JP2020039398A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of executing a highly entertaining performance.SOLUTION: In a game machine 1, when it is determined whether or not to execute a special game, a symbol indicating the result of the determination is stopped and displayed after a symbol is variably displayed on symbol display means. Also, in the game machine 1, holding information indicating that the right of determination is held can be displayed, and when first holding information in a first display mode indicating that the special game may be executed is displayed, the display mode of second holding information displayed in a predetermined display mode may be changed from a predetermined display mode to a second display mode suggesting that the probability is higher than that in the first display mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs effects using display means.

  For example, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball is awarded at the starting port, it is determined whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player. The symbol is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, if the right of the determination is suspended, suspension information indicating that fact is displayed. Some gaming machines of this type display a suspended image in a display mode that allows a player to expect a special game to be executed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-17787 A

  By the way, the effect using the hold information performed by the conventional gaming machine is not necessarily high in interest, and there is room for improvement in improving the interest.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of executing a highly entertaining effect.

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above.
The gaming machine according to the present invention is a determining means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player, and a symbol is variably displayed on predetermined symbol displaying means in response to the determination. A symbol display control unit for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating the result of the determination, a holding unit capable of holding the right of the determination up to a predetermined number, and an effect control unit for controlling execution of the effect. The control means may display on a predetermined display means hold information indicating that the right of the judgment is held, and may change a display mode of the hold information, and the special game may be executed. When the first hold information of the first display mode indicating that there is a possibility, the display mode of the second hold information displayed in a predetermined display mode is changed from the predetermined display mode to the second hold information. Possible than one display mode It can be changed to the second display mode suggesting that high.

  The effect control means, during the display of the second hold information in the predetermined display mode, is more likely to change the display mode of the second hold information from the predetermined display mode to the predetermined display mode. While it is possible to change to the third display mode that suggests that the first display mode is not higher than the first display mode, the first suspension of the first display mode is performed. The display mode of the second hold information may be restricted from changing from the predetermined display mode to the third display mode while the information is being displayed.

  The display means, when the determination is performed on the right corresponding to the first hold information of the first display mode, when the symbol is variably displayed according to the determination. In addition, the first hold information can be displayed as change suggestion information indicating that the symbol is being changed and displayed, and the effect control unit is configured to display the second hold information in the predetermined display mode. Furthermore, after the display of the change suggestion information is completed, the display mode of the second hold information may be changed from the predetermined display mode to the third display mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to execute a highly entertaining effect.

Front view of gaming machine 1 Front view of gaming board 2 Enlarged view of main display 40 in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device included in the gaming machine 1. Explanatory diagram for explaining jackpot random numbers, design random numbers, and reach random numbers Explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of reach production Explanatory diagram for explaining a fluctuation pattern selection table used for a process of selecting a fluctuation pattern of a special symbol in a normal game state Explanatory drawing for explaining the final color selection table for selecting the final color of the icon Explanatory drawing for explaining a change pattern selection table for selecting a change pattern of an icon Explanatory diagram for explaining restrictions on icon change effects FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing storage areas of a main RAM 83 and information stored in each storage area. Flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the main control board 80 Detailed flowchart of the sensor detection process in step S2 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the preliminary determination processing in steps S211 and S219 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S308 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the variation pattern selection process in step S309 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the special figure stop processing in step S317 of FIG. Flow chart illustrating a game state setting process executed at the end of the big hit game on the main control board 80. Flow chart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the sub-control board 90 Detailed flowchart of the command receiving process in step S10 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the hold command receiving process in step S13 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command receiving process in step S16 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the variable effect pattern setting process in step S163 in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing storage areas of a control RAM 103 and information stored in each storage area. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an interrupt process performed in the image sound control board 100. Detailed flowchart of the image display control process in step S71 in FIG. Detailed flowchart of the hold icon display control process in step S713 in FIG. 27 Detailed flowchart of the information updating process in step S723 in FIG. 27

  Hereinafter, a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) 1 according to an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Configuration example of gaming machine 1]
First, a configuration example of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 and FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming board 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming machine frame 30 and a gaming board 2 mounted in the gaming machine frame 30. The gaming machine frame 30 includes a front frame 31 having a decorative surface, a main body frame for mounting the gaming board 2 and the like, and an outer frame for fixing the gaming machine 1 to the island facilities of the hall. I have. The front frame 31 supports a glass plate disposed in parallel with the game board 2 at a predetermined interval, and the glass plate and the game board 2 form a game area 3 in which game balls can flow down. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 31 has a firing handle 32 for firing game balls, an upper plate 33 for storing game balls supplied to a firing device (not shown), and an upper plate. A lower plate 34 is provided for storing game balls that cannot be stored in 33. When the player grips the firing handle 32 and rotates clockwise, the game balls stored in the upper plate 33 are guided to the firing device, and are fired at a firing strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing handle 32. The launched game ball moves along the rail member 4 located on the left side of the game area 3 and is then guided to the upper position of the game area 3 and comes into contact with a game nail, a windmill or the like provided in the game area 3. This causes the game area 3 to flow down along the game board 2 while changing its moving direction.

  A ball return preventing piece 6 is provided at the end of the rail member 4, and the ball returning preventing piece 6 prevents a game ball once entering the game area 3 from returning to the launching device side. Further, a stop button is provided at a position close to the firing handle 32. By operating the stop button, the player can temporarily launch the game ball without returning the firing handle 32 to the initial posture. It is possible to stop it.

  When the player performs "left hit" by rotating the firing handle 32 by a small rotation angle, the game ball is fired with a relatively low firing intensity, and the game ball flows down the left game area 3L. On the other hand, when the player makes a “right hit” by rotating the firing handle 32 by a large rotation angle, the game ball is fired with a relatively high firing intensity, and the game ball is positioned at the upper right of the center decoration 10. After moving along the rail member 4 to flow, it flows down the right game area 3R.

  A first starting port 21, a second starting port 22, an opening / closing member 23, and three general winning ports 24 are provided on the passage path of the game ball in the left game area 3L as a winning or determining accessory. (See FIG. 2). In addition, the passing path of the game ball in the right game area 3R includes the second starting port 22, the opening / closing member 23, one general winning port 24, the gate 25, and the first big winning port as an accessory related to winning or determination. 26, an opening / closing member 27, a second special winning opening 28, and an opening / closing member 29 are provided (see FIG. 2).

  The game ball fired from the launching device flows down the game area 3 along the game board 2 in the course of flowing down the first starting port 21, the second starting port 22, the general winning port 24, the first big winning port 26, and There is a case where one of the second big winning openings 28 is won. In this case, a predetermined number of prize balls according to the winning place are paid out to the upper plate 33 or the lower plate 34. In addition, the game balls that did not win any of them are discharged from the game area 3 through the discharge port formed at the lower end of the game board 2.

  In addition, a center decoration 10 is provided in an opening formed in the center of the game board 2. The center decorative body 10 includes a stage section 11 having a game ball rolling surface on which game balls can roll, and a warp section 12 having both ends of a warp entrance and a warp exit. A game ball flowing down the left game area 3L may enter the warp section 12 from the warp entrance, and the game ball is discharged from the warp exit and guided to the stage section 11. At the left and right center positions of the stage section 11, there are formed guide grooves for dropping the game balls rolling on the stage section 11 toward the first starting port 21. For this reason, the game ball guided to the stage unit 11 via the warp unit 12 wins the first starting port 21 in comparison with the game ball flowing down the left game area 3L without passing through the warp unit 12. easy.

  The first starting port 21 is a starting area that is always open. The second starting port 22 is a starting area which is closed when the opening / closing member 23 as an ordinary electric accessory is not operating and is opened when the opening / closing member 23 operates. In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming ball has won the first starting port 21 (or the second starting port 22), it is determined whether or not to execute a special game (big hit game) advantageous to the player. Then, on the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), which will be described later, the symbols are variably displayed, and the symbol (big hit symbol or losing symbol) indicating the result of the determination is stopped and displayed. Here, when the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, a big hit game in which the first big winning opening 26 or the second big winning opening 28 is opened is executed.

  In the following description, the determination performed in response to the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 21 is referred to as “first special symbol determination”, and is performed in response to the winning of the gaming ball to the second starting port 22. This determination is referred to as “second special symbol determination”, and these are collectively referred to as “special symbol determination”.

  The first big winning opening 26 is a special winning area opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. An opening / closing member 27 which is a plate for opening and closing the first special winning opening 26 is provided in an opening of the first special winning opening 26. The first special winning opening 26 is normally closed by this opening / closing member 27. On the other hand, when a predetermined big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), the opening and closing member 27 is operated to open the first big winning opening 26. A jackpot game is executed. During the jackpot game, there are a plurality of long-open round games in which the opening / closing member 27 maintains the open position (see FIG. 2) for opening the first big winning opening 26 and then returns to the closed position for closing the first big winning opening 26. Is done many times. In the present embodiment, in each of the long open round games that open the first special winning opening 26, ten game balls are won in the first special winning opening 26 or the first special winning opening 26 is opened. The operation is continued until 25 seconds have elapsed since the operation was performed.

  The second big winning opening 28 is a special winning area opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. An opening / closing member 29 which is a blade member for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 is provided in an opening of the second special winning opening 28. The second special winning opening 28 is normally closed by the opening / closing member 29. On the other hand, when a predetermined big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), the opening and closing member 29 is operated to open the second big winning opening 28. A jackpot game is executed. During the jackpot game, there are a plurality of long open round games in which the opening / closing member 29 maintains the open position (see FIG. 2) for opening the second big winning opening 28 and then returns to the closed position for closing the second big winning opening 28. Is done many times. In the present embodiment, in each long opening round game in which the second special winning opening 28 is opened, ten game balls are won in the second special winning opening 28 or the second special winning opening 28 is opened. The operation is continued until 25 seconds have elapsed since the operation was performed.

  As described above, during the jackpot game, a plurality of long opening round games in which the first big winning port 26 (or the second big winning port 28) is long opened are performed, so that the player makes a right-hand during the jackpot game. By doing so, more prize balls can be obtained compared to when the jackpot game is not performed.

  For convenience of explanation, FIG. 2 shows that the opening / closing members 27 and 29 are in the open positions in which the large winning openings 26 and 28 are opened when the effect symbols are variably displayed on the display screen 70 of the image display device 7. Although the open state is shown in the figure, the open / close members 27 and 29 do not actually assume the open position during the fluctuation display of the effect symbol. Further, in the long open round game, either one of the first special winning opening 26 and the second special winning opening 28 is used, and therefore, as shown in FIG. Never. In addition, which of the first special winning opening 26 and the second special winning opening 28 is used to perform the jackpot game is set in advance in accordance with the type of the big hit (FIGS. 5B and 5B). C)).

  An opening / closing member 23 (see FIG. 2) is disposed close to the second starting port 22. The opening / closing member 23 can change its posture between a closed position in which the opening / closing member 23 closes the second starting port 22 and an open position (see FIG. 2) in which the second starting port 22 is opened.

  The second starting port 22 is normally closed by an opening / closing member 23. On the other hand, when the game ball hit right by the player passes through the gate 25, the prize ball is not paid out, but it is determined whether or not the second starting port 22 is opened. Here, when it is determined that the second start port 22 is to be opened, the operation of returning to the closed position after the opening / closing member 23 maintains the open position for a predetermined time is performed a specified number of times. As described above, the second starting port 22 is in a state in which the game ball is difficult to pass when the opening / closing member 23 is not operated, whereas a state in which the game ball is easy to pass by operating the opening / closing member 23. Become.

  In the following description, the determination performed on condition that the game ball passes through the gate 25 is referred to as “ordinary symbol determination”.

  The general winning opening 24 is always open similarly to the first starting opening 21, and is a winning opening in which a predetermined number of winning balls are paid out by winning a game ball. However, unlike the first starting port 21 and the like, no determination is made even if a game ball wins in the general winning port 24.

[Configuration Example of Main Display 40]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main display 40 in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the main display 40 includes a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a normal symbol display 43, a first special figure reservation display 44, and a second special figure. It has a reservation display 45, a general-purpose reservation display 46, a round display 47, a game state display 48, a launch direction display 49, and the like.

  The first special symbol display 41 is configured to include eight LEDs indicated by “ip”, and when the first special symbol determination is performed, the symbol is variably displayed and then the first special symbol is displayed. The result of the first special symbol determination is notified by stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the determination result of the determination. Specifically, for example, the above-mentioned eight LEDs are sequentially turned on to display a symbol in a variable manner, and each LED is set to a predetermined fixed time (for example, 0.6 mm) in a combination according to the determination result of the first special symbol determination. The symbol is stopped and displayed by lighting it for (seconds).

  The second special symbol display 42 is configured to include eight LEDs indicated by “a to h”, and when the second special symbol determination is performed, the symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and then the second special symbol is displayed. The result of the second special symbol determination is notified by stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the determination result of the determination. Specifically, for example, a symbol variation display is performed by sequentially lighting the eight LEDs, and each LED is set to a predetermined fixed time (for example, 0.6 mm) in a combination according to the determination result of the second special symbol determination. The symbol is stopped and displayed by lighting it for (seconds).

  On the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), a symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is reported as a "big hit". The "design" or "losing design" for notifying that the game has been lost is stopped and displayed. In the gaming machine 1, a plurality of jackpot symbols different from each other depending on the type of the jackpot are prepared, and when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, the first jackpot 26 or the opening pattern corresponding to the type of the jackpot symbol is opened. A big hit game in which the second big winning opening 28 is opened is performed.

  The ordinary symbol display 43 is configured to have two LEDs indicated by “s to t”, and when the ordinary symbol determination is performed, the symbol is variably displayed and then the determination result of the ordinary symbol determination is displayed. The result of the normal symbol determination is notified by stopping and displaying the symbol. Specifically, for example, a symbol variation display is performed by alternately lighting the two LEDs, and each LED is normally turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) in a lighting mode according to the determination result of the symbol determination. The symbols are stopped and displayed by turning them on. Here, when the winning symbol is stopped and displayed, an auxiliary game in which the second starting port 22 is opened by operating the opening / closing member 23 in an opening pattern according to the current game state is performed.

  In the following description, the symbols displayed on the first special symbol indicator 41 and the second special symbol indicator 42 are called “special symbols”, and the symbol displayed on the ordinary symbol indicator 43 is “ordinary symbol”. Shall be called. Also, the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 41 is called "first special symbol", and the special symbol displayed on the second special symbol indicator 42 is called "second special symbol", and both are designated. It may be distinguished.

  The first special figure reservation display 44 is configured to include two LEDs indicated by “u to v”, and displays the number of reservations for the first special symbol determination by the lighting mode of these LEDs. The second special figure reservation display 45 is configured to include two LEDs indicated by “w to x”, and displays the number of reserves for the second special symbol determination by the lighting mode of these LEDs. Note that, in the present embodiment, the upper limit of each of these numbers of suspensions is set to “4”. The general symbol holding display 46 is configured to include two LEDs indicated by “q to r”, and displays the number of normal symbol determinations to be held depending on the lighting state of these LEDs.

  The round indicator 47 is used in the jackpot game executed according to the jackpot corresponding to the jackpot symbol as the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol indicator 41 or the second special symbol indicator 42. Displays the number of rounds in long open round games. The round indicator 47 includes a 4R LED, a 6R LED, an 8R LED, and a 10R LED. When one of these LEDs is turned on, a long open round LED is displayed. The number of game rounds is announced.

  The gaming state display 48 is configured to include three LEDs indicated by “a1 to a3”, and displays the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 according to the lighting state of these LEDs. The launch direction indicator 49 is configured to include two LEDs indicated by “y to z”, and displays the launch direction of the game ball by the lighting mode of these LEDs. In other words, it indicates whether the vehicle is to be left-handed or right-handed.

[Example of the configuration of the production means provided in the gaming machine 1]
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the game board 2 and the front frame 31, various effects are provided, such as a decorative member 13, a movable decorative member 14, a frame lamp 37, a speaker 38, an effect display 125, An effect first special figure reservation display 126, an effect second special figure reservation display 127, and the like are provided. An image display device 7 is provided behind the game board 2.

  The decorative member 13 has a built-in panel lamp 5 (see FIG. 4) configured with a plurality of LEDs, and changes the lighting or blinking pattern of each LED, and changes the emission color of each LED. Various effects by light.

  The movable decoration member 14 is arranged in front of the image display device 7 and behind the decoration member 13. The movable decorative member 14 has a plurality of built-in LEDs, and the movable decorative member 14 performs a predetermined effect by the movement of the movable decorative member 14 itself and / or light. In the present embodiment, a predetermined space in which the movable decorative member 14 can operate is provided between the game board 2 and the display screen 70 of the image display device 7, and the movable decorative member 14 extends along the display screen 70. And can be moved up and down. Normally, the movable decorative member 14 is arranged at an initial position (see FIG. 2) where most of the movable decorative member 14 is hidden behind the decorative member 13 and only the lower end of the movable decorative member 14 is visible. On the other hand, the movable decorative member 14 emits light in a predetermined light emission pattern and displays the display screen 70 when a notice effect with relatively high jackpot reliability is performed using the image display device 7 and the speaker 38. It falls to an operating position that covers most.

  The frame lamp 37 is configured to have a plurality of LEDs built in various parts of the front frame 31, and is capable of changing the lighting or blinking pattern of each LED and changing the emission color of each LED. Produces various effects by light.

  The image display device 7 is a liquid crystal display device that displays an effect image on its display screen 70, and a player can visually recognize the display screen 70 through an opening formed in the center of the game board 2. On the display screen 70, the effect symbols, characters and items for notifying the determination result of the special symbol determination, and the number of reserved images (the number of reserved images) displayed as the same as the number of reserved symbols in the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) An effect image including various display objects such as an icon) and a change suggestion image (the icon) indicating that the special symbol is being displayed in a change manner is displayed. Note that the image display device 7 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device as long as it can display effect images, and may be another image display device such as an EL display device.

  The speaker 38 outputs an effect sound such as a tune, a sound, or a sound effect in synchronism with or asynchronously with a display effect performed on the display screen 70 to perform an effect by sound.

  The effect indicator 125 is configured to have two LEDs, and displays the symbols in a variable manner in accordance with the change display of the special symbol and the effect symbol, and determines the special symbol in accordance with the stop display of the special symbol and the effect symbol. The symbol which notifies the determination result of is stopped and displayed. The effect indicator 125 notifies the result of the special symbol determination based on the combination of lighting and extinguishing of each LED and the lighting color.

  The effect first special figure reservation display 126 is configured to have two LEDs, and the same first display as the first special figure reservation display 44 is displayed by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of each LED. 1 Displays the number of reserved special symbol judgments. The effect second special map reservation display 127 is configured to have two LEDs, and the same second display as the second special map reservation display 45 is performed by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of each LED. 2 Displays the number of special symbol determinations held.

[Configuration Example of Input Means Provided in Gaming Machine 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a first effect button 35 and a second effect button 36 are provided on the front frame 31 as input means that can be input by a player. The first effect button 35 is a push button for inputting operation information by being pressed by the player. The second effect button 36 is a push button for the player to input operation information by holding the grip of the second effect button 36 and pressing the second effect button 36. In the gaming machine 1, an effect may be performed in accordance with an operation of the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36.

  Note that the configuration of the input unit is not limited to the one illustrated in the present embodiment, and may be another configuration. That is, for example, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the gaming machine 1 includes two input units, but the number of input units may be one or three or more. Further, the input means is not limited to the push button, but may be a touch panel capable of detecting a touch operation of the player, for example, an optical sensor capable of detecting the hand of the player held over the display screen 70, and moving the front, rear, left, right, Other input means such as a joystick for designating a direction and operation means that can be held and changed in posture by a player may be used.

[Configuration of control device provided in gaming machine 1]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device provided in the gaming machine 1.
On the back side of the game board 2, a control device for controlling the operation of the game machine 1 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control board 80 for controlling the progress of a game using a game ball, and a sub-controller for totally controlling the effect based on information from the main control board 80. It comprises a control board 90, an image and sound control board 100 for controlling effects by images and sounds, a lamp control board 120 for controlling effects by various lamps and movable members, and the like. In the present embodiment, the main control board 80 functions as a game control unit that controls the progress of the game, and the sub control board 90, the image and sound control board 100, and the lamp control board 120 function as an effect control unit that controls the effect. . Note that the configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the sub-control board 90, the image sound control board 100, and the lamp control board 120 may be configured by one board.

<Configuration Example of Main Control Board 80>
The main control board 80 includes a main CPU 81, a main ROM 82, and a main RAM 83. The main CPU 81 performs various calculation processes related to the determination and the number of payout prize balls based on a program or the like stored in the main ROM 82. The main RAM 83 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the main CPU 81 executes the program, and as a work area for data processing.

  The main control board 80 includes a first starting port sensor 211, a second starting port sensor 221, a gate sensor 251, a first winning port sensor 261, a second winning port sensor 281, a general winning port sensor 241, and a second starting port sensor 241. The mouth solenoid 222, the first winning port solenoid 262, and the second winning port solenoid 282 are connected. Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes four general winning opening sensors 241 corresponding to the four general winning opening 24, but in FIG. 4, for convenience of description, only one general winning opening sensor 241 is provided. It is written.

  The first starting port sensor 211 detects that a game ball has won the first starting port 21, and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The second starting port sensor 221 detects that a game ball has won the second starting port 22, and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The gate sensor 251 detects the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The first special winning opening sensor 261 detects that a game ball has won the first special winning opening 26 and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The second special winning opening sensor 281 detects that a game ball has won the second special winning opening 28, and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The general winning opening sensor 241 detects that a game ball has won the general winning opening 24 and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80.

  The second starting port solenoid 222 is an electric solenoid connected so as to transmit a driving force to the opening / closing member 23, and operates the opening / closing member 23 based on a control signal from the main control board 80 to perform the second starting operation. The mouth 22 is opened and closed. The first winning opening solenoid 262 is an electric solenoid connected to the opening / closing member 27 so as to transmit a driving force. The first winning opening solenoid 262 operates the opening / closing member 27 based on a control signal from the main control board 80, and The big winning opening 26 is opened and closed. The second winning opening solenoid 282 is an electric solenoid connected to the opening and closing member 29 so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and operates the opening and closing member 29 based on a control signal from the main control board 80, The big winning opening 28 is opened and closed.

  Although not shown in the figure, the gaming machine 1 supplies a game ball to the upper plate 33 or the lower plate 34 by controlling a drive motor for sending out a game ball from a ball tank provided on the back side of the game board 2. A payout control board is provided. When the main CPU 81 receives a detection signal from the first starting port sensor 211, the second starting port sensor 221, the first winning port sensor 261, the second winning port sensor 281, or the general winning port sensor 241, The payout control board is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the places where the game balls have won, and the number of prize balls to be paid out is managed based on information from the payout control board.

  Further, the main CPU 81 acquires various random numbers as acquisition information at the timing when the detection signal is input from the first starting port sensor 211, and executes the first special symbol determination using the acquired random numbers. Further, the main CPU 81 acquires various random numbers as acquisition information at the timing when the detection signal from the second starting port sensor 221 is input, and executes the second special symbol determination using the acquired random numbers. Here, the various random numbers are, specifically, a jackpot random number, a symbol random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number.

  The jackpot random number is a random number for determining a jackpot or a loss. The symbol random number is a random number for determining the type of the jackpot (the number of rounds of the jackpot game, the game state after the end of the jackpot game, and the like) when it is determined that the jackpot is a jackpot. The reach random number is a random number for determining whether to perform an effect with a reach or an effect without a reach when it is determined that a loss has occurred. The fluctuation pattern random number is a random number for determining the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol when the special symbol is variably displayed.

  The main CPU 81 obtains these random numbers at the timing when the game ball has won the first starting port 21 (or the second starting port 22). First, the obtained jackpot random numbers are stored in a predetermined random number stored in the main ROM 82. It is determined whether or not to execute the jackpot game based on whether or not it matches the numerical value (winning value). Here, when it is determined to execute the jackpot game based on the fact that the jackpot random number matches the winning value, the symbol random number acquired together with the jackpot random number is stored in the main ROM 82 (compared with the symbol random number). ) The type of the jackpot is determined based on which random number value of the predetermined random number value matches.

  Here, as the type of the jackpot, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the game is controlled in the probable change game state after executing the jackpot game including four long open round games. The game is controlled in the probable change game state after executing the "4R probable jackpot", the jackpot game including six long open round games, and after executing the "6R probable jackpot" including the eight long open round games. An example is “8R probability changing jackpot” in which the game is controlled in the probability changing game state, and “10R probability changing jackpot” in which the game is controlled in the probability changing game state after executing a jackpot game including ten long open round games.

  On the other hand, if the main CPU 81 determines that the jackpot random number is not to be executed based on the fact that the obtained jackpot random number does not match the winning value, the reach random number obtained together with the jackpot random number is stored in the main ROM 82. A reach effect or a no-reach effect based on whether or not a predetermined random number value (compared to the reach random number) matches a random number value corresponding to the reach (see FIG. 5D). Decide what to do. In addition, the main CPU 81 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol when the special symbol is variably displayed based on the variation pattern random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, regardless of the result of the determination based on the jackpot random number. Thus, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is determined.

  If the main CPU 81 determines that the big hit game is to be executed and determines the type of the big hit, the first big winning port 26 (or the second big winning port 26 or the second big winning port solenoid 282) is determined via the first big winning port solenoid 262 (or the second big winning port solenoid 282). By controlling the opening and closing of the two big wins 28), a big hit game corresponding to the type of big hit is executed.

  Further, the main CPU 81 acquires a random number (ordinary symbol random number) at a timing when the detection signal from the gate sensor 251 is input, and executes an ordinary symbol determination using the acquired ordinary symbol random number. When it is determined that the second starting port 22 is to be opened as a result of the ordinary symbol determination, the opening and closing of the second starting port 22 is controlled via the second starting port solenoid 222 to open the second starting port 22. Execute an auxiliary game.

  The main control board 80 includes a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, a normal symbol display 43, a first special figure reservation display 44, a second special figure reservation display 45, A drawing hold display 46, a round display 47, a game state display 48, and a launch direction display 49 are connected.

  The main CPU 81 controls these displays 41 to 49 constituting the main display 40 to execute the above-described display processing based on FIG.

<Configuration example of sub-control board 90>
The sub control board 90 includes a sub CPU 91, a sub ROM 92, a sub RAM 93, and an RTC (real time clock) 94. The sub CPU 91 performs arithmetic processing when controlling the effect based on the program stored in the sub ROM 92. The sub-RAM 93 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the sub-CPU 91 executes the program, and as a work area for data processing. The RTC 94 measures the current date and time (date and time).

  A first effect button detection switch 96 and a second effect button detection switch 97 are connected to the sub-control board 90. When the first effect button 35 (see FIG. 1) is operated, the first effect button detection switch 96 outputs operation information (operation signal) indicating that to the sub-control board 90. When the second effect button 36 (see FIG. 1) is operated, the second effect button detection switch 97 outputs operation information (operation signal) indicating that operation to the sub-control board 90.

  The sub CPU 91 sets the effect contents based on the special symbol determination, the normal symbol determination, and the game information on the jackpot game and the like transmitted from the main control board 80. At this time, input of operation information from the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 may be accepted, and the effect contents may be set in accordance with the operation information. The sub CPU 91 transmits a command for instructing execution of the effect of the set effect contents to the image sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120.

<Example of configuration of image acoustic control board 100>
The image sound control board 100 controls image display by the image display device 7 and controls output of effect sound by the speaker 38. In this embodiment, the image sound control board 100 includes an image sound control CPU 101, a control ROM 102, a control RAM 103, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 104, a CGROM 105, a VRAM 106, a sound DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 107, a sound ROM 108, an SDRAM 109, And an amplifier 110.

  The control ROM 102 is configured by a mask ROM, and includes a control program of the image and sound control CPU 101, a display list generation program for generating a display list, and various tables such as a display list generation table used for a process of generating a display list. Is stored. Here, the display list is composed of a command group for instructing execution of drawing in frame units, and includes a type of an image to be drawn, a position (coordinate) at which the image is drawn, a display priority, a display magnification, and a rotation. It includes various parameters such as angle and transmittance. The control RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the image and sound control CPU 101 executes the control program, and as a work area for data processing.

  The image sound control CPU 101 sends the image data stored in the CGROM 105 to the image display device 7 based on the control program, various tables such as a display list creation table, commands received from the sub-control board 90, and the like. Is displayed. This instruction is mainly performed by outputting a display list. Further, the image sound control CPU 101 instructs the sound DSP 107 to output the sound data stored in the sound ROM 108 from the speaker 38.

  The CGROM 105 stores effect data necessary for executing a variable effect associated with a special symbol variable display, an effect associated with a jackpot game, and the like. The CGROM 105 includes a flash memory, an EEPROM, an EPROM, a mask ROM, and the like. The CGROM 105 includes sprite data (one image data) composed of a group of pixel information in a predetermined range of pixels (for example, 32 × 32 pixels), and a plurality of image data. Movie data consisting of a collection of. The pixel information is composed of color number information for specifying a color number for each pixel and an α value indicating the transparency of the image. In addition, the CGROM 105 stores, without compression, palette data and the like in which color number information designating a color number is associated with display color information for actually displaying a color.

  Note that only a part of the image data stored in the CGROM 105 may be compressed. As a method of compressing movie data, various known compression methods such as MPEG4 can be used.

  The VRAM 106 is constituted by an SRAM capable of writing and reading image data at high speed, and although not shown, is constituted by including a display list storage area, a development storage area, a frame buffer, and the like. ing.

  The display list storage area temporarily stores the display list output from the image sound control CPU 101. The development storage area stores image data that has been read from the CGROM 105 and decompressed. The frame buffer is a frame buffer that is also used for drawing and displaying image data displayed on the display screen 70.

  The VDP 104 expands the image data stored in a compressed state in the CGROM 105, and stores the expanded image data in the expansion storage area. Further, the VDP 104 performs a drawing process on the frame buffer using the image data stored in the development storage area based on the display list stored in the display list storage area. Further, the VDP 104 generates an RGB signal as a video signal indicating a color of an image from the image data stored in the frame buffer, and outputs the generated RGB signal to the image display device 7.

  The audio DSP 107 is connected to an audio ROM 108, an SDRAM 109, and an amplifier 110. The acoustic ROM 108 stores various acoustic data related to music, voice, sound effects, warning sounds, and the like. The SDRAM 109 is used as a work area for data processing and the like by the audio DSP 107. The sound DSP 107 reads sound data corresponding to the instruction from the image sound control CPU 101 from the sound ROM 108 to the SDRAM 109, executes data processing, and outputs the sound data after the data processing to the speaker 38 (via the amplifier 110). The amplifier 110 adjusts the sound volume in accordance with an instruction relating to the sound volume obtained from the image sound control CPU 101 via the sound DSP 107 and causes the speaker 38 to output sound data.

  In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the VDP performs the drawing management and the audio DSP performs the sound management. However, in another embodiment, a configuration in which the VDP performs both the drawing management and the sound management is employed. May be. In this case, there is no need to separately provide an audio DSP.

<Configuration Example of Lamp Control Board 120>
The lamp control board 120 includes a lamp CPU 121, a lamp ROM 122, and a lamp RAM 123, and includes a frame lamp 37, a board surface lamp 5, a movable decorative member 14, an effect display 125, an effect first special figure reservation display 126, and an effect second. The special figure reservation display 127 is connected. The lamp ROM 122 stores a program executed by the lamp CPU 121, light emission pattern data, operation pattern data, and the like. Here, the light emission pattern data is data indicating each light emission pattern of the frame lamp 37, the panel lamp 5, the LED or the like built in the movable decorative member 14. The operation pattern data is data indicating an operation pattern of the movable decorative member 14 and the like.

  Based on the program stored in the lamp ROM 122, the lamp CPU 121 performs the frame lamp 37, the panel lamp 5, the movable decorative member 14, the effect display 125, the effect first special figure reservation display 126, and the effect second special figure reservation. An arithmetic process for controlling the operation of the display 127 and the like is performed.

  The lamp CPU 121 reads out the light emission pattern data corresponding to the command received from the sub-control board 90 from the light emission pattern data stored in the lamp ROM 122 into the lamp RAM 123, and outputs the frame lamp 37, the panel lamp 5, the movable decorative member, and the like. The light emission of the LED built in 14 is controlled. Further, the lamp CPU 121 reads out operation pattern data corresponding to the command received from the sub-control board 90 from the operation pattern data stored in the lamp ROM 122 into the lamp RAM 123 and operates the motor for operating the movable decorative member 14. Control the drive.

  In addition, the lamp CPU 121 controls the symbol display and stop display on the effect display 125 based on a command from the sub-control board 90. In addition, based on the command from the sub-control board 90, the lamp CPU 121 displays the number of holds related to the first special symbol determination by the effect first special figure holding display 126, and displays the number of holdings based on the effect second special figure holding display 127. 2 Controls the display of the number of holds related to the special symbol determination.

[About game status]
Next, a gaming state of the gaming machine 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 controls a game in one of two game states, a “normal game state” and a “probable change game state”.

  In the “normal game state”, the special symbol determination is performed in a low-probability state in which the probability of determining to execute the big hit game is relatively low, and a support function (so-called, a so-called “supporting game ball” prize to the second starting port 22) is provided. This is a gaming state in which a function called “electric support” or the like is not provided. In the normal gaming state, the probability of determining to execute the big hit game by the special symbol determination is set to a relatively low probability (for example, 1/200) (see FIG. 5A). Further, the probability that the second starting port 22 is determined to be opened by the normal symbol determination is set to a relatively low probability (for example, 1/11), and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is relatively long (for example, 20 seconds). And the opening time of the second starting port 22 when it is determined to open the second starting port 22 is set to a relatively short time (for example, 0.1 second × 1 time).

  The “probable change game state” is a game state in which the special symbol determination is performed in a high probability state in which the probability of determining to execute the big hit game is relatively high, and the support function is provided. That is, in the probable change game state, the probability of determining to execute the big hit game by the special symbol determination is set to a relatively high probability (for example, 1/80) (see FIG. 5A). Further, the probability that the second starting port 22 is determined to be opened by the normal symbol determination is set to a relatively high probability (for example, 11/11), and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is relatively short (for example, 1.5). Second) and the opening time of the second starting port 22 when it is determined to open the second starting port 22 is set to a relatively long time (for example, 1.5 seconds × 3 times).

  When comparing these game states with respect to the special symbol fluctuation time, the special symbol fluctuation time in the “probable change game state” is set to be relatively shorter than the special symbol fluctuation time in the “normal game state”. Easy to do. In addition, the probability of determining to execute the special game (big hit probability), the probability of determining to open the second starting port 22 (winning probability of normal symbol determination), and the fluctuation of the normal symbol, which are described in the description of each game state. The time and the opening time of the second starting port 22 are merely examples, and it is needless to say that other probabilities or times may be used.

  In the following description, a state in which a game ball can be easily won to the second starting port 22 due to the provision of the support function is referred to as a “high base state”, and a state in which the support function is not provided. A state where it is difficult for the game balls to win the second starting port 22 is referred to as a “low base state”.

[Game flow]
A game ball hit right by the player does not win the first starting port 21 but can win the second starting port 22. However, in the low base state, the second starting port 22 is hard to be opened, and even if it is opened, the opening time is short. For this reason, when the game is controlled in the low base state (the “normal game state” corresponds to this in the present embodiment), the player can play the game by left-handed aiming at the first starting port 21. Become.

  When a game ball left-hit in the normal game state wins the first starting port 21, the first special symbol determination is executed, and after the first special symbol is variably displayed, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is displayed. As the first special symbol shown, a big hit symbol or a lost symbol is stopped and displayed.

  Here, when the losing symbol is stopped and displayed, the big hit game is not performed and the game state does not change. On the other hand, when the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, a big hit game in which the long open round game is performed a predetermined number of times in accordance with the big hit symbol is executed, and after the big hit game is over, the game is controlled in the probable changing game state. Will be done. Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured as a type of pachinko gaming machine called a so-called ST machine, and after the end of the jackpot game, the certain-variable gaming state continues until 80 special symbol determinations are performed. I can do it.

  In addition, when the gaming state shifts to the probable changing gaming state triggered by the end of the jackpot game, that is, when the gaming state shifts from the low base state to the high base state, the above-described operation for facilitating the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 22 is performed. Due to the support function, the game ball can be more easily won in the second starting port 22 than in the first starting port 21. For this reason, when the game is controlled in the high base state (the “probable change game state” in this embodiment corresponds to this), the player can perform the game by right-handed aiming at the second starting port 22. Become. For this reason, when the game is controlled in the probable game state, the second special symbol determination is basically performed.

  When the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as the second special symbol in the certainty changing game state, the game is controlled again in the certainty changing game state after the big hit game is finished. On the other hand, when all the determination results of the second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) for 80 times are lost, the gaming state is returned from the probable changing gaming state to the normal gaming state.

  In the other embodiments, for example, after the big hit game is over, the big hit in which the game is controlled in a time-saving game state (a special symbol determination is performed in a low probability state and a game state in which a support function is provided) is set. A new configuration may be adopted in which the game can be controlled in the probable change game state or the time saving game state after the end of the big hit game.

[About special symbol judgment using random numbers]
Next, the determination process using the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, and the reach random number will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, and the reach random number. Note that, in the explanatory diagrams of the respective random numbers illustrated in FIG. 5 and subsequent figures, the range that the random numbers can take is set to a range smaller than the actual range for easy explanation.

<Process based on jackpot random numbers>
The jackpot random number exemplified in FIG. 5A is a random number used in the jackpot determination process (step S308 in FIG. 15) of whether or not to execute the jackpot game, and the probability of determining to execute the jackpot game is The relatively low low probability state and the high probability state in which the probability of determining to execute the jackpot game is relatively high are individually set.

  In the present embodiment, two winning values for the low probability state are stored in the main ROM 82, and the main CPU 81 controls the game in the low probability state (this embodiment corresponds to the “normal game state”). When the obtained jackpot random number matches one of these two winning values, it is determined that the jackpot game is executed. In addition, five winning values are stored in the main ROM 82 for the high-probability state (in the present embodiment, the “probably changing game state” corresponds to this), and are obtained when the game is controlled in the high-probability state. If the jackpot random number matches one of these five winning values, it is determined that the jackpot game is to be executed.

  Note that the range in which the jackpot random number can be taken is “0” to “399” in this embodiment in both the low probability state and the high probability state. Therefore, the jackpot probability in the low probability state is 1/200 (= 2/400), and the jackpot probability in the high probability state is 1/80 (= 5/400).

<Process based on symbol random number>
When the main CPU 81 determines that the jackpot game is to be executed, the symbol random number acquired together with the jackpot random number used for the determination matches with any of the random number values set in advance for each type of jackpot. And determine the type of jackpot. In other words, the first special symbol (second special symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42) is selected as the big hit symbol.

(Type of jackpot pertaining to the first special symbol judgment)
As illustrated in FIG. 5B, in the present embodiment, the types of jackpots according to the first starting opening prize are “4R certain jackpot”, “6R certain jackpot”, “8R certain jackpot”, and “10R certain jackpot”. There are four types of jackpots. Here, the “4R probability change jackpot” (4R probability change) is a jackpot in which the game is controlled in the probability change game state after the jackpot game in which four long open round games for opening the first big winning opening 26 are executed. The “6R probability change jackpot” (6R probability change) is a jackpot in which the game is controlled in the probability change game state after the jackpot game in which six long open round games for opening the first big winning opening 26 are executed. It is. The “8R probability change jackpot” (8R probability change) is a jackpot in which the game is controlled in the probability change game state after a jackpot game in which eight long open round games for opening the first special winning opening 26 are executed is executed. The “10R probability change jackpot” (10R probability change) is a jackpot in which the game is controlled in the probability change game state after the jackpot game in which ten long open round games for opening the second special winning opening 28 are executed. is there.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5B, in the present embodiment, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a jackpot, a random number value for determining the type of the jackpot is stored in the main ROM 82. ing. Specifically, 20 random values are stored for 4R probabilities, 50 random values are stored for 6R probabilities, 20 random values are stored for 8R probabilities, and 10R probabilities are stored. On the other hand, ten random numbers are stored.

  In the present embodiment, the possible range of the symbol random number is set to “0” to “99”, and the jackpot is determined based on the jackpot random number acquired in response to the game ball winning the first starting port 21. If determined, 4R probability change is selected at a rate of 20% (= 20/100 × 100), and 6R probability change is 50% (= 50/100 × 100) as the type of jackpot according to the first special symbol determination. 8R probability change is selected at a rate of 20% (= 20/100 × 100), and 10R probability change is selected at a rate of 10% (= 10/100 × 100) (see FIG. 5B). ).

  For this reason, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a big hit, the big hit symbol X1 indicating the 4R certain change is selected at a rate of 20% as the big hit symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41, The jackpot symbol X2 indicating the 6R probability change is selected at a rate of 50%, the jackpot symbol X3 indicating the 8R probability change is selected at a rate of 20%, and the jackpot symbol X4 indicating the 10R probability change is selected at a rate of 10%.

(Type of jackpot pertaining to the second special symbol judgment)
As illustrated in FIG. 5C, in the present embodiment, when the result of the second special symbol determination is a big hit, a random value for determining the type of the big hit is stored in the main ROM 82. ing. Specifically, 10 random values are stored for the 4R probability, 15 random values are stored for the 6R probability, 25 random values are stored for the 8R probability, and 10R probability is stored. On the other hand, 50 random numbers are stored.

  In the present embodiment, the possible range of the symbol random number according to the second special symbol determination is the same as the range of the symbol random number according to the first special symbol determination, and that the game ball has won the second starting port 22. If it is determined that the jackpot is based on the jackpot random number acquired according to the above, 4R probability change is selected at a rate of 10% (= 10/100 × 100) as the type of jackpot according to the second special symbol determination, and 6R Probability is selected at a rate of 15% (= 15/100 × 100), 8R probability is selected at a rate of 25% (= 25/100 × 100), and 10R probability is 50% (= 50/100 × 100). Is selected in the ratio of

  For this reason, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is a big hit, the big hit symbol Y1 indicating the 4R certain change is selected at a rate of 10% as the big hit symbol stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display 42, The jackpot symbol Y2 indicating the 6R probability change is selected at a rate of 15%, the jackpot symbol Y3 indicating the 8R probability change is selected at a rate of 25%, and the jackpot symbol Y4 indicating the 10R probability change is selected at a rate of 50%.

<Process based on reach random number>
When determining that the jackpot game is not to be executed, the main CPU 81 determines whether the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number used for the determination is a random number value corresponding to the effect with reach or a random value corresponding to the effect without reach. It is determined whether the effect with the reach or the effect without the reach is performed based on whether the random number value matches the random number value.

  In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5D, ten random numbers are stored in the main ROM 82 for the effect with reach, and the main CPU 81 stores the obtained reach random numbers in these ten random numbers. If it matches any of the random numbers, it is determined that the effect with reach is to be performed. Also, 90 random numbers are stored for the no-reach effect, and the main CPU 81 performs the no-reach effect when the obtained reach random number matches any of these 90 random values. decide. In the present embodiment, the range in which the reach random number can be taken is set to “0” to “99”, and when it is determined that the jackpot game is not to be executed, the ratio at which the reach effect is performed is 10% (= 10/10). 100 × 100), and the ratio at which no reach effect is performed (the ratio at which no reach effect is performed) is 90% (= 90/100 × 100).

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the effect with reach is to be performed, the main CPU 81 selects, as the special pattern change pattern, the change pattern in which the change effect pattern of the effect symbol accompanying the reach effect is selected by the sub-control board 90. Conversely, when it is determined that the effect without reach is to be performed, a variation pattern in which the variation effect pattern of the effect symbol without the reach effect is selected by the sub-control board 90 is selected as the variation pattern of the special symbol.

[About fluctuation effects]
In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, various effects are performed on the display screen 70 as the first special symbol (or the second special symbol) is variably displayed and then stopped and displayed. A fluctuation effect performed on the display screen 70 in accordance with the fluctuation display of the first special symbol will be described.

  In the gaming machine 1, when a game ball wins in the first starting port 21 and the first special symbol determination is executed, the first special symbol is displayed on the first special symbol display 41, and then the first special symbol is displayed. The first special symbol indicating the result of the symbol determination is stopped and displayed. The display screen 70 is provided with an effect symbol display area 73 (see FIG. 2) in which an effect symbol for notifying the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is displayed. Then, the variable effect including the variable display of the effect symbol is performed along with the variable display of the first special symbol (see FIG. 2). Then, when the first special symbol is variably displayed for the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern selected when the first special symbol determination is executed, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed, The effect symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination.

  A so-called reach effect may be performed during such an effect symbol change display. Specifically, in the effect symbol display area 73 of the display screen 70, for example, a part of the symbol row of the effect symbol in which the numbers 1 to 9 are vertically written continuously from bottom to top is arranged in the horizontal direction. When three columns are displayed, when the variable display of the first special symbol is started, the symbol columns are varied (scroll display) so as to scroll from top to bottom. On the other hand, when the reach effect is performed, before all the effect symbols are stopped and displayed, first, for example, the effect symbol in the left column (left symbol) and the effect symbol in the right column (right symbol). Are pseudo-stopped in order or simultaneously so as not to be completely stopped. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which three symbols are pseudo-stopped as left symbols and three symbols are pseudo-stopped similarly as right symbols, and a middle symbol row continues scroll display. In addition, the pseudo stop is an effect in which the effect design is swung on the spot without being moved, and in the following description, a permanent stop for completely stopping the effect design (may be simply referred to as “stop display”). ) May be called a pseudo stop.

  When the same effect symbol as the left symbol and the right symbol is pseudo-stopped on the activated line, a reach is established, and a reach effect is performed to expect the player to arrange three identical effect symbols. In this reach effect, the effect symbols (middle symbols) constituting the middle symbol row are scrolled at a low speed so that the player can identify them while the reach symbols (left symbols and right symbols) are pseudo-stopped. , An intermediate symbol common to the reach symbol or an intermediate symbol different from the reach symbol is stopped on the pay line to notify the hit.

  Although a detailed description is omitted, other display objects such as characters and items are used in such a reach effect in addition to the effect design. Further, in the following description, in a variable effect in which a reach effect is performed, an effect that is performed until the reach is established may be referred to as a “pre-reach effect”.

  The type of the reach effect will be described in detail later, but when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “losing”, three effect symbols indicating reach-losing eyes (for example, “323”) are falsely stopped to notify the loss. Then, as the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, these three effect symbols are permanently stopped. On the other hand, when the reach effect is not performed, three effect symbols indicating a break (eg, “629”) are pseudo-stopped to notify a loss, and the loss symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol. Accompanying this, these three effect symbols are finally stopped. As described above, when it is determined that the jackpot game is not to be executed, the three effect symbols are pseudo-stopped with the reach-losing eye or the ragged eye indicating the losing, and then the actual stop is performed to notify the losing (the jackpot game is not executed). A loss notification effect is executed.

  If the losing notification effect is executed, the jackpot game is not executed, and if the right to determine the first special symbol is reserved, the first special symbol and the effect symbol are determined for a predetermined fixed time (for example, 0.6 seconds). Is stopped and the first special symbol determination is performed, and the next variation display of the first special symbol is immediately started.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, a reach effect is usually performed during the fluctuation display of the first special symbol, and a slot (for example, “333”) is displayed to notify the big hit. As the three effect symbols are pseudo-stopped and the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, these three effect symbols are finally stopped. As described above, when it is determined that the jackpot game is to be executed, a hit notification effect of pseudo stopping the three effect symbols in a manner indicating the jackpot, and then stopping the three effect symbols to notify the jackpot (the jackpot game is executed) is provided. Be executed. When the hit notification effect is executed, a big hit game is executed.

[Screen Configuration of Display Screen 70]
FIG. 2 illustrates a screen configuration of the display screen 70 in the normal gaming state. When the game is controlled in the normal game state, as shown in FIG. 2, a reserved icon display area 71, the icon display area 72, and the effect symbol display area 73 are formed on the display screen 70. As described above, the effect symbol display area 73 displays the left symbol constituting the left symbol column, the middle symbol constituting the middle symbol column, and the right symbol constituting the right symbol column. Display area.

<Hold icon display area 71>
The reserved icon display area 71 is a display area in which a reserved icon indicating that the first special symbol determination is reserved is displayed. In the gaming machine 1, when a game ball is won in the first starting port 21 in a situation where the special symbol determination and the special symbol variation display cannot be immediately started, such as during a special symbol change display or a jackpot game, a first special change is made. The right of symbol determination is reserved up to a predetermined number (four in this embodiment).

  As described above, when the right of the first special symbol determination is reserved, the same number of reserved icons as the reserved number of the first special symbol determination indicated by the first special symbol reserved display 44 are displayed in the reserved icon display area 71. Is done. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which two holding icons are displayed in the holding icon display area 71 to indicate that the number of holds in the first special symbol determination is “2”.

  If a hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71 during a highly reliable reach effect such as a SPSP reach described later, the display area used for the reach effect is not only limited, but also There is a possibility that the display of the icon may reduce the interest of the reach effect. For this reason, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, while the normal reach and the SP reach, the display object and the hold icon constituting the hold icon display area 71 are displayed, and the reach effect is developed from the normal reach and the SP reach to the SPSP reach. Accordingly, the display object and the reserve icon constituting the reserve icon display area 71 are deleted from the display screen 70, and after the SPSP reach is completed, the display object and the reserve icon constituting the reserve icon display area 71 are displayed again. Has been adopted.

  Further, when the game is controlled in the normal game state, basically, the game ball does not win the second starting port 22. For this reason, in the normal gaming state, basically, the right of the second special symbol determination is not held, and the holding icon related to the second special symbol determination is displayed on the display screen 70, or the holding icon is displayed. A display area for displaying is not formed.

<The icon display area 72>
The icon display area 72 is a display area for displaying the icon as a change suggestion image indicating that the first special symbol is displayed in a change state. The icon is displayed in the icon display area 72 with the start of the variable display of the first special symbol. For example, the icon is deleted from the icon display area 72 when the first special symbol is stopped and displayed. However, the timing of deleting the icon is not limited to this, and the icon may be deleted during the variable display of the first special symbol. For example, the icon may be deleted at the time of SPSP reach development described later or during the SPSP reach. The icon may be deleted.

  By the way, when a game ball wins in the first starting port 21 in a state where the special symbol variation display is not performed and the right of the special symbol determination is not reserved, the first special symbol variation display is started. Accordingly, the icon is displayed in the icon display area 72. On the other hand, when the change display of the symbol corresponding to the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 is completed in a state where the hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, the icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71. The first special symbol determination corresponding to the earliest reserved icon (the reserved icon displayed at the position closest to the icon display area 72) is performed. Then, along with the start of the variable display of the first special symbol according to the execution of the first special symbol determination, the earliest reserved icon is shifted from the reserved icon display area 71 to the icon display area 72, The icon will be displayed as a new icon. As described above, the hold icon shifted to the icon display area 72 (here, the icon) is displayed larger than when it was displayed in the hold icon display area 71 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, it is possible for the player to pay more attention to the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 than to the reserved icon displayed in the reserved icon display area 71.

  When another hold icon different from the earliest hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, the shift of the earliest hold icon to the icon display area 72 causes the hold icon display area 71 to change. In, the other reserved icons are shifted in a direction approaching the icon display area 72. As is clear from the description so far, in the gaming machine 1, the icon corresponding to the hold icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71 may be displayed in the icon display area 72. In the case where the reserved icon and the icon are not distinguished, they may be collectively simply referred to as “icon”.

(About icon change production)
By the way, the hold icon is normally displayed as a white hold icon (default hold icon). On the other hand, when the hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, an icon change effect in which the color of the hold icon changes may be performed. When the icon change effect is performed, the white hold icon changes to a hold icon of a color indicating the jackpot reliability, such as blue, green, or red. The colors indicating the jackpot reliability exemplified here are arranged in order from the one with the highest jackpot reliability to the one with the highest jackpot reliability. Red is the case where the determination result of the first special symbol determination corresponding to the red hold icon is "big hit", or the case where "losing" is set but the fluctuation time of the special symbol is set to a relatively long time Easy to select. Green is likely to be selected when a "big hit" or "losing" but a special symbol is set to a medium variation time. Blue is likely to be selected when "losing" or "losing" and when the fluctuation time of the special symbol is set to a relatively short time. In the present embodiment, the jackpot reliability of the white hold icon is set to about 1%, the jackpot reliability of the blue hold icon is set to about 3%, and the jackpot reliability of the green hold icon is set to about 15%. It is set, and the jackpot reliability of the red hold icon is set to about 45%.

  Here, the case where the icon change effect in which the display color changes only once when the hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71 has been described as an example, but the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has been described. Then, another icon change effect may be performed. That is, for example, when a white hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, it changes to a blue hold icon, and further changes to a green hold icon. An icon change effect in which the display color of the reserved icon changes a plurality of times may be performed. Further, when a white hold icon shifted from the hold icon display area 71 to the icon display area 72 is displayed as the icon, an icon change effect in which the display color changes may be performed.

  Further, the display color of the hold icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71 changes, and thereafter, when the hold icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 and displayed as the icon, the display color changes. Thus, an icon change effect in which the display color of the icon changes in both the reserved icon display area 71 and the icon display area 72 may be performed. In addition, an icon change effect in which the reserved icon is initially displayed in a display color other than white (for example, blue) or an icon change effect in which the display color of the reserved icon whose initial color is other than white is changed may be performed. .

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment can display the hold information indicating that the special symbol determination right is held on the display screen 70 and change the display mode of the hold information. . In the following description, a reserved icon whose display color is a color other than white or the icon is referred to as a “special icon” and may be distinguished from a normal reserved icon whose display color is white or the icon.

[Modification Example of Display Control of Hold Information]
The display control of the hold information is not limited to the example illustrated in the present embodiment, but may be as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a case where the display colors of the icons (the hold icon and the icon) are four colors of white, blue, green, and red will be described as an example, but in other embodiments, Other colors, such as gold, which indicates that the jackpot reliability is higher than red, or a rainbow color, which is selected only in the case of "big hit", may be prepared.

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which an icon change effect of changing the display color of an icon (a hold icon or the icon) is performed. However, the icon change effect is an effect that changes the display mode of the icon. The effect is not limited to the effects exemplified in the present embodiment, but may be an icon change effect that changes the shape or size of the icon, an icon change effect that changes the display color in addition to the icon shape or size, or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the icon change effect for the hold icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71, an icon change effect for the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 can be executed. However, in another embodiment, a configuration that can execute only the former icon change effect without providing the icon display area 72 (without displaying the icon) may be adopted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a hold icon as hold information is displayed on the display screen 70 and the display color of the hold icon is changed. On the other hand, in another embodiment, for example, four color LEDs whose emission colors can be changed are provided, and the same number of LEDs as the number of suspensions of the first special symbol determination are turned on. The display mode of the hold information may be changed by changing it.

[Flow of effects associated with the variable display of the first special symbol]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of the reach effect. When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol is variably displayed, and then the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a manner indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination. On the other hand, on the display screen 70, as the variable display of the first special symbol is started, scroll display of three symbol columns in the effect symbol display area 73 is started (see FIG. 6A). .

  Here, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “losing”, for example, different effect symbols as the left symbol and the right symbol are pseudo-stopped on the activated line, and the middle symbol row in this non-reach mode There is a case where a no-reach effect (see FIG. 6B) in which only the scroll is displayed is performed. When this non-reach effect is performed, at the end of the fluctuation display of the first special symbol, the three effect symbols indicating the breakaway are pseudo-stopped, and the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol. A loss notification effect (see FIG. 6C) in which the three effect symbols are permanently stopped is performed.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, or when it is determined to perform the effect with the reach of “losing”, during the variation display of the first special symbol, for example, A pre-reach effect in which a predetermined left symbol is pseudo-stopped on the activated line in the effect symbol display area 73, and then the right symbol, which is the same effect symbol as the left symbol, is shifted to the activated line (see FIG. 6 (D)). Is performed. Then, when the same left symbol and right symbol are pseudo-stopped on the activated line, the reach is established (see FIG. 6E). Then, when the reach is established in this way, a predetermined reach that makes the player expect that the middle symbol, which is the same design symbol as the reach symbol (the left symbol and the right symbol), stops on the activated line and the symbols are aligned is obtained. Direction is performed.

  In the present embodiment, three types of reach effects of normal reach, SP reach, and SPSP reach are provided as reach effects that can be executed in accordance with the change display of the first special symbol (see FIG. 6).

  The normal reach (see FIG. 6 (F)) is a reach effect in which the jackpot reliability is relatively low (for example, jackpot reliability: about 2%). When the reach is established, the normal reach is performed first. During the normal reach, the scroll speed of the middle row of symbols, which is scroll-displayed between the two reach symbols (left symbol and right symbol) at high speed, gradually decreases. Go.

  Here, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “losing”, and for example, a variation pattern E (see FIG. 7B) in which the variation time is 30 seconds at the start of the variation display of the first special symbol is selected. In this case, the middle symbol different from the reach symbol is pseudo-stopped on the activated line to display the effect symbol of the reach-losing eye (for example, “434”), and the loss information effect of stopping these effect symbols permanently (FIG. 6 (G)).

  On the other hand, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, and for example, a variation pattern A (see FIG. 7A) in which the variation time is 30 seconds at the start of the variation display of the first special symbol is selected. In this case, the same symbol as the reach symbol is pseudo-stopped on the active line to display the effect symbol of the zoro eyes (for example, “444”), and a hit notification effect (FIG. 6 ( G) is performed.

  Also, when the fluctuation pattern of the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is relatively long, the medium symbol which is the same as the reach symbol is effective without performing the hit notification effect or the loss notification effect in the normal reach. After passing over the line, the scroll speed of the middle symbol row is increased, and it develops into SP reach (see FIG. 6 (H)) or SPSP reach (see FIG. 6 (I)).

  In addition, although not shown in the figure, when developing into a high-reliability reach effect such as SP reach or SPSP reach, the left symbol that has been pseudo-stopped moves to the upper left position on the display screen 70 while shrinking. At the same time, the right symbol that has been pseudo-stopped moves to the upper right position on the display screen 70 while shrinking, and the left symbol and the right symbol stop pseudo-stop at the moved position, and the middle symbol column is , Until the end of high-reliability reach production. Then, the display objects and the hold icons forming the hold icon display area 71 are also hidden. As a result, a high-reliability reach effect can be performed in a display area wider than the effect symbol display area 73, and the interest in the high-reliability reach effect can be improved.

  SP Reach and SPSP Reach, for example, are configured as a battle production where your character fights against the enemy character, SP Reach is positioned in the first half of the battle, SPSP Reach is positioned in the second half of the battle, and the first half of the battle and the second half of the battle Then, fighting enemy characters are common. That is, for example, in a case where a battle effect of fighting the enemy character A in the first half of the battle is performed, and then the battle is developed into a SPSP reach of the second half of the battle, the battle effect of fighting the enemy character A in the SPSP reach is performed. .

  When these SP reach and SPSP reach are compared, SPSP reach has a higher jackpot reliability than SP reach, and the hit in the case of developing to SPSP reach is higher than in the case of developing only to SP reach. There is a feature that the notification effect is easily executed.

  The gaming machine 1 has evolved from a normal reach (see FIG. 6 (F)) to an SP reach (see FIG. 6 (H)) in the first half of the battle, and in this SP reach, a hit notification effect or a loss shown in FIG. 6 (G). A notification effect may be performed. In addition, there are cases where normal reach evolves into SPSP reach via SP reach (see FIG. 6 (I)) and cases where normal reach evolves directly into SPSP reach without passing through SP reach. In this case, the hit notification effect or the loss notification effect of FIG. 6 (G) is performed in this SPSP reach.

  It should be noted that the type of reach effect and the manner of development of the reach effect illustrated in FIG. 6 are merely examples, and the type and manner of development of the reach effect may be other.

[Fluctuation pattern selection table used in normal gaming state]
Next, a process of selecting a variation pattern of a special symbol in the normal game state will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for describing a fluctuation pattern selection table used for a process of selecting a fluctuation pattern of a special symbol in a normal gaming state.

  The main ROM 82 stores a large hit variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7A) as a variation pattern selection table that is referred to when a variation pattern of a special symbol (here, the first special symbol) is selected in the normal gaming state. ), A reach-loss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7B), and a reach-less loss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7C). The jackpot variation pattern selection table is a table that is referred to for selecting the variation pattern of the first special symbol when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is “big hit”. The reach-losing variation pattern selection table indicates that the first special symbol determination result in the normal gaming state is “losing” and that it is determined that the effect with reach is to be performed (based on the reach random number). 6 is a table referred to for selecting a variation pattern of the data. The reach-less loss variation pattern selection table indicates that when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal game state is “losing” and that it is determined to perform the reachless effect (based on the reach random number), the first special symbol determination is performed. It is a table referred to for selecting a special symbol variation pattern.

(Spot change pattern selection table for jackpot)
In the jackpot variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7A), the variation pattern of the first special symbol is associated with a random number value to be compared with the variation pattern random number. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, in addition to the variation patterns and the number of random numbers associated with each variation pattern, the variation time of the first special symbol and each variation pattern are selected by the sub CPU 91. The type of the variation effect pattern, the specific content of the variation effect pattern, the range in which the variation pattern random number can be taken, and the ratio at which each variation pattern is selected are also shown.

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the jackpot game is to be executed based on the jackpot random number acquired in response to the game ball winning in the first starting port 21 in the normal gaming state, the fluctuation acquired together with the jackpot random number The variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected by reading a variation pattern associated with the same random number value as the pattern random number from the variation pattern selection table for jackpot (see FIG. 7A).

  As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in this embodiment, the possible range of the variation pattern random number for selecting the variation pattern of the first special symbol is from “0” to “99”. Is set. In the jackpot variation pattern selection table, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, two random numbers are associated with the variation pattern A, and 18 random numbers are associated with the variation pattern B. The variation pattern C is associated with 35 random numbers, and the variation pattern D is associated with 45 random values.

  Therefore, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, the variation pattern A is selected at a rate of 2% (= 2/100 × 100), and the variation pattern A is selected at 18% (= 18/100 × 100). The variation pattern B is selected at a rate, the variation pattern C is selected at a rate of 35% (= 35/100 × 100), and the variation pattern D is selected at a rate of 45% (= 45/100 × 100). Then, for example, when the variation pattern A is selected, the variation effect pattern A is selected by the sub CPU 91, and the variation effect of performing the hit notification effect at the normal reach is performed. Further, for example, when the variation pattern D is selected, the variation effect pattern D is selected by the sub CPU 91, and a variation effect of performing a hit notification effect in the SPSP reach developed from the normal reach through the SP reach is performed. become.

(Variation pattern selection table for reach loss)
If the main CPU 81 determines in the first special symbol determination that the jackpot game is not to be executed, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not to perform the effect with reach based on the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, and the variation pattern random number. To determine. Specifically, either a variation pattern is selected from a variation pattern group in which a reach effect is performed (see FIG. 7B), or a variation in which a reach effect is not performed (a reachless effect is performed). It is determined which variation pattern is to be selected from the pattern group (see FIG. 7C). Here, when it is determined that the effect with reach is to be performed, the variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected with reference to the variation pattern selection table for reach loss.

  In the reach-losing variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7B), the variation pattern of the first special symbol is associated with a random value that is compared with the variation pattern random number. In the normal gaming state, the main CPU 81 determines that the jackpot game is not to be executed based on the jackpot random number acquired in response to the game ball winning in the first starting port 21, and the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number. If it is determined that the effect with reach is to be performed based on the random number, the fluctuation pattern associated with the same random number value as the fluctuation pattern random number acquired together with these random numbers is referred to as the fluctuation pattern selection table for reach loss (see FIG. 7B). ) To select the variation pattern of the first special symbol.

  In the variation pattern selection table for reach loss, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, 40 random numbers are associated with the variation pattern E, and 30 random values are associated with the variation pattern F. The random number G is associated with 20 random numbers, and the random number H is associated with 10 random numbers.

  For this reason, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “losing” and it is determined that the effect with reach is to be performed, the variation pattern E is selected at a rate of 40% (= 40/100 × 100), and 30 % (= 30/100 × 100), the fluctuation pattern F is selected at a rate of 20% (= 20/100 × 100), and the fluctuation pattern G is selected at a rate of 20% (= 20/100 × 100). The variation pattern H is selected in proportion. Then, for example, when the variation pattern F is selected, the variation effect pattern F is selected by the sub CPU 91, and the variation effect of performing the loss notification effect in the SP reach developed from the normal reach is performed. Further, for example, when the fluctuation pattern H is selected, the fluctuation effect pattern H is selected by the sub CPU 91, and the fluctuation effect of performing the loss notification effect in the SPSP reach developed from the normal reach through the SP reach is performed. become.

(Variable pattern selection table for reach-less loss)
The main CPU 81 determines that the jackpot game is not to be executed based on the jackpot random number, and determines that the reachless effect is to be performed based on the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number. The change pattern of the first special symbol is selected with reference to the reference pattern.

  In the variation pattern selection table for losing without reach (see FIG. 7 (C)), the variation pattern of the special symbol and the number of suspensions of the first special symbol determination when the variation display of the first special symbol this time is started. Are associated.

  The main CPU 81 sets the change time of the first special symbol to 13 seconds when the number of reserved special first symbol determinations becomes “0” or “1” with the start of the change display of the first special symbol this time. When a certain variation pattern J is selected and the number of reserved special first symbol determinations is “2”, a variation pattern K in which the variation time of the first special symbol is 8 seconds is selected, and the first special symbol determination is performed. When the number of reservations is “3”, the variation pattern L in which the variation time of the first special symbol is 4 seconds is selected.

  The following can be said from the description of the two variation pattern selection tables illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. That is, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, a variation pattern having a long variation time tends to be easily selected, and a variation pattern having a short variation time tends to be difficult to be selected (FIG. 7). (A)). Further, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “losing” and a reach effect is performed, a fluctuation pattern with a long fluctuation time is difficult to be selected, and conversely, a fluctuation pattern with a short fluctuation time is easily selected. (See FIG. 7B).

  From these facts, it can be said that the longer the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is, the more easily the hit notification effect is executed, and conversely, the shorter the fluctuation time of the first special symbol is, the more easily the loss notification effect is executed. In other words, when the reach effect is performed over a relatively long time, such as developing from the normal reach to the SPSP reach via the SP reach, the hit notification effect is easily performed, and the reach in which only the normal reach is performed is performed. When the time required for the effect is relatively short, it can be said that the loss notification effect is easily executed. That is, the hit is not reported in the normal reach production, but the normal reach reaches the SP reach or SPSP reach, or the normal reach reaches the SPSP reach via the SP reach (or directly without the SP reach). It can be said that the jackpot reliability is higher when developing into.

[Preliminary judgment processing]
In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the first special symbol determination is suspended, prior to the first special symbol determination being performed, a preliminary determination process for determining whether or not to execute the jackpot game is performed. May be done. Specifically, the main CPU 81 acquires a jackpot random number in response to a game ball winning in the first starting port 21 and, based on the acquired jackpot random number, performs a first special symbol change display that is performed at the start of a variable display. The same big jackpot determination process is performed prior to the jackpot determination process in the first special symbol determination (see step S308 in FIG. 15), and if the first special symbol determination is executed, it is determined whether or not a “big hit” is determined. Is determined in advance. Further, based on the variation pattern random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, the same process as the variation pattern selection process described above with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B (see step S309 in FIG. 15) is performed. (1) It is determined in advance which variation pattern will be selected when the special symbol determination is executed.

  As described above, when the main CPU 81 performs the pre-determination processing in response to the reservation of the right of the first special symbol determination, the main CPU 81 transmits the suspension command including the preliminary determination information indicating the preliminary determination result to the sub-control board 90. Send. On the other hand, the sub CPU 91 determines whether or not to execute the above-described icon change effect based on the preliminary determination information included in the hold command. When it is determined that the icon change effect is to be executed, it is determined in which change pattern the display mode (in this embodiment, the color of the icon) of the icon (the reserved icon or the icon) is changed, and the result of the determination is made. The icon control unit 100 causes the image sound control board 100 to execute the icon change effect based on the icon.

[About the final color selection table]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for describing the final color selection table for selecting the final color of the icon. The sub-ROM 92 of the sub-control board 90 stores the final color of the icon when the reserved icon displayed in the reserved icon display area 71 is shifted to the icon display area 72 and displayed as the icon. A final color selection table (see FIG. 8) for selecting the final color is stored.

  In the final color selection table, the variation pattern of the special symbol, the random number value compared with the final color selection random number acquired by the sub CPU 91 to determine the final color, and the final color are associated. In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, when each variation pattern is selected, a reach effect (hit information effect or hit information effect) performed last when the variation display of the first special symbol is performed in the variation pattern is performed. The type of the reach effect in which the loss notification effect is performed), the possible range of the final color selection random number, and the selection ratio of each final color are shown together.

  The sub CPU 91 determines a variation pattern of the first special symbol to be selected when the first special symbol determination is performed based on the advance determination information included in the hold command received from the main control board 80. Identify. Further, the sub CPU 91 obtains the final color selection random number at the timing of receiving the hold command, and obtains the final color selection random number of any of the final colors associated with the specified variation pattern in the final color selection table. The final color of the icon is determined based on whether it matches the random value.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the possible range of the final color selection random number is set to “0” to “99” in the present embodiment. For example, for the variation pattern E, 80 random numbers are associated with the final color “white”, and 20 random numbers are associated with the final color “blue”. No random value is associated with “green” and “red”. On the other hand, the sub CPU 91 specifies that the variation pattern E is to be selected based on the preliminary determination information, and obtains the final color selection random number of 80 pieces corresponding to the final color “white” of the variation pattern E. If it is determined that the icon matches one of the random numbers, "white" is selected as the final color of the icon. The sub CPU 91 also specifies that the variation pattern E is to be selected based on the pre-determination processing, and determines that the obtained final color selection random number is the 20th random number value corresponding to the final color “blue” of the variation pattern E. If it is determined that the icon matches any one of the icons, “blue” is selected as the final color of the icon.

  In the final color selection table, as illustrated in FIG. 8, random numbers are not associated with the final color “green” and the final color “red” of the variation pattern E. Therefore, when the sub CPU 91 receives the hold command including the advance determination information indicating that the variation pattern E is selected, “green” or “red” is not selected as the final color.

  In the final color selection table, 80 random numbers are associated with the final color “white” of the variation pattern E, and 20 random values are associated with the final color “blue” of the variation pattern E. Have been. Therefore, when the sub CPU 91 receives the hold command including the advance determination information indicating that the variation pattern E is selected, the final color “white” is selected at a rate of 80% (= 80/100 × 100), The final color “blue” is selected at a rate of 20% (= 20/100 × 100).

  Here, the final color “white” is the same color as the display color of the normal hold icon, and if “white” is selected as the final color, no icon change effect is performed. When “blue” is selected as the final color, an icon change effect of changing the white hold icon to a blue hold icon or shifting the white hold icon from the hold icon display area 71 to the icon display area 72 is performed. The icon is then displayed as the icon, and an icon change effect of changing the display color of the icon from “white” to “blue” is performed. In some cases, an effect of displaying the hold icon in blue from the beginning may be performed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 7, when the variation pattern E is selected, although the normal reach is performed as the reach effect, it does not develop into the SP reach or the SPSP reach, and the loss notification effect is provided in the normal reach. Done. In addition, there is no announcement effect with high jackpot reliability. For this reason, when the hold command including the advance determination information indicating the variation pattern E is transmitted from the main control board 80, the final color “white” is usually selected and the icon change effect is not performed, but the icon change effect is performed. Even if it does, the final display color of the icon does not become “green” or more.

  In the final color selection table, for example, for the variation pattern C and the variation pattern D, one random value is associated with the final color “white”, and 10 random numbers are associated with the final color “blue”. Are associated with each other, 34 random numbers are associated with the final color “green”, and 55 random values are associated with the final color “red”. On the other hand, the sub CPU 91 specifies, for example, that the variation pattern C is to be selected based on the preliminary determination information included in the received hold command, and the acquired final color selection random number If it is determined that the icon matches one random number value corresponding to the final color “white”, “white” is selected as the final color of the icon, and the obtained final color selection random number is the final color “blue” of the variation pattern C. When it is determined that the icon matches one of the ten random numbers, "blue" is selected as the final color of the icon. If it is determined that the acquired final color selection random number matches any of the 34 random numbers corresponding to the final color “green” of the variation pattern C, “green” is selected as the final color of the icon and the acquired If it is determined that the final color selection random number matches one of the 55 random numbers corresponding to the final color “red” of the variation pattern C, “red” is selected as the final color of the icon.

  In the final color selection table, one random value is associated with the final color “white” of the variation pattern C, and 10 random values are associated with the final color “blue” of the variation pattern C, 34 random numbers are associated with the final color “green” of the variation pattern C, and 55 random numbers are associated with the final color “red” of the variation pattern C. Therefore, when the sub CPU 91 receives the hold command including the advance determination information indicating that the variation pattern C is selected, the final color “white” is selected at a rate of 1% (= 1/100 × 100), The final color “blue” is selected at a rate of 10% (= 10/100 × 100), the final color “green” is selected at a rate of 34% (= 34/100 × 100), and 55% (= 55 /). The final color “red” is selected at a ratio of (100 × 100).

  As described above with reference to FIG. 7, when the fluctuation pattern C is selected, the normal reach is directly developed into the highly reliable SPSP reach without passing through the SP reach, and the hit in the SPSP reach is achieved. A notification effect will be performed. Therefore, when a hold command including the pre-determination result indicating the variation pattern C is transmitted from the main control board 80, an icon change effect is usually executed, and finally, an icon change effect for displaying the blue icon is changed to 10 times. %, And finally, the icon change effect displaying the green icon is executed at a rate of 34%, and the icon change effect displaying the red icon at the end is executed at a rate of 55%. You.

  As described above, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit” and the first special symbol determination in which the variation pattern C is selected is suspended, the first special symbol determination is suspended. The icon change effect that finally displays the hold icon indicating that the icon has been displayed as the red icon is most easily executed, and the icon change effect that finally displays the hold icon as the green icon is easily executed next, The icon change effect that finally displays the reserved icon as the blue icon is easily executed next, and the possibility that the icon change effect is not executed is considerably low.

  In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the icon of the icon is displayed so as to correspond to the jackpot reliability of the final reach effect performed in accordance with the change display of the first special symbol in accordance with the reserved use of the first special symbol determination. The color is determined. For this reason, the player can easily grasp the jackpot reliability based on the final display color of the icon as a result of the icon change effect.

  Here, the final color selection processing in the case where the advance determination information indicating the variation pattern E is obtained and the case in which the advance determination information indicating the variation pattern C is acquired have been described. Even when the information is obtained, the final color selection processing is performed in the same manner.

[About the change pattern selection table]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing a change pattern selection table for selecting a change pattern of an icon. The sub-ROM 92 stores a change pattern selection table (see FIG. 9) for selecting a change pattern to change the display mode of the icon. If the sub CPU 91 determines to execute the icon change effect by the above-described final color selection process, that is, if a color other than white is selected as the final color, the sub CPU 91 determines when the gaming ball has won the first starting port 21 at the timing. A change pattern selection process for determining which color of the reserved icon is to be displayed and in what change pattern the display color of the icon is to be changed until the icon of the final color determined in the final color selection process is displayed. Do. This change pattern selection process is performed using a change pattern selection table.

  In the change pattern selection table described with reference to FIG. 9, the final color of the icon, a random number value to be compared with the change pattern selection random number acquired by the sub CPU 91 to determine the change pattern, and the first special symbol determination The number of suspensions and the change pattern of the display color of the icon are associated with each other. In FIG. 9 describing the change pattern selection table, “this” means the icon displayed in the icon display area 72, and “hold 1” is first displayed in the hold icon display area 71. Means the first hold icon. “Hold 2” means a second hold icon displayed after “Hold 1” in the hold icon display area 71, and “Hold 3” means “Hold 2” in the hold icon display area 71. Means the third hold icon displayed next to “hold 4”, and “hold 4” means the fourth hold icon displayed next to “hold 3” in the hold icon display area 71. "At the time of winning" means the display color of the hold icon displayed at the timing when the game ball wins at the first starting port 21.

  When the sub CPU 91 receives the hold icon related to the hold of the first special symbol determination including the advance determination information, the hold icon to be displayed based on the hold command is shifted to the icon display area 72 and displayed as the icon. In this case, a final color selection process for determining the final color of the icon is executed. This final color selection processing is as described above with reference to FIG.

  When the sub CPU 91 determines to execute the icon change effect by the final color selection process, that is, when the selected final color is other than “white”, the sub CPU 91 determines whether to execute the icon change effect at the selected final color. Based on the acquired change pattern selection random number and the number of reserved first special symbol determinations stored in the sub RAM 93 (see FIG. 4), the display mode of the icon (in the present embodiment, refer to the change pattern selection table). , Display color).

  In the change pattern selection table, for example, when the final color is “blue” and the number of reserved first special symbol determinations becomes “1” due to the reservation of the right of the first special symbol determination, the first change Two types of change patterns, a pattern and a second change pattern, are prepared (see FIG. 9). Here, the first change pattern is to display a white hold icon as the hold 1 in the hold icon display area 71, shift the hold icon as the icon to the icon display area 72, and change the display color from white to blue. This is a change pattern that changes to. In the second change pattern, a blue hold icon is displayed as the hold 1 in the hold icon display area 71, and after the hold icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the corresponding icon, the display color does not change from blue. It is a pattern.

  The possible range of the change pattern selection random number is set to “0” to “99” in the present embodiment. In the change pattern selection table, as is clear from the notation in FIG. 9, with respect to the reserved number “1” of the final color “blue”, 60 random numbers are associated with the first change pattern, and Forty random numbers are associated with the change pattern. Therefore, if blue is selected as the final color by the final color selection process, and the number of reservations for the first special symbol determination stored in the sub RAM 93 becomes “1” after receiving the current suspension command, The sub CPU 91 selects the first change pattern at a rate of 60% (= 60/100 × 100), and selects the second change pattern at a rate of 40% (= 40/100 × 100).

  In the change pattern selection table, for example, the case where the final color is “green” and the number of reserved first special symbol determinations becomes “2” because the right of the first special symbol determination is reserved, Four types of change patterns from the 14th change pattern to the 17th change pattern are prepared. Here, in the fourteenth change pattern, a white holding icon is displayed in the holding icon display area 71 as holding 2 and the display color is changed from white to green when the holding icon is shifted and displayed as holding 1. After the hold icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon, the display color does not change from green. In the fifteenth change pattern, a white hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71 as hold 2 and the display color is changed from white to blue when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1. This is a change pattern in which the display color is changed from blue to green after the reserved icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon.

  In the sixteenth change pattern, a blue hold icon is displayed as the hold 2 in the hold icon display area 71, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as the hold 1, the display color is changed from blue to green. After the hold icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon, the display color does not change from green. In the seventeenth change pattern, a green hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71 as hold 2, the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1 in green, and the hold icon is displayed as the corresponding icon in the icon display area. This change pattern does not change the display color from green even after shifting to 72.

  In the change pattern selection table, as apparent from the notation in FIG. 9, 30 random numbers are associated with the fourteenth change pattern with respect to the reserved number “2” of the final color “green”, Thirty random value values are associated with the change pattern, 30 random value values are associated with the sixteenth change pattern, and ten random value values are associated with the seventeenth change pattern. ing. Therefore, if green is selected as the final color by the final color selection processing, and the number of reservations for the first special symbol determination stored in the sub RAM 93 becomes “2” due to the reception of the current reservation command, the sub CPU 91 Selects the fourteenth change pattern at a rate of 30% (= 30/100 × 100), selects the fifteenth change pattern at a rate of 30% (= 30/100 × 100), and similarly selects the fifteenth change pattern. The sixteenth change pattern is selected at a rate of 30/100 × 100), and the seventeenth change pattern is selected at a rate of 10% (= 10/100 × 100).

  Further, in the change pattern selection table, for example, the case where the final color is “red” and the number of reservations of the first special symbol determination becomes “4” due to the reservation of the right of the first special symbol determination, Six types of change patterns from the 38th change pattern to the 43rd change pattern are prepared (see FIG. 9). Here, in the thirty-eighth change pattern, a white hold icon is displayed as the hold 4 in the hold icon display area 71, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as the hold 3, the display color is not changed from white. When the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 2, the display color changes from white to blue, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1, the display color changes from blue. This is a change pattern in which the display color is changed from blue to red after the reserved icon is shifted as the icon to the icon display area 72 as the icon. The 39th change pattern displays a white hold icon as the hold 4 in the hold icon display area 71, shifts the hold icon and displays the hold icon as the hold 3, and changes the display color from white to blue, The display color is changed from blue to green when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 2, and the display color is changed from green to red when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1. After the reserved icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon, the display color is not changed from red.

  In the fortieth change pattern, a blue hold icon is displayed as the hold 4 in the hold icon display area 71, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as the hold 3, the display color is not changed from blue, and the hold color is not changed. When the icon is shifted and displayed as hold 2, the display color changes from blue to green, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1, the display color changes from green to red. After the reserved icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon, the display color is a change pattern that does not change the display color from red. In a forty-first change pattern, a blue hold icon is displayed as a hold 4 in the hold icon display area 71, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as a hold 3, the display color is changed from blue to green, When the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 2, the display color is changed from green to red, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1, the display color is changed from red. This is a change pattern in which the display color does not change from red even after the reserved icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon.

  In the forty-second change pattern, a green holding icon is displayed as the holding 4 in the holding icon display area 71, and when the holding icon is shifted and displayed as the holding 3, the display color is not changed from green, and the holding color is not changed. When the icon is shifted and displayed as hold 2, the display color is changed from green to red. When the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1, the display color is not changed from red. This is a change pattern in which the display color does not change from red even after the reserved icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon. The forty-third change pattern displays a green hold icon as the hold 4 in the hold icon display area 71, shifts the hold icon and changes the display color from green to red when the hold icon is displayed as the hold 3, When the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 2, the display color does not change from red, and when the hold icon is shifted and displayed as hold 1, the display color does not change from red. This is a change pattern in which the display color does not change from red even after the hold icon is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon.

  In the change pattern selection table, as apparent from the notation in FIG. 9, ten random numbers are associated with the thirty-eighth change pattern with respect to the reserved number “4” of the final color “red”, Twenty random values are associated with the change pattern, thirty random values are associated with the fortieth change pattern, and fifteen random values are associated with the forty-first change pattern. , 10 random numbers are associated with the 42nd change pattern, and 15 random values are associated with the 43rd change pattern. For this reason, when red is selected as the final color by the final color selection process and the number of reservations of the first special symbol determination stored in the sub RAM 93 becomes “4” by receiving the current suspension command, the sub CPU 91 Selects the 38th change pattern at a rate of 10% (= 10/100 × 100), selects the 39th change pattern at a rate of 20% (= 20/100 × 100), and selects the 39th change pattern. The 40th change pattern is selected at a rate of 100 × 100), the 41st change pattern is selected at a rate of 15% (= 15/100 × 100), and the 40th change pattern is selected at a rate of 10% (= 10/100 × 100). The forty-two change pattern is selected, and the forty-third change pattern is selected at a rate of 15% (= 15/100 × 100).

  Here, the change pattern selection processing when the final color is “blue” and the number of reserved first special symbol determinations is “1”, and the last color is “green” and the number of reserved first special symbol determination is “2” The change pattern selection process when the final color is "red" and the number of reserved special first symbol determinations is "4" has been described as an example. The same change pattern selection processing is performed when the number of pending determinations is another combination.

  The change pattern selection table described with reference to FIG. 9 is merely an example, and the change pattern and the type associated with the final color and the number of hold may be other. For example, regarding the reserved number “4” of the final color “blue”, in addition to the eighth to tenth change patterns, when the hold icon is displayed as “hold 2”, the display color changes from white to blue. At other times, a fourth type of change pattern that does not change the display color may be further prepared.

  The selectivity of each change pattern illustrated in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and may be another selectivity. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the larger the green or red icon is displayed at an earlier stage, the higher the jackpot reliability. Specifically, for example, when the display color changes to red after the hold icon is shifted to the icon display area 72, the red hold icon is displayed as hold 1, and the red hold icon is displayed as hold 2. A configuration may be adopted in which the jackpot reliability increases in the order where the icon is displayed, when the red hold icon is displayed as the hold 3, and when the red hold icon is displayed as the hold 4.

  In order to realize such a configuration, the jackpot change pattern selection table to be referred to when the pre-judgment information on the jackpot is acquired from the main control board 80, and the pre-judgment information on the loss are acquired from the main control board 80. A change pattern selection table for losing to be referred to in the case is provided, and the former table has a higher selectivity of the change pattern in which the display color of the icon changes to green or red earlier than the latter table. It is conceivable to set in advance so that

[Restrictions on icon change effects]
Next, the limitation of the icon change effect will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing the restriction of the icon change effect.

  FIG. 10A shows a change pattern of each icon of the icon, the hold 1, the hold 2 and the hold 3, and the actual change of each icon in the case where the number of holds in the first special symbol determination is “3”. Display colors are illustrated. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, no change pattern of the icon change effect is set for the icon, hold 1 and hold 3, and these icons are displayed no matter where they are displayed. The color is white. On the other hand, for the second hold icon, which is the second hold icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71, performing the icon change effect in the thirty-eighth selection pattern described with reference to FIG. It is determined when the right of symbol determination is reserved, and in the process of displaying icons as Hold 4, Hold 3, Hold 2, Hold 1, and the icons in that order, the display color is white → white → blue → blue → It is set in advance to change in the order of red. In the state shown in FIG. 10A, this icon is displayed as the second hold icon, Hold 2, in the hold icon display area 71, and the color of the hold icon that is actually visually recognized by the player Is blue (see the thick frame in FIG. 10A).

  FIG. 10 (B) shows a first start-up prize which triggers the display of the fourth hold icon (hold 4), and the 41st change pattern (FIG. 9) is determined when the corresponding right of the first special symbol determination is reserved to perform the icon change effect, and the icons are sequentially displayed as the hold 4, the hold 3, the hold 2, the hold 1, and the corresponding icon. In the process, the display color basically changes in the order of blue → green → red → red → red (see FIG. 10B).

  By the way, when the icon related to hold 2 is changed in the thirty-eighth change pattern and the icon related to hold 4 is changed in the forty-first change pattern, the following problem may occur. That is, the icon related to the hold 4 is originally displayed as a blue hold icon based on the 41st change pattern, but if the blue hold 4 is displayed easily, the hold 4 icon is displayed. Is the same as the display color of the hold 2 previously displayed (blue here), so that even if the blue hold 4 is displayed, the player's expectation of the jackpot is effectively improved. There is a problem that there is a high possibility that this cannot be done. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 10B, the display color of the icon related to hold 2 finally changes to red, but if the display color of the icon related to hold 2 changes only to blue, However, there is also a problem that the impression that the display color of the icon related to the hold 2 has not changed from blue has become strong, and the expectation of the player for the jackpot may be rather lowered.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the jackpot reliability indicated by the display color of the newly displayed hold icon is changed to the jackpot reliability indicated by the display color of the already displayed hold icon. If it is not higher than the degree, a hold icon of a normal display color (white in the present embodiment) which is not the display color defined by the selected change pattern is displayed.

  Note that, for example, when the display color of the hold 2 is blue and the display color of the hold 3 is green, that is, when the uppermost hold icon is a green hold icon, based on the selected change pattern, However, even if a blue or green hold icon (hold 4) is newly displayed, the player's expectation of the jackpot cannot be effectively improved. Therefore, even in such a case, a white (normal) hold icon is displayed without displaying the hold 4 of a display color other than white.

  In this manner, in the gaming machine 1, for example, in a situation where it is possible to display, for example, a blue hold 4 indicating that there is a possibility that a jackpot game is executed, the blue hold 2 having the same possibility is displayed. In such a case, a configuration is adopted in which the display of the blue hold 4 based on the change pattern is restricted and the white hold 4 is displayed.

  FIG. 10 (C) shows each icon in a situation where the change display of the symbol corresponding to the icon illustrated in FIG. 10 (B) is completed, the icons are shifted, and the change display of the next symbol is performed. Are exemplified. As is clear from the notations in FIGS. 10B and 10C, the hold icon (hold 1 in FIG. 10C) in which hold 2 has shifted to hold 1 due to hold exhaustion, A change pattern that also displays the blue hold 1 after displaying the hold 2 is selected in advance. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10C, even if the hold 2 shifts to the hold 1 as the hold is exhausted, the display color of the hold icon remains blue.

  On the other hand, as is clear from the notations in FIGS. 10B and 10C, with respect to the hold icon in which the hold 4 is shifted to the hold 3 due to the hold exhaustion, the blue hold 4 is displayed and then the green hold icon is displayed. A change pattern for displaying hold 3 (a change pattern for changing blue hold 3 to green hold 3) is selected in advance. Here, when the green hold 3 is displayed, the jackpot reliability is higher than the blue hold 2 (see FIG. 10C). Therefore, by displaying the green hold 3, the player's expectation of the big hit is displayed. Can be effectively improved. The hold icon, which is the hold icon before the current hold digestion, is displayed as a white hold icon instead of the blue color defined by the change pattern (see FIG. 10B).

  For this reason, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the display color of the hold icon shifted from the hold 4 to the hold 3 has been changed (instead of changing the display color from blue defined by the change pattern to green). ) An icon change effect of changing from white to green is performed (see FIG. 10C). In this way, when the blue hold 1 indicating that the jackpot game may be executed is displayed, the gaming machine 1 determines that the jackpot game is more likely to be executed than blue. The display color of the hold 3 is changed from white to green so that the suggested green hold 3 is displayed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10 (D), with the next (second) hold digestion, hold 1 shifts to the icon, hold 2 shifts to hold 1, and hold 3 shifts. And it is put on hold 2. Here, it is predetermined that the display color of the icon is changed from blue to red after shifting to the icon display area 72. Regarding the hold 2, it is determined in advance that the display color is changed from green to red after the hold 2.

  As described above, when displaying a plurality of icons having the same jackpot reliability, it is preferable to give priority to the icon change effect of the icon related to the first special symbol determination which is faster in digestion. In 1, as illustrated in FIG. 10D, while performing the icon change effect of changing the display color of the icon from blue to red, the display color of the hold 2 is changed from green to red based on the change pattern. In this case, the execution of the icon change effect to change the display color to "2" is limited, and the display color of the hold 2 is maintained at green.

  As a result, it becomes possible for the player to gaze at the variable effect performed in a state where the red icon is displayed, and the display of the holding icon of the same color as the icon hinders the variable effect corresponding to the icon. Can be easily and effectively suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, in a situation where the icon change effect of two icons whose display colors change to the same color can be performed together, the icon change effect of the icon related to the first special symbol determination which is digested first is performed. Priority is given to not executing the icon change effect of the icon related to the first special symbol determination of the person who will be digested later. On the other hand, for example, by changing both the display colors of the two icons to red, it is possible to increase the player's expectation that the jackpot is continuously generated. In the embodiment, both icon change effects of two icons may be performed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10 (E), the red icon (see FIG. 10 (D)) displayed in the icon display area 72 is erased from the icon display area 72 due to the third hold-down. Then, the hold icon displayed as hold 1 is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the corresponding icon, and the hold icon displayed as hold 2 is shifted as hold 1. Here, it is determined in advance that the display color of the hold icon that has become the hold 1 is red when the icon is displayed as the hold 1. The display color when displayed as Hold 2 is green (see FIG. 10D). In addition, since the red icon has been deleted, it is not necessary to restrict the execution of the icon change effect relating to the hold icon that has become hold 1. For this reason, after the holding icon that was green when it was displayed as the hold 2 is shifted as the hold 1, an icon change effect of changing the display color of the hold 1 from green to red is performed (FIG. 10E )reference).

By the way, as shown in FIG. 10 (D), when a loss notification effect is performed in a variable effect performed in a situation where the red icon is displayed, the display color of the icon is red. For this reason, there is a possibility that the player may feel a little uncomfortable.
On the other hand, after the red icon is deleted, as shown in FIG. 10E, the display color of the hold 1 in which the change of the display color is restricted changes from green to red. Therefore, the above-mentioned discomfort given to the player can be reduced, and it is possible to expect the player to perform a jackpot game, thereby obtaining a high effect.

  Here, referring to FIG. 10 (E), the limitation of the display color change is released in the symbol change following the symbol change in which the red icon was displayed, and the display color of the hold 1 is changed to green. The case where the color is changed from red to red has been described. However, the timing at which the restriction on the display color change is released is not limited to this. For example, when green hold 1 (see FIG. 10E) is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, the display color is changed. , The display color may be changed from green to red after the green hold 1 is shifted to the icon display area 72 as the icon.

  Also, in the present embodiment, while the display color of one hold icon can be changed a plurality of times, while the icon corresponding to the hold icon is being displayed, the display color of the icon is changed by one. The case of changing the number of times will be described. On the other hand, in another embodiment, for example, an icon change effect of changing the display color of a single icon multiple times, such as changing the display color of the icon in the order of blue, green, and red. May be performed. According to this configuration, for example, for a player who did not expect a big hit because the display color of the hold icon is blue, the display color of the icon is changed a plurality of times, so that the expectation of the big hit is improved. Dramatic improvement can be achieved, and as a result, a high performance effect can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which an icon change effect in which a display color of an icon (target icon) to be an icon change effect is not affected by another display object is performed. On the other hand, in another embodiment, an icon change effect in which a predetermined character throws an item toward the target icon and the display color of the target icon changes in response to the collision of the item with the target icon. It may be performed. In this case, the display of characters and items used for the icon change effect is restricted in order to restrict the execution of the icon change effect, and the display restriction of the characters and items is canceled in order to cancel the execution restriction of the icon change effect. Is released.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given of the RAM configuration of each control board and the processing performed by each control board for implementing the effect control described based on the drawings up to FIG.

[Configuration Example of Main RAM 83]
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing storage areas of the main RAM 83 and information stored in each storage area. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the main RAM 83 includes a determination storage area 830 as a storage area for storing acquired information and the like acquired when a game ball wins in the first starting port 21. FIG. 1 / first reserved storage area 831, special figure 1 / second reserved storage area 832, special figure 1 / third reserved storage area 833, and special figure 1 / fourth reserved storage area 834 are provided. In addition, the main RAM 83 stores the above-described determination storage area 830 and the special figure 2 first hold storage area 835 as storage areas for storing, for example, information obtained when a game ball wins in the second starting port 22. , A special figure 2 / second reserved storage area 836, a special figure 2 / third reserved storage area 837, and a special figure 2 / fourth reserved storage area 838.

  The determination storage area 830 is a storage area for storing various information used for the special symbol determination when the special symbol determination is actually executed. The special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1 / fourth reserved storage area 834 are storage areas for storing various information related to the first special symbol determination, and the special figure 2 / first reserved storage area. The 835-special figure 2 / fourth reserved storage area 838 is a storage area for storing various information related to the second special symbol determination. Then, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are suspended, the second special symbol determination is preferentially digested over the first special symbol determination. For this reason, in the determination storage area 830, when executing the reserved special symbol determination, if the second special symbol determination is suspended, it is stored in the special figure 2 / first reserved storage area 835. When the various information is shifted and only the first special symbol determination is suspended, the various information stored in the special figure 1 / first suspension storage area 831 is shifted.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the reserved storage areas 831 to 838 are areas for storing information for retaining the right of special symbol determination, and the jackpot random numbers acquired by the main CPU 81, respectively. , An area for storing symbol random numbers, an area for storing reach random numbers, an area for storing fluctuation pattern random numbers, an area for storing advance determination information that is information indicating a preliminary determination result, and the like.

  Here, the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number are as described above with reference to FIGS. The pre-determination information is information obtained by a pre-determination process (see FIG. 14) described later based on the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number. The pre-judgment information is, specifically, winning start opening information, information indicating whether or not the judgment result of the special symbol judgment is a jackpot, and information indicating what the type of the jackpot is in the case of a jackpot, The information includes information indicating a fluctuation pattern of a special symbol, information indicating a gaming state of the gaming machine 1, and the like. Here, the winning start-up opening information is a jackpot random number, a symbol random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number stored in the same hold storage area, which are acquired when the game ball wins the first starting opening 21. This is information indicating whether the game ball has been acquired when the game ball has won the second starting port 22. The preliminary determination information including these pieces of information is stored in the same holding storage area as the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the fluctuation pattern random number used in the preliminary determination processing.

  In the gaming machine 1, every time a game ball wins in the first starting port 21, the five pieces of information described based on FIG. 11B are sequentially stored in the special figure 1 and the first reserved storage area 831 in the special figure 1 It is stored in any of the first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1 and the fourth reserved storage area 834. Each time a game ball wins in the second starting port 22, the above five pieces of information are sequentially stored in the special figure 2 and the first reservation storage area 835 to the special figure 2 and the special reservation 2 It is stored in any of the fourth reserved storage areas 838.

  For example, in a state where information is stored in the determination storage area 830 and no information is stored in any of the special figure 1 / first hold storage area 831 to the special figure 1 / fourth hold storage area 834, the first When a game ball wins in the starting opening 21, five pieces of information relating to the first special symbol determination newly acquired in accordance with the winning are stored in the special figure 1 / first hold storage area 831. In addition, for example, in the state where five pieces of information are stored in the determination storage area 830, the special figure 1 / first reservation storage area 831, and the special figure 1 / second reservation storage area 832, When a game ball wins, five pieces of information relating to the first special symbol determination newly acquired according to the winning are stored in the special figure 1 / third reserved storage area 833.

  Further, when the information stored in the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 is shifted to the determination storage area 830 during the execution of the first special symbol determination, the special figure 1 / second reserved storage area 832 and thereafter are stored. The information stored in the reserved storage area related to the first special symbol determination is shifted to the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 side. For example, the information stored in the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 in a state where the information is stored in the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1 / third reserved storage area 833, respectively. When the information is shifted to the determination storage area 830, the information stored in the special figure 1 / second hold storage area 832 is shifted to the special figure 1 / first hold storage area 831 and the special figure 1 / third hold storage is performed. The information stored in the area 833 is shifted to the special figure 1 / second reserved storage area 832.

  Such information shift processing is similarly performed in the special figure 2 / first reserved storage area 835 to special figure 2 / fourth reserved storage area 838 in which information relating to the second special symbol determination is stored. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are held, that is, the special figure 1 / first holding storage area 831 and the special figure 2 / first holding If the information is stored in both storage areas 835, prior to the shift processing for the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1 / fourth reserved storage area 834, the special figure 2 The shift processing for the 1-hold storage area 835 to the special figure 2 / fourth hold storage area 838 is preferentially performed.

  By the way, even if a game ball wins in the first starting port 21 or the second starting port 22 and various random numbers are obtained during the special symbol change display or the big hit game, the special symbol determination and the special symbol change display are performed. It cannot be done immediately. Therefore, when various random numbers are acquired in such a situation, as described above, the main CPU 81 uses the acquired various random numbers and the like as the information for retaining the right of special symbol determination, as the storage area 831. To 838. On the other hand, when the special symbol is not displayed in a fluctuating manner, the special symbol determination is not suspended, and the jackpot game is not being performed, the main CPU 81 transmits various random numbers and the like acquired at the time of the start opening winning. It is stored directly in the determination storage area 830.

[Interrupt processing by main control board 80]
Next, an interrupt process executed in the main control board 80 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the main control board 80. The main control board 80 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 12 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for a special case such as power-on or power-off. . The processing of the main control board 80 described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 12 and thereafter is performed according to a command issued by the main CPU 81 based on a program stored in the main ROM 82.

  First, the main CPU 81 executes a random number updating process for updating various random numbers such as a jackpot random number, a symbol random number, a reach random number, a variation pattern random number, and a normal symbol random number (step S1). The jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, the variation pattern random number, and the ordinary symbol random number are incremented by "1" each time the process of step S1 is performed. Note that a loop counter is used as a counter for performing the processing in step S1, and each random number is returned to “0” and updated after reaching a preset maximum value.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S1, the main CPU 81 acquires various random numbers in response to input of detection signals from the first starting port sensor 211, the second starting port sensor 221, and the gate sensor 251. A sensor detection process including a process is executed (step S2). This sensor detection processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S2, the main CPU 81 executes a special symbol determination, displays the special symbol on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 in a variable manner, and then determines the result of the special symbol determination. Is executed (step S3). This special symbol processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the processing of step S3, the main CPU 81 executes a normal symbol determination, includes a process of displaying the normal symbol on the normal symbol display 43 in a variable manner, and then stopping and displaying the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol determination. Normal symbol processing is executed (step S4).

  Subsequent to the process in step S4, when the main CPU 81 determines that the second starting port 22 is to be opened as a result of performing the normal symbol determination, the main CPU 81 controls the second starting port solenoid 222 that operates the opening / closing member 23, and A second starting port opening / closing control process for opening / closing the second starting port 22 is executed (step S5).

  Subsequent to the processing of step S5, when the main CPU 81 determines that it is a “big hit” in the big hit determination processing executed in the special symbol processing of step S3, the first big winning opening solenoid 262 (or the second big winning). Then, a special winning opening opening / closing control process for opening and closing the first special winning opening 26 (or the second special winning opening 28) by controlling the mouth solenoid 282) is executed (step S6).

  Subsequent to the process of step S6, the main CPU 81 executes a prize ball process for controlling payout of a prize ball according to a winning of a game ball (step S7).

  Subsequent to the processing in step S7, the main CPU 81 transmits to the sub-control board 90 information necessary for determining various commands and effect contents set (stored) in the main RAM 83 in the processing steps before step S7. The process is executed (Step S8).

[Sensor detection processing by main control board 80]
FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart of the sensor detection process in step S2 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 13, following the random number updating process in step S <b> 1, the main CPU 81 causes the gate sensor 251 to pass a game ball to the gate 25 based on whether or not a detection signal is input from the gate sensor 251. It is determined whether or not it has been detected (step S201). Here, when it is determined that the gate sensor 251 has detected the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 (step S201: YES), the reserved number F of the ordinary symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is set to the preset ordinary It is determined whether the number is less than the maximum number of symbols Fmax (“4” in the present embodiment) for symbol determination (step S202).

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the hold number F is less than “4” (step S202: YES), the main CPU 81 updates the hold number F to a value obtained by adding “1” (step S203). With respect to the ordinary symbol random number updated each time the game is performed, the value of the timing at which the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 is detected is acquired and stored in a predetermined area of the main RAM 83 (step S204).

  On the other hand, when executing the process of step S204, when determining that the gate sensor 251 has not detected the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 (step S201: NO), the main CPU 81 determines that the hold number F is less than “4”. If it is determined that this is not the case (step S202: NO), the second starting port sensor 221 detects a winning of a game ball with respect to the second starting port 22 based on whether or not a detection signal is input from the second starting port sensor 221. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S206). Here, when it is determined that the second starting port sensor 221 has detected a winning of a game ball with respect to the second starting port 22 (step S206: YES), the number T2 of the reserved second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is T2. Is determined to be less than the preset maximum reserved number T2max (“4” in this embodiment) of the second special symbol determination (step S207).

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the number of holds T2 is less than “4” (step S207: YES), the main CPU 81 updates the number of holds T2 to “1” (step S208), and the random number update process of step S1 is performed. With respect to the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the fluctuation pattern random number that are updated each time the game is performed, the value of the timing at which the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 22 is detected is acquired (step S209).

  In this manner, various random numbers related to the second special symbol determination are determined in accordance with the establishment of the acquisition condition that the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 22 is detected in a state where the number of holdings T2 is less than the maximum number of holdings T2max. Is obtained. In the case where various random numbers are obtained in a situation where the second special symbol determination and the change display of the second special symbol can be immediately executed, these random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830 and cannot be immediately executed. When various random numbers are obtained in the situation, these random numbers are stored in any one of the special figure 2 / first reserved storage area 835 to the special figure 2 / fourth reserved storage area 838.

  When executing the processing of step S209, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the current state is the high base state (step S210). The main RAM 83 stores a time reduction game flag. At this time, the short game flag is set to “OFF” when the operation of the opening / closing member 23 is controlled so that the game ball is in a low base state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting port 22. Is a flag that is set to “ON” when the operation of the opening / closing member 23 is controlled so as to be in a high base state in which winning is easy. In step S210, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the current state is the high base state based on whether or not this time-saving game flag is set to “ON”.

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the current state is the high base state (step S210: YES), that is, when the time reduction game flag is set to “ON”, the preliminary determination related to the suspension of the second special symbol determination The process is executed (Step S211). More specifically, a jackpot determination process (see FIG. 16) and a variation pattern selection process (see FIG. 17), which will be described later, are executed based on various random numbers acquired in response to a game ball winning in the second starting port 22. Prior to the determination, it is determined in advance whether or not a big hit will occur based on the various random numbers acquired in the process of step S209, and when the second special symbol determination is executed, the variation of the second special symbol is determined. A preliminary determination process is performed to determine in advance which variation pattern is to be selected as the pattern. The pre-determination information that is the result of the pre-determination process is stored in the same reserved storage area where the jackpot random numbers and the like used in the pre-determination process are stored.

  In addition, when a game ball is won in the second starting port 22 in a state in which the number of reserved symbols T2 of the second special symbol determination is “0” when the jackpot game is not being played and the special symbol is not being fluctuated and displayed, according to the winning. The acquired various random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830, and the second special symbol determination based on these random numbers is immediately executed. In this case, since the second special symbol determination is not suspended, the preliminary determination process related to the second special symbol determination is not performed. Such a preliminary determination process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When executing the processing of step S211 or determining that the state is not the high base state (step S210: NO), the main CPU 81 sets a hold command related to the second special symbol determination in the main RAM 83 (step S212). This suspension command is a command for notifying that the second special symbol determination has been suspended, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 by the transmission processing in step S8. When the processing in step S212 is performed without performing the preliminary determination processing in step S211, a hold command that does not include the preliminary determination information is transmitted to the sub-control board 90. On the other hand, when the process of step S212 is performed after the pre-determination process of step S211 is performed, a hold command including the preliminary determination information is transmitted to the sub-control board 90.

  On the other hand, if the main CPU 81 determines that the second starting port sensor 221 has not detected winning of a game ball with respect to the second starting port 22 when executing the process of step S212 (step S206: NO), the second CPU proceeds to step S212. When it is determined that the reserved number T2 of the special symbol determination is not less than “4” (step S207: NO), the first starting port sensor 211 determines whether the detection signal is input from the first starting port sensor 211 or not. It is determined whether or not the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 21 is detected (step S214). Here, when it is determined that the first starting port sensor 211 has detected the winning of the game ball with respect to the first starting port 21 (step S214: YES), the number T1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is stored. Is determined to be less than the preset maximum number T1max (“4” in the present embodiment) of the first special symbol determination (step S215).

  If the main CPU 81 determines that the number of holds T1 is less than “4” (step S215: YES), the main CPU 81 updates the number of holds T1 to “1” (step S216), and the random number update process of step S1 starts. With respect to the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number that are updated each time the game is performed, the value of the timing at which the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 21 is detected is acquired (step S217).

  As described above, various random numbers related to the first special symbol determination are determined according to the acquisition condition that the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 21 is detected in a state where the number of holdings T1 is less than the maximum number of holdings T1max. Is obtained. When various random numbers are obtained in a situation where the first special symbol determination and the change display of the first special symbol can be immediately executed, these random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830 and cannot be immediately executed. When various random numbers are obtained in the situation, these random numbers are stored in any one of the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1 / fourth reserved storage area 834.

  When executing the processing in step S217, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the current state is the high base state, as in the processing in step S210 (step S218). Here, when it is determined that the current state is not the high base state (step S218: NO), that is, when the time saving game flag is set to “OFF”, the preliminary determination processing related to the suspension of the first special symbol determination Is executed (step S219). More specifically, a jackpot determination process (see FIG. 16) and a variation pattern selection process (see FIG. 17), which will be described later, are executed based on various random numbers acquired in response to a game ball winning in the first starting port 21. Prior to the determination, it is determined in advance whether or not a big hit will occur based on the various random numbers obtained in the process of step S217, and when the first special symbol determination is executed, the fluctuation of the first special symbol is performed. A preliminary determination process is performed to determine in advance which variation pattern is to be selected as the pattern. The pre-determination information that is the result of the pre-determination process is stored in the same reserved storage area where the jackpot random numbers and the like used in the pre-determination process are stored.

  In addition, when a game ball is won in the first starting port 21 in a state where the number of hold T1 of the first special symbol determination is “0”, and the special ball is not being displayed during the special jackpot game and the fluctuation display of the special symbol, according to the winning. The acquired various random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830, and the first special symbol determination based on these random numbers is immediately executed. In this case, since the first special symbol determination is not suspended, the preliminary determination process related to the first special symbol determination is not performed. Such a preliminary determination process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When executing the process of step S219 or determining that the vehicle is in the high base state (step S218: YES), the main CPU 81 sets a hold command related to the first special symbol determination in the main RAM 83 (step S220). This suspension command is a command for notifying that the first special symbol determination has been suspended, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 by the transmission processing in step S8. When the processing in step S220 is performed without performing the preliminary determination processing in step S219, a hold command that does not include the preliminary determination information is transmitted to the sub-control board 90. On the other hand, when the process of step S220 is performed after the pre-determination process of step S219 is performed, the hold command including the pre-determination information is transmitted to the sub-control board 90.

[Prior judgment processing by main control board 80]
Hereinafter, the pre-determination processing executed by the main control board 80 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 14 is a detailed flowchart of the preliminary determination processing in steps S211 and S219 in FIG. Here, the pre-determination process performed when the right of the first special symbol determination is reserved will be described as an example, but the right of the second special symbol determination is different except that the random numbers and tables used are different. A similar pre-determination process is also performed when is suspended.

  The main CPU 81 determines that it is in the high base state in the processing of step S210 in FIG. 13 (step S210: YES), or determines that it is not in the high base state in the processing of step S218 in FIG. 13 (step S218: NO), a big hit determination process is executed (step S2191). Specifically, when the probability is low ("normal game state" corresponds to this in the present embodiment), the large probability random number table for low probability (see FIG. 5A) is read from the main ROM 82. Set in the main RAM 83. On the other hand, when the state is in the high probability state (the “probable change game state” corresponds to this in the present embodiment), the high probability jackpot random number table (see FIG. 5A) is read out from the main ROM 82 and stored in the main RAM 83. set. Then, it is determined whether or not the jackpot random number acquired in the process of step S209 of FIG. 13 (or the process of step S217 of FIG. 13) matches any of the winning values stored in the jackpot random number table set in the main RAM 83. Then, it is determined whether or not a jackpot is determined at the start of the change.

  Next, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not it is determined to be a big hit at the start of the change based on the determination result of step S2191 (step S2192). Here, if it is determined that a big hit is determined at the start of the change (step S2192: YES), the big hit change pattern selection table (see FIG. 7A) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83. (Step S2193).

  On the other hand, when determining that it is not a big hit at the start of the change (step S2192: NO), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not a reach effect is performed during the change (step S2194). Specifically, the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot determination process in step S2191 is a winning value of the reach random number stored in the main ROM 82 (for the reach effect in FIG. 5D). It is determined whether or not a reach effect is performed during the fluctuation based on whether or not it matches the corresponding random number value).

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the reach effect is to be performed (step S2194: YES), the main CPU 81 reads the reach-loss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7B) from the main ROM 82 and sets it in the main RAM 83 (step S2195).

  By the way, if the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “losing” and the reach effect is not performed during the change, the first special symbol is determined based on the number of reserved first special symbol determinations at the start of the change. Is determined. This is as described above with reference to FIG. Before and after the retained first special symbol determination is exhausted, the number of reserved first special symbol determinations may be different. For this reason, the variation pattern of the special symbol acquired before the first special symbol determination is digested may be different from the variation pattern of the special symbol selected when the first special symbol determination is actually digested. is there. That is, for the right of the first special symbol determination in which the reach effect is not performed during the fluctuation, there is a case where the accurate first special symbol fluctuation pattern cannot be acquired prior to the first special symbol determination.

  Therefore, when the main CPU 81 determines that the reach effect is not performed (step S2194: NO), the process proceeds to step S2197 without performing the variation pattern random number determination process in step S2196 described later.

  When the large hit variation pattern selection table or the reach loss variation pattern selection table is set, the main CPU 81 executes a variation pattern random number determination process (step S2196). Specifically, the variation pattern random number acquired at the time of starting opening winning together with the jackpot random number used in the process of step S2191 is a random number value defined in the variation pattern selection table set in the main RAM 83. Based on which random value of the special symbol matches, the variation pattern of the special symbol to be selected in the special symbol determination performed at the start of the variation is specified.

  When executing the process of step S2196 or determining that the reach effect is not performed (step S2194: NO), the main CPU 81 generates advance determination information and stores it in the main RAM 83 (step S2197). The area in which the pre-determination information is stored is as described above with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the main CPU 81 determines the jackpot based on the acquired information based on the acquired information such as the jackpot random number acquired when the game ball has won the first starting port 21 (or the second starting port 22). Prior to performing the determination process and the variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern (that is, variation time) of the first special symbol (or the second special symbol) is acquired.

[Special design processing by main control board 80]
Next, the details of the special symbol processing executed by the main control board 80 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 15 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 15, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not a jackpot game is being performed based on whether or not the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to “ON” ( Step S301). The big hit game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the big hit game is being executed, and is set to “ON” at the start of the big hit game and to “OFF” at the end of the big hit game. Here, when it is determined that a big hit game is being played (step S301: YES), the process proceeds to a normal symbol process of step S4.

  When the main CPU 81 determines that the big hit game is not being performed (step S301: NO), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the special symbol is being changed and displayed (step S302). Here, when it is determined that the special symbol is not being fluctuated and displayed (step S302: NO), it is determined whether or not the number of hold T2 of the second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is "1" or more. (Step S303). Here, when it is determined that the hold number T2 is equal to or more than “1” (step S303: YES), the hold number T2 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S304).

  When determining that the number of holds T2 is not equal to or more than “1” (step S303: NO), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the number of holds T1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is equal to or more than “1”. Is determined (step S305). Here, when it is determined that the hold number T1 is equal to or more than “1” (step S305: YES), the hold number T1 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S306).

  When executing the processing of step S304 or the processing of step S306, the main CPU 81 executes a shift processing for the reserved storage area of the main RAM 83 (step S307). Specifically, when the process of step S307 is performed subsequent to the process of step S304, a shift process of shifting the information stored in the special figure 2 / first suspension storage area 835 to the determination storage area 830 is performed. I do. At this time, if information is also stored in the reserved storage area subsequent to the special figure 2 / second reserved storage area 836, a shift process for shifting the information to the special figure 2 / first reserved storage area 835 side Is also executed. On the other hand, when the shift process is executed following the process of step S306, a shift process of shifting the information stored in the special figure 1 / first hold storage area 831 to the determination storage area 830 is executed. At this time, if information is also stored in the reserved storage areas subsequent to the special figure 1 / second reserved storage area 832, a shift process for shifting these information to the special figure 1 / first reserved storage area 831 side Is also executed.

  When the main CPU 81 stores the information necessary for the second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) such as the jackpot random number and the symbol random number in the shift processing in step S307 in the determination storage area 830, the main CPU 81 stores the information based on the information. The big hit determination process in step S308 and the variation pattern selection process in step S309 are executed.

  Note that neither the big hit game nor the special symbol fluctuation display is performed, and the game ball is first started in a state where both the number of hold T1 of the first special symbol determination and the number of hold T2 of the second special symbol determination are “0”. When the mouth 21 (or the second starting port 22) is won, information such as a jackpot random number and a symbol random number acquired according to the winning is directly stored in the determination storage area 830. In such a case, the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process are executed without executing the shift process in step S307.

  The main CPU 81 executes a jackpot determination process based on the random numbers stored in the determination storage area 830 (step S308). By executing the jackpot determination process, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is a jackpot, and if it is determined that the jackpot is determined, the type of the jackpot (the jackpot symbol) is determined. Then, special symbol setting information indicating the results of these processes is set in the main RAM 83. This big hit determination processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the jackpot determination process of step S308, the main CPU 81 executes a variation pattern selection process of selecting a variation pattern of a special symbol (step S309). This variation pattern selection processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S309, the main CPU 81 sets the special symbol setting information set in the process of step S308, whether the special symbol setting information is related to the first special symbol determination or the second special symbol determination. A change start command including information indicating whether the change is related, setting information of the change pattern selected in the process of step S309, information on the game state of the gaming machine 1, and the like are set in the main RAM 83 (step S310). This change start command is a command for instructing the start of an effect accompanying the change display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 by the transmission processing in step S8. Thereby, the variable effect including the variable display of the effect symbol on the display screen 70 is started.

  Subsequent to the process of step S310, the main CPU 81 starts a special symbol change display based on the change pattern setting information included in the change start command set in the process of step S310 (step S311). At this time, when the processing of steps S308 to S310 is performed in a state where the information related to the first special symbol determination is stored in the storage area for determination 830, the first special symbol on the first special symbol display 41 is displayed. Start the variable display of. On the other hand, when the processing of steps S308 to S310 is performed in a state in which the information related to the second special symbol determination is stored in the determination storage area 830, the second special symbol display 42 displays the second special symbol. Start variable display.

  Next, the main CPU 81 starts measuring the elapsed time from the start of the change display of the special symbol in step S311 (step S312). If the main CPU 81 has executed the processing of step S312 or determined that the special symbol is being displayed in a fluctuating manner (step S302: YES), the elapsed time at which the measurement was started in the processing of step S312 is changed by the fluctuation in step S309. It is determined whether or not the fluctuation time of the fluctuation pattern selected in the pattern selection processing has been reached (step S313). Here, when it is determined that the elapsed time has not reached the fluctuation time (step S313: NO), the process proceeds to the ordinary symbol process of step S4.

  When determining that the elapsed time has reached the fluctuation time (step S313: YES), the main CPU 81 sets a fluctuation end command for notifying that the fluctuation display of the special symbol is to be ended in the main RAM 83 (step S314). This change end command is transmitted to the sub-control board 90 by the transmission processing in step S8. As a result, a process of stopping and displaying the effect symbol that has been variably displayed on the display screen 70 in a manner indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is performed.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S314, the main CPU 81 ends the variable display of the special symbol started in the processing in step S311 (step S315). Specifically, the special symbol (big hit symbol or losing symbol) set in the process of step S308 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display which has variably displayed the special symbol. This special symbol stop display is continued until at least a predetermined symbol determination time (for example, 0.6 seconds) elapses.

  In this way, the main CPU 81 displays a special symbol (big hit symbol or losing symbol) indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination process after the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. The first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 is stopped and displayed.

  Subsequent to the process of step S315, the main CPU 81 resets the elapsed time at which the measurement was started in the process of step S312 (step S316), and stops the special map including a process of starting a big hit game when a big hit is made. The process is executed (Step S317). The special figure stop processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

[Big hit determination process by main control board 80]
FIG. 16 is a detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S308 of FIG. First, the main CPU 81 executes a jackpot determination based on the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area 830 (step S3081). Specifically, based on whether or not the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area 830 matches a preset winning value (see FIG. 5A), it is determined whether or not the jackpot is a jackpot. judge. Here, the winning value is a winning value of the jackpot defined in the high probability jackpot random number table or the low probability jackpot random number table. When the jackpot determination is performed in the high-probability state (in the present embodiment, the “probably changing game state” corresponds to this), the winning value stored in the high-probability jackpot random number table is used. On the other hand, when the jackpot determination is performed in the low-probability state ("normal game state" in this embodiment), the winning value stored in the low-probability jackpot random number table is used. You.

  As described above, the main CPU 81 determines that the acquired information such as the jackpot random number acquired when the game ball has won the first starting port 21 or the second starting port 22 is stored in the determination storage area 830. When the condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not to execute a jackpot game advantageous to the player based on the jackpot random number.

  Subsequent to the process of step S3081, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the result of the jackpot determination is "big hit" (step S3082). Here, when it is determined that the determination result of the big hit determination is not “big hit” (step S3082: NO), that is, when the determination result of the big hit determination is “loss”, the setting information of the loss design is set in the main RAM 83. (Step S3083). As a result, in the process of step S315, the lost symbol set here is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. In this case, the jackpot game is not performed.

  On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines that the determination result of the big hit determination is “big hit” (step S3082: YES), the big hit symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42. Is executed (step S3084). Specifically, when the symbol random number stored in the determination storage area 830 together with the jackpot random number used in the jackpot determination in step S3081 is related to the first special symbol determination, the symbol random number is Then, any one of the big hit symbols is selected based on which of the big hit symbols specified in the first starting opening winning symbol determination table (see FIG. 5B) matches the random number value. If the symbol random number is related to the second special symbol determination, the symbol random number is determined to be any of the jackpot symbols specified in the symbol determination table for the second starting opening prize (see FIG. 5C). Any of the jackpot symbols is selected based on whether the random number value matches the random number value.

  Then, the main CPU 81 sets the setting information of the selected big hit symbol in the main RAM 83 (step S3085). Thereby, at the time of the processing of step S315, the big hit symbol set here is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42, and thereafter, the big hit game corresponding to the big hit symbol Will be performed.

[Variable pattern selection processing by main control board 80]
FIG. 17 is a detailed flowchart of the variation pattern selection process in step S309 of FIG. After executing the jackpot determination process in step S308 in FIG. 15, the main CPU 81 determines whether the determination result in step S3081 is a jackpot (step S3091). Here, if it is determined that the jackpot is a jackpot (step S3091: YES), the jackpot variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7A) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83 (step S3092).

  On the other hand, if the main CPU 81 determines that it is not a jackpot (step S3091: NO), the reach random number stored in the determination storage area 830 is a winning value of the reach random number stored in the main ROM 82 (for the effect with reach). It is determined whether or not to perform a reach effect that expects the player to win a big hit based on whether or not it matches the corresponding random number value (step S3093). If it is determined that the reach effect is to be performed (step S3093: YES), the reach loss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 7B) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83 (step S3094). Conversely, when it is determined that the reach effect is not to be performed (step S3093: NO), the variation pattern selection table for reach-less loss (see FIG. 7C) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83 (step S3095). .

  The main CPU 81 executes the fluctuation pattern random number determination processing with reference to the fluctuation pattern selection table set in the main RAM 83 by the processing of step S3092, the processing of step S3094, or the processing of step S3095 (step S3096). Specifically, when the jackpot variation pattern selection table or the reach loss variation pattern selection table is set in the main RAM 83, a variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area 830 is set. One variation pattern is selected by reading from the existing variation pattern selection table. In addition, when the variation pattern selection table for no-reach losing is set in the main RAM 83, based on the reserved number T1 of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 (or the reserved number T2 of the second special symbol determination). The number of reservations is specified, and the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the specified number of reservations is read out from the fluctuation pattern selection table for lossless reach, thereby selecting one fluctuation pattern. By selecting the special symbol variation pattern in this manner, the special symbol variation time is inevitably determined.

  When selecting the variation pattern, the main CPU 81 sets the setting information of the selected variation pattern in the main RAM 83 (step S3097). The change pattern setting information is included in the change start command together with the symbol setting information set in the main RAM 83 by the above-described jackpot determination processing in step S308 and transmitted to the sub-control board 90.

[Processing when special figure is stopped by main control board 80]
FIG. 18 is a detailed flowchart of the special figure stop processing in step S317 of FIG. After resetting the elapsed time by the process of step S316, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not a big hit has occurred as in the process of step S3082 (see FIG. 16), as illustrated in FIG. S3171). Here, if it is determined that the big hit is (step S3171: YES), the big hit game flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to "ON" (step S3172).

  Next, the main CPU 81 sets the probable change game flag stored in the main RAM 83 to “OFF” (step S3173), and sets the time saving game flag also stored in the main RAM 83 to “OFF” (step S3174). ). Here, the probability change game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the state is a high probability state in which the probability of being determined to be a big hit in the special symbol determination is relatively high.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the gaming state is controlled by setting the probability-change gaming flag and the time-saving gaming flag. That is, when controlling the game state to the “probable change game state”, both the probable change game flag and the time saving game flag are set to “ON”. When the game state is controlled to be the "normal game state", both the probability-change game flag and the time reduction game flag are set to "OFF". In another embodiment, the probability-variable game flag may be set to “OFF” and the time-saving game flag may be set to “ON” so that the game is controlled in the “time-saving game state”.

  Subsequent to the process of step S3174, the main CPU 81 sets an opening command for notifying that a big hit game is started in the main RAM 83 (step S3175). This opening command includes information such as the type of the jackpot, the opening pattern of the first big winning port 26 (or the second big winning port 28) during the jackpot game, and the sub-control board 90 is transmitted by the transmission processing in step S8. Sent to.

  On the other hand, if the main CPU 81 determines that it is not a jackpot (step S3171: NO), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the probability-change game flag is set to “ON” (step S3176). Here, when it is determined that the probability change game flag is set to “ON” (step S3176: YES), that is, when the special symbol determination is performed in the high probability state, the high probability stored in the main RAM 83 is used. The game remaining number K is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S3177). The high-probability game remaining number K indicates the remaining number of times the special symbol determination is executed in the high-probability state.

  Subsequent to the process of step S3177, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the high-probability game remaining number K is “0” (step S3178). Here, when it is determined that the high-probability game remaining number K is “0” (step S3178: YES), the probability changing game flag is set to “OFF” (step S3179). Thereby, the special symbol determination is performed in the low probability state.

  The main CPU 81 executes the process of step S3179, determines that the probable change game flag is not set to “ON” (step S3176: NO), or determines that the high-probability game remaining number K is not “0”. When it is determined (step S3178: NO), it is determined whether or not the time reduction game flag is set to “ON” (step S3180). Here, when it is determined that the time saving game flag is set to “ON” (step S3180: YES), the remaining time saving game number J stored in the main RAM 83 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1” (step S3180). S3181). The remaining time saving game number J indicates the remaining number of times the special symbol determination is executed in the time saving state (high base state).

  Subsequent to the process of step S3181, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the number of remaining time saving games J is “0” (step S3182). Here, when it is determined that the remaining time saving game number J is “0” (step S3182: YES), the time saving game flag is set to “OFF” (step S3183). Thus, the support function for facilitating the winning of the game ball to the second starting port 22 is not provided.

[Game state setting process by main control board 80]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a game state setting process executed at the end of the big hit game on the main control board 80. In the gaming machine 1, the jackpot game is executed by the special winning opening opening / closing control process in step S6. When the ending period in the jackpot game ends, a gaming state setting for setting the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 after the jackpot game ends. The processing is executed.

  During the big hit game, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the ending period in the big hit game has ended (step S631). Here, when it is determined that the ending period has ended (step S631: YES), the probable variable game flag is set to “ON” (step S632), and the high-probability game remaining number K is set to, for example, “80” (step S632). S633). By performing the processing of step S632 and the processing of step S633, the high-probability state continues until the special symbol determination is performed 80 times.

  Next, the main CPU 81 sets the time-saving game flag to “ON” (step S634), and sets the number of remaining time-saving games J to, for example, “80” (step S635). By performing the processing in step S634 and the processing in step S635, the high base state is continued until the special symbol determination is performed 80 times. Then, by performing a series of processes from step S632 to step S635, the game is controlled in the probable change game state until the special symbol determination is executed 80 times after the big hit game is completed.

[Interrupt processing by sub-control board 90]
When the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the sub CPU 91 of the sub control board 90 sets an interrupt cycle which is a cycle for performing an interrupt process described later. Then, the sub CPU 91 repeats a random number update process for updating the effect random number used for determining the effect content at a predetermined cycle shorter than the interrupt cycle. That is, while the gaming machine 1 is running, the sub CPU 91 repeats the interrupt processing at the interrupt cycle while repeating the random number update processing at the predetermined cycle.

  Hereinafter, the interrupt processing executed in the sub-control board 90 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the sub-control board 90. The sub CPU 91 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 20 at regular intervals (for example, every 4 milliseconds), similarly to the interrupt process performed by the main control board 80 (see FIG. 12). The processing performed by the sub-control board 90 described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 20 and thereafter is performed in accordance with a command issued by the sub-CPU 91 based on a program stored in the sub-ROM 92.

  First, when a command is received from the main control board 80, the sub CPU 91 executes a command receiving process for performing a process according to the command (step S10). This command receiving process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S10, the sub CPU 91 determines whether the first effect button detection switch 96 or the second effect button detection switch 97 illustrated in FIG. It is determined whether the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 has been operated (step S30). Here, when it is determined that the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 has been operated (step S30: YES), an operation command for notifying the operation is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S31). By transmitting the operation command to the image sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120, a process for realizing an effect on the effect according to the operation of the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 is performed. .

  When executing the process of step S31, or when determining that neither the first effect button 35 nor the second effect button 36 is operated (step S30: NO), the sub CPU 91 executes a command transmission process. (Step S32). Specifically, the command set in the sub RAM 93 by the command receiving process in step S10 or the process in step S31 is transmitted to the image sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120). The execution of the command transmission processing instructs the image sound control board 100 to execute an effect by displaying an image, outputting an effect sound, or the like, and turns on various lamps or executes an effect by a movable character or the like. An instruction is given to the control board 120.

  Subsequent to the process of step S32, the sub CPU 91 executes a data transfer process (step S33). Specifically, since data relating to the image acoustic control is transmitted from the image acoustic control board 100, the data is transferred to the lamp control board 120. As a result, the effect by the effect means such as the frame lamp 37, the board lamp 5, and the movable decorative member 14 is controlled by the lamp control board 120 in synchronization with the effect performed by the image display device 7 and the speaker 38.

[Command reception processing by sub-control board 90]
FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the command receiving process in step S10 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the sub CPU 91 first determines whether or not a command from the main control board 80 has been received (step S11). Here, if it is determined that the command has not been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S30 described above.

  When determining that the command has been received from the main control board 80 (step S11: YES), the sub CPU 91 transmits the command from the main control board 80 in accordance with the processing in step S212 or step S220 in FIG. It is determined whether the command is a pending command (step S12). Here, if it is determined that the command is not a hold command (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S15 described later.

  When determining that the received command is the hold command (step S12: YES), the sub CPU 91 executes a hold command receiving process (step S13). This hold command receiving process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When determining that the received command is not the hold command (step S12: NO), the sub CPU 91 determines whether the received command is the variation start command transmitted from the main control board 80 in accordance with the process of step S310 in FIG. It is determined whether or not it is (step S15). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the change start command (step S15: NO), the process proceeds to step S17 described below.

  When determining that the received command is the change start command (step S15: YES), the sub CPU 91 executes a change start command reception process (step S16). This change start command reception processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the change start command (step S15: NO), the command is the change end command transmitted from the main control board 80 in accordance with the processing of step S314 in FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S17). When the sub CPU 91 determines that the command is the variation end command (step S17: YES), the variation design of the effect symbol is ended, and the effect symbol is stopped in a mode indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination executed at the start of the symbol variation. A fluctuation effect end command instructing execution of the process to be displayed is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S18).

  By transmitting the variable effect end command to the image sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120 by the processing of step S32, the special symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is changed to the second symbol. Along with being stopped and displayed on the 1 special symbol display 41 (or the 2nd special symbol display 42), an effect symbol indicating the determination result of the 1st special symbol determination (or the 2nd special symbol determination) is displayed on the display screen 70. It will be stopped and displayed.

  When determining that the received command is not the fluctuation end command (step S17: NO), the sub CPU 91 determines whether the command is the opening command transmitted from the main control board 80 in accordance with the processing of step S3175 in FIG. It is determined whether or not it is (step S19). Here, when it is determined that the received command is the opening command (step S19: YES), the start of the opening effect of notifying the type of the jackpot or prompting the player to right-hand during the opening period of the jackpot game is displayed as an image. An opening effect start command for instructing the sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S20). Conversely, when it is determined that the received command is not the opening command (step S19: NO), other processing is executed (step S21).

[Reservation command reception processing by sub-control board 90]
FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of the hold command receiving process in step S13 of FIG. When determining that the received command is a hold command (step S12: YES), the sub CPU 91 adds “1” to the number of held special symbol determinations stored in the sub RAM 93, as illustrated in FIG. The updated value is updated (step S131). Specifically, when the hold command related to the first special symbol determination is received, the hold number related to the first special symbol determination is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”, and the hold command related to the second special symbol determination is updated. If received, the number of pending special symbol determinations is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S131, the sub CPU 91 determines whether or not the received pending command includes advance determination information (step S132). Here, when it is determined that the received pending command does not include the advance determination information (step S132: NO), the pending icon display command is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S133). This hold icon display command is a command for displaying a hold icon that does not include the setting information of the icon change effect, and is transmitted to the image sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120 by the command transmission process of step S32. .

  The image sound control CPU 101 of the image sound control board 100, for example, when receiving a hold icon display command related to the first special symbol determination that does not include the setting information of the icon change effect, controls the drawing process by the VDP 104 and A white hold icon is displayed in the display area 71. As for the white hold icon, the icon change effect is not performed because the icon change effect is not set.

  On the other hand, when the sub CPU 91 determines that the received pending command includes the advance determination information (step S132: YES), the sub CPU 91 stores the advance determination information in the sub RAM 93 (step S134). Next, the sub CPU 91 reads the final color selection table (see FIG. 8) from the sub ROM 92 and sets it in the sub RAM 93 (step S135), acquires the final color selection random number for selecting the final color of the icon, and It is stored in the RAM 93 (step S136). The final color selection random number is incremented by “1” every time the sub control board 90 performs the random number update process, and the sub CPU 91 sets the count value at the time of receiving the hold command from the main control board 80 as the final color selection random number. get.

  Then, the sub CPU 91 executes a final color selection process for selecting the final color of the icon displayed in response to receiving the current hold command (step S137). Specifically, the final color corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern specified based on the preliminary determination information stored in the sub RAM 93 in the process of step S134 and the final color selection random number acquired in the process of step S136 is set to the final color. By reading from the color selection table, one of white, blue, green, and red is selected as the final color. Note that the final color selection processing for selecting the final color is as described above with reference to FIG. 8, and therefore, a more detailed description will be omitted here.

  The sub CPU 91 determines whether the selected final color is white based on the processing result of step S137 (step S138). In other words, it is determined whether or not to execute the icon change effect using the hold icon displayed in response to receiving the current hold command. Here, when it is determined that the selected final color is white (Step S138: YES), the process proceeds to Step S133 described above. Here, since white is selected as the final color of the icon, the period during which the hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71 and the hold icon are shifted to the icon display area 72 and displayed as the icon. The icon change effect is not performed in any of the periods.

  On the other hand, if the sub CPU 91 determines that the selected final color is not white (step S138: NO), it reads the change pattern selection table (see FIG. 9) from the sub ROM 92 and sets it in the sub RAM 93 (step S139). A change pattern selection random number for selecting a change pattern of the display color of the icon is obtained and stored in the sub RAM 93 (step S140). This change pattern selection random number is incremented by “1” every time the sub control board 90 performs the random number update processing, and the sub CPU 91 changes the count value at the time of receiving the hold command from the main control board 80 by the change pattern selection random number. To get as

  Next, the sub CPU 91 executes a change pattern selection process of selecting a change pattern of an icon displayed in response to receiving the current hold command (step S141). Specifically, for example, when the hold icon related to the first special symbol determination is received, the final color selected in the processing of step S137 and the first special color stored in the sub RAM 93 are set in the set change pattern selection table. A random number value is assigned to each of the plurality of change patterns associated with the number of pending symbol determinations, and the change pattern in which the same random number value as the acquired change pattern selection random number is assigned is obtained from the change pattern selection table. By reading, one change pattern is selected. Since the change pattern selection processing for selecting this change pattern is as described above with reference to FIG. 9, further detailed description of the change pattern selection processing is omitted here.

  Subsequent to the process of step S141, the sub CPU 91 sets information indicating the change pattern selected in the process of step S141 as setting information of the icon change effect in the sub RAM 93 (step S142). Then, the sub CPU 91 sets the reserved icon display command including the setting information of the icon change effect set in the process of step S142 in the sub RAM 93 (step S143).

  This hold icon display command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission processing of step S32, so that the icon (the hold icon or its hold) is displayed in the change pattern selected in the processing of step S141. An icon change effect in which the display color of the icon corresponding to the icon) changes is performed.

  As will be described in detail later, the process of restricting a part of the icon change effect described above with reference to FIG. 10 or canceling the restriction of the icon change effect is executed by the image sound control board 100.

[Variation start command reception processing by sub-control board 90]
FIG. 23 is a detailed flowchart of the change start command receiving process in step S16 of FIG. When determining that the command received from the main control board 80 is the change start command (step S15: YES), the sub CPU 91 executes a series of change start command reception processing illustrated in FIG.

  That is, the sub CPU 91 acquires the value at the time of receiving the change start command from the main control board 80 and stores the value in the sub RAM 93 with respect to the effect random number appropriately updated by the random number updating process in the sub control board 90 (step S161). . Then, the received fluctuation start command is analyzed (step S162).

  As described above, the change start command includes, as described above, the symbol setting information indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination process, whether the symbol setting information relates to the first special symbol determination or the symbol setting information relating to the second special symbol determination. The information includes winning start opening information indicating whether the game machine is a winning pattern, setting information of a change pattern of a special symbol, information indicating a gaming state of the gaming machine 1, and the like. Therefore, by analyzing the change start command, the type and the result of the special symbol determination can be specified. That is, it is possible to specify whether the jackpot is a jackpot or a losing jackpot, and if the jackpot is a jackpot, what kind of jackpot it is. Further, by specifying whether or not the variation pattern is a variation pattern for a loss based on the setting information of the variation pattern, it is possible to determine whether it is necessary to perform the effect with reach or the effect without reach. . Also, the variation time of the special symbol can be specified based on the setting information of the variation pattern. Further, the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 can be specified based on the information indicating the gaming state.

  When analyzing the fluctuation start command, the sub CPU 91 executes a fluctuation effect pattern setting process of setting a fluctuation effect pattern of the fluctuation effect accompanying the fluctuation display of the special symbol based on the analysis result (step S163). By executing the fluctuation effect pattern setting process, the fluctuation pattern of the effect symbol, the presence / absence of the reach effect, the presence / absence of the pseudo continuous effect, the type of the effect symbol constituting the reach symbol, the type and content of the reach effect, the pseudo continuous effect , The type of the effect symbol to be stopped and displayed, and the like are determined. The fluctuation effect pattern setting processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S163, the sub CPU 91 sets various notice effects (for example, step-up effect and dialogue notice) to be executed when the effect symbol is variably displayed in the variable effect pattern set in the process of step S163. Is performed (step S164).

  Next, the sub CPU 91 issues a subroutine to start the fluctuation effect in the fluctuation effect pattern set in the process of step S163 and to execute the preview effect in the preview effect pattern set in the process of step S164. It is set in the RAM 93 (step S165).

  This fluctuation effect start command includes information indicating the fluctuation effect pattern set by the processing of step S163 and information indicating the notice effect pattern set by the processing of step S164. The command transmission processing of step S32 Is transmitted to the image sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120. Thus, the variable effect and the announcement effect in which the effect pattern is determined on the sub-control board 90 are realized by the image sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S165, the sub CPU 91 updates the number of holds stored in the sub RAM 93 to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S166). Specifically, when the variation start command received from the main control board 80 is to notify the start of the variation display of the first special symbol, a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the suspended number of the first special symbol determination is used. Update to On the other hand, when the received change start command is to notify the start of the change display of the second special symbol, the number of held special judgment symbol determinations is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1”.

[Variation effect pattern setting processing by sub-control board 90]
FIG. 24 is a detailed flowchart of the variable effect pattern setting process in step S163 of FIG. The sub CPU 91 sets an effect symbol to be finally displayed (finally stopped) on the display screen 70 along with the stop display of the first special symbol (or the second special symbol), following the process of step S162 (step S162). S1631). Specifically, based on the symbol setting information included in the variation start command received from the main control board 80, a special symbol (big hit symbol) indicating a big hit is stopped and displayed at the end of the symbol change, or It is specified whether or not the special symbol (losing symbol) indicating the losing is stopped and displayed. And when it is specified that the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed, an effect symbol (for example, a directing symbol showing a slotted eye) for notifying the big hit is set as the effect symbol to be finally stopped, and the losing symbol is stopped and displayed. When it is specified that the game is lost, an effect symbol for notifying a loss is set. In addition, when setting a performance symbol for notifying a loss, if a loss is to be notified after performing a reach effect, a reach design is set as a production symbol for notifying the loss, and a reach effect is performed. In the case of notifying the loss, a break pattern is set as the effect design for notifying the loss.

  Next, the sub CPU 91 determines whether or not it is necessary to perform a presence-represented effect with the present special symbol variation display based on the special symbol variation pattern setting information included in the received variation start command. Is determined (step S1632). Here, if it is determined that it is not necessary to perform the effect with reach (step S1632: NO), the variable effect pattern of the effect without reach is set (step S1633). For example, any one of the effect random numbers corresponding to the effect random number acquired in the process of step S161 from the reach-less variable effect pattern selection table in which a plurality of types of non-reach effect variable effect patterns are associated with each of the special symbol change patterns. The variation effect pattern is read out, and information indicating the variation effect pattern is set in the sub RAM 93.

  On the other hand, when the sub CPU 91 determines that it is necessary to perform the effect with reach (step S1632: YES), the sub CPU 91 sets the variable effect pattern of the effect with reach (step S1634). For example, from the reach-provided variation effect pattern selection table in which a plurality of types of reach effect variation effect patterns are associated with each of the combination of the special symbol determination result and the special symbol variation pattern, Any one of the variation effect patterns corresponding to the effect random number acquired in the processing is read out, and information indicating the variation effect pattern is set in the sub RAM 93.

  By performing the processing of step S1633 or the processing of step S1634, in what kind of variation pattern the effect design is displayed, which reach effect is performed when the reach effect is performed, or when the reach effect is developed. Will determine how to develop the reach production.

[Configuration Example of Control RAM 103]
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for describing storage areas of the control RAM 103 and information stored in each storage area. As illustrated in FIG. 25A, information included in the hold icon display command related to the first special symbol determination received from the sub-control board 90 is stored in the control RAM 103 of the image and sound control board 100. As storage areas, the storage area 1030, the hold 1 storage area 1031, the hold 2 storage area 1032, the hold 3 storage area 1033, and the hold 4 storage area 1034 are provided.

  The storage area 1030 is a storage area in which information related to the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 is stored. The hold 1 storage area 1031 is a storage area in which information on the hold icon displayed as hold 1 in the hold icon display area 71 is stored. The hold 2 storage area 1032 is a storage area in which information about the hold icon displayed as hold 2 in the hold icon display area 71 is stored. The hold 3 storage area 1033 is a storage area in which information on the hold icon displayed as hold 3 in the hold icon display area 71 is stored. The hold 4 storage area 1034 is a storage area in which information about a hold icon displayed as hold 4 in the hold icon display area 71 is stored.

  As illustrated in FIG. 25B, storage areas 1030 to 1034 are areas for storing information necessary for display control of the icon or the reserved icon, respectively, in a case where an icon change effect is executed. An area for storing change pattern information indicating a change pattern of the display color of the icon and an area for storing current display color information indicating the current display color of the corresponding icon are included.

  Here, the change pattern information is information included in the hold icon display command received from the sub-control board 90. This change pattern information is acquired when the hold icon display command transmitted from the sub-control board 90 according to the processing of steps S142 and S143 in FIG. 22 is received. Note that, in accordance with the processing in step S133 in FIG. 22, a pending icon display command that does not instruct execution of the icon change effect, that is, a hold icon display command that does not include setting information of the icon change effect is transmitted from the sub-control board 90. In this case, only the current display color information is stored without storing the change pattern information. This current display color information indicates the actual display color of the corresponding icon. Therefore, for icons that are not targeted for the icon change effect, the display color of the icon indicated by the current display color information does not change from white. On the other hand, for the icon to be subjected to the icon change effect, the current display color information is appropriately updated so as to indicate the display color after the change as the icon change effect is executed and the display color of the icon changes. Is done.

  In the gaming machine 1, each time the hold icon display command is transmitted from the sub-control board 90, the information described above based on FIG. 25B is sequentially stored from the hold 1 storage area 1031 to the hold 1 storage area 1031 to hold 4 It is stored in any of the storage areas 1034. For example, in a case where the hold icon display command is transmitted from the sub-control board 90 in a state where information is not stored in any of the hold 1 storage area 1031 to the hold 4 storage area 1034, the information is included in the hold icon display command. The stored change pattern information is stored in the hold 1 storage area 1031. At this time, information indicating the first display color (initial color) of the hold icon that can be specified based on the change pattern information is also stored as the current display color information. Further, when a hold icon display command is transmitted from the sub-control board 90 in a state where information is stored in the hold 1 storage area 1031 and the hold 2 storage area 1032, information based on the hold icon display command is stored in the hold 3 storage area 1033. Is stored in

  In addition, when the variable effect start command instructing the start of the variable effect corresponding to the hold 1 is transmitted from the sub-control board 90 in a state where the information is stored in at least the hold 1 storage area 1031, the hold 1 storage area 1031 Is shifted to the storage area 1030. At this time, if information is also stored in the storage areas subsequent to the hold 2 storage area 1032, a shift process for shifting the information to the hold 1 storage area 1031 is also performed.

[Interrupt processing by the image sound control board 100]
Next, an interrupt process executed in the image acoustic control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the image acoustic control board 100. The image acoustic control board 100 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 26 at regular intervals (for example, 33 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for a special case such as a power-on or a power-off. .

  First, the image sound control CPU 101 executes an image display control process for controlling image display on the display screen 70 based on a command received from the sub-control board 90 (step S71). This image display control process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  Subsequent to the process of step S71, the image / sound control CPU 101 executes an effect sound output control process for outputting various effect sounds from the speaker 38 in synchronization with or asynchronously with the screen display performed on the display screen 70. (Step S72).

  Subsequent to the process of step S72, the image and sound control CPU 101 executes a data transmission control process (step S73). Specifically, data relating to the image sound control performed in the image sound control board 100 is transmitted to the sub-control board 90. On the other hand, the sub control board 90 transfers the data received from the image and sound control board 100 to the lamp control board 120. Thereby, the frame lamp 37, the board surface lamp 5, the movable decorative member 14, and the like are controlled so as to synchronize with the effect performed by the display screen 70 and the speaker 38.

[Image display control processing by image acoustic control board 100]
FIG. 27 is a detailed flowchart of the image display control process in step S71 of FIG. First, the image sound control CPU 101 determines whether or not a command transmitted from the sub-control board 90 has been received (step S711). Here, when it is determined that the command has not been received (step S711: NO), the process proceeds to step S722 described below.

  On the other hand, when determining that the command has been received from the sub-control board 90 (step S711: YES), the image and sound control CPU 101 transmits the command from the sub-control board 90 in accordance with the processing in step S133 or step S143 in FIG. It is determined whether the command is the transmitted hold icon display command (step S712). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the hold icon display command (step S712: NO), the process proceeds to step S714 described below.

  When determining that the received command is the hold icon display command (step S712: YES), the image sound control CPU 101 executes a hold icon display control process (step S713). This hold icon display control process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the command received from the sub-control board 90 determines that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is not the hold icon display command (step S712: NO), the command is transmitted from the sub-control board 90 according to the processing of step S165 in FIG. It is determined whether or not the command is the transmitted variable effect start command (step S714). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the fluctuation effect start command (step S714: NO), the process proceeds to step S717 described below.

  When the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is a variable effect start command (step S714: YES), the information indicating the variable effect pattern included in the variable effect start command and the advance notice The setting information of the variable effect is set in the control RAM 103 based on the information indicating the effect pattern (step S715). Then, the above-described information shift processing is performed on the hold 1 storage area 1031 to the hold 4 storage area 1034 based on FIG. 25 (step S716).

  When the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is not the fluctuation effect start command (step S714: NO), the command is transmitted from the sub-control board 90 in accordance with the processing of step S18 in FIG. It is determined whether or not the received command is a transmitted variation end command (step S717). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the fluctuation effect ending command (step S717: NO), the process proceeds to step S719 described later.

  When the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is the variable effect end command (step S717: YES), the effect of notifying the special symbol determination result along with the stop display of the special symbol. The setting information of the fixed effect for stopping the symbol is set in the control RAM 103 (step S718).

  When determining that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is not the fluctuation effect ending command (step S717: NO), the image and sound control CPU 101 sends the command from the sub-control board 90 in accordance with the processing in step S20 in FIG. It is determined whether it is the transmitted opening effect start command (step S719). Here, when it is determined that the command from the sub-control board 90 is not the opening effect start command (step S719: NO), the process proceeds to step S721 described later.

  When determining that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is the opening effect start command (step S719: YES), the image sound control CPU 101 sets the setting information of the opening effect in the control RAM 103 (step S720). Conversely, when it is determined that the received command is not the opening effect start command (step S719: NO), other setting information is set in the control RAM 103 (step S721).

  When executing the process of step S721, when determining that the command from the sub-control board 90 has not been received (step S711: NO), when performing the process of step S713, the image sound control CPU 101 executes the process of step S716. When the process is executed, when the process of step S718 is executed, or when the process of step S720 is executed, an icon change timing for changing the display color of the icon (the hold icon or the icon) displayed on the display screen 70 Is determined (step S722). In the gaming machine 1, when changing the display color of the icon based on the change pattern information, it is set in advance how many seconds after the start of the variation display of the effect symbol to change the display color of the icon. I have. The image sound control CPU 101 determines the icon change timing based on the change pattern information stored in the storage areas 1030 to 1034, the information indicating the above setting, the elapsed time from the start of the variation display of the effect symbol, and the like. Is determined. For example, when the target icon to be the target of the icon change effect is displayed as Hold 1, change pattern information indicating that the display color is changed from blue to green is stored in the hold 1 storage area 1031, and the effect symbol is displayed. When it is set in advance that the display color of the icon is changed at the timing when three seconds have elapsed from the start of the fluctuation display, three seconds have elapsed since the start of the fluctuation display of the effect symbol corresponding to the icon immediately before the hold 1. At the timing when the second has elapsed, it is determined that it is the icon change timing of hold 1.

  When determining that it is the icon change timing (step S722: YES), the image sound control CPU 101 executes an information update process (step S723). This information updating process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

  When executing the process of step S723 or determining that it is not the icon change timing (step S722: NO), the image sound control CPU 101 displays the effect image on the display screen 70 based on the setting information set in the control RAM 103. The display list for controlling the drawing processing of the VDP 104 is created and stored in a predetermined area of the control RAM 103 (step S724), and the display list is set in the display list storage area of the VRAM 106. (Step S725). When the VDP 104 performs the drawing process based on the display list set in the display list storage area, the effect display instructed from the sub-control board 90 is realized.

[Holding Icon Display Control Processing by Image Sound Control Board 100]
FIG. 28 is a detailed flowchart of the hold icon display control process in step S713 of FIG. In the following description, a process executed when a hold icon display command related to the first special symbol determination is received will be described as an example. However, when a hold icon display command related to the second special symbol determination is received, The same processing is performed.

  When determining that the command received from the sub-control board 90 is a reserved icon display command (step S712: YES), the image sound control CPU 101 determines whether or not the change pattern information is included in the reserved icon display command. (Step S7131). Here, when it is determined that the change pattern information is not included (step S7131: NO), the execution of the icon change effect is not instructed, so that the white color which is the initial color of the reserved icon when the icon change effect is not executed Is stored in any of the storage areas 1031 to 1034 (step S7132). For example, when information is stored in the reserved 1 storage area 1031 and the reserved 2 storage area 1032 of the storage areas 1031 to 1034 and no information is stored in the other storage areas, the reserved 3 storage area 1033 indicates a white color. Stores display color information.

  As described above, when the received hold icon display command does not include the change pattern information, only the current display color information indicating white is stored in any of the storage areas 1031 to 1034 (the hold 3 storage area 1033 in the above example). Is stored. In this case, a white hold icon (white hold 3 in the above example) is newly displayed based on the received hold icon display command, and the icon change effect for the hold icon and the corresponding hold icon are displayed. The icon change effect for the icon is not performed. For this reason, the current display color information corresponding to the reserved icon is not updated to indicate another display color, although the shift processing is performed along with the reserved use.

  Subsequent to the process of step S7132, the image and sound control CPU 101 sets setting information related to icon display control without an icon change effect in the control RAM 103 (step S7133). The processing in steps S724 and 725 (see FIG. 27) is performed based on the setting information, so that a white suspension icon is newly displayed in the suspension icon display area 71. If the hold icon is a hold icon after hold 2, the white hold icon is shifted in the hold icon display area 71 each time the variation display of the effect symbol is started, and finally the icon is displayed. The image is shifted to the display area 72 and displayed as the white icon.

  On the other hand, when the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the received hold icon display command includes the change pattern information (step S7131: YES), it stores the change pattern information in any of the storage areas 1031 to 1034. (Step S7134). The storage of the change pattern information is as described above with reference to FIG.

  Next, the image sound control CPU 101 determines whether or not the special icon is being displayed (step S7135). Here, the special icon is a hold icon (or the icon) displayed in a display color other than white, and the image-acoustic control CPU 101 specifically calls the step S7134 in the storage areas 1030 to 1034. Whether the current display color information indicating a display color other than white is stored in the current display color information stored in the storage area closer to the storage area 1030 than the storage area storing the change pattern information in the process of It is determined whether or not the special icon is being displayed based on whether or not. For example, when the change pattern information is stored in the hold 3 storage area 1033 in the processing of step S7134, the current display color information stored in the storage area 1030, the current display color information stored in the hold 1 storage area 1031, And whether the special icon is being displayed based on whether or not the current display color information indicating a display color other than white is included with reference to the current display color information stored in the hold 2 storage area 1032. Is determined.

  When determining that the special icon is not being displayed (step S7135: NO), the image sound control CPU 101 replaces the current display color information indicating the initial color based on the change pattern information stored in the processing of step S7134 with the change pattern information. The data is stored in the same storage area as the stored data (step S7136). For example, when the change pattern information indicating that the display color of the icon is changed in the order of white (hold 2) → blue (hold 1) → blue (corresponding) is stored, the current display color information indicating white is stored. . Further, for example, when change pattern information indicating that the display color of the icon is changed in the order of blue (hold 3) → green (hold 2) → green (hold 1) → red (corresponding) is stored, the blue color is displayed. The current display color information to be stored is stored.

  Next, the image and sound control CPU 101 sets, in the control RAM 103, setting information for performing an icon change effect with a change pattern based on the change pattern information stored in the process of step S7134 (step S7137). By performing the processing of steps S724 and 725 (see FIG. 27) based on this setting information, first, the hold icon having the same display color as the current display color information stored in the processing of step S7136 is displayed in the hold icon display area. 71 is newly displayed. Then, from the start of the display of the hold icon to the end of the variable display of the symbol corresponding to the hold icon, the display color is changed in the change pattern indicated by the change pattern information stored in the processing of step S7134. It will change.

  On the other hand, when the image and sound control CPU 101 determines that the special icon is being displayed (step S7135: YES), the new icon, which is a new icon to be displayed in response to receiving the current reserved icon display command, is displayed. It is determined whether or not the initial color is higher than the display color of the special icon (step S7138). Specifically, the initial color of the new icon is specified based on the change pattern information stored in the processing of step S7134. For example, when change pattern information indicating that the display color of the icon is changed in the order of blue (hold 4) → green (hold 3) → red (hold 2) → red (hold 1) → red (corresponding) is stored. , It is possible to specify that the initial color is blue. In addition, the image sound control CPU 101 specifies the current display color of the special icon being displayed based on the current display color information stored in the storage area corresponding to the special icon being displayed. For example, when blue hold 2 is displayed, a special icon (here hold 2) is displayed based on the current display color information indicating blue stored in the hold 2 storage area 1032 (see FIG. 25A). Specifies that the display color is blue. Then, the initial color of the specified new icon is compared with the display color of the specified special icon, and it is determined whether or not the former display color is a higher display color than the latter display color. For example, when the initial color of the new icon is blue and the display color of the special icon is green, it is determined that the initial color of the new icon is not higher than the display color of the special icon. Further, for example, when the initial color of the new icon is green and the display color of the special icon is blue, it is determined that the initial color of the new icon is higher than the display color of the special icon. Further, when the initial color of the new icon is blue (for example, see the change pattern of reservation 4 in FIG. 10B), and the display color of the special icon is also blue (for example, reservation 2 in FIG. 10B). ), It is determined that the initial color of the new icon is not higher than the display color of the special icon.

  If the image sound control CPU 101 determines in this step S7138 that the initial color of the new icon is higher than the display color of the special icon being displayed (step S7138: YES), based on the change pattern information, As in the case where the special icon is not being displayed, the processing in steps S7136 and S137 is executed. In this case, a new icon (for example, a green hold icon) indicating that the jackpot reliability is higher than the displayed special icon (for example, a blue hold icon) will be newly displayed, and the player with respect to the big hit will be displayed. It is possible to effectively improve expectations.

  On the other hand, when determining that the initial color of the new icon is not higher than the display color of the special icon being displayed (step S7138: NO), the image sound control CPU 101 indicates a weak display color weaker than the special icon. The current display color information is stored in the same storage area where the change pattern information was stored in the process of step S7134 (step S7139). For example, as is clear from the notation in FIG. 10B, the initial color of the new icon (hold 4 in the example of FIG. 10B) specified based on the change pattern information is blue, and the special icon being displayed is When the display color of the icon (hold 2 in the example of FIG. 10B) is also blue, even if a new blue icon is newly displayed, the player's expectation of the big hit cannot be effectively increased. For this reason, in such a case, current display color information indicating a display color (for example, white) weaker than blue, which is the display color of the special icon, is stored instead of the initial color specified based on the change pattern information of the new icon. I do.

  Subsequent to the processing in step S7139, the image and sound control CPU 101 sets, in the control RAM 103, setting information for performing an icon change effect with a change pattern in which the initial color of the new icon is changed to a weak display color (step S7140). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, the display color of the icon changes in the order of blue (hold 4) → green (hold 3) → red (hold 2) → red (hold 1) → red (relevant). When the change pattern information of the new icon indicating that the icon is to be stored is stored in the process of step S7134, the display color of the icon is changed to white (hold 4) → green (hold 3) → red (hold 2) → red (hold 1) → red. The setting information for performing the icon change effect of changing in the order of (the relevant) is set in the control RAM 103.

  By performing the processing in steps S724 and 725 (see FIG. 27) after the processing in steps S7139 and 7140, it is possible to realize the same icon display control as that of the hold 4 in FIG. 10B.

[Information update processing by image acoustic control board 100]
FIG. 29 is a detailed flowchart of the information update process in step S723 of FIG. If it is determined that it is the icon change timing (step S722: YES), the image sound control CPU 101 changes the display color of the target icon that is the target of the icon change effect based on the change pattern information. It is determined whether or not the display color is higher than the other icons (step S7231). For example, when a blue special icon is displayed and the display color of the target icon is green, it is determined that the display color after the change of the target icon is higher than the display colors of the other icons. . Also, for example, when a blue special icon is displayed and the display color of the target icon changes from white to blue, the display color after the change of the target icon is higher than the display colors of other icons. It is determined that it does not become. Also, for example, when the display color of the blue special icon changes from blue to green, and accordingly, the display color of the target icon changes from white to red, the display color after the change of the target icon is better. It is determined that the display color is higher than the display colors of the other icons.

  As described above, in step S7231, the image and sound control CPU 101 sets the display color after the change of the target icon to another icon based on the change pattern information and the current display color information stored in the storage areas 1030 to 1034. It is determined whether the color is higher than the color.

  If the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the display color of the target icon after the change is higher than the display colors of the other icons (step S7231: YES), the target image is controlled based on the change pattern information corresponding to the target icon. The current display color information of the icon is updated (step S7322). For example, when the display color of the target icon displayed as hold 2 changes to green, the current display color is changed so that the display color indicated by the current display color information stored in the hold 2 storage area 1032 becomes green. Update information. When the display color of the target icon is changed according to the change pattern indicated by the change pattern information, the display color of the target icon is changed according to the change pattern indicated by the change pattern information by the process of step S7137 described above. It has already been instructed to perform an icon change effect to make the icon change effect. Therefore, here, the process of step S7322 is performed, and other processes are not performed.

  On the other hand, when determining that the display color after the change of the target icon is not higher than the display color of the other icon (step S7231: NO), the image sound control CPU 101 determines whether or not the target icon is the same as the other icon. Is determined (step S7233). For example, when the display color of the target icon changes to green in a situation where the display color of the other icon is green, it is determined that the target icon is at the same rank as the other icon. Further, for example, when the display color of the target icon changes from white to blue in a situation where the display color of the other icon is green, it is determined that the target icon is not at the same rank as the other icon.

  As described above, when the display color of the target icon after the change is not higher than the display color of the other icon and is not the same as the display color of the other icon, that is, the display color of the other icon In the case of lower rank, even if the display color of the target icon is changed, it is considered that the player's expectation of the big hit cannot be effectively increased. For this reason, when the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the target icon is not at the same rank as the other icons (step S7233: NO), the display color of the target icon is maintained without changing at the current change timing. The setting information stored in the control RAM 103 is updated by the process of step S7137 or the process of step S7140 of step S28 (step S7234). For example, when the display color of the icon changes from blue to red, even if the display color of hold 2 is changed from blue to green based on the change pattern information, the icon has a greater jackpot reliability than hold 2 Therefore, even if the icon change effect is performed, the player's expectation of the jackpot cannot be effectively increased. Therefore, in such a case, when the hold icon of the hold 2 is displayed as the hold 2, the setting information related to the hold 2 is updated so that the display color is maintained in blue.

  On the other hand, when the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the display color after the change of the target icon is the same as the display color of another icon (step S7233: YES), the image sound control CPU 101 determines whether the display color of the target icon is to be changed. It is determined whether or not one special symbol determination is completed before the first special symbol determination relating to another icon (step S7235). Specifically, in the storage areas 1030 to 1034, the first special information related to the target icon is determined based on which of the information regarding the target icon and the information regarding the other icons is stored in the storage area 1030 side. It is determined whether or not the symbol determination is performed first. For example, when information on the target icon is stored in the storage area 1030 and information on another icon is stored in the hold 2 storage area 1032, the first special symbol determination on the target icon is digested first. Is determined.

  When the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the first special symbol determination for the target icon is digested before the first special symbol determination for the other icons (step S7235: YES), the above-described step S7322 is performed. Execute the process. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10D, the display color of another icon that is digested later (here, hold 2) changes from green to red, and the target icon that is digested first (here, the icon If the display color of ()) can change from blue to red, it is preferable to give priority to the display control of the target icon that is digested first. For this reason, in such a situation, the icon is determined to be “YES” in the process of step S7233 and is also determined to be “YES” in the process of step S7235, so that the target icon (here, the The icon change effect is performed based on the change pattern information without limiting the display color change of the icon).

  Conversely, when the image sound control CPU 101 determines that the first special symbol determination for the target icon is not digested earlier than the first special symbol determination for the other icons (step S7235: NO), When the first special symbol determination for the icon is digested later than the first special symbol determination for the other icons, the display color of the target icon is maintained without being changed at the current change timing. Thus, the setting information set in the control RAM 103 in the processing of step S7137 or step S7140 in FIG. 28 is updated (step S7234).

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10D, when the display color of the icon as another icon changes from blue to red, the display color of the hold 2 as the target icon is changed from green to red. As a result, it becomes impossible to determine which icon the player should pay attention to, and as a result, the icon change effect for the hold 2 may reduce the interest of the variable effect corresponding to the icon. For this reason, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, with respect to the hold 2 of FIG. 10D, “YES” is determined in the processing of the step S7233, and “NO” is determined in the processing of the subsequent step S7235, By proceeding to step S7234, when the hold icon is displayed as hold 2, as described above with reference to FIG. 10D, the execution of the icon change effect targeting hold 2 is restricted. Is done.

By the way, when performing the icon change effect, as described above with reference to FIG. 28, the change pattern information included in the hold command from the sub-control board 90 is stored in the storage areas 1031 to 1034, and based on the change pattern information. Setting information for performing the icon change effect with the change pattern is set in the control RAM 103. For this reason, basically, an icon change effect is performed in the same change pattern as the change pattern instructed by the sub-control board 90.
On the other hand, when the first special symbol determination relating to the target icon that ranks with another icon is digested later, an icon change effect according to the change pattern information is performed on the target icon. And there is a possibility that the effects related to other icons may be hindered. For example, when the green icon is displayed in the icon display area 72 as another icon, and the display color of the icon changes from green to red, the display color of the target icon (for example, hold 2) is displayed. For example, if the icon is easily changed from green to red, the player gazes at the target icon (here, hold 2), and a high-reliability reach effect performed in a state where the red icon is displayed. It may not be possible to obtain a high directing effect.

  Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, for the target icon, the setting information of the icon change effect set in the control RAM 103 at the timing of receiving the hold command is set to the change pattern whose display color does not change at the current change timing. The icon change effect is temporarily restricted by rewriting the setting information so as to perform the processing in steps S724 and 725 based on the setting information. As a result, as described above with reference to FIG. 10D, the display of the hold 2 is restricted from changing from green to red, and another icon (the icon in the example shown in FIG. 10D) is An effect of changing the display color of the target icon from green to red after being deleted from the display screen 70 (FIG. 10E) is realized.

[Configuration and Operational Effect of Gaming Machine 1]
Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration, and the following functions and effects can be obtained by having the configuration.

  The gaming machine 1 is configured to determine whether or not to execute a special game that is advantageous to the player, and that the symbol is variably displayed on predetermined symbol display means in response to the determination. Symbol display control means for stopping and displaying a symbol indicating the result of the determination, holding means capable of holding the right of the determination up to a predetermined number, and effect control means for controlling the execution of the effect, the effect control means It is possible to display on a predetermined display means hold information indicating that the right of the determination is held, to change the display mode of the hold information, and the special game may be executed. When the first hold information of the first display mode is displayed, the display mode of the second hold information displayed in a predetermined display mode is changed from the predetermined display mode to the first display mode. Is more likely than It can be changed to the second display mode suggests.

  According to this configuration, when the first hold information of the first display mode (for example, blue hold 1: see FIG. 10C) indicating that there is a possibility that the jackpot game is executed is displayed. The display mode of the second hold information (for example, white hold 3: see FIG. 10C) displayed in a predetermined display mode is changed from the predetermined display mode (here, white) to the first display mode ( In some cases, the display may change to a second display mode (for example, green: see FIG. 10C) indicating that the possibility is higher than that of blue.

For example, if the hold 3 is changed from white to blue while the blue hold 1 is displayed, the jackpot reliability of the blue hold 3 is low, for example, 3%, and is the same as the jackpot reliability of the hold 1 As a result, the player's expectation of the jackpot has not increased, but rather the impression that neither of the two special icons are displayed will lead to the jackpot will be stronger, and the icon change effect will be produced. The effect may be reduced on the contrary.
On the other hand, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, when the blue hold 1 is displayed, the display color of the hold 3 changes from white to green. An icon change effect may be performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the sense of expectation of the jackpot of the player who did not expect the jackpot because the hold 1 is blue, and it is possible to obtain a high effect by performing the icon change effect. .

  Also, the effect control means may change the display mode of the second hold information from the predetermined display mode to the possibility of the display while displaying the second hold information in the predetermined display mode. Can be changed to a third display mode that suggests that the first display mode is higher than the first display mode if the probability that the third display mode suggests is not higher than the first display mode. The display mode of the second hold information may be restricted from changing from the predetermined display mode to the third display mode during the display of the 1 hold information.

  According to this configuration, while the second hold information of the predetermined display mode (for example, white) is being displayed, the display mode of the second hold information may change to the third display mode (for example, blue). If the possibility that the three display modes suggest is not higher than the first display mode (for example, blue), the display mode of the second hold information is changed from the predetermined display mode (here, white) to the third display mode (here, blue). May be restricted.

  For example, when the red color icon is displayed as the first hold information, even if the display color of the hold 2 as the second hold information is changed from green to red, the jackpot reliability of the hold 2 is changed to the icon. Jackpot reliability is not higher. For this reason, not only cannot the player's expectation of the jackpot be improved, but also the impression that neither of the two red icons can be expected of the jackpot cannot be expected. There is a possibility that the effect may be reduced instead. On the other hand, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the player's expectation of the big hit is not improved by the icon change effect targeting the second hold information, the execution of the icon change effect is limited. . For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (D), when an icon change effect for the icon is performed and the display color of the icon becomes red, the display color of the hold 2 changes from green to red. The execution of the icon change effect to be performed is restricted. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the above-described problem from occurring.

  Further, when the determination is made for the right corresponding to the first hold information of the first display mode, the display means variably displays the symbol in response to the determination being made. When present, the first hold information can be displayed as change suggestion information indicating that the symbol is being changed and displayed, and the effect control means can display the second hold information in the predetermined display mode. During the display, after the display of the change suggestion information is completed, the display mode of the second hold information may be changed from the predetermined display mode to the third display mode.

According to this configuration, after the display of the first hold information displayed as the change suggestion information ends, the display mode of the second hold information may change from the predetermined display mode to the third display mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (E), after the display of the red icon (see FIG. 10 (D)) ends, the hold icon (see FIG. 10 (D)) displayed as hold 2 ) Is on hold 1 and its display color changes from green to red.
For this reason, the player who has reduced the expectation of the jackpot due to the end of the display of the first hold information displayed as the change suggestion information can be expected to expect the jackpot again, and as a result, an effective icon It is possible to perform a change effect. Further, the icon change effect is performed at different timings when the change in the display mode of the second hold information is limited and when the change in the display mode of the second hold information is not limited. For this reason, the variation of the icon change effect targeting the second hold information is abundant, and it is possible to improve the interest of the icon change effect.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be, for example, the following forms. That is, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the icon change effect is performed on the icons related to the first special symbol determination (the hold icon and the icon) in the normal game state. A similar icon change effect may be performed for icons related to the second special symbol determination (the hold icon and the icon). In this case, the icon change effect of the icon related to the first special symbol determination in the normal game state is limited as described above, while the icon change effect of the icon related to the second special symbol determination in the positive change game state is not limited. You may. Further, the icon change effect of the icon related to the first special symbol determination in the normal game state may not be limited, while the icon change effect of the icon related to the second special symbol determination in the sure change game state may be limited. Further, both the icon change effect of the icon related to the first special symbol determination in the normal game state and the icon change effect of the icon related to the second special symbol determination in the positive change game state may be limited.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which, when a normal hold icon (normal icon) is compared with a special icon, the display colors of the two are different from each other. On the other hand, in other embodiments, when the normal icon and the special icon are compared, the operation mode may be different from the display mode in addition to the display mode. Specifically, for example, during the period in which the normal icon is displayed as Hold 1 and the special icon is displayed as Hold 2, the normal icon is stopped at the display position corresponding to Hold 1 while the special icon corresponds to Hold 2. At a predetermined display position. In the same case, while the normal icon is swung in the first swing pattern at the display position corresponding to the hold 1, the special icon is swung in the second swing pattern (different from the first swing pattern). It may be made to swing in a pattern. By adopting these configurations, the difference between the normal icon and the special icon becomes clearer, the special icon can be made more prominent than the normal icon, and a high effect is obtained by a synergistic effect with the icon change effect. It is possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the jackpot reliability is suggested by the final color of the icon (the icon in this case) and the jackpot reliability is the same when the final color is the same has been described. On the other hand, in another embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which the larger the display color is at an earlier stage, the higher the jackpot reliability is. Specifically, for example, displaying a red special icon as Hold 2 has higher jackpot reliability than displaying a red special icon as Hold 1, and displaying a red special icon as Hold 3 The jackpot reliability is higher when the red special icon is displayed as Hold 2 and the jackpot reliability is higher when the red special icon is displayed as Hold 4 than when the red special icon is displayed as Hold 3. May be adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, for example, by displaying a red special icon as a hold 4 in a situation where a green special icon is displayed as a hold 2, the player can be prevented from having the hold 4 lead to a jackpot. Expectation can be further improved.

Further, the normal effect sound may be output from the speaker 38 at the start of the display of the normal icon, and the special effect sound may be output from the speaker 38 at the start of the display of the special icon. Further, for example, the first special effect sound is output with the start of the display of the blue special icon, the second special effect sound is output with the start of the display of the green special icon, and the display of the red special icon is started. The type of special effect sound may be changed according to the display color of the special icon, such as outputting the third special effect sound.
By adopting such a configuration, for example, when a green special icon is newly displayed while a blue special icon is displayed, the second special effect is displayed with the start of the display of the green special icon. Since the sound is output, the player can easily recognize that the green special icon has been displayed, and expect the player to perform an icon change effect targeting the green special icon. It is possible to obtain a high production effect by a synergistic effect with the icon change production.

Further, in the case as shown in FIG. 10C, for example, the condition is that a preliminary determination result indicating that it is determined to be a big hit at the start of the change is obtained as a preliminary determination result corresponding to blue hold 1. An icon change effect that changes the display color of hold 3 from white to blue, an icon change effect that changes the display color of hold 3 from white to green, or an icon change effect that changes the display color of hold 3 from white to red May be performed.
In this case, when the icon change effect for the hold 3 is performed, the player can recognize that the hold 1 is connected to the jackpot, and the icon change effect for the hold 3 becomes the jackpot. , And a function to imply that the hold 1 is connected to the jackpot. This makes it possible to perform an icon change effect with an extremely high effect.

In addition, when the blue hold 1 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10 (C), a pre-judgment result indicating that it is determined to be a big hit at the start of the change is obtained as the pre-judgment result corresponding to the hold 3. Any of the above three types of icon change effects for Hold 3 may be performed on condition that the icon change effect is held.
In this case, when the icon change effect for the hold 3 is performed, the player can recognize that the hold 3 is connected to the jackpot, and the icon change effect for the hold 3 It is possible to function as a definitive notification effect that definitively reports that a jackpot is connected.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to one type of pachinko game machine called a so-called ST machine has been described. However, the present invention is applied to a type of pachinko game machine called a so-called probable loop type, The present invention may be applied to other gaming machines such as a so-called one-type and two-type mixed-type pachinko gaming machine.

  Further, the configuration of the gaming machine 1 and the operation mode of each member described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized with other configurations and operation modes. Further, the order of processing, set values, random numbers, threshold values used for determination, and the like in the above-described flowcharts are merely examples, and other orders and values may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, this can be achieved. The drawings and the like illustrated in the above embodiments are merely examples, and may be other modes.

  1 gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine), 7 image display device, 21 first starting port, 22 second starting port, 23 opening / closing member, 26 first large winning opening, 28 second large winning opening, 41 first special symbol display Container, 42 second special symbol display, 44 first special figure pending display, 45 second special figure pending display, 70 display screen, 71 pending icon display area, 72 relevant icon display area, 80 main control board, 81 Main CPU, 90 sub control board, 91 sub CPU, 100 image sound control board, 101 image sound control CPU, 211 first starting port sensor, 221 second starting port sensor.

Claims (3)

Determining means for determining whether to execute a special game advantageous to the player,
In response to the determination being made, a symbol display control unit that variably displays a symbol on a predetermined symbol display unit and then stops and displays a symbol indicating the result of the determination,
Holding means capable of holding the right of the determination up to a predetermined number,
Effect control means for controlling the execution of the effect,
The effect control means,
It is possible to display on a predetermined display means hold information indicating that the right of the determination is held, it is possible to change the display mode of the hold information,
When the first hold information of the first display mode indicating that the special game may be executed is displayed, the display mode of the second hold information displayed in a predetermined display mode is A gaming machine wherein the predetermined display mode can be changed to a second display mode indicating that the possibility is higher than the first display mode. The effect control means,
While the second hold information of the predetermined display mode is being displayed, the third display mode of the second hold information is changed from the predetermined display mode to a third status indicating that the possibility is higher than the predetermined display mode. While it is possible to change to the display mode,
When the possibility indicated by the third display mode is not higher than the first display mode, the display mode of the second hold information is changed to the predetermined display mode while the first hold information of the first display mode is being displayed. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a change from a mode to the third display mode is restricted. The display means,
When the determination is performed on the right corresponding to the first hold information in the first display mode, the first display is displayed when the symbol is variably displayed in response to the determination. The pending information can be displayed as change suggestion information indicating that the symbol is being displayed for change,
The effect control means,
During the display of the second hold information in the predetermined display mode, after the display of the change suggestion information is completed, the display mode of the second hold information is changed from the predetermined display mode to the third display mode. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine can be operated.

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