JP2022063367A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suppressing a rapid change in a ball output rate.

SOLUTION: In a game machine 10, in completion of a jackpot game, the minimum required time of a variation in a special pattern is set on the basis of a ball putout rate per unit time (the number of putout balls per unit time/the number of shot balls per unit time). As a result, the minimum time required for a variation in one special pattern is changed, and timing for executing a jackpot game is shifted, thus suppressing a rapid change in a ball putout rate per unit time.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a prize ball is paid out when a gaming ball launched toward a gaming area enters a ball entry portion.

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, after the jackpot game is completed, the gaming state is controlled to a high probability state having a higher jackpot probability than the normal state.

JP-A-2015-150314 (paragraphs [0284] to [0286], FIG. 29).

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, when the big hits are continuous (continuously chanted) without shifting from the high probability state to the normal state, the payout rate calculated from the number of prize balls and the number of fired balls per predetermined time is defined. The problem of exceeding the value can occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing a sudden change in the ball ejection rate.

The first means is a launching device for launching a game ball toward a game area formed on the front side of the game board, a ball entry portion where the game ball flowing down the game area can enter, and the ball entry portion. In a gaming machine having a payout means for paying out prize balls when a game ball enters a section, a predetermined number of prize balls can be given to the entry section when a special game is executed. An adjustment means that includes a special ball entry section and can adjust the ball ejection rate thereafter based on the ball ejection rate calculated from the number of prize balls and the number of launched balls per predetermined time after the end of the special game. It is a game machine equipped.

According to the above invention, it is possible to suppress a sudden change in the ball ejection rate.

Front view of the gaming machine according to the embodiment Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a gaming machine Diagram to illustrate the types of variable modes Flow chart of variable mode setting process A diagram showing an example of changes in the payout rate

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment covers the gaming board 11 with a front frame 10Z, and is formed on the front surface of the gaming board 11 through a glass window 10W formed in the front frame 10Z. The entire substantially circular gaming area R1 is visible. The game area R1 is surrounded by a substantially circular guide rail 12 protruding from the front surface of the game board 11. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "right" and "left" mean "right" and "left" when the gaming machine 10 is viewed from the front.

An upper plate 26 and a lower plate 27 are provided in two upper and lower stages below the glass window 10W of the front frame 10Z, and a launching handle 28 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 27. Then, when the launch handle 28 is rotated, the game balls housed in the upper plate 26 are ejected one by one toward the game area R1 by the launch device 41 (see FIG. 2).

A display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and the display device 30 faces the display opening 11H from the back surface side of the game board 11. The display device 30 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal module, and has a display screen 30G on the front surface for producing an effect related to the game. On the display screen 30G, various effects related to the game are performed.

A display decorative frame 23 is attached to the center of the front surface of the game board 11 so as to surround the display screen 30G. The display decorative frame 23 is fitted into the display opening 11H from the front side of the game board 11 and protrudes forward from the front side of the game board 11. As a result, it is restricted that the game ball flowing down the game area R1 gets over the display decoration frame 23 and enters the inside of the display decoration frame 23.

On the left side of the display decorative frame 23, a starting gate 18 having a gate-shaped structure through which a game ball can dive is provided. Then, when the game ball passes through the start gate 18, a normal symbol hit / miss determination (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol determination”) is performed. When the normal map determination is performed, the normal symbol is variedly displayed on the normal map determination display unit 18H (see FIG. 2), and is stopped and displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the result of the normal figure determination is displayed by the stopped normal symbol.

When the game ball passes through the start gate 18 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, the information regarding the normal map determination caused by the passage (specifically, the display of the result of the normal symbol determination and the accompanying symbol variation) is set in advance. Hold up to the maximum number of holds. Then, when the change of the normal symbol being executed is completed, one hold is exhausted, and the change of the hold normal symbol and the determination result are displayed. The upper limit of the number of holdings of information related to the normal drawing determination (hereinafter referred to as "normal figure holding") is, for example, four. If there are multiple hold of the map, the hold of the map is digested in the order of occurrence.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second starting winning openings 14A and 14B and the large winning openings 15 are spaced apart from the top in the central portion in the left-right direction below the display decorative frame 23 in the game area R1. It is provided side by side with the doors open.

The first starting winning opening 14A is always open, and specifically, has a so-called pocket structure having an opening on the upper surface of a member protruding from the game board 11.

The second starting winning opening 14B is arranged directly below the first starting winning opening 14A, and is opened and closed by the movable wing pieces 14C and 14C. Specifically, the second start winning opening 14B has a structure in which both the upper side and the left and right sides are open, and entry into the second starting winning opening 14B from above is regulated by the first starting winning opening 14A. There is. Both movable wing pieces 14C and 14C are normally controlled in an upright closed position on both the left and right sides of the second starting winning opening 14B. Both movable wing pieces 14C and 14C are controlled to the open position (position shown in FIG. 1) in which they rotate around the lower end portion and lie down on the condition that they are hit in the above-mentioned normal drawing judgment. To. The movable wing piece 14C arranged in the open position receives the game ball flowing down from above and guides it to the second starting winning opening 14B.

The large winning opening 15 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, and is always closed by a movable door 15T. The movable door 15T is configured to be rotatable around the lower end edge of the large winning opening 15, and when the movable door 15T is tilted forward, the movable door 15T is used as a guide to many large winning openings 15. A game ball can be entered.

When a game ball enters the first start winning opening 14A or the second starting winning opening 14B, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to the upper plate 26 (see FIG. 1), and a special symbol winning / failing judgment (hereinafter, referred to as “1”) is made. "Special figure judgment") is performed. The result of this determination is displayed on the special figure determination display unit 14H (see FIG. 2) and the display screen 30G. In the following, the special figure determination based on the first start winning opening 14A and the special figure determination based on the second starting winning opening 14B will be referred to as a first special figure determination and a second special figure determination as appropriate.

The result of the special figure determination is displayed on the display screen 30G as follows. That is, on the display screen 30G, three special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R on the left, middle, and right are usually displayed side by side and stopped. Each special symbol 30L, 30C, 30R is composed of, for example, a plurality of types in which the numbers "0" to "9" are represented, and each special symbol 30L, 30C, 30R has a predetermined type. It is displayed as stopped. When the special symbol determination is performed, the three special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R are scrolled and displayed (variable display) in the vertical direction, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, they are stopped and displayed in the order of left, right, and middle. Then, the result of the special symbol determination is displayed by the combination of the stopped special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R.

When the display screen 30G displays that the result of the special figure determination is a big hit, the game state becomes the big hit game state, the big hit game is executed, and the game ball can enter the big winning opening 15. When a game ball enters the large winning opening 15, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out to the upper plate 26 (see FIG. 1) as a prize ball. Here, the operation from the opening to the closing of the big winning opening 15 is referred to as a "round", and one big hit game continues until a predetermined number of rounds are executed. In one round, the opening time of the large winning opening 15 has reached a predetermined time (for example, 29 seconds), or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls have been won in the large winning opening 15. It ends when either of them is established first. A winning sensor (not shown) is provided inside the large winning opening 15 to count the number of winning balls.

In the game machine 10, when a game ball enters the first start winning opening 14A or the second starting winning opening 14B during the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R or during the big hit game, the special figure caused by the entry. Information related to the determination (specifically, the display of the result of the special figure determination and the accompanying symbol change) is suspended up to the preset holding upper limit number. Then, when the symbol change or the jackpot game being executed ends, one hold is exhausted, and the hold symbol change and the result display are performed. Here, if the hold of the information related to the first special figure determination and the hold of the information related to the second special figure determination are appropriately distinguished by being referred to as the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold, the upper limit number of holds is It is set for each of the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold, and both are four. The number of the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold can be recognized by the player by being displayed on the hold display unit 30H (see FIG. 2), for example.

In addition to the above-mentioned winning openings 14A, 14B, and 15, the game area R1 is provided with a plurality of general winning openings 20 that are open upward or laterally so that game balls can always enter. Further, at the lower end of the game area R1, specifically, below the large winning opening 15, an out opening 16 for discharging a game ball that has not entered any winning opening to the outside of the game area R1. Is provided. Further, in the game area R1, a large number of obstacle nails (not shown) for randomly changing the flow direction of the game ball are planted.

FIG. 2 shows the electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. In the figure, reference numeral 50 is a main control circuit 50, which is a microcomputer including a CPU 50A, a RAM 50B, a ROM 50C, and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the microcomputer and the sub control circuit 52, and a big prize device. It is provided with a relay circuit to which the above is connected and an input / output circuit for connecting the payout control circuit 60 and the like, and performs main control related to the game. The CPU 50A is provided with a hit / fail judgment unit, a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and in addition to performing calculation control, it also generates random numbers related to special figure judgment and normal figure judgment, and sub-controls the control signal. It is configured to be able to output (transmit) to the circuit 52 or the like. The RAM 50B includes a storage area for various random values generated by the CPU 50A, a storage area and a flag for temporarily storing various data, and a work area of the CPU 50A. In the ROM 50C, control data, special symbol 30L, 30C, 30R, symbol fluctuation data related to the variation display of the normal symbol, etc. are written, as well as the determination value of the special symbol judgment and the normal symbol judgment, the number of rounds of the big hit game, etc. It has been written. The information of the first special figure determination related to the first special figure hold and the information of the second special figure determination related to the second special figure hold are stored in the RAM 50B. In addition, the information on the determination of the normal map related to the hold of the normal map is also stored in the RAM 50B.

Similar to the main control circuit 50, the sub control circuit 52 includes a microcomputer having a CPU 52A, a RAM 52B, a ROM 52C, and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the microcomputer and the main control circuit 50, a display control circuit 54, and the like. It is equipped with an input / output circuit that connects the above. The CPU 52A includes a control unit, an arithmetic unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, and the like, and is configured to perform arithmetic control and output (transmit) a control signal to a display control circuit 54 or the like. The RAM 52B has a storage area for various data and a work area by the CPU 52A. The ROM 52C stores data of various effects and the like.

The display control circuit 54 is provided in the display device 30 and has a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The CPU of the display control circuit 54 acquires image data from the ROM based on the control signal output from the sub control circuit 52, and displays the image on the display screen 30G based on the image data.

The payout control circuit 60 is connected to the payout device 61, the card unit 62, the ball lending device 63, the launch control circuit 40, and the like, and the launch device 41 is connected to the launch control circuit 40. The payout control circuit 60 operates the payout device 61 based on a signal from the main control circuit 50 based on the entry of the game ball into each of the winning openings 14, 15 and 20, and is provided on the side surface of the game machine 10. The ball lending device 63 is operated based on the signal from the card unit 62. As a result, the game ball is paid out to the upper plate 26. The payout control circuit 60 also functions as a relay circuit for relaying a signal between the main control circuit 50 and the launch control circuit 40.

The gaming machine 10 includes, as a gaming state, a normal gaming state and a high probability state in which the jackpot probability of the special figure determination is higher than that of the normal gaming state. The transition to the high probability state is triggered by a big hit. Specifically, when a big hit is made in the special figure determination, it is determined whether or not to change the gaming state after the big hit game to a high probability state based on the random value of the big hit. The high probability state continues until the next big hit.

Further, in the high probability state, it is easy to make a hit in the judgment of the normal figure, and it is easy to put the game ball into the second starting winning opening 14B. Therefore, in the high probability state, the decrease of the game ball is suppressed and the big hit is likely to occur. Therefore, when the event that the game state becomes the high probability state after the big hit game ends continuously, the high probability state is set. The big hit games will be continuous (continuously chan), and a large amount of game balls can be expected to increase.

Here, the number of prize balls paid out by entering the winning openings 14A, 14B, 15, and 20 with respect to the number of game balls fired in the game area R1 (hereinafter referred to as "the number of launched balls") (hereinafter referred to as "the number of fired balls"). If the ratio of the number of payout balls (that is, the value obtained by dividing the number of payout balls by the number of launch balls) is called the payout rate, in general, in a gaming machine, the payout rate per unit time is determined. It is required to be controlled so as not to exceed the specified upper limit. As a means to prevent the payout rate per unit time from exceeding the specified upper limit, a limiter function is provided to limit the continuous (continuous chan) of big hits, and the limiter is provided before the payout rate exceeds the specified upper limit. It is conceivable to make it a configuration that activates. Specifically, when the number of consecutive big hits (number of consecutive chans) reaches a predetermined number, the game state after the end of the big hit game is always set to the normal game state. However, with such a gaming machine, there is a problem that the gaming after the limiter is activated lacks interest.

In view of the above problem, the gaming machine 10 delays the occurrence of the next jackpot by controlling the fluctuation time of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R each time the jackpot game ends, and as a result, the unit time. It is designed to control the winning rate. Specifically, the gaming machine 10 is provided with a plurality of types of modes related to fluctuations of the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R (hereinafter, referred to as “special symbol fluctuations”). The minimum required time for special map fluctuation (that is, the shortest time for special map fluctuation) differs between modes. Although the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment has a limiter function, the condition for activating the limiter is that the number of consecutive big hits (number of consecutive chans) reaches the limit number of times. Is set to a number of times (for example, 256 times) that is difficult to realize in a daily game.

Here, on the display screen 30G, various effects may be performed according to the fluctuation of the special figure. As an example of such an effect, the reach state (two special symbols 30L, 30R out of three special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R stop at the same symbol, and the remaining one special symbol 30C becomes special symbols 30L, 30R. There is a reach effect that is performed in a state where it is a big hit if it stops at the same pattern). When the reach effect is performed, the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R are stopped and displayed after waiting for the end of the reach effect, so that the time for the special symbol change becomes long. In this way, the time of the special figure fluctuation changes depending on the presence or absence of the reach effect and the like. The minimum required time for the special symbol variation is the default variation time when the effect of delaying the stop display of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R is not performed as in the reach effect.

In the gaming machine 10, the minimum required time for changing the special figure differs depending on the number of reserved information related to the special figure determination. Specifically, the minimum required time T1 for the special figure change when the number of reserved information related to the special figure determination is less than three obtained by subtracting 1 from the upper limit number of reserved figures (hereinafter referred to as "first minimum required time T1"). Is set longer than the minimum required time T2 (hereinafter, referred to as "second minimum required time T2") of the special figure change when the number of reservations is three or more. Then, in the gaming machine 10, both the first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time are different between the modes related to the special map variation. Specifically, among the plurality of variation modes, the order in which the plurality of variation modes are arranged in the order of the longest first minimum required time T1 and the order in which the plurality of variation modes are arranged in the order of the longest second minimum required time T2 are arranged. The order of the times is the same. In the variable mode in which the first minimum required time T1 is the shortest, the second minimum required time T2 is also the shortest, and in the variable mode in which the first minimum required time T1 is the longest, the second minimum required time is the second minimum required time. T2 is also the longest.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the mode related to the special figure variation. In the example of FIG. 3, three types of variable modes A to C are provided, and the first minimum required time T1 is 5 seconds in the variable mode A, 7 seconds in the variable mode B, and 10 seconds in the variable mode C. The second minimum required time T2 is 1 second in the variable mode A, 3 seconds in the variable mode B, and 5 seconds in the variable mode C.

FIG. 4 shows a variable mode setting process S10 executed by the sub-control circuit 52 of the gaming machine 10 when the jackpot game is completed. In the variable mode setting process S10, first, it is determined whether or not the payout rate per unit time is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (step S11). In the gaming machine 10, the first threshold value is set to 150%.

When the payout rate per unit time is less than the first threshold value (No in step S11), the mode of the special figure variation is the variation mode A (see FIG. 3. The first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 are set. The shortest mode) is set (step S15), and the variable mode setting process S10 is terminated.

When the payout rate per unit time is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (Yes in step S11), then it is determined whether the payout rate per unit time is equal to or higher than the second threshold value (step S12). In the gaming machine 10, the second threshold value is set to 200%. In the gaming machine 10, the specified upper limit of the payout rate is set to 220%.

When the payout rate per unit time is less than the second threshold value (No in step S12), the mode of the special figure variation is the variation mode B (see FIG. 3. The first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 are set. The second shortest mode) is set (step S14), and the variable mode setting process S10 is terminated.

When the payout rate per unit time is equal to or higher than the second threshold value (Yes in step S12), the mode of the special figure variation is the variation mode C (see FIG. 3. The first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 are set. The longest mode is set (step S13), and the variable mode setting process S10 is terminated.

The payout rate per unit time is calculated by the main control circuit 50. Specifically, the main control circuit 50 has the number of launch balls per unit time and the number of launch balls per unit time based on the signals from the payout control circuit 60 (see FIG. 2) connected to the payout device 61 and the launch control circuit 40. Measure the number of payout balls. Then, the number of balls to be paid out per unit time is divided by the number of balls to be launched per unit time to calculate the payout rate per unit time.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the transition of the ball ejection rate in the gaming machine 10. In this example, the specified upper limit of the payout rate per unit time is set to 220%, and the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set to 150% and 200%, respectively. At the start of the game, the mode of the special figure variation is set to the variation mode A (the mode in which the first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 are the shortest). In the example of the figure, the first big hit shifts to a high-probability state, and the big hit consecutive chan starts, and the ball ejection rate per unit time exceeds the first threshold value at the fifth big hit. Then, the mode of the special figure variation after the jackpot game ends is set to the variation mode B, and the first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 become longer. As a result, the degree of decrease in the ball output rate in the high probability state after the end of the 5th big hit game is larger than the degree of decrease in the ball output rate in the high probability state after the end of the 1st to 4th big hit games. ..

In the example of FIG. 5, the big hits are further continued without shifting to the normal gaming state, and the ball ejection rate per unit time exceeds the second threshold value at the seventh big hit. Then, the mode of the special figure variation after the jackpot game is completed is set to the variation mode C ((the mode in which the first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 are the longest)), and as a result, the fifth to sixth times. The degree of decrease in the ball output rate in the high probability state after the end of the seventh big hit game is larger than the degree of decrease in the ball output rate in the high probability state after the end of the game. Occasionally, the mode of the special figure variation may remain the variation mode C or may be set to the variation mode A.

In the example of FIG. 5, the game state after the end of the seventh big hit game does not become a high probability state, and the continuous chan ends. Then, in the normal gaming state, when the 8th big hit is reached in total, the ball ejection rate per unit time decreases and falls below the first threshold value. Therefore, the mode of the special figure variation after the end of the big hit game is set to the variation mode A. After the end of the seventh big hit game, the game shifts to the normal game state through a time-saving game state in which the normal figure determination is likely to be a hit until the special figure determination is executed a predetermined number of times.

In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, by setting the minimum required time for the special figure change (specifically, the first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2), the minimum required time for one special figure change is set. It is possible to change the time limit. Therefore, for example, when a big hit is obtained in the 20th special figure determination, the timing at which the special figure change related to the 20th special figure determination ends is changed. As a result, it is possible to shift the timing at which the big hit game is executed, and it is possible to adjust the payout rate per unit time. As a result, a sudden change in the ball output rate is suppressed.

Further, in the gaming machine 10, the minimum required time for the special map variation is set when the jackpot game is completed. In this way, in the gaming machine 10, the minimum required time for the special map fluctuation is set at the timing when the ball ejection rate changes significantly. Therefore, for example, the minimum required time is completed each time the predetermined number of special map determinations are completed. It is possible to reduce the frequency of setting the minimum required time as compared with the case where is set.

Further, in the gaming machine 10, when the high probability state is reached after the end of the big hit game, it can be considered that the minimum required time is set at the timing of shifting to the high probability state. In this case, since the minimum required time is set at the timing when a large change in the payout rate is expected, it is possible to prevent a sudden increase in the payout rate.

Further, since the gaming machine 10 is provided with a plurality of types of variation modes A to C in which the minimum required time for special figure variation is different, the variation mode is changed so that the minimum required time changes stepwise. , It is possible to suppress abrupt changes in the minimum required time (first minimum required time T1 and second minimum required time T2).

[Technical feature group extracted from the above embodiment]
Hereinafter, the features extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described while showing the effects and the like as necessary. In the following, for the sake of easy understanding, the corresponding configurations in the above-described embodiment are appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations shown in the parentheses or the like.

<Characteristic A group>
The following feature A group relates to a gaming machine in which "a prize ball is paid out when a gaming ball launched toward a gaming area enters a ball entry portion", and "Patent Document A (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-150314) (paragraph [paragraph] 0284] to [0286], FIG. 29))), the gaming state is controlled to a high probability state having a higher jackpot probability than the normal state after the jackpot game is completed. ”Patent Document A In the game machine of, if the big hits are continuous (continuously chan) without shifting from the high probability state to the normal state, the ball ejection rate calculated from the number of prize balls and the number of fired balls per predetermined time exceeds the specified value. The problem can occur. "

[Feature A1]
A launching device (launching device 41) that launches a game ball toward a gaming area (game area R1) formed on the front side of the game board (game board 11).
A ball entry section (starting winning openings 14A, 14B, large winning opening 15) into which a game ball flowing down the gaming area can enter.
In a gaming machine (game machine 10) having a payout means (payout device 61) for paying out prize balls when a game ball enters the ball entry portion.
The entry section includes a start entry section (first start winning opening 14A, second start winning opening 14B) in which a lottery for a special game (big hit game) is executed based on the entry, and the special game. A special entry section (large winning opening 15) that can give a predetermined number of prize balls when executed is included.
The symbol changing means (display device 30) for notifying the lottery result of the special game with the fluctuation of the symbols (special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R).
At a preset timing (timing when the jackpot game ends), the time required for the symbol to change (minimum of the special figure fluctuation) based on the ball ejection rate calculated from the number of prize balls and the number of launched balls per predetermined time. A gaming machine provided with a variable time setting means (sub control circuit 52) for setting a required time).

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to change the time required for notifying the lottery result of the special symbol by setting the time required for the symbol to change. As a result, it is possible to shift the execution timing of the special game in which a predetermined number of prize balls are given, and it is possible to adjust the payout rate. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden change in the ball output rate.

[Feature A2]
The gaming machine according to feature A1, wherein the variable time setting means sets a required time for variation of the symbol after the special game is executed.

With the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to set the time required for the symbol to change at the timing when the ball output rate changes.

[Feature A3]
A state control means (main control circuit 50) for controlling the game state into a normal state (normal game state) and an advantageous state (high probability state) in which the special game is more easily executed than the normal state is provided.
The gaming machine according to feature A1 or A2, wherein the fluctuation time setting means sets the required time for the fluctuation of the symbol at the timing of transition to the advantageous state.

With the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to set the time required for the symbol to change at the timing when the ball ejection rate is expected to change.

[Feature A4]
The fluctuation time setting means has any one of features A1 to A3 that sets the required time for fluctuation of the symbol so that the ball ejection rate does not exceed a predetermined reference value (specified upper limit value). The gaming machine described in the claims.

In the configuration shown in this feature, by controlling the time required for the fluctuation of the symbol, it is possible to control the ball ejection rate so as not to exceed the reference value.

[Feature A5]
For the variation of the symbol, a plurality of types of modes (variation modes A to C of the special symbol variation) in which the minimum time required for the variation of the symbol is different are provided.
The gaming machine according to feature A4, wherein the variable time setting means selects one mode from a plurality of types of modes based on the difference between the current payout rate and the reference value.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the time required for the symbol change can be controlled by selecting one mode from a plurality of types of modes in which the minimum time required for the symbol change is different.

[Feature A6]
After the end of the special game, a state control means (main control) that controls the game state into a normal state (normal game state) and an advantageous state (high probability state) in which the special game is more likely to be executed than the normal state. Equipped with circuit 50)
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, wherein an upper limit of the number of times the special game is executed from the transition to the advantageous state to the return to the normal state is preset.

In the configuration shown in this feature, an upper limit is set for the payout between the transition to the advantageous state and the return to the normal state, and the payout rate can be easily controlled.

A launching device (launching device 41) that launches a game ball toward the gaming area (game area R1) formed on the front side of the game board, and
A ball entry section (starting winning openings 14A, 14B, large winning opening 15) into which a game ball flowing down the gaming area can enter.
In a gaming machine (game machine 10) having a payout means (payout device 61) for paying out prize balls when a game ball enters the ball entry portion.
The entry section includes a special entry section (large winning opening 15) capable of awarding a predetermined number of prize balls when a special game (big hit game) is executed.
After the end of the special game, an adjusting means (sub-control circuit 52) for adjusting the subsequent ball ejection rate based on the number of winning balls and the number of launched balls per predetermined time is provided. Amusement machine.

According to the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to adjust the ball ejection rate after the end of the special game. Moreover, in the configuration of this feature, it is possible to adjust the ball ejection rate after that at the timing when there is a big change in the ball ejection. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden change in the ball output rate.

[Feature A8]
The gaming machine according to feature A7, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the ball ejection rate so as not to exceed a predetermined reference value (specified upper limit value).

According to the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to control the ball ejection rate so as not to exceed the reference value.

[Feature A9]
The gaming machine according to feature A7 or A8, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the payout rate by adjusting the time until the next special game is executed (variable time of special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R). ..

According to the configuration shown in this feature, by changing the time required for the next special game to be executed, it is possible to shift the execution timing of the special game and adjust the ball ejection rate. ..

[Feature A10]
A notification means (display device 30) for notifying the lottery result after executing the suggestion effect (variation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R) suggesting the lottery result of the special game is provided.
The adjusting means adjusts the payout rate by changing the minimum effect time (minimum required time for special figure variation) required for the suggestion effect regardless of the lottery result of the special game. Feature The gaming machine described in A9.

According to the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to change the minimum effect time required for the suggestion effect and control the time required for the special game to be executed.

[Feature A11]
A launching device (launching device 41) that launches a game ball toward a gaming area (game area R1) formed on the front side of the game board (game board 11).
A ball entry section (starting winning openings 14A, 14B, first winning opening 15) into which a game ball flowing down the gaming area can enter.
In a gaming machine (game machine 10) having a payout means (payout device 61) for paying out prize balls when a game ball enters the ball entry portion.
Adjustment means that can adjust the subsequent ball ejection rate based on the ball ejection rate calculated from the number of prize balls and the number of launched balls per predetermined time at a preset timing (timing when the jackpot game ends). A gaming machine provided with a sub control circuit 52).

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to adjust the ball ejection rate after that at a preset timing. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden change in the ball output rate.

The configurations shown in the features A7 to A10 may be combined with the configurations shown in the features A1 to A6, and the configurations shown in the features A11 may be combined with the configurations shown in the features A1 to A10.

The feature A group may include the following embodiments.

(A1) The gaming machine 10 of the above embodiment is a so-called probabilistic machine in which the jackpot probability fluctuates, but it may be an ST machine or a type 1 type 2 type mixing machine. As with the probability change machine, the ST machine shifts to the high probability state with the big hit of the special figure determination as an opportunity. The high-probability state of the ST machine ends when the number of consecutive deviations in the special figure determination reaches the specified number of times. In the 1st and 2nd type mixer, a special figure determination is made based on a prize in the starting port, and when a big hit is made in the special drawing determination, a big hit game is executed as a 1st type big hit. When a small hit is made by a special figure judgment based on a prize at the start opening, a small hit game is executed, and when a game ball passes through a specific area (V zone) during this small hit game, a big hit game is executed as a type 2 big hit. Will be done.

(A2) In the above embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is configured to have a limiter function, but may be configured not to have a limiter function.

(A3) In the above embodiment, there are two types of configurations in which the minimum required time for special figure fluctuation changes depending on the number of reserved information related to the special figure determination (that is, the minimum required time is the first minimum possession time T1 and the second minimum required time). However, it may be a configuration that does not change depending on the number of reservations (that is, a configuration in which the minimum required time is only one type).

(A4) In the above embodiment, both the first minimum required time T1 and the second minimum required time T2 are different between the variable modes, but only the first minimum required time T1 may be different. 2 Only the minimum required time T2 may be different.

(A5) The type of the variable mode may be two types or four or more types.

(A6) In the gaming machine 10, the variable mode is set so that the payout rate per unit time does not exceed the specified upper limit, but if the payout rate per predetermined time does not exceed the reference value, Often, for example, a variable mode may be set so that the ball ejection rate per 4 hours does not exceed 150%.

(A7) In the above embodiment, the threshold value as a reference for changing the fluctuation mode of the special figure fluctuation is provided in two stages of the first threshold value and the second threshold value, but it may be provided in one stage. It may be provided in three or more stages.

10 Pachinko machine 11 Game board 14A 1st start winning opening 14B 2nd starting winning opening 15 Large winning opening 30 Display device 30L, 30C, 30R Special design 41 Launching device 50 Main control circuit 52 Sub control circuit 61 Payout device

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a prize ball is paid out when a launched gaming ball enters a ball entry portion.

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, if the big hits are continuous (continuously chanted) without shifting from the high probability state to the normal state, there may be a problem that the number of prize balls becomes too large with respect to the number of launched balls .

The first means is a gaming machine in which a prize ball is paid out when the launched game ball enters a predetermined entry portion, and the number of prize balls is within the first specified range set according to the number of launched balls. It is a gaming machine provided with a control means for controlling the state of the gaming machine so as to fit in.

Claims (5)

A launcher that launches a game ball toward the game area formed on the front side of the game board,
A ball entry section where a game ball flowing down the game area can enter,
In a gaming machine having a payout means for paying out a prize ball when a game ball enters the ball entry portion.
The ball entry section includes a special ball entry section capable of awarding a predetermined number of prize balls when a special game is executed.
A gaming machine provided with an adjusting means capable of adjusting the subsequent ball ejection rate based on the ball ejection rate calculated from the number of prize balls and the number of launched balls per predetermined time after the end of the special game. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the ball ejection rate so as not to exceed a predetermined reference value. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the payout rate by adjusting the time until the special game is executed next. A notification means for notifying the lottery result after executing the suggestion effect suggesting the lottery result of the special game is provided.
The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting means adjusts the payout rate by changing the minimum effect time required for the suggested effect regardless of the lottery result of the special game. A state control means for controlling the game state to a normal state and an advantageous state in which the special game is more easily executed than the normal state after the end of the special game is provided.
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein an upper limit of the number of times the special game is executed from the transition to the advantageous state to the return to the normal state is preset. ..

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