JP2018110733A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which enhancing game amusement by improving performance effect of a performance for which an operation effective period is set.SOLUTION: The game machine includes: an effective period setting part 220 which sets an operation effective period during which an operation by a player is effectively received; a push button 37 and an operation lever 22 which effectively receive operations by the player during the operation effective period set by the setting means; and a performance control part 210 which executes a special performance on the basis of an operation by the player which operation means effectively receives. There is a correlation between a length of the operation effective period which is suggested or notified to the player in the special performance and a degree to expect an advantageous game state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly to a pachinko gaming machine.

In a gaming machine represented by a pachinko gaming machine or a revolving type gaming machine, there is a case where an operation of a player is prompted during execution of an effect, and an effect in which the effect content changes according to the operation may be executed.
The following patent document 1 is illustrated as this type of gaming machine.

Patent Document 1 describes a gaming machine that executes an operation-corresponding effect (cut display or the like) based on the result of the big hit lottery in response to pressing of an effect button called a button effect.
When performing a button effect during a variation effect that has been won for a jackpot game, the gaming machine performs a confirmed effect informing that the jackpot is won according to the operation input, and the operation is effective even without an operation input. It is described that a definite effect is performed at a predetermined timing based on a period (a period during which a player's operation is effectively received in a button effect).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-158691

The button effect performed by the gaming machine described in Patent Literature 1 displays an image representing the effect button as an effect for prompting the player to operate, and also displays a set operation valid period.
The display mode related to the operation effective period is monotonous without any special feature, and there is still room for improvement from the viewpoint of inducing the gaming interest by the effect based on the player.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine that aims to improve game entertainment by enhancing the effect of the effect that the operation valid period is set.

  According to the present invention, a setting means for setting an operation effective period for effectively receiving a player's operation, an operation means for effectively receiving a player's operation during the operation effective period set by the setting means, and the setting Instructing or notifying the player that the operation effective period has been set by the means and the length of the set operation effective period, and executing a special effect based on the player's operation that the operation means has received effectively Providing a gaming machine in which a correlation is established between the length of the operation effective period that is suggested or notified to the player in the special effect and the expectation level to be in an advantageous gaming state Is done.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the game machine which aimed at the improvement of the game interest by providing the production effect of the production in which the operation effective period is set is provided.

It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the LED group arrange | positioned in the area | region II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in a region III shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the game board installed in a gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows the main electrical structures of a gaming machine. It is a functional block diagram which shows the main control structures of a gaming machine. It is a functional block diagram which shows the control structure which concerns on payout control of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a process at the time of starting opening | mouth entrance. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a symbol variation start process. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the main display part in a special effect. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the main display part in a special effect. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the main display part in a special effect. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the main display part in a special effect. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the main display part in a special effect. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the main display part in a special effect.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” refer to the gaming machine 10 on the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. ) Shall be designated in the state seen from.

<About the outline of the gaming machine 10>
First, an outline of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and the periphery thereof. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine 10.
The gaming machine 10 is a so-called pachinko gaming machine, and includes operation means, setting means, and effect control means.

The operation means effectively accepts the player's operation during the operation valid period set by the setting means.
Here, the operation means is a member configured to be able to accept a player's operation, for example, a button or a lever, and the type thereof is not particularly limited. The operation means in this embodiment is the operation lever 22 or the push button 37, for example.
Here, “effectively accepting a player's operation” means that a control signal generated in response to the accepted player's operation is effectively executed by a processing device (for example, the CPU 201) provided inside the gaming machine 10. Is to be processed. Note that when the player's operation is effectively accepted, the player may be notified that the operation is recognizable, or the player may be unable to recognize.

The setting means sets an operation valid period for effectively receiving the player's operation. The setting means in this embodiment is, for example, the validity period setting unit 220.
Here, the operation valid period is a period during which the operation can be effectively processed when the player's operation is accepted. That is, even when the operation means receives the player's operation during the operation effective period, there may be a case where the operation is not processed effectively. For example, if the time interval for accepting the player's operation is very short, the operating means accepts the operation during the operation valid period when a prohibition condition such as invalidating the player's operation received later is provided. The player's operation may be invalidated.

The effect control means suggests or informs the player that the operation effective period has been set by the setting means and the length of the set operation effective period, and specially based on the player's operation that the operation means has received effectively. Perform the production. The effect control means in this embodiment is, for example, the effect control unit 210.
Here, the special effect is a kind of effect, for example, the effect mode develops triggered by the player's operation that is effectively accepted, or the development destination changes depending on the type of the player's operation that is accepted effectively. Includes content.
If the operation valid period set for the special effect elapses without accepting the player's operation, the same change as when accepting the player's operation may occur in the special effect, A change different from the case where the user's operation is accepted may occur in the special effect, or the special effect may end without any change.

Here, “indicating or informing the player of the length of the operation effective period” means that the player recognizes the length of the operation effective period set for the operation means with a certain degree of accuracy. It is not always necessary to match the actual time of the operation effective period set internally. That is, depending on the mode in which the information to be notified is inaccurate (the length of the notified operation effective period changes in the middle or becomes unknown), the production control means determines the length of the operation effective period. You may make it alert | report.
Further, the mode of “indicating or informing the player of the length of the operation effective period” may be an aspect that quantitatively represents the length of the operation effective period (for example, “XX seconds” is displayed). Alternatively, it may be an aspect that qualitatively represents the length of the operation effective period (for example, a relative length can be recognized).

The gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a correlation is established between the length of the operation effective period that is suggested or notified to the player in the special performance and the expectation level that results in an advantageous gaming state. . The established correlation may be a positive correlation (the longer the operation effective period is, the higher the expectation of becoming an advantageous gaming state), or a negative correlation (the longer the operation effective period is, the longer the operation effective period is) , A relationship in which the degree of expectation for an advantageous gaming state is low).
Here, the advantageous game state is a game state advantageous to the player, such as a big hit game, a small hit game, a probability change state, a short change state (so-called electric support), or the like.
Here, the expectation level to be in the advantageous gaming state is the expectation level to shift to the advantageous gaming state or the expectation level to win as a result of the execution of the special effect, and the period in which the special effect is executed and the stay period in the advantageous game state May be continuous, separated, or overlapped.
For example, if the effect control means is in a mode in which a special effect is executed during the special symbol fluctuation display described later (so-called the game), the expected level of the advantageous gaming state is the fluctuation display of the symbol in which the special effect is executed. As a result, the degree of expectation that the winning of the advantageous gaming state is notified may be used.
Alternatively, if the effect control means is an aspect in which a special effect is executed based on the execution condition determined by the predetermination unit 112 described later, the expectation level for the advantageous gaming state is a target of the predetermination unit 112. A random number may be an expectation level for winning the advantageous gaming state in a game used for determining whether or not the advantageous gaming state is successful.

As described above, since the correlation is established between the length of the operation effective period suggested or notified to the player in the special performance and the expected degree of the advantageous gaming state, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is It is possible to enhance the production effect related to the production, and to improve the game entertainment.
Hereinafter, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

<About the structure of the gaming machine 10>
The structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing LED groups arranged in the region II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and the periphery thereof. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10.
It should be noted that the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are only those necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the configuration and functions not shown here are added to the gaming machine 10. May be. Further, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily include all of the configurations illustrated here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

  The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, and fires a game ball on a front area (hereinafter referred to as a gaming area 50a) of a gaming board 50 on which a large number of gaming nails (not shown) are erected. A game in which a prize ball is obtained when a game ball enters a prize opening (for example, a big prize opening 55, etc.) is performed.

  The gaming machine 10 includes a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 15 that opens forward and backward, a middle frame (not shown) that detachably holds the gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and the front side of the gaming board 50. And a front frame 20 configured to cover.

The front frame 20 is rotatably supported on the left end side by a hinge mechanism 21 and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23.
The front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 disposed so as to cover the game area 50 a, and the game area 50 a and the game board 50 are transparently protected by the transparent member 25.
The front frame 20 includes an upper ball receiving tray 27 and a lower ball receiving tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiving tray 27 and the lower ball receiving tray 29 are provided integrally with the front frame 20 so as to be vertically separated.
The front frame 20 is provided with an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiving tray 29 so that the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a by rotating the operation handle 31. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an operation button group operated by the player is disposed around the upper ball tray 27. In addition to the push buttons 37 that can accept the player's operations for switching the effects that occur during the game or for the player to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, the operation buttons are respectively above, There are a cursor button 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) for instructing a downward, left, and right operation, a ball lending button 39a for receiving a ball lending operation, a return button 39b for receiving a prepaid card return operation, and the like. included.

When a game ball enters the winning opening, the winning ball awarded by winning is paid out to the upper ball receiving tray 27 or the lower ball receiving tray 29 by a payout mechanism 70 (see FIG. 7) described later. When the upper ball tray 27 is full of game balls, the payout mechanism 70 is configured to pay out the winning ball to the lower ball tray 29, and the upper ball tray 27 stores a certain amount of game balls. Is prevented.
Below the lower ball tray 29, a ball removal mechanism 36 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward is provided. By operating this ball removal mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 is opened, and the game ball is naturally dropped from the bottom opening and discharged.

The upper frame portion and the left and right side frame portions of the front frame 20 are formed by a light-transmitting cover. The upper frame lamp 35a is formed in the upper frame portion, the left frame lamp 35b is formed in the left frame portion, and the right frame portion is formed. Are each provided with a right frame lamp 35c. In the following description, the upper frame lamp 35a, the left frame lamp 35b, and the right frame lamp 35c may be collectively referred to as the lamp unit 35.
A pair of speakers 33a and 33b are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion of the front frame 20, respectively. A speaker 33c is disposed on the right side of the lower ball tray 29. In the following description, the speaker 33a, the speaker 33b, and the speaker 33c may be collectively referred to as the speaker 33.
The speaker 33 and the lamp unit 35 can output sound or can be turned on or off in conjunction with an effect or an error notification generated during the game.

  On the right side of the lower ball tray 29, there is disposed an operation lever 22 configured to accept an operation of pulling forward and an operation of pushing backward. The operation lever 22 is enabled when a specific performance is executed, and can accept a player's operation.

  The effect display device 80 includes a main display portion 81 disposed substantially at the center of the game board 50, an upper sub display portion 82 disposed above the main display portion 81, and a left side of the main display portion 81. It includes a left sub display portion 83 disposed and a right sub display portion 84 disposed on the right side of the main display portion 81. The main display unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal device, and the upper sub display unit 82, the left sub display unit 83, and the right sub display unit 84 are movable liquid crystal devices.

The main display unit 81 can display a variation display of effect symbols performed in conjunction with the symbol variation game in the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92, and also various other effects Can be displayed.
In the variation display of the effect symbol group displayed on the main display unit 81, the effect symbol group to be displayed forms one or more columns. The direction of the row formed by the variably displayed effect symbol group is not particularly limited, and may be any of, for example, the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, the depth direction, or a combination thereof (oblique direction).
Here, although the depth direction is actually a flat display change on the display screen of the main display unit 81, the effect design changes from the side of the main display unit 81 to the front side or vice versa. This means a virtual direction recognized by a player in a display mode using a technique (for example, perspective method) for recognizing the player as if he / she is doing.

  The main display unit 81 can display a so-called holding ball (not shown) on a part of the display screen in addition to the display of the effect symbols. The display area where the reserved ball is displayed and the display area where the effect symbol is displayed may be separated or overlapped. Here, the holding ball is an effect image imitating the random number used in the symbol variation game being executed at the present time or the random number currently being held among the random numbers acquired upon entering the starting opening. It is. Note that the reserved ball may indicate a possibility that a privilege (for example, a big hit game) is given depending on its shape, color, or the like.

  The upper sub-display unit 82, the left sub-display unit 83, or the right sub-display unit 84 is provided mainly for displaying an effect image related to the effect, and can move when a specific effect is executed. The respective original positions are on the upper side, the left side, or the right side with respect to the main display unit 81, and the upper sub display unit 82 and the left sub display unit 83 extend from these original positions to a position overlapping the display area of the effect symbol in the main display unit 81. Alternatively, the right sub display unit 84 can move.

  Note that although the effect display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub display unit 82, left sub display unit 83, or right sub display unit 84) in the present embodiment is a liquid crystal display device, The implementation of the invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type and a dot matrix type can be adopted as the effect display device 80.

  A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are arranged on the lower left side of the main display portion 81, and a display area of the symbol display device 90 is configured by these LEDs. The symbol display device 90 is disposed at a position that is less visible to the player than the main display portion 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display portion 81.

  The symbol display device 90 includes a first special figure display device 91, a second special figure display device 92, a universal figure display device 93, and a round display device 94.

Here, the special symbol is a specific symbol group that is stopped and displayed as a result of the symbol variation game that determines whether or not to operate a special electric character (for example, the special electric character 65). The special symbol in the present embodiment includes a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. That is, the first special figure display device 91 and the second special figure display device 92 notify whether the big hit game (advantageous game state) is successful or not by a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of the special symbol variation display.
The first special symbol may be abbreviated as “special symbol 1”, and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as “special symbol 2”. The special symbol may be abbreviated as “special symbol”.

Here, the normal symbol is a specific symbol group that is stopped and displayed as a result of the symbol variation game for determining whether or not to operate the normal electric accessory (for example, the normal electric accessory 61). The normal symbol in the present embodiment is displayed on the universal symbol display device 93.
Hereinafter, a normal symbol may be abbreviated as “common figure”.

In the following description, the symbol variation game in which the special symbol is stopped and displayed after the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 is variably displayed may be referred to as “the symbol variation game related to the special symbol”. .
Further, in the following description, the symbol variation game in which the ordinary symbol is stopped and displayed after the ordinary symbol display device 93 is variably displayed may be referred to as “the symbol variation game related to the ordinary symbol”.
Alternatively, in the following description, the variation display of the effect symbol displayed on the main display unit 81 described above is distinguished from “the symbol variation game related to the special symbol” and “the symbol variation game related to the normal symbol” as “the effect symbol. It may be referred to as a “symbol changing game”.
In the following description, when simply referred to as “symbol changing game”, it means “symbol changing game related to special symbol” unless otherwise specified.

  The round display device 94 displays the number of executions of the round game at that point in the execution period of the big hit game by a display pattern of eight LEDs.

The symbol display device 90 displays the number of reserved random numbers, displays whether or not it is in a probable variation state, and displays whether or not it is in a variable state by the LED group not used for the above display. Or whether or not right-handed is recommended.
In addition, although arrangement | positioning and the number of LED which concern on the symbol display apparatus 90 in this embodiment are as showing in FIG. 2, this is one specific example, Comprising: The arrangement | positioning and number of LED which concern on the symbol display apparatus 90 are this example. It is not limited to.

On the front surface of the game board 50, a large number of game nails (not shown), windmills 52, decorative members, and the like are arranged, so that a game area 50a is drawn so that the launched game ball rolls. It is made. Further, on the left side and the upper side of the game area 50a, curved outer rails 51 and inner rails 53 provided for guiding the game balls launched by the rotation operation of the operation handle 31 to the upper part of the game area 50a are arranged. Has been. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the game area 50a as a reference.
Here, the windmill 52 is a mechanism for changing the direction in which the game ball falls, and is a nail-like one.

  The gaming machine 10 can increase or decrease the launch of the game ball according to the magnitude of the rotation operation amount (for example, the rotation angle) of the operation handle 31. In addition, one of the first flow path X (so-called left-handed) in which the weakly launched game ball rolls and the second flow path Y (so-called right-handed) in which the harder launched game ball rolls are used. Various obstacles are arranged in the game area 50a so that the game ball rolls.

  FIG. 4 shows a large winning port 55, a first starting port 57, a second starting port 59, a gate 63, and normal winning ports 67 (67a, 67b) as main winning ports. The winning award shown here is an example, and the number and arrangement thereof may be changed as appropriate.

The first start port 57 is disposed at the lower center of the game area 50a. A count switch SW1 is attached to the first start port 57, and a winning for the first start port 57 is determined in response to detection of the count switch SW1, and a prize ball associated with the first start port 57 is displayed. Is granted.
In at least a part of the case where the winning for the first starting port 57 is determined, the starting condition for starting the symbol variation game related to the first special symbol is established.
In the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls are directed toward the first start port 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged so as to roll.

The second start port 59 is disposed on the right side of the game area 50a. A count switch SW2 is attached to the second start port 59, and a winning ball relating to the second start port 59 is determined when the count switch SW2 is detected. Is granted.
In at least a part of the case where the winning for the second starting port 59 is determined, the starting condition for starting the symbol variation game for the second special symbol is established.
In the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, more game balls are directed toward the second start port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X. It is assumed that obstacles such as game nails are arranged so as to roll.

  An ordinary electric accessory 61 is disposed at the second start port 59. The ordinary electric accessory 61 is a member that changes to an open state in which it is easy to enter the game ball in the second start port 59 or a closed state in which it is difficult to enter the ball, and is activated by the operation of the solenoid coil SOL4. Transition to either an open state or a closed state. The control of the ordinary electric accessory 61 will be described in detail later.

The big winning opening 55 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 50a. A count switch SW6 is attached to the big winning opening 55, and a winning associated with the big winning opening 55 is determined upon detection of the count switch SW6, and a prize ball associated with the big winning opening 55 is given. .
A special electric accessory 65 is attached to the big prize opening 55. The special electric accessory 65 is a member that can be switched to an open state where the game ball can be easily entered into the grand prize opening 55 or a closed state where it is difficult to enter the game ball, and is opened by the operation of the solenoid coil SOL1. Transition to either state or closed state.

The special electric accessory 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the big hit game that is won in the symbol variation game related to the special symbol, and accordingly, the game ball is allowed to enter the big prize opening 55. The Note that the special electric accessory 65 in the present embodiment is configured so as to be in an open state in a big hit game caused by any of the balls entering the first start port 57 and the balls entering the second start port 59. ing.
When the special electric accessory 65 is in an open state, it is easy to enter a game ball into the big winning opening 55, and thus the chance of winning a prize ball can be greatly increased.
In the present embodiment, as compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, a larger number of game balls roll toward the grand prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Each obstacle is arranged.

The normal winning opening 67 (67a, 67b) is arranged in the lower left part of the game area 50a. A count switch SW51 that detects a game ball that has entered the ball is attached to the normal winning port 67a, and the winning of the normal winning port 67 is determined in response to the detection of the count switch SW51, and is associated with the normal winning port 67. Awarded prize balls. A count switch SW52 that detects a game ball that has entered a ball is attached to the normal winning port 67b, and the winning of the normal winning port 67 is determined in response to the detection of the count switch SW52, and is associated with the normal winning port 67. Awarded prize balls.
In the present embodiment, as compared to the case of rolling from the second flow path Y, when the game rolls from the first flow path X, a larger number of game balls roll toward the normal winning port 67. Each obstacle is arranged.

  The out port 69 is disposed at the lowermost part of the game area 50a. The game balls that have been driven into the game area 50a and have not entered each of the above-described winning holes drop into the out port 69 and are processed as out balls.

  Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment has been described. However, these are only specific examples, and the present invention can also be implemented by another configuration.

<About the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the control configuration of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since the description may be made by touching each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, please refer to these drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a control configuration relating to payout control of the gaming machine 10.
Note that each of the components illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 is a component necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and components not illustrated here are added to the gaming machine 10. May be. Further, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily include all of the components illustrated here, and some components may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The gaming machine 10 includes control boards such as a main control board 100 and a sub control board 200 in its own machine, and various functions are realized by each board and components electrically connected to each board. doing.
More specifically, the main control board 100 and the sub control board 200 include a CPU 101 or CPU 201, a RAM 102 or RAM 202, a ROM 103 or ROM 203, and the like. The main control board 100 and the sub control board 200 implement various functions by executing a control program read from the ROM 103 or the ROM 203 by the CPU 101 or the CPU 201 and writing or reading various data in the RAM 102 or the RAM 202.
Although one sub control board 200 is illustrated in FIG. 5, the sub control board 200 may be formed of a plurality of boards. When the sub control board 200 is formed of a plurality of boards, the plurality of sub control boards 200 may be connected in parallel to the main control board 100, or the plurality of sub control boards 200 may be connected to the main control board 100. It may be connected hierarchically.
Moreover, the board | substrate which implement | achieves each function structure is not limited to the board | substrate shown by FIG. 5, You may implement | achieve on the main control board 100 or the sub control board 200, or another board | substrate.

  The main control board 100 controls the game in an integrated manner, and transmits commands to the sub-control board 200 for effects related to the game. The main control board 100 is a board that realizes a function that affects or may affect the game result, and the sub control board 200 is a board that performs various controls in accordance with commands sent from the main control board 100.

  In FIG. 6, as main functional configurations realized by the main control board 100, the starting entrance ball processing unit 110, the special game control unit 120, the general game control unit 130, the game state control unit 140, the symbol display A control unit 150 and an information transmission unit 190 are illustrated. In addition, in the same figure, an effect control unit 210 and an effective period setting unit 220 are illustrated as main functional configurations realized by the sub control board 200.

The starting port entry processing unit 110 acquires a random number used to determine whether or not the big hit game is successful when a game ball enters the first starting port 57 or the second starting port 59 and executes a predetermined process.
The special symbol game control unit 120 executes control related to the symbol variation game related to the special symbol.
The general game control unit 130 executes control related to the symbol variation game related to the normal symbol.
The game state control unit 140 has a function of controlling a big hit game, a probability change state and a change state, and a function of controlling the granting and release (transition to the normal game state).
The symbol display control unit 150 causes the symbol display device 90 to display the special symbol selected as a result of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol or the normal symbol selected as the result of the symbol variation game related to the normal symbol.
The information transmission unit 190 transmits control information (command) generated in each functional configuration realized by the main control board 100 to a functional configuration (for example, the effect control unit 210) realized on the sub control board 200. To do. The command transmitted by the information transmission unit 190 includes special drawing lottery and universal drawing lottery, presence / absence of probability variation state, presence / absence of variation state, information on pending random number, information on execution of jackpot game, etc. May be.

The effect control unit 210 receives control information (commands) generated by various functional configurations realized by the main control board 100 via the information transmission unit 190, and mainly relates to a symbol variation game and a big hit game related to special symbols. The effect display is displayed on the main display unit 81. For example, the effect control unit 210 causes the main display unit 81 to change or stop display the effect symbol during execution of the symbol variation game.
The effect control unit 210 can also control the lighting (flashing) effect by the lamp unit 35 or the sound effect by the speaker 33, and arouses the player's interest by combining these effect display, lighting effect, audio effect, and the like. can do.
In addition, the effect control unit 210 can also variably switch various effects according to the player's operation received by the push button 37 or the cursor button 38.

<Regarding the processing when entering the starting gate>
Hereinafter, the start-port entrance time processing unit 110 that controls the start-port entrance processing will be described in detail.
The starting entrance ball processing unit 110 includes a special figure hold control unit 111 and a prior determination unit 112.

When the game ball enters the first start port 57, that is, when the first start port 57 wins, the special figure hold control unit 111 sets the number of reserved random numbers M1 to the hold upper limit number (for example, four pieces). ) Is not reached, the random number M1 is acquired and held.
Further, the special figure holding control unit 111 sets the number of reserved random numbers M2 when the game ball enters the second starting port 59, that is, when winning the second starting port 59, the holding upper limit number (for example, If it has not reached (4), a random number M2 is acquired and held.
The special figure holding control unit 111 distinguishes and holds the random number M1 acquired when the first starting port 57 wins and the random number M2 acquired when the second starting port 59 wins. The random number M1 and the random number M2 are used for determination by the success / failure determination unit 121 described later. That is, the special figure hold control unit 111 acquires a random number used to determine whether or not the jackpot game (advantageous game state) is successful when a winning at the starting port is triggered, and until the acquired random number is used to determine whether or not the jackpot game is successful Hold.

The special figure hold control unit 111 may request the symbol display control unit 150 to display the number of random numbers that are held on the symbol display device 90, or transmit information so that the main display unit 81 displays the number. A command may be issued to the effect control unit 210 via the unit 190.
At this time, the symbol display control unit 150 may cause the symbol display device 90 to display the number of random numbers held on the LED light emission pattern in response to a request from the special symbol hold control unit 111.
In addition, the effect control unit 210 may cause the main display unit 81 to display a number of reserved balls equal to the number of random numbers that are reserved in response to a command input via the information transmission unit 190.

The prior determination unit 112 determines whether or not the held random number M1 or the random number M2 is determined to be won by the success / failure determination unit 121 in at least a part of the case where the special figure hold control unit 111 holds the random number M1 or the random number M2. A prior determination is performed to determine whether or not the determination by the success / failure determination unit 121 is in advance.
Moreover, the prior determination part 112 may perform the process regarding the production | presentation based on the result of prior determination other than prior determination. Here, “the effect based on the result of the prior determination” is, for example, an effect that changes the color or form of the reserved ball that represents the random number that has been subject to the prior determination, or a hold that represents the random number that has been subject to the prior determination. The effect etc. which are performed over the period (so-called prefetch zone) where the ball is displayed are mentioned.
The special effect described later may also be an “effect based on the result of prior determination”. That is, the prior determination unit 112 may determine the execution condition related to the special effect using the random number held in the special figure hold control unit 111.
In addition, the “production based on the result of the prior determination” may be configured to have continuity over the symbol variation game related to a plurality of special symbols. To do.

<About the symbol variation game related to special symbols>
Hereinafter, the special figure game control unit 120 that executes control related to the symbol variation game related to the special symbol will be described in detail.
The special figure game control unit 120 includes a success / failure determination part 121, a special figure selection part 122, a reach lottery part 123, and a variation pattern determination part 124.

  When the control related to the symbol variation game related to the special symbol or the control related to the jackpot game is not performed, the success / failure determination unit 121 reads the random number M1 or the random number M2 held in a predetermined cycle. At this time, the success / failure determination unit 121 preferentially executes the reading of the random number M2, and reads the random number M1 when the random number M2 cannot be read (when the reserved random number M2 is zero). By such control, the random number M2 is read preferentially over the random number M1. As a result, the success / failure determination unit 121 preferentially determines the random number M2 over the random number M1.

The special figure selection unit 122 selects a special symbol based on the result of the determination of the success / failure by the determination unit 121.
More specifically, when winning is determined by the success / failure determination unit 121, the special figure selection unit 122 selects a special symbol (winning symbol) indicating the winning by performing random number lottery. That is, when winning / not-judging section 121 determines that winning is made, special figure selecting section 122 selects any one of a plurality of winning symbols prepared in advance.
Alternatively, when the winning / failing determination unit 121 determines a loss, the special figure selection unit 122 uniquely determines a special symbol (losing symbol) indicating a loss.

When the random number M1 is determined by the validity determination unit 121, the special symbol selected by the special diagram selection unit 122 is displayed on the first special diagram display device 91 by the first special diagram display control unit 151 described later.
When the random number M2 is determined by the success / failure determination unit 121, the special symbol selected by the special diagram selection unit 122 is displayed on the second special diagram display device 92 by the second special diagram display control unit 152 described later.

When the winning determination unit 121 determines that the winning is determined, the reach lottery unit 123 selects whether or not to perform a reach effect during the execution of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol indicating the determination result by random lottery. Here, the reach effect means that the effect symbols are temporarily stopped in a plurality of columns except the column where the temporary stop is made in the display of variation of the effect symbols on the main display unit 81, and each temporarily stopped effect symbol is An effect performed in the same kind of state. Note that this state may be referred to as a reach state in the present embodiment.
Note that when the winning / decision determining unit 121 determines that the winning is the result of the symbol variation game resulting from the determination, even if the reach effect is executed in the symbol variation game, the final temporary stop effect The symbols are of a different type from the effect symbols in the other columns.
In addition, when the winning / non-winning determination unit 121 determines that the winning is performed, the result of the symbol variation game resulting from the determination is winning, so even if the reach drawing unit 123 does not perform the drawing, The reach effect is performed in the main display unit 81, and the effect symbol of the column temporarily stopped last is the same type as the effect symbol of the other columns.

The variation pattern determination unit 124 determines a variation pattern including at least variation time information indicating the time at which the special symbol varies in one game (the symbol variation game related to the special symbol). Note that the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 124 can also be referred to as a symbol variation game execution period for one special symbol.
The variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 124 is output as control information for the first special figure display control unit 151 or the second special figure display control unit 152, and the first special figure display control unit to which the control information is input. 151 or the second special symbol display control unit 152 executes the symbol variation game related to the special symbol over the time indicated by the control information.
The variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 124 is output to the effect control unit 210 as a command transmitted via the information transmission unit 190, and the effect control unit 210 that has input the command is included in the command. The production (reach production etc.) is controlled using the fluctuation pattern. More specifically, the effect control unit 210 changes the effect pattern variation mode so as to end the symbol variation game related to the effect symbol based on the variation pattern in accordance with the time indicated by the input variation pattern (variation time information). And the effect aspect accompanying it is determined and executed.
Thereby, the effect control part 210 can perform the effect with respect to the symbol variation game according to the execution time of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol.

  Note that, when the reach effect is executed, it takes a longer time than when the reach effect is not executed. Therefore, when the reach effect is selected by the reach lottery unit 123, the variation pattern determination unit 124 selects Compared with the case where non-execution of reach production is selected, the ratio of determining a variation pattern (variation time information) indicating a long time is configured to be higher.

<Regarding the symbol variation game related to ordinary symbols>
Hereinafter, the general game control unit 130 that executes control related to the symbol variation game related to the normal symbol will be described in detail.
The general figure game control unit 130 includes a general figure holding control unit 131, a general drawing lottery unit 132, and a normal electric role control unit 133.

  When the number of reserved random numbers M3 does not reach the upper limit of reservation (for example, 4) when a game ball enters the gate 63, the general hold control unit 131 acquires the random number M3. Hold.

  The normal symbol lottery unit 132 reads the reserved random number M3 in a predetermined cycle when the symbol variation game related to the normal symbol is not executed, and releases the ordinary electric accessory 61 using the read random number M3. A lottery is performed to determine whether or not to change to a state. In addition, the winning probability of the lottery performed by the normal drawing lottery unit 132 is higher in the variable state described later than in the normal gaming state.

  The lottery result by the general drawing lottery unit 132 is transmitted to the general drawing display control unit 153 described later. One of the two LEDs corresponding to the general-purpose display device 93 corresponds to winning and the other corresponds to a loss, and the general-purpose display control unit 153 causes one of the LEDs to emit light according to the transmitted lottery result.

When winning the lottery by the general drawing lottery unit 132, the ordinary electric combination control unit 133 operates the solenoid coil SOL4 to open the ordinary electric accessory 61 under a predetermined opening condition. Here, the predetermined opening condition includes a time (hereinafter referred to as “opening time”) when the ordinary electric accessory 61 is opened in response to one winning by the general drawing lottery unit 132 and a number of times when the normal electric accessory 61 is opened (hereinafter referred to as the number of times of opening). And the like.
The ordinary electric combination control unit 133 controls the ordinary electric combination 61 so that the time taken for the open state increases per unit time when the variation state is given by the variation control unit 144. That is, the control of the ordinary electric power control unit 133 varies due to the provision of the variable state by the variable control unit 144 described later.

<About game state control>
Hereinafter, the gaming state control unit 140 that controls the big hit game, the probability variation state, and the variation state will be described in detail.
The gaming state control unit 140 includes a jackpot control unit 141, a probability change control unit 143, and a change control unit 144.

Here, the big hit game refers to a special game state in which the special electric accessory 65 can be operated continuously. Here, “successively operating the special electric accessory” means that the number of round games (number of rounds) described later is a plurality of times.
Here, the probability variation state refers to a gaming state in which the winning probability of the success / failure determination by the success / failure determination unit 121 is higher than the normal gaming state.
Here, the variable state means a gaming state in which at least one of the following is performed.
(I) The winning probability of the lottery by the ordinary drawing lottery unit 132 is higher than that in the normal gaming state.
(Ii) The opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 61 is extended from the normal gaming state.
(Iii) The number of times of opening the ordinary electric accessory 61 is increased from the normal gaming state.
(Iv) The fluctuation display time per time in the general diagram display device 93 is shortened from the normal gaming state.
Note that the winning probability of the lottery performed by the normal drawing lottery unit 132 referred to in (i) may be zero or may not be zero in the normal gaming state.

The probability change control unit 143 gives a probability change state at the end of the big hit game that is being performed at the time of detection, based on the detection of the game ball by the count switch SW7. As in the present embodiment, a gaming machine of a system that gives a probability variation state triggered by passage of a game ball in a specific area (detection of a game ball by a count switch) may be referred to as a V probability variation machine.
In addition, the provision condition of the probability variation state according to the present embodiment is one specific example, and the provision condition of the probability variation state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the probability variation state may be given based on the type of the special symbol (winning symbol) selected by the special symbol selection unit 122.

The probability variation control unit 143 starts a new jackpot game when the symbol variation game related to the special symbol is performed a predetermined number of times after the transition to the probability variation state or before the symbol variation game according to the predetermined number of special symbols is performed. When winning, cancel the probability change state.
Note that the probability variation state cancellation condition according to the present embodiment is one specific example, and the probability variation state cancellation condition in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the probability variation control unit 143 may cancel the probability variation state only when winning the big hit game regardless of the number of symbol variation games related to the special symbol. Alternatively, the probability variation control unit 143 may cancel the probability variation state when a lottery (falling lottery) for determining whether or not to cancel the probability variation state is won.

The change control unit 144 gives a change state with every occurrence of the big hit game executed by the big hit control unit 141 as an opportunity.
In addition, the provision condition of the variable state according to the present embodiment is a specific example, and the provision condition of the certain variable state in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the change control unit 144 may give a change state with a part of the case where the big hit game executed by the jackpot control unit 141 is ended.

The change control unit 144 is a new jackpot when the symbol change game related to a predetermined number of special symbols is performed after the shift to the change state, or before the symbol change game related to a predetermined number of special symbols is executed. When the game is won, the variable state is canceled.
Note that the changing condition cancellation condition by the changing control unit 144 may be the same condition as the probability changing condition releasing condition, or may be a different condition. According to this embodiment, the predetermined number of times related to the cancellation of the variable state may be the same number as the predetermined number of times related to the cancellation of the probability change state, or may be a different number.

The jackpot control unit 141 executes a jackpot game when the winning / non-winning determination unit 121 determines that a winning is made. Specifically, the jackpot game in the present embodiment is executed as follows.
First, when winning / not-judging unit 121 determines that the winning symbol is selected, special symbol selecting unit 122 selects a special symbol, and the selected special symbol is stopped and displayed on first special symbol display device 91 or second special symbol display device 92. After being made, the big hit control unit 141 starts the big hit game.
When the big hit game is started, the big hit control unit 141 outputs a command related to the opening effect indicating the start of the big hit game to the effect control unit 210 to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 190. The effect control unit 210 performs the opening effect over the opening time according to the command. In the opening effect according to the present embodiment, it is preferable to encourage the player to launch a game ball into the second flow path Y toward the big winning opening 55 by recommending the player to make a right strike.
After the opening effect is completed, a round game in which one of the big winning openings 55 is opened is performed a plurality of times with a predetermined round number as an upper limit. In the round game, the special winning opening 55 is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, once). Further, after a predetermined number of game balls have entered the opened big winning opening 55 or after a predetermined round gaming time has elapsed, the big winning opening 55 is closed and the round game is ended.
After the end of the round game, the big prize opening 55 is closed for the interval time, and the big prize opening 55 is opened again with the start of the next round game.

The jackpot control unit 141 opens the special electric accessory 65 according to the control information including the number of rounds, the round game time, the interval time, and the like.
The big hit control unit 141 monitors the number of game balls that have entered the big winning opening 55 during one round game based on the detection of the count switch SW6 while the special electric accessory 65 is opened. . Then, when the number of winning game balls being monitored reaches the upper limit, the big hit control unit 141 operates the solenoid coil SOL1 to close the special electric accessory 65.

The jackpot control unit 141 outputs a command related to the effect during the round game to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 190. The effect control unit 210 executes a round effect according to the input command.
During the round game, the round display control unit 154 controls the number of round games executed in the jackpot game to be displayed on the round display unit 94.
When the specified number of rounds is over, the jackpot control unit 141 outputs a command related to the ending effect indicating the end of the jackpot game to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 190. The effect control unit 210 executes the ending effect over the ending time according to the input command, and the jackpot control unit 141 ends the jackpot game.

<About payout control>
The payout controller 160 receives a specified number of prize balls according to the detection by the count switch SW1, the count switch SW2, the count switch SW51, the count switch SW52, and the count switch SW6 when the awarding condition of the prize balls is satisfied. Give.
The payout mechanism 70 pays out the game balls corresponding to the prize balls given by the payout control unit 160 from the storage tank (not shown) to the upper ball tray 27 or the lower ball tray 29.

In at least a part of the case where a winning ball is awarded by the payout control unit 160 (when winning is established), the effect control unit 210 receives a command related to winning through the information transmission unit 190 and notifies the winning. An effect may be executed.
As an effect of notifying the winning, the effect control unit 210 may display a predetermined image from the main display unit 81 on the right sub-display unit 84, may cause the lamp unit 35 to emit light, or may be effective from the speaker 33. Sound may be output.

<About the symbol change game and effect display for each symbol>
Hereinafter, the symbol variation game and the effect display relating to each symbol will be described in detail.

The symbol display control unit 150 causes the symbol display device 90 to display a special symbol that is a result of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol or a normal symbol that is a result of the symbol variation game related to the normal symbol.
The symbol display control unit 150 includes a first special figure display control unit 151, a second special figure display control unit 152, and a general figure display control unit 153.
The first special figure display control unit 151 controls the change display and stop display of the special symbol in the first special figure display device 91.
The second special figure display control unit 152 controls the special symbol variation display and the stop display in the second special figure display device 92.
The universal symbol display control unit 153 controls the normal symbol variation display and the stop symbol display on the universal symbol display device 93.

The effect control unit 210 executes a notice effect. Here, the notice effect is an effect suggesting a game development after the execution, and is mainly an effect related to a symbol variation game related to a special symbol or a big hit game.
When performing the notice effect, the effect control unit 210 causes the effect display device 80 to display an effect display related to the notice effect. In particular, regarding the execution of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol, the effect control unit 210 determines whether or not the jackpot game is won by the combination of the effect symbols that are confirmed and stopped after the plurality of effect symbol groups scroll. The effect display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub display unit 82, left sub display unit 83, right sub display unit 84) is notified.
The effect control unit 210 performs an effect display by the effect display device 80 (according to the effect symbol) in accordance with the variation time of the special symbol by the symbol display device 90 during execution of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol. (Including the symbol variation game). In other words, the effect control unit 210 executes the symbol variation game related to one special symbol in the symbol display device 90 and one effect display in the effect display device 80 in association with each other in principle.
However, when the notice effect having continuity is executed over the symbol variation game related to a plurality of special symbols, or when the symbol variation game related to one special symbol is performed, a variation display of a plurality of effect symbols is displayed. In some cases, a notice effect including The former representative example is a notice effect called a continuous effect, and the latter representative example is a notice effect called a pseudo-continuous effect.
Here, the continuous effect is an effect having continuity over a plurality of games (a symbol variation game related to a special symbol). Further, here, the pseudo-ream effect is an effect that scrolls a series of effect symbols in a change cycle that is a period from a break that can be recognized by the player, and includes a plurality of change cycles in one game. is there.

In the above description, the effect control unit 210 has been described to control the effect display of the effect display device 80, but the control target of the effect control unit 210 is not limited to this. In addition, the effect control unit 210 can also control the lighting (flashing) effect by the lamp unit 35 or the sound effect by the speaker 33, and the player can combine these effect display, lighting effect, sound effect, and the like. Can be aroused.
In addition, the effect control unit 210 can variably switch various effects according to the player's operation received by the push button 37 and the cursor button 38.
Further, the effect control unit 210 may execute control related to the movement of the upper sub display unit 82, the left sub display unit 83, the right sub display unit 84, and a decorative movable body (not shown) (not shown). it can.

The effective period setting unit 220 sets an operation effective period for the operation means such as the push button 37, the cursor button 38, and the operation lever 22 when a certain condition is satisfied.
For example, when executing a special effect, which will be described later, the effective period setting unit 220 sets an operation effective period for either the push button 37 or the operation lever 22, and the player's operation as an opportunity for the development of the special effect. Can be accepted.
Alternatively, in a standby state (a state in which the symbol variation game related to the special symbol is not executed), an operation valid period is set for the cursor button 38 and a player's operation for performing a menu operation such as volume adjustment is accepted. to enable.

  When a special effect, which will be described later, is executed by the effect control unit 210, the effective period setting unit 220 can set a plurality of operation effective periods with different time lengths for operation means that can be operated in the special effect. It is. Here, the time length is the length of the actual time set as the operation effective period, that is, the actual length of time that is currently set.

<About various processing procedures>
Next, processing procedures of the various processes described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since the description may be made by touching each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 described above, please refer to these drawings as appropriate.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the process at the time of entering the starting opening. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the symbol variation start process.
Note that the processing procedures illustrated in these flowcharts do not limit the processing procedure of the present invention and the execution timing thereof. For this reason, when carrying out the processing relating to the present invention, the plurality of processing procedures can be changed within a range that does not hinder the contents, and some or all of the execution timings of the plurality of processing overlap each other. Also good.
Each process illustrated in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 is a main process necessary for the description of the present invention, and does not indicate all processes executed by the gaming machine 10.

First, the process at the time of entering the starting opening will be described. Here, the “starting-port entering process” is a series of processing executed after a game ball enters the first starting port 57 or the second starting port 59.
Until the ball entering the first start port 57 or the second start port 59 is detected by the count switch SW1 or the count switch SW2 (NO in step S102), the processing after step S104 is not performed and is on standby.
Even if a ball entering the first start port 57 or the second start port 59 is detected (YES in step S102), if the number of holds by the special figure hold control unit 111 reaches the upper limit (in step S104). YES), the process after step S106 is on standby without being performed.

  When a ball entering the first start port 57 or the second start port 59 is detected (YES in step S102) and the number of holds by the special figure hold control unit 111 has not reached the upper limit (NO in step S104). The number of holds by the special figure hold control unit 111 is added (step S106). Further, the special figure hold control unit 111 acquires the random number M1 or the random number M2 and holds it in a dedicated storage area (step S108).

When the prior determination unit 112 makes a prior determination (YES in step S110), the prior determination unit 112 determines whether or not the random number M1 or the random number M2 stored and stored in step S108 is determined to be winning by the determination unit 121. Determination is made (step S112).
When the prior determination unit 112 does not perform prior determination (NO in step S110), the process proceeds to step S114 without performing the process in step S112.

  A command including a series of processing results from step S102 to step S112 as control information is transmitted from the information transmission unit 190 to the sub-control board 200 (step S114), and the start-entry ball entry process ends.

Next, the process procedure of the symbol variation start process will be described. Here, the “symbol change start process” is a series of processes performed when starting a symbol change game related to a special symbol.
First, the special figure game control unit 120 determines whether or not a variation start condition is satisfied (step S202). Here, the “variation start condition” means (i) that the symbol variation game related to the special symbol is not executed at the time of the determination in step S202, and (ii) that the big hit game is not executed at the time of the determination in step S202. (Iii) There are one or more reserved memories at the time of the determination in step S202.
When the determination in step S202 is negative (NO in step S202), the process after step S204 is not executed, and the symbol variation start process ends.

When the determination in step S202 is affirmative (YES in step S202), the success / failure determination unit 121 reads the random number M1 or random number M2 held in the special figure hold control unit 111 (step S204).
In step S <b> 204, the success / failure determination unit 121 may read the random number M <b> 1 or the random number M <b> 2 in the order stored in the special figure hold control unit 111, or may read one with priority over the other.

Each determination process is executed when a random number is read in step S204 (step S206).
Here, the processing included in step S206 specifically includes at least the above-described determination of success / failure by the determination unit 121 and the selection of a special symbol by the special figure selection unit 122. In addition, the determination processing such as (i) whether or not a variable state is given, (ii) whether or not to stop the effect design at the reach eye, (iii) whether or not to perform a specific effect is performed in step S206. It may be included in the processing.

Then, the special figure hold control unit 111 specifies the number of random numbers M1 or M2 that are held at that time (step S208). Thereby, the number of remaining random numbers excluding the random number read in the symbol variation game executed in this processing procedure is specified as the reserved number.
The variation pattern determination unit 124 determines a variation pattern using the processing result in step S206 and the number of holds specified in step S208 (step S210).

  A command including a series of processing results from step S202 to step S210 as control information is transmitted from the information transmission unit 190 to the sub-control board 200 (step S212), and the symbol variation start process ends. The command includes various information for enabling the sub-control board 200 to determine whether or not the symbol variation game is executed, the gaming state, etc., for example, information indicating a variation pattern, the number of holds, the presence or absence of a probability variation state, a variation state This includes the presence or absence of.

<About special effects>
Next, the special effects will be described with reference to FIGS.
In addition, since the description may be made by touching each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 described above, please refer to these drawings as appropriate.
Further, the images shown in FIGS. 10 to 15 are not all of the images displayed in the display area of the main display unit 81, and other images are simultaneously displayed with these images. May be displayed.

First, one aspect of the special effects is illustrated in FIGS.
The effect control unit 210 includes a character image DR1 that prompts a pressing operation (indicated as “press!” In FIG. 10), a button image DR2 that represents the push button 37, and an indicator image DR3 that visually represents the remaining period of the operation effective period. Is displayed on the main display unit 81 to notify that the operation valid period has been set by the valid period setting unit 220. That is, the effect control unit 210 executes a notification effect that notifies the player that the operation means is to be operated in at least part of the execution period of the special effect according to the display mode of the main display unit 81 described above.
Here, “notifying that the operation valid period has been set” means that the player can recognize that the push button 37 is in a period for receiving an operation effectively.

  Further, the effect control unit 210 suggests or notifies the player of the length of the operation effective period set by the effective period setting unit 220 with the length dimension of the indicator image DR3 displayed on the main display unit 81. The indicator images DR3 in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (c) show that the shaded portion decreases with time, and the length of the shaded portion in each figure is the operation at that time. Represents the remaining effective period.

Next, (a) to (c) of FIG. 11 illustrate one mode of special effects.
The effect control unit 210 displays the character image DR1 that prompts the pressing operation, the button image DR2 that represents the push button 37, and the indicator image DR4 that visually represents the remaining operation effective period on the main display unit 81, thereby enabling the effect. The period setting unit 220 notifies that the operation valid period has been set.
Note that the button image DR2 and the character image DR1 shown in FIG. 11 are common to the button image DR2 and the character image DR1 shown in FIG.

In addition, the effect control unit 210 suggests or notifies the player of the length of the operation effective period set by the effective period setting unit 220 with the length dimension of the indicator image DR4 displayed on the main display unit 81. The indicator images DR4 in FIGS. 11A to 11C show that the shaded portion decreases with time, and the length of the shaded portion in each figure is the operation at that time. Represents the remaining effective period.
The indicator image DR4 shown in FIG. 11 is different in that the dimensional length is larger than the indicator image DR3 shown in FIG. 10, that is, the display length in the main display unit 81 is longer. Due to this difference, it is suggested or notified that the operation effective period set by the effective period setting unit 220 is relatively long.

Furthermore, (a)-(c) of FIG. 12 illustrates an aspect of special effects.
The effect control unit 210 displays the character image DR1 that prompts the pressing operation, the button image DR2 that represents the push button 37, and the indicator image DR5 that visually represents the remaining operation effective period on the main display unit 81, thereby enabling the effect. The period setting unit 220 notifies that the operation valid period has been set.
Note that the button image DR2 and the character image DR1 shown in FIG. 12 are common to the button image DR2 and the character image DR1 shown in FIG.

In addition, the effect control unit 210 suggests or notifies the player of the length of the operation effective period set by the effective period setting unit 220 with the length dimension of the indicator image DR5 displayed on the main display unit 81. The indicator images DR5 in FIGS. 12A to 12C show that the shaded portion decreases with time, and the length of the shaded portion in each figure indicates the operation at that time. Represents the remaining effective period.
The indicator image DR5 shown in FIG. 12 is different in that the dimensional length is smaller than the indicator image DR3 shown in FIG. 10, that is, the display length on the main display unit 81 is short. Due to this difference, it is suggested or notified that the operation effective period set by the effective period setting unit 220 is relatively short.

As described above, there are a plurality of operation effective periods displayed on the main display unit 81 in the special effect.
Then, the effect control unit 210, when executing a special effect based on the player's operation that the push button 37 has received effectively, the length of the operation effective period that is suggested or notified to the player in the special effect, It is configured so that a correlation is established between the degree of expectation for the advantageous gaming state. For example, the longer the operation effective period suggested or notified to the player in the special effect, the higher the expectation that an advantageous gaming state will be obtained, and the operation effective or suggested to the player in the special effect is effective. The shorter the period, the lower the degree of expectation for an advantageous gaming state.
Further, in the present embodiment, the length of the operation effective period on the display in the main display unit 81 is proportional to the time length (actual time length) of the operation effective period set by the effective period setting unit 220. Therefore, it can be said that the correlation is established between the time length of the operation effective period set in the special effect and the expectation level for the advantageous gaming state. Furthermore, it can also be said that a correlation is established between the display mode of the image related to the operation effective period and the expectation level related to the special effect informed of the operation effective period.

In the present embodiment, the above correlation is established because there is a commonality regarding at least one of the execution condition, execution time, and content of the production, and the operation effective periods of different time lengths. It is assumed that the degree of expectation is different among a plurality of special effects that are set.
Here, “having at least one of the execution conditions, execution timing, and contents of the production” corresponds to at least one of the following (A) to (H): Say.
(A) At least a part of an image (for example, a character image DR1 or a button image DR2) that prompts the player to perform an operation related to the special effect is common.
(B) The effect mode is common until an image (for example, the character image DR1 or the button image DR2) that prompts the player to operate the special effect after the special effect is started is displayed. That is, the production mode at the beginning of the special production is common. Here, the display mode is not limited to the display mode of the main display unit 81, but from the display mode of another display device (for example, the upper sub display unit 82, the left sub display unit 83, or the right sub display unit 84), and the speaker 33. The sound mode to be output and the light emission mode of the lamp unit 35 may be included.
(C) The background display of the display prompting the player's operation is common. For example, taking the above-described special effects as an example, the display of the main display unit 81 in an area excluding the images (character image DR1, button image DR2, and indicator images DR3 to DR5) illustrated in FIGS. The aspect is common.
(D) The player's operations that are effective during the operation effective period are common. For example, taking the above-described special effects as an example, it is common in that the requested player's operation is a push-down operation of the push button 37.
(E) Names assigned to special effects (for example, button operation effects) are common.
(F) Selected in the same gaming state or in the same production mode. Here, the same gaming state is a condition that can affect the outcome of the game (for example, whether it is a big hit game, whether it is in a promiscuous state, whether it is in a variable state). Say the same. In addition, here, the same production mode has the same conditions for production (for example, whether it is in a mode for displaying a specific background display, whether it is in a mode for displaying a specific character, etc.). It means that.
(G) It is selected based on a common effect lottery process. That is, at least a part of the conditions for selecting a special effect is common as internal processing executed by the gaming machine 10 (CPU 101 or CPU 201).
(H) The operation effective period starts at a common timing, or the player's operation related to the special effect is urged at a common timing, based on the start of the special symbol variation period in the game where the special effect is executed. An image is displayed.

Furthermore, (a)-(c) of FIG. 13 illustrates one aspect of the special effects.
The effect control unit 210 displays the character image DR1 that prompts the pressing operation, the button image DR6 that represents the push button 37, and the indicator image DR3 that visually represents the remaining operation effective period on the main display unit 81. The period setting unit 220 notifies that the operation valid period has been set. In addition, a notification is given that the remaining time of the operation effective period is reduced due to the decrease in the indicator image DR3.
Note that the character image DR1 and the indicator image DR3 shown in FIG. 13 are common to the character image DR1 and the indicator image DR3 shown in FIG.

In addition, the effect control unit 210 suggests or notifies the player of the expectation level in which the advantageous game state is obtained after the special effect is executed in the display mode of the button image DR6 displayed on the main display unit 81. That is, the degree of expectation is suggested or notified by the notification mode of the notification effect that notifies the player that the operation means is to be operated.
Note that the button image DR6 shown in FIG. 13 represents a state in which the LED built in the push button 37 is lit, whereas the button image DR2 shown in FIG. 10 shows the push button. The difference is that the LED built in 37 represents a state in which the LED is extinguished. Due to this difference, the player is suggested or notified that the degree of expectation that will be in an advantageous gaming state after the special performance is executed is different. However, it can be set as appropriate which of the button image DR6 and the button image DR2 suggests or reports a high degree of expectation.

Furthermore, (a)-(c) of FIG. 14 illustrates an aspect of the special effects.
The effect control unit 210 displays the character image DR1 prompting the pressing operation and the button image DR7 representing the push button 37 on the main display unit 81, thereby notifying that the operation effective period has been set by the effective period setting unit 220. To do.
Note that the character image DR1 shown in FIG. 14 is common to the character image DR1 shown in FIG.

The button image DR7 shown in FIG. 14 is different from the button image DR2 shown in FIG. 10 in that the edge image DR71 representing the edge of the push button 37 is an indicator.
The edge image DR71 in (a) to (c) of FIG. 14 shows that the shaded portion decreases with time, and the shaded portion in each figure indicates the operation effective period at that time. It represents the remaining period. That is, in the special effect shown in FIG. 14, an image representing the type of operation means and an image representing the remaining operation effective period are integrated.

Furthermore, (a)-(c) of FIG. 15 illustrates one aspect of the special effects.
The effect control unit 210 displays the character image DR1 prompting the pressing operation and the lever image DR9 representing the operation lever 22 on the main display unit 81, thereby notifying that the operation effective period has been set by the effective period setting unit 220. To do.
Note that the character image DR1 shown in FIG. 15 is common to the character image DR1 shown in FIG. Further, the lever image DR9 shown in FIG. 15 is different from the button image DR2 shown in FIG. 10 in that the type of operation means is different.

Further, in the lever image DR9, a semicircular indicator image DR91 is drawn below an image in which the operation lever 22 and its peripheral portion are drawn.
The indicator images DR91 in (a) to (c) of FIG. 15 show that the shaded portion decreases with time, and the shaded portion in each figure indicates the operation effective period at that time. It represents the remaining period.

  The special effect shown in FIG. 15 may be different from the special effect shown in FIG. That is, the degree of expectation may be suggested or notified depending on the type of operation means that effectively receives the player's operation in the special performance. However, it can be set as appropriate which of the special effects shown in FIG. 15 and the special effects shown in FIG.

<Modification of the present invention>
The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 so far. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. Various modifications, improvements, etc. are also included.

The images (for example, the indicator images DR3 to DR5, the edge image DR71, and the indicator image DR91) that visually represent the remaining period of the operation effective period in the above-described embodiment are merely some specific examples, and are included in the present invention. The execution of the special effect is not limited to this.
For example, the special effect according to the present invention may be executed by representing the remaining period of the operation effective period by an image simulating a clock. Here, the timepiece may be any of a digital timepiece, an analog timepiece, an hourglass, etc., and the type thereof is not limited.
Alternatively, the remaining period of the operation effective period is represented by the blinking interval of the image representing the operation means (for example, when the blinking interval is long, the remaining period of the operation effective period is long, and when the blinking interval is short, the remaining period of the operation effective period is ), A special effect according to the present invention may be executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the change in the shaded portion of the image (for example, the indicator images DR3 to DR5, the edge image DR71, and the indicator image DR91) that visually represents the remaining operation effective period is reduced. The remaining period of the operation effective period may be represented by a mode in which the shaded portion increases in the execution of the special effect.

In the above-described embodiment, the shaded color of an image (for example, the indicator images DR3 to DR5, the edge image DR71, and the indicator image DR91) that visually represents the remaining period of the operation effective period is not mentioned, but it is effective. Different colors may be used depending on the initial value of the operation valid period set by the period setting unit 220. For example, the initial value of the operation valid period may be increased in the order of the shaded portion of blue <green <red.
In this modified example, the image related to the operation effective period includes the shaded portion color as an attribute indicating the initial value of the set operation effective period (hereinafter referred to as the first attribute for convenience). It includes the total length of the indicator (the total length of the shaded area and the blank area). Further, the image related to the operation effective period includes the dimension length of the shaded portion of the indicator as an attribute (hereinafter referred to as a second attribute for convenience) that suggests or notifies a change in the remaining period of the operation effective period. Yes.
When a special effect is executed according to this modification, it can be said that a correlation is established between the display mode related to the first attribute and the expectation level for the advantageous gaming state, or the display mode related to the second attribute In other words, it can be said that a correlation is established between the expectation level for the advantageous gaming state.
Further, when the special effect is executed according to this modification, the degree of expectation related to the special effect notified by the first display mode (for example, a red indicator) having a large initial value of the operation valid period represented by the first attribute is: The initial value of the operation effective period represented by the first attribute may be higher than the expectation degree related to the special effect notified by the second notification mode (for example, the blue indicator), which is smaller than the first notification mode. .

In the above-described embodiment, the change speed of the shaded portion of the image (for example, the indicator images DR3 to DR5, the edge image DR71, and the indicator image DR91) that visually represents the remaining period of the operation effective period has not been mentioned. There may be a plurality of change rates of the remaining period of the operation effective period. That is, in the notification mode relating to the special performance that can be executed by the production control unit 210, the third notification mode in which the change speed of the shaded portion of the indicator is slow and the change speed of the shaded portion of the indicator are faster than the third notification mode. A fourth notification mode may be included.
When the special effect is executed according to this modification, the degree of expectation related to the special effect notified by the third notification mode tends to be higher than the level of expectation related to the special effect notified by the fourth notification mode. May be.

  In the above modification, the change rate of the shaded portion does not necessarily have to be uniform, and may change with time. Alternatively, there may be a case where the change speed of the shaded part becomes zero in the middle of the special effect (the change of the shaded part stops), or the change speed of the shaded part becomes negative in the middle of the special effect. There may be a case where the change in the shaded area turns from decreasing to increasing.

In addition, the content illustrated as a 1st attribute and a 2nd attribute in said modification is one specific example, and you may implement | achieve a 1st attribute and a 2nd attribute with another content.
In addition, it is not necessary to implement the present invention by an embodiment in which the image related to the operation effective period includes both the first attribute and the second attribute, and if the image includes at least one of the first attribute and the second attribute. It ’s enough.

This embodiment includes the following technical ideas.
(1) A setting means for setting an operation effective period for effectively receiving a player's operation, an operation means for effectively receiving a player's operation during the operation effective period set by the setting means, and the setting means Effect control that suggests or informs the player that the operation effective period has been set and the length of the set operation effective period, and executes a special effect based on the player's operation that the operation means has received effectively And a game machine in which a correlation is established between the length of the operation effective period that is suggested or notified to the player in the special effect and the expectation level for the advantageous gaming state.
(2) The effect control means suggests or informs the length of the operation effective period by displaying an image related to the operation effective period on a display device, and displays an image related to the operation effective period; The gaming machine according to (1), wherein a correlation is established between the expectation degree related to the special effect in which the operation valid period is notified.
(3) The image related to the operation effective period suggests or notifies the first attribute indicating or notifying the initial value of the operation effective period set by the setting unit and the change in the remaining period of the operation effective period. Including at least one of the second attributes, and a correlation is established between the display mode according to the first attribute and the expectation, or the display mode according to the second attribute and the expectation The gaming machine according to (2), wherein a correlation is established therebetween.
(4) A plurality of types of the operation means are provided, and the degree of expectation is suggested or notified depending on the type of the operation means that effectively accepts the player's operation in the special effect. A gaming machine according to any one of the above.
(A) It is provided with a symbol display means for notifying whether the advantageous gaming state is successful or not by a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of the symbol variation display, and the effect control means is configured to display the special effect during the symbol variation display in the symbol display means The expectation degree is an expectation degree that the winning of the advantageous gaming state is notified as a result of the variable display of the symbol in which the special effect is executed. (1) to (4) The gaming machine described.
(B) Random number acquisition means for acquiring a random number used to determine whether or not the advantageous gaming state is successful upon winning of the starting opening, and the random number acquired by the random number acquiring means is used for determining whether or not the advantageous gaming state is successful And a pre-determining unit for determining an execution condition related to the special effect using a random number held in the holding unit, and the effect control unit is configured by the pre-determining unit. The special effect is executed based on the determined execution condition, and the expectation level is set to the advantageous gaming state in a game in which a random number targeted by the prior determination unit is used to determine whether or not the advantageous gaming state is appropriate. The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (4), which is an expected degree of winning.
(C) As a display mode of an image related to the operation effective period, a first display mode in which the initial value of the operation effective period represented by the first attribute is large, and the operation represented by the first attribute from the first notification mode And the second display mode with a small initial value of the effective period exists, and the expectation level related to the special effect reported by the first display mode is related to the special effect reported by the second notification mode. The gaming machine according to (3), which tends to be higher than the expectation.
(D) As a display mode of the image related to the operation effective period, a third notification mode in which the change rate of the remaining period of the operation effective period represented by the second attribute is slow, and the operation effective period represented by the second attribute There is the fourth notification mode in which the change rate of the remaining period is faster than the third notification mode, and the expectation degree related to the special effect notified by the third notification mode is notified by the fourth notification mode. The gaming machine according to (3), wherein the game machine has a tendency to be higher than the degree of expectation related to the special performance.

10 gaming machine 15 outer frame 20 front frame 21 hinge mechanism 22 operation lever 23 cylinder lock 25 transparent member 27 upper ball tray 29 lower ball tray 31 operation handle 33 (33a, 33b, 33c) speaker 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) lamp Part 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Push button 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) Cursor button 39a Ball lending button 39b Return button 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 55 Big prize opening 57 First start opening 59 Second starting port 61 Normal electric accessory 63 Gate 65 Special electric accessory 67 (67a, 67b) Normal winning port 69 Out port 70 Dispensing mechanism 80 Production display device 81 Main display unit 82 Upper sub display unit 83 Left sub display unit 84 Right sub-display unit 90 Symbol display device 91 First special figure display device 92 Second special figure table Device 93 Hiroshizu display device 94 round display device 100 the main control board 101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
110 Start-up entrance processing unit 111 Special figure hold control unit 112 Preliminary determination unit 120 Special figure game control unit 121 Match determination unit 122 Special figure selection unit 123 Reach lottery unit 124 Fluctuation pattern determination unit 130 General-purpose game control unit 131 Figure hold control part 132 General drawing lottery part 133 Normal electric role control part 140 Game state control part 141 Big hit control part 143 Probability change control part 144 Change control part 150 Symbol display control part 151 First special figure display control part 152 Second special Graphic display control unit 153 Universal display control unit 154 Round display control unit 160 Discharge control unit 190 Information transmission unit 200 Sub control board 201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
210 Production control unit 220 Effective period setting unit SOL1, SOL4 Solenoid coils SW1, SW2, SW4, SW51, SW52, SW6, SW7 Count switch X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims (4)

Setting means for setting an operation valid period for effectively accepting the player's operation;
Operation means for effectively receiving a player's operation in the operation valid period set by the setting means;
Instructing or notifying the player that the operation valid period has been set by the setting means and the length of the set operation valid period, and a special effect based on the player's operation that the operation means has received effectively Production control means for executing
A gaming machine in which a correlation is established between the length of the operation effective period that is suggested or notified to the player in the special effect and the expectation level for the advantageous gaming state. The effect control means suggests or notifies the length of the operation effective period by displaying an image related to the operation effective period on a display device,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a correlation is established between an image display mode related to the operation effective period and the expectation level related to the special effect in which the operation effective period is notified. The image related to the operation effective period is a first attribute indicating or notifying the initial value of the operation effective period set by the setting unit, and a second attribute indicating or notifying a change in the remaining period of the operation effective period. Contains at least one of the attributes,
The correlation between the display mode according to the first attribute and the expectation degree is established, or the correlation is established between the display mode according to the second attribute and the expectation degree. Gaming machine. A plurality of types of the operating means are provided,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the degree of expectation is suggested or notified depending on a type of the operation means that effectively receives a player's operation in the special effect.

Images