JP2020078755A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine in which a processing load or a data capacity is reduced with respect to display of presentation movies.SOLUTION: A game machine stores a plurality of patterns of presentation movies composed by combining images disposed on a plurality of layers and reads out the stored presentation movies for display in a prescribed display area. Each of the presentation movies is composed by using base images common to each other and component images disposed on layers different from the layers where the base images are disposed and different from each other. The presentation movies include a presentation movie regarding an "unamused face" in pattern A, a presentation movie regarding "astonishment" in pattern B, a presentation movie regarding "bashfulness" in pattern C, and a presentation movie regarding a "smug face" in pattern D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  Many of the gaming machines typified by a pachinko gaming machine and a rotating drum type gaming machine display a moving image along with the execution of the effect. The following Patent Document 1 is exemplified as this type of gaming machine.

  In Patent Document 1, when a captured image is displayed in relation to a specific effect, at the beginning, a captured image with a display transmittance of 100% is superimposed and displayed on an edited image obtained by editing the captured image, and is displayed moment by moment. There is described a gaming machine that lowers the transmittance and finally displays the captured image itself (display transmittance 0%).

JP, 2005-112198, A

  The specific effect executed by the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 has a certain effect in terms of emphasizing the captured image related to the specific effect, but superimposes two images (a captured image and an edited image). Therefore, there is a problem that the processing load related to the display processing and the data capacity of the image group used for the specific effect increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine in which the processing load or the data capacity is reduced with respect to the display of effect moving images.

  According to the present invention, storage means for storing a plurality of effect animations configured by combining a plurality of images and images arranged in a plurality of layers, and the effect animations stored in the storage means. Is displayed in a predetermined display area, and a first effect moving image and a second effect moving image in which the first images common to each other are arranged in the same or different layers in the storage means. The effect display moving image is stored, and the second image arranged in a layer different from the layer in which the first image is arranged is different between the first effect moving image and the second effect moving image, and the effect display control is performed. Means, when displaying a third effect moving image different from both the first effect moving image and the second effect moving image in the predetermined display area, arranges the first image to be arranged in one layer and the other layers. The third effect video may be generated by synthesizing the second image, and the fourth effect video that is different from any of the first effect video, the second effect video, and the third effect video may be the predetermined effect video. When displayed in the display area, the first image arranged on one layer is common to the third effect moving image, and the second image arranged on another layer is different from the third effect moving image by the composition. (EN) Provided is a gaming machine, which may generate a four-effect video.

  Alternatively, according to the present invention, an effect display control means for generating a plurality of effect animations by combining images arranged in a plurality of layers and displaying the effect animations in a predetermined display area, and the effect effect by the effect display control means. A storage unit that stores a plurality of images used to generate a moving image, and the effect display control unit is configured to generate one effect moving image and another effect moving image. The common first image is read and placed on the same or different layers, and the second effect image is generated for the second image placed on another layer different from the layer on which the first image is placed. There is provided a gaming machine in which different images are read out and placed in the other layer depending on whether to perform or to generate the other effect animation.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine in which a processing load is reduced or a data volume is reduced with respect to display of a moving image.

It is a front view of a game machine. It is a figure which shows the LED group arrange|positioned by the area|region II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in a region III shown in FIG. 1 and its periphery. It is a figure showing a game board installed in a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the main electric constitutions of a game machine. It is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine. It is a flow chart which shows a processing procedure of processing at the time of starting mouth entrance. It is the flowchart which shows the processing procedure of design fluctuation start processing. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the image which concerns on the face part of a certain character. It is a base image shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a part image around the eyes of a character. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a part image around the mouth of a character. It is a figure which shows the image which drew the silly face of a certain character. It is a figure which shows the image which drawn the startled face of a certain character. It is a figure which shows the image which drew the illuminated face of a certain character. It is a figure which shows the image which drew a doya face of a certain character. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the image which concerns on the face part of another character. It is a time chart regarding notice production based on the expression of a certain character. It is a figure which shows a specific example of the notice production based on the expression of a certain character. It is a figure which shows a specific example of the notice production based on the expression of a certain character. It is a figure which shows a specific example of the notice production based on the expression of a certain character. It is a figure which shows a specific example of the notice production based on the expression of a certain character. It is a figure which shows a specific example of the notice production based on the expression of a certain character. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the image which concerns on a dialog notice production. It is a figure which shows one specific example of the image which concerns on the notice production by the background display of a character.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, in all the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. Further, in the following description, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” refer to the gaming machine 10 on the front side (player side) unless otherwise specified. ), it refers to the state.

<Outline of gaming machine 10>
First, an outline of the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 9. FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image of a face portion of a character.
The gaming machine 10 is a so-called pachinko gaming machine and includes a storage unit and an effect control unit.

The storage means stores a plurality of effect moving images configured by combining images arranged in a plurality of layers.
The storage unit in the present embodiment is realized by the ROM 203, for example.
Here, a layer refers to a function of superimposing a plurality of images to synthesize one image when generating an image by computer processing, or a layer of each image superposed by the function.

The effect display control means reads out the effect animation from the storage means and displays it in a predetermined display area.
The effect display control means in the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the effect display control unit 211. Further, in the present embodiment, the predetermined display area in which the effect animation read by the effect display control means is displayed is, for example, the effect display device 80 (main display section 81, upper sub display section 82, left sub display section 83). , The right sub-display portion 84) is at least a part of the display area.

The storage means stores one effect video and another effect video in which the first images common to each other are respectively arranged in the same or different layers, and the first image is arranged in the layer. The second images arranged on different layers are different between one effect video and another effect video.
In other words, the one effect video and the other effect video stored in the storage unit include the first images having common contents, and even if the first images are arranged in the same layer as each other. It may be arranged in different layers. In addition, the one effect video and the other effect video include the second image whose content is different from that of the first image, and are arranged in a layer different from the layer in which the first image is arranged. It should be noted that in the one effect video and the other effect video, the second images may be arranged in the same layer or in different layers.
The first image in the present embodiment is, for example, a base image BA in which a face, hair and ears of a certain character are drawn. In addition, the second image in the present embodiment is, for example, a part image EY in which the eyes and eyebrows of a certain character are drawn, or a part image MO in which the mouth area of a certain character is drawn.

Since the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment reads and displays one effect moving image and another effect moving image that are generated and stored in advance, the processing load related to the display process is reduced, that is, the effect moving image is displayed. It is not necessary to combine the images arranged in each layer each time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load for displaying the effect animation.
Hereinafter, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 3, an operation button group operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. In this operation button group, in addition to the push buttons 37 that can accept the operation of the player to switch the effect generated during the game or to obtain various information regarding the game machine 10, Cursor buttons 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) for instructing operations to the left, right, and right, a ball lending button 39a for accepting a ball lending operation, a return button 39b for accepting a return operation of a prepaid card, and the like. included.
Further, a movable decorative body 22 which is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27.

  Below the lower ball receiving tray 29, a ball removing mechanism 36 that discharges the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided. By operating the ball removing mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 is opened, and the game ball is naturally dropped from the bottom opening and discharged.

  A pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are arranged on the left side and the right side of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20, respectively. Further, the upper frame part 32 and the left and right side frame parts 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed by a light-transmissive cover, and the lighting devices 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are respectively arranged therein. There is. The speaker 33 and the illuminating device 35 can output or turn on or off the sound in conjunction with the effect that occurs during the game, error notification, and the like.

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

The main display portion 81 can display a variable display of the effect symbols performed in conjunction with the symbol variation game on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92, and also various other effects. Can be displayed.
In the variable display of the effect symbol group displayed on the main display portion 81, the effect symbol group to be displayed forms one or a plurality of columns. The direction of the row formed by the variable display effect groups is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, the depth direction, or a combination thereof (oblique direction).
Although the depth direction is actually a two-dimensional display variation on the display screen of the main display portion 81, the effect symbol varies from the back of the main display portion 81 to the front direction or the opposite direction. In a display mode using a method of recognizing the player as if he/she is doing, it means a virtual direction recognized by the player.

  The main display unit 81 can display a so-called hold display (not shown) on a part of the display screen in addition to the display of the effect symbol. The display area in which the hold display is displayed and the display area in which the effect symbols are displayed may be separated or may overlap. Here, the hold display is an effect image called a so-called hold ball, and among the random numbers acquired when the ball enters the starting opening, it is used in the symbol variation game currently being executed. It imitates a random number or a random number currently reserved. The hold display may suggest that a privilege (for example, a big hit game) may be given depending on its shape, color and the like.

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

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

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are arranged on the lower right side of the main display portion 81, and these LEDs constitute a display area of the symbol display device 90. The symbol display device 90 is arranged in a position that is more difficult for the player to visually recognize than the main display part 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display part 81.
The arrangement and the number of LEDs of the symbol display device 90 in the present embodiment are as shown in FIG. 2, but this is one specific example, and the arrangement and the number of LEDs of the symbol display device 90 are this example. Is not limited to.

Here, the special symbol is a specific symbol group that is stopped and displayed as a result of the symbol variation game that determines whether to activate the special electric auditors product (for example, the special electric auditors product 65). The special symbols in the present embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92.
The first special symbol may be abbreviated as "special diagram 1", and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as "special diagram 2". In addition, the special symbol may be abbreviated as “special symbol”.

Here, the normal symbol is a specific symbol group that is stopped and displayed as a result of the symbol variation game that determines whether or not to operate the normal electric accessory (for example, the normal electric accessory 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
In addition, hereinafter, a normal design may be abbreviated as “general drawing”.

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

On the front surface of the game board 50, a large number of game nails (not shown), a windmill 52, and an obstacle such as a decorative member are arranged, so that the game area 50a is formed so that the game balls hit can roll. Is made. Further, on the left side and the upper side of the game area 50a, curved outer rails 51 and inner rails 53 provided to guide the game balls fired by the rotation operation of the operation handle 31 to the upper part of the game area 50a are arranged. Has been done. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the game area 50a as a reference.
Here, the wind turbine 52 is a mechanism for giving a change in the direction of the game ball falling, and is a nail-shaped one.

  In the gaming machine 10, it is possible to set the strength of the launch of the game ball depending on the magnitude of the rotation operation amount (for example, rotation angle) of the operation handle 31. Further, one of the first flow path X (so-called left hitting) in which the weaker hitting game ball rolls, and the second flow path Y (so-called right hitting) in which the stronger hit hitting game ball rolls. Various obstacles are arranged in the game area 50a so that the game balls roll.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a major winning opening 55, a first winning opening 57, a second starting opening 59, a gate 63, and a normal winning opening 67 (67a, 67b). The winning a prize shown here is an example, and the number and arrangement thereof may be appropriately changed.

The first starting port 57 is arranged at the lower center of the game area 50a. A count switch SW1 is attached to the first starting opening 57, and a winning associated with the first starting opening 57 is determined according to the detection of the count switch SW1. Granted.
In at least a part of the case where the winning relating to the first starting opening 57 is determined, the starting condition for starting the symbol variation game relating to the first special symbol is satisfied.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, a lot of game balls are directed toward the first starting opening 57 when rolling from the first flow path X, compared with when rolling from the second flow path Y. Obstacles such as game nails are arranged so as to roll.

The second starting opening 59 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 50a. A count switch SW2 is attached to the second starting opening 59, and a prize relating to the second starting opening 59 is determined by the detection of the count switch SW2, and a prize ball associated with the second starting opening 59 is determined. Granted.
In at least part of the case where the winning relating to the second starting opening 59 is determined, the starting condition for starting the symbol variation game relating to the second special symbol is satisfied.
In addition, in the game area 50a according to the present embodiment, as compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, a lot of game balls are directed toward the second start opening 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Obstacles such as game nails are arranged so as to roll.

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

The special winning opening 55 is arranged in the lower right part of the game area 50a. The special winning opening 55 is provided with a count switch SW7, and the detection of the count switch SW7 is used as a trigger to determine the winning of the special winning opening 55, and a prize ball associated with the special winning opening 55 is given. ..
A special electric accessory 65 is arranged above the special winning opening 55. The special electric auditors member 65 is a member that is switched to the open state where it is easy to enter the game ball or the closed state where it is difficult to enter the game ball, and is opened by the operation of the solenoid coil SOL1. Transition to either the state or the closed state.

The special electric accessory 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the big hit game that is won in the symbol variation game related to the special symbol, and accordingly, the entry of the game ball into the special winning opening 55 is allowed. It In addition, the special electric auditors product 65 in the present embodiment is configured so as to be in an open state in a big hit game due to both a ball entering the first starting port 57 and a ball entering the second starting port 59. ing.
When the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, it becomes easy to enter the game ball into the special winning opening 55, so that the chance of winning the prize ball can be greatly increased.
In addition, in the present embodiment, as compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, a lot of game balls roll toward the special winning opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Each obstacle is arranged.

The normal winning opening 67 (67a, 67b) is arranged in the lower left part of the game area 50a. The normal winning opening 67a is provided with a count switch SW51 for detecting a game ball entered, and the detection of the count switch SW51 is used as a trigger to determine the winning associated with the normal winning opening 67 and associate it with the normal winning opening 67. The awarded prize ball is awarded. The normal winning opening 67b is provided with a count switch SW52 for detecting a game ball entered, and the detection of the count switch SW52 is used as a trigger to determine the winning of the normal winning opening 67 and associate it with the normal winning opening 67. The awarded prize ball is awarded.
In addition, in the present embodiment, as compared with the case of rolling from the second flow path Y, a larger number of game balls roll toward the normal winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X. Each obstacle is arranged.

  The outlet 69 is arranged at the bottom of the game area 50a. The game balls that have been hit in the game area 50a and have not entered the above-described winning openings fall into the out opening 69 and are processed as out balls.

  Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment has been described, but these are merely specific examples, and the present invention can be implemented with another configuration.

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Subsequently, the control configuration of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 or FIG. It should be noted that since there are cases where each component shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above is touched for description, these drawings should also be appropriately referred to.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a main control configuration of the gaming machine 10.
Note that the components shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 are the components necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the components not shown here are added to the gaming machine 10. You may. Further, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the constituent elements illustrated here, and some constituent elements may be omitted within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

The gaming machine 10 includes a control board such as a main control board 100 and a sub control board 200 inside itself, and realizes various functions by each board and parts electrically connected to each board. is doing.
More specifically, the main control board 100 and the sub control board 200 have a CPU 101 or a CPU 201, a RAM 102 or a RAM 202, a ROM 103 or a ROM 203, and the like. The main control board 100 and the sub-control board 200 implement various functions by executing a control program read from the ROM 103 or ROM 203 by the CPU 101 or CPU 201 and writing or reading various data to or from the RAM 102 or RAM 202.
Although one sub-control board 200 is shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control board 200 may be formed of a plurality of boards. When the sub control board 200 is formed of a plurality of boards, the plurality of sub control boards 200 may be connected in parallel to the main control board 100, or the plurality of sub control boards 200 may be connected to the main control board 100. It may be connected hierarchically.
Further, the board for realizing each functional configuration is not limited to the board shown in FIG. 5, and may be realized on the main control board 100, the sub control board 200, or another board.

  The main control board 100 controls the game as a whole, and transmits commands to the sub control board 200 for effects related to the game. The main control board 100 is a board that realizes a function that affects or may affect the result of the game, and the sub control board 200 is a board that performs various controls according to commands sent from the main control board 100.

  In FIG. 6, as the main functional configuration realized by the main control board 100, a starting opening entrance time processing unit 110, a special figure game control section 120, a universal figure game control section 130, a game state control section 140, a symbol display The control unit 150 and the information transmission unit 190 are illustrated. In addition, in the figure, an effect control unit 210 is illustrated as a main functional configuration realized by the sub control board 200.

The starting mouth entrance time processing unit 110 acquires a random number used for determining whether or not a big hit game is won when a game ball enters the first starting mouth 57 or the second starting mouth 59 and executes a predetermined process.
Special figure game control section 120, executes the control regarding the design fluctuation game which relates to the special design.
The ordinary figure game control unit 130 executes control relating to a symbol variation game relating to a normal symbol.
The game state control unit 140 has a function of controlling a big hit game, a function of managing a probability variation state and a variation state, and a function of controlling addition or cancellation (transition to a normal game state) of these.
The symbol display control unit 150 causes the symbol display device 90 to display the special symbol selected as the result of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol, or the normal symbol selected as the result of the symbol variation game related to the ordinary symbol.
The information transmission unit 190 transmits the control information (command) generated by each functional configuration realized by the main control board 100 to the functional configuration realized by the sub control board 200 (for example, the production control unit 210 or the like). To do. The command transmitted by the information transmitting unit 190 includes the result of the special drawing lottery or the general drawing lottery, the presence/absence of the probability variation state, the presence/absence of the shortness state, the information on the held random numbers, the information on the execution of the jackpot game, etc. You may

The production control unit 210 receives control information (command) generated by various functional configurations realized by the main control board 100 via the information transmission unit 190, and mainly relates to a symbol variation game and a big hit game related to a special symbol. The effect display is displayed on the effect display device 80. For example, the effect control unit 210 causes the effect display device 80 to variably display or stop the effect symbol during the execution of the symbol variation game.
The effect control unit 210 can also control lighting (blinking) effect by the lighting device 35 or sound effect by the speaker 33, and arouses the interest of the player by combining these effect display, lighting effect, sound effect, and the like. can do. Further, the effect control unit 210 can variably switch various effects according to the operation of the player accepted by the push button 37.

<Regarding the processing when entering the starting opening>
Hereinafter, the starting mouth entrance time processing unit 110 that controls the entrance entrance time processing will be described in detail.
The starting mouth entrance time processing unit 110 includes a special figure suspension control unit 111 and a pre-determination unit 112.

When the game ball enters the first starting opening 57, that is, when the game starts in the first starting opening 57, the special figure holding control unit 111 sets the number of held random numbers M1 to the holding upper limit number (for example, 4 pieces). ) Is not reached, the random number M1 is acquired and held.
In addition, when the game ball enters the second starting opening 59, that is, when the game ball enters the second starting opening 59, the special figure holding control unit 111 sets the number of held random numbers M2 to the holding upper limit number (for example, When it has not reached (4), the random number M2 is acquired and held.
The special figure holding control unit 111 distinguishes and holds the random number M1 acquired when the winning of the first starting port 57 is triggered and the random number M2 which is acquired when the winning of the second starting port 59 is triggered.

The special figure reservation control unit 111 may request the symbol display control unit 150 to display the number of the held random numbers on the symbol display device 90, or information transmission to display it on the effect display device 80. A command may be issued to the effect control unit 210 via the unit 190.
At this time, the symbol display control unit 150 may display the number of the held random numbers on the symbol display device 90 by the light emission pattern of the LED, in response to a request from the special figure suspension control unit 111.
Moreover, the effect control unit 210 may cause the effect display device 80 to display as many hold displays as the number of held random numbers in response to a command input via the information transmission unit 190.

The pre-judgment unit 112 determines whether or not the held random number M1 or random number M2 is judged to be won by the win/fail judgment unit 121 in at least part of the case where the special figure suspension control unit 111 suspends the random number M1 or random number M2. Prior determination is performed to determine whether or not the determination is made by the hit determination unit 121.
In addition to the preliminary determination, the preliminary determination unit 112 may execute a process related to an effect based on the result of the preliminary determination. Here, the "effect based on the result of pre-determination" means, for example, an effect of changing the color or form of the hold display that represents the random number that was the target of the pre-determination, or a hold that represents the random number that was the target of the pre-determination Examples include effects that are executed over the period in which the display is displayed (so-called prefetch zone).
In addition, the "effect based on the result of the preliminary determination" may have a configuration having continuity over the symbol variation game relating to the special symbol for a plurality of times, and in the case of the configuration, it corresponds to a continuous effect described later. To do.

<About the symbol variation game related to special symbols>
Hereinafter, the special figure game control unit 120 that executes the control relating to the symbol variation game related to the special symbol will be described in detail.
The special figure game control section 120 includes a winning/disapproval determining section 121, a special figure selecting section 122, a reach lottery section 123, and a variation pattern determining section 124.

  When the control relating to the symbol variation game relating to the special symbol or the control relating to the big hit game is not being performed, the hit determination unit 121 reads out the reserved random number M1 or random number M2 at a predetermined cycle. At this time, the hit/miss determination unit 121 preferentially executes the reading of the random number M2, and reads the random number M1 when the random number M2 cannot be read (when the number of the held random numbers M2 is zero). By such control, the random number M2 is read out with priority over the random number M1. As a result, the hit/miss determination unit 121 preferentially determines the random number M2 over the random number M1.

The special figure selection unit 122 selects a special symbol based on the result of the hit/nozzle determination by the hit/miss determination unit 121.
More specifically, when the winning/disapproving determination unit 121 determines that the winning is determined, the special symbol selecting unit 122 selects a special symbol (winning symbol) indicating the winning by performing a random number lottery. That is, when the winning/disapproving determination unit 121 determines that the winning is determined, the special figure selecting unit 122 selects any one of the winning symbols prepared in advance.
Alternatively, when the winning/disapproval determining unit 121 determines that the winning is unsuccessful, the special figure selecting unit 122 uniquely determines a special symbol indicating a loss (missing symbol).

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

When the winning/disapproving unit 121 determines that the winning has been determined, the reach lottery unit 123 selects whether or not to perform the reach effect by random number lottery during the execution of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol showing the determination result. Here, with the reach effect, in the variable display of the effect symbol in the main display portion 81, the effect symbol is temporarily stopped in a plurality of columns except the column which is temporarily stopped at the end, and each temporarily stopped effect symbol is It refers to the production performed in the same kind of state. In addition, about this state, it may be referred to as a reach state in the present embodiment. In addition, when the win/loss determination unit 121 determines that the winning is lost, the result of the symbol variation game caused by the determination is a loss, so the relevant symbol Even if the reach effect is executed in the variable game, the effect design of the row that is temporarily stopped at the end is of a different type from the effect designs of the other rows.
In addition, when the win/loss determination unit 121 determines that the winning is determined, the result of the symbol variation game resulting from the determination is that the winning is performed. Therefore, even if the reach lottery unit 123 does not perform the lottery, in principle, the drawing is being executed. The reach effect is performed on the main display portion 81, and the effect design in the last temporarily stopped row becomes the same kind as the effect design in the other rows.

The variation pattern determination unit 124 determines a variation pattern including at least variation time information indicating the time from the start of variable display to the stop display in the symbol variation game relating to the special symbol. The variation pattern (variation time information) determined by the variation pattern determination unit 124 can be rephrased as an execution period of a symbol variation game (game) related to one special symbol.
The variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 124 is output as control information for the first special symbol display control unit 151 or the second special symbol display control unit 152, and the first special symbol display control unit that has input the control information. 151 or the second special symbol display control unit 152 executes the symbol variation game related to the special symbol over the time indicated by the control information.
In addition, the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 124 is output to the effect control unit 210 as a command transmitted via the information transmission unit 190, and the effect control unit 210 that has input the command is included in the command. The production (reach production, etc.) is controlled using the variation pattern. More specifically, the effect control unit 210, in accordance with the time indicated by the input change pattern (change time information), changes the effect pattern so as to end the symbol change game related to the effect symbol based on the change pattern. And an effect mode associated therewith is determined and executed.
Thereby, the effect control unit 210 can execute the effect for the symbol variation game according to the execution time of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol.

  It should be noted that when the reach effect is executed, it takes a longer time than when the reach effect is not executed. Therefore, when the reach lottery section 123 selects the execution of the reach effect, the variation pattern determination unit 124 As compared with the case where the non-execution of the reach effect is selected, the rate of determining the variation pattern (variation time information) indicating a long time is higher.

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

  The universal figure suspension control unit 131 acquires the random number M3 when the number of suspended random numbers M3 does not reach the suspension upper limit number (for example, four) when the game ball enters the gate 63. Hold it.

  The ordinary figure lottery section 132 reads out the reserved random number M3 at a predetermined cycle when the symbol variation game relating to the ordinary symbol is not executed, and opens the ordinary electric auditors product 61 using the read random number M3. A lottery is performed to determine whether or not to transit to the state. In addition, the winning probability of the lottery performed by the universal drawing lottery section 132 is higher in the variable game state described later than in the normal game state.

  The lottery result by the ordinary figure lottery section 132 is transmitted to a normal symbol display control section 153 described later. One of the two LEDs corresponding to the normal symbol display device 93 is elected, and the other corresponds to the lost symbol, and the ordinary symbol display control unit 153 causes one of the LEDs to emit light according to the transmitted lottery result.

When winning the lottery by the universal drawing lottery unit 132, the ordinary electric power combination control unit 133 operates the solenoid coil SOL4 to open the ordinary electric auditors product 61 under a predetermined opening condition. Here, the predetermined opening condition includes the time (hereinafter, referred to as opening time) and the number of times (hereinafter, the number of times of opening) of the ordinary electric auditors' prize 61 in accordance with one winning by the universal drawing lottery unit 132. Referred to as) and the like.
When the variable short-circuit control unit 144 gives the variable short-circuit state, the normal electric-role combination control unit 133 controls the normal electric auditors product 61 so that the time taken for the open state increases per unit time. That is, the control of the normal electric power combination control unit 133 fluctuates due to the addition of the variable short state by the variable length control unit 144 described later.

<About game state control>
Hereinafter, the gaming state control unit 140 for controlling the big hit game, the probability variation state, and the variation short state will be described in detail.
The gaming state control section 140 has a big hit control section 141, a probability variation control section 143, and a variation control section 144.

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

The probability variation control unit 143 gives a probability variation state triggered by the end of the jackpot game due to the particular special symbol (winning symbol) being stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 90.
The condition for providing the probability variation state according to the present embodiment is a specific example, and the condition for providing the probability variation state in the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the probability variation state may be given when a game ball enters a specific area called a so-called V zone.

The probability variation control unit 143 newly enters the big hit game when the symbol variation game relating to the special symbol is performed a predetermined number of times after the transition to the probability variation state, or before the symbol variation game related to the special symbol is performed a predetermined number of times. When you win, the probability change state is canceled.
The condition for canceling the probability variation state according to the present embodiment is a specific example, and the condition for canceling the probability variation state in the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the probability variation control unit 143 may cancel the probability variation state only when the big hit game is won regardless of the number of symbol variation games related to the special symbol. Alternatively, the probability variation control unit 143 may cancel the probability variation state when a lottery (falling lottery) for determining whether or not to cancel the probability variation state is won.

The variable short-circuit control unit 144 gives the variable short-circuit state with all the cases when the big hit game executed by the big hit control unit 141 is ended.
It should be noted that the condition for imparting the variable state according to the present embodiment is a specific example, and the condition for imparting the probability variable state in the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the short-and-short control unit 144 may give the short-and-short state, triggered by a part of the case where the big-jack game executed by the big-jack controller 141 is finished.

The variation control unit 144, when a symbol variation game relating to the special symbol is performed a predetermined number of times after the transition to the variation state, or before the symbol variation game related to the special symbol is performed a predetermined number of times, a new big hit. When the game is won, the short-lived state is released.
The condition for canceling the variable state by the variable control unit 144 may be the same as the condition for canceling the definite state or may be different. According to the present embodiment, the predetermined number of times of releasing the variable state may be the same as the predetermined number of times of releasing the probability variation state, or may be a different number.

The big hit control unit 141 executes a big hit game when the win/loss determination unit 121 determines that the win has occurred. The jackpot game in this embodiment is specifically executed as follows.
First, when the winning/disapproving determination unit 121 determines that the winning symbol is selected, the special symbol selection unit 122 selects a special symbol, and the selected special symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92. After being played, the big hit control unit 141 starts a big hit game.
When the big hit game is started, the big hit control unit 141 outputs to the effect control unit 210 a command regarding the opening effect indicating the start of the big hit game to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 190. The effect control unit 210 executes the opening effect for a predetermined time (opening time) according to the command. In addition, in the opening effect according to the present embodiment, it is preferable to encourage the player to hit the game ball to the second flow path Y toward the special winning opening 55, for example, by recommending a right hit.
After the end of the opening effect, the round game in which the special winning opening 55 is opened is performed a plurality of times with the predetermined number of times (the number of rounds) set in advance as an upper limit. In the round game, the special winning opening 55 is opened a predetermined number of times (for example, once). In addition, after a specified number of game balls enter the opened special winning opening 55 or after a predetermined time (round playing time) has passed, the special winning opening 55 is closed and the round game ends.
After the end of the round game, the special winning opening 55 is closed for a predetermined time (interval time), and the big winning opening 55 is opened again at the start of the next round game.

The big hit control unit 141 transmits control information including the number of rounds, the round game time, the interval time, etc., to the special electric power combination control unit 142.
The special electric power combination control unit 142 opens the special electric power accessory 65 according to the control information received from the big hit control unit 141.
The special electric role controller 142 monitors the number of game balls entering the special winning opening 55 during one round game based on the detection of the count switch SW7 while opening the special electric accessory 65. ing. Then, when the number of gaming balls that have won the prize has reached the upper limit, the special power combination controller 142 operates the solenoid coil SOL1 to close the special electric accessory 65.

The big hit control unit 141 outputs a command related to the effect related to the round game to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 190. The effect control unit 210 executes the round effect according to the input command.
When the stipulated number of rounds is completed, the big hit control unit 141 outputs a command regarding the ending effect indicating the end of the big hit game to the effect control unit 210 via the information transmission unit 190. The effect control unit 210 executes the ending effect for a predetermined time (ending time) according to the input command, and the big hit control unit 141 ends the big hit game.

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

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

  The effect control unit 210 executes a notice effect. Here, the notice effect is an effect that suggests the game development after the execution, and is an effect mainly related to a symbol variation game related to a special symbol and a big hit game.

  The effect control unit 210 includes an effect display control unit 211 that causes the effect display device 80 to display an effect display related to the notice effect when executing the notice effect. Especially during the execution of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol, the effect display control unit 211 determines whether or not the jackpot game is won by the combination of the effect symbols which are definitely stopped after the effect symbol groups in the plurality of columns are scrolled. , The effect display device 80 is informed.

The effect display control unit 211, during the execution of the symbol variation game related to the special symbol, the effect control unit 210, in accordance with the variation time of the special symbol by the symbol display device 90, the effect display by the effect display device 80 (in the effect symbol) (Including such a symbol variation game) is executed. In other words, the effect display control unit 211, the symbol variation game related to one special symbol in the symbol display device 90, and the one effect display in the effect display device 80 (including the symbol variation game related to the effect symbol), Are associated and executed in principle.
However, when the notice production having continuity over the symbol variation game relating to the special symbol is executed a plurality of times, or the variation display of the production symbol is performed plural times with respect to the symbol variation game related to one special symbol. There is also a case where a notice production including "" is executed. A representative example of the former is a notice effect called a continuous effect, and a representative example of the latter is a notice effect called a pseudo effect.
Here, the continuous effect is an effect having continuity over several games (a symbol variation game related to a special symbol). In addition, here, the pseudo-relational effect is to scroll a series of effect symbol groups in a variation cycle that is a period from the break recognizable to the player to the break, and in one game (the symbol variation game related to the special symbol). It is an effect that includes multiple fluctuation cycles.

In the above description, the production control unit 210 (production display control unit 211) produces the production display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub display unit 82, left sub display unit 83, right sub display unit 84). Although it has been described that the display is controlled, the control target of the effect control unit 210 is not limited to this. In addition, the effect control unit 210 can also control lighting (blinking) effects by the lighting device 35 or sound effects by the speaker 33, and the player can combine these effect displays, lighting effects, and sound effects. The interest of can be raised.
Further, the effect control unit 210 can variably switch various effects according to the operation of the player accepted by the push button 37.
In addition, the production control unit 210 can control the movement of the upper sub display unit 82, the left sub display unit 83, or the right sub display unit 84, and although not shown in FIG. It may be possible to execute movement control.

<Regarding the processing procedure of various processes>
Next, processing procedures of the various processing described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7 or 8. It should be noted that since there are cases where the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 described above are touched and described, these drawings should also be referred to as appropriate.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the process for entering the starting opening. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the symbol variation start processing.
The processing procedure illustrated in these flowcharts does not limit the processing procedure of the present invention or the execution timing thereof. Therefore, when performing the processing related to the present invention, the plurality of processing procedures can be changed within a range that does not hinder the contents, and a part or all of the execution timings of the plurality of processing overlap with each other. Good.
Further, each processing illustrated in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is a main processing necessary for explaining the present invention, and does not show all the processing executed by the gaming machine 10.

First, the process for entering the starting opening will be described. Here, the "starting mouth entry time processing" is a series of processing executed after the game ball enters the first starting opening 57 or the second starting opening 59.
Until the ball entering the first starting port 57 or the second starting port 59 is detected by the count switch SW1 or the count switch SW2 (NO in step S102), the process after step S104 is not performed and stands by.
Further, even if a ball entering the first starting opening 57 or the second starting opening 59 is detected (YES in step S102), if the number of holdings by the special figure holding control unit 111 reaches the upper limit (step S104). (YES), the process after step S106 is not performed and the process waits.

  When a ball entering the first starting opening 57 or the second starting opening 59 is detected (YES in step S102) and the number of holdings by the special figure holding control unit 111 has not reached the upper limit (NO in step S104), The number of reservations by the special figure reservation control unit 111 is added (step S106). Further, the special figure suspension control unit 111 acquires the random number M1 or the random number M2 and stores it in a reserved storage area in a reserved manner (step S108).

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

  A command including the series of processing results from step S102 to step S112 as control information is output from the information transmission unit 190 to the sub control board 200 (step S114), and the starting entrance time process is ended.

Subsequently, a processing procedure of the symbol variation start processing will be described. Here, the "symbol fluctuation start process" is a series of processes performed when the symbol fluctuation game relating to the special symbol is started.
First, the special figure game control unit 120 determines whether or not the fluctuation start condition is satisfied (step S202). Here, the "variation start condition" means that (i) the symbol variation game relating to the special symbol is not executed at the time of determination in step S202, and (ii) the big hit game is not executed at the time of determination in step S202. , (Iii) One or more pending storages exist at the time of determination in step S202.
When the determination in step S202 is negative (NO in step S202), the process of step S204 and thereafter is not executed, and the symbol variation start process ends.

When the determination in step S202 is affirmative (YES in step S202), the winning/disagreeing determination unit 121 reads out the random number M1 or the random number M2 held by the special figure holding control unit 111 (step S204).
In step S204, the hit/miss determination unit 121 may read the random number M1 or the random number M2 in the order in which they are reserved and stored in the special figure suspension control unit 111, or may preferentially read one out of the other.

Each determination process is executed when the random number is read in step S204 (step S206).
Here, as the processing included in step S206, specifically, at least the determination of win/loss by the win/loss determination unit 121 and the selection of the special symbol by the special symbol selection unit 122 described above are included. Further, determination processing such as (i) whether or not a short-shortened state is provided, (ii) whether or not to stop the effect design at reach eyes, and (iii) whether or not to perform a specific effect are performed in step S206. May be included in the processing of.

Then, the special figure suspension control unit 111 identifies the number of the random numbers M1 or M2 suspended at that time (step S208). As a result, the number of remaining random numbers excluding the random numbers read in the symbol variation game executed in this processing procedure is specified as the number to be held.
The fluctuation pattern determination unit 124 determines a fluctuation pattern using the processing result of step S206 and the number of reservations identified in step S208 (step S210).

  A command including a series of processing results from step S202 to step S210 as control information is output from the information transmission unit 190 to the sub control board 200 (step S212), and the symbol variation start processing is ended. In the command, various information for allowing the sub-control board 200 to determine whether or not the symbol variation game is executed, the game state, and the like, for example, information indicating a variation pattern, the number of holdings, the presence or absence of a probability variation state, and a variation state Whether or not is included.

<Regarding the layer structure of the image of a certain character>
Next, a layer configuration of an image of a certain character that can be included in the effect movie will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 18.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image of a face portion of a character. As shown in FIG. 9, in the face portion of the character, a base image BA in which a face, hair and ears are drawn is arranged in a lower layer, and a part image EY in which eyes and eyebrows are drawn and a nose periphery are drawn. The part image NO that is displayed and the part image MO that depicts the area around the mouth are arranged in a layer above the base image BA.

Note that in FIGS. 9 and 10 to 17, which will be described later, the description will be made on the assumption that the face, hair, and ears are processed as an integrated image (base image BA). It may be processed.
Further, in FIG. 9 and FIGS. 10 to 17, which will be described later, it is assumed that the eyes and the eyebrows are processed as an integrated image (part image EY), but they are processed as different images. May be.

FIG. 10 is the base image BA shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific example of the parts image EY around the eyes of a certain character. As shown in FIG. 11, with respect to the single base image BA shown in FIG. 10, the part image EY has a part image EY1 with open eyes, a part image EY3 with closed eyes, and a part image EY1 and a part image EY3. A part image EY2 that draws an eye with an intermediate opening degree is prepared.
By superimposing on the common base image BA and displaying the part image EY for each unit time in the order of the part image EY1→the part image EY2→the part image EY3→the part image EY2→the part image EY1→. It is possible to generate an effect animation that is visually recognized as blinking.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of the part image MO around the mouth of a character. As shown in FIG. 12, with respect to the single base image BA shown in FIG. 10, the part image MO has a part image MO1 that draws an opening, a part image MO3 that draws a closed mouth, and an intermediate part between the part image MO1 and the part image MO3. A part image MO2 is prepared to draw the opening of the.
By superimposing it on the common base image BA and displaying the parts image MO for each unit time in the order of parts image MO1→parts image MO2→parts image MO3→parts image MO2→parts image MO1→. It is possible to generate an effect movie that is visually recognized as if the mouth is opened and closed. In addition, by displaying or outputting the character's dialogue in accordance with the opening/closing of the character's mouth, the character can be recognized as if they are talking.

The part image (second image) created for each part as described above is superimposed on the base image BA (first image) to generate an image related to the face part of the character. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor required for creation.
Further, the volume of the image data prepared before layer composition is smaller than that in the case where the entire image is drawn, so that the volume of the image data can be compressed.

Note that the parts image EY of FIG. 11 and the parts image MO of FIG. 12 depict the degree of eye opening in three stages, but a smoother blink of the eye can be represented by increasing the number of stages.
Further, the parts image EY of FIG. 11 and the parts image MO of FIG. 12 depict simple opening and closing of the eyes and mouth, but by preparing the parts image EY and the parts image MO with a wider variety of opening conditions. , Can express a richer expression.
13 to 17 show specific examples of various character facial expressions realized by increasing the types of parts images for the base image BA.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image depicting a blank face of a character.
Specifically, compared to FIG. 9, the degree of opening of the eyes drawn in the parts image EY is reduced, the shape of the eyes is square, and the brightness of the eyes is also reduced. Also, the corners of the mouth drawn in the parts image MO are lower than in FIG. Such a change in drawing can express the disappointment of the character.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an image depicting a startled face of a character.
Specifically, as compared with FIG. 9, the degree of opening of the eyes drawn in the parts image EY is enlarged, and the portion of the black eye is reduced (the eyes are dots). Further, the mouth drawn in the parts image MO is wider in the vertical direction than in FIG. Such a change in drawing can express a surprised appearance of the character.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an image in which a face illuminated by a certain character is drawn.
Specifically, as compared with FIG. 9, the degree of opening of the eyes drawn in the part image EY is reduced, and the shape of the eyes is angular. Further, compared with FIG. 9, the mouth drawn in the parts image MO is half-open, and the mouth corner extends in the left-right direction. Further, a part image BL in which a cheek is reddish is drawn around the part image NO. By such a change in drawing, the blushed expression of the character can be expressed.

  Although the part image BL and the part image NO are described as different images in FIG. 15, they may be processed as an integrated image.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image depicting a doya face of a character.
Specifically, as compared with FIG. 9, the degree of opening of the eyes drawn in the part image EY is reduced, and the shape of the eyes is angular. In addition, the corners of the mouth drawn on the parts image MO are stretched in the left-right direction and slightly raised as compared with FIG. Such a change in drawing can represent the fearless smile of the character.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of an image relating to the face portion of another character. Here, more specifically, the different character is a character whose shortcut hair is shown in FIG.
The part image EY, the part image NO, and the part image MO are the same as those shown in FIG. On the other hand, the base image BA differs between the one shown in FIG. 9 and the one shown in FIG. That is, in the comparison between one effect video including the character shown in FIG. 9 and another effect video including the character shown in FIG. 17, the part image EY, the part image NO, and the part image MO correspond to the first image. It can be understood that the base image BA corresponds to the second image.

  The images shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 show one aspect of each facial expression, but by displaying a plurality of types of parts images EY and parts images MO (second image) continuously, each facial expression The fact that can be moved is the same as the image shown in FIG.

<Specific examples of notice production based on the expression of a certain character>
Next, a specific example of the notice effect using the images shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 to 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 23.
FIG. 18 is a time chart regarding a notice effect based on the expression of a certain character. 19 to 23 are diagrams showing a specific example of the notice effect based on the expression of a certain character.

FIG. 18 shows a time chart of the notice effect related to the four patterns of pattern A, pattern B, pattern C, and pattern D.
The band shown in the upper part of each pattern shows the mode of variable display of the effect symbol in the display area of the main display portion 81 and its display period. In addition, the band shown in the lower part of each pattern shows the mode of the effect moving image displayed in the display area of the upper sub display unit 82 and the display period thereof.

  In the ROM 203, in the notice effect related to the patterns A to D, the effect moving images displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 are stored as individual moving image files. Then, the effect display control unit 211 can read the moving image file corresponding to each pattern from the ROM 203 and display the moving image file on the upper sub display unit 82 at a predetermined timing.

The notice effect related to the pattern A is started by the normal variation display of the effect symbol on the main display portion 81 (indicated as “normal variation” in FIG. 18). More specifically, in the display area of the main display portion 81, scrolling of the effect symbol group over three columns is displayed (see FIG. 19A).
In the notice production, a scene in which the character shown in FIG. 9 appears (indicated as “character appearance” in FIG. 18) in parallel with the normal variation display after the lapse of 8 seconds is displayed in the display area of the upper sub display unit 82. Is displayed.
Although illustration is omitted, the image in which the action of the character is drawn in the scene is drawn as one image over the entire character, and is arranged on a common layer in each frame. In addition, when the images assigned to each frame in the scene are continuously displayed, it can be visually recognized as a moving image in which the character appears, and at the end of the scene (immediately before 11 seconds elapse) The image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 (see FIG. 19B).

When 11 seconds have passed in the notice effect related to the pattern A, the variable display of the effect symbols in the left column is temporarily stopped (in FIG. 18, it is referred to as “left stop”), and the effect displayed on the upper sub display unit 82. The facial expression of the character in the moving image changes to the image shown in FIG. 13 (indicated as “silent face” in FIG. 18) (see FIG. 20A).
The “silent face” is the facial expression with the lowest reliability as the facial expressions of the characters handled in the patterns A to D, and mainly corresponds to the variable display of the effect design which is stopped due to the stagger. Here, the reliability means the degree of expectation that the winning of the big hit game is notified as a result of the notice production. In addition, here, the "bare stitch" refers to a combination (effect) of effect symbols that is fixedly stopped without passing through the reach state, except for a chance eye described later.

  In the notice effect related to the pattern A, since the effect moving image related to the “silky face” corresponding to the unevenness is displayed on the upper sub-display unit 82, it is different from the effect pattern temporarily stopped in the left column after 14 seconds have elapsed. After the effect symbols of the kind are temporarily stopped in the right column (indicated as “right stop” in FIG. 18, refer to FIG. 20(b)), after 15 seconds, the effect symbols in the center column are temporarily stopped (in FIG. 18, Is referred to as "intermediate stop" (see FIG. 20C), and after 16 seconds have elapsed, a combination of effect symbols over three rows is definitely stopped (indicated as "fixed" in FIG. 18).

Similar to the notice effect according to the pattern A, the notice effect according to the pattern B is started by the normal change display of the effect symbols on the main display portion 81 (see FIG. 19A), and is displayed as the normal change display after the elapse of 8 seconds. In parallel, the scene in which the character shown in FIG. 9 appears is displayed in the display area of the upper sub-display section 82, and the image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the upper sub-display section 82 at the end of the scene (FIG. 19). (See (b)).
As will be described later, since the notice effect related to the pattern B is accompanied by the pseudo continuous effect, the normal change display corresponds to the first change cycle in the pseudo continuous effect (denoted as “pseudo 1” in FIG. 18). To do.

When 11 seconds have elapsed in the notice effect related to pattern B, the variable display of the effect symbols in the left column is temporarily stopped, and the facial expression of the character in the effect animation displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 is the image shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, it is changed to “startle” (see FIG. 21A).
"Astonishment" is a facial expression with a higher degree of reliability than "Shirake", and mainly corresponds to the variable display of the effect symbols for executing the pseudo continuous effect.

In the advance notice effect related to the pattern B, since the effect animation related to “amazing” corresponding to the pseudo continuous effect is displayed on the upper sub-display unit 82, the effect symbol in the right column is temporarily stopped after 14 seconds (see FIG. (See b)), as a result of the temporary stop of the effect symbols in the central row after 15 seconds, a combination of effect symbols over three rows becomes a chance (see FIG. 21(c)).
Here, the chance eye is a combination of special effect symbols (eyes) that suggests that the development of the advance notice effect is advantageous for the player. It is preferable that the player can easily recognize the chance eye. For example, in FIG. 21(c), the chance eye is configured by a combination of the numerical symbols of the order.
When the chance eye is temporarily stopped on the main display portion 81, the main display portion 81 executes the variation of the effect symbol related to the second variation cycle (denoted as “pseudo 2” in FIG. 18) in the pseudo continuous production. ..

  Similar to the notice effect related to the pattern A, the notice effect related to the pattern C is started by the normal change display of the effect symbols on the main display portion 81 (see FIG. 19A), and is displayed as the normal change display after the elapse of 8 seconds. In parallel, the scene in which the character shown in FIG. 9 appears is displayed in the display area of the upper sub-display section 82, and the image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the upper sub-display section 82 at the end of the scene (FIG. 19). (See (b)).

When 11 seconds elapse in the notice effect related to the pattern C, the variable display of the effect symbols in the left column is temporarily stopped, and the facial expression of the character in the effect animation displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 is the image shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, it is changed to “shined” (see FIG. 22A).
The "shining" is a facial expression having a higher degree of reliability than the "shining face", and mainly corresponds to the variable display of the effect symbol for executing the weak reach effect (indicated as "weak reach" in FIG. 18). .. Here, the weak-type reach effect refers to a reach effect having lower reliability than the intense heat reach effect described later.

In the notice effect related to the pattern C, since the effect moving image related to “shining” corresponding to the weak reach effect is displayed on the upper sub-display section 82, as a result of the effect symbols in the right column being temporarily stopped after 14 seconds have passed, The display on the main display portion 81 is in the reach state (see FIG. 22B).
When the display of the main display portion 81 is in the reach state, the variation of the effect symbol related to the weak system reach effect is executed in the main display portion 81.

  The notice effect related to the pattern D is started by the normal variation display of the effect symbol on the main display portion 81 (see FIG. 19(a)) like the notice effect related to the pattern A, and is changed to the normal variation display after the elapse of 8 seconds. In parallel, the scene in which the character shown in FIG. 9 appears is displayed in the display area of the upper sub-display section 82, and the image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the upper sub-display section 82 at the end of the scene (FIG. 19). (See (b)).

When 11 seconds have passed in the notice effect related to the pattern D, the variable display of the effect symbols in the left column is temporarily stopped, and the facial expression of the character in the effect animation displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 is the image shown in FIG. 16 ( In FIG. 18, it changes to “Doya face”) (see FIG. 23A).
The "doya face" is the expression with the highest degree of reliability as the facial expression of the characters handled in the patterns A to D, and mainly performs the intense heat reach effect (indicated as "extreme heat reach" in FIG. 18). It corresponds to the variable display of the effect design.

In the notice effect related to the pattern D, since the effect animation related to the "drowning face" corresponding to the intense heat reach effect is displayed on the upper sub-display section 82, as a result that the effect symbol in the right column is temporarily stopped after 14 seconds have elapsed. , The display of the main display portion 81 is in the reach state (see FIG. 23(b)).
When the display of the main display portion 81 is in the reach state, the change of the effect symbol related to the intense heat reach effect is executed in the main display portion 81.

As described above, in each of the effect animations displayed on the upper sub-display 82 in the patterns A to D, the player's recognizable division is the change in the facial expression of the character at the time of 11 seconds, and a plurality of divisions are made by the division. It is divided into periods.
Regardless of which effect animation is displayed, each of the image groups (groups of the first image) showing the action of the character displayed in the period (one period) from the passage of 8 seconds to the passage of 11 seconds is The patterns are common, and the images are also common in each pattern in that they are visually recognized as a moving image in which a character appears when continuously displayed.
In addition, regardless of which effect animation is displayed, the group of base images BA (group of first images) relating to the face of the character displayed in the period after 11 seconds (other period) is each pattern. In each pattern, the point that when a group of base images BA is continuously displayed is visually recognized as a still image.
In addition, the layer in which the part image EY, the part image MO, and the like (second image) are arranged is located above the layer in which the base image BA (first image) is arranged in any of the effect videos, and the base image In the other period in which the group of BAs is visually recognized as a still image, the group of the part images EY and MO is visually displayed as a moving image superimposed on the still image by being continuously displayed. Have in common.

As described above, the image displayed at the end of the image group showing the action of the character displayed during the period from 8 seconds to 11 seconds (one period) and the period after 11 seconds (others) During the period (1)), the first image displayed in the group of base images BA relating to the face of the character displayed is continuously visible. For example, in accordance with the notice effect of the pattern A, the character displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 in FIG. 19B and the character displayed on the upper sub display unit 82 in FIG. Since the hairstyle is the same and the display positions are substantially the same, the player can recognize the change in the facial expression of the character without a feeling of discomfort.
In the above embodiment, the case where one period in which the image group showing the appearance of the character is displayed comes before the other period in which the image group showing the change in the facial expression of the character is displayed. However, it is the same even if the order of one period and the other period is reversed. In other words, the first image displayed at the end of the other period and the first image displayed at the beginning of the one period even when the one period is a period in which the one period comes after the other period in succession. It is preferable that the image and the image are continuously visible.
Here, "continuously visible" means (i) at the end of one period and at the beginning of another period, when temporal continuity between one period and another period is recognized. At least one of the continuity of the display content and the continuity of the display position is recognized.

As described above, the notice effects of the patterns A to D include the part images EY and the part images MO (second image) that form the effect moving image displayed on the upper sub display portion 82 (predetermined display area). Depending on the type, the expectation of shifting to a big hit game (specific game state) that is advantageous to the player is different.
Here, the specific game state is not limited to a simple big hit game as in the present embodiment, and a probability variation big hit (a big hit game that shifts to the probability variation state at the end), a small hit game, or the like can also be applicable.

  Because of the above-described characteristics, it is possible to smoothly execute the notice effect of the pattern A to the pattern D, and to increase the interest of the player.

<Regarding Modifications of the Present Invention>
Up to this point, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 23, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. It also includes various modifications, improvements and the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is carried out by the gaming machine 10 which is a pachinko gaming machine, but the effect according to the present invention may be carried out by the rotating drum type gaming machine.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display area for displaying the effect animation is limited to the upper sub-display section 82, but it may be displayed on the main display section 81 together with the variable display of the effect symbol, or the left sub-display section 83. Alternatively, it may be displayed on the right sub display unit 84.

In the above-described embodiment, the aspect has been described in which the effect movie is read from the ROM 203 in which the effect movie generated by combining the images arranged in the plurality of layers is stored in advance and is displayed on the upper sub display unit 82. The implementation of the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the same effect animation as in the above-described embodiment can be displayed by executing the process related to layer composition each time the effect animation is displayed. More specifically, the effect display control unit 211 generates a plurality of effect animations by synthesizing images arranged in a plurality of layers and displays them in a predetermined display area, and the ROM 203 controls effect display control. A plurality of images used for generating the effect moving image by the unit 211 are stored. Then, the effect display control unit 211 reads out the first image (for example, the base image BA) that is common to both the case of generating one effect movie and the case of generating another effect movie, and reads out each of them. In the case where one effect animation is generated for the second image (for example, the part image EY, the part image MO, etc.) that is arranged in the same or different layer and is arranged in another layer different from the layer in which the first image is arranged. A different image is read according to the case of generating another effect animation and arranged on another layer.
With such a configuration as well, the display of the effect animation described in the above embodiment can be realized. Further, when the same configuration is adopted, as compared with the configuration of the above-described embodiment, since the images (first images) arranged on some layers are shared, a small number of images and a large number of patterns can be formed. It is possible to generate a performance animation. That is, it is possible to reduce the amount of image data stored in the ROM 203 to display the effect animation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the image forming a certain character is the first image or the second image has been described, but the images forming the other effect elements may be the first image or the second image.

For example, FIG. 24 shows a specific example of an image relating to so-called dialogue notice effect. In the display area of the main display unit 81 in the dialogue notice production, a character image CA in which a character is drawn, a dialogue frame image SE in which a dialogue frame is drawn, and the dialogue of the character are visually drawn as character information. The character image W1 and the character image W2 that are displayed are arranged and displayed in a layer above the layer in which the variable display of the effect design is arranged.
The effect video (one effect video) related to the serif advance notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. 24A and the effect video (other effect video) related to the serif advance notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. 24B are character images. CA and the serif frame image SE are common and correspond to the first image. In addition, the character image W1 and the character image W2 are different between the dialog advance notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. 24A and the dialog advance effect of the pattern shown in FIG. 24B and correspond to the second image.
Whether one effect video is displayed or another effect video is displayed, the degree of reliability (the degree of expectation of shifting to a specific game state) is suggested by the character information indicated by the second image. The reliability of W1 is set lower than the reliability of the character image W2.
Note that the reliability of the character image W1 may be zero in the dialogue notice presentation shown in FIG.

For example, FIG. 25 shows a specific example of an image related to the notice effect by the background display of the character. More specifically, the display area of the main display unit 81 in the notice production is a variable display of production symbols, and the display area of the upper sub display unit 82 is a heart-shaped background display H1 or background display H2. And a character image CA displayed by being superimposed on the background display H1 or the background display H2 are displayed.
An effect video (one effect video) of the upper sub-display unit 82 relating to the notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. 25A and an effect video of the upper sub-display unit 82 relating to the notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. The character image CA is common to other effect videos, and corresponds to the first image. Further, the effect animation of the upper sub-display unit 82 related to the notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. 25A and the effect animation of the upper sub-display unit 82 related to the notice effect of the pattern shown in FIG. The H1 and the background display H2 have the same form and different colors, and correspond to the second image.
Whether one effect video is displayed or another effect video is displayed, the reliability of the color of the second image (the degree of expectation of transition to a specific game state) is suggested, and the background display H1 is displayed. The reliability is set lower than the reliability of the background display H2.

This embodiment includes the following technical ideas.
(1) Storage means for storing a plurality of effect animations composed by combining images arranged in a plurality of layers, and effect for reading the effect animations from the storage means and displaying it in a predetermined display area Display control means, and, in the storage means, a first image common to each other, one effect video and another effect video arranged in the same or different layers are stored, A gaming machine in which a second image arranged on a layer different from the layer on which the first image is arranged differs depending on the one effect animation and the other effect animation.
(2) An effect display control unit that generates a plurality of effect animations by combining images arranged in a plurality of layers and displays the effect animations in a predetermined display area, and is used for generating the effect animations by the effect display control unit. A storage unit that stores a plurality of images that are stored, the production display control unit being common to both one production movie and another production movie. When one image is read and placed in the same or different layers, and the second image is placed in another layer different from the layer in which the first image is placed, the case where the one effect movie is generated and the other case A game machine that reads different images according to the case of generating the effect animation and arranges them on the other layer.
(3) The one effect animation and the other effect animation are the effect animations that are divided into a plurality of periods by a division recognizable by the player, and when the one effect animation is displayed. Even when the other effect moving image is displayed, the group of the first images displayed in one period is visually recognized as a moving image when continuously displayed, and is different from the one period. The gaming machine according to (1) or (2), wherein the group of the first images displayed in the period is visually recognized as a still image when continuously displayed.
(4) The other period is a period that continuously arrives after the one period, and the first image displayed at the end of the one period and the first image displayed at the beginning of the other period. The first image and the first image are continuously visible, or the one period is a period that continuously arrives after the other period and is displayed at the end of the other period. The gaming machine according to (3), wherein one image and the first image displayed at the beginning of the one period are continuously visible.
(5) Depending on the type of the second image forming the effect animation displayed in the predetermined display area, the degree of expectation of shifting to a specific game state advantageous to the player is different (1) to (4) ) A gaming machine described in any one of.
(A) Both the layer in which the second image is arranged in the one effect animation and the layer in which the second image is arranged in the other effect animation are located above the layer in which the first image is arranged. Then, in the other period in which the group of the first images is visually recognized as a still image, the group of the second images is visually displayed as a moving image superimposed on the still image by being continuously displayed. The game machine described in (3).
(B) The image used as the second image includes an image that can be visually recognized as character information, and whether the one effect animation is displayed or the other effect animation is displayed. The gaming machine according to (5), wherein the degree of expectation is suggested by the character information indicated by the second image.
(C) The image used as the second image includes images having the same form and different colors, and the other effect moving image is displayed even when the one effect moving image is displayed. Also in the case of the above, the gaming machine according to (5), wherein the degree of expectation is suggested by the color of the second image.

10 Gaming Machine 15 Outer Frame 20 Front Frame 21 Hinge Mechanism 22 Movable Decorative Body 23 Cylinder Lock 25 Transparent Member 27 Upper Ball Pan 29 Lower Ball Pan 31 Operation Handle 32 Upper Frame 33 Speakers 34a, 34b Left Right Frame 35 Lighting Device 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Push button 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) Cursor button 39a Ball lending button 39b Return button 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Wind turbine 53 Inner rail 55 Large winning opening 57 First start opening 59 2 Starting port 61 Normal electric role object 63 Gate 65 Special electric role object 67 Normal winning hole 69 Out port 80 Performance display device 81 Main display part 82 Upper sub display part 83 Left sub display part 84 Right sub display part 90 Symbol display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Normal symbol display device 100 Main control board 101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
110 Start-up Entrance Time Processing Section 111 Special Figure Hold Control Section 112 Preliminary Judgment Section 120 Special Figure Game Control Section 121 Validity Judgment Section 122 Special Figure Selection Section 123 Reach Lottery Section 124 Variation Pattern Determination Section 130 Universal Figure Game Control Section 131 Universal Figure hold control section 132 general figure lottery section 133 normal electric power combination control section 140 gaming state control section 141 jackpot control section 142 special electric power combination control section 143 probability variation control section 144 variable length control section 150 symbol display control section 151 first special symbol display Control unit 152 Second special symbol display control unit 153 Normal symbol display control unit 190 Information transmission unit 200 Sub control board 201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
210 Production control unit 211 Production display control unit SOL1, SOL4 Solenoid coils SW1, SW2, SW4, SW51, SW52, SW7 Count switch X First flow passage Y Second flow passage

According to the present invention, a gaming machine for performing a jackpot determination to determine whether or not to win a big jackpot with the start of the symbol variation, a big jackpot game after stopping the symbol variation won the jackpot,
An effect display means, an effect display control means for generating a plurality of effect animations and displaying the effect animation on the effect display means, and a storage means for storing a plurality of images read by the effect display control means, The effect display control means displays the first effect video in a predetermined display area of the effect display means in the same symbol variation, and then displays the second effect video or the third effect video in the predetermined display. Sometimes, the first effect video, the second effect video, and the third effect video are arranged in the first image and the first image that are common to each effect video. A second image which is arranged in a layer higher than the layer and which differs depending on each effect animation, and after the first effect animation is displayed in the predetermined display area in the same symbol variation, An effect pattern in which the second effect animation is displayed, and an effect pattern in which the third effect animation is displayed after the first effect animation is displayed in the predetermined display area in the same symbol variation, By comparison, gaming machines with different jackpot expectation levels are provided.

Claims (2)

A storage unit that stores a plurality of effect animations configured by combining a plurality of images and images arranged in a plurality of layers,
And an effect display control means for displaying the effect moving image stored in the storage means in a predetermined display area,
In the storage means, the first images that are common to each other, the first effect video and the second effect video that are arranged in the same or different layers are stored,
The second image arranged in a layer different from the layer in which the first image is arranged is different depending on the first effect video and the second effect video,
The effect display control means,
When a third effect moving image that is different from both the first effect moving image and the second effect moving image is displayed in the predetermined display area, the first image placed in one layer and the second image placed in another layer The third effect video may be generated by combining images,
When displaying a fourth effect moving image that is different from any of the first effect moving image, the second effect moving image, and the third effect moving image in the predetermined display area, the first image arranged on one layer is set to the third image. A gaming machine characterized in that the fourth effect moving image may be generated by combining the second image which is common to the effect moving image and different from the third effect moving image to be arranged in another layer.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the degree of expectation of shifting to a specific game state that is advantageous to the player is different depending on the type of the second image forming the effect animation displayed in the predetermined display area.

Images