JP2019213745A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To further increase game entertainment by making a player sense that vibration is generated each time operation means is operated a plurality of times for one game performance.SOLUTION: Operation means operable by a player can be vibrated by vibration means. When a game performance executed by performance execution means is an operation-linked performance composed of a plurality of stages, a plurality of operation valid periods in which operation of the operation means is valid in the operation-linked performance are set. When the operation means is operated for each operation valid period, the operation-linked performance is advanced to the next stage on the basis of the operation and vibration is generated in the operation means. Among the plurality of operation valid periods set in the operation-linked performance, the vibration time of an intermediate vibration generated in the operation valid period earlier than the final one is made to be shorter compared with the vibration time of the final vibration that is generated in the final operation valid period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

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

  In general, gaming machines that play games by firing game balls toward a game area formed on a game board are provided with effect execution means such as a liquid crystal display. Various effects (game effects) can be executed along with the game. Such a gaming machine is provided with operation means (for example, a production button) by which the player can perform operations such as pressing, and executes a predetermined game production based on the operation of the operation means. Is known. In addition, the operation of the operating means can be performed a plurality of times in one game effect, and the game effect may progress in a step-by-step manner for each operation of the operating means. , It is possible to participate in the game production.

  Further, in a gaming machine provided with such operating means, a vibration means capable of vibrating the operating means is added in order to further enhance the gaming interest, and vibration is applied to the operating means in accordance with the operation by the player. It has been proposed to generate (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-41169 A

  However, in the gaming machine capable of vibrating the operating means as described above, when the pressing operation of the operating means is performed a plurality of times in one game effect, before the vibration for the previous pressing operation is stopped. When the next pressing operation is performed, the vibration may be connected, and as a result, the player cannot sense that the vibration is generated for each pressing operation, so that it is not possible to sufficiently enhance the interest in the game. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and provides a player with a feeling that vibration is generated for each of a plurality of operations of the operating means for one game effect, thereby enhancing the game entertainment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can be further enhanced.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, a gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In a gaming machine that performs a game by firing a game ball to a game area formed on a game board,
Effect execution means capable of executing various game effects along with the game,
Operation means that can be operated by the player;
Vibrating means capable of vibrating the operation means,
In the case where the game effect is an operation-linked effect composed of a plurality of stages, a plurality of operation valid periods in which the operation of the operation unit is valid within the operation-linked effect are set, and the effect execution unit includes: , When the operation means is operated for each of the operation validity periods, the operation-linked effect is advanced to the next stage based on the operation,
The vibrating means, when the operating means is operated for each operation validity period, generates vibrations in the operating means, and among the plurality of operation validity periods set in the operation-linked effect, The vibration time of the halfway vibration generated in the operation valid period before the last is shorter than the vibration time of the final vibration generated in the operation valid period.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a game entertainment can be further enhanced by making a player sense that a vibration generate | occur | produces with every operation of the operation means with respect to one game effect several times.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing the board surface composition of game board 20 of this example. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a segment display section in an enlarged manner. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated one aspect of the display in the effect display device 41. It is an explanatory view showing an example of an operation-linked effect performed by the effect display device 41. It is a flow chart which showed a rough flow of game control processing which CPU201 of main control board 200 performs as control concerning progress of a game. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the big hit determination table of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the fluctuation pattern determination table notionally. It is a flow chart which showed operation interlocking production processing which CPU221 of sub control board 220 performed. It is a time chart which illustrated a mode that an operation interlocking effect of this example is performed according to an operation interlocking effect process. It is a time chart which illustrated a mode that an operation interlocking effect of a modification is performed.

  In order to clarify the content of the present invention described above, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine (game machine) of a type called a “seven machine” or “digipachi” will be described. In the embodiment, “front” and “front” indicate “forward” with respect to the gaming machine, that is, “direction approaching the player (front side as viewed from the player)”, and “rear” and “front”. The “back” indicates “backward with respect to the gaming machine”, that is, “direction away from the player (far side as viewed from the player)”. In addition, "up" indicates "up" as viewed from the player, "down" indicates "down" as viewed from the player, and "left" indicates as viewed from the player. "Right" means "right" when viewed from the player.

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a front frame 4 is provided on a front portion of the pachinko machine 1. One end (the left side in FIG. 1) of the front frame 4 is rotatably supported with respect to the middle frame 3. A game board 20 (see FIG. 2) is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and when the front frame 4 is rotated (opened) to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the middle frame 3. , The game board 20 is exposed. One end (left side in FIG. 1) of the middle frame 3 is rotatably supported on the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate members, and forms an outer frame of the pachinko machine 1.

  A window 4a is formed substantially at the center of the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4b such as a glass plate is fitted into the window 4a. The player can visually recognize a later-described game area of the game board 20 arranged on the back side through the window 4a (transparent plate 4b). A small window 4c is formed in the front frame 4 below and to the right of the window 4a, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted into the small window 4c. The player can visually recognize a later-described segment display portion of the game board 20 disposed on the back side through the small window portion 4c (transparent plate 4d).

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

  An upper plate 7 is provided below the window 4 a in the front frame 4. Game balls lent out via the card unit 242 (see FIG. 3) and game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1 are stored in the upper plate 7. A lower plate portion 8 is provided below the upper plate portion 7 so that game balls lent out beyond the capacity of the upper plate portion 7 and games paid out beyond the capacity of the upper plate portion 7 are provided. The ball is stored.

  On the right side of the lower plate portion 8 in the front frame 4, a firing handle 9 that can be rotated by a player is provided. The rotation axis of the firing handle 9 is connected to a firing device unit 261 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the back side of the firing handle 9. The game balls stored in the upper plate 7 are supplied to the launcher unit 261. When the player rotates the firing handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the firing device unit 261, and the firing motor built in the firing device unit 261 operates to play the game with an intensity corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing handle 9. A ball is fired.

  In addition, an effect button 10 that can be pressed by a player is provided on the front edge of the upper plate 7. Further, a jog shuttle 11 that can be pushed and rotated by the player is provided on the left side of the lower plate portion 8. Each of the effect button 10 and the jog shuttle 11 is an effect operation unit operated by the player, and when operated by the player when predetermined conditions are satisfied, a predetermined game effect is performed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board configuration of the gaming board 20. As described above, the game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed at the center of the game board 20. The game ball fired from the firing device unit 261 (see FIG. 3) is discharged to the game area 21 through between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23, and flows downward from above the game area 21. Since the game area 21 is visually recognized by the player through the window 4a (transparent plate 4b) of the front frame 4, the state of the game ball flowing down the game area 21 is naturally visible to the player through the window 4a. is there.

  A central device 40 is provided substantially at the center of the game area 21, and an effect display device 41 is provided substantially at the center of the central device 40. The effect display device 41 is configured by a liquid crystal display, and can display various images for effects on its display screen. The effect display device 41 according to the present embodiment corresponds to “effect effecting means” of the present invention. The display contents of the effect display device 41 will be described later using another drawing.

  On the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21, a normal symbol operation gate 27 is provided. When the game ball passes the normal symbol operation gate 27, it is detected by the built-in gate sensor 27s (see FIG. 3) and flows downward.

  A first starting port 24 is provided below the central device 40 (the effect display device 41) in the game area 21. The first starting port 24 has a constant (constant) possibility of entering a game ball, and the game ball can always enter. The game ball that has entered the first starting port 24 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage and detected by the first starting port sensor 24s (see FIG. 3).

  Below the first starting port 24 in the game area 21, a second starting port 25 in which the possibility of entering a game ball can be changed is provided. The second starting port 25 of the present embodiment includes an opening / closing door 26 that can rotate with its upper end inclined forward with the lower end as an axis, and the opening / closing door 26 is substantially upright so that game balls cannot enter the ball ( Or, it is possible to change between a closed state where it is difficult to enter the ball) and an open state where the opening / closing door 26 is pivoted forward so that the game ball can enter (or can easily enter). FIG. 2 shows a state where the second starting port 25 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the second starting port 25 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage, and is detected by the second starting port sensor 25s (see FIG. 3).

  On the right side of the first starting port 24 in the game area 21, there is provided a large winning opening 28 which is opened substantially in a substantially rectangular shape toward the front. The large winning opening 28 has an opening / closing door 29 that can rotate with the lower end side as an axis and the upper end side tilted forward, and the opening / closing door 29 is substantially upright so that a game ball cannot enter the closed state. The door 29 can be turned forward to change to an open state in which game balls can enter. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the special winning opening 28 is open. The game ball that has entered the special winning opening 28 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage and detected by the special winning opening sensor 28s (see FIG. 3).

  In addition, in the vicinity of each of the above-mentioned gaming machines, there are provided other prize holes 30 through which game balls can enter, a windmill-type wheel 31 which influences a path along which the game balls flow, a large number of game nails 32, and the like. I have. The game ball that has entered the other winning port 30 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through the passage and detected by the other winning port sensor 30s (see FIG. 3). Further, at the bottom of the game area 21, an out port 33 is provided, and the ball enters any one of the above-described first starting port 24, second starting port 25, large winning port 28, and other winning ports 30. The missing game ball is discharged from the out port 33 to the back side of the game board 20.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, due to the arrangement of the plurality of gaming nails 32, game balls flowing down the left area of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) enter the first starting port 24 described above. Balls are possible. On the other hand, game balls flowing down the area to the right of the central device 40 (effect display device 41) can pass through or enter the normal symbol operation gate 27, the second starting port 25, and the special winning port 28. is there. In the following, firing a game ball so as to flow down the left area of the central device 40 is also referred to as "left hit", and firing a game ball so as to flow down the right region of the central device 40. Is also referred to as "right-handed". In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a game ball enters any one of the first starting port 24, the second starting port 25, and the other winning ports 30, three game balls are paid as prize balls. When a game ball enters the special winning opening 28, 13 game balls are paid out.

  Further, a segment display section 50 for displaying information related to a game by a combination of a plurality of LEDs is provided at a lower right portion of the game area 21 on the game board 20. The segment display section 50 is visible to a player through a small window section 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. The display contents of the segment display unit 50 will be described later using another drawing.

A-3. Configuration of control circuit:
Next, a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 includes many control boards and various boards. The main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, the sub-control board 220 that controls the performance of the game, and the image control under the control of the sub-control board 220 An image and sound control board 230 for controlling display and sound output, a lamp control board 226 for controlling light emission of a lamp under the control of the sub-control board 220, and a control for lending and paying out game balls. It is composed of a payout control board 240, a launch control board 260 that controls the launch of game balls, and the like. These control boards include a CPU (CPU 201, 221 and 231 in FIG. 3) for executing various logical operations and calculation operations, and a ROM (ROMs 202 and 222 in FIG. 3) storing various programs and data executed by the CPU. 232, etc.), various peripheral LSIs such as a RAM (RAM 203, 223, 233, etc. in FIG. 3) in which the CPU temporarily stores data when executing the program, and an input / output circuit are connected to each other via a bus. Have been.

  The main control board 200 includes a first starting port sensor 24s for detecting a game ball entering the first starting port 24, a second starting port sensor 25s for detecting a game ball entering the second starting port 25, A special winning opening sensor 28 s for detecting a game ball entering the special winning opening 28, a gate sensor 27 s for detecting a game ball passing through the normal symbol operation gate 27, and other detecting the game ball entering the winning opening 30. The winning opening sensor 30s and the like are connected. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the first starting port sensor 24s, the second starting port sensor 25s, the special winning opening sensor 28s, the gate sensor 27s, and the other winning opening sensor 30s. A command corresponding to the sensor to which the detection signal has been input is transmitted to the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, and the like.

  Further, the main control board 200 includes a starting port solenoid 26m for driving an opening / closing door 26 capable of switching between an open state and a closed state of the second starting port 25, and switching between an open state and a closed state of the special winning opening 28. A special winning opening solenoid 29m for driving a possible opening / closing door 29, a segment display unit 50 and the like are connected. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 controls these operations by transmitting drive signals to the starting opening solenoid 26m, the special winning opening solenoid 29m, and the segment display unit 50.

  An image / audio control board 230, a lamp control board 226, an effect operation board 228, and the like are connected to the sub control board 220. When receiving the various commands from the main control board 200, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 analyzes the contents of the commands and performs a game effect according to the contents. That is, a command for designating a display image or an output sound is transmitted to the image / audio control board 230, and the upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, and the left side lamp 5c (hereinafter, “various A game effect is performed by transmitting a command for designating the light emission pattern of the "lamps 5a to 5c".

  When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 detects an operation of the player on the effect button 10 or the jog shuttle 11 (hereinafter also referred to as “effect operation units 10 and 11”) via the effect operation board 228, the CPU 221 performs the operation. Perform the corresponding game production. Furthermore, the effect button 10 of the present embodiment has a built-in vibration motor 10m, and the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 transmits a drive signal to the vibration motor 10m via the effect operation board 228, thereby It is possible to vibrate 10. The effect button 10 of the present embodiment corresponds to “operation means” of the present invention, and the vibration motor 10m of this embodiment corresponds to “vibration means” of the present invention.

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

  The payout control board 240 is connected with a ball lending button 241 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided on the upper plate portion 7, a card unit 242 arranged in parallel with the pachinko machine 1, a payout motor 243, and the like. When the ball lending button 241 is operated, the detection signal is transmitted to the card unit 242 via the payout control board 240. The card unit 242 drives the payout motor 243 and rents out game balls while communicating data with the payout control board 240. When receiving the payout command instructing payout of the game ball from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 drives the payout motor 243 to pay out the game ball.

  Further, a firing control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240, and a firing device unit 261 is connected to the firing control board 260. The firing device unit 261 has a firing motor 262 for firing a game ball, a touch switch 263 for detecting that a player is touching the firing handle 9, and the like. When the touch switch 263 detects that the player is touching the firing handle 9, the firing motor 262 can be operated, and the game ball is fired with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing handle 9.

B. Overview of the game:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game proceeds as follows. When the player rotates the firing handle 9 in a state in which the game balls are stored in the upper plate portion 7, the game balls stored in the upper plate portion 7 are supplied to the firing device unit 261 one by one, and FIG. It is fired toward the game area 21 described above. Since the strength at which the game ball is launched corresponds to the rotation angle of the firing handle 9, the player can cause the game ball to flow down to an area desired by the player by changing the rotation angle of the firing handle 9. For example, a game ball is fired so as to flow down the left area of the central device 40 (the effect display device 41) (left hit), or a game ball is caused to flow down a right area of the central device 40. Or fire (right-handed).

  As described above, a left-hit game ball can enter the first starting port 24. When a game ball enters the first starting port 24 and is detected by the first starting port sensor 24 s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a jackpot judgment random number) is acquired, and a big hit is determined based on the value of the judgment random number. After performing the jackpot determination for determining whether the player has deviated, the segment display unit 50 performs a variable display of a first special symbol (hereinafter, also referred to as a “first special map”). Also, a right-hit game ball can enter the second starting port 25. When a game ball enters the second starting port 25 and is detected by the second starting port sensor 25 s, a determination random number is obtained, a big hit determination is performed, and then a second special symbol is displayed on the segment display unit 50. (Hereinafter also referred to as “second special map”). In the following, the first special figure and the second special figure may be simply referred to as “special symbols” unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish between them.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the segment display unit 50 in an enlarged manner. As described above, the segment display section 50 is visible to the player through the small window section 4c (see FIG. 1) provided in the front frame 4. As shown in the figure, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a first special figure display unit 51 for displaying a first special figure and a second special figure display unit 52 for displaying a second special figure. It is composed of nine LEDs. The first special figure and the second special figure are variably displayed by blinking nine LEDs on the corresponding display units 51 and 52 (switching the LEDs to be lit), and in a state where a predetermined combination of LEDs is lit. Stopped and displayed. At this time, if the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, the LED of the combination corresponding to the big hit symbol is turned on, and if it is off, the LED of the combination corresponding to the missed symbol is turned on.

  Further, even if a game ball enters the first starting port 24 or the second starting port 25, the start condition of the new variable display is not satisfied during the variable display of the first special figure or the second special figure. In this case, the value of the judgment random number obtained by entering the first starting port 24 is stored as a first special figure reservation, and the value of the judgment random number obtained by entering the ball into the second starting port 25 is stored in the second special port. It is stored as a figure hold. Thereafter, when a new variable display start condition of a special symbol (first special figure or second special figure) is satisfied, a big hit determination is performed based on the first special figure reservation or the second special figure reservation, and the corresponding special The fluctuation display of the symbol is performed. In the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, up to four such first special figure reservations and second special figure reservations can be stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 includes a first special figure reservation display unit 53 for displaying the number of first special figure reservations stored (first special figure reservation number), and a second special figure reservations storage. There is provided a second special figure reservation display section 54 for displaying the number (second special figure reservation number), each of which is composed of two LEDs. In these hold display sections 53 and 54, if the number of holds is 0, both LEDs are turned off, if the number of holds is 1, one LED is turned on, and if the number of holds is 2, Two LEDs are turned on, one LED blinks when the number of reservations is three, and two LEDs blinks when the number of reservations is four.

  When the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, a big hit game in which the big winning port 28 is opened is executed. In the big hit game, a plurality of round games (for example, a number of game balls are closed (eg, nine) or closed after a predetermined opening time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses). 15 times). As described above, when a game ball enters the special winning opening 28, thirteen game balls are paid out as prize balls, so that the player can acquire a large amount of prize balls by the jackpot game.

  Further, as described above, the normal symbol operation gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (the effect display device 41), and a game ball hit right can pass through the ordinary symbol operation gate 27. . When a game ball passing through the normal symbol actuation gate 27 is detected by the gate sensor 27s, a predetermined judgment random number (such as a random sign for a normal symbol) is obtained, and based on the value of the judgment random number, whether or not a normal symbol is hit or not is determined. After the normal symbol hit determination is made, the segment display unit 50 performs a normal symbol variation display.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a general-purpose display unit 56 composed of two LEDs on the left and right. The ordinary symbol is displayed in a variable manner by blinking two LEDs on the ordinary symbol display unit 56 (switching the LED to be lit), and is stopped and displayed with one of the LEDs lit. At this time, if the result of the normal symbol hit determination is a normal symbol hit, the left LED corresponding to the symbol per symbol is turned on, and if it is off, the right LED corresponding to the off symbol is turned on. When the normal symbol is stopped at the symbol per ordinary symbol, a game per symbol ordinary that returns to the closed state after the second starting port 25 is opened for a predetermined time is performed. Is increased (that is, the possibility that the second special map is displayed in a variable manner) is increased.

  Also, even if the game ball passes the normal symbol operation gate 27, if the start condition of the new variable display is not satisfied, such as during the variable display of the normal symbol, the acquired value of the determination random number is held in the general symbol hold. Can be stored up to a maximum of four. After that, when the start condition of the new variable display of the ordinary symbol is satisfied, the normal symbol hit determination and the variation display of the ordinary symbol are performed based on the reservation of the ordinary symbol. As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with a general-purpose reservation display unit 57 composed of two LEDs, and the number of stored general-purpose reservations (the number of general-purpose reservations) is It is displayed on the display unit 57.

  The opening time of the second starting port 25 in the game per ordinary drawing differs depending on whether it is in the “electric support state” or the “non-electric support state”. In the electric support state, the opening time of the second starting port 25 is set longer than in the non-electric support state. Further, in the electric support state, the probability that the result of the general symbol hit determination is the general symbol hit (normal symbol probability) is higher than in the non-electric support state, and the fluctuation time of the ordinary symbol is set shorter. Therefore, in the electric support state, the possibility that the game ball enters the second starting port 25 (that is, the possibility of performing the fluctuation display of the second special figure) is higher than in the non-electric support state. As shown in FIG. 4, the segment display unit 50 is provided with an electric support display unit 58 composed of three LEDs. Indicates that it is in a state.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of big hit symbols are provided, and are classified into a “normal hit symbol” and a “probable hit symbol”, and a special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) is provided. Regardless of which big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, the electric support state is set after the big hit game ends. In the case of the normal hit symbol, after the big hit game ends, the probability of the big hit determination result being a big hit (big hit probability) is set to a predetermined normal probability (low probability), and the number of times the special symbol changes is a predetermined number of times. When it reaches (for example, 100 times), it is set to the non-electric support state. On the other hand, in the case of the probability change symbol, the big hit probability is set to a higher probability than the normal probability after the big hit game is ended, and is continued with the electric support state until the next big hit game. Hereinafter, a state in which the jackpot probability is set to a high probability may be referred to as a “probable change state”. Further, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the special symbols (the first special figure and the second special figure) is set shorter than in the non-electric support state, so that the electric support state and the big hit probability are the normal probability. May be referred to as a “time reduction state”.

  In addition, various images for effects are displayed on the effect display device 41 in conjunction with the change display of the special symbols (the first and second special figures). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one mode of display on the effect display device 41. On the display screen of the effect display device 41, three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c and a background image 41d as a background thereof can be displayed as symbols for effect. When the special symbol variation display is started on the first special figure display section 51 or the second special figure display section 52 of the segment display section 50, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c are also displayed on the effect display device 41 by a plurality of numbers. (For example, nine numbers “1” to “9”) are switched one after another, and an effect of performing a variable display (hereinafter, also referred to as “symbol variation effect”) is performed. In addition, the identification design may be a design in which characters, figures, symbols, and the like are designed in addition to numbers, and may be any form that allows the player to identify the type.

  FIG. 5A conceptually shows a state in which three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are simultaneously fluctuated and displayed. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the variable display, the left identification symbol 41a is first stopped and displayed at any of "1" to "9", then the right identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed, and finally the middle symbol is displayed. The identification symbol 41b is stopped and displayed. When the special symbol (the first special symbol or the second special symbol) is deviated from the special symbol and stopped and displayed, the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed in a combination that does not line up with the same number (a ragged eye). On the other hand, when a special symbol is stopped and displayed with a big hit symbol, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a combination (double eyes) aligned with the same number. In particular, when a special symbol is stopped and displayed with a probable hit symbol that is more advantageous than a normal hit symbol for the player, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed with the same odd number.

  By associating the display contents of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c on the effect display device 41 with the display contents of the special symbol, two of the three identification symbols are stopped and displayed as shown in FIG. 5B. If the numbers are the same at the time, the player will pay close attention to the change display (symbol change effect) of the identification symbols, assuming that the identification symbols stopped and displayed at the end will also be aligned with the same numbers. As described above, the effect performed while the last identification symbol is displayed while being changed in a state where the two identification symbols are stopped and displayed with the same symbol is called “reach effect”. It is possible to increase.

  Further, at the lower part of the display screen of the effect display device 41, a first reserved display area 41e for displaying the first special figure reserved number and a second reserved display area 41f for displaying the second special figure reserved number. Is set. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the same number of reserved symbols (circles in the drawing) as the first special figure reserved number are displayed in the first reserved display area 41e, and the same number of reserved symbols as the second special figure reserved number are displayed. It is displayed in the second hold display area 41f. The example of FIG. 5 indicates that the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation number are both four. It should be noted that the number of reservations displayed on the effect display device 41 coincides with the number of reservations displayed on the first special figure reservation display section 53 and the second special figure reservation display section 54 of the segment display section 50.

  Further, in the effect display device 41 of the present embodiment, it is possible to execute an effect (operation-linked effect) that proceeds in conjunction with the pressing of the effect button 10 by the player. The operation-linked effect of the present embodiment is a stage effect composed of a plurality of stages, and a plurality of operation valid periods in which the operation of the effect button 10 is valid within the operation-linked effect are set, and each operation valid period is set. When the effect button 10 is operated, the operation-linked effect is advanced to the next stage based on the operation.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation-linked effect performed by the effect display device 41. The illustrated operation-linked effect is a state in which the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed together with the same even number (for example, “6”) (a stop mode indicating that the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal hit symbol). ), The variable display of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c is started again independently of the variable display of the special symbol. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are simultaneously fluctuated and displayed. Incidentally, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c of the present embodiment correspond to "effect information" of the present invention.

  In addition, an indication is displayed in the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c to aim at the stop display of the same odd number "7", and an effect is produced corresponding to each of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c which are displayed in a variable manner. Display of button images 42a, 42b, and 42c imitating the button 10 and remaining status display portions 43a, 43b, and 43c indicating the remaining status of a predetermined operation validity period in which the operation of the effect button 10 is valid are added below. You.

  In FIG. 6A, the operation of the effect button 10 is instructed on the left button image 42a in order to stop and display the left identification symbol 41a, and hatching indicating the remaining of the operation valid period is attached on the left remaining status display section 43a. The attenuated display for attenuating the affected portion is performed. Then, when the effect button 10 is pressed by the player before the decay display on the left remaining status display section 43a ends after the operation valid period has elapsed, the left identification symbol 41a is stopped and displayed based on the operation. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the display is stopped at the numeral “7”.

  In addition, following the stop display of the left identification symbol 41a, in FIG. 6B, the operation of the effect button 10 is instructed on the middle button image 42b to stop the display of the middle identification symbol 41b, and the middle remaining state display is performed. An attenuation display of the operation effective period is performed in the section 43b. If the player presses the effect button 10 before the end of the attenuation display in the middle remaining state display section 43b, the middle identification symbol 41b is stopped and displayed based on the operation, and FIG. In the example shown, it is stopped and displayed with the number "7" as in the case of the left identification symbol 41a.

  Further, in FIG. 6 (c), the operation of the effect button 10 is instructed by the right button image 42c to stop and display the last right identification symbol 41c, and the operation valid period is attenuated by the right remaining status display section 43c. Has been done. Then, when the effect button 10 is pressed by the player before the attenuation display on the right remaining status display section 43c ends, the right identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed based on the operation.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6 (d), the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c are stopped and displayed together with the same odd number "7", and the special symbol is a positive hit which is more advantageous to the player than the normal hit symbol. Since the stop mode is a stop mode indicating that the game is stopped and displayed in a symbol, a display that gives a so-called “promotion” to the player is performed. Even if the operation-linked effect is performed, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are not always stopped and displayed with the same odd number "7", and may not be aligned. There is no indication of "promotion". Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c are stopped and displayed even when the operation valid period has elapsed without the effect button 10 being pressed.

C. Control contents of pachinko machine of this embodiment:
C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 as control relating to the progress of the game. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 executes the game control process of FIG. 7 based on a timer interrupt generated at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 4 msec). In the following description, well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 201, the interrupt disabling process, and the interrupt permitting process will not be described.

  When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first performs an output process (S10). In the main control board 200 of the present embodiment, various commands transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220 are temporarily stored in an output buffer secured in the RAM 203 in each process described later. In the output process (S10), various commands stored in the output buffer are transmitted to various control boards. By doing so, for example, on the sub-control board 220, effect control in accordance with the progress of the game is performed, and on the payout control board 240, game balls are paid out.

  The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs an input process (S20) following the output process (S10). As described above, when a game ball enters any of the first starting port 24, the second starting port 25, the special winning opening 28, and the other winning opening 30, the game ball is paid out as a prize ball. . Therefore, in the input process (S20), the game ball is detected for various sensors for detecting the incoming ball (the first starting port sensor 24s, the second starting port sensor 25s, the big winning port sensor 28s, the other winning port sensor 30s, etc.). It is determined whether or not it has been done. When a game ball is detected, a payout command instructing payout of the game ball is stored in the output buffer. The payout command stored in the output buffer in this way is transmitted to the payout control board 240 in the next output processing (S10). The payout control board 240 that has received the command pays out three game balls if the incoming game ball is any one of the first starting port 24, the second starting port 25, and the other winning port 30 as described above. In the case of the special winning opening 28, 13 game balls are paid out.

  When the input processing (S20) ends, next, a random number update processing (S30) is performed. As described above, the ordinary symbol hit determination and the special symbol big hit determination are performed based on the value of a predetermined determination random number. In addition, various determinations, which will be described later, are performed based on the value of a dedicated random number. In the random number update process (S30), these random numbers are updated. The random number is updated not only in the random number update process (S30) in the game control process but also after the game control process is once ended and the next game control process is started (timer interrupt is generated). It may be performed in between. Further, a dedicated circuit for updating a random number may be provided, and the random number may be updated by the dedicated circuit.

  When the random number update process (S30) is completed, a gate sensor detection process (S40) is performed. In the gate sensor detection process (S40), when a game ball passing through the normal symbol operation gate 27 is detected by the gate sensor 27s, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved symbols has reached the upper limit value ("4" in the present embodiment). If it is determined that it has not reached, the random number for per-figure determination is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in the RAM 203 as pending for general figure.

  Subsequent to the gate sensor detection processing (S40), a starting port sensor detection processing (S50) is performed. In the starting port sensor detection process (S50), when the first starting port sensor 24s detects a game ball that has entered the first starting port 24, the first special figure reservation number is set to the upper limit value ("4" in the present embodiment). Is determined, and if not, a predetermined determination random number is obtained, and the obtained random number value is stored in the RAM 203 as a first special figure hold. When a game ball that has entered the second starting port 25 is detected by the second starting port sensor 25s, it is determined whether or not the number of second special figure reservations has reached an upper limit value (“4” in this embodiment). If it has not reached, a predetermined judgment random number is obtained, and the obtained random number value is stored in the RAM 203 as the second special figure reservation. Here, as the determination random number, a jackpot determination random number for performing a jackpot determination, a symbol determination random number for determining the type of a jackpot symbol to be stopped and displayed in a special symbol in the case of a jackpot, or the start of the variation display of the special symbol To obtain a variation pattern determination random number for determining the variation pattern from the display to the stop display.

  When the start-up opening sensor detection processing (S50) is completed, the normal operation processing (S60) is performed next. In the normal operation processing (S60), the following processing is mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not a normal symbol is being displayed in a fluctuating manner or a game per ordinary symbol is being executed. If neither the normal symbol change display nor the normal symbol per game execution is being performed, after confirming that a predetermined fixed time has elapsed from the normal symbol stop display, whether the general symbol hold is stored. Determine whether or not. If the general-purpose reservation is stored, the stored general-purpose reservation is read first, and the general-purpose contact determination is performed based on the read general-purpose reservation (value of the general-purpose contact determination random number). In this general-purpose hit determination, if the value of the general-purpose hit determination random number read as the general-purpose hold is a predetermined hit value, it is determined to be a general-purpose hit, and if it is an outlier other than the hit value, it is determined to be out. . Note that, as described above, the probability of per-drawing is set higher in the electric support state than in the non-electric support state. For example, the probability of per-drawing is set to 1/100 in the non-electric support state. In the electric support state, the probability per ordinary drawing is set to 99/100.

  Then, based on the result of the ordinary symbol hit determination, it is determined whether to stop and display the ordinary symbol with the symbol per ordinary symbol or to stop and display the symbol with the off symbol. Further, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is set, and the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is started. As described above, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the symbol is usually set shorter than in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the fluctuation time is set to 20 seconds, whereas in the electric support state, the fluctuation time is set to 20 seconds. The fluctuation time is set to one second.

  If the fluctuation of the normal symbol is being displayed, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed, and when the fluctuation time has elapsed, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol per symbol or a deviated symbol, “1” is subtracted from the number of ordinary drawing reservations. Then, after the elapse of the fixed time, if the stopped and displayed ordinary symbol is a deviated symbol, a process of starting the variable display of the ordinary symbol is performed again. On the other hand, if the stopped and displayed ordinary symbol is a symbol per ordinary symbol, the game per ordinary symbol is started.

  During the game per ordinary drawing, after the start port solenoid 26m is driven to open the second start port 25, the process is returned to the closed state after the open time has elapsed. As described above, the opening time of the second starting port 25 is set longer in the electric support state than in the non-electric support state. For example, in the non-electric support state, the opening time is 0.3 seconds (0.1 seconds × 3 times). On the other hand, in the power support state, the open time is set to 4.5 seconds (1.5 seconds × 3 times open).

  After the end of the normal operation process (S60), a special operation process (S70) is performed. In the special operation processing (S70), the following processing is mainly performed. First, it is determined whether any of the special symbols (the first special symbol or the second special symbol) is being displayed in a fluctuating manner, the special symbol is being displayed for confirmation, or a big hit game is being performed. If none of the above, it is determined whether or not the second special figure reservation is stored. If the second special figure reservation is stored, the various determination random numbers stored first as the second special figure reservation (that is, the jackpot) Read out the values of the judgment random number, the symbol determination random number, the fluctuation pattern determination random number, and the like. If the second special figure reservation is not stored, it is determined whether or not the first special figure reservation is stored. If the second special figure reservation is stored, the various types stored first as the first special figure reservation are determined. Read the value of the judgment random number.

  The big hit determination is performed using the value of the big hit determination random number read as the second special figure hold or the first special figure hold and referring to the big hit determination table. The jackpot determination table is a table in which the value of the jackpot determination random number is associated with a jackpot determination result of “big hit” or “missing”, and is stored in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200 in advance. Also, as described above, during the probable change state, the big hit probability is set to a higher probability than the normal probability, and a big hit is more likely to occur than in the non-probable change state. For a probable change state.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the big hit determination table of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the jackpot determination table for the non-probable variable state, “big hit” is set to the random numbers 0 to 217 among the random numbers 0 to 65535, and “the big hit” is set to the remaining random numbers. Off ”is set. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the jackpot determination table for the probability change state, “big hit” is set to the random number value of 0 to 655 among the random number values of 0 to 65535, and "Off" is set.

  In the big hit determination, the value of the big hit determination random number read out as the second special figure hold or the first special figure hold corresponds to “big hit” with reference to the big hit determination table selected according to whether the state is in the probability change state or not. It is determined whether the value is a value (big hit value) or a value (outlier) corresponding to “out”. Accordingly, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the determination result of "big hit" is obtained with a probability of about 1/300 in the non-probable state, whereas about 1/100 in the probable state. A "big hit" determination result is obtained with a probability.

  When the result of the jackpot determination is “big hit”, the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed is determined. As described above, a plurality of big hit symbols are provided, and are roughly divided into a normal hit symbol and a probable hit symbol. The big hit symbol is determined using the value of the symbol determination random number read as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold and referring to a big hit symbol determination table (not shown). The big hit symbol determination table is a table in which the value of the symbol determination random number and a plurality of big hit symbols are associated with each other, and is stored in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200 in advance. On the other hand, when the result of the big hit determination is “missing”, it is determined that the special symbol is released and stopped and displayed with the symbol.

  After the symbols to be stopped and displayed in the special symbol are determined, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined. The fluctuation pattern is for identifying a time (variation time) from when the special symbol (the first special figure or the second special figure) starts the fluctuation display to when it is stopped and displayed, and is prepared in advance. Are different from each other in the set fluctuation time. The determination of the variation pattern is performed by using the value of the variation pattern determination random number read as the first special figure reservation or the second special figure reservation and referring to the variation pattern determination table.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a variation pattern determination table. As shown in the figure, in the variation pattern determination table, the value of the variation pattern determination random number is associated with the variation pattern ID assigned to each of the plurality of variation patterns, and is set for the plurality of variation patterns. The fluctuation times are different from each other. Such a variation pattern determination table is roughly classified into a table for a probable change state, a table for a time saving state, and a table for a normal state that is neither the probable change state nor the time reduction state, according to the game state. It is stored in the ROM 202 of the control board 200 in advance. As described above, the electric support state is set in the probable change state and the time saving state, whereas the electric support state is not set in the normal state. Further, in the electric support state, the fluctuation time of the special symbols (the first special figure and the second special figure) is set shorter than in the non-electric support state. For this reason, in the variation pattern determination table for the probable variation state or the time reduction state, a variation pattern whose variation time is shorter than that of the variation pattern determination table for the normal state is set.

  Further, the fluctuation pattern determination table roughly classified according to the game state is subdivided into a big hit table and a miss table according to the result of the big hit determination. When the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, the above-mentioned reach effect is often performed, and in order to easily secure the execution time, the fluctuation time is longer in the big hit table than in the departure table. Is set. The subdivision of the various variation pattern determination tables is not limited to this, and may be subdivided, for example, according to the type of the special symbol (the first special figure or the second special figure). Furthermore, the variation pattern may be subdivided according to the stored number of special figure reservations, and as the number of special figure reservations increases, a variation pattern with a shorter variation time is set in order to expedite the reservation. It may be a decision table.

  When the variation pattern is determined, the variation display of the special symbol is started. With the start of the variation display, a variation pattern designation command for designating a variation pattern of a special symbol and a stop symbol designation command for designating a symbol to be stopped and displayed are stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. These commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output processing (S10). Upon receiving these commands, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes the symbol variation effect on the effect display device 41 in accordance with the special symbol variation display.

  If the special symbol is being displayed in a fluctuating manner, it is determined whether or not the fluctuating time has elapsed. As described above, the fluctuating time is set in the fluctuating pattern. When the fluctuating time elapses, the special symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined big hit symbol or the missing symbol. Then, a special figure change stop command indicating the stop display of the special symbol is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output processing (S10). The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 ends the design fluctuation effect of the effect display device 41 based on the special figure fluctuation stop command. In addition, with the end of the change display of the special symbol, "1" is subtracted from the second special figure reserved number if the display is the stop of the second special figure, and the first special figure is displayed if the stop display of the first special figure. “1” is subtracted from the figure reservation number. Further, a time (fixed time) for which the stopped special symbol is fixedly displayed is set.

  During the special symbol confirmation display, it is determined whether or not the confirmation time has elapsed. When the confirmation time has elapsed, it is determined whether the special symbol stopped and displayed is a big hit symbol or a missing symbol. As a result, if it is a missing symbol, it is determined whether or not it is in a time saving state (non-probable state and power support state), and if it is a time saving state, the number of times the special symbol changes during the time saving state is counted. Then, when the counted number of fluctuations reaches a predetermined number (for example, 100 times), the power support state is ended and the gaming state is set to the normal state.

  On the other hand, if the special symbol stopped and displayed is the big hit symbol, the opening pattern (number of rounds, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the big winning port 28 in the big hit game is set, and the big hit game is started. The big hit game start command indicating the start of the big hit game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

  During the big hit game, the round winning game is started by driving the big winning port solenoid 29m to open the big winning port 28. Thereafter, when the opening time elapses or when a specified number of game balls enter the special winning opening 28, the special winning opening 28 is closed and the round game is terminated, and after the closing time elapses, the next round game is performed. To start. Then, when the set number of rounds has been exhausted, the big hit game is ended. The big hit game end command indicating the end of the big hit game is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203 and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output process (S10).

  Further, a game state after the end of the big hit game is set according to the type of the big hit symbol stopped and displayed. In other words, if the big hit symbol is a positive hit symbol, it is set to a probable change state (a power support state in which the big hit probability is set to a high probability), and if the big hit symbol is a normal hit symbol, the time reduction state (the big hit probability is the normal probability) To the power support state set in). Further, the game state designation command indicating the game state is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output processing (S10).

  After the end of the special operation process (S70), a hold number process (S80) is performed. In the reserved number process (S80), the stored first special figure reserved number and the second special figure reserved number are confirmed, and the reserved number transmission command indicating the reserved number is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. This reservation number transmission command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in the next output processing (S10), and when the command is received, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the first special figure reservation number and the second special figure reservation. The same number of reserved symbols are displayed in the first reserved display area 41e and the second reserved display area 41f of the effect display device 41.

  When the holding number process (S80) is performed, the game control process of FIG. 7 is temporarily terminated. Then, when a timer interrupt occurs every 4 msec, the game control process of FIG. 7 is started again, and the above-described series of processes after the output process (S10) are performed.

  The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 advances the game in the pachinko machine 1 by repeatedly performing the above game control processing. As described above, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits various commands to the sub-control board 220 during execution of the game control process. Then, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines the specific effect contents based on the received command, and designates the display contents and the sound contents on the image and sound control board 230 and the lamp control board 226, thereby producing the effect display. Various game effects using the device 41, various speakers 6a and 6b, and various lamps 5a to 5c are executed. Further, as described above, in the effect display device 41, when the effect button 10 having the built-in vibration motor 10m is pressed by the player, it is possible to execute an operation-linked effect that proceeds in conjunction with the operation. I have. Hereinafter, a process (operation-linked effect processing) executed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 for controlling the operation-linked effect will be described.

C-2. Operation linked effect processing:
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation-linked effect processing performed by the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220. In this processing, a specific fluctuation pattern is specified by the fluctuation pattern specification command received from the main control board 200, and the fluctuations of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are displayed based on the specific fluctuation pattern, and the same even number is displayed. This is performed after stopping and displaying numbers (for example, “6”).

  When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 starts the operation-linked effect processing, first, the CPU 221 starts the variable display of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c (S100), and subsequently determines whether or not it is the start timing of the operation valid period. (S101). As described above, the operation valid period in which the operation of the effect button 10 is valid is set to be plural (three times in this embodiment) within the operation-linked effect, and the first operation valid period is started. If it is not the timing (S101: no), the operation is in a standby state until the start timing of the first operation valid period.

  Thereafter, when it is the start timing of the first operation valid period (S101: yes), the operation of the effect button 10 is activated (S102), and the operation valid period is attenuated on the left remaining status display section 43a. Is started (S103), and it is determined whether or not pressing of the effect button 10 is detected (S104). If the press of the effect button 10 has not been detected (S104: no), it is next determined whether or not the operation validity period has elapsed (S105). In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the length of the three operation valid periods is set to 1.5 seconds, and if the operation valid period has not yet elapsed (S105: no), the processing of S104 is performed. Returning to the processing, it is determined again whether or not pressing of the effect button 10 has been detected.

  If the pressing of the effect button 10 is detected before the operation valid period has elapsed (S104: yes), the vibration time of the effect button 10 is set according to the number of operation valid periods (S106). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the vibration time is set to 0.5 second in the first and second operation valid periods of the three operation valid periods, and the vibration time is set in the final third operation valid period. If so, the vibration time is set to 5 seconds. Here, since it is the first operation validity period, the vibration time is set to 0.5 seconds (S106), and the effect button 10 is vibrated by driving the vibration motor 10m (S107).

  On the other hand, when the operation effective period has elapsed without operating the effect button 10 (S105: yes), the processing of S106 and S107 is omitted, and the operation of the effect button 10 is invalidated without vibrating the effect button 10. Thereafter (S108), the left identification symbol 41a is stopped and displayed according to the stop order (S109). In the operation interlocking effect of this embodiment, the left identification symbol 41a, the middle identification symbol 41b, and the right identification symbol 41c are stopped and displayed in this order.

  When the left identification symbol 41a is stopped and displayed in this way, it is determined whether or not all of the identification symbols 41a, 41b and 41c have been stopped and displayed (S110). Then, since the middle identification symbol 41b and the right identification symbol 41c are still being displayed in a variable manner (S110: no), the process returns to S101 and enters a standby state until the start timing of the second operation valid period. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, since the three operation valid periods are continuously set, the second operation valid period starts after the end of the first operation valid period.

  Then, when it is the start timing of the second operation valid period (S101: yes), the operation of the effect button 10 is activated again (S102), and the operation valid period in the middle remaining status display section 43b is attenuated. Display is started (S103). Thereafter, if the pressing of the effect button 10 is detected before the operation valid period has elapsed (S104: yes), the vibration time is set to 0.5 second because it is the second operation valid period (S104: yes). (S106), the effect button 10 is vibrated (S107).

  On the other hand, if the operation validity period has elapsed without the operation of the effect button 10 (S105: yes), the operation of the effect button 10 is invalidated without vibrating the effect button 10 (S108), and the operation is performed according to the stop order. The identification symbol 41b is stopped and displayed (S109). Then, since the right identification symbol 41c is still being displayed in a fluctuating manner (S110: no), the process returns to S101 to be in a standby state until the start timing of the final third operation valid period.

  Thereafter, when it is the start timing of the third operation valid period (S101: yes), the operation of the effect button 10 is activated again (S102), and the operation valid period in the right remaining status display section 43c is attenuated. Display is started (S103). If the pressing of the effect button 10 is detected before the operation valid period has elapsed (S104: yes), the vibration time is set to 5 seconds because it is the third operation valid period (S106). Then, the effect button 10 is vibrated (S107).

  On the other hand, when the operation valid period has elapsed without the operation of the effect button 10 (S105: yes), the operation of the effect button 10 is invalidated without vibrating the effect button 10 (S108), and then the right is performed in the stop order. The identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed (S109). When all of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are stopped and displayed in this way (S109: yes), the operation-linked effect processing of FIG. 10 ends.

  FIG. 11 is a time chart illustrating a state in which the operation-linked effect of the present embodiment is performed according to the above-described operation-linked effect processing. As described above, in the operation-linked effect of the present embodiment, first, the effect display device 41 starts to change and display the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c. In addition, three operation valid periods during which the operation of the effect button 10 is valid in the operation interlocking effect are continuously set, and the length of each operation valid period is 1.5 seconds.

  When the player presses the effect button 10 during the first operation valid period, the left identification symbol 41a is stopped and displayed based on the operation, and the effect button 10 is vibrated by the driving of the vibration motor 10m. Occurs. The duration (vibration time) of the vibration generated in the first operation valid period is set to 0.5 seconds, which is shorter than the length of the operation valid period. Therefore, if the player presses the effect button 10 at the beginning of the beginning of the first operation effective period as in the illustrated example, the vibration of the effect button 10 ends before the start timing of the second operation effective period. can do.

  Here, unlike the present embodiment, the vibration of the production button 10 is continued while the press of the production button 10 is detected by the player without setting the vibration time of the production button 10 in advance. In such a case, the player may guess that there may be some development during the continuation of the vibration and keep pressing the effect button 10 in some cases. In addition, if the player presses the effect button 10 momentarily, the player cannot fully experience the vibration of the effect button 10. On the other hand, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the vibration of the effect button 10 is stopped after a predetermined vibration time has elapsed, so that the player is prevented from continuing to press the effect button 10 (vibration of the vibration With the stop, the player can once release the pressing of the effect button 10). Also, even if the player presses the effect button 10 momentarily, if the player keeps the hand on the effect button 10, the player can experience the vibration of the effect button 10 for a predetermined vibration time. It becomes possible.

  Subsequently, when the player presses the effect button 10 during the second operation valid period, the middle identification symbol 41b is stopped and displayed based on the operation, and the effect button 10 is driven by the vibration motor 10m. Vibration occurs. The vibration time generated during the second operation validity period is set to 0.5 seconds as in the first operation. In the illustrated example, although the player presses the effect button 10 in the second half of the second valid operation period, the vibration time is shorter than half the length of the valid operation period. The vibration of the effect button 10 can be ended before the start timing of the third operation effective period. Even if the player stops pressing the effect button 10 while the effect button 10 is vibrating, the vibration is continued until a predetermined vibration time elapses.

  Further, when the player presses the effect button 10 during the third operation valid period, the right identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed based on the operation, and the vibration of the effect button 10 is driven by the driving of the vibration motor 10m. Occurs. The vibration generated in the final third operation effective period is set to 5 seconds, which is longer than the first and second operation effective periods, and the player is provided with the vibration of the effect button 10 longer than the operation effective period. It is possible to experience.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, three operation effective periods are set in the operation-linked effect, and when the player presses the effect button 10 for each operation effective period, the operation is performed. Based on this, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are sequentially stopped and displayed, and the effect button 10 vibrates. The vibration time of the effect button 10 generated during the first and second operation valid periods (intermediate vibration) is set to be shorter than the operation valid period. Therefore, if the player presses the effect button 10 at the beginning of the operation effective period, the vibration of the effect button 10 ends before the start timing of the next operation effective period. Thereby, during the vibration of the effect button 10, the next pressing by the player is made effective, and it is suppressed that the vibration is connected, and the player presses the effect button 10 even during the second or third operation effective period. Since the player can feel that the vibration is generated every time the player performs the operation, it is possible to enhance the interest in the game in the operation-linked effect. In particular, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the vibration time of the halfway vibration of the effect button 10 generated in the first and second operation valid periods is shorter than half the length of the operation valid period. Even if the pressing of the effect button 10 by the user is delayed and the pressing is performed after entering the latter half of the operation effective period, the vibration of the effect button 10 ends before the start timing of the next operation effective period, It becomes possible for the player to experience the occurrence of vibration as the player presses the effect button 10 during the next operation valid period.

  As for the vibration of the effect button 10 (final vibration) which occurs in the last operation validity period in the final operation-linked effect, the pressing of the effect button 10 is not made valid again thereafter. Can be lengthened, and by setting the vibration time longer than the vibration during the first and second operation valid periods, the player can fully experience the vibration of the effect button 10. In particular, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the vibration of the effect button 10 occurs during the third operation effective period, the operation-linked effect is at the final stage because the vibration time is longer than the operation effective period. Can be left after the end of the operation validity period.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the remaining status display portions 43a, 43b, 43d, which indicate the remaining status of the operation validity period, correspond to each of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c which are displayed in a variable manner in the operation-linked effect. 43c is provided, and when the start timing of each operation valid period comes, attenuation display of the operation valid period starts. This allows the player to know that the operation valid period has started and how long it will take until the operation valid period ends, so that it is possible to urge the player to press the staging button 10 early in each operation valid period. It becomes.

D. Modifications:
As described above, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the embodiment can be implemented in the following modified examples. In the description of the modification, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the embodiment, and the detailed description will be omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a time chart illustrating a manner in which an operation-linked effect of the modification is performed. Also in the operation-linked effect of the modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, first, the effect display device 41 starts to change the display of the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c. In addition, although three operation effective periods during which the operation of the effect button 10 is validated in the operation-linked effect are set, the three operation effective periods are not continuous, and are not between the first and second times. , And a predetermined interval period in which the operation of the effect button 10 is invalidated between the second time and the third time, and in the pachinko machine 1 of the modified example, each of the interval periods is 0.6 seconds. Is set to

  Then, in the example shown in the drawing, the press of the effect button 10 by the player is detected immediately before the end of the first operation valid period, and the vibration of the effect button 10 is generated by driving the vibration motor 10m. Although the vibration time of the effect button 10 at this time is set to 0.5 seconds, the length of the interval period is secured longer than the vibration time, so that the vibration of the effect button 10 is set to the second operation effective period. It can end before the start timing. Therefore, even when the player presses the effect button 10 immediately after the second operation validity period starts as in the illustrated example, a new vibration is generated from the state in which the effect button 10 stops being vibrated. That is, vibration is not connected.

  Further, in the illustrated example, although the press of the effect button 10 is detected in the interval period between the second operation effective period and the third operation effective period, the operation of the effect button 10 is invalid during the interval period. Therefore, the right identification symbol 41c is not stopped and displayed, and no vibration is generated in the effect button 10 by driving the vibration motor 10m. When the operation of the effect button 10 is detected during the third operation valid period, the right identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed, and the final vibration of the effect button 10 is generated by driving the vibration motor 10m.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the modified example, an interval period is provided between each of the three operation valid periods, and the length of the interval period is produced in the first and second operation valid periods. It is longer than the vibration time when the button 10 is vibrated. For this reason, regardless of the timing at which the player presses the effect button 10 within the operation effective period, the vibration of the effect button 10 ends before the start timing of the next operation effective period, and during the next operation effective period, This makes it possible for the player to surely experience the occurrence of vibration as the player presses the effect button 10.

  As described above, the embodiments and the modified examples of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the language described in each claim unless departing from the scope described in each claim. Those skilled in the art can easily replace them, and can appropriately add improvements based on the knowledge usually possessed by those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the operation-linked effect is advanced in conjunction with the player's pressing of the effect button 10 (the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c that are variably displayed are sequentially stopped and displayed). Had become. However, the operation by the player is not limited to this, and a vibration motor is built in the jog shuttle 11, so that the operation-linked effect is advanced each time the player performs the rotation operation or the push operation of the jog shuttle 11. Alternatively, the jog shuttle 11 may generate vibration.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and the modified example, the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are again stopped independently from the same even number (for example, “6”) and independently of the special symbol variation display. An operation-linked effect is performed by changing and displaying the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c. However, the operation-linked effect may be performed as a symbol change effect in which the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are changed and displayed in accordance with the change display of the special symbol.

  In addition, the operation-linked effect is not limited to an effect in which the identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c that are variably displayed are sequentially stopped and displayed, as long as the effect is a stage effect composed of a plurality of stages. It may be a step-up effect in which the big hit reliability increases as the time goes on. In addition, the operation-linked effect is not limited to the effect using the effect display device 41, and may be a step-by-step movement using a movable role. Furthermore, the operation validity period set in the operation-linked effect is not limited to three times as long as it is plural, and may be set according to the number of steps constituting the operation-linked effect.

  In the above-described embodiment and the modification, the lengths of the three operation valid periods are set to be uniform, but may be different from each other. In that case, the vibration time for generating the vibration of the effect button 10 in each of the first and second operation valid periods may be set shorter than the length of the operation valid period (or half of the length). .

  Further, in the above-described modified example, the lengths of the two interval periods are set to be uniform, but may be different from each other. In that case, the length of the interval period may be set to be longer than the vibration time for generating the vibration of the effect button 10 in the operation valid period immediately before the interval period.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 1 in which a profit (game value) as a result of the game is provided to the player by paying out the game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall. Examples have been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a gaming machine of a type that provides a gaming benefit in a form different from “payout of gaming balls”. For example, when a game ball is entered into various entrances, data indicating the amount of profit (magnitude of game value) corresponding to the entered ball is stored, so that a game profit (game The present invention can be applied to a pachinko machine of a type in which value is given to a player, and in this case, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In addition, as a pachinko machine of the type of converting game profits (game value) into data and giving the data to a player, a gaming machine that circulates and uses a plurality of game balls built in a pachinko machine, specifically, A pachinko machine (a so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return a game ball discharged to the back surface of the game board through various entrances or exits to the firing position again and fire it.

<Gaming machines A1 to A5 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments and modified examples>
The pachinko machine 1 of the above-described embodiment and the modified example can be regarded as the following gaming machines A1 to A6.

<Game machine A1>
In a gaming machine that performs a game by firing a game ball to a game area formed on a game board,
Effect execution means capable of executing various game effects along with the game,
Operation means that can be operated by the player;
Vibrating means capable of vibrating the operating means,
In the case where the game effect is an operation-linked effect composed of a plurality of stages, a plurality of operation valid periods in which the operation of the operation unit is valid within the operation-linked effect are set, and the effect execution unit includes: , When the operation means is operated for each of the operation validity periods, the operation interlocking effect proceeds to the next stage based on the operation,
The vibrating means, when the operating means is operated for each operation validity period, generates vibrations in the operating means, and among the plurality of operation validity periods set in the operation-linked effect, The vibration time of the final vibration generated in the operation valid period is made longer than the vibration time of the intermediate vibration generated in the operation valid period before the final period, and the vibration time of the intermediate vibration is set to be longer than the operation valid period. A gaming machine characterized by being shorter than this.

  In such a gaming machine A1, if the player operates the operating means at the beginning of the operation valid period, the vibration of the operating means (intermediate vibration) ends before the start timing of the next operation valid period. This suppresses a situation in which the next operation by the player is validated during the vibration of the operation means and the vibration is not connected, and the vibration is generated every time the player operates the operation means even in the second and subsequent operation valid periods. Can be experienced by the player, and it is possible to enhance the entertainment interest in the operation-linked effect. Then, for the final vibration generated in the final operation valid period in the operation-linked effect, the operation time of the operation means is not made valid again thereafter, so that the vibration time can be lengthened, and the intermediate vibration can be performed. By setting the vibration time to be longer than in the case of, it is possible for the player to fully experience the vibration of the operation means.

<Game machine A2>
In the gaming machine A1,
The gaming machine, wherein the vibration means makes the vibration time of the halfway vibration shorter than half the length of the operation effective period.

  In such a gaming machine A2, even when the operation of the operating means by the player is delayed and the operation is performed in the latter half of the operation effective period, the operation of the operating means is performed before the start timing of the next operation effective period. By the end of the vibration, it becomes possible for the player to experience the generation of the vibration as the player operates the operation means during the next operation valid period.

<Game machine A3>
In the gaming machine A1 or the gaming machine A2,
The gaming machine, wherein the vibration means makes the vibration time of the final vibration longer than the length of the operation validity period.

  In such a gaming machine A3, when the final vibration of the operating means occurs in the final operation valid period, the operation-linked effect has reached the final stage because the vibration time is longer than the operation valid period. Can be left after the end of the operation validity period.

<Game machine A4>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A3,
The effect execution means, when the operation-linked effect is started, displays a plurality of effect information in a variable manner, and stops and displays any of the effect information in the variable display each time the operation-linked effect is advanced to the next stage. And displaying the plurality of pieces of effect information all in the same manner in a stop manner, thereby suggesting that a benefit advantageous to the player is provided.

  In such a gaming machine A4, it is possible to impress the player as if the player himself / herself operated the operating means a plurality of times to obtain an advantageous privilege because a plurality of pieces of presentation information were arranged in the same manner, In addition, it is possible to further enhance the interest in the game by causing the player to experience the generation of the vibration every time the operation means is operated a plurality of times.

<Game machine A5>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A4,
A gaming machine, comprising: a remaining status display unit capable of displaying a remaining status of the operation validity period.

  In such a gaming machine A5, the remaining state of the operation valid period is displayed on the remaining state display section, so that the player can know that the operation valid period has started and how long until the operation valid period ends. Since it is possible, it is possible to prompt the player to operate the operation means early in each operation valid period.

<Game machine A6>
In any one of the gaming machines A1 to A5,
Between each of the plurality of operation validity periods set in the operation-linked effect, an interval period in which the operation of the operation means is invalidated is provided,
A gaming machine, wherein the length of the interval period is set longer than the vibration time of the halfway vibration.

  In such a gaming machine A6, regardless of the timing at which the player operates the operation means within the operation validity period, the vibration of the operation means ends before the start timing of the next operation validity period, and the next operation validity is completed. This makes it possible for the player who has generated the vibration to surely experience the vibration in accordance with the operation of the operation means by the player during the period.

<Gaming machine B1 that can be extracted from the above-described embodiments and modifications>
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment and the modified examples described above can be regarded as the following gaming machine B1.

<Game machine B1>
In a gaming machine that performs a game by firing a game ball to a game area formed on a game board,
Effect execution means capable of executing various game effects along with the game,
Operation means that can be operated by the player;
Vibrating means capable of vibrating the operation means,
In the case where the game effect is an operation-linked effect composed of a plurality of stages, a plurality of operation valid periods in which the operation of the operation unit is valid within the operation-linked effect are set, and the effect execution unit includes: , When the operation means is operated for each of the operation validity periods, the operation-linked effect is advanced to the next stage based on the operation,
The vibrating means, when the operating means is operated for each operation validity period, generates vibrations in the operating means, and among the plurality of operation validity periods set in the operation-linked effect, A gaming machine, wherein the vibration time of the halfway vibration generated in the operation valid period before the last is shorter than the vibration time of the final vibration generated in the operation valid period.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the game machine used in a game hall.

1 ... pachinko machine (game machine), 10 ... production button (operation means),
10m: vibration motor (vibration means), 20: game board, 21: game area,
24: first starting port, 25: second starting port, 27: normal symbol operation gate,
28 ... Grand prize mouth, 41 ... Production display device (production execution means),
41a, 41b, 41c ... identification symbols, 42a, 42b, 42c ... button images,
43a, 43b, 43c: remaining status display section, 50: segment display section,
200: main control board, 201: CPU, 220: sub control board,
221, CPU.

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine that performs a game by firing a game ball to a game area formed on a game board,
Effect execution means capable of executing various game effects along with the game,
Operation means that can be operated by the player;
Vibrating means capable of vibrating the operation means,
In the case where the game effect is an operation-linked effect composed of a plurality of stages, a plurality of operation valid periods in which the operation of the operation unit is valid within the operation-linked effect are set, and the effect execution unit includes: , When the operation means is operated for each of the operation validity periods, the operation-linked effect is advanced to the next stage based on the operation,
The vibrating means, when the operating means is operated for each operation validity period, generates vibrations in the operating means, and among the plurality of operation validity periods set in the operation-linked effect, A gaming machine, wherein the vibration time of the halfway vibration generated in the operation valid period before the last is shorter than the vibration time of the final vibration generated in the operation valid period.

Images