JP2019150510A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress lowering a player's willingness to play in accordance with change in a game state.SOLUTION: A game machine includes storage means for storing first win/lose determination information acquired when game balls enter a first start port to win and second win/lose determination information acquired when game balls enter a second start port to win. As a game state, a first game state in which game balls should be shot toward a first start port and a second game state more advantageous to a player than the first game state in which game balls should be shot toward a second start port are set. As a performance element indicating the game state, a specific performance element indicating the state is the second game state is set. Even when the game state is shifted from the second game state to the first game state, the state in which the specific performance element is output is maintained until at least a notification of a win/lose determination result on the basis of the second win/lose determination information is completed, when the second win/lose determination information is present.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Patent Document 1 listed below describes a gaming machine that returns a so-called background image from a time-saving background to a normal background when the time-saving mode ends. Thus, in a general gaming machine, the type of the displayed image or the output music is changed as the gaming state changes.

JP 2017-148235 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can suppress a decrease in a player's willingness to play as the gaming state changes.

  A gaming machine according to the present invention made to solve the above problems is a first start port and a second start port provided in a game area into which a game ball can enter, and information used for determination of success or failure, First winning / failing determination information acquired when a game ball wins at the first starting opening, and second winning / failing determination information acquired when a gaming ball wins at the second starting opening are stored. And a first gaming state that is a state in which a game ball is to be launched toward the first start port, and the first gaming state, A game state that is more advantageous to the player than the game state, and a second game state in which a game ball should be launched toward the second starting port is set, and an effect that can be grasped by the player indicating the game state As an element, Even when the specific effect element indicating that the player is in the second gaming state is set and the gaming state is shifted from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, the first storing element is stored in the storage means. In the case where there is second determination information, the state where the specific effect element is output is maintained until at least the notification of the determination result based on the second determination information is completed.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention can suppress a decrease in the player's willingness to play as the gaming state changes.

It is a front view of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is the figure which showed the identification symbol and hold image which are displayed on the display area of a display apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a gaming state. It is a figure for demonstrating control of a music when it transfers to a 1st game state from a 2nd game state. It is a figure for demonstrating a 1st specific example. It is a figure for demonstrating a 2nd example. It is a figure for demonstrating a 3rd example. It is a figure for demonstrating a 4th example. It is a figure for demonstrating a 6th example.

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine 1 (pachinko gaming machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  The gaming machine 1 includes a game board 90. The game board 90 is formed of a substantially square plywood, and a guide rail 903 that forms a path for guiding a game ball launched by operating the launching device 908 (launching handle) to the gaming area 902 has a substantially arc shape. It is provided as follows.

  The game area 902 is provided with a start port 904, a grand prize port 906, an out port 907, and the like. A display area 911 of the display device 91 that executes various effects is an area that can be viewed through an opening 901 formed in the game board 90. Note that the shape and the like of the display region 911 can be changed as appropriate (the shape and size of the display region 911 can be changed by changing the shape and size of the opening 901 and the shape and size of the display device 91 itself). .

  In addition, the game area 902 is provided with a plurality of game nails as obstacles that change the flow-down mode of the game balls when the flow-down game balls collide. The game ball flowing down the game area 902 changes into various modes depending on the condition when it collides with the game nail.

  In such a gaming machine 1, a game ball is launched toward the game area 902 by operating the launching device 908. When a game ball flowing down the game area 902 wins a winning opening such as the big winning opening 906, a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by the payout device.

  Note that the description of the components of the gaming machine 1 that are not related to the present invention, such as the frame of the gaming machine 1, the lower plate and the upper plate for storing the game balls, is omitted. About these, the thing of the structure similar to a well-known game machine is applicable.

  The jackpot lottery is executed by a game determination unit provided on a control board (not shown) triggered by the entry of a game ball into the start port 904 (a plurality of such start ports 904 may be provided). Then, a first start port 904a and a second start port 904b are provided). Specifically, a numerical value (hereinafter also referred to as “win / fail judgment information”) is acquired from a random number source when a game ball enters the start port 904, and the numerical value is the same as a predetermined jackpot value. In some cases it will be a big hit, and in other cases it will be out of place. In the present embodiment, as in the case of a known gaming machine, when a big hit is made, the identification symbol 80 (see FIG. 2) is notified by a predetermined combination (for example, three sets of the same symbol), otherwise If a combination of is displayed, it is out of place.

  In the present embodiment, notification of the success / failure determination results is started in the order in which the numerical values for the determination of success / failure are acquired (the variation of the identification symbol 80 is started), but when a certain numerical value is acquired When the determination result based on the numerical value acquired before that is notified, until the notification of the determination result based on the certain numerical value is started, the storage means provided on the control board (not shown) Remembered. A numerical value for which notification of the determination result (change of the identification symbol 80) has not yet been started (the one corresponding to each numerical value is “hold (information)”. Hold (information) is a subordinate concept of the determination information. The maximum storage number (the maximum number of reservations) can be set as appropriate. The maximum number of reservations that can be stored by the storage unit in the present embodiment is four per kind of start port 904. Although the notification of the determination result (change of the identification symbol 80) has been started, the notification of the determination result is not completed (the variation of the identification symbol 80 has not stopped). ”Is included, the maximum number of reservations that can be stored by the storage unit in the present embodiment is five at the maximum for one kind of starting port 904. In addition, the acquired numerical value is also used as a numerical value for determining the specific content of the effect that notifies the determination result.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the hold image 70 that is a mark corresponding to each of the acquired numerical values (whether or not determination information) that has not started notification of the determination result or not stored in the storage unit is displayed. It is displayed in the display area 911 of the device 91. Specifically, the hold image 70 is displayed in the display area 911 of the display device 91 so as to be arranged in the order in which the numerical values for determining whether or not it is correct (see FIG. 2).

  In the present embodiment, the first hold image 71 indicating the presence of the first success / failure determination information and the second hold image 72 indicating the presence of the second success / failure determination information are displayed including the so-called “variation hold”.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a first gaming state and a second gaming state are set as gaming states in which the player plays for the big win (see FIG. 3). The first game state is a state in which a game ball should be fired toward the first start port 904a (see FIG. 1) (the player is encouraged to play in this way). In the present embodiment, the game state is such that a game is encouraged to enter a game ball to the left of the game area (so-called left-handed game is performed). On the other hand, the second game state is a state in which a game ball should be fired toward the second start port 904b (see FIG. 1) (the player is prompted to play in this way). In the present embodiment, the game state is such that a game is encouraged to enter a game ball to the right of the game area (so-called right-handed game is performed).

  The first gaming state is a low-probability state in which the probability of winning or failing (lottery) when a game ball enters the starting port 904 is relatively low, and the starting port 904 (first starting port) This is a low base state in which the probability that a game ball enters 904a) is relatively low (see FIG. 3). If a so-called prize ball is paid out when a game ball enters the start port 904, it can be said that the decrease in game balls (held balls) is faster than in a high base state described later.

  The second gaming state is a low-probability state in which the probability of winning or failing (lottery) when a game ball enters the starting port 904 is relatively low, and the starting port 904 (second starting port) 904b) is a high base state in which the probability of a game ball entering is relatively high (see FIG. 3). In the second game state, it is easy to win an open lottery executed when a game ball passes through a normal start area 905 (so-called through) provided on the right side of the game area. When the open lottery is won, the opening / closing member provided on the front side of the second start opening 904b is displaced from the closed position to the open position, so that the game balls can easily win the second start opening 904b. Since the probability of winning the open lottery is high, the second start port 904b is frequently opened. Thus, it can be said that the second gaming state is a gaming state that is more advantageous for the player than the first gaming state.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the first gaming state and the second gaming state, a high probability state (so-called probability) that has a relatively high probability of winning / failing determination triggered by a game ball entering the start port 904. A third gaming state that is a variable state) and a high base state is set (see FIG. 3). As the types of jackpots, special jackpots and normal jackpots are set, and after the jackpot game executed by winning the special jackpot, the game shifts to the third gaming state. The third gaming state will continue until the next jackpot. That is, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called probability variation loop machine. However, it may be a so-called ST machine that continues until the third gaming state is continuously deviated a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, after the jackpot game, which is normally executed by winning the jackpot, is shifted to the second gaming state.

  The second gaming state shifts to the first gaming state when a predetermined condition is established. The predetermined condition may be anything. For example, a configuration is conceivable in which the second gaming state is ended when the result of the determination of success / failure has been lost for a predetermined number of times and the state is shifted to the first gaming state (see FIG. 3).

  The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a speaker 10 (sound output means) that outputs background music and effect sound effects that are output during the game (see FIG. 1). Here, in the present embodiment, basically, the background music output during the first game state and the background music output during the second game state are different. Specifically, one or more types of first music are set as the background music output during the first game state, and one or more types of second music are set as the background music output during the second game state. Is set. Since all of the second songs are different from the first song, when the transition from the second game state to the first game state occurs, basically the type of the background song changes. It will be.

  However, in this embodiment, during the predetermined period (hereinafter also referred to as the prohibition period) from the time when the transition from the second gaming state to the first gaming state occurs, the second music is changed to the first music. Do not switch. In other words, during the prohibition period, although the transition to the first gaming state has already been made, the output of the second music is maintained. Specifically, the second music is continuously output from the end point of the first gaming state to the prohibition period. It can be said that the second music is basically an effect element (corresponding to a specific effect element in the present invention) indicating that it is in the second game state, but even during the first game state, during the prohibited period. Exceptionally outputs the second music (see FIG. 4).

  The prohibition period is a determination result based on the determination result (hereinafter referred to as second determination information) obtained when the game ball enters the second start port 904b after the transition to the first gaming state. This is the period until all of is notified. When the “hold” indicating the presence of the second determination information is the second hold (including the so-called “change”), it is a period until all of the second hold is consumed. In the present embodiment, the second hold (second hold image 72) corresponding to the second hit determination information and the first hit determination information (the hit acquired when the game ball enters the first start port 904a) When both of the first hold (first hold image 71) corresponding to the determination information) exist, the second hold is preferentially digested. It is generally known that the first success / failure determination information (first hold) is referred to as a so-called “Special Figure 1”, and the second success / failure determination information (second hold) is referred to as a so-called “Special Figure 2”. In the present embodiment, “Special Figure 2” is preferentially digested. Therefore, after the notification of all the determination results based on the second determination information is completed, the notification of the determination result based on the first determination information is started. As described above, in the present embodiment, each of the first hit determination information (including the so-called “variation hold”) and the second hit determination information (including the so-called “change hold”) is a maximum of five each. (Up to four “holds” excluding the so-called “variable hold”) can be stored.

  Since the second gaming state is a state in which a game ball is launched aiming at the second starting port 904b, if the player is playing the game as instructed, the end point of the second gaming state (that is, to the first gaming state). At the time of transition), there is second success / failure determination information for which notification of the success / failure determination result has not been completed. The period from the transition to the first gaming state to the point at which the notification of the result of the determination on the basis of all the second determination information is completed is the prohibition period (see FIG. 4B). Since it is “Special Figure 2” priority digestion, during the prohibition period, even if the first success / failure determination information exists, the notification effect for notifying the determination result based on the first success / failure determination information is not performed. In addition, a notification effect for notifying the result of the determination based on the second determination information is performed. In the present embodiment, while a notification effect for notifying the result of the determination based on the second determination information is performed, control is performed so that the second music is output even in the first gaming state. .

  Even after the transition from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, in the state in which the second winning / failing determination information is still stored, the determination of winning / failing based on the second winning / failing determination information (whether or not determining in the low probability state) ) Is executed, it is substantially the same as the second gaming state. In other words, the prohibited period is the state after the transition to the first gaming state, but is substantially the same as the second gaming state. Decreasing the player's game motivation due to the end of the second game state, which is an advantageous state compared to the first game state, by continuing a certain second piece of music (see FIG. 4B) To be suppressed. If the prohibition period has passed, it will shift to a state in which the first music is output, but there is a possibility of winning a big hit by a determination of success / failure based on the second determination of success / failure information during the prohibition period. In order to expect the winning of the jackpot during the prohibition period, the output of the second music is maintained during the prohibition period.

  After the prohibition period has elapsed (when the jackpot is not won by the determination of success based on the second determination information), the second music is switched to the first music (see FIG. 4C).

  Hereinafter, specific examples in which the gaming machine 1 according to the embodiment is improved, modified, or embodied will be described. In addition, it is good also as a structure which applied the matter demonstrated using each following specific example.

○ First specific example A determination of success / failure based on the first success / failure determination information (hereinafter also referred to as first lottery) and a determination of correctness / failure based on the second determination of success / failure information (hereinafter also referred to as second lottery) The contents shall be different. Specifically, than the expected value of the profit that the player gains by winning the first lottery (the direct profit that leads to the so-called appearance (not the direct profit), the same applies hereinafter) It is assumed that the player gains more profit by winning the second lottery. There are various methods for setting the profit. For example, the expected value of the winning ball obtained by the jackpot game by winning the second lottery is set to be larger than the expected value of the winning ball game obtained by winning the second lottery. It is conceivable that the number of jackpot rounds is likely to increase when the second lottery is won (an example of this (the jackpot distribution) is shown in FIG. 5). In addition, although not shown, it is possible to set the ratio of the special jackpot shown in the overall jackpot by winning the second lottery to be larger than the ratio of the special jackpot occupying the entire jackpot by winning the first lottery. Conceivable.

  In such a premise, for the player, the second success / failure determination information is more valuable than the first success / failure determination information. Therefore, when the second gaming state is ended, it can be said that the player's willingness to play is likely to decrease in that the second value determination information having high value cannot be acquired. However, even when the second gaming state ends and the first gaming state is entered, during the prohibited period, the second lottery based on the second win / fail determination information (the lottery with higher value for the player than the first lottery) ) Is executed, the state in which the second music is output is maintained during that period, so that the decrease in the player's willingness to play is suppressed.

○ Second Specific Example In the above embodiment, even when the second music is set as an effect element (specific effect element) indicating that it is in the second game state and the state is shifted to the first game state, it is during the prohibited period. Although it has been described that the second music is continuously output, the target effect element is not limited to music. That is, any element that can be grasped by the player indicating that the player is in the second gaming state may be used. For example, it is conceivable that an image (including both a still image and a moving image, which will be referred to as an image hereinafter) displayed in the display area 911 is a control target (specific effect element).

  As the image, a background image can be exemplified. The background image is an image displayed as the background of the identification symbol 80 (an image displayed in a layer after the layer displaying the identification symbol). Assume that a second background image indicating that the player is in the second gaming state is set as the background image. Further, it is assumed that a first background image indicating that the player is in the first gaming state is set. The difference in the mode between the first background image and the second background image may be any as long as the player can distinguish. It can be considered that the first background image and the second background image have different colors.

  In such a configuration in which the background image is set, even if the second gaming state is ended and the first gaming state is entered, the state in which the second background image is displayed is maintained during the prohibition period. (See FIG. 6 (particularly FIG. 6B)). By doing in this way, similarly to the said embodiment, the fall of the player's game motivation (motivation) by the 2nd game state having been complete | finished is suppressed. The second background image is switched to the first background image at the end of the prohibition period (that is, the notification of the determination result based on all the second determination information).

  During the prohibition period, the state in which the second background image is displayed and the second music is output may be maintained. In this way, the effect that is grasped by visual and auditory senses is maintained during the prohibited period, indicating that it is in the second gaming state, so that the above action is further enhanced.

○ Third example (modified example of the second example)
It is assumed that a special background image (hereinafter also referred to as a third background image) displayed during the prohibition period is set (see FIG. 7). It is assumed that the third background image partially includes an image having the same mode as the second background image. For example, an image representing a shutter (door) is displayed so as to cover a part of the second background image, and the image is such that the shutter is closed (see FIG. 7B). . Even when the third background image is displayed, the player can visually recognize a part of the second background image that is exposed without being covered by the shutter, and thus is similar to the above embodiment and the second specific example. In addition, a decrease in player's gaming motivation due to the end of the second gaming state is suppressed. An image (switching image) in which the shutter closes is displayed when the prohibition period ends (informing of the determination result of the correct / incorrect determination based on all the second determination information) has been triggered (see FIG. 7C). Thereafter, the first background image is switched (see FIG. 7D). That is, the third background image is switched to the first background image. However, the switching image may not be displayed (direct switching from the third background image to the first background image).

  Thus, a part of the image (third background image) displayed during the prohibition period may include an image indicating that the game state is in the second gaming state. In addition to this, if the second music is continuously output during the prohibition period, the above action is further enhanced.

○ Fourth Specific Example As described in the second specific example, it is assumed that an image indicating that the player is in the first gaming state and the second gaming state is displayed. For example, a first background image indicating that the player is in the first gaming state and a second background image indicating that the player is in the second gaming state are displayed. Unlike the second specific example, when the second gaming state is shifted to the first gaming state, the second background image is switched to the first background image even during the prohibited period. On the other hand, it is assumed that the second music continues to be output during the prohibited period (see FIG. 8).

  That is, when a plurality of types of effect elements (images and music) are set to indicate the first gaming state and the second gaming state, the prohibition period when the second gaming state shifts to the first gaming state In the middle, one effect element (image) is switched to the one indicating the first game state (first background image), while the other effect element (music) is in the second game state. The thing (2nd music) which shows this is maintained (refer FIG.8 (b)). By doing in this way, while showing that it has shifted from the second gaming state to the first gaming state by one effect element, the success / failure determination based on the second winning / failing determination information is performed by the other effect element, thereby making a big hit Will be shown that there is still a chance of winning.

○ Fifth Specific Example The second gaming state in the above embodiment is a low-probability state in which the probability of winning in the determination (lottery) with a game ball entering the starting port 904 is relatively low, and the starting port Although it has been described that the probability that a game ball will enter 904 (second start port 904b) is a high base state, the winning determination is triggered by the game ball entering the start port 904. A high probability state (so-called probability variation state) with a relatively high probability and a high base state may be used. When shifting from the high probability state and the high base state to the low probability state and the low base state (first game state), the same control as in the above embodiment may be executed.

○ Sixth Specific Example In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the output of the second music is maintained during the prohibition period after the transition from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, but the transition has been made to the first gaming state. Of the second winning / failing determination information stored sometimes, only when the corresponding winning / failing determination result is a big hit, that is, only when the big hit winning notification is to be notified during the prohibited period. During the prohibition period, the second music is output, and in other cases, the first music is switched (see FIG. 9 (particularly, FIG. 9B)). In this way, when the transition from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, the fact that the output of the second music is maintained that there is something that is a big hit in the second success / failure determination information. It becomes the form shown. From the player's point of view, it is possible to realize the gameability in which the output of the second music is desired to be maintained without switching to the first music when the second game state is changed to the first game state. is there.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  Specific means (game machines) obtained from the above embodiment are listed below.

・ Means 1
A first start port and a second start port provided in a game area into which a game ball can enter;
Information used to determine whether or not the game is successful, and is obtained when the game ball wins at the first start opening, and when the game ball wins at the second start opening. Storage means for storing acquired second determination information;
With
As a gaming state in which a game is played aiming for a win / no-go determination, the first gaming state in which a gaming ball should be launched toward the first starting port, and the gaming ball toward the second starting port A second gaming state that is a state to be fired is set,
A specific effect element indicating that the player is in the second game state is set as an effect element that can be grasped by the player indicating the game state,
Even when the gaming state transitions from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, if the second winning / failing determination information stored in the storage means exists, at least the second winning / failing determination The gaming machine is characterized in that the state where the specific effect element is output is maintained until the notification of the determination result based on the information is completed.
According to the above gaming machine, even when the second gaming state is shifted to the first gaming state, the output of the specific effect element is maintained until the notification of the result of the determination on the basis of the second determination result is completed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in gaming motivation due to the end of the second gaming state.

・ Means 2
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific effect element is a predetermined music output from a sound output means.
As described above, the specific effect element can be exemplified by music that indicates that the player is in the second gaming state.

・ Means 3
Provided with a display means for displaying an identification symbol for notifying the determination result,
After the gaming state has shifted from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, the second winning / failing determination information stored in the storage means is present and the specific effect element is in the output state. However, the game machine according to means 1 or 2, wherein an image indicating that the game is in the first game state is displayed as a background image displayed on the background of the identification symbol.
By doing in this way, while determining that the background image has shifted from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, the determination result based on the second determination information is performed by the specific effect element, thereby winning the winning It will take the form that the possibility remains.

1 gaming machine 10 speaker 904 start port 904a first start port 904b second start port 91 display device 911 display area

Claims (1)

A first start port and a second start port provided in a game area into which a game ball can enter;
Information used to determine whether or not the game is successful, and is obtained when the game ball wins at the first start opening, and when the game ball wins at the second start opening. Storage means for storing acquired second determination information;
With
As a gaming state in which a game is played aiming for a win / no-go decision, the first gaming state is a state in which a game ball should be launched toward the first starting port, and the player has an advantage over the first gaming state. A second gaming state that is a state in which a gaming ball should be launched toward the second starting port,
A specific effect element indicating that the player is in the second game state is set as an effect element that can be grasped by the player indicating the game state,
Even when the gaming state transitions from the second gaming state to the first gaming state, if the second winning / failing determination information stored in the storage means exists, at least the second winning / failing determination The gaming machine is characterized in that the state where the specific effect element is output is maintained until the notification of the determination result based on the information is completed.

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