JP2021061878A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine which allows a user to enjoy the variation of a performance pattern in a leisurely fashion in a notification performance.SOLUTION: In a notification performance, one variation line LN1 of three variation lines is determined as a main variation line. A performance pattern is variably displayed at a high speed when the notification performance is started. The other two variation lines are determined as temporary variation stop lines. The performance patterns (D2 pattern, D3 pattern) that are stop-displayed in stop areas A2, A3 of the respective variation lines LN2, LN3 in the previous notification performance are temporarily stop-displayed. The performance patterns that are temporarily stopped are displayed in such a motion that a symbol image 101 performs a hula. Although the variation time is short during the probability variation time-shortening state, and the change in the display is rapid when the high-speed variation display and stop display are performed in all the variation lines, since the high-speed variation of the performance pattern is performed in only the main variation line, a player can recognize patterns that are temporarily stopped and enjoy the hula of the symbol image 101 in a leisurely fashion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine in which a production symbol temporarily stops and displays in a notification effect.

In the game machine, the hit determination is performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the result of the hit determination is notified by the symbol variation game. Then, in order to produce the symbol variation game, the notification effect that is stopped and displayed after the effect symbol variation is displayed is executed in synchronization with the symbol variation game. In the notification production, various productions are performed in order to attract the interest of the player. For example, in Patent Document 1, the variation display of the decorative symbol (effect symbol) is held (temporary stop display) in the earlier notification effect by pre-reading the hit determination, and the reach effect is performed using the held decorative symbol in the later notification effect. Etc. are performed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-150454

It is difficult for the player to visually recognize the effect symbol during the variable display in the notification effect. For example, when the time required for one notification effect is short, such as when the time is shortened or when the number of reserved balls is the maximum number, the effect pattern is repeatedly changed and stopped in a short period of time, so that the effect is busy. If the decorative design is held, the decorative design can be visually recognized, but in Patent Document 1, the effect is only performed in a part of the notification effect, and the hold does not always occur. There wasn't.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of relaxingly enjoying fluctuations in a production pattern in a notification effect.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the image display means is provided with an image display means capable of displaying a plurality of predetermined effect symbols and a display control means for displaying and controlling the plurality of effect symbols in the image display means. The means includes a plurality of variable lines in which the plurality of effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner, and the display control means notifies the result of a hit determination performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A gaming machine that executes a notification effect of displaying a plurality of effect symbols in a variable manner on each of the variable lines and then stopping and displaying the plurality of effect symbols, wherein the plurality of effect symbols include a symbol image showing a symbol unique to each of the effect symbols. The plurality of fluctuation lines include a temporary stop line in which a temporary stop display is performed in which the fluctuation of the effect symbol is stopped but not stopped between the start of the notification effect and the stop display of the effect symbol. Other lines other than the temporary stop line, including the main fluctuation line in which the variation display and the stop display of the effect symbol are performed and the temporary stop display is not performed, the display control means is the notification effect. The display control means is provided with a determination means for determining the temporary stop line and the main fluctuation line from the plurality of fluctuation lines, and the display control means is the previous time at the temporary stop line determined by the determination means. The previous symbol, which is the effect symbol that was stopped and displayed in the notification effect, is temporarily stopped and displayed on the temporary stop line immediately after the start of the notification effect, and the effect symbol that is variablely displayed on the main fluctuation line is stopped. The special notification effect of stopping and displaying the previous symbol in synchronization with the displayed timing can be continuously executed in synchronization with the symbol variation game, and the previous symbol temporarily stopped and displayed on the temporary stop line. There is provided a gaming machine characterized in that the symbol image of the above is displayed in a special mode different from the display mode during variable display.

In the special notification effect, while the effect symbol is fluctuating on the main fluctuation line, the effect symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed on the temporary stop line. Since the effect symbol of this variable line fluctuates at high speed, it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the symbol, but since the effect symbol of the temporary stop line is displayed in the temporarily stopped state, the player recognizes the symbol. be able to. The symbol image of the effect symbol during the temporary stop display is displayed in a special mode. Therefore, the player can slowly watch the effect by the symbol image of the effect pattern while the special notification effect is performed. Since the special notification effect can be continuously executed, the player can slowly enjoy the effect of the effect symbol without feeling any hassle while the symbol variation game is continuously executed.

In the present embodiment, the display control means may execute the special notification effect in a shortened variation state in which the time required for one symbol variation game is shorter than the normal time. In the normal notification effect, the effect symbol fluctuates at high speed on all the fluctuation lines and is stopped and displayed. In the shortened fluctuation state, the time required for one symbol fluctuation game is short. Therefore, when the normal notification effect is performed in the shortened fluctuation state, the interval from the change of the effect symbol to the stop is short, and it is repeated, which is hectic. In this embodiment, since the special notification effect is performed in the shortened fluctuation state, the player can slowly enjoy the effect by the effect pattern without feeling the rush.

In this embodiment, the determination means may randomly determine the temporary stop line and the fluctuation line. Since the temporary stop line and the main fluctuation line are randomly determined, the previous design is not continued for a long period of time, and the player is less likely to get bored.

In the present embodiment, the determination means determines a line different from the fluctuation line determined for the fluctuation line in the previous special notification effect as the new fluctuation line, and excludes the fluctuation line. The other line may be determined as the new temporary stop line. Since this fluctuation line is always determined by a line different from the previous one, the previous symbol is not continued for a long period of time, and the player is less likely to get bored.

In the present embodiment, the determination means determines a line selected from all the fluctuation lines in a predetermined order as the fluctuation line, and stops other lines other than the fluctuation line as a new provisional stop. You may decide on the line. Since this fluctuation line is changed in a predetermined order, the previous symbol is not continued for a long period of time, and the player is less likely to get bored.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the control part 40. It is a conceptual diagram of the jackpot information storage area 100. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart (1/3) of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart (2/3) of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart (3/3) of special symbol processing. It is a flowchart of the second random number look-ahead processing. This is a display example of the display screen 28 in the notification effect in the normal state. It is a flowchart of sub-control board processing. It is a flowchart (1/3) of the effect symbol variation processing. It is a flowchart (2/3) of the effect symbol variation processing. It is a flowchart (3/3) of the effect symbol variation processing. It is a display example (1/5) of the display screen 28 in the notification effect of the probability change time saving state. It is a display example (2/5) of the display screen 28 in the notification effect of the probability change time saving state. It is a display example (3/5) of the display screen 28 in the notification effect of the probability change time saving state. It is a display example (4/5) of the display screen 28 in the notification effect of the probability change time saving state. It is a display example (5/5) of the display screen 28 in the notification effect of the probability change time saving state.

Hereinafter, the pachinko machine 1 which is an embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The reference drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the device described in the drawings is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely an example of explanation. In the following description, the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-back direction (front-back direction) of the pachinko machine 1 are based on the orientation of the board surface of the game board 2 unless otherwise specified. That is, the direction in which the pachinko machine 1 is viewed from the player who plays the game with the pachinko machine 1 installed in the hall is used as a reference. Hereinafter, for convenience, the front and back directions of the paper of FIG. 1 will be described as the front-back direction of the pachinko machine 1. Further, the devices and parts used in the pachinko machine 1 are also defined in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction based on the orientation when assembled in the pachinko machine 1.

The mechanical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 includes a main body frame 10 to which the game board 2 can be attached and detached. The game board 2 has a plate shape with a substantially square front view. The game board 2 mounted on the main body frame 10 is arranged on the upper portion of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 is held between the main body frame 10 and the front frame 11 mounted on the front side of the main body frame 10. The front frame 11 holds a transparent glass plate and protects the front surface of the game board 2. The front frame 11 is provided with an illumination lamp 35 so as to surround the glass plate. The illumination lamp 35 lights up or blinks according to the progress of the game or the like.

An upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 are provided on the lower portion of the pachinko machine 1. The upper plate 5 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2, supplies a metal game ball to the launching device 37 (see FIG. 2), and receives a prize ball. At the center of the upper part of the upper plate 5, an effect button 9, a left button 25, and a right button 26 operated by the player are provided. The effect button 9 is used as a button for instructing branching of the effect content, for example, in the notification effect. The left button 25 and the right button 26 are used, for example, as buttons for adjusting the volume and the amount of light of the pachinko machine 1. The lower plate 6 is provided directly below the upper plate 5 and receives a prize ball that overflows or is discharged from the upper plate 5. On the right side of the lower plate 6, a launch handle 7 for adjusting the launch of the game ball is provided. The firing handle 7 receives a rotation operation by the player. When the player operates the launch handle 7, the launcher 37 launches the game ball with an intensity corresponding to the rotation angle of the launch handle 7. Further, speakers 48 are provided at both the left and right corners of the upper part of the front frame 11 and the left and right ends of the upper plate 5.

A substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed on the front surface of the game board 2. The guide rail 3 is formed in an arc shape from the left side to the upper side of the game area 4. Further, on the left side of the game area 4, an arc-shaped guide rail 12 is formed inside the guide rail 3. The guide rail 12 forms a passage for guiding the game ball with the guide rail 3. The game ball launched by the launching device 37 is guided to the game area 4 through between the guide rail 3 and the guide rail 12, and flows down in the game area 4. A center decoration 8 for executing various effects is provided in the substantially center of the game area 4. A game ball launched with a firing intensity less than a predetermined strength passes between the guide rails 3 and 12, and is guided into the game area 4 from the upper left portion of the game area 4 where the guide rail 12 is interrupted, and moves on the left side of the center decoration 8. Flow down. Launching the game ball by adjusting the rotation angle of the launch handle 7 so that the game ball flows down the left side of the center decoration 8 is called "left-handed". The game ball launched with a firing intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined strength travels along the guide rail 3 even after passing between the guide rails 3 and 12, and is guided into the game area 4 from the upper right portion of the game area 4. Center decoration 8 Flow down the right side. Launching the game ball by adjusting the rotation angle of the launch handle 7 so that the game ball flows down the right side of the center decoration 8 is called "right-handed".

A first starting port 14 is provided below substantially the center of the center decoration 8, and a second winning opening 17 is provided below the first starting port 14. The second winning opening 17 includes an opening / closing member 17A, and the game ball can win a prize in the second winning opening 17 only when the opening / closing member 17A is opened. The first winning opening 16 is provided diagonally upward to the right of the second winning opening 17. The first winning opening 16 includes an opening / closing member 16A, and the game ball can win a prize in the first winning opening 16 only when the opening / closing member 16A is opened. A second starting port 15 is provided diagonally above the first winning opening 16, and a normal symbol operating gate 13 is provided above the second starting port 15. The second starting port 15 includes an opening / closing member 15A, and the game ball can win a prize in the second starting port 15 only when the opening / closing member 15A is opened.

The center decoration 8 mainly includes a display screen 28 and a movable body 31 (see FIG. 2). The movable body 31 is provided around the display screen 28. The display screen 28 is arranged substantially in the center of the center decoration 8. The display screen 28 is composed of, for example, an LCD or the like, and displays various images such as moving images and messages. In the pachinko machine 1, various effects are performed during operation. Various effects are, for example, "notification effect" in which the result of the big hit judgment is notified, "big hit effect" performed during the big hit game, and "demo effect" performed while waiting for customers who are not playing the game by the player. And so on. These various productions are collectively called "game production". The pachinko machine 1 displays various images on the display screen 28 in the game production, and performs an effect of operating the movable portion of the movable body 31 according to the images. Then, the pachinko machine 1 notifies the player of the result of the first big hit determination or the second big hit determination by the notification effect. The first jackpot determination is a jackpot determination performed when a game ball wins a prize at the first starting port 14. The second jackpot determination is a jackpot determination performed when a game ball wins a prize in the second starting port 15. The jackpot determination is a winning / failing determination of a jackpot game in which a player can win a large number of prize balls. For convenience, when the first big hit judgment and the second big hit judgment are not distinguished, it is generally called "big hit judgment".

On the display screen 28, the effect symbols (D1 symbol, D2 symbol, D3 symbol), the first reserved symbol 282, the second reserved symbol 283, and the like are displayed on the effect background. The effect symbols are a plurality of types (8 types in the present embodiment) of the effect symbols used for notifying the result of the jackpot determination. The effect symbol includes a symbol image 101 showing a symbol unique to each, and an identification image 102 which is an image for identifying each effect symbol. The symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 will be described later. In the notification effect, the pachinko machine 1 displays the effect symbols on each of the three variable lines LN1 to LN3 (see FIG. 9) in a variable manner and then displays a stop display (also referred to as “confirmed display”), and stops areas A1 to A1. The result of the jackpot determination is notified to the player by the combination of the D1 to D3 symbols displayed in A3, respectively. In the present embodiment, the combination of the D1 to D3 symbols indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot is a symbol in which three images showing the same numbers such as "777" and "222" are displayed as the identification image 102, for example. It is a combination of. Further, the combination of the D1 to D3 symbols indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is out of order is a combination of symbols such as "767" and "143" in which the identification image 102 in which the same numbers are not aligned is displayed.

The first reserved symbol 282 and the second reserved symbol 283 are displayed below the effect symbol. The first reserved symbol 282 and the second reserved symbol 283 are symbols for effect for displaying the number of game balls for which the result of the jackpot determination has not yet been displayed. The first reserved symbol 282 is an image showing the number of first reserved balls up to four. The number of reserved balls is the number of reserved balls that have won the first starting port 14 and the result of the first jackpot determination has not yet been displayed. The second reserved symbol 283 is an image showing the number of second reserved balls up to four. The number of second reserved balls is the number of reserved balls that have won the second starting opening 15 and the result of the second jackpot determination has not yet been displayed.

In addition to the above, the game area 4 is provided with a general winning opening 20, an out opening 36, various illumination members, a windmill, a game nail, and the like. The out port 36 is provided at the lower part of the game board 2. Of the game balls that flow down the game area 4, the game balls that do not win a prize at either the start port or each winning opening and flow down to the lower part of the game area 4 pass through the out port 36 and then enter the game area 4. It is discharged to the outside.

A symbol display unit 24 is provided at the lower right of the game board 2. The symbol display unit 24 includes a first special symbol display unit, a second special symbol display unit, a normal symbol display unit, a game information display unit, and a round number display unit. The first special symbol display unit, the second special symbol display unit, the game information display unit, and the round number display unit are each one 7-segment LED. The 7-segment display includes seven segments that can express alphabets, numbers, symbols, etc. by the combination of turning on or off the LEDs, and one segment that can express points by turning on or off the LEDs. The normal symbol display unit is a display unit in which four LEDs are arranged side by side. The first special symbol display unit and the second special symbol display unit show the results of the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination by the combination of turning on or off the LEDs constituting each segment, respectively. (Ii) Display a special symbol. For convenience, when the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not distinguished, they are generally referred to as "special symbols". The normal symbol display unit displays the result of the normal hit determination by the combination of turning on or off the four LEDs. The game information display unit displays game information such as the number of first reserved balls, the number of second reserved balls, the number of normal reserved balls, the time saving state, and the probability change state by the combination of turning on or off the LEDs constituting each segment. The round number display unit displays the number of rounds during the jackpot game by numbers or alphabets. Further, on the back side of the game board 2, a control unit 40 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the main control of the game, various effects, and the like is provided.

The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 40 of the pachinko machine 1 includes a main control board 41, a sub control board 60, a lamp driver board 46, an effect control board 43, a payout control board 45, a relay board 47, and a power supply board 42.

The main control board 41 controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1. The main control unit 50 of the main control board 41 is provided with a CPU 51, a RAM 52, and a ROM 53. The CPU 51 performs various arithmetic processes. The RAM 52 temporarily stores the data. The ROM 53 stores a control program and the like. An interrupt signal generation circuit 57 is connected to the main control unit 50. The interrupt signal generation circuit 57 generates an interrupt signal every 4 ms, for example, and outputs the interrupt signal to the main control unit 50. The main control board 41 executes the program when the interrupt signal is input.

The main control unit 50 includes a sub control board 60, a payout control board 45, a relay board 47, an output port 55, a first start switch 67, a second start switch 68, and a symbol display unit 24 via an I / O interface 54. Connect electrically. The output port 55 outputs the information of the pachinko machine 1 to a computer for managing a game hall (not shown). The first start switch 67 is provided in the first start port 14, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the first start port 14. The second start switch 68 is provided in the second start port 15, and detects a game ball that has won a prize in the second start port 15.

The sub control board 60 includes a CPU 61, a RAM 62, and a ROM 63. The CPU 61 performs comprehensive control such as production according to various control commands transmitted from the main control board 41. The RAM 62 temporarily stores the data obtained by the arithmetic processing by the CPU 61. The ROM 63 stores various programs, various flags used by the programs, initial values of data, and the like.

The sub control board 60 is connected to the lamp driver board 46, the effect button 9, the left button 25, the right button 26, the speaker 48, and the effect control board 43. The lamp driver board 46 is connected to the movable body 31, the illumination board 32, and the effect button 9. The lamp driver board 46 is in accordance with various execution commands received from the sub-control board 60, the illumination lamp 35 of the front frame 11, the various lights of the center decoration 8, the light emitting operation of the LED built in the effect button 9, and the movable body 31. Controls the operation of. The effect button 9, the left button 25, and the right button 26 output an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the player to the sub control board 60. The speaker 48 outputs a voice based on the voice data transmitted from the sub control board 60.

The effect control board 43 controls the display screen 28. The effect control board 43 includes a CPU 431, a CGROM 432, and the like, and controls the display of the display screen 28 according to various control commands received from the sub control board 60. The CGROM 432 stores image data and the like necessary for displaying an image on the display screen 28. The CGROM 432 has a symbol image storage area (not shown) for storing image data (symbol image data) for displaying the symbol image 101 (described later) and image data (identification) for displaying the identification image 102 (described later). An identification image storage area (not shown) for storing image data) is provided. The symbol image data includes still image data for displaying a still image of the symbol image 101, and moving image data for displaying an effect operation in which the display mode of the symbol image 101 changes with time. Similarly, the identification image data includes still image data for displaying the still image of the identification image 102, and moving image data for displaying an effect operation in which the display mode of the identification image 102 changes with time.

The payout control board 45 includes a CPU 451 and the like. The CPU 451 controls the operation of the prize ball payout device 49 in response to various control commands transmitted from the main control board 41, and causes a predetermined number of game balls to be paid out as prize balls.

The relay board 47 includes an ordinary electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69, a first winning opening opening / closing solenoid 70, a second winning opening opening / closing solenoid 71, an ordinary symbol operation switch 72, a first winning opening switch 73, a second winning opening switch 74, and a general. Connect to the winning opening switch 76. The normal electric accessory opening / closing solenoid 69 opens / closes the opening / closing member 15A of the second starting port 15 during the normal hit game. The first winning opening opening / closing solenoid 70 opens / closes the opening / closing member 16A of the first winning opening 16 during the big hit game. The second winning opening opening / closing solenoid 71 opens / closes the opening / closing member 17A of the second winning opening 17 during the big hit game. The normal symbol operation switch 72 detects a game ball that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 13. The first winning opening switch 73 detects a game ball that has won a prize in the first winning opening 16. The second winning opening switch 74 detects a game ball that has won a prize in the second winning opening 17. The general winning opening switch 76 detects a game ball that has won a prize in the general winning opening 20.

The power supply board 42 is connected to the main control board 41, the payout control board 45, and the launching device 37, and supplies stabilized DC power to each board and the launching device 37. Power is supplied to the sub control board 60, the lamp driver board 46, the effect control board 43, and the relay board 47 via the main control board 41. The launching device 37 launches one game ball toward the game area 4 at regular intervals (for example, 0.6 seconds).

The jackpot information storage area 100 secured in the RAM 52 will be described with reference to FIG. The jackpot information storage area 100 is provided with a first jackpot information storage area 110, a second jackpot information storage area 120, and a determination area 130. At the time of jackpot determination, the determination area 130 stores random numbers in the storage area to be determined in the first jackpot information storage area 110 or the second jackpot information storage area 120. The second big hit judgment has priority over the first big hit judgment. The configuration of the second jackpot information storage area 120 is the same as the configuration of the first jackpot information storage area 110. The first jackpot information storage area 110 and the second jackpot information storage area 120 are used in special symbol processing (see FIG. 5).

The first jackpot information storage area 110 is provided with a storage area number column 111, a first jackpot random number column 112, a first special symbol determination random number column 113, a first variation pattern determination random number column 114, and a pointer column 115. When the game ball wins the first start port 14, the count value of the random number acquisition counter, which is related to the first big hit determination and is counted at that time, is acquired. Each count value is stored in each column of the first jackpot information storage area 110 corresponding to the storage area number assigned in ascending order at the time of acquisition. In the first jackpot random number column 112, the first jackpot random number used for the first jackpot determination is stored. In the first special symbol determination random number column 113, the first special symbol determination random number used for determining the first special symbol is stored. In the first variation pattern determination random number column 114, the first variation pattern determination random number used for determining the first variation pattern indicating the variation time of the first special symbol is stored. Various random numbers acquired together with the first jackpot random number and the first jackpot random number and stored in the first jackpot information storage area 110 are collectively referred to as "first random number". In the pointer field 115, a pointer indicating a storage area number for which the first random number has been acquired and has not yet been processed is stored. Four pointers, hold 1 to 4, which indicate the acquisition order of the first random number, are provided, and the storage area numbers are pointed out in ascending order of their values.

As described above, the maximum number of first reserved balls is 4. When the game ball wins the first starting port 14, if the number of first reserved balls is less than 4 (0 to 3), the first random number is in ascending order of the value of the storage area number stored in the storage area number column 111. It will be remembered. The CPU 51 writes the first random number corresponding to the storage area number indicated by the pointer of the hold 1 in the determination area 130, updates the pointer, and performs various processes such as the first jackpot determination. When the processing related to the first random number stored in the determination area 130 (specifically, the notification effect for notifying the jackpot determination result, the jackpot game executed when the jackpot determination result is a jackpot) is completed, the hold 1 after the update is completed. The first random number corresponding to the storage area number indicated by the pointer of is written in the determination area 130, and processing such as the first jackpot determination is repeated. The first random number for which processing has been completed may be appropriately deleted.

The second jackpot information storage area 120 is provided with a storage area number column 121, a second jackpot random number column 122, a second special symbol determination random number column 123, a second variation pattern determination random number column 124, and a pointer column 125. When the game ball wins the second starting port 15, the count values of the random number acquisition counters counted at that time are acquired in relation to the second jackpot determination. Each count value is stored in each column of the second jackpot information storage area 120 corresponding to the storage area number assigned in ascending order at the time of acquisition. The second big hit random number column 122 stores the second big hit random number used for the second big hit determination. In the second special symbol determination random number column 123, the second special symbol determination random number used for determining the second special symbol is stored. In the second variation pattern determination random number column 124, a second variation pattern determination random number used for determining the second variation pattern indicating the variation time of the second special symbol is stored. Various random numbers acquired together with the second big hit random number and the second big hit random number and stored in the second big hit information storage area 120 are collectively called "second random number". In the pointer field 125, a pointer indicating a storage area number for which a second random number has been acquired and has not yet been processed is stored. Four pointers, hold 1 to 4, which indicate the acquisition order of the second random number, are provided, and the storage area numbers are pointed out in ascending order of their values.

As described above, the maximum number of second reserved balls is 4. When the game ball wins the second starting port 15, if the number of second reserved balls is less than 4 (0 to 3), the second random number is stored in ascending order of the storage area number stored in the storage area number column 121. To. The CPU 51 writes a second random number corresponding to the storage area number indicated by the pointer on hold 1 to the determination area 130, updates the pointer, and performs various processes such as a second jackpot determination. When the processing related to the second random number stored in the determination area 130 (specifically, the notification effect for notifying the jackpot determination result, the jackpot game executed when the jackpot determination result is a jackpot) is completed, the hold 1 after the update is completed. A second random number corresponding to the storage area number indicated by the pointer of is written in the determination area 130, and processing such as a second jackpot determination is repeated. The second random number for which processing has been completed may be appropriately deleted.

In the following description, when the first jackpot random number and the second jackpot random number are collectively referred to, or when either is not specified, it is referred to as a "big hit random number". Further, when the first fluctuation pattern and the second fluctuation pattern are collectively used, or when any of them is not specified, it is referred to as a "variation pattern". Further, when the first jackpot information storage area 110 and the second jackpot information storage area 120 are collectively referred to, or when any of them is not specified, it is referred to as "big hit information storage area 100". The RAM 52 is provided with a normal hit information storage area (not shown) for storing a random number acquired when a game ball wins a prize in the normal symbol operating gate 13. The normal hit information storage area is also configured in the same manner as the big hit information storage area 100.

Next, the flow of the game in the pachinko machine 1 will be schematically described. The opening / closing member 15A of the second starting port 15 on the right side of the center decoration 8 is opened according to the result of the normal hit determination. The normal hit determination is performed when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 13, and the normal symbol indicating the result of the determination is displayed on the normal symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24. If it is determined to be a hit in the normal hit determination, a normal hit game in which the opening / closing member 15A of the second starting port 15 is opened is executed. When the pachinko machine 1 is determined to be a big hit by the big hit determination, the pachinko machine 1 causes a probabilistic state and a time saving state after the big hit game. The probabilistic change state and the time saving state are also referred to as a "probability change time saving state". In the pachinko machine 1, a probability variation time saving state occurs at a rate of 100% after the end of the jackpot game. The non-probable change state and the non-time saving state are also referred to as a "normal state". The non-probability change state is a gaming state in which the probability of being determined as a big hit in the big hit determination is about 1/299. The probability variation state is a gaming state in which the probability of being determined to be a jackpot in the jackpot determination is about 1/96, which is higher than that of the non-probability variation state. The non-time saving state is a gaming state in which the probability of being determined to be a normal hit is about 4/100. The time saving state is a gaming state in which the probability of being determined to be a normal hit is about 99/100, which is higher than the non-time saving state. Therefore, it is difficult for the game ball to win the second starting port 15 during the non-time saving state. Therefore, in the normal state, the player advances the game by hitting the left side and aims to win the game ball to the first starting port 14 having no opening / closing member.

When the game ball wins the first starting port 14, the first random number is acquired on the main control board 41, and the first big hit determination is performed. In the first jackpot determination, it is determined whether the first jackpot random number is a jackpot or a miss. On the first special symbol display unit, one of a plurality of first special symbols is displayed based on the result of the first jackpot determination and the first special symbol determination random number. In the process, the notification effect is executed according to the first fluctuation pattern. In the notification effect, the display screen 28 performs a variable display and a stop display of the effect symbol.

In the pachinko machine 1, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is equal to the production time of the notification effect that notifies the player of the result of the jackpot determination. The sub control board 60 controls the notification effect according to the fluctuation pattern determined by the main control board 41. Specifically, the main control board 41 starts the fluctuation of the special symbol according to the fluctuation pattern based on the fluctuation pattern determination random number. The sub-control board 60 starts the variation display of the effect symbol in synchronization with the start of the variation of the special symbol. When the fluctuation time of the special symbol ends, the main control board 41 stops the fluctuation of the special symbol and displays the stop for a predetermined stop time (for example, 0.8 seconds). The sub-control board 60 stops and displays the effect symbol in synchronization with the stop time. Further, the sub-control board 60 executes the notification effect synchronized with the fluctuation pattern by the display screen 28, the movable body 31, the illumination lamp 35, the speaker 48, etc., in addition to the effect design.

The number of game balls that have won a prize in the first starting port 14 during the notification effect is stored in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 up to a maximum of four as the first reserved ball number. The number of first reserved balls is displayed on the game information display unit of the symbol display unit 24 under the control of the CPU 51 of the main control board 41. Further, under the control of the CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 that has received the command indicating the number of first reserved balls from the CPU 51, the first reserved symbol 282 corresponding to the first number of reserved balls is displayed on the display screen 28.

If it is determined to be a big hit in the first big hit determination, the big hit game is executed. The jackpot types based on the first special symbol are, for example, "5R normal", "10R probability variation", and "15R probability variation". The jackpot type "R" indicates the number of rounds during one jackpot game. That is, "5R", "10R", and "15R" included in the type name of the jackpot type correspond to abbreviations of the number of rounds predetermined for each jackpot type. For example, "10R probability change" indicates that the number of rounds repeated during one big hit game is 10 rounds, and the game state shifts to the probability change time saving state after the big hit game is completed. Further, for example, "5R normal" indicates that the number of rounds repeated during one big hit game is 5 rounds, and the game state shifts to the normal state after the big hit game is completed. Therefore, the number of prize balls that a player can obtain in a jackpot game differs depending on the jackpot type. In the jackpot game, the opening / closing member 16A of the first winning opening 16 and the opening / closing member 17A of the second winning opening 17 are opened and closed according to a predetermined pattern and the number of times according to the number of rounds. The first winning opening 16 and the second winning opening 17 are likely to win when the game ball is hit to the right and flows down the game area 4 on the right side of the center decoration 8. Therefore, during the big hit game, the player plays the game by hitting right.

After the jackpot game is completed, the pachinko machine 1 shifts to the normal state or the probability variation time saving state according to the jackpot type. The rate of being judged as "5R normal" by the jackpot type is about 35%. Therefore, the probabilistic time saving state occurs at a rate of about 65%. The probability variation time saving state may be generated when, for example, a specific area is provided in the first winning opening 16 or the second winning opening 17, and the game ball passes through the specific area. As described above, during the time saving state, it is easy to be determined as a normal hit in the normal hit determination, and it is easy to win a prize in the second starting opening 15, so that the player plays the game by hitting right. The time saving state is continued until, for example, the jackpot determination determines that the jackpot is a jackpot. When the game ball wins the second starting port 15, the second random number is acquired and the second big hit determination is performed. In the second jackpot determination, it is determined whether the second jackpot random number is a jackpot or a miss. On the second special symbol display unit, one of a plurality of second special symbols is displayed based on the result of the second big hit determination and the second special symbol determination random number. In the process, as in the case of the first big hit determination, the notification effect according to the second fluctuation pattern is executed. In the notification effect, the display screen 28 performs a variable display and a stop display of the effect symbol.

The number of game balls that have won a prize in the second starting port 15 during the notification effect is stored as the number of second reserved balls in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 up to a maximum of four. The number of second reserved balls is displayed on the game information display unit of the symbol display unit 24 under the control of the CPU 51 of the main control board 41. Further, under the control of the CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 that has received the command indicating the number of second reserved balls from the CPU 51, the second reserved symbol 283 corresponding to the second number of reserved balls is displayed on the display screen 28.

As a result of the second big hit determination, if it is determined to be a big hit, the big hit game is executed in the same manner as described above. The jackpot type based on the second special symbol is, for example, "5R normal", "10R probability variation", and "15R probability variation". During the jackpot game, the player plays the game by hitting right. When the second jackpot determination determines that the jackpot is "10R probability variation" or "16R probability variation", the probability variation time is shortened after the jackpot game, and the process is continued until the jackpot determination determines that the jackpot is a jackpot. If the second jackpot is determined to be a "5R normal" jackpot, the player shifts to the normal state after the jackpot game, so the player returns to left-handed.

The operation of the pachinko machine 1 by the main control board 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main process of the control program is executed by the CPU 51 when the interrupt signal generation circuit 57 (see FIG. 2) detects an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as "S".

As shown in FIG. 4, when the main process is started, the command output process is first executed (S1). In the command output process, the control command is output to the sub control board 60, the payout control board 45, the relay board 47, and the like. The control command output here is a control command stored in the command storage area in the main process executed last time.

Next, the switch read process is executed (S2). In the switch reading process, the game ball is picked up from the detection results of the first start switch 67, the second start switch 68, the normal symbol operation switch 72, the first winning opening switch 73, the second winning opening switch 74, and the general winning opening switch 76. Processing for detection is performed.

Next, the counter update process is executed (S3). In the counter update process, a predetermined amount of the count value of each random number acquisition counter stored in the RAM 52 is added. The count value of the counter that counts the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the normal symbol is subtracted by 1.

Next, the special electric accessory process is executed (S5). In the special electric accessory processing, processing for controlling the operation of the jackpot game (mainly the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member 16A of the first winning opening 16 and the opening / closing member 17A of the second winning opening 17) and the processing that occurs after the jackpot game is completed. Processing related to the game state to be performed is performed. When the jackpot game is started, a jackpot game start command indicating that the jackpot game is started is generated and stored in the command storage area. The jackpot game start command is transmitted to the sub control board 60 in the command output process of the main process to be executed next time. The first winning opening 16 and the second winning opening 17 once opened are closed when the maximum opening time elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls win a prize.

Next, special symbol processing is executed (S6). Although the details will be described later, in the special symbol processing, processing such as jackpot determination, determination of fluctuation pattern, determination of special symbol, and transition of game state is performed (see FIGS. 5 to 7).

Next, the normal electric accessory process is executed (S7). In the normal electric accessory processing, a process for controlling the operation of the normal hit game (mainly the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member 15A of the second starting port 15) is performed when the normal hit occurs. If the time saving state is generated, the CPU 51 opens the opening / closing member 15A of the second starting port 15 longer than in the non-time saving state. If the time saving flag (described later) is turned ON, the CPU 51 determines that the time saving state is in progress.

Next, normal symbol processing is executed (S8). In the normal symbol processing, a normal hit random number is acquired when the normal symbol operation switch 72 detects a game ball. Based on the acquired random numbers, processing such as normal hit determination and storage of commands for controlling fluctuations of normal symbols is performed. The normal hit determination is determined with each probability (99/100 in the time-saving state, 4/100 in the non-time-saving state) depending on whether or not the time-saving state occurs.

Next, the payout process (S10), the error check (S11), and the information output process (S12) are executed. In the payout process, the payout of prize balls is controlled. In the error check, when an error occurs, the error is notified using the display screen 28, the speaker 48, and the like. In the information output process, various types of information are output to the amusement park management computer (not shown). When the information output process is completed, the CPU 51 ends the main process.

The details of the special symbol processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. First, the flags used in the special symbol processing will be described. In the flag storage area of the RAM 52, a jackpot game state flag, a display state flag, a probability change flag, a time saving flag, and the like are stored as flags used in the special symbol processing. As for the jackpot game state flag, 1 is stored and turned ON during the jackpot game, and 0 is stored and turned OFF when the jackpot game is not in progress. The display status flag is 1 when either one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is fluctuating (during variable display), and when one of them is stopped and displayed (during stop display) 2. 0 is stored when neither the variable display nor the stop display is displayed. The probability change flag is turned ON by storing 1 during the probability change state. The time saving flag is turned ON by storing 1 during the time saving state.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the special symbol processing is started, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won a prize in the first starting port 14 (S21). When the first start switch 67 provided in the first start port 14 detects the winning of the game ball, the flag corresponding to the first start switch 67 is turned ON in the switch reading process of the main process. If this flag is not ON, it is determined that the game ball has not won a prize (S21: NO), and the process proceeds to S31. If a game ball has won a prize in the first starting port 14 (S21: YES), the flag is turned off and it is determined whether or not the number of first reserved balls is 4 (S22). If the number of first reserved balls stored in the reserved ball number storage area of the RAM 52 is 4 (S22: YES), the number of storable reserved balls has reached the upper limit, so the process proceeds to S31.

If the number of first reserved balls is not 4 (S22: NO), 1 is added to the number of first reserved balls (S23). The first random number is acquired and stored in the storage area having the smallest number among the empty storage areas in the first jackpot information storage area 110 (S25). Specifically, the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the first jackpot determination random number is stored in the first jackpot random number column 112, and the random number acquisition for the first special symbol determination random number is stored in the first special symbol determination random number column 113. The count value of the counter is stored, and the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the first variation pattern determination random number is stored in the first variation pattern determination random number column 114.

Next, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won a prize in the second starting port 15 (S31). When the second start switch 68 provided in the second start port 15 detects the winning of the game ball, the flag corresponding to the second start switch 68 is turned ON in the switch reading process of the main process. If this flag is not ON, it is determined that the game ball has not won a prize (S31: NO), and the process proceeds to S41 (see FIG. 6). If a game ball has won a prize in the second starting port 15 (S31: YES), the flag is turned off and it is determined whether or not the number of second reserved balls is 4 (S32). If the number of second reserved balls stored in the reserved ball number storage area is 4 (S32: YES), the number of storable reserved balls has reached the upper limit, so the process proceeds to S41.

If the number of second reserved balls is not 4 (S32: NO), 1 is added to the number of second reserved balls (S33). The second random number is acquired and stored in the storage area having the smallest number among the empty storage areas in the second jackpot information storage area 120 (S35). Specifically, the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the second jackpot determination random number is stored in the second jackpot random number column 122, and the random number acquisition for the second special symbol determination random number is stored in the second special symbol determination random number column 123. The count value of the counter is stored, and the count value of the random number acquisition counter for the second variation pattern determination random number is stored in the second variation pattern determination random number column 124.

Next, the second random number look-ahead process is performed (S36). The second random number look-ahead process is a process of specifying (pre-reading) information about the second random number newly stored in the process of S35 before the process related to the second random number is executed.

The second random number is acquired in the probabilistic time saving state. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second random number look-ahead processing, the probability change time determination table (described later) referred to during the probability change state is referred to, and the second jackpot determination by the look-ahead for the newly stored second random number is performed. (S101). When the result of the second big hit determination by the look-ahead is a big hit (S102: YES), the second special symbol indicating the big hit is determined by the look-ahead (S103). In addition, the jackpot type according to the second special symbol is determined by look-ahead (S105). After that, the process shifts to S107. When the result of the second big hit determination by the look-ahead is out of order (S102: NO), the second special symbol indicating the out-of-reading is determined by the look-ahead (S106), and the process shifts to S107. The second variation pattern is then determined by look-ahead (S107). A look-ahead command for notifying these look-ahead information based on the look-ahead content is generated and stored in the command storage area (S108). The look-ahead command is transmitted to the sub-control board 60 in the command output process of the main process to be executed next time. The processing returns to the special symbol processing and shifts to S41.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the game is in the big hit game state (S41). When the jackpot game state flag is ON, it is determined that the jackpot game state is in progress (S41: YES), and the process returns to the main process. When the jackpot game state flag is OFF, it is determined that the jackpot game state is not in progress (S41: NO), and it is determined whether or not the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S42). .. If the display state flag is not 1, it is determined that the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not being displayed in a variable manner (S42: NO), and whether the first special symbol or the second special symbol is in the stopped state. Is determined (S51). If the display status flag is not 2, it is determined that the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not being stopped and displayed (S51: NO), the processing shifts to S61 (see FIG. 7), and processing such as jackpot determination is performed. Is done.

In the present embodiment, in the jackpot determination, the second jackpot determination is prioritized over the first jackpot determination. As shown in FIG. 7, first, it is determined whether or not the number of second reserved balls is 1 or more (S61). When the number of second reserved balls is 1 or more (S61: YES), the second jackpot determination is performed, and the details will be described later. When the number of second reserved balls is 0 (S61: NO), it is determined whether or not the number of first reserved balls is 1 or more (S71). If the number of first reserved balls is 0 (S71: NO), the process returns to the main process.

When the number of first reserved balls is 1 or more (S71: YES), the first random number corresponding to the storage area number pointed to by the pointer of the reserved 1 in the first jackpot information storage area 110 is written in the determination area 130 (S71: YES). S72). The pointer is updated and the number of first reserved balls is subtracted by 1 (S73).

Next, the first jackpot determination is performed according to whether or not it is in the probabilistic state (S75). In S75, it is specified whether or not the probabilistic state has occurred at the present time by referring to the state of the probabilistic flag. A probability change determination table or a non-probability change determination table is selected according to the result of specifying whether or not a probability change state has occurred.

Although not shown, the ROM 53 is provided with a probability change time determination table and a non-probability change time determination table as tables for performing the first big hit determination and the second big hit determination. The non-probability change determination table is a table used for the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination in the non-probability change state. Random numbers of the first big hit random number and the second big hit random number corresponding to "big hit" and "missing" are defined in the non-probability change determination table, respectively. The probability change determination table is a table used for the first jackpot determination and the second jackpot determination in the probability variation state. Random numbers of the first big hit random number and the second big hit random number corresponding to "big hit" and "missing" are defined in the probability change determination table, respectively. Random values corresponding to jackpots are defined more in the probability change judgment table than in the non-probability change judgment table. As described above, the ratio of the random number values determined to be a big hit in the non-probability change determination table is about 1/299, and the ratio of the random number values determined to be a big hit in the probability change determination table is about 1/96.

In S75, when the probability change flag is ON, it is determined that the probability change state has occurred, and the probability change determination table is selected. When the probability change flag is OFF, it is determined that the probability change state has not occurred, and the non-probability change determination table is selected. The selected probability change determination table or non-probability change determination table is referred to, and it is determined whether the first jackpot random number written in the determination area 130 in S72 corresponds to "big hit" or "missing". As a result, the first jackpot determination based on the undetermined first jackpot random number is performed in the order in which the first jackpot random number is stored. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, right-handed hitting is performed in the probabilistic variation time saving state, so that it is difficult to acquire the first random number. In addition, the second jackpot determination has priority over the first jackpot determination. Therefore, the first big hit judgment is rarely performed by referring to the probability change judgment table.

Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the jackpot determination (first jackpot determination) is a jackpot (S81). When the result of the first big hit determination is a big hit (S81: YES), the first special symbol indicating that it is a big hit is determined (S82). Specifically, the first jackpot information storage area 110 is referred to, and among the first random numbers written in the determination area 130 in S72, the first special symbol corresponding to the value of the first special symbol determination random number is determined. To. In addition, the jackpot type is determined according to the determined first special symbol (S83). After that, the process shifts to S91. When the result of the first big hit determination is out of order (S81: NO), a predetermined first special symbol indicating the out of place is determined (S85), and the process shifts to S91.

Further, in the second jackpot determination performed when the number of second reserved balls is 1 or more (S61: YES), each random number corresponding to the storage area number pointed to by the pointer of the reserved 1 in the second jackpot information storage area 120 is It is written in the determination area 130 (S62). The pointer is updated and the number of second reserved balls is subtracted by 1 (S63). Next, a second jackpot determination is performed according to whether or not the state is in a probable change state (S65). In S65, it is specified whether or not the probabilistic state has occurred at the present time by referring to the state of the probabilistic flag. The above-mentioned probability change determination table or non-probability change determination table is selected according to the result of specifying whether or not the probability change state has occurred. The selected probability change determination table or non-probability change determination table is referred to, and it is determined whether the second jackpot random number written in the determination area 130 in S62 corresponds to "big hit" or "missing". As a result, the second jackpot determination based on the undetermined second jackpot random number stored in the RAM 52 is performed in the order in which the second jackpot random number is stored.

Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the jackpot determination (second jackpot determination) is a jackpot (S81). When the result of the second big hit determination is a big hit (S81: YES), a second special symbol indicating that it is a big hit is determined (S82). Specifically, the second jackpot information storage area 120 is referred to, and among the second random numbers written in the determination area 130 in S62, the second special symbol corresponding to the value of the second special symbol determination random number is determined. To. In addition, the jackpot type is determined according to the determined second special symbol (S83). After that, the process shifts to S91. When the result of the second big hit determination is out of order (S81: NO), a predetermined second special symbol indicating the out of place is determined (S85), and the process shifts to S91.

Next, a special symbol variation pattern determination process is performed (S91). The special symbol variation pattern determination process is a process of determining the first variation pattern and the second variation pattern. In the special symbol variation pattern determination process, in the symbol variation pattern determination table (not shown) stored in the ROM 53, whether the jackpot determination is the first jackpot determination or the second jackpot determination, or the gaming state at the time of the jackpot determination (normal). The fluctuation pattern (first fluctuation pattern or second fluctuation pattern) of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is determined by referring to the table according to the state (state or probability variation time saving state) and the result of the jackpot judgment (big hit or miss). Will be done.

In the present embodiment, when the determination result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the rate at which the fluctuation pattern accompanied by the “reach effect” is determined is high. The "reach effect" is an effect that suggests that the expectation of a big hit is high after a reach state is configured in which two of the three effect symbols stop at the same symbol, for example. On the other hand, when the judgment result of the big hit judgment is wrong, the rate at which the fluctuation pattern accompanied by the "reach effect" is determined becomes low.

When the special symbol variation pattern of the first special symbol or the second special symbol is determined, a special symbol variation pattern designation command for designating the determined special symbol variation pattern is stored in the command storage area (S92). The special symbol variation pattern specification command also includes a command for designating a jackpot symbol and a jackpot type, or a missed symbol. The special symbol variation pattern designation command is transmitted to the relay board 47 and the sub control board 60 in the command output process of the main process to be executed next time. The first special symbol display unit or the second special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24 variablely displays the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 variably displays the effect symbols on the display screen 28 based on the special symbol variation pattern designation command. The fluctuation time of the first special symbol or the second special symbol determined according to the special symbol fluctuation pattern is set in the special symbol fluctuation time counter (S93). 1 indicating that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner is stored in the display state flag (S95), and the process returns to the main process.

Further, in the determination of S42 shown in FIG. 6, when 1 is stored in the display state flag, it is determined that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being displayed in a variable manner (S42: YES), and the variable is varied. It is determined whether or not the time has passed (S43). If the count value of the special symbol fluctuation time counter set in the processing of S93 is not 0, it is determined that the fluctuation time has not yet elapsed (S43: NO), and the processing returns to the main processing. On the other hand, when the count value of the special symbol fluctuation time counter is 0, it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S43: YES), and the special symbol stop command is stored in the command storage area (S45). The special symbol stop command is transmitted to the relay board 47 and the sub control board 60 in the command output process of the main process to be executed next time. The first special symbol display unit or the second special symbol display unit of the symbol display unit 24 stops and displays the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 stops and displays the effect symbol on the display screen 28 based on the special symbol variation pattern designation command. Next, a predetermined stop time (0.8 seconds in this embodiment) is stored in the stop time counter (S46). 2 indicating that the first special symbol or the second special symbol is in the stop display is stored in the display state flag (S47), and the process returns to the main process.

Further, in the determination of S51, when 2 is stored in the display state flag, it is determined that the first special symbol and the second special symbol are in the stop display (S51: YES), and the stop time set in S46 is set. Whether or not the stop display time has elapsed is determined by the count value of the counter (S52). If the count value of the stop time counter is not 0, it is determined that the stop display time has not yet elapsed (S52: NO), and the process returns to the main process.
When the stop display time has elapsed (S52: YES), 0 indicating that the first special symbol is neither variable display nor stop display, and the second special symbol is neither variable display nor stop display is the display status flag. Is stored in (S53). Next, the game state transition process is performed (S55), and the process returns to the main process.

Although details are omitted, in the game state transition process, the flag control for shifting the game to the big hit game when it is determined to be a big hit, and the time saving state and the probability change state when a predetermined end condition is satisfied are set. Control of the flag for termination is performed. When the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, the big hit game state flag is turned ON, and the game state is shifted to the big hit game state. In this case, the jackpot game start command indicating that the jackpot game is started is stored in the command storage area and transmitted to the sub control board 60 in the command output process of the main process. If the probability change state and the time reduction state are set before the start of the big hit game, the probability change state and the time reduction state are set during the big hit game, and the probability change flag and the time reduction flag are turned off. The probabilistic state and the time saving state are ended if the predetermined end conditions (the end of the "5R normal" jackpot game) are satisfied. The CPU 51 shifts the gaming state to the normal state. Further, in the game state transition process, a command (state designation command) for notifying the current game state (normal state, probability change time saving state) is also stored and transmitted to the sub control board 60.

With reference to FIG. 9, one aspect of the notification effect executed on the display screen 28 will be described. FIG. 9 illustrates a display screen 28 in a standard display state in a normal state. In order to facilitate understanding, the display screens 28 shown in FIGS. 9 and 14 to 18 omit the first reserved symbol 282 and the second reserved symbol 283 shown in FIG.

In the pachinko machine 1, after the effect symbols are variablely displayed (see FIG. 9 (A)) on the three variable lines LN1 to LN3, the stop display (see FIG. 9B) is displayed, and the pachinko machine 1 is within the stop areas A1 to A3. Depending on the combination of the displayed D1 to D3 symbols, a notification effect for notifying the result of the jackpot determination is executed. There are eight types of effect symbols, each of which includes a symbol image 101 and an identification image 102. The symbol image 101 is an image depicting a character, an object, a motif, or the like peculiar to the corresponding effect symbol, and indirectly and decoratively symbolizes the effect symbol. The symbol image 101 of the present embodiment is an image depicting eight characters. The identification image 102 is an image on which numbers, symbols, alphabets, etc. for identifying the corresponding effect symbol are drawn, and suggests the effect symbol more directly than the symbol image 101. The identification image 102 of the present embodiment is an image in which the numbers "1" to "8" are drawn.

In the notification effect, the eight types of symbol images 101 and the eight types of identification images 102 have a one-to-one correspondence with each other, and are integrally displayed and controlled on the same fluctuation line, as in the case of known game machines. The identification image 102 is superimposed on the front side of the symbol image 101 and displayed integrally. On the display screen 28, the three variable lines LN1 to LN3 whose effect symbols fluctuate in the vertical direction are provided side by side in the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 constituting the effect symbol are displayed in a vertical direction on the variable lines LN1 to LN3, respectively, and then as shown in FIG. 9B. The stop is displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3. The stop display is performed in the order of the D1 symbol, the D2 symbol, and the D3 symbol, and the result of the jackpot determination is notified by the combination of the D1 to D3 symbols that are stopped and displayed. The order of stop display is not limited to the order of D1 symbol, D2 symbol, and D3 symbol, and may be changed as appropriate. If a reach state occurs in which the D1 symbol and the D2 symbol are aligned with the same symbol during the notification effect, the known reach effect is executed.

The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment displays the variation of the effect symbol in a mode different from the normal state in the notification effect of the probability variation time saving state. Although the details will be described later, in each notification effect, the effect symbol is variably displayed on one of the three variation lines LN1 to LN3, and the effect symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed on each of the two variation lines. After that, by stopping and displaying the effect symbols on all the fluctuation lines, the D1 to D3 symbols are displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, the details of the sub-control board processing performed on the sub-control board 60 will be described. In the sub-control board processing, a process of controlling the effect by the display screen 28, the illumination lamp 35, the speaker 48, the movable body 31, and the like is performed according to the command transmitted from the main control board 41. In particular, in the sub-control board processing, the notification effect for notifying the result of the jackpot determination is controlled. The sub-control board processing is executed by the CPU 61 according to the program stored in the ROM 63.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the sub-control board processing is started, the CPU 61 of the sub-control board 60 sets the immediately preceding fluctuation flag to 0 (S500). As the last-minute fluctuation flag, a value of 1 or 2 is stored when the reach effect is executed in several fluctuations before the jackpot due to pre-reading, and 0 is stored when the jackpot is not pre-read.

The CPU 61 waits for reception of the first hold number notification command, the second hold number notification command, the look-ahead command, the special symbol variation pattern designation command, the special symbol stop command, or other control command from the main control board 41 (S510: NO, S520: NO, S530: NO, S540: NO, S550: NO, S560: NO).

When the first hold number notification command is received (S510: YES), the notified first hold number is stored in the RAM 62, and the first hold symbol 282 is updated on the display screen 28 to add a hold ball. Is performed (S511). The process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, and the game effect being executed is controlled. When the second hold number notification command is received (S520: YES), the notified second hold number is stored in the RAM 62, and the second hold symbol 283 is updated on the display screen 28 to add a hold ball. Is performed (S521). The process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, and the game effect being executed is controlled.

When the look-ahead command is received (S530: YES), the look-ahead information included in the look-ahead command is associated with the second hold ball newly increased by the reception of the second hold number notification command and stored in the RAM 62. As described above, the look-ahead information includes the determination result of the second big hit determination by the look-ahead, the second special symbol in the case of a big hit or a miss, the big hit type in the case of a big hit, the second fluctuation pattern, and the like. The process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, and the game effect being executed is controlled.

When the special symbol variation pattern specification command is received (S540: YES), the variation pattern specified by the received special symbol variation pattern specification command is stored in the RAM 62, and the effect symbol variation process (described later) is executed (S541). .. The process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, and the game effect being executed is controlled. When the special symbol stop command is received (S550: YES), the combination of D1 to D3 symbols indicating the determination result of the jackpot determination is stopped and displayed (S551), and the notification effect ends. The process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, and the game effect being executed is controlled.

When other control commands (state designation command, jackpot game start command, etc.) are received (S560: YES), each process corresponding to the received control command is executed (S561). The process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, and the game effect being executed is controlled.

The details of the effect symbol variation processing (S541) shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18. In the notification effect, based on the variation pattern stored in the RAM 62, along with the variation display of the effect symbol, the sound output from the speaker 48, the light emission of the illumination lamp 35, the effect operation by the movable body 31, and the like are executed. In the effect symbol variation processing, the CPU 431 of the effect control board 43 displays the symbol image data stored in the symbol image storage area of the CGROM 432 and the identification image data stored in the identification image storage area. The symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 are integrally displayed on the screen 28.

In the present embodiment, the notification effect in the normal state is performed by a general variation mode in which each of the effect symbols is variablely displayed on the three variable lines LN1 to LN3 that fluctuate in the vertical direction, and then each is stopped and displayed. ..
On the other hand, in the notification effect in the probability variation time saving state, the effect symbol is variably displayed in one of the three variation lines LN1 to LN3, and in the other two variation lines, the effect symbol is temporarily stopped in the stop area. Will be done. The temporary stop display is a display in which the effect symbol does not stand still in the stop area and maintains a fluctuating state (for example, a state of swinging on the spot). In the following, the fluctuation line of the target for displaying the effect symbol at high speed will be referred to as the “main fluctuation line”, and the fluctuation line for the target to be temporarily stopped will be referred to as the “temporary stop line”. Then, when all the effect symbols are stopped and displayed, the notification effect in one fluctuation is completed. As a result, in one notification effect, one of the three effect symbols is changed to the same or different symbol as the previous one, and the other two effect symbols are maintained in the same symbol by the temporary stop. , Notification production is performed. Since the fluctuation time of one time is shortened in the probabilistic change time reduction state, when the notification effect is continuous and the variation mode similar to that in the normal state is performed, the three effect symbols repeat high-speed fluctuation and stop in a short time. The change in the display is rapid. However, in the present embodiment, it is difficult to recognize the changing symbol because one of the effect symbols fluctuates at high speed in one notification effect during the probabilistic change time reduction state, but the remaining two effect symbols are Since it is in a temporary stop state, the symbol can be recognized and the display can be enjoyed.

The effect symbol variation process is started when the main control board 41 makes a big hit determination and the sub control board 60 receives a special symbol variation pattern designation command instructing the start of the notification effect to notify the determination result. As shown in FIG. 11, when the effect symbol variation processing is started, it is determined whether or not the game state is the probability change time saving state (S600). The game state is notified from the main control board 41 by a state designation command (not shown). In the normal state (S600: NO), as shown in FIG. 9A, the plurality of symbol images 101 and the identification image 102 constituting the effect symbol rotate at high speed in the vertical direction on the fluctuation lines LN1 to LN3, respectively. The variable display is started (S601). The effect symbol variation process is completed, and the process returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command, but the effect symbol is maintained in the variation display until the special symbol stop command is received.

When the gaming state is the probability change time saving state (S600: YES), it is determined whether or not the immediately preceding fluctuation flag is 0 (S611). When the immediately preceding fluctuation flag is 0 (S611: YES), the fluctuation (referred to as “immediately preceding fluctuation”) for performing the reach effect before the jackpot by pre-reading is not controlled. In this case, based on the special symbol variation pattern designation command, it is determined whether or not the result of the jackpot determination based on the second random number related to the first second reserved ball (holding 1) in the winning order is a jackpot (S612).

When the hold 1 is out of order (S612: NO), it is determined whether or not the second hold number is 3 or more (S621). The number of second hold balls is 3 or more (S621: YES), hold 1 is off (S612: NO), and the second hold ball (hold 2) is out of order based on the look-ahead information. (S622: NO), and when the third second hold ball (hold 3) in the winning order based on the look-ahead information is a big hit (S623: YES), the game shifts to S651 and the immediately preceding change is performed. The last-minute fluctuation will be described later. If the number of second holds is less than 3 (S621: NO), or if hold 1 is off and hold 2 is a big hit (S612: NO, S622: YES), or if hold 3 is off (S623: NO). ), S631 is performed, and control is performed so that the combination of deviations is displayed in the stop display in the current notification effect.

As shown in FIG. 12, in S631, it is determined whether or not there are two identical symbols in the effect symbol (also referred to as “previous symbol”) that was stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect (S631). When there are no two identical symbols (S631: NO), one of the fluctuation lines LN1 to LN3 is randomly determined as the main fluctuation line in the current notification effect, and the other two fluctuation lines are determined as temporary stop lines. (S635). The process shifts to S641. Further, even if there are two identical symbols in the previous symbol (S631: YES), for example, if it is determined by the lottery that the reach effect is not performed in the current notification effect (S632: NO), similarly, 1 One fluctuation line is randomly determined as the main fluctuation line, and the other fluctuation line is determined as the temporary stop line (S635). The process shifts to S641. On the other hand, if there are two identical symbols in the previous symbol (S631: YES) and a decision is made to perform a reach effect by lottery (S632: YES), one variable line excluding the variable line in which the two same symbols stop is This fluctuation line is determined, and the other two fluctuation lines are determined as temporary stop lines (S633). The process shifts to S641.

Next, even if it is combined with an effect symbol that stops at two fluctuation lines other than the main fluctuation line, an outlier symbol that does not indicate a big hit is determined, and is set as an effect symbol that displays a stop on the main fluctuation line ( S641). The out-of-order symbol may be the same symbol as the previous symbol that is stopped and displayed on the current fluctuation line in the previous notification effect. Then, in the main fluctuation line, the fluctuation display of the effect symbol is started (S642). Further, in each of the temporary stop lines, the previous symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed as it is (S643). The effect symbol variation processing ends, and the processing returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command.

As shown in FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B), for example, when the fluctuation line LN1 is determined as the main fluctuation line, the effect symbol is fluctuated and displayed at high speed in the vertical direction on the fluctuation line LN1, and the player can see the fluctuation line LN1. The symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 cannot be recognized. In the variable lines LN2 and LN3 which are temporary stop lines, the D2 symbol and the D3 symbol are temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop areas A2 and A3, respectively. In the D2 symbol and the D3 symbol displayed as a temporary stop, the symbol image 101 performs, for example, a hula dance operation and does not stop, so that the temporary stop state is maintained. The identification images 102 of the D2 symbol and the D3 symbol are, for example, "2" and "8", respectively, and can be recognized by the player.

The variable display of the effect symbol on the variable line LN1 and the temporary stop display of the effect symbol on the variable lines LN2 and LN3 are continued until the special symbol stop command is received. When the special symbol stop command is received, as shown in FIG. 15A, the effect symbols of the variable lines LN1 to LN3 are stopped and displayed, and the D1 to D3 symbols are displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3. The player can recognize the symbol image 101 and the identification image 102 of each of the D1 symbols. The identification image 102 of the D1 symbol is, for example, "7". The combination of the D1 to D3 symbols is "728", indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is out of order.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, when the number of second holds is 3 or more, the holds 1 and 2 are out of order, and the hold 3 is a big hit, (S612: NO, S621: YES, S622: NO, S623: YES), as described above, the last-minute fluctuation is performed. The immediately preceding fluctuation is a fluctuation control for changing the main fluctuation line in each of the three consecutive notification effects and replacing the effect symbols when the stop display is displayed with the jackpot symbols in order so that the reach effect can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 13, from the look-ahead information of the hold 3 stored in the RAM 62, the jackpot symbol of the effect symbol (for example, the identification image 102) to be displayed in the stop display based on the jackpot symbol of the special symbol related to the hold 3. The production design of "7") is determined (S651). Then, it is determined whether or not the D1 to D3 symbols stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect have the same symbol as the jackpot symbol (S652). When the previous D1 to D3 symbols do not have the same symbol as the jackpot symbol (S652: NO), the order in which each of the D1 to D3 symbols is replaced with the jackpot symbol is randomly set in the three notification effects (S655). On the other hand, if the previous D1 to D3 symbols have the same symbol as the jackpot symbol (S652: YES), the order of replacement of the jackpot symbols is changed so that the three same symbols will not be aligned in this or the next notification effect. It will be adjusted. For example, the replacement order of the jackpot symbols is set with priority given to the variable line in which the same symbol as the jackpot symbol of hold 3 is stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect (S653). The process shifts to S661.

The first fluctuation line set in the replacement order is the main fluctuation line in the first notification effect of the immediately preceding fluctuation. The jackpot symbol of hold 3 is set as the effect symbol to be stopped and displayed in the main variation line (S661), and the variation display of the effect symbol is started in the main variation line (S662). Further, the second and third fluctuation lines in the replacement order are temporary stop lines in the notification effect of the first immediately preceding fluctuation, and the previous symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed as they are (S663). 2 is stored in the immediately preceding fluctuation flag (S665), the effect symbol fluctuation processing ends, and the processing returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command.

For example, it is assumed that the identification images 102 of the D1 to D3 symbols displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3 in the notification effect immediately before the start of the immediately preceding fluctuation are, for example, "6", "2", and "8" in order. When the last-minute fluctuation is performed and the identification image 102 of the jackpot symbol on hold 3 is, for example, "7", the same symbol as the jackpot symbol is not stopped and displayed. Therefore, it is assumed that the replacement order is randomly set in the order of, for example, the variable line LN1, the variable line LN3, and the variable line LN2.

When the first notification effect due to the immediately preceding fluctuation is started, as shown in FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B), the effect symbol is changed and displayed on the first change line LN1 in the replacement order, and the second change in the replacement order. On the third variable lines LN2 and LN3, the D2 symbol and the D3 symbol are temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop areas A2 and A3, respectively. That is, during the variable display of the effect symbol on the variable line LN1, the hula dance by the symbol image 101 of the D2 symbol and the D3 symbol is displayed. When the special symbol stop command is received, as shown in FIG. 15A, the effect symbols of the variable lines LN1 to LN3 are stopped and displayed, and the D1 to D3 symbols are displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3. The combination of the D1 to D3 symbols is "728", indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is out of order.

As shown in FIG. 11, since the immediately preceding fluctuation flag is 1 or 2 after the start of the immediately preceding fluctuation (S611: NO), the process shifts to S671. As shown in FIG. 13, when the immediately preceding fluctuation flag is 2 (S671: YES), the special symbol related to the hold 2 is selected from the look-ahead information of the hold 2 (that is, the hold 3 in the previous notification effect) stored in the RAM 62. Based on the jackpot symbol, the jackpot symbol of the effect symbol to be displayed in the stop display is determined (S672). The second fluctuation line set in the replacement order is the main fluctuation line in the second notification effect of the immediately preceding fluctuation. The jackpot symbol of hold 2 is set as the effect symbol to be stopped and displayed in the main variation line (S673), and the variation display of the effect symbol is started in the main variation line (S675). Further, the fluctuation lines having the first and third replacement orders are the temporary stop lines in the notification effect of the second immediately preceding fluctuation, and the previous symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed as they are (S676). 1 is stored in the immediately preceding fluctuation flag (S677), the effect symbol variation processing ends, and the processing returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command.

When the second notification effect due to the immediately preceding fluctuation is started, as shown in FIGS. 15 (B) and 16 (A), the effect symbol is changed and displayed on the second change line LN3 in the replacement order, and the first change in the replacement order. On the third variable lines LN1 and LN2, the D1 symbol and the D2 symbol are temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop areas A1 and A2, respectively. That is, during the variable display of the effect symbol on the variable line LN3, the hula dance by the symbol image 101 of the D1 symbol and the D2 symbol is displayed. In particular, the D2 symbol has been temporarily stopped and displayed continuously from the previous notification effect, and the player can enjoy the hula dance by the symbol image 101 of the D2 symbol over the two notification effects. Then, when the special symbol stop command is received, as shown in FIG. 16B, the effect symbols of the variable lines LN1 to LN3 are stopped and displayed, and the D1 to D3 symbols are displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3. .. The combination of the D1 to D3 symbols is "727", indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is out of order.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the immediately preceding fluctuation flag is 1 after the second notification effect due to the immediately preceding fluctuation (S611: NO, S671: NO). Based on the jackpot symbol of the special symbol related to hold 1 (that is, hold 2 in the previous notification effect) included in the special symbol variation pattern designation command, the jackpot symbol of the effect symbol to be displayed in the stop display is determined (S681). ). The third fluctuation line set in the replacement order is the main fluctuation line in the notification effect of the third immediately preceding fluctuation. The jackpot symbol of hold 1 is set as the effect symbol to be stopped and displayed in the main variation line (S682), and the variation display of the effect symbol is started in the main variation line (S683). Further, the fluctuation lines having the first and second replacement orders are the temporary stop lines in the notification effect of the third immediately preceding fluctuation, and the previous symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed as they are (S685). 0 is stored in the immediately preceding fluctuation flag (S686), the effect symbol fluctuation processing ends, and the processing returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command.

When the third notification effect due to the immediately preceding fluctuation is started, as shown in FIGS. 17 (A) and 17 (B), the effect symbol is changed and displayed on the third change line LN2 in the replacement order, and the first change in the replacement order. In the second fluctuation lines LN1 and LN3, the D1 symbol and the D3 symbol are temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop areas A1 and A3, respectively. That is, during the variable display of the effect symbol on the variable line LN2, the hula dance by the symbol image 101 of the D1 symbol and the D3 symbol is displayed. The D1 symbol and the D3 symbol are both replaced with the effect symbols in which the identification image 102 is "7" in the first and second notification effects due to the immediately preceding fluctuation. Therefore, in this notification effect, a reach effect is performed in which two identical symbols are temporarily stopped to reach a reach state. Then, when the special symbol stop command is received, as shown in FIG. 18, the effect symbols of the variable lines LN1 to LN3 are stopped and displayed, and the D1 to D3 symbols are displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3. The combination of the D1 to D3 symbols is "777", indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot.

By the way, for example, when the second random number related to the second hold ball (hold 1) that won a prize immediately after shifting to the probability change time saving state after the big hit game is determined to be a big hit (S612: YES), the condition of the last-minute fluctuation is satisfied. A big hit may be notified before the game is played. In this case, the jackpot symbol has not been replaced, and the reach effect cannot be performed. Therefore, in this case, the control is performed so as to reach the reach state by the pseudo fluctuation. The pseudo-variation is a variation mode in which the variation display and the temporary stop display of the effect symbol are performed a plurality of times. First, the jackpot symbol of the effect symbol to be displayed in the stop display is determined based on the jackpot symbol of the special symbol related to Hold 1 included in the special symbol variation pattern designation command (S613). Next, the order of the fluctuation lines in which the effect symbol fluctuates in the pseudo fluctuation is appropriately determined (S615). The order of the pseudo-variations may be a random order or an order from the left. In addition, the variable line in which the same symbol as the jackpot symbol on hold 1 is stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect may be preferentially set higher. Next, the jackpot symbol of hold 1 is set as the effect symbol to be stopped and displayed on all the variable lines LN1 to LN3 (S616). Then, the notification effect by the pseudo fluctuation is started (S617). The effect symbol variation processing ends, and the processing returns to the state of waiting for the reception of the control command.

The pseudo-variation control is performed in parallel with the process of waiting for the reception of the control command. In the pseudo-variation order, the variation display of the effect symbol is started at the first variation line, and in the stop area corresponding to the second and third variation lines, the previous symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed as it is. The jackpot symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop area corresponding to the first fluctuation line in the pseudo-variation order, the fluctuation display of the effect symbol is started in the second fluctuation line, and the stop region corresponding to the third fluctuation line is provisionally displayed. The effect symbol during the stop display is temporarily stopped and displayed as it is. The jackpot symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop area corresponding to the second fluctuation line in the pseudo-variation order, and the fluctuation display of the effect symbol is started on the third fluctuation line. Therefore, the reach state is reached by the jackpot symbol that is temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop area corresponding to the first and second fluctuation lines. Then, the jackpot symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed in the stop area corresponding to the third fluctuation line. When the special symbol stop command is received, all the jackpot symbols in the temporary stop display are stopped and displayed, so that the result of the jackpot determination is notified that the jackpot is a jackpot.

As described above, in the notification effect during the probabilistic change time reduction state, while the effect symbol is fluctuating on the main fluctuation line that is the target of high-speed fluctuation, the effect symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed on the temporary stop line that is not the target of high-speed fluctuation. To. Since the effect symbol of this variable line fluctuates at high speed, it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the symbol, but since the effect symbol of the temporary stop line is displayed in the temporarily stopped state, the player recognizes the symbol. be able to. As for the effect symbol during the temporary stop display, the symbol image 101 is displayed as if dancing a hula, for example. Therefore, the player can slowly watch the effect of the symbol image 101 of the effect symbol while the notification effect is performed during the probabilistic change time reduction state. Since the notification effect during the probabilistic change time reduction state can be continuously executed, the player can slowly enjoy the effect by the effect symbol without feeling any hassle while the symbol change game is continuously executed. it can.

In the normal notification effect, the effect symbol fluctuates at high speed on all the fluctuation lines and is stopped and displayed. In the time saving state, the time required for one symbol variation game is short. Therefore, when the normal notification effect is performed in the time-saving state, the interval from the change of the effect symbol to the stop is short, and it is repeated, which is hectic. In this aspect, since the notification effect is performed in a mode different from the normal time in the probabilistic change time shortened state, the player can slowly enjoy the effect by the effect pattern without feeling any hassle.

Since this fluctuation line is randomly determined, the symbol that was temporarily stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect is not continuously displayed as a temporary stop for a long period of time, and the player is less likely to get bored.

In the above embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 corresponds to the "game machine" of the present invention. The display screen 28 corresponds to the "image display means". The effect control board 43 corresponds to the “display control means”. The CPU 61 that executes the processes of S633 and S635 corresponds to the "determining means". The notification effect performed during the probabilistic change time reduction state corresponds to the "special notification effect". The action of the symbol image 101 of the effect pattern displayed as a temporary stop dancing a hula corresponds to a "special mode". The probabilistic time saving state (particularly the time saving state) corresponds to the "shortening fluctuation state".

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to pachinko machines but also to slot machines, pachicom machines, arrange ball machines and the like. The number of special symbols is not limited, and for example, one special symbol may be used. In the above embodiment, the case where the notification effect is performed by the three effect symbols (D1 to D3 symbols) is illustrated, but the number of the effect symbols used in the notification effect is not limited to this. That is, the plurality of variable lines is not limited to three (variable lines LN1 to LN3), and may be two or four or more. The plurality of effect symbols constituting each of the D1 to D3 symbols is not limited to eight types, and may be two or more types. The arrangement of the plurality of variable lines LN1 to LN3, the display mode of the symbol image 101, the display mode of the identification image 102, and the like may be designed according to the game specifications of the pachinko machine 1.

When there are three fluctuation lines, the main fluctuation line is one and the temporary stop line is two, but the main fluctuation line may be two and the temporary stop line may be one. When the notification effect due to the immediately preceding fluctuation is not performed and the reach effect is not performed, the main fluctuation line (temporary stop line) is randomly determined, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the main fluctuation line in the current notification effect may be determined from the fluctuation line determined as the provisional fluctuation line in the previous notification effect, and the same fluctuation line may not be continuously determined as the main fluctuation line. In this case, since the main fluctuation line is always determined by a fluctuation line different from the main fluctuation line in the previous notification effect, the symbol temporarily stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect is continuously displayed as a temporary stop for a long period of time. There is no such thing, and players are less likely to get bored.

Further, the fluctuation lines may be determined in a predetermined order. For example, the fluctuation line to the right (or left) of the fluctuation line determined as the main fluctuation line in the previous notification effect may be determined as the main fluctuation line in the current notification effect. When the right end (or left end) fluctuation line is determined in the previous notification effect, the left end (or right end) fluctuation line may be determined in the current notification effect. In this case, since the fluctuation line is changed in a predetermined order, the symbol displayed as a temporary stop in the previous notification effect is not continuously displayed as a temporary stop for a long period of time, and the player is less likely to get bored.

Although the symbol image 101 of the effect pattern displayed as a temporary stop performs an effect of dancing a hula dance, the effect is not limited to the hula dance, and the effect may be performed by a dance or an action according to the game specifications of the pachinko machine 1. For example, a battle may be performed between the symbol images 101 of the two effect symbols displayed as temporary stops.

Further, when the effect symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed, a still image such as a photograph may be used as the symbol image 101. In this case, the identification image 102 is put into a swaying state in the temporary stop display. Although the symbol image 101 is in a stopped state, the identification image 102 is maintained in a fluctuating state, so that the effect symbol can be temporarily stopped and displayed. When a still image is used as the symbol image 101, even if the identification images 102 displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3 have the same number, the symbol images 101 displayed in the stop areas A1 to A3 are one as if they were picture-matched. It may be displayed as an image. Of course, in each of the stop areas A1 to A3, the symbol image 101 may be displayed as an independent image regardless of the identification image 102. The player can enjoy the game in a relaxed mood while looking at the still image whose display does not change rapidly.

The notification effect by the variation display of the effect symbol on the main variation line and the temporary stop display on the temporary stop line was performed during the probability variation time reduction state, but it is not limited to the probability variation time reduction state. For example, the above notification effect may be performed according to the stage in the normal state. Further, if the gaming machine does not necessarily generate the probabilistic change state and the time saving state at the same time, it may be performed during the probabilistic change state or the time saving state.

All elements described in the claims, specification and drawings (eg, display device, ordinary electric accessory, symbol actuating port, etc.) are physically unless there is a clear statement that consciously limits the number. It may be single or plural, and the arrangement may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the names (element names) given to each element are merely given for convenience in the description of this case, and are not particularly conscious of the fact that they have a special meaning. Therefore, the element name alone does not limit the interpretation of what the element is. For example, the "display device" may be a single hardware or a software. Furthermore, whether a plurality of elements among all the above elements are appropriately integrally formed or one element is divided into a plurality of elements is not specified in the scope of claims or the like. Since all of these are matters that can be considered extremely easily by those skilled in the art, it is clear that all the patterns are within the assumed range even if all the patterns are not described in the specification or the like. Of course, it is included in the scope of such rights. Therefore, simply adopting a game machine having a structural difference within such a range because it is not described in the present embodiment does not mean that the right according to the present invention has been circumvented. .. The same applies to differences in the configuration and shape of each element, which can be easily considered by those skilled in the art from the present embodiment.

1 Pachinko machine 28 Display screen 43 Production control board 101 Symbol image LN1 to LN3 Fluctuation line

Claims (5)

An image display means capable of displaying a plurality of predetermined production patterns, and
The image display means includes a display control means for displaying and controlling the plurality of effect symbols.
The image display means includes a plurality of variable lines in which the plurality of effect symbols are displayed in a variable manner.
In order to notify the result of the hit determination performed when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the display control means executes a notification effect of displaying the plurality of effect symbols in a variable manner on each of the plurality of variable lines and then stopping the display. It ’s a game machine
The plurality of effect symbols include symbol images showing symbols unique to each.
The plurality of fluctuation lines are
From the start of the notification effect to the stop display of the effect symbol, a temporary stop line is performed in which a temporary stop display is performed while stopping the fluctuation of the effect symbol but not stopping it.
Other lines other than the temporary stop line, including the main fluctuation line in which the variation display and the stop display of the effect symbol are performed and the temporary stop display is not performed.
The display control means includes a determination means for determining the temporary stop line and the main fluctuation line from the plurality of fluctuation lines when the notification effect is started.
The display control means
The previous symbol, which is the effect symbol that was stopped and displayed in the previous notification effect on the temporary stop line determined by the determination means, is temporarily stopped and displayed on the temporary stop line immediately after the start of the notification effect. It is possible to continuously execute the special notification effect of stopping and displaying the previous symbol in synchronization with the timing at which the effect symbol that is variablely displayed on the variable line is stopped and displayed in synchronization with the symbol variation game.
Further, the gaming machine is characterized in that the symbol image of the previous symbol, which is temporarily stopped and displayed on the temporary stop line, is displayed in a special mode different from the display mode during the variable display. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control means executes the special notification effect in a shortened variation state in which the time required for one symbol variation game is shorter than a normal time. .. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination means randomly determines the temporary stop line and the main fluctuation line. The determination means determines a line different from the fluctuation line determined for the main fluctuation line in the previous special notification effect as the new main fluctuation line, and sets other lines other than the main fluctuation line. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a new temporary stop line is determined. The determination means determines a line selected from all the fluctuation lines in a predetermined order as the main fluctuation line, and determines other lines other than the fluctuation line as the new temporary stop line. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gaming machine is characterized by the above.

Images