JP2018011895A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new method of setting variation time.SOLUTION: A game machine is provided for variably displaying identification information on the basis of a detection of a game ball, the game machine including: variation time determination means for determining variation time of the identification information; and variable display means for performing variable displays of the identification information. Further, the variation time determination means can determine a plurality of variation times. The variable display means, if the variation time determination means determines the plurality of variation times, performs the variable displays consecutively till the total time of the plurality of variation times has been elapsed. In this way, it is possible to provide a new method of setting variation time in terms of setting the plurality of variation times to a variable display for one time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) that plays a game by firing a game ball toward a game area on a game board.

  2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine that variably displays identification information (for example, a special symbol) based on detection of a gaming ball by a predetermined detection means (for example, a start port sensor) provided on a gaming board is known. The variation time of the identification information is determined for each variation display, and at that time, the variation time corresponding to the gaming state is adjusted. Here, in the conventional gaming machine, the variation time of the identification information is determined at the start of the variation display (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-104309

  However, if the variable time is determined at the start of the variable display as in the conventional gaming machine, there is a problem that the variable time cannot be adjusted after the variable display is started.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new method for setting a variation time that allows the variation time to be adjusted after starting the variation display of identification information. To do.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A gaming machine that variably displays identification information based on detection of a gaming ball,
A variation time determining means for determining a variation time of the identification information;
Fluctuation display means for executing fluctuation display of the identification information,
The variation time determining means is capable of determining a plurality of the variation times,
The variation display means, when the variation time determination means determines a plurality of the variation times, continuously performs the variation display until a total time of the plurality of variation times elapses. .

  According to such a gaming machine of the present invention, a new variation time setting method is provided in terms of setting a plurality of variation times for one variation display, and the variation time setting method is diversified. be able to.

In the gaming machine of the present invention described above,
When determining the plurality of variation times, the variation time determining means determines one variation time before the variation display means starts the variation display, and for the remaining variation times, It may be determined during execution of the variable display.

  According to such a gaming machine, in addition to the start of the variable display, the timing for determining the variable time is provided after the start of the variable display, and the length of the variable time can be adjusted after the start of the variable display. Become.

In the gaming machine of the present invention described above,
Comprising a game control means for controlling the gaming state;
The variation time determination means may determine the variation time according to the gaming state after the variation display means starts the variation display.

  According to such a gaming machine, the length of the variation time can be adjusted according to the gaming state after the start of the variation display.

In the gaming machine of the present invention described above,
Comprising a game control means for controlling the gaming state;
The variation time determination unit may increase or decrease the number of variation times to be determined according to the gaming state after the variation display unit starts the variation display.

  According to such a gaming machine, the length of the variation time can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the determined number of the variation times according to the gaming state after the start of the variation display.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new method for setting a variation time that has not existed before, and to adjust the variation time after starting the variation display of the identification information.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board of a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control circuit in the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is an enlarged view of a segment display part. FIG. 22 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of display on the effect display device 41. It is the flowchart which showed the rough flow of the game control process performed with a main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the special operation process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the fluctuation pattern selection table of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the special symbol stop process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the change of the number of special figure hold | maintenance when the fluctuation time of a fluctuation display is a long time. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the latter half fluctuation pattern selection table of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between the number of special figure hold | maintenance increased during the fluctuation | variation time of the first half, and the fluctuation | variation time of the second half. It is the flowchart which showed the design change effect process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the production content of the second half in case a fluctuation pattern is divided | segmented into the first half and the second half. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of the fluctuation pattern in the modification 1. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of determination of the variation time in the modification 1. It is the first half part of the flowchart which showed the special symbol stop process of the modification 2. It is the latter half part of the flowchart which showed the special symbol stop process of the modification 2. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of determining a variation time in Modification 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the fluctuation pattern selection table of another modification.

  In order to clarify the above-described contents of the present invention, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a type (game machine) called “seven machine” or “digipachi” will be described. Unless otherwise noted, the right side of the pachinko machine front is expressed as “right” and the left side is expressed as “left”.

The following examples will be described in the following order.
A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Configuration of control circuit:
B. Overview of the game:
C. Pachinko machine control contents:
C-1. Game control processing:
C-2. Production control processing:
D. Modification 1
E. Modification 2

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a front frame 4 is provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1. A window portion 4a is formed at a substantially central portion of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate is fitted into the window portion 4a. The player can visually recognize the game area of the game board 20 arranged on the back side through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b). Further, a small window portion 4c is formed at the lower right of the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted into the small window portion 4c. The player can visually recognize the segment display unit 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the game board 20 disposed on the back side through the small window portion 4c (transparent plate 4d). Although details will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is a display unit that displays information relating to a game by a combination of a plurality of LEDs.

  An upper lamp 5a is provided above the window 4a in the front frame 4, a right side lamp 5b is provided on the right side of the peripheral edge of the window 4a, and a left side is provided on the left side of the peripheral edge of the window 4a. A lamp 5c is provided. An upper speaker 6 a is provided on the front frame 4 at the upper left and right sides of the window 4 a, and a lower speaker 6 b is provided on the lower front surface of the main body frame 2. The upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, the left side lamp 5c, the upper speaker 6a, and the lower speaker 6b are driven in order to enhance a game effect.

  An upper plate part 7 is provided below the window part 4 a in the front frame 4. In the upper plate part 7, game balls lent out through the card unit 242 (see FIG. 3) and game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1 are stored. In addition, a lower tray portion 8 is provided below the upper tray portion 7, and a game ball lent out beyond the capacity of the upper tray portion 7 or a game paid out exceeding the capacity of the upper tray portion 7. The ball is stored.

  A firing handle 9 is provided on the right side of the lower plate portion 8 in the front frame 4. The rotation shaft of the firing handle 9 is connected to a launching device unit 261 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the back side of the firing handle 9. The launcher unit 261 is supplied with a game ball stored in the upper plate part 7. When the player rotates the launching handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the launching device unit 261, and the launching motor built in the launching device unit 261 is driven to launch the game ball with a strength according to the rotation angle. The

  Further, an effect button 10a that can be pressed by the player is provided at the edge of the upper plate portion 7, and a jog shuttle that can be pressed and rotated by the player on the left side of the lower plate portion 8. 10b is provided. These effect buttons 10a and jog shuttle 10b are both effect operation units operated by the player, and when operated by the player when a predetermined condition is established, a predetermined game effect is performed. Hereinafter, the production buttons 10a and the jog shuttle 10b are also referred to as “production operation units 10a and 10b”.

  An inner frame and a main body frame are provided on the rear side of the front frame 4, and one end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the front frame is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the inner frame. The left side in FIG. 1 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame. The main body frame is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and the pachinko machine 1 is installed in the game hall by attaching the main body frame to the island facility. A game board 20 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame, and when the front frame 4 is rotated (released) to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the middle frame, the game The board 20 is exposed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 20. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed at the center of the game board 20. Around the game area 21, a game ball path that guides the game ball launched from the launching device unit to the game area 21 is formed by the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23. The game ball fired from the launcher unit passes through this game ball passage and is released to the game area 21, and flows downward from the upper part of the game area 21. Since the game area 21 is visually recognized by the player through the window portion 4a of the front frame 4, the state of the game ball flowing down the game area 21 is naturally recognized by the player through the window portion 4a.

  A central device 40 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 21, and an effect display device 41 is provided in the approximate center of the central device 40. The effect display device 41 is configured using a liquid crystal display screen, and can display various images for effects. The display contents of the effect display device 41 will be described later.

  In the game area 21, a first start port 24 is provided below the central device 40 (effect display device 41). The first start port 24 is a start port in which the size of the opening is unchanged (constant) and a game ball can always enter. It has been. The game ball that has entered the first start port 24 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided therein. A first start port sensor 24s (see FIG. 3) is provided in the passage inside the first start port 24, and a game ball that has entered the first start port 24 can be detected.

  Further, below the first start opening 24 in the game area 21, there is provided a second start opening 25 which is a entrance opening where the possibility of entering a game ball changes. The second start opening 25 includes an opening / closing door 26 that can be rotated in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1, and the opening / closing door 26 is substantially upright so that a game ball cannot enter (or difficult to enter). The open / close door 26 can be rotated to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 to change to an open state in which a game ball can enter (or can easily enter). FIG. 2 shows a state where the second start port 25 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the second start opening 25 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A second start port sensor 25 s (see FIG. 3) is provided in the passage inside the second start port 25, and it is possible to detect a game ball that has entered the second start port 25.

  Further, a normal symbol operating gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21, and a gate for detecting the passage of a game ball is provided inside the normal symbol operating gate 27. A sensor 27s (see FIG. 3) is provided.

  In addition, a large winning opening 28 that is greatly opened in a substantially rectangular shape is provided to the right of the first start opening 24 in the game area 21. The grand prize winning opening 28 is provided with an opening / closing door 29 that can be rotated in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1. It is possible to change to an open state in which a game ball can be entered by rotating to the front side of 1. FIG. 2 shows a state where the special winning opening 28 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the big prize opening 28 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A prize winning opening sensor 28s (see FIG. 3) is provided in the passage inside the prize winning opening 28, and it is possible to detect a game ball that has entered the prize winning opening 28.

  The game area 21 is appropriately provided with a general winning opening 30. When a game ball enters the general winning opening 30, ten game balls are paid out to the player. Similarly, when a game ball enters the first start port 24, three game balls are paid out, and when a game ball enters the second start port 25, three game balls are also received. To be paid out. Further, as will be described in detail later, when a ball enters the first start port 24 or the second start port 25, a lottery is performed, and as a result, the big winning port 28 is opened. When the big winning opening 28 is in an open state, 13 game balls are paid out for each entered ball.

  In addition, the game area 21 is provided with a windmill wheel 31 and a number of obstacle nails 32 that affect the flow path of the game ball. In addition, an out port 33 is provided at the bottom of the game area 21 and does not enter any of the first start port 24, the second start port 25, the big winning port 28, or the general winning port 30 described above. The game balls are discharged from the outlet 33 to the back side of the game board 20.

  On the lower right side of the game area 21 on the game board 20, a segment display unit 50 for displaying information related to the game by a combination of LEDs is provided. The segment display part 50 is visually recognized by the player through the small window part 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. The detailed display contents of the segment display unit 50 will be described later with reference to FIG.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 includes a number of control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and the like. Specifically, the main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, the sub control board 220 that controls the game effects, and the display of images and the output of sound under the control of the sub control board 220. An audio / video control board 230 that controls the above, a lamp control board 226 that controls the light emission of the lamp under the control of the sub-control board 220, a payout control board 240 that controls the lending and payout of game balls, It is composed of a launch control board 260 for controlling the game ball. These control boards include a CPU (CPUs 201, 221, 231 and the like in FIG. 3) for executing various logical operations and calculation operations, and a ROM (ROMs 202 and 222 in FIG. 3) in which various programs and data executed by the CPU are stored. 232), a RAM (203, 223, 233, etc. in FIG. 3) in which the CPU stores temporary data during program execution, and various peripheral LSIs such as input / output circuits are connected to each other via a bus. Has been.

  The main control board 200 includes a first start port sensor 24s that detects a game ball that has entered the first start port 24, a second start port sensor 25s that detects a game ball that has entered the second start port 25, A big prize opening sensor 28s that detects a game ball that has entered the big prize opening 28, a gate sensor 27s that detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol operating gate 27, and the like are connected. When a detection signal of a game ball is input from these sensors or the like, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sends a command corresponding to the sensor to which the detection signal is input, to the sub control board 220, the payout control board 240, Transmission is performed toward the launch control board 260 and the like.

  Further, the main control board 200 has a second start port for opening / closing the open / close door 26 provided in the second start port 25 (for opening and closing the second start port 25). Solenoid 26m, large winning opening solenoid 29m for opening / closing the opening / closing door 29 provided in the large winning opening 28 (to open or close the large winning opening 28), the segment display unit 50, etc. Is connected. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 controls these operations by transmitting drive signals to the second start port solenoid 26m, the special winning port solenoid 29m, and the segment display unit 50.

  The main control board 200 is connected to an external terminal board 60 for outputting game information of the pachinko machine 1 to the outside. The external terminal board 60 may be connected to the main control board 200 via the payout control board 240. A wiring for outputting information to the outside is connected to the external terminal board 60.

  The sub-control board 220 is connected to an image / audio control board 230, a lamp control board 226, and an effect control board 228. When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the command and performs a game effect according to the contents. For example, the sub-control board 220 performs a game effect by transmitting a command for designating an output image or output sound to the image / audio control board 230 based on the command received from the main control board 200. Further, a game effect is provided by transmitting a command designating the light emission mode of the upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, and the left side lamp 5c (hereinafter also referred to as “various lamps 5a to 5c”) to the lamp control board 226. I do. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 detects a player's operation on the effect button 10a and the jog shuttle 10b (effect operation units 10a and 10b) via the effect control board 228, the game effect corresponding to the operation is displayed. Do.

  The image / audio control board 230 includes a VDP 234, an image ROM 235, and an audio ROM 236 in addition to the CPU 231, ROM 232, and RAM 233. When receiving the command from the sub-control board 220, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 instructs the VDP 234 to display an image corresponding to the command. The VDP 234 reads image data (for example, sprite data, moving image data, etc.) used for displaying the instructed image from the image ROM 235, generates an image, and outputs the image to the display screen of the effect display device 41. When the CPU 231 of the image / audio control board 230 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, it reads out the audio data corresponding to the command from the audio ROM 236, and transmits a signal of the audio data to the amplifier board 224. Sound is output from the upper speaker 6a and the lower speaker 6b (hereinafter also referred to as “various speakers 6a and 6b”).

  Connected to the payout control board 240 are a ball lending button 241 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the upper plate part 7, a card unit 242 provided in parallel with the pachinko machine 1, a payout motor 243, and the like. When the ball lending button 241 is operated, this signal is transmitted to the card unit 242 via the payout control board 240. The card unit 242 drives the payout motor 243 to rent out game balls while communicating data with the payout control board 240. Also, when a payout command for instructing payout of a game ball is received from the main control board 200, the payout motor 243 is driven to pay out the game ball.

  In addition, a launch control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240, and the launch control board 260 detects that the launch motor 262 for launching a game ball or a player touches the launch handle 9. A launcher unit 261 having a touch switch 263 and the like is connected. When the launch control board 260 detects that the player is touching the launch handle 9 via the touch switch 263, the launch control board 260 drives the launch motor 262, thereby playing the game ball with strength according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. Fire.

B. Overview of the game:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game proceeds as follows. First, when the player rotates the launching handle 9 while the game balls are stored in the upper plate portion 7, the stored game balls are supplied to the launching device unit 261 one by one, and are described above with reference to FIG. The game area 21 is fired. Since the strength of launching the game ball corresponds to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9, the player can aim at a desired area and launch the game ball by adjusting the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. For example, a game ball is fired so as to flow down the left region of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) (left-handed), or a game ball is fired so as to flow down the right region of the central device 40. (Right-handed).

  When the launched game ball enters the first start port 24, a big hit lottery is performed inside the pachinko machine 1. That is, a lottery is performed based on a predetermined random number (such as a big hit determination random number) acquired when the ball enters the first starting port 24, and it is determined whether the incoming ball is a big hit or missed. If so, the type of jackpot is determined. The result of the big hit lottery is displayed on the segment display unit 50 as a first special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “first special figure”). Also, when a game ball enters the second start opening 25, a big hit lottery is performed, and the result is displayed as a second special symbol (hereinafter referred to as "second special figure") as a segment display section. 50. The first special figure and the second special figure of this embodiment correspond to “identification information” of the present invention. In the following, the first special figure and the second special figure may be simply referred to as “special symbols” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them. Next, the special symbol variation display will be described.

<Fluctuation display of special symbols>
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the segment display unit 50. As described above, the player can visually recognize the segment display unit 50 through the small window 4c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a first special figure display unit 51 for displaying the first special figure and a second special figure display part 52 for displaying the second special figure. In each of these display units, nine LEDs are arranged. When a game ball enters the first start port 24, the first special figure is displayed in a variable manner by switching the lighted LED among the nine LEDs of the first special figure display unit 51. After that, when the variable display is performed until the predetermined time elapses, a stop display state in which a predetermined combination of the nine LEDs is lit is obtained. Similarly, when a game ball enters the second start opening 25, the LED which is lit among the nine LEDs arranged in the second special figure display unit 52 is changed and displayed, and a predetermined time has elapsed. After the variable display is performed, a predetermined combination of LEDs is turned on and the display is stopped. Hereinafter, the special symbol in the stopped display state is also referred to as “stop symbol”.

  The stop symbols are roughly classified into “big hit symbol” and “outgoing symbol”. For example, if the result of big hit lottery by entering the first start port 24 is “out”, the first special symbol display unit 51 Is displayed with an off symbol in which a predetermined combination of LEDs is lit. On the other hand, if the result of the jackpot lottery is a jackpot, a jackpot symbol in which a predetermined combination of LEDs different from the off symbol is lit is displayed. Note that there are a plurality of jackpot types having different degrees of advantage for the player in the jackpot, and different jackpot symbols are displayed for each jackpot type.

  As described above, the stop symbol of the first special figure represents the result of the big hit lottery by entering the first start port 24. Similarly, the stop symbol of the second special figure represents the result of the big hit lottery by entering the second starting port 25. Since the display of the stop symbol is maintained until a predetermined time elapses, the player can check the stop symbol and know the result of the jackpot lottery. Hereinafter, maintaining the display of the stop symbol until a predetermined time elapses is also referred to as “definite display”. Further, a game from when the special symbol is started to be displayed until it is confirmed as a big hit symbol or a lost symbol, that is, a game until the result of one big hit lottery is obtained is also referred to as a “symbol variable game”.

<Big hit game>
The special symbol (the first special figure or the second special figure) is one of the big hit symbols while the player repeats the symbol variation game by putting the game ball into the first starting port 24 or the second starting port 25. When the stop display is made, a so-called big hit game is played. When the big hit game is started, the big prize opening 28 is opened for a while, so that it is easy to enter the game ball. A game in which the big winning opening 28 is open is called a round game. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when nine game balls enter the big winning opening 28 (9 counts) or the big winning opening 28 One round game ends when 30 seconds have passed since the game became open. For example, when one round game ends with 9 counts, 9 counts × 13 payouts = 117 game balls are paid out as prize balls. In a jackpot game, such a round game can be repeated a predetermined number of times, and the more round games (hereinafter simply referred to as “the number of rounds”), the more players can win award balls. I can expect. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a round display unit 53. By turning on three LEDs in a predetermined combination, a round game can be played in one big hit game. The number of times it is performed is displayed.

  When the big hit game is finished, the game state is returned to the repeated symbol variation game. At this time, a high probability state in which the probability of being determined to be a big hit is higher than usual may be set. If the high probability state is set, the player can expect to be determined to be a big hit again while the number of symbol variation games to be performed is small. In addition, after the big hit game is over, an electric support state is set in which a game ball can easily enter the second start port 25. When a ball enters the second start opening 25, three award balls are paid out. Therefore, in the electric support state, a lot of holding balls (game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7 and the lower plate portion 8) are not much. You can continue playing without reducing it. The high probability state and the electric support state are set only during a predetermined number of symbol variation games, and the number of rounds and the number of rounds in the above big hit game are the types of big hits won in the big hit lottery Is determined by.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with an electric support display unit 54, and when the electric support state is set, this is displayed on the segment display unit 50. The electric support display unit 54 has three LEDs, and a predetermined LED is lit to indicate that the electric support state is being set. In the electric support state, a plurality of opening patterns such as the number of times the opening / closing door 26 is opened and each opening time in a game to be described later are set, and the LEDs that are lit differ for each opening pattern.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a right-handed display unit 55 indicating that right-handing is performed. Since the second starting port 25 is on the right side of the game area 21 (see FIG. 2), the game ball is fired so that the game ball flows down the area on the right side of the game area 21 (right-handed). It is possible to aim at the second starting port 25 that has become a support state and has become easier to enter the ball. Therefore, during the setting of the electric support state, it is indicated that the two LEDs arranged on the right-handed display unit 55 are lit and right-handed. Further, even during the big hit game, since the big winning opening 28 can be aimed by making a right strike (see FIG. 2), the LED of the right strike display portion 55 is lit to indicate that a right strike is made.

<Reservation of special design>
When a game ball newly enters the first starting port 24 while a special symbol (first special diagram or second special diagram) symbol variation game is being performed or a big hit game is being performed The new entry is put on hold as the first special figure hold. The number of the first special figure hold is 4 at the maximum, and is displayed on the first special figure hold display unit 56 of the segment display unit 50. As shown in FIG. 4, two LEDs are arranged in the first special figure hold display unit 56, and a predetermined combination of LEDs is turned on according to the number of holds, so that any number from 0 to 4 can be selected. The number of hold is displayed. Further, the amount of the ball entering the second starting port 25 is also held in the same manner as the ball entering the first starting port 24, and the number of the held ball is displayed on the second special figure holding display unit 57.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the second special figure reservation has a function of preferentially digesting the first special figure reservation. That is, when both the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold are stored, the first special figure hold game is not performed until the second special figure hold disappears. Design variation game is performed. However, normally, the second start opening 25 is closed by the opening / closing door 26, and no game ball enters the second start opening 25. Below, the normal symbol game for opening the 2nd starting port 25 is demonstrated.

<Normal design game>
First, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, a normal symbol hit determination (hereinafter referred to as a normal symbol hit determination) is performed inside the pachinko machine 1. In the determination for the base map, a lottery is performed based on a predetermined random number (a base random number for determining the base map) acquired when the game ball passes the normal symbol operation gate 27, and it is determined whether the base map is per base map or not. To do. The result of the normal symbol hit determination is displayed on the segment display unit 50 as a normal symbol.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a general-purpose display unit 58 that displays normal symbols. The normal display 58 is provided with two LEDs. Each LED blinks and displays a change, and then stops and displays the result of the normal map determination. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the state in which the left LED is turned on among the two LEDs is a symbol per ordinary figure, and the state in which the right LED is lit is an undesignated symbol.

  When a symbol per symbol is displayed as a normal symbol, the open / close door 26 is opened for a predetermined time, and a gaming state in which a game ball can enter the second starting port 25 (hereinafter referred to as “game per symbol”). Call). Similarly to the above-described first special figure hold or second special figure hold, the number of times the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 27 is held as a general figure hold. With regard to the general map hold, the maximum number of hold is 4, and the general display hold display portion 59 of the segment display unit 50 shown in FIG. 4 displays the hold number from 0 to 4 by two LEDs.

<Direction display>
As described above with reference to FIG. 4, during the game, various game results and game states are displayed on the segment display unit 50. However, since the display mode in the segment display unit 50 is not necessarily easy to understand for the player, the effect display device 41 provided at a position that is easier to see than the segment display unit 50 is easy to understand the game result and the game state. In addition, various images and videos are displayed in order to enhance the game entertainment.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating one aspect of display on the effect display device 41. As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), at the bottom of the display screen of the effect display device 41, there is a first reserved display area 41d for indicating the number of first special figure reservations, and a second special figure. A second hold display area 41e for indicating the number of holds is provided. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first reserved figure number is displayed by displaying the same number of “held symbols (small circular symbols in the figure)” in the first reserved display area 41d. In addition, the same number of “holding symbols” as the number of the second special figure hold is displayed in the second hold display area 41e to indicate the second special figure hold number. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, it is shown that the number of first special figure reservations and the number of second special figure reservations are both four.

  In addition, in accordance with the change display of the special symbols (the first special drawing and the second special drawing) described above, the effect display device 41 displays the identification symbols that are easy for the player to identify. FIG. 5A conceptually shows a state in which the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are variably displayed at the same time. The identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c in the present embodiment are symbols obtained by designing nine numbers from “1” to “9”, respectively. When the variation display of the special symbol is started in the segment display unit 50, the variation display of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b and 41c is also started. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the left identification symbol 41a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, then the right identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed, and finally the middle identification symbol 41b is displayed. Stopped display. As described above, the special symbol is kept stopped for a predetermined time, and the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are also kept stopped and displayed accordingly.

  Further, the combination of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c stopped and displayed on the effect display device 41 is the special symbol (first special diagram or second special diagram) stopped and displayed on the segment display unit 50 described above. It is configured to correspond. For example, when the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, the symbol combination in which the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c of the effect display device 41 are aligned with the same symbol (so-called “zolo eyes”) Is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed as “off symbol”, the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are not the same symbol combination (so-called “uneven eyes”). ) Is stopped.

  In this way, the special symbol displayed on the segment display unit 50 and the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c displayed on the effect display device 41 have the same timing to change and the timing to stop. The contents are also supported. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 41 is provided at a position that is more easily noticeable than the segment display unit 50, and the display screen is large and the display content is easy to understand. It is normal to play a game while watching 41 screens. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the left identification symbol 41a initially stopped and displayed on the effect display device 41 and the right identification symbol 41c subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol, Lastly, the medium identification symbol 41b that is stopped and stopped also stops at the same symbol, and the player pays attention to the variation display of the identification symbol as “whether the big hit game is started”. In this way, the effect performed in a state in which the two identification symbols are stopped at the same symbol (a mode that can be a doublet) and the last identification symbol is variably displayed is called “reach effect”. It is possible to enhance the game entertainment interest by generating. In addition, there is a reach production (long reach) that switches the display contents from the normal reach production (normal reach) and performs a long time production. Increase).

  In addition, while two or more of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are fluctuating, a notice effect that suggests the possibility of reaching a reach state thereafter is performed, or the identification symbol that has fluctuated A pseudo continuous variation effect may be performed in which a display is made as if the change has been started again after being displayed as if it has stopped once in a break.

  As described above, the effect display device 41 displays the result of the symbol variation game (that is, the result of the big hit lottery) in an easy-to-understand manner for the player and enhances the game interest by performing various effects while the identification symbol is variably displayed. ing. Hereinafter, an effect performed while the identification symbol is variably displayed is referred to as a “symbol variation effect”.

C. Control details of pachinko machine:
Next, processing executed inside the pachinko machine 1 will be described. The gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 is controlled by the main control board 200, and various effects performed as the game progresses are executed by the sub-control board 220, the image / audio control board 230 connected to the sub-control board 220, and the like. Has been. In the following, the game control process performed on the main control board 200 in order to advance the game will be described first, and then the effect control process performed on the sub-control board 220 in order to produce an effect in accordance with the progress of the game. To do.

C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the game control process executed on the main control board. The game control process is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 based on a timer interrupt that occurs every predetermined period (for example, every 4 msec). Hereinafter, the game progress control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 will be described according to the flowchart. In the following description, descriptions of well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 201, the interrupt prohibition process, and the interrupt permission process are omitted. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 corresponds to “game control means” of the present invention.

<Output processing>
As shown in FIG. 6, when starting the game control process, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first performs an output process (S10). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, various commands to be transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220 are temporarily stored in an output buffer secured in the RAM 203 of the main control board 200 in various processes described later. Keep it. In this output process (S10), various commands stored in the output buffer are transmitted to various control boards. By doing so, for example, the sub control board 220 controls the production in accordance with the progress of the game. For example, the payout control board 240 drives the payout motor 243 to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. Will be performed.

<Input processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs an input process (S20). As described above, when a game ball enters any of the first start port 24, the second start port 25, the general winning port 30, and the big winning port 28, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as a winning ball. Therefore, in the input process (S20), it is determined whether or not a game ball has been detected for various sensors (first start port sensor 24s, second start port sensor 25s, big winning port sensor 28s, etc.) that detect a ball. to decide. As a result, when a game ball is detected, a payout command instructing payout of the game ball is stored in the output buffer. The payout command thus stored in the output buffer is transmitted toward the payout control board 240 in the next output process (S10).

<Random number update processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a random number update process (S30). As described above, lottery using various random numbers is performed inside the pachinko machine 1. For example, when a game ball enters the first start opening 24, a big hit lottery is performed. For the big hit lottery, a “hit determination random number” acquired when the game ball enters the first start opening 24 is used. Is done. In addition, various random numbers such as “symbol selection random number” and “variation pattern selection random number” are used in the processing described later. In this random number update process (S30), by updating these various random number values, the various random number values acquired in the process described later are made random values. The random number is updated not only in the random number update process (S30), but also during the period from the end of the game control process to the start of the next game control process (next timer interrupt), A dedicated circuit may be provided to update at a higher speed than the period for executing the game control process.

<Starting port sensor detection processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a sensor detection process (S40) such as a start port. In the sensor detection process (S40) such as the start port, a process for storing the general figure hold, the first special figure hold, and the second special figure hold is performed. That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 27 based on the detection result of the gate sensor 27s. As a result, when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 27, it is determined whether or not the number of ordinary symbols held has reached the upper limit of four. Then, if the number of pending orders has not reached 4, a determination random number per chart is acquired and stored as a pending chart hold. The common map hold is stored in a general map hold storage area secured in the RAM 203 so that the stored order can be identified. If the game ball has not passed through the normal symbol operation gate 27 or if the number of reserved general symbols has already reached four, the new reserved general symbol is not stored.

  After performing the process related to the storage of the usual figure hold, it is subsequently determined whether or not the game ball has entered the first start port 24 based on the detection result of the first start port sensor 24s. As a result, when a game ball enters the first start port 24, it is determined whether or not the first special figure reservation number has reached the upper limit of four. If the number of first special figure reservations does not reach four, a big hit determination random number, a symbol selection random number, and a variation pattern selection random number are acquired, and these random numbers are stored as a first special figure reservation. The first special figure hold is stored in a first special figure hold storage area secured in the RAM 203 so that the stored order can be identified.

  When the processing related to the storage of the first special figure hold is performed, it is subsequently determined whether or not the game ball has entered the second start port 25 based on the detection result of the second start port sensor 25s. As a result, when a game ball enters the second start opening 25, it is determined whether or not the second special figure holding number has reached the upper limit of four. If the number of second special figure reservations does not reach four, a big hit determination random number, a symbol selection random number, and a variation pattern selection random number are acquired, and these random numbers are stored as a second special figure reservation. The second special figure hold is stored in the second special figure hold storage area secured in the RAM 203 so that the stored order can be identified.

  The jackpot determination random number, the symbol selection random number, and the variation pattern selection random number stored as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold (hereinafter simply referred to as “special figure hold” if they are not distinguished from each other) This is used to select the result of jackpot determination, the type of stop symbol, the variation time, and the like when starting the variation display (symbol variation game). However, if the special figure hold is stored, it is possible to make a big hit determination or select a stop symbol type and a variation time without waiting for the start of the variation display. If such a determination or selection (hereinafter also referred to as “preliminary determination”) is made before the start of the variable display, it will be stored later as one aspect of the production during the digestion of the previously stored special figure hold. It is possible to perform a pre-decision effect that suggests a game result based on the reserved special figure hold. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special figure hold is stored and a preliminary determination is made, and the result of the preliminary determination is stored in association with the special figure hold. Then, a predetermination result command indicating the result of the predetermination is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The prior determination result command stored in the output buffer is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). By doing so, the sub-control board 220 can execute an effect based on the preliminary determination result of the first special figure hold.

<Normal operation processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs normal operation processing (S50). In the normal operation process (S50), the following process is performed for a game per game that allows a game ball to enter the second start opening 25. First, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol variation display is in progress and whether or not the game per game is being executed. Whether the normal symbol hold is memorized after confirming that the predetermined fixed time has passed since the stop display of the normal symbol, unless the normal symbol is changing and the game per normal symbol is being executed Judging. If the universal map hold is stored, the first stored universal map hold is read, and the universal map determination is performed based on the read general map hold (the value of the random number for determining the universal map). In the electric support state, the probability per base figure is set higher than that in the non-electric support state. For example, the probability per base figure is set to 1/100 in the non-electric support state. Then, the probability per map is set to 99/100.

  When the normal symbol hit determination is performed, based on the result, it is determined whether the normal symbol is to be stopped and displayed as a normal symbol or out of symbol. Then, when the normal symbol fluctuation time is set and the normal symbol fluctuation display is started, “1” is subtracted from the number of ordinary symbols held. As described above, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is set shorter than that in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the change time is set to 20 seconds, whereas in the electric support state, The variation time is set to 1 second. After that, when the fluctuation time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol per symbol or out of symbol. At this time, when the stop symbol is displayed with the off symbol, the normal symbol variation display is started again after the fixed time has elapsed. On the other hand, when the stoppage is displayed with the symbols per ordinary figure, the game per ordinary figure is executed.

  In a game per game, the second start port solenoid 26m is driven to open the second start port 25, and then returns to the closed state when the open time elapses. As described above, in the electric support state, the opening time of the second start port 25 is set longer than that in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the opening time is 0.3 seconds (0.1 seconds × 3 times open). On the other hand, in the electric support state, it is set to 4.5 seconds (1.5 seconds × 3 times open). After such a normal operation process (S50) is performed, a special operation process (S60) relating to a special symbol is subsequently performed.

<Special action processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the special operation process of this embodiment. When starting the special operation process (S60), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the special symbol is being variably displayed (S61). If neither the first special figure nor the second special figure is being displayed in a variable state, it is determined that the special symbol is not in a variable display (S61: no), and then whether or not the special symbol is in a fixed display. Is determined (S62). If neither the first special figure nor the second special figure is being displayed (S62: no), it is further determined whether or not the big hit game is being executed (S63). When the big hit game is not being executed (S63: no), it is in a state where a special symbol variation display can be newly started. Therefore, it is next determined whether or not special figure hold is stored (S64). This determination is made based on the first special figure hold number and the second special figure hold number stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203 (the first special figure hold storage area or the second special figure hold storage area). When both the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation number are “0” (S64: no), the special operation process of FIG. 7 is terminated without starting the special symbol variation display, Returning to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when either the first special figure reservation number or the second special figure reservation number is not “0” (S64: yes), the following processing is performed to start the special symbol variable display.

  First, the values of various determination random numbers (hit determination random number, symbol selection random number, variation pattern selection random number) stored as special figure hold are read (S65). In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, if the second special figure hold is stored first, the second special figure hold stored first is read, and if the second special figure hold is not stored, the second special figure hold is stored. The first special figure hold stored previously is read out. Therefore, when both the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold are stored, the second special figure hold is read prior to the first special figure hold (the second special figure hold is preferentially digested). Therefore, the first special figure hold is read only when the second special figure hold is not stored.

  When the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is read in this way, a big hit lottery process (S66) is performed. In the big hit lottery process (S66), a process for determining whether or not the big hit is made and a process for selecting a stop symbol are performed. Whether or not the jackpot is determined is determined by referring to the jackpot determination random number read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold with reference to a big hit determination table (not shown). The big hit determination table is a table in which the big hit determination random number value is associated with the determination result of “big hit” or “out”, and is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200. In addition, as described above, during the setting of the high probability state, the big hit probability is set to a higher probability than the normal state (low probability state). For use. Therefore, in the big hit lottery process (S66), first, the big hit determination table is selected according to whether or not the high probability state is being set. Then, referring to the selected jackpot determination table, whether the value of the jackpot determination random number read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is a value corresponding to “big hit” or a value corresponding to “out” It is determined whether.

  In the big hit lottery process (S66), following the big hit determination, a stop symbol is selected. As described above, the stop symbol is a special symbol in a state of being stopped and displayed after the variable display. The selection of the stop symbol is performed with reference to a symbol selection table (not shown) using the symbol selection random number value read as the first special symbol hold or the second special symbol hold. The symbol selection table is a table in which a predetermined stop symbol is associated with the symbol selection random number, and is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200. Stop symbols are broadly divided into “hit symbols” and “off symbols”, and the symbol selection table is provided with jackpot symbols and miss symbols. Therefore, in order to select a stop symbol, first, a stop symbol selection table is selected according to whether the result of the big hit determination is “big hit” or “out”. Then, referring to the selected stop symbol selection table, the symbol associated with the value of the symbol selection random number read as the first special symbol hold or the second special symbol hold is selected as the stop symbol and stored in the RAM 203. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, the jackpot type based on the difference in the number of rounds during the jackpot game, the presence / absence of setting of the high probability state, the number of times of setting the electric support state, etc. is associated with the jackpot symbol. If a predetermined jackpot symbol is selected as the stop symbol, the jackpot type is also selected.

  After the big hit lottery process (S66) as described above is performed, the variation pattern selection process (S67) is subsequently performed. Here, the fluctuation pattern is identification information indicating a time (fluctuation time) from when the special symbol (the first special figure or the second special figure) starts the variable display to the stop display. The variation pattern is selected with reference to the variation pattern selection table using the variation pattern selection random number value read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold. The change time of the special symbol is changed according to whether or not the result of the big hit judgment is a big hit, the current gaming state (whether the high probability state or the electric support state is set), the current special figure pending number, etc. There is a need to. Therefore, a plurality of variation pattern selection tables are prepared according to these various conditions, and when performing the variation pattern selection processing (S67), first, any variation pattern selection table corresponding to the conditions is selected. .

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the variation pattern selection table in the present embodiment. Here, it is selected when the result of the jackpot determination is “out”, there is no setting of the high probability state or the electric support state, and the special figure hold number becomes “0” by starting the variable display from now on. The fluctuation pattern selection table is illustrated. As shown in the figure, a fluctuation pattern “HP001” is set in association with a random number value “0-10” of the fluctuation pattern selection random number, and the fluctuation pattern “HP001” has a fluctuation time “10.7 seconds”. Is set. Accordingly, when the value of the variation pattern selection random number read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is any one of “0 to 10”, “HP001” is selected as the fluctuation pattern, The variation time of the special symbol is selected as “10.7 seconds”. Another random value “11-15” is associated with another variation pattern “HP002”, and another variation time “27.3 seconds” is set to the variation pattern “HP002”. Therefore, when the value of the variation pattern selection random number read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is any one of “11 to 15”, the change time is different from the case of “0 to 10”. Will be selected.

  Further, the variation pattern associated with another random number value “16 to 30” is divided into the first half and the second half, and “HP003” is set as the first half variation pattern. In the first half variation pattern “HP003”, “15.0 seconds” is set as the first half variation time, and another variation time is also set in the second half variation pattern. The total time of the first half fluctuation time and the second half fluctuation time is the fluctuation time for one special symbol fluctuation display. Although the latter half variation pattern (second half variation time) will be described in detail later, a plurality of latter half variation patterns are provided, and the variation time for one variation display changes depending on the selection of the latter half variation pattern.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the predetermined variation pattern is divided into the first half and the second half, and the selection timing of the first half variation pattern and the selection timing of the second half variation pattern are provided separately. In the variation pattern selection process (S67) of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the variation pattern is divided into the first half and the second half in accordance with the value of the variation pattern selection random number. One variation pattern indicating the variation time of the batch is selected. On the other hand, when the variation pattern is divided into the first half and the second half, the first half variation pattern is selected.

  As described above, after reading the special figure hold (first special figure hold or second special figure hold) and performing the jackpot determination, selection of the stop symbol, selection of the variation pattern, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 Subsequently, the special symbol variation display is started (S68). In addition, with the start of variation display, a variation pattern designation command for designating a variation pattern of the current variation display and a stop symbol designation command for designating a stop symbol after variation display are stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. These commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10 in FIG. 6). As will be described later, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives these commands and executes the symbol variation effect on the effect display device 41 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol. Since the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 of this embodiment selects the fluctuation pattern and determines the fluctuation time, it corresponds to the “fluctuation time determination means” of the present invention, and the special symbol (identification information) fluctuates. Since the display is executed, it corresponds to the “variable display means” of the present invention.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts to display the special symbol variation display (S68), the special figure hold read out in the current process is stored in a predetermined area (the first special figure hold storage area or the second special figure storage area) of the RAM 203. Erase from the figure storage area) (S69). Thereafter, the special operation process (S60) in FIG. 7 is terminated, the process returns to the game control process in FIG. 6, and the hold number process (S90) is performed. In the number-of-holds process (S90), the number of first special figure reservations stored in the first special figure reservation storage area and the number of second special figure reservations stored in the second special figure reservation storage area are counted. Here, since one special symbol hold is deleted in the special operation process (S69 in FIG. 7), the number of holds is subtracted by “1”. When the variable display of the first special figure is started, “1” is subtracted from the first special figure hold number, and when the variable display of the second special figure is started, “1” is subtracted from the second special figure hold number. Will do. Then, a hold number transmission command indicating the hold number after counting is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The hold number transmission command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10), and the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the command and holds the first special figure hold number and the second special figure hold. The same number of reserved symbols as the number are displayed in the first reserved display area 41d and the second reserved display area 41e of the effect display device 41.

  When the number-of-holds process (S90) is performed, the game control process of FIG. 6 is once ended. When a timer interrupt occurs every 4 msec, the game control process of FIG. 6 is executed again. Then, when the series of processes after the output process (S10) is performed and the special operation process (S60) is resumed, it is determined in the determination of S61 shown in FIG. (S61: yes), this time, a special symbol stop process (S70) is performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the special symbol stop process of this embodiment. When starting the special symbol stop process (S70), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the variation pattern selected at the start of variation display is divided (S71). In the example described above with reference to FIG. 8, when the value of the variation pattern selection random number is “0 to 10”, “11 to 15”, or “31 to 33”, the variation pattern is divided. It is determined that there is not (S71: no). On the other hand, when the value of the variation pattern selection random number is “16 to 30”, it is determined that the variation pattern is divided (S71: yes).

  If the fluctuation pattern is not divided (S71: no), it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed since the start of the fluctuation display (S72). This variation time is based on the variation pattern selected at the start of the variation display. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S72: no), the special symbol stop process (S70) is temporarily terminated while the variation display is continued, the special operation process of FIG. 7 is also terminated, and the game control process of FIG. Return to. If the variation time elapses while repeating the game control process of FIG. 6 (S72: yes), the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S73).

  As described above, when the variation pattern selected in the variation pattern selection process (S67 in FIG. 7) is not divided, the variation is changed until the variation time based on the variation pattern selected at the start of the variation display elapses. Continue to display. However, if the variation time selected at the start of the variation display is a long time, the following problem may occur.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing changes in the number of special figure reservations when the fluctuation display time is long. As shown in the figure, when one variation display is performed using one variation pattern, the variation display is continued until the variation time selected at the start of the variation display elapses. Here, there is a problem that the player stops the launch of the game ball (so-called “stop strike”) when the special figure hold number (hereinafter, simply referred to as “hold number”) is accumulated to the upper limit or close to the upper limit. is there. Therefore, conventionally, when starting the change display in a state where the number of holdings is accumulated to the upper limit or close to the upper limit, a change pattern in which a short change time is set is selected. On the other hand, when the number of holds becomes “0” by starting a new variation display, a variation pattern in which a long variation time is set is selected. When the number of holdings is “0”, the fluctuation time is lengthened, so that the holdings are easily accumulated during the fluctuation display, and the next fluctuation display is not immediately performed and the player is bored. It can be reduced as much as possible.

  However, even if the long-time fluctuation display is started when the number of holdings is small, if the number of holdings suddenly increases due to accidental overlapping of game balls, the next fluctuation as shown in FIG. There is a problem that a long stoppage occurs until the display is started and the number of holds is reduced by one.

  Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the long fluctuation time is divided into the first half and the second half as shown in FIG. To prevent.

  First, in the first judgment (S71) of the special symbol stop process (S70 in FIG. 9) performed after the start of the fluctuation display, the fluctuation pattern selected in the fluctuation pattern selection process (S67 in FIG. 7) is divided. If it is determined (S71: yes), it is then determined whether or not the latter half variation pattern has been selected (S74). The first half variation pattern was selected at the start of variation display (see S67 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8), but the second half variation pattern was not yet selected at the stage immediately after the start of variation display. It is determined that the pattern has not been selected (S74: no).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the second half variation pattern selection timing has come (S75). The selection timing of the second half variation pattern is any timing from the start of variation display until the first variation time elapses, and is set in advance for each first half variation pattern. If the timing for selecting the latter half variation pattern has not yet been reached (S75: no), the special symbol stop process (S70) is temporarily terminated while the variation display is continued, and the special operation process of FIG. Return to the game control process.

  Thereafter, while it is determined that the second half variation pattern selection timing has been reached while repeating the game control process of FIG. 6 (S75: yes in FIG. 9), subsequently, the number of special figure pending at the time of executing the process is determined. Obtain (S76). As described above, in the variation pattern selection process (S67 in FIG. 7), the variation pattern selection table is selected according to the number of special figure reservations at the start of variation display, so the first variation time is the time at the beginning of variation display. It is selected according to the number of special figure hold. However, there are cases where the number of special figure reservations has increased after starting the variable display. Therefore, the number of special figure reservations at the present time is grasped by the processing of S73. And if the number of special figure reservations at the present time is acquired (S76), the latter half variation pattern selection process (S77) is performed according to the acquired number of special figure reservations.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the latter half variation pattern selection table. Here, the second half variation pattern selection table in the case where “HP003” is selected as the first half variation pattern in the variation pattern selection table of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, for the first half variation pattern “HP003”, five types of second half variation patterns of “HP003a”, “HP003b”, “HP003c”, “HP003d”, and “HP003e” are set. In addition, a different special figure holding number is set for each second-half variation pattern, and the second-half variation pattern is selected as follows.

  First, as described above, the first half variation pattern “HP003” was selected when the number of special figure reservations became “0” by starting the variation display. Therefore, if the current special figure hold number has not increased from the start of the variable display and remains “0”, “HP003a” set corresponding to “hold number 0” is selected as the latter half fluctuation pattern. . Similarly, if the current number of special figure reservations is “1”, “HP003b” is displayed. If the number of current special figure reservations is “2”, “HP003c” is selected, and the current number of special figure reservations is “3”. Then, “HP003d” is selected as the latter half variation pattern, and “HP003e” is selected as the latter half variation pattern, respectively, when the current special figure holding number is “4”.

  Further, different latter half fluctuation times are set for the five kinds of latter half fluctuation patterns. For example, in the latter half fluctuation pattern “HP003a” set corresponding to the smallest “holding number 0”, the longest time “74.5 seconds” is set as the latter half fluctuation time. In the latter half fluctuation pattern “HP003b” set corresponding to the next smallest “hold number 1”, the second longest time “58.8 seconds” is set as the second half fluctuation time. Similarly, “35.1 seconds” is set as the change time in the latter half change pattern “HP003c”, and “14” is set as the change time in the latter half change pattern “HP003d” so that the change time becomes shorter as the number of special figure hold increases. .5 seconds ”, and“ 3.9 seconds ”is set as the variation time in the latter half variation pattern“ HP003e ”. By referring to such a latter-half variation pattern selection table, the latter-half variation pattern having a shorter variation time is selected as the number of special figure reservations at the present time is larger.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the number of special figure holds increased during the first half of the fluctuation time and the second half of the fluctuation time. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the number of special figure hold increases from “0” to “4” before the selection timing of the latter half fluctuation pattern during the first half fluctuation time, the second half fluctuation time. Is selected so that the variation time is the shortest. Also, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the number of special figure hold increases to “3”, the second half of the variation time becomes the second shortest. Further, FIG. 12C shows a case where the number of special figure hold increases to “2”, FIG. 12D shows a case where the number of special figure hold increases to “1”, and FIG. ) Indicates a case where the number of special figure reservations remains “0” and does not increase. Similarly, when the number of special figure holds during the first half of the fluctuation time is “2” or less, the larger the number of special figure holds, the shorter the fluctuation time. As is clear from FIG. 12, the selection timing of the latter half fluctuation pattern is preferably provided immediately before the first half fluctuation time elapses. In this way, the second half of the variation time can be determined according to the latest special figure hold count.

  In the above description, the case where the number of special figure hold at the start of the variable display is “0” has been described as an example. However, the case where the number of special figure hold at the start of the variable display is “1” or more is also described. Similarly, a variation pattern selection table is prepared, and the latter half variation pattern can be selected according to the number of special figure reservations during variation display. However, even if the number of special figure holds increases during the variable display, it does not decrease. Therefore, the latter half of the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the number of special figure hold less than the number of special figure hold at the start of the variable display It is not necessary to set in the pattern selection table.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the fluctuation time is divided into the first half and the second half, and the second half fluctuation time is determined before the first half fluctuation time elapses. It becomes possible to adjust the time. Then, when determining the fluctuation time of the second half, the fluctuation time is adjusted according to the increase in the number of special figure hold during the fluctuation display by determining the second half fluctuation time according to the number of special figure hold at that time. be able to. By doing this, if the number of special figure hold increases during the execution of the variable display, the variable display is ended early to shorten the time when the stop is performed, or the occurrence of the stop is suppressed. I can do it. On the other hand, since the stoppage does not occur if the increase in the number of special figure hold after the start of the variable display is small, the variable time can be extended after the start of the variable display.

  It should be noted that the selection of the second half variation pattern has been described on the basis that the second half variation pattern is uniquely determined based on the first half variation pattern and the number of special figure reservations at the present time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a second-half variation pattern selection table selected according to the first-half variation pattern and the current special figure hold number is prepared, and the aforementioned variation pattern selection random number or the like is referred to. The latter half variation pattern may be selected based on the random value.

  In the second half variation pattern selection process (S77 in FIG. 9), when the second half variation pattern is selected as described above, a second half variation pattern designation command for designating the second half variation pattern is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. This command is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10 in FIG. 6). As described above, when the fluctuation display is started, the fluctuation pattern designation command is transmitted. If the fluctuation pattern is divided into the first half and the second half, this fluctuation pattern designation command indicates the first half fluctuation pattern. Yes, the latter half fluctuation pattern is not shown. Therefore, the latter half variation pattern designation command is transmitted to instruct the sub control board separately.

  Following the latter half variation pattern selection process (S77 in FIG. 9), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 adds the latter variation time to the first variation time (S78). The second half variation time added here is the variation time set in the second half variation pattern selected in the process of S77. Thereafter, the special symbol stop process (S70) is temporarily terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. 6 through the special operation process of FIG.

  In the next special symbol stop process (FIG. 9), after it is determined that the variation pattern selected at the start of the variation display is divided (S71: yes), the latter half variation pattern has been selected in the processing of S74. It will be judged that there exists (S74: yes). Then, it is determined whether or not the variation time has elapsed (S72). In the above-described processing, since the latter half time is added to the first half time (S78), in this process S72, it is determined whether or not the total time of the first half time and the second half time has elapsed. become. If the fluctuation time has not yet elapsed (S72: no), the special symbol stop process (S70) is temporarily ended while the fluctuation display is continued.

  If the variation time elapses while repeating the game control process of FIG. 6 (S72: yes), the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S73). At this time, the stop symbol selected in the above-described process (S66 in FIG. 7) is displayed. In addition, a change stop command indicating that the special symbol is stopped and displayed is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). Furthermore, the time (definite time) for definite display of the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed is set. Thereafter, the special symbol stop process (S70) is terminated, the special operation process of FIG. 7 is also terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  As described above, when the special symbol stop process in FIG. 9 is terminated in a state where the special symbol is stopped (determined display), in the next special operation process (FIG. 7), the special symbol is determined and displayed in the determination of S62. It judges that it is in (S62: yes), and performs a special symbol confirmation process (S80). In the special symbol determination process (S80), first, it is determined whether or not the fixed time has elapsed since the special symbol was stopped and displayed. If the fixed time has not yet elapsed, the special symbol determination process (S80) is continued. And the special operation process of FIG. 7 is complete | finished, and it returns to the game control process of FIG.

  After that, when the fixed time of the special symbol elapses, it is determined whether the special symbol (stopped symbol) that is confirmed and displayed is the big hit symbol or the off symbol. If the special symbol that has been confirmed is out of the design, it is determined whether the probability of being a big hit is being set for a high probability state that is higher than normal, and if the high probability state is being set, The number of special symbol variations (number of symbol variation games) performed during the setting is counted. Then, when the number of special symbol fluctuations (hereinafter also referred to as “high probability count”) performed during the setting of the high probability state reaches a predetermined number, the setting of the high probability state is canceled. Similarly, it is also determined whether or not the electric support state is being set. If the electric support state is being set, the number of times the special symbol is changed during the setting (hereinafter also referred to as the electric support number). Count. Then, when the number of times of electric support reaches a predetermined number, the setting of the electric support state is canceled. In addition, when the number of fluctuations of the special symbol during the setting of the high probability state or the number of fluctuations of the special symbol during the setting of the electric support state is counted, a fluctuation number transmission command indicating the number of fluctuations is output to the output buffer of the RAM 203. Stored and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). If the setting of the high probability state and the electric support state is managed in this way, the special symbol confirmation process (S80) is terminated, the special operation process of FIG. 7 is also terminated, and the game control process of FIG. 6 is resumed.

  On the other hand, if the special symbol that has been confirmed is a jackpot symbol, the game state is set to a jackpot game, and the opening pattern (number of rounds, opening time) of the big prize opening 28 is set according to the type of jackpot symbol (jackpot type). , Closing time, etc.). A jackpot start command indicating the start of the jackpot game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10). With this process, the special symbol determination process (S80) is terminated, the special operation process of FIG. 7 is also terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Then, in the next special operation process (FIG. 7), it is determined in S63 that the big hit game is being executed (S63: yes), and the big hit game process (S81) is performed.

  In the big hit game process (S81), first, the big prize opening solenoid 29m is driven to open the big prize opening 28 to start the round game. After that, when the opening time elapses or when a specified number of game balls enter the grand prize opening 28, the big prize opening 28 is closed to end the round game, and the next round game is waited for the closure time to elapse. To start. At the start of each round game, a round game start command indicating the number of rounds started is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and at the end of the round game, a round game end command indicating the end of the round game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The The round game start command and the round game end command stored in the output buffer are transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

  When all the set round numbers have been consumed, the jackpot game setting is canceled, and a jackpot end command indicating the end of the jackpot game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. The jackpot game end command stored in the output buffer is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

  After the big hit game ends, a high probability state and a power support state are set. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of high-accuracy times and the number of electric support performed after the end of the big hit game is determined according to the type of big hit symbol (type of big hit) determined by the big hit lottery. Therefore, here, a predetermined number of high-probability states and electric support states are set according to the type of jackpot symbol that is confirmed and displayed when the jackpot game is started. Then, a game state designation command indicating the set game state is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

  When the special action process in FIG. 7 is terminated in the state where the jackpot game is released in this way, in the next special action process, the first special figure hold number and the second special figure hold number are not “0” (S64). : No), a process (S65 to S69) for newly starting the variable symbol display is performed.

  The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 advances the game in the pachinko machine 1 by repeatedly performing the game control process as described above. As described above, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits various commands to the sub control board 220 while executing the game control process. Then, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 determines the specific contents of the presentation based on the received command, and designates the display contents and the voice contents on the image / sound control board 230 and the lamp control board 226, thereby producing the presentation display. Various game effects using the device 41, the various speakers 6a and 6b, and the various lamps 5a to 5c are executed. In the following, processing executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 for the control of the symbol variation effect performed by variably displaying the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c of the effect display device 41 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol ( The symbol variation effect process) will be described.

C-2. Production control process:
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a symbol variation effect process performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220. The symbol variation effect process (S200) is performed based on a timer interrupt generated at a predetermined cycle. In the following description, description of well-known processing such as initialization processing of the CPU 221, interrupt prohibition processing, interrupt permission processing, etc. will be omitted.

  When starting the symbol variation effect processing, the CPU 221 of the sub control substrate 220 first determines whether or not a variation pattern designation command has been received from the main control substrate 200 (S201). When the variation pattern designation command is received (S201: yes), it is subsequently determined whether or not the designated variation pattern is divided (S202). When the variation pattern is not divided (S202: no), the effect content of the symbol variation effect corresponding to the variation pattern is determined (S203). The effect of the symbol variation effect is completed within the variation time of the special symbol, and the result of the symbol variation game (the result of the big hit lottery) is displayed at the end of the effect. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a different variation pattern selection table is prepared for each type of stop symbol, and a predetermined effect content is associated with each variation pattern and stored in the ROM 222 of the sub-control board 220 in advance. Keep it. Then, when performing the symbol variation effect, by determining the effect content corresponding to the variation pattern designated from the main control board 200, the symbol variation effect is completed within the variation time of the special symbol, and the end of the effect It is possible to display the result of the symbol variation game.

  When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 determines the effect content corresponding to the variation pattern (S203), the CPU 221 starts the symbol variation effect (S204). The symbol variation effect is executed by displaying an image or video having a predetermined content on the effect display device 41 or causing the various lamps 5a to 5c to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern corresponding to the determined effect content. . Subsequently, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines whether or not the symbol variation effect is being executed (S205). Since it is immediately after the start of the symbol variation effect, it is determined that the symbol variation effect is being executed (S205: yes), and then it is determined whether or not the variation pattern is divided (S206). Here, since the process is proceeding when the variation pattern is not divided in the above-described processing S202 (S202: no), it is determined that the variation pattern is not divided even in the determination of S206 (S206: no). .

  Subsequently, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines whether or not a change stop command has been received (S207). If the change stop command has not been received yet (S207: no), the symbol change effect process (S200) is temporarily ended while the symbol change effect is continued. Thereafter, when a timer interrupt occurs at a predetermined cycle, the next symbol variation effect process (S200) is started. In the next symbol variation effect process (S200), since the symbol variation effect is being executed, a new variation pattern designation command is not transmitted from the main control board 200, and the variation pattern designation command is received at the judgment of S201. It is determined that it has not been performed (S201: no). Then, after determining that the symbol variation effect is being executed (S205: yes) and determining that the variation pattern is not divided (S206: no), it is determined whether or not the variation stop command has been received again. Judgment is made (S207).

  If the variation stop command is received while repeating the symbol variation effect process (S200) of FIG. 13 (S207: yes), the symbol variation effect is terminated (S208). As described above, the symbol variation effect is performed by displaying an image or video having a predetermined content. Therefore, the timing at which the change stop command is received coincides with the timing at which the display of the predetermined content image or video ends.

  When the symbol variation effect is finished in this manner, the symbol variation effect process (S200) is once ended, and when a timer interruption occurs at a predetermined cycle, the symbol variation effect process (S200) is executed again. While the variation pattern designation command has not been received from the main control board 200 (S201: no) and the symbol variation game effect is not being executed (S205: no), the symbol variation effect process (S200) is immediately terminated. Become.

  While the symbol variation effect processing (S200) is repeated, a new variation pattern designation command is received from the main control board 200 (S201: yes), and the designated variation pattern is divided (S202: yes), The following processing is performed. First, the production contents of the first half corresponding to the first half variation pattern are determined (S209). As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, predetermined production contents are associated with each variation pattern, and the first half production contents are associated with the first half variation pattern. When the first-half production contents corresponding to the first-half variation pattern are determined (S209), the first-half symbol variation production is started (S210).

  Thereafter, it is determined in the process of S205 that the symbol variation effect is being executed (S205: yes), and it is determined that the variation pattern is further divided in the process of S206 (S206: yes), and the first half of the symbol variation is performed. It is determined whether or not an effect is being executed (S211). Since the first half of the symbol variation effect is being executed by the processing of S210 (S211: yes), it is subsequently determined whether or not the latter half variation pattern designation command has been received (S212). As described above, when the latter half variation pattern is selected on the main control board 200, the latter half variation pattern designation command is transmitted. If the second half variation pattern designation command has not been received yet (S212: no), it is then determined whether or not the first half symbol variation effect has ended (S214). The symbol variation effect in the first half ends when the predetermined image or video based on the content of the effect in the first half has been displayed. Here, since the latter half variation pattern has not yet been selected, the first variation time has not elapsed, and the first symbol variation effect has not ended (S214: no), so the symbol variation effect processing (S200) is performed. Exit once.

  If the second half variation pattern designation command is received while repeating the symbol variation production process (S200) (S212: yes), the second half production contents corresponding to the second half variation pattern are determined (S213). The production contents of the latter half are set in advance in association with the latter half fluctuation pattern. As described above, the main control board 200 selects the latter half variation pattern according to the number of special figure hold after starting the variation display. It will be decided according to the number of special figure hold.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the production contents of the second half when the variation pattern is divided into the first half and the second half. Here, as in the case shown in FIG. 8 described above, the variation pattern selection table is displayed when the result of the big hit determination is “out” and the number of special figure holds becomes “0” by the start of a new variation display. An example will be described in which a variation pattern divided into the first half and the second half is selected. As shown in the left side of FIG. 14, the first half of the production content is one type regardless of the number of special figure reservations during the variable display, and the design variation production up to “Tempai” is set as the production content. . "Tempai" means that one of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c variably displayed on the effect display device 41 (see FIG. 5) is stopped and displayed with the same symbol, and the remaining one identification symbol Is the state where the fluctuation continues. In the example shown in the figure, the left and right identification symbols are stopped and displayed as “7”, and the remaining central identification symbol continues to fluctuate. In the latter half of the production, the reach production after the temper will be performed.

  As shown on the right side in FIG. 14, the latter half of the production content is selected from five types according to the number of special figure reservations after starting the variable display. As shown in the figure, when the number of special figure hold increases to “4” after starting the variable display, the content of the latter half of the effect time is selected. As an effect with a short effect time, for example, after the center identification symbol fluctuates in order from “1” to “7” and returns to “1” when it reaches “7”, “4” is repeated. "Normal reach" in the form of stop display at "". After the performance up to the first half of the temper, if the central identification symbol is stopped and displayed at “7”, it indicates that it is a big hit, because it stops at “4” just before “7”. (So-called “-3 deviation”), and it is a short performance time without particularly attracting the player's attention. On the other hand, when the number of special figure holds increases to “3”, the production time is slightly longer than when the number of special figure holds is four. An example of such an effect is “normal reach” in which the center identification symbol in the middle of change is likely to stop at “7” and the player's attention is drawn slightly, and then the display is stopped at “8” after all. "Can be mentioned.

  Further, when the increase in the number of special figure reservations is “2”, the production time becomes a little longer than when the number of special figure reservations is three. As such an effect, for example, an effect of “long reach” in which an image different from the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c is displayed by switching display contents on the effect display device 41 can be cited. In addition, when the increase in the number of special figure reservations is “1”, the production time is slightly longer than in the case where the number of special figure reservations is two. . Further, when the number of special figure reservations does not increase after the start of the variable display and remains “0”, the content of the latter half of the rendering time is selected. As such an effect, for example, after the display content on the effect display device 41 is temporarily switched to display a video with a predetermined content, a video with another content is displayed, and then a reach effect is developed. It is done.

  Thus, when the latter half effect content corresponding to the latter half variation pattern is determined (S213 in FIG. 13), it is determined whether or not the first half symbol variation effect has ended (S214). If the first half of the symbol variation effect has not been completed yet (S214: no), the symbol variation effect process (S200) is temporarily terminated. Then, if it is determined in the next and subsequent symbol variation effect processing (S200) that the first half symbol variation effect has been completed (S214: yes), the latter half symbol variation is determined based on the latter half of the effect content determined in the previous processing S213. Production is started (S215). In this way, the first symbol variation effect is completed and the second symbol variation effect is started, and the symbol variation effect is continuously performed. After the latter half of the symbol variation effect is started, the symbol variation effect process (S200) is once ended.

  In the subsequent symbol variation effect process (S200), it is determined in the process of S211 that the first symbol variation effect is not being executed (S211: no), and then it is determined whether or not a variation stop command has been received ( S207). If the change stop command has not been received yet (S207: no), the symbol change effect process (S200) is temporarily ended while the symbol change effect is continued. If the variation stop command is received while the symbol variation effect process (S200) is repeated (S207: yes), the symbol variation effect is terminated (S208). In this case, the timing at which the variation stop command is received and the symbol variation effect is terminated coincides with the timing at which the display of the image or video having the predetermined content started as the latter symbol variation effect is terminated.

  In the sub-control board 220, when the symbol variation effect process (S200) as described above is performed and the variation pattern of the special symbol is divided, the latter half when the latter-half variation pattern designation command is received from the main control board 200. Determine the content of the production. By doing so, even if the second half of the variation time is determined after starting the special symbol variation display on the main control board 200, the symbol variation effect can be terminated together with the end of the second half variation time.

D. Modification 1
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the variation time for one variation display of the special symbol is divided into the first half and the second half. On the other hand, in the first modification, a description will be given of determining the variation time for one variation display in three. In the description of the modification, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a setting example of a variation pattern in the first modification. The illustrated variation pattern is a variation pattern set corresponding to the variation pattern selection random number “16 to 30” in the variation pattern selection table of FIG. 8 shown in the above-described embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this modification, three variation patterns are set: a first variation pattern, a second variation pattern, and a third variation pattern. As the first variation pattern, one of “HP003” is set as in the above-described embodiment. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the second variation pattern is set to “HP003a”, “HP003b”, “HP003c”, “HP003d”, and “HP003e” in order from the longest variation time. . In this modification, five HP003aa, HP003bb, HP003cc, HP003dd, and HP003ee are set as the third variation pattern. The third variation patterns are also set with different variation times like the second variation pattern, and are arranged in order from the longest variation time. Hereinafter, the process of selecting the variation pattern according to the first modification will be described focusing on portions different from the above-described embodiment.

  First, when the variation display of the special symbol is started, the first variation pattern is selected. This first variation pattern is referred to the variation pattern selection table selected in accordance with conditions such as the result of jackpot determination, the type of stop symbol, the number of special figure hold at the beginning of variation, as in the above embodiment. Then, it is selected according to the value of the variation pattern selection random number read as the special figure hold. Then, the second variation pattern is selected before the first variation time based on the first variation pattern elapses after the special symbol variation display is started.

  The second variation pattern is selected according to the number of special figure reservations at the time of selecting the second variation pattern. For example, when the first variation pattern is selected when the number of special figure hold is “0”, one second variation pattern is selected from five types of second variation patterns as shown in FIG. It will be. That is, if the number of special figure hold at the time of selecting the second variation pattern has not increased from the beginning of the variation display and remains “0”, the longest second variation time (37.8 seconds) is set. “HP003a” is selected as the second variation pattern. Further, when the number of special figure hold increases by 1 to “1”, “HP003b” in which the second longest time (30.1 seconds) is set as the second variation time is set to the second. Select as the variation pattern. Similarly, as the number of special figure reservations increases, the variation time becomes shorter. If the number of special figure reservations is “2”, “HP003c” (18.3 seconds) is displayed, and the number of special figure reservations is “3”. Then, “HP003d” (8.6 seconds) is selected as the second variation pattern, and “HP003e” (2.5 seconds) is selected as the second variation pattern.

  Thereafter, the second variation time based on the selected second variation pattern is added to the first variation time, and the variation display of the special symbol is continued. Then, the third variation pattern is selected before the second variation time has elapsed.

  The third variation pattern is selected in the same manner as the second variation pattern according to the number of special figure reservations at the time of selecting the third variation pattern. That is, if the number of special figure hold at the time of selecting the third variation pattern has not increased from the beginning of the variation display and remains “0”, the longest third variation time (35.3 seconds) is set. “HP003aa” is selected as the third variation pattern. Similarly, the fluctuation time is shortened as the number of special figure hold increases, and if the number of special figure hold is “1”, “HP003bb” (29.8 seconds) is set, and the number of special figure hold is “2”. "HP003cc" (17.5 seconds), "HP003dd" (7.2 seconds) if the special figure hold number is "3", and "HP003ee" if the special figure hold number is "4". (2.5 seconds) is selected as the third variation pattern.

  Thereafter, the third variation time based on the selected third variation pattern is added to the first variation time and the second variation time, and the variation display of the special symbol is further continued. Then, as the third variation time elapses, the variation display of the special symbol is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of determining the variation time in the first modification. As shown in FIG. 16A, first, it is assumed that the number of special figure reservations is “0” when the first variation pattern is selected (that is, when the first variation time is determined). Thereafter, when the number of special figure hold increases rapidly to “4” during the execution of the fluctuation display, the second fluctuation time is determined to be the shortest. Further, after that, the third variation time is determined. However, since the number of special figure holds does not decrease during the execution of the variable display, the number of special figure holds remains “4”. Therefore, the shortest time is determined for the third variation time. As described above, when the number of special figure reservations reaches the upper limit of “4” before the first fluctuation time has elapsed after starting the fluctuation display, the shortest fluctuation time is determined after the second fluctuation time. Will be.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), when the number of special figure hold increases by one before the first fluctuation time elapses, the second fluctuation time is the second longest. Is determined. Thereafter, when the number of special figure reservations rapidly increases to “4” before the second variation time elapses, the shortest third variation time is determined.

  As described above, in the first modification, the fluctuation time for one special symbol fluctuation display is divided into three, so that the fluctuation pattern selection timing can be provided twice during the execution of the fluctuation display, and the length of the fluctuation time. Can be finely adjusted. As the content of the production, for example, the variation effect up to the tempe is performed corresponding to the first variation time in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, the effect that develops to the long reach corresponding to the second variation time is performed, and the third variation It is possible to produce an effect that develops into another long reach corresponding to the time. Or you may make it perform the reach production which displays a series of stories through the 2nd variation time and the 3rd variation time. In that case, it is possible to set a plurality of types of effect contents with different effect times by omitting a predetermined scene in a series of stories or shortening a display time of the predetermined scene.

E. Modification 2
Subsequently, Modification 2 will be described. In the above-described embodiment and modification example 1, it has been explained that the variation time for one special symbol variation display is divided into a plurality of times, and the length of the divided variation time is determined during the variation display. At this time, the number of the divided variation times was determined in advance, and the number for determining the variation time during the variation display was not increased or decreased. On the other hand, in the second modification, a description will be given of increasing or decreasing the number for determining the variation time during the variation display.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a special symbol stop process of the second modification. When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the special symbol stop process (S300) of the modified example 2, first, it is determined whether or not the variation pattern selected at the start of variation display is divided (S301). If the fluctuation pattern is not divided (S301: no), it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed since the start of the fluctuation display (S302). This variation time is based on the variation pattern selected at the start of the variation display (see FIG. 8). If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S302: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is temporarily terminated while the variation display is continued. Thereafter, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the process returns to the special operation process of FIG. 7 and returns to the game control process of FIG. If the variation time elapses while repeating the game control process of FIG. 6 (S302: yes), the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S303).

  On the other hand, when the variation pattern is divided (S301: yes), it is first determined whether or not the first variation time has elapsed. This first variation time is based on the first variation pattern selected at the start of variation display (see FIG. 8). If the first variation time has not yet elapsed (S304: no), it is then determined whether or not the second variation pattern selection timing has come (S305). The selection timing of the second variation pattern is any timing from the start of variation display until the first variation time elapses, and is set in advance for each first variation pattern. If the timing for selecting the second variation pattern has not been reached (S305: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is temporarily terminated while the variation display is continued, and the special operation process of FIG. Return to the game control process.

  After that, if it is determined that the timing for selecting the second variation pattern has been reached while repeating the game control process of FIG. 6 (S305: yes in FIG. 17), then the special figure pending at the current time when the process is executed The number is acquired (S306). When the number of special figure hold increases after the start of the variable display, the increase is grasped by the processing of S306. And if the number of special figure reservations at the present time is acquired (S306), it will be judged whether a 2nd fluctuation pattern will be selected according to the acquired number of special figure reservations (S307). That is, a predetermined number of special figure hold is set in advance, and if the current number of special figure hold is smaller than the predetermined number of special figure hold, it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected. For example, when the predetermined number of special figure hold is set to “4”, it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected if the current special figure hold number is “3” or less. If the number of special figure hold is “4”, it is determined that the second variation pattern is not selected.

  If it is determined that the second variation pattern is not selected (S307: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is temporarily terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. 6 through the special operation process of FIG. To do. In the next special symbol stop process (FIG. 17), it is determined that the variation pattern is divided (S301: yes), and after it is determined that the first variation time has not elapsed (S304: no), again. Then, it is determined whether it is the selection timing of the second variation pattern (S305). In the previous special symbol stop process (S300), it is determined that the selection timing of the second variation pattern has been determined. Therefore, in this processing, it is determined that the selection timing of the second variation pattern has already passed (S305: no). The special symbol stop process (S300) is once terminated.

  In the subsequent special symbol stop process (S300), if it is determined that the first variation time has elapsed (S304: yes), it is determined whether or not the second variation time has been added (S310). As will be described later, since the second variation time is added when it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected (S307: yes), it is determined that the second variation time is not added here. (S310: no), the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S303). Thereafter, the special symbol stop process (S300) is terminated, and the special symbol confirmation process (S80) is performed in the special operation process of FIG. 7 as in the above-described embodiment.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected (S307: yes), a second variation pattern selection process is performed (S308). In the first modification described above, a plurality of second variation patterns are provided corresponding to one first variation pattern, and one second variation pattern is selected from the plurality of second variation patterns. On the other hand, in the second modification, only one second variation pattern is provided corresponding to one first variation pattern. Therefore, when it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected during the variation display, the second variation pattern is automatically determined. When the second variation pattern is selected, a second variation pattern designation command for designating the second variation pattern is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. This command is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10 in FIG. 6). In the sub-control board 220, in the same manner as when the second half variation pattern is received in the above-described embodiment, the production contents of the second variation time are determined based on the second variation pattern designation command, and the first variation time passes. The symbol variation effect of the second variation time is executed.

  After performing the second variation pattern selection process (S308 in FIG. 17), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a process of adding the second variation time based on the selected second variation pattern to the first variation time (S309). ). When the second variation time is added, the special symbol stop process (S300) is once ended.

  In the special symbol stop process (S300) after the next time, after it is determined that the variation pattern is divided (S301: yes), it is determined whether or not the first variation time has elapsed (S304). If the first variation time has not yet elapsed (S304: no), it is determined that it is not the selection timing of the second variation pattern (S305: no), and then the special symbol stop process (S300) is temporarily terminated. Then, in the subsequent special symbol stop process (S300), if it is determined that the first variation time has elapsed (S304: yes), it is determined whether or not the second variation time has been added (S310). Here, it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected in the above-described processing (S307: yes), and since the second variation time is added (S309), it is determined that the second variation time is added (S310). : Yes).

  Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not the second variation time has elapsed (S311 in FIG. 18). Here, it is determined that the second variation time has not yet elapsed (S311: no), and it is determined whether it is the timing for selecting the third variation pattern (S312). The selection timing of the third variation pattern is any timing from the passage of the first variation time to the passage of the second variation time, and is set in advance for each second variation pattern. If it is not yet the timing for selecting the third variation pattern (S312: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is once terminated.

  In the subsequent special symbol stop process (S300), if it is determined that the timing for selecting the third variation pattern has been reached (S312: yes in FIG. 18), the number of special figure suspensions at the time of executing the process is acquired. (S313) It is determined whether or not to select the third variation pattern according to the acquired special figure reservation number (S314). In this determination, as in the above-described determination of whether or not to select the second variation pattern (S307 in FIG. 17), a predetermined special figure hold number is set in advance, and the current special figure hold number is predetermined. If it is less than the number of reserved special drawings, it is determined that the third variation pattern is selected.

  When it is determined that the third variation pattern is not selected (S314: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is temporarily ended. In the next special symbol stop process (S300), after it is determined that the second variation time has not elapsed (S311: no), it is determined that the selection timing of the third variation pattern has already passed (S314: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is once ended. In the subsequent special symbol stop process (S300), if it is determined that the second variation time has elapsed (S311: yes), it is determined whether or not the third variation time has been added (S317). Similar to the addition of the second variation time described above, the third variation time is added when it is determined that the third variation pattern is selected (S314: yes), so here the third variation time is added. (S317: no). Thereafter, the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S303 in FIG. 17), and the special symbol stop process (S300) is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the third variation pattern is selected (S314: yes), a third variation pattern selection process is performed (S315). In the third variation pattern selection process, one third variation pattern set in advance corresponding to the first variation pattern is selected in the same manner as the second variation pattern selection process (S308 in FIG. 17). become. When the third variation pattern is selected, a third variation pattern designation command for designating the third variation pattern is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. This command is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10 in FIG. 6). The sub control board 220 determines the effect content of the third variation time based on the third variation pattern designation command, and executes the symbol variation effect of the third variation time as the second variation time elapses.

  After performing the third variation pattern selection process (S315 in FIG. 18), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 adds the third variation time based on the selected third variation pattern to the first variation time and the second variation time. Processing is performed (S316). When the third variation time is added, the special symbol stop process (S300) is once ended. In the special symbol stop process (S300) after the next time, after it is determined that the second variation time has elapsed (S311: yes), when determining whether the third variation time is added (S317), It is determined that the three variation times have been added (S317: yes).

  After it is determined that the third variation time has been added (S317: yes), it is determined whether the third variation time has elapsed (S316). If the third variation time has not yet elapsed (S318: no), the special symbol stop process (S300) is once terminated, and the determination as to whether the third variation time has elapsed (S318) is repeated. Eventually, if it is determined that the third variation time has elapsed (S318: yes), the special symbol is stopped and displayed (S303 in FIG. 17), and the special symbol stop process (S300) is terminated.

  In the second modification, whether or not to continue the variable display after the second variable time according to the number of special figure hold during the variable display by performing such special symbol stop processing (FIGS. 17 and 18). Judging. By doing so, it is possible to adjust the entire variation time as exemplified below.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of determining the variation time in the second modification. As shown in FIG. 19A, when the number of special figure hold increases from “0” to “4” before the first fluctuation time has elapsed since the start of the special symbol fluctuation display. In the special symbol stop process (FIG. 18), it is determined that the second variation pattern is not selected. In this case, without adding the second variation time, the first variation time elapses and the variation display of the special symbol is terminated.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 19B, before the first variation time has elapsed since the start of the variation display of the special symbol, the number of special figure reservations is changed from “0” to “1”. If it increases, it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected, and the second variation time is added. Thereafter, if the number of special figure hold increases to “4” before the second fluctuation time elapses, it is determined not to select the third fluctuation pattern (S314 of FIG. 18: no), and the third Without adding the change time, the change display of the special symbol is finished as the second change time elapses. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19C, when the number of special figure hold remains “1” even during the fluctuation display of the second fluctuation time, it is determined to select the third fluctuation pattern, The variation display of the special symbol is continued until the third variation time elapses.

  As described above, in the second modification, for one change display, the change display is continued until the total time of a plurality of change times has elapsed, and the number of change times determined during the change display is increased or decreased. The length of the entire variation time can be adjusted. In this way, for example, when the overall variation time is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of variation times, the number of developments of reach production is increased or decreased, or the number of pseudo continuous variation effects is increased or decreased. Can be mentioned.

  As mentioned above, although the Example and modification of this invention were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, Unless it deviates from the range described in each claim, it is not limited to the description word of each claim, Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  For example, in Modification 1 and Modification 2 described above, a maximum of three variation times are determined for one variation display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and four or more variations for one variation display. The variation time may be determined.

  In the second modification described above, only one second variation pattern is provided corresponding to one first variation pattern, and when it is determined that the second variation pattern is selected during the variation display, As described above, the second variation pattern is determined (see S308 in FIG. 17). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the same manner as the first modification described above, when it is determined that a plurality of second variation patterns are provided corresponding to one first variation pattern and the second variation pattern is selected ( (S307: yes), one second variation pattern may be selected from the plurality of second variation patterns. In this case, it is possible to adjust the length of the entire variation time by increasing or decreasing the number of variation patterns (variation time) and adjusting the length of each variation time during one variation display. It becomes. Similarly, for the third variation pattern, when a plurality of third variation patterns are provided corresponding to one first variation pattern and it is determined that the third variation pattern is selected, a plurality of third variation patterns are selected. One third variation pattern may be selected from the inside.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first half variation pattern is selected at the start of variation display, and the second half variation pattern is selected during variation display (see FIGS. 8, 11, etc.). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the latter half variation pattern as well as the first half variation pattern may be selected at the start of variation display. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, in the fluctuation pattern selection table referred to when starting the fluctuation display, if the latter half fluctuation pattern is set in association with the value of the fluctuation pattern selection random number, the first half fluctuation pattern and the latter half A variation pattern can be selected at the start of variation display. Even in this case, it is possible to obtain the effect of the present invention that the variation time setting method can be diversified.

  Further, in the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the first variation pattern (the first variation pattern or the first variation pattern) is selected when the variation display is started. However, the first variation pattern may be selected by the time when the variation display is started, and may be selected, for example, when performing a prior determination of special figure hold.

  Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 1 that gives the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out the game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. An example in which is applied has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type that provides gaming profits in a form different from “payout of gaming balls”. For example, game profits (games) are stored by storing data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the entrance of a game ball at various entrances. The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine of a type in which a value is given to a player. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. As a pachinko machine of the type in which game profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a game machine that circulates and uses a plurality of game balls built in the pachinko machine, specifically, An example is a pachinko machine (so-called encapsulated game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back of the game board through various entrances or outs to the launch position and launch it again.

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine used in a game hall.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine), 41 ... Production display device, 51 ... 1st special figure display part, 52 ... 2nd special figure display part, 200 ... Main control board, 201 ... CPU (variation time determination means, fluctuation display) Means, game control means), 220... Sub-control board.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A gaming machine that variably displays identification information based on detection of a gaming ball,
A variation time determining means for determining a variation time of the identification information;
Fluctuation display means for executing fluctuation display of the identification information,
The variation time determination means can der Rutotomoni determining a plurality of the change time, when determining a plurality of said time-varying, the variable display means is one before starting the variable display The variation time is determined, and the remaining variation time is determined during execution of the variation display,
The variation display means, when the variation time determination means determines a plurality of the variation times, continuously performs the variation display until a total time of the plurality of variation times elapses. .

Claims (4)

A gaming machine that variably displays identification information based on detection of a gaming ball,
A variation time determining means for determining a variation time of the identification information;
Fluctuation display means for executing fluctuation display of the identification information,
The variation time determining means is capable of determining a plurality of the variation times,
The variation display means, when the variation time determination means determines a plurality of the variation times, continuously performs the variation display until a total time of the plurality of variation times elapses. Gaming machine. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
When determining the plurality of variation times, the variation time determining means determines one variation time before the variation display means starts the variation display, and for the remaining variation times, A gaming machine characterized by being determined during execution of a variable display. A gaming machine according to claim 2,
Comprising a game control means for controlling the gaming state;
The gaming machine, wherein the fluctuation time determining means determines the fluctuation time according to the gaming state after the fluctuation display means starts the fluctuation display. A gaming machine according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein
Comprising a game control means for controlling the gaming state;
The gaming machine, wherein the variation time determining means increases or decreases the number of the variation times to be determined according to the gaming state after the variation display means starts the variation display.

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