light, or may be notified by the movement of the movable accessory 115. Conceivable.
In addition, in the transition from the time-short state to the non-time-short state or the transition from the non-time-short state to the time-short state, an example in which this is notified or the production is changed can be considered. For example, an effect example in which the effect on the image display unit 114 is changed by changing the effect mode is conceivable. Examples of such effects include an effect control example in which the background is changed in the time-short state / non-time-short state, and an effect control example that appears when the specific character is in the non-time-short state and appears in the time-short state.
In addition, an example of changing the presentation according to the short-time state / non-short-time state during a small hit game or a big hit game is also conceivable.
In other words, in the variation effect, the case where the low probability game state after the jackpot game due to the jackpot design (Yes in S1502) and the case where the low probability game state after the jackpot game due to the falling lottery (Yes in S1503) are different from each other. It is conceivable to produce a production.

In addition, during the non-time-saving state with a high probability, a right-handed notification image including the characters “right-handed” and a right-pointing arrow is displayed on the image display unit 114 to inform the player that the scene is currently right-handed. A production example (right-handed notification production) can be considered. That is, in the high-probability non-short-time state, although there is no electric Chu support, the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment is a model that increases the number of prize balls with a small hit, so the player is allowed to hit the right Is assumed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an effect example in which a right-handed notification effect in a high probability non-short-time state is executed is adopted.
In the case of executing such an effect example, in addition to game control in which a right-handed lamp (not shown) is turned on by the game control unit 200, game control in which a right-handed lamp is not turned on can be considered.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to a second embodiment will be described. Since the second embodiment has the same configuration and function as the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the common configuration, and the description and illustration of the common configuration and function are used. May be omitted. Various modifications described above for the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment. Also, a part of the configuration or control of the second embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment, and the part of the configuration or control of the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment. It is also possible to apply to the embodiment.

[Processing during stop by the game control unit in the second embodiment]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the contents of the suspension process (S815 in FIG. 8) according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 11 for explaining the first embodiment.
In the stop process in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 30, the process (S1105-2) according to the result of the falling lottery included in the stop process in the first embodiment is not executed. It is different in point. That is, in the second embodiment, the falling lottery is not performed. Therefore, when the probability variation flag is ON, whether or not the probability variation flag is turned off is determined by the number of lotteries (number of variations) X after subtraction. It is done only by whether the value is 0 or not.
30 corresponds to S1101 to S1105-1 in FIG. 11, and S3006 to S3018 in FIG. 30 correspond to S1106 to S1118 in FIG.

[Game state setting process in the second embodiment]
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the contents of the game state setting process, and corresponds to FIG. 15 for explaining the first embodiment.
The game state setting process in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 31 does not execute the process (S1503) according to the result of the falling lottery, as in the case of FIG. 30 described above. In this respect, the second embodiment is different from the case of the first embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment, the falling lottery is not performed, so in the game state setting process, if the winning type is a big hit of the high probability gaming state (No in S3101, No in S3102), is there a short time? It is determined whether or not (S3103).
31 corresponds to S1501 to S1502 in FIG. 15, and S3103 to S3107 in FIG. 31 correspond to S1504 to S1508 in FIG.

[About the contents of the gaming state according to the second embodiment]
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the gaming state, etc. FIG. 32A is a table showing a configuration example of jackpot symbol random numbers used in the special symbol lottery, and is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment. This corresponds to 17 (b). (B) and (c) of FIG. 32 are diagrams for explaining game playability, and correspond to (a) and (b) of FIG. 29 for explaining the first embodiment, respectively. (B) of FIG. 32 is a figure explaining the setting of time reduction when the jackpot symbol by the special symbol lottery is one of the high probability symbols A to D, and (c) corresponds to the result of the special symbol lottery. It is a figure explaining progress of the game which played.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 32, the jackpot symbol in the second embodiment includes a low probability symbol A, a low probability symbol B, a high probability symbol A, a high probability symbol B, a high probability symbol C, and a high probability symbol. Six types of D are prepared. That is, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the low probability symbol B is included in the jackpot symbol.
The high probability symbols A to D are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the proportions thereof are also the same as those in the first embodiment.

The low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot of the low-probability state. Of these symbols, the low-probability symbol A is long and has no time (the jackpot of the low-probability short and no-game state), and the low probability. The symbol B represents a short win and no shortage (a big hit in a low probability short no game state). The low-probability symbol A here is a normal jackpot with a so-called ball, and the low-probability symbol B is a so-called normal jackpot without a ball, and no time is given.
The low-probability symbol A can be said to be an advantageous hit for the player because a winning ball can be obtained by entering the big winning opening 125 although the time is not given and the time is not given. On the other hand, the low-probability symbol B is disadvantageous for the player because it does not give a certain change and does not give a short time, and a winning ball cannot be obtained by entering the big winning opening 125.

In the second embodiment, in the low-probability symbol A (long per hour, no short time), no winning value is assigned when winning at the first starting port 121 and when winning at the second starting port 122. . That is, the low-probability symbol A is not won regardless of whether the first start port 121 is won or the second start port 122 is won.
On the other hand, in the low-probability symbol B (short win, no time saving), 50 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low-probability symbol B is 50/250 (20%) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121. Similarly, 50 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second starting port 122, and the winning probability is 50/250 (20%).
As described above, in the second embodiment, in the case of a big hit, both the first starting port 121 winning and the second starting port 122 winning have a probability of 20%, and there is a normal big hit (low probability pattern B) without a ball. Will win.

In the second embodiment, the table setting is made so that the low probability symbol A (long per hour, no shortage) is not won, but a table setting example where the low probability symbol A is won is also conceivable.
For example, in the low-probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning the first starting port 121, and 37 values are allocated as winning values when winning the second starting port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning the first starting port 121 is 25/250 (10%), and the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning the second starting port 122 is 37 / 250 (about 15%).
In the low-probability symbol B, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning the first starting port 121, and 13 values are assigned as winning values when winning the second starting port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning the first starting port 121 is 25/250 (10%), and the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning the second starting port 122 is 13 / 250 (about 5%).

Referring to (b) of FIG. 32, for each of the high-probability symbols A to D, whether or not the time is given in the case of a time-short state at the time of special symbol lottery (at the time of special symbol determination), The determination of whether or not to assign time reduction in the non-time saving state (o mark and x mark) is the same as in the case of the first embodiment (see FIG. 29A).
In addition, referring to FIG. 32 (b), a low-probability symbol B (short hit, no time saving) is also shown. That is, in the case of the low-probability symbol B, it becomes a low-probability state after the jackpot game (□ mark). Thus, unlike the case of the first embodiment in which the falling lottery is performed, the low probability gaming state after the jackpot game is in the case of the low probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery.

  More specifically, the allocation of the high probability symbol A is 5%, and the allocation of the high probability symbols B to D is 35%, 25%, and 15%, respectively. And the allocation of the low-probability symbol B is 20%.

For this reason, when the special symbol lottery is in the short-time state, the high-probability short-time state after the jackpot game ends is the high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B (◯ mark), and the probability is 40%. Further, when the special symbol lottery is in the non-time-short state, the high-probability non-time-short state after the jackpot game ends is the high-probability symbol C and the high-probability symbol D (×), and the probability is 40%. And it is a low-probability symbol B (□ mark) that becomes a low probability state (non-short time) after the jackpot game ends, and its probability is 20%.
In other words, if the special symbol lottery is in the short-time state, it becomes a high-probability short-time state with a probability of 40% (see right arrow), a high-probability non-short-time state with a probability of 40% (loop), and a low probability of 20%. Probability non-time short state (fall).

Further, when the special symbol lottery is in the non-time-short state, the high-probability time-short state after the jackpot game is finished is the high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol D (◯ mark), and the probability is 20%. Further, when the special symbol lottery is in the non-time-short state, the high-probability non-time-short state after the jackpot game is the high-probability symbol B and the high-probability symbol C (x mark), and the probability is 60%. And it is a low-probability symbol B (□ mark) that becomes a low probability state (non-short time) after the jackpot game ends, and its probability is 20%.
In other words, if the special symbol lottery is in a non-time-short state, it will be in a high-probability time-short state with a probability of 20% (see left arrow), will be in a high-probability non-time-short state with a probability of 60% (loop), Low probability non-short state (fall).

As described above, according to the allocation shown in FIG. 32, as in the case of the first embodiment, it is easy to shift to the non-time-short state and to be easily held in the non-time-short state. On the other hand, it falls with a probability of 20% regardless of whether it is in a time-short state or a non-time-short state.
In the second embodiment, the transition to the low-probability gaming state is different from the first embodiment by the falling lottery, and the transition to the low-probability gaming state is triggered by the winning of the jackpot symbol (low-probability symbol B). .
In the second embodiment, it can be said that the gaming state is changed depending on the jackpot symbol.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to a third embodiment will be described. Since the third embodiment has the same configuration / function as the first or second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the common configuration, and the description of the common configuration / function is as follows. And illustration may be omitted. It is conceivable to apply the various modifications described above for the first or second embodiment to the third embodiment. A part of the configuration or control of the third embodiment can be applied to the first or second embodiment, and the configuration or control of the first or second embodiment can be applied. It is also possible to apply a part to the third embodiment.

[Type of pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the third embodiment]
In the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the third embodiment, the probability variation state (transition to the high probability gaming state) is completed by winning one of the jackpot symbols by special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). This is a model that returns to the normal state (low-probability gaming state) (so-called set type, with a probability variation number delimiter). Therefore, as the jackpot symbol, a high probability symbol (time reduction) and a high probability symbol (no time reduction) are prepared. That is, no low probability symbol is prepared for the jackpot symbol. In other words, the probability variation entry rate in the case of jackpot is 100%, and the probability variation continues until a predetermined number of times.

[Game state setting process in the third embodiment]
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gaming state setting process according to the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 15 for explaining the first embodiment and FIG. 31 for explaining the second embodiment. Is. 33 corresponds to S1501 to S1502 in FIG. 15, and S3307 to S3308 and S3310 to S3311 in FIG. 33 correspond to S1504 to S1505 and S1507 to S1508 in FIG.

  In the gaming state setting process in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 33, a variable Se stored in the RAM 203 for counting the number of jackpots is used. Therefore, when the winning type is a jackpot of the high probability gaming state (No in S3302), the game control unit 200 checks whether or not the variable Se is not 0 (S3303). If the variable Se is 0 (Yes in S3303), it is a first hit and an initial value of the variable Se is set (S3304). The initial value is 3, and after setting the initial value, the process proceeds to S3307.

On the other hand, if the value of the variable Se is 0 (Yes in S3306), it is necessary to return to the normal state, and the time reduction flag and the probability variation flag are not turned ON, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
If the variable Se is not 0 (No in S3303), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the current value of the variable Se (S3305), and whether or not the value of the variable Se after subtraction has become 0. (S3306). If the value of the variable Se is not 0 (No in S3306), the process proceeds to S3307.
As described above, in the third embodiment, when the normal state shifts to the probability change (first probability change), the second state is returned to the normal state after the second probability change (second probability change and third probability change).

  In S3307, it is determined whether or not the game control unit 200 has a short time, and if it is determined that there is a short time (Yes in S3307), a predetermined value as an initial value of the number of times of lottery J is set (S3309). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J varies depending on the jackpot symbol, and details thereof will be described later.

[Big jackpot in the third embodiment]
Here, in the third embodiment, at least three kinds of high probability symbol E, high probability symbol F, and high probability symbol G are prepared as jackpot symbols. In addition, an example of preparing a low probability symbol C as a jackpot symbol is also conceivable, and the following description will be given assuming that four types including a low probability symbol C are prepared as a jackpot symbol.

  The high probability symbol E, the high probability symbol F, and the high probability symbol G are symbols representing a jackpot in a high probability state, and among these, the high probability symbol E and the high probability symbol F are jackpots to which time is given. A high-probability symbol G with a symbol (with a short time) is a jackpot symbol (without a short time) to which a short time is not assigned. That is, after the jackpot game, the high probability symbol E and the high probability symbol F are in the high probability short-time gaming state, and the high probability symbol G is in the high probability short-time non-game state. As described above, when comparing the high-probability short-time gaming state and the high-probability short-time non-game state, it is easier to obtain more prize balls in the high-probability short-time non-game state. The player who wins the jackpot is more advantageous to the player.

Further, the high probability symbol E (with short time) and the high probability symbol F (with short time) have a difference in the number of short times. That is, the time reduction in the high probability design E is 100 times, and the time reduction in the high probability design F is 10,000 times. Therefore, in the game state setting process (see FIG. 33), when the predetermined value as the initial value of the lottery count J is set after turning on the time flag (see S3308 and S3309), the jackpot symbol is a high probability symbol E ( If the time is short), the lottery number J is set to 100, and if it is a high probability F (time shortage), the lottery number J is set to 10,000.
When the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol G (no time saving), the time reduction flag remains OFF (No in S3307).

Thus, when the jackpot symbol is a high-probability symbol E (100 times shorter), after the jackpot game is over, it will be in a high-probability time-short game state, and if the jackpot is not won before the special symbol lottery is performed 100 times, Ends and transitions to a high probability short-time no-game state.
Further, when the jackpot symbol is a high probability symbol F (short time ∞), after the jackpot game is over, it becomes a high probability short-time game state, and the short-time state is maintained until the jackpot is won in the special symbol lottery. In other words, unless a special symbol lottery wins the jackpot symbol of the high probability symbol E (100 times shorter), the game does not shift to the high probability timeless gameless state.

In addition, it may be possible to win a jackpot symbol of a high probability symbol F (short time ∞) in a special symbol lottery. Such continuous winning makes it difficult to obtain a winning ball with a small hit, and in the set-type pachinko gaming machine 100 as in the case of the third embodiment, it becomes severe for the player. Therefore, an example of game control that avoids continuous winning of such a high-probability symbol F (short time ∞) can be considered. Of course, it is also conceivable to adopt a game control example that does not avoid the continuous winning of the high probability symbol F (time ∞).
More specifically, in the game control example of avoiding continuous winning of the high probability symbol F (short time ∞), the probability of winning the high probability symbol G (no time) is increased or the high probability symbol F (short time) in the next special symbol lottery. An example of game control that prevents ∞) from being won can be considered.

It is also conceivable to win a jackpot symbol with a high probability symbol E (100 times shorter) in a special symbol lottery. Game control example that avoids continuous winning of high-probability symbol E (100 times short) in order to enhance the fun of the game, although it is less harsh than the above-mentioned continuous winning of high-probability symbol F (short-time ∞) In addition, it is also possible to adopt an example of game control that does not avoid continuous winning of the high probability symbol E (100 times shorter).
More specifically, in the game control example of avoiding the continuous winning of the high probability symbol E (100 times short), the probability of winning the high probability symbol G (no time short) is increased in the next special symbol lottery or the high probability symbol E ( An example of game control that prevents winning at 100 times) and high probability symbol F (time ∞) is conceivable.

In addition, if the first probability variation is a winning with a high probability symbol G (no time shortening), the second probability variation and the third probability variation will not be won with a high probability symbol E (100 times shortening) and a high probability symbol F (short time ∞). An example of game control that makes it difficult to win is conceivable, and an example of game control that does not change the winning probability of the high probability symbol E (100 times shorter) and / or the high probability symbol F (shorter time ∞) is also conceivable.
Similarly, if the second chance is won with a high-probability symbol G (no short time), the third chance will not be won with a high-probability symbol E (100 times short) and a high-probability symbol F (short time ∞). An example of game control is possible, and an example of game control in which the winning probability of the high probability symbol E (100 times shorter) and / or the high probability symbol F (time shorter ∞) is not considered.

  The low-probability symbol C is a symbol representing a big hit in the low-probability state, and there is no time saving. That is, a symbol with a low probability and a short time is not included, but a symbol with a low probability and a short time may be included.

[About progress example of game in the third embodiment]
Next, an example of the progress of a game in the case of a set type like the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining an example of the progress of the game. Time elapses from the left side to the right side of the same figure. In the same figure, for example, when a high probability symbol E, a high probability symbol F or a high probability symbol G is won in a special symbol lottery performed when the player enters the first starting port 121 in a low probability gaming state, for example. An example of progress is shown.
Referring to FIG. 34, when a special symbol lottery in a low-probability gaming state is won with a high-probability state jackpot, the winning type becomes a jackpot of a high-probability short-time gaming state with a probability of 80%, with a probability of 20%. The hit type is a big hit with high probability and short no-game state. More specifically, in the first probability change, the probability of a big hit with a high probability symbol E (100 times short) or a high probability symbol F (short time ∞) is 80%, and a big hit with a high probability symbol G (no short time). The probability is 20%. That is, the jackpot of the high-probability symbol G (without time) that shifts to a gaming state advantageous to the player is set to a relatively low probability, and the high-probability symbol E (shorter to time) that shifts to a gaming state that is not advantageous to the player 100 times) and high probability symbol F (short time ∞) are set to a relatively high probability.

Referring to FIG. 34, when the first probability change is a big hit in the high-probability short-time gaming state, there are winning with a high-probability symbol E (100 times short) and winning with a high-probability symbol F (short-time ∞) . Winning with a high probability symbol E (100 times short) occurs with a probability of 50%, and winning with a high probability symbol F (short time ∞) also occurs with a probability of 50%.
If the first chance is won with a high probability symbol E (100 times short), if the special symbol lottery after the jackpot game is played 100 times, if the big probability of the high probability symbol G (no time) is won, the second probability variation Then, after the big hit game, it shifts to the high probability short-time no-game state, and the player can enjoy the pullback feeling.
If the first chance to win is winning with a high probability symbol E (100 times short) and avoiding some big wins (ST-thru) before the special symbol lottery after winning game is performed 100 times (ST-thru), it will be high from the high probability short time gaming state After shifting to the short-probability gaming state (latent state), the special symbol lottery for the second probability change is repeated.

  If the first probability variation is won with a high probability symbol F (short time ∞), the high probability short-time gaming state is maintained until the special symbol lottery after the jackpot game is substantially won the next jackpot. Therefore, if winning with the high probability symbol E (100 times shorter), the game will be played with the second probability change in the short state with a high probability, and if winning with the high probability symbol G (no time), the probability will change. The second time will shift to the high probability short-time non-game state and the game will be played.

If you win the jackpot in the second chance, if you have a high probability symbol E (100 times shorter), the third game will be played in the high probability short game state, and the high probability symbol G (no short time) ), The third time of the probability change will shift to the high probability short-time non-game state and the game will be played.
Then, in the third probability variation, if the next jackpot is won, that is, if the low probability symbol C is won, the third probability variation ends, and a transition is made to the low probability gaming state.

  If the first probability change is won with a high probability G symbol (no time), the second probability probability and the third probability variation will always be a big hit with a high probability symbol G (no short time), and the high probability short game is maintained. Is done. That is, when the first probability change is a high-probability symbol G (no time shortening), the special symbol lottery after that does not result in a big hit of the high-probability symbol E (100 times short-time) or the high-probability symbol F (time-short ∞). Note that, as described above, a game control example in which a high probability symbol E (100 times in a short time) and a high probability symbol F (in a time ∞) are jackpots is also conceivable.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the player can play a small number of games in the high probability short-time non-game state during the first to third probability change (continuous probability change period). The number of prize balls can be increased. As described above, a configuration is employed in which it is difficult to increase the number of prize balls even if a small hit is made in a high probability short-time gaming state. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy how good the state (without time) is taken within the continuous probability variation period until three probability variations are completed.
In the third embodiment, since the number of times is set, it can be said that the game state is changed by the number of rotations.

  Note that the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the third embodiment is a set type as described above, but other types are also conceivable. For example, after the jackpot game is over, the game state shifts to a high probability short-time game state, and the high probability game state is maintained until a special symbol lottery is performed 100 times (ST type). Then, after the jackpot game is over, it is in a time-saving state up to 50 times, and in the remaining 50 times, it becomes a non-time-saving state. Therefore, if the big win is not won before 50 times in the short-time state is over, the high-probability short-time gaming state is shifted to the high-probability short-time non-game state, and it becomes possible to increase the number of prize balls by the small win.

[Modification]
Here, the modification about this Embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining a modification of the present embodiment, where (a) is a configuration diagram of the board surface, and (b) is the number G of winnings held by the passage of the gate 124 and the variation time. It is a table | surface explaining a relationship. Note that (a) in FIG. 35 corresponds to FIG. 28, and description of common matters may be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 35 (a), the second start port 122 and the electric tulip 123 are disposed on the upper side of the big prize opening 125, and the gate 124 is arranged on the left side of the big prize opening 125. ing. That is, with respect to the flow of the game ball, the second start port 122 and the electric tulip 123 are located on the upstream side, the gate 124 is located on the downstream side, and a big prize is placed on the upstream side of the gate 124 and downstream of the electric tulip 123. The mouth 125 is located.
The electric tulip 123 is rotatable in a region 111a that flows down when the right-handed game ball moves toward the grand prize winning port 125, and is located on the left side of the second starting port 122 in front view. The wall portion 158 of the central decorative portion makes it possible to more reliably restrict the entrance to the second starting port 122 by the single opening electric tulip 123.

Here, referring to (b) of FIG. 35, the normal symbol change time (the time during which the normal symbol display unit 223 displays the normal symbol variably) is set according to the number G of the non-changeable holding amount of the normal symbol. A table used in this case is shown. The reserved number G here is set, for example, in the flowchart of the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and the normal symbol variation time is set in the flowchart of the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). .
When the number of reserves G is between 0 and 2, the normal symbol change time is 2 seconds, when the reserve number G is 3, the normal symbol change time is 8 seconds, and when the hold number G is 4 The normal symbol variation time is 150 seconds. Thus, in the modified example, the normal symbol variation time varies according to the number of reservations G. More specifically, the game control is performed so that the normal symbol variation time becomes longer as the number of reservations G increases. Note that, as in the case of the present embodiment (see S1308 and S1309 in FIG. 13), a control example in which the normal symbol variation time is changed depending on whether there is a short time is conceivable. .
Also, in the modified example, the variation time of the special symbol lottery that is triggered by entering the second starting port 122 in the low-probability gaming state is 10 minutes when the special symbol lottery is off, and in the case of a big win Performs game control for 10 seconds.

Thus, the board surface configuration is such that the number of game balls passing through the gate 124 is affected by the operation of the electric tulip 123 and the operation of the special prize opening 125. In other words, the right-handed game ball is easy to enter the second starting port 122 by the electric tulip 123 when the electric tulip 123 is open, and large when the electric tulip 123 is not open. If the winning opening 125 is in an open state, it is easy to enter the big winning opening 125. Therefore, when the electric tulip 123 or the special winning opening 125 is operating, the number of game balls passing through the gate 124 is reduced. On the other hand, when the electric tulip 123 is not activated and the special winning opening 125 is not activated, the number of game balls passing through the gate 124 is increased.
Then, the upper limit value of the number of holds G is 4, and the game control is performed so that the normal symbol variation time becomes longer as the number of holds G increases. In addition, the game control is performed so that the variation time of the special symbol lottery by entering the second start port 122 in the low probability gaming state is long when it is off and short when it is a big hit.

For this reason, in the above-mentioned board configuration and game control, when the electric tulip 123 or the big prize opening 125 is not operated, the number of game balls passing through the gate 124 increases, the number of reserved balls increases, and the normal symbol variation time is increased. Since it becomes long, the electric tulip 123 becomes difficult to open. Accordingly, even if the player hits the right in the low probability gaming state, it is difficult to enter the second starting port 122, so that the player hesitates to play such a game.
Furthermore, even if the player enters the second starting port 122 in the low probability gaming state, the probability of the special symbol lottery is high, and the second starting port 122 enters in the low probability gaming state. Since the variation time of the special symbol lottery with the ball is set to a long time of 10 minutes, it is assumed that hesitate to keep waiting for the symbol variation to end.
Thus, according to the modification, it is possible to realize the pachinko gaming machine 100 in which it is difficult to obtain a prize ball even if the player hits the right in the low probability gaming state.

  As described above, various structures and controls have been described in this document. However, it is possible to apply or combine all or part of the described contents to other structures and controls even when there is no mention in this document. is there. Although various modifications are also mentioned, it is possible to apply or combine the contents of such modifications to other structures, controls, and the like even when there is no mention in this document.

[Description of Technical Features in the First to Third Embodiments]
By adopting the configuration and control as described above, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the modifications have various technical features. Each of such technical features can solve the problem of providing a gaming machine capable of realizing a gameability different from the conventional one.

That is, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a passage detection switch (for example, a gate switch) that detects that a game ball has passed through a specific area (for example, the gate 124) provided in the gaming area (for example, the gaming area 111). 214) and a ball entry detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) that detects that a game ball has entered the start port (for example, the second start port 122) provided in the game area (for example, the game region 111). ) And a special game determination that determines whether or not a special game advantageous to the player is to be performed, triggered by the detection of the entrance of a game ball by the entrance detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) Triggered by the passage of a game ball detected by means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) and the passage detection switch (for example, gate switch 214). The determination results of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) for determining whether or not to perform an auxiliary game advantageous to the user and the determination results of the special game determination unit (for example, the special symbol determination unit 234) perform the special game. If it is, a special electric accessory (for example, a big prize opening 125) that repeats a first state (for example, a closed state) in which a ball cannot be entered and a second state (for example, an open state) in which the ball can be entered. When the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) is to perform the auxiliary game, it is difficult to enter the starting port (for example, the second starting port 122). An ordinary electric accessory (for example, an electric tulip 123) that makes it difficult for the game ball to reach the special electric accessory (for example, the big prize opening 125) by shifting to an easy state and making the entry easy. And comprising And it is characterized in and.

In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a passage detection switch (for example, a gate switch) that detects that a game ball has passed through a specific area (for example, the gate 124) provided in the gaming area (for example, the gaming area 111). 214) and a ball entry detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) that detects that a game ball has entered the start port (for example, the second start port 122) provided in the game area (for example, the game region 111). ) And the first information (for example, a jackpot random number) and the second information (for example, a jackpot symbol random number) triggered by the entrance of a game ball detected by the pitch detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212). ) With the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) and the first information (for example, jackpot random number) acquired by the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) Special game determination means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the engineer, and the second information (for example, jackpot symbol random number) acquired by the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) ), A type determination means (for example, CPU 201) for determining the type of special game, and the passage detection switch (for example, the gate switch 214) detects the passage of the game ball as an opportunity to play an auxiliary game advantageous to the player. If the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) for determining whether or not to perform and the determination result of the special game determination unit (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) is to perform the special game, A special electric accessory (for example, a special figure) that repeats a first state (for example, a closed state) in which a ball is impossible and a second state (for example, an open state) in which a ball can be entered When the determination results of the determination unit 234) and the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) perform the auxiliary game, it is difficult to enter the starting port (for example, the second starting port 122). A normal electric accessory that makes it difficult for the game ball to reach the special electric accessory (for example, the big prize opening 125) by making a transition from the state to an easy state and making the entry easy. For example, the electric tulip 123), a control means (for example, the CPU 201) that controls the state in which it is difficult to enter the ball with the ordinary electric accessory (for example, the electric tulip 123) and the state in which the ball is easy to enter, and the type determination Based on the second information (for example, jackpot symbol random number) used for the determination of the means (for example, the CPU 201), the control means (for example, the CPU 201) can easily control the entrance to the state. Determining means (for example, CPU 201) for determining whether to enter a short time state or a non-short time state in which the entry is less likely to be controlled to be easier than the short time state. .

In addition, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment has a passage detection switch (for example, a gate switch) that detects that a game ball has passed through a specific area (for example, the gate 124) provided in the gaming area (for example, the gaming area 111). 214) and a ball entry detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) that detects that a game ball has entered the start port (for example, the second start port 122) provided in the game area (for example, the game region 111). ) And a special game determination that determines whether or not a special game advantageous to the player is to be performed, triggered by the detection of the entrance of a game ball by the entrance detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) The player is triggered by the passage of the game ball detected by the means (for example, the special symbol determination unit 234) and the passage detection switch (for example, the gate switch 214). The determination results of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) for determining whether or not to perform an advantageous auxiliary game and the special game determination unit (for example, the special symbol determination unit 234) perform the special game. If it is, a special electric accessory (for example, a big prize opening 125) that repeats a first state (for example, a closed state) in which a ball cannot be entered and a second state (for example, an open state) in which the ball can be entered. When the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) is to perform the auxiliary game, it is difficult to enter the starting port (for example, the second starting port 122). An ordinary electric accessory (for example, an electric tulip 123) that makes it difficult for the game ball to reach the special electric accessory (for example, the big prize opening 125) by making the transition to an easy state and making the entry easy. And the ordinary electric A control means (for example, CPU 201) for controlling the entry into a state where it is difficult to enter with an object (eg, electric tulip 123) and a state where entry is easy, and a special game determination means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234). Based on the number of determinations by the special game determination means (for example, the special symbol determination unit 234) after the special game is completed that is performed when the determination result is to perform the special game, the control means (for example, the CPU 201). ) To determine whether to enter the short time state in which it is easy to control the entry to an easy state or to the non-short time state in which the entry is less likely to be controlled than the short time state (for example, the CPU 201). These are provided.

In the present embodiment, in the main control process of the game control unit 200, the operation of finally outputting the commands generated in each process of the main control process to the effect control unit 300 has been described (FIG. 5-3). reference).
In the present embodiment, in the basic process that is initially executed by the game control unit 200 when the power is restored, the main control process is performed in order to output a command or the like for instructing the initialization to the effect control unit 300. The function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240 used in the above is called and executed (see FIG. 5A).
In this embodiment, the command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of a “code unit” and a “data unit”, and an identification flag is provided for each head bit. This has been described (see FIG. 19-1).
Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a part of a “code part” of a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is used to describe a data value.

[Technical features of the present embodiment]
As described above, in this embodiment, in the main control process repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals by the game control unit 200 in order to reduce the increase in the control command for controlling the operation of the game control means, one cycle At the end of the main control process, the commands generated by the execution of the one cycle are collected and output to the effect control unit 300. That is, a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned purpose is
A gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game,
A game control means (for example, game control) that repeatedly executes a main control process, which is a series of processes related to the progress of a game, according to a predetermined condition and generates data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control process. Part 200),
Each time the series of main control processes are executed in one cycle, output means for outputting the data generated by the execution of the one cycle after the last data is generated in the execution of the one cycle (for example, Output controller 240);
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the output means (for example, output control unit 240), and produces production based on the received data;
Is provided.
In this way, since it is not necessary to perform output processing for each generated data, control instructions for performing output processing can be reduced, and an increase in program size can be suppressed. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform output processing every time data is generated, the time required for the entire output processing can be shortened.
In more detail, in the above gaming machine,
Storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the data generated by the main control processing in a storage area (for example, command storage area) set for each data;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) stores the data generated in the main control process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data,
The output means (for example, the output control unit 240) checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and obtains data from the storage area where the data is stored. Read and output.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that leakage of data output can be prevented.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game,
A game control means (for example, a special control different from the main control process according to a condition different from the main control process) Game control unit 200),
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production based on the data,
In the main control process, the process by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
A portion that performs processing based on the progress of the game and calls and executes one or more first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates data including information obtained by executing the processing; ,
Second processing means (for example, output control unit 240) that outputs data generated by execution of the first processing means (for example, game control unit 200) to the effect control means (for example, effect control unit 300). And a part to call and execute
In the special process, the process by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
A part for executing a setting process for setting a gaming machine (for example, pachinko gaming machine 100);
A part for calling the second processing means (for example, the output control unit 240) in the main control process and outputting the data generated in the setting process to the effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300); , Including.
In this way, there is no need to prepare individual control instructions for the output processing of data generated by special processing, so control instructions for output processing are reduced and the increase in program size is suppressed. can do.
In more detail, in the above gaming machine,
Storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the data generated in the main control process in a storage area set for each data;
The first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) in the main control process transfers the data generated by executing the process to the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data. Memorize sequentially,
The second processing means (for example, the output control unit 240) in the main control process checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and stores the data. Read and output data from the storage area
In the setting process in the special process, the data generated in the setting process is stored in a predetermined storage area in the storage unit (for example, the RAM 203).
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that leakage of data output can be prevented.

Also, in this embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means, a predetermined bit of “code” as the first data portion and “data” as the second data portion A predetermined bit of “is used as a flag for identifying“ code ”and“ data ”. That is, a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned purpose is
A gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game,
Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) that executes main control processing related to the progress of the game, generates and outputs data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control processing;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production based on the received data,
The data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is
a first data part (for example, “code”) having a size of a bit (a is an integer of 2 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0;
The size of n × a bits (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1), and the value of the first 1 bit is specified to be different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data portion (for example, “code”) And a second data portion (eg, “data”).
In this way, since the first data portion and the second data portion can be clearly distinguished by recognizing the value of the leading 1 bit, data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means The accuracy can be improved.
More preferably, in the above gaming machine,
The second data portion (for example, “data”) of the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control portion 200) has the same value as the value of the first 1 bit for every a bits from the beginning. Is set.
In this way, even when the size of the second data portion is large, it is easy to identify each of the second data portions by dividing each specific size.

In the present embodiment, the data sent from the game control means to the effect control means even when it is necessary to send large-size data, such as when a command specifying a variation pattern to be executed is sent. In order to suppress an increase in the overall size, a predetermined bit of “code” that is the first data portion is used to describe the data value, and a part of “code” and “data” that is the second data portion In this paper, we proposed a method for describing data values. That is, a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned purpose is
A gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game,
Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) that executes main control processing related to the progress of the game, generates and outputs data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control processing;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production based on the data,
The data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is
a first data part (for example, “code”) having a size of a bit (a is an integer of 3 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0;
The size of n × a bits (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1), and the value of the first 1 bit is specified to be different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data portion (for example, “code”) A second data portion (e.g., "data"),
A predetermined type of data is recorded using a predetermined bit constituting the first data part (eg “code”) and a bit constituting the second data part (eg “data”), Another type of data different from the predetermined type of data can be recorded using the remaining bits excluding the predetermined bit in the first data portion (for example, “code”). .
In addition, another gaming machine according to the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows:
A gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game,
Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) that executes main control processing related to the progress of the game, generates and outputs data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control processing;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production based on the data,
The data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is
a first data part (for example, “code”) having a size of a bit (a is an integer of 3 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0;
a second data portion (for example, “data” having a size of a bit and a value of the leading 1 bit being different from a value of the leading 1 bit of the first data portion (for example, “code”) )), And
B bits (b is smaller than a-1 and an integer of 1 or more) constituting the first data portion (for example, “code”), and a constituting the second data portion (for example, “data”) Bits can be used to record data having a size of (a + b) bits.
With the above configuration, the size of data to be recorded in the second data portion can be increased without changing the total size of the first data portion and the second data portion. When large data is sent from the game control means to the effect control means, an increase in the size of the entire transmitted data can be suppressed.

100 ... Pachinko machine (an example of a game machine)
111 ... gaming area (an example of gaming area)
122 ... 2nd starting port (an example of a starting port)
123 ... Electric tulip (an example of an ordinary electric accessory)
124 ... Gate (an example of a specific area)
125 ... Grand prize opening (an example of a special electric accessory)
201 ... CPU (an example of an acquisition unit, an example of a type determination unit, an example of a control unit, an example of a determination unit)
212 ... 2nd start opening switch (an example of a ball entry detection switch)
214 ... Gate switch (an example of a passage detection switch)
232 ... Normal symbol determination unit (an example of auxiliary game determination means)
234 ... Special symbol determination unit (an example of special game determination means)

A gaming machine to which the present invention is applied includes a passage detection switch (for example, gate switch 214) that detects that a game ball has passed through a specific region (for example, gate 124) provided in the gaming region (for example, gaming region 111). A ball entry detection switch (for example, the second start port switch 212) for detecting that a game ball has entered a start port (for example, the second start port 122) provided in the game area (for example, the game region 111); First information (for example, jackpot random number) and second information (for example, jackpot symbol random number) are acquired when the entrance of a game ball is detected by the entrance detection switch (for example, second start port switch 212) To the player with the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) and the first information (for example, jackpot random number) acquired by the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) Special game determination means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) for determining whether or not to perform an advantageous special game, and the second information (for example, jackpot symbol random number) acquired by the acquisition means (for example, CPU 201) In the event that the passage of the game ball is detected by the type determination means (for example, the CPU 201) for determining the type of the special game and the passage detection switch (for example, the gate switch 214), an auxiliary game advantageous to the player is performed. If the determination results of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) and the special game determination unit (for example, the special symbol determination unit 23 4 ) for determining whether the special game is performed or not Special electric accessory (for example, a special symbol determination unit) that repeats a first state (for example, a closed state) in which a ball is impossible and a second state (for example, an open state) in which a ball can be entered 234) and the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means (for example, the normal symbol determination unit 232) performs the auxiliary game, it is impossible to enter the starting port (for example, the second starting port 122) . transition from one state to the ball entrance second possible states, and the game ball by the migration of the to the second state hardly reach the special electric combination thereof (e.g., winning opening 125), usually an electric Control means (for example, CPU 201) that controls the first state and the second state of the accessory (for example, electric tulip 123), the normal electric accessory (for example, electric tulip 123), and the type determination means (e.g., CPU 201) based on the used for determining the second information (e.g. a bonus game symbol random number), to easily time reduction state is controlled to the second state by the control unit (e.g. CPU 201) Comprising a, a determination unit (e.g., CPU 201) for making a decision whether to hide the time-shortening conditions difficult to be controlled in the second state than the time-shortening conditions, the determination by the special game determination means (e.g., a special symbol determination section 234) When notifying the result, it is possible to make the variation time when the determination result is not to perform the special game longer than that to perform the special game .

Claims (1)

A passage detection switch for detecting that a game ball has passed through a specific area provided in the game area;
An incoming ball detection switch for detecting that a game ball has entered the start port provided in the game area;
An acquisition means for acquiring the first information and the second information in response to detection of an incoming game ball by the incoming ball detection switch;
Special game determination means for determining whether or not to perform a special game advantageous to the player with the first information acquired by the acquisition means;
A type determining unit that determines a type of a special game from the second information acquired by the acquiring unit;
Auxiliary game determination means for determining whether or not to perform an auxiliary game advantageous to the player when the passage of the game ball is detected by the passage detection switch,
If the determination result of the special game determination means is to perform the special game, a special electric accessory that repeats the first state in which the entry is impossible and the second state in which the entry is possible,
If the determination result of the auxiliary game determination means is to perform the auxiliary game, the transition from the state where it is difficult to enter the starting port to the state where it is easy to enter, and the state where the entry is easy An ordinary electric accessory that makes it difficult for the game ball to reach the special electric accessory by transition;
Control means for controlling the entry into the state in which the entry with the ordinary electric accessory is difficult and the state in which the entry is easy;
Based on the second information used for the determination by the type determining means, the control means makes it easy to control the entry into a state where the entry is easy, or a state where the entry is easier than the time reduction state. Determining means for determining whether to enter a non-time-short state that is difficult to control
A gaming machine comprising:

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