JP2018015094A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of increasing the degree of attention to a game excellently.SOLUTION: A front door frame of a Pachinko machine is provided with an operation button 40 pressed and operated by a player. In first performance and second performance executed during a game round, operation corresponding performance such as an effect change and cut-in display is executed when the operation button 40 is operated during the performance. In the first performance, when the operation button 40 is pressed long, a color of the effect changes in accordance with the long press; when the operation button 40 is continuously pressed, the effect color changes according to the continuous press. When the second performance is started in succession to the first performance, an operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first performance is grasped. When the operation mode is long press, the long press is set as an opportunity of cut-in display in the second performance; when the continuous press occurs, the continuous press is set as an opportunity for cut-in display in the second performance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  For example, a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is known which includes an operation means operated by a player. For example, in the pachinko gaming machine shown in Patent Document 1, an operation means is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine, and a special effect is generated according to the player's operation in order to make the player expect a special gaming state or the like that is advantageous to the player. Is performed on a screen display or the like. In a gaming machine that employs operation means as described above, how to increase the player's attention to the game using the operation means is an important issue.

JP 2008-29764 A

  Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect according to the operation of the operation means will make the operation monotonous and the freshness will fade, and the interest in the operation itself will be likely to decrease. On the other hand, if it is configured to execute various special effects according to each operation, it is assumed that although the monotonization of the game can be suppressed, the operation mode becomes complicated and the player is easily confused. The As described above, there is still room for improvement in the configuration in order to increase the degree of attention to the game by special effects.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably increasing the degree of attention to a game.

  Hereinafter, means for solving the above problems will be described.

The invention described in claim 1
In a gaming machine comprising operating means operated by a player, and effect executing means for executing an operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operating means,
The effect executing means is a first effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect in response to an operation of the operating means, and a second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect in response to an operation of the operating means. And
When executing the second operation-corresponding effect after executing the first operation-corresponding effect, the operation means of the operation means that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is the operation means in the first operation-corresponding effect. An operation mode setting means for setting based on the operation mode is provided.

  The degree of attention to the game can be suitably increased.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in 1st Embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine from diagonally forward. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the main structures of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface structure of a game board. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the pachinko machine in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the various counters used for game control. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process performed by MPU of a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows a normal process. (A) The flowchart which shows the fluctuation | variation display control process performed by MPU of an alerting | reporting / production control apparatus, (b) The flowchart which shows the process for a fluctuation | variation start. It is a flowchart which shows the process for operation determination. It is a flowchart which shows the process for 1st effects. (A) Schematic which shows the outline | summary of a 2nd effect, (b) It is a flowchart which shows a 2nd effect setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the process for 2nd effects. It is a timing chart which shows the flow of a game. It is the schematic which shows the relationship between the 1st effect and the 2nd effect in 2nd Embodiment. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the setting content update process performed by MPU of an alerting | reporting / production control apparatus, (b) It is a timing chart which shows the flow of a game. It is the schematic which shows the mode of the transition from a 1st effect to a 2nd effect. It is a flowchart which shows the process for operation determination. (A) The flowchart which shows the setting content update process in 3rd Embodiment, (b) It is a timing chart which shows the flow of a game. (B) The flowchart which shows the setting content update process in 4th Embodiment, (b) It is a timing chart which shows the flow of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the various processes which concern on the 2nd effect in 6th Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the flow of a game.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a “pachinko machine”), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10 as viewed obliquely from the front, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10. In FIG. 3, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outline of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main part 12 attached to the outer frame 11.

  The outer frame 11 is configured by connecting plate members to four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in the island facility of the game hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to the island facility. In the pachinko machine 10, the outer frame 11 is not an essential configuration, and the outer frame 11 may be provided on the island facility of the game arcade.

  The game machine main part 12 is supported by the outer frame 11 in an openable and closable state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper support bracket 17 is fixed to a connection portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion in the outer frame 11, and the lower frame portion and the left frame in the outer frame 11 are further fixed. The lower support metal fitting 18 is fixed to a connecting portion with the portion. The upper support bracket 17 and the lower support bracket 18 form a support mechanism. The support mechanism causes the gaming machine main unit 12 to turn the left side of the pachinko machine 10 in the front view with respect to the outer frame 11. In addition, the right side can be turned forward of the pachinko machine 10 with the turning tip side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine main part 12 includes an inner frame 13 as a base body, a front door frame 14 arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack arranged behind the inner frame 13. And a unit 15 (see FIG. 4). The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main part 12 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the outer frame 11.

  A front door frame 14 is rotatably attached to an end of the inner frame 13 on the rotation base end side, and the front door frame 14 rotates on the right side with the left side as the rotation base end side in a front view. It can be turned forward as the tip side. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to an end of the inner frame 13 on the rotation base end side, and the back pack unit 15 rotates on the left side when viewed from the front. The moving base end side is set to the right and the right side is set to the rotating tip end side so that it can be rotated rearward.

  Next, the front door frame 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the front door frame 14 is mainly composed of a synthetic resin frame body 20 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11, and covers substantially the entire front side of the inner frame 13. ing. A substantially elliptical window portion 21 (see FIG. 1) is formed in the central portion of the frame body 20 so that almost the entire gaming area PE described later can be viewed from the front of the gaming machine. 21 is covered from the back side of the front door frame 14 by the glass unit 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a glass unit installation portion 22 is formed on the frame 20 so as to surround the window portion 21. Specifically, the glass unit installation portion 22 is disposed on the back side of the frame body 20 and is recessed toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the window portion 21 is disposed at the bottom thereof. The glass unit 30 is fitted in the glass unit installation portion 22 so that the displacement in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is restricted.

  The glass unit 30 includes glass panels 31 and 32 having transparency, and a glass holder 33 that holds the glass panels 31 and 32. The glass holder 33 has an annular frame portion formed along the window portion 21, and the glass panels 31 and 32 are accommodated in a region surrounded by the frame portion.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the window portion 21. For example, an annular illumination part 24 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED is provided along the periphery of the window part 21. In the annular illumination unit 24, lighting or blinking is performed according to a change in the gaming state at the time of a big hit or a predetermined reach. More specifically, a top lamp portion 25 provided with a function of turning on at a predetermined error is provided at the center of the annular illumination portion 24 and at the uppermost portion of the pachinko machine 10, and prizes are provided on the left and right sides of the window portion 21. A side lamp portion 26 to which a function of lighting during ball payout is given is provided. In addition, on both the left and right sides of the top lamp unit 25, speaker units 27 for outputting sound effects corresponding to the gaming state are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, below the window portion 21 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 28 and a lower bulging portion 29 that bulge to the near side are provided side by side. The upper bulging portion 28 is provided with an upper pan 28 a that opens upward, and the lower bulging portion 29 is provided with a lower pan 29 a that also opens upward. The upper plate 28a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device, which will be described later, and guiding the game balls to a game ball launching mechanism, which will be described later, while aligning them in a line. In addition, the lower tray 29a has a function of storing game balls that are surplus in the upper tray 28a.

  An operation button 40 that is operated (specifically, a pressing operation or a pressing operation) by the player is provided at a portion of the upper bulging portion 28 that is in front of the upper plate 28a (game ball storage area). The operation button 40 is an operation device for a player to give a predetermined instruction during the progress of the game for the purpose of causing a predetermined effect on a display screen of a symbol display device to be described later. The effect executed based on the operation of the operation button 40 will be described in detail later.

  A game ball launching handle 45 is provided at a position side by side with the lower bulging portion 29 so as to protrude to the front side. By operating the game ball launch handle 45, a game ball is launched from a game ball launch mechanism described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a passage forming unit 50 is attached to the back surface of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 50 is formed of a synthetic resin, and has a front door side upper tray passage leading to the upper tray 28a and a front door side lower tray passage leading to the lower tray 29a. A receiving portion 53 that protrudes rearward and opens upward is formed at the upper corner of the passage forming unit 50, and the receiving portion 53 is divided into left and right by a partition wall 54, so that the front door side upper dish passage is formed. An entrance portion and an entrance portion of the front door side lower dish passage are formed. The upstream side of the front door side upper dish passage and the front door side lower dish path are connected to a game ball distributing section which will be described later, and the game balls that have entered the front door side upper dish path are guided to the upper plate 28a, The game balls that have entered the dish passage are guided to the lower dish 29a.

  Next, the inner frame 13 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the inner frame 13. In FIG. 5, the configuration in the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted as in FIG. 3.

  The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 60 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. Support metal fittings 71 and 72 are attached to the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 5) on the front surface of the resin base 60. Further, bearing brackets 57 and 58 are provided on the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 2) on the back surface of the front door frame 14 so as to correspond to the support brackets 71 and 72. Shafts are formed on the support fittings 71, 72, and these shafts are inserted into the bearing holes of the bearing fittings 57, 58 of the front door frame 14 so that the front door frame 14 rotates relative to the inner frame 13. It is supported movably. That is, the support fittings 71 and 72 and the bearing fittings 57 and 58 constitute an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13.

  A locking device 75 is provided on the front surface of the inner frame 13. The locking device 75 has a plurality of front door flange members 76 extending toward the front door frame 14. Corresponding to these front door collar members 76, a plurality of collar receiving members 59 extending toward the inner frame 13 are provided on the back surface of the front door frame 14 (see FIG. 3). When the front door brim member 76 is caught by the hook receiving member 59, the front door frame 14 is locked in a closed state. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking device 75 includes an inner frame collar member 77 extending rearward of the inner frame 13. These inner frame hook members 77 are hooked on the hook receiving member 19 of the outer frame 11, so that the gaming machine main part 12 is locked in a closed state with respect to the outer frame 11.

  A cylinder lock 78 for performing an unlocking operation of the locking device 75 is installed at the lower right corner of the resin base 60. The cylinder lock 78 is integrated with the locking device 75, and the tip portion (key hole portion) is exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the hole provided in the front door frame 14. Turning the key inserted into the key hole of the cylinder lock 78 to the right releases the locking of the front door frame 14 with respect to the inner frame 13, and turning the key to the left releases the locking of the inner frame 13 with respect to the outer frame 11. .

  A game board housing portion 61 for housing the game board 80 is formed at a substantially central portion on the front surface of the resin base 60. The game board accommodating portion 61 is recessed behind the pachinko machine 10 to define an accommodation space for accommodating the game board 80, and the game board 80 attached to the resin base 60 is fitted in the accommodation space. It has become.

  The game board 80 includes a wooden plywood and a sheet material that covers a front plate surface of the plywood, and the front surface of the game board 80 is exposed to the front side of the resin base 60 through an open portion of the game board housing portion 61. . In the exposed portion, that is, the front surface of the game board 80, a game area PE in which game balls flow down is formed. As already described, the game area PE is covered with the glass panels 31 and 32. The rear glass panel 32 is arranged so that the gap with the front surface of the game board 80 is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, that is, the game ball flowing down the game area PE is front and back at the same location in the game area PE. It is arranged not to line up. Thereby, the ball blockage in the game area PE is suppressed. Note that the game board 80 is not limited to wooden, and may be made of synthetic resin.

  Hereinafter, the game board 80 (in particular, various configurations arranged in the game area PE) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of the game board 80.

  The game board 80 is formed with a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in its own thickness direction (front-rear direction) by performing router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning port 81, a variable pitching device 82, operating ports 83a and 83b, a through gate 84, a variable display unit 85, and the like. When game balls enter the general winning port 81, the variable pitching device 82, and the operation ports 83a and 83b, the game balls are detected by a detection switch described later, and a predetermined number of award balls are paid out based on the detection result. Is done. In addition, an out port 86 is provided at the lowermost part of the game board 80, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports etc. are discharged from the game area PE through the out port 86.

  In addition, in the game board 80, a number of nails 87 are implanted in order to disperse and adjust the flow path of the game ball as appropriate, and various members (functions) such as a windmill are arranged. By various configurations such as the nail 87 and the windmill, the flow path of the game ball is differentiated and adjusted so that the winning to the above-described general winning opening 81 or the like occurs with an appropriate probability.

  The variable pitching device 82 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or difficult to win, and is switched to a predetermined open state in which a game ball is easy to win in the case of a big hit. As an opening mode of the variable pitching device 82, a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, ten) of winnings is regarded as one round, and the variable pitching device 82 is opened for a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds). ) As the upper limit.

  The variable display unit 85 is disposed at the upper center of the game board 80, and the operation ports 83a and 83b are disposed below the variable display unit 85. More specifically, the operation ports 83a and 83b are arranged side by side with the operation port 83a on the upper side and the operation port 83b on the lower side. The lower working port 83b (lower working port 83b) is provided with an electric accessory 91 as a guide piece (support piece) composed of a pair of left and right movable pieces. The electric accessory 91 is in a closed state (non-supported state or non-guided state) in which it is impossible or difficult to enter the operating port 83b, and an open state (supported) in which the game ball can be easily entered than the closed state. State or guide state), and when the lottery based on the winning to the through gate 84 is won, the main controller controls the open state. As the opening / closing mode of the electric accessory, the low frequency support mode set so that the winning frequency to the lower operation port 83b is lower than the upper operation port 83a (upper operation port 83a), and the upper operation port 83a. When a high-frequency support mode set so that the winning frequency for the lower operating port 83b is set is set, and a predetermined winning result is obtained by a lottery based on a ball entering each operating port 83a, 83b. The configuration is shifted from the low frequency support mode to the high frequency support mode.

  The variable display unit 85 and the operation ports 83a and 83b are portions that control game play, and the player's attention is likely to be gathered. By arranging the variable display unit 85 and the operation ports 83a and 83b side by side in the center of the gaming machine, the movement amount of the line of sight between the two is suppressed, which contributes to the reduction of the burden on the player's eyes.

  The variable display unit 85 includes a symbol display device 94 that variably displays symbols with a winning in the operation ports 83a and 83b as a trigger. The symbol display device 94 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display (display screen 94a), and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. Specifically, on the display screen 94a, symbols are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right, and these symbols are variably displayed as they are scrolled up and down. When a big hit occurs, a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset active line, and a transition is made to a special gaming state. The display mode on the display screen 94a may be changed as follows. That is, the symbols may be displayed variably by arranging them in the upper, middle, and lower rows and scrolling the symbols in the left-right direction.

  The variable display unit 85 includes a center frame 95 formed so as to surround the symbol display device 94. A first specific lamp unit 96 and a second specific lamp unit 97 are provided on the center frame 95. Reservation lamp portions 98 and 99 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the center frame 95, respectively. The lower holding lamp unit 98 corresponds to the symbol display device 94 and the first specific lamp unit 96, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the operation ports 83 a and 83 b is held up to four times and the holding lamp unit 98 The number of hold is displayed by lighting. The upper holding lamp unit 99 corresponds to the second specific lamp unit 97, and the number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 84 is held up to four times, and the number of holdings is displayed by lighting the holding lamp unit 99. It has become so.

  A main display unit 89 is arranged on the side of the variable pitching device 82. The main display unit 89 is arranged along the outer edge on the lower side of the game area PE, and protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 80 to the pachinko machine 10. The front surface of the main display unit 89 is opposed to the glass unit 30 (specifically, the rear glass panel 32) that allows the game area PE to be viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and further to the rear glass panel 32. The distance between them is narrower than that of one game ball. Thereby, the game ball is prevented from falling in front of the front surface of the main display unit 89.

  A main display portion D on which a predetermined pattern or the like is displayed is provided at a portion of the main display unit 89 facing the glass unit 30. The main display unit D displays an upper working port display unit that displays a lottery result based on winning in the upper working port 83a, and a lower working port that displays a lottery result performed based on winning in the lower working port 83b. Display unit.

  In the upper working port display section, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the upper working port 83a as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the variation display, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the upper working port 83a is performed. The result is specified. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the upper working port 83a is a winning result (a jackpot result) corresponding to the shift to the opening / closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the upper working port display unit, After a predetermined pattern is displayed as a stop result, the mode is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode.

  In the lower working port display unit, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the lower working port 83b as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the variation display, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the lower working port 83b is performed. The result is specified. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the lower working port 83b is a winning result (a jackpot result) corresponding to the shift to the opening / closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the lower working port display unit, After a predetermined pattern is displayed as a stop result, the mode is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode according to the result.

  Here, on the basis of winning in one of the operation ports 83a and 83b, the variable display is started on the corresponding display unit for the operation port, a predetermined stop result is displayed, and the above-mentioned variation display is stopped (determined display). This is equivalent to one game. However, the number of game times is not limited to the above-mentioned contents. For example, a single display area is provided, and even if a winning to any of the operation ports 83a and 83b occurs, the single game area In the configuration in which the variable display is performed in the display area, the variable display is started in the single display area, and the game until the variable display is stopped (determined display) in a state where the predetermined stop result is displayed. 1 time.

  The main display unit D of the main display unit 89 is provided with a through-gate display unit for displaying a lottery result based on winning through the through-gate 84, in addition to the display units for both operating ports. In the through gate display unit, the display of the variation of the picture is performed with the winning of the through gate 84 as a trigger, and the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the through gate 84 is clearly shown as the result of stopping the variation display. Is done. When the result of the internal lottery (support lottery) based on the winning to the through gate 84 is a winning result corresponding to the transition to the power release state, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the through gate display unit. After the fluctuation display is stopped, the state shifts to the electric utility open state. In the electric combination open state, the electric combination 91 provided in the lower operation port 83b is opened in a predetermined manner.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the number of times that the game ball has passed through the through gate 84 is retained up to a maximum of 4 times, but the number of suspension is displayed on the main display portion D of the main display unit 89. A display unit for the number of hold to be provided is provided.

  About these each display part (main display part D), while being visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 30 of the front door frame 14, it is avoided that a game ball moves in front of these various display parts. The visibility is ensured by being done.

  Referring again to FIG. 5, below the game board housing portion 61 (game board 80) in the resin base 60, a game ball that launches a game ball to the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball launch handle 45. A firing mechanism 110 is provided. The game ball launching mechanism 110 includes a solenoid 111 that launches a game ball placed at a predetermined launch standby position, a launch rail 112 that defines the launch direction of the game ball launched by the solenoid 111, and a game at the launch standby position. A ball feeding device 113 for supplying a ball and a base plate 114 on which these various components 111 to 113 are mounted are provided as main components, and the base plate 114 is attached to the resin base 60 via a reinforcing plate described later. ing.

  The firing rail 112 is fixed to the base plate 114 in an inclined state so as to be inclined upward toward the game board 80 side. A ball stopper that holds the game ball supplied from the ball feeding device 113 at the above-described firing standby position is disposed at a position closer to the downstream end portion (that is, the lower end portion) of the firing rail 112. The solenoid 111 is arranged at a position further downstream than the ball stopper.

  The solenoid 111 is electrically connected to a power source / launch control device described later. Based on the output of the electrical signal from the power supply / launch control device, the output shaft of the solenoid 111 reciprocates in the expansion / contraction direction, so that the game ball placed at the launch standby position is on the game board 80 side, more specifically, the game. It is driven out toward the guide rail 100 mounted on the board 80.

  The guide rail 100 partitions the game area PE together with a game area partition member, which will be described later, so that the outer shape of the game area PE is substantially circular. In addition, the guide rail 100 includes an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 arranged so as to face each other with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and a single guide passage 103 is defined by both the rails 101 and 102. Is formed. The guide passage 103 includes an inlet portion 104 that is opened to the tip side (obliquely downward) of the firing rail 112, and an outlet portion 105 that is located above the gaming area PE. The game ball fired based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the game area PE by moving in the order of the firing rail 112 → the guide rail 100 (the entrance portion 104 → the exit portion 105). In the game board 80, a reversal prevention member 106 for preventing the reversal of the game ball reaching the game area PE into the guide passage 103 is attached to the front side of the exit portion 105, specifically near the tip of the inner rail 101. Thus, it is possible to prevent the subsequent launch of the game ball from being hindered by the game ball that has reached the game area PE first.

  The guide rail 100 and the firing rail 112 are arranged such that the inlet portion 104 of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the firing rail 112 face each other with a gap therebetween. A foul ball passage 55 (see FIG. 3) is disposed below the gap formed in this way. The foul ball passage 55 is integrally formed with the passage formation unit 50 of the front door frame 14. If the game balls launched from the game ball launching mechanism 110 do not reach the game area PE and return as foul balls in the guide passage 103, the foul balls enter the foul ball passage 55 through the gap. It becomes. The foul ball passage 55 communicates with the lower door passage on the front door side, and the game balls that have entered the foul ball passage 55 are discharged to the lower plate 29a shown in FIG. This suppresses interference between the foul ball and the next game ball to be launched.

  In addition, the resin base 60 is provided with a plurality of lock devices that can be switched between a locked state in which the game board 80 cannot be removed from the game board housing portion 61 and an unlocked state in which the game board 80 is allowed to be removed. It has been. The locking device has an abutting portion that abuts against the front surface of the game board 80 in the locked state, and the abutting portion abuts against the front surface of the game board 80, thereby moving the game board 80 toward the front door frame 14 side. The displacement will be suppressed.

  A through hole that penetrates the resin base 60 in the front-rear direction is formed on the left side of the firing rail 112 (specifically, the side that supports the front door frame 14) in the resin base 60, and covers the through hole. A passage forming member 121 is disposed. The passage forming member 121 is screwed to the resin base 60 and has a main body side upper dish path 122 and a main body side lower dish path 123. The upstream side of the main body side upper dish passage 122 and the main body side lower dish passage 123 communicates with a game ball distributing section described later. A receiving portion 53 (see FIG. 3) of the passage forming unit 50 attached to the front door frame 14 enters below the passage forming member 121, and the front door side is below the main body side upper dish passage 122. An upper plate passage is arranged, and a front door side upper plate passage is arranged below the main body side lower plate passage 123.

  In the resin base 60, a shutter 124 that restricts the outflow of game balls from the main body side upper dish path 122 and the main body side lower dish path 123 is provided below the passage forming member 121. The shutter 124 is supported by the resin base 60 in a state where the shutter 124 can be switched between a blocking position where the outlet portions of both passages are narrowed to prevent the gaming ball from flowing out and an allowable position where the gaming ball is allowed to flow out. Further, a biasing member that biases the shutter 124 toward the blocking position is attached to the resin base 60. When the front door frame 14 is opened with respect to the inner frame 13, the shutter is driven by the biasing force of the biasing member. 124 is configured to remain in the blocking position. Thereby, when the front door frame 14 is opened in a state where the game balls are stored in the main body side upper tray passage 122 or the main body side lower tray passage 123, the disadvantage that the stored balls spill out is avoided. . In contrast, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the shutter 124 is pushed back to the allowable position against the urging force by the receiving portion 53 provided in the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14. In this state, the main body side upper tray passage 122 and the front door side upper tray passage communicate with the main body side lower tray passage 123 and the front door side lower tray passage, respectively, and the movement of the game ball is allowed.

  Next, the back configuration of the inner frame 13 (the resin base 60 and the game board 80) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the inner frame 13.

  A bearing fitting 132 is attached to the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 7) of the back surface of the resin base 60. A bearing portion 133 is formed on the bearing bracket 132 so as to be separated from each other in the vertical direction, and the back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to the inner frame 13 by these bearing portions 133. A plurality of fixing levers 134 for fixing the back pack unit 15 to the inner frame 13 are provided on the back surface of the resin base 60.

  As already described, a central opening 64 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the resin base 60 and opens to the back side of the resin base 60 is formed at the bottom portion of the game board housing 61 in the resin base 60. The central opening 64 is covered from the front side of the inner frame 13 by the game board 80 housed in the game board housing part 61. Various components such as a control device are mounted on the back of the game board 80, and these various components are exposed to the back side of the inner frame 13 through the central opening 64. Here, the configuration of the back surface of the game board 80 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the game board 80 as seen from the rear.

  A synthetic resin pedestal member 141 on which the variable display unit 85 (see FIG. 6) is mounted on the game board 80 is fixed to the back of the game board 80. The pedestal member 141 has a substantially box shape opened to the game board 80 side, and covers almost the entire rear surface of the game board 80. A part of the pedestal member 141 protrudes to the back side of the resin base 60 through the central opening 64 of the resin base 60. The symbol display device 94 (see FIG. 6) described above with respect to the protruding portion and the symbol display thereof. A display control device for driving the device 94 is attached. The symbol display device 94 and the display control device are arranged so that the symbol display device is on the front side and the display control device is on the rear side in the front-rear direction (thickness direction of the resin base 60). Further, the game board 80 is equipped with a notification / production control device unit so as to be located behind the display control device. The notification / production control device unit includes a notification / production control device 142 and a mounting table 144, and the notification / production control device 142 is mounted on the mounting table 144.

  The notification / production control device 142 includes a notification / production control board that controls sound and lamp display and control of the display control device in accordance with instructions from a main control device, which will be described later. It is accommodated in a substrate box 145 made of, for example.

  A main control unit 160 is provided below the notification / production control unit so as to cover the base member 141 from the rear. The main controller unit 160 includes a synthetic resin mounting base 161 fixed to the back of the game board 80 and a main control unit 162 mounted on the mounting base 161. The main controller 162 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) that controls the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) that monitors the power source, and the main control board is made of a transparent resin material. It is configured to be accommodated in a substrate box 163 made of, for example.

  The board box 163 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base (front case body) and a box cover (back case body) that covers an opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected so as not to be unsealed by a box sealing portion 164 as sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of box sealing portions 164 are provided on the short side portion of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used for sealing processing.

  Any configuration can be applied to the box sealing portion 164 as long as the box base and the box cover are coupled so as not to be opened. However, by inserting a locking pin into the locking hole that forms the box sealing portion 164, the box sealing portion 164 can be applied. The base and the box cover are coupled so as not to be opened. The sealing process by the box sealing unit 164 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and makes it possible to detect such a situation early and easily even if the unauthorized opening is performed. Even after opening, the sealing process can be performed again. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting a locking pin into at least one locking hole portion among the plurality of box sealing portions 164. When the substrate box 163 is opened, such as when a failure occurs in the accommodated main control board or when the main control board is inspected, a connecting portion between the box sealing portion into which the locking pin is inserted and the substrate box 163 main body. Disconnect. As a result, the box base and the box cover of the substrate box 163 are separated, and the internal main control substrate can be taken out. Thereafter, when the sealing process is performed again, a locking pin is inserted into another locking hole. If the history of opening the substrate box 163 is left in the substrate box 163, it can be easily found that the unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the substrate box 163.

  The board box 163 and the mounting base 161 are connected by a base seal part 165 so that they cannot be opened. Specifically, the pedestal sealing portion 165 has a locking hole portion and a locking pin similarly to the box sealing portion 164, and the locking pin is inserted into the locking hole portion so that the board box 163 and The mounting base 161 is coupled so as not to be separable. This makes it easier to grasp the fact that the substrate box 163 has been illegally removed.

  The portion of the pedestal member 141 that faces the back of the game board 80 corresponds to the game board openings of the general winning port 81, the variable pitching device 82, the upper operation port 83a, and the lower operation port 83b and on the downstream side. Thus, a collection passage that gathers in one place is formed. Thereby, all the game balls won in the general winning opening 81 and the like are gathered below the game board 80 through the collection passage. That is, the pedestal member 141 is provided with a function of collecting game balls won in various winning openings.

  A discharge passage, which will be described later, is arranged below the game board 80, and the game balls gathered below the game board 80 by the collection passage are led out into the discharge passage. Similarly, the out port 86 leads to the discharge passage, and a game ball that has not won any winning port is led out into the discharge passage through the out port 86.

  Further, in the collection passage, a winning port switch for detecting a game ball won in the general winning port 81 on the front side of the game board 80, a count switch for detecting a game ball won in the variable pitching device 82, and an operating port 83a. , 83b and an operating port switch for detecting a game ball entered, and a winning detection mechanism is constituted by these various switches. Furthermore, gate switches for detecting game balls passing through the through gate 84 are provided on the left and right sides of the variable display unit 85 in the base member 141. These various switches are electrically connected to the main control device 162, and the detection information by each switch is output to the main control device 162.

  Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a front view of the back pack unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inner frame 13 is covered from behind by the back pack unit 15. As shown in FIG. 9, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 201, and a payout mechanism unit 202, a discharge passage board, and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached to the back pack 201.

  The back pack 201 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and includes a base portion 211 to which the payout mechanism portion 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 212 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover 212 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display unit 85.

  The base part 211 is provided with an external terminal board at the upper right part thereof. Various output terminals are provided on the external terminal plate, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. Further, the base portion 211 is provided with a pair of upper and lower latch pins 214 at the right end when viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10, and the latch pins 214 are inserted through the bearing portions 133 provided on the inner frame 13. The back pack unit 15 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the inner frame 13. The base portion 211 is formed with a plurality of insertion portions 215 through which the fixing levers 134 provided in the inner frame 13 are inserted, and the base portion 211 is rearward of the base portion 211 in a state where the fixing levers 134 are inserted through the insertion portions 215. The back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13 by contact with the inner frame 13.

  In the base portion 211, a payout mechanism portion 202 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover portion 212. The payout mechanism 202 is provided with a tank 221 that is arranged at the top of the back pack 201 and that opens upward, and game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 221. The A tank rail 222 that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected to the lower side of the tank 221, and a case rail 223 that extends in the vertical direction is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 222. A payout device 224 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 223. The game balls paid out from the payout device 224 are supplied to the game ball distribution unit 225 provided in the base portion 211 of the back pack 201 through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 224.

  The game ball distribution unit 225 has a function of distributing the game balls paid out from the payout device 224 to any one of the upper plate 28a, the lower plate 29a, and a discharge passage described later, and the inner opening is the main body described above. It is formed so that it communicates with the upper plate 28a through the side upper plate passage 122 and the front door side upper plate passage, and the outer opening communicates with the lower plate 29a through the main body side lower plate passage 123 and the front door side lower plate passage. Has been.

  At the lower end portion of the base portion 211, the discharge passage board and the control device collective unit 204 are attached so as to sandwich the lower end portion in the front-rear direction. In the discharge passage board, a discharge passage opened rearward is formed on a surface facing the control device assembly unit 204, and an open portion of the discharge passage is closed by the control device assembly unit 204. The discharge passage is formed so as to discharge the game ball to the island facility or the like of the game hall, and the game ball led to the discharge passage from the recovery passage described above passes through the discharge passage to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. Discharged.

  The control device assembly unit 204 has a horizontally long mounting base 241, and a payout control device 242 and a power supply / launch control device 243 are mounted on the mounting base 241. The payout control device 242 and the power supply / launch control device 243 are arranged so as to overlap each other so that the payout control device 242 is behind the pachinko machine 10.

  In the payout control device 242, a payout control board for controlling the payout device 224 is accommodated in the board box 244, and a state return switch 245 provided on the payout control board projects out of the board box 244. For example, when the state return switch 245 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout device 224, the ball jam is eliminated.

  The power source / launch control device 243 includes a power source / launch control board housed in the board box 246, and a predetermined power source required for various control devices and the like is generated and output by the board. Control of the launch of the game ball accompanying the operation of the firing handle 45 is performed. Further, the power source / launch control device 243 is provided with a power switch 247. By operating the power switch 247, the power of the pachinko machine 10 can be switched to the on state (on state) or the shut off state (off state).

  Here, this pachinko machine 10 has a function for storing various data, and even if a power failure occurs, it retains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure at the time of recovery from the power failure. It can be done. For example, when the power supply is shut down by a normal procedure as in the case of a game hall being closed, the state before the shutdown is stored and held. The main controller 162 is provided with a RAM erase switch 166. When power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 166, the RAM data is initialized.

(Electric configuration of the pachinko machine 10)
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.

  An MPU 602 is mounted on a main control board 601 provided in the main controller 162. The MPU 602 is a ROM 603 storing various control programs executed by the MPU 602 and fixed value data, and a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 603. The RAM 604 is an element including an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like.

  The MPU 602 is provided with an input port and an output port. On the input side of the MPU 602, a power failure monitoring board 605, a payout control device 242 and various detection sensors 151a to 151e provided in the main control device 162 are connected. The power failure monitoring board 605 is connected to a power source / emission control device 243, and power is supplied to the MPU 602 via the power failure monitoring board 605. Further, as a part of the various detection sensors 151a to 151e, it is provided in a winning-corresponding entering part (payout-corresponding entering part) such as a general winning opening 81, a variable entering apparatus 82, operating openings 83a and 83b, and a through gate 84. A plurality of detection sensors are connected to each other, and the MPU 602 of the main control device 162 performs a winning determination (entrance determination) for each winning part. In addition, the MPU 602 executes a jackpot generation lottery based on a winning to the operation ports 83a and 83b, and executes a support generation lottery based on a winning to the through gate 84.

  On the output side of the MPU 602, a power failure monitoring board 605, a payout control device 242 and a notification / effect control device 142 are connected. For example, a payout ball command is output to the payout control device 242 based on a winning determination result to the winning corresponding winning portion. In this case, when outputting the prize ball command, the command information storage area 603e of the ROM 603 is referred to. When the winning to the general winning opening 81 is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, and when the winning to the variable pitching device 82 is specified, 15 is received. When a winning ball command corresponding to the paying out of the game balls is output and a winning to the upper working port 83a is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to paying out three gaming balls is output, and the upper operating port 83a. When the winning is specified, a winning ball command corresponding to the payout of four game balls is output.

  Various commands such as a change start command (change command), a type command, a change end command, an opening command, and an ending command are output to the notification / production control device 142. In this case, the command information storage area 603e of the ROM 603 is referred to when these various commands are output. Details of these various commands will be described later. Each command is configured as information of a predetermined number of bytes, and various information is included as information of the predetermined number of bytes.

  Further, on the output side of the MPU 602, a variable ball driving unit 82c that opens and closes the opening / closing door of the variable ball entering device 82, an electric wheel driving unit 91c that opens and closes the electric wheel 91 of the lower working port 83b, and a main display A unit 89 (main display section D) is connected. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 601, and the MPU 602 controls these various configurations through the driver circuits.

  Specifically, in the opening / closing execution mode, the MPU 602 performs drive control of the variable pitch driving unit 82c so that the variable pitching device 82 is opened and closed. In addition, when the electric combination 91 in the lower working port 83b is selected, the MPU 602 executes drive control of the electric combination drive unit 91c so that the electric combination 91 is opened and closed. In addition, the MPU 602 executes display control such as the ball entrance display unit and the hold number display unit of the main display unit D.

  The power failure monitoring board 605 relays between the main control board 601 and the power / fire control device 243, and monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power / fire control device 243. The payout control device 242 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 224 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 162.

  The power / launch control device 243 is connected to, for example, a commercial power source (external power source) in a game hall or the like. Based on external power supplied from the commercial power supply, necessary operating power is generated for each of the main control board 601, the payout control device 242, and the like, and the generated operating power is supplied through a predetermined power path. To do. The power supply / launch control device 243 is responsible for launch control of the game ball launch mechanism 110, and the game ball launch mechanism 110 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met.

  An MPU 612 is mounted on the notification / production control board 611 provided in the notification / production control device 142. The MPU 612 is a memory for temporarily storing various control programs executed by the MPU 612 and ROM 613 storing fixed value data, and various data when executing the control program stored in the ROM 613. A RAM 614, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and the like are incorporated.

  The MPU 612 is provided with an input port and an output port. In addition to the main controller 162, an operation button 40 (specifically, a detection sensor built in the operation button 40) and the like are connected to the input side of the MPU 612. Based on the detection signal (detection information) from the operation button 40, it is possible to grasp the presence or absence of the operation. On the output side of the MPU 612, the light emitting units 24 to 26, the speaker unit 27, a light emitting substrate with built-in operation buttons 40 and the like are connected.

  The MPU 612 controls the variable display unit 85 based on the command input from the main controller 162. Specifically, the notification / production control device 142 grasps the symbol variable display time (whether or not the reach production occurs) on the symbol display device 94 based on various commands input from the main control device 162, and finally The type of symbol combination to be stopped and displayed is determined and details of the contents of reach production are determined.

  The display control device 620 includes a display control board on which an MPU is mounted. The MPU has various control programs, a program ROM storing fixed value data, and various control programs stored in the program ROM. Built-in work RAM, video display processor (VDP), character ROM that stores image data, video RAM that temporarily stores image data read from character ROM, etc. Has been.

  The VDP is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an image processing device as a liquid crystal display unit driver incorporated in the symbol display device 94. Since the VDP is formed as an IC chip, it is also called a “drawing chip”, and the substance of the VDP should be said to be a microcomputer chip incorporating firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP adjusts the timing of each of the MPU, video RAM, etc. to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads out image data to be stored in the video RAM from the character ROM at a predetermined timing and displays it on the symbol display device 94.

  The character ROM plays a role as an image data library for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the symbol display device 94. This character ROM holds bitmap format image data of various display patterns, a color palette table to be referred to when determining the expression color at each dot of the bitmap image, and the like. These image data, tables, etc. are stored in the character ROM.

  It is also possible to provide a plurality of character ROMs and store the image data and the like in a shared manner with each character ROM. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the JPEG format image data for the background image stored in the program ROM 623 is stored in the character ROM.

  The video RAM is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the symbol display device 94, and the display content of the symbol display device 94 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM.

  The MPU of the display control device 620 executes display control of the symbol display device 94 based on a command input from the notification / production control device 142. Specifically, the variable display is performed for each game time in accordance with the content of the variable display finally determined by the notification / production control device 142 and the type of combination of symbols to be stopped. Here, the display content of the symbol display device 94 (display screen 94a) will be supplementarily described.

  On the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94, three symbol sequences of left, middle, and right are set. Each symbol row is configured by arranging a main symbol and a sub symbol in a predetermined order. Specifically, nine types of main symbols “1” to “9” are arranged in descending order of numbers in the left symbol row, and one sub symbol is arranged between each main symbol. In the right symbol row, nine types of main symbols “1” to “9” are arranged in ascending numerical order, and one sub symbol is arranged between each main symbol. That is, the upper symbol row and the lower symbol row are composed of 18 symbols. On the other hand, in the middle symbol row, nine types of main symbols “1” to “9” are arranged in ascending numerical order, and then between the main symbol “9” and the main symbol “1”. “4” main symbols are additionally arranged, and one sub symbol is arranged between each of the main symbols. That is, for the middle symbol row, 10 main symbols are arranged and 20 symbols are configured. On the display screen 94a, the symbols of each symbol row are displayed in a variable manner so as to scroll in a predetermined direction with periodicity. Further, the display screen 94a is configured such that three symbols are stopped and displayed for each symbol row, and as a result, a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3 are stopped and displayed.

  Further, five effective lines, that is, an upper line, a middle line, a lower line L3, a lower right line, and an upper right line are set on the display screen 94a. Then, the variable display stops in the order of left symbol sequence → right symbol sequence → middle symbol sequence, and all symbol sequences are displayed in a variable state with the combination of symbols with the same number attached to any active line. When the process is completed, a jackpot video showing that a normal jackpot result and a probabilistic jackpot result, which will be described later, are displayed.

  In this pachinko machine 10, the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to “specific symbols”, and if a probabilistic jackpot result occurs, a combination of the same specific symbols Is stopped. The main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to “non-specific symbols”. When a normal jackpot result occurs, the combination of the same non-specific symbols is stopped and displayed. The

  It should be noted that the manner in which the symbol variation display in the symbol display device 94 is not limited to the above, is arbitrary, the number of symbol columns, the direction of symbol variation display in the symbol row, the number of symbols in each symbol row, etc. Can be appropriately changed. In addition, the symbols that are variably displayed on the symbol display device 94 are not limited to the symbols as described above. For example, only a numeral may be variably displayed as a symbol. It is good also as a structure only of the design which is contained or the number is not attached | subjected.

  The pattern change display mode in the symbol display device 94 will be further described. In the pachinko machine 10, reach display is performed as a stage before the corresponding symbol combination is stopped and displayed when the jackpot result is notified as described above. Is set to Reach display (reach effect or reach state) is a game time provided with a symbol display device 94 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of symbols (pictures), and in which the variable pitching device 82 becomes an opening / closing execution mode. In the gaming machine in which the stop display result after the variable display is the special display result, the stage before the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display (or variable display) of the symbol (picture) on the symbol display device 94 is started. Thus, it means a display state for making the player think that the variable display state is likely to result in the special display result.

  In other words, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the opening / closing execution mode is established by stopping the symbols for some of the symbol sequences displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. This is a display state in which a combination of reach symbols that may be displayed is displayed, and in that state, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner in the remaining symbol rows.

  More specifically, as a step before ending the symbol variation display, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the opening / closing execution mode is established on a preset active line in the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. A reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of reach symbols that may possibly be displayed, and a symbol change display is performed by a final stop symbol row in a situation where the reach line is formed.

  The supplementary explanation of the reach display will be as follows. First, when the symbol variation display is terminated in the left symbol column and the symbol variation display is terminated in the right symbol column, the same number is assigned to any active line. When the main symbol is stopped and displayed, a reach line is formed, and in the situation where the reach line is formed, the symbol is displayed in the middle symbol row and the reach is displayed. Then, when the open / close execution mode occurs, the main symbol with the same number as the main symbol forming the reach line is stopped and displayed on the reach line so that the symbols in the middle symbol row change. The display is terminated.

  In the reach display, in the state where the combination of reach symbols is displayed as described above, the variation display of symbols is performed on the remaining symbol rows, and a predetermined character or the like is displayed as a moving image on the background screen. There are those that produce an effect, and those that perform a reach effect by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on substantially the entire display screen 94a after reducing or not displaying a combination of reach symbols.

  And in this pachinko machine 10, when performing the above-mentioned reach display, the expectation that a jackpot result will occur after that, that is, the main number with the same number as the main symbol forming the reach line in the reach display. An effect corresponding to the operation using the operation button 40 is set as one of the effects indicating the degree of expectation that the symbols are stopped and displayed on the reach line, thereby diversifying the game effects. Specifically, as a part of various reach effects, when the operation button 40 is operated (specifically, a pressing operation), the display of the effect on the display screen is different from the case where the operation is not performed. An effect such as display is set.

(About various counters)
Next, an electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the MPU 602 of the main controller 162 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MPU 602 uses various counter information during the game to perform jackpot occurrence lottery, setting the display of the display unit for the operating port, setting the outline of the symbol display of the symbol display device 94, and more specifically, The jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery, the jackpot type counter C2 used when determining the jackpot type such as the probability variation jackpot result or the normal jackpot result, and the symbol display device 94 when the variable display corresponding to the losing result is performed. Reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery, etc., random number initial value counter CINI used for initial value setting of jackpot random number counter C1, and variation type counter for determining variation display time in the display unit for the operation port and the symbol display device 94 CS is used. Furthermore, the electric accessory release counter C4 used for the lottery to determine whether or not the electric accessory 91 in the lower working port 83b is in the electric utility open state (support state) is used. The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in various counter areas 604d of the RAM 604.

  Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value every time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 604a set in a predetermined area of the RAM 604. Information stored in the lottery counter buffer 604a (information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3) is stored in the RAM 604 when a winning is made to the operation ports 83a and 83b. It is stored in a reserved ball storage area 604b provided as “acquired information storage means”.

  The holding ball storage area 604b includes a holding area for an operating port and an execution area. The holding area includes a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area, and a jackpot random number counter stored in the lottery counter buffer 604a in accordance with the winning history of the operation ports 83a and 83b. Each numerical information of C1, jackpot type counter C2 and reach random number counter C3 is stored in any one of the first area to the fourth area as hold information. The hold information corresponds to “special information”.

  In the first area to the fourth area, when winnings to the operation ports 83a and 83b are continuously generated a plurality of times, each numerical information is in the order of the first area → the second area → the third area → the fourth area. Stored in time series. By providing four areas in this way, up to four game ball entry histories to the operation ports 83a and 83b are stored on hold. In addition, the reserved ball storage area 604b is provided with a total reserved number storage area, and the total number of reserved numbers stored in the total reserved number storage area is acquired and stored based on the balls entering the operation ports 83a and 83b. The information for specifying is stored.

  The execution area is an area for moving each numerical information stored in the first area of the holding area when the variable display of the working port display unit is started. Based on the various pieces of stored numerical value information, the determination of success / failure is performed.

  The jackpot random number counter C1 is configured such that one by one is added in order within a range of 0 to 599, for example, and after reaching the maximum value, returns to 0. In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the operation ports 83a and 83b.

  The value of the random number for winning the jackpot is stored as a success / failure table (availability information group) in a success / failure table storage area 603a as a success / failure information group storage means in the ROM 603. As the success / failure table, a success / failure table for the low probability mode (low probability success / failure information group) and a high probability mode's success / failure table (high probability success / failure information group) are set. That is, in the present pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set as the lottery mode in the winning lottery means.

  In the gaming state in which the low-probability mode winning / failing table is referred to at the time of the lottery, the number of random numbers for winning the jackpot is two. On the other hand, in the gaming state in which the winning / failing table for the high probability mode is referred to at the time of the lottery, the number of random numbers for winning the jackpot is 20. In this case, the value group of the jackpot random number counter C1 that wins the jackpot in the situation of the low probability mode is included in the value group of the jackpot random number counter C1 that wins the jackpot in the situation of the high probability mode. If the winning probability in the high probability mode is higher than that in the low probability mode, the number and value of the random numbers to be won are arbitrary.

  The jackpot type counter C2 is incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 29, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 29) and then returns to 0. The big hit type counter C2 is periodically updated, and stored in the holding area of the holding ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation ports 83a and 83b.

  The game result distribution destination for the big hit type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in a distribution table storage area 603b as a distribution information group storage means in the ROM 603. In the allocation table, a probability variation jackpot result and a normal jackpot result are set as distribution destinations of game results.

  The probability variation jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the variable pitching device 82 is opened 15 times in the opening / closing execution mode. After the opening / closing execution mode ends, the lottery mode becomes the high probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. The gaming state corresponding to the high probability mode and the high frequency support mode (hereinafter referred to as a high probability gaming state) is continued until the next jackpot result.

  The normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the variable pitching device 82 is opened 15 times in the opening / closing execution mode. After the opening / closing execution mode ends, the lottery mode becomes the low probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. In a gaming state corresponding to the low probability mode and the high frequency support mode (hereinafter referred to as a high probability gaming state), the number of games executed after the transition to the high probability gaming state is an end reference number (upper limit number: specifically 100). The game state is switched to a gaming state compatible with the low probability mode and the low frequency support mode (hereinafter referred to as a low probability gaming state).

  For example, the reach random number counter C3 is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 238, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 238) and then returns to 0. The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball is won in the operation ports 83a and 83b. More specifically, it is stored in the reserved area of the RAM 604 at the timing when a game ball is won in the operation ports 83a and 83b. Then, based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 603, it is determined whether to generate a reach. However, in the game times that shift to the open / close execution mode, the MPU 602 determines the occurrence of reach regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3.

  For example, the variation type counter CS is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 198, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. The variation type counter CS is used in the MPU 602 to determine the variation display time in the working port display unit and the symbol variation display time in the symbol display device 94. The variation type counter CS is updated once every time a normal process to be described later is executed once, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when the symbol display device 94 determines the variation pattern at the start of symbol variation.

  When the variable display time in the symbol display device 94 or the main display unit D (working port display unit) is determined, the reach random number counter C3 and the buffer type of the variable type counter CS are stored in the variable display time table storage area 603c of the ROM 603. The displayed variable display time table is referred to. In addition, the MPU 602 determines the stop result (picture) in the operation port display unit using the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area. The stop result table stored in the stop result table storage area 603d of the ROM 603 is used.

  For example, the electric accessory release counter C4 is incremented by 1 in order within a range of 0 to 249 and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 249). The electric accessory release counter C4 is periodically updated, and stored in the electric combination reservation area 604c of the RAM 604 at the timing when a game ball wins the through gate 84. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to control the electric accessory 91 attached to the lower working port 83b to the open state based on the stored value of the electric accessory release counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 199, the electric accessory 91 is controlled to the open state, and if C4 = 200 to 249, the electric accessory 91 is not controlled to the open state.

(Various processes executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601)
Next, each control process executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601 will be described. The processing of the MPU 602 is roughly divided into a main processing that is started when the power is turned on, a normal processing that is executed after the main processing ends, and a timer interrupt processing that is started by periodically interrupting the normal processing. For convenience of explanation, timer interrupt processing will be described first, followed by normal processing.

(Timer interrupt processing)
First, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is started periodically by the MPU 602 (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec).

  In step S101, reading processing of various detection sensors, for example (the detection sensors 151a to 151e) is executed. That is, the state of various detection sensors connected to the main control device 162 is read, the state of the detection sensor (detection information from the detection sensor) is determined, and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored. For example, when it is determined that a ball has entered the upper working port 83a, a winning detection flag for the upper working port is stored in various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604, and a ball enters the lower working port 83b. If it is determined that the winning action has been made, a winning detection flag for the lower working port is stored in the various flag storage area 604e. When it is determined that the game ball has passed through the through gate 84, a winning detection flag for through gate is stored in various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604.

  Thereafter, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the update value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In subsequent step S103, the big hit random number counter C1, the big hit type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are each incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In a succeeding step S104, a through winning process associated with winning through the through gate 84 is executed. In the through winning process, it is determined whether or not a through gate winning detection flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604, and if the flag is stored, it is stored in the electronic role holding area 604c. On the condition that the number of stored accessory holdings is less than 4, the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 updated in the step S103 is stored in the electronic combination holding area 604c. If the through-gate winning detection flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 604e, the winning detection flag for the through-gate is terminated after deleting the winning detection flag.

  After performing the winning process for the through gate in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the winning process for the operating port accompanying the winning to the operating ports 83a and 83b is performed, and this timer interruption process is completed. To do.

  In the winning process for the operating opening, first, whether or not the game ball has won (starting winning) in the upper operating opening 83a, whether or not a winning detection flag for the upper operating opening is stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604 is determined. Judge by. When it is determined that the winning detection flag is stored, that is, when a detection signal indicating that a game ball has won a prize in the upper operation port 83a is received, three game balls are paid to the payout control device 242. Set a prize ball command to be issued. Then, an external signal setting process is performed to output information indicating that the game ball has won a prize to the upper operating port 83a to the hall computer HC on the game hall side. As a result, the hall computer HC recognizes that a winning for the upper working port 83a has occurred. Thereafter, an information acquisition process for storing the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 is performed, and the main winning process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the winning detection flag for the upper operating port is not stored in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604, that is, when a winning is generated not for the upper operating port 83a but for the lower operating port 83b, payout control is performed. A prize ball command for causing the device 242 to pay out four game balls is set. The set prize ball command is transmitted to the payout control device 242 in an external output process of a normal process described later. Subsequently, an external signal setting process is performed in order to output information indicating that the game ball has won a prize to the lower operation port 83b to the hall computer HC on the game hall side. As a result, the hall computer HC recognizes that a winning has occurred in the lower working port 83b. Thereafter, an information acquisition process for storing the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the reach random number counter C3 is performed, and the main winning process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the game ball has not won any of the upper operating port 83a and the lower operating port 83b, the main winning process is finished as it is.

  In the information acquisition process, first, it is determined whether or not the set number of reserved start storages is less than the upper limit value (4 in the present embodiment). If the start pending storage number is the upper limit, the information acquisition process is terminated as it is. If the start pending storage number is less than the upper limit, the start pending storage number of the corresponding result display area is incremented by one, The value stored in the reserved number storage area (hereinafter referred to as the common reserved number) is incremented by one.

  Thereafter, the updated values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS are set to the first storage area of the free storage area area of the corresponding result display area holding area, that is, 1 Store in the storage area corresponding to the incremented number of pending storage.

  In other words, when the start-up storage number for the operating port is set, the updated jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variable type counter CS are changed to the holding values for the operating port. In the free storage area of the area, it is stored in the first storage area, that is, the reserved area corresponding to the number of start reserved memories for the lower operating port incremented by one.

  Subsequently, this is a process for causing the notification / production control device 142 and the display control device 620, which are control devices on the sub-side (sub-side), to recognize that a winning has occurred in the upper operation port 83a or the lower operation port 83b. Execute hold information confirmation processing and hold command setting processing. Thereafter, when the winning detection flag is stored, the flag is erased and the information acquisition process is terminated. The hold command set in the hold command setting process is transmitted to the notification / production control device 142 in the normal output external output process described later.

(Normal processing)
Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after the main process that is activated when the power is turned on, and the main process of the game is executed in this normal process. As an overview, the processing of steps S201 to S206 is executed as a periodic processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S208 and S209 is executed with the remaining time.

  In the normal process, in step S201, output data such as a command set in the timer interrupt process or the previous normal process is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, the presence / absence of a prize ball command is determined, and if a prize ball command is set, it is transmitted to the payout control device 242. In addition, if a command for an effect such as a command corresponding to an effect for game times such as a change start command, a type command, a change end command, or a command corresponding to an effect for an opening / closing execution mode is set, it is notified. Transmit to the production control device 142. Output setting for the external terminal board 213 is performed in accordance with information set in the external output buffer of the RAM 604.

  Next, in step S202, update processing of the variation type counter CS is executed. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and the counter value is cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the update value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604.

  In subsequent step S203, a game number control process for advancing the game of each game time is executed. In the game times control process, determination of whether or not the jackpot is won and the allocation determination of the jackpot type are performed, the outline setting of the symbol variation display mode by the symbol display device 94, the operation port in the main display unit 89 (main display unit D) Display control of the display unit for the display.

  Thereafter, in step S204, a game state transition process for shifting the game state is executed. By this gaming state transition process, the gaming state transitions to an opening / closing execution mode, a high probability mode, a high frequency support mode, or the like.

  In step S205, an electric combination support process for driving and controlling the electric combination 91 provided in the lower operation port 83b is executed. In this electronic combination support process, the electronic combination release indicating whether or not to make the electric combination 91 open using the numerical information acquired from the electric combination release counter C4 stored in the electronic combination holding area 604c of the RAM 604 is performed. A lottery (support lottery) is performed, and when the electrified open state is won, the opening / closing process of the electric accessory 91 is executed. In addition, display control of the through-gate display unit in the main display unit 89 (main display unit D) is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the electric role release lottery.

  As already described, the low frequency support mode and the high frequency support mode are set as the mode of support by the electric accessory 91, and the transition to any one of the support modes is performed in the gaming state transition process. In this case, the high frequency support mode is set when the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604, and the low frequency support mode is set when the flag is not set.

  Incidentally, when the mode is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode, the support mode is forcibly set to the low frequency support mode even if the high frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage areas 604e of the RAM 604.

  In a succeeding step S206, a game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball launch control process, a predetermined launch is performed on condition that a launch permission signal output from the power supply / launch controller 243 is input when a launch operation is performed on the game ball launch handle 45. The solenoid 111 of the game ball launching mechanism 110 is excited once in a period (0.6 sec in the present embodiment). Thereby, a game ball is launched toward the game area PE. That is, when an irregular hit such as a so-called stop hit is not performed, the launch of the game ball is repeated at a predetermined cycle on condition that the launch operation is performed.

  In the subsequent step S207, it is determined whether or not the execution timing of the next normal process has been reached, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. Then, the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing. That is, in step S208, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S209, the variation type counter CS is updated.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S206 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant and varies. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the hit random number counter C1) can be updated at random. The variation type counter CS can also be updated at random.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the outline of the variation display mode of the symbols on the display screen 94a is specified by the notification / production control device 142 with reference to the command from the main control device 162, and based on the specification result. The details of the variable display mode are determined by the notification / production control device 142. In order to perform such an operation, the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142 executes a variable display control process (game play process) as part of a periodic process activated at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec). Hereinafter, the variable display control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Processing for variable display control)
In the variation display control process, it is first determined in step S301 whether or not a game is being played, that is, whether or not the symbol display device 94 is performing a variation display or a fixed display of symbols for one game. If it is determined that the game is not being played, the process proceeds to step S302, and it is determined whether or not the change start command transmitted from the main controller 162 has been received.

  If a negative determination is made in step S302, the present variation display control process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S302, the fluctuation display control process is terminated after the fluctuation start process is executed in step S303. The variation start process is a process for starting an effect for game play based on the reception of the variation command transmitted from the main controller 162. In the variation start process, reach display and the above-described operation-compatible effects are set as effects for game times.

  Returning to the description of step S301, if an affirmative determination is made in step S301, that is, if it is determined that the game is being played, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, it is determined whether a change end command transmitted from main controller 162 has been received. If a negative determination is made in step S304, the variation display control process is terminated after executing the variation processing in step S305. The changing process is a process of executing various effects and changing the determined effects in the game times started by the change start process.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S304, the process proceeds to step S306, and after the variation end process is executed in step S306, the variation display control process is terminated. In the variation end processing, the symbol variation display and the effect being executed are terminated (determined and stopped) so as to correspond to the hold information related to the game times. In this process, the speaker unit 27 and the lamp units 24 to 26 are driven and controlled to produce an effect corresponding to the fixed stop. Then, after the confirmation command is output to the display control device 620, the variation end processing is ended. The MPU of the display control device 620 controls the symbol display device 94 to confirm and stop the symbol based on the received confirmation command.

(Variation start processing)
Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG.14 (b), it demonstrates supplementarily about the process for a fluctuation | variation start of step S303.

  In the variation start process, first, in step S310, the variation start command received this time is read, and information on the presence / absence of reach and variation display time information are specified from the command. As described above, when a change start command is transmitted from main controller 162, a type command is also transmitted. In step S310, the type command received together with the variation command received this time is read, and game result information such as information on the probability variation jackpot result, information on the normal jackpot result, or information on the miss result is specified from the command. In step S310, from the above-identified information, information on whether or not the jackpot is won, information on the type of jackpot if the jackpot is won, information on whether or not reach occurs if the jackpot is not won, and the variable display time Is stored in the register of the MPU 612.

  In subsequent step S311, a symbol stop result at the end of the current game round is determined based on the information grasped in step S310 (stop result determination processing is performed). Further, in the effect setting process, the variable display mode of the symbol is determined (variable display mode determination process (effect pattern determination process) is performed). The variable display mode of the symbols executed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 is roughly divided into five categories: complete detachment, normal reach A, normal reach B, super reach A, super reach B, and super reach C. About each of these variable display modes, the variable display time is set to be different, and the outline of the variable display mode for each game time is grasped based on the information related to the variable display time given to the command from the main controller 162. It is possible.

  After executing the process of step S311, the process proceeds to step S312. In step S312, the details of the effect executed in the game round are determined. In the present embodiment, as this type of production, it corresponds to the production (so-called pre-reading production) executed in the preceding game times or the operation of the operation button 40, which is likely to be a big hit result in the later game times. The operation corresponding to the operation to be executed is provided. In the process of step S312, it is determined whether or not to execute these various effects in the game times.

  After executing the process of step S312, the process proceeds to step S313. In step S313, the information determined by the processes in steps S311 and S312 is added to the change start command. After the production information is added to the change start command in this way, processing for transferring the change start command to the display control device 620 is performed in step S314. Based on the reception of this variation start command, the display control device 620 grasps the variation display mode of the symbol, the presence / absence of various effects, and the like, and starts symbol variation display (game times).

  After executing the transfer process of step S314, the process for starting the effect for game times is executed in step S315, and then the process for starting variation is terminated. Specifically, the speaker unit 27 and the lamp units 24 to 26 are controlled based on the effect pattern determined in steps S311 and S312 to start an effect for game times.

  In the present embodiment, a first effect and a second effect are provided as effects corresponding to the operation of the operation button 40. The first effect and the second effect are common in that they are executed after shifting to reach display, but a difference is given between the mode of operation and the change in display content caused by the operation.

  The flow of effects corresponding to the operation of the operation button 40 includes a case where the first effect is executed alone, a case where the second effect is executed alone, and both the first effect and the second effect. May be executed. When both the first effect and the second effect are executed, the second effect is started at the end of the first effect, and the operation-compatible effects are continued in the order of the first effect → the second effect. Become.

(First production)
In the first effect, when the player operates the operation button 40, an effect is generated that surrounds the variable display area of the symbol on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. There are five patterns for this effect: white, blue, yellow, green, and red. The effect colors are different so that the expectation that results in jackpot results increases in the order of white <blue <yellow <green <red. Is granted. Specifically, when the first production is executed in the game round that results in the jackpot, it is easy to select white <blue <yellow <green <red in order, When one effect is executed, it is easy to select red <green <yellow <blue <white.

  When the first effect is executed, a button icon including an image imitating the operation button 40 as an image suggesting an operation and an image imitating the operation direction of the operation button 40 on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 is displayed. Is displayed. When the button icon is displayed, if the operation button 40 is operated (initial operation), an effect is generated on the display screen 94a. Even after the effect is generated, the button icon continues to be displayed, and by repeating the operation of the operation button 40 accordingly, the color of the effect may change (step up) in accordance with the repeated operation.

  Specifically, when the first effect is executed, a finally reachable color and a color displayed according to the initial operation are determined. The color displayed in response to the initial operation is the same as or lower than the finally reachable color, and it is restricted that the effect color is downgraded. If there is a difference between these two colors, step-up of the difference is allowed. If there is no difference, step-up does not occur even if the operation is repeated.

  For example, when red is set as the finally reachable color and yellow is set as the color corresponding to the initial operation, a step-up from yellow to green to red may occur according to the operation. At this time, the display color step-up condition (the number of operations in the present embodiment) is set when the decision to perform the first effect is made. For example, when “number of operations = 5 times” is set as the step-up condition for the first step and “operation times = 10” is set as the step-up condition for the second step, The yellow effect is generated by the operation, and the effect changes from yellow to green at the timing when the operation button 40 is repeatedly hit and the number of operations is five times, and at the timing when the number of operations is ten times. The effect will change from green to red.

  Since the higher the color, the higher the expectation level, it is assumed that a player who expects a jackpot result hits the operation button 40 repeatedly in anticipation of stepping up the effect.

  In the first effect, an operation acceptance period for accepting the operation of the operation button 40 is set, and at the timing when the operation acceptance period elapses, the effect confirmation display is performed. Specifically, the effect is flashed in the finally displayed color, indicating that the effect has been confirmed. Although the display of the effect is continued until the end of the game, the change of the effect is restricted after the operation reception period has elapsed.

  If the operation button 40 is not operated during the first effect (during the operation acceptance period), the first effect is terminated without generating any effect.

  In the gaming machine of the type in which the effect assuming the repeated hitting of the operation button 40 is executed as in the first effect described in detail above, the monotonousness of the game can be suppressed by diversifying the operation mode of the operation button 40. it can. However, since repeated hitting of the operation button 40 increases the burden on the player, it cannot be denied that the operation may not be performed in a manner that is actually assumed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is considered that the operation support function is given in view of such a situation, specifically, that it is assumed that repeated hits are performed when a predetermined operation is performed. One of the features is that the burden on the player is reduced. The operation determination process executed as part of the regular process by the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142 when performing the operation support function will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Operation judgment process)
In the operation determination process, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. If an affirmative determination is made in step S401, the operation detection flag is deleted. The operation detection flag is a flag stored in various flag storage areas 614a when it is determined that an operation has been performed. In other processes executed by the notification / production control device 142, the operation detection flag Understand the operation status based on the presence or absence.

  After performing the process of step S402 or when a negative determination is made in step S401, the process proceeds to step S403. In step S403, it is determined whether an HI level signal is received from the operation button 40 (specifically, an attached detection sensor). In the present embodiment, when the operation button 40 is in the standby position (non-operation position), a LOW level signal is input to the notification / production control device 142 and the operation button 40 is pushed into the operation position. Is configured such that an HI level signal is input to the notification / production control device 142. In step S403, the presence / absence of an operation is grasped based on detection information (signal) from the operation button 40. Note that the relationship between the binary signals is reversed, and a LOW level signal is input when the operation button 40 is operated, and an HI level signal is input when the operation button 40 is not operated. Is also possible.

  If a positive determination is made in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, it is determined whether or not an operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. If a negative determination is made in step S404, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, it is determined whether or not the value of the mode switching counter provided in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614 is “0”. When an affirmative determination is made in step S405, the process proceeds to step S406, and a mode switching counter update process is executed. Specifically, the mode switching counter is incremented by “1”.

  After executing the process of step S406, the operation corresponding process is executed in step S407, and then the operation determination process is terminated. In the operation handling process, an operation detection flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614, and a light emission signal is output so that the operation lamp unit built in the center frame 95 emits light temporarily.

  Returning to the description of step S405, if a negative determination is made in step S405, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, it is determined whether or not the mode switching counter has a predetermined value. As described above, the mode switching counter is updated when the HI level signal is received from the operation button 40. The predetermined value is defined so that the period (number of times) of continuously receiving the HI level signal is a predetermined period (2 sec in the present embodiment). That is, when the period during which the HI level signal is continuously received (the duration of the pressing operation of the operation button 40) is 2 seconds, an affirmative determination is made in step S408.

  If a positive determination is made in step S408, the process proceeds to step S409. In step S409, the operation support flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. As a result, the operation support function is validated thereafter (shifting to the operation support mode). After executing the process of step S409, the operation corresponding process is executed in step S407, and then the operation determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S408, that is, if it is determined that the mode switching counter has not yet reached the “predetermined value”, the process proceeds to step S410. After the update process similar to that in step S406 is executed in step S410, the operation determination process is terminated as it is.

  Returning to the description of step S404, if it is determined that the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, that is, if the operation support function is enabled, the process proceeds to step S411. In step S411, it is determined whether or not it is a timing at which a preset interval period (0.2 sec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the storage of the previous operation detection flag. In the present embodiment, when it is confirmed that the operation button 40 is pressed and held for 2 seconds, the long press is continued as it is, and the operation button 40 is the same as when the operation button 40 is repeatedly hit. Automatic repetitive strikes that generate events are possible. The interval period is set as an operation interval in the case where this automatic hitting is performed.

  Here, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 15B, an example of an actual operation reception mode will be described. When the operation button 40 is manually hit continuously, as shown in the left part of FIG. 15B, the detection signal is switched from LOW level → HI level → LOW level every time the operation is performed. In this case, it is determined that the operation has been performed when the detection signal rises to the HI level.

  On the other hand, when the operation button 40 is maintained in the pressed state, the detection signal rises to the HI level at the timing when the operation is started, as shown in the right part of FIG. At this time, it is determined that the first operation has been performed. After that, when the pressing state is continued for 2 seconds, it is determined that the support function is activated and the second operation is performed. Thereafter, it is determined that the operation is performed at a cycle of 0.2 sec until the hand is released from the operation button 40 and the operation button 40 returns from the operation position. For example, when the first effect is being performed, automatic continuous hitting is performed by long pressing the operation button 40. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the player and suppress the above-described inconvenience.

  Referring to FIG. 15A again, if a negative determination is made in step S403, that is, if a LOW level signal is received from the operation button 40, the process proceeds to step S412. In step S412, the mode switching counter is cleared to 0 (reset). In the subsequent step S413, it is determined whether or not an operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. If a negative determination is made in step S412, the operation determination process is terminated as it is.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S413, the operation support flag is deleted in step S414, and in the subsequent step S415, temporary relaxation processing of the mode transition condition to the operation support mode is executed, and this operation determination processing is performed. finish. That is, the operation support function is invalidated when the pressing state of the operation button 40 is canceled.

  In a configuration in which the operation support is canceled when the signal from the operation button 40 falls from the HI level to the LOW level, the signal temporarily falls to the LOW level due to the influence of noise or the like, or unintentionally. Even when the hand is removed from the operation button 40, the operation support is released. In this regard, after the operation support is canceled, the condition for returning to the operation support mode over a certain period (in this embodiment, the same period as the above-described operation support mode transition determination period: 2 sec). Is relaxed (preferential). Specifically, the determination value (predetermined value) of the mode switching counter shown in step S408 is lowered to a value corresponding to 0.2 sec. Accordingly, the return condition to the operation support mode is set on condition that the pressing operation is continued for 0.2 sec (period having the same length as the interval period).

  Note that the specific configuration related to the determination to shift to the operation support mode and the return determination is arbitrary. For example, when the operation support mode is canceled, the HI level signal is detected until the LOW level signal is continuously detected for the first predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) after the operation support mode is canceled. It may be configured to return to the operation support mode when the number of consecutive detections becomes the second predetermined number (for example, twice). Further, the return condition does not necessarily have to be the same every time, and the return condition can be changed according to the situation. For example, the return condition may be relaxed by extending the period in which the operation support mode is continued.

  Since such an operation support function is installed, the operation mode in the first effect can be various. That is, when the operation support function is used for automatic continuous hitting (when the operation button 40 is pressed and held), or when the operation button 40 is continuously hit without using the operation support function (the operation button 40). And the operation button 40 is operated once.

  In the present embodiment, in the case where the first effect is continuously changed to the second effect, the operation mode in the second effect (the operation that triggers the operation-related effect is performed) according to the operation mode in the first effect. The configuration is determined. That is, when an operation-compatible continuous effect in which the first effect and the second effect are continuous is selected at the start of the game time, the operation mode in the second effect is undecided at that time, and during the first effect The operation mode is determined. Here, the first effect process executed by the MPU 612 of the notification / effect control device 142 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The first effect process is a process performed as part of the changing process (step S305) in the changing display control process (see FIG. 14A).

(First effect processing)
In the first effect process, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not it is a game time related to an operation-compatible continuous effect. If a negative determination is made in step S501, the first effect process is terminated. When the first effect is executed independently rather than as a part of the operation-related continuous effect, it is determined whether or not the game time is related to the first effect (alone) in the determination of the process in step S501.

  If a positive determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S502, it is determined whether or not an operation for the first effect (hereinafter referred to as the first operation) is being accepted. If a negative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, it is determined whether it is the reception start timing of the first operation. If a negative determination is made in step S503, the first effect process is terminated. If a positive determination is made in step S503, the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S504, a first operation acceptance start process is executed. Specifically, the first operation reception flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614, and a predetermined value is set in the first operation reception period counter of the various counter areas 614b. The counter for the first operation reception period is updated (subtracted) each time the above-described variation display control process is executed, and the first operation reception flag is erased when the value of the counter for the first operation reception period returns to the initial value. Is done.

  After the start process of step S504 is executed, a first operation suggestion start process is executed in the subsequent step S505, and the first effect process is terminated. In the first operation suggestion start process, a first operation suggestion start command is output to the display control device 620. As a result, the above-described button icon is displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94.

  Returning to the description of step S502, if an affirmative determination is made in step S502, that is, if it is determined that the first operation is being accepted, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, it is determined whether the first operation has been performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. If a negative determination is made in step S506, the first effect processing is ended as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S560, the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, an operation reception notification process is executed. In the operation reception notification process, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect indicating that the operation has been received, and an operation reception command is output to the display control device 620. The display control device 620 changes the display mode of the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 based on this operation acceptance command. Specifically, the button icon is temporarily recessed to resemble the actual movement of the operation button 40.

  After executing the process of step S507, the process proceeds to step S508. In step S508, a first operation corresponding effect execution process is performed. In the first operation corresponding effect execution process, the number of operations (number of operations) after the start of acceptance of the first operation is grasped, and the grasped number of operations is the effect generation or effect update. It is determined whether it corresponds to.

  As already described, in the first effect, an effect is generated by the first operation, and the number of operations related to the effect update thereafter is determined. When the current operation is the first operation, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect corresponding to the effect generation, and an effect generation command is output to the display control device 620. The display control device 620 displays the effect on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 based on the reception of the effect generation command. If the current operation corresponds to effect update, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect corresponding to the occurrence of the effect, and an effect update command is output to the display control device 620. The display control device 620 updates the effect displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 based on the reception of the effect update command (changes the color).

  In the subsequent step S509, it is determined whether or not the first operation reception period has elapsed with reference to the first operation reception period counter stored in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614. If a negative determination is made in step S509, the first effect process is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S509, the process proceeds to step S510 on the condition that the first effect process does not constitute a part of the operation-compatible continuous effect, and the first effect process is operated. The process proceeds to step S511 on condition that a part of the corresponding continuous production is configured.

  In step S510, a suggestion end process of the first operation is executed. Specifically, the first operation suggestion end command is output to the display control device 620. Thereby, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 is hidden. After executing the process of step S510, the process proceeds to step S511. On the other hand, when the first effect is followed by the second effect, the process of step S510 is avoided and the operation suggestion is continued.

  In step S511, a reception end process for the first operation is executed. Specifically, the first operation acceptance flag stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614 is deleted. In addition, a reception end command is transmitted to the display control device 620. The display control device 620 updates the display content on the display screen 94a when the reception end command is received. When an effect is displayed in the first production this time, this effect is temporarily flashed. On the other hand, when the effect is not displayed in the first production of this time, the non-display state of the effect is maintained as it is.

  After performing the process of step S511, it progresses to step S512 on the condition that it transfers to 1st production-> 2nd production. In step S512, an operation mode grasping process performed during the first performance is executed. In the present embodiment, it is monitored in what manner the operation button 40 is operated during the period from when the acceptance of the first operation is started to when the acceptance is completed (during the acceptance period). Specifically, first, it is confirmed whether or not the operation support flag is stored during the reception period. If there is a fact that the operation support flag is stored, the operation button 40 is “long pressed”. Judge that. When the operation support flag is not stored, it is confirmed whether or not the number of operations of the operation button 40 during the reception period is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (two in the present embodiment). If there is a fact that it has been performed, it is determined that the “continuous hitting” has been performed by the operation button 40 by itself. Further, when the operation support flag is not stored, it is confirmed whether or not the number of operations of the operation button 40 during the reception period is 1, and if there is a fact that one operation has been performed. It is determined that the “single operation” has been performed with the operation button 40.

  After executing the step S512 grasping process, the second effect setting process is executed in step S513, and then the first effect process is terminated. Note that when the first effect is not a part of the operation-compatible continuous effect but is executed alone, the processes of step S512 and step S513 are omitted.

  As described above, when the operation-related continuous effect is executed, the mode of the operation (second operation) that triggers the operation-related display (cut-in effect) in the second effect is the operation button in the first effect. The configuration is determined according to 40 operation modes (first operation modes). In the second effect setting process in step S513, the second operation is determined according to the mode of the first operation grasped in step S512. Here, the outline of the second effect will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

(Second production)
In the second effect, a cut-in display (hereinafter, referred to as “cut-in display”) in which a predetermined image is temporarily interrupted (inserted) on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 when the player operates the operation button 40 during reach display. Simply referred to as cut-in). Specifically, a message indicating the degree of expectation that is a jackpot result will be displayed. This cut-in corresponds to “second operation corresponding display” or “second operation corresponding effect”.

  There are three types of messages that are interrupted and displayed at cut-in: “CHANCE”, “BIG CHANCE”, and “Gekiatsu”. These messages are “CHANCE” <“BIG CHANCE” <“Gekiatsu”. The difference is given so that the degree of expectation that results in the jackpot result increases. Specifically, when the first performance is executed in the game round that results in the jackpot, it is easier to select “CHANCE” <“BIG CHANCE” <“Gekiatsu” in this order, and the game that results in a loss result When the first effect is executed at a time, a difference is provided in the selection rate so that it is easy to select “Gekiatsu” <“BIG CHANCE” <“CHANCE” in this order.

  As for the first effect, the operation mode for generating the effect change as the first operation corresponding display (first operation corresponding effect) is a continuous operation (automatic continuous hit by long press or manual continuous hit by own force). Although unified, the second production A to the second production C are provided so that the process (suggested operation mode) until the cut-in occurs is different for the second production.

  In the second effect A, “long press” is set as the second operation related to the second effect A. When the second effect A starts, the same icon as the button icon displayed in the first effect is displayed, and the charge gauge CG is displayed side by side with the button icon. As for the charge gauge CG, the display mode changes when the operation button 40 is pressed and held (specifically, the colored portion of the operation gauge increases from the left to the right according to the duration of the operation). The operation condition is satisfied when either the operation acceptance period elapses or the charge gauge CG is full, and the above cut is performed according to the operation status (charge gauge CG accumulation state). In occurs.

  There is a difference in the cut-in selection mode between when the operation is performed until the charge gauge CG is full and when the operation reception period has elapsed before the charge gauge CG is full. Specifically, in the latter case, the generated cut-in may be downgraded, and in the latter case, the selected cut-in tends to be lower than the former. In other words, even if “BIG CHANCE” is displayed as a cut-in originally, demotion may occur so that “CHANCE” lower than that is displayed. In the second effect A, a lower limit operation period (for example, 2 sec) for generating cut-in is set, and when the operation period is less than the lower limit operation period, the occurrence of cut-in is canceled. It becomes.

  In the second effect B, “continuous hit” is set as the second operation related to the second effect B. When the second effect B starts, the same icon as the button icon displayed in the first effect is displayed, and the charge gauge CG is displayed side by side with the button icon. With respect to the charge gauge CG, the display mode changes when the operation button 40 is operated (repeatedly) (specifically, the colored portion of the operation gauge increases from the left to the right according to the number of times the operation is received). . When either the operation acceptance period elapses or the charge gauge CG becomes full, the operation condition is established, and the cut-in is performed according to the operation status (charge gauge CG accumulation state). Occurs.

  There is a difference in the cut-in selection mode between when the operation is performed until the charge gauge CG is full and when the operation reception period has elapsed before the charge gauge CG is full. Specifically, in the latter case, the generated cut-in may be downgraded, and in the latter case, the selected cut-in tends to be lower than the former. In other words, even if “BIG CHANCE” is displayed as a cut-in originally, demotion may occur so that “CHANCE” lower than that is displayed. In the second effect B, a lower limit operation number (for example, 10 times) for generating a cut-in is set, and if the operation number does not reach the lower limit operation number, the generation of the cut-in is canceled. Will be.

  In the second effect C, “single operation” is set as the second operation related to the second effect C. When the second effect C starts, the same icon as the button icon displayed in the first effect is displayed, and the impact gauge IG and the pointer P are displayed side by side with the button icon. The pointer P reciprocates left and right along the impact gauge IG, and the pointer P stops when the operation button 40 is operated. When a single operation that triggers the stop of the pointer P is performed, an operation condition is established, and the cut-in occurs according to the operation status (stop position of the pointer P).

  The impact gauge IG is configured such that a difference between superiority and inferiority according to the stop position of the pointer P can occur. Specifically, an impact area IE is set in a predetermined range at the center portion in the left-right direction of the impact gauge IG, and an impact point IP is set at the center of the impact area IE. When the pointer P stops outside the impact area IE (when a single operation is performed at the timing when the pointer P stops outside the impact area IE), the message corresponding to the removal of the impact area IE is “ NORMAL! "Is displayed. On the other hand, when the pointer P stops in the impact area IE (when a single operation is performed at the timing when the pointer P stops in the impact area IE), it corresponds to capturing the impact area IE. “GREAT!” Is displayed as a message to be transmitted, and particularly when the pointer P stops at the impact point IP (when a single operation is performed at the timing when the pointer P stops at the impact point IP), the impact point IP is set. “JUST IMPACT!” Is displayed as a message corresponding to the captured message.

  The cut-in selection mode varies depending on the stop position of the pointer P, that is, the operation timing of the operation button 40. Specifically, when the impact area IE is removed, the cut-in selected is likely to be lower than when the impact area IE is captured. In other words, even if “BIG CHANCE” is displayed as a cut-in originally, demotion may occur so that “CHANCE” lower than that is displayed. Note that if the operation is not performed during the operation reception period in the second effect C, the occurrence of cut-in is cancelled.

  By the way, in order to promote the understanding of the player, when the second effect A and the second effect B are executed, a message indicating that the charge gauge CG can be accumulated by operating the operation button 40 (for example, “ May be displayed "), or when the second effect C is executed, the operation button 40 is operated at a timing when the pointer P reaches a predetermined position (impact point IP) of the impact gauge IG. A message (for example, “press the button to aim at the center of the gauge”) may be displayed.

  As already described, when transitioning from the first effect to the second effect, which of the second effect A to the second effect C is executed according to the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect. It has a determined structure. Here, with reference to FIG.17 (b), it demonstrates supplementarily about the setting process for 2nd effects shown in the said step S513.

(Second effect setting process)
In the second effect setting process, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not the mode of operation (first operation) of the operation button 40 in the first effect is a long press. If an affirmative determination is made in step S601, the process proceeds to step S602, and the second effect A is set as the second effect. That is, when automatic continuous hitting by “long press” of the operation button 40 is executed in the first effect, “long press”, which is the same operation mode as that in the second effect, is set.

  If a negative determination is made in step S601, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, it is determined whether or not the mode of operation of the operation button 40 (first operation) in the first effect is manual continuous hitting. If an affirmative determination is made in step S603, the process proceeds to step S604, and the second effect B is set as the second effect. That is, when “continuous hit” of the operation button 40 is executed in the first effect, “sequential hit” which is the same operation mode as that in the second effect is set. In this embodiment, as described above, the operation support function is provided, and when a player who is tired from repeated hits performs “long press” of the operation button 40 in the second effect, The handling is substantially the same as when manually hitting continuously.

  In the present embodiment, when both “long press” and “continuous hit” are performed in the first effect, the former is given priority. However, the priority order is not limited to this, and it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the final operation is prioritized. For example, the first operation = “long press” when executed in the order of “continuous hit” → “long press”, and the first operation = “long press” when executed in the order of “long press” → “continuous hit”. It is good also as a structure which determines the operation aspect which concerns on a 2nd effect.

  When a negative determination is made in step S603, that is, when the operation button 40 is operated only once in the first effect (when “single operation” is performed) or when the operation button 40 is not operated. In step S605, the second effect C is set as the second effect. That is, for example, when the “single operation” is performed in the first effect, the “single operation” that is the same operation mode as that in the second effect is set.

  In each setting process of steps S602, S604, and S605, information indicating which of the second effects A to C is performed as the second effect is transmitted to the display control device 620 by the second effect type command. The Rukoto.

  Next, the second effect process executed by the MPU 612 of the notification / effect control device 142 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The second effect process is a process performed as a part of the changing process (step S305) in the changing display control process (see FIG. 14A).

(Second effect processing)
In the second effect process, first, in step S701, it is determined whether or not the game times are related to the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S701, the second effect process is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S701, the process proceeds to step S702. In step S702, it is determined whether or not an operation (second operation) in the second effect is being accepted. If a negative determination is made in step S702, the process proceeds to step S703. In step S703, it is determined whether it is the reception start timing of the second operation. If a negative determination is made in step S703, the second effect process is terminated as it is. If a positive determination is made in step S703, the process proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, a reception start process for the second operation is executed. Specifically, the second operation reception flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, and a predetermined value is set in the second operation reception period counter of the various counter area 614b. The second operation reception period counter is updated (subtracted) every time the above-described variable display control process is executed, and the second operation reception flag is cleared when the value of the second operation reception period counter returns to the initial value. Is done.

  After executing the start process of step S704, the second operation suggestion start process is executed in the subsequent step S705, and the second effect process is terminated. In the second operation suggestion start process, a second operation suggestion start command is output to the display control device 620. As a result, the above-described button icons and the like are displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. More specifically, when the current second effect corresponds to the second effect A or the second effect B, a button icon and a charge gauge CG are displayed, and the current second effect is changed to the second effect C. If it is compatible, a button icon, an impact gauge IG, and a pointer P are displayed.

  Returning to the description of step S702, if an affirmative determination is made in step S702, that is, if it is determined that the second operation is being accepted, the process proceeds to step S706. In step S706, a gauge update process is performed. Specifically, when the second effect A or the second effect B is being executed, a process for generating a visual change by increasing or decreasing the light emission level of the charge gauge CG is performed. When the second effect C is being executed, a process for changing the position of the pointer P is performed.

  In a succeeding step S707, it is determined whether or not the second operation is performed. Incidentally, the determination of the second operation differs depending on which of the second effects A to C is being executed. Specifically, when the second effect A is being executed, the operation determination is performed based on whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. That is, when the operation support flag is stored, it is determined that “long press” is performed. When the second effect B or the second effect C is being executed, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. That is, when the operation detection flag is stored, it is determined that the operation is being performed.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S707, the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, an operation reception notification process is executed. In the operation reception notification process, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect indicating that the operation has been received, and an operation reception command is output to the display control device 620. The display control device 620 changes the display mode of the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 based on this operation acceptance command. Specifically, the button icon is recessed to resemble the actual movement of the operation button 40.

  After executing the process of step S708, the process proceeds to step S709. In step S709, it is determined whether or not the execution condition of the second operation corresponding effect is satisfied. Specifically, when the second effect A is being executed, it is determined whether or not the period during which the long press has been executed (the period in which the operation support flag is stored) has become a preset period. . When the second effect B is being executed, it is determined whether or not the number of operations of the operation button 40 has reached a preset number. When the second effect C is being executed, it is determined whether or not the operation button 40 has been operated.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S709, the process advances to step S710 to execute a second operation-corresponding effect execution process. Specifically, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect corresponding to the occurrence of cut-in, and a cut-in occurrence command is output to the display control device 620. The display control device 620 displays the cut-in on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 based on the reception of the cut-in generation command. This cut-in generation command includes information on the type of cut-in to be generated.

  In step S711, an acceptance end process for the second operation is executed. Specifically, the second operation acceptance flag stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614 is deleted. Then, in the subsequent step S712, suggestion termination processing of the second operation is executed. Specifically, the second operation suggestion end command is output to the display control device 620. Thereby, the button icons, gauges, and the like displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 are hidden.

  If a negative determination is made in step S707 or step S709, that is, if it is determined that the second operation is not performed, or if it is determined that the execution condition of the second operation corresponding effect is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S713. . In step S713, the second operation reception period counter stored in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614 is referred to determine whether or not the second operation reception period has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S713, the second effect process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S713, the process proceeds to step S714 to determine whether a cancellation condition for the second effect is satisfied. That is, when the second effect A is being executed, the execution condition is not satisfied because the period in which the “long press” is executed is less than the lower limit operation period (for example, 2 sec), and the second effect B is executed. If the number of times “continuous hit” has been executed is less than the lower limit operation number (for example, 10 times), the execution condition is not satisfied, and if the second effect C is being executed, “single operation” The execution condition is not satisfied when the operation is not performed.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S714, the processes of step S711 and step S712 are executed, and then the second effect process is terminated. Thereby, the cut-in display as a 2nd operation corresponding | compatible effect will be avoided. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S714, the processes of steps S710 to S712 are executed, and then the second effect process is terminated. With respect to the second operation-compatible effect executed on the condition that the operation reception period has elapsed, the probability that a cut-in with low expectation will occur is higher than that of the second operation-compatible effect executed via step S709.

  Here, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 19, the flow of the game when the operation-compatible continuous effect (first effect → second effect) is executed will be described. FIG. 19 illustrates the case where the second effect A is executed as the second effect.

  The change display of the symbol is started on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 at the timing ta1, and the display shifts to reach display at the timing ta2. When the first effect is started at the timing ta3 after shifting to reach display, an operation suggesting button icon is displayed in the center of the display screen 94a. When the operation button 40 is operated at the timing ta4 after the operation suggestion is started, an effect that surrounds the design variable display area is generated on the display screen 94a. Since the color of the effect at the start of display is blue, there is room for a change to a higher-expected (higher) color.

  If the operation button 40 pressed down at the timing ta4 is maintained in the pressed state, the operation support mode is entered at the timing ta5, and automatic continuous hitting is possible. After that, by maintaining the pressed state, it is considered that the operation button 40 has been repeatedly hit, and the color of the effect changes from blue to yellow to green to red according to the number of hits. Since the effect color is red at the end of the operation reception period, the red effect flashes and the first effect ends with the end of the operation reception period. As described above, the effect displayed on the display screen 94a suggests the degree of expectation that will be a jackpot result in the game times, and the effect color changes based on the operation. Will increase expectations for the jackpot result.

  At the timing ta6 when the first effect ends, the second effect is immediately started. In the present embodiment, since the second effect is started upon the end of the first effect, there is no substantial time lag between the two effects. The button icon displayed on the display screen 94a continues to be displayed after the transition to the second effect. However, the charge gauge CG is displayed in addition to the button icon at the timing ta6 when the second effect is started.

  The display of the charge gauge CG changes as the automatic continuous hit started in the first effect is continued in the second effect. Then, at the timing of ta7 when the charge gauge CG becomes full, the characters “CHANCE” are cut-in displayed on the display screen 94a as a message indicating the degree of expectation that will be a jackpot result at the game time.

  The game times illustrated in FIG. 19 correspond to the losing results. For this reason, at the timing of ta8 when the game round ends, the combination of symbols corresponding to the outlier result is stopped and displayed, and the game result is clearly indicated.

  According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

  The operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is determined according to the operation mode of the operation that is performed during the first effect and that triggers the execution of the first operation-corresponding effect. The relevance can be given to the operation mode when performing the first operation corresponding effect → the second operation corresponding effect, and the sense of unity by using both effects can be enhanced.

  Using the first effect and the second effect together is advantageous in improving the degree of attention to the game by suppressing monotonization of the game. However, in view of the fact that both the first effect and the second effect are effects associated with the operation of the operation button 40, for example, a game that is unfamiliar with the game due to the complicated operation that triggers the execution of the effect. There is concern that it will be difficult for beginners and the like to become unable to participate in the game well and to exert the above-described effect of improving attention. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, by unifying the operation modes in the first effect and the second effect, the occurrence of these various inconveniences can be suitably suppressed.

  In the configuration in which the first effect and the second effect are continuous, for example, there is an event that the second effect is started before the operation started with the first effect is finished (under the situation where it is performed). Can occur. For example, the operation may be repeated while maintaining the momentum / rhythm in the first effect at the time of transition to the second effect. In this case, there is a concern that the intention of the player's operation is not properly reflected in the production due to a difference between the actual operation mode and the set operation mode. In this regard, by adopting a configuration that determines (adjusts) the mode of subsequent operation on the gaming machine side in accordance with the mode of operation of the player in the first performance, a configuration that is practically preferable while suppressing the occurrence of the above disadvantages. Can be realized.

  In the operation-compatible continuous effect transitioning from the first effect to the second effect, after the button icon indicating the operation of the operation button 40 is started in the first effect, the button icon is displayed in the second effect. It is continuously displayed until a two-operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) is executed. If the operation is continued according to the operation suggestion, it matches the mode set as the execution opportunity of the second operation corresponding effect. Thus, it is possible to smoothly advance the first effect and the second effect by suppressing the operation mode itself from changing in a complicated manner while diversifying the effect patterns.

  In a configuration in which an operation is suggested by a button icon or the like, if the button icon is confirmed by visual observation or the like and an operation is actually performed accordingly, a certain time lag may occur between suggestion and operation. On the other hand, if it is set as the structure which starts operation suggestion beforehand, the influence of the time lag mentioned above can be relieve | moderated and progress of an effect can be advanced smoothly. In the present embodiment, the button icon is already displayed at the stage before the second effect is started. For this reason, it can be notified to the player that the operation should be performed at a timing before the second presentation is started and the operation reception is started. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the period (the time lag) from the start of the operation reception until the operation is actually performed, and it is not necessary to set the second effect in consideration of such a period. Improving the responsiveness in this way is a preferable configuration for realizing the improvement in the degree of freedom such as the execution period and the progress related to the second effect.

  The button icon displayed in the first effect and the button icon displayed in the second effect are common. This is advantageous in promoting the understanding that the operation mode that triggers the operation-related effect is common. In the first place, in the first effect, a certain degree of freedom is set in the operation mode. Specifically, three modes of “long press”, “continuous hit”, and “single operation” are allowed. Therefore, information that can identify a specific operation mode is not given to the button icon displayed in the first effect. On the other hand, in the second effect, an operation mode serving as a trigger for executing the second operation-compatible effect is defined. For this reason, when the same button icon is displayed also in the second effect, it may be difficult to grasp the relationship between the actual operation mode and the specified operation mode with such information. In this regard, in this embodiment, as described above, the mode of operation that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is defined according to the mode of operation that triggers the execution of the first operation-corresponding effect. Therefore, even if information for specifying the operation mode is not given to the operation suggestion icon, it is understood from the background of the first effect that the operation in the second effect is the same as the first effect. It becomes easy. That is, even if the display of the icon is simplified, it can be suppressed that it becomes a factor to confuse the player.

  The second effect is provided with a second effect C corresponding to the “single operation”. In the second effect C, the type of cut-in display as the second operation-corresponding effect can be changed depending on the timing at which the player operates the operation button 40. Here, in the case where the operation is continuously performed at the time of the first effect, the hand is not always released from the operation means when the first effect is ended. For example, there is a possibility that the operation is intentionally continued in the expectation that some step-up or the like will occur according to the continuous operation, or the operation may be continued with inertia. In this way, when the second effect is started under the situation where the continuous operation is continued, the second operation corresponding effect can be executed with the above-described operation as a trigger. More specifically, the operation corresponding to the second operation can be executed in a manner that does not match the original intention of the player, for example, by accepting an operation at a timing not intended by the player. This is severe for a player who is actively operating the operation means. Therefore, when the operation of the operation means during the first performance is continuously performed, the dependency on the timing is set as a configuration in which the “single operation” is removed from the mode of the operation that triggers the second operation compatible performance. By avoiding the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconveniences can be suitably suppressed.

  In particular, if the first production and the second production are continuous and there is no substantial interval between them, the operation that started in the first production can continue to the second production. Increases nature. If such a situation is taken into consideration, the effect by defining the operation mode that becomes the execution opportunity of the second operation corresponding effect as described above becomes remarkable.

  In a gaming machine of the type in which an operation-corresponding effect is executed according to the number of pressing operations (number of consecutive hits) of the operation button 40, a variety of operations can be performed by using it in combination with a configuration that requires only a single operation of the operating means. A desirable configuration can be realized in order to secure the performance and suppress the monotonousness of the game. However, increasing the operation burden on the player when repeatedly performing the pressing operation can be a factor that hesitates to operate the operating means. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, by maintaining the operation button 40 in the pressed state, the same effect as that obtained when the operation button 40 is repeatedly pressed (support effect by automatic repeated hitting) can be obtained. The occurrence of the inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  However, although such an automatic repetitive hitting function is advantageous in improving the convenience of operation, the possibility that the function is abused cannot be denied because the operation load is reduced. For example, an event may occur in which a game is played with a hand on the operation means regardless of whether there is an operation suggestion. In this case, the possibility that the second operation-corresponding effect is executed in the second effect C at a timing that does not match the player's intention as a result of the automatic hitting cannot be denied. In particular, in view of the fact that the first effect triggers the start of the operation, there is a high possibility that the inconvenience will occur when the first effect is changed to the second effect. In this regard, as described above, the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is defined according to the operation mode of the first effect, and the second effect C is selected when “long press” is performed. By adopting a configuration that is removed from the above, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience such that the second performance is not executed properly due to the improvement in convenience.

<Modification 1>
For the second effect (second operation-compatible effect: cut-in display), a configuration that is executed after the start of the first effect (first operation-compatible effect: effect change) suffices. The configuration need not be executed so as to be continuous with the first effect. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a blank is generated between the first effect and the second effect, and the second effect is performed so as to overlap or interrupt a part of the first effect during the execution period of the first effect. May be configured to be executed.

<Modification 2>
In the first embodiment, when the second effect is executed after the first effect, the operation mode related to the second effect is determined at the start of the second effect. The operation timing determination timing is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which an operation mode related to the second effect is determined while the first effect is being executed. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which temporarily sets the operation aspect which concerns on a 2nd effect at the time of the start of game times, etc., and rewrites the operation aspect which concerns on the said 2nd effect according to the player's operation aspect at the time of a 1st effect.

<Modification 3>
In the first embodiment, the button icon as the operation suggestion image suggesting the operation of the operation button 40 is continuously displayed in the first effect to the second effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . It is also possible to hide the button icon at the connecting portion of both effects. Specifically, the button icon may be hidden with the end of the operation reception period in the first effect, and the button icon may be redisplayed with the start of the operation reception period in the second effect.

  Further, it is not necessary to share the button icon displayed at the time of the first effect and the button icon displayed at the time of the second effect. That is, it is sufficient if it is possible to indicate that the operation button 40 is in a state to be operated in each production, and the button icon for the first production and the button icon for the second production are differentiated. Is not to deny. For example, the size, color, shape, etc. of the button icon can be made different for each effect.

<Modification 4>
In the first embodiment, the operation suggestion start timing and the operation reception start timing are aligned, but it is also possible to shift both timings. For example, after the operation suggestion is started, the operation acceptance may be started after the operation suggestion. In making such a change, when a continuous operation such as “long press” or “continuous hit” is performed in the first production, a notification that prompts the continuation of the operation at the beginning of the second production (specifically May be configured such that “continue hitting to collect the gauge 3 · 2 · 1 · start”, “continue long press to accumulate the gauge 3 · 2 · 1 · start”, etc.). In addition, when a “single operation” is performed in the first production, a notification (specifically “aim at the impact point 3.2.1. Start”, etc.) prompting the operation at the beginning of the second production is given. It is good to have a configuration to perform

<Modification 5>
When shifting from the first effect to the second effect, it is possible to adopt a configuration that prompts an operation corresponding to the second effect prior to the start of operation reception in the second effect (a configuration that performs prior notification). For example, before the end of the first effect (during the first effect), a notification prompting an operation corresponding to the second effect (specifically, “continue hitting and collecting gauges 3.2.1. Start”, It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which “long press and hold the gauge to collect the gauge 3, 2, 1, start”, etc.).
<Modification 6>
In the first embodiment described above, when auto-striking is executed during the first effect, the assisting by auto-striking is performed by the operation in the second effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . In the case where auto-striking is executed at the time of the first effect, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which assistance by auto-striking is not performed (for example, avoided) by the operation in the second effect.
<Modification 7>
As shown in the above embodiment, in the case where the automatic continuous hitting function is provided, the player is notified that the automatic continuous hitting is possible on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. Good. In addition, when automatic continuous hitting is actually performed, it may be configured to clearly indicate that the automatic continuous hitting function is operating.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the first effect and the second effect have been configured to be executed continuously with no interval, but in the present embodiment, between the first effect and the second effect. By allowing the interval period to occur, the degree of freedom relating to the insertion of effects is improved. In such a configuration, there is a concern that it is difficult to concentrate on the game because it is easy to give an impression that the operation is troublesome to the player by performing the operation suggestion individually. One of the features of the present embodiment is that the device is devised in consideration of such circumstances. Hereinafter, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 20, a configuration related to the first effect and the second effect will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

  Also in the present embodiment, both the first effect and the second effect may be executed during one game round. Here, by providing a plurality of start timings of the second effect, the monotonous progress of the game is suppressed. Specifically, the second effect is started at the timing of tb3 after a relatively short interval period (2 sec in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the timing of tb2 at which the first effect has ended (hereinafter, referred to as “the second effect”). It is broadly divided into a type that starts at a timing tb4 later than that (hereinafter referred to as a second type and second effect). The first type second effect and the second type second effect are the same in terms of the basic effect flow and execution period, and suppress an increase in the amount of data due to diversification of effects.

  Here, since the first effect is separated from the second effect, the operation suggestion mainly in the first effect ends when the operation reception period in the first effect elapses, and the operation suggestion in the second effect is the first effect. It is started when the second effect starts, and ends when the operation reception period in the second effect elapses. However, in a specific situation, the suggestion in the first effect is extended to the start of the second effect (specifically, until the operation suggestion is started in the second effect). Specifically, in the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142, the suggestion start timing and end timing are set at the start of the first presentation, but when the above specific situation occurs, the suggestion ends. The timing is rewritten. Here, with reference to FIG. 21A, the update processing (setting content update processing) of the suggestion end timing executed by the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142 will be described. The setting content update process is a process executed as part of the change display control process (the process during change) that is a periodic process.

(Setting content update process)
In the setting content update process, first, it is determined in step S801 whether or not the update determination timing has come. About the 1st production demonstrated in 1st Embodiment, it was comprised so that the execution period may become fixed irrespective of a player's operation mode. Although details will be described later, the first effect shown in the present embodiment has a configuration in which the execution period of the first effect can be changed depending on the operation mode. About the timing of the update determination, it is determined whether or not approximately half of the execution period (shortest period) of the first effect has elapsed since the first effect was started (see the schematic diagram in FIG. 21B). . In this embodiment, the operation support function is validated by long-pressing the operation button 40, but the operation support is provided for the period from the start timing of the first presentation (specifically, the operation reception start) to the update determination timing. It is set to be longer than the long press period required for shifting to the mode. If a negative determination is made in step S801, the update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S802.

  In step S802, it is determined whether or not the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is within a predetermined range. Specifically, when the first type second effect having a relatively short interval period is executed as the second effect, an affirmative determination is made in step S802, and the second effect having a relatively long interval period is performed as the second effect. If the seed second effect is executed, a negative determination is made in step S802. If a negative determination is made in step S802, the update process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803.

  As for the first effect, as in the first embodiment, any one of “long press”, “continuous hit”, and “single press” is allowed as the operation mode of the operation button 40. However, in the first embodiment, based on the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect, the second operation mode (second effect A to second effect) that triggers execution of the second operation corresponding effect in the second effect. 2 effects C) is determined, but in the present embodiment, the second operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation corresponding effect in the second effect is determined at the start of the game round. Is different.

  In step S803, it is determined whether the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect matches the operation mode related to the second effect. More specifically, when “long press” is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether “long press” is set in the second effect (whether the second effect A is selected). If “continuous hit” is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether “continuous hit” is set in the second effect (whether the second effect B is selected). If a negative determination is made in step S803, the update process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S804, a button icon display continuation process as an operation suggestion image is executed. In this case, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a with the start of the first effect is not hidden based on the end of the operation reception period, and is also displayed for the interval period between the first effect and the second effect. Is continued. That is, the display of the button icon is extended until the start of the second effect, and the display of the button icon continues from the first effect to the second effect (see FIG. 21B).

  Here, the flow of the first effect will be supplementarily described. In the first effect, the color of the effect on the display screen 94a is changed by operating the operation button 40. In the first embodiment, the operation reception period and the execution period of the first effect are defined regardless of the number of operations of the operation button 40. In contrast, in the first effect shown in the present embodiment, the operation reception period and the number of operation receptions in the first effect are defined in executing the first effect, and the number of operation receptions before the operation reception period elapses. When the number of times reaches the specified number, the first effect ends. For this reason, the execution period of the first effect depends on the player's operation.

  As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 22 (a), when the operation button 40 is pressed for a long time according to the operation suggestion after the first effect is started, automatic continuous hitting is executed, and the number of operation receptions is within the operation reception period. It is configured to reach the specified number of times. That is, as for the effective period of the operation support, a period sufficient to reach the specified number of times by automatic hitting is secured. After the end of the first effect, the second effect is started after a predetermined interval period.

  As illustrated in the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 22B and 22C, what operation is performed in the first effect is uncertain, for example, the operation button 40 can be manually hit repeatedly, By performing both manual continuous hitting and automatic continuous hitting, the time required to reach the specified number of times changes. About the 2nd production performed after the 1st production, the timing of the start will change according to the progress situation of the 1st production. Incidentally, the start timing of the second effect may be configured not to be affected by the progress status of the first effect, and the start timing may be determined in advance at the start of the game times or the like.

  Here, the update determination number is set as a number slightly less than the specified number. When the number of operations reaches the number of update determinations, the update determination condition in step S801 is satisfied. At this timing, steps S802 to S804 are executed.

  When shifting from the first effect to the second effect, the display of the button icon may be continued when various conditions relating to continuation are satisfied. In such a case, the operation support period is automatically extended. Thereby, when the operation is continued according to the operation suggestion, it is possible to suppress the operation support function from being invalidated in the middle. Whether the effective period can be extended is determined by an operation determination process executed by the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142. Hereinafter, the operation determination process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Operation judgment process)
In the operation determination process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. If an affirmative determination is made in step S901, the operation detection flag is deleted. The operation detection flag is a flag stored in various flag storage areas 614a when it is determined that an operation has been performed. In other processes executed by the notification / production control device 142, the operation detection flag Understand the operation status based on the presence or absence.

  After executing the process of step S902 or when making a negative determination in step S901, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S903, it is determined whether an HI level signal is received from the operation button 40 (specifically, an attached detection sensor). Also in the present embodiment, when the operation button 40 is in the standby position (non-operation position), a LOW level signal is input to the notification / production control device 142 and the operation button 40 is pushed into the operation position. Is configured such that an HI level signal is input to the notification / production control device 142. In step S903, the presence / absence of an operation is grasped based on detection information (signal) from the operation button 40. Note that the relationship between the binary signals is reversed, and a LOW level signal is input when the operation button 40 is operated, and an HI level signal is input when the operation button 40 is not operated. Is also possible.

  If a positive determination is made in step S903, the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, it is determined whether an operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. If a negative determination is made in step S904, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, it is determined whether or not the value of the mode switching counter provided in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614 is “0”. If an affirmative determination is made in step S905, the process proceeds to step S906, and a mode switching counter update process is executed. Specifically, the mode switching counter is incremented by “1”.

  After executing the process of step S906, the operation corresponding process is executed in step S907 and the operation determination process is terminated. In the operation handling process, an operation detection flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614, and a light emission signal is output so that the operation lamp unit built in the center frame 95 emits light temporarily.

  Returning to the description of step S905, if a negative determination is made in step S905, the process proceeds to step S908. In step S908, it is determined whether or not the mode switching counter has a predetermined value. As described above, the mode switching counter is updated when the HI level signal is received from the operation button 40. The predetermined value is defined such that the period during which the HI level signal is continuously received is a predetermined period (2 sec in the present embodiment). That is, if the period during which the HI level signal is continuously received (the duration of the pressing operation of the operation button 40) is 2 seconds, an affirmative determination is made in step S908.

  If a positive determination is made in step S908, the process proceeds to step S909. In step S909, the operation support flag is stored in various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. As a result, the operation support mode is entered, and thereafter the operation support function is validated. After executing the process of step S909, the valid period of the operation support mode is set in the subsequent step S910. Specifically, a predetermined value (for example, 4 sec: equivalent to a period shorter than the longest execution period of the first effect) is set in an effective period counter provided in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614. The valid period counter is updated (subtracted by 1) every time the operation determination process is executed, and the operation support is completed by returning to the initial value “0”. After executing the process of step S910, the operation corresponding process is executed in step S907, and this operation determination process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S908, that is, if it is determined that the mode switching counter has not yet reached the “predetermined value”, the process proceeds to step S911. After performing the update process similar to that in step S906 in step S911, the operation determination process is terminated as it is.

  Returning to the description of step S904, if it is determined that the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, that is, if the operation support function is enabled, the process proceeds to step S912. In step S912, with reference to the value of the valid period counter, it is determined whether or not it is the timing when the valid period ends.

  If a positive determination is made in step S912, the process proceeds to step S913. In step S913, it is determined whether or not the valid period extension condition is satisfied. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the operation suggestion is continued even after the end of the first effect. If a negative determination is made in step S913, that is, if the operation suggestion is not continued, the operation support flags stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614 are deleted. If an affirmative determination is made in step S913, the process proceeds to step S915.

  In step S915, processing for extending the validity period of the operation support mode is executed. Specifically, the effective period counter is added so that the effective period continues until the end of the second effect. Accordingly, the operation support function is continued until the end of the first effect without interruption.

  After performing the processes of steps S915 and S914, or when a negative determination is made in step S912, the process proceeds to step S916. In step S916, it is determined whether or not it is a timing when a preset interval period (0.2 sec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the previous operation detection flag was stored. In the present embodiment, when it is confirmed that the operation button 40 is pressed and held for 2 seconds, the long press is continued as it is, and the operation button 40 is the same as when the operation button 40 is repeatedly hit. Automatic repetitive strikes that generate events are possible. The interval period is set as an operation interval when performing this automatic continuous hitting.

  Returning to the description of step S903, if a negative determination is made in step S903, that is, if a LOW level signal is received from the operation button 40, the process proceeds to step S917. In step S917, the mode switching counter is cleared to 0 (reset). In a succeeding step S918, it is determined whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 614a of the RAM 614. If a negative determination is made in step S412, the operation determination process is terminated as it is.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S918, the operation support flag is erased in step S919, a mode switch condition temporary relaxation process is executed in the subsequent step S920, and this operation determination process ends. That is, the operation support function is invalidated when the pressing state of the operation button 40 is canceled.

  According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  As shown in the second embodiment, when the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation button 40 are performed, the configuration may be such that the operation is individually urged during each effect period. Is possible. In such a configuration, for example, a first operation-corresponding effect and a second operation-corresponding effect can be generated by performing individual operations according to information from a gaming machine or the like. However, repeating the operation or stopping may be a factor that complicates the operation and reduces attention to the performance. Further, when an instruction for the next operation is generated under the situation where the operation is completed and the player's attention is reduced, there is a concern that the instruction is likely to be overlooked. As described above, it cannot be denied that the interruption of the instruction of the operation in the case of performing a plurality of operations corresponding to the operation may hinder the attention to the game. In this regard, as described in the present embodiment, if the display of the button icon that suggests the operation is continued between the first effect and the second effect and the continuation of the operation is promoted over both effects, the above-described operation is performed. The occurrence of such annoyance and oversight can be suppressed, and the effect of improving the attention level by the operation corresponding effect can be suitably exhibited.

  If the continuation of the operation is urged regardless of the period (interval period) between the first effect and the second effect, there is a concern that the operation will be prolonged and the burden on the player will increase. An excessive increase in the burden may cause a decrease in the willingness to play, and there is concern that it will hinder the promotion of active participation. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, the operation continuation guidance is limited to the case where the first effect → the second effect is performed during one game round, and when the interval period becomes excessively large. By avoiding the above-described guidance, the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

  As described above, a problem that occurs when using a plurality of effects associated with the operation button 40 becomes conspicuous when the interval between the effects (non-execution period, interval period) is small. Therefore, in the case where the non-execution period is the first period, which is relatively large, even if the above-described guidance is refrained, inconveniences caused by it are unlikely to occur. And it is advantageous for the said guidance to encourage a player's active participation (operation) to make it the structure which suppresses operation for a long time without darkness, and the burden on a player becomes large. That is, the relatively long second period is set instead of the case where the relatively long first period is set as the interval period for the operation continuation guidance described above (when the first type and second effect is executed). If it is configured (when the second type second effect is executed), it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience described above.

  In guiding the operation of the operation button 40 to be continued in the first effect to the second effect, the willingness to operate is reduced if an impression is given as if the operation is substantially meaningless. As a result, the above-mentioned guiding function cannot be performed well. In the first effect, the first operation corresponding effect is executed as a result of performing an operation according to the operation suggestion by the button icon. In this way, by making the player recognize that some response will occur in response to the suggestion and then performing the above guidance so that the suggestion continues, it is as if the ongoing operation has any meaning It is possible to make the player aware of it. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the said problem can be suppressed suitably.

  When the operation mode that triggers the first operation-compatible effect matches the operation mode that triggers the second operation-compatible effect, the operation is performed over two effects. Even if it is continued, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that the production does not proceed well due to a difference in operation mode or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly advance the effect corresponding to the operation.

  In particular, when a predetermined operation is continuously performed, it is assumed that if the operation is interrupted and restarted in the middle, it is easy to give the player an impression that the operation is troublesome. Therefore, when the first effect and the second effect correspond to the continuous operation (“long press” or “continuous hit”), a configuration that promotes the continuation of the operation can be realized.

  In the first place, the operation mode of the operation means depends on the player. For this reason, even if the operation mode is suggested, the operation is not always performed as it is. Therefore, for example, when the mode of operation in the first stage is maintained and the second stage is shifted to the second stage, the mode of operation that triggers execution of the second operation corresponding stage in the second stage and the mode of operation being executed If there is a difference between the two, there is no denying the possibility that the performance corresponding to the second operation will not be performed successfully. Therefore, if it is configured to determine whether or not to continue the operation according to the operation mode in the first effect as shown in the present embodiment, the second operation corresponding effect is obtained as a result of guiding the operation to be continued. It can be suitably avoided that the operation is not performed properly.

  More specifically, for example, the operation timing is important in the second operation-corresponding effect, and when the operation means is repeatedly hit during the first effect, the second hit is prompted. It is assumed that it is difficult to perform a timed operation in the production. On the other hand, when the execution opportunity of the second operation corresponding effect is based on the premise that the operation means is repeatedly hit, the above inconvenience does not occur. Thus, it is technically significant to adopt a configuration that determines whether or not guidance is possible after grasping the actual operation mode.

  In the configuration in which the first operation corresponding effect is completed by operating the operation button 40 once (“single operation”), the adverse effect due to the period during which no operation is prompted between the second effect is relatively small. . On the other hand, if a blank occurs when continuous operation (“long press” or “continuous hit”) → continuous operation (“long press” or “continuous hit”), it is like “redo” of the continuous operation. It becomes easy to give a negative impression. Therefore, at least in the case of continuous operation → continuous operation, the above-described various effects can be suitably exhibited by adopting a configuration that avoids the generation of blanks.

<Modification 1>
In the second embodiment, the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is “long press”, and “long press” is the operation mode that triggers the second operation corresponding effect in the second embodiment. Is set, or the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is “continuous hit”, and “second hit” is set as the operation mode that triggers the second operation-compatible effect in the second embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. On condition that the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is “long press” and “continuous hit” is set as the operation mode that triggers the second operation-compatible effect in the second embodiment. It is good also as a structure which continues operation suggestion as one. In gaming machines provided with an operation support function as shown in the present embodiment, automatic continuous hitting can be performed by “long press”. Therefore, even if “long press” → “continuous hit”, there is substantially no difference in the operation mode of the operation button 40. It should be noted that the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is “continuous hit” and “long press” is set as the operation mode that triggers the second operation-compatible effect in the second embodiment. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which operation suggestion is continued as one of the conditions. However, in such a configuration, it is preferable to notify that the specific operation mode is changed to “long press”.

<Modification 2>
In addition to the operation suggestion image (button icon) shown in the second embodiment, an image (for example, a timer icon) indicating the operation reception period (remaining period) may be displayed. In this case, in order to prompt the continuation of the operation when shifting from the first effect to the second effect, it is preferable to update the display of the timer icon so as to indicate that the reception period has increased (extended or returned).

<Modification 3>
When the operation suggestion is continued between the first effect and the second effect, it is possible to add effects in the interval period between the first effect and the second effect. For example, a connection effect that connects the first effect and the second extension may be executed. If the player recognizes that the first effect and the second effect are a series of effects, the connection between the first effect and the second effect can be strengthened.

<Modification 4>
When the operation suggestion is continued between the first effect and the second effect, it is not necessary to continuously display the button icon as the operation suggesting image in the same manner. For example, when the operation suggestion is continued, the color, shape, size, etc. of the button icon may be changed.

<Third Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is secured. Although the existence of the interval period is advantageous in clearly indicating the transition of the production, it cannot be denied that the existence of the interval period may be a factor that lowers the player's attention. Therefore, one of the features of the present embodiment is that a device for avoiding such inconvenience is made. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 24, the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the second embodiment. FIG. 24A is a flowchart showing a setting content update process, and FIG. 24B is a timing chart showing a game flow.

(Setting content update process)
In the setting content update process, first, in step S1001, it is determined whether or not the update determination timing has come. In the present embodiment, the update determination timing is set to be faster than that in the second embodiment. Specifically, the number of operations related to the update determination is set to be smaller than the upper limit number (prescribed number of times) related to the operation of the operation button 40 determined when the first effect is started. Although it is the same as that of the said 2nd Embodiment, the frequency | count of operation which concerns on the said update determination is a half of prescription | regulation frequency | count, and it is determined whether the suggestion continuation is possible at an early stage. If a negative determination is made in step S1001, the updating process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1001, the process proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S1002, it is determined whether or not the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is within a predetermined range. Specifically, when the first type second effect having a relatively short interval period is executed as the second effect, an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, and the second effect having a relatively long interval period is performed as the second effect. If the seed second effect is executed, a negative determination is made in step S1002. If a negative determination is made in step S1002, the updating process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, the process proceeds to step S1003.

  In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect matches the operation mode related to the second effect. More specifically, when “long press” is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether “long press” is set in the second effect (whether the second effect A is selected). If “continuous hit” is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether “continuous hit” is set in the second effect (whether the second effect B is selected). If a negative determination is made in step S1003, the update process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1004.

  In step S1004, a button icon display continuation process as an operation suggestion image is executed. In this case, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a with the start of the first effect is not hidden based on the end of the operation reception period, and the display of the button icon is extended until the start of the second effect. Accordingly, the display of the button icon continues from the first effect to the second effect (see FIG. 24B).

  After the button icon display continuation process is executed in step S1004, the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, an extension process of the first operation-compatible effect is executed. Specifically, the above-mentioned prescribed number of times is added and the operation reception period is extended, and the effect emphasis period (flash generation period) executed at the end of the operation reception period is extended. By extending the first effect in this way, the interval period originally secured between the first effect and the second effect is filled (see FIG. 24B).

  Here, with reference to FIG.24 (b), it demonstrates supplementarily about the flow of a 1st effect-a 2nd effect. In the first effect, the color of the effect on the display screen 94a is changed by operating the operation button 40. In the first effect shown in the present embodiment, when the first effect is executed, the operation reception period and the operation reception frequency in the first effect are defined, and the operation reception frequency reaches the specified number before the operation reception period elapses. Thus, the first effect is completed. For this reason, the execution period of the first effect depends on the player's operation.

  However, when the operation mode in the first effect matches the operation mode set in the second effect, the end condition of the first effect is relaxed. That is, the specified number of times is added and the operation reception period is extended. Accordingly, the first effect is extended and the player can be preferably prompted to continue the operation even during the extended period.

  When the first effect is finished, the second effect is started when the first effect ends. That is, the first effect and the second effect are directly connected, and the process immediately shifts to the second effect. Since the operation suggestion is continued during this time, the operation can be prevented from being interrupted temporarily. Even in this case, a period during which no operation is accepted may occur, but the period is shorter than when the interval period is set. This makes it difficult to give the player the impression that it is useless even if the operation is performed according to the operation suggestion.

<Modification 1>
In the third embodiment, the first effect is extended as a configuration for delaying the end timing of the first effect until the start timing of the second effect. However, how much extension is performed is arbitrary. The interval period between the first effect and the second effect is not necessarily zero.

<Modification 2>
In the third embodiment, the operation reception period (effect change period) and the effect confirmation display period are both extended in the first effect, but any part of the first effect is optional. It is. However, for example, when only the effect confirmation display period is extended, it is noticeable that the operation reception period is over, or the final part of the first effect is extended. This can be a factor that reduces the appearance of the first performance. In view of such circumstances, when the operation reception period (effect change period) is extended, it can be made less noticeable that the end timing is delayed as compared with the case where only the fixed display period is extended. There is technical significance.

<Modification 3>
In the third embodiment, the update determination timing is advanced, so that the margin for extending the first effect is secured, but at what timing (what conditions are satisfied) In this case, it is arbitrary whether to perform the update determination. For example, when the operation support flag is stored, the update determination (affirmation determination) is performed at that time, and when the operation button 40 is operated at least twice, the update determination (affirmation determination) is performed at that time. A configuration is also possible. When neither of these conditions is satisfied, an update determination (negative determination) may be performed (extension of the first effect is avoided).

<Fourth embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is secured. Although the existence of the interval period is advantageous in clearly indicating the transition of the production, it cannot be denied that the existence of the interval period may be a factor that lowers the player's attention. Therefore, one of the features of the present embodiment is that a device for avoiding such inconvenience is made. In the following, with reference to FIG. 25, the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the second embodiment. FIG. 25A is a flowchart showing a setting content update process, and FIG. 25B is a timing chart showing a game flow.

(Setting content update process)
In the setting content update process, first, in step S1101, it is determined whether or not the update determination timing has come. In the present embodiment, the update determination timing is set to be earlier than in the second embodiment. Specifically, the number of operations related to the update determination is set to be smaller than the upper limit number (prescribed number of times) related to the operation of the operation button 40 determined when the first effect is started. Although it is the same as that of the said 2nd Embodiment, the frequency | count of operation which concerns on the said update determination is a half of prescription | regulation frequency | count, and it is determined whether the suggestion continuation is possible at an early stage. If a negative determination is made in step S1101, the updating process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1102.

  In step S1102, it is determined whether or not the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is within a predetermined range. Specifically, when the first type second effect having a relatively short interval period is executed as the second effect, an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, and the second effect having a relatively long interval period is performed as the second effect. If the seed second effect is executed, a negative determination is made in step S1102. If a negative determination is made in step S1102, the updating process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1102, the process proceeds to step S1103.

  In step S1103, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect matches the operation mode related to the second effect. More specifically, when “long press” is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether “long press” is set in the second effect (whether the second effect A is selected). If “continuous hit” is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether “continuous hit” is set in the second effect (whether the second effect B is selected). If a negative determination is made in step S1103, the updating process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1103, the process proceeds to step S1104.

  In step S1104, a button icon display continuation process as an operation suggestion image is executed. In this case, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a with the start of the first effect is not hidden based on the end of the operation reception period, and the display of the button icon is extended until the start of the second effect. Accordingly, the display of the button icon continues from the first effect to the second effect (see FIG. 25B).

  After the button icon display continuation process is executed in step S1104, the process proceeds to step S1105. In step S1105, the interval period is shortened. Specifically, the start timing of the second effect is matched with the end timing of the first effect so that the second effect is executed ahead of schedule. In this way, by bringing the second effect forward, the interval period originally secured between the first effect and the second effect is clogged (see FIG. 25B).

  Here, with reference to FIG.25 (b), it demonstrates supplementarily about the flow of a 1st effect-a 2nd effect. In the first effect, the color of the effect on the display screen 94a is changed by operating the operation button 40. In the first effect shown in the present embodiment, when the first effect is executed, the operation reception period and the operation reception frequency in the first effect are defined, and the operation reception frequency reaches the specified number before the operation reception period elapses. Thus, the first effect is completed. For this reason, the execution period of the first effect depends on the player's operation.

  When the operation mode in the first effect matches the operation mode set in the second effect, the start timing of the second effect to be executed thereafter is advanced, and when the first effect ends, The second effect is started on the occasion. That is, the first effect and the second effect are directly connected, and the process immediately shifts to the second effect. Since the operation suggestion is continued during this time, the operation can be prevented from being interrupted temporarily. Even in this case, a period during which no operation is accepted may occur, but the period is shorter than when the interval period is set. This makes it difficult to give the player the impression that it is useless even if the operation is performed according to the operation suggestion.

<Modification 1>
In the fourth embodiment, the start timing of the second effect is advanced to the end timing of the first effect. However, at least the interval period is sufficient, and how much the second effect is advanced. Is optional.

  In addition, the interval period can be shortened by combining with the extension function of the first effect shown in the third embodiment.

<Modification 2>
In the fourth embodiment, the entire second effect is shifted to the first effect side. It is also possible to change this so that only the start timing of the second effect is advanced.

<Fifth embodiment>
As shown in the second to fourth embodiments, the operation suggestion is performed in the configuration in which there is an invalid period in which the operation reception is not performed between the first effect and the second effect. Regardless, the change corresponding to the operation does not occur, which may be a factor to confuse the player. One of the features of the present embodiment is that a device for avoiding such inconvenience is made.

  Specifically, when the operation suggestion of the operation button 40 is continued so as to straddle the first effect to the second effect, until the first effect ends after the operation reception is completed in the first effect. The operation performed during the period is reflected in the second effect. More specifically, the period from the completion of reception of the first operation in the first effect until the end of the first effect is the effective period of the second operation for the second effect. If the operation button 40 is operated during this period, it is stored, and the operation result is reflected in the second effect.

  For example, when “long press” is performed as the first operation in the first effect and the operation mode in the second effect is “long press”, the acceptance period of the first operation in the first effect ends. As a result, acceptance of the second operation is started. If “long press” is continued during this period, the duration is stored. In addition, when an interval period exists, this interval period is also set as a reception period for the second operation, and if the “long press” is continued during the interval period, the continuation period is stored. . Thus, when the period of “long press” by the pre-operation has accumulated, the period of time accumulated at the start of the second effect, etc. is applied, and the remaining period of “long press” required is Shortened.

  In addition, when “continuous hit” is performed as the first operation in the first effect and the operation mode in the second effect is “continuous hit”, the reception period of the first operation in the first effect has ended. As a result, acceptance of the second operation is started. If “continuous hitting” continues during this period, the number of times is stored. In addition, when there is an interval period, this interval period is also set as a reception period for the second operation, and when “continuous hitting” is continued during the interval period, the number of times is stored. In this way, when the number of “continuous hits” by the preliminary operation is accumulated, the number of times accumulated at the start of the second effect is applied, and the remaining number of necessary “continuous hits” is reduced. .

  In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the operation reception for the second effect is performed using the first effect or the interval period, when the operation is continued according to the continuation of the operation suggestion, the operation is not performed. You can avoid making sense. In this way, it is preferable to put the operation reception forward in order to prevent the continuation of the operation suggestion from becoming a factor that increases the burden on the player.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, a suggestion image (button icon) that prompts the operation of the operation button 40 is displayed in the first effect, and the first effect corresponding to the operation of the operation button 40 is performed during the game play. We clearly stated that. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, each of the above points is configured so that it is not explicitly shown that the first effect is performed during the game play without suggesting an operation in the first effect. The configuration is different from the embodiment. The first effect executed in the present embodiment corresponds to the cut-in display similar to the second effect, and the operation button 40 is operated (“single operation”) at a preset timing. In such a case, the cut-in display is executed. Thus, if the presence / absence of the first performance and the timing at which the first operation should be performed are not shown, it is possible to enhance the unexpectedness and contribute to the suppression of monotony of the game.

  However, in the case where the presence / absence of occurrence of the first effect and the timing for performing the first operation are intentionally hidden, the following inconvenience may occur due to the random operation performed in anticipation of the occurrence of the first effect. For example, when the second effect C is set as the second effect, it is preferable to operate the operation button 40 in a timely manner aiming at the impact area IE (see FIG. 17A). However, if the second effect C is executed in a situation where operations are being performed automatically or manually at random, the pointer P stops immediately in response to the operation, so that the player A substantial participation opportunity in the second performance C is missed unintentionally. With this, there is a concern that the effect of improving the degree of attention to the game by executing the second effect C will not be exhibited well. In addition, if such an event is warned and the operation button 40 is not operated at all in a situation where the second performance is not executed, the significance of providing the first production of the unspecified type is diminished. End up. One of the features of the present embodiment is that measures are taken in consideration of such circumstances. Hereinafter, a configuration related to the countermeasure will be described.

  When executing the second effect, the operation status of the operation button 40 immediately before the second effect is monitored. More specifically, the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142 executes an operation monitoring process as a part of the variable display process (the variable process). Here, the operation monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG.

(Operation monitoring process)
In the operation monitoring process, it is first determined in step S1201 whether or not the operation status is being monitored. If a negative determination is made in step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, it is determined whether it is time to start monitoring the operation status. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a predetermined timing prior to the start of the second effect, more specifically, a timing that precedes by a period (for example, 2 sec) longer than an interval in a case where automatic continuous hitting is performed. .

  If a negative determination is made in step S1202, the operation monitoring process is terminated as it is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1202, the operation status monitoring start process is executed in step S1203, and then the operation monitoring process ends. By executing the operation status monitoring start process, the operation status during the monitoring period is grasped.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1204. In step S1204, it is determined whether it is the start timing of the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S1204, the operation monitoring process ends. If a positive determination is made in step S1204, the process proceeds to step S1205. In step S1205, a monitoring result storing process is executed. Specifically, if the operation support flag exists during the monitoring period, the fact that “long press” has been performed is stored, and the operation button 40 is operated a plurality of times (specifically, twice) during the monitoring period. In this case, the fact that “sequential hit” has been performed is stored.

  After executing the process of step S1205, an operation monitoring end process is executed in step S1206, and this operation monitoring process ends.

  In the mid-variation process, a second effect setting process is executed following the operation monitoring process. Hereinafter, the second effect setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Second effect setting process)
In the second effect setting process, first, in step S1301, it is determined whether or not it is the start timing of the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S1301, the second effect setting process is terminated as it is. When an affirmative determination is made in step S1301, the operation status during the monitoring period is grasped based on the information stored in step S1205.

  After executing the process of step S1302, the process proceeds to step S1303. In step S1303, it is determined whether or not “long press” has been performed during the monitoring period. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1304, the second effect A is set as the second effect, and then the second effect setting process ends. As already described, the second effect A is a cut-in display as a second operation-compatible effect based on the fact that “long press” is performed during the second effect A.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1305, it is determined whether or not “continuous hit” has been performed during the monitoring period. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1305, the process proceeds to step S1306, the second effect B is set as the second effect, and then the second effect setting process ends. As already described, the second effect B is a cut-in display as a second operation-corresponding effect based on the fact that “continuous hitting” was performed during the second effect B.

  If a negative determination is made in step S1305, the process proceeds to step S1307, the second effect C is set as the second effect, and the second effect setting process is terminated. As already described, the second effect C is to perform a cut-in display as a second operation-corresponding effect based on the “single operation” being performed during the second effect C.

  As described above in detail, when the second effect is performed, it is determined which operation mode is to be performed based on the immediately preceding operation situation. Thereby, it can avoid that the 2nd production C is not performed successfully.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In FIG. 27, the case where the operation corresponding | compatible continuous production in which 1st production-> 2nd production continues is performed is illustrated.

  At the timing of tc1, the flow of effects in the current game round is determined, and at the same time, symbol variation display is started on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. After the transition to reach display at the timing of tc2, the first effect can occur. However, the fact that the effect is generated and the timing thereof are unclear, and it is difficult for the player to specify it. As for the first effect, the probability of occurrence is high in the game times that are the jackpot result, and the probability of occurrence is low in the game times that are the results of the loss. For this reason, when the 1st production occurs, expectation which becomes a jackpot result increases.

  When a player who expects the first effect operates the operation button 40 at the timing of tc3, this timing is out of the reception period (acceptance timing) of the first operation. Absent. Thereafter, when the operation button 40 is maintained in the pressed state, the operation support is validated at the timing of tc4, and thereafter automatic hitting is executed until the hand is released from the operation button 40.

  When the acceptance period (acceptance timing) of the first operation is reached at the timing tc5, one operation by the automatic hitting is effectively accepted, and the first operation corresponding effect is executed based on the operation. Specifically, “CHANCE” is cut-in displayed on the display screen 94 a of the symbol display device 94 as a message indicating the degree of expectation resulting in the jackpot result. Thereafter, the second effect is started at the timing of tc6.

  Here, the monitoring of the operation status described above is started immediately before the timing of tc6. The pressing of the operation button 40 started at the timing tc3 continues, and the operation support function is enabled. The second effect A is set as the second effect based on the “long press” being performed during the monitoring period.

  When the second effect A is started at the timing of tc6, the suggestion of the second operation in which the button icon and the charge gauge CG are displayed on the display screen 94a is started. When the operation of the operation button 40 is continued, the charge gauge CG is accumulated, and when the charge gauge CG becomes full at the timing of tc7, “BIG CHANCE” is cut-in displayed as a message indicating the degree of expectation resulting in the jackpot result. The

  Since the game times illustrated in FIG. 27 correspond to the losing result, the symbol combination corresponding to the losing result is stopped and displayed at the timing of tc8 when the game times are ended.

  According to the sixth embodiment described in detail above, the player cannot grasp in advance whether or not the first effect actually occurs, and the first effect is temporarily generated. Even if it is detected that it will be, it is difficult to find out the reception timing of the first operation that is the trigger for the execution of the first operation corresponding effect. Considering such circumstances, by allowing automatic repeated hitting by operation support, an operation aimed at a period during which operation reception is likely to be performed is facilitated. That is, it is not necessary to repeat the operation of the operation button 40 in anticipation of an effect that cannot be determined whether or not it actually occurs. Even if the operation reception timing is severely set, the operation at the timing can be performed by the support by automatic continuous hitting.

  However, when this type of production and the support function are used in combination, the possibility that the second production starts during the automatic continuous hitting cannot be denied. If the second effect C in which the content of the second operation corresponding effect changes according to the operation timing is executed, the operation is accepted at an unexpected timing and the second effect C is received. C can end in a way different from the player's speculation.

  In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, when performing the second effect, if the configuration of determining the content of the second effect based on the grasped result of grasping the status of the previous operation, The occurrence of inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

<Modification 1>
In the sixth embodiment, the presence / absence of occurrence of the first effect and the reception period (acceptance timing) of the first operation are not specified, but this may be changed and the first effect may occur. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that suggests that there is a possibility that the first operation is accepted. In other words, it is difficult to identify whether the first effect is executed or another effect (reach display or development to spar reach) or the like is executed, but some change occurs at a predetermined timing during game play. It is good also as a structure which suggests to obtain. For example, it is possible to display the progress status during the game round using a progress gauge, and to give a discriminating power by using a check point as a place where some change in performance or the like occurs.

<Modification 2>
In the sixth embodiment, only whether or not to execute the second effect is determined at the start of the game times, and the details are determined by the execution timing of the second effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . It is good also as a structure which determines the detail of a 2nd effect at the time of the start of game times. In this case, the operation status is not monitored in all game times in which the second effect is performed, but the operation status is monitored only in the game times in which the second effect C can be executed. When it is determined that “long press” or “continuous hit” is being performed, the second effect A or the second effect B may be rewritten according to the operation situation in which the second effect C is determined.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, it is not limited to the description content of each embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows. Incidentally, each of the following configurations may be individually applied to each of the above embodiments, or a part or all of them may be combined and applied to each of the above embodiments. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine all or some of the various configurations shown in the above embodiments. In this case, it is preferable that the technical significance (effects to be exerted) of the components to be combined is ensured. Each of the following configurations may be applied individually to a new configuration that is a combination of the embodiments, or a part or all of the configurations may be applied in combination.

  (1) In each of the above embodiments, it is determined whether or not to perform the first effect and the second effect at the start of the game times, and then the details of the effect contents are determined. However, the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the details may be determined at the start, and the contents may be rewritten according to the situation, or the presence / absence of production in the situation and the details thereof may be determined during the game.

  (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, when the operation-corresponding first effect is performed, the operation icon is displayed but a specific operation mode is not instructed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. A configuration in which an operation mode is instructed is also possible. When actually playing a game, even if the production is completed with a single operation, the operation may be continued in the hope that something will occur, or the operation may be continued due to inertia, etc. . Further, even when a continuous hit is instructed, it is not always repeated, and it cannot be denied that there is a possibility that no operation is performed or only one operation is performed. In this way, when considering that the operation is not necessarily performed in a mode according to the instruction, a practically preferable configuration can be realized by the above configuration.

  (3) The operation support function when the operation button 40 shown in each of the above embodiments is “long-pressed” can be changed as follows.

  (3-1) When the detection signal falls to the LOW level during execution of automatic continuous hitting by the operation support, the operation support start condition (return condition) may be temporarily relaxed. For example, it is possible to shorten the pressing duration necessary for shifting to the operation support mode at the time of the next long press.

  More specifically, if the number of continuous detections of the LOW level signal is within a predetermined number of times, the number of continuous detections of the HI level may be reduced under the transition condition to the next operation support. If the return condition is relaxed in this way, even if the detection signal is interrupted due to the influence of noise or the like during automatic continuous hitting, automatic continuous hitting can be continued smoothly.

  (3-2) When the operation button 40 is switched from a continuous hitting operation to a long press operation, the start condition for the operation support is relaxed compared to other cases (for example, when no operation is switched to a long press operation). Also good. As described above, it is assumed that, when the operations are repeatedly performed due to the continuous effects, the fatigue of the player who is continuously striking by himself is increased. Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to contribute to the smooth use of the operation support function by quickly demonstrating the operation support function. Note that if the responsiveness is simply increased, even if it is not a situation where it is desired to continuously hit by reacting sensitively, consecutive hits occur, and the player's intention is not reflected well. In this respect, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience caused by increasing the response only in the case of continuous hit → long press.

  (3-3) About the end timing of operation support mode, it is good also as a structure matched with the end timing of the production | generation which shifted to the said operation support mode. However, when the end condition of the operation support mode is changed in this way, if the operation mode in each of the preceding and succeeding effects is common, the operation is not performed without determining whether or not the operation support is possible in the subsequent effects. It is preferable to use a configuration for continuing support.

  (3-4) A description may be given that automatic continuous hitting can be performed by a long press operation of the operation button 40. For example, in a situation where the player is prompted to repeatedly hit, a message explaining the above function may be displayed along with the operation icon.

  (4) In each of the above embodiments, the design display device 94 (display screen 94a) is configured to perform both the first effect and the second effect, but which apparatus is used for the first effect and the second effect. The execution is arbitrary. For example, it may be executed by a lamp or a movable accessory. Moreover, you may divide the execution object of a 1st effect, and the execution object of a 2nd effect.

  (5) In each of the above embodiments, the first effect and the second effect are performed during the reach display. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The execution timing of the first effect and the second effect is arbitrary. For example, the first effect may be executed before the reach display, or both the first effect and the second effect may be executed before the reach display.

  (6) In each of the above embodiments, the first effect and the second effect are executed during one game time. However, the first effect and the second effect are executed so as to straddle two game times. It is good also as a structure to be made. For example, the first effect may be executed in the previous game round and the second effect may be executed in the later game round. In this case, when the previous game round is being executed, the first stage → the second stage is executed on condition that the hold information for the subsequent game round is stored. An upper preferable configuration can be realized.

  (7) In each of the above embodiments, the operation is suggested on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94, but the specific configuration for making the suggestion is not limited to this. For example, the operation may be suggested by sound output from a speaker unit, or the operation may be suggested by causing an operation button to emit light from a built-in light emitting substrate (light emitter) or the like.

  (8) In each of the above embodiments, the operation button 40 is employed as the “operation means”, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other contact type operation means such as a touch panel or a lever may be employed, or non-contact type operation means such as an optical sensor may be employed.

  (9) In each of the above embodiments, the operation-corresponding effect is canceled when no operation is performed. In this case, the operation-incompatible effect is executed instead of the operation-corresponding effect. It is also possible to do.

  (10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the operation suggestion is started together with the start of the operation acceptance. However, the operation acceptance is started after a predetermined preparation period has elapsed after the operation suggestion is started. It is also possible.

  (11) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above-described embodiments, such as pachinko machines that release a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or games in a specific area of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine that generates a big hit when a ball enters, a pachinko machine equipped with another accessory, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball, and the like.

  Also, a non-ball-type gaming machine, for example, a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols attached in the circumferential direction, starts rotation of the reel by inserting a medal and operating a start lever, and a stop switch is operated. The present invention also relates to a slot machine that gives a player a privilege such as paying out medals when a specific symbol or a combination of specific symbols is established on an effective line that can be visually recognized from the display window after the reel stops. Can be applied.

Further, the gaming machine main body supported by the outer frame so as to be openable and closable is provided with a storage unit and a capture device, and the start lever is operated after a predetermined number of game balls stored in the storage unit are captured by the capture device. Thus, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused to start the rotation of the reel.
<Invention Group Extracted from Each Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the characteristics of the invention group extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configuration in the above embodiment is appropriately shown in parentheses, but is not limited to the specific configuration shown in parentheses.

<Feature A group>
The following group of features A is “a game machine such as a pachinko machine, for example, having an operation means operated by a player. For example, in a pachinko game machine shown in Patent Document 1, Operation means are provided on the front of the gaming machine, and in order to make the player expect a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player, a special effect is displayed on the screen display in accordance with the player's operation. Regarding gaming machines that employ operating means in this way, an important issue is how to increase the player's attention to the game using the operating means. Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect according to the operation of the operation means will make the operation monotonous and the freshness will be lessened, and the interest in the operation itself will be reduced. Various special depending on the operation Although it is possible to suppress the monotony of the game if it is configured to perform the game, it is assumed that the operation mode becomes complicated and the player is easily confused. In order to improve the degree, there is still room for improvement in the configuration. "

Feature A1. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification / effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operation means. In the machine
The effect executing means includes a first effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) according to an operation of the operation means, and a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) according to the operation of the operating means. 2nd production execution means to execute)
When executing the second operation-corresponding effect after executing the first operation-corresponding effect, the operation means of the operation means that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is the operation means in the first operation-corresponding effect. A gaming machine comprising operation mode setting means (a function for setting an operation mode in the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142) that is set based on the operation mode.

  According to the feature A1, an operation mode serving as a trigger for executing the second operation-compatible effect is set according to the operation mode in the first operation-compatible effect. Thereby, relevance is given to the operation mode at the time of performing the first operation corresponding effect → the second operation corresponding effect, and it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming difficult or complicated. Thereby, the effect that the attention degree to a game is improved by using two operation corresponding | compatible effects together can be exhibited suitably.

  Feature A2. The operation mode setting unit includes a unit that sets an operation mode that can be an execution opportunity of the second operation-related effect so as to be the same as the operation mode of the operation unit in the first operation-related effect. The gaming machine according to Feature A1, characterized in that

  According to the feature A2, an operation mode that can be the trigger for executing the second operation-compatible effect is set in the same manner as the operation mode in the first operation-compatible effect. That is, when the first operation corresponding effect is changed to the second operation corresponding effect, the operation corresponding effect is executed by the same operation. In this way, by aligning the operation mode that is the trigger for execution with the operation mode that was the trigger for the execution of the previous operation-corresponding effect, the operation becomes complicated when the effect continues, and the player is confused or mistaken It can suppress suitably that operation is performed.

Feature A3. The first effect executing means executes the first operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the first effect,
The second effect executing means executes the second operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the second effect.
When the second effect is started after the first effect is started, the second effect executing means is configured to execute the second effect so as to be continuous with or overlap the first effect. The gaming machine according to Feature A1 or Feature A2, wherein the gaming machine is characterized by having.

  In the configuration in which the first effect and the second effect are continuous or overlapped as shown in the feature A3, for example, an event occurs in which the second effect is started in a situation where an operation corresponding to the first effect is performed. Can do. For example, the operation may be repeated while maintaining the momentum / rhythm in the first effect at the time of transition to the second effect. In this case, there is a concern that the intention of the player's operation is not properly reflected in the production due to a difference between the actual operation mode and the set operation mode. The technical idea shown in the feature A1 etc. is applied to such a configuration, and the gaming machine side determines (adjusts) the mode of subsequent operation in accordance with the mode of previous operation of the player. Therefore, it is possible to realize a practically preferable configuration while suppressing the occurrence of the inconvenience.

Feature A4. The first effect executing means executes the first operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the first effect,
The second effect executing means executes the second operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the second effect.
Reception start means for starting reception of the operation of the operation means during the second effect;
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A3, further comprising: an operation suggesting unit that starts suggesting a second operation before the acceptance of the operation is started by the acceptance starting unit. .

  According to the configuration in which the mode of operation in the second stage is set according to the mode of operation in the first stage as shown in the feature A1, etc., the operation is excessively complicated when the first stage is changed to the second stage. Can be suppressed. In such a configuration, even if prior notification is performed as shown in this feature, for example, if the operation is simply continued, the second operation corresponding effect is executed, and the operation is not performed well. For the reason, it is possible to make it difficult for the inconvenience that the flow of the effect is interrupted when the second effect (the effect corresponding to the second operation) is shifted to.

  Further, if it is confirmed by visual observation that an operation suggestion has been performed and an operation is actually performed accordingly, a certain time lag may occur between the suggestion and the operation. On the other hand, if it is set as the structure which starts operation suggestion beforehand, the influence of the time lag mentioned above can be relieve | moderated and progress of an effect can be advanced smoothly.

  For example, the operation suggestion for the second effect is started during the first effect (just before the end), or the operation suggestion for the second effect is started in the interval period between the first effect and the second effect. Or better.

  Feature A5. When executing the second effect after executing the first effect, the suggestion mode of the operation corresponding to the first effect is the same as the suggestion mode of the operation corresponding to the second effect. The gaming machine according to Feature A4, wherein the suggestion is performed.

  According to the configuration in which the operation suggestion is preceded as shown in the feature A4, the operation is suggested in advance, thereby contributing to the improvement of the responsiveness (smoothing of the effect progression). Can do. Here, by making the suggestion mode of the operation in the first effect similar to the suggestion mode of the operation in the second effect, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the operation is complicated and the player is confused. .

  Note that the configuration shown in this feature is “providing suggestion means for suggesting an operation of the operation means to a player, and the suggestion means is an operation of the operation means that triggers execution of the second effect by the operation mode setting means. When the mode is set based on the operation mode of the operation means in the first effect, the operation suggestion mode corresponding to the second effect is the same as the operation suggestion mode corresponding to the first effect. It is also possible to use a gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A4.

Feature A6. The second effect execution means includes:
Means for executing the second operation corresponding effect according to the operation timing of the operation means during the second effect;
Means for executing the second operation-corresponding effect according to the number of operations or the period of the operation means during the second effect,
Based on the fact that the operation means is continuously performed in the preceding first effect, the operation mode setting means performs the subsequent second effect according to the number of operations or the period of the operation means. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, wherein the second operation corresponding effect is set to be an effect to be executed.

  When the operation means is continuously operated during the first effect, the hand is not always released from the operation means when the first effect ends. For example, there is a possibility that the operation is intentionally continued in the expectation that some step-up or the like will occur according to the continuous operation, or the operation may be continued with inertia. In this way, when the second effect is started under the situation where the continuous operation is continued, the second operation corresponding effect can be executed with the above-described operation as a trigger. More specifically, when the second operation-corresponding effect depends on the operation timing, the operation is accepted at a timing not intended by the player, for example, in a manner that does not match the original intention of the player. A two-operation corresponding effect can be executed. This is severe for a player who is actively operating the operation means. Therefore, when the operation of the operation means during the first effect is continuously performed, the mode of operation that triggers the second operation-compatible effect corresponds to the number of operations or to the operation period. By doing so, the dependence on the timing is avoided. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the said problem can be suppressed suitably.

  In particular, when the first effect and the second effect are continuous or partially overlapped and the interval period is not secured between them, it is assumed that the above-described inconvenience is likely to occur. In view of such circumstances, it is technically significant to apply the technical idea shown in the present feature to the configuration shown in the feature A3.

Feature A7. The second effect execution means includes:
Means for executing the second operation corresponding effect according to the operation timing of the operation means during the second effect;
Means for executing the second operation-corresponding effect according to the number of operations or the period of the operation means during the second effect,
The operation mode setting means is configured such that the operation means is continuously performed in the preceding first effect in a situation where the second operation corresponding effect can be performed according to the operation timing of the operation means. On the basis of the above, the apparatus further comprises means for rewriting the second effect so that the second operation-compatible effect is executed according to the number of operations or the period of the operation means. Thru | or the game machine as described in any one of characteristics A5.

  When the operation means is continuously operated during the first effect, the hand is not always released from the operation means when the first effect ends. For example, there is a possibility that the operation is intentionally continued in the expectation that some step-up or the like will occur according to the continuous operation, or the operation may be continued with inertia. In this way, when the second effect is started under the situation where the continuous operation is continued, the second operation corresponding effect can be executed with the above-described operation as a trigger. More specifically, when the second operation-corresponding effect depends on the operation timing, the operation is accepted at a timing not intended by the player, for example, in a manner that does not match the original intention of the player. A two-operation corresponding effect can be executed. This is severe for a player who is actively operating the operation means. Therefore, when the operation of the operation means during the first effect is continuously performed, the mode of operation that triggers the second operation-compatible effect corresponds to the number of operations or to the operation period. By doing so, the dependence on the timing is avoided. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the said problem can be suppressed suitably.

  In particular, when the first effect and the second effect are continuous or partially overlapped and the interval period is not secured between them, it is assumed that the above-described inconvenience is likely to occur. In view of such circumstances, it is technically significant to apply the technical idea shown in the present feature to the configuration shown in the feature A3.

Feature A8. The operating means is a pressing operation means (operation button 40) that is pressed by a player.
An operation determination unit (determination function in the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142) for determining the operation of the operation unit is provided,
The operation determination unit switches to a special determination state (operation support mode) when the pressing operation unit is maintained in a pressed state for a predetermined period, and the pressed state is maintained in the special determination state. The features A1 to A7 are characterized in that it is determined that the operation of the operation means has been repeatedly performed until a predetermined release condition (e.g., elapse of a support period or release of a pressed state) is satisfied. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.

  In a gaming machine of the type in which an operation-corresponding effect is executed according to the number of pressing operations (number of consecutive hits) of the operating means, a variety of operations can be achieved by using it in combination with a configuration that requires only operating the operating means once. This makes it possible to realize a preferable configuration for preventing the monotony of the game. However, increasing the operation burden on the player when repeatedly performing the pressing operation can be a factor that hesitates to operate the operating means. In this regard, as shown in this feature, the above-described inconvenience can be obtained if the same effect (support effect by automatic continuous hitting) is obtained by maintaining the operating means in the pressed state. Generation | occurrence | production can be suppressed suitably.

  However, although such an automatic repetitive hitting function is advantageous in improving the convenience of operation, the possibility that the function is abused cannot be denied because the operation load is reduced. For example, an event may occur in which a game is played with a hand on the operation means regardless of whether there is an operation suggestion. In this case, it cannot be denied that the second operation corresponding effect of the type depending on the operation timing as shown in the feature A6 or the like is executed as a result of the automatic hitting. In particular, in view of the fact that the first effect triggers the start of the operation, there is a high possibility that the inconvenience will occur when the first effect is changed to the second effect. By applying the technical idea shown in the feature A5 or the like to such a configuration, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of an inconvenience that the production is not successfully executed due to the improvement in convenience.

  Feature A9. The condition for switching to the special determination state when the transition to the second effect is made after entering the special determination state during the first effect under the situation of shifting from the first effect to the second effect. The gaming machine according to Feature A8, wherein re-determination is avoided.

  According to the feature A9, after pressing the operating means in the first effect, the special determination state is maintained even during the second effect by maintaining the pressed state. In this way, the convenience of the support function can be suitably improved by avoiding re-setting of the special determination state.

  Feature A10. Both the operation mode that triggers the execution of the first performance in the first performance and the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-compatible effect in the second performance are both continuous operations (for example, long If the operation means is maintained in the pressed state, the special determination state is maintained until at least the second operation corresponding effect is executed. The gaming machine according to Feature A8 or Feature A9, wherein

  According to the feature A10, when the first effect is changed to the second effect, once the special determination state is reached during the first effect, the special determination state is maintained until the second operation corresponding effect is executed thereafter. It will be. That is, as long as the operating means is maintained in the pressed state, the support function can be enjoyed collectively in the first effect to the second effect, and the convenience of the support function can be suitably improved.

<Feature B group>
The following feature group B is “a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is known to have an operation means operated by a player. For example, in the pachinko gaming machine shown in Patent Document 1, Operation means are provided on the front of the gaming machine, and in order to make the player expect a special gaming state that is advantageous to the player, a special effect is displayed on the screen display in accordance with the player's operation. Regarding gaming machines that employ operating means in this way, an important issue is how to increase the player's attention to the game using the operating means. Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect according to the operation of the operation means will make the operation monotonous and the freshness will be lessened, and the interest in the operation itself will be reduced. Various special depending on the operation Although it is possible to suppress the monotony of the game if it is configured to perform the game, it is assumed that the operation mode becomes complicated and the player is easily confused. In order to improve the degree, there is still room for improvement in the configuration. "

Feature B1. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification / effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operation means. In the machine
The production execution means
First effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) in response to an operation of the operation means during the first effect;
Second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) in response to an operation of the operation means during the second effect,
Guidance means (display) for guiding the player to continue the operation of the operation means over the first effect and the second effect when the second effect is executed after the first effect is executed. A gaming machine having a function of continuing to display button icons on the screen 94a.

  In the case where the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation means are performed as shown in the feature B1, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that prompts the operation individually during each effect period. In such a configuration, for example, a first operation-corresponding effect and a second operation-corresponding effect can be generated by performing individual operations according to information from a gaming machine or the like. However, repeating the operation or stopping may be a factor that complicates the operation and reduces attention to the performance. Further, when an instruction for the next operation is generated under the situation where the operation is completed and the player's attention is reduced, there is a concern that the instruction is likely to be overlooked. As described above, it cannot be denied that the interruption of the instruction of the operation in the case of performing a plurality of operations corresponding to the operation may hinder the attention to the game. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if it is configured to prompt the continuation of the operation in the first effect to the second effect by the guiding means, the occurrence of the troublesomeness or oversight as described above is suppressed, and attention is paid by the operation corresponding effect. The effect of improving the degree can be suitably exhibited.

Feature B2. Pattern display means (main display unit 89, symbol display device 94) having a display unit (main display unit D, display screen 94a) and displaying the pattern in a variable manner on the display unit;
When the pattern variation start condition is satisfied, the pattern display means is configured to start the variation display of the pattern, display the variation according to a predetermined variation mode, and then end the variation display as one game time. Display control means for controlling the display (main control device 162, notification / production control device 142, display control device 620),
The guidance means is configured to perform the guidance when the second presentation is executed after the first presentation is executed during one game round, according to the feature B1 Game machines.

  If the continuation of the operation is urged regardless of the period (interval period) between the first effect and the second effect, there is a concern that the operation will be prolonged and the burden on the player will increase. An excessive increase in the burden may cause a decrease in the willingness to play, and there is concern that it will hinder the promotion of active participation. In this regard, as shown in this feature, the above guidance is limited to the case where the first effect → the second effect is performed during one game round, and the guidance is refrained when the interval period becomes excessively large. By adopting the configuration, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience described above.

Feature B3. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification / effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operation means. In the machine
The production execution means
First effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) in response to an operation of the operation means during the first effect;
Second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) in response to an operation of the operation means during the second effect,
When executing the second effect after executing the first effect, there is a non-execution period (interval period) in which the first effect and the second effect are not executed,
As the non-execution period, a first period and a second period that is shorter than the first period are provided,
When the non-execution period is the second period, guidance means for guiding the player to continue the operation of the operation means over the first effect and the second effect (button on the display screen 94a) A gaming machine having a function of continuing to display an icon).

  In the case where the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation means are performed as shown in the feature B3, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that prompts the operation individually during each effect period. In such a configuration, for example, a first operation-corresponding effect and a second operation-corresponding effect can be generated by performing individual operations according to information from a gaming machine or the like. However, repeating the operation or stopping may be a factor that complicates the operation and reduces attention to the performance. Further, when an instruction for the next operation is generated under the situation where the operation is completed and the player's attention is reduced, there is a concern that the instruction is likely to be overlooked. As described above, when a plurality of operations corresponding to the operation are performed, the interruption of the operation instruction may be an obstacle to improving the degree of attention to the game. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if it is configured to prompt the continuation of the operation in the first effect to the second effect by the guiding means, the occurrence of the troublesomeness or oversight as described above is suppressed, and attention is paid by the operation corresponding effect. The effect of improving the degree can be suitably exhibited.

  Here, if the continuation of the operation is urged regardless of the interval between the first effect and the second effect (interval period), there is a concern that the operation will be prolonged and the burden on the player will increase. Excessive burden can be a hindrance to encouraging active participation. In this regard, as shown in this feature, the guidance is not performed when the relatively long first period is set as the non-execution period but when the relatively short second period is set as the non-execution period. By setting it as the structure to perform, generation | occurrence | production of the problem mentioned above can be suppressed suitably.

  Note that the configuration shown in this feature is “a grant determination unit that determines whether or not to grant a privilege to a player when a preset determination condition is satisfied, and a result of the grant determination by the grant determination unit. However, on the basis of the grant response result corresponding to granting the bonus to the player, the bonus granting unit for granting the bonus to the player, and the grant determination by the grant determination unit are performed. On the basis of this, a game notification operation is started by a predetermined notification means, and the game rotation operation is ended as a notification result corresponding to the result of the grant determination. In a gaming machine provided with a game turn control means for controlling the predetermined notification means so as to be performed, an operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and an operation corresponding to the operation of the operation means Performance Effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification / effect control device 142), and the effect execution means responds to the first operation corresponding effect (effect change) according to the operation of the operation means during the first effect. ) And a second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) in response to an operation of the operation means during the second effect. In the case where the operation is started, it is provided with effect setting means for setting to perform the first effect and the second effect during game play, and when the second effect is executed after the execution of the first effect, There is a non-execution period during which the first effect and the second effect are not executed. As the non-execution period, a first period and a second period that is shorter than the first period are provided. The innocence between the production and the second production When the period is the second period, guidance means for guiding the player to continue the operation of the operation means over the first effect and the second effect (display of a button icon on the display screen 94a) It is also possible to use a gaming machine characterized by having a function to continue

  Feature B4. The feature B3 is characterized in that when the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect is the first period, the guidance by the guiding means is not performed. Gaming machine.

As shown in the feature B1 and the like, a problem that occurs when using a plurality of effects associated with the operation means becomes conspicuous when the interval between these effects (non-execution period, interval period) is small. Therefore, in the case where the non-execution period is the first period, which is relatively large, even if the above-described guidance is refrained, inconveniences caused by it are unlikely to occur. And it is advantageous for the said guidance to encourage a player's active participation (operation) to make it the structure which suppresses operation for a long time without darkness, and the burden on a player becomes large.
Feature B5. Reception start means for starting reception of an operation of the operation means;
An operation suggesting unit that starts suggesting an operation of the operation unit when reception of the operation is started by the reception start unit;
When guidance by the guidance means is performed, the operation suggestion mode corresponding to the second effect is configured to be the same as the operation suggestion mode corresponding to the first effect. The gaming machine according to any one of B1 to B4.
By making the suggestion mode of the operation in the first effect similar to the suggestion mode of the operation in the second effect, the player is confused when informing the player that the operation should be continued. Such inconveniences can be suppressed.

Feature B6. A first suggestion means (display function such as an icon) for instructing a player to operate the operation means when performing the first effect;
A second suggestion means (a display function such as an icon) that suggests that the player operate the operation means when performing the second effect;
From the start of the suggestion by the first suggestion means until the suggestion by the second suggestion means ends so that the suggestion by the first suggestion means and the suggestion by the second suggestion means continue A gaming machine characterized by having means for continuing suggestions.

  In guiding the operation of the operation means to continue in the first effect to the second effect, the willingness to operate is reduced if an impression is given as if the operation is substantially meaningless. As a result, the above-mentioned guiding function cannot be performed well. In the first effect, the first operation corresponding effect is executed as a result of performing an operation in accordance with the suggestion by the first suggesting means. In this way, by making the player recognize that some response will occur in response to the suggestion and then performing the above guidance so that the suggestion continues, it is as if the ongoing operation has any meaning It is possible to make the player aware of it. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the said problem can be suppressed suitably.

Feature B7. The first suggesting means suggests that the operation means continuously perform a predetermined operation as an suggestion by the first suggesting means,
The guiding means performs the predetermined operation over the first effect and the second effect when the second suggesting means suggests an operation in the same manner as the first suggesting means in the operating means. The gaming machine according to Feature B6, wherein the gaming machine is configured to suggest.

  When the operation mode that triggers the first operation-compatible effect matches the operation mode that triggers the second operation-compatible effect, the operation is performed over two effects. Even if it is continued, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that the production does not proceed well due to a difference in operation mode or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly advance the effect corresponding to the operation.

  In particular, when a predetermined operation is continuously performed, it is assumed that if the operation is interrupted and restarted in the middle, it is easy to give the player an impression that the operation is troublesome. Therefore, in the case where the first effect and the second effect correspond to a predetermined continuous operation, a configuration that promotes the continuation of the operation can realize a practically preferable configuration.

  Feature B8. In the guiding means, an operation that triggers the first operation-compatible effect is a predetermined operation in which the operation unit is continuously operated, and an operation that triggers the second operation-compatible effect is the first operation-compatible effect. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B7, characterized in that it has means for performing the guidance when the operation is the same as the operation that triggers.

  When the operation mode that triggers the first operation-compatible effect matches the operation mode that triggers the second operation-compatible effect, the operation is performed over two effects. Even if it is continued, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience that the production does not proceed well due to a difference in operation mode or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly advance the effect corresponding to the operation.

  In particular, when a predetermined operation is continuously performed, it is assumed that if the operation is interrupted and restarted in the middle, it is easy to give the player an impression that the operation is troublesome. Therefore, in the case where the first effect and the second effect correspond to a predetermined continuous operation, a configuration that promotes the continuation of the operation can realize a practically preferable configuration.

Feature B9. An operation mode grasping means for grasping an operation mode in the first effect;
The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B8, further comprising: a unit that determines whether or not the guidance can be performed by the guidance unit based on the operation mode grasped by the operation mode grasping unit. .

  In the first place, the operation mode of the operation means depends on the player. For this reason, even if the operation mode is suggested, the operation is not always performed as it is. Therefore, for example, when the mode of operation in the first stage is maintained and the second stage is shifted to the second stage, the mode of operation that triggers execution of the second operation corresponding stage in the second stage and the mode of operation being executed If there is a difference between the two, there is no denying the possibility that the performance corresponding to the second operation will not be performed successfully. Therefore, if it is configured to determine whether or not to continue the operation according to the operation mode in the first effect as shown in this feature, the second operation corresponding effect is successfully performed as a result of guiding the operation to be continued. It can be avoided suitably that it disappears.

  More specifically, for example, the operation timing is important in the second operation-corresponding effect, and when the operation means is repeatedly hit during the first effect, the second hit is prompted. It is assumed that it is difficult to perform a timed operation in the production. On the other hand, when the execution opportunity of the second operation corresponding effect is based on the premise that the operation means is repeatedly hit, the above inconvenience does not occur. Thus, it is technically significant to adopt a configuration that determines whether or not guidance is possible after grasping the actual operation mode.

  In addition, when applying the technical idea shown in this feature to the feature B6 or B7, the configuration shown in this feature is “the operation mode grasping unit for grasping the operation mode in the first effect and the operation mode grasping unit”. The game machine according to Feature B6 or Feature B7, further comprising: a unit that determines whether or not the suggestion unit can continue the suggestion based on the operation mode grasped by the above.

  Feature B10. In the guiding means, the operation mode of the operation means in the first effect is a continuous operation mode in which the operation unit is operated continuously, and the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second effect is the continuous operation mode. The game machine according to Feature B9, further comprising means for performing the guidance.

  In the configuration in which the first operation corresponding effect is completed by operating the operation means once, the adverse effect caused by the period during which no operation is prompted between the second effect is relatively small. On the other hand, if a blank occurs when the continuous operation is changed to the continuous operation, a negative impression such as “redo” of the continuous operation is easily given. Therefore, at least in the case of continuous operation → continuous operation, the effects shown in the feature B1 and the like can be suitably exhibited by adopting a configuration that avoids the generation of blanks.

  Feature B11. In the case of performing the guidance by the guidance means, a first shortening means for shortening the non-execution period between the first presentation and the second presentation by delaying the end timing of the first presentation. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B10, wherein:

  According to the feature B11, the period in which the continuation of the operation is induced is substantially irrelevant to the operation by extending the first effect and shortening the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect. It can be difficult to give such an impression.

  Feature B12. The first shortening unit is configured to delay an end timing of the first effect by extending an operation reception period for receiving an operation of the operation unit in the first effect. The gaming machine described in 1.

  The appearance of the first effect can change depending on which part of the first effect is extended. Here, a certain length of the operation reception period is secured to widen the timing range of the player's operation. In consideration of such circumstances, if the configuration corresponding to this reception period is extended, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discomfort due to the extension of the first effect and to suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the first effect. it can.

  Feature B13. A second shortening unit that shortens the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect by advancing the start timing of the second effect when the guidance unit performs the guidance; The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B12, wherein:

According to the feature B13, the period in which the continuation of the operation is induced is substantially irrelevant to the operation by shortening the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect by advancing the second effect. It can be difficult to give such an impression.
Feature B14. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification / effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operation means. In the machine
The production execution means
First effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) in response to an operation of the operation means during the first effect;
Second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) in response to an operation of the operation means during the second effect,
A non-execution period (interval) in which the second effect is executed after the first effect is executed and the first effect and the second effect are not executed between the first effect and the second effect. When there is a period, guidance means for guiding the player to continue the operation of the operation means over the first effect and the second effect (a function of continuing to display the button icon on the display screen 94a) ).
In the case where the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation means are performed as shown in the feature B14, a configuration in which the operation is individually urged during each effect period may be employed. In such a configuration, for example, a first operation-corresponding effect and a second operation-corresponding effect can be generated by performing individual operations according to information from a gaming machine or the like. However, repeating the operation or stopping may be a factor that complicates the operation and reduces attention to the performance. Further, when an instruction for the next operation is generated under the situation where the operation is completed and the player's attention is reduced, there is a concern that the instruction is likely to be overlooked. As described above, it cannot be denied that the interruption of the instruction of the operation in the case of performing a plurality of operations corresponding to the operation may hinder the attention to the game. In this regard, as shown in this feature, if it is configured to prompt the continuation of the operation in the first effect to the second effect by the guiding means, the occurrence of the troublesomeness or oversight as described above is suppressed, and attention is paid by the operation corresponding effect. The effect of improving the degree can be suitably exhibited.
The technical idea shown in the features B2 to B12 may be applied to the configuration shown in this feature.

  The basic configuration of the gaming machine to which the above features can be applied is shown below.

  Pachinko gaming machine: operation means (game ball launching handle 45) operated by the player, game ball launching means (game ball launching mechanism 110) for launching a game ball based on the operation of the operation means, and the fired A ball path (guide path 103 of the guide rail 100) for guiding a game ball to a predetermined game area (game area PE) and game parts (eg, nails 87) arranged in the game area, each of these game parts Among these, a gaming machine that gives a privilege to a player when a game ball passes through a predetermined passing portion (general winning opening 81 or the like).

  Slot machine, etc .: A variable display means that displays a symbol sequence consisting of a plurality of symbols in a variable manner and then stops and displays the symbol sequence. Special game advantageous to the player on the condition that the change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stoppage or when a predetermined time elapses and the final stop symbol at the time of stoppage is a specific symbol A gaming machine that generates a state (bonus game, etc.).

  Ball-use belt-type game machine: Equipped with variable display means that displays the symbol sequence consisting of multiple symbols in a variably displayed state, and then stops and displays the symbol sequence. The special game state (bonus) that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the operating means or when the predetermined time elapses, and the final stop symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol A throwing device that performs a throwing process for taking a game ball from the ball tray and a payout device for paying out the game ball to the ball tray, A gaming machine configured such that the operation of the starting operation means is made effective when a game ball is inserted by.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine as a game machine, 14 ... Front door frame which comprises the front part of a game machine, 27 ... Speaker part, 28 ... Upper bulge part, 40 ... Operation button as an operation means, 94 ... Composition execution means Symbol display device, 94a ... display screen, 142 ... notification / production control device constituting production execution means, 162 ... main control device, 601 ... MPU, 612 ... MPU.

Claims (5)

In a gaming machine comprising operating means operated by a player, and effect executing means for executing an operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operating means,
The effect executing means is a first effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect in response to an operation of the operating means, and a second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect in response to an operation of the operating means. And
When executing the second operation-corresponding effect after executing the first operation-corresponding effect, the operation means of the operation means that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is the operation means in the first operation-corresponding effect. A gaming machine comprising operation mode setting means for setting based on the operation mode.   The operation mode setting unit includes a unit that sets an operation mode that can be an execution opportunity of the second operation-related effect so as to be the same as the operation mode of the operation unit in the first operation-related effect. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: The first effect executing means executes the first operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the first effect,
The second effect executing means executes the second operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the second effect.
When the second effect is started after the start of the first effect, the second effect executing means performs the second effect so that the first effect and the second effect are continuous or overlapped. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for executing the game machine. The first effect executing means executes the first operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the first effect,
The second effect executing means executes the second operation corresponding effect according to an operation of the operation means during the second effect.
Reception start means for starting reception of the operation of the operation means during the second effect;
The operation suggesting means for starting the suggestion of the second operation before the acceptance of the operation is started by the acceptance starting means. 4. Gaming machine.   When executing the second effect after executing the first effect, the suggestion mode of the operation corresponding to the first effect is the same as the suggestion mode of the operation corresponding to the second effect. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the suggestion is performed.

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