JP2016214544A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance player's interest in a game by a new prior determination performance.SOLUTION: A variable performance sound is outputted in concert with variable performance display (variation display of a performance pattern) (t11). When specific ready-to-win reservation occurs during the variable performance display (t12), a variable performance sound change performance, which changes the outputted variable performance sound from a sound state to a soundless state, is executed. The variable performance sound change performance is completed when developing to specific ready-to-win (super-ready-to-win A) in the variable performance display associated with the specific ready-to-win reservation (t13), and the variable performance sound is outputted again in concert with the variable performance display. Thus, a player paying attention to the variable performance display is allowed to feel as if performance sound becomes silent suddenly, and to feel surprise and impact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or an arrangement ball.

  Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, information for determination acquired based on a game ball entering a starting port is pre-determined (pre-reading), and a predetermined pre-determining effect (pre-reading advance notice) is based on the result of the pre-determination. The one that performs the production) is known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses a technique for performing a hold notice effect that changes a hold display based on a result of a prior determination based on a game ball entering a start winning opening.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-83199

  However, such pre-decision effects tend to be uniform in content, lack surprises and impacts, and are insufficient for improving the game entertainment.

  The main purpose of the gaming machine of the present invention is to enhance a player's gaming interest through a new prior determination effect.

  The gaming machine of the present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the above-mentioned main object.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
When the determination of the acquisition information acquired by entering the game ball into the start opening is performed based on establishment of a predetermined condition, and the identification information that is variably displayed based on the determination result is stopped and displayed in a specific manner, A gaming machine capable of executing a specific game advantageous to a player,
Acquisition information storage means for storing the acquired acquisition information;
Prior determination means for performing prior determination of the acquired information before the predetermined condition is satisfied;
Production execution means for performing a predetermined production according to the progress of the game;
With
The production execution means
When the pre-determined result of the acquired information acquired based on the game ball entering the start opening is a specific result, the pre-decision effect based on the specific result is pre-determined as the specific result. The gist of the present invention is to perform the variation effect corresponding to the variation display until the variation effect is completed after performing until a predetermined time during the variation display of the identification information related to the acquired information.

In this gaming machine of the present invention, the acquired information acquired by entering the game ball into the starting port is determined based on the establishment of a predetermined condition, and the identification information variably displayed based on the determination result is in a specific mode. In the case where a specific game advantageous to the player can be executed when the stop display is made, the acquired information is pre-determined before the predetermined condition is established, and a predetermined effect is performed according to the progress of the game. In addition, when the pre-determined result of the acquired information acquired based on the game ball entering the start opening is the specific result, the pre-decision effect based on the specific result is pre-determined as the specific result. After performing until a predetermined time during the variable display of the identification information related to the acquired information, the variable effect corresponding to the variable display is performed until the variable effect ends.
In this way, the identification information is obtained by the subsequent variation effect while encouraging the player's expectation by performing the prior determination effect until a predetermined time during the variation display of the identification information related to the acquisition information determined in advance as the specific result. It is possible to realize an effect mode that is expected to be stopped and displayed in a specific mode. As a result, the gaming interest can be improved by a new prior determination effect.

In such a gaming machine of the present invention,
When the other information is stored in the acquired information storage unit prior to the acquired information determined in advance as the specific result, the effect executing unit is displaying the variation of the identification information related to the other acquired information. Also, the prior determination effect may be performed.

  In this way, the player's expectation can be further enhanced by performing the preliminary determination effect during the variable display of the identification information related to the other acquired information.

In the gaming machine of the present invention,
The effect executing means may perform an effect that silences the varying effect sound output corresponding to the variation display of the identification information as the prior determination effect.

  In this way, the player can be surprised and impacted more effectively.

Furthermore, in the gaming machine of the present invention,
The effect executing means may perform a reach effect indicating whether or not the identification information is displayed in a specific manner as the variation effect.

  In this way, the player's expectation for reach production can be enhanced, and the gaming interest can be further improved.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to enhance the game interest of the player by a new prior determination effect.

1 is an external perspective view showing an external appearance of a pachinko machine 10 that is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure of the game board 30 of the pachinko machine 10 of an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 of an Example. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the symbol display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display mode of the normal symbol display apparatus 41. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display mode of the special symbol display apparatus 42 at the time of big hit. It is explanatory drawing explaining the screen structure of the 1st production | presentation display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the screen structure of the 2nd effect display apparatus 50. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a sub control board 90. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a main control process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a variable display related process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a big hit determination table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the jackpot symbol determination table for 1st special symbols. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the jackpot symbol determination table for 2nd special symbols. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a big hit fluctuation pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a deviation fluctuation pattern table. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a big hit game process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a big hit game end process executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of error detection processing executed by a CPU 70a of the main control board 70. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an effect control process executed by a CPU 90a of a sub control board 90. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the pending | holding display effect process performed by CPU90a of the sub control board | substrate 90. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the symbol fluctuation effect process performed by CPU90a of the sub-control board 90. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the prefetch notice effect process at the time of the symbol change effect performed by CPU90a of the sub control board 90. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of a fluctuation production sound change production. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a big hit game effect process executed by a CPU 90a of a sub control board 90. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a pre-hit notice effect process at the time of a big hit game effect executed by a CPU 90a of a sub-control board 90. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of warning processing executed by a CPU 90a of a sub control board 90. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of jackpot game effect sound change effect. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the change effect sound change effect of a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the jackpot game effect sound change effect of a modification.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. In the following, on the type of pachinko machine (the so-called seven machine type) pachinko machine (first-class pachinko machine) where the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed at the end of the change display of the special symbol, and the jackpot game is triggered by this An example to which the present invention is applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an external appearance of a pachinko machine 10 (game machine), FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a game board 30 of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 3 is a control circuit of the pachinko machine 10. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of a structure.

[Overall configuration of pachinko machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment has a game board 30 (see FIG. 2) in which the board surface is arranged so as to be visible through a glass plate 12 (transparent plate) fitted in the front frame 11, An upper tray 14 and a lower tray 16 that store game balls, and a launching handle 18 for launching the game balls stored in the upper tray 14 to the game board 30 are provided.

  The front frame 11 is fitted into the main body frame 21 and can be rotated with respect to the main body frame 21 with the left side as a rotation axis. The main body frame 21 is fitted into the outer frame 22 so that it can be rotated with respect to the outer frame 22 with the left side as a rotation axis. The front frame 11 and the main body frame 21 are configured as a substantially rectangular plastic frame. The outer frame 22 is configured as a substantially rectangular wooden frame, and is fixed to the island frame of the island facility of the pachinko hall.

  In addition, speakers 28a and 28b are provided on the upper left and upper right of the front frame 11 to play various sound effects and inform the player of the game state as the game progresses. The part is provided with a locking device 29 for locking the front frame 11 to the main body frame 21. In addition, a prepaid card type ball lending device (CR unit) (not shown) is provided on the left side of the front frame 11.

  The upper tray 14 is inserted into the CR unit on the upper surface portion thereof, and a ball lending button 24a for instructing lending of game balls within the range of the value balance (valuable balance) of the card inserted into the CR unit. A return button 24b for instructing the return of the card is provided. The upper tray 14 is provided with an effect button 26 for performing various effects in accordance with the player's operation at the center of the upper surface.

  The launch handle 18 is provided at the lower right portion of the front frame 11, and includes a touch sensor 18a (see FIG. 3) that detects that the player is touching the handle and a launch stop that temporarily stops launch of the game ball. A switch 18b (see FIG. 3) is provided. A launching device (not shown) for launching game balls stored in the upper tray 14 one by one is connected to the rotation shaft of the launching handle 18, and the launching device is provided when the launching handle 18 is rotated. The firing motor 19 (see FIG. 3) rotates, and accordingly, a game ball is launched with a striking force having a strength corresponding to the operation amount of the firing handle 18.

[Composition of game board 30]
As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 30 has a game area 31 surrounded by an outer rail 31a and an inner rail 31b. The game board 30 is arranged in the symbol display device 40 arranged in the lower right part of the game area 31, the first effect display apparatus 34 arranged in the central part of the game area 31, and arranged in the right part of the game area 31. The second start display device 50, the center accessory 49 arranged so as to surround the first effect display device 34, and the first start for detecting the entrance of the game ball arranged below the center accessory 49 A first starting port 36 having a mouth switch 36a (see FIG. 3), and a normal symbol operating gate 32 having a gate switch 32a (see FIG. 3) arranged on the right side of the center accessory 49 for detecting the passage of a game ball; A second start port 38 having a second start port switch 38a (see FIG. 3) which is disposed directly below the normal symbol operating gate 32 and detects the entry of a game ball is disposed at the bottom of the game area 31 so as to be openable and closable. Detecting incoming game balls Either a large winning opening 44 having a winning opening switch 44a (see FIG. 3), a general winning opening 45 having a general winning opening switch 45a (see FIG. 3) arranged at the lower left and lower right of the game area 31, And an out port 47 for collecting game balls that have not entered the winning port. In addition to this, the game board 30 is provided with a windmill 48 for guiding and playing game balls flowing down the game area 31 and a number of nails (not shown).

  The second start port 38 is a variable entrance port provided as an ordinary electric accessory, and a pair of left and right wing pieces 38c (movable member) and a second start port solenoid 38b (operating the wing piece 38c ( 3). When the wing piece portion 38c stands upright, the second starting port 38 is in a normal state where the possibility of entering a game ball is relatively low (see the dotted line in FIG. 2), and the wing piece portion 38c is opened left and right. When the game ball is in the open state, the possibility of entering the game ball is higher than the normal state (see the solid line in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, in a normal state in which the wing piece portion 38c is upright, it is configured such that it is impossible to enter the game ball into the second starting port 38.

  The special winning opening 44 is a variable ball receiving opening provided as a special electric accessory, and includes an opening / closing plate 44c and a special winning opening solenoid 44b (see FIG. 3) for operating the opening / closing plate 44c. The special winning opening 44 is normally closed by a closing plate 44c that is closed by the opening / closing plate 44c and does not accept a game ball. In the big hit game (specific game), the special winning opening solenoid 44b (see FIG. 3), the open / close plate 44c is actuated and opened to the near side, so that an open state (open state) in which a game ball can be easily received is obtained. A large winning opening switch 44a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the entering of a game ball and counting the number of the balls is attached to the large winning opening 44. In the present embodiment, as the big hit game processing, a predetermined time (for example, 25 seconds or 0.1 second) elapses before the big winning opening switch 44a counts 10 or 10 game balls. The grand prize opening 44 is opened as one round, and the opening operation of the big prize opening 44 is repeated until the specified round. In addition, between each round, the special winning opening 44 is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds).

  As illustrated in the configuration diagram of FIG. 4, the symbol display device 40 includes a normal symbol display device 41 that can display and stop displaying a normal symbol, and a special symbol display device that can display and stop displaying a special symbol. 42, and a round display unit 43 that displays a symbol indicating the specified number of rounds of the jackpot game (maximum number of rounds). The normal symbol display device 41 includes a left normal symbol display unit 41a and a right normal symbol display unit 41b configured using light emitting diodes (LEDs). In FIG. 5, an example of the display mode of the normal symbol display device 41 is shown. As shown in the figure, the normal symbol display device 41 includes a display mode in which both the left normal symbol display unit 41a and the right normal symbol display unit 41b are turned off (see the first row from the top in FIG. 5), and the left normal symbol display unit. A display mode in which 41a is turned on and the right normal symbol display unit 41b is turned off (see the second stage from the top in FIG. 5), and a display mode in which the left normal symbol display unit 41a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 41b is turned on (see FIG. There are four display modes: a display mode in which both the left normal symbol display unit 41a and the right normal symbol display unit 41b are lit (see the fourth column from the top in FIG. 5). . When the normal symbol display device 41 detects that the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 32, the normal symbol display device variably displays by sequentially switching the four display modes, and when the execution time of the variable display has elapsed. The normal symbol is stopped and displayed in any one of the display modes. At this time, when the display mode of the stopped normal symbol is a specific display mode (for example, the display mode shown in the fourth row from the top in FIG. 5), the second start port 38 is set as a hit for a certain time (for example, , 0.5 seconds). When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 32 during the normal symbol fluctuation display, the normal symbol fluctuation display is held up to four times, and when the current fluctuation display ends, it is held. The variable display is digested sequentially.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the special symbol display device 42 includes a first special symbol display unit 42 a and a second special symbol display unit 42 b configured using a seven-segment display. A plurality of display modes (up to 128) are expressed by combinations with light extinction. The special symbol display device 42 corresponds to either the first special symbol display part 42a or the second special symbol display part 42b when the entry of either the first starting port 36 or the second starting port 38 is detected. The special symbols are variably displayed by sequentially switching the display state of the special symbol display section to be performed, and when the execution time of the variable display has elapsed, the special symbols are stopped and displayed in any of the display modes that can be expressed. At this time, when the display mode of the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a specific display mode (winning special symbol), it is a big hit. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display unit 42a is a first start port corresponding display unit that variably displays the special symbol based on the game ball entering the first start port 36, and the second special symbol display. The part 42b serves as a second start port corresponding display unit that displays a special symbol variably based on the game ball entering the second start port 38. Hereinafter, the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit 42a is also referred to as a first special symbol (special diagram 1), and the special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display unit 42b is a second special symbol (special diagram 2). ). In FIG. 6, an example of the display mode of the special symbol display device 42 at the time of big hit is shown. As shown in the figure, as the big hit symbol of the first special symbol, there are a special figure 1 normal big hit symbol which becomes "Special figure 1 normal big hit" and a special figure 1 positive variable big hit symbol which becomes "special figure 1 positive variable big hit" As the big special symbol of the second special symbol, the special figure 2 normal big hit symbol A which becomes “special figure 2 normal big hit A”, the special figure 2 normal big hit symbol B which becomes “special figure 2 normal big hit B”, and “special figure” There is a special figure 2 probable big hit symbol that is "2 probable big hit". In addition, the display mode of the special symbol at the time of the big hit is not limited to the above mode, and may be displayed in any mode, and the type of the display mode of the special symbol at the time of the big hit is not limited to one type each. A plurality of types may be prepared. When a game ball enters one of the first starting port 36 and the second starting port 38 during the special symbol variation display, the variation display of the special symbol is suspended up to four times for each starting port, When the current variation display is finished, the variation display of the special symbol that is held is sequentially digested. As will be described later, the number of holdings of the variable display of the first special symbol is displayed by the first holding symbol 35a, and the number of holdings of the variable display of the second special symbol is displayed by the second holding symbol 35b.

  Here, the “special figure 1 normal jackpot” is a jackpot game (4R jackpot game) in which the opening operation of the jackpot 44 is repeated over a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 4R), and after the jackpot game ends. Is a big hit mode in which the probability (probability per special figure) that the result of determining whether or not a special symbol is successful is set to a low probability. In addition, “Special Figure 1 Probable Big Hit” is a big hit game (4R big hit game) in which the opening operation of the big prize opening 44 is repeated over a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 4R), and after the big hit game ends, Until the special symbol variation display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 10,000 times), the probability that the result of the special symbol success / failure determination will be a big hit (probability per special symbol) is set to a high probability, and the special symbol and normal When the variation time of the symbol is shortened and the probability that the result of the determination of whether or not the normal symbol is a hit (probability per ordinary symbol) is set to a high probability, and the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the second start port 38 Is a jackpot mode (a jackpot mode for setting a state with a high probability power support) in which a state with an electric support is extended in which the opening time is extended. "Special figure 2 normal big hit A" and "Special figure 2 normal big hit B" have a big hit game in which the opening time of the big prize opening 44 is shorter than "Special figure 1 normal big hit", and after the big hit game ends, This is a big hit mode in which the probability (probability per special figure) that the result of determining whether or not a special symbol is a hit is set to a low probability. In this embodiment, “Special figure 2 normal big hit A” and “Special figure 2 normal big hit B” have round numbers of 2R and 4R, respectively, but the opening time of the big prize opening 44 per 1R is 0. It is 1 second, and game balls rarely enter during that time, and it is a big hit that cannot be expected to win prize balls. In addition, “Special Figure 2 Probable Big Hit” is a big hit game (16R big hit game) in which the opening operation of the big winning opening 44 is repeated over a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 16R) more than other big hits, and the big win After the game is over, until the special symbol variation display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 10,000 times), the probability per special figure is set to a high probability and the electric support state is set. Hereinafter, a gaming state having a low probability per special figure is also called a special figure low probability state, and a gaming state having a high probability per special figure is also called a special figure high probability state. In addition, a gaming state having a low probability per base figure is also referred to as a normal low probability state, and a gaming state having a high probability per base figure is also referred to as a general high probability state. Furthermore, a gaming state in which the variation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is shortened is also referred to as a time-shortening state, and a gaming state in which the opening time of the second start port 38 is extended is also referred to as an open-extended state. In this embodiment, the power support state is a state in which all three states of the normal high probability state, the short time state, and the open extension state have occurred, but any one or two of the three states are It is good also as the state which generate | occur | produced. Note that the big hit game, the special figure high probability state, and the electric support state (normal figure high probability state, short time state, open extended state) can be said to be an advantageous state since the game can be advantageously advanced.

  The first effect display device 34 is configured by using a seven-segment display that is larger than the special symbol display device 42, and various effect displays such as a variation display of the effect symbols and a reach effect are performed on the display screen. Is called. As shown in the screen configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the first effect display device 34 according to the present embodiment has three effects of left, middle, and right arranged side by side and composed of numbers, alphabetic characters, symbols, and the like. It has symbols (pseudo special symbols) 34L, 34M, 34R. The first effect display device 34 changes the three effect symbols 34L, 34M, and 34R when the game ball enters the first start port 36 and when the game ball enters the second start port 38. Display. The production symbols 34L, 34M, and 34R are variably displayed so as to blink at a high speed when the variation display is started. The symbols 34R and the production effect symbol 34M are stopped and displayed in this order. At this time, when the left effect symbol 34L and the right effect symbol 34R do not coincide with each other, a simple disengagement without reach is reached, and when the left effect symbol 34L and the right effect symbol 34R coincide with each other, reach is reached. Then, when the middle production symbol 34M is stopped with a predetermined reach production, if the middle production symbol 34M and the right and left production symbols 34L and 34R do not match, the reach production pattern is lost. A big hit occurs when 34M and the left and right effect symbols 34L, 34R coincide. In the present embodiment, even if all of the three effect symbols 34L, 34M, and 34R do not match, there may be a big hit ("Special Figure 2 Normal Big Hit A", "Special Figure 2 Normal Big Hit B"). The result of the success / failure of the effect symbol displayed on the first effect display device 34 is basically the success / failure of the special symbol (first special symbol, second special symbol) displayed by the special symbol display device 42 described above. Corresponds to the result of.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a first reserved symbol display unit 35 a and a second reserved symbol display unit 35 b are provided at the top of the first effect display device 34. The first reserved symbol display unit 35a adds one display (memory display) in order from the left side every time a game ball enters the first starting port 36 during the variation display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol. Every time the first special symbol variation display is started, the display is erased in the reverse order from that at the time of starting and entering. The second reserved symbol display part 35b also adds a display (memory display) one by one from the left each time a game ball enters the second starting port 38 during the first special symbol or the variation display of the second special symbol. Each time the display of the variation of the second special symbol is started, the display is erased in the reverse order to that at the time of starting entry.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a shooting area notification indicating which area of the gaming area 31 should be shot with a current gaming state on the upper part of the first effect display device 34. It has the display part 35c (two LED lamps arrange | positioned at right and left, respectively). The launch area notification display unit 35c is a game state where the current game state needs to be left-handed (launch to the first area of the game area 31), which will be described later (in the present embodiment, not in a big hit game but in a state with electric support In a normal game state) and in a game state that requires a right strike (launching of the game area 31 to the second area) (in this embodiment, during a big hit game or in a state with electric support) Thus, display is performed in different display modes. Specifically, when the current gaming state is a gaming state that requires left-handed (launching the gaming area 31 to the first area), the first mode (the left LED lamp among the left and right LED lamps) Is turned on and the right LED lamp is turned off), and in a game state that requires a right-handed strike (launch to the second area of the gaming area 31), the second aspect (left and right LED lamps) The left LED lamp is turned off and the right LED lamp is turned on. In the present embodiment, the firing area notification display unit 35c always displays in one of the display modes, and the player can look at the firing area notification display unit 35c regardless of whether the player is playing a game or not. Even in a gaming state, it is possible to confirm the firing direction (gaming state). In addition, when the special symbol is not variably displayed or when an advantageous state (a big hit game, a normal high probability state, a short time state, an open extended state) is not generated, the launch area notification display unit 35c The display may not be performed during non-games such as when a game ball is not being fired (an aspect in which the left and right LED lamps are both extinguished). In the present embodiment, the firing area notification display unit 35c is provided in the first effect display device 34 controlled by the sub control board 90 (sub control unit), but the main control board 70 (main control unit). It is good also as what is provided in the symbol display apparatus 40 controlled by.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second effect display device 50 displays an elapsed time display unit that displays an elapsed time T of an advantageous period in which the occurrence (start) of the advantageous state (the special figure high probability state, the electric support state) is repeated. 52, a winning ball number display unit 54 for displaying the number S of winning balls that the player has acquired during the advantageous period, and a big hit number display unit 56 for displaying the number of big hits generated during the advantageous period, The display parts 52-56 are arrange | positioned adjacent to each other. The elapsed time display unit 52 is configured as a 7-segment display and can display the elapsed time T up to a predetermined display limit time (for example, 99 seconds 99). The award ball number display unit 54 is also configured as a 7-segment display, and can display the award ball number S up to a predetermined display limit number (for example, 99999). Furthermore, the big hit number display unit 56 is also configured as a 7-segment display, and can display the big hit number up to a predetermined display limit number (for example, 99 times).

  In the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment thus configured, the first start port 36 is disposed below the first effect display device 34 (center accessory 49), and is not a big hit game or a state with electric support. In the gaming state, the player performs the first start of the game ball by rotating the firing handle 18 (so-called left-handed) so that the game ball flows down to the left side region (first region) of the game region 31. A ball can be entered into the mouth 36. Further, the normal symbol operation gate 32 and the second start opening 38 are arranged on the right side of the first effect display device 34 so that the player can flow the game ball down to the right side area (second area) of the game area 31. By rotating the firing handle 18 (so-called right-handed), the game ball can be passed through the normal symbol operation gate 32, and when the normal symbol hits and the second starting port 38 is opened, the player By continuing the right strike, the game ball can enter the second start port 38. Furthermore, the big winning opening 44 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 31, and when the big hit game is started, the game ball flows down to the right area (second area) of the game area 31 by making a right hit. Thus, it is possible to enter the big winning opening 44 that has been opened. As mentioned above, if you deduct a probable big hit ("Special Figure 1 Probable Big Bonus" or "Special Figure 2 Probable Big Hit"), after the big hit game is over, a special symbol change display will be performed a predetermined number of times (10,000 times). Until the normal symbol is shortened, and when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, there is an electric support state in which the opening time of the second starting port 38 is extended. By continuing the operation, it is possible to make the game ball enter the second start port 38 at a higher frequency than in the state without the electric support (high frequency state).

[Configuration of control circuit]
Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference mainly to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 10 includes a main control board 70 (main control unit) that controls the basic progress of the game and a payout control board that controls the payout of prize balls and balls. 80, a sub-control board 90 (sub-control unit) that controls the overall control of various effects performed in accordance with the progress of the game, a launch control board 100 that controls the game ball, and a power source for the pachinko machine 10 A control board such as an external control board 110 for controlling the communication between the power supply board 105 for controlling and the hall computer 115 provided in the hall in which the pachinko machine 10 is installed. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, a RAM that temporarily stores data when the programs are executed, and various controls. A timer that measures the necessary time (system timer), a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, an oscillator that outputs a clock for CPU operations, and a watch that monitors CPU runaway Various peripheral LSIs such as a dog timer and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal are connected to each other by a bus. In FIG. 3, only the CPU 70 a, ROM 70 b, and RAM 70 c of the main control board 70 among the various devices mounted on each control board are shown, and the other parts are not shown. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the sub-control board 90 that forms part of the control circuit. In the present embodiment, the sub-control board 90 is a sub-control section. However, control sections other than the main control section, for example, other control sections such as the payout control board 80 and the launch control board 100 can also be called sub-control sections. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control board 70 receives signals from the first start port switch 36a and the second start port switch 38a as signals necessary for controlling the basic progress of the game. An input signal and an operation signal from the RAM clear switch 71 directly instructing to clear (initialize) the RAM of each control board such as the RAM 70c of the main control board 70 and the RAM 90c (see FIG. 9) of the sub control board 90 are directly input. In addition, a passing signal from the gate switch 32a, a ball signal from the big prize port switch 44a, a ball signal from the general prize port switch 45a, and a magnet provided around the first start port 36 and the big prize port 44. A detection signal from the sensor 60 is input via the relay terminal board 72. From the main control board 70, a control signal to the symbol display board 40a for controlling the display of the symbol display device 40, a drive signal to the second start opening solenoid 38b, a drive signal to the drive signal to the big prize opening solenoid 44b, etc. Is output via the relay terminal plate 72. The main control board 70 communicates with the payout control board 80, the sub control board 90, and the launch control board 100 (communication via the payout control board 80), and exchanges various command signals (commands, drive signals, etc.) and data. It is carried out. In addition, an operation signal or the like from an on / off switch 107 that switches on / off the power of the pachinko machine 10 is input to the main control board 70 via the power supply board 105. When the on / off switch 107 is operated and an operation signal instructing switching from power off to on is input, the main control board 70 executes power on processing necessary for power on such as initialization processing, and turns on / off. When the switch 107 is operated to input an operation signal for instructing switching from power ON to OFF, power shutdown processing necessary for power shutdown such as backup of various information is executed. Further, the main control board 70 can communicate with the hall computer 115 via the external control board 110, and transmits the operation status of the pachinko machine 10 or transmits an error signal when an abnormality occurs.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the payout control board 80 directly receives a detection signal from a frame opening switch 81 for detecting the opening of the front frame 11 as a signal necessary for performing control related to payout of award balls and ball rentals. The operation signals from the ball lending button 24a and the return button 24b are input via the ball lending display board 82 and the relay terminal board 83, and are received from the pre-payout switch 84 and the post-payout switch 85 for detecting the payout of the prize ball. A detection signal is input via the relay terminal board 87. From the payout control board 80, a drive signal to the payout motor 86 for paying out the prize balls is output via the relay terminal board 87. The payout control board 80 communicates with the main control board 70 and the launch control board 100, and exchanges various command signals and data. In this embodiment, in the big hit game, every time the big winning opening switch 44a detects one gaming ball, that is, every time one gaming ball enters the big winning opening 44, 15 winning balls are paid out. It is supposed to be issued. Since the maximum number (prescribed number) of game balls that can enter the big winning opening 44 during one round is 10, the maximum number of prize balls that can be paid out in one round is 150. Therefore, in a 4R jackpot game with 4 rounds to be executed, the maximum number of prize balls that can be paid out (upper limit prize ball number) is 600, and in a 16R jackpot game with 16 rounds to be executed, The maximum number of prize balls that can be paid out is 2400. As described above, “Special figure 2 normal jackpot A, B” is a jackpot game with 2R and 4R rounds, respectively, but the release time is short (0.1 seconds), and the game The ball rarely enters the big winning opening 44, and it cannot be expected to win the winning ball.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sub control board 90 includes a CPU 90a, a ROM 90b, a RAM 90c, and the like, receives various command signals from the main control board 70, and produces a game according to the commands. The sub control board 90 includes an effect display control board 91 for controlling the first effect display device 34 and the second effect display device 50, an amplifier board 92 for driving the various speakers 28a and 28b, and a frame lamp provided on the front frame 11. 93a (LED lamp) and a decoration lamp 93b (LED lamp) provided on the game board 30 or a decoration driving board 93 for driving a decorative motor 93c for operating a movable accessory, and an effect button 26 are provided. An effect button board 94 for inputting an operation signal from an operation detection switch 27 for detecting an operation of the effect button 26 is connected.

  The firing control board 100 detects a detection signal from the touch sensor 18a, an operation signal from the firing stop switch 18b, a detection signal from the lower tray full switch 102 that detects that the game ball is full in the lower tray 16 and the like. And a pulse signal for driving is output to the firing motor 19. The launch control board 100 drives the launch motor 19 to launch a game ball when the launch handle 18 is rotated, the touch sensor 18a is on, the launch stop switch 18b is off, and the lower tray full switch 102 is off. When either the touch sensor 18a is turned off, the firing stop switch 18b is turned on, or the lower tray full tank switch 102 is turned on, the driving of the firing motor 19 is stopped and the launch of the game ball is stopped. Further, the launch control board 100 communicates with the main control board 70 via the payout control board 80, and data regarding the operation state of the launch handle 18 such as a detection signal from the touch sensor 18 a is sent via the payout control board 80. Transmit to the main control board 70.

[Main control processing]
Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment thus configured will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main control process executed by the CPU 70a of the main control board 70. This process is executed when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on. The main control process includes a power-on process necessary for power-on (S100), a game start process (S110), a normal symbol game process (S120), a normal symbol game process (S130), and a special symbol. The game process (S140), the big hit game process (S150), and the error detection process (S160) are executed repeatedly. In the present embodiment, since the time required for the processes of S110 to S160 is about 4 msec, these processes are repeatedly executed at intervals of about 4 msec. The main control board 70 advances the entire game of the pachinko machine 10 by transmitting various commands to the control board in charge and executing the processes according to the commands in accordance with the execution of these processes.

[Game start processing]
In the game start process of S110, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first starts various sensors (gate switch 32a, first start port switch 36a, second start port switch 38a, big prize port switch 44a, general prize port switch 45a, etc.). ) And stored in a predetermined state storage area of the RAM 70c, and various determination information (a jackpot determination random number, a jackpot symbol determination random number, a variation pattern determination random number described later, a normal symbol success / failure determination random number, etc.) ). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a game ball is detected by a switch related to the entry of the game ball (the first start port switch 36a, the second start port switch 38a, the big winning port switch 44a, the general winning port switch 45a, etc.). If it is determined that it has been detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated and saved as prize ball information in a predetermined prize ball information storage area of the RAM 70c. Ball information) is transmitted to the payout control board 80, and the game start process is terminated. When the payout control board 80 receives the award ball number designation command, the payout motor 86 is driven to pay out the game balls one by one, and the game balls paid out by the pre-payout switch 84 and the post-payout switch 85 are detected. Each time a prize ball payout process is performed to decrement the prize ball information (the number of unpaid game balls) by one value. This award ball payout process is repeatedly executed until the award ball information reaches a value of 0. When a game ball is detected and a new award ball number designation command is received from the main control board 70, the prize ball is received. The process is repeated until the information becomes zero. In the present embodiment, when the winning opening into which the game ball has entered is the large winning opening 44, the main control board 70 also transmits a prize ball number designation command to the sub-control board 90. The sub-control board 90 that has received the award ball number designation command accumulates the award ball number during the big hit game, and the effect command to display the accumulated award ball number on the award ball number display unit 56 of the second effect display device 50. Is transmitted to the effect display control board 91. When the game start process ends, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next normal symbol game process of S120.

[Normal design game processing]
In the normal symbol game process of S120, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first determines whether or not the normal symbol hold is not the value 0, that is, the value 1 or more. The normal symbol is determined by decrementing only, and the normal symbol (see FIG. 5) to be stopped is determined based on the result of the determination. The normal symbol success / failure determination is performed by using a normal symbol success / failure determination random number acquired based on the passing of the game ball through the normal symbol operation gate 32 and a normal symbol per-determination table. In some cases, a low-probability normal symbol per-decision table is used with a low probability of hit (for example, about 0.8%), and a high probability of hit with a high probability (for example, about 99.2%) when there is power support. A normal symbol per table determination table is used. Further, when the result of the determination is successful, the symbol is determined as a symbol for stopping and displaying the winning symbol, and when the result of determining whether or not the result is incorrect, the symbol is determined as a symbol for stopping and displaying any of the symbols that are lost. Then, the variation time of the normal symbol is set, the variation display of the normal symbol is started, and waiting for the variation time to elapse. The setting of the fluctuation time is set to a long time (for example, 30 seconds) when there is no electric support, and is shortened to a short time (for example, 0.1 second) when there is an electric support. When the variation time has elapsed, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol, and when the symbol that has been stopped is a winning symbol, the opening time of the second starting port 38 is set and the opening of the second starting port 38 is started. The normal symbol game process is temporarily terminated, and when the stopped and displayed symbol is out of the symbol, the normal symbol game process is terminated without doing anything. The opening time of the second start port 38 is set to a short time (for example, 0.1 seconds) when there is no electric support, and is extended to a long time (for example, 4 seconds) when there is an electric support. . Further, as described above, the second starting port 38 is opened by driving the second starting port solenoid 38b to open the blade portion 38c to the left and right. In the present embodiment, as described above, the second start port 38 is disposed directly below the normal symbol operating gate 32, and when the electric support is present (high frequency state), the normal symbol operating gate 32 (predetermined region) The game ball that has passed through () has a design in which the normal symbol is hit and displayed in a stopped state before the second starting port 38 reaches the second starting port 38 and the second starting port 38 is opened. Therefore, when the electric support is present, the game ball that has passed through the normal symbol operating gate 32 directly enters the opened second starting port 38, so that the game with the electric support can be rapidly advanced. it can. When the normal symbol game process ends, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next normal symbol game process of S130.

[Game processing per normal symbol]
In the normal symbol game process of S130, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 has reached the set time set in the normal symbol game process for the elapsed time (open elapsed time) after the second start port 38 starts to open. It is determined whether or not a specified number (for example, four) of game balls are in the second start opening 38. When it is determined that the elapsed time has not reached the set time and a specified number of game balls have not entered the second start port 38, the game processing per normal symbol is performed while the second start port 38 is kept open. Exit once. On the other hand, it is determined that the elapsed elapsed time has reached the set time, or it is determined that the specified number of game balls have already entered the second start port 38 even before the elapsed elapsed time has reached the set time. Then, the driving of the second start port solenoid 38b is stopped, and the game process per ordinary symbol is finished. When the normal symbol per game process is completed, the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next special symbol game process of S140.

[Special design game processing]
The special symbol game process of S140 is executed according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. When the special symbol game process is executed, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first inputs a detection signal from the first start port switch 36a to determine whether or not a game ball has entered the first start port 36. Determine (S200). If it is determined that a game ball has entered the first start port 36, it is determined whether or not the current number of reserved special symbols is smaller than the upper limit value (value 4 in this embodiment) (S202). . When it is determined that the number of retained first special symbols is less than the upper limit value, the number of retained first special symbols is incremented by 1 (S204), and information for determination is acquired to obtain predetermined information for determination in the RAM 70c. Store in the storage area (S206). Here, as the determination information acquired in S206, the big hit determination random number used in the big hit determination performed based on the entrance of the game ball into the first start port 36, or the result of the big hit determination is the big hit Of the symbol variation game such as the big hit symbol determination random number for determining the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit 42a, and the variation pattern determination random number for determining the variation pattern of the first special symbol. Information on progress can be exemplified. Then, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is off (S208). If it is determined that the fluctuation shortening flag is off, a prior determination is performed based on the acquired determination information (acquisition information) (S210). The first special symbol hold occurrence command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S212). Here, the pre-determination process of S210 performs a pre-judgment determination using a low-probability jackpot determination table, which will be described later, and uses a jackpot variation pattern table, which will be described later, if the result of the pre-determination of the win is a big hit. In the case of detachment, this is a process for pre-determining the variation pattern of the first special symbol using a detachment variation pattern table described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation shortening flag is on rather than off, the process of S210 is skipped and the first special symbol hold occurrence command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S212). It should be noted that the first special symbol hold occurrence command includes a first special symbol hold number designation command for displaying the hold number on the first hold symbol 35 a in the display screen of the effect display device 34. In addition, when a preliminary determination is performed, the result of the preliminary determination (preliminary determination information) is included in the first special symbol hold occurrence command. If it is determined in S200 that no game ball has entered the first start port 36, or if it is determined in S202 that the number of reserved special symbols has reached the upper limit, the processing of S204 to S212 is skipped. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S214.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second start port 38 for variably displaying the second special symbol by inputting a detection signal from the second start port switch 38a (S214). If it is determined that a game ball has entered the second start port 38, it is determined whether or not the current number of reserved second special symbols is less than the upper limit value (value 4 in this embodiment) (S216). . When it is determined that the number of reserved special symbols is less than the upper limit value, the number of reserved special symbols is incremented by 1 (S218), and determination information is acquired and predetermined determination information stored in the RAM 70c. Store in the storage area (S220). Here, as the determination information acquired in S220, the big hit determination random number used in the big hit determination performed based on the entrance of the game ball into the second start port 38 or the result of the big hit determination is the big hit In the case of a symbol change game such as a big hit symbol determination random number for determining a big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display means 42b, a variation pattern determination random number for determining a variation pattern of the second special symbol, etc. Information on progress can be exemplified. Then, a preliminary determination is made based on the acquired determination information (acquired information) (S222), and a second special symbol hold occurrence command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S224). Here, the pre-determination process of S222 uses a high-probability jackpot determination table, which will be described later, when the current gaming state is a special figure high probability state, and a low probability, which will be described later, when it is a special figure low probability state. In addition to making a pre-judgment using the jackpot judgment table, if the result of the pre-judgment is a big hit, use a jackpot variation pattern table, which will be described later. This is a process for pre-determining the variation pattern of the second special symbol. The second special symbol hold occurrence command includes a second special symbol hold number designation command for displaying the hold number on the second hold symbol 35b in the display screen of the effect display device 34. The second special symbol hold occurrence command also includes advance determination information. If it is determined in S214 that no game ball has entered the second starting port 38, or if it is determined in S216 that the number of reserved second special symbols has reached the upper limit value, the processing of S218 to S224 is skipped. Then, the process proceeds to the next step S226.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a big hit game is being played (S226), whether or not any of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is variably displayed (S228), the first special symbol and the second special symbol. It is determined whether any of them is during the stop display time (S230). If it is determined that a big hit game is in progress, the special symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control process to proceed to the next big hit game process of S150. On the other hand, if it is determined that neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is in the variable display, and neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is in the stop display time, it is not in the big hit game. It is determined whether or not the number of reserved 2 special symbols is 0 (S232). If it is determined that the second special symbol hold number is not 0, the oldest determination information of the second special symbol determination information (big hit determination random number) stored in the determination information storage area (RAM 70c) is determined. Reading (S234), the second special symbol variation display related process is executed (S236), and the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of reserved special symbols is 0, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 0 (S238). If it is determined that the number of holds of the first special symbol is not 0, the oldest determination information among the determination information (big hit determination random number) of the first special symbol stored in the determination information storage area (RAM 70c) Reading (S240), the first special symbol variation display related process is executed (S242), and the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the number of holds for the first special symbol is also 0, the special symbol game process is terminated. In S232 to S242, when both the number of reserved first symbol symbols and the number of reserved second symbol symbols are not 0, the second special symbol change display (digestion of reservation) is executed with priority (see Fig. 2). Priority). Details of the variable display related process will be described below. The first special symbol variation display related process and the second special symbol variation display related process are both executed in common, and will be described with reference to a common flowchart (the flowchart of FIG. 14).

  In the variation display related process of FIG. 14, it is first determined whether or not the probability variation flag is on, that is, whether the current gaming state is a special figure high probability state or a special figure low probability state (S300). When the probability change flag is off, that is, when the current gaming state is a special figure low probability state, the big hit determination is performed using the big hit determination random number read in S234 or S240 and the low probability big hit determination table (S302). When the flag is on, that is, when the current gaming state is a special figure high probability state, a big hit determination is performed using the read big hit determination random number and the high probability big hit determination table (S304), and the determination result is a big hit It is determined whether or not (S306). An example of the big hit determination table is shown in FIG. FIG. 15A shows a low probability jackpot determination table, and FIG. 15B shows a high probability jackpot determination table. In the low probability jackpot determination table, the big hit determination random number is a value 60 or 61 out of the values 0 to 796 (big hit probability of 1 / 398.5). In the high probability jackpot determination table, the hit determination random number is The value 0 to 796 was assumed to be a big hit when the value was 60 to 79 (a big hit probability of 1 / 39.85). In this embodiment, a common big hit determination table is used for the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  When the result of the big hit determination is determined to be a big hit in S306, the big hit symbol determining random number is read from the determination information storage area (RAM 70c) (S308), and the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed based on the read big hit symbol determining random number is read. Select and decide (S310). Here, for the determination of the jackpot symbol for the first special symbol, the jackpot symbol determination table for the first special symbol illustrated in FIG. 16 is used, and for the determination of the jackpot symbol for the second special symbol, it is illustrated in FIG. A jackpot symbol determination table for the second special symbol is used.

  In the jackpot symbol determination table for the first special symbol, as shown in FIG. 16, the special symbol 1 normal jackpot symbol is selected when the random number for determining the jackpot symbol is a value 0 to 63 among the values 0 to 255. Fig. 1 Normal jackpot "(25% probability of appearance), and when the big hit symbol determination random number is a value of 64 to 255, the special figure 1 positive variation big hit symbol is selected and becomes" Special figure 1 positive variation big hit "(75% Appearance probability). Also, in the big special symbol determination table for the second special symbol, as shown in FIG. 17, when the random number for big hit symbol determination is a value 0 to 25 out of the values 0 to 255, the special figure 2 normal big hit symbol A is selected. "Special figure 2 normal big hit A" (appearance probability of about 10%), when the big hit symbol determination random number is a value of 26-63, special figure 2 normal big hit symbol B is selected, "Special figure 2 normal big hit B (Appearance probability of about 15%), and when the random number for determining the big hit symbol is 64 to 255, the special figure 2 probability variable big hit symbol is selected and becomes "special figure 2 probability variable big hit" (75% appearance probability) . As described above, the special figure 1 normal jackpot and the special figure 1 probability variable jackpot are both 4R jackpot games with 4 rounds, so the average number of winning balls when the big jackpot occurs in the first special symbol Is 600 pieces. On the other hand, special figure 2 normal jackpots A and B appear with a total probability of 25% and a bonus game with virtually no play is executed, and special figure 2 positive bonus jackpots appear with a probability of 75% and the number of winning balls Since a 16R jackpot game with 2400 rounds of 16 is executed, the average number of winning balls when the jackpot occurs in the second special symbol is 1800. Therefore, the state with the electric support where the game mainly based on the second special symbol progresses is the average winning prize when the big hit occurs, compared with the state without the electric support where the game mainly based on the first special symbol proceeds. It can be said that the number of balls is large, which is advantageous for the player. In addition, in this embodiment, while there is a power support, it is also in a special figure high probability state, so it is possible to generate big hits continuously in a short time, and obtain a lot of balls (prize balls) at a time It ’s an opportunity.

  If it is determined in S306 that the result of the big hit determination is not a big hit, since it is a loss, a loss symbol is determined (S312). Although the detailed explanation is omitted, for example, the winning symbol can be set using a jackpot symbol determining random number and a not-showing symbol determining table. Of course, if a losing symbol determining random number is acquired separately from the jackpot symbol determining random number, it can be set using the losing symbol determining random number and the losing symbol determining table.

  When the stop symbol is determined in this way, a variation pattern table is set (S314). Here, the setting of the variation pattern table is performed based on the big hit variation pattern table illustrated in FIG. 18 when the result of the big hit determination of S302 and S304 is a big hit, and when the result of the big hit determination is out of place. Is performed based on the deviation variation pattern table illustrated in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the big hit variation pattern table has a case where the game state is no electric support and the type of big hit is a probable big hit (special figure 1 positive change big hit), and the game state is no electric support. In the state, the big hit type is a normal big hit (Special Figure 1 normal big hit), the game state is with electric support and the big hit type is a probable big hit (Special Figure 2). This is distinguished from the case where the type of jackpot is the normal jackpot (see Fig. 2 normal jackpots A and B) in the state with support. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, in the deviation variation pattern table, when the gaming state is no electric support and the number of holdings is small (for example, value 1 or value 2), the gaming state is no electric support and the number of holdings is large. A case (for example, value 3 or value 4) is distinguished from a case where the gaming state is a state with electric support.

  In each variation pattern table for the state without electric support, various variation patterns P01 to P06 associated with variation pattern determination random numbers 0 to 255 are defined, and when special symbols are variably displayed. One variation pattern is selected using these variation pattern tables. Among the fluctuation patterns P01 to P06, the fluctuation patterns P01 and P02 are associated with normal fluctuations A and B for variably displaying the effect symbols without the reach effect, and the change patterns P03 and P04 are associated with the reach effect. Normal reach A and B for variably displaying the production symbol are associated, and fluctuation patterns P05 and P06 are associated with super reach A and B for variably displaying the production symbol with an effect that increases the expectation of a big hit compared to normal reach. It is attached. In each big hit variation pattern table for the state without electric support, random numbers for determining a variation pattern are used for the normal variations A and B without the reach effect so that the player can have a higher expectation of winning than when they are off. Of the fluctuations that are not associated with each other and reach effects, many fluctuation pattern determination random numbers are associated with the fluctuation patterns P05 and P06 (super reach A and B). On the other hand, in each deviation variation pattern table for the state without power support, the normal variation is such that the average variation time is shorter when the number of holdings is larger (value 3 or 4) than when the number of holdings is smaller (value 1 or 2). The fluctuation times of the fluctuation patterns P01 and P02 are set, and a fluctuation pattern determination random number is associated with each fluctuation pattern.

  In each variation pattern table for the power support state, various variation patterns P11 and P12 associated with variation pattern determination random numbers 0 to 255 are defined. One variation pattern is selected using these variation pattern tables. Among the variation patterns P11 and P12, the variation pattern P11 is associated with a short variation in which the variation display of the effect symbol is finished in a shorter time than the normal variations A and B, and the variation pattern P12 has a high probability electric support. A specific variation for variably displaying the effect symbol is associated with an effect (falling effect) that falls from the state (advantageous state) to the low probability electric support-free state (normal state).

  Each variation pattern table shows a table storing a small number of patterns for convenience, but actually, a table storing a larger number of patterns (for example, 20 or more patterns) is used.

  Returning to the variation display related processing of FIG. 14, when the variation pattern table is set in this way, the variation pattern determination random number is read (S316), and the variation pattern is determined using the variation pattern determination random number thus read and the set variation pattern table. It sets (S318). Then, the change display of the special symbol is started (S320), the number of special symbols held is decremented by 1 (S322), and the symbol change start command and the hold digest command are transmitted to the sub-control board 90. (S324), the variation display related process is terminated. In the processes of S320 and S322, when the target of the current variation display-related process is the first special symbol, the variation display of the first special symbol is started and the number of the first special symbol held is decremented by a value of 1. It becomes processing. On the other hand, when the target of the current variation display related process is the second special symbol, the variation display of the second special symbol is started, and the number of holdings of the second special symbol is decremented by a value of 1. The symbol variation start command transmitted in S324 includes a big hit variation pattern, a variation time in the pattern (variation pattern designation command) and a big hit stop symbol (special symbol stop information designation command) when the big hit determination result is a big hit. When the result of the big hit determination is out, a deviation variation pattern, a variation time in the pattern (variation pattern designation command) and a loss stop symbol (special symbol stop information designation command) are included. The sub control board 90 that has received the symbol variation start command analyzes the command, determines the content of the effect to be performed on the screen of the first effect display device 34 based on the analysis result, and the control signal ( An effect command) is output to the effect display control board 91 to control the first effect display device 34.

  Returning to the special symbol game process of FIGS. 11 to 13, when the special symbol game process is executed after the variation display of the special symbol (the first special symbol or the second special symbol) is started, the first special game process is executed in S228. Since it is determined that either the symbol or the second special symbol is in the variable display, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 determines whether or not the variable time has elapsed (S244). Since the variation time is determined according to the variation pattern of the special symbol, whether or not the variation time has passed is determined by determining the elapsed time since the variation display of the special symbol was started and the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern. This can be done by comparison. If it is determined that the variation time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. If it is determined that the variation time has elapsed, the variation display of the special symbol being varied is stopped (S246), and a symbol stop command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S248). The sub control board 90 (effect display control board 91) that has received this symbol stop command ends the symbol variation effect on the first effect display device 34. Note that when the variable symbol display is stopped, the determination information (holding information) related to the special symbol is cleared from the determination information storage area. Then, a stop display time is set (S250), and it is determined whether or not the stop display time has elapsed (S252). Here, the stop display time is an interval from when the variation display of the special symbol is stopped until the next variation display is started, and is set to 0.5 seconds, for example. If it is determined that the stop display time has not elapsed, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. When the special symbol game process is executed after the special symbol stop display is made, it is determined in S230 that the stop display time is in progress. If it is determined that has passed, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been stopped is a jackpot symbol (S254).

  If it is determined that the game is a big hit symbol in S254, the big hit game flag is turned on (S256), and a big hit game start command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S258). As a result, the big hit game is started and the big hit game start effect is executed in the big hit game effect process described later. Here, the big hit game start command includes the setting status of the probability change flag and the fluctuation shortening flag when the big hit occurs. Also, during the big hit game, in order to stop the probability variation function, the variation time shortening function, and the open extension function, the probability variation flag is turned off when the probability variation flag is on (S260, S262), and the variation is shortened when the variation shortening flag is on. The flag is turned off and the release extension flag is turned off (S264 to S268), the special symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the main control process and proceeds to the next big hit game process of S150.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S254 that the symbol is not a big hit symbol, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is on (S270). If it is determined that the probability variation flag is not on, the processing proceeds to the next step S280. If it is determined that the probability variation flag is ON, the probability variation counter is decremented by 1 (S272), and it is determined whether or not the probability variation counter is 0 (S274). Here, the probability variation counter indicates the upper limit value of the number of changes of the special symbol maintaining the special figure high probability state, and the value is set at the end of the big hit game. If it is determined that the probability variation counter is not 0, the process proceeds to the next step S280 while maintaining the special figure high probability state. If it is determined that the probability variation counter is 0, the probability variation flag is turned off (S276), and the game A state designation command is transmitted to the sub control board 90 (S278), and the process proceeds to the next step S280. Thereby, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 is changed from the special figure high probability state to the special figure low probability state. The gaming state designation command includes a setting state of a probability change flag indicating the current gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 and the like. The sub control board 90 that has received the game state designation command transmits, for example, an effect command indicating the game state to the effect display control board 91 to display the background screen or the like of the first effect display device 34 for the special figure high probability state. To change to a special figure low probability state.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is on (S280). When the fluctuation shortening flag is not on, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated as it is. When the fluctuation shortening flag is on, the fluctuation shortening counter is decremented by 1 (S282), and it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening counter is 0 (S284). Here, the fluctuation shortening counter indicates the upper limit of the number of fluctuations of the special symbol that maintains the electric support state (short-time state, open extended state, general figure high probability state), and the big hit mode at the end of the big hit game A value corresponding to is set. When the fluctuation shortening counter is not 0, the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated while maintaining the electric support state. When the fluctuation shortening counter is 0, the fluctuation shortening flag is turned off to end the electric support state. (S286), the release extension flag is turned off (S288), a game state designation command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S290), and the special symbol game process is temporarily terminated. Thereby, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 is changed from the state with the electric support to the state without the electric support. Note that the gaming state designation command includes a setting status of a variation shortening flag and an opening extension flag indicating the current gaming state of the pachinko machine 10. The sub-control board 90 that has received the game state designation command transmits, for example, an effect command indicating the game state to the effect display control board 91 to display the background screen of the first effect display device 34 from the state with the electric support. Processing such as changing to the state without power support is performed. In the present embodiment, if the probability variation big hit (special figure 1 probability variation big hit, special figure 2 probability variation big hit) is subtracted, 10,000 times are set in the probability variation counter and the variation shortening counter after the big hit game ends. In addition, the probability variation counter and the variation shortening counter cannot be determined to have a value of 0 in S284, and the special figure high probability state and the power support state do not end until the next big hit.

[Big hit game processing]
The big hit game process of S150 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the big hit game process of FIG. 20 is executed, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first determines whether or not the big hit game flag is on, that is, whether or not the big hit game is in progress (S400). If it is determined that the big hit game flag is OFF, the big hit game process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the big hit game flag is ON, it is determined whether or not the big winning opening 44 is open (S402). If it is determined that the special winning opening 44 is not open (closed), it is determined whether it is the opening timing of the special winning opening 44 (S404). This determination is performed by determining whether or not a prescribed closing time (2 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed. If it is determined that it is not the opening timing of the big winning opening 44, the big hit game processing is once ended. If it is determined in S404 that it is the opening timing of the big prize opening 44, the big prize opening solenoid 44b is driven and controlled so that the big prize opening 44 is opened (S406), and a round game start command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90. (S408), the jackpot game process is temporarily terminated. Here, the round game start command includes the number of times the special winning opening 44 is released (the currently executed round). It should be noted that the number of times of opening of the big winning opening 44 can be obtained by, for example, initializing it to 0 when starting the big hit game, and adding once every time the big winning opening 44 is opened.

  After the big winning opening 44 is opened and the jackpot gaming process is finished, when the next big hit gaming process is executed, it is determined in S402 that the big winning opening 44 is open, and the big winning opening 44 is closed. It is determined whether it is timing (S410). This determination is based on whether or not the specified opening time of the big winning opening 44 has passed, and the number of game balls that have entered the big winning opening 44 before the predetermined opening time has passed (in this embodiment, It is performed by determining whether or not (10). In this embodiment, the specified opening time is 25 seconds when the jackpot symbol is the special figure 1 normal jackpot symbol, the special figure 1 positive variation big hit symbol, or the special figure 2 positive variation big hit symbol, and the big hit symbol is the special bonus symbol. 2 In the case of the big hit symbol A and B, it is 0.1 seconds. If it is determined that it is not the closing timing of the big prize opening 44, the big hit game process is temporarily ended while the big prize opening 44 is kept open. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the closing timing of the big prize opening 44, the big prize opening solenoid 44b is driven and controlled so that the big prize opening 44 is closed (S412), and it is decided whether or not the big winning game end condition is satisfied. (S414). The end condition of the jackpot game is established when the big winning opening 44 is opened 16 times when the type of jackpot is special figure 2 probability big hit, and the type of jackpot is special figure 1 normal big hit, special figure 1 chance big hit or special In the case of the normal big hit B in FIG. 2, it is established when the big winning opening 44 is opened four times. If it is determined in S414 that the big hit game end condition is not satisfied, the big hit game processing is once ended as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined that the big hit game end condition is satisfied, the big hit game end process shown in FIG. 21 is executed (S416), and the big hit game process is ended.

  In the big hit game end process of FIG. 21, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 first turns the big hit game flag from on to off (S450), and the current big hit is a probable big hit, that is, “special figure 1 probable big hit” and “special” It is determined whether it is any of “FIG. 2 probable big hit” (S452). If it is determined that the current big hit is a probable big hit, in order to generate a special figure high probability state, the probability change counter is set 10,000 times (S454) and the probability change flag is turned on (S456). In addition, in order to generate a power support state (short-time state, open-extended state, general high-probability state), the fluctuation shortening counter is set to 10,000 times (S458), and the fluctuation shortening flag is turned on ( S460), the release extension flag is turned on (S462). Note that setting the probability variation counter to 10,000 times substantially generates a special figure high probability state until the next big hit occurs, and setting the fluctuation shortening counter to 10,000 times is substantial. Until the next big hit occurs, the power support state is generated. If it is determined in S452 that the current big hit is not a probable big hit, that is, this special big hit is "Special Figure 1 Normal Big Hit", "Special Figure 2 Normal Big Hit A", or "Special Figure 2 Normal Big Hit B", the probability change flag is turned off. The special figure low probability state is left as it is, and the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are kept off, and there is no electric support. When the game state after the big hit game is set in this way, the big hit game end command and the game state designation command are transmitted to the sub-control board 90 (S464), and the big hit game end processing is ended. When the sub-control board 90 receives the jackpot game end command, the sub-control board 90 performs a jackpot game end effect in the jackpot game effect processing. When the sub-control board 90 receives the game state designation command, for example, an effect command indicating the game state is sent to the effect display control board 91. A process of transmitting and setting the background screen of the first effect display device 34 as a background corresponding to the gaming state at that time is performed.

[Error detection processing]
The error detection process of S160 is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the error detection process of FIG. 22, the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 determines whether an error has been detected (S500). Here, the error may be, for example, a frame opening error in which the opening of the front frame 11 is detected by the frame opening switch 81, or a magnetism (magnet) by the magnetic sensor 60 disposed around the first start port 36 or the big prize opening 44. ) Detected magnetic detection error, a big winning opening entrance detection error in which the entrance of the game ball to the big winning opening 44 is detected by the big winning opening switch 44 when the big hit game is not being performed (during the detection valid period), An example is a bottom tray full tank error in which the bottom tray 16 is detected to be full of game balls by the bottom tray full switch 102. If it is determined that no error has been detected, the error detection process is terminated. If it is determined that an error has been detected, an error occurrence command is transmitted to the sub control board 90 and the hall computer 115 (S502, S504). The error detection process ends.

[Production control processing]
Next, operations performed by the sub control board 90 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the effect control process executed by the CPU 90 of the sub control board 90. The effect control process of the present embodiment includes a hold display effect process (S600), a symbol variation effect process (S602), a symbol change effect prefetching notice effect process (S604), a jackpot game effect process (S606), and a jackpot game effect. This is performed by repeatedly executing various effect processes such as a pre-reading notice effect process (S608) and a warning process (S610).

[Hold display effect processing]
The hold display effect process of S600 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the hold display effect process of FIG. 24 is executed, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first receives the hold occurrence command transmitted by the main control board 70 in S212 or S224 of the special symbol game process of FIG. It is determined whether or not (S650). If it is determined that the pending command has not been received, the process proceeds to S658. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command at the time of the occurrence of hold has been received, one hold symbol is displayed (S652). Here, in the process of S652, when the received on-hold occurrence command is related to the first special symbol, one first on-hold symbol display unit 35a is turned on, and the received on-hold occurrence command is the second In the case of a special symbol, it is performed by lighting one second reserved symbol display part 35b. Then, it is determined whether or not the advance determination information is included in the on-hold occurrence command (S654). If it is determined that the advance determination information is included, the advance determination information is stored in the advance determination information storage area of the RAM 90c. (S656) If it is determined that the advance determination information is not included, the process of S656 is skipped.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the symbol stop command transmitted by the main control board 70 is received in S248 of the special symbol game process of FIG. 12 (S658). If it is determined that the symbol stop command has not been received, the hold display effect process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the symbol stop command has been received, one reserved symbol is deleted (S660). Here, in the process of S660, when the received symbol stop command is related to the first special symbol, one of the first reserved symbol display portions 35a is turned off, and the received symbol stop command is the second special symbol. If it is related to this, it is performed by turning off one second reserved symbol display part 35b. Further, it is determined whether or not the advance determination information corresponding to the hold that has been digested this time is stored in the advance determination information storage area of the RAM 90c (S662), and the corresponding advance determination information is stored in the advance determination information storage area. If it is determined that the pre-determined information is cleared (S664), the hold display effect process is terminated, and if it is determined that the corresponding pre-determined information is not stored in the pre-determined information storage area, the process of S664 is skipped. Then, the hold display effect process ends.

[Design variation effect processing]
The symbol variation effect process in S602 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the symbol variation effect process of FIG. 25 is executed, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first receives a symbol variation start command transmitted by the main control board 70 in the process of S324 of the variation display related process of FIG. It is determined whether or not (S700). If it is determined that the symbol variation start command has not been received, the process proceeds to S714. On the other hand, if it is determined that the symbol variation start command has been received, a stop symbol for the effect symbol is set based on the received command (S702), and an effect pattern is set (S704). As described above, the symbol variation start command includes the special symbol stop symbol (special symbol stop information designation command) and the special symbol variation pattern (variation pattern designation command), so the production symbol is stopped. The symbol can be selected by reading out the stop symbol corresponding to the received special symbol stop information designation command from the stop symbols of the effect symbol stored in advance in the ROM 90b, and the effect pattern is set in advance in the ROM 90b. This can be done by reading out the effect pattern corresponding to the received variation pattern designation command among the stored effect patterns.

  Thus, when the stop symbol and the effect pattern of the effect symbol are set, the change effect display is started (S706). This process is performed by transmitting to the effect display control board 91 an effect command (change effect display start command) for instructing the start of the variable effect display based on the stop symbol of the effect symbol and the effect pattern. The effect display control board 91 that has received the change effect display start command performs display control so that the effect display variable display is started by the first effect display device 34. Also, it is determined whether or not a fluctuating effect sound change effect, which will be described later, is being performed (S708), and whether a jackpot game effect sound change effect, which will be described later, is being performed (S710). If it is determined that the variation effect sound is not changing and the jackpot game effect sound is not changing, the output of the variation effect sound is started in accordance with the change effect display and the effect lamps (frame lamp 93a and board lamp 93b) are turned on ( The lighting (flashing) effect to be flashed is started (S712). In this process, an effect command (variable effect sound output start command) for instructing the start of output of the variable effect sound is transmitted to the amplifier board 92, and an effect command (lighting effect start command) for instructing the start of the lighting effect is decoratively controlled. This is done by transmitting to the substrate 93. The amplifier board 92 that has received the change effect sound output start command drives and controls the speakers 28a and 28b so that the change effect sound is output in accordance with the change effect display. Further, the decoration control board 93 that has received the lighting effect start command drives and controls the frame lamp 93a and the panel lamp 93b so as to light (flash) in accordance with the symbol variation effect. On the other hand, if it is determined in S708 that the variation effect sound change effect is being performed, or if it is determined in S710 that the jackpot game effect sound change effect is being performed, the running variation effect sound change effect or the jackpot game effect sound change effect is displayed. The process proceeds to S714 while maintaining.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a symbol stop command transmitted by the main control board 70 in the process of S248 of the special symbol game process of FIG. 12 has been received (S714). If it is determined that the symbol stop command has not been received, the symbol variation effect is terminated, and if it is determined that the symbol stop command has been received, the variation effect display is terminated (S716). This process is performed by transmitting to the effect display control board 91 an effect command (change effect display end command) for instructing the end of the change effect display. The effect display control board 91 that has received the change effect display end command finishes the effect symbol change display in the first effect display device 34, and the stop symbol (big hit symbol or missed symbol) set in S702 is displayed. Display control to stop display. In addition, it is determined whether or not the variation effect sound change effect is being performed (S718) and whether or not the big hit game effect sound change effect is being performed (S720). If it is determined that the sound change effect is not in effect, the output of the change effect sound is ended in accordance with the end of the change effect display, the lighting (flashing) effect is ended (S722), and the symbol change effect process is ended. In this process, an effect command (variable effect sound output end command) for instructing the end of output of the variable effect sound is transmitted to the amplifier board 92, and an effect command (lighting effect end command) for instructing the end of the lighting effect is decoratively controlled. This is done by transmitting to the substrate 93. On the other hand, if it is determined that the variation effect sound change effect is being performed, the symbol variation effect process is terminated while the variation effect sound change effect is maintained, and if it is determined that the jackpot game effect sound change effect is being performed, the jackpot game effect sound change effect is achieved. The symbol variation effect process is terminated while maintaining.

[Pre-reading notice effect processing during symbol variation effect]
The pre-reading notice effect process at the time of design variation effect of S604 is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the symbol change effect prefetching notice effect process of FIG. 26, first, the CPU 90a of the sub-control board 90 determines whether or not the change effect sound change effect is being performed (S750). If it is determined that the variation effect sound is not changing, it is determined whether or not the hold occurrence command transmitted by the main control board 70 in S212 or S224 of the special symbol game process of FIG. 11 has been received (S752). If it is determined that the on-hold command is not received, the pre-reading notice effect process at the time of symbol variation effect is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that a hold occurrence command has been received, if the hold occurrence command includes a pre-determination result, the hold that has occurred this time generates a specific reach (for example, super reach A) as a variation pattern. Whether the hold is a hold determined in advance (specific reach hold) as a fluctuation pattern (S754), and whether the number of holds is 2 or more including the hold that has occurred this time and the hold that is changing (S756). It is determined whether or not any hold is included in the hold that is digested before the hold that has occurred this time (all of the holds that are digested before the hold that has occurred this time are out of hold) (S758). To do. If any of S754 to S758 is a positive determination, a lottery process is performed (S760), and if it is determined that the lottery result is a win (S762), a variation effect sound change effect is started (S764). In this way, when a specific reach hold occurs while the fluctuating effect sound is being output in accordance with the fluctuating display of the effect symbol, the fluctuating effect that changes the output mode of the fluctuating effect sound while maintaining the fluctuating display of the effect symbol A sound change effect is performed. In this embodiment, the variation effect sound change effect is an effect of changing the variation effect sound from sound to silence. As a result, the player who is paying attention to the change effect display (effect design) displayed on the first effect display device 34 feels that the change effect sound suddenly becomes silent, and is surprised and impacted. Can be given. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that an effect of turning off the effect lamps (the frame lamp 93a and the panel lamp 93b) is also performed while the effect of changing the effect effect sound is being performed. On the other hand, if any of S754 to S758 is a negative determination, or if it is determined that the lottery result is out of S762, the symbol variation effect pre-reading notice effect processing is terminated without performing the variation effect sound changing effect. . In this embodiment, even if a specific reach hold occurs, the variable effect sound change effect is executed only when the lottery result is a win in S760 and S762, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the specific reach hold occurs, the change effect sound change effect may be executed without performing the lottery process. Moreover, even if the hold | maintenance which generate | occur | produced this time is not a specific reach hold | maintenance, there may be a case where a variation production sound change production is performed (a so-called gas production production).

  After determining that the variation effect sound change effect is being performed in S750 or starting the variation effect sound change effect in S764, whether or not the generated specific reach hold is being digested (S766), the specific reach start timing is determined. It is determined whether or not it has arrived (S768). Note that the process of S768 can be performed by comparing the elapsed time from the start of the variation display of the effect symbol related to the specific reach hold with a predetermined specific reach start time. If it is determined in S766 that the hold being digested is not the specific reach hold, or if it is determined in S768 that the specific reach start timing has not arrived, the pre-reading notice effect processing at the time of symbol change effect is performed once while the change effect sound change effect is being executed. finish. On the other hand, if it is determined in S766 and S768 that the specific reach hold is in progress and the specific reach start timing has arrived, the current variation effect sound change effect is terminated (S770), and the output of the change effect sound and the effect lamp ( The lighting (flashing) of the frame lamp 93a and the panel lamp 93b is resumed (S772), and the pre-reading notice effect processing at the time of symbol variation effect is ended. The process of S770 is performed by transmitting an effect command (variation effect sound change effect end command) for instructing the end of the change effect sound change effect to the amplifier board 92, and the process of S772 is the resumption of the output of the change effect sound. Is transmitted by transmitting to the amplifier board 92 an effect command (lighting effect restart command) for instructing restart of the lighting effect, and to the decoration control board 93.

  FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the changing effect sound changing effect. As shown in the figure, a game ball enters the start opening (first start opening 36 or second start opening 38) during the change effect display (effect display change display) started at time t11, and the specific reach is held. Is generated (time t12), a variation effect sound change effect is performed in which the variation effect sound output in accordance with the variation effect display changes from sound to silence. The fluctuating effect sound changing effect is maintained while the fluctuating display of the effect symbol related to the hold digested before the specific reach hold is performed (time t13), and the fluctuating display of the effect symbol related to the specific reach hold is displayed. After the start (time t14), the effect symbol stops at the reach and ends at the timing when it develops to a specific reach (for example, super reach A) (time t15). Thereby, the player who is paying attention to the change display of the effect design can be made to feel that the change effect sound suddenly becomes silent, and the surprise and the impact can be given. In addition, when it develops to a specific reach (super reach A), the fluctuation effect sound change effect ends, and the variable effect sound is output again in accordance with the change effect display of the specific reach. To increase the player's expectation.

[Big hit game effect processing]
The jackpot game effect process of S606 is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the jackpot game effect process of FIG. 28, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 first determines whether or not the jackpot game start command transmitted by the main control board 70 is received in S258 of the special symbol game process of FIG. (S800). If it is determined that the jackpot game start command has been received, the jackpot game effect display is started (S802). This process is performed by transmitting to the effect display control board 91 an effect command for instructing the start of the big hit game effect display. Upon receiving the effect command, the effect display control board 91 performs display control so that the first effect display device 34 starts the jackpot game effect display (such as a fanfare screen indicating that a jackpot game will be played from now on). Also, in response to the jackpot game effect display, the output of the jackpot game effect sound is started and the lighting (flashing) effect of lighting (flashing) the effect lamps (frame lamp 93a and board lamp 93b) is started (S804). In this process, an effect command (a jackpot game effect sound output start command) for instructing the start of the jackpot game effect sound output is transmitted to the amplifier board 92 and the effect lamps (frame lamp 93a and board lamp 93b) are turned on (flashing). This is performed by transmitting an instructing effect command (lighting effect start command) to the decoration control board 93. The amplifier board 92 that has received the jackpot game effect sound output start command drives and controls the speakers 28a and 28b so that sound (music) corresponding to the jackpot game effect display is output. Further, the decoration control board 93 that has received the lighting effect start command drives and controls the frame lamp 93a and the panel lamp 93b so as to light (flash) in accordance with the big hit game effect display. If it is determined in S800 that the jackpot game start command has not been received, the process proceeds to S806.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the round game start command transmitted by the main control board 70 in S408 of the big hit game process in FIG. 20 has been received (S806). If it is determined that a round game start command has been received, a round display effect is executed (S808). The round display effect is performed by transmitting an effect command to the effect display control board 91 so that an effect screen indicating the currently executed round or a predetermined character is displayed on the first effect display device 34. If it is determined in S806 that a round game start command has not been received, the process of S808 is skipped and the process proceeds to the next process of S810.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game end command transmitted by the main control board 70 is received in S464 of the jackpot game end process of FIG. 21 (S810). If it is determined that the jackpot game end command has been received, the jackpot game effect display is terminated (S812). This process is performed by transmitting to the effect display control board 91 an effect command that instructs the end of the jackpot game effect display (a jackpot game effect display end command). Upon receiving the jackpot game effect display end command, the effect display control board 91 performs display control so that the first effect display device 34 displays an ending screen or the like indicating that the jackpot game ends, and ends the jackpot game effect display. Then, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game effect sound change effect is being performed (S814), and if it is determined that the jackpot game effect sound change effect is not being performed, the output of the jackpot game effect sound is terminated in accordance with the end of the jackpot game effect display. At the same time, the lighting (flashing) effect is ended (S816), and the big hit game effect process is ended. In this process, an effect command for instructing the end of the output of the jackpot game effect sound (a jackpot game effect sound output end command) is transmitted to the amplifier board 92 and an effect command for instructing the end of the lighting effect (lighting effect end command). This is performed by transmitting to the decoration control board 93. On the other hand, if it is determined that the jackpot game effect sound change effect is being performed, the jackpot game effect processing is terminated while maintaining the jackpot game effect sound change effect.

[Prefetching notice processing during jackpot game production]
The prefetch notice effect processing at the time of the big hit game effect of S608 is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the big hit game effect prefetching notice effect process of FIG. 29, the CPU 90a of the sub-control board 90 determines whether or not the big hit game effect sound changing effect is being performed (S850). If it is determined that the jackpot game effect sound change effect is not being produced, whether or not the type of jackpot that triggered the jackpot game this time is “special figure 2 certain change jackpot (16R jackpot)” (S852), round game start command (S854), whether or not the currently executed round is a predetermined round (for example, the 15R) (S856), and whether or not the pending is stored in the pre-determined information storage area of the RAM 90c. (S858). If any of S852 to S858 is affirmative, lottery processing is performed (S860). If it is determined that the lottery result is a win (“YES” in S862), a big hit game effect sound change effect is started. (S864). In this way, if a hit is stored in a predetermined round during the big hit game, a big hit game effect sound changing effect is performed to change the output mode of the big hit game effect sound. In this embodiment, the jackpot game effect sound change effect is an effect of changing the jackpot game effect sound from sound to silence. As a result, the player who is paying attention to the jackpot game effect display displayed on the first effect display device 34 feels that the jackpot game effect sound is suddenly silenced, and gives a surprise or impact. Can do. Further, in this embodiment, while the big hit game effect sound change effect is being performed, the unlit effect of turning off the effect lamps (frame lamp 93a and panel lamp 93b) is also performed. On the other hand, if any of S852 to S858 is a negative determination, or if it is determined that the lottery result is out of S862, the big hit game effect pre-reading notice effect process is performed without performing the big hit game effect sound changing effect. Exit. In this embodiment, even if there is a winning hit during the big hit game, the big hit game effect sound effect is executed only when the lottery result is a win in S860 and S862. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, if there is a winning hold during the big hit game, the big hit game effect sound change effect may be executed without performing the lottery process. Further, even if there is no winning hold during the big hit game, there may be a case where a big hit game effect sound change effect is executed (so-called “gasse effect”).

  When the jackpot game effect sound change effect is started, next, when the jackpot game effect pre-reading notice effect process is executed, it is determined in S850 that the jackpot game effect sound change effect is being performed, and the jackpot game start command is received. It is determined whether or not (S864). If it is determined that the jackpot game start command is not received, the jackpot game effect prefetching notice effect processing is terminated while maintaining the execution of the jackpot game effect sound change effect, and if it is determined that the jackpot game start command is received, the jackpot game The effect sound change effect is terminated (S868), and the prefetch notice effect process at the time of the big hit game effect is terminated.

[Warning]
The warning process of S610 is executed according to the flowchart of FIG. In the warning process of FIG. 30, the CPU 90a of the sub control board 90 determines whether or not the error occurrence command transmitted by the main control board 70 in S502 of the error detection process of FIG. 22 has been received (S900). If it is determined that the error occurrence command has been received, warning display is started (S902), warning sound output is started (S904), and the warning process is terminated. The process of S902 is performed by transmitting an effect command (warning display start command) instructing the start of warning display to the effect display control board 91. The presentation display control board 91 that has received the warning display start command performs display control so that warning display (for example, lighting of a warning lamp (not shown)) is started. The processing of S904 is performed by transmitting an effect command (warning sound output start command) for instructing start of output of the warning sound to the amplifier board 92. The amplifier board 92 that has received the warning sound output start command drives and controls the speakers 28a and 28b so that the warning sound is output. Here, the warning display and the warning sound are output regardless of the currently executed game effect when the error occurrence command is received. In other words, the warning display and the output of the warning sound have a higher priority than the other game effects, and are executed while the sound effects are changed and the sound effects are changed by the variation effect sound change effect and the jackpot game effect sound change effect. It has become.

  If it is determined in S900 that an error occurrence command has not been received, it is determined whether or not a warning (warning is being displayed and warning sound is being output) (S906). If it is determined that a warning is being issued, a warning is started. It is determined whether or not the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) (S908). If it is determined that the warning is not being performed, or if it is determined that the elapsed time from the start of the warning has not reached the predetermined time even if the warning is being performed, the warning process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the warning is in progress and the elapsed time from the start of the warning has reached a predetermined time, the warning display is terminated (S910), the output of the warning sound is terminated (S912), and warning processing is performed. Exit.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the jackpot game effect sound change effect. As shown in the figure, when it is determined that there is a hit on hold in the predetermined round (15R) of the big hit game started at time t21 (time t22), the big hit game that was output during the big hit game A jackpot game effect sound change effect is performed in which the effect sound changes from sound to silence. If an error (such as a full tray error) occurs during the jackpot game effect sound change effect (silence) (time t23), the warning sound is based on the occurrence of the error rather than the jackpot game effect sound change effect (silence). The output of is given priority. Then, when the special symbol (effect symbol) is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol based on the winning hold and the big hit game is started (time t24), the big hit game effect sound changing effect is ended, and the big hit based on the start of the big hit game is started. Output of game effect sound is started. Thereby, it is possible to make the player feel as if the big hit game effect sound is suddenly silenced, and can give a surprise and an impact.

  The pachinko machine 10 according to the embodiment described above outputs a variation effect sound in accordance with a variation effect display (effect symbol variation display), and if a specific reach hold occurs during the variation effect display, the output variation effect sound that has been output. The effect of changing the sound effect is changed from sound to silence. Thereby, it is possible to make the player who is paying attention to the change effect display (change display of the effect symbol) feel that the change effect sound suddenly becomes silent, and to give a surprise and an impact. As a result, game entertainment can be further improved. Moreover, when the variation reach display related to the specific reach hold is developed to the specific reach (super reach A), the variation effect sound change effect ends, and the variation effect sound is output again in accordance with the variation effect display. It is possible to increase the player's sense of expectation for the big hit by paying more attention to the specific reach.

  In addition, the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment outputs a jackpot game effect sound in accordance with the jackpot game effect display, and if there is a hit in the hold during the jackpot game, the output jackpot game effect sound is sounded. The big hit game effect sound change effect is set to silence. Thereby, the player who is paying attention to the jackpot game effect display can feel as if the jackpot game effect sound is suddenly silenced, and can be surprised and impacted. As a result, game entertainment can be further improved. Also, since the big hit game effect sound change effect is maintained until the next big hit game is started based on the hit hold, the expectation for the big hit game can be maintained until the next big hit game. Of course, since the big hit game effect sound is output and the big hit game sound change effect is executed in the predetermined round from the start of the big hit game until the predetermined round, the big hit game effect display is performed until the predetermined round It is possible to raise the sense of expectation for the big hit game by changing the big hit game sound in the predetermined round, while enhancing the game interest during the big hit game by outputting the big hit game production sound according to the game.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, it is assumed that the change effect sound change effect is executed on the condition that the specific reach hold is generated, but is not limited to this, and the change is made on the condition that the hit hold is generated. Any condition (specific hold) may be defined as long as the change effect sound change effect is executed based on the preliminary determination result, such as the effect sound change effect.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the jackpot game effect sound change effect is executed on condition that there is a hit hold during the jackpot game, but the invention is not limited to this, and a specific reach hold has occurred. Any condition (specific hold) may be set as long as the jackpot game effect sound change effect is executed based on the result of the prior determination, such as executing a jackpot game effect sound change effect.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the variation effect sound change effect is configured as an effect of changing the output mode of the change effect sound from sound to silence. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the volume of the change effect sound is changed. It may be an effect that reduces the volume, an effect that increases the volume of the variation effect sound, an effect that increases the tempo of the variation effect sound, or an effect that decreases the tempo of the variation effect sound. Moreover, in the pachinko machine 10 having a silence mode in which the variation effect sound is silenced during the variation display of the effect symbol as the effect mode of the symbol variation effect, when a specific hold (specific reach hold, hit hold) occurs during the silence mode. As the variation effect sound change effect, an effect of changing the variation effect sound from silence to sound may be performed. The effect mode of the symbol variation effect may be selected by the player from a plurality of effect modes including the silent mode, or may be selected according to other conditions such as a lottery.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the jackpot game effect sound change effect is configured as an effect of changing the output mode of the jackpot game effect sound from sound to silence, but is not limited to this, and the jackpot game effect sound As an effect to reduce the volume of the jackpot, to increase the volume of the jackpot game effect sound, to produce an effect to increase the tempo of the jackpot game effect sound, or to produce an effect to slow the tempo of the jackpot game effect sound Also good. Further, in the pachinko machine 10 having a silence mode in which the jackpot game effect sound is silenced during the jackpot game as the effect mode of the jackpot game effect, there is a specific hold (specific reach hold, hit hold) in the silence mode. In this case, as the jackpot game effect sound change effect, an effect of changing the jackpot game effect sound from silence to sound may be performed. The effect mode of the big hit game effect may be selected by the player from a plurality of effect modes including the silent mode, or may be selected according to other conditions such as lottery.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the change effect sound change effect is an effect of changing the output mode of the change effect sound from sound to silence. However, the change effect sound is not limited to this. It is good also as an effect changed to a production sound. FIG. 32 shows the variation effect sound change effect of this modification. As shown in the drawing, when the variation effect display is started at time t11, the variation effect sound by the music 1 is output in accordance with this. When a game ball enters the start opening during the change effect display and a specific reach hold occurs (time t12), the change effect sound output in accordance with the change effect display is changed from song 1 to song 2. . The variation effect sound by the music 2 starts the symbol variation effect related to the specific reach hold (time t14), ends at the timing when the effect symbol becomes the reach and develops to the specific reach, and becomes the variation effect sound by the music 1 Return (time t15). Thereby, the player who is paying attention to the change display of the effect design can be made to feel that the music of the change effect sound has been suddenly changed, and the surprise and the impact can be given. In addition, when it develops to a specific reach (super reach A), the variation effect sound by the music 2 ends and returns to the variation effect sound by the music 1, so that the player's expectation can be enhanced by paying more attention to the specific reach. . In this case, the variation effect sound by the music 2 may be a music that appears only in the variation effect sound change effect. Thereby, it is possible to further enhance the gaming interest by the rarity of the change effect sound change effect. Further, in the case of executing the variation effect sound change effect on the condition that a hit-holding has occurred, a winning song may be used for notifying the player that it is a big hit. The winning music may be used for other jackpot announcement effects. In this modification, when the variation effect sound by the music piece 2 is finished, the variation effect sound by the music piece 1 is returned to, but the change effect sound by another music piece 3 may be changed.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the jackpot game effect sound change effect is an effect of changing the output mode of the jackpot game effect sound from sound to silence, but is not limited to this. It is good also as an effect changed to another jackpot game effect sound. The state of the big hit game effect sound change effect of this modification is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, when the big hit game effect display is started at time t21, the big hit game effect sound by the music piece A is output accordingly. When there is a hit-hold in the hold during the jackpot game, the song A of the jackpot game effect sound output in accordance with the jackpot game effect display is changed to another song B (time t22). The jackpot game effect sound by the music B is maintained until the jackpot game related to the hit hold is started (time t24). Thereby, it is possible to make the player feel that the music of the big hit game effect sound has been suddenly changed, and to give a surprise and an impact.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the changing effect sound change effect that is performed based on the occurrence of the specific reach hold (specific hold) during the change display of the effect symbol (identification information) is displayed on the effect symbol related to the specific reach hold. It ends when the variable display is performed and develops to a specific reach (super reach). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the normal pattern (first reach) is used as a production pattern related to specific hold. When an effect that develops to a specific reach (second reach) is performed, the change effect sound change effect may be terminated when the normal reach (first reach) is started, or the specific reach (first reach) The change effect sound change effect may be ended when (2 reach) is started. In addition, when the quasi-continuous variation that is re-variable is performed after temporarily suspending the display of the variation of the effect symbol as the effect pattern related to the specific hold, when the pseudo-variable variation is started (the effect symbol is temporarily stopped) The variation effect sound change effect may be terminated. In addition, the variation effect sound change effect is ended when the variation display of the effect symbol related to the specific hold is started, or the change effect sound change effect is displayed when the change display of the effect symbol related to the specific hold is stopped. The variation effect sound change effect may be terminated at a predetermined time from when the variation display of the effect symbol related to the specific suspension is started to when it is terminated.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the jackpot game effect sound change effect that is performed based on the fact that the hit hold is stored during the jackpot game (the previous jackpot game), the jackpot game related to the hit hold (the subsequent jackpot game) ) Will start when it starts, but it is not limited to this, and it will end when the change display of the special symbol (identification information) related to the hit hold starts, The jackpot game effect sound changes at a predetermined time after the end of the previous jackpot game, such as when the special symbol (identification information) variable display ends, etc. The production may be ended.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the variation effect sound is silenced as the variation effect sound change effect, or the jackpot game effect sound is silenced as the jackpot game effect sound change effect. Even during the big hit game effect sound change effect, other effect sounds (sound effects) may be output. For example, when a game ball enters the start opening (the first start opening 36 or the second start opening 38), in a pachinko machine that outputs a predetermined entry effect sound, a variation effect sound change effect is being executed. Even when the big hit game effect sound change effect is being produced, it is possible to output the pitch effect sound. In this case, a plurality of entrance effect sounds may be provided as entrance effect sounds, and any one of the plurality of entrance effect sounds may be output based on a prior determination result based on the entrance of the game ball to the start opening. Good. That is, the possibility of a big hit may be made different depending on which one of a plurality of entrance effect sounds is output. The player's attention can be attracted by the output of the pitch effect sound during the change effect sound change effect or during the jackpot game effect sound change effect, and the game interest can be improved. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10 having the silence mode as the effect mode, an effect sound for notifying the player of the end time of the silence mode (for example, an effect sound when performing a countdown effect that counts down the remaining time until the end of the silence mode). May be output.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the output of the variation effect sound is started when the variation display of the effect symbol is started, and the output of the variation effect sound is ended when the variation display of the effect symbol is ended. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a varying effect sound may be output across a variation display of a plurality of effect symbols (special symbols). For example, when the display of the variation effect sound is started when the variation effect sound is not output and the variation effect sound starts to be output, and the state where the effect symbol is not variably displayed continues for a predetermined time, It is also possible to end the output and start the demonstration production.

  In the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the first effect display device 34 is a 7-segment display, but may be another display such as a dot matrix display or a liquid crystal display. Furthermore, in the pachinko machine 10 of the embodiment, the first effect display device 34 and the second effect display device 50 are the same type of display, but may be different types of display.

  Further, in the embodiment, the game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are used as “rental balls” or “prize balls”, and various winning holes (first start port, second start port) provided on the game board are used. The present invention relates to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) that gives a player a gaming profit (game value) by paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the number of game balls that enter the winning prize opening, etc. However, the present invention can also be applied to a type of gaming machine that gives a gaming profit in a form different from the “payout of prize ball”. For example, when a game ball is entered into various winning openings, data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the ball is stored in the RAM (game value) of the main control unit or the payout control unit. The present invention can also be applied to a type of gaming machine that gives a player a gaming profit (game value) by storing it in the management control unit. An effect can be obtained. Of course, as the game value managed by the game value management control unit, the game value obtained as a result of the game and the game value obtained by inserting cash or the like may be managed separately (displayed separately). , May be managed together (displayed by addition / subtraction) (both separate display and addition / subtraction display may be performed). As a type of gaming machine in which gaming profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a gaming machine that circulates and uses a plurality of gaming balls built in the gaming machine, specifically, Examples of the game machine (so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back surface of the game board through various winning holes or out holes to the launch position and launch it again.

  The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems will be described. In the embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 corresponds to “gaming machine”, the first starting port 36 and the second starting port 38 correspond to “starting port”, the special symbol corresponds to “identification information”, and the big hit game It is “predetermined” (S226) that the special symbol is not in a variable display (S228), that the special symbol is not in the stop display period (S230), and that the number of reserved special symbols is not 0 (S232, S238). CPU 70a of the main control board 70 that corresponds to “condition”, the jackpot symbol corresponds to “specific mode”, the jackpot game corresponds to “specific game”, and executes the processes of S206 and S220 of the special symbol game process of FIG. And the RAM 70c (determination information storage area) correspond to “acquired information storage means”, and the CPU 70a of the main control board 70 that executes the special symbol game processing S210 and S222 is designated as “preliminary determination means”. The CPU 90a and the amplifier of the sub control board 90 that execute the processing of S602 of the effect control processing of FIG. 23 (design variation effect processing of FIG. 25) and the processing of S604 (design variation prefetch notice processing processing of FIG. 26). The board 92 corresponds to “production execution means”. The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problem is the same as that of the embodiment described in the column of means for solving the problem. Therefore, the elements of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems are not limited. In other words, the interpretation of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems should be made based on the description of the column, and the examples are those of the invention described in the column of means for solving the problems. It is only a specific example.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you get.

  10 Pachinko machine, 11 Front frame, 12 Glass plate, 14 Upper tray, 16 Lower tray, 18 Launch handle, 18a Touch sensor, 18b Launch stop switch, 19 Launch motor, 21 Body frame, 22 Outer frame, 24a Ball rental button, 24b return button, 26 effect button, 27 operation detection switch, 28a, 28b speaker, 29 locking device, 30 game board, 31a outer rail, 31b inner rail, 32 normal symbol operation gate, 32a gate switch, 34 1st effect display device , 34L, 34M, 34R Production symbol, 35a First reserved symbol display unit, 35b Second reserved symbol display unit, 35c Launch area notification display unit, 36 First start port, 36a First start port switch, 38 Second start port , 38a second start port switch, 38b second start port solenoid, 38c One part, 40 symbol display device, 40a symbol display board, 41 normal symbol display device, 41a left normal symbol display portion, 41b right normal symbol display portion, 42 special symbol display device, 42a first special symbol display portion, 42b second Special symbol display section, 43 round display section, 44 grand prize opening, 44a grand prize opening switch, 44b large prize opening solenoid, 44c opening / closing plate, 45 general prize opening, 45a general prize opening switch, 47 out opening, 48 windmill, 49 Center character, 50 Second effect display device, 52 Elapsed time display section, 54 Prize ball number display section, 56 Big hit number display section, 60 Magnetic sensor, 70 Main control board, 70a CPU, 70b ROM, 70c RAM, 72 Relay Terminal board, 80 payout control board, 81 frame opening switch, 82 ball rental display board, 83 relay terminal board, 84 payout Front switch, 85 Switch after delivery, 86 Delivery motor, 87 Relay terminal board, 90 Sub control board, 90a CPU, 90b ROM, 90c RAM, 91 Production display control board, 92 Amplifier board, 93 Decoration drive board, 93a Frame lamp, 93b board lamp, 93c decorative motor, 94 production button board, 100 launch control board, 102 bottom pan full switch.

Claims (4)

When the determination of the acquisition information acquired by entering the game ball into the start opening is performed based on establishment of a predetermined condition, and the identification information that is variably displayed based on the determination result is stopped and displayed in a specific manner, A gaming machine capable of executing a specific game advantageous to a player,
Acquisition information storage means for storing the acquired acquisition information;
Prior determination means for performing prior determination of the acquired information before the predetermined condition is satisfied;
Production execution means for performing a predetermined production according to the progress of the game;
With
The production execution means
When the pre-determined result of the acquired information acquired based on the game ball entering the start opening is a specific result, the pre-decision effect based on the specific result is pre-determined as the specific result. A gaming machine characterized in that after performing until a predetermined time during the variation display of the identification information related to the acquired information, the variation effect corresponding to the variation display is performed until the variation effect ends. A gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the other information is stored in the acquired information storage unit prior to the acquired information determined in advance as the specific result, the effect executing unit is displaying the variation of the identification information related to the other acquired information. A game machine characterized by performing the prior determination effect. A gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
The game execution device, wherein the effect execution means performs an effect of making a varying effect sound output corresponding to a variation display of the identification information silent as the prior determination effect. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The game execution machine, wherein the effect execution means performs a reach effect indicating whether or not the identification information is displayed in a specific manner as the variation effect.