JP2022014046A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To propose a pinball game machine capable of providing fun rich in a change by permitting execution of plural different games.SOLUTION: A first start pocket 11 is provided in a left flow-down area 3a, and a variable start pocket 12 and a second start pocket 13 are provided in a right flow-down area 3b, and game balls are allowed to more easily enter the second start pocket 13 in a first time-shortening game state than a second time-shortening game state when winning is determined in a normal pattern while a ball entry rate into the variable start pocket 12 is increased in the second time-shortening game state than in the first time-shortening game state and an entry rate into the second start pocket 13 is decreased relatively when winning is determined in a normal pattern. By such a configuration, a player can be provided with a game for shooting game balls toward the first start pocket 11, a game for shooting game balls toward the second start pocket 13 in the first time-shortening game state, and a game for shooting game balls toward the variable start pocket 12 in the second time-shortening game state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a ball game machine in which a player can easily enter a large winning opening or a starting opening by hitting right or left according to the progress of the game.

A ball game machine represented by a pachinko machine has a game area provided on the front surface of the game board, and a center case provided with a liquid crystal display device (effect symbol display device) is provided in the game area. The game area is divided into left and right flow areas where the game ball flows down by the center case, and the first starting port where the game ball flowing down the left flow area can enter and the game ball flowing down the right flow area are It is known that a second starting port (ordinary electric accessory) capable of entering a ball is provided. In such a configuration, the normal game state and the advantageous game state in which the game ball is more likely to enter the second starting port of the normal electric accessory as compared with the normal game state (for example, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shortened and the fluctuation time is shortened. It is possible to convert to a time-saving game state in which the opening time of a normal electric accessory becomes longer, etc.). In the advantageous gaming state, a game is performed in which the ball is aimed at entering the second starting port by hitting right. With such a configuration, it is possible to perform two different types of games, a game aiming at the first starting port and a game aiming at the second starting port.

Although the conventional ball gaming machine described above can provide fun due to the transition of two different types of games, there is a limit to the fun due to the transition of the two types of games. On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which three types of games are performed. In such a configuration, a game aiming at the first start opening by hitting left in the non-variable short state (normal game state) and a game aiming at the first non-electric start winning opening in the variable winning unit by hitting right in the first variable short state (normal game state). And a game aiming at the second non-electric start winning opening in the variable winning unit by right-handed in the second variable short state, three kinds of games are performed. Here, in the first variable / short state and the second variable / short state, it is easier to enter the normal electric winning opening of the variable winning unit than in the non-variable short state, and in the first variable / short state, the normal state. While guiding the game ball that has entered the electric winning opening to the first non-electric starting winning opening, in the second variable short state, the game ball that has entered the normal electric winning opening is guided to the second non-electric starting winning opening. It is configured to do.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-97738

The conventional configuration described in Patent Document 1 described above has a structure in which the first non-electric start winning opening and the second non-electric starting winning opening provided in the variable winning unit mechanically open and close. The variable winning unit of the specific example has a first operating mechanism that opens the first non-electric starting winning opening by contacting a game ball passing through the first operating trigger region communicating with the first non-electric starting winning opening. And a second actuating mechanism that opens the second non-electric start winning opening by contacting the game ball passing through the second actuating trigger region communicating with the second non-electric starting winning opening. Such a conventional configuration has the fun that the first non-motorized start winning opening and the second non-electric starting winning opening are mechanically opened, but since it is a mechanism that is operated by the contact of the game ball, the game. There is a problem that the contact of the ball to the opening operation of the first non-electric start winning opening and the second non-electric starting winning opening may not proceed smoothly. Further, there is also a problem that a relatively large space is required to install the first actuating mechanism and the second actuating mechanism that are mechanically actuated.

Further, in the conventional configuration of Patent Document 1, the variable winning unit divides the game ball that has entered the ordinary electric winning opening into the guidance to the first non-electric starting winning opening and the guidance to the second non-electric starting winning opening. It is a configuration equipped with a function (distribution shutter), and is controlled to guide to the first non-electric start winning opening in the first variable / short state and to the second non-electric starting winning opening in the second variable / short state. To. Therefore, the game ball that has entered the normal electric winning opening can only enter the first non-electric starting winning opening in the first variable short state, while it becomes the second non-electric starting winning opening in the second variable short state. Only can be entered. As described above, in the conventional configuration, in each of the first variable / short state and the second variable / short state, only the ball enters the first non-electric start winning opening or the second non-electric starting winning opening. There was also the problem of lacking fun in the state.

The present invention provides a ball game machine that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a second flow area formed on one of the left and right sides of an effect symbol display device for displaying an effect symbol, on which a game ball flows down, and a second flow area formed on the left and right sides of the effect symbol display device, on which the game ball flows down. A game area having a flow area, a first starting port where a game ball flowing down the first flow area can enter, and an open state and an entry ball where a game ball flowing down the second flow area can enter. A variable start port that is converted into a closed state that is impossible or difficult to enter, a second start port that is provided below the variable start port and allows a game ball that flows down the second flow area to enter, and the above. The variable start opening is provided in the game area and is based on the establishment of a large winning opening that converts the game ball into an open state in which the ball can be entered and a closed state in which the game ball cannot be entered, and a predetermined normal opening condition. The normal opening control means for opening and operating according to a predetermined normal opening mode, the first special symbol display device for variablely displaying the first special symbol, the second special symbol display device for variablely displaying the second special symbol, and the first Based on the hit / fail determination means for determining whether or not the game ball enters the start port, the variable start port, and the second start port, and the game ball enters the first start port and the variable start port. Then, the first special symbol control means for starting the fluctuation of the first special symbol by the first special symbol display device and stopping and displaying the first special symbol in a symbol mode indicating the determination result by the hit / fail determination means after the lapse of a predetermined fluctuation time, and the above-mentioned first special symbol control means. Based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting port, the second special symbol is started to fluctuate by the second special symbol display device, and after a predetermined fluctuation time elapses, a symbol embodiment showing the determination result by the hit / fail determination means. The big winning opening is opened based on the second special symbol control means for displaying the stop and the change stop of the first special symbol and the change stop of the second special symbol when the hit determination is made by the hit / fail determination means. A game that converts into one of a first advantageous gaming state and a second advantageous gaming state, which is more advantageous than the normal gaming state, based on the special game control means to be caused and the establishment of one or a plurality of preset conversion conditions. The normal opening control means is provided with a state changing means, and the normal opening control means has a plurality of the normal opening modes in which the ball entry rates to the variable starting openings are different from each other, and the normal opening is provided in the second advantageous gaming state. When the condition is satisfied, the variable start opening is provided with a high operation control process for opening the variable starting opening according to the normal opening mode in which the ball entry rate is higher than that selected in the first advantageous gaming state. The second start port has a variable start port so that the ball entry rate to the second start port becomes relatively low as the ball entry rate of the variable start port increases. It is a ball gaming machine characterized by being provided at the bottom.

Here, the "normal opening mode" is an operating mode in which the variable starting port is opened, and for example, one set by the opening time, the number of times of opening, or the like is preferable. Then, in the normal opening mode, the ball entering rate to the variable starting port is increased by setting the opening time to be long or setting the opening number to be large.
The "high operation control process" includes a plurality of normal opening modes in which the ball entering rate differs from each other depending on the opening time, the number of times of opening, and the like, and the ball entering rate is compared with the normal opening mode selected in the first advantageous gaming state. A configuration in which a high normal opening mode is selected in the second advantageous gaming state is preferably used.
Since the "first special symbol control means" changes the first special symbol based on the entry of the game ball into the first starting port and the variable starting port, the first starting port and the variable starting port are changed. The result of the hit / fail determination due to the entry of the game ball into the first special symbol is represented by the stop display mode of the first special symbol.
Since the "second special symbol control means" changes the second special symbol based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting port, the "second special symbol controlling means" can be used to enter the game ball into the second starting opening. The result of the hit / fail determination is represented by the stop display mode of the second special symbol.
The "game state conversion means" has a configuration in which one of the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state is selected and converted after the conversion condition is satisfied, and the first advantageous gaming state and the first advantageous gaming state and the first according to the established conversion condition. (Ii) It may be any of the configurations in which the conversion to one of the advantageous gaming states is fixed. The former configuration may be either a configuration in which one conversion condition is set or a configuration in which a plurality of conversion conditions are set. On the other hand, in the latter configuration, a conversion condition for converting to the first advantageous gaming state and a conversion condition for converting to the second advantageous gaming state are set in advance, and the first advantageous gaming state or the second advantageous game state or the second advantageous game state or the second advantageous game state is satisfied depending on the establishment of either conversion condition. A configuration that converts to a game state can be applied.

In such a configuration, a game aiming at the first advantageous starting opening, a game aiming at the variable starting opening in the second advantageous gaming state in which the ball entry rate to the variable starting opening is high, and the second advantageous gaming state are compared. Since it is possible to play three different types of games from the game aiming at the second starting port in the first advantageous game state where the ball entry rate to the variable starting port is low, the transition of these three types of games. It is possible to provide the player with a variety of fun.
Here, since the present configuration is such that the variable starting port is opened according to the normal opening mode based on the establishment of the normal opening condition, the opening of the variable starting port can be controlled to operate. Therefore, when the normal opening condition is satisfied, the variable starting opening can be smoothly opened, and the ball entry rate of the variable starting opening can be changed relatively accurately and stably according to the normal opening mode. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to smoothly perform a game that is clearly different between the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state.

Furthermore, in this configuration, the ball entry rate to the variable starting port changes between the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state, so that the ball entry rate to the second starting port also changes relatively. Is. Therefore, even in the second advantageous gaming state where the ball entry rate to the variable start port is high, there is a possibility that the ball cannot enter the variable start port and enter the second start port, and to the variable start port. Even in the first advantageous gaming state in which the ball entry rate is low, one or both of the configurations may be provided in which the ball may enter the variable starting opening. According to such a configuration, in either the first advantageous gaming state or the second advantageous gaming state, it is possible to execute a game in which the ball can be expected to enter the variable starting opening or the second starting opening, so that the game is rich in variety. The game can be played, and the interest of the game in the first advantageous game state and the second advantageous game state can be further improved.

In such a configuration of the present invention, the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol in the first advantageous gaming state is the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol in the second advantageous gaming state and the second special symbol in the first advantageous gaming state. The average fluctuation time of the second special symbol in the second advantageous gaming state is longer than either of the average fluctuation time of the first advantageous gaming state, and the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol in the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state. It is preferable that the configuration is longer than any of the average fluctuation time of one special symbol. In this configuration, the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol in each of the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state is shorter than the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol in the normal gaming state. It is preferable that the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol in each of the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state is shorter than the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol in the normal gaming state.
The average fluctuation time of the first special symbol and the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol can be suitably used in a configuration in which the first special symbol and the second special symbol can be simultaneously varied.

In the above-described ball game machine of the present invention, the hit / fail determination means includes processing content for determining whether a big hit or a small hit is correct, and when the hit / fail determination is made by entering the ball into the second starting port, the first The probability of winning the small hit is increased as compared with the case where the hit or fail is determined by entering the ball into the starting port and the variable starting port, and the special game control means is when the big hit is determined by the hit or fail determining means. Based on the stop display in the symbol mode showing the result of the jackpot determination, the jackpot game operation process for executing the jackpot game in which the opening round for opening the jackpot is repeated a plurality of times, and the small hit determination by the winning / failing determination means are performed. In this case, based on the stop display in the symbol mode showing the result of the small hit determination, the small hit game is executed in which the big winning opening is opened in a time shorter than the total opening time of the opening round by the big hit game. It is provided with a small hit game operation process and a big hit development operation process for executing the big hit game when a predetermined development condition is satisfied based on the small hit determination, and the conversion condition of the game state conversion means is The first conversion condition including the end of the big hit game executed by the big hit game operation process and the second conversion condition not including the end of the big hit game are provided, and the game state conversion means is the first. A configuration is proposed in which the player shifts to the first advantageous gaming state based on the establishment of the conversion condition, while shifting to the second advantageous gaming state based on the establishment of the second conversion condition.

Here, as the "development condition", for example, a condition that can be satisfied by the small hit determination by the hit / miss determination means or a condition that can be satisfied by the execution of the small hit game is preferably used. For example, it is possible to set as a "development condition" that a hit / fail determination means is provided with a process of determining whether or not to develop into a big hit when a small hit is determined, and the determination of the big hit development by this process is provided. Alternatively, it is possible to set as a "development condition" that a specific area is provided inside the large winning opening opened in the small hit game and the ball enters the specific area during the small hit game.
Since the "first conversion condition" is a condition including the end of the big hit game, it can be said that it is necessary to make a big hit determination by the winning / failing determination means in order to satisfy this "first conversion condition".
Since the "second conversion condition" is a condition that does not include the end of the big hit game, it may include the result of the hit / fail judgment by the hit / miss judgment means (other than the big hit judgment result), or the hit / fail judgment. It may be irrelevant to the result. In the case of the former, for example, a hit for shifting to the second advantageous gaming state is provided separately from the big hit and the small hit, and the hit is determined by the hit / fail determination means as the second conversion condition. Is preferable. On the other hand, in the latter case, it is preferable to set the second conversion condition that the gaming event that occurs in the normal gaming state (or the first advantageous gaming state) reaches a predetermined threshold value.

In such a configuration, the small hit game is more likely to be executed in the first advantageous game state as compared with the normal game state and the second advantageous game state, and the first advantageous game state is via the big hit game. It is configured so that the second advantageous gaming state is converted and the second advantageous gaming state is converted without going through the jackpot game. Then, in the first advantageous game state in which the small hit winning probability is high, it is easy to develop into a big hit game based on the small hit determination. For these reasons, in the first advantageous game state shifted through the big hit game, the small hit game is easily executed (the possibility of developing from the small hit to the big hit increases), while the transition is made without the big hit game. In the second advantageous gaming state, the small hit game is less likely to be executed than in the first advantageous gaming state. As a result, the first advantageous gaming state and the second advantageous gaming state can be clearly differentiated by the feasibility of the small hit game, so that the game in each advantageous gaming state can be emphasized. Then, since it is possible to shift to the first advantageous game state in which the small hit game is easily executed and the second advantageous game state in which the small hit game is difficult to be executed, the balance of the game can be stably maintained. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to provide a game that is excellent in game balance and that is full of fun and varied depending on each advantageous game state.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the game board 2 of the pachinko machine 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the pachinko machine 1. It is a chart explaining a part of the specifications of a game. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the main routine. It is a flowchart which shows the start winning process. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a pass / fail determination process. FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 showing a pass / fail determination process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 3 showing a pass / fail determination process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a pass / fail determination process. 5 is a flowchart 5 showing a hit / fail determination process. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a jackpot game process. FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 showing a jackpot game process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart 3 showing a jackpot game process. It is the flowchart 1 which shows the small hit game processing. FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 showing a small hit game process. It is a flowchart which shows the normal figure start winning process. It is a flowchart 1 which shows the ordinary symbol hit / miss determination process. FIG. 2 is a flowchart 2 showing a normal symbol hit / miss determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the normal drawing game processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specification in the normal game state, the 1st temporary short game state, and the 2nd time short game state. It is explanatory drawing which shows (A) the closed state of the variable start port 12 and (B) the open state of the variable start port 12. It is explanatory drawing which shows (A) closed state and (B) open state of the specific opening 25 provided inside the large winning opening device 21.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments according to the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various embodiments may be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is also possible to appropriately combine the following examples and other examples.

The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a kind-two-kind mixer type gaming machine.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment has a structure in which each part of the configuration is held by an outer frame 51 forming a vertically long fixed outer holding frame. An inner frame (not shown) is attached to the outer frame 51 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 51 via hinges 53 provided on the upper and lower sides of the left side thereof, and further, front to the front surface of the inner frame. A frame (glass frame) 52 is attached to the inner frame so as to be openable. A plate glass 61 is provided on the front frame 52 so as to be removable. Further, on the back side (rear side) of the flat glass 61, a game board 2 (FIG. 2) attached to the inner frame is arranged.

Speakers 66 are arranged on the upper left and right sides of the front frame 52, and the game sound and alarm sound emitted from the speaker 66 improve the taste of the game and alert the player. .. Further, the front frame 52 is provided with a plurality of frame-side decorative lamps 65 that emit light according to the game state, and the light emission improves the taste of the game. Further, an upper plate 55 and a lower plate 63 are integrally provided at the lower portion of the front frame 52, and a firing handle 64 is arranged on the right side of the lower plate 63. The launch handle 64 is rotated clockwise by the player to move a launch device (not shown) to launch a game ball supplied from the upper plate 55 toward the game area 3 of the game board 2. do.

Prize balls and rental balls are paid out to the upper plate 55. Further, the lower plate 63 is configured to receive a prize ball overflowing from the upper plate 55, and includes a ball pulling lever (not shown) for discharging the game ball in the lower plate 63. By operating this ball pulling lever by the player, the game balls stored in the lower plate 63 can be transferred to a separate box (dollar box).

The pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment is a so-called CR machine, and a prepaid card unit (CR unit) 56 for reading and writing a prepaid card is adjacent to the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a CR settlement display device 95 (see FIG. 3) having a lending button 57, a settlement button 58, and a balance display device 59. Further, in the central portion of the upper plate 55, an effect button 67 and a jog dial 68 that can be operated by the player are provided.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming board 2 of the pachinko machine 1. The game board 2 is provided with a substantially circular game area 3 surrounded by guide rails 2a and 2b, and a large number of game nails (not shown) are planted in the game area 3. A center case 5 is arranged in the center of the game area 3, and an LCD screen of the effect symbol display device 6 (not shown as a whole) is arranged in the center of the center case 5 so as to be visible from the front. ing. The center case 5 is also provided with a warp entrance, a warp passage, a stage, and the like (not shown).

Immediately below the center case 5, a first starting port 11 configured to allow a game ball to enter at all times is arranged. As will be described later, due to the entry of the game ball into the first starting port 11, a winning / failing lottery with a variable display of the first special symbol is performed. Further, on the right side of the first starting port 11, a large winning opening device 21 provided with a large winning opening 14 is arranged. The large winning opening device 21 includes an opening / closing piece 22 that operates to change the position between an upright position that closes the large winning opening 14 and a tilting position that tilts forward from the standing position to open the large winning opening 14. By setting the opening / closing piece 22 to the upright position, the game ball cannot enter the large winning opening 14, and by setting the tilting position, the game ball can enter the large winning opening 14. Make it a state. The large winning opening device 21 includes a large winning opening solenoid 14b (see FIG. 3) that opens and closes the opening / closing piece 22, and the opening / closing piece 22 is opened and closed by the drive control of the large winning opening solenoid 14b. Conversion control can be performed with the state.

Further, on the right side of the center case 5, a variable start port device 31 provided with a variable start port 12 is arranged. The variable start port device 31 includes an opening / closing piece 32 that changes its position between an upright position that closes the variable start port 12 and a tilt position that tilts to the right from the upright position to open the variable start port 12. By setting the opening / closing piece 32 to the upright position, the game ball cannot enter the variable starting port 12, and by setting the tilting position, the game ball can enter the variable starting port 12. Make it open. The variable start port device 31 includes a variable start port solenoid 12b (see FIG. 3) that opens and closes the opening / closing piece 32, and the variable start port 12 is controlled to open / close by the drive control of the variable start port solenoid 12b. ..

Further, a normal operation gate 17 capable of constantly passing a game ball is arranged on the right side of the center case 5 above the variable start port 12, and below the variable start port 12, the game is played. A second starting port 13 that can always pass through the ball is provided.
Since the large winning opening device 21, the variable starting opening device 31, the normal operating gate 17, and the second starting opening 13 are related to the main part of the present invention, the details will be described later.

Further, four general winning openings 37 are arranged on the left side of the first starting opening 11. These general winning openings 37 have a configuration in which a game ball can be constantly entered. Further, an out port 16 is arranged at the most downstream portion of the game area 3, and when the game ball launched in the game area 3 does not win a prize in any of the winning openings or the starting openings, the said Enter the ball at the out opening 16.

Such a game area 3 includes a left flow area 3a in which the game ball flows down on the left side of the central center case 5, and a right flow area 3b on which the game ball flows down on the right side of the center case 5. By hitting right, the game ball that has passed above the center case 5 flows down the right flow area 3b, and by hitting the game ball left, the game ball flows down the left flow area 3a. The normal operation gate 17, the variable start port 12, the second start port 13, and the large winning port 14 are provided in the right flow area 3b. Therefore, by aiming at the right flow area 3b (so-called right-handed hitting), it is possible to enter the normal operating gate 17, the variable starting port 12, the second starting port 13, and the large winning opening 14. On the other hand, the first starting port 11 arranged directly below the center case 5 is capable of entering a game ball that has flowed down the left flow area 3a by a game nail planted in the game board 2. .. Therefore, by aiming at the left flow down region 3a (so-called left-handed hitting), the ball can be entered into the first starting opening 11 or the above-mentioned four general winning openings 37. Since the left flow area 3a and the right flow area 3b are configured in this way, the player aims at each start opening 11 to 13 and the big winning opening 14 by properly using right-handed and left-handed. You can play games. It should be noted that the first starting port 11 of this embodiment is unable to enter the game ball that has flowed down the right flow area 3b due to the game nail.

At the lower right of the game board 2, there are a normal symbol display device 7 composed of a plurality of LEDs, a normal symbol hold number display device 8, a first special symbol hold number display device 18, and a second special symbol hold number display device 19. , A first special symbol display device 9 and a second special symbol display device 10 composed of a 7-segment display device are arranged.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical wiring of the pachinko machine 1. This block diagram does not simply describe a so-called relay board or power supply board that relays signals. Further, although detailed illustration is omitted, all of the main control device 80, the payout control device 81, the effect symbol control device 82, and the sub-integrated control device 83 are provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input port, output port, and the like. .. Then, the CPU of each of these control devices starts the program mounted on each ROM by the interrupt signal having a cycle of 2 ms, and executes various controls.

The main control device 80 detects the game ball that has entered the first start port 11 and the first start port switch 11a and the variable start port 12 via the game board relay terminal plate 74. Variable start port switch 12a, second start port switch 13a for detecting a game ball that has entered the second start port 13, normal gate switch 17a for detecting a game ball that has passed through a normal operation gate 17, and a large winning opening 14. A detection signal is input from a count switch 14a for counting the entered game balls, a general winning opening switch 37a for detecting each of the entered game balls in the general winning opening 37, and the like.

The main control device 80 operates according to a program mounted in the ROM, generates various commands related to the progress of the game based on the above-mentioned detection signals and the like, and issues the commands to the payout control device 81 and the sub-integrated control device. Output to 83. Further, the main control device 80 controls the display of the first special symbol display device 9, the second special symbol display device 10, and the ordinary symbol display device 7 via the symbol display device relay terminal plate 75, and also controls the display of the first. The lighting control of the special symbol hold number display device 18, the second special symbol hold number display device 19, and the normal symbol hold number display device 8 is performed. Further, the variable start port solenoid 12b and the large winning port solenoid 14b are also connected to the main control device 80 via the game board relay terminal plate 74. The main control device 80 controls the opening and closing of the large winning opening 14 by driving and controlling the large winning opening solenoid 14b, and controls the opening and closing of the variable starting opening 12 by driving and controlling the variable starting opening solenoid 12b. Further, the main control device 80 outputs a signal for management such as a symbol variation and a big hit to the hall computer 87 via the external connection terminal board 78.

The payout control device 81 is configured to enable bidirectional communication with the main control device 80, and drives the payout motor 90 in response to a command transmitted from the main control device 80 to pay out the prize balls. In this embodiment, the detection signal of the payout switch 91 for counting the game balls to be paid out as prize balls is input to the main control device 80 and the payout control device 81, and both of them count the prize balls. ..

Further, signals from the full switch 92 and the out-of-ball switch 93 are input to the payout control device 81. The full switch 92 detects that the lower plate 63 is full, and outputs a signal to the payout control device 81 in connection with this detection. The ball-out switch 93 detects that the amount of stored game balls is small or is not stored in the ball tank (not shown), and outputs a signal to the payout control device 81 in connection with this detection. When the payout control device 81 inputs signals from the full switch 92 and the ball out switch 93, the payout control device 81 drives and stops the payout motor 90 to stop the payout operation of the prize ball. The full switch 92 and the out-of-ball switch 93 are configured to continue to output a signal until the detected state is resolved, and the payout control device 81 drives the payout motor 90 by stopping the input of the signal. To resume.

The payout control device 81 can communicate with the CR unit 56 via the CR unit terminal board 79, and drives the payout motor 90 in response to the lending command to pay out the lending ball. The CR unit terminal board 79 is also connected to the settlement display device 94 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and signals from the ball rental switch and the settlement switch provided in the settlement display device 94 are input. The ball lending switch detects the operation of the lending button 57 and outputs a signal, and the settlement switch detects the operation of the settlement button 58 and outputs a signal. Further, the payout control device 81 is also connected to the launch control device 84, and sends a launch stop command to the launch control device 84 at a predetermined opportunity.

The launch control device 84 controls the launch motor 97 to launch the game ball into the game area 3. In addition to the payout control device 81 described above, a rotation amount signal from the launch handle 64, a touch signal from the touch switch 98, and a launch stop signal from the launch stop switch 99 are input to the launch control device 84. The rotation amount signal is output when the player rotates the launch handle 64, the touch signal is output when the player touches the launch handle 64, and the launch stop signal is the launch stop switch 99 by the player. It is output by pressing. The launch control device 84 controls not to launch the game ball unless a touch signal is input, and even when a launch stop signal is input, the game is played regardless of the operation of the launch handle 64. It is controlled not to fire the ball.

The sub-integrated control device 83 receives data and commands transmitted from the main control device 80, distributes these to data for effect display control, sound control, and lamp control, and issues commands for effect display control and the like. It is transmitted to the effect symbol control device 82, and data for sound control and lamp control is distributed to each control portion (functional component of the voice control device and the lamp control device) included in itself. Then, the functional unit as a voice control device controls the output of voice from the speaker 66 by operating the sound LSI based on the data for voice control, and the functional unit as the lamp control device is the data for lamp control. By operating the lamp driver based on the above, various LEDs and lamps 65 are controlled to emit light.

Further, switches for detecting the operation of the effect button 67, the jog dial 68, the decision switch 69, and the like are connected to the sub-integrated control device 83, and when each switch detects the operation by the player, the signal is input. Will be done. The jog dial 68 may be configured to be connected to the effect symbol control device 82.

The effect symbol control device 82 includes data and commands transmitted from the sub-integrated control device 83 (the one transmitted from the main control device 80, the input from the main control device 80 in the sub-integrated control device 83, and the input of the effect buttons and the like. The control is performed based on (generated based on the above), and an effect image such as a special effect symbol is displayed on the screen of the effect symbol display device 6. The sub-integrated control device 83 and the main control device 80 are configured as a one-way communication circuit from the main control device 80 to the sub-integrated control device 83 via the effect relay terminal board, and are configured with the sub-integrated control device 83. The connection with the effect symbol control device 82 is configured as a one-way communication circuit from the sub-integrated control device 83 to the effect symbol control device 82.

The power supply board (not shown) is configured as a DC power source that generates a DC voltage by electric power supplied from an external AC power source, and is attached to each part constituting the pachinko machine 1 by operating a power supply switch provided on the power supply board. Supply power. This power supply board includes a backup power supply composed of a capacitor or the like, and stores power in the backup power supply while power is being supplied from the AC power supply. As a result, in the event of a power failure, power is supplied to the main control device 80 or the like (for example, the RAM of the main control device 80), and even after the power supply from the AC power supply is stopped, the data in the RAM of the main control device 80 is maintained for a certain period of time. Is retained. The backup power supply may be provided in the main control device 80 or in a device other than the power supply board. In this case, the power supply board outputs a supply signal to the device equipped with the backup power supply while the power is supplied from the AC power supply, and a power failure signal to the device equipped with the backup power supply when the power supply is stopped. Is output.

Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, since the center case 5 is arranged substantially in the center of the game area 3 of the game board 2 described above, the game ball flows down the left side of the center case 5 by hitting left. By right-handed hitting, the game ball that has passed through the upper part of the center case 5 flows down the right side of the center case 5 (see FIG. 2). Then, only the game ball that has flowed down the left side of the center case 5 can flow into the first starting port 11 due to its arrangement position and the game nail (not shown) planted in the game area 3. .. Therefore, unless the player hits the left side, the ball cannot enter the first starting port 11. On the other hand, the game ball flowing down the right side of the center case 5 can flow into the normal operation gate 17, the variable start port 12, the second start port 13, and the grand prize opening 14 depending on the arrangement position and the game nail. .. It should be noted that the game ball can flow into the general winning opening 37 described above only by hitting the left side.

When the game ball launched in the game area 3 enters the first start port 11 (the first start port switch 11a in FIG. 3 detects the game ball), the first special symbol is displayed on the first special symbol display device 9. At the same time as starting the fluctuation, a winning / losing lottery for whether or not it is a big hit is performed by the random number extracted due to the entry. Then, the result of this winning / failing lottery is notified by stopping and displaying the first special symbol after a predetermined time from the start of the fluctuation.

Further, when the game ball launched into the game area 3 passes through the normal operation gate 17 (the normal gate switch 17a in FIG. 3 detects the game ball), the normal symbol display device 7 starts variable display of the normal symbol, and a predetermined value is obtained. When the normal symbol stopped after a certain time is in a predetermined hitting mode, the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable starting port device 31 is driven to open the variable starting port 12, and the game ball can enter the variable starting port 12. ..
Here, in the present embodiment, when the normal symbol is the above-mentioned hitting mode, the normal opening operation for opening the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable starting port device 31 once is performed. This normal opening operation ends when the maximum opening time, which will be described later, elapses, or when the number of balls entering the variable starting port 12 reaches 5 (specified number). That is, the opening / closing piece 32 is closed when the maximum opening time elapses from the opening start or when five balls enter the variable starting port 12. The operation pattern of the normal opening operation (hereinafter referred to as the normal opening mode) is determined by the number of times the opening / closing piece 32 is opened (once), the maximum opening time, and the specified number (5 pieces) that regulates the normal opening operation. It has been decided. In addition, the winning probability of a normal symbol is set to 1 / 1.5 (see FIG. 4).

Then, when the game ball enters the variable start port 12 (the variable start port switch 12a in FIG. 3 detects the game ball), the first special symbol is the same as in the case of entering the first start port 11 described above. The first special symbol starts to fluctuate on the display device 9, and a winning or losing lottery for whether or not it is a big hit is performed by a random number extracted due to the entry of the ball. Then, the result of this winning / failing lottery is notified by stopping and displaying the first special symbol after a predetermined time from the start of the fluctuation.

Up to four random numbers (numerical data) extracted by entering the ball into the first start port 11 and the variable start port 12 are stored as hold storage, and the first special symbol hold number display device 18 holds the random numbers (numerical data). The number (hereinafter referred to as the first hold storage) is displayed. Then, when the first reserved memory is digested, a winning / failing lottery for whether or not it is a big hit is performed, and if the result of this winning / losing lottery is a big hit, the first special symbol display device 9 shows a symbol indicating a big hit. The first special symbol is confirmed and displayed depending on the embodiment. Here, the jackpot winning probability of the first special symbol (first hold storage) is set to 1/200 (see FIG. 4).

Further, when the game ball launched in the game area 3 enters the second start port 13 (the second start port switch 13a in FIG. 3 detects the game ball), the second special symbol display device 10 displays the second special symbol. Starts to fluctuate, and a lottery for winning or losing a big hit and a small hit is performed by a random number extracted due to the entry of the ball. Then, the result of this winning / failing lottery is notified by stopping and displaying the second special symbol after a predetermined time from the start of the fluctuation.

Up to four random numbers (numerical data) extracted by entering the ball into the second starting port 13 in this way are stored as hold storage (hereinafter referred to as second hold storage), and the second special symbol hold number display device. At 19, the number of second hold memories is displayed. Then, when the second reserved memory is digested, a winning / failing lottery for the above-mentioned big hit and small hit is performed, and when the result of this winning / losing lottery is a big hit, the second special symbol display device 10 has a big hit. While the second special symbol is confirmed and displayed by the symbol mode indicating the small hit, when the result of this winning / failing lottery is a small hit, the second special symbol display device 10 displays the second special symbol by the symbol mode indicating the small hit. Confirm display. Here, the jackpot winning probability of the second special symbol (second hold storage) is set to 1/200, and the small hit winning probability is set to 1/20 (see FIG. 4). Since such a winning probability is set, in this embodiment, when the ball enters the second starting port 13, it is easier to win a small hit than a big hit.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the ball enters the first starting port 11 and the variable starting port 12, the first special symbol is changed and whether or not it is a big hit is determined, while the second starting is performed. When the ball enters the mouth 13, the second special symbol is changed and the hit / fail judgment between the big hit and the small hit is made. Further, in the present embodiment, the first reserved memory and the second reserved memory are preferentially digested regardless of the order of occurrence of each. That is, when both the first hold memory and the second hold memory are stored, the first hold memory is digested, the change of the first special symbol is executed, and only the second hold memory is stored. Only if so, the second reserved memory is digested and the second special symbol variation is performed.

Further, in parallel with the fluctuation of the first special symbol and the second special symbol described above, the effect symbol display device 6 displays the variation effect of the special effect symbol in conjunction with the variation of each special symbol, and then the variation effect. Is stopped, and the lottery result is notified by the stop symbol mode of the special effect symbol (not shown).

When the first special symbol or the second special symbol is confirmed by the jackpot, the jackpot game in which the jackpot 14 is opened is executed. In the big hit game, the opening round to open the big winning opening 14 is repeated 10 times, and in one opening round, 30 seconds have passed or the number of balls entered into the big winning opening 14 reaches 10. Ends with.
On the other hand, when the second special symbol is confirmed by a small hit, a small hit game in which the large winning opening 14 is opened is executed. In the small hit game, the opening operation of opening the large winning opening 14 for 1.8 seconds is performed once.

Further, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the game state is roughly classified into a game state in which the big hit game is executed (so-called big hit game state) and a game state in which the big hit game is not executed, and this big hit game is performed. As a game state in which is not executed, a normal game state, a first temporary short game state, and a second short game state are set (see FIG. 21). Here, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the average fluctuation time of the above-mentioned normal symbol is shortened and the maximum opening time of the variable start port 12 is extended as compared with the normal game state. At the same time, the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol (other than the jackpot confirmation) is shortened, and the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol (other than the jackpot confirmation) is shortened.

The first temporary short game state is shifted to after the end of the big hit game (after the end of the big hit game state), while the second short game state is a predetermined condition in the normal game state (second time short transition condition described later). ) Is established, the game is transferred from the normal gaming state. Then, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the jackpot is determined by either the first special symbol or the second special symbol, or the number of fluctuations of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. It ends when the total (hereinafter referred to as the total number of fluctuations) with the number of fluctuations of the above reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 100 times). Here, when the first and second time-saving gaming states are terminated when the total number of fluctuations between the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches the upper limit value (100 times), the normal time-saving gaming state is changed to normal. It shifts to the game state.
In this embodiment, as the second time saving transition condition, the first special symbol and the second special symbol are fixedly stopped in the symbol mode indicating the time saving hit in the normal gaming state, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol are stopped. It is set that the total number of fluctuations with the symbol (normal number of fluctuations) reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 300 times). Since the second time reduction transition condition, the first temporary time reduction gaming state, and the second time reduction gaming state are subject to the main part of the present invention, the details will be described later.

Further, when a game ball enters each of the starting openings 11 to 13, the large winning opening 14, and the general winning opening 37, a set number of prize balls are paid out. Specifically, three prize balls for each entry into the first starting port 11, five prize balls for each entry into the variable starting port 12, and each entry into the second starting port 13. Three prize balls are paid out, 15 prize balls are paid out for each entry into the large winning opening 14, and five prize balls are paid out for each entry into the general winning opening 37.

Next, the processing of various programs executed by the main control device 80 will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the main routine. The main routine is composed of the main processing from S10 to S80 and the residual processing of S85 that is repeated as long as the time allows within the time remaining after executing the main processing, and is periodically executed by a hard interrupt every 2 ms. Will be done. When a hard interrupt is executed by the microcomputer, it is first determined whether or not the interrupt is normal (S10). This determination process is performed by determining whether or not the value of the predetermined area of the RAM as the memory is a predetermined value, and when the process executed by the microcomputer shifts to the main process, the normal process is executed. It is for judging whether or not it is okay.

Here, if a negative determination (that is, it is determined that the interrupt is not normal) is made (S10: No), the initial setting (S15) is executed, and the process proceeds to the residual processing (S85). In this initial setting, for example, writing of a predetermined value to a predetermined area of the RAM, writing of each initial value to a working area of the RAM, such as using the first and second special symbols as initial symbols, is executed. On the other hand, when affirmative determination (that is, determination that it is a normal interrupt) is made (S10: Yes), the initial value random number update process (S20), the jackpot determination random number update process (S25), and the first jackpot symbol determination Random number update process (S30), second big hit symbol determination random number update process (S35), small hit symbol determination random number update process (S40), hit determination random number update process (S45), reach determination random number Update process (S50), random number update process for determining fluctuation pattern (S55), winning confirmation process (S60), win / fail determination process (S65), special game process (S70), fraud monitoring process (S75), and hall computer. Each output process (S80) for transmitting various information is performed, and the initial value random number update process (S85) is looped within the remaining time until the next interrupt signal is input.

Next, the start winning process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This start winning process is one of the subroutines called in the winning confirmation process (S60) of the main routine described above.
In the start winning process, in S100, it is determined whether or not the first start port switch 11a has detected the game ball. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S100: Yes) and S105, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S100: No) and S102.

In S102, it is determined whether or not the variable start port switch 12a has detected the game ball. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S102: Yes) and S105, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S102: No) and S120.

In S105, it is determined whether or not the number of first reserved storage has reached the upper limit value (for example, four). In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S105: Yes) and S120, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S105: No) and S110. In S110, the first extraction random number holding storage process is executed. In this first extraction random number hold storage process, a random number for determining a jackpot, a random number for determining a first jackpot symbol, a random number for reach determination, a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern, etc. are extracted and stored as the first hold storage, and are stored as the first hold. 1 is added to the first hold number counter indicating the number of stored items, and the processing necessary for turning on the first special symbol hold number display device 18 is performed according to the information of the information of the first hold number counter.

In S120, it is determined whether or not the second start port switch 13a has detected the game ball. In the case of a negative determination (S120: No), the start winning process is terminated, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S120: Yes), the process proceeds to S125. In S125, it is determined whether or not the number of second reserved memories has reached the upper limit value (for example, 4), and in the case of an affirmative determination (S125: Yes), the start winning process is terminated and a negative determination is made. In that case (S125: No), the process proceeds to S130. In S130, the second extraction random number extraction process is executed. In this second extraction random number extraction process, a random number for determining a big hit, a random number for determining a second big hit symbol, a random number for determining a small hit symbol, a random number for reach determination, a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern, etc. are extracted and stored as a second hold storage. At the same time, 1 is added to the second hold number counter indicating the number of the second hold number, and it is necessary to light the second special symbol hold number display device 19 according to the information of the information of the second hold number counter. Perform processing.

Next, the pass / fail determination process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 11. The pass / fail determination process is a process executed from the main routine.

In the winning / failing determination process, as shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the large winning opening device 21 is operating (that is, the big hit game or the small hit game is being executed) (S150). Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S150: Yes), the pass / fail determination process is terminated, and in the case of a negative determination (S150: No), the process proceeds to S155. In S155, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation display of the first and second special symbols is in progress. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S155: Yes) and S290 in FIG. 9, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S155: No) and S160. In S160, it is determined whether or not the first and second special symbols are being confirmed and displayed. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S160: Yes) and S300 in FIG. 10, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S160: No) and S165.

In S165, it is determined whether or not there is an undigested first reserved memory, and in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S165: Yes) and S170, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S165: No) and S180. .. In S170, the number of first reserved memories is decremented, the oldest undigested first reserved memory is selected, and the information (numerical data such as random value) stored in the first reserved memory is used for jackpot determination. Move to the specified buffer of. After that, the process proceeds to S175.

In S175, the hit / fail determination table of the first special symbol is valid, and based on this hit / fail determination table, the jackpot determination random number stored in the jackpot determination buffer of the first special symbol is used as a jackpot, a time saving hit, or a time saving random number. It is determined that the game is lost, and the reserved memory related to the random number for determining the jackpot is digested. In the winning / failing determination table of the first special symbol, the winning probability of the big hit is set to 1/200, and the winning probability of the time saving is set to 1/100 (see FIG. 4). Here, in the present embodiment, the small hit lottery is not performed in the winning / failing determination table of the first special symbol. After the processing of S175, the process proceeds to S200 of FIG.

In S180, it is determined whether or not there is an undigested second reserved memory, and in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S180: Yes) and S185, and in the case of a negative determination (S180: No), a pass / fail determination process is performed. To finish. In S185, the number of the second reserved memory is decremented, the oldest undigested second reserved memory is selected, and the information stored in the second reserved memory is set as a predetermined value for jackpot determination in the same manner as in S170. Move to the buffer of S190, and then proceed to S190. In the pass / fail determination process of this embodiment, the first hold memory is prioritized over the second hold memory and is the target of the pass / fail determination. Therefore, the second hold memory is subject to the hit / fail determination only when there is no first hold memory.

In S190, the hit / fail judgment table of the second special symbol is valid, and based on this hit / fail judgment table, the big hit judgment random numbers stored in the big hit judgment buffer of the second special symbol are used for big hit, small hit, and time saving. It is determined that it is a hit or a loss, and the reserved memory related to the random number for determining the big hit is digested. In the winning / failing judgment table of the second special symbol, the winning probability of the big hit is set to 1/200, the winning probability of the small hit is set to 1/20, and the winning probability of the time saving is set to 1/100 (see FIG. 4). ). After the processing of S190, the process proceeds to S200 of FIG.

In S200 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the determination result of S175 or S190 is a big hit, and if an affirmative determination is made (S200: Yes), the process proceeds to S205, and if a negative determination is made (S200: No). , Proceed to S220.
In S205, the jackpot symbol mode (the symbol mode indicating the jackpot) is determined based on the random number for determining the jackpot symbol related to the digested hold memory. Then, the process proceeds to S210.

In the variation pattern determination process of S210, a special symbol is used based on the variation pattern determination random number and reach determination random number, etc. related to the digested hold memory (variation pattern determination random number, reach determination random number, etc. in the buffer for jackpot determination). The fluctuation time is determined, and the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol is determined according to the fluctuation time. Here, in this embodiment, as will be described later, the variation time of the special symbol that can be selected in the normal game state (first temporary shortening flag = 0 and second time saving flag = 0) and the first temporary shortening The fluctuation time of the special symbol that can be selected in the game state (first temporary short flag = 1) and the fluctuation time of the special symbol that can be selected in the second time reduction game state (second time reduction flag = 1) are set respectively. Therefore, one fluctuation time is determined from the fluctuation times that can be selected in each game state.

In the following S215, the number of rounds of the big hit game, the opening pattern of the big winning opening, the effect time related to the big hit game, the interval time, the effect mode of the big hit game, and the like are set, and the process proceeds to S280.

On the other hand, in S220 following the negative determination of S200, the normal variation number accumulation process is executed. The normal fluctuation number accumulation process is a process of accumulating the total number of fluctuations between the first special symbol and the second special symbol in the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state. That is, the total number of fluctuations obtained by accumulating the number of times the first reserved memory is digested and the number of times the second reserved memory is digested in the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state is the normal fluctuation number. Calculated as. In this embodiment, the normal fluctuation number is cleared when the big hit is confirmed, when the preset upper limit value (300 times) is reached, or when the power is turned off.
After this S220, it shifts to S230.

In S230, it is determined whether or not it is a small hit based on the determination result of S190. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S230: Yes) and S235, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S230: No) and S250. Here, in the present embodiment, when the first reserved memory is digested, it is not determined whether or not it is a small hit, so that S230 is negatively determined and the process proceeds to S250.

In S235, the small hit symbol mode (the symbol mode indicating the small hit) is determined based on the symbol determination random number related to the digested second hold memory, and the process proceeds to S240. In S240, the variation time of the second special symbol is determined based on the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number related to the digested second hold storage, and the variation pattern of the second special symbol is determined according to the variation time. To determine. Here, in the case of a small hit, the variation time of the special symbol that can be selected in the above-mentioned normal game state (first temporary short flag = 0 and second time short flag = 0) and the first temporary short game state (first temporary short game state). The variation time of the special symbol that can be selected with the temporary short flag = 1) and the variation time of the special symbol that can be selected with the second time reduction game state (second time reduction flag = 1) are set in advance, and each game From the fluctuation time that can be selected depending on the state, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is determined according to the random number for determining the fluctuation pattern, the reach determination random number, and the like. Since the fluctuation time in each of these gaming states depends on the main part of the present invention, the details will be described later.

In the following S245, the opening pattern of the small hit game, the effect time required for the small hit game, the effect mode of the small hit game, and the like are set, and the process proceeds to S280.

In S250 following the negative determination of S230, it is determined whether or not it is a time saving hit based on the determination result of S175 or S190. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S250: Yes) and S255, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S250: No) and S270.

In S255, the time saving hit symbol mode (the symbol mode indicating the time saving hit) is determined based on the symbol determination random number related to the digested hold memory, and the process proceeds to S260. In S260, the variation time of the special symbol is determined based on the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number related to the digested hold storage, and the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined according to the variation time. Here, in the case of the time saving hit, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is determined according to the normal gaming state, the first temporary short gaming state, and the second time saving gaming state, as in the case of the small hit. The details will be described later.
After this S260, the process proceeds to S280.

Further, in S270 following the negative determination of S250, the variation time and the variation pattern of the special symbol are determined based on the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number related to the digested hold memory, as in the case of S260 and the like. At the same time, prior to this, the process of determining the lost pattern is performed. After this S270, the process proceeds to S275 to perform the processing related to the loss. Then, the process proceeds to S280. Here, in the case of loss, the fluctuation time of the special symbol is determined in S270 according to the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state, as in the case of the small hit and the time reduction hit. Will be done. The details will be described later.
In this embodiment, the process of determining the lost symbol is performed in S270, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be provided in which a process of determining the lost symbol is provided before S270.

In S280, a hold number command indicating the number of hold storages decremented in S170 and S185 is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. Further, a command including information on the lottery result (big hit, small hit, time saving hit, or loss) by S175 or S190, and a variation including a stop mode of the special symbol determined in S205 or the like, a variation time of the special symbol, and the like. The start command and the start command are transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. This fluctuation start command includes information indicating whether the digested reserved memory is the first reserved memory or the second reserved memory, and information on whether or not to execute the reach effect. Further, the first special symbol display device 9 or the second special symbol display device 10 is driven and controlled according to the stored hold storage to start the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and the pass / fail determination process is completed. do.
When the sub-integrated control device 83 receives such a command, the sub-integrated control device 83 receives the information indicated in the command (first reserved storage number and second reserved storage number, change time of special symbol, presence / absence of various reach effects, pass / fail determination result). , Special symbol stop mode, jackpot game content, etc.) are stored in a predetermined buffer. Then, the sub-integrated control device 83 transmits a command to the effect symbol control device 82 in accordance with the fluctuation start command, and the effect symbol control device 82 drives and controls the effect symbol display device 6 according to the received command. , The display of the special effect symbol corresponding to the information of the stop symbol mode and the variation pattern of the special symbol is started.

In S290 of FIG. 9 following the affirmative determination of S155 described above, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time of the special symbol has elapsed, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S290: Yes), the process proceeds to S295, and in the case of a negative determination. (S290: No) ends the pass / fail determination process. In S295, the variable display of the special symbol is terminated, and the special symbol is determined by the confirmed symbol (that is, the big hit symbol determined in S205, the small hit symbol determined in S225, the time saving symbol determined in S245, or S260. (Loss symbol) is displayed, and a symbol confirmation command for executing the confirmation display of the special effect symbol is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the pass / fail determination process is terminated.

Further, in S300 of FIG. 10 following the affirmative determination of S160 described above, it is determined whether or not the duration of the confirmation display of the special symbol has expired, and in the case of the affirmative determination (S300: Yes), the process proceeds to S305. In the case of a negative determination (S300: No), the hit / fail determination process is terminated. In S305, the confirmation display of the special symbol is finished, and the process proceeds to S310. In S310, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is a symbol that is a big hit. Proceed to S400 of 11.

In S315, the first temporary short flag = 1 or the first temporary short flag = 1 or with reference to the first temporary short flag indicating the first temporary short gaming state and the second short time flag indicating the second short gaming state. It is determined whether or not the second time saving flag = 1. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S315: Yes) and S320, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S315: No) and S327.

In S320, the process proceeds to S325 with the first temporary shortening flag = 0 and the second time saving flag = 0. In S325, the remaining number in which the special symbol can be changed in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state (hereinafter referred to as the remaining number of special symbol changes) is cleared. After this S325, the process proceeds to S327.
Here, in this embodiment, as will be described later, an upper limit value (for example, 100 times) of the number of times the special symbol can be changed between the first temporary short game state and the second short game state is predetermined. This upper limit value is set to the number of fluctuations in the special figure when shifting to the first temporary short game state and the second short game state. Then, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, each time the special symbol is changed, the special figure change number is decremented, and the special figure change number becomes 0 or the big hit is confirmed. By doing so, the first temporary short game state and the second short game state are terminated.

In S327, the normal fluctuation number described above is cleared, and the process proceeds to S330. As described above, this normal fluctuation number is the cumulative total number of fluctuations between the first special symbol and the second special symbol in the normal gaming state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state. Cleared by confirming the jackpot.

After the S327, the state designation command transmission process (S330), the condition device operation start process (S335), the accessory continuous operation device operation start process (S340), and the big hit start effect process (S345) are sequentially executed to obtain a big hit. The jackpot game is started by transmitting a command indicating the mode of the game, a command instructing the start of the jackpot game, and the like to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the winning / failing determination process is completed.

On the other hand, in S400 of FIG. 11 following the negative determination of S310, it is determined whether or not the first temporary short flag = 1, and if an affirmative determination is made (S400: Yes), the process proceeds to S450, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S450. (S400: No), proceed to S405.
In S405, it is determined whether or not the second time reduction flag = 1, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to (S405: Yes) and S450, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to (S405: No) and S410.

In S410, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is a symbol that is a reduction of working hours. Proceed to S425.

In S415, it is determined whether or not the normal fluctuation number has reached a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 300 times), and in the case of an affirmative determination (S415: Yes), the process proceeds to S420, and in the case of a negative determination. (S415: No), the process proceeds to S430.

In S420, the normal fluctuation number described above is cleared, and the process proceeds to S430.

In S425 following the negative determination of S410, it is determined whether or not the normal fluctuation number has reached a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 300 times), and in the case of an affirmative determination (S425: Yes), S420. In the case of a negative determination (S425: No), the process proceeds to S470.

In S430, the second time saving flag = 1 is set, and the process proceeds to S440. In S440, the second time saving game setting process is executed. In this second time-saving game setting process, the number of fluctuations of the special symbol (remaining number of special symbol fluctuations) that can be executed in the second time-saving game state is set. Here, as described above, the upper limit value (for example, 100 times) of the number of fluctuations of the special symbol that can be executed in the second time-saving game state is predetermined, and this upper limit value is the balance of the number of fluctuations of the special symbol. Set as a number. After this S440, the process proceeds to S490.
By the series of processes from S410 to S440, when the time saving hit is confirmed or when the normal fluctuation number reaches the upper limit value (300 times), the game shifts to the second time saving gaming state. Here, in this embodiment, when the determination of the time reduction hit and the arrival of the upper limit of the normal fluctuation number are satisfied at the same time, only the establishment of the second time reduction transition condition by the determination of the time reduction hit is valid. , The second time reduction game state is entered, and the establishment of the second time reduction transition condition by reaching the upper limit of the normal fluctuation number is invalidated. This prevents duplicate transitions to the second time-saving game state.

On the other hand, in S450 following the negative determination of S400 or the affirmative determination of S405, it is determined whether or not the normal fluctuation number has reached a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 300 times), and in the case of an affirmative determination, it is determined. (S450: Yes), proceed to S455, and in the case of a negative determination, proceed to (S450: No), S460. In S455, the normal fluctuation number described above is cleared, and the process proceeds to S460. As a result, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the establishment of the second time reduction transition condition when the normal fluctuation number reaches the upper limit value (300 times) is invalidated, and the second time short game is invalidated. The states are prevented from overlapping.
Further, in this embodiment, in the case of the first temporary short game state (first flag = 1) and the second time reduction game state (second time reduction flag = 1), the determination of the time reduction hit is not determined. , The establishment of the second time reduction transition condition by confirming the time reduction hit is invalidated. As a result, the second time-saving game state due to the time-saving hit does not overlap between the first temporary short-game state and the second time-saving game state.

In S460, the remaining number of fluctuations of the special symbol that can be executed in the first temporary short game state or the second short game state (remaining number of special symbol fluctuations) is referred to, and whether or not the remaining number = 0 is determined. judge. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S460: Yes) and S465, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S460: No) and S470.

In S465, the first temporary shortening flag = 0 and the second time saving flag = 0. After this, the process proceeds to S470.

In S470, it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is a symbol that is a small hit. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S470: Yes) and S475, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S400: No) and S490.
In S475, the large winning opening device operation start process is executed, and in the next S480, the small hit start effect process is executed. After this S480, the process proceeds to S490.

In S490, the state specification command transmission process is executed. In this state specification command transmission process, information on the first temporary time reduction flag and the second time reduction flag, information on the remaining number of the special figure fluctuations in the case of a time reduction, a command for instructing the start of the second time reduction game state, and small In the case of a hit, a command indicating the mode of the small hit game, a command instructing the start of the small hit game, and the like are transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83.

Next, the jackpot game process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 to 14. This big hit game process is a process executed from the special game process (S70) of the main routine described above when a big hit is obtained by the above-mentioned hit / fail determination process.

In the jackpot game process, as shown in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the accessory continuous actuating device is operating (that is, the jackpot game is being executed) (S500). Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S500: Yes) and S505, and in the case of a negative determination (S500: No), the jackpot game process is terminated.

In S505, it is determined whether or not the large winning opening 14 is open, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S505: Yes), the process proceeds to S540 in FIG. 13, and in the case of a negative determination (S505: No). Proceed to S510.

In S510, it is determined whether or not the interval between open rounds in the jackpot game is in progress. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S510: Yes), S560 in FIG. 13, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S510: No), S515. In S515, it is determined whether or not the end effect of the big hit game is in progress. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S515: Yes), S600 in FIG. 14, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S515: No), S520.

In S520, it is determined whether or not the start effect time in the big hit game has elapsed. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S520: Yes) and S525, and in the case of a negative determination (S520: No), the jackpot game process is terminated.

In S525, the large winning opening opening process for opening the large winning opening 14 is executed. In this large winning opening opening process, in synchronization with the opening start of the large winning opening 14, the time digestion of the opening time (for example, 30 seconds) preset as the maximum opening time of the large winning opening 14 in the opening round is started. .. After this big winning opening opening process, the big hit game process is finished. Here, the time digestion of the opening time is performed by the subtraction process of the opening timer. Specifically, the release timer is preset with a counter value corresponding to the release time (30 seconds), and a process of subtracting the counter value each time the jackpot game process is executed (for each timer interrupt process) is performed. It is assumed that the opening time has elapsed when the counter value becomes 0. As a matter of course, the opening time measuring means is not limited to the subtraction process of the opening timer, and other means can also be used.

In S540 of FIG. 13 following the affirmative determination of S505, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the large winning opening 14 is 10. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S540: Yes) and S550, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S540: No) and S545. In S545, it is determined whether or not the opening time (30 seconds) has elapsed due to the time digestion of the opening timer described above. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S545: Yes) and S550, and in the case of a negative determination (S545: No), the jackpot game process is terminated. In S550, the large winning opening closing process is executed, and the large winning opening 14 is closed (the opening round is completed). In the following S555, the jackpot interval process for setting the interval between each open round of the jackpot game is executed, and the jackpot game process is terminated.

In S560 of FIG. 13 following the affirmative determination of S510, it is determined whether or not the interval time of the jackpot game has elapsed. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S560: Yes) and S565, and in the case of a negative determination (S560: No), the jackpot game process is terminated. In S565, it is determined whether or not the final round has ended, and in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S565: Yes) and S570, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S565: No) and S575.
In S570, the jackpot end effect processing for performing the effect when ending the jackpot game is executed. After this S570, the jackpot game process ends.
In S575, the large winning opening opening process is executed. In this process, the same process as in S525 described above is performed to open the large winning opening 14 and start time digestion for the opening time (30 seconds).

Further, in S600 of FIG. 14 following the affirmative determination of S515, it is determined whether or not the time for the jackpot end effect has ended. In the case of an affirmative determination (S600: Yes), the process proceeds to S605, and the S605 and S610 are executed in sequence, while in the case of a negative determination (S600: No), the jackpot game process is terminated. In S605 and S610, the accessory continuous operation device and the condition device are stopped, and the process proceeds to S620. In S620, the first temporary short game setting process is executed to set the number of fluctuations of the special symbol (upper limit value of the number of special symbol fluctuations) that can be executed during the first temporary short game state (S620), and the first temporary The short flag = 1 (S625).
Here, in this embodiment, it is decided to shift to the first temporary short game state after the end of the big hit game, and in S620, the change of the special symbol that can be executed during the first temporary short game state. With reference to the upper limit of the number of times (for example, 100 times), the upper limit is set as the remaining number of special figure fluctuations.

In S640 and S645, a process of transmitting a jackpot end command for ending the effect related to the jackpot game and a state designation command transmission process are executed for the sub-integrated control device 83, and the jackpot game process is terminated. Here, in the present embodiment, in S645, the information of the first temporary short game state that shifts after the big hit game is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83.

It should be noted that the process of controlling the small hit game (small hit game process), the process executed by passing the game ball of the normal operation gate 17 (normal figure start winning process, and the normal symbol winning / failing determination process), and the variable start port 12 are performed. Since the process of opening operation (general game game process) is related to the main part of the present invention, a description thereof will be described later.

The main parts of the present invention will be described below.
In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the normal operation gate 17, the variable start port device 31, and the second start port 13 are arranged on the right side (right flow area 3b) of the center case 5. A game ball that has flowed down the right flow area 3b of the game area 3 (see FIG. 2) can enter the normal operation gate 17, the variable start port 12, and the second start port 13.

As shown in FIG. 22, the variable start port device 31 includes an opening / closing piece 32 that opens / closes the variable starting port 12, and the opening / closing piece 32 is in a tilted position (open state of the variable starting port 12). ), The opening / closing piece 32 is located directly below the normally operating gate 17 (FIG. 22 (B)). As a result, the game ball that has passed through the normally operating gate 17 is guided to the variable starting port 12 by the opening / closing piece 32 at the tilting position when the timing of operating at the tilting position of the opening / closing piece 32 is met. Further, in the present embodiment, from the time when the game ball passes through the normal operation gate 17 (the time when it is detected by the normal gate switch 17a) until the game ball reaches the opening / closing piece 32 at the tilting position. The positional relationship between the normal operation gate 17 and the variable start port device 31 is determined so that the time is slightly longer than the average fluctuation time (1 second) of the normal symbol in the second time-shortening gaming state. Specifically, while the average fluctuation time of the normal symbol in the second time-shortening game state is set to 1 second, from the time when the normal operation gate 17 passes to the time when the opening / closing piece 32 at the tilting position is reached. The time is set to be 1.1 seconds to 1.5 seconds. As a result, in the second short-time gaming state, when the variable start opening 12 is opened based on the passage of the game ball to the normal operation gate 17, the game ball surely enters the variable start opening 12.

Further, the second starting port 13 is capable of constantly entering a game ball, and is arranged so as to be located below the above-mentioned variable starting port 12 and below the normally operating gate 17 in the vertical direction. There is. As a result, as shown in FIG. 22A, the game ball that has passed through the normally operating gate 17 in the closed state of the variable starting port 12 passes through the right side of the opening / closing piece 32 in the upright position. You can enter the second starting port 13. Here, in the present embodiment, the game nail 4 planted in the game area 3 forms a guide path for guiding the game ball that has passed through the normal operation gate 17 to the second starting port 13. Therefore, most of the game balls that have passed through the normally operating gate 17 enter the second starting port 13 unless they are guided to the variable starting port 12 by the opening / closing piece 32 at the tilted position.
In this embodiment, the guide path formed by the game nail 4 is formed to have a width relatively large with respect to the diameter of the game ball, and the second starting port 13 and the game directly above the second starting port 13 are formed. A space through which the game ball can pass in the left-right direction is formed between the nail 4 and the nail 4. Therefore, even if the variable starting port 12 is in the closed state, the game ball that has passed through the normally operating gate 17 may not be able to enter the second starting port 13.

Further, in the right flow area 3b of the game area 3, a large winning opening device 21 is arranged below the second starting port 13 (see FIG. 2), and a game ball flowing down the right flow area 3b is provided. , It is possible to enter the large winning opening 14 in the open state. As shown in FIG. 23, the large winning opening device 21 of the present embodiment includes an internal region 23 into which the game ball that has entered the large winning opening 14 flows down, and the large winning opening 14 is provided in the internal region 23. A ball outlet 24 through which the game ball that has entered the ball flows out into the internal region 23, a specific opening 25 and general openings 26 and 26 into which the game ball that has flowed out from the ball outlet 24 can enter, and the specific opening. Shutter pieces 27, 27 for opening and closing 25 are arranged. The large winning opening device 21 includes the count switch 14a for detecting a game ball passing through the ball outlet 24, a specific opening switch 25a for detecting a game ball entering the specific opening 25, and the general. A general mouth switch 26a for detecting a game ball that has entered the mouths 26 and 26 is provided (see FIG. 3).

The shutter pieces 27, 27 described above are in an upright position (FIG. 23 (B)) in which the specific opening 25 is opened and a tilt position in which the specific opening 25 is closed by tilting inward from the upright position (FIG. 23 (A)). )) And the position conversion operation is performed, and the specific port solenoid 25b (see FIG. 3) provided in the grand prize opening device 21 is operated to the upright position and the tilting position. As shown in FIG. 23A, when the shutter pieces 27 and 27 are in the tilting position, the game ball that has flowed into the large winning opening 14 cannot enter the specific opening 25 and enters the general opening 26 and 26. Ball. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23B, when the shutter pieces 27, 27 are in the upright position, the game ball that has flowed into the large winning opening 14 can enter the specific opening 25. Here, even when the shutter pieces 27, 27 are in the upright position, it is possible to enter the general openings 26, 26, so that the game ball flowing into the large winning opening 14 is the general openings 26, 26. It is possible to enter the ball.

In this embodiment, the specific opening 25 is maintained in a state of being closed (FIG. 23 (B)) so as not to be able to enter the ball in the above-mentioned big hit game, and is opened so that the ball can be entered in the above-mentioned small hit game. In addition, the shutter pieces 27 and 27 are driven and controlled. That is, during the big hit game in which the ball can enter the big winning opening 14, the shutter pieces 27, 27 are maintained at the tilting position (FIG. 22 (A)), so that the game in which the ball enters the big winning opening 14. All of the balls enter the general mouths 26 and 26. On the other hand, during the small hit game in which the large winning opening 14 can be entered, the shutter pieces 27 and 27 operate to the standing position, so that the game ball entered in the large winning opening 14 enters the specific opening 25. It is possible. Then, in this embodiment, the specific opening solenoid 25b is driven so that the game ball that has entered the large winning opening 14 can enter the specific opening 25 with a probability of 20% to 30% during the small hit game. Controlled to operate the shutter pieces 27, 27. The drive control of the specific port solenoid 25b is based on the opening timing and opening time of the large winning opening 14 in the small hit game, the time required for the game ball flowing into the special opening 14 to reach the specific opening 25, and the like. , Is executed at a preset timing.

In such a big winning opening device 21, when a game ball enters the big winning opening 14 in a big hit game, the game ball is detected by the count switch 14a and flows out into the internal region 23 through the ball outlet 24. Then, since the specific opening 25 is closed by the shutter pieces 27, 27, the ball enters the general opening 26, 26 and is detected by the general opening switch 26a. Further, in the small hit game, when a game ball enters the large winning opening 14, the game ball is detected by the count switch 14a and flows out into the internal region 23 via the ball outlet 24, and the specific opening is timely. When the 25 is opened, the ball enters the specific port 25 and is detected by the specific port switch 25a. On the other hand, when the game ball that has flowed out into the internal region 23 in the small hit game enters the general mouths 26 and 26, it is detected by the general mouth switch 26a.
The large winning opening device 21 includes a transparent plate (not shown) that covers the front surface of the internal region 23, and is embedded in the game board 2 so that the transparent plate is flush with the game board 2. It is arranged. As a result, the player can visually recognize the return of the game ball that has entered the large winning opening 14.

As described above, the small hit game for opening the specific opening 25 is executed when the small hit is determined by the digestion of the second reserved memory. On the other hand, the small hit game is not executed because the small hit is not determined by digesting the first hold memory generated by the ball entering between the first starting port 11 and the variable starting port 12.
Then, in the present embodiment, when the game ball that has entered the large winning opening 14 enters the specific opening 25 during the small hit game, the big hit is determined and the above-mentioned hit / fail determination process (FIG. Similar to the time when the big hit is confirmed by 7 to 11), the big hit game in which the opening round for opening and closing the big winning opening 14 is repeated 10 times is executed. Here, the jackpot determined by the above-mentioned hit / miss determination process is referred to as a symbol jackpot below, and the jackpot generated by entering the specific mouth 25 is hereinafter referred to as a bonus jackpot. In the present embodiment, the jackpot game executed by the bonus jackpot is the same as the jackpot game executed by the symbol jackpot, and is controlled by the jackpot game processing (FIGS. 12 to 14) described above. As a matter of course, if the ball is not entered into the specific opening 25 during the small hit game, the big hit of the accessory is not generated and the big hit game is not executed. Therefore, the small hit game does not always generate a big hit, and the rate is 20% to 30% of the game balls that have entered the large winning opening 14 (probability of being able to enter the specific opening 25). There is a possibility that it will develop into a big hit.

Next, the features of the above-mentioned normal game state, first temporary short game state, and second short game state in the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, the first temporary short game state is a game state that shifts after the end of the big hit game executed with the big hit determination in the hit / fail determination process, while the second short game state is the normal game state. When the predetermined second time reduction transition condition is satisfied, it is a gaming state that shifts from the normal gaming state.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the average fluctuation time of the above-mentioned normal symbol is shorter than that in the normal game state, and it is executed by hitting the normal symbol. The maximum opening time of the variable starting port 12 is long, and the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol and the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol are set to be long. As a result, the first temporary short game state and the second short game state are advantageous game states for the player as compared with the normal game state.
The normal opening mode of the variable starting port 12 is composed of the above-mentioned maximum opening time, the number of times of opening, and the upper limit number (specified number) of balls that can enter the variable starting port 12, and is configured in this embodiment. In that case, the number of times of opening (1 time) and the specified number (5) are the same in the first temporary short game state, the second short game state, and the normal game state. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the big hit winning probability, the small hit winning probability, the time saving hit winning probability, and the normal symbol winning probability are equal in each game state, and the small hit game is also executed in the same manner.

To elaborate on the advantages between the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, as shown in FIG. 21, the average fluctuation time of the normal symbol is 1 minute in the normal game state, whereas it is the second. It is 30 seconds in the temporary short game state and 1 second in the second short game state. The maximum opening time of the variable start port 12 is 0.5 seconds in the normal gaming state, 1 second in the first temporary short gaming state, and 4 seconds in the second short gaming state. .. As a result, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the number of fluctuations of the normal symbol per unit time increases as compared with the normal game state (in other words, the rotation of repeating the fluctuation of the normal symbol is fast). Moreover, it is easy to enter the variable starting port 12. Therefore, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the probability of being able to enter the variable start opening 12 (hereinafter referred to as the ball entry rate) is higher than in the normal game state.

Further, comparing the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the second short game state has a shorter average fluctuation time of the normal symbol and the variable start port 12 than the first temporary short game state. Maximum opening time is long. As a result, in the second short game state, the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 is higher than in the first temporary short game state. Then, when the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 becomes high, the ball entry rate to the second start port 13 becomes relatively low.

Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, the game ball is placed on the opening / closing piece 32 at the tilting position from the time when the game ball passes through the normal operation gate 17 (when detected by the normal gate switch 17a). The time to reach (1.1 seconds to 1.5 seconds) is slightly longer than the average fluctuation time (1 second) of the normal symbol in the second time-shortening gaming state described above, and the variable start port is set to the average fluctuation time. It is shorter than the time obtained by adding the maximum opening time (4 seconds) of 12. Therefore, in the second short-time gaming state, when the normal symbol that has started to fluctuate when the game ball passes through the normal operation gate 17 stops in a hitting manner and the variable start opening 12 is opened, the game ball is almost certainly variable. Enter the starting port 12. Further, since the opening time for continuing the opening of the variable starting port 12 that is started when the fluctuation of the normal symbol is stopped is relatively long (4 seconds), the normal operating gate 17 is opened during the opening of the variable starting port 12. The passing game ball enters the variable starting port 12.
On the other hand, in the first temporary short game state, the average fluctuation time (30 seconds) of the normal symbol is longer than the time required for the game ball to reach the game ball passing through the normal operation gate 17 (1.1 seconds to 1.5 seconds). Since it is long, the game ball cannot enter the variable starting port 12. Further, since the maximum opening time (1 second) of the variable starting port 12 is also relatively short, in the first temporary short game state, the game ball that has passed through the normally operating gate 17 is the second starting port rather than the variable starting port 12. It tends to be easy to enter the ball 13.
For this reason, in the first temporary short game state, the game ball flowing down the right flow area 3b is easier to enter the second start port 13 than in the variable start port 12, while in the second short game state. , The game ball is easier to enter the variable starting port 12 than the second starting port 13. In the first temporary short game state, the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 is lower than that in the second short game state, but the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 is higher than in the normal game state.

Further, in this embodiment, when the first special symbol is not confirmed as a big hit, the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol is 40 seconds in the normal gaming state, whereas it is 20 seconds in the first temporary short gaming state. It is 5 seconds in the second short game state. Further, when the second special symbol is not confirmed as a big hit, the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol is 5 seconds in the normal short game state, whereas it is 5 seconds in the normal game state, and the second It is 20 seconds in the short game state. For this reason, in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the number of times the first special symbol and the second special symbol are executed per unit time increases as compared with the normal game state. Therefore, it is advantageous for the player.

Furthermore, when comparing the first temporary short game state and the second short game state, the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol is shorter in the first temporary short game state than in the second short game state. It can be said that entering the ball into the second starting port 13 is advantageous. On the other hand, in the second short game state, since the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol is shorter than that in the first temporary short game state, it is advantageous to enter the ball into the first start port 11 and the variable start port 12. I can say.
In this embodiment, the average fluctuation time when the first special symbol and the second special symbol are confirmed as a big hit is set to be the same in the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state. ing. Therefore, the average fluctuation time of the first special symbol described in this embodiment mainly indicates the average fluctuation time other than the big hit determination (time reduction hit determination and loss determination), and is similarly described in this embodiment. The average fluctuation time of the second special symbol mainly indicates the average fluctuation time outside the big hit determination (small hit determination, time saving hit determination, and loss determination).

In this embodiment, as a condition for shifting to such a temporary short game state (hereinafter referred to as a first temporary short transition condition), a big hit is determined by a hit / fail determination process (S200 to S215 of the hit / fail determination process), and the big hit determination is performed. It is set to end the accompanying big hit game (S620 to S625 of the big hit game processing). Then, as a condition for ending the first temporary short game state (hereinafter referred to as the first temporary short game state), the big hit is confirmed by the hit / fail determination process (S310 to S320), and the first in the temporary short game state. It is set that the total number of fluctuations between the special symbol and the second special symbol reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 100 times) (S460 to S465). As a result, when the first temporary short game state ends by the big hit determination by the hit / fail determination process, the process shifts to the temporary short game state again via the big hit game, while the upper limit of the total number of fluctuations (100). (Times) When it ends by reaching, it shifts to the normal game state.

On the other hand, as a condition for shifting to the second time saving game state (hereinafter referred to as a second time saving transition condition), the first special symbol and the second special symbol are fixedly stopped in a symbol mode indicating a time saving hit in the normal gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a second time saving transition condition). The total number of fluctuations (the above-mentioned normal fluctuation number) between the first special symbol and the second special symbol in the normal game state (S250 to S260, S410 to S440) of the hit / fail determination process is a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 300 times). Is set to reach (S425 to S440). Then, as a condition for ending the second time-shortened game state (hereinafter, referred to as a second time-shortened game end condition), the same conditions as the above-mentioned first temporary short-time end condition are set. As a result, when the second short game state ends by the big hit judgment by the hit / fail judgment process, the game shifts to the first temporary short game state via the big hit game, and the upper limit value (100 times) of the total number of fluctuations is reached. If it ends with, it shifts to the normal game state.

In this embodiment, the first short-time game state and the second short-time game state are set according to the above-mentioned first short-time transition condition, first short-time end condition, second time-shortening transition condition, and second time-shortening end condition. By shifting to and ending the game, both the first temporary short game state and the second short game state do not occur at the same time, and the period for continuing each short game state is added (or extended). ) Will not be done. Therefore, the maximum period during which the first temporary short game state and the second short game state are maintained is the period until the total number of fluctuations between the first special symbol and the second special symbol reaches the upper limit value (100 times). Is.

Next, the small hit game process related to the development from the small hit game to the big hit described above, and the process related to the operation control of the variable start port device 31 in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state (normal drawing start). The winning process, the normal symbol winning / failing determination process, and the normal symbol game process) will be described.

The small hit game process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16. The small hit game process is a process executed by the main control device 80, and is executed from the special game process (S60) of the main routine described above when a small hit is obtained by the hit / fail determination process described above.

In the small hit game process, as shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the large winning opening device 21 is operating (S700). Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S700: Yes) and S705, and in the case of a negative determination (S700: No), the small hit game process is terminated.

In S705, it is determined whether or not the large winning opening 14 is open. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S705: Yes), S750 in FIG. 16, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S705: No), S710. In S710, it is determined whether or not the end effect of the small hit game is in progress. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S710: Yes) and S800 in FIG. 16, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S710: No) and S715. In S715, it is determined whether or not the start effect time in the small hit game has elapsed. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S715: Yes) and S720, and in the case of a negative determination (S715: No), the small hit game process is terminated.

In S720, the large winning opening opening process is executed. In this large winning opening opening process, the large winning opening 14 is opened according to the opening pattern of the large winning opening 14 related to the small hit game set in S245 (see FIG. 8) of the winning / failing determination process. In the following S725, the specific mouth opening / closing process is executed. In the specific opening / closing process, a process of opening / closing the specific opening 25 provided in the large winning opening device 21 is performed. In this embodiment, as described above, 20% to 30% of the game balls that have entered the special winning opening 14 are in the specific opening 25 in accordance with the opening operation of the large winning opening 14 by the S720. The shutter pieces 27, 27 of the large winning opening device 21 are operated and controlled so that the ball can be entered with a probability.
After this S725, the small hit game process is terminated.

In S750 of FIG. 16 following the affirmative determination of S705, it is determined whether or not the ball has entered the specific opening 25. Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S750: Yes) and S755, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S750: No) and S760. In S755, the development flag is set to 1, and the process proceeds to S770.

In S760, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the large winning opening 14 is 10. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S760: Yes) and S770, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S760: No) and S765. In S765, it is determined whether or not the opening time (1.8 seconds) of the large winning opening 14 has elapsed. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S765: Yes) and S770, and in the case of a negative determination (S765: No), the small hit game process is terminated.

In S770, the large winning opening closing process is executed, and the large winning opening 14 is closed. In the following S775, the specific mouth closing process is executed. In this specific opening closing process, the shutter pieces 27, 27 are operated and controlled so as to close the specific opening 25, and the processing of stopping the shutter pieces 27, 27 in the closed state of the specific opening 25 is executed. In S780, the small hit end effect processing for performing the effect when ending the small hit game is executed, and the small hit game process is terminated.

In S800 following the affirmative determination of S710, it is determined whether or not the time for the small hit end effect has ended. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S800: Yes) and S805, and in the case of a negative determination (S800: No), the small hit game process is terminated. In S805, the operation of the large winning opening device 21 is stopped, and in S810, a small hit end command for ending the effect related to the small hit game is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83.

In the following S815, it is determined whether or not the development flag = 1. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S815: Yes) and S820, and in the case of a negative determination (S815: No), the small hit game process is terminated. In S820, the development flag is set to 0, and the process proceeds to S830.

In S830, the state designation command transmission process is executed, and then the condition device operation start process (S835), the accessory continuous operation device operation start process (S840), and the jackpot start effect process (S845) are sequentially executed. The big hit game is started by transmitting a command indicating the mode of the big hit game, a command instructing the start of the big hit game, and the like to the sub-integrated control device 83, and the small hit game process is ended.

Next, the normal drawing start winning process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This normal figure start winning process is one of the subroutines called in the winning confirmation process (S50) of the main routine described above.
In the normal drawing start winning process, it is determined in S1000 whether or not the normal gate switch 17a has detected the game ball. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S1000: Yes) and S1005, and in the case of a negative determination (S1000: No), the normal drawing start winning process is terminated. In S1005, it is determined whether or not the number of reserved storages in the normal figure has reached the upper limit value (for example, four). In the case of an affirmative determination (S1005: Yes), the normal drawing start winning process is terminated, and in the case of a negative determination (S1005: No), the process proceeds to S1010. In S1010, the extraction random number holding storage process for ordinary symbols is executed. In this extraction random number hold storage process, a random number for determining a normal figure, a random number for determining a symbol per a normal figure, a random number for determining a fluctuation pattern, etc. are extracted and stored as the normal figure hold storage, and the number of the normal figure hold storage is shown. Add 1 to the normal number hold counter. In the next S1015, the normal symbol hold number display process is executed, and the process necessary for turning on the normal symbol hold number display device 8 is performed according to the information of the normal figure hold number counter.

Next, the normal symbol hit / miss determination process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19. This normal figure hit / fail determination process is one of the subroutines called in the pass / fail determination process (S55) of the main routine described above.

In the normal symbol hit / miss determination process, as shown in FIG. 18, it is determined whether or not the variable start port device 31 is in operation (S1100). Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S1100: Yes), the normal symbol hit / miss determination process is terminated, and in the case of a negative determination (S1100: No), the process proceeds to S1105. In S1105, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is being performed. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S1105: Yes) and S1150, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S1105: No) and S1110.

In S1150, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation time of the normal symbol has elapsed, and in the case of an affirmative judgment (S1150: Yes), the process proceeds to S1155, and in the case of a negative judgment (S1150: No), the normal symbol hit / fail judgment is made. End the process. In S1155, the normal symbol display device 7 is driven and controlled, the variation display of the normal symbol is terminated, and the normal symbol is fixedly stopped according to the symbol mode determined in S1135 or S1140 described later. After S1155, the normal symbol hit / miss determination process is terminated.

In S1110 following the negative determination of S1105, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is being confirmed and displayed. Then, in the case of an affirmative determination (S1110: Yes), the normal symbol hit / miss determination process is terminated, and in the case of a negative determination (S1110: No), the process proceeds to S1115.

In S1115, it is determined whether or not there is a normal symbol hold memory, and in the case of an affirmative determination (S1115: Yes), the process proceeds to S1120, and in the case of a negative determination (S1115: No), the normal symbol hit / fail determination process is performed. finish. In S1120, the number of the normal map hold memory is decremented, the oldest normal figure hold memory is selected, and the information (numerical data such as random numbers) stored in the normal figure hold memory is used as a predetermined value for determining whether or not the normal figure is correct. Move to the buffer of. In this way, the memory on hold is digested. In the following S1125, the hit / fail determination process is executed to determine the hit / fail random number in the buffer for hit / fail determination of the normal figure. In this hit / fail determination process, the random number for determining the hit of the normal figure is collated with the winning value of the predetermined judgment table for the normal figure, and if they match, it is determined to be a hit. The winning value is predetermined according to the winning probability (1 / 1.5) of the above-mentioned ordinary symbol.

In S1130, it is confirmed whether or not the determination result of S1125 is a hit, and if it is a hit, the process proceeds to (S1130: Yes) and S1135, and if it is a loss, the process proceeds to (S1130: No) and S1140. In S1135, the hit symbol mode of the normal symbol to be confirmed and displayed by the normal symbol display device 7 is determined according to the random number for determining the normal symbol in the buffer for determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct. On the other hand, in S1140, the loss symbol mode of the ordinary symbol to be confirmed and displayed by the ordinary symbol display device 7 is determined.

In S1160 following S1135 or S1140, it is determined whether or not the second time reduction flag = 1, and if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to (S1160: Yes), S1165, and if a negative determination is made, (S1160: No). Proceeds to S1170.
In S1165, a process of setting the fluctuation pattern of the normal symbol is performed according to the fluctuation time of the normal symbol (average fluctuation time = 1 second) which is valid in the second time-shortening game state. After this, the process proceeds to S1190.

In S1170 following the negative determination of S1160, it is determined whether or not the first temporary short flag = 1, and if an affirmative determination is made (S1170: Yes), the process proceeds to S1175, and if a negative determination is made (S1170: No). ), Proceed to S1180.
In S1175, the process of setting the fluctuation pattern of the normal symbol is performed according to the fluctuation time of the normal symbol (average fluctuation time = 30 seconds) which is valid in the first temporary short game state. After this, the process proceeds to S1190.
On the other hand, in S1180, the process of setting the fluctuation pattern of the normal symbol is performed according to the fluctuation time of the normal symbol (average fluctuation time = 1 minute) which is valid in the normal game state. After this, the process proceeds to S1190.

In S1190, the normal symbol display device 7 is driven and controlled, and the fluctuation of the normal symbol is started according to the fluctuation pattern set in S1165, S1175, or S1180. In the following S1195, a command indicating the start of the normal symbol, information indicating the fluctuation time of the normal symbol, an operation pattern of the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable start port device 31, and a command indicating the start of operation of the opening / closing piece 32 are sub-integrated control. It is transmitted to the device 83. After S1195, the normal symbol hit / miss determination process is terminated.

Next, the normal drawing game process executed by the main control device 80 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This normal symbol game process is a process executed from the special game process (S60) of the main routine described above when a hit is obtained by the above-mentioned normal symbol hit / miss determination process.

In the normal game processing, as shown in FIG. 20, it is determined whether or not the variable start port device 31 is in the open operation (S1200). Here, in the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S1200: Yes) and S1250, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S1200: No) and S1205.

In S1205, it is determined whether or not the display time of the normal symbol that has been confirmed and displayed by the normal symbol display device 7 has expired. In S1205: No), the normal drawing game processing is terminated.

In S1210, the confirmation display of the normal symbol is finished, and the process proceeds to S1215. In S1215, it is determined whether or not the definitely displayed normal symbol is a symbol mode indicating a hit. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S1215: Yes) and S1220, and in the case of a negative determination (S1215: No), the normal drawing game process is terminated.

In S1220, it is determined whether or not the second time reduction flag = 1, and if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to (S1220: Yes) and S1225, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to S1230 (S1220: No).

In S1225, the second time saving operation start process is executed, and the opening operation of the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable starting port device 31 is started according to the maximum opening time (4 seconds) of the variable starting port 12 set in the second time saving gaming state. do. Here, in the second time reduction operation start process, the variable start port solenoid 12b of the variable start port device 31 is driven and controlled to open the opening / closing piece 32, and the maximum opening time (4 seconds) in the second time reduction gaming state is achieved. ) Time digestion begins. After this S1225, the normal drawing game process is terminated.

In S1230 following the negative determination of S1220, it is determined whether or not the first temporary short flag = 1, and if an affirmative determination is made (S1230: Yes), the process proceeds to S1235, and if a negative determination is made (S1230: No). ), Proceed to S1240.

In S1235, the first temporary short operation start process is executed, and the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable starting port device 31 is opened according to the maximum opening time (1 second) of the variable starting port 12 set in the first temporary short game state. To start. Here, in the first temporary short operation start process, the variable start port solenoid 12b of the variable start port device 31 is driven and controlled to open the opening / closing piece 32, and the maximum opening time in the first temporary short game state ( 1 second) time digestion is started. After this S1235, the normal drawing game processing is terminated.

In S1240 following the negative determination of S1220, the normal operation start process is executed, and the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable starting port device 31 is executed according to the maximum opening time (0.5 seconds) of the variable starting port 12 set in the normal gaming state. Starts the opening operation of. Here, in the normal operation start process, the variable start port solenoid 12b of the variable start port device 31 is driven and controlled to open the opening / closing piece 32, and the maximum opening time (0.5 seconds) in the normal gaming state is set. Start time digestion. After this S1240, the normal drawing game processing is terminated.

On the other hand, in S1250 following the affirmative determination of S1200, it is determined whether or not the number of game balls entering the variable starting port 12 has reached 5 while the variable starting port 12 is open. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S1250: Yes) and S1260, and in the case of a negative determination, the process proceeds to (S1250: No) and S1255.
In S1255, it is determined whether or not the maximum opening time of the variable starting port 12 that started time digestion in S1225, S1235, or S1240 described above has elapsed. In the case of an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to (S1255: Yes) and S1260, and in the case of a negative determination (S1255: No), the normal drawing game process is terminated.

In S1260, the closing operation of the variable starting port 12 is executed. In the following S1265, a command indicating that the opening operation of the variable starting port 12 is completed is transmitted to the sub-integrated control device 83. After this S1265, the normal drawing game processing is terminated.

Next, the flow of the game in the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state in the present embodiment will be described with a focus on the operation of the variable start port 12.
In the normal gaming state, as described above, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is longer and the maximum opening time of the variable starting port 12 is shorter than in the first temporary short gaming state and the second short gaming state, and the second Since the average fluctuation time of the special symbol is long, a game is performed in which the game ball is launched so as to flow down the left flow down region 3a, aiming at entering the ball into the first starting port 11. More specifically, in the normal game state, it is difficult to enter the variable start opening 12, and even if the ball enters the second start opening 13, the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol (5 minutes in the case of other than a big hit) is extremely high. For a long time, the game aiming at entering the first starting port 11 is advantageous for the player.

As described above, the first temporary short game state is a game state that is shifted with the end of the big hit game. In this temporary short game state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shorter and the maximum opening time of the variable start port 12 is longer than in the normal game state, so that it is easier to enter the variable start port 12. The game ball that has passed through the normally operating gate 17 is more likely to enter the second starting port 13 than the variable starting port 12. This is because the time required for the game ball that has passed through the normal operating gate 17 to reach the right lateral position of the variable starting port 12 (1.1 seconds to 1.5 seconds) is the fluctuation time of the normal symbol (30 seconds). Because it is shorter than, the game ball passes through the right lateral position of the variable start port 12 to the second start port 13 before the normal symbol that has started to fluctuate due to the passage of the game ball of the normal operation gate 17 is hit and confirmed. It is due to entering the ball. Further, since the maximum opening time (1 second) of the variable starting port 12 is shorter than the fluctuation time (30 seconds) of the normal symbol, it is easier to enter the variable starting port 12 than in the normal gaming state. It is more likely that the game ball that has passed through the normally operating gate 17 will enter the second starting port 13.

In this temporary short gaming state, the average fluctuation time (5 seconds) of the second special symbol is not only extremely short as compared with the normal gaming state, but also the average of the first special symbol in the first temporary short gaming state. It is shorter than the fluctuation time (20 seconds). Then, as described above, since it is easier to enter the second starting port 13 than the variable starting port 12, the number of fluctuations of the second special symbol per unit time increases (in other words, the second special symbol). The rotation that repeats the fluctuation of is faster). As a result, in the first temporary short game state, the ball entering the second starting port 13 is more advantageous to the player than the ball entering the first starting port 11 and the variable starting port 12. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the hit / fail determination of the small hit is also executed by the digestion of the second reserved memory, the small hit game may be executed. Then, in the small hit game, as described above, a big hit is generated by entering the specific opening 25 of the large winning opening 14. Therefore, in the first temporary short game state, it is more advantageous for the player to enter the second starting port 13 than to enter the variable starting port 12 (and the first starting port 11).
Therefore, in the first temporary short game state, a game is performed in which the game ball is launched so as to flow down the right flow area 3b aiming at the second starting port 13.

As described above, the second time-saving gaming state is a gaming state that is shifted when the second time-saving transition condition is satisfied in the normal gaming state. In this second short game state, the variable start port 12 has the longest change time and the maximum opening time of the variable start port 12 is longer than that of the normal game state and the first temporary short game state. Easy to enter. Further, in the second short game state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol (1 second) is the time required for the game ball passing through the normal operation gate 17 to reach the right lateral position of the variable start port 12 (1.1 seconds). Since it is shorter than (~ 1.5 seconds), the game ball is set to the variable start port 12 in a state where the variable start port 12 is opened due to the confirmation of the hit of the normal symbol triggered by the passage of the game ball of the normal operation gate 17. Is reached and the ball enters the variable starting port 12. In particular, in the second short game state, since the maximum opening time (4 seconds) of the variable start port 12 is long, the game balls other than the game balls that trigger the confirmation of the hit of the normal symbol also pass through the normal operation gate 17. It is easy to enter the variable starting port 12. For this reason, in the second short game state, the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 per unit time is higher than in the first temporary short game state, and the second start port in the second short game state. It is high compared to the entry rate to 13. Then, as the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 increases, the ball entry rate to the second start port 13 becomes relatively lower than that in the first temporary short game state.

Further, in the second time-shortening gaming state, the average fluctuation time (5 seconds) of the first special symbol is not only shorter than that in the normal gaming state, but also the average fluctuation time of the second special symbol in the second time-shortening gaming state. Shorter than (20 seconds). Then, the variation of the first special symbol is prioritized over the variation of the second special symbol, and as described above, it is easier to enter the variable starting port 12 than the second starting port 13. For this reason, in the second short-time game state, the number of fluctuations of the first special symbol per unit time increases (in other words, the rotation of repeating the fluctuation of the first special symbol becomes faster), so that the player enters the variable starting port 12. The ball is advantageous to the player. Therefore, in the second short-time game state, a game is performed in which the game ball is launched so as to flow down the right flow down region 3b while aiming at the variable start port 12 (in other words, aiming at the normal operation gate 17).

In the second short game state, the game ball that has passed through the normal operation gate 17 may enter the second start port 13, but as described above, the first hold memory is preferentially digested. The rotation of the first special symbol, which repeats fluctuations, can be maintained in a fast state. Further, even if the first reserved memory is completely digested and the second reserved memory is digested, the change of the second special symbol is stopped in a relatively short time, so that the game is played by the change of the second special symbol. There is no stagnation.
Further, in the second short game state, since the first special symbol is likely to fluctuate as described above, it is difficult to execute the small hit game as compared with the first temporary short game state, and the role through the small hit game is difficult. Big hits are less likely to occur. As a result, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the bonus jackpot can be generated in the first temporary short game state in which the game shifts through the jackpot game, and the bonus game can be generated in the second short game state in which the game shifts from the normal game state. It is difficult to generate a big hit.

Next, the features of the examples will be described.
The pachinko machine 1 of the embodiment has a variable starting port 12 that opens in the right flow area 3b of the game area 3 by confirming the hit of a normal symbol, and a second starting port 13 arranged below the variable starting port 12. In the second time-saving game state, which shifts with the establishment of the second time-shortening transition condition in the normal gaming state, as compared with the first temporary short-game state, which shifts after the big hit game, to the variable start port 12. The ball entry rate is high. Then, in the second short game state, the ball entry rate to the variable start port 12 is high, so that the ball entry rate to the second start port 13 is relatively low as compared with the first temporary short game state. Become.
In such a configuration, a game aiming at the first starting port 11 of the left flow area 3a in a normal game state, a game aiming at the second starting port 13 of the right flow area 3b in the first temporary short game state, and a second game. It is possible to perform three types of games different from the games aiming at the variable start port 12 in the right flow area 3b in the short-time game state, and it is possible to provide the player with a variety of fun due to the transition of these games. Here, in the configuration of the embodiment, since the opening / closing piece 32 of the variable starting port device 31 is operated by the drive control of the variable starting port solenoid 12b to open / close the variable starting port 12, the hit of the normal symbol is confirmed. The variable starting port 12 can be smoothly opened. As a result, the change in the ball entry rate to the variable starting port 12 between the first temporary short game state and the second time short game state can be accurately and stably caused, so that the advantages in each of these time short game states can be obtained. The effect of the present invention, which can be clarified and provides the fun of the different games described above, is enhanced.

In addition, since this configuration is such that the small hit determination is made only by digesting the second reserved memory, and the occurrence of the accessory big hit can be expected in the small hit game, the ball enters the second starting port 13. In the first temporary short game state, which is highly likely to be played, a game in which the player expects a big hit can be performed. As a result, in this configuration, when the big hit is confirmed, the game that is most advantageous to the player is performed until the next transition to the normal game state. On the other hand, in the second time-saving gaming state in which the time saving hit is confirmed or the total number of fluctuations (normal fluctuation number) of the special symbol reaches the upper limit value (300 times), the second starting port 13 is used. Since the ball entry rate to the variable starting port 12 is higher than that of the first temporary short game state, it is less likely that a small hit or a big hit of the accessory will occur.
That is, in this configuration, the advantage in the first temporary short game state that shifts after the big hit game and the advantage in the second short game state that shifts from the normal game state are clearly differentiated, so that the game balance is balanced. It is excellent. More specifically, for example, in both the time-saving game state of transitioning from the normal gaming state under the condition of time-saving hit and the time-saving gaming state of transitioning after the big hit game, as described above, the accessory big hit can occur in the small hit game. With such a configuration, the advantage of the player becomes extremely high, and there is a risk that the game balance will be lost. In response to these problems, in this configuration, as described above, it is possible to provide a game having an excellent game balance, and the player can enjoy the game full of interest with peace of mind.

The correspondence between the terms used in the above-mentioned examples and the terms described in the claims will be described below.
The pachinko machine 1 corresponds to an example of a ball game machine according to the present invention.
The left flow area 3a of the game area 3 corresponds to an example of the first flow area according to the present invention.
The right flow area 3b of the game area 3 corresponds to an example of the second flow area according to the present invention.
It corresponds to an example of the normal opening condition according to the present invention that the normal symbol which has changed due to the passage of the game ball of the normal operation gate 17 is fixedly stopped in the hit mode (affirmative judgment is made in S1215 of the normal game processing). ..
An example of the normal opening mode according to the present invention is configured by the number of times of opening (once), the specified number (5 pieces), and the maximum opening time constituting the normal opening operation for opening the variable starting port 12. Then, the normal opening modes in the normal gaming state, the first temporary short gaming state (first advantageous gaming state), and the second short time gaming state (second advantageous gaming state) are defined by the mutually different maximum opening times. Has been done.
The main control device 80 that executes the normal opening game processing corresponds to an example of the normal opening control means according to the present invention. The main control device 80 that executes the normal drawing game processes S1220 to S1225 corresponds to an example of the high operation control process according to the present invention.
The hit / fail determination processes S165 to S200, S230, and S250 correspond to an example of the hit / fail determination means according to the present invention.
The hit / fail determination processes S205 to S215, S235 to S245, and S255 to S275 correspond to an example of the first special symbol control means and the second special symbol control means according to the present invention.
The display mode on the first special symbol display device 9 corresponds to an example of the first special symbol according to the present invention.
The display mode on the second special symbol display device 10 corresponds to an example of the second special symbol according to the present invention.
The big hit game process and the small hit game process correspond to an example of the special game control means according to the present invention.
The first temporary short gaming state corresponds to an example of the first advantageous gaming state according to the present invention.
The second time-saving gaming state corresponds to an example of the second advantageous gaming state according to the present invention.
The jackpot game process executed according to the jackpot determination (win / fail determination process) by the first special symbol and the second special symbol corresponds to an example of the jackpot game operation process according to the present invention.
The small hit game process corresponds to an example of the small hit game operation process according to the present invention.
It corresponds to an example of the development condition according to the present invention that the game ball enters the specific opening 25 of the large winning opening device 21 during the small hit game.
The big hit game processing executed by the game ball entering the specific opening 25 of the big winning opening device 21 during the small hit game (small hit game processing S750 to S755, S815 to S845) is the big hit according to the present invention. It corresponds to an example of the development operation process.
The first temporary short transition condition (end of the jackpot game) corresponds to an example of the first conversion condition for converting to the first advantageous gaming state according to the present invention.
The second time saving transition condition (the first special symbol and the second special symbol are fixedly stopped in the predetermined time saving symbol mode, and the total number of fluctuations between the first special symbol and the second special symbol is the upper limit value (100 times). )) Corresponds to an example of the second conversion condition for converting to the second advantageous gaming state according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, another example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

In the embodiment, as the second time reduction transition condition for transitioning to the second time reduction gaming state, the time reduction hit determination and the normal fluctuation number (total number of fluctuations between the first special symbol and the second special symbol) are the upper limit values (300 times). It is a configuration in which two are set to reach, but the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration in which only one of the time saving hit confirmation and the reaching of the upper limit of the total number of fluctuations is set may be set, and the progress of the game etc. may be set. Depending on the situation, one of these may be selectively enabled. Furthermore, it is possible to set conditions other than these. For example, it is also possible to set that the number of prize balls per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit value as a second time reduction transition condition.
Further, the upper limit of the normal fluctuation number set as the second time reduction transition condition is not limited to 300 times, and can be appropriately changed and set. For example, 200 times or 800 times can be set. Further, it is also possible to set a plurality of different upper limit values and selectively enable them according to the progress of the game and the like.

In the embodiment, the first temporary short-time end condition for ending the first short-time game state and the second short-time end condition for ending the second short-time game state are the same (the jackpot is confirmed, and the total number of fluctuations in each short-time game state). The upper limit is reached), but the term is not limited to this, and different end conditions may be set, or some conditions may be set differently. For example, the first temporary short-time end condition may be the same as that of the embodiment, and the second short-time end condition may be set only to confirm the big hit. Further, it is also possible to set the upper limit value different from each other in the first temporary short-time end condition and the second short-time end condition.

In the embodiment, the maximum fluctuation time of the normal symbol, the maximum opening time of the variable start port 12, and the maximum of the first special symbol, which are valid in the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second short game state, respectively. The fluctuation time and the maximum fluctuation time of the second special symbol are appropriately changed and set as long as the advantages in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state occur in the same manner as in the embodiment. It is possible.

In the embodiment, the winning probability of the normal symbol, the winning probability of the big hit, and the winning probability of the time saving are set to be the same in the normal game state, the first temporary short game state, and the second time saving game state, but the present invention is limited to this. However, it is also possible to set different probabilities for each game state. Further, in the embodiment, the small hit winning probability due to the digestion of the first reserved memory (variation of the first special symbol) is set to 0% (the small hit is not determined), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the small hit winning probability is not limited to this. Can be set to a probability greater than 0% (eg, 1%, etc.).

In the embodiment, the time-saving game state (second time-saving game state) to be shifted on the condition that the time-saving hit is confirmed in the normal game state (second time-saving transition condition), and the normal fluctuation number is a predetermined upper limit value (300 times). ) Is the condition (second time reduction transition condition) that is transferred to the time reduction game state (second time reduction game state), and the same game content (normal opening mode of variable starting port, average fluctuation time of normal symbol, first (1) The average fluctuation time of the special symbol and the second special symbol), but not limited to this, the transition is made on the condition that the time reduction game state and the upper limit of the normal fluctuation number are reached. The game content may be different from the time-saving game state. For example, it is possible to set a time-saving gaming state in which the normal opening modes of the variable starting port are different from each other, or to set the average fluctuation time of the normal symbol and the first and second special symbols to be different from each other in the time-saving gaming state.
Furthermore, it is also possible to set different conditions for the end condition of the time-saving game state that is transferred on the condition of the time-saving hit determination and the time-saving game state that is transferred on the condition that the upper limit of the normal fluctuation number is reached. ..

In the embodiment, a variable start port device 31 having an opening / closing piece 32 that tilts to the right directly under the normally operating gate 17 is provided, and a second starting port 13 is provided below the normally operating gate 17 in the vertical direction. However, the arrangement positions of the normal operation gate 17, the variable start port 12, and the second start port 13 should be appropriately changed according to the structure for opening and closing the variable start port 12, the flow path structure of the game ball, and the like. Is possible. For example, an actuating device having a variable start port 12 and a second start port 13 inside may be configured to be arranged directly under the normal actuating gate 17. The actuating device includes an inlet that allows the game ball that has passed through the normal actuating gate 17 to flow into the inside, a flow path that allows the game ball that has flowed in from the inlet to flow down to the second starting port 13, and a flow path in the middle of the flow path. A configuration is applicable in which (on the upstream side of the second starting port 13) is provided with a distribution means for flowing down to either the second starting port 13 or the variable starting port 12. Similar to the embodiment, this actuating device is converted into a mode in which the distribution means causes the game ball to flow down to the variable starting port 12 (that is, the variable starting port 12 opens) when the normal symbol hits and is confirmed. Then, the sorting means is maintained in a mode in which the game ball is allowed to flow down to the second starting port 13 (that is, the variable starting port 12 is closed), except for the normal symbol hit determination. Even in a configuration provided with such an actuating device, the same operation and effect as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

The embodiment is configured to include one large winning opening 14, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and a configuration including a plurality of large winning openings is also possible. For example, the same as in the embodiment, the big winning opening 14 having the specific opening 25 inside and the big winning opening not having the specific opening 25 are provided, and the big hit game is to open the latter big winning opening. The small hit game can be executed by opening the large winning opening 14 as in the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the big winning opening device 21 includes shutter pieces 27, 27 that open and close the specific opening 25, and by controlling the operation of the shutter pieces 27, 27, the probability of developing from a small hit game to a bonus big hit (20). The configuration is defined as% to 30%), but the configuration is not limited to this, and other configurations may be applied. For example, the configuration is such that the game ball that has entered the large winning opening has an internal area to which the game ball flows down, and the internal area is provided with a large winning opening device provided with one specific opening and three general openings. be able to. In this configuration, since the game ball flowing down the internal region can enter the specific opening with a probability of about 1/4, it can be assumed that the game ball develops into a bonus jackpot with this probability. In addition to this, a configuration provided with a distribution means for distributing a game ball between a specific mouth and a general mouth can be applied to the internal area of the large winning opening device 21, and the ball entry probability of the specific mouth by the distribution means can be applied. You can specify the probability of development to a big hit.
In the embodiment, the probability of developing from a small hit game to a big hit of a character is set to 20% to 30%, but this probability can be appropriately changed and set.

In the embodiment, the establishment of the new temporary short transition condition and the second short transition condition in the first temporary short game state and the second short game state is invalidated, and a plurality of first and second short transition conditions are invalidated. However, the configuration is not limited to this, but the establishment of the first and second time reduction transition conditions is valid even in the first and second time reduction game states, and multiple first and second time reduction conditions are valid. It is also possible to make it effective for the duplicated establishment of the two-time reduction transition condition.

An example is an example of a configuration (so-called one-kind two-kind mixed type) that can be developed from a small hit game to a bonus big hit by entering a ball into a specific opening 25 provided inside the large winning opening device 21. However, it can also be applied to a configuration in which a jackpot game occurs only by a symbol jackpot (a so-called type of pachinko machine). Both those having no small hit (small hit game) function and those having the function can be applied to this configuration. Further, one or both of the first temporary short game state and the second short game state may be set to a high probability game state (probability variable game state) in which the probability of winning a big hit is higher than that of the normal game state. .. Here, in the high-probability gaming state, not only the jackpot winning probability is higher than that in the normal gaming state, but also the winning probability of the normal symbol is higher than that in the normal gaming state. It is also possible to set a gaming state (so-called probabilistic gaming state) including both the ascending function and the function of the time-saving gaming state of the embodiment. In such a high-probability gaming state (probability-changing gaming state), it is preferable to have a configuration in which the above-mentioned normal fluctuation numbers are not accumulated.
Specific examples of such a configuration include the probabilistic gaming state (first advantageous gaming state) that shifts through the jackpot game, and the second time saving gaming state that shifts with the establishment of the second time saving transition condition as in the embodiment. It can be configured to be convertible to. Then, in the probabilistic gaming state in this case, the same functions as those in the first temporary short gaming state of the embodiment (normal symbol fluctuation time, variable start port 12 maximum opening time, special symbol fluctuation time) are set. Is preferable. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to provide a variety of interesting games as in the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the first starting port 11 is provided so that a game ball flowing down the left flow area 3a of the game area 3 can enter, and the normal operating gate 17, the variable starting port 12, the second starting port 13, And the large winning opening 14 is provided so that a game ball flowing down the right flow area 3b can enter, but the first starting port 11 is not limited to this and flows down the right flow area 3b. It is provided so that the game ball can enter, and the normal operation gate 17, the variable start port 12, the second start port 13, and the large winning opening 14 can be entered by the game ball flowing down the left flow area 3a. It can also be configured as such.
Further, in the embodiment, the large winning opening 14 is arranged so that only the game ball flowing down the right flow area 3b can enter, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the right flow area 3b and the left flow area 3b are not limited to this. The configuration may be such that a game ball flowing down any of the regions 3a can enter the ball.

1 Pachinko machine (ball game machine)
3 Game area 3a Left flow area (first flow area)
3b Right flow area (second flow area)
6 Directional symbol display device 9 1st special symbol display device 10 2nd special symbol display device 11 1st start port 12 Variable start port 13 2nd start port 14 Grand prize opening

Claims (2)

The first flow area formed on one of the left and right sides of the effect symbol display device for displaying the effect symbol and the game ball flows down, and the second flow area formed on the left and right sides of the effect symbol display device and the game ball flows down. The game area you have and
The first starting port where the game ball flowing down the first flow area can enter, and
A variable starting port that converts a game ball flowing down the second flow area into an open state in which the ball can enter and a closed state in which the ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter.
A second starting port provided below the variable starting port and capable of entering a game ball flowing down the second flow area, and a second starting port.
A large winning opening provided in the game area and converted into an open state in which a game ball can be entered and a closed state in which the game ball cannot be entered.
A normal opening control means for opening the variable starting port according to a predetermined normal opening mode based on the establishment of a predetermined normal opening condition, and a normal opening control means.
The first special symbol display device that displays the first special symbol in a variable manner,
The second special symbol display device that displays the second special symbol in a variable manner,
A hit / fail determination means for determining whether or not a game ball has entered the first start port, the variable start port, and the second start port.
Based on the entry of the game ball into the first start port and the variable start port, the first special symbol is started to fluctuate by the first special symbol display device, and after a predetermined fluctuation time elapses, the determination by the hit / fail determination means is performed. The first special symbol control means for stopping and displaying the result in the symbol mode,
Based on the entry of the game ball into the second starting port, the second special symbol is started to fluctuate by the second special symbol display device, and after a predetermined fluctuation time elapses, a symbol showing the determination result by the hit / miss determination means. The second special symbol control means to stop and display in the mode,
A special game control means for opening the big winning opening based on the change stop of the first special symbol and the change stop of the second special symbol when the hit is determined by the hit / fail determination means.
It is provided with a game state conversion means for converting into one of a first advantageous gaming state and a second advantageous gaming state, which is advantageous compared to the normal gaming state, based on the establishment of one or a plurality of preset conversion conditions. It is a thing
The normal opening control means
When the normal opening conditions are satisfied in the second advantageous gaming state, the normal opening mode is selected in the first advantageous gaming state. A high operation control process for opening the variable starting port is provided according to the normal opening mode in which the ball entry rate is higher than that in the opening mode.
The second starting port is provided below the variable starting port so that the ball entering rate to the second starting port becomes relatively lower as the ball entering rate of the variable starting port increases. A ball game machine characterized by being there. The pass / fail judgment means is
It is provided with processing contents for determining whether a big hit or a small hit is successful, and is compared with the case where the hit / fail judgment is made by entering the ball into the second starting port and the hit / fail judgment is made by entering the ball into the first starting port and the variable starting port. Therefore, the probability of winning the small hit is increased.
The special game control means is
When the jackpot is determined by the hit / fail determination means, the jackpot game operation process for executing the jackpot game in which the opening round for opening the jackpot is repeated a plurality of times based on the stop display in the symbol mode showing the result of the jackpot determination. ,
When a small hit is determined by the hit / fail determination means, the time for opening the big winning opening is shorter than the total opening time of the opening round by the big hit game, based on the stop display in the symbol mode showing the result of the small hit determination. The small hit game operation process that executes the small hit game to be released with
It is provided with a big hit development operation process for executing the big hit game when a predetermined development condition is satisfied based on the small hit determination.
The conversion condition of the game state conversion means includes a first conversion condition including the end of the big hit game executed by the big hit game operation process, and a second conversion condition not including the end of the big hit game. The state conversion means shifts to the first advantageous gaming state based on the establishment of the first conversion condition, while shifting to the second advantageous gaming state based on the establishment of the second conversion condition. The ball gaming machine according to claim 1.

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