JP2018114357A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine enhancing player's interest in continuation of a performance in the performance accompanying a plurality of times of performance pattern variations in linking with a pattern variation game.SOLUTION: A false continuation performance for continuously performing a plurality of times of variation cycles is executed on a main display part 81. The false continuation performance includes a first performance pattern variation (false continuation (1)) as a variation cycle in the first round, and a second performance pattern variation (false continuation (2)) as a variation cycle in the next round of the first performance pattern variation. A variation is performed in a first direction in the first performance pattern variation, and a variation is started in a second direction in the second performance pattern variation. In execution of the second performance pattern variation, direction change notification for reporting a change in a variation direction of a performance pattern is executed in at least one portion of a period when the first performance pattern variation is under execution.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

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

There is a game machine represented by a pachinko machine or a slot machine that executes an effect accompanied by a change in the effect pattern multiple times when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In general, such an effect is designed so that the probability of being connected to a bonus such as a big hit game increases as it continues. Therefore, the player expects the development to continue during the performance, and the interest of the game increases every time the continuation is confirmed.
The following patent document 1 is illustrated as this type of gaming machine.

In Patent Literature 1, in the symbol variation game, an effect that continues with a temporary stop of a display mode (so-called misalignment) in which the same kind of effect symbol is displayed on a straight line different from the other column by one column is executed. More specifically, when the production is executed, the left row is temporarily stopped, the right row is temporarily stopped, and the middle row is temporarily stopped. And the player is informed of the establishment of the misalignment.
Thereby, the interest with respect to the symbol variation game can be improved.

JP 2010-253079 A

  As described above, the effect that continues with the specific temporary stop mode as an opportunity has already been implemented in the gaming machine in various forms and lacks freshness. Therefore, the player's interest in the continuation of the production may not be sufficiently improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine that improves the interest of a player with respect to the continuation of the production in the production accompanied by the variation of the production design multiple times in conjunction with the design variation game. Is.

  According to the present invention, the symbol display control means for executing the symbol variation game for notifying whether or not the symbol that has been displayed in a stopped state is won, and a plurality of predetermined effects symbols displayed in a plurality of columns on the effect indicator. A simulation in which a plurality of variation cycles are continuously performed while one symbol variation game is being executed, with one variation cycle from a change in any one of the predetermined directions to a temporary stop. An effect control means for executing a continuous effect, and the pseudo-ream effect includes a first effect symbol variation that is the variation cycle of one time and the variation cycle in the next time of the first effect symbol variation. The second effect design variation is included, and in the first effect design variation, the effect control means varies the effect symbols in the plurality of rows in the first direction among the predetermined directions, and second In the output symbol variation, at least a part of the plurality of columns of the effect symbols is started in the second direction different from the first direction in the predetermined direction, and the first effect symbol variation is being executed. The direction change suggestion indicating whether or not the direction of change of the effect symbol changes for each column of the effect symbol that is changing, and when executing the second effect symbol variation, By executing the direction change notification to notify the change of the direction of change of the effect symbol by suggesting that the direction of change of the effect symbol is changed in the direction change suggestion in all, the second effect symbol change is executed. A gaming machine is provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, the symbol display control means for executing the symbol variation game for notifying whether or not the winning symbol is won and the effect symbols displayed in a plurality of columns on the effect indicator are determined in advance. Effect control means for changing in any one of a plurality of predetermined directions, wherein the effect control means is configured to output the plurality of rows of the effect symbols while the one symbol change game is being executed. A first effect symbol variation that varies in a first direction among predetermined directions is executed, and in the other symbol variation game that is performed after the one symbol variation game, the plurality of columns of the effect symbols are arranged in the predetermined direction. Of these, when executing the second effect symbol variation for starting the variation in the second direction different from the first direction, and executing the second effect symbol variation, at least during the execution of the first effect symbol variation one In the gaming machine to perform the direction change notification for notifying the change of the variation direction of the performance symbols it is provided.

  According to the above invention, when the effect continues from the first effect symbol variation to the second effect symbol variation, an unprecedented effect of notifying that the change direction changes is performed, so the notice effect is continued. The interest of the player can be improved more than before.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the game machine which improves the interest of the player with respect to continuation of an effect is provided in the effect accompanied by the fluctuation | variation of the effect pattern of multiple times in conjunction with a pattern change game.

It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the game board arrange | positioned in the gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol display arrange | positioned in the 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 payout control structure of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the process at the time of entering. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a symbol variation start process. It is an example which shows the production | presentation symbol variably displayed in the main display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the combination of the production | presentation symbol stopped and displayed on the main display part. It is a time chart of a pseudo-continuous production. It is a figure showing the main display part of each time in a quasi-continuous production. It is a figure showing the main display part of each time in a quasi-continuous production. It is a figure showing the main display part of each time in a quasi-continuous production. It is a figure showing the main display part of each time in a quasi-continuous production. It is a figure showing the main display part of each time in a quasi-continuous production. It is a figure showing the main display part of each time in a quasi-continuous production. It is a functional block diagram which shows the main control structures of the game machine in a modification. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the process at the time of entering in a modification. It is an example of the time chart of the continuous production in a modification. It is a figure showing the main display part at the time of 13 seconds in FIG.

  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 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 or FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the game board 50 disposed in the gaming machine 10.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine 10.

The gaming machine 10 includes symbol display control means (symbol display control unit 150) and effect control means (effect control unit 210).
The symbol display control unit 150 executes a symbol variation game for notifying whether or not a winning symbol is won by the symbol displayed in a stopped state.
The production control unit 210 changes the production symbols displayed in a plurality of rows on the production display 80 (main display unit 81) in any one of a plurality of predetermined directions and then temporarily stops. As the fluctuation cycle, a pseudo-continuous effect is performed in which a plurality of fluctuation cycles are continuously performed while one symbol fluctuation game is being executed.
The pseudo-continuous effect includes a first effect symbol variation that is a one-time variation cycle and a second effect symbol variation that is a variation cycle in the next round of the first effect symbol variation.
The effect control unit 210 causes the plurality of rows of effect symbols to change in the first direction among the predetermined directions in the first effect symbol variation, and the second effect symbol changes the plurality of rows of effect symbols in the first direction among the predetermined directions. Start the change in a second direction different from. In addition, when executing the second effect symbol variation, the effect control unit 210 performs a direction change notification for notifying a change in the variation direction of the effect symbol at least partly while the first effect symbol variation is being performed. To do.

Here, the “row” means a series composed of a plurality of effect symbols that appear to be arranged on the display screen of the main display unit 81, and the direction thereof is not limited. In addition, “a plurality of columns” means a plurality of columns, and the directions of the columns may be parallel or intersect.
In addition, since the scroll direction of the effect symbol in this embodiment is the left-right direction, the effect symbol scroll is executed for each stage, but when the scroll direction is the vertical direction, the effect symbol scroll is for each column. . For this reason, the description content described as “stage” in the present embodiment can be synonymous with “column” when implemented in a gaming machine in which the scroll direction is the vertical direction.

Further, the “predetermined direction” here is a direction in which the effect design fluctuates, and is generally referred to as a scroll direction. The “predetermined direction” is an apparent direction that can be recognized by the player, and is not limited to a two-dimensional direction on the display screen (for example, a vertical direction or a horizontal direction), but a virtual depth direction displayed on the display screen. (For example, the front-rear direction) is also included. When the effect symbol fluctuates in the latter direction, the effect symbol is actually made to fluctuate from the back toward the front by gradually expanding the effect symbol on the display screen of the effect indicator. At this time, the center of the effect symbol on the display screen may not necessarily move with the variation of the effect symbol.
In the description of the present embodiment, “direction” is treated as synonymous with “direction”.

  Here, the “temporary stop” is a display mode indicating that the vehicle is temporarily stopped, and means a state that can be changed again. The temporary stop mode in the present embodiment is that the progress of the effect symbol and the character in the scroll direction (normally the left-right direction) is stopped, and the effect of the swing or effect symbol in a direction different from the scroll direction is stopped. This is a display mode in which display change (character movement) is allowed.

  The “first effect symbol variation” or “second effect symbol variation” refers to the effect symbol variation display in the first variation cycle and the effect symbol variation display in the next variation cycle. is there. Note that “first” or “second” attached to “first effect symbol variation” or “second effect symbol variation” is a convenient name and does not necessarily match the number of symbol variations during the effect. It does not have to be. For example, the first effect symbol variation may be the second variation cycle, and the second effect symbol variation may be the third variation cycle.

Here, the “direction change notification” is an effect that informs the player that the change direction (scroll direction) of the effect symbol will be changed in the next change cycle in a manner that can be definitely recognized. It should be noted that the direction change notification may be performed according to an aspect in which the player can recognize the variation direction of the effect symbol in the next variation cycle, or may be performed according to an aspect that is not illustrated.
Said direction change notification should just be performed in at least one part in the case of performing a 2nd production symbol variation. That is, there may be a case where the second effect symbol variation is started without performing the direction change notification while the first effect symbol variation is being executed.

<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. 3 is a diagram showing a symbol display 90 disposed in the gaming machine 10. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a payout control configuration of the gaming machine 10.

  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 specific prize opening (for example, the 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 a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a gaming board 50 (middle frame). ) And a front frame 20 configured to cover the front side.

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 tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 that store game balls. The upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are provided integrally with the front frame 20 so as to be spaced apart from each other.
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.

A pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, respectively. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34 and 36 of the front frame 20 are formed by a light-transmitting cover, and lighting devices 35 (35a, 35b, and 35c) are disposed therein. Yes. The speaker 33 and the illuminating device 35 can output sound or can be turned on or off in conjunction with effects or error notifications that occur during the game.
The front frame 20 is provided with a button 37 at the front portion of the upper ball tray 27. The button 37 can accept a player's operation performed to switch effects generated during the game or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10 by the player.

  Below the lower ball receiving tray 29, a ball removal mechanism 39 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided. By operating the ball removing mechanism 39, a bottom surface opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 is opened, and the game ball is naturally dropped and discharged from the bottom surface opening.

  The effect display 80 is provided on the left side of the main display unit 81, a main display unit 81 disposed substantially at the center of the game board 50, an upper sub display unit 82 disposed above the main display unit 81, and the main display unit 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 special symbol display unit 91, and can also display other various effects. Here, the effect symbol is a symbol that is displayed in order to further enhance the interest of the game in the gaming machine 10, and is specifically composed of numbers, pictures, or a combination thereof.
Moreover, the main display part 81 can display an effect symbol in the approximate center, and can also display an effect symbol above and below the effect symbol, respectively. That is, the main display unit 81 displays effect symbols in “upper”, “middle”, and “lower”, respectively, and the displayed effect symbols form one or more columns.
The main display unit 81 can display a hold display (not shown) on a part of the display screen in addition to the display of the effect symbols. The display area where the hold display is displayed and the display area where the effect design is displayed may be separated or overlapped. In addition, a hold display is what is called a hold ball, and means the effect image which can suggest the possibility that a privilege (big hit game) will be provided.

  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 an effect, and can move when a specific effect is executed. The respective original positions are upward, left, or right 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 unit 80.

The symbol display 90 is disposed at a position that is less visible to the player than the effect display 80, such as the lower right side of the effect display 80. Further, the display area of the symbol display 90 is smaller than the display area of the effect display 80.
In the symbol display 90, a plurality of lamps are arranged. The lamp used for the symbol display 90 in this embodiment is a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED). The symbol display 90 shows various information depending on the arrangement of the light emitting LEDs, and includes a special symbol display unit 91 or a normal symbol display unit 93.

The special symbol display unit 91 displays the lottery result of the symbol variation game by the special symbol by the light emission patterns of the plurality of LEDs. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the special symbol display unit 91 is composed of 16 LEDs on the left side.
The normal symbol display unit 93 displays the lottery result of the symbol variation game based on the normal symbols by the light emission patterns of the LEDs (eg, two) less than the special symbol display unit 91.

As shown in FIG. 3, the symbol display 90 also includes LEDs that are not used for display on the special symbol display unit 91 or the normal symbol display unit 93, and the lottery result of the symbol variation game based on the special symbol or the normal symbol In addition, information such as the number of reserved memories and the number of rounds of jackpot games can be displayed.
In addition, the special symbol display unit 91 according to the present embodiment performs a variable display in a symbol variation game caused by either a ball entering the first start port 58 or a ball entering the second start port 59. At this time, the LED used for the variable display may be different depending on the start opening into which the ball has entered, or may be the same.

  Here, the special symbol refers to a data group that can be selected for display on the special symbol display unit 91 or a symbol (LED light emission pattern) that can be displayed on the special symbol display unit 91. Hereinafter, special symbols may be abbreviated as “special symbols”. Here, the symbol variation game with special symbols is a special symbol after the special symbol display unit 91 is variably displayed in order to show a lottery result for releasing the special electric actor 65 (so-called attacker). To stop display.

  Here, the normal symbol means a data group that can be selected for display on the normal symbol display unit 93 or a symbol (LED light emission pattern) that can be displayed on the normal symbol display unit 93. In the following, a normal symbol may be abbreviated as “common figure”. Here, the symbol variation game with the ordinary symbol is a specific ordinary symbol after the ordinary symbol display unit 93 is variably displayed in order to show a lottery result for releasing the ordinary electric accessory 61 (so-called electric tulip). Is to stop display.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of lamps arranged on the symbol display 90 are described as LEDs, but the type of lamp is not limited to this. The arrangement of the lamps is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and various arrangements can be adopted.

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 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.

In the game area 50a, various winning holes (for example, a large winning hole 55) are arranged, and behind each winning hole, various switches (for example, a count switch SW4, etc.) for detecting a game ball that has entered are arranged. Has been. In the following description, winning means that a game ball enters a specific winning opening.
In the present embodiment, the above-described various switches are arranged so that the player cannot visually recognize them, and are not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

  FIG. 2 shows a large winning port 55, a first starting port 58, a second starting port 59, an operation gate 63, and a normal winning port 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 58 is disposed at the lower center of the game area 50a (below the main display portion 81), and is generally called “navel”.
A count switch SW1 for detecting a game ball that has entered the ball is disposed at the first start port 58, and a game ball that has entered the first start port 58 is detected by the count switch SW1, thereby allowing a special symbol pattern to be detected. A start condition for starting the variable game and a payout condition for paying out a predetermined number of game balls as prize balls can be satisfied.

The second start port 59 is disposed on the lower right side of the game area 50a (the lower right side of the main display portion 81), and the ordinary starter 61 is attached to the second start port 59. The ordinary electric accessory 61 is an opening / closing member that switches to the second starting port 59 in an open state in which it is easy to enter the game ball or a closed state in which it is difficult to enter the game ball. Transition to either the open state or the closed state. The control of the ordinary electric accessory 61 will be described in detail later.
The second start port 59 is provided with a count switch SW2 that detects a game ball that has entered the ball, and the game ball that has entered the second start port 59 is detected by the count switch SW2, thereby depending on a special symbol. The starting condition of the symbol variation game and the winning ball payout condition can be satisfied.

  The operation gate 63 is disposed on the upper right side of the second start port 59 (on the right side of the main display portion 81). The operation gate 63 is provided with a count switch SW3 that detects a game ball that has passed, and when the game ball that has passed the operation gate 63 is detected by the count switch SW3, the start of a symbol variation game with a normal symbol is started. Conditions can be met.

In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, as apparent from the fact that the count switch SW3 is not shown in FIG. 5, the detection of the count switch SW3 is not included in the award ball payout condition. That is, even if a game ball enters the operation gate 63 of this embodiment, the prize ball is zero.
Further, the operation gate 63 may be a so-called gate type winning opening in which the passed game ball rolls again in the game area 50a after passing. In this case, passing through the operation gate 63 is also referred to as “entrance ball” in this specification.

The big winning opening 55 is arranged below the second start opening 59 (lower right side of the main display portion 81). The special winning opening 55 is provided with a special electric accessory 65 that opens and closes by the operation of the actuator AC2.
In addition, the grand prize winning port 55 is provided with a count switch SW4 that detects a game ball that has entered the game. The payout conditions can be satisfied.

The special electric accessory 65 in the closed state extends so as to substantially coincide with the surface position of the game area 50a, and covers the big prize winning opening 55 on the far side from the surface position.
In addition, the special electric accessory 65 in the open state operates so as to function as a tray for the game ball that jumps forward from the surface position of the game area 50a and flows down from above, and receives the received game ball as a big prize opening 55. Guide to.
The special electric accessory 65 in this embodiment operates so as to be in an open state during execution of the big hit game, and allows the game ball to enter the big prize opening 55.

The normal winning opening 67 (67 a, 67 b) is arranged on the lower left side of the main display portion 81. The normal winning opening 67 is provided with a count switch SW5 that detects a game ball that has entered, and the game ball that has entered the normal winning opening 67 is detected by the count switch SW5, whereby the payout condition of the winning ball is determined. Can be granted.
In the present embodiment, the example in which one count switch SW5 is provided for the two normal winning openings 67a and 67b has been described, but a sensor (count switch) may be provided individually. At this time, the payout condition of the prize ball may be different or the same for each sensor.

In the present embodiment, the game area 50a is located at the first start port 58 or the normal winning port 67 when the game ball rolls from the first flow path X, rather than when the game ball rolls from the second flow path Y. Various obstacles are arranged to make it easier to enter the ball. That is, the first start port 58 or the normal winning port 67 is provided in the first flow path X mainly including the left side of the game area 50a.
In addition, the game area 50a in the present embodiment is configured such that when the game ball rolls from the second flow path Y, when the game ball rolls from the second flow path X, the big winning opening 55, the second start opening. Various obstacles are arranged so that it is easy to enter the 59 or the operation gate 63. That is, the special winning opening 55, the second start opening 59, or the operation gate 63 is provided in the second flow path Y mainly on the right side of the game area 50a.

  The out port 69 is disposed at the lowermost part of the game area 50a. The game balls that have not entered the winning ports (except for the operation gate 63) are dropped into the out port 69 and 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 merely examples, and the present invention can 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 FIG. 4 or FIG. In addition, since the description may be made by touching each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 described above, please refer to these drawings as appropriate.
Each component shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 is a component required for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and a component not shown here is 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 a board (not shown) inside itself, and includes a board including the components shown in FIG. 4 or 5 and a functional component electrically connected to the board. Various functions are realized by this processing. More specifically, the board includes a CPU (not shown) that executes control operations in a predetermined procedure, a ROM (not shown) that stores a control program for the CPU, and writing and reading of necessary data. A RAM (not shown) is provided. The CPU can implement various functions by executing a control program read from the ROM and writing various data to the RAM or reading various data from the RAM.
Each component shown in FIG. 4 or 5 is a component that functions only on one substrate, a component that functions by performing various data exchanges between a plurality of substrates, a substrate, and the substrate. In other words, components that function by electrically connecting non-mounted functional components are mixed. There can be many hardware configurations for realizing each of these components, and the configuration is not necessarily limited to one.

  The main control unit 100 controls the game in an integrated manner, and transmits commands to other components (for example, the effect control unit 210) for effects related to the game. The main control unit 100 is a board having a function that affects or may affect the game result, and functions as a so-called main board. As shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit 100 has a number of components, and these components are connected to each other. The connection is an example and is not necessarily limited to this.

Main components included in the main control unit 100 include a special drawing lottery control unit 130, a general drawing lottery control unit 170, a gaming state control unit 140, a symbol display control unit 150, a variation pattern processing unit 160, an information transmission unit 110, and the like. Is mentioned.
The special symbol lottery control unit 130 controls other components in relation to the symbol variation game with special symbols.
The regular drawing lottery control unit 170 controls other components in association with the symbol variation game based on the normal symbols.
The game state control unit 140 performs control of the big hit game, management of the probability change state, or management of the change state.
The symbol display control unit 150 causes the symbol display 90 to display the special symbol selected as a result of the symbol variation game based on the special symbol or the normal symbol selected as the result of the symbol variation game based on the normal symbol.
The variation pattern processing unit 160 determines a variation pattern including at least variation time information indicating the time from when the symbol display control unit 150 starts the variation display until the stop display is performed in the symbol variation game using the special symbols. In addition, the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern processing unit 160 is output to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 110 and is also used when a display effect (reach effect or the like) on the effect indicator 80 is executed. .
The information transmission unit 110 has a function of transmitting control information (command) generated by each component included in the main control unit 100 to another component (for example, the effect control unit 210). The command transmitted by the information transmission unit 110 includes, in addition to the information indicating the above-described variation pattern, the result of special drawing lottery or ordinary drawing lottery, the presence / absence of a probable variation state or variation state, information on reserved storage, or jackpot game May include information on the execution of.

In addition to the main components described above, the gaming machine 10 includes an effect control unit 210, a payout control unit 230, and the like.
The effect control unit 210 controls an effect related to a game (such as a symbol variation game or a big hit game) performed by the gaming machine 10.
The payout control unit 230 controls the payout of a prize ball given as a bonus privilege to each winning opening.
Each component mentioned so far will be described in more detail below.

<Special drawing lottery>
The main control unit 100 includes a special drawing hold control unit 115 and a special drawing lottery control unit 130.
In addition, the special drawing lottery control unit 130 manages a symbol variation game using special symbols, and includes a success / failure lottery unit 131 and a special drawing selection unit 132.

The special figure hold control unit 115 acquires and stores the random number M1 with the winning of the first start port 58 as a trigger. Further, the special figure hold control unit 115 acquires and stores the random number M2 in response to the winning of the second start port 59.
More specifically, the special figure hold control unit 115 acquires the random number M1 when the winning of the first start port 58 is detected by the count switch SW1, and stores it in a dedicated storage area (holding storage). Further, the special figure hold control unit 115 acquires the random number M2 when the winning of the second start port 59 is detected by the count switch SW2, and stores (holds) the random number M2 in the dedicated storage area.
The reserved upper limit number of the random number M1 or the reserved upper limit number of the random number M2 is determined in advance, and in this embodiment, four are set as the reserved upper limit number for each of the random number M1 and the random number M2.

The special figure hold control unit 115 distinguishes and stores the random number M1 acquired in response to the winning of the first starting port 58 and the random number M2 acquired in response to the winning of the second starting port 59.
The special figure hold control unit 115 may cause the success / failure lottery unit 131 to process the random number M1 or the random number M2 stored on hold in the order in which the random number is stored, or to process the pass / fail lottery unit 131 in preference to the other. You may let them.

  The special figure hold control unit 115 may monitor the number of random numbers stored on hold. In this case, the special symbol hold control unit 115 may output a command to the symbol display control unit 150 (special symbol display control unit 151) so as to display the number of random numbers being monitored on the symbol display 90. . Further, the special figure hold control unit 115 may output a command to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 110 so as to display a number of hold displays corresponding to the number of random numbers stored in a hold. .

The success / failure lottery unit 131 performs a success / failure lottery of the big hit game using the random number M1 or the random number M2 acquired when the game ball enters the first start port 58 or the second start port 59. In addition, the winning probability of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery unit 131 is not limited to an example, and can be changed as appropriate.
Here, “performing a winning / losing lottery with a winning as an opportunity” means that the winning / losing lottery can be executed after one condition is that a winning is detected. In other words, even if a winning is detected, the success / failure lottery does not necessarily have to be executed. For example, a winning detected by the count switch SW1 when the number of held random numbers M1 exceeds the holding upper limit number or a count switch SW2 when the number of held random numbers M2 exceeds the holding upper limit number The detected winning is not a condition for the lottery.

The special symbol selection unit 132 selects a special symbol to be displayed on the special symbol display unit 91 based on the result of the success / failure lottery performed by the success / failure lottery unit 131.
The special symbol selected by the special symbol selection unit 132 is displayed on the special symbol display unit 91 by the special symbol display control unit 151 described later during the execution of the symbol variation game using the special symbol.
Note that the selection by the special figure selection unit 132 includes a mode in which the random number used in the lottery determination and the number of special symbols prepared in advance are the same and uniquely determined.

<Regular drawing lot>
The gaming machine 10 includes a general figure holding control unit 116, a general drawing lottery control unit 170, and a normal electric role control unit 180.
The regular drawing lottery control unit 170 manages a symbol variation game based on normal symbols, and includes an open lottery unit 171 and a universal symbol selection unit 172. Further, the ordinary electric combination control unit 180 is a function for controlling the ordinary electric combination 61.

When the winning of the operation gate 63 is detected by the count switch SW3, the usual hold control unit 116 acquires the random number M3 and stores it in a dedicated storage area (holding storage). Here, the random number M3 is a random number used for the lottery by the open lottery unit 171. A holding upper limit number that is an upper limit number of the random number M3 that can be held is determined in advance.
When the general symbol lottery control unit 170 is not performing control related to the symbol variation game by the normal symbol, the general symbol hold control unit 116 reads the random number M3 that is reserved at a predetermined cycle.

  The general hold control unit 116 monitors the number of random numbers M3 that are held. Further, the general symbol hold control unit 116 may issue a command to the symbol display control unit 150 to display the number of the random number M3 being monitored on the symbol display 90, or display it on the effect display 80. As described above, a command may be issued to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 110.

The open lottery unit 171 performs an open lottery to determine whether or not to change the ordinary electric accessory 61 to the open state, using the random number M3 acquired by the ordinary map holding control unit 116. The winning probability of the open lottery by the open lottery unit 171 is lower when in the normal gaming state than when in the variable state, and higher when in the variable state than when in the normal gaming state. Yes.
When an open lottery by the open lottery unit 171 is won, the normal electric role control unit 180 operates the actuator AC1 to open the normal electric combination 61 under a predetermined open condition.

The normal symbol selection unit 172 selects a normal symbol based on the result of the open lottery by the open lottery unit 171, and causes the normal symbol display control unit 153 to display the selected normal symbol on the normal symbol display unit 93. One of the two LEDs corresponding to the normal symbol display unit 93 corresponds to winning and one of them corresponds to defeat. The normal symbol display control unit 153 emits either one according to the normal symbol selected by the general symbol selecting unit 172. Let
The selection here means that the random number M3 used for the lottery by the open lottery unit 171 and the number of special symbols prepared in advance are the same as the selection by the special figure selection unit 132, and are uniquely The aspect to be determined is also included.

  The normal electric role control unit 180 controls the normal electric combination 61 so that the time taken for the open state increases per unit time when the change state is given by the change control unit 143. That is, the control of the normal electric power control unit 180 varies due to the provision of the variable state by the variable control unit 143 described later.

<About game state control>
The game state control unit 140 is a function for controlling a big hit game, a probability change state or a variable state, and has a probability change control unit 141, a change control unit 143 or a big hit control unit 145.

  The probability change control unit 141 can shift from the normal game state to the probability change state when the probability change state provision condition is satisfied, or from the probability change state to the normal game state when the probability change state release condition is satisfied. Here, the probability variation state means that the winning probability in the symbol variation game with the special symbol becomes higher than the normal gaming state.

There are generally three types of probability variation methods: loop method, ST method, and falling lottery method. The probability variation control unit 141 in the present embodiment may be in any of these three types of probability variation states.
The probability change of the loop method means a probability change that shifts to a probability change state after a jackpot game related to a probability change jackpot and continues at least until the next jackpot. Therefore, in the case of the loop type probability change, the condition for canceling the probability change state is that the next big hit is started.
ST method probability change is also referred to as “special time probability change” or “number cut probability change”, etc., and after shifting to the probability change state after the big hit game related to the probability change big hit, in the big hit lottery in the predetermined number of symbol change games When not winning, it means a probability change to the normal gaming state. Therefore, in the case of the ST method of probability variation, the probability variation state cancellation condition includes a predetermined number of symbol variation games being played in addition to the next big hit.
The probability change of the falling lottery system is a lottery (falling lottery) to determine whether or not to fall from the probabilistic state to the normal game state in the symbol variation game that is performed after shifting to the probabilistic after the big hit game related to the probable big hit game. This refers to the probability of changing to the normal gaming state when winning. Therefore, in the case of the probability change of the falling lottery method, the condition for canceling the probability variation state includes winning the falling lottery in addition to starting the next big hit.

The conditions for granting the probability change state are generally (a) a method in which a part or all of the hit games are a condition, and (b) the entry of a game ball into a predetermined area (including a winning opening) during the hit game. And a method using a sphere as a condition. In addition, in the method (a), as a method for selecting a part of winning game that is a condition for giving a certain probability change state, a method that is determined by a special symbol drawn in a special symbol variation game is often adopted.
In addition, the method of (a) may be employ | adopted for the provision conditions of the probability variation state in this embodiment, and the method of (b) may be employ | adopted.

The change control unit 143 shifts from the normal game state to the change state when the change condition grant condition is satisfied, and changes from the change state to the normal game state when the change state cancellation condition is satisfied. It is a function to be transferred.
In addition, the provision condition of the variable state in the present embodiment may be the same as or different from the provision condition of the probability variation state. Further, the changing condition cancellation condition in the present embodiment may be the same as or different from the probability changing condition releasing condition. That is, the period during which the probability variation state is imparted and the period during which the variation state is imparted may be common or different.

The variable speed state means that (i) the probability of winning the open lottery of the ordinary electric game is higher than the normal game state, and (ii) the open time per time of the normal electric game is extended from the normal game state. (Iii) The number of times the normal electric combination is released is increased from the normal gaming state in response to the winning of the open lottery of the normal electric combination, (iv) The variable display time per time in the normal symbol display section Is at least one of the following.
When the variable state is given in the present embodiment, any of the above four is executed. Note that at least one of the above (ii) and (iii) is generally referred to as “electric chew support” or “electric support”.

The jackpot control unit 145 is a function for controlling the jackpot game. Specifically, the jackpot game in the present embodiment is executed as follows.
First, when a big win game is won by the winning / losing lottery unit 131, a special symbol corresponding to the big hit game is selected by the special symbol selecting unit 132, and the selected special symbol is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 91 (special After the symbol variation game with symbols is finished), the big hit control unit 145 starts the big hit game.
When the big hit game is started, the big hit control unit 145 issues a command regarding the opening effect indicating the start of the big hit game to the effect control unit 210. The effect control unit 210 executes the opening effect for a predetermined time (opening time) according to the command of the big hit control unit 145. In addition, it is preferable to encourage the player to launch a game ball into the second flow path Y toward the big prize opening 55 by recommending the player to make a right strike in the opening effect.
After the opening effect is completed, the round game in which the special winning opening 55 is opened is performed a plurality of times with a predetermined number of times (number of rounds) as an upper limit. In the round game, the special winning opening 55 is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, once). Also, after a specified number of game balls have entered the opened big winning opening 55, or after a predetermined time (round gaming time) has elapsed, the big winning opening 55 is closed and the round game ends.
After the end of the round game, the big prize opening 55 is closed for a predetermined time (interval time), and the big prize opening 55 is opened again with the start of the next round game.

The jackpot control unit 145 transmits a command including the number of rounds, round game time, interval time, and the like as control information to the special power control unit 190 in order to perform control as described in the previous stage.
The special electric combination control unit 190 operates the actuator AC2 according to the command received from the big hit control unit 145 to open the special electric combination item 65. Also, the special electric role control unit 190 determines the number of game balls that have entered the big prize opening 55 during one round game while the special electric accessory 65 is opened based on the detection of the count switch SW4. Monitoring. Then, the special electric combination control unit 190 operates the actuator AC2 to close the special electric combination 65 when the number of game balls entered reaches the upper limit.

The big hit control unit 145 issues a command related to the effect related to the round game to the effect control unit 210. The effect control unit 210 executes the round effect according to the command of the big hit control unit 145.
When the prescribed number of rounds is over, the jackpot control unit 145 issues a command regarding the ending effect indicating the end of the jackpot game to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 110. The effect control unit 210 executes an ending effect for a predetermined time (ending time) according to the command of the jackpot control unit 145, and the jackpot control unit 145 ends the jackpot game.

<About payout control>
The gaming machine 10 includes a payout control unit 230 that controls the payout mechanism unit 70 communicating with the upper ball tray 27 and can pay out the prize balls to the upper ball tray 27.
More specifically, the main control unit 100 pays out a predetermined prize ball in response to winning detection by each count switch (count switch SW1, count switch SW2, count switch SW4, count switch SW5). Command is output. Then, the payout control unit 230 controls the payout mechanism unit 70 based on the command received from the main control unit 100. The payout mechanism 70 is disposed behind the middle frame (not shown) and cannot be visually recognized when the front frame 20 is closed.
The number of predetermined prize balls set in advance for each count switch may be appropriately set according to the embodiment, and is not limited to an example.

<Variation display of symbol variation game and production symbol>
The gaming machine 10 includes a symbol display control unit 150, an effect control unit 210, and a variation pattern processing unit 160.
The symbol display control unit 150 causes the symbol display 90 to display a special symbol that is a result of the symbol variation game based on the special symbol or a normal symbol that is a result of the symbol variation game based on the normal symbol.
The effect control unit 210 causes the effect display unit 80 to display an effect display related to a symbol variation game or a big hit game based on special symbols. In particular, regarding the execution of the symbol variation game by the special symbol, the effect control unit 210 displays the variation of the effect symbol on the main display unit 81 in accordance with the variation time of the symbol variation game by the special symbol in the special symbol display unit 91. It is carried out. In other words, the effect control unit 210 executes, in principle, the symbol variation game by one special symbol in the special symbol display unit 91 and the one effect display in the main display unit 81 in association with each other.
However, when an effect display having continuity is executed over a symbol variation game with a plurality of special symbols, or when a symbol variation game with one special symbol is performed, a variation of a plurality of times is set as one set. Display may be performed. The former representative example is an effect display called a so-called continuous effect, and the latter representative example is an effect display called a so-called pseudo-continuous effect.

FIG. 8 shows an example of effect symbols that are variably displayed on the main display unit 81. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of effect symbols stopped and displayed on the main display unit 81.
As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of effect symbols are scrolled (variably displayed) in the upper, middle, or lower stages of the main display unit 81. The arrows shown in FIG. 8 indicate the stage and direction in which each effect symbol scrolls. In other words, the effect symbols in the present embodiment are configured to scroll mainly from right to left, and the scrolling is stopped or temporarily stopped for each stage. The order in which the scrolling stops at each stage (the effect symbol is temporarily stopped) is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, in principle, the order is the upper stage → the lower stage → the middle stage.
In addition, each production | representation symbol illustrated in drawing after FIG. Here, a number equal to the number symbol drawn in the effect symbol is entered in ○, and a symbol corresponding to the position in which the effect symbol is drawn is entered in Δ. The upper part of the main display part 81 corresponds to a, the middle part of the main display part 81 corresponds to b, the lower part of the main display part 81 corresponds to c, and the upper sub display part 82 corresponds to d.

The main display unit 81 can stop and display the effect symbols in the upper left column, the upper center, the upper right column, the middle left column, the middle center, the middle right column, the lower left column, the lower center, and the lower right column. It is a place. However, since the intervals between the effect symbols are distributed almost evenly in each stage, when one effect symbol is stopped and displayed in the left column, the other effect symbols are always stopped and displayed in the right column. . Further, when one effect symbol is stopped and displayed in the center, the other effect symbols are completely cut off from the end of the displayable area. Therefore, the arrangement of effect symbols that are stopped and displayed is one of the following eight patterns.
(I) A pattern in which production symbols are stopped and displayed in six places: upper left column, upper right column, middle left column, middle right column, lower left column, lower right column (ii) upper middle, middle left column, middle right Patterns in which the stage symbols are stopped and displayed at the five locations of the row, the lower left column, and the lower right column (iii) The stage symbols are stopped at the upper left column, the upper right column, the middle center, the lower left column, and the lower right column Patterns to be displayed (iv) Patterns in which production symbols are stopped and displayed in four places: upper center, middle center, lower left column, lower right column (v) upper left column, upper right column, middle left column, middle right column・ Pattern in which stage symbols are stopped and displayed at five locations in the lower center (vi) Upper center, middle left row, middle right row, and pattern in which stage symbols are stopped and displayed in four locations in the lower center (vii) Upper center and middle rows A pattern (viii) in which production symbols are stopped and displayed at the center and lower center. A pattern in which the production symbols are stopped and displayed at the four positions of the upper left column, the upper right column, the middle middle, and the lower middle. The combination of the production symbols shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the above pattern (viii), The effect symbol D8a is displayed in the upper left column, the effect symbol D7a in the upper right column, the effect symbol D6b in the middle of the middle, and the effect symbol D9c in the lower center.

The variation pattern processing unit 160 determines a variation pattern in order to ensure the correspondence between the above-described symbol variation game with special symbols and the variation display of the effect symbols.
More specifically, the variation pattern processing unit 160 determines a variation pattern including at least variation time information indicating the time at which the special symbol varies in the symbol variation game with the special symbol, and issues a command including the variation pattern to the symbol display control unit 150. (Special symbol display control unit 151) or production control unit 210.
The special symbol display control unit 151 executes a symbol variation game with a special symbol according to the variation pattern, and the effect control unit 210 executes variation display of the effect symbol according to the variation pattern, thereby ensuring these correspondences. doing.

In the above description, it is described that the effect control unit 210 controls the effect display of the effect display device 80 (the main display unit 81, the upper sub display unit 82, the left sub display unit 83, and the right sub display unit 84). However, 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 lighting device 35 or the sound effect by the speaker 33, and the player can combine these effect display, lighting effect, audio effect, and the like. Can be aroused.
In addition, the production control unit 210 can switch various productions variably in accordance with the player's operation received by the button 37.
Further, the effect control unit 210 can execute movement control of the upper sub display unit 82, the left sub display unit 83, or the right sub display unit 84, and although not shown in FIG. It may be possible to execute movement control.

  In the above description, it has been described that the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern processing unit 160 includes at least variation time information. In addition to this, the variation pattern may include information indicating whether the reach effect is to be performed or separated, information indicating the type of reach effect, and the like.

<About direction change suggestion and direction change notification in pseudo-continuous production>
Next, the pseudo continuous effects of the present invention, the direction change suggestion and the direction suggestion notification executed therein will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 16.
FIG. 10 is a time chart of pseudo-continuous effects. 11 to 16 are diagrams showing the main display unit 81 at each time point during the pseudo-continuous performance.
In addition, the number described in the upper part of the time chart of FIG. 10 represents the elapsed time from the start time of the symbol variation game with a pseudo-continuous effect. In addition, in FIG. 10, “symbol variation game (1)” represents the execution period of one symbol variation game, and “pseudo ream (1)” and “pseudo ream (2)” The second fluctuation cycle is shown. In the present embodiment, “pseudo-continuous (1)” corresponds to the first effect symbol variation of the present invention, and “pseudo-continuous (2)” corresponds to the second effect symbol variation of the present invention.

When performing the first effect symbol variation, the effect control unit 210 determines whether or not the direction of variation of the effect symbol changes for each stage of the effect symbol that is fluctuating (in each column in the case of scrolling up and down). Execute the suggested direction change suggestion. More specifically, while the first effect symbol variation is being executed, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the effect symbol of each stage rotates around the axis that is orthogonal to the traveling direction (left-right direction). Scroll.
Then, the effect control unit 210 performs direction change notification by suggesting that the direction of change of the effect symbol changes in the direction change suggestion in all of the plurality of stages, and executes the second effect symbol change. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, it is suggested that the changing direction of the effect symbol changes when the character included in the effect symbol faces forward and enters a temporary stop state at each stage. In addition, it is suggested that the direction of change of the production symbol does not change when the character included in the production symbol faces other than the front and enters the temporary stop state. Then, as shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15, when the character turns forward and enters a temporary stop state over all of the upper, middle, and lower stages, this means direction change notification.

  In addition, the above-mentioned content that “the direction change notification is performed by suggesting that the direction of change in the direction of the design changes in the direction change suggestion in all of the plurality of stages”, in other words, the change in the direction of change in all the columns. When the suggestion effect (direction change suggestion) is affirmed, the change direction change notification is confirmed (direction change notification).

The transition that becomes the direction change notification after the direction change suggestion at each stage will be described in detail.
First, from 0 seconds to 6 seconds of the pseudo-continuous production, the production symbols scroll in a manner different from the normal production symbol variation shown in FIG. 8 (see FIG. 11). The variation pattern of the effect symbol in this period is represented as “first special variation” in FIG. At this stage, it is impossible for the player to determine in which direction the character of the design symbol of which stage faces to be temporarily stopped.
Next, the upper stage is temporarily stopped at the time of 6 seconds of the pseudo-continuous effect (see FIG. 12), and the state where the middle or lower stage effect symbols are scrolled is continued until 9 seconds while the upper stage is temporarily stopped. At this stage, only the character of the upper stage design symbol is facing forward and is in a temporary stop state, and the player gives a testimony that the direction of change may change in the next cycle of change (second effect design variation). Can be held in.
Next, at the time of 9 seconds of the pseudo-continuous production, the lower stage is temporarily stopped (see FIG. 13), and the state where the upper stage is temporarily stopped and the middle stage of the effect symbol is scrolled continues for 11 seconds. At this stage, the characters in the upper and lower stage design symbols are facing forward and are in a temporary stop state, and the player may have a proof that the possibility that the fluctuation direction will change in the next fluctuation cycle has increased. it can.
Next, the middle stage temporarily stops at 11 seconds of the pseudo-continuous effect (see FIG. 14), and all the stages are temporarily stopped. At this moment, the character of the production symbol turns forward in all stages and enters a temporary stop state, and the player is definitely notified that the change direction will change in the next change cycle. From 11 seconds to 13 seconds of the pseudo-continuous production, the surroundings of each production symbol that is temporarily stopped facing forward are highlighted with a star pattern (see FIG. 15). At this stage, the player can recognize that the transition from the first variable cycle to the second variable cycle has been confirmed, and will receive a testimony that the possibility that a privilege will be granted has been improved. Is aroused.

After 13 seconds of the pseudo-continuous effect, the second effect symbol variation is executed, and the effect symbol scrolls in a manner different from the first effect symbol. More specifically, the effect symbols displayed smaller than the normal effect symbols are displayed while being gradually enlarged (see FIG. 16). Such a display makes it appear to the player that the effect symbols are scrolling from the front to the front. That is, the effect symbol fluctuates in a direction different from the first effect symbol variation and the second effect symbol. Note that the variation pattern of the effect symbol during this period is represented as “second special variation” in FIG. 10. Moreover, the arrow shown around each effect symbol in FIG. 16 represents the state where each effect symbol is expanding.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, while the effect symbol is scrolled on the main display portion 81, the upper sub-display portion 82 displays that it is the second variation cycle. Thereby, the player can confirm the transition from the first variation cycle (first effect symbol variation) to the second variation cycle (second effect symbol variation).

As described above, during the period from 0 to 11 seconds of the pseudo-continuous performance, the success or failure of the transition from the first variation cycle to the second variation cycle cannot be determined on the appearance of the player. The production is equivalent to the production (direction suggestion) suggesting a change in the changing direction.
On the other hand, since the transition from the first variation cycle to the second variation cycle is definite in the player's appearance from 11 seconds to 13 seconds of the pseudo-continuous production, the production executed during this period is This corresponds to an effect (direction change notification) for notifying the change in the changing direction.
The execution period of the direction change notification can be changed as appropriate within the range of the first fluctuation cycle (first effect symbol fluctuation), and the above execution period example is merely one example.

As described above, since the direction change notification is executed after the direction change is suggested for each step, it is possible to gradually increase the interest that the production continues.
Further, unlike the aspect in which the continuation of the pseudo-continuous production is determined by the arrangement of the production symbols stopped (displacement) as in Patent Document 1, the continuation of the pseudo-continuous production is suggested without depending on the arrangement of the production symbols or Since the notification can be made, the player will not be disappointed due to the arrangement. For example, in the case of the aspect of Patent Document 1, when the effect symbol is temporarily stopped in an arrangement in which the left column and the right column may be misaligned, the effect symbol temporarily stopped in the middle column is subsequently shifted. When the eyes are denied, the player may feel sorry for the player, such as “I wanted to be a reach at this stage if I didn't continue because of a gap.” However, if it is an aspect like this embodiment, the disappointment resulting from such an arrangement | sequence will not arise.

It can be said that the transition of the above-described pseudo-continuous performance has the following characteristics.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 16, the effect design includes characters that are displayed on the main display unit 81 (effect display) in a plurality of temporary stop modes during the direction change suggestion.
The effect control unit 210 suggests whether or not the changing direction of the effect symbol changes depending on the type of the temporary stop mode of the character displayed in each stage (each column in the mode of scrolling up and down). Moreover, when the direction change notification is executed by displaying characters in a temporary stop state (one temporary stop mode) facing forward in all of the plurality of rows, the effect control unit 210 executes the second effect symbol variation. When at least some of the characters in the temporary stop mode are displayed in some stages, the pseudo-continuous effect is ended.
Thus, the presence or absence of the direction change is indicated depending on the temporary stop mode of the character included in the effect design. Therefore, even if the combination of the displayed effect symbols is the same, the continuation / termination of the effect branches depending on the temporary stop state of the character included in each effect symbol. Since there is no pseudo-continuous production that continues with such production, the interest of the player can be improved more than before.

In addition to the animal motifs as in this embodiment, the characters include creatures such as humans and plants, inorganic objects such as vehicles and robots, and abstract designs (for example, characters, designs or symbols). May be applicable. The character is preferably drawn so that the player can identify the direction of the character itself.
In addition, the above-mentioned “the character is included in the production design” is not limited to the case where a part of the production design is a character, but when the character is the production design itself, or the production design and the character are indistinguishable. It is also included when it is.

The above-mentioned “type of temporary stop mode of character” means each of a plurality of temporary stop modes that each character can take. In the present embodiment, the type of the temporary stop mode of the character differs depending on the direction of the temporarily stopped character. That is, it is possible to adopt a plurality of temporary stop modes depending on the direction of the character.
The direction of the character in the present embodiment includes a first direction (variation direction in the first effect symbol variation) and a second direction (variation direction in the second effect symbol variation). The character in the second direction corresponds to one temporary stop mode, and the character in the first direction corresponds to another temporary stop mode. That is, the direction change is suggested by the direction of the temporarily stopped character being coincident with the direction of the effect symbol variation in the second effect symbol variation. Thereby, if the player looks at a glance, the suggestion can be recognized.
Here, the “character direction” is a character direction that the player can recognize on the display screen of the main display unit 81. For example, if the character is an animal as in the present embodiment, the direction of the animal's face may be set as the direction of the character.

  Although the present embodiment has been described with examples in which the type of the temporary stop mode of the character differs depending on the direction of the character, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the type of the temporary stop mode of the character may be different depending on the character's action and the character type.

<About various processing procedures>
Next, processing procedures of the various processes described above will be described with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG. 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. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the processing at the time of entering the ball. FIG. 7 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. 6 or 7 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 will be described. Here, the entry process is a series of processes executed after a game ball has entered the first start port 58 or the second start port 59.
Until a ball entering the first start port 58 or the second start port 59 is detected (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 58 or the second start port 59 is detected (YES in step S102), if the number of holds by the special figure hold control unit 115 reaches the upper limit (step S104). YES), the process after step S106 is on standby without being performed.

When a ball entering the first start port 58 or the second start port 59 is detected (YES in step S102), and the number of holds by the special figure hold control unit 115 has not reached the upper limit (NO in step S104). The number of holds by the special figure hold control unit 115 is added (step S106). Further, the special figure hold control unit 115 acquires the random number M1 or the random number M2 and holds it in a dedicated storage area (step S108).
That is, affirmation in step S102 and negation in step S104 mean that the start condition is satisfied.

  A command including a series of processing results from step S102 to step S108 as control information is output from the information transmission unit 110 to the effect control unit 210 (step S110), and the entry process is terminated.

Next, the process procedure of the symbol variation start process will be described. Here, the symbol start process is a series of processes performed when starting a symbol variation game with a special symbol.
First, the special drawing lottery control unit 130 determines whether or not a change start condition is satisfied (step S202). Here, the variation start condition is (i) that the symbol variation game with the special symbol is not executed at the time of the determination in step S202, (ii) that the big hit game is not executed at the time of the determination in step S202, (iii) ) At the time of determination in step S202, there may be one or more reserved memories.
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 lottery unit 131 reads the random number M1 or the random number M2 held in the special figure hold control unit 115 (step S204).
In step S <b> 204, the success / failure lottery unit 131 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 115, 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-mentioned lottery selection by the lottery selection unit 131 and the selection of special symbols by the special figure selection unit 132. 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. Furthermore, the determination as to whether or not to perform the pseudo-continuous effect including the direction change suggestion or the direction change notification described above may be included as part of the determination as to whether or not to perform a specific effect.
Then, the fluctuation pattern processing unit 160 determines a fluctuation pattern using the processing result of Step S206 (Step S208).

A command including a series of processing results from step S202 to step S208 as control information is output from the information transmission unit 110 to the effect control unit 210 (step S210), and the symbol variation start process ends.
The command output in step S210 is used, for example, for information indicating the processing result of the determination executed in step S206, information indicating the variation pattern determined in step S208, or for an effect executed in association therewith. Information may be included.

  In step S206 of the present embodiment, it has been described that the determination of whether or not to perform the pseudo-continuous effect including the direction change suggestion or the direction change notification described above may be included, but this determination is not necessarily performed in this process. It does not have to be executed. For example, in step S206, it is determined that a pseudo-continuous effect is to be performed, and information indicating that is included in the command output in step S210, and the effect control unit 210 that receives the command causes the direction change suggestion or the direction change. It may be determined whether notification is performed.

<About the effect of the pseudo continuous effect of the present invention>
The structure, functional configuration, and processing procedure of the gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment have been described above. Based on these explanations, the effect of the pseudo continuous effect of the present invention will be described.
In the pseudo continuous effect of the present invention, the changing direction (scroll direction) of the effect symbol changes in the middle from the first direction to the second direction. At this time, a change from the first direction to the second direction is suggested or notified while the effect symbol is changing in the first direction (first effect symbol change).
When such a continuation is continued, there is no pseudo-continuous effect that makes such suggestion or notification, so that the player's interest can be attracted more than before, and the gaming interest can be further enhanced.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned device is variously given about the change of the production | presentation symbol or the character which comprises it, and the production effect by the pseudo | simulation continuous production of this invention can be heightened suitably.

<Modification of the present invention>
Although the present invention has been described so far in accordance with the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. Various modifications, improvements, etc. are also included.
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the direction change suggestion or the direction change notification is performed by the change of the production symbol or the character constituting the description has been described, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the direction change suggestion or the direction change notification according to the present invention may be executed by performing an image display such as “the scroll direction changes” or “the scroll direction may change” or voice guidance.

Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated in the aspect from which the scroll direction of a production | presentation symbol changed from the left-right direction to the front-back direction (from the front side of the gaming machine 10), implementation of this invention is not limited to this.
For example, it may change from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction, may change from the horizontal direction to an oblique direction (eg, lower right to upper left), or may change from a specific direction to the opposite direction. Alternatively, it may be changed from a simple straight line fluctuation to a complicated fluctuation (for example, a character constituting the effect pattern jumps while scrolling).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described in the embodiment in which the pseudo-continuous effect is continued by suggesting or notifying the direction change only in the direction in which the character included in the effect design is directed, without depending on the arrangement pattern, The implementation of is not limited to this.
For example, in addition to displaying characters in a temporary stop state (one temporary stop mode) facing forward in all of a plurality of rows, it is also possible to form a specific array as a continuation condition for pseudo-continuous production. The invention may be implemented. Here, the specific arrangement may be, for example, drawing an X mark with five effect symbols as illustrated in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15. Moreover, the effect symbol which comprises a specific arrangement | sequence line may be limited to a specific effect symbol.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the Example which performs direction change suggestion or direction change notification in pseudo | simulation continuous production, even if it applies to the continuous production based on what is called prefetch determination, there exists an effect similar to this invention. This modification will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine 10 in the modified example. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the ball entry process in the modification. FIG. 19 is an example of a time chart of continuous effects in the modification. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the main display unit 81 at the time of 13 seconds in FIG.
Note that, in the modified example described here, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment will be described with common element names and reference numerals.

The gaming machine 10 is different from the above-described embodiment in that the special figure holding control unit 115 includes a prior determination unit 118.
The pre-determination unit 118 determines whether or not the random number M1 or the random number M2 that is stored on hold is a winning value in the determination by the determination unit for lottery 131 (hereinafter, this determination is referred to as a first determination). Further, based on the determination as to whether or not the winning value is a pre-determining unit 118, the effect content (reach) determined by the effect control unit 210 in the special symbol variation game resulting from the random number M1 or the random number M2 to be determined The determination conditions of the presence / absence of the effect and the type of reach effect are determined (hereinafter, this determination is referred to as second determination). Further, the pre-determination unit 118 continuously performs the effect based on the determined determination condition (during the execution of the symbol variation game with the special symbol caused by the random number M1 or the random number M2 to be determined). It is determined whether or not an effect is performed (hereinafter, this determination is referred to as a third determination).
The special figure hold control unit 115 can store the pre-determination information, which is the determination result by the pre-determination unit 118, in association with the random number M1 or the random number M2. The pre-determined information that is reserved and stored in the special figure reservation control unit 115 is output to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 110.
Here, the preliminary determination information is information including at least the determination result of the third determination described here, and the determination result of the first determination or the second determination may or may not be included.
When the first determination described here is affirmed, the third determination is easily affirmed, and when the first determination is denied, the third determination is easily negated. That is, when the random number M1 or the random number M2, which is the winning value, is stored on hold, it is easy to perform a continuous effect.

  Next, a description will be given of a process at the time of entering a ball in a modified example. Note that the processing from step S302 to step S308 is the same as that from step S102 to step S108 in FIG. 6, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

When the random number M1 or the random number M2 is stored on hold in step S308, the predetermination unit 118 performs predetermination processing (step S310).
When the pre-determination process is executed, the pre-determination unit 118 determines whether or not to win the jackpot game due to the random number M1 or the random number M2 stored on hold and whether or not to perform a continuous effect on the random number. Judgment is performed, and prior determination information indicating the determination result is generated.
The prior determination unit 118 includes a determination table used for the first determination, the second determination, or the third determination described above, and performs each determination process based on the determination table. Note that the determination table used for the first determination stores at least a part of the winning values stored in the lottery table used in the winning lottery unit 131, and the random number M1 or the random number M2 to be determined is the determination table. The first determination can be performed based on whether or not the winning value stored in the table matches.

  A command including a series of processing results from step S302 to step S310 as control information is output from the information transmission unit 110 to the effect control unit 210 (step S312), and the ball entry process in the modification is completed. .

FIG. 19 is a time chart in the case where direction change suggestion or direction change notification is executed in a continuous performance executed over a plurality of consecutive symbol variation games based on the determination by the above-described prior determination unit 118 (so-called prefetch determination). It is a figure which shows an example. Here, the “symbol variation game (1)” is the first symbol variation game, and the “symbol variation game (2)” is the second symbol variation game. Here, the “notice effect (1)” is an effect that is executed with a change in the effect symbol in the first symbol variation game, and the “notice effect (2)” is the second symbol variation. This is an effect that is executed in the game with a change in effect design.
The time chart of FIG. 19 differs from the time chart of FIG. 10 in that direction change suggestion or direction change notification is executed when the first symbol variation game is continued from the first symbol variation game. .
Since the determination by the pre-determination unit 118 described above is performed at least before the second symbol variation game is executed (during or before the first symbol variation game is executed), a plurality of symbols as shown in FIG. It is possible to perform a notice effect continuously in a variable game.

In addition, at the time point of 13 seconds in the time chart of FIG. 19, the effect symbols displayed on the main display unit 81 are definitely stopped and displayed (see FIG. 20). Different.
That is, since the first symbol variation game being executed in the special symbol display unit 91 ends at 13 seconds, each effect symbol in the main display unit 81 is stopped. Each effect symbol may be stopped and displayed before reaching 13 seconds.

The features of the gaming machine 10 according to the modified example described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20 are summarized as follows.
The gaming machine 10 includes symbol display control means (symbol display control unit 150) and effect control means (effect control unit 210).
The symbol display control unit 150 executes a symbol variation game for notifying whether or not a winning symbol is won by the symbol displayed in a stopped state.
The effect control unit 210 changes the effect symbols displayed in a plurality of rows on the main display unit 81 (effect display) in any of a plurality of predetermined directions. In addition, the effect control unit 210 executes a first effect symbol variation that causes a plurality of rows of effect symbols to vary in a first direction among predetermined directions while one symbol variation game is being executed. Then, in the other symbol variation game that is performed next to the one symbol variation game, the effect control unit 210 starts the variation of the plurality of rows of representation symbols in the second direction different from the first direction in the predetermined direction. Executes two-design symbol variation. Further, when executing the second effect symbol variation, the effect control unit 210 performs a direction change notification for notifying a change in the variation direction of the effect symbol at least partly while the first effect symbol variation is being performed. To do.
Since the gaming machine 10 in this modified example performs direction change notification in a continuous production involving a plurality of production symbol fluctuations in conjunction with the symbol variation game as described above, the player's interest in continuing the continuous production is provided. Can be improved.

This embodiment includes the following technical ideas.
(1) A symbol display control means for executing a symbol variation game for notifying whether or not a winning symbol is won, and a plurality of predetermined predetermined effects symbols displayed in a plurality of columns on the effect indicator. A pseudo-continuous effect in which a plurality of fluctuation cycles are continuously performed while one symbol fluctuation game is being executed, with one fluctuation cycle from a change in any direction to a temporary stop. An effect control means to execute, and the pseudo-continuous effect includes a first effect symbol variation that is the variation cycle of one time and a variation cycle that is the next cycle of the first effect symbol variation. The effect control means is configured to change the plurality of rows of the effect symbols in the first direction among the predetermined directions in the first effect symbol variation, and to produce the second effect. Strange design The first effect symbol variation is executed when the second effect symbol variation is executed by starting the variation in the second direction different from the first direction in the predetermined direction. A gaming machine that executes a direction change notification for notifying a change in the direction of change of the effect symbol at least during a period of time.
(2) When the said effect control means performs said 1st effect symbol change, the direction change suggestion which suggests whether the fluctuation direction of the said effect symbol changes for every row | line | column of the said effect symbol which is fluctuating. Executing the direction change notification by suggesting that the direction of change of the effect symbol is changed in the direction change suggestion in all of the plurality of rows, and executing the second effect symbol change (1) The gaming machine described in 1.
(3) The effect design includes characters displayed on the effect display in a plurality of temporary stop modes during execution of the direction change suggestion, and the effect control means is displayed in each column. Suggesting whether or not the direction of change of the effect symbol changes depending on the type of the temporary stop mode of the character being displayed, and by displaying the character of the temporary stop mode that is one in all of the plurality of columns. When the direction change notification is executed, the second effect symbol variation is executed, and when the other characters in the temporary stop mode are displayed in at least some of the columns, the pseudo-continuous effect is ended (2). The gaming machine described in 1.
(4) It is possible to adopt a plurality of temporary stop modes depending on the direction of the character, and the direction of the character includes the first direction and the second direction. The gaming machine according to (3), wherein the character corresponds to the one temporary stop mode, and the character in the first direction corresponds to the other temporary stop mode.
(5) The symbol display control means for executing the symbol variation game for notifying whether or not the winning symbol is won, and the effect symbols displayed in a plurality of columns on the effect display are as follows. Effect control means for changing the direction in any one of the predetermined directions, wherein the effect control means is configured to output the plurality of rows of the effect symbols in the predetermined direction while the one symbol change game is being executed. In the other symbol variation game that is performed next to the one symbol variation game, a first effect symbol variation that varies in one direction is performed, and the plurality of columns of the effect symbols in the predetermined direction are the first direction. When performing the second effect symbol variation to start the variation in the second direction different from the above, when executing the second effect symbol variation, in at least a part during the execution of the first effect symbol variation, Game machine for performing a direction change notification for notifying the change in the variation direction of symbols out.

10 gaming machine 15 outer frame 20 front frame 21 hinge mechanism 23 cylinder lock 25 transparent member 27 upper ball tray 29 lower ball tray 31 operation handle 32 upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) speaker 34, 36 left right frame portion 35 (35a) 35b, 35c) Illuminating device 37 Button 39 Ball removal mechanism 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 55 Big prize opening 58 First start opening 59 Second start opening 61 Ordinary electric accessory 63 Operating gate 65 Special electric accessory 67 (67a, 67b) Ordinary winning opening 69 Out port 70 Dispensing mechanism section 80 Effect display section 81 Main display section 82 Upper sub display section 83 Left sub display section 84 Right sub display section 90 Symbol display 91 Special design Display unit 93 Normal symbol display unit 100 Main control unit 110 Information transmission unit 115 Special figure hold control unit 116 Universal map hold control unit 118 Judgment unit 130 Special symbol lottery control unit 131 Pass / fail lottery unit 132 Special symbol selection unit 140 Game state control unit 141 Probability change control unit 143 Shortening control unit 145 Big hit control unit 150 Symbol display control unit 151 Special symbol display control unit 153 Normal symbol display Control unit 160 Fluctuation pattern processing unit 170 Universal drawing lottery control unit 171 Open lottery unit 172 Universal drawing selection unit 180 Normal electric role control unit 190 Special electric role control unit 210 Production control unit 230 Discharge control unit AC1, AC2 Actuator SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5 Count switch X First flow path Y Second flow path

According to the present invention, a gaming machine that executes a symbol variation game, which includes an effect display, a preliminary determination unit that performs a preliminary determination based on a stored random number, and a symbol variation game being executed And an effect control means for changing the effect symbols displayed in a plurality of columns on the effect indicator in any of a plurality of fluctuation directions, wherein the effect control means is a plurality of variables that are changed in one symbol change game. There is a case where the display effect of the column is stopped and displayed in either the first stop mode or the second stop mode different from the first stop mode for each column, and all the columns in the one symbol variation game are displayed. In the first case where the effect symbol is stopped and displayed in the first stop mode, the notice effect based on the prior determination is executed in the symbol variation game subsequent to the one symbol variation game, and the one symbol variation is performed. What is a game? Varying the performance symbols of a plurality of rows in the made change direction, change direction of performance symbols of a plurality of rows in the one symbol variation game is unchanged game machine is provided over the execution period of the symbol variation games the one.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that executes a symbol variation game, wherein the effect indicator and the effect symbols displayed in a plurality of columns on the effect indicator are varied in any of a plurality of variation directions. An effect control means for executing a pseudo-continuous effect in which a plurality of fluctuation cycles are continuously performed while a single symbol fluctuation game is being executed, with one fluctuation cycle from a temporary stop to a temporary stop. The production control means may temporarily stop the production symbols of a plurality of columns to be varied in one fluctuation cycle in a first stop mode or a second stop mode different from the first stop mode for each column. Yes, in the third case in which the production symbols of all the columns are stopped and displayed in the first stop mode in the one variation cycle, the variation cycle subsequent to the one variation cycle is different from the one variation cycle. Strange Varying the performance symbols of a plurality of rows in the direction, change the direction of the performance symbols of a plurality of rows in the one variation cycle is unchanged game machine over a period of fluctuation cycle of the one is provided.

Claims (1)

A symbol display control means for executing a symbol variation game for notifying whether or not a winning symbol is won by a symbol displayed in a stopped state;
The above-described symbol variation game is performed once as a variation cycle from the variation of the rendering symbols displayed in a plurality of rows on the rendering indicator to any one of predetermined predetermined directions until the temporary stop. Production control means for executing a pseudo-continuous production that continuously performs the plurality of fluctuation cycles while being executed,
The pseudo-continuous effect includes a first effect symbol variation that is the variation cycle of one time and a second effect symbol variation that is the variation cycle of the next time of the first effect symbol variation. And
The production control means includes
In the first effect symbol variation, the effect symbols of the plurality of rows are varied in the first direction among the predetermined directions,
In the second effect design variation, the effect design of the plurality of rows is started to vary in a second direction different from the first direction in the predetermined direction,
A direction change suggestion is performed that suggests whether or not the direction of change of the effect symbol changes for each column of the effect symbol that is fluctuating, at least in part during the execution of the first effect symbol variation. ,
When performing the second effect symbol variation, a direction for informing the change of the effect symbol variation direction by suggesting that the effect symbol variation direction changes in the direction change suggestion in all of the plurality of columns. A gaming machine that executes the second effect symbol variation after executing the change notification.

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