JP2020110259A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of executing a highly amusing game.SOLUTION: In a game machine 1, plural round games including a specific round game for opening a special winning area and a specific area may be executed as a special game (by operating a first opening/closing member and a second opening/closing member) such that game balls can pass when it is determined that the special game is executed. In the game machine 1, when a special game including the specific round game is executed, the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member are operated in a mode in which it is difficult to recognize which round game a round game under execution is. Also, even if game balls pass through the specific area during a specific round game, the passage is not reported.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that produces an effect based on a result of a preliminary determination as to whether or not to execute a special game.

For example, in a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball wins at the starting opening, it is determined whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player, and after the special symbols are variably displayed, a special result showing the above determination The design is stopped and displayed. For example, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, when a special symbol indicating that a special game is determined to be executed is stopped and displayed, a plurality of round games for opening the first special winning opening for a long time and a V area And a long open round game (or a short open round game in which the second big winning opening and the V area are shortly opened) to open the V area for a long time (or the second big winning opening is included). The jackpot game including is executed. Then, after the special game ends, the game is controlled in the probability variation game state on condition that the game ball has passed through the V region during the long open round game in which the second special winning opening and the V region are long opened. Become.

JP, 2008-99235, A

By the way, a game played on a conventional gaming machine is not necessarily highly entertaining, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving the interest.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of executing a game with high interest.

The gaming machine of the first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems,
A first opening/closing member for opening and closing a special winning area provided in the game area,
A second opening/closing member for opening and closing a specific area included in the special winning area;
Determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game in which the player can obtain a game ball,
When it is determined by the determination means that the special game is to be executed, as the special game, the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member are operated to allow the game ball to easily pass through the special winning area. And special game execution means capable of executing a plurality of round games including a specific round game for opening the specific area,
If the game ball does not pass through the specific area during the specific round game, the game is controlled in the first game state after the special game is over, and the game ball is moved through the specific area during the specific round game. If it has passed, game control means for controlling the game in a second game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first game state after the special game is finished,
And a production control means for controlling execution of production,
The special game execution means,
A round game in which at least one of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member is being executed is a round game of what round when a plurality of round games including the specific round game are being executed. To operate in a manner that makes it difficult to recognize
The effect control means,
Even if a game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game, the fact is not notified.

By the way, in a configuration in which the game is controlled in the second game state (which is more advantageous than the first game state) after the end of the special game, on condition that the game ball has passed through the specific region during the specific round game, the specific region is played. If a notification is given to the fact that the ball has passed, it becomes clear that the game will be controlled in the second game state after the special game has ended, and it may be rather less interesting. is there. On the other hand, according to the above gaming machine, the round game in which at least one of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member is being executed is a round game of what round during a plurality of round games. It operates in a manner that it is difficult to recognize, and even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game, it is not notified, so after the special game is over, the game is played in the second game state. It becomes difficult to know whether or not it is controlled, and it is possible to improve the interest.

The gaming machine of the second invention is the gaming machine of the first invention,
The effect control means,
When a plurality of round games including the specific round game are executed, the number of rounds that can identify the round game being executed is not displayed.

According to this gaming machine, since the number of rounds that can identify the running round game is not displayed, it becomes difficult to determine whether the running round game is a specific round game, and as a result, it becomes interesting. It is possible to further improve.

A gaming machine according to a third invention is the gaming machine according to the first invention or the second invention,
The special game execution means,
A special game composed of a plurality of round games not including the specific round game may be executed, and in the non-specific round game of at least one of the plurality of round games, the first opening/closing member And it is possible to operate the second opening/closing member,
The game control means,
Even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the non-specific round game, after the special game including the non-specific round game is finished, the game is not controlled in the second game state. is there.

According to this gaming machine, the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member operate during the non-specific round game that constitutes a plurality of round games not including the specific round game, and the game ball passes through the specific area. Although there are cases, in this case, the game is not controlled in the second game state after the special game ends. For this reason, even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game, it is possible to further enhance the interest by a synergistic effect with the configuration that the fact is not notified.

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

Front view of gaming machine 1 Front view of game board 2 Enlarged view of the main display 40 in FIG. Explanatory drawing for explaining opening/closing control of the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287. Block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device provided in the gaming machine 1 Explanatory diagram for explaining jackpot random numbers and symbol random numbers Time chart for explaining jackpot games Explanatory drawing for explaining the flow of the game in the gaming machine 1. Explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of reach production Explanatory diagram for explaining the variation pattern selection table used in the process of selecting the variation pattern of the special symbol in the normal gaming state The screen figure which illustrates the production in the normal game state (the 1) The screen figure which illustrates the production in the normal game state (the 2) The screen figure which shows the production example when V winning a prize is notified during the big hit game The screen figure which shows the production example when V winning a prize is not notified during the big hit game Explanatory diagram for explaining a storage area of the main RAM 83 and information stored in each storage area Flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the main control board 80 Detailed flowchart of the sensor detection process in step S2 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the pre-determination processing in steps S 211 and 219 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S308 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the variation pattern selection process in step S309 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the special figure stop processing in step S317 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the special winning opening opening/closing control process in step S6 of FIG. 16 (No. 1) Detailed flowchart of the special winning opening opening/closing control process in step S6 of FIG. 16 (Part 2) Detailed flowchart of the special winning opening opening/closing control process in step S6 of FIG. 16 (part 3) Flowchart illustrating interrupt processing executed in the sub-control board 90 A detailed flowchart of the command reception process in step S10 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command reception process in step S16 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the variable effect pattern setting process in step S163 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the round game start command reception processing in step S22 of FIG. Detailed flowchart of the V winning command reception process in step S24 of FIG. Flowchart illustrating interrupt processing executed in the image and sound control board 100 A detailed flowchart of the image display control process in step S71 of FIG.

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

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

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

A ball return prevention piece 6 is provided at the end of the rail member 4, and the ball return prevention piece 6 prevents the game ball once entering the game area 3 from returning to the launcher side. Further, a stop button is provided at a position close to the firing handle 32, and the player operates the stop button to temporarily launch the game ball without returning the firing handle 32 to the initial posture. It can be stopped.

When the player performs a "left hit" in which the firing handle 32 is rotated by a small rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively weak launch strength, and the game ball flows down the left game area 3L. On the other hand, when the player performs "right hitting" by rotating the launch handle 32 by a large rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively high launch strength, and the game ball is positioned above and to the right of the center ornament 10. After moving along the rail member 4, the right game area 3R flows down.

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

The game ball launched from the launching device flows down the game area 3 along the game board 2 in the process of the first starting opening 21, the second starting opening 22, the general winning opening 24, the first big winning opening 26, and There are cases where a prize is won in any of the second big winning openings 28. In this case, a predetermined number of prize balls corresponding to the winning portion are paid out to the upper plate 33 or the lower plate 34. For example, four prize balls are paid out each time one game ball wins the first starting opening 21, and one prize ball is paid every one game ball winning the second starting opening 22. It is paid out, and every time one game ball is won in the general winning opening 24, five prize balls are paid out. Further, 15 prize balls are paid out each time one game ball is won in the first special winning opening 26, and 15 prizes are given every one game ball is winning in the second special winning opening 28. The ball is paid out. The game balls that have not won any prize are discharged from the game area 3 through the discharge port formed at the lower end of the game board 2.

A center ornament 10 is provided in the opening formed in the center of the game board 2. This center decoration 10 is configured to have a stage portion 11 having a game ball rolling surface on which a game ball can roll, and a warp portion 12 having a warp entrance and a warp exit as both ends. The game ball flowing down the left game area 3L may enter the warp section 12 from the warp entrance, and this game ball is discharged from the warp exit and guided to the stage section 11. A guide groove for dropping the game ball rolling on the stage portion 11 toward the first starting opening 21 is formed at the center position of the stage portion 11 on the left and right. Therefore, the game ball guided to the stage unit 11 via the warp unit 12 wins in the first starting opening 21 as compared with the game ball flowing down the left game area 3L without passing through the warp unit 12. easy.

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

In the following description, the determination executed according to the winning of the game ball to the first starting opening 21 is referred to as "first special symbol determination", and is performed according to the winning of the gaming ball to the second starting opening 22. The determination is referred to as "second special symbol determination", and these are collectively referred to as "special symbol determination".

The first special winning opening 26 is a special winning area opened according to the result of the second special symbol determination. An opening/closing member 27, which is a plate for opening and closing the first special winning opening 26, is provided at the opening of the first special winning opening 26. The first special winning opening 26 is normally closed by the opening/closing member 27. On the other hand, when a predetermined big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display 42, a big hit game in which the opening/closing member 27 is operated to open the first big winning opening 26 is executed. During this jackpot game, there are a plurality of long open round games in which the opening/closing member 27 maintains the open posture (see FIG. 2) for opening the first big winning opening 26 and then returns to the closed posture for closing the first big winning opening 26. Is done once. In the present embodiment, each long-opening round game for opening the first big winning opening 26, in the present embodiment, 10 game balls are won in the first big winning opening 26, or the first big winning opening 26 is opened. It is continued until 25 seconds have passed (without 10 game balls winning the first big winning opening 26). In this way, during the jackpot game, a plurality of long open round games in which the first big winning opening 26 (or the second big winning opening 28) is long opened are performed, so the player makes a right hit during the big winning game. By doing, more prize balls can be obtained compared to when the jackpot game is not being played.

The second special winning opening 28 is a special winning area that is opened according to the result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination). An opening/closing member 29 that is a blade member that opens and closes the second special winning opening 28 is provided at the opening of the second special winning opening 28. The second special winning opening 28 is normally closed by the opening/closing member 29. On the other hand, when the predetermined big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), the opening/closing member 29 is operated to open the second special winning opening 28. The jackpot game is executed. During this big hit game, the opening and closing member 29 maintains the open position (see FIG. 2) that opens the second special winning opening 28, and then returns to the closed position that closes the second special winning opening 28. Be seen. The round game for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 2, the opening/closing members 27, 29 are in the open posture in which the special winning openings 26, 28 are opened when the effect symbols are variably displayed on the display screen 70 of the image display device 7. Although the state is shown, the opening/closing members 27 and 29 are not actually in the open posture during the variable display of the effect symbols. Further, in each round game of the jackpot game, since either one of the first big winning opening 26 and the second big winning opening 28 is used, actually, as shown in FIG. It will not be released. In addition, whether to perform the big hit game using both the first big winning opening 26 and the second big winning opening 28, or whether to play the big hit using only the second big winning opening 28 depends on the kind of the big hit. Are set in advance (see FIGS. 6B and 6C).

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

The second starting port 22 is normally closed by an opening/closing member 23. On the other hand, when the game ball hit by the player to the right passes through the gate 25, it is determined whether or not to open the second starting opening 22, although the prize ball is not paid out. Here, when it is determined that the second starting opening 22 is to be opened, the opening/closing member 23 maintains the open posture for a predetermined time and then returns to the closed posture for a predetermined number of times. In this way, the second starting opening 22 is in a state in which the game ball does not easily pass when the opening/closing member 23 is not operating, whereas the state in which the game ball easily passes by operating the opening/closing member 23 Become.

In the following description, the determination executed on the condition that the game ball passes through the gate 25 will be referred to as "normal symbol determination".

Similar to the first starting port 21, the general winning opening 24 is a winning opening through which a predetermined number (five in this embodiment) of winning balls are paid out by winning a game ball. However, unlike the first starting opening 21 and the like, the determination is not made even if a game ball wins the general winning opening 24.

[Configuration Example of Main Display 40]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the main display 40 in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the main display 40 is a first special symbol display 41, a second special symbol display 42, an ordinary symbol display 43, a first special symbol reservation display 44, a second special symbol. It is configured to have a hold indicator 45, a universal figure hold indicator 46, a round indicator 47, a game state indicator 48, a launch direction indicator 49, and the like.

The first special symbol display 41 is configured with eight LEDs indicated by "i-p", and when the first special symbol determination is performed, the symbols are variably displayed and then the first special symbol. The determination result of the first special symbol determination is notified by stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the determination result of the determination. Specifically, for example, a variable display of symbols is performed by sequentially lighting the above eight LEDs, and each LED is set for a predetermined fixed time (for example, 0.5 in a combination according to the determination result of the first special symbol determination). The symbol is stopped and displayed by turning on the light.

The second special symbol display 42 is configured with eight LEDs indicated by "a to h", and when the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol is displayed after the symbols are variably displayed. The determination result of the second special symbol determination is notified by stopping and displaying the symbol indicating the determination result of the determination. Specifically, for example, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner by sequentially turning on the eight LEDs, and each LED is used for a predetermined settling time (for example, 0.5 in a combination according to the determination result of the second special symbol determination). The symbol is stopped and displayed by turning on the light.

The first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42), as a symbol showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination), "big hit "Design" or "Loss design" for notifying that it is lost is stopped and displayed. In the gaming machine 1, a plurality of jackpot patterns different from each other depending on the type of jackpot are prepared. When the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed, the first jackpot 26 or the open pattern corresponding to the type of the jackpot symbol. A jackpot game in which the second big winning opening 28 is opened is played.

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

In the following description, the symbols displayed on the first special symbol display 41 and the second special symbol display 42 are called "special symbols", and the symbols displayed on the normal symbol display 43 are "normal symbols". Shall be called. Also, the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 41 is called "first special symbol", the special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display 42 is called "second special symbol", and both are called. May be distinguished.

The 1st special figure reservation indicator 44 is constituted by having two LEDs shown by "uv", and displays the number of reservations of the 1st special symbol judgment by the lighting mode of these LEDs. The 2nd special figure reservation indicator 45 is constituted by having 2 LEDs shown by "wx", and displays the number of reservations of the 2nd special symbol judgment by the lighting mode of these LEDs. In addition, in the present embodiment, the upper limits of these numbers of reservations are all set to "4". The ordinary figure holding indicator 46 is configured to have two LEDs indicated by "q to r", and displays the number of holdings of the normal symbol determination by the lighting mode of these LEDs.

The round display device 47 is a jackpot game that is executed according to the jackpot corresponding to the jackpot symbol, as the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol indicator 41 or the second special symbol indicator 42. The number of rounds indicating how many rounds the game is executed is displayed. In this embodiment, the round indicator 47 is configured to have a 5R LED, a 7R LED, and a 9R LED, and the number of rounds is notified by turning on any of these LEDs. To be done.

The gaming state indicator 48 is configured to have three LEDs indicated by "a1 to a3", and displays the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 by the lighting mode of these LEDs. The firing direction indicator 49 is configured to have two LEDs indicated by "y to z", and displays the firing direction of the game ball by the lighting mode of these LEDs. That is, it is displayed whether the left-handed stroke should be performed or the right-handed stroke should be performed.

[Example of Configuration of Rendering Means Provided in Gaming Machine 1]
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game board 2 and the front frame 31 are provided with various effects such as a decorative member 13, a movable decorative member 14, a frame lamp 37, a speaker 38, and an effect display 125. An effect first special figure reservation display device 126, an effect second special figure reservation display device 127, etc. are provided. An image display device 7 is provided behind the game board 2.

The decorative member 13 has a built-in panel lamp 5 (see FIG. 5) having a plurality of LEDs, and changes the lighting or blinking pattern of each LED or the emission color of each LED. By doing, various effects by light are performed.

The movable decoration member 14 is arranged in front of the image display device 7 and behind the decoration member 13. The movable decoration member 14 has a plurality of LEDs built therein, and the movable decoration member 14 produces a predetermined effect by the movement of the movable decoration member 14 and/or light. In the present embodiment, a predetermined space in which the movable decorative member 14 can operate is provided between the game board 2 and the display screen 70 of the image display device 7, and the movable decorative member 14 extends along the display screen 70. It is configured to move up and down. The movable decorative member 14 is usually placed at an initial position (see FIG. 2) in which most of the movable decorative member 14 is hidden behind the decorative member 13 and only the lower end portion of the movable decorative member 14 is visible. On the other hand, the movable decorative member 14 emits light in a predetermined light emission pattern and displays on the display screen 70 when a notice effect having a relatively high jackpot reliability is executed using the image display device 7 and the speaker 38. It falls into an operating position that covers most of it.

The frame lamp 37 is configured to have a plurality of LEDs incorporated in various parts of the front frame 31, and it is possible to change the lighting or blinking pattern of each LED or change the emission color of each LED. Depending on the light, various effects are performed.

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

The speaker 38 outputs a production sound such as a music piece, a voice, or a sound effect so as to be synchronized with the display production performed on the display screen 70, or asynchronously, and produces a production by sound.

The effect indicator 125 is configured to have two LEDs, and variably displays the symbol along with the variable display of the special symbol and the effect symbol, and the special symbol determination along with the stop display of the special symbol and the effect symbol. The symbol for informing the determination result of is stopped and displayed. The effect display device 125 notifies the determination result of the special symbol determination by a combination of lighting and extinguishing of each LED and a lighting color.

The effect 1st special figure reservation indicator 126 is constituted by having two LEDs, and is the same as the one displayed on the 1st special figure reservation indicator 44 by the combination of lighting and extinction of each LED. 1 Display the number of special symbols held. The effect second special figure reservation indicator 127 is configured to have two LEDs, and is the same as that displayed on the second special figure reservation indicator 45 depending on the combination of lighting and extinction of each LED. 2 Display the number of reserved special symbols.

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

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

[Example of internal configuration of second winning hole 28]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining opening/closing control of the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287. An opening/closing member 29 (an example of a first opening/closing member) that opens and closes the second special winning opening 28 is provided at the opening of the second special winning opening 28 (an example of a special winning area) (FIGS. 1 and 4). (See (A)). Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4C, inside the second special winning opening 28, the second special winning opening sensor 281, the V winning opening sensor 283, the discharge sensor 284, and the slide member 285. (Example of second opening/closing member) and the like are provided.

The second special winning opening sensor 281 detects a game ball that has entered the second special winning opening 28, and in the present embodiment, 15 pieces each time the game ball passes through the second special winning opening switch 281. Prize balls are paid out. The V winning opening switch 283 detects passage of a game ball to the V winning opening 287 (an example of a specific area) divided by the V winning opening switch 283. The discharge switch 284 is for detecting passage of a game ball to the discharge port partitioned by the discharge switch 284. The slide member 285 guides the game ball that has passed through the second special winning opening sensor 281 to the V winning opening 287 or the discharge opening, and is configured to be slidable in the left-right direction in FIG. 4A and 4B exemplify a state in which the slide member 285 is arranged at the right position that closes the V winning opening 287, and FIGS. 4C and 4D show the slide member 285. The state where it is arranged at the left position where the V winning opening 287 is opened is illustrated.

When the jackpot game is not played or during the long open round game in which the first big winning opening 26 is long opened, the second big winning opening 28 is closed by the opening/closing member 29, and the V winning opening 287 is It is closed by the slide member 285 (see FIG. 4A). On the other hand, in the round game in which the second special winning opening 28 is opened and closed, the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 can be in the following states.

Specifically, in the round game for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28, as shown in FIG. 4B, the opening/closing member 29 is rotated to open the second special winning opening 28. In addition, the slide member 285 may be placed at the right position and the V winning opening 287 may be closed. In this case, the second special winning opening 28 has changed from the difficult-to-enter state where the game ball is difficult to enter to the easy-to-enter state, but the V winning opening 287 is blocked by the slide member 285. The game ball that has entered the second special winning opening 28 does not pass through the V winning opening 287 but passes through the discharge sensor 284.

In the round game in which the second special winning opening 28 is opened and closed, as shown in FIG. 4C, the opening/closing member 29 is rotated and the second special winning opening 28 is opened, and In some cases, the slide member 285 moves from the right position to the left position to open the V winning opening 287. In this case, since the second special winning opening 28 is changed to the easy entry state and the V winning opening 287 is opened, the game ball that has entered the second special winning opening 28 is the V winning opening 287. (That is, detected by the V winning opening sensor 283).

The V winning opening sensor 283 functions as a so-called probability change switch, and as described above, the game ball wins V when both the second big winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are open. When the game ball is detected by the V winning opening sensor 283, the game is controlled in the “probability variation gaming state” described later after the jackpot game in which this V winning is finished. On the other hand, when both the second big winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are in the open state, if the game ball does not win the V, the jackpot game is completed, and then the "time saving game state" described later. The game is controlled by. Further, when one of the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 is in the closed state (when being in the state illustrated in FIG. 4B or 4D), Basically, since the game ball does not win the V prize, similarly, after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "time saving game state".

It should be noted that both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are round games that are opened for a long time such that the game balls can easily enter the second special winning opening 28 and pass through the V winning opening 287. There are valid round games in which a valid period for which V winning is valid are set, and non-valid round games in which V winning is not valid (the valid period is not set). For this reason, when the V winning opening sensor 283 detects a game ball during the effective round game, the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state" after the jackpot game is finished, but the V winning is performed during the ineffective round game. Even if the mouth sensor 283 detects a game ball, the game is not controlled in the “probability variation game state” after the jackpot game is completed, on condition of this detection.

Further, in the round game for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28, as shown in FIG. 4D, the opening and closing member 29 is not operating, so the second special winning opening 28 is closed. In addition, the slide member 285 may move from the right position to the left position, and the V winning opening 287 may be opened and in the open state. In this case, the V winning opening 287 is open, but the second special winning opening 28 is in a difficult state to enter, so the game ball does not enter the second special winning opening 28.

It should be noted that the transparent member provided at a position corresponding to the area in which the second special winning opening sensor 281, the V winning opening sensor 283, the discharge opening sensor 284, the slide member 285, etc., correspond to the V winning opening sensor 283. The letter "V" is written at the position where the arrow mark is to be entered (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the player can easily identify the position of the V winning opening sensor 283 (the position of the V winning opening 287) by looking at the character “V”.

[Configuration of control device provided in gaming machine 1]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control device included in the gaming machine 1.
On the back side of the game board 2, a control device that controls the operation of the game machine 1 is provided. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device of the gaming machine 1 is a main control board 80 that controls the progress of the game using the game balls, and a sub that totally controls the effect based on information from the main control board 80. The control board 90, an image/sound control board 100 that controls effects by images and sounds, a lamp control board 120 that controls effects by various lamps and movable members, and the like. In the present embodiment, the main control board 80 functions as a game control section that controls the progress of the game, and the sub control board 90, the image/sound control board 100, and the lamp control board 120 function as an effect control section that controls the effect. .. Note that the configuration of the control device is not limited to this, and for example, the sub control board 90, the audiovisual control board 100, and the lamp control board 120 may be configured by one board.

<Configuration Example of Main Control Board 80>
The main control board 80 includes a main CPU 81, a main ROM 82, and a main RAM 83. The main CPU 81 performs various kinds of arithmetic processing related to the determination and the number of prize balls to be paid out, based on a program stored in the main ROM 82. The main RAM 83 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the main CPU 81 executes the above-described programs and a work area for data processing.

On the main control board 80, a first starting opening sensor 211, a second starting opening sensor 221, a gate sensor 251, a first big winning opening sensor 261, a second big winning opening sensor 281, a V winning opening sensor 283, a discharge opening sensor. 284, a general winning opening sensor 241, a second starting opening solenoid 222, a first big winning opening solenoid 262, a second big winning opening solenoid 282, and a V winning opening solenoid 286 are connected. It should be noted that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes four general winning opening sensors 241 corresponding to the four general winning opening 24, but in FIG. 5, only one general winning opening sensor 241 is provided for convenience of description. It is written.

The first starting opening sensor 211 detects that a game ball has won in the first starting opening 21, and outputs the detection signal to the main control board 80. The second starting opening sensor 221 detects that a game ball has won in the second starting opening 22, and outputs the detection signal to the main control board 80. The gate sensor 251 detects the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 and outputs the detection signal to the main control board 80. The first special winning opening sensor 261 detects that a game ball has entered the first special winning opening 26, and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The second special winning opening sensor 281 detects that a game ball has entered the second special winning opening 28, and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80. The V winning opening sensor 283 detects the passage of the game ball to the V winning opening 287 and outputs the detection signal to the main control board 80. The outlet sensor 284 detects passage of the game ball to the outlet and outputs the detection signal to the main control board 80. The general winning opening sensor 241 detects that a game ball has entered the general winning opening 24 and outputs a detection signal to the main control board 80.

The second starting opening solenoid 222 is an electric solenoid connected to the opening/closing member 23 so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and operates the opening/closing member 23 based on a control signal from the main control board 80 to perform a second starting operation. The mouth 22 is opened and closed. The first special winning opening solenoid 262 is an electric solenoid connected to the opening/closing member 27 so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and operates the opening/closing member 27 based on a control signal from the main control board 80 to generate the first opening. The special winning opening 26 is opened and closed. The second special winning opening solenoid 282 is an electric solenoid connected to the opening/closing member 29 so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and operates the opening/closing member 29 based on a control signal from the main control board 80 to generate a second The special winning opening 28 is opened and closed. The V winning opening solenoid 286 is an electric solenoid connected to the slide member 285 so as to be able to transmit a driving force, and operates the slide member 285 based on a control signal from the main control board 80 to make the V winning opening 287. Open and close.

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

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

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

The main CPU 81 acquires these random numbers at the timing when the game ball wins the first starting opening 21 (or the second starting opening 22), and first, the acquired jackpot random number is a predetermined random number stored in the main ROM 82. Based on whether or not it matches the numerical value (winning value), it is determined whether or not to execute the jackpot game. Here, when it is determined that the jackpot game is executed based on the jackpot random number matching the winning value, the symbol random number acquired together with the jackpot random number is stored in the main ROM 82 (compared with the symbol random number. ) A jackpot type is determined based on which random number value of a predetermined random number value matches. The type of jackpot will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 6(B) and 6(C).

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines not to execute the jackpot game based on the obtained jackpot random number not matching the winning value, the reach random number obtained together with the jackpot random number is stored in the main ROM 82. Based on whether or not there is a predetermined random number value (compared with the reach random number), it is determined whether the production with reach or the production without reach is performed. Further, the main CPU 81 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol when the special symbol is variably displayed, based on the variation pattern random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, regardless of the determination result based on the jackpot random number. As a result, the variation time of the special symbol is determined.

When determining the type of jackpot, the main CPU 81 controls the opening and closing of the first jackpot 26 through the first jackpot solenoid 262 according to the type of jackpot. By controlling the opening and closing of the second special winning opening 28 via the second special winning opening solenoid 282, and controlling the opening and closing of the V winning opening 287 via the V winning opening solenoid 286, a jackpot game according to the type of big hit. To execute.

In addition, the main CPU 81 acquires a random number (normal symbol random number) at the timing when the detection signal from the gate sensor 251 is input, and executes the normal symbol determination using the acquired normal symbol random number. When it is determined that the second starting port 22 is opened as a result of this normal symbol determination, the second starting port 22 is opened by controlling the opening and closing of the second starting port 22 via the second starting port solenoid 222. Perform an auxiliary game.

Further, on the main control board 80, the first special symbol display 41, the second special symbol display 42, the normal symbol display 43, the first special symbol reservation display 44, the second special symbol reservation display 45, universal The figure hold indicator 46, the round indicator 47, the game state indicator 48, and the launch direction indicator 49 are connected.

The main CPU 81 controls the display devices 41 to 49 that form the main display device 40 to execute the display process described above with reference to FIG.

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

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

The sub CPU 91 sets effect contents based on special symbol determination, normal symbol determination, game information relating to jackpot game, etc. transmitted from the main control board 80. At that time, the input of operation information from the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 may be accepted and the effect content according to the operation information may be set. The sub CPU 91 transmits a command instructing execution of the effect of the set effect content to the image acoustic control board 100 and the lamp control board 120.

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

The control ROM 102 is composed of a mask ROM, and various tables such as a control program of the image and sound control CPU 101, a display list generation program for generating a display list, and a display list creation table used for a process of creating the display list. Is remembered. Here, the display list is composed of a group of commands for instructing execution of drawing in frame units. The type of image to draw, the position (coordinates) to draw the image, the display priority, the display magnification, and the rotation. It includes various parameters such as angle and transmittance. The control RAM 103 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing various data used when the image and sound control CPU 101 executes the control program and a work area for data processing.

The image and sound control CPU 101 causes the image display device 7 to display the image data stored in the CGROM 105 to the VDP 104 based on the control program, various tables such as the display list creation table, and the command received from the sub control board 90. To display on. This instruction is mainly given by the output of the display list. Further, the image-sound control CPU 101 instructs the sound DSP 107 to output the sound data stored in the sound ROM 108 from the speaker 38.

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

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

The VRAM 106 is composed of an SRAM capable of writing and reading image data at high speed, and has a display list storage area, a development storage area, a frame buffer, etc., which are not shown in the figure. ing.

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

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

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

In the present embodiment, the case where the VDP is responsible for drawing management and the acoustic DSP is responsible for sound management will be described. However, in another embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the VDP is responsible for both drawing management and sound management. You may. In this case, it is not necessary to separately provide the acoustic DSP.

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

The lamp CPU 121, based on the program stored in the lamp ROM 122, the frame lamp 37, the panel lamp 5, the movable decorative member 14, the effect display device 125, the effect first special figure reservation display device 126, the effect second special figure reservation. Arithmetic processing is performed when controlling the operation of the display 127 and the like.

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

Further, the lamp CPU 121 controls the variable display and the stop display of the symbols on the effect display device 125 based on the command from the sub control board 90. Further, the lamp CPU 121 displays the number of holdings related to the first special symbol determination by the effect first special figure reservation display device 126 based on the command from the sub-control board 90 and the second by the effect second special figure reservation display device 127. 2 Control the display of the number of reservations related to the special symbol determination.

[About the game state]
Next, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 is controlled in a gaming state in any one of three gaming states of a "normal gaming state", a "probability variation gaming state", and a "time saving gaming state".

The "normal gaming state" is a special symbol determination in a low probability state in which the probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game is relatively low, and a support function (a so-called support function for supporting a winning of a game ball to the second starting opening 22). This is a game state in which a function called "electric support" is not provided. In the normal gaming state, the probability of being determined to execute the jackpot game by the special symbol determination is set to a relatively low probability (for example, 1/160) (see FIG. 6(A)). Also, the probability of being determined to open the second starting port 22 by the normal symbol determination is set to a relatively low probability (for example, 1/11), and the variation time of the normal symbol is relatively long (for example, 20 seconds) And the opening time of the second starting port 22 when it is determined to open the second starting port 22 is set to a relatively short time (for example, 0.1 seconds×1 time).

The "probability variation gaming state" is a gaming state in which special symbol determination is performed in a high-probability state in which the probability of being determined to execute a jackpot game is relatively high, and the support function is added. That is, in the probability variation game state, the probability of being determined to execute the jackpot game by the special symbol determination is set to a relatively high probability (for example, 1/60) (see FIG. 6(A)). Also, the probability of being determined to open the second starting opening 22 by the normal symbol determination is set to a relatively high probability (for example, 11/11), and the variation time of the normal symbol is relatively short (for example, 1.5). Second) and the opening time of the second starting port 22 when it is determined to open the second starting port 22 is set to a relatively long time (for example, 1.5 seconds×3 times).

The "time saving game state" is a game state in which the special symbol determination is performed in the above-described low probability state, and the electric Chu support function is added. That is, in the time saving game state, the probability of being determined to execute the jackpot game by the special symbol determination is set to a relatively low probability (1/160, for example). Also, the probability of being determined to open the second starting opening 12 by the normal symbol determination is set to a relatively high probability (for example, 11/11), and the variation time of the normal symbol is relatively short (for example, 1.5). Second) and the opening time of the second starting port 12 when it is determined to open the second starting port 12 is set to a relatively long time (for example, 1.5 seconds×3 times).

Comparing these gaming states with regard to the variation time of the special symbol, compared to the variation time of the special symbol in the "normal gaming state", the variation time of the special symbol in the "probability variation gaming state" or the "time saving gaming state" is relatively It is easy to set a short time. In addition, the probability of being determined to execute a special game (big hit probability), the probability of being determined to open the second starting opening 22 (ordinary symbol determination winning probability), the variation of the regular symbol, which is shown in the explanation of each gaming state. It goes without saying that the time and the opening time of the second starting port 22 are merely examples and may be other probabilities or times.

In the following description, a state in which the game ball is easily won into the second starting opening 22 due to the support function being added is called a "high base state", and the support function is not added. A state in which it is difficult to win a game ball into the second starting opening 22 is referred to as a "low base state".

[Game flow]
The game ball hit by the player to the right can win the second starting opening 22 without winning the first starting opening 21. However, in the low base state, it is difficult to open the second starting port 22, and even if it is opened, the opening time is short. Therefore, when the game is controlled in the low base state (the "normal game state" in the present embodiment corresponds to this), the player decides to play the game by left-handed striking the first starting opening 21. Become.

When the game ball left-handed in the normal gaming state wins the first starting opening 21, the first special symbol determination is executed, and the determination result of the first special symbol determination is displayed after the first special symbol is variably displayed. As the first special symbol shown, the jackpot symbol or the lost symbol is stopped and displayed.

Here, when the lost symbol is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game is not played and the gaming state does not change. On the other hand, when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, the jackpot game is executed by performing a predetermined number of round games according to the jackpot symbol, and after the jackpot game ends, the "probability variation game state" or "time saving game". The game is controlled by "state".

In addition, when the gaming state transitions to the "probability variation gaming state" or the "time saving gaming state" upon completion of the jackpot game, that is, when the low base state transitions to the high base state, a game ball to the second starting opening 22. With the above support function for facilitating the prize winning, the game balls are more likely to be won in the second starting opening 22 than in the first starting opening 21. Therefore, when the game is controlled in the high base state, the player plays the game by hitting the right with the second starting opening 22 as the target. Therefore, when the game is controlled in the probability variation game state or the time saving game state, basically, the second special symbol determination is performed.

When the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as the second special symbol in the probability variation game state or the time saving game state, basically, the game is controlled in the probability variation game state after the jackpot game is over. On the other hand, if the jackpot cannot be assigned in the probability variation gaming state or the time saving gaming state, the gaming state will be returned from the probability variation gaming state (or the time shortening gaming state) to the normal gaming state.

[About special symbol determination using random numbers]
Next, the determination process using the jackpot random number and the symbol random number will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the jackpot random number and the symbol random number. It should be noted that, in the explanatory views related to each random number illustrated in FIG. 6 and subsequent figures, the range that the random number can take is set to a range smaller than the actual range in order to facilitate the description.

<Processing based on jackpot random numbers>
The jackpot random number illustrated in FIG. 6(A) is a random number used in the jackpot determination process (step S308 in FIG. 19) of whether or not to execute the jackpot game, and the probability of determining that the jackpot game is executed is high. It is set individually for each of the relatively low probability state and the high probability state in which the probability of being determined to execute the jackpot game is relatively high.

In the present embodiment, six winning values for the low probability state are stored in the main ROM 82, and the main CPU 81 controls the low probability state (in the present embodiment, the “normal game state” and the “time saving game state” correspond to this). ), the jackpot game is determined to be executed when the obtained jackpot random number matches any of these six winning values while the game is controlled. Further, with respect to the high probability state (in this embodiment, the “probability variation game state” corresponds to this), 16 winning values are stored in the main ROM 82, and acquired when the game is controlled in the high probability state. When the hit big random number matches any of these 16 winning values, it is determined to execute the jackpot game.

In this embodiment, the jackpot random number can take 960 values of “0” to “959” in both the low probability state and the high probability state. Therefore, the jackpot probability in the low probability state is 1/160 (=6/960), and the jackpot probability in the high probability state is 1/60 (=16/960).

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

(Type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination)
As illustrated in FIG. 6B, in the present embodiment, "5R probability variation A", "5R probability variation B", "5R normal A" are provided as the types of jackpots due to the first start opening winning a prize (in the normal gaming state). , And “5R normal B”.

Here, “5R probability variation A” (see FIG. 6B) is a jackpot in which a jackpot game including five round games for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 is executed. When this “5R probability variation A” is won, both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are controlled to be in the open state, and the valid period in which the V winning of the game ball with respect to the V winning opening 287 becomes effective. A jackpot game including the set valid round game (see “1R” in FIG. 7(A)) is executed, and the passage of the game ball is detected by the V winning opening sensor 283 during the valid round game. , After the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state".

The “5R probability variation B” (see FIG. 6B) is a jackpot in which a jackpot game including five round games for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 is executed. If this "5R probability variation B" is won, the jackpot game including the valid round game (see "3R" in FIG. 7B) is executed, as in the case of winning the "5R probability variation A", and this valid round is executed. On condition that the passage of the game ball is detected by the V winning opening sensor 283 during the game, after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state".

“5R normal A” (see FIG. 6B) is a jackpot in which a jackpot game including five round games for opening and closing the second jackpot 28 is executed. When this "5R normal A" is won, the jackpot game including the ineffective round game (see "2R" and "4R" in FIG. 7C) is excluded from the effective round game. Therefore, even if the game ball passes through the V winning opening 287 during the ineffective round game, the V winning does not occur, and after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "time saving game state".

“5R normal B” (see FIG. 6B) is a jackpot in which a jackpot game including five round games for opening and closing the second big winning opening 28 is executed. When this "5R normal B" is won, as in the case where "5R normal A" is won, the valid round game is not included and the non-valid round game (see "2R" and "4R" in FIG. 7(D)) A jackpot game including is executed. Therefore, even if the game ball passes through the V winning opening 287 during the ineffective round game, the V winning does not occur, and after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "time saving game state".

As is clear from the notations of FIGS. 7A to 7D, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the jackpot relating to the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is “5R probability variation A”, “5R”. Regardless of which jackpot of "probability variation B", "5R normal A", and "5R normal B", the second big winning opening 28 is opened for a long time (only for the time when 10 game balls can easily win). The round game is executed twice. Therefore, all of these four types of jackpots are jackpots of substantially two rounds (2R) that can win prize balls for two rounds (300 pieces=15 pieces×10 counts×2R).

In this way, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the main CPU 81 determines to execute the jackpot game and selects “5R probability variation A” or “5R probability variation B” as the type of jackpot, (the second By operating the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 (via the special winning opening solenoid 282 and the V winning opening solenoid 286), the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened so that the game balls can easily pass through. It is possible to execute a plurality of round games including an effective round game (specific round game).

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, in the present embodiment, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a big hit, a random number value for determining the kind of the big hit is stored in the main ROM 82. ing. Specifically, 30 random number values are stored for “5R probability variation A”, 30 random number values are stored for “5R probability variation B”, and 20 random values are stored for “5R normal variation A”. A random number value is stored, and 20 random number values are stored for “5R normal B”.

In the present embodiment, the range of possible symbol random numbers is set to "0" to "99", and the jackpot is determined based on the jackpot random numbers obtained in response to the game ball winning the first starting opening 21. If determined, "5R probability variation A" is selected at a rate of 30% (=30/100×100), and "5R probability variation B" is 30% (=30, as the type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination. /100×100), “5R Normal A” is selected at a rate of 20% (=20/100×100), and “5R Normal B” is 20% (=20/100×100). The ratio is selected (see FIG. 6B).

Therefore, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is a big hit, as a big hit symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 41, the big hit symbol X1 indicating "5R probability variation A" is at a rate of 30%. Selected, the jackpot pattern X2 showing "5R probability variation B" is selected at a rate of 30%, the jackpot pattern X3 showing "5R normal A" is selected at a rate of 20%, and the jackpot pattern showing "5R normal B" X4 is selected at a rate of 20%.

(Type of jackpot related to the second special symbol determination)
As illustrated in FIG. 6C, in the present embodiment, "5R probability variation", "7R probability variation", and "5R probability variation" as the types of jackpot due to the second starting mouth winning (in the probability variation gaming state or the time saving game state). There are three types of jackpots, "9R Probable Change".

Here, the “5R probability change” (see FIG. 6C) is a jackpot in which a jackpot game including five round games for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 is executed. When the "5R probability variation" is won, the jackpot game including the effective round game is executed, and the passing of the game ball is detected by the V winning hole sensor 283 during the effective round game, after the jackpot game is over. The game is controlled in the "probability variation game state". In the case of this "5R probability change", including the effective round game, the second big winning opening 28 is opened five times (only for the time when 10 game balls can easily win), and the round game is executed five times. To be done. Therefore, the “5R probability variation” related to the second special symbol determination is a jackpot of substantially 5 rounds (5R) that can obtain 5 rounds of prize balls (750=15×10 counts×5R).

"7R probability change" (see FIG. 6(C)) includes a total of seven rounds, including five round games for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 and two round games for opening and closing the first special winning opening 26. It is a jackpot in which jackpot games including round games are executed. When this "7R probability variation" is won, the above-mentioned effective round game using the second big winning opening 28 is executed, and the passage of the game ball is detected by the V winning opening sensor 283 during this effective round game. , After the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state". In the case of this "7R probability change", including the above-mentioned effective round game, the second big winning opening 28 is long-opened (only for the time when 10 game balls can easily win), and the round game is executed 5 times. And, the long open round game in which the first big winning opening 26 is long opened (only for the time when 10 game balls can easily win) is executed twice. Therefore, the “7R probability change” related to the second special symbol determination is a real 7 round (7R) jackpot that can win 7 rounds of prize balls (1050 pieces=15 pieces×10 counts×(5R+2R)). ..

"9R probability change" (see FIG. 6(C)) is a total of 9 times including five round games for opening and closing the second special winning opening 28 and four round games for opening and closing the first special winning opening 26. It is a jackpot in which jackpot games including round games are executed. When this "9R probability variation" is won, the above-mentioned effective round game using the second big winning opening 28 is executed, and the passage of the game ball is detected by the V winning opening sensor 283 during this effective round game. , After the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state". In the case of this "9R probability change", including the effective round game, the second big winning opening 28 is long-opened (only for the time when 10 game balls can easily win), and the round game is executed 5 times. And, the long open round game in which the first big winning opening 26 is opened for a long time (only for the time when 10 game balls can easily win) is executed four times. Therefore, the “9R probability change” related to the second special symbol determination is a real 9 round (9R) jackpot that can win 9 rounds of prize balls (1350=15×10 counts×(5R+4R)). ..

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, in the present embodiment, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is a jackpot, a random number value for determining the type of the jackpot is stored in the main ROM 82. ing. Specifically, 25 random number values are stored for "5R probable variation", 30 random number values are stored for "7R probable variation", and 45 random number values are stored for "9R probable variation". Remembered

In the present embodiment, the range of the symbol random numbers related to the second special symbol determination is the same as the range of the symbol random numbers related to the first special symbol determination, and that the game ball has won the second starting opening 22. When it is determined to be a jackpot based on the jackpot random number obtained according to, "5R probability variation" is selected at a rate of 25% (=25/100×100) as the type of jackpot related to the second special symbol determination. , “7R probability variation” is selected at a rate of 30% (=30/100×100), and “9R probability variation” is selected at a rate of 45% (=45/100×100).

Therefore, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is a big hit, as a big hit symbol stopped and displayed on the second special symbol display 42, the big hit symbol Y1 indicating "5R probability change" is selected at a rate of 25%. The jackpot symbol Y2 indicating "7R probability variation" is selected at a rate of 30%, and the jackpot symbol Y3 indicating "9R probability variation" is selected at a rate of 45%.

<Process based on reach random number>
When the main CPU 81 determines not to execute the jackpot game, the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number used for the determination is either a random number value corresponding to the reachable effect or a random number value corresponding to the reachless effect. Based on whether or not the reachable effect or the reachless effect is performed, it is determined based on whether or not the reachable effect is reached.

In the present embodiment, 10 random number values are stored for the reachable effect in the main ROM 82, and the main CPU 81, when the obtained reach random number matches any of these 10 random number values, It is decided to perform the production with reach. Further, 90 random number values are stored for the reachless effect, and the main CPU 81 performs the reachless effect when the acquired reach random number matches any of these 90 random number values. decide. In the present embodiment, the reachable random number range is set to "0" to "99", and when it is determined that the jackpot game is not executed, the reach effect ratio is 10% (=10/ 100×100), and the ratio in which the reach effect is not performed (the ratio in which the reachless effect is performed) is 90% (=90/100×100).

When the main CPU 81 determines to perform the effect with reach, as the variation pattern of the special symbol, the variation effect pattern of the effect symbol with the reach effect is selected by the sub-control board 90. On the contrary, when it is determined to perform the reach-less effect, the variation pattern of the special design that does not accompany the reach effect is selected as the variation pattern of the special symbol by the sub-control board 90.

[About the jackpot game executed according to the first hit]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the jackpot game executed when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit” when the game is controlled in the normal game state will be described. Here, FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the jackpot game.

<5R probability variation A jackpot game>
When the 5R probability variation A described above based on FIG. 6(B) is won, the 5R jackpot game using the second special winning opening 28 is executed in the mode illustrated in FIG. 7(A). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, in the 1R round game, the second special winning opening 28 is in an open state for 0.1 seconds, a closed state for 0.1 seconds, and 10 seconds. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so that the state changes in the order of the open state. Along with this, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled so that the V winning opening 287 changes in the order of the open state for 0.1 second, the closed state for 0.1 second, and the open state for 10 seconds.

As described above, in the first round game of the 5R probability variation A, both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened for a long time. It is possible to easily pass the game ball through the sensor 283. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 in the 1R round game illustrated in FIG. 7A is performed after the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened for the second time. It continues until 10 seconds elapse, or after the first round game is started and the second special winning opening sensor 281 detects passage of 10 game balls.

Next, in the 2R round game of the 5R probability variation A, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second special winning opening 28 makes the same state change as in the 1R round game. Thus, the operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled. On the other hand, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled so that the V winning opening 287 is opened for 0.1 seconds and then returns to the closed state and maintains the state. As described above, in the second round game of the 5R probability variation A, the second special winning opening 28 is opened for a long time, while the V winning opening 287 is changed to the open state for only 0.1 seconds. By hitting the right, it is possible to easily win the game ball in the second big winning opening 28, while the game ball enters the second big winning opening 28 until it reaches the V winning opening 287. Since it takes 0.1 seconds or more to pass, it is impossible to pass the game ball through the V winning opening sensor 283. The ending condition of the 2R round game is the same as the ending condition of the 1R round game.

Subsequently, in the 3R round game of the 5R probability variation A, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second special winning opening 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds and then returned to the closed state. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so as to maintain the lever state. On the other hand, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled so that the V winning opening 287 changes in the same state as when the 1R round game is being performed. As described above, in the third round game of the 5R probability variation A, the V winning opening 287 is opened for a long time, while the second winning opening 28 is changed to the open state for only 0.1 seconds. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for the player to win the game ball at the second big winning opening 28 even if the player hits the ball right.

Subsequently, in the 3R round game of the 5R probability variation A, as shown in FIG. 7A, the second special winning opening 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds and then returned to the closed state. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so as to maintain the lever state. On the other hand, the slide member 285 does not operate, and the V winning opening 287 does not change to the open state. As described above, in the 3R round game of the 5R probability variation A, the second special winning opening 28 is changed to the open state only for 0.1 seconds, so that the player does not lose the second big winning opening even if he makes a right-handed stroke. It is extremely difficult to give 28 a game ball.

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, regardless of the type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination, during the 1R round game and the 3R round game, a game ball for the V winning opening 287. The effective period during which the V winning of is valid is set (see FIGS. 7A to 7D), and during other round games (during the 2R round game, 4R round game, and 5R round). The valid period is not set for the round game). Therefore, even if the passage of the game ball is detected by the V winning hole sensor 283 during another round game, the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state" after the jackpot game is finished based on this detection. There is no.

In the jackpot game related to the 5R probability variation A, the 1R round game is the effective round game. In the 2R round game, the second special winning opening 28 is opened for a long time, but the V winning opening 287 is opened for only 0.1 seconds and is not in the valid period. The entered game ball does not win the V prize. Also, during the 3R round game, although the V winning is in the valid period, the second winning hole 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds, so the game ball enters the second winning hole 28. The possibility is extremely low, and since the V winning opening 287 is once closed at the same time as the second winning opening 28 is closed, even if the game ball enters the second winning opening 28, The game ball never wins V. In the 4th round game and the 5th round game, the second winning hole 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds, and the V winning hole 287 does not change to the open state. Will never win a V.

<5R probability variation B jackpot game>
When the 5R probability variation B described above based on FIG. 6B is won, the 5R jackpot game using the second special winning opening 28 is executed in the mode illustrated in FIG. 7B. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7(B), in the 1R round game, the second special winning opening 28 shifts to the open state for 0.1 seconds and then returns to the closed state. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so as to maintain the state. Along with this, the V winning opening 287 changes in the order of the open state for 0.1 seconds, the closed state for 0.1 seconds, and the open state for 10 seconds in the same manner as in the first round game of the 5R probability variation A. Thus, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled.

In the 1R round game of the 5R probability variation B, the V winning opening 287 is opened for a long time and the V winning is effective, but the second winning opening 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds. Since it is not played, the possibility that the game ball enters the second big winning opening 28 is extremely low. Further, since the V winning opening 287 is temporarily closed almost at the same time that the second winning opening 28 is closed, even if the game ball enters the second winning opening 28, the gaming ball is V winning. There is nothing to do.

Next, in the 2R round game of the 5R probability variation B, as shown in FIG. 7B, the second special winning opening 28 is maintained in the open state for 10 seconds and then returned to the closed state. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled. On the other hand, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled so that the V winning opening 287 is opened for 0.1 seconds and then returns to the closed state and maintains the state. In this way, in the second round game of the 5R probability variation B, the second special winning opening 28 is opened for a long time, while the V winning opening 287 changes to the open state for only 0.1 seconds, so the player It is possible to easily win the game ball to the second big winning opening 28 by making a right hit, but it is impossible to pass the game ball to the V winning opening sensor 283. In this 2R round game, the number of game balls detected by the second special winning opening sensor 281 is 10 before 10 seconds elapse after the second special winning opening 28 is changed to the open state. When it reaches, the second round game is finished at that point, and the opening/closing member 29 returns to the initial posture in which it closes the second special winning opening 28.

Subsequently, in the 3R round game of the 5R probability variation B, the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 are controlled in the same manner as in the 1R round game of the 5R probability variation A, and the V winning of the game ball becomes effective. It is an effective round game set for the period. Therefore, the player can easily make the V winning hole sensor 283 pass the game ball by simply making a right hit. The ending condition of the 3R round game of the 5R certainty variation B is the same as the ending condition of the 1R round game of the 5R certainty variation A (see FIG. 7A).

In the jackpot game related to the 5R probability variation B (see FIG. 7(B)), the round game of the 3rd round is the effective round game, and the game ball that has entered the second big winning opening 28 can easily win the V prize. In addition, during the 1R round game, the V winning opening 287 is opened for a long time, and although the effective period is set, the second winning opening 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds, so the game ball is V. There is no winning. Also, in the 2R round game, although the second winning hole 28 is opened for a long time, the V winning opening 287 is opened for only 0.1 seconds, and the gaming ball wins V because it is not in the valid period. There is no such thing. In the 4th round game and the 5th round game, the second winning hole 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds, and the V winning hole 287 does not change to the open state. Will never win a V.

<5R Normal A jackpot game>
When the 5R normal A described above based on FIG. 6B is won, the 5R jackpot game using the second special winning opening 28 is executed in the mode illustrated in FIG. 7C. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, in the 1R round game, the second special winning opening 28 shifts to the open state for 0.1 seconds and then returns to the closed state, The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so as to maintain the state. Along with this, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled so that the V winning opening 287 changes to the open state for 0.1 seconds and then returns to the closed state and maintains this state.

During the 1R round game of the 5R regular A, like the 1R round game of the 5R probability variation A and the 1R round game of the 5R probability variation B, the V winning of the game ball is valid. However, during the 1R round game of the 5R normal A, both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened for only 0.1 seconds, so that the game ball does not win the V winning.

Next, in the 2R round game of 5R normal A, as shown in FIG. 7C, after the second special winning opening 28 (and the V winning opening 287) is kept open for 10 seconds. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 (and the slide member 285) is controlled so as to return to the closed state. For this reason, the player can easily win the game ball into the second special winning opening 28 by making a right hit, but in the second round game of the second round, the V winning of the game ball is effective. Since it is the non-effective round game that does not occur, the passage of the game ball is detected by the V winning opening sensor 283, but the game is not controlled in the "probability variation game state" after the jackpot game is over.

Then, in the 3rd round game of 5R normal A, as shown in FIG. 7C, the second special winning opening 28 shifts to the open state for 0.1 seconds and then returns to the closed state. The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so as to maintain the lever state. Along with this, the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled so that the V winning opening 287 changes in the order of the open state for 0.1 second, the closed state for 0.1 second, and the open state for 0.1 second. It During the round game of the third round, although the V prize of the game ball is valid, the second prize hole 28 is opened for only 0.1 seconds, so the game ball is the second prize hole 28. The possibility of entering the inside is extremely low, and even if the player enters the second big winning opening 28, the game ball does not pass through the V winning opening 287.

Subsequently, in the 4R round game of the 5R normal A, the operations of the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 are controlled as in the 2R round game of the 5R normal A, as illustrated in FIG. 7C. To be done.

Then, in the 5th round game of 5R normal A, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the second special winning opening 28 is open for 0.1 seconds, closed for 0.1 seconds, The operation of the opening/closing member 29 is controlled so that the state changes in the order of the open state for 0.1 second, the closed state for 0.1 second, and the open state for 0.1 second. Then, during the round game of the 5th round of this 5R normal A, there is no valid period during which the V winning of the gaming ball becomes effective, and since the V winning opening 287 does not change to the open state, the gaming ball is There is no V prize.

As is clear from the above description, the 5R normal A jackpot game does not include an effective round game. Therefore, the game ball does not win the V prize during the 5R normal A big hit game, and after the big hit game is finished, the game is controlled in the "normal game state".

<5R Normal B jackpot game>
When the 5R normal B described above based on FIG. 6(B) is won, the 5R jackpot game using the second special winning opening 28 is executed in the mode illustrated in FIG. 7(D). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7D, the opening/closing member 29 in the 1R to 4R round game of the 5R normal B is similar to the 1R to 4R round game of the 5R normal A. And the operation of the slide member 285 is controlled. Then, in the 5R round game, except that the number of times the opening/closing member 29 is changed to the open state is small once, the operation of the opening/closing member 29 and the sliding member 285 is the same as in the 5R round game of the 5R normal A. Controlled. Therefore, the 5R normal B jackpot game does not include an effective round game, the game ball does not win V during the 5R normal B jackpot game, and after the jackpot game is over, "normal The game is controlled in the "gaming state".

[Structure for making it difficult to understand whether or not there is a V winning]
By the way, during the jackpot game that is performed in response to winning the "5R probability variation A" or "5R probability variation B", the player is notified of the fact that a V is won in the game ball, so that the player can win the jackpot game. It is possible to clearly recognize that the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state" after the end. On the other hand, even if the game ball wins V, it does not notify that effect (displays an effect image informing the V prize on the display screen 70, or outputs an effect sound informing the V prize from the speaker 38). After the jackpot game is over, by performing in the production mode in which it is impossible to determine whether the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state" or the game is controlled in the "time saving game state", It is conceivable to improve the fun of the game by not knowing whether or not the game has transitioned to the “probability variation game state”.

However, in this configuration, after recognizing in advance what round game the round game in which both the second big winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are long open is V winning during the round game. If the player pays close attention to the mouth 287, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the game ball has won the V prize, which may rather reduce the interest.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted in order to prevent such a problem from occurring. That is, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the "5R probability variation A" jackpot game, the "5R probability variation B" jackpot game, the "5R regular A" jackpot game, and the "5R regular B" jackpot game Regarding, regarding the round game currently being played, a configuration is adopted in which the number of rounds indicating the round game is not displayed.

By adopting this configuration, even if the player knows in advance how many rounds the round game in which the game ball can win is, whether or not the round game is currently being played. It becomes difficult to determine whether or not the above problem occurs, and it is possible to easily and effectively suppress the occurrence of the above problem. The configuration in which the number of rounds is not displayed during the jackpot game will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG.

Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, for example, a configuration is adopted in which the long opening and the short opening of the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are alternately performed. Specifically, for example, in the case of a jackpot game of 5R probability variation A (see FIG. 7(A)), a first round game in which both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are shortly opened and then long opened Then, the second big winning opening 28 is opened for a short time and then opened for a long time. The second round game (V winning opening 287 is only one short opening), and the V winning opening 287 is opened for a long time and then opened for a long time. Round game of the 3rd round (the second big winning opening 28 is only one short opening) is played.

In this way, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when executing a plurality of round games including an effective round game, it is possible to recognize what round game the round game being executed is. The opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 operate in a difficult manner. Therefore, for example, the short opening of the second big winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287, which is first performed after the jackpot game is started, is the 1R round game, and is first performed after the jackpot game is started. It is possible to make the player feel that the long opening of the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 may be the second round game, and it is possible to easily enhance the effect of making the current round number difficult to understand. It is possible.

Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the V winning of the game ball is valid only for a predetermined round game. Specifically, regarding any jackpot game of four types of jackpot games that can be executed when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "bonanza", the 1R round game and the 3R round game When the gaming ball passes through the V winning opening 287, an effective period during which the V winning is valid is set (see FIGS. 7A to 7D). For example, when "5R probability variation A" or "5R probability variation B" is won, both the second big winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened long in the 1R round game and the 3R round game in the jackpot game. (See FIGS. 7A and 7B). Therefore, the player can easily make a V prize for the game ball by simply making a right hit, and after the jackpot game is completed, the "probability variation game state" is achieved according to the V prize of the game ball. Will control the game.

On the other hand, for any of the above four types of jackpot games, the valid period is not set for the jackpot game of the second round, the round game of the fourth round, and the round game of the fifth round (FIG. 7(A)- (D)). For example, when "5R normal A" or "5R normal B" is won, as illustrated in FIGS. 7C and 7D, in the 2R round game and the 4R round game in the jackpot game. Although both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened for a long time, they are not valid during these round games. Therefore, even if the game ball passes through the V winning opening 287, the V winning does not occur, and after the jackpot game is over, the game is controlled in the "time saving game state".

As described above, in addition to not being notified of the V winning of the game ball and not displaying the current number of rounds, in addition to the case where both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened for a long time, a certain change occurs. There are times when the game is controlled in the gaming state and times when the game is controlled in the time saving gaming state. Therefore, it is difficult to clearly determine whether the round game in which both the second big winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are long open is the valid round game or the ineffective round game. Therefore, it is possible to make it more difficult to determine whether or not the game ball has won the V prize.

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the "5R probability variation A" jackpot game, the "5R probability variation B" jackpot game, the "5R regular A" jackpot game, and the "5R regular B" jackpot game , The actual number of rounds is set to 2R. Therefore, based on the actual number of rounds, it is determined whether it is a jackpot game including an effective round game or a round game that does not include an effective round game, and based on the determination result (V winning opening 287 It is possible to make it difficult to specify whether or not the passage of the game ball with respect to is a V prize.

Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a jackpot game (see FIGS. 7C and 7D) composed of a plurality of round games that does not include a valid round game may be executed, and the jackpot game may be executed a plurality of times. In the non-effective round game of the round game, the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 can be operated. Specifically, regarding the "5R normal A" jackpot game and the "5R normal B" jackpot game, the second big winning opening 28 is opened long in the 2R round game and the 4R round game. The opening/closing member 29 operates, and the slide member 285 operates so that the V winning opening 287 is opened long. In this way, the effective round game (1R round game of "5R probability variation A": see FIG. 7A, 3R round game of "5R probability variation B": see FIG. 7B)" and non-specific The opening/closing member 29 and the slide member in both the round game (the 2R round game of "5R normal A": see FIG. 7C, the 4R round game of "5R normal B": see FIG. 7D)" Since 285 operates, it is difficult to specify whether or not it is an effective round game based on the operation of the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285.

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the 5R probability variation A jackpot game and the 5R normal A jackpot game have different timings, but the second big winning opening 28 (and the V winning opening 287) are short open and long. A configuration is adopted in which the opening order (opening pattern) is matched. Specifically, in both the 5R probability variation A jackpot game and the 5R normal A jackpot game, the second big winning opening 28 is short open, long open, short open, long open, short open, short open, short. They are opened in the order of opening (see FIGS. 7A and 7C). In addition, for both the 5R probability variation A jackpot game and the 5R regular A jackpot game, the V winning opening 287 is opened in the order of short opening, long opening, short opening, short opening, long opening (FIG. 7(A ) And (C)).

Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, regarding the 5R probability variation B big hit game and the 5R normal B big hit game, although the timings are different from each other, the short opening and long opening of the second big winning opening 28 (and the V winning opening 287). A configuration is adopted in which the opening order (opening pattern) is matched. Specifically, for both the 5R probability variation B jackpot game and the 5R normal B jackpot game, the second winning hole 28 is in the order of short open, long open, short open, long open, short open, short open. It is opened (see FIGS. 7B and 7D). Further, in both the 5R probability variation B jackpot game and the 5R normal B jackpot game, the V winning opening 287 is opened in the order of short open, long open, short open, short open, long open (FIG. 7(A ) And (C)).

As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, with respect to the 5R probability variation A and the 5R normal A, the opening patterns of the second special winning opening 28 (and the V winning opening 287) during the jackpot game are the same, and the 5R probability variation. Regarding B and 5R normal B, the opening patterns of the second special winning opening 28 (and V winning opening 287) during the big hit game match. Therefore, based on the opening pattern of the second special winning opening 28 (and V winning opening 287), 5R probability variation A and 5R normal A, or 5R probability variation B and 5R normal B are determined. It is difficult to do so, and as a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of the above-described problem that it is possible to easily determine whether or not the game ball has won the V prize.

[About the flow of games]
Next, the flow of the game will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the game in the gaming machine 1. Due to the board surface configuration of the game board 2, the game balls launched in the left game area 3L can be won in the first starting port 21, while the game balls launched in the right game area 3R are entered in the first starting port 21. There is no such thing. Further, in the normal gaming state, the second starting port 22 is unlikely to be in the open state, and even if it is in the open state, the opening time of the second starting port 22 is extremely short, and the game ball is in the second starting port 22. The chances of winning a prize are extremely low. For this reason, there is no merit that the player hits right in the normal gaming state. As is clear from these, in the normal game state, the one in which the game ball is launched in the left game area 3L is easier to attract a big hit than the one in the right game area 3R (the special symbol determination is easily executed). Is. For this reason, the player performs left-handing in the normal gaming state.

When the game ball left-handed in the normal gaming state wins the first starting opening 21, the first special symbol determination is executed, and after the first special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 41. , The first special symbol showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination is stopped and displayed. Here, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "miss", the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol. On the other hand, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “big hit”, as the big hit symbol, one of the big hit symbols X1 to X4 (see FIG. 6(B)) is stopped and displayed, and the big hit symbol that is stopped and displayed. The jackpot game corresponding to is executed.

When the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", when the big hit symbol that notifies the probability variation big hit is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 8A), the big hit symbol that normally notifies big hit is stopped and displayed (See FIG. 8E).

Here, when the jackpot pattern X1 for notifying the probability variation jackpot is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game described above (including the valid round game) is executed based on FIG. 7A, and the jackpot symbol for notifying the probability variation jackpot as well. When X2 is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game (including the valid round game) described above based on FIG. 7B is executed. When a jackpot game including these valid round games is executed, if a jackpot is not won during the jackpot game after the jackpot game ends, the second special if the game ball wins V during the valid round game. The game is controlled in the probability variation game state which continues until the symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) is executed 80 times (see FIG. 8(B)). On the other hand, if the game ball does not win V due to the fact that the player did not make a right hit during the valid round game, etc., even though the valid round game has been executed, a big jackpot is hit on the way at the end of the jackpot game. If does not occur, the second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) shifts to the time saving game state which continues until it is executed 80 times (see FIG. 8(G)).

Here, the probability variation gaming state is set to a probability (11/11 in this embodiment) that the winning probability of the ordinary symbol determination performed on the condition that the gaming ball has passed through the gate 25 is relatively high, and is also ordinary When the symbol determination is successful, the opening time of the second starting opening 22 is set to a relatively long time (1.5 seconds×3 times in this embodiment). For this reason, the probability variation gaming state is a right advantageous state in which a player who launches a game ball in the right gaming area 3R is more likely to hit a jackpot than is launched in the left gaming area 3L (a special symbol determination is easily executed). Therefore, when the game is controlled in the probability variation gaming state, the player makes a right-handed hit. This is the same when the game is controlled in the normal game state.

When the game ball that is hit to the right when the game is controlled in the probability variation gaming state wins the second starting opening 22, the second special symbol determination is executed, and in the second special symbol display 42, the second special symbol. After is variably displayed, the second special symbol showing the determination result of the second special symbol determination is stopped and displayed. Here, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “miss”, the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the second special symbol. On the other hand, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “big hit”, as the big hit symbol, one of the big hit symbols Y1 to Y3 (see FIG. 6C) is stopped and displayed, and the big hit symbol that is stopped and displayed. The jackpot game corresponding to is executed.

When the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “big hit”, the jackpot symbol that notifies the probability variation jackpot is stopped and displayed (see FIG. 8C), while the jackpot symbol that normally notifies the jackpot is stopped and displayed. (See FIG. 6C). Here, when any one of the jackpot symbols Y1 to Y3 for notifying the probability variation jackpot is stopped and displayed, a jackpot game including an effective round game using the second jackpot 28 is executed, and a game ball during this effective round game. After the jackpot game is finished, the game is controlled again in the probability variation game state on the condition that the player has won the V prize (see FIGS. 8C and 8B). On the other hand, if the game ball does not win V during the effective round game, even though the effective round game is executed, the jackpot game is transitioned to the time saving game state (see FIG. 8(G)).

In addition, when the determination results of the 80th second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) performed in the probability variation gaming state are all “miss”, the gaming state is changed from the probability variation gaming state to the normal game. It will be returned to the state (see FIG. 8D).

On the other hand, when the jackpot pattern X3 (or jackpot symbol X4) is stopped and displayed as a jackpot symbol for informing the jackpot in the normal gaming state (see FIG. 8E), if a jackpot does not occur on the way at the end of the jackpot game. The second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) shifts to a time saving game state that continues until it is executed 80 times (see FIG. 8(F)).

When the game ball that is hit to the right when the game is controlled in the time saving game state wins the second starting opening 22, the second special symbol determination is executed, and in the second special symbol display 42, the second special symbol. After is variably displayed, the second special symbol showing the determination result of the second special symbol determination is stopped and displayed. Here, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “miss”, the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the second special symbol. On the other hand, when the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “big hit”, one of the big hit symbols Y1 to Y3 (see FIG. 6(C)) is stopped and displayed as a big hit symbol for notifying the probability variation big hit, and stopped. The jackpot game corresponding to the displayed jackpot pattern is executed (see FIG. 8(H)). This jackpot game is a jackpot game including an effective round game, and the gaming state shifts to the probability variation gaming state at the end of the jackpot game, provided that the game ball has won V during this valid round game (FIG. 8 ( See I)). On the other hand, if the game ball does not win V during the effective round game, even though the effective round game has been executed, at the end of the jackpot game, the time saving game state is entered (see FIG. 8(J)).

In addition, when the determination results of the 80th second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) performed in the time saving game state are all “miss”, the game state is changed from the time saving game state to the normal game. It will be returned to the state (see FIG. 8(K)).

[Variation production]
In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, various effects are performed on the display screen 70 as the first special symbol (or the second special symbol) is variably displayed and then stopped, but here, The variation effect performed on the display screen 70 in association with the variation display of the first special symbol will be described.

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

During such variable display of effect symbols, so-called reach effect may be performed. Specifically, in the effect symbol display area 73 of the display screen 70, for example, a part of the symbol row of the effect symbols in which the numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written vertically from bottom to top is in the horizontal direction. Three columns are displayed, and when the variable display of the first special symbol is started, these symbol columns are variably displayed (scroll display) so as to scroll from top to bottom. On the other hand, when the reach effect is performed, before all effect symbols are stopped and displayed, first, for example, the effect symbol (left symbol) in the left column and the effect symbol (right symbol) in the right column. Are stopped in order or at the same time so as not to stop completely. In FIG. 2, three symbols are pseudo-stopped as the left symbol and three symbols are similarly pseudo-stopped as the right symbol, and the state where the middle row of the symbol rows continues scrolling is illustrated. It should be noted that the pseudo stop is an effect of swinging the effect symbol on the spot without moving the effect symbol, and in the following description, a main stop for completely stopping the effect symbol (may be simply referred to as “stop display”). In some cases, it is called a pseudo stop.

When the same effect symbol as the left symbol and the right symbol is pseudo-stopped on the activated line, the reach is established, and the reach effect that causes the player to expect that three identical effect symbols are aligned is performed. This reach production, the reach design (the left design and the right design) in the state where the pseudo stop is done, the production design which forms the design row of the middle row (the middle design) is scrolled at low speed so that the player can identify, and finally , A medium symbol common to the reach symbol, or a medium symbol different from the reach symbol is stopped on the activated line to notify the winning or losing.

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

Although the type of reach effect will be described in detail later, if the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “miss”, three effect symbols indicating reach lose eyes (for example, “323”) are pseudo-stopped to notify the loss. However, as the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, these three effect symbols are completely stopped. On the other hand, when the reach effect is not performed, the three effect symbols indicating the gap (for example, “629”) are pseudo-stopped to notify the loss, and the lost symbol is stopped and displayed as the first special symbol. Along with this, these three effect symbols are permanently stopped. In this way, when it is determined that the jackpot game is not executed, the three effect symbols are pseudo-stopped by the reach-missing eye or the loose eye showing the loser, and then the main stop is performed to notify the loser (that the jackpot game is not executed). The loss notification effect is executed.

When this loss notification effect is executed, the jackpot game is not executed, and if the right of the first special symbol determination is reserved, the first special symbol and the effect symbol only for a predetermined fixed time (for example, 0.5 seconds). After the stop display, the first special symbol determination is performed, and the next variable display of the first special symbol is started.

On the other hand, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", the reach effect is usually executed during the variable display of the first special symbol, and shows a doublet (for example, "333") to notify the big hit. The three effect symbols are pseudo-stopped, and as the big hit symbols are stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, these three effect symbols are stopped. In this way, when it is determined that the jackpot game is to be executed, the hit notification effect for notifying the jackpot (that the jackpot game will be executed) by stopping the three effect symbols in a manner showing the jackpot in a pseudo manner and then finally stopping To be executed. When this hit notification effect is executed, a big hit game is executed.

[Screen configuration of display screen 70]
FIG. 2 illustrates the screen configuration of the display screen 70 in the normal game state. When the game is controlled in the normal game state, a hold icon display area 71, the icon display area 72, and an effect symbol display area 73 are formed on the display screen 70, as illustrated in FIG. In the effect symbol display area 73, as described above, the left symbol that constitutes the symbol column in the left column, the middle symbol that constitutes the symbol column in the middle column, and the right symbol that constitutes the symbol column in the right column are displayed. This is a display area.

<Hold icon display area 71>
The hold icon display area 71 is a display area in which a hold icon indicating that the first special symbol determination is held is displayed. In the gaming machine 1, when the game ball is won in the first starting opening 21 in a situation in which the special symbol determination and the variable symbol display of the special symbol cannot be immediately started, such as during the variable display of the special symbol or during the big hit game, the first special The right of symbol determination is reserved with a predetermined number (four in this embodiment) as an upper limit.

In this way, when the right of the first special symbol determination is suspended, the suspension icon display area 71 displays the same number of suspension icons as the number of suspensions for the first special symbol determination shown by the first special symbol suspension display 44. To be done. FIG. 2 exemplifies a state in which two hold icons are displayed in the hold icon display area 71 in order to suggest that the hold number of the first special symbol determination is “2”.

If a hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71 during a highly reliable reach effect such as SPSP reach described later, not only the display area used for the reach effect is limited, but also the hold effect is held. Displaying the icon may reduce the fun of the reach production. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, during normal reach or SP reach, the display object (the pedestal of the hold icon in the present embodiment) or the hold icon forming the hold icon display area 71 is displayed, while the normal reach or SP is displayed. As the reach effect develops from reach to SPSP reach, the display objects and hold icons that form the hold icon display area 71 are deleted from the display screen 70, and the hold icon display area 71 is formed after the SPSP reach ends. A configuration is adopted in which the display object and the hold icon to be displayed are displayed again.

Further, when the game is controlled in the normal game state, the game ball does not basically win the second starting opening 22. Therefore, in the normal game state, basically, the right of the second special symbol determination is not suspended, and the display screen 70 displays a suspension icon related to the second special symbol determination, or this suspension icon. A display area for displaying is not formed.

<The icon display area 72>
The icon display area 72 is a display area for displaying the icon as a variation suggesting image that suggests that the first special symbol is variably displayed. The icon is displayed in the icon display area 72 with the start of the variable display of the first special symbol, and is erased from the icon display area 72 at the timing when the first special symbol is stopped and displayed. However, the deletion timing of the icon is not limited to this, and the icon may be deleted during the variable display of the first special symbol, for example, during the SPSP reach development described later or during the SPSP reach. The icon may be deleted.

By the way, if the variable display of the special symbol is not performed, and the game ball is won in the first starting opening 21 in the state where the right of the special symbol determination is not reserved, the variable display of the first special symbol is started. Accordingly, the icon is displayed in the icon display area 72. On the other hand, in the state where the hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, when the variable display of the symbol corresponding to the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 is finished, it is displayed in the hold icon display area 71. The first special symbol determination corresponding to the earliest hold icon (hold icon displayed at the position closest to the icon display area 72) is executed. Then, as the variable display of the first special symbol is started according to the execution of the first special symbol determination, the earliest hold icon is shifted from the hold icon display area 71 to the icon display area 72, It will be displayed as a new icon. In this way, the hold icon (here, the icon) shifted to the icon display area 72 is displayed larger than when it was displayed in the hold icon display area 71 (see FIG. 2 ). Therefore, it is possible to make the player pay attention to the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 rather than the held icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71.

When another hold icon different from the above-mentioned hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, the hold icon display area 71 is moved along with the shift of the earliest hold icon to the icon display area 72. In, the other hold icon is shifted in the direction toward the icon display area 72. As is clear from the description so far, in the gaming machine 1, since the icon corresponding to the hold icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71 may be displayed in the icon display area 72, the following description will be given. In the case where the hold icon and the icon are not distinguished, they may be collectively referred to simply as "icons".

(About icon change production)
By the way, the hold icon is normally displayed as a white hold icon (default hold icon). On the other hand, when the hold icon is displayed in the hold icon display area 71, an icon change effect in which the color of the hold icon changes may be performed. When this icon change effect is performed, the white hold icon changes to a hold icon of a color such as blue, green, or red that indicates the jackpot reliability. The colors suggesting the jackpot reliability illustrated here are arranged in the descending order of the jackpot reliability. Red, if the determination result of the first special symbol determination corresponding to the red hold icon is "big hit", or if "variable" but the variation time of the special symbol is set to a relatively long time Easy to select. Green is easy to be selected when it becomes a "big hit" or when the variation time of the special symbol is set to an intermediate time although it becomes a "miss". Blue is likely to be selected when it becomes "missing" or when it is "missing" and the variation time of the special symbol is set to a relatively short time. In the present embodiment, the jackpot reliability of the white hold icon is set to about 1%, the jackpot reliability of the blue hold icon is set to about 3%, and the jackpot reliability of the green hold icon is set to about 15%. It is set, and the jackpot reliability of the red hold icon is set to about 45%.

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

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

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

[Modified example regarding display control of hold information]
In addition, the display control of the hold information is not limited to that illustrated in the present embodiment, and may be as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, for convenience of description, a case where the display colors of the icons (holding icon and the icon) are four colors of white, blue, green, and red will be described as an example, but in other embodiments, Other colors such as a gold color, which suggests that the jackpot reliability is higher than red, and a rainbow color, which is selected only when the jackpot is a “jackpot”, may be prepared.

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

Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the icon change effect for the hold icon displayed in the hold icon display area 71, the icon change effect for the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 can be executed. Although a case will be described, in another embodiment, a configuration capable of executing only the former icon change effect without providing the icon display area 72 (without displaying the icon) may be adopted.

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

[Flow of production accompanying variable display of the first special symbol]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of the reach effect. When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination after the first special symbol is variably displayed. On the other hand, on the display screen 70, as variable display of the first special symbol is started, scroll display of three symbol rows in the effect symbol display area 73 is started (see FIG. 9(A)). ..

Here, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “miss”, for example, different production symbols as left symbols and right symbols are pseudo-stopped on the activated line, and the middle row symbol row in this non-reach mode. An effect without reach (see FIG. 9(B)) in which only the scroll is displayed may be performed. When this reach-less effect is performed, the three effect symbols indicating the variability are pseudo-stopped at the end of the variable display of the first special symbol, and these are accompanied by the stop symbol being displayed as the first special symbol. A loss notification effect (see FIG. 9(C)) for permanently stopping the three effect symbols will be performed.

On the other hand, if the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", or if it is decided to perform an effect with reach of "miss", during the variable display of the first special symbol, for example, Pre-reach production (see FIG. 9D) in which a predetermined left symbol is pseudo-stopped on the effective line of the effect symbol display area 73, and then the right symbol, which is the same effect symbol as the left symbol, is moved to the effective line. Is done. Then, when the same left symbol and the right symbol are pseudo-stopped on the activated line, reach is established (see FIG. 9(E)). Then, when the reach is established in this way, a predetermined reach that causes the player to expect that the middle symbol, which is the same effect symbol as the reach symbol (left symbol and right symbol), stops on the effective line and becomes the symbol alignment. A performance is performed.

In the present embodiment, three types of reach effects, normal reach, SP reach, and SPSP reach, are prepared as reach effects that can be executed with the variable display of the first special symbol (see FIG. 9).

Normal reach (see FIG. 9(F)) is a reach effect in which the jackpot reliability is relatively low (for example, jackpot reliability: about 2%). When the reach is established, first, the normal reach is performed, and during the normal reach, the scroll speed of the middle row of symbols, which is scroll-displayed at high speed between the two reach symbols (left symbol and right symbol), gradually decreases. Go

Here, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "miss", for example, the variation pattern E (see FIG. 10(B)) having a variation time of 30 seconds at the start of variation display of the first special symbol is selected. If it is, a medium design different from the reach design is pseudo-stopped on the activated line to display the effect design of the reach lost eye (for example, “434”), and the loss notification effect (figure to stop these effect designs) 9(G)).

On the other hand, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", for example, the variation pattern A (see FIG. 10(A)) having a variation time of 30 seconds at the start of variation display of the first special symbol is selected. If it is, the same middle symbol as the reach symbol is pseudo-stopped on the activated line to display the effect symbols of the double eyes (for example, "444"), and the hit notification effect (Fig. 9 ((9 G) is performed).

In addition, when the variation pattern in which the variation time of the first special symbol is relatively long is selected, the middle symbol which is the same as the reach symbol is effective without the hit notification effect or the loss notification effect being performed in the normal reach. After passing along the line, the scroll speed of the middle row of symbols is increased, and SP reach (see FIG. 9(H)) or SPSP reach (see FIG. 9(I)) is developed.

Although not shown in the figure, in the case of developing to a highly reliable reach production such as SP reach or SPSP reach, the left symbol that has been pseudo stopped moves to the upper left position on the display screen 70 while shrinking. Along with, the right symbol that had been pseudo stopped moves to the upper right position on the display screen 70 while shrinking, and these left symbol and right symbol are pseudo stopped at the position after the movement, and the symbol column in the middle row is , Is hidden until the end of the high-reliability reach production (see, for example, FIGS. 12A to 12E). Then, the display object and the hold icon forming the hold icon display area 71 are also hidden. As a result, it is possible to perform the highly reliable reach production in a display area wider than the effect symbol display area 73, and it is possible to improve the interest of the highly reliable reach production.

SP reach and SPSP reach are configured, for example, as a battle production in which the player's character fights against an enemy character. SP reach is positioned as the first half of the battle, and SPSP reach is positioned as the second half of the battle. Then, the enemy character to fight is common. That is, for example, in the case where the battle production in which the enemy character A is battled is performed in the SP reach in the first half of the battle, and then the SPSP reach in the second half of the battle is developed, the battle production in which the enemy character A is also battled is performed in the SPSP reach. ..

When these SP reach and SPSP reach are compared, SPSP reach has higher jackpot reliability than SP reach, and when SPSP reach develops, compared to when SP reach reaches There is a feature that the notification effect is easily executed.

In the gaming machine 1, the normal reach (see FIG. 9(F)) has evolved to the SP reach in the first half of the battle (see FIG. 9(H)), and at this SP reach, the hit notification effect or loss of FIG. 7(G) is generated. Notification production may be performed. Further, there are cases where the normal reach develops to SPSP reach via SP reach (see FIG. 7(I)), and cases where normal reach directly develops to SPSP reach without passing through SP reach. In this case, the hit notification effect or the loss notification effect of FIG. 9(G) is performed in this SPSP reach.

It should be noted that the type of reach production and the way of developing the reach production illustrated in FIG. 9 are merely examples, and the type and the way of development of the reach production may be other.

[Variable pattern selection table used in the normal gaming state]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a process of selecting a variation pattern of the special symbol in the normal game state will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the variation pattern selection table used in the process of selecting the variation pattern of the special symbol in the normal gaming state.

In the main ROM 82, as a variation pattern selection table to be referred to when selecting a variation pattern of the special symbol (here, the first special symbol) during the normal gaming state, a jackpot variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10A). ), a reach loss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10B), and a reach loss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10C) are stored. The jackpot variation pattern selection table is a table that is referred to for selecting a variation pattern of the first special symbol when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is "big hit". The variation pattern selection table for reach loss, the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is "miss", and (based on the reach random number), if it is determined to perform the production with reach, the first special symbol 3 is a table that is referred to for selecting the variation pattern of the. The reach-out loss variation pattern selection table is the first when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal game state is “miss” and it is determined (based on the reach random number) that the reach-out effect is performed, the first It is a table referred to for selecting a variation pattern of the special symbol.

(Big hit variation pattern selection table)
In the jackpot variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10A), the variation pattern of the first special symbol and the random number value that is compared with the variation pattern random number are associated with each other. In addition, in FIG. 10, for convenience of description, in addition to the variation pattern and the number of random number values associated with each variation pattern, the variation time of the first special symbol, each variation pattern is selected by the sub CPU 91. The types of variation effect patterns, the specific effect contents of the variation effect patterns, the possible range of variation pattern random numbers, and the proportions at which each variation pattern is selected are also shown.

When the main CPU 81 determines to execute the jackpot game based on the jackpot random number obtained in response to the game ball winning the first starting opening 21 in the normal game state, the variation obtained together with the jackpot random number The variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected by reading the variation pattern associated with the same random number value as the pattern random number from the jackpot variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10A).

As illustrated in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), the possible range of the variation pattern random number for selecting the variation pattern of the first special symbol is “0” to “99” in the present embodiment. It is set. In the jackpot variation pattern selection table, as shown in FIG. 10A, variation pattern A is associated with two random number values, and variation pattern B is associated with eighteen random number values. The variation pattern C is associated with 35 random number values, and the variation pattern D is associated with 45 random number values.

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

(Variable pattern selection table for reach loss)
If the main CPU 81 determines in the first special symbol determination that the jackpot game is not to be executed, whether or not the reachable effect is performed based on the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, the symbol random number, and the variation pattern random number. To decide. Specifically, whether any one of the fluctuation patterns is selected from the fluctuation pattern group in which the reach effect is performed (see FIG. 10B), or the reach effect is not performed (the reach-less effect is performed) It is determined which one of the variation patterns is selected from the pattern group (see FIG. 10C). Here, when it is decided to perform the effect with reach, the variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected by referring to the variation pattern selection table for reach loss.

In the reach/displacement variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10B), the variation pattern of the first special symbol and the random number value to be compared with the variation pattern random number are associated with each other. In the normal game state, the main CPU 81 determines not to execute the jackpot game based on the jackpot random number obtained in response to the game ball winning the first starting opening 21, and the reach random number obtained together with the jackpot random number. When it is decided to perform the production with reach based on, the variation pattern associated with the same random number value as the variation pattern random number acquired together with these random numbers is used for the reach-miss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10(B)). ), the variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected.

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

Therefore, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “miss” and it is determined to perform the reach effect, the variation pattern E is selected at a rate of 40% (=40/100×100), and 30 The variation pattern F is selected at a rate of% (=30/100×100), the variation pattern G is selected at a rate of 20% (=20/100×100), and the variation pattern G is selected at a rate of 10% (=10/100×100). The variation pattern H is selected in proportion. Then, for example, when the variation pattern F is selected, the variation effect pattern F is selected by the sub CPU 91, and variation effect is performed in which the loss notification effect is performed in the SP reach developed from the normal reach. In addition, for example, when the variation pattern H is selected, the variation effect pattern H is selected by the sub CPU 91, and the variation effect is performed in which the SPSP reach developed from the normal reach through the SP reach provides the loss notification effect. become.

(Variable pattern selection table for loss without reach)
When the main CPU 81 determines not to execute the jackpot game based on the jackpot random number, and determines to perform the reachless effect based on the reach random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, the reachless loss variation pattern selection table is displayed. The variation pattern of the first special symbol is selected with reference.

No reach reach variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10 (C)), the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the number of holding of the first special symbol determination when the variation display of the first special symbol this time is started, It is associated.

The main CPU 81, in the case where the number of holdings of the first special symbol determination is "0" or "1" with the start of the variable display of the first special symbol this time, the variation time of the first special symbol is 13 seconds. When a certain variation pattern J is selected and the number of holding of the first special symbol determination is “2”, the variation pattern K in which the variation time of the first special symbol is 8 seconds is selected. Further, the main CPU81, the number of suspension of the first special symbol determination is the upper limit "4" during the variable display of the first special symbol, the first special symbol determination with the start of the variable display of the first special symbol this time When the number of reservations of "3" is "3", the variation pattern L in which the variation time of the first special symbol is 4 seconds is selected.

In this way, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when it is determined not to execute the jackpot game, and when it is determined to perform the reach-less effect, it is the number of the reserved first special symbol determination right. If the number of holdings is relatively large, the holding of the first special symbol determination can be newly stored according to the new winning of the game ball to the first starting port 21, so that the variation time is relatively short. A fluctuation pattern is selected. On the other hand, if the number of holdings is relatively small, the variation pattern of the first special symbol that the variation time is relatively long in order to prevent the first special symbol and the effect symbol from changing and stopping the progress of the game. Is selected.

The following can be said from the description of the two variation pattern selection tables illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. That is, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", a variation pattern with a long variation time is likely to be selected, and conversely, a variation pattern with a short variation time tends to be difficult to be selected (FIG. 10). (See (A)). Further, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination is “miss” and the reach effect is performed, it is difficult to select a variation pattern having a long variation time, and conversely, a variation pattern having a short variation time is likely to be selected. There is a tendency (see FIG. 10B).

From these, it can be said that the longer the variation time of the first special symbol is, the easier the notification information effect is executed, and conversely, the shorter the variation time of the first special symbol is, the easier the notification information effect is executed. In other words, when the reach production is performed over a relatively long time, such as when the normal reach develops to the SPSP reach via the SP reach, the hit notification production is easily executed, and the reach reach is performed only in the normal reach. It can be said that the loss notification effect is easily executed when the time required for the effect is relatively short. That is, instead of being notified of the winning by normal reach production, normal reach develops to SP reach or SPSP reach, or SP reach reach from normal reach via SP reach (or directly without SP reach) It can be said that jackpots are more reliable if they develop into.

[About pre-judgment processing]
In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the right of the first special symbol determination is suspended, prior to the first special symbol determination being performed for the right, whether or not to execute the jackpot game Pre-judgment processing may be performed. Specifically, the main CPU 81 obtains a jackpot random number in response to the game ball winning the first starting opening 21, and based on the obtained jackpot random number, it is performed at the start of variable display of the first special symbol. Large jackpot determination processing in 1 special symbol determination (see step S308 in FIG. 19) is performed prior to the same jackpot determination processing, whether or not to be determined as a "big hit" when the first special symbol determination is executed Determine in advance. Further, based on the variation pattern random number acquired together with the jackpot random number, the same process as the variation pattern selection process (see step S309 in FIG. 19) described above with reference to FIGS. It is determined in advance which variation pattern will be selected when the 1 special symbol determination is executed.

In this way, when the pre-judgment process is performed in response to the right of the first special symbol judgment being reserved, the main CPU 81 issues a suspension command including pre-judgment information indicating the pre-judgment result to the sub-control board 90. Send. On the other hand, the sub CPU 91 determines whether or not to execute the icon change effect described above, based on the preliminary determination information included in the hold command. Then, when it is determined to execute the icon change effect, it is determined in what change pattern the display mode (the icon color in the present embodiment) of the icon (the hold icon or the icon) is changed, and the determination result The image/sound control board 100 is caused to execute the icon change effect based on.

[Specific example of effect executed in normal gaming state]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a specific example of the effect in the normal game state will be described. 11 and 12 are screen diagrams illustrating the effects in the normal game state, and here, as the variation pattern of the first special symbol in the normal game state, the hit notification effect is performed in the SPSP reach developed from the normal reach. The effect executed when the variation pattern C (see FIG. 10A) is selected will be described. In addition, here, during the variable display of the first special symbol in the normal gaming state, as a notice effect for notifying that the jackpot symbol may be executed, the first notice, the second notice, the third notice, and An example will be described in which four types of advance notice effects of the fourth advance notice are executed.

In FIG. 11(A), on the display screen 70, with one hold icon (for example, a red hold icon) displayed in the hold icon display area 71, the icon displayed in the icon display area 72 is displayed. In order to inform that the determination result of the corresponding first special symbol determination is “miss”, as the first special symbol is displayed as a stop symbol, a production symbol showing “526” as a variation is displayed. The state in which the display is stopped is illustrated. In this way, when the predetermined confirmation time (0.5 seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the lost symbol was stopped and displayed as the first special symbol, the earliest hold displayed in the hold icon display area 71 The first special symbol determination corresponding to the icon (here, the red reserved icon) is executed. Then, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "big hit", and when the variation pattern C is selected as the variation pattern of the first special symbol, the following effect is performed.

That is, as the variable display of the first special symbol is started in response to the execution of the first special symbol determination corresponding to the earliest hold icon, the earliest displayed in the hold icon display area 71. The hold icon of is shifted to the icon display area 72, and the scroll display of the three symbol rows is started (see FIGS. 11A and 11B). The first advance notice may be executed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the scroll display of these three symbol columns was started (see FIG. 11C). For example, as the first notice, the display mode of the effect image relating to the step-up notice (first notice effect image) displayed in the central area of the display screen 70 is changed stepwise, and the effect sound relating to the step-up notice is changed. The step-up notice output from the speaker 38 is executed.

Following the first notice described above, a pseudo-relational effect may be executed. Here, the pseudo-relational effect is such that the effect symbol displayed in the effect symbol display area 73 is variably displayed multiple times during the variable display of one special symbol (here, the first special symbol). It is a production that is disguised. With regard to this pseudo continuous production, the following production display is performed.

That is, the scroll speed of the symbol row in the left column is reduced and the left symbol (for example, 6 symbols) is pseudo-stopped, and subsequently, the scroll speed of the symbol column in the right column is reduced (the left symbol that was pseudo-stopped earlier). Right symbol (for example, 4 symbols) is pseudo-stopped, then the scroll speed of the symbol row in the middle row is reduced, and the 7 symbols are pseudo-stopped as the middle symbol for notifying the execution of the pseudo continuous production (FIG. 11). (D)).

In this way, after the effect symbols which are different from each other as the left symbol and the right symbol are pseudo-stopped, when the seven symbols are pseudo-stopped in the middle row, the variation effect of the pseudo-second series following the variation effect of the pseudo-first station is started. .. Specifically, after the character "x2" indicating the start of the pseudo second-stage variation effect is displayed in a large size in the central area of the display screen 70, the character "x2" is displayed at the upper left of the display screen 70. It is displayed in a smaller size in one area, and along with this, scroll display of three symbol rows is restarted in the effect symbol display area 73 (see FIGS. 11D and 11E).

When the variation effect of the second pseudo sequence is being performed, for example, a serif notice is executed as the second notice. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11(F), an effect image (second notice effect image) showing how a predetermined character makes a dialogue is displayed in the central area of the display screen 70, and the dialogue is performed. The effect sound (for example, the voice of the character) related to the advance notice is output from the speaker 38.

As described above, when the dialogue notice is executed as the second notice during the pseudo second consecutive change effect, the second pseudo consecutive effect during the change display of the first special symbol this time is executed (FIG. 11). (See (G)). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11(G), the scroll speed of the symbol row in the left column is reduced and the left symbol (for example, 2 symbols) is pseudo stopped, and subsequently, in the symbol column in the right column. The scroll speed is reduced and the right symbol (for example, 5 symbols) is pseudo-stopped, and then the scroll speed of the symbol column in the middle column is reduced and 7 symbols are pseudo-stopped as the middle symbol.

When the second pseudo continuous effect is displayed during the variable display of the first special symbol, the pseudo third continuous variable effect following the pseudo second continuous variable effect is started. Specifically, after the character “×3” indicating the start of the fluctuating effect of the third pseudo sequence is displayed large in the central area of the display screen 70, the character “×3” is displayed at the upper left of the display screen 70. It is displayed in a smaller size in one area, and along with this, scroll display of the three symbol rows is restarted in the effect symbol display area 73 (see FIGS. 11(G) and (H)).

Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the variation effect of the pseudo third series in this way, the scroll speed of the symbol row on the left column is reduced, and the left symbol (for example, 3 symbols) is pseudo stopped, and subsequently. , The scroll speed of the symbol row in the right column decreases (same as the left symbol) and the right symbol (here, 3 symbols) is pseudo-stopped to establish the reach (see FIG. 11(I)).

Here, the case where "pre-reach pseudo-link" that restarts the scroll display of each symbol row is executed before the reach is established has been described as an example, but "reach that scrolls each symbol row is restarted after the reach is established." In some cases, "post-pseudo-relation" is executed.

As described above, when the same effect symbol as the left symbol and the right symbol is pseudo stopped and the reach is established, the normal reach is executed (see FIG. 12(A)). Specifically, after the reach is established, the scroll speed of the middle row of symbols gradually decreases, and the middle symbol (here, middle 3 symbols) that is the same as the reach symbol (here, 3 symbols on the left and 3 symbols on the right) is reached. An effect display is displayed to show how the effective line defined by the design is approaching.

Here, when developing from normal reach to SPSP reach, the following effect display is performed. That is, when scroll display of the middle row of symbols is being performed, the same middle symbols as the reach symbol (three symbols here) pass on the active line, and along with this, the scroll speed of the middle columns of symbols. Rises to a state where it is difficult to identify the middle symbols, and a development effect is suggested that the SPSP reach is developed (see FIG. 12B). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 12(B), one rotation is made clockwise in the scroll direction as the axial direction in the process of moving to the upper left area of the display screen 70 while the three left symbols are reduced. After that, it moves to the upper left area, and at the same time, in the process of moving to the upper right area of the display screen 70 while the right three symbols are reduced, it makes one rotation clockwise with the scroll direction as the axial direction and then the upper right area. Move to one area. After that, until the final stage of the variable display of the first special symbol this time, the left 3 symbols are pseudo-stopped in the upper left region, and the right 3 symbols are pseudo-stopped in the upper right region (FIG. 12(C)- (See (H)).

Next, when the development effect (see FIG. 12(B)) that suggests the development to SPSP reach is performed as described above, the above-mentioned third notice (see FIG. 12(A)) is generated. The darkening effect that is expected to be performed is performed (see FIG. 12C). Specifically, until a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses after the development effect is performed, as shown in FIG. 12C, the reach pattern (here Then, the left 3 symbols and the right symbol) and only the icon are displayed in a superimposed manner, and the effect display is performed in which the other effect symbols are hidden.

Following this darkening effect, for example, a group notice may be given as a third notice (see FIG. 12D). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 12(D), effect display is displayed that shows how many characters move from right to left on the display screen 70.

It should be noted that such a third notice is not necessarily executed if the darkening effect is performed, and if the SPSP reach is started after the third notice is executed following the darkening effect, and following the darkening effect. In some cases, SPSP reach may be started without executing the third notice.

In this way, when the SPSP reach is started, the SPSP reach effect image which is the effect image related to the SPSP reach is displayed on the display screen 70 (see FIG. 12(E)). As a result, for example, an effect display is displayed in which the own character and the enemy character are engaged in battle. Then, when the end of SPSP reach is reached, a first effect button operation promotion effect that prompts the player to operate the first effect button 35 is performed (see FIG. 12(F)). Specifically, a first effect button image imitating the first effect button 35 and an effective period gauge indicating the remaining time of the effective period in which the operation of the first effect button 35 is effective are displayed.

In this first effect button operation promotion effect, the fourth notice is issued at the timing when the first effect button 35 is operated during the effective period or when the effective period ends without operating the first effect button 35. As an example, a cut-in is performed in which a predetermined cut-in image is superimposed and displayed on the effect image (other than the reach pattern) displayed on the display screen 70 (see FIG. 12G). This cut-in is an effect that suggests how big the jackpot reliability is, and when a green cut-in is performed to superimpose a green cut-in image and a red cut-in image is superposed to be displayed. There are cases where cut-ins are performed and cases where gold cut-ins that superimpose a gold cut-in image are performed, and when these cut-ins are arranged in descending order of jackpot reliability, green cut-ins, The order is red cut-in and gold cut-in.

When the cut-in occurs in this way and the end of the SPSP reach is reached, the second effect button operation promotion effect that prompts the player to operate the second effect button 36 is performed (see FIG. 12(H)). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 12H, during the effective period of the second effect button operation promotion effect, the second effect button image imitating the second effect button 36 and “press!” A character indicating the operation content of the second effect button 36 and a valid period gauge indicating the remaining time of the valid period are displayed.

When the second effect button 36 is operated during the effective period of the second effect button operation promotion effect, three effect symbols showing double stitches are pseudo-stopped and then finally stopped as an operation corresponding effect corresponding to the operation. A hit notification effect is performed (see FIG. 12(I)).

In addition, here, since the variation pattern C (see FIG. 10A) is selected when the variation display of the first special symbol is started this time, the hit notification effect is performed as the operation corresponding effect. When the variation pattern G or the variation pattern H illustrated in FIG. 10(B) is selected as the variation pattern of the first special symbol, as the operation corresponding effect, the three effect symbols showing the reach lost eyes are pseudo-stopped. A loss notification effect is performed in which the game is stopped after the start.

[Regarding the performance performed during the jackpot game]
As described above, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is “big hit”, one of the big hit symbols X1 to X4 (see FIG. 6B) is stopped and displayed. Along with this, on the display screen 70, for example, three effect symbols such as "222" showing a doublet are permanently stopped. Here, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the doublet of "777" and the doublet of "333" definitely notify that the game is controlled in the probability variation game state after the jackpot game is over. It is considered as a production symbol, and as a type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination, 5R certainty variation A or 5R certainty variation B is selected as a part, and three production symbols for notifying the certainty variation jackpot are used as these production symbols. Either one of the eyes is permanently stopped on the display screen 70.

In this way, when the three production symbols showing the doublet of "777" or "333" for definite notification of the probability variation jackpot are stopped permanently, the jackpot game including the effective round game is executed. Therefore, during the effective round game, a launch promotion effect (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) that prompts the player to launch a game ball aiming at the V winning opening 287 is executed, and during the effective round game. When the game ball passes through the V winning opening 287, a V winning notification effect (see FIGS. 13D and 13E) for notifying that the game ball has won V is executed.

On the other hand, if the 5R normal A or 5R normal B is selected as the type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination, and if 5R certainty variation A or 5R certainty variation B is selected, “777” and “333” Any of the seven kinds of doublet eyes of "111", "222", "444", "555", "666", "888", and "999" except the doublet eyes are stopped on the display screen 70. Will be done. When these 7 types of double stitches are stopped, when the 5R probability variation A is selected as the jackpot type, when the 5R probability variation B is selected, and when the 5R normal variation A is selected, There are times when 5R probability variation B is selected. Then, in order to make it difficult to understand whether or not the big hit this time is a probability variation big hit and whether or not the effective round game is executed during the big hit game, the above-mentioned launch promotion effect is executed during the big hit game. However, even if the game ball wins V during the effective round game, the above V winning notification effect is not executed.

<When V prize is notified>
FIG. 13 is a screen view showing an example of an effect when a V winning is notified during a jackpot game. Here, as an example of a case where 5R certainty variation A (see FIG. 7A) in which the 1R round game is an effective round game is selected as a type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination, it will be described. The determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is “big hit”, and the big hit symbol X1 (see FIG. 6(B)) indicating the 5R probability variation A is stopped and displayed, for example, a doublet of “777” There are cases in which the three effect symbols that indicate are stopped. In this case, the following effects are performed during the 5R probability variation A jackpot game.

First, in the opening period of the jackpot game of the 5R probability variation A, a predetermined opening effect is executed (see FIG. 13(A)). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13(A), the character "RUSH bonus" for notifying the type of the big hit this time is displayed in the central area of the display screen 70, and the player is right-handed. The urged character “right hit” and the right arrow are displayed in the upper right area of the display screen 70.

Then, along with the first round game (refer to FIG. 7A) of the 5R probability variation A (which is an effective round game), a predetermined in-round effect is executed (refer to FIGS. 13B and 13C). .. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 13(B) and 13(C), three arrows pointing to the V winning opening 287 (in which the character “right hit” is written) and “target V” are shown. A large character is displayed on the display screen 70, and a launch promotion effect is output in which a voice "Aim for V" is output from the speaker 38. In addition, three production symbols of "777" which are stopped before the jackpot game of this time is started are displayed in the upper left area of the display screen 70, and the jackpot of this time is displayed in the upper right area of the display screen 70. The total number of prize balls paid out in response to the game balls winning the second special winning opening 28 after the game is started is displayed.

In this way, in the 1R round game in which the launch promotion effect that prompts the player to launch the game ball aiming at the V winning opening 287 is performed, as described above with reference to FIG. The mouth 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened for 0.1 seconds and then opened for 10 seconds. Therefore, the player can easily win the game ball into the V winning opening 287 by performing a right-handed hit according to the launch promotion effect. In the present embodiment, the case where the launch promotion effect is started with the start of the 1R round game will be described as an example, but in another embodiment, the launch promotion effect is started in the middle of the opening period. You may

Next, when the game ball passes through the V winning opening 287 during the 1R round game which is an effective round game, a predetermined V winning notification effect for notifying that the game ball has won V is executed (FIG. 13 ( See D)). Specifically, for example, an effect display showing that two characters lift the star-shaped emblem including the letter "V" and is pleased, and a predetermined V winning notification sound is output from the speaker 38. It

In this way, during the 1R round game, when the V winning notification effect for informing that the game ball has won the V is executed, the star-shaped emblem is displayed on the display screen during the subsequent 2R round game. It is displayed small in the lower left area of 70 (see FIG. 13E). In the 1R round game and the 2R round game, the second special winning opening 28 is opened for a long time. Therefore, each time the second special winning opening sensor 281 detects the passage of the game ball, the above payout is performed. The total number of prize balls that have been played is updated (see FIGS. 13B to 13E). Although not shown in the figure, during the period in which the second special winning opening 28 is shortly opened and the third to fifth round games are played, the effect display illustrated in FIG. 13(E) continues. Done. Then, when it comes to the ending period of the jackpot game, in order to notify that the production in the production mode named "Gekito RUSH" which definitely informs that it is "probability variation game state" is started, "Gekito RUSH rush entry" The character "!" is displayed in a large size in the central area of the display screen 70, and the sound "Gekito RUSH rush!"

<When V prize is not notified>
FIG. 14 is a screen view showing an example of an effect when the V winning is not notified during the big hit game. Here, as an example of a case where 5R certainty variation A (see FIG. 7(A)) in which the 1R round game is an effective round game is selected as a type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination, an explanation will be given. The determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is “big hit”, and the big hit symbol X1 (see FIG. 6B) showing the 5R probability variation A is stopped and displayed, for example, “444” doublet There are cases in which the three effect symbols that indicate are stopped. In this case, the following effects are performed during the 5R probability variation A jackpot game.

First, in the opening period of the jackpot game of the 5R probability variation A, a predetermined opening effect is executed (see FIG. 14(A)). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 14(A), the character “Challenge Bonus” for notifying the type of the big hit this time is displayed in the central area of the display screen 70 and the player is right-handed. The urged character “right hit” and the right arrow are displayed in the upper right area of the display screen 70. The same opening effect is performed even during the opening period of the 5R normal A or 5R normal B jackpot game.

Next, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the opening period, the opening effect is switched to the opening effect that functions as the right-handing promotion effect (see FIGS. 14A to 14C). Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 14C, instead of the letters “challenge bonus”, the letters “aim for the right!” and the letters “store energy” , And an arrow that draws an arc are displayed on the display screen 70, and when a predetermined time elapses after the switching of the opening effect, the characters “store energy” are switched to the characters “prepare for battle!”.

By the way, even if the game ball passes through the V winning opening 287 during the non-effective round game in the 5R normal A or 5R normal B jackpot game, the game is controlled in the probability variation game state after the jackpot game is finished on the condition that the ball passes. Never. Therefore, it can be said that the necessity of performing the right-handing promotion effect exemplified in FIGS. 14B and 14C is low. However, if the right-handing promotion effect is not performed during the effective round game in the jackpot game of the 5R-probability variation A or the 5R-probability variation B, the player does not perform the right-handing, so the opportunity is controlled in the probability variation game state. May be accidentally missed.

Therefore, in order to prevent such problems from occurring, it is conceivable to perform the above-described launch promotion effect (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) during the round game, but this is during the effective round game. Therefore, it may be difficult to make it difficult to understand whether or not the game ball has won the V prize.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, during the round game in the jackpot game which is executed in response to the three production symbols indicating any of the seven types of doublet being stopped, the above-mentioned launch 14B and 14C during the opening period in which both the second special winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are in the closed state without the promotion effect (see FIGS. 13B and 13C). The illustrated right-handed promotion effect is to be performed.

Next, when the 1R round game is started, the right-handed promotion effect is finished and a predetermined round effect is performed (see FIGS. 14D and 14E). Specifically, three effect symbols, for example, "444", which are stopped before the big hit game of this time is started, are displayed in the upper left area of the display screen 70, and in the upper right area of the display screen 70. , The total number of prize balls paid out in response to the game balls winning the second big winning opening 28 since the present big hit game is started is displayed. In addition, in the central area of the display screen 70, a gauge image in which the black area expands to the right as the payout prize balls increase is displayed, and the game balls are displayed in the second big winning opening 28. Each time you win, it will be updated with the total number of prize balls.

The 1R round game in which the effect display illustrated in FIGS. 14D and 14E is performed is an effective round game, and if the player normally makes a right hit, the game ball is V winning. Although V prize is easily applied to the mouth 287, even if the game ball wins V, the fact is not notified (see FIGS. 14D and 14E).

Note that this gauge image is continuously displayed until the 2R round game (see FIG. 7A) is completed (see FIG. 14F). Then, when 10 gaming balls win both the first round game and the second round game in the second big winning opening 28, the gauge image becomes full in the black area, and the second big winning opening 28 becomes short. During the 3rd to 4th round games to be opened, the character "charge completed!" is displayed in the central area of the display screen 70 in order to notify that the gauge image is filled with the black area ( See FIG. 14(G). In addition, during the following 5R round game (the second big winning opening 28 is opened for a short time), the characters "Fight battle RUSH plunge with battle win!" are displayed in the central area of the display screen 70 ( See FIG. 14(H).

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 14, although the number of rounds indicating the number of rounds of the currently played round game is not displayed, each time the game ball wins the second big winning opening 28. The black area in the gauge image increases. Therefore, the player can grasp the progress of the big hit game based on the accumulation degree of the black area in the gauge image.

In this way, when the round game of the 5th round in the jackpot game of the 5R probability variation A ends, the "challenge mode" that does not inform whether the "probability variation gaming state" or the "time saving gaming state" is performed during the ending period of the jackpot game. The word "Challenge mode plunge!" is displayed large in the center area of the display screen 70 and the voice of "Challenge mode plunge!" It is output from the speaker 38.

As is clear from the above description based on FIG. 14, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the gaming ball passes through the V winning opening 287 during the valid round game, that is notified (FIG. 13(D)), and there is a case where the fact is not notified. For this reason, it may be possible to effectively increase the expectation for the jackpot of the player who recognizes that the game is controlled in the "probability variation game state" after the jackpot game is over, and the "probability variation game state". It is possible to expect the player to shift to the “probability variation gaming state” even if the game does not shift to “”, and it is possible to improve the enjoyment of the game.

Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of round games including a valid round game are executed (see FIGS. 7A and 7B), a round that can identify the round game being executed. No numbers are displayed (see Figure 14). For this reason, it becomes difficult to confirm whether or not the game ball has won V by watching the V winning opening 287 after specifying that the round game being executed is an effective round game. It can be effectively improved.

The RAM configuration of each control board and the processing performed by each control board for implementing the game control and effect control described with reference to the drawings up to FIG. 14 will be described below.

[Configuration Example of Main RAM 83]
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the storage area of the main RAM 83 and the information stored in each storage area. As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the main RAM 83 has a determination storage area 830, a special storage area, as a storage area for storing the acquired information and the like acquired when the game ball wins the first starting opening 21. The first/first reserved storage area 831, the special/first and second reserved storage areas 832, the special/first and third reserved storage areas 833, and the special/first and fourth reserved storage areas 834 are provided. Further, in the main RAM 83, the storage area for determination 830, the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835 are storage areas for storing the acquired information and the like acquired when the game ball wins the second starting opening 22. A special figure 2/second reserved storage area 836, a special figure 2/third reserved storage area 837, and a special figure 2/fourth reserved storage area 838 are provided.

The determination storage area 830 is a storage area in which various information used for the special symbol determination is stored when the special symbol determination is actually executed. The special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1/fourth reserved storage area 834 are storage areas in which various information relating to the first special symbol determination is stored, and the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835-Special figure 2/fourth reserved storage area 838 is a storage area in which various information relating to the second special symbol determination is stored. Then, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are suspended, the second special symbol determination is preferentially digested over the first special symbol determination. Therefore, in the determination storage area 830, when the second special symbol determination is suspended during execution of the suspended special symbol determination, it is stored in the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835. Various information is shifted, when only the first special symbol determination is suspended, various information stored in the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 is shifted.

As illustrated in FIG. 15(B), the reserved storage areas 831 to 838 are areas for storing information for suspending the right of the special symbol determination, and the jackpot random numbers acquired by the main CPU 81, respectively. , An area for storing pattern random numbers, an area for storing reach random numbers, an area for storing variation pattern random numbers, an area for storing pre-determination information that is information indicating pre-determination results, and the like.

Here, the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number are as described above. The pre-determination information is information obtained by a pre-determination process (see FIG. 18) described later based on the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number. Pre-determination information, specifically, winning start opening information, information indicating whether the determination result of the special symbol determination is a jackpot, if it is a jackpot, information indicating what kind of jackpot, It includes information indicating the variation pattern of the special symbol, information indicating the game state of the gaming machine 1, and the like. Here, the winning opening information is obtained when the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number stored in the same reserved storage area are triggered by the game ball winning the first starting opening 21. It is information indicating whether or not the game ball was acquired when the game ball entered the second starting opening 22. Preliminary determination information including these pieces of information is stored in the same reserved storage area as the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number used in the preliminary determination process.

In the gaming machine 1, every time a game ball is won in the first starting opening 21, the five pieces of information described with reference to FIG. 15B are displayed in order from the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1 It is stored in any of the first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1/fourth reserved storage area 834. In addition, each time the game ball wins the second starting opening 22, the above five pieces of information are in order from the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835 to the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835 to special figure 2・. It is stored in any of the fourth reserved storage areas 838.

For example, when the information is stored in the determination storage area 830 and the information is not stored in any of the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1/fourth reserved storage area 834, When the game ball wins the starting opening 21, five pieces of information related to the first special symbol determination newly acquired according to the win are stored in the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831. Further, for example, in the first starting opening 21 in a state where five pieces of information are stored in each of the determination storage area 830, the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831, and the special figure 1/second reserved storage area 832. When the game ball wins, five pieces of information related to the first special symbol determination newly acquired according to the win are stored in the special figure 1/third reserved storage area 833.

Also, when the information stored in the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 is shifted to the determination storage area 830 when the first special symbol determination is performed, the special figure 1/second reserved storage area 832 The information stored in the reserved storage area related to the first special symbol determination is shifted to the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 side. For example, when the information is stored in each of the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1/third reserved storage area 833, the information stored in the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 is When the determination storage area 830 is shifted, the information stored in the special figure 1/second reserved storage area 832 is shifted to the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831, and the special figure 1/third reserved memory The information stored in the area 833 is shifted to the special figure 1/second reserved storage area 832.

The shift processing of such information is similarly performed in the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835 to the special figure 2/fourth reserved storage area 838 in which the information related to the second special symbol determination is stored. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when both the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are suspended, that is, the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 and the special figure 2/first reserved. If the information is stored in both the storage areas 835, the special figure 2, the first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1, the fourth reserved storage area 834 are processed prior to the shift process. The shift processing for the 1st reserved storage area 835 to the special figure 2/fourth reserved storage area 838 is preferentially performed.

By the way, even if the game ball is won in the first starting opening 21 or the second starting opening 22 during the variation display of the special symbol or the big hit game and various random numbers are acquired, the special symbol determination and the variable display of the special symbol are displayed. It cannot be done immediately. Therefore, when various random numbers are acquired under such a situation, the main CPU 81 uses the acquired various random numbers and the like as the information for suspending the right of the special symbol determination, as described above. It is supposed to be stored in any one of the areas ˜838. On the other hand, if the special symbol is not variably displayed, the special symbol determination is not held, and the jackpot game is not in progress, the main CPU 81 uses various random numbers and the like acquired at the start mouth prize. It is directly stored in the determination storage area 830.

[Interrupt processing by the main control board 80]
Next, with reference to FIG. 16, an interrupt process executed in the main control board 80 will be described. Here, FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the main control board 80. The main control board 80 repeatedly executes the series of processing illustrated in FIG. 16 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as power-on and power-off. .. The processing of the main control board 80, which will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 16 and subsequent figures, is performed according to an instruction issued by the main CPU 81 based on a program stored in the main ROM 82.

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

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

Subsequent to the processing of step S2, the main CPU 81 executes a special symbol determination, and the first special symbol display 41 or the second special symbol display 42 variably displays the special symbol, and then the determination result of the special symbol determination. The special symbol process including the process of stopping and displaying the special symbol indicating is executed (step S3). This special symbol processing will be described later in detail based on FIG.

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

Subsequent to the processing of step S4, the main CPU 81 controls the second starting opening solenoid 222 that operates the opening/closing member 23 when it is determined that the second starting opening 22 is opened as a result of the normal symbol determination. A second start opening/closing control process for opening/closing the 2 start opening 22 is executed (step S5).

Subsequent to the process of step S5, when the main CPU 81 determines that it is a "big hit" in the jackpot determination process executed in the special symbol process of step S3, the first special winning opening solenoid 262 (or the second big winning prize) A special winning opening opening/closing control process of opening/closing the first special winning opening 26 (or the second special winning opening 28) by controlling the mouth solenoid 282) is executed (step S6). The special winning opening opening/closing control process will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25.

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

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

[Sensor detection processing by the main control board 80]
FIG. 17 is a detailed flowchart of the sensor detection process in step S2 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 17, following the random number updating process of step S1, the main CPU 81 causes the gate sensor 251 to pass the game ball to the gate 25 based on the presence or absence of the detection signal input from the gate sensor 251. It is determined whether or not it is detected (step S201). Here, when it is determined that the gate sensor 251 has detected the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 (step S201: YES), the normal symbol determination holding number F stored in the main RAM 83 is set in advance. It is determined whether or not it is less than the maximum number Fmax (“4” in the present embodiment) of the symbol determination (step S202).

When determining that the number F of reservations is less than "4" (step S202: YES), the main CPU 81 updates the number F of reservations by "1" (step S203), and the random number updating process of step S1 is performed. Regarding the normal symbol random number that is updated each time it is performed, the value of the timing at which the passage of the game ball to the gate 25 is detected is acquired and stored in a predetermined area of the main RAM 83 (step S204).

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 executes the process of step S204 and determines that the gate sensor 251 does not detect passage of the game ball to the gate 25 (step S201: NO), the number F of reservations is less than “4”. When it is determined that it is not (step S202: NO), the second starting opening sensor 221 detects the winning of the game ball to the second starting opening 22 based on the presence or absence of the detection signal input from the second starting opening sensor 221. It is determined whether or not (step S206). Here, when it is determined that the second starting opening sensor 221 has detected the winning of the game ball to the second starting opening 22 (step S206: YES), the number T2 for holding the second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is held. However, it is determined whether or not it is less than the maximum reserved number T2max (“4” in the present embodiment) of the preset second special symbol determination (step S207).

When the main CPU 81 determines that the number T2 of reservations is less than "4" (step S207: YES), it updates the number T2 of reservations to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S208), and the random number updating process of step S1 is executed. With respect to the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number that are updated each time, the value of the timing at which the winning of the game ball with respect to the second starting opening 22 is detected is obtained (step S209).

In this way, according to the establishment of the acquisition condition that the winning of the game ball to the second starting opening 22 is detected in the state where the number of holdings T2 is less than the maximum number of holdings T2max, various random numbers related to the second special symbol determination are To be acquired. In addition, when various random numbers are acquired in a situation in which the second special symbol determination and the variable display of the second special symbol can be immediately executed, these random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830 and cannot be immediately executed. When various random numbers are acquired in the situation, these random numbers are stored in any one of the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835 to the special figure 2/fourth reserved storage area 838.

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

When the main CPU 81 determines that the current state is the high base state (step S210: YES), that is, when the time saving game flag is set to "ON", the preliminary determination regarding the suspension of the second special symbol determination The process is executed (step S211). Specifically, a jackpot determination process (see FIG. 20) and a variation pattern selection process (see FIG. 21), which will be described later, are executed based on various random numbers obtained in response to a game ball winning the second starting opening 22. Prior to being performed, based on the various random numbers acquired in the process of step S209, it is pre-determined whether or not it is a jackpot, and the variation of the second special symbol when the second special symbol determination is executed. A pre-determination process is performed to pre-determine which variation pattern is selected as a pattern. The pre-determination information that is the result of the pre-determination process is stored in the same reserved storage area where the jackpot random numbers and the like used in the pre-determination process are stored.

In addition, when the game ball is won in the second starting opening 22 in the state where the number T2 of holding of the second special symbol determination is "0", not during the jackpot game and during the variable display of the special symbol, depending on the winning. The obtained various random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830, and the second special symbol determination based on these random numbers is immediately executed. In this case, since the second special symbol determination is not suspended, the preliminary determination process related to the second special symbol determination is not performed. Such pre-determination processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

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

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 executes the process of step S212 and determines that the second starting opening sensor 221 does not detect the winning of the game ball to the second starting opening 22 (step S206: NO), the second When it is determined that the reserved number T2 of the special symbol determination is not less than "4" (step S207: NO), the first starting port sensor 211 is based on the presence or absence of the detection signal input from the first starting port sensor 211. It is determined whether or not the winning of the game ball to the first starting opening 21 is detected (step S214). Here, when it is determined that the first starting opening sensor 211 detects the winning of the game ball with respect to the first starting opening 21 (step S214: YES), the number T1 for holding the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is held. However, it is determined whether or not it is less than the preset maximum reserved number T1max (“4” in the present embodiment) of the first special symbol determination set in advance (step S215).

When the main CPU 81 determines that the number T1 of reservations is less than "4" (step S215: YES), it updates the number T1 of reservations to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S216), and the random number updating process of step S1 is performed. With respect to the jackpot random number, the pattern random number, the reach random number, and the fluctuation pattern random number that are updated each time, the value of the timing at which the winning of the game ball with respect to the first starting opening 21 is detected is acquired (step S217).

In this way, various random numbers relating to the first special symbol determination are provided in accordance with the establishment of the acquisition condition that the winning of the game ball with respect to the first starting opening 21 is detected in the state where the number T1 of holdings is less than the maximum number T1max of holdings. To be acquired. When various random numbers are acquired in a situation in which the first special symbol determination and the variable display of the first special symbol can be immediately executed, these random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830 and cannot be immediately executed. When various random numbers are acquired in a situation, these random numbers are stored in any one of the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 to the special figure 1/four reserved storage area 834.

When executing the process of step S217, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the current state is the high base state, similarly to the process of step S210 (step S218). Here, when it is determined that the current state is not the high base state (step S218: NO), that is, when the time saving game flag is set to "OFF", the preliminary determination process for suspending the first special symbol determination Is executed (step S219). Specifically, a jackpot determination process (see FIG. 20) and a variation pattern selection process (see FIG. 21), which will be described later, are executed based on various random numbers obtained in response to a game ball winning the first starting opening 21. Prior to being done, based on various random numbers acquired in the process of step S217, it is pre-determined whether or not it is a big hit, and the variation of the first special symbol when the first special symbol determination is executed. Pre-determination processing is performed to pre-determine which variation pattern is selected as the pattern. The pre-determination information that is the result of the pre-determination process is stored in the same reserved storage area where the jackpot random numbers and the like used in the pre-determination process are stored.

In addition, when the game ball wins the first starting opening 21 in the state where the number T1 of holding of the first special symbol determination is "0", not during the jackpot game and during the variation display of the special symbol, depending on the winning. The obtained various random numbers are directly stored in the determination storage area 830, and the first special symbol determination based on these random numbers is immediately executed. In this case, since the first special symbol determination is not suspended, the preliminary determination process related to the first special symbol determination is not performed. Such pre-determination processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

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

[Preliminary determination processing by the main control board 80]
Hereinafter, the preliminary determination process executed by the main control board 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 18. Here, FIG. 18 is a detailed flowchart of the preliminary determination process in steps S211 and 219 of FIG. Here, the pre-determination process performed when the right of the first special symbol determination is suspended is described as an example, but the right of the second special symbol determination is different except that the random numbers and the table used are different. The same pre-determination process is performed also when is suspended.

When the main CPU 81 determines that it is in the high base state in the process of step S210 of FIG. 17 (step S210: YES) or determines that it is not in the high base state of the process of step S218 of FIG. 17 (step S218: No), the jackpot determination process is executed (step S2191). Specifically, in the case of a low probability (in the present embodiment, this corresponds to the “normal game state”), the low probability big hit random number table (see FIG. 6A) is read from the main ROM 82. It is set in the main RAM 83. On the other hand, when the high probability state (the “probability variation game state” corresponds to this in the present embodiment), the high probability big hit random number table (see FIG. 6A) is read from the main ROM 82 and stored in the main RAM 83. set. Whether or not the jackpot random number obtained in the process of step S209 of FIG. 17 (or the process of step S217 of FIG. 17) matches any of the winning values stored in the jackpot random number table set in the main RAM 83. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the jackpot will be determined at the start of the fluctuation.

Next, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not it is determined to be a big hit at the start of the fluctuation based on the determination result of step S2191 (step S2192). Here, when it is determined that the jackpot is determined to be a jackpot at the start of the change (step S2192: YES), the jackpot variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10A) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83. (Step S2193).

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

When determining that the reach effect is to be performed (step S2194: YES), the main CPU 81 reads out the reach-miss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10B) from the main ROM 82 and sets it in the main RAM 83 (step S2195).

By the way, the determination result of the first special symbol determination is "miss", and, if the reach effect is not performed during the variation, the first special symbol based on the number of holdings of the first special symbol determination at the start of the variation. Fluctuation pattern is determined. This is as described above with reference to FIG. Then, before and after the first special symbol determination being held is exhausted, the number of holding of the first special symbol determination may be different. Therefore, the variation pattern of the special symbol acquired before the first special symbol determination is digested may be different from the variation pattern of the special symbol selected when the first special symbol determination is actually digested. is there. That is, for the right of the first special symbol determination that the reach effect is not performed during the change, an accurate variation pattern of the first special symbol may not be acquired prior to the first special symbol determination.

Therefore, when the main CPU 81 determines that the reach effect is not performed (step S2194: NO), the variation pattern random number determination process of step S2196 described later and the process of storing the preliminary determination information of step S2197 are performed. Without being interrupted, the process proceeds to step S212 (or step S220) in FIG. Therefore, when the determination result of the special symbol determination is “miss” and the reach-less effect is to be performed, the hold command that does not include the advance determination information is set.

After setting the jackpot variation pattern selection table or the reach-miss variation pattern selection table, the main CPU 81 executes variation pattern random number determination processing (step S2196). Specifically, the variation pattern random number acquired at the time of winning the starting mouth together with the jackpot random number used in the process of step S2191 is one of the random number values defined in the variation pattern selection table set in the main RAM 83. Based on which random number value of, the variation pattern of the special symbol to be selected in the special symbol determination performed at the start of the variation is specified.

When the process of step S2196 is executed, the main CPU 81 generates advance determination information and stores it in the main RAM 83 (step S2197). The area in which the pre-determination information is stored is as described above with reference to FIG.

In this way, the main CPU 81, based on the acquired information such as the jackpot random number, which is acquired when the game ball wins the first starting opening 21 (or the second starting opening 22), the jackpot based on this acquired information. Prior to the determination process and the variation pattern selection process being performed, the variation pattern (that is, the variation time) of the first special symbol (or the second special symbol) is acquired.

[Special symbol processing by main control board 80]
Next, with reference to FIG. 19, details of the special symbol processing executed by the main control board 80 will be described. Here, FIG. 19 is a detailed flowchart of the special symbol processing in step S3 of FIG.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the jackpot game is in progress based on whether or not the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to “ON” ( Step S301). The jackpot game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the jackpot game is being executed, and is set to "ON" at the start of the jackpot game and set to "OFF" at the end of the jackpot game. Here, if it is determined that the jackpot game is in progress (step S301: YES), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

When determining that the jackpot game is not in progress (step S301: NO), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the special symbols are being displayed in a variable manner (step S302). Here, when it is determined that the variable display of the special symbol is not being displayed (step S302: NO), it is determined whether the number T2 of reservations for the second special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is “1” or more. Yes (step S303). If it is determined that the number T2 of reservations is "1" or more (step S303: YES), the number T2 of reservations is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S304).

When the main CPU 81 determines that the number T2 of holdings is not “1” or more (step S303: NO), whether the number T1 of holdings of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 is “1” or more. It is determined (step S305). If it is determined that the number T1 of reservations is "1" or more (step S305: YES), the number T1 of reservations is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S306).

When the process of step S304 or the process of step S306 is executed, the main CPU 81 executes the shift process for the reserved storage area of the main RAM 83 (step S307). Specifically, when the process of step S307 is executed subsequent to the process of step S304, a shift process for shifting the information stored in the special figure 2/first reserved storage region 835 to the determination storage region 830 is executed. To do. At that time, when information is also stored in the reserved storage areas after the special figure 2/second reserved storage area 836, a shift process for shifting the information to the special figure 2/first reserved storage area 835 side Will also be executed. On the other hand, when the shift process is executed subsequent to the process of step S306, the shift process for shifting the information stored in the special figure 1/first reserved storage region 831 to the determination storage region 830 is executed. At that time, if the information is also stored in the reserved storage areas after the special figure 1/second reserved storage area 832, a shift process for shifting the information to the special figure 1/first reserved storage area 831 side Will also be executed.

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

In addition, not during the jackpot game, even during the fluctuation display of the special symbol, the first special symbol determination holding number T1 and the second special symbol determination holding number T2 are both "0", the game ball first starts. When a prize is won in the mouth 21 (or the second starting mouth 22), information such as a jackpot random number and a symbol random number acquired according to the prize is directly stored in the determination storage area 830. In such a case, the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process are executed without executing the shift process of step S307.

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

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

Following the processing of step S309, the main CPU 81 sets the special symbol setting information set in the processing of step S308, the setting information of this special symbol is related to the first special symbol determination, or the second special symbol determination. A fluctuation start command including information indicating whether it is related, setting information of the fluctuation pattern selected in the process of step S309, information regarding the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 and the like is set in the main RAM 83 (step S310). This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the effect associated with the variation display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the sub control board 90 by the transmission processing in step S8. As a result, the variation effect including the variation display of the effect symbol on the display screen 70 is started.

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

Next, the main CPU 81 starts measuring the elapsed time after starting the variable display of the special symbol in step S311 (step S312). When the main CPU 81 executes the process of step S312 or determines that the special symbols are being displayed in a variable manner (step S302: YES), the elapsed time when the measurement is started in the process of step S312 is the variation of step S309. It is determined whether the variation time of the variation pattern selected in the pattern selection process has been reached (step S313). Here, when it is determined that the elapsed time has not reached the variation time (step S313: NO), the process proceeds to the normal symbol process of step S4.

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

Following the process of step S314, the main CPU 81 terminates the variable display of the special symbol started in the process of step S311 (step S315). Specifically, the special symbol (big hit symbol or lost symbol) set in the process of step S308 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display that has been displaying the special symbol in a variable manner. The stop display of the special symbol is continued at least until a predetermined symbol fixing time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed.

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

Subsequent to the processing of step S315, the main CPU 81 resets the elapsed time when the measurement is started in the processing of step S312 (step S316), and includes the processing of starting the jackpot game in the case of a jackpot, etc. The process is executed (step S317). The special figure stop processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

[Big hit determination processing by the main control board 80]
FIG. 20 is a detailed flowchart of the jackpot determination process in step S308 of FIG. The main CPU 81 first executes a jackpot determination based on the jackpot random numbers stored in the determination storage area 830 (step S3081). Specifically, whether the jackpot is a jackpot is determined based on whether the jackpot random number stored in the determination storage area 830 matches a preset winning value (see FIG. 6A). judge. The winning value here is the winning value of the jackpot defined in the jackpot random number table for high probability or the jackpot random number table for low probability. When the jackpot determination is executed in the high-probability state (the “probability variation game state” in this embodiment), the winning value stored in the high-probability-time jackpot random number table is used. On the other hand, when the jackpot determination is executed in the low-probability state (in the present embodiment, the “normal game state” and the “time saving game state” correspond to this), it is stored in the low-probability-time jackpot random number table. The winning value is used.

In this way, the main CPU 81 starts such that acquired information such as a jackpot random number acquired when the game ball wins the first starting opening 21 or the second starting opening 22 is stored in the determination storage area 830. When the condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not to execute the jackpot game advantageous to the player, based on the jackpot random number.

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

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines that the determination result of the jackpot determination is the “jackpot” (step S3082: YES), the jackpot symbol stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 41 or the second special symbol display device 42. The jackpot symbol selection process of selecting is executed (step S3084). Specifically, when the symbol random number stored in the determination storage area 830 together with the jackpot random number used for the jackpot determination in step S3081 relates to the first special symbol determination, the symbol random number is , One of the jackpot symbols is selected based on which random number of the jackpot symbol defined in the symbol determination table for the first starting winning a prize (see FIG. 6B) matches. Further, when the symbol random number is related to the second special symbol determination, the symbol random number is a jackpot symbol which is defined in the symbol determination table for the second starting winning a prize (see FIG. 6C). Select one of the jackpot symbols based on whether it matches the random number value of.

Then, the main CPU 81 sets the setting information of the selected jackpot symbol in the main RAM 83 (step S3085). Thereby, in the process of step S315, the jackpot symbol set here is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol indicator 41 or the second special symbol indicator 42, and then the jackpot game according to the jackpot symbol. Will be done.

[Variation pattern selection processing by the main control board 80]
FIG. 21 is a detailed flowchart of the variation pattern selection process in step S309 of FIG. After executing the jackpot determination process in step S308 of FIG. 19, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the determination result of step S3081 is a jackpot (step S3091). If it is determined that the jackpot is a big hit (step S3091: YES), the big hit variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10A) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83 (step S3092).

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines that it is not a big hit (step S3091: NO), the reach random number stored in the determination storage area 830 is the winning value of the reach random number stored in the main ROM 82 (in the reach effect). Based on whether or not it matches the corresponding random number value), it is determined whether or not to perform a reach effect that makes the player expect a jackpot (step S3093). Here, when it is determined that the reach effect is performed (step S3093: YES), the reach/displacement variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10B) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83 (step S3094). On the contrary, if it is determined that the reach effect is not performed (step S3093: NO), the reach-without-miss variation pattern selection table (see FIG. 10C) is read from the main ROM 82 and set in the main RAM 83 (step S3095). ..

The main CPU 81 executes the variation pattern random number determination processing with reference to the variation pattern selection table set in the main RAM 83 by the processing of step S3092, the processing of step S3094, or the processing of step S3095 (step S3096). Specifically, when the jackpot variation pattern selection table or the reach-miss variation pattern selection table is set in the main RAM 83, the variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area 830 is set. One variation pattern is selected by reading it from the variation pattern selection table that exists. Moreover, when the variation pattern selection table for reach-out loss is set in the main RAM 83, based on the number T1 of holding of the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 83 (or the number of holding T2 of the second special symbol determination) One fluctuation pattern is selected by specifying the number of reservations and reading the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the specified number of reservations from the reach-without-miss variation pattern selection table. By selecting the variation pattern of the special symbol in this way, the variation time of the special symbol is inevitably determined.

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

[Special control stop process by main control board 80]
FIG. 22 is a detailed flowchart of the special figure stop processing in step S317 of FIG. After resetting the elapsed time by the processing of step S316, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not it is a big hit, as in the processing of step S3082 (see FIG. 20), as illustrated in FIG. 22 (step). S3171). Here, when it is determined that the jackpot (step S3171: YES), the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to "ON" (step S3172).

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

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the gaming state is controlled by setting the probability variation gaming flag and the time saving gaming flag. That is, when controlling the gaming state to the "probability variation gaming state", both the probability variation gaming flag and the time saving game flag are set to "ON". Further, when controlling the gaming state to the "normal gaming state", both the probability variation gaming flag and the time saving gaming flag are set to "OFF". Further, when controlling the game state to the "time saving game state", the probability variation game flag is set to "OFF" and the time saving game flag is set to "ON".

Following the processing of step S3174, the main CPU 81 sets an opening command for notifying that the jackpot game is started in the main RAM 83 (step S3175). This opening command includes information such as the type of jackpot, the opening pattern of the first big winning opening 26 (or the second big winning opening 28 or the V winning opening 287) during the big hit game, and the transmission process of step S8. Is transmitted to the sub control board 90.

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

Following the processing of step S3177, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the high-probability game remaining count K is "0" (step S3178). Here, when it is determined that the high probability remaining game count K is "0" (step S3178: YES), the probability variation game flag is set to "OFF" (step S3179). Thereby, the special symbol determination will be performed in a low probability state.

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

Following the processing of step S3181, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the time saving game remaining number J is "0" (step S3182). Here, when it is determined that the time saving game remaining number J is "0" (step S3182: YES), the time saving game flag is set to "OFF" (step S3183). As a result, the support function for facilitating the winning of the game ball into the second starting opening 22 is not added.

[Winning prize opening/closing control processing by the main control board 80]
23 to 25 are detailed flowcharts of the special winning opening opening/closing control process in step S6 of FIG. The main CPU 81 determines whether or not the jackpot gaming flag is set to “ON”, as illustrated in FIG. 23, following the second starting opening opening/closing control process of step S5 in FIG. 16 (step S601). ). Here, if it is determined that the jackpot game flag is not set to "ON" (step S601: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S7.

When the main CPU 81 determines that the jackpot game flag is set to “ON” (step S601: YES), for example, after setting the opening command related to the jackpot game by the process of step S3175 (see FIG. 22) Based on whether or not the elapsed time has reached the predetermined opening time, it is determined whether or not it is during the opening period in the jackpot game (step S602).

When determining that the opening period of the jackpot game is in progress (step S602: YES), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the opening time has elapsed (step S603). If it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (step S603: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S7. On the other hand, when determining that the opening time has elapsed (step S603: YES), the main CPU 81 sets the number of rounds Rmax of the big hit game, the operation pattern, the valid period, etc., and stores the setting information in the main RAM 103 ( Step S604). For example, when the setting information of any of the jackpot symbols X1 to X4 (see FIG. 6B) is set in the main RAM 83 in the process of step S3085 in FIG. 20, the number of rounds Rmax is set to “5” and the jackpot is set. When the setting information of the symbol Y3 (see FIG. 6C) is set, the number of rounds Rmax is set to "9". Further, for example, when performing a jackpot game of any one of "5R probability variation A", "5R probability variation B", "5R normal A", and "5R normal B" related to the first special symbol determination, the second big The operation patterns of the opening/closing member 29 and the slide member 285 are set so that the winning opening 28 and the V winning opening 287 are opened/closed in the opening/closing pattern described above with reference to FIG. 7. Further, for example, when executing the jackpot game of "7R probability change" (see FIG. 6C) relating to the second special symbol determination, the operation pattern of the opening/closing member 29, the slide member 285, and the opening/closing member 27 is set. .. Also, "5R probability variation A" related to the first special symbol determination, "5R probability variation B" related to the first special symbol determination, "5R probability variation" related to the second special symbol determination, "7R probability variation" related to the second special symbol determination. ], when executing the jackpot game of any of "9R probability change" related to the second special symbol determination, the effective period for which the V winning is valid is set. In addition, when executing the jackpot game of "5R normal A" or "5R normal B" related to the first special symbol determination, the effective period is not set.

By executing the processing of step S604, various time relating to the jackpot game such as an interval time which is a time until the next round game is started after the round game is finished and an ending time after the final round game is finished. It is set together.

When the process of step S604 is executed, the main CPU 81 updates the round number R stored in the main RAM 83 to a value obtained by adding "1" (step S605). The number of rounds R is set to "0" before the jackpot game is started, and is updated to a value obtained by adding "1" every time the process of step S605 is performed.

Following the processing of step S605, the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the round number R updated in the processing of step S605 is "5" or less (step S606). In this embodiment, for all jackpots, the second special winning opening 28 is used for the first to fifth round games, and the first special winning opening 26 is used for the sixth and subsequent round games (FIG. 6 (B) and (C)). For this reason, when the main CPU 81 determines that the number R of rounds is equal to or less than “5” (step S606: YES), the second special winning opening solenoid 282 (and the V winning opening solenoid 286) causes the second special winning opening. The second big winning opening opening/closing control for controlling the opening/closing of the mouth 28 (and the V winning opening 287) is started (step S607). Since the second special winning opening/closing control is as described above with reference to FIG. 7, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Following the processing of step S607, the main CPU 81 starts the current round game based on the valid period set in the processing of step S604 and the number of rounds R updated in the processing of step S605. It is determined whether or not it is a game (step S608). Here, when it is determined that the current round game is an effective round game (step S608: YES), an effective round game start command for notifying that the effective round game is started is set in the main RAM 83 (step S609). .. On the contrary, when it is determined that the current round game is not the effective round game (step S608: NO), the second big winning opening/closing round game start command for notifying that the round game which is not the effective round game is started is issued. It is set in the main RAM 83 (step S610).

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines that the number R of rounds updated in the process of step S605 is not equal to or smaller than "5" (step S606: NO), the first big winning opening solenoid 26 2 is used for the first big winning opening 26. The first big winning opening opening/closing control for controlling the opening/closing of is started (step S611). Specifically, the long open round game of opening the first special winning opening 26 for a long time is started. As described above, the first big winning opening opening/closing control is performed after ten game balls are won in the first big winning opening 26 or after the first big winning opening 26 is opened (first It continues until 25 seconds elapse (without winning 10 game balls in the special winning opening 26).

Following the processing of step S611, the main CPU 81 sets, in the main RAM 83, a first special winning opening/closing round game start command for notifying that a round game for opening/closing the first special winning opening 26 is started (step S612). ).

The effective round game start command set in the process of step S609, the second special winning opening/closing round game start command set in the process of step S610, the first large winning opening/closing round set in the process of step S612 The game start command is transmitted to the sub control board 90 by the transmission process of step S8 in FIG.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines in the process of step S602 that it is not during the opening period of the jackpot game (step S602: NO), it determines whether it is during the ending period of the jackpot game (step S613). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the ending period is in progress based on whether or not the elapsed time from the end of the round game of the final round in the jackpot game has reached a predetermined ending time. If it is determined that the ending period is in progress (step S613: YES), the process proceeds to step S626 (see FIG. 25) described later.

When the main CPU 81 determines that it is not during the ending period in the jackpot game (step S613: NO), for example, during the interval period based on whether or not a predetermined interval time has elapsed since the end of the previous round game. Or not (step S614). If it is determined that it is not during the interval period (step S614: NO), the process proceeds to step S617 (see FIG. 24) described later.

When determining that it is during the interval period (step S614: YES), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the interval time set in the process of step S604 has elapsed since the end of the previous round game. (Step S615). If it is determined that the interval time has not elapsed (step S605: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S7. On the contrary, when it is determined that the interval time has elapsed (step S615: YES), the above-described processing of step S605 and thereafter is executed.

If the main CPU 81 determines that it is not in the interval period (step S614: NO), that is, if it is in the round game, as shown in FIG. 24, the valid period setting information set in the process of step S604. On the basis of the above, it is determined whether or not it is during the effective period (step S617). If it is determined that the period is not valid (step S617: NO), the process proceeds to step S621, which will be described later. On the contrary, when it is determined that it is in the valid period (step S617: YES), it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the V winning opening 287 based on the presence or absence of the detection signal from the V winning opening sensor 283. (Step S618). Here, when it is determined that the game ball has not passed through the V winning opening 287 (step S618: NO), the process proceeds to step S621 described later.

When determining that the game ball has passed through the V winning opening 287 (step S618: YES), the main CPU 81 sets the V winning flag stored in the main RAM 83 to “ON” (step S619). This V winning flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the game ball has passed through the V winning opening 287 during the valid round game, and is normally set to "OFF", but the V winning opening during the valid round game. When the passage of the game ball is detected by the sensor 283, it is set to "ON".

Following the processing of step S619, the main CPU 81 sets, in the main RAM 83, a V winning command for notifying that the game ball has won V during the valid round game (step S620).

The main CPU 81 executes the processing of step S620, determines that it is not in the valid period (step S617: NO), or determines that the game ball has not passed through the V winning opening 287 (step S618: No), it is determined whether or not the second special winning opening opening/closing control started in the processing of step S607 (or the first special winning opening opening/closing control started in the processing of step S611) is finished (step S621). Here, if it is determined that the special winning opening/closing control is not completed (step S621: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S7.

When the main CPU 81 determines that the special winning opening/closing control has ended (step S621: YES), whether the number of rounds R stored in the main RAM 83 matches the number of rounds Rmax set in the process of step S604. It is determined whether or not (step S622). If it is determined that the number of rounds R does not match the number of rounds Rmax (step S622: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S7.

When determining that the number of rounds R matches the number of rounds Rmax (step S622: YES), the main CPU 81 starts measuring the ending time, which is the elapsed time from the beginning of the ending period (step S623), and the ending period is An ending command for notifying the start is set in the main RAM 83 (step S624). This ending command is transmitted to the sub control board 90 by the transmission processing in step S8.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 81 determines in the processing of step S613 in FIG. 23 that the ending period is in progress (step S613: YES), the main CPU 81 determines whether or not the ending time has elapsed, as illustrated in FIG. (Step S626). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the ending time has elapsed based on whether or not the ending time when the measurement is started in the process of step S623 has reached the ending time set in the process of step S604. If it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (step S626: NO), the process proceeds to the prize ball process of step S7.

When determining that the ending time has elapsed (step S626: YES), the main CPU 81 determines whether the V winning flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to “ON” (step S627). Here, when it is determined that the V winning flag is set to "ON" (step S627: YES), the probability variation game flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to "ON" (step S628), and the same main The high-probability game remaining count K stored in the RAM 83 is set to "80" (step S629). Thereby, after the jackpot game is over, the second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) will be performed in a high probability state with the upper limit of 80 times.

When the main CPU 81 executes the process of step S629 or determines that the V winning flag is not set to “ON” (step S627: NO), the time saving game flag stored in the main RAM 83 is set to “ "ON" is set (step S630), and the time saving game remaining number J also stored in the main RAM 83 is updated to "80" (step S631). As a result, the above-mentioned support function becomes effective (that is, the game is controlled in the high base state) until the second special symbol determination (or the first special symbol determination) is performed up to 80 times.

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

Hereinafter, the interrupt processing executed in the sub control board 90 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the sub control board 90. The sub CPU 91 repeatedly executes the series of processing illustrated in FIG. 26 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds), similarly to the interrupt processing (see FIG. 16) performed by the main control board 80. Note that the processing performed by the sub control board 90, which will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 26 and subsequent figures, is performed according to an instruction issued by the sub CPU 91 based on a program stored in the sub ROM 92.

When receiving a command from the main control board 80, the sub CPU 91 first executes a command receiving process that performs a process according to the command (step S10). The command receiving process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Subsequent to the processing of step S10, the sub CPU 91 determines whether or not the operation information is input from the first effect button detection switch 96 or the second effect button detection switch 97 shown in FIG. It is determined whether the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 has been operated (step S30). Here, when it is determined that the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 has been operated (step S30: YES), an operation command for notifying this is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S31). By transmitting this operation command to the image and sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120, processing for realizing the effect on the effect according to the operation of the first effect button 35 or the second effect button 36 is performed. ..

The sub CPU 91 executes the command transmission process when executing the process of step S31 or when determining that neither the first effect button 35 nor the second effect button 36 has been operated (step S30: NO). (Step S32). Specifically, the command set in the sub RAM 93 by the command receiving process of step S10 or the process of step S31 is transmitted to the image acoustic control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120). By executing this command transmission process, the image/acoustic control board 100 is instructed to execute an effect by displaying an image, outputting an effect sound, etc., and lighting of various lamps and execution of an effect by a movable accessory etc. The control board 120 is instructed.

Subsequent to the process of step S32, the sub CPU 91 executes a data transfer process (step S33). Specifically, since the data regarding the image and sound control is transmitted from the image and sound control board 100, the data is transferred to the lamp control board 120. As a result, the lamp control board 120 controls the effect by the effect means such as the frame lamp 37, the panel lamp 5, and the movable decoration member 14 so as to be synchronized with the effect performed by the image display device 7 and the speaker 38.

[Command reception processing by the sub control board 90]
FIG. 27 is a detailed flowchart of the command receiving process in step S10 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the sub CPU 91 first determines whether or not a command is received from the main control board 80 (step S11). If it is determined that the command has not been received (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S30 described above.

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the command from the main control board 80 has been received (step S11: YES), the command is transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the processing of step S212 or step S220 of FIG. It is determined whether the command is a pending command (step S12). If it is determined that the command is not the hold command (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S15 described below.

When determining that the received command is the hold command (step S12: YES), the sub CPU 91 executes the hold command reception process (step S13). Specifically, the hold command related to the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is displayed on the display screen 70, or the display mode of the hold icon (or the icon) displayed on the display screen 70 is changed. Perform processing for realizing an icon change effect.

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the hold command (step S12: NO), is the command a fluctuation start command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the process of step S310 of FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S15). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the fluctuation start command (step S15: NO), the process proceeds to step S17 described later.

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

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the fluctuation start command (step S15: NO), the command is the fluctuation end command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the process of step S314 of FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S17). Sub CPU91, when it is determined that it is a variation end command (step S17: YES), finishes the variable display of the effect symbol and stops the effect symbol in a mode showing the determination result of the special symbol determination executed at the time of the symbol variation start. A variation effect end command for instructing execution of the displayed process is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S18).

This variation effect end command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120 by the command transmission process of step S32, and thus a special symbol showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination). While the first special symbol display 41 (or the second special symbol display 42) is stopped and displayed, a production symbol showing the determination result of the first special symbol determination (or the second special symbol determination) is displayed on the display screen. It will be stopped and displayed at 70.

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the fluctuation end command (step S17: NO), whether the command is the opening command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the process of step S3175 of FIG. It is determined whether or not (step S19). Here, when it is determined that the received command is the opening command (step S19: YES), an image of the start of the opening effect for notifying the type of the big hit in the opening period of the big hit game and for prompting the player to hit the right image is displayed. An opening effect start command for instructing the sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S20). For example, when the opening command related to "5R probability change A" is received, if the three effect symbols showing the doublet of "777" or "333" are immediately after the main stop, based on Fig. 13(A). If the opening effect start command for instructing the execution of the opening effect is set and the three effect symbols showing the other doublet are just after the main stop, it is described above based on FIGS. 14(A) to (C). Set the opening effect start command that instructs the execution of the opening effect.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the opening command (step S19: NO), the command is an effective round game transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the process of step S609 of FIG. A start command, a second special winning opening/closing round game start command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the processing of step S610 of FIG. 23, and a transmission from the main control board 80 according to the processing of step S612 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the round game start command is one of the first special winning opening opening/closing round game start commands (step S21).

When determining that the received command is the round game start command (step S21: YES), the sub CPU 91 executes a round game start command reception process that performs a process according to the received round game start command (step S22). .. This round game start command reception processing will be described later in detail based on FIG.

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the round game start command (step S21: NO), the command is the V winning command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the processing of step S620 of FIG. It is determined whether or not there is (step S23). Here, when it is determined that the received command is the V winning command (step S23: YES), the V winning command receiving process is executed to perform the process according to the V winning command (step S24). This V winning command reception processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is not the V winning command (step S23: NO), it executes the ending command reception process (step S25). Specifically, in the case where the three effect symbols showing the doublet of “777” or “333” are permanently stopped, the condition that the V winning command is received before the ending command is received is “ An ending effect start command for instructing execution of an ending effect informing that the effect in the effect mode named "Gekito RUSH" for definitely informing that the "probability variation game state" is started is set in the sub RAM 93. .. In addition, if the V winning command is not received before the ending command is received despite the fact that the three effect symbols indicating “Zero” or “333” are double stopped, the “probability variation game state Ending production start command for instructing execution of an ending production that informs that production in a production mode named "challenge mode" that does not inform whether it is "or a "time saving game state" is started in the sub RAM 93. set. On the other hand, when three production symbols other than "777" and "333" showing the doublet are stopped permanently, the ending production start for instructing the execution of the ending production informing that the production in the challenge mode is started is started. The command is set in the sub RAM 93.

These ending commands are transmitted to the image acoustic control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission processing in step S32 of FIG. As a result, the ending effect described above based on FIG. 13(F) and the ending effect described above based on FIG. 14(I) are realized.

[Variation start command reception processing by the sub control board 90]
FIG. 28 is a detailed flowchart of the fluctuation start command reception process in step S16 of FIG. When the sub CPU 91 determines that the command received from the main control board 80 is the fluctuation start command (step S15: YES), the sub CPU 91 executes a series of fluctuation start command reception processing illustrated in FIG.

That is, the sub CPU 91 acquires the value at the time when the variation start command is received from the main control board 80 for the effect random number appropriately updated by the random number update processing in the sub control board 90, and stores it in the sub RAM 93 (step S161). .. Then, the received fluctuation start command is analyzed (step S162).

In this variation start command, as described above, the setting information of the symbol indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination process, the setting information of this symbol relates to the first special symbol determination, or the second special symbol determination The winning start opening information indicating whether it is one, the setting information of the variation pattern of the special symbol, the information indicating the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 and the like are included. Therefore, by analyzing the variation start command, the type and result of the special symbol determination can be specified. That is, it is possible to specify whether it is a big hit, a loss, or, if it is a big hit, what kind of big hit it is. Further, by specifying whether or not the variation pattern is a variation pattern for losing based on the setting information of the variation pattern, it is possible to determine whether it is necessary to perform the reachable effect or the reachless effect. .. In addition, the variation time of the special symbol can be specified based on the variation pattern setting information. Further, the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 can be specified based on the information indicating the gaming state.

When the sub CPU 91 analyzes the fluctuation start command, based on the analysis result, the sub CPU 91 executes the fluctuation effect pattern setting process for setting the fluctuation effect pattern of the fluctuation effect associated with the fluctuation display of the special symbol (step S163). By performing this variation effect pattern setting process, the variation mode of the effect symbol, the presence/absence of the reach effect, the presence/absence of the pseudo continuous effect, the type of the effect symbol forming the reach pattern, the type/content of the reach effect, the pseudo continuous effect , The type of effect symbol to be stopped and displayed, etc. are determined. This variation effect pattern setting process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Subsequent to the process of step S163, the sub CPU 91 executes various notice effects that are executed when the effect symbols are variably displayed in the change effect pattern set in the process of step S163 (for example, step-up effect, dialogue notice, group notice). Or notice cut-in) is performed (step S164).

Next, the sub CPU 91 issues a variation effect start command for instructing the start of the variation effect in the variation effect pattern set in the process of step S163 and the execution of the notice effect in the notice effect pattern set in the process of step S164. It is set in the RAM 93 (step S165).

This variation effect start command includes information indicating the variation effect pattern set by the process of step S163 and information indicating the notice effect pattern set by the process of step S164, and the command transmission process of step S32. Is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 and the lamp control board 120. As a result, the variation effect and the notice effect for which the effect pattern is determined in the sub control board 90 are realized by the audiovisual control board 100 and the lamp control board 120.

Subsequent to the process of step S165, the sub CPU 91 updates the holding number stored in the sub RAM 93 to a value obtained by subtracting "1" (step S166). Specifically, when the fluctuation start command received from the main control board 80 is for notifying the start of the variable display of the first special symbol, the value obtained by subtracting "1" from the number of holding of the first special symbol determination To update. On the other hand, when the received variation start command is for notifying the start of variation display of the second special symbol, the number of holding of the second special symbol determination is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1".

[Variation effect pattern setting process by sub-control board 90]
FIG. 29 is a detailed flowchart of the variation effect pattern setting process in step S163 of FIG. 28, and here, the variation effect pattern setting executed when the variation start command related to the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is received. The processing will be described. Sub CPU91, following the processing of step S162, the final design is finally displayed on the display screen 70 along with the stop display of the first special symbol (or second special symbol) (actual stop) is set (step) S1631). Specifically, based on the design information of the symbol included in the fluctuation start command received from the main control board 80, whether the special symbol indicating the big hit (big hit symbol) is stopped and displayed at the end of the symbol fluctuation, or It is specified whether or not the special symbol indicating the loss (missing symbol) is stopped and displayed. Then, when it is specified that the jackpot pattern is stopped and displayed, an effect symbol (for example, an effect symbol indicating a double eye) for notifying the jackpot is set as the effect symbol to be stopped, and the lost symbol is stopped and displayed. When it is specified, the effect design for notifying the loss is set. In addition, when setting the effect design for notifying the loss, when notifying the loss after performing the reach effect, set the reach lose eye as the effect pattern for notifying the loss and perform the reach effect. In the case of notifying the loss without a hit, a streak is set as an effect design for notifying the loss.

For example, when a variation start command related to the first special symbol determination including the symbol setting information indicating that the 5R probability variation A or 5R probability variation B has been won is received, the first fixed effect symbol stored in the sub ROM 92. By referring to the selection table, the effect symbol to be confirmed and displayed is selected. In the first fixed effect design selection table, 15 random number values are associated with "777" and 15 random number values are associated with "333", and "111" and "222" are associated with each other. , “444”, “555”, “666”, “888”, and “999” are associated with ten random number values. The sub CPU 91 acquires the value when the fluctuation start command is received as the selected random number with respect to the selected random number that is appropriately updated each time the above-described random number update process is performed, and the three effect symbols corresponding to the acquired selected random numbers. By selecting the combination from the first fixed effect symbol selection table, the effect symbol to be fixedly displayed is selected. In the present embodiment, the selected random number can take 100 random number values from “0” to “99”. For this reason, the rate at which "777" or "333" is selected is 15% (=15/100×100), and the rate at which the other seven types of combinations of three effect symbols are selected is Is also 10% (=10/100×100).

Therefore, "777" or "333" is selected as the three effect symbols to be confirmed and displayed, and the above-described effect based on FIG. 13 is executed during the jackpot game, and "777" or "333". There is a case where other than the above is selected and the above-mentioned effect based on FIG. 14 is executed during the jackpot game.

On the other hand, when the variation start command relating to the first special symbol determination including the symbol setting information indicating that the player has won the 5R normal A or the 5R normal B is received, the second fixed effect stored in the sub ROM 92. By referring to the symbol selection table, the effect symbol to be confirmed and displayed is selected. In the second fixed effect design selection table, 15 random number values are associated with each of the six types of "111", "222", "444", "666", "888", and "999". Has been. "555" is associated with 10 random number values, and "777" and "333" are not associated with random number values. The sub CPU 91 acquires the value when the fluctuation start command is received as the selected random number with respect to the selected random number that is appropriately updated each time the above-described random number update process is performed, and the three effect symbols corresponding to the acquired selected random numbers. By reading the combination from the second fixed effect symbol selection table, the effect symbol to be fixedly displayed is selected. As described above, since the selected random number can take a random number value of 100, the ratio of selecting “111”, “222”, “444”, “666”, “888”, or “999” is 15% (=15/100×100), the rate at which “555” is selected is 10% (=10/100×100), and the rate at which “777” or “333” is selected is It is 0%.

In this way, when 5R normal A or 5R normal B is selected as the type of jackpot related to the first special symbol determination, three effect symbols indicating “777” and “333” are definitely displayed. Therefore, the effect illustrated in FIG. 13 is not executed during the jackpot game, and the effect illustrated in FIG. 14 is executed.

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

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 91 determines that the reachable effect needs to be performed (step S1632: YES), it sets the variable effect pattern of the reachable effect (step S1634). For example, from the reach effect variation effect pattern selection table in which a plurality of types of effect effect variations of reach effect are associated with each combination of the determination result of the special symbol determination and the variation pattern of the special symbol, from step S161. Any one fluctuating effect pattern corresponding to the effect random number acquired in the processing is read out, and information indicating the fluctuating effect pattern is set in the sub RAM 93.

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

In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the variation effect start command for instructing the start of the variation effect in the variation effect pattern set in the processing of step S1633 (or the processing of step S1634) is issued from the sub-control board 90 to the audiovisual control board. By being transmitted to 100 (and the lamp control board 120), the variable effect including the variable display of the effect symbol is realized.

[Round game start command reception processing by the sub control board 90]
FIG. 30 is a detailed flowchart of the round game start command reception processing in step S22 of FIG. When the sub CPU 91 determines that the command received from the main control board 80 is the round game start command (step S21: YES), it executes the following process. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 30, it is determined whether the received command is the valid round game start command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the process of step S609 of FIG. 23 (step S221). ). Here, when it is determined that the received command is not the valid round game start command (step S221: NO), the process proceeds to step S226 described later.

On the other hand, when the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is the effective round game start command (step S221: YES), for example, based on whether or not the opening command related to the jackpot of the first special symbol determination is received. Then, it is determined whether or not the big hit this time is the first big hit (step S222). Here, when it is determined that it is not the first hit (step S222: NO), that is, when it is a big hit of the second special symbol determination, as is apparent from the notation of FIG. 6C, of the second special symbol determination Since there is no normal jackpot (the effective round game is not executed) for the jackpot, a command for instructing the launch promotion effect that prompts the player to hit the game ball aiming at the V winning opening 287 is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S223). This command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission process in step S32 of FIG. 26, so that the launch promotion effect described above based on FIGS. 13B and 13C is obtained. Will be executed.

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the big hit of this time is the first big hit (step S222: YES), the big hit game of this time determines whether or not the big hit game started according to the symbol assortment of the specific symbol. (Step S224). Specifically, by the process of step S1631 of FIG. 29, it is determined whether or not three effect symbols for notifying the big hit of “777” or “333” have been selected. Here, when it is determined that it is a jackpot game started according to the symbol alignment of the specific symbol (step S224: YES), that is, a doublet of "777" or "333" is fixedly displayed and the jackpot game is started. If so, the process of step S223 described above is executed.

On the other hand, when the sub-CPU 91 determines that the big hit game of this time is not the big hit game started according to the symbol arrangement of the specific symbol (step S224: NO), that is, a symbol other than "777" or "333". When the jackpot game is started according to the set, a command for executing the in-round effect without the launch promotion effect is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S225). This command is transmitted to the image acoustic control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission process in step S32 of FIG. 26, so that the mid-round effect described above based on FIGS. 14D to 14E is produced. Will be executed.

Next, when the sub CPU 91 executes the process of step S223, the process of step S225, or determines that the received command is not the valid round game start command (step S221: NO), the reception 23 is determined whether or not the command is the second special winning opening/closing round game start command transmitted from the main control board 80 according to the process of step S610 of FIG. 23 (step S226).

When the sub CPU 91 determines that the received command is the second big winning opening opening/closing round game start command (step S226: YES), the second big winning opening opening/closing game round for opening/closing the second big winning opening 28 A command for executing the medium effect is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S227). This command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission process in step S32 of FIG. 26, so that, for example, the mid-round effect described above based on FIG. Based on 14 (F) to (H), the above-described effect during the round will be executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the received command is not the second special winning opening/closing round game start command (step S226: NO), that is, the received command is transmitted from the main control board 80 by the process of step S612 of FIG. When it is the first big winning opening opening/closing round game start command, a command for instructing execution of a predetermined in-round effect related to the first big winning opening opening/closing game is set in the sub RAM 93. This command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission process in step S32 of FIG. 26, and the first special winning opening/closing game in which the effect pattern is set in the sub control board 90. The round game according to is to be realized.

[V winning command reception processing by the sub control board 90]
FIG. 31 is a detailed flowchart of the V winning command reception process in step S24 of FIG. When the sub CPU 91 determines that the command received from the main control board 80 is the V winning command (step S23: YES), for example, based on whether or not the opening command related to the jackpot of the first special symbol determination is received. Then, it is determined whether or not the big hit this time is the first big hit (step S241). Here, when it is determined that it is not the first hit (step S241: NO), that is, the second special symbol determination in the "probability variation game state" or the "time saving game state" is a big hit and the big hit game of this time is executed. If there is, as is clear from the notation of FIG. 6 (C), there is usually no big hit in the big hit related to the second special symbol determination, and the big hit game including the valid round game is always executed, so the V winning command In response to the reception of, the command for instructing the execution of the V winning notification effect is set in the sub RAM 93 (step S243). This command is transmitted to the image and sound control board 100 (and the lamp control board 120) by the command transmission process in step S32 of FIG. 26, whereby the V winning notification effect described above based on FIG. 13D is realized. It will be.

On the other hand, when the sub-CPU 91 determines that the big hit of this time is the first hit (step S241: YES), the big hit game of this time is in accordance with the symbol arrangement of the specific symbol, as in the determination process of step S224 of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is a jackpot game started by (step S242). Here, when it is determined that the big hit game of this time is the big hit game started according to the symbol arrangement of the specific symbol (step S242: YES), that is, 3 showing a doublet of "777" or "333". When one effect symbol is confirmed and displayed and the jackpot game of this time is started, the process of step S243 is executed in order to realize the V winning notification effect described above based on FIG. 13(D). On the other hand, when it is determined that the big hit game of this time is not the big hit game started in accordance with the symbol arrangement of the specific symbol (step S242: NO), that is, 3 indicating a doublet other than "777" and "333". When the big hit game of this time is started with the fixedly displayed one effect symbol, as described above with reference to FIG. 14, in order not to execute the V prize notification effect even if the game ball wins the V prize, A series of V winning command reception processing is completed without executing the processing of step S243, and the processing is advanced to step S30 of FIG.

[Interrupt processing by the image and sound control board 100]
Next, with reference to FIG. 32, an interrupt process executed in the image and sound control board 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an interrupt process executed in the image and sound control board 100. The image and sound control board 100 repeatedly executes the series of processing illustrated in FIG. 32 at regular time intervals (for example, 33 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as power-on and power-off. ..

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

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

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

[Image Display Control Processing by Image Acoustic Control Board 100]
FIG. 33 is a detailed flowchart of the image display control process in step S71 of FIG. The image and sound control CPU 101 first determines whether or not the command transmitted from the sub control board 90 has been received (step S711). If it is determined that the command has not been received (step S711: NO), the process proceeds to step S72.

On the other hand, when determining that the command from the sub control board 90 has been received (step S711: YES), the image and sound control CPU 101 sets the setting information included in the command in the control RAM 103 (step S712). Then, based on the setting information set in the control RAM 103, it is determined how the effect image should be displayed on the display screen 70, a display list for controlling the drawing processing of the VDP 104 is created, and a predetermined area of the control RAM 103 is created. (Step S713), and the display list is set in the display list storage area of the VRAM 106 (step S714). The VDP 104 executes the drawing process based on the display list set in the display list storage area, whereby the effect display instructed by the sub control board 90 is realized.

[Structure and operation effects of gaming machine 1]
In addition, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration, and by having the configuration, the following operational effects are achieved.

The gaming machine 1 includes a first opening/closing member (for example, an opening/closing member 29) that opens and closes a special winning area (for example, a second special winning opening 28) provided in the gaming area, and a specific area included in the special winning area ( For example, a second opening/closing member (for example, a slide member 285) that opens and closes the V winning opening 287) and a determination unit that determines whether or not to execute a special game in which the player can obtain a game ball (for example, the main CPU 81). The jackpot determination process of step S308 executed by: (see FIG. 19), and when the determination means determines to execute the special game, the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member are operated as the special game. Then, a specific round game that opens the special prize area and the specific area so that the game ball easily passes (for example, an effective round game: the 1R round game illustrated in FIG. Special game executing means capable of executing a plurality of round games including (corresponding to) (for example, the special winning opening/closing control process of step S6 executed by the main CPU 81: see FIG. 16), and the specific area during the specific round game. If the game ball does not pass through, the game is controlled in the first game state (for example, “time saving game state”) after the special game is finished, and the game ball is moved to the specific area during the specific round game. If it passes, a game control means (for example, main CPU 81) that controls the game in a second game state (for example, “probability variation game state”) that is more advantageous to the player than the first game state after the special game is over. ) And production control means (for example, sub CPU 91, image sound control CPU 101, lamp CPU 121) for controlling execution of production, the special game execution means executes a plurality of round games including the specific round game. While doing, at least one of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member is operated in a manner that it is difficult to recognize which round game the round game being executed is ( For example, refer to FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B)), the effect control means does not notify that even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game (see, for example, FIG. 14).

By the way, in a configuration in which the game is controlled in the second game state (which is more advantageous than the first game state) after the end of the special game, on condition that the game ball has passed through the specific region during the specific round game, the specific region is played. If a notification is given to the fact that the ball has passed, it becomes clear that the game will be controlled in the second game state after the special game has ended, and it may be rather less interesting. is there. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, during a plurality of round games, at least one of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member is the round game being executed, which round game. It operates in a manner that is difficult to recognize, and even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game, it is not notified, so the game is controlled in the second game state after the special game ends. It becomes difficult to know whether or not it will be done, and it is possible to improve interest.

Moreover, the said production|generation control means does not display the number of rounds which can identify the round game in execution, when a plurality of round games including the said specific round game are performed (for example, refer to FIG. 14).

According to this configuration, since the number of rounds that can identify the round game being executed is not displayed, it becomes difficult to determine whether the round game being executed is the specific round game, and as a result, it becomes more interesting. It is possible to improve.

In addition, the special game execution means may execute a special game composed of a plurality of round games that do not include the specific round game (see, for example, FIGS. 7C and 7D). It is possible to operate the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member in a non-specific round game (for example, a non-effective round game) of at least one of the round games, and the game control means. Even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the non-specific round game, the game is not controlled in the second game state after the special game including the non-specific round game is finished.

According to this configuration, when the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member operate and the game ball passes through the specific region during the non-specific round game that constitutes a plurality of round games not including the specific round game However, in this case, the game is not controlled in the second game state after the special game is finished. For this reason, even if the game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game, it is possible to further enhance the interest by a synergistic effect with the configuration that the fact is not notified.

[Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may have the following forms, for example. That is, in the above embodiment, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal gaming state is "big hit", the second special winning opening 28 (and the V winning is not used without using the first special winning opening 26). The case of executing the jackpot game using the mouth 287) has been described as an example (see FIG. 6B and FIG. 7 ). On the other hand, in another embodiment, when the determination result of the first special symbol determination in the normal game state is “big hit”, at least a part of the big hits, the second big winning opening 28 (and V winnings) The big hit game may be executed using both the mouth 287) and the first big winning opening 26.

Further, in the above embodiment, the effective round game (corresponding to the 1R round game of FIG. 7A and the 3R round game of FIG. 7B) corresponds to the second big winning opening 28 (and The case where the V winning opening 287) is constituted by one short opening and one long opening has been described as an example. On the other hand, in another embodiment, these effective round games are round games in which the second big winning opening 28 (and the V winning opening 287) are long-opened once (without short opening), Alternatively, it may be a round game in which the second big winning opening 28 (and the V winning opening 287) are shortly opened a plurality of times (without being longly opened).

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the four types of jackpots related to the first special symbol determination (see FIG. 6(B)) are all examples of jackpots in which only a prize ball of substantially 2R can be obtained. In other embodiments, these four types of jackpots may be jackpots that can win prize balls of 3R or more.

Further, in the above embodiment, the launch promotion effect for prompting the player to launch the game ball aiming at the V winning opening 287 (see FIGS. 13B and 13C) and the V winning of the game ball are conditions. After the jackpot game is over, neither the V winning notification effect that can be performed (see FIGS. 13D and 13E) is executed, and the challenge mode is not notified (whether it is in the “probability variation gaming state”). In the above description, the case where the performance is executed is described. On the other hand, in another embodiment, for example, after the jackpot game is over, the production is executed in the challenge mode until the special symbol and the effect symbol are variably displayed 40 times, and the V winning occurs during the jackpot game. If so, the effect is executed in the effect mode (may be the fierce battle RUSH exemplified in the above embodiment) that definitely informs that the "probability variation game state" is present from the variation display of the 41st rotation. May be.

Further, in the above embodiment, with respect to the jackpot according to the first special symbol determination, the game control described above based on FIG. 7, or the effect control described above based on FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 is taken as an example. explained. On the other hand, in another embodiment, for example, a normal jackpot is provided in a part of the jackpot related to the second special symbol determination, and the jackpot related to the second special symbol determination is related to the jackpot related to the first special symbol determination. You may make it perform the above-mentioned game control and effect control similarly.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a type of pachinko gaming machine called a so-called V-ST machine has been described. However, the present invention is applied to a type of pachinko gaming machine called a so-called probability variation loop type. It may be applied to other game machines such as.

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

1 gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine), 7 image display device, 21 first starting opening, 22 second starting opening, 23 opening/closing member, 26 first big winning opening, 28 second big winning opening, 41 first special symbol display Vessel, 42 second special symbol display, 44 first special figure hold indicator, 45 second special figure hold indicator, 70 display screen, 71 hold icon display area, 72 icon display area, 80 main control board, 81 Main CPU, 90 sub control board, 91 sub CPU, 100 image acoustic control board, 101 image acoustic control CPU, 211 1st starting opening sensor, 221 2nd starting opening sensor.

Claims (3)

A first opening/closing member for opening and closing a special winning area provided in the game area,
A second opening/closing member for opening and closing a specific area included in the special winning area;
Determination means for determining whether or not to execute a special game in which the player can obtain a game ball,
When it is determined by the determination means that the special game is to be executed, as the special game, the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member are operated to allow the game ball to easily pass through the special winning area. And special game execution means capable of executing a plurality of round games including a specific round game for opening the specific area,
If the game ball does not pass through the specific area during the specific round game, the game is controlled in the first game state after the special game is over, and the game ball is moved through the specific area during the specific round game. If it has passed, game control means for controlling the game in a second game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first game state after the special game is finished,
And a production control means for controlling execution of production,
The special game execution means,
A round game in which at least one of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member is being executed is a round game of what round when a plurality of round games including the specific round game are being executed. To operate in a manner that makes it difficult to recognize
The effect control means,
Even if a game ball passes through the specific area during the specific round game, the game machine is not informed of that fact. The effect control means,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when a plurality of round games including the specific round game are executed, the number of rounds that can identify the running round game is not displayed. The special game execution means,
A special game composed of a plurality of round games not including the specific round game may be executed, and in the non-specific round game of at least one of the plurality of round games, the first opening/closing member And it is possible to operate the second opening/closing member,
The game control means,
Even if a game ball passes through the specific area during the non-specific round game, the game is not controlled in the second game state after the special game including the non-specific round game is finished. The gaming machine described in 1 or 2.

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