JP2022173425A - game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suppressing disadvantage of a player.

SOLUTION: In a game machine 10, special pattern determination is executed by entry of game balls into a first start winning hole 14AK or a second start winning hole 14BK, and a game state is controlled to a normal game state or a time-shortening game state on the basis of a result of the special pattern determination. The time-shortening game state is completed when the number of execution times of special pattern determination reaches the number of upper-limit times. The number of upper-limit times of special pattern determination pertaining to a time-shortening completion condition in control to the time-shortening game state by the special pattern determination caused by entry of game balls into the first start winning hole 14AK differs from the number of upper-limit times of special pattern determination pertaining to a time-shortening completion condition in control to the time-shortening game state by the special pattern determination caused by entry of game balls into the second start winning hole 14BK.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine having multiple ball entry areas.

The gaming machine of Patent Document 1 aims at a big hit by entering a game ball into a first start port in a normal state, and in a time-saving state, enters a game ball into a second start port and aims at a big win. It's becoming

JP 2016-083402 (paragraphs [0255] to [0257], FIG. 2)

In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, for example, when the normal state shifts to the time saving state, if the game ball enters only the first start port, the time saving state may end against the player's will. There is a risk that the player will be disadvantaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the disadvantage of a player.

The first means includes a first ball entry area into which a gaming ball can enter, a second ball entry area different from the first ball entry area, and a path to the first ball entry area or the second ball entry area. When an execution condition resulting from the entry of a game ball is established, the game state is controlled to a special state in which the ball is more easily entered into the second ball entry area than in the normal state, and the entry of the ball is performed in the special state. game state control means for controlling a game state from the special state to the normal state when a termination condition resulting from the game is satisfied, The end condition of the special state is different from the end condition of the second special state resulting from the entry of the ball into the second ball entering area, and the first condition when the execution condition is satisfied in the normal state. As a special state, the gaming machine is provided with a state in which the end condition is less likely to be satisfied than in the first or second special state when the execution condition is satisfied in the special state.

According to the above invention, it is possible to suppress the disadvantage of the player.

Front view of gaming machine according to embodiment front view of game board Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the gaming machine Conceptual diagram showing game flow A table showing an example of time-saving end conditions (A) Diagram for explaining the first instruction effect, (B) Diagram for explaining the second instruction effect A diagram for explaining the flow of instruction production Flowchart of instruction effect control processing A diagram showing the flow of display on the display screen during the jackpot game and during the time-saving game Conceptual diagram showing the correspondence between the image during the jackpot and the sound during the jackpot A time chart showing the ON/OFF state of the sound during the jackpot, the image during the jackpot, and the image during the time saving Conceptual diagram of the display of the first layer and the second layer in the jackpot game state Conceptual diagram of the display of the first layer and the second layer in the time-saving game state Conceptual diagram showing the flow of display on the first layer, the second layer, and the display screen

As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a game board 11 shown in FIG. 2 covered with a front frame 10Z. The entire substantially circular game area R1 (see FIG. 2) formed on the front surface of the game machine 11 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. - 特許庁In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "right" and "left" refer to "right" and "left" when the gaming machine 10 is viewed from the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, decorative lamps 22 are provided around the glass window 10W of the front frame 10Z. Speakers 25, 25 are provided on both sides of the front frame 10Z above the glass window 10W.

Below the glass window 10W of the front frame 10Z, an upper plate 26 and a lower plate 27 are provided in two stages, and a firing handle 28 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 27. - 特許庁When the shooting handle 28 is rotated, the game balls contained in the upper tray 26 are ejected one by one toward the game area R1 by a shooting device (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, a display opening 11H is formed through the center of the game area R1 of the game board 11, and a display device 30 faces the display opening 11H from the back side of the game board 11. there is The display device 30 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal module, and has a display screen 30G on the front surface for performing game-related effects. Various game effects are performed on the display screen 30G.

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

A first start winning opening 14AK is provided in the horizontal central portion of the portion below the display decoration frame 23 in the game area R1. The first start winning opening 14AK is always open, and more specifically, has a pocket structure with an opening at the top that is large enough to allow game balls to enter one by one.

A first big prize winning device 15A is provided below the first start prize winning port 14AK. The first big winning device 15A includes a first big winning opening 15AK opened to the right and a first variable member 15AT arranged on the right side of the first big winning opening 15AK. The first variable member 15AT is configured to be slidable between a first projecting position projecting from the front surface of the game board 11 and a first retracted position where projection is suppressed from the first projecting position. It is Then, when the first variable member 15AT is arranged at the first projecting position, the game ball can enter the first big winning hole 15AK by guiding the first variable member 15AT, and the first variable member 15AT is the first. When placed at the 1 retreat position, it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the first big winning hole 15AK.

An arc-shaped upper communication path 24 along the guide rail 12 is formed above the display decoration frame 23 in the game area R1. The upper connecting path 24 connects the left region R2 and the right region R3 located on the left and right sides of the display decoration frame 23 in the game region R1. Here, a game ball shot from a shooting device (not shown) enters the game area R1 from the upper left part of the game area R1. Then, in the gaming machine 10, the game ball that has passed through the upper communication path 24 flows down the right area R3 of the game area R1. In addition, the upper communication path 24 is formed to have a width through which game balls can pass one by one.

The right region R3 is provided with a gate-shaped start gate 18 through which game balls can pass. When the game ball passes through the starting gate 18, a normal symbol validity determination (hereinafter referred to as "normal symbol determination") is performed. When the normal pattern determination is performed, the normal pattern is variably displayed in the normal pattern determination display section 18H (see FIG. 3), and after a predetermined period of time has passed, it is stopped and displayed. Then, the result of normal pattern determination is displayed by the stopped normal pattern.

When the game ball passes through the starting gate 18 during the normal pattern fluctuation, the information on the normal pattern determination caused by the passage (specifically, the result display of the normal pattern determination and the pattern fluctuation accompanying it) is set in advance. will be held up to the specified hold limit. Then, when the variation of the normal symbols being executed is completed, one reservation is digested, and the variation of the reserved normal symbols and the judgment result are displayed. Reservation of information on normal pattern determination (hereinafter referred to as "normal pattern reservation".) Suspension upper limit number is, for example, four. In addition, if there are multiple universal map reservations, the universal map reservations will be digested in the order of occurrence.

A starting winning device 14B is provided below the starting gate 18 in the right region R3. The starting prize winning device 14B includes a second starting prize winning port 14BK opened to the left and a starting variable member 14BT inclined downward to the right on the left side of the second starting prize winning port 14BK. The start variable member 14BT is configured to be slidable between a start projection position projecting from the front surface of the game board 11 and a start retraction position in which projection is suppressed from the start projection position, and is normally at the start retraction position. It is arranged, and when the result of the normal pattern determination described above is hit, it is arranged at the start projection position for a predetermined period. Then, when the start variable member 14BT is arranged at the start protruding position, the game ball can enter the second start winning opening 14BK with the start variable member 14BT as a guide, and the start variable member 14BT is arranged at the start retracted position. When the game ball is entered, it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the start winning hole 14BK.

A second big winning device 15B is provided below the starting winning device 14B in the right region R3. The second big winning device 15B includes a second big winning opening 15BK that opens upward, and a second variable member 15BT that opens and closes the second big winning opening 15BK. The second variable member 15BT is configured to be slidable between a second projecting position projecting from the front surface of the game board 11 and a second retracted position where projection is suppressed from the second projecting position. Then, when the second variable member 15BT is arranged at the second protruding position, the second large winning opening 15BK is blocked, making it difficult for the game ball to enter the second large winning opening 15BK, and the second variable member 15BT When arranged at the second retracted position, the second big winning hole 15BK is opened and the game ball can enter the second big winning hole 15BK.

When the game ball enters the first start winning opening 14AK or the second starting winning opening 14BK, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to the upper tray 26 (see FIG. 1), and special symbol suitability determination (hereinafter referred to as (referred to as "special figure determination") is performed. The result of the special figure determination is displayed on the special figure determination display section 14H (see FIG. 3) and the display screen 30G. In the following, the special figure determination based on the first start winning opening 14AK and the special figure determination based on the second starting winning opening 14BK are referred to as the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, and are appropriately distinguished.

The result of the special figure determination on the display screen 30G is displayed as follows. That is, three left, middle and right special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R are normally stopped and displayed side by side on the display screen 30G. Each of the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R, for example, is composed of a plurality of types representing numbers "0" to "9", and each of the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R has a predetermined type. is displayed as stopped. When the special figure determination is made, the three special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R are vertically scroll-displayed (variable display), and after a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, left, right, and middle are stopped and displayed. Then, the combination of the stopped special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R is used to display the result of the special symbol determination.

When the display screen 30G displays that the result of the special figure determination is a big win, the game state changes to a big win game state, the big win game is executed, and the first big winning hole 15AK or the second big winning hole 15BK is entered. A game ball can enter. When a game ball enters the first big prize hole 15AK or the second big prize hole 15BK, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls to the upper tray 26 (see FIG. 1).

Specifically, when the big win game is executed, the first variable member 15AT is driven to the first projecting position for a predetermined period of time to open the first big winning opening 15AK. Here, if the operation from opening to closing of the first big winning opening 15AK is called a "round", one big winning game continues until a predetermined number of rounds are executed. In one round, the opening time of the first big prize hole 15AK reaches a predetermined time (for example, 29 seconds), or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins the first big prize hole 15AK It ends when one of the above is established first. A winning sensor (not shown) is provided inside the first big winning hole 15AK to count the number of winning balls.

Further, when it is displayed on the display screen 30G that the result of the special figure determination is a small hit, the game state becomes a small hit game state, and a small hit game is executed. In the small winning game, the game ball can enter the second big winning hole 15BK. The opening time of the second big winning hole 15BK is shorter than the opening time of the first big winning hole 15AK in the big win game, and the number of balls released in one small win game is equal to the number of balls released in one big win game. less than a ball.

Here, when the game ball enters the first start winning port 14AK or the second starting winning port 14BK during the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R, during the small winning game or the big winning game, it is caused by the entering ball The information on the special figure determination (specifically, the result display of the special figure determination and the pattern fluctuation accompanying it) is reserved up to the preset number of reservations. Then, when the pattern variation, the small winning game or the big winning game being executed is completed, one reservation is digested, and the retained pattern variation and result display are performed. Here, if the holding of information related to the first special figure determination and the holding of information related to the second special figure determination are appropriately distinguished by referring to them as the first special figure reservation and the second special figure reservation, the upper limit number of reservations is It is set for each of the first special figure reservation and the second special figure reservation, and the upper limit number of reservations for the second special figure reservation is less than the upper limit number of reservations for the first special figure reservation. The number of the first special figure reservation and the number of the second special figure reservation can be recognized by the player by being displayed on the reservation display section 30H (see FIG. 3), for example. In addition, for example, the number of reservation upper limit of the first special figure reservation is four, and the number of reservation upper limit of the second special figure reservation is one.

In addition to the above-described winning openings 14AK, 14BK, 15AK, and 15BK, the game area R1 is provided with a plurality of general winning openings 20 which are opened upward or sideways and into which game balls can enter at all times. In addition, at the lower end of the game area R1, specifically, below the first variable member 15AK, there is an out hole for discharging game balls that have not entered any of the winning holes to the outside of the game area R1. 16 are provided. Furthermore, in the game area R1, a large number of obstacle nails K are planted for randomly changing the flowing direction of the game ball.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration of the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a main control circuit 50, which includes a microcomputer having a CPU 50A, a RAM 50B, a ROM 50C, and a plurality of counters, an input/output circuit connecting the microcomputer and a sub-control circuit 52, and a prize-winning device. etc. are connected, and an input/output circuit that connects a payout control circuit, etc., and performs main control related to the game. The CPU 50A includes a success/fail determination unit, a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and in addition to performing arithmetic control, it also generates random numbers related to special figure determination and general figure determination, and sub-controls the control signal. It is configured to be able to output (transmit) to the circuit 52 and the like. The RAM 50B includes a storage area for various random values generated by the CPU 50A, a storage area and flags for temporarily storing various data, and a work area for the CPU 50A. Control data, special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R and symbol variation data related to variable display of normal symbols are written in the ROM 50C. is written. The information of the first special figure determination related to the first special figure reservation and the information of the second special figure determination related to the second special figure reservation are stored in the RAM 50B. In addition, the information of the general pattern judgment related to the general pattern reservation 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, It has an input/output circuit that connects the voice control circuit 55, the lamp control circuit 56, and the like. The CPU 52A includes a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and in addition to performing arithmetic control, outputs (transmits) control signals to the display control circuit 54, the sound control circuit 55, the lamp control circuit 56, etc. configured as possible. The RAM 52B has a storage area for various data and a work area for the CPU 52A. The ROM 52C stores various performance data 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 an image on the display screen 30G based on the image data.

The audio control circuit 55 selects songs and sounds generated from the speakers 25, 25 based on the control signal output from the sub-control circuit 52, and controls the sounds.

The lamp control circuit 56 is a substrate that is connected to lamps such as the decoration lamp 22 and the accessory decoration lamp mounted on the accessory, and relays the lamp control signal output from the sub-control circuit 52 .

[Playability of gaming machine 10]
FIG. 4 shows a game flow in the gaming machine 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the gaming machine 10, there are two types of game states, a normal game state and a time-saving game state, as game states other than the big win game state and the small win game state. A game state is controlled by the main control circuit 50 .

In the time-saving game state, it becomes easier to enter the game ball into the second start winning hole 14BK than in the normal game state. Specifically, there are provided two types of hits for the normal pattern determination that triggers the placement of the starting variable member 14BT at the starting protruding position, that is, the short normal pattern per and the long normal pattern per. The time during which the start variable member 14BT is placed at the start protruding position when a long normal hit occurs is longer than the time during which the start variable member 14BT is placed at the start protruding position when a short normal hit occurs. ing. In addition, in the gaming machine 10, it is virtually impossible to enter the game ball into the second start winning hole 14BK in the case of a short normal game, and only in the case of a long normal game, the second game ball can be entered. A game ball cannot be entered into the start winning opening 14BK.

Here, between the normal game state and the time-saving game state, the winning probability of the normal pattern determination is the same, and in the time-saving game state, the ratio of winning the long normal pattern is set higher than the normal game state. . As a result, in the normal game state, it is difficult to enter the ball into the second start winning opening 14BK even if it is a hit in the normal game judgment, and in the time saving game state, when it is a hit in the normal game judgment It becomes easier to enter the ball into the 2-start winning hole 14BK. Therefore, in the normal game state, the player makes the game ball flow down to the left side area R2 of the game area R1, receives the first special figure determination by entering the ball into the first start winning opening 14AK, and in the time saving game state, The game ball is made to flow down to the right side area R3 of the game area R1, and the second special figure determination is received by entering the ball into the second start winning opening 14BK.

The initial game state of the gaming machine 10 is the normal game state. The state transition from the normal game state to the time-saving game state is triggered by a big hit. Specifically, there are two types of jackpots: a jackpot with reduced working hours that becomes a time-saving game state after the end of the big win game, and a big hit without time-saving game that does not enter the time-saving game state after the end of the big win game (that is, becomes a normal game state). types exist. Whether it is a time saving jackpot or a time saving jackpot is determined by a judgment value (jackpot random number) of special figure judgment.

In the present embodiment, there are two types of big hits in the first special figure determination, namely, the big win with time saving and the big win without time saving, and the big hit in the second special figure determination is only one kind of big win with time saving. there is That is, in the game machine 10, since all the jackpots in the time-saving game state are jackpots with time-saving, once the time-saving game state is entered, the game state is difficult to shift to the normal game state. The time saving game state ends when a preset time saving end condition is satisfied. When the time-saving game state ends, the game state shifts to the normal game state.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the jackpot in the first special figure determination may be only one type of time saving jackpot, or the second special figure determination jackpot is two types of time saving jackpot and time saving jackpot. may exist.

In the game machine 10, the winning probability of the big win is the same between the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination regardless of whether the game state is the normal game state or the time saving game state. Also, between the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, regardless of whether the game state is a normal game state or a time saving game state, the second special figure determination is better than the first special figure determination The probability of winning a small prize is also high. FIG. 5 shows an example of the big-hit probability and the small-hit probability in the gaming machine 10. The big-hit probability and the small-hit probability in the first special figure determination are 1/200 and 1/500, The big hit probability and the small hit probability in the second special figure determination are 1/200 and 1/2.

In the gaming machine 10, when a small winning game is executed, a game ball can enter the second big winning hole 15BK. Here, in the second big winning device 15B, the game balls entering the second big winning hole 15BK are sorted into either a specific area (V zone) or a normal area (both not shown). When the game ball passes through the specific area (that is, wins V), the big win is determined, the game state changes from the small win game state to the big win game state, and the big win game is executed. Then, in the jackpot game after winning V, the game ball can enter the first jackpot 15AK. When the big win is confirmed by the V prize, the game state after the big win game ends becomes a time-saving game state.

In the game machine 10, in a small winning game when a small winning occurs in a time saving game state, game balls are more easily distributed to a specific area than in a small winning game when a small winning occurs in a normal game state. . Specifically, in the gaming machine 10, when the second special figure determination results in a small hit, regardless of whether it is a normal game state or a time-saving game state, the allocation to the specific area becomes 100%. On the other hand, when the first special figure determination results in a small hit, the distribution to the specific area is 100% in the case of the time-saving game state, and to the specific area in the case of the normal game state. distribution is 0%. In addition, in the game machine 10, in the time-saving game state, since the small hit probability of the second special figure determination is higher than the big hit probability of the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, the first special figure determination is a big hit It is more likely to occur that a small win is made in the second special figure determination and a big win is caused by V winning in the small win game rather than the case of becoming.

As described above, in the gaming machine 10, when the time-saving gaming state is entered, it becomes easier for the game ball to enter the second start winning opening 14BK, and it becomes easier to win a small hit. When the game ball passes through the specific area (that is, wins V) during execution of the small winning game, the big winning is confirmed. In the game machine 10, when a big win is achieved by winning a V prize, the game state after the big win game ends is the time-saving game state, so once the time-saving game state is reached, it is difficult to shift to the normal game state. , the big hits are easily made in succession (consecutive chances) without shifting to the normal game state.

[Regarding time saving conditions]
In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the time-saving end condition for ending the time-saving game state is that a big hit (including winning V in a small-hit game) and the number of executions of special figure determination are set in advance. The upper limit number of times (hereinafter referred to as “time saving upper limit number of times”) is established.

Here, when the time saving upper limit number of times is set as the sum of the number of executions of the first special figure determination and the number of times of execution of the second special figure determination, there are many first special figure reservations when the time saving game state is entered Then, there arises a problem that the number of executions of the second special figure determination is reduced against the intention of the player. In particular, in the gaming machine 10, game balls are often hit in the left region R2 in the normal game state, and game balls are often hit in the right region R3 in the time-saving game state. As a result, in the gaming machine 10, the first special figure reservation is likely to exist in the normal game state, and the second special figure reservation is likely to exist in the time saving game state. Therefore, if the time saving upper limit number of times is less than the number of the first special figure reservation, the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times is started before the game ball enters the second start winning opening 14BK, and the second A problem that the time-saving game state ends without execution of the special figure determination can occur.

In order to suppress the occurrence of the above-described problem, firstly, in the gaming machine 10, the second special figure reservation is preferentially consumed over the first special figure reservation. According to this configuration, when the game ball enters the second start winning opening 14BK in the state where the first special drawing reservation exists, the second special drawing reservation resulting from the ball entering the second starting winning opening Is preferentially digested, and the fluctuation related to the second special figure judgment will start. As a result, it becomes possible to increase the number of executions of the second special figure determination. In addition, between the first special figure reservations, the reservations are digested in the order of occurrence, and even between the second special figure reservations, the reservations are digested in the order of occurrence.

Second, in the gaming machine 10, the time-saving gaming state (hereinafter referred to as the “initial time-saving gaming state”) entered from the normal gaming state via the jackpot gaming state. The number of times".) is the time saving upper limit number in the time saving game state (hereinafter referred to as "second and subsequent time saving game state") that entered again from the time saving game state via the jackpot game state (hereinafter referred to as "second and subsequent It is configured to be greater than the upper limit number of times of time reduction "). According to this configuration, even if the first special figure reservation exists when the time saving game state is started for the first time, the first special figure reservation prevents the time saving game state from ending. In particular, in the gaming machine 10, since the first time saving upper limit number is set to the holding upper limit number or more of the first special figure holding, when the first time saving gaming state is started, the first special figure holding is the holding upper limit Even if the number exists, if the game ball can be entered into the second start winning opening 14BK before all the first special figure reservations are digested, the second special figure determination will be executed. Become. In addition, it is preferable that the first time reduction upper limit number of times is larger than the reservation upper limit number of the first special figure reservation.

Specifically, in the gaming machine 10, the time saving upper limit number of times is set for each of the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination, and whether the number of executions of the first special figure determination reaches the first upper limit number of times Or, when the number of executions of the second special figure determination reaches the second upper limit number of times, the time saving game state ends. With such a configuration, in the gaming machine 10, the total number of executions of the first special figure determination and the second special figure determination is, for example, the first upper limit number and the second upper limit number of times, whichever is smaller. It is possible to increase the number of executions of the second special figure determination as compared with the case where the time saving gaming state ends when it reaches.

Furthermore, in the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number of times in the time saving game state for the first time (hereinafter referred to as "first first upper limit number of times") is the first upper limit number of times in the time saving game state after the second time (hereinafter referred to as "2 (referred to as "the first upper limit number of times after the first time"). With such a configuration, in the gaming machine 10, the number of executions of the first success/failure determination reaches the first upper limit number in the first time-saving gaming state than in the second and subsequent time-saving gaming states. it gets harder.

Specifically, in the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number of times is set to be equal to or greater than the upper limit number of reservations for the first special figure reservation. As a result, even if the first special figure reservation exists up to the upper limit number of reservations when the time saving game state is started for the first time, the second start winning opening 14BK is completed before all the first special figure reservations are digested. If it is possible to enter the game ball to , the second special figure determination will be executed. In addition, it is preferable that the first upper limit number of times is larger than the upper limit number of reservations for the first special figure reservation.

For the first upper limit number of times after the second time, it may be more than the reservation upper limit number of the first special figure reservation, or may be less than the reservation upper limit number of the first special figure reservation. In any configuration, since the second special figure reservation often exists in the time saving game state after the second time, the second special figure reservation is preferentially digested over the first special figure reservation, To suppress the ending of the time-saving game state against the intention of the player.

The second upper limit number of times in the time-saving gaming state for the first time (hereinafter referred to as the “second upper limit number of times for the first time”) is the second upper limit number of times in the time-saving gaming state after the second time (hereinafter, “the second upper limit number of times after the second time ”) may be the same or different. When the second upper limit number of times of the first time and the second upper limit number of times after the second time are the same, it is possible to always make the maximum number of execution times of the second special figure determination in the time saving game state the same. If the second upper limit number of times of the first time and the second upper limit number of times after the second time are different, it is possible to treat the second special figure judgment in the time saving game state of the first time as special treatment, and the time saving game state of the first time and the second upper limit number of times It is possible to change the playability during the time-saving game state after the first time.

FIG. 5 shows an example of time-saving termination conditions of the gaming machine 10 . In the same figure, focusing on the time saving end condition when the first special figure judgment becomes a time saving big hit, when the first special figure judgment becomes a time saving big hit in the normal game state, rush after the time saving big hit In the time-saving game state (that is, the first time-saving game state), the first upper limit number of times is set to 7 times, and the second upper limit number of times is set to 1 time. In addition, when the first special figure determination in the time-saving game state results in a time-saving jackpot, the first upper limit number of times is 5 in the time-saving game state that enters after the time-saving jackpot (that is, the time-saving game state after the second time). times, and the second upper limit number of times is set to 1 time. That is, in the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number of times in the time saving game state for the first time is larger than the first upper limit number of times in the time saving game state after the second time.

Also, in FIG. 5, when the first special figure determination results in a small hit, and the time reduction end condition when the time reduction game state is entered from the V winning during the small win game, the time reduction end condition becomes a small hit in the time reduction game state, When the time-saving game state (that is, the time-saving game state after the second time) is entered from the V prize during the small winning game, the first upper limit number of times is set to 5 times, and the second upper limit number of times is set to 1 time. It is This time-saving end condition is the same as the time-saving end condition when the big hit with time-saving is obtained in the first special figure determination in the time-saving gaming state. In addition, in the gaming machine 10, when the first special figure determination results in a small win in the normal game state, V prizes are not won during the small win game. The first upper limit number of times and the second upper limit number of times of are not set.

In FIG. 5, focusing on the time saving end condition when the second special figure determination results in a time saving big hit, when the time saving big hit occurs in the second special figure determination in the time saving game state, rush after the time saving big hit In the time-saving game state (that is, the time-saving game state after the second time), the first upper limit number of times is set to 5 times, and the second upper limit number of times is set to 1 time. This time-saving end condition is the same as the time-saving end condition when it becomes a big hit with time-saving in the first special figure determination in the time-saving gaming state.

On the other hand, when the second special figure determination in the normal game state becomes a big hit with time reduction, in the time reduction game state that enters after the big hit with time reduction (that is, the first time reduction game state), the first upper limit number of times is 5 times. is set, and the second upper limit number of times is set to one. This time-saving end condition is the same as the time-saving end condition when the big hit with time-saving is obtained in the second special figure determination in the time-saving game state. That is, when the second special figure determination results in a big hit with time saving, there is no difference in the time saving end condition between the first time saving game state and the second and subsequent time saving game state. This is because, in the gaming machine 10, the game ball is often driven into the right region R3 in the time-saving gaming state, and when the second special figure determination is executed, the second special figure reservation may exist. due to high sexuality.

In addition, in FIG. 5, when the second special figure determination results in a small hit, and the V prize during the small win game is changed to the time saving game state, focusing on the time saving end condition, when the small win is made in the normal game state In both cases of the small win in the time-saving game state and the small win, the first upper limit number of times is set to 5 times, and the second upper limit number of times is set to 1 time. In other words, when the time-saving game state is triggered by the second special figure determination small hit, regardless of whether the time-saving game state is the first time-saving game state or the second or later time-saving game state, The time-saving end condition is the same as the time-saving end condition when the first special figure determination in the time-saving game state results in a time-saving jackpot, and the time-saving game state when the second special figure determination results in a time-saving jackpot. Same as end condition.

From FIG. 5, in the gaming machine 10, the time saving end condition is different between the time saving game state triggered by the result of the first special figure determination and the time saving game state triggered by the result of the second special figure determination. I understand. Specifically, the time-saving end condition when the first special figure determination in the normal game state becomes a time-saving jackpot is that the second special figure determination in the time-saving game state becomes a time-saving jackpot or a small hit. It is different from the time-saving end condition. As a result, in the gaming machine 10, the time saving end conditions are different between the time saving game state for the first time and the time saving game state for the second and subsequent times.

In the gaming machine 10, the first upper limit number of times and the second upper limit number of times are stored in the ROM 50C of the main control circuit 50 (see FIG. 3). In addition, the CPU 50A of the main control circuit 50 counts the number of executions of the first special figure judgment and the number of executions of the second special figure judgment in the time saving game state, and each counted number of executions is stored in the RAM 50B. Then, the main control circuit 50, in the time-saving gaming state, when a big hit, or the number of executions of the first special figure determination reaches the first upper limit number of times, or the number of executions of the second special figure determination reaches the second upper limit When the number of times is reached, the time saving game state is ended. In addition, when the time-saving game state ends without a big hit, the main control circuit 50 controls the game state to the normal game state.

[Instruction of shooting direction of game ball in time-saving game state]
As described above, in the gaming machine 10, the winning probability of the second special figure determination is higher than that of the first special figure determination. A big hit is more likely to occur when a game ball is entered into the second start winning hole 14BK than when a game ball is entered.

In addition, as described above, the time-saving end condition in the gaming machine 10 is that it becomes a big hit (including winning V in a small winning game) and that the number of executions of the special figure determination has reached the preset upper limit number of times , or Here, in the gaming machine 10, one special figure determination is from when the special figure determination is started until the player is notified of the result of the special figure determination. Then, when the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times is started, the time saving gaming state is not finished, and until the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R based on the special figure determination is finished, the second The state in which the game ball easily enters the start winning opening 14BK continues. During the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R, the information about the special figure determination can be reserved up to the upper limit number of reservations. It is possible to receive

In view of the circumstances described above, in the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, when the time-saving gaming state is entered, the right region R3 of the gaming region R1 (Fig. 2 See), an instruction effect is executed to instruct the player to hit the game ball.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the instruction effect is performed on the display screen 30G. There are two types of instruction effects: a first instruction effect shown in FIG. 6(A) and a second instruction effect shown in FIG. 6(B).

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the first instruction effect, a first instruction image 61 is displayed on the display screen 30G for instructing the player to hit the game ball toward the right area R3. Specifically, the first instruction image 61 consists of a rightward arrow 61A and characters 61B of "Right shot".

Here, in the gaming machine 10, when the time-saving game state is entered, the special symbols 30L, 30C, and 30R are displayed in a reduced size in the corners of the display screen 30G, and the entire display screen 30G displays a time-saving medium image peculiar to the time-saving game state. 60 is displayed. The first instruction image 61 is displayed superimposed on the time-saving image 60 while avoiding the central portion of the display screen 30G. Note that in the example of FIG. 6A, the first instruction image 61 is displayed in the corner of the display screen 30G.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the second instruction effect, a second instruction image 62 is displayed for instructing the player to enter the game ball into the second start winning hole 14BK in the right region R3. It is displayed on the screen 30G. Specifically, the second instruction image 62 includes a board image 62A representing the front surface of the game board 11, a target portion 62B representing the second start winning opening 14BK in the board image 62A, and a second starting winning opening 14BK in the board image 62A. It has a trajectory 62C representing a hitting path to 14BK, a circle 63 surrounding the target portion 62B, and an instruction message 64 for instructing the game ball to enter the target portion 62B. The second instruction image 62 is displayed on the entire display screen 30G instead of the image 60 during time saving.

In the gaming machine 10, as shown in FIG. 7, when the time-saving gaming state is entered, first, the first instruction performance is executed. The second instruction effect is executed in addition to the first instruction effect or instead of the first instruction effect when a preset start condition is satisfied (in the example of FIG. 7, the second instruction effect is the second instruction effect). It is executed instead of the 1 instruction production).

Specifically, the first instruction effect is executed until the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times is started after the time saving game state is entered. When the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times is started, the first instruction effect is until the result of the special figure determination is notified, that is, the remaining time until the end of the fluctuation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R It is executed until the set prescribed time (for example, 5 seconds) is reached. Then, when the remaining time until the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R finish changing reaches the specified time, the second instruction performance is executed.

The instruction effect described above is controlled by the sub-control circuit 52 (see FIG. 3) of the gaming machine 10 executing the instruction effect control process S30 shown in FIG. The instruction effect control process S30 is performed only when the game state is the time-saving game state, and is performed in the process executed by the sub-control circuit 52 every predetermined time (for example, 10 milliseconds).

As shown in FIG. 8, in the instruction effect control process S30, first, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation related to the upper limit number of special figure determination is started in the time saving game state (step S31). When the fluctuation related to the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times has not started (No in step S31), the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. In the first instruction effect execution process S35, the sub-control circuit 52 outputs to the display control circuit 54 a control signal for displaying the first instruction image 61 on the display screen 30G. Then, when the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, the first instruction image 61 is displayed superimposed on the time saving image 60 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

When the variation regarding the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times is started (Yes in step S31), it is determined whether or not the second special figure reservation exists (step S32). Here, the determination in step S32 may be a determination as to whether or not there is at least one second special figure reservation, or whether or not the second special figure reservation exists up to the upper limit number of reservations (i.e. , Whether the second special figure reservation is full or not) may be a judgment.

When the second special figure reservation exists (Yes in step S32), the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. If the second special figure pending does not exist (No in step S32), the remaining time until the fluctuation related to the upper limit number of special figure determination ends is longer than the preset specified time (for example, 5 seconds) is determined (step S33).

If the remaining time until the fluctuation ends is longer than the specified time (Yes in step S33), the first instruction effect execution process S35 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 ends. On the other hand, if the remaining time until the end of the variation is equal to or shorter than the prescribed time (No in step S33), the second instruction effect execution process S34 is executed, and the instruction effect control process S30 is ended. In the second instruction effect execution process S34, the sub-control circuit 52 outputs to the display control circuit 54 a control signal for displaying the second instruction image 62 on the display screen 30G. Then, when the second instruction effect execution process S34 is executed, a second instruction image 62 is displayed instead of the time saving image 60 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, the instruction effect for instructing the hitting of the game ball in the time-saving game state is stepwise, the first instruction effect and the second instruction effect, in which the instruction content is clearer than the first instruction effect. It is now running. Specifically, the instruction performance is intended to enter the game ball into the second start winning opening 14BK of the right region R3, and the first instruction performance is to enter the game ball into the right region R3. It has the content of instructing to drive, and the second instruction effect has the content of instructing to enter the game ball into the second start winning opening 14BK. According to this configuration, the content of the instruction is made clearer than in the case where only the first instruction performance is performed, and the game ball is entered into the second start winning opening 14BK while suppressing the player from being disadvantaged. Annoyance to the player is suppressed more than when the instruction is always given in the time-saving game state.

In addition, in the gaming machine 10, until the time-saving gaming state ends, that is, until the remaining time until the variation regarding the special figure determination of the upper limit number ends reaches the specified time, only the first instruction effect is performed, A time-saving image 60 is displayed on the entire display screen 30G, and a first instruction image 61 is displayed superimposed on the time-saving image 60 in a portion of the display screen 30G other than the central portion. Then, on the condition that the remaining time has reached the specified time, the second instruction effect is executed, and the second instruction image 62 is displayed instead of the time saving image 60 on the entire display screen 30G. According to this configuration, until the remaining time reaches the specified time, it is possible to display the image during shortening of working hours on the display screen 30G and provide the player with an effect of the image during shortening of working hours. Moreover, since the second instruction image 62 is displayed on the entire display screen 30G, it is possible to make the player easily notice the instruction content of the second instruction effect.

In addition, in the gaming machine 10, when the remaining time reaches the specified time and the second special figure reservation does not exist in a predetermined number (for example, one or the upper limit number of second special figure reservations), the second instruction effect is executed. In other words, even if the remaining time reaches the specified time, if there are a predetermined number of second special figure reservations, the second instruction effect is not executed. According to this configuration, when the predetermined number of the second special figure reservations exist, unnecessary execution of the second instruction performance is suppressed, and the image 60 during time saving is displayed on the display screen 30G. Therefore, useless interruption of the effect by the image 60 during time saving is prevented.

[Production during time-saving games and jackpot games]
In the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, when the time-saving gaming state is entered, a big hit game is likely to be executed. In addition, when a big win is achieved in the time-saving game state, the game state after the big-win game ends becomes the time-saving game state, so that the big wins are easy to win consecutively. At this time, the jackpot game and the time-saving game are alternately repeated. The gaming machine 10 adopts the configuration described below in order to make the player feel as if the game is an extension of the jackpot game when the time-saving game state is entered.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, in the gaming machine 10, a big-hit image 70 is displayed on the display screen 30G in the big-hit gaming state. The big-hit image 70 is a moving image, and is a unique image that is displayed only in the big-hit game state.

Here, the time (length) of the jackpot game varies depending on the skill of the player. Further, when a plurality of types of jackpot games with different numbers of rounds are provided, the time (length) of the jackpot game changes according to the number of rounds. In order to cope with such a change in the time (length) of the big win game, as shown in FIG. be. By repeatedly displaying the basic unit image 71, it is possible to prevent the data amount of the big-hit image 70 from becoming enormous.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the gaming machine 10, during the jackpot game state, a jackpot sound 72 is output from the speaker 25 (see FIG. 1). The mid-jackpot sound 72 is associated one-to-one with the mid-jackpot image 70 , and the game machine 10 repeatedly outputs the basic unit music 73 as the mid-jackpot sound 72 in one-to-one correspondence with the basic unit image 71 . It should be noted that, by repeatedly outputting the basic unit music 73, it is possible to prevent the amount of data of the jackpot sound 72 from becoming enormous.

In the example of FIG. 10, the time (length) of the basic unit music 73 matches the time (length) of the basic unit image 71, and the basic unit music 72 and the basic unit image 71 are output simultaneously from the beginning. The lengths of the basic unit images 71 and the basic unit music 73 do not have to match, and the basic unit music 73 does not have to be output from the beginning when the basic unit image 71 is output from the beginning.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the gaming machine 10, a time saving image 60 is displayed on the display screen 30G in the time saving game state. The image 60 during time saving is a unique image displayed only in the time saving game state. The display of the time-saving image 60 is started when the time-saving game state is entered and continues until the time-saving game state ends. Here, the first special figure determination in the time-saving gaming state (that is, variation of the special symbols 30L, 30C, 30R) is performed only for a preset time (for example, 10 seconds). Therefore, the image 60 during time saving will be displayed more than the execution period of the 1st special figure determination.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the gaming machine 10, during the time-saving game state, the sound 72 during the jackpot that was output during the previous jackpot game is continuously output. The sound 71 during the big win is not interrupted at the timing of switching from the big win game state to the time saving game state. Therefore, for example, when the music as the jackpot sound 72 is output halfway when the jackpot game ends, the continuation part of the music is output when the time-saving game state starts.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the display screen 30G is configured by stacking a plurality of layers. and a second layer 32 which is superimposed from the front side). One or a plurality of layers may exist on the front side of the second layer 32, and one or a plurality of layers may exist on the back side (rear side) of the first layer 31. There may be one or more layers between the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 .

In the gaming machine 10 , the big winning image 70 is displayed on the first layer 31 and the time saving image 60 is displayed on the second layer 32 . That is, in the game machine 10, the image 70 during the big win and the image 60 during the time saving are displayed on different layers, and the layer displaying the image 60 during the time saving is on the front side of the layer displaying the image 70 during the big win. are placed in Note that the first instruction image 61 and the second instruction image 62 in the instruction effect described above may be displayed on the second layer 32, and if there is a layer above the second layer 32 (on the front side), It may be displayed on a layer above it.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 14, in the jackpot game state, the display of the layers before the first layer 31 is turned off, and the display screen 30G shows the jackpot middle displayed on the first layer 31. An image 70 is displayed. That is, in the jackpot game state, the second layer 32 is turned off, and the display of the first layer 31 is visible through the second layer 32 .

As shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 14, in the time saving game state, the display of the second layer 32 is turned on, and the image 60 during time saving displayed on the second layer 32 is displayed on the display screen 30G. be done. At this time, the big winning image 70 is displayed on the first layer 31 continuously from the big winning game state, but the time saving image 60 of the second layer 32 is superimposed on the big winning image 70 from the front side. . Therefore, in the time saving game state, only the image 60 during time saving is visible, and the image 70 during big winning is not visible.

When the big win is achieved in the time-saving game state and the big win game state is entered again, the second layer 32 is turned off again, and the image 70 during the big win is displayed on the display screen 30G. The big-hit image 70 at this time starts from the time corresponding to the time-saving game state from the big-hit image 70 displayed at the end of the previous big-hit game (see the lower part of FIG. 14).

Thus, in the gaming machine 10, the second layer 32 displaying the time saving image 60 is superimposed on the front side of the first layer 31 displaying the big winning image 70, and by turning on/off the second layer 32 , the image displayed on the display screen 30G is switched to either the image 70 during the big hit or the image 60 during the time saving. The on/off of the display of the second layer 32 is controlled by the sub-control circuit 52 .

In the game machine 10 of this embodiment, since the big win sound 72 is output without interruption when the big win game state is shifted to the time saving game state, the reduction in interest in the performance due to the interruption of the sound is suppressed. Here, the time-saving gaming state continues for at least the variation time of the pattern variation related to the first special figure determination, and the jackpot middle sound 72 is output during this pattern variation, so that the time-saving gaming state is a big hit. It is possible to give the player a feeling as if it were an extension of the game state.

In addition, in the game machine 10, when the big win game state continues with the time saving game state in between, the sound 72 during the big win is continuously output from the first big win game state without interruption, so that the big win game state. It is possible to give the player the feeling that the game continues without interruption. Moreover, in the gaming machine 10, the big win game image 70 displayed when the time saving game state is shifted to the big win game state is the time of the time saving game state from the big win middle image 70 displayed in the previous big win game state. Since the images are skipped, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the jackpot game state was continued even during the transition to the time-saving game state.

In addition, in the game machine 10, since the image 70 during the big win and the sound 72 during the big win are associated one-to-one, the integration of the image 70 during the big win and the sound 72 during the big win increases, and the state of the time saving game is changed from the state of the big win game. By continuously playing the sound 72 during the big win when shifting, it becomes easy to give the impression to the player that the big win game state continues even during the time-saving game state.

[Regarding technical features extracted from the above embodiment]
Features extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below, showing effects and the like as necessary. In the following description, for ease of understanding, configurations corresponding to the above-described embodiments are appropriately shown in parentheses or the like, but are not limited to the specific configurations shown in parentheses or the like.

<Characteristic group A>
The following feature group A relates to a game machine that "has a plurality of ball entry areas", and the game machine of "Patent Document A (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-083402 (paragraphs [0255] to [0257], FIG. 2)) In a normal state, a game ball is entered into the first start port to aim for a big hit, and in a time saving state, a game ball is entered into the second start port to aim for a big win.” Regarding "In the gaming machine of Patent Document A, for example, when the normal state shifts to the time saving game, if the game ball enters only the first start port, the time saving state ends against the player's will. There was a possibility that the player would be disadvantaged."

[Feature A1]
A first ball entry area (first start prize opening 14AK) into which a game ball can enter, and a second ball entry area (second start prize opening 14BK) different from the first ball entry area,
A first success determination means (main control circuit 50) for executing a first success determination (first special figure determination) due to the entry of the game ball into the first ball entry area;
A second success determination means (main control circuit 50) for executing a second success determination (second special figure determination) due to the entry of the game ball into the second ball entry area;
Based on the result of the first right/wrong judgment or the second right/wrong judgment, the game state is changed to a normal state (normal game state), and the entry of the game ball into the second ball entry area is easier than in the normal state. A special state (time-saving game state), and a game state control means (main control circuit 50) to control,
counting means (main control circuit 50) for counting the number of executions of the first right/wrong judgment and the second right/wrong judgment;
The game state control means is configured to control the game state from the special state to the normal state when the number of times counted by the counting means in the special state reaches the upper limit number of times,
The upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the first right or wrong judgment (the upper limit number of time reduction gaming state for the first time) is the upper limit number of times in the special state based on the result of the second right or wrong judgment (second and subsequent A game machine (game machine 10) that is different from the time saving upper limit number of times in the time saving game state.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the special state based on the ball entering the first ball entering area and the special state based on the ball entering the second ball entering area have different end conditions for the special state. The end of the special state against the player's will is suppressed, and the disadvantage to the player is suppressed.

[Feature A2]
The counting means includes a first counting means (main control circuit 50) for counting the number of executions of the first validity judgment, and a second counting means (main control circuit 50) for counting the number of executions of the second validity judgment. , consisting of
The game state control means, when the number of times counted by the first counting means in the special state reaches a first upper limit number of times or when the number of times counted by the second counting means reaches a second upper limit number of times , The gaming machine according to feature A1, wherein the gaming state is controlled from the special state to the normal state.

According to the configuration shown in this feature, the number of executions of the first right/wrong judgment and the number of executions of the second right/wrong judgment are separately counted, and the special state ends when either number reaches a predetermined upper limit number of times. Therefore, the special state ends when the sum of the number of executions of the first right/wrong judgment and the number of executions of the second right/wrong judgment reaches the smaller number of the first upper limit number of times and the second upper limit number of times. Compared to the case, the end of the special state while the number of balls entering any of the ball entering areas is small against the player's will is suppressed.

[Feature A3]
The second upper limit number of times is set to the same number regardless of whether the special game is based on the result of the first success judgment or based on the result of the second success judgment,
The first upper limit number of times is the first upper limit number of times (the first upper limit number of times) in the special state based on the result of the first suitability determination. The gaming machine according to feature A2, which is set to be greater than 1 upper limit number of times (first upper limit number of times after the second time).

In the configuration shown in this feature, when the normal state is controlled to the special state, the number of executions of the first right/wrong determination is less likely to reach the first upper limit number of times. As a result, when the normal state is changed to the special state, the special state is prevented from ending without execution of the second right/wrong determination.

[Feature A4]
A first holding means (main control circuit 50) capable of storing information on the first propriety determination as holding information up to the first holding number (holding upper limit number of the first special figure holding),
A second holding means (main control circuit 50) capable of storing information on the second propriety determination as holding information up to a second holding number (holding upper limit number of second special figure holding),
The holding information of the second holding means is configured to be used preferentially over the holding information of the first holding means,
The gaming machine according to feature A2 or A3, wherein the first upper limit number of times is set to be greater than the second upper limit number of times.

According to the configuration shown in this feature, the end of the special state is suppressed without execution of the second propriety determination.

[Feature A5]
The gaming machine according to feature A4, wherein the first upper limit number of times in the special game based on the result of the first success/failure determination is set to be equal to or greater than the first reservation number.

According to the configuration shown in this feature, when the normal state is controlled to the special state, even if the number of reservation information of the first reservation means is the first reservation number, the reservation information for the first reservation number Only is used and the end of the special game is suppressed.

[Feature A6]
The second ball entry area is arranged at a position where a game ball that has passed through a predetermined path (upper connecting path 24) can enter, while the first ball entry area is a game ball that does not pass through the predetermined path. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, which is arranged at a position where a ball can be entered.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the game ball directed to the second ball entry area is suppressed from entering the first ball entry area, and the game ball directed to the first ball entry area is prevented from entering the second ball entry area. Entering the ball into the ball area is suppressed.

[Feature A7]
A first ball entry area (first start prize opening 14AK) into which a game ball can enter, and a second ball entry area (second start prize opening 14BK) different from the first ball entry area,
Under the condition that the game ball enters the first ball entry area or the second ball entry area, the game state is changed to a normal state (normal game state) in which it is difficult to enter the second ball entry area. a game state control means (main control circuit 50) for controlling a special state (time-saving game state) in which the ball is easier to enter the second ball-entering area than the normal state;
The game state control means is configured to control the game state from the special state to the normal state when an end condition (time saving end condition) is established in the special state,
The gaming machine, wherein the termination condition for the special state based on the ball entering the first ball entering area is different from the termination condition for the special state based on the ball entering the second ball entering area (game machine 10).

In the configuration shown in this feature, the special game based on the entry of the ball into the first ball entry area and the special game based on the entry of the ball into the second entry area have different conditions for ending the special state. The end of the special state against the player's will is suppressed, and the disadvantage to the player is suppressed.

The configuration shown in feature A7 may be combined with the configurations shown in features A1 to A6.

The feature group A may include the following embodiments.

(a1) In the above-described embodiment, the second upper limit number is the same as the second special figure determination holding upper limit number, but may be different. It should be noted that the second upper limit number is the same as the number of pending upper limit of the second special figure determination, even if the time saving gaming state ends, the same conditions as the time saving gaming state by the pending digestion of the second special figure determination It is possible to receive one extra set of the second special figure determination.

(a2) In the gaming machine 10 of the above-described embodiment, when a special figure determination results in a big hit, a jackpot game is executed as a type 1 jackpot. Although it was a so-called one type and two type mixing machine, it may be a so-called ST machine in which the winning probability of the special figure determination is higher than the normal game state when the time saving game state is entered.

(a3) The value of the odds of winning a small hit matches the value obtained by dividing 1 by the total number of the second upper limit number of times and the second upper limit number of pending special figure judgment (2 times), but it is different good too. In addition, the value of the winning probability of the small hit is larger than the value obtained by dividing 1 by the total number of the second upper limit number of times and the second special figure judgment reservation upper limit number (2 times), and the second special figure judgment reservation upper limit It is preferably less than the number divided by one.

(a4) In the above embodiment, the second upper limit number of times (once) is less than the number of pending upper limit of the first special figure determination (four), even if more than the number of pending upper limit of the first special figure determination good.

(a5) In the above embodiment, the first upper limit number of times was set more than the number of suspension upper limits of the first special figure determination, but if the first upper limit number of times is a predetermined number or more, the first special figure determination is suspended The number may be equal to or less than the upper limit. The predetermined number related to the first upper limit number of times, the relationship between the symbol variation time related to the first special figure determination and the average required time from when the game ball is launched until it enters the second start winning opening 14BK. should be determined by With such a configuration, by the time the number of executions of the first special figure determination reaches the first upper limit number of times, it becomes possible to enter the game ball into the second start winning opening 14BK, and the second special figure determination is performed. A situation in which the time saving game state ends without being executed is avoided.

<Characteristic group B>
The following feature group B relates to a gaming machine that "can execute an instruction effect for instructing game launch", and "Patent Document B1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-083402 (paragraphs [0255] to [0259], FIG. 10)) game machine displays an image instructing that a game ball should be driven into a region where a specific ball entrance is arranged during a time-saving game in which it is easy to enter a ball into a specific ball entrance. Regarding the gaming machine of Patent Document A1, since the instructions are vague, the player may not notice that the ball is to be entered into a specific ball entrance. If a specific instruction is always given during a time-saving game, then there is a possibility that the player will be annoyed."

[Feature B1]
Special game execution means (main control circuit 50) for executing a special game (time saving game state) advantageous to the player until a predetermined end condition (time saving end condition) is established;
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) provided with an instruction performance executing means (sub-control circuit 52) capable of executing an instruction performance for instructing the shooting of game balls during execution of the special game,
The instruction performance includes a first instruction performance and a second instruction performance with a clearer instruction content than the first instruction performance,
The game machine, wherein the instruction effect executing means is configured to be able to execute the first instruction effect and the second instruction effect step by step.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the first instruction effect for instructing the launch of the game and the second instruction effect with clearer instruction contents than the first instruction effect are executed step by step, so that the player is not annoyed. It is possible to suppress giving a disadvantage to the player while suppressing giving.

[Feature B2]
Until the remaining time until the end of the special game (the time until the pattern fluctuation related to the special figure determination of the upper limit number of times ends in the time-saving game state) reaches a predetermined specified time , The gaming machine according to feature B1, which is configured not to perform the second instruction effect.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the second instruction effect is not performed until the remaining time until the end of the special game reaches the specified time.

[Feature B3]
The gaming machine according to feature B2, wherein the instruction performance executing means executes only the first instruction performance from when the special game is started until the remaining time reaches the specified time.

In the configuration shown in this feature, until the remaining time until the end of the special game reaches the specified time, it is possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged by the first instruction effect.

[Feature B4]
The gaming machine according to feature B2 or B3, wherein the instruction effect executing means executes the second instruction effect on condition that the remaining time has reached the specified time.

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to secure the time for shooting the game ball according to the instruction of the second instruction effect for the specified time.

[Feature B5]
It has a ball entry device (second start winning opening 14BK) that allows a game ball that has passed through a predetermined path (upper communication path 24) to enter,
The first instruction effect instructs to shoot a game ball toward the predetermined path,
The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B4, wherein the second instruction effect instructs the ball-entering device to enter a game ball.

In the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to prompt the player to enter the ball into the ball-entering device by means of the first instruction effect and the second instruction effect.

[Feature B6]
It has a holding means (main control circuit 50) that can hold information based on the ball entering the ball entering device (information related to special figure determination) up to a preset holding upper limit number,
Described in feature B5 subordinate to feature B4, wherein said instruction effect execution means executes said second instruction effect when said remaining time has reached said prescribed time and there is not even one hold of said holding means. game machine.

In the configuration shown in this characteristic, since the second instruction effect is performed when the suspension is zero, it is possible to suppress the unnecessary execution of the second instruction effect and to suppress the player from being annoyed.

[Feature B7]
It has a holding means (main control circuit 50) that can hold information based on the ball entering the ball entering device (information related to special figure determination) up to a preset holding upper limit number,
A feature subordinate to feature B4, wherein the instruction effect execution means executes the second instruction effect when the number of reservations of the reservation means does not reach the upper limit number of reservations before the remaining time reaches the specified time. The gaming machine described in B5.

In the configuration shown in this feature, since the second instruction performance is performed when the reserve is not full, it is possible to suppress unnecessary execution of the second instruction performance and to restrain the player from being annoyed.

[Feature B8]
a display unit (display screen 30G);
Effect image display means (sub-control circuit 52) for displaying a effect image (time saving image 60) on the display unit,
When executing the first instruction effect, the instruction effect execution means displays the instruction content (first instruction image 61) superimposed on the effect image on the display unit, and executes the second instruction effect. The gaming machine according to any one of characteristics B1 to B7, wherein when the game is played, the content of the instruction (the second instruction image 62) is displayed instead of the effect image.

With the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to make the player more likely to notice the instruction content of the second instruction effect.

[Feature B9]
Special game execution means (main control circuit 50) for executing a special game (time saving game state) advantageous to the player until a predetermined end condition (time saving end condition) is established;
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) provided with an instruction performance executing means (sub-control circuit 52) capable of executing an instruction performance for instructing the shooting of game balls during execution of the special game,
The instruction performance includes a first instruction performance and a second instruction performance with a clearer instruction content than the first instruction performance,
The instruction effect execution means executes the first instruction effect until the remaining time until the end of the special game reaches a preset specified time, and executes the first instruction effect after the remaining time reaches the specified time. This game machine is configured to be able to execute a two-instruction performance.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the first instruction effect for instructing the launch of the game and the second instruction effect with clearer instruction contents than the first instruction effect are executed step by step, so that the player is not annoyed. It is possible to suppress giving a disadvantage to the player while suppressing giving.

Note that the configuration shown in feature B9 may be combined with the configurations shown in features B1 to B8.

Features B may include the following embodiments.

(b1) In the above-described embodiment, the second instruction image 62 is displayed instead of the image 60 during time saving, but may be displayed superimposed on the image 60 during time saving. Even with such a configuration, when the second instruction image 62 is displayed in the center of the display screen 30G or is displayed superimposed on most of the time saving image 60, the second instruction effect is performed. It is possible to make the player aware of the contents of the instruction.

(b2) In the above embodiment, the second instruction image 62 uses the board image 62A to identify the place where the game ball is to enter. Aim for through!" may be used for identification.

(b3) In the above-described embodiment, during the time-saving gaming state, the second start winning port 14BK or its periphery is illuminated by the light emitting member provided in the start winning device 14B, and the second instruction image 62 is displayed on the light emitting portion of the game. It may be the content instructing to hit the ball.

(b4) In the above-described embodiment, the second instruction image 62 has a content that prompts the player to enter the second starting prize-winning opening 14BK. It may be the content that encourages passage through the starting gate 18, which is a pre-stage of the ball entering the second starting winning hole 14BK.

(b5) In the above embodiment, one kind of the first instruction effect and one kind of the second instruction effect are provided, but two or more kinds of the first instruction effect or the second instruction effect may be provided. Specifically, as the second instruction effect, an effect of instructing passage through the starting gate 18 and an effect of instructing the entry of the ball into the second start winning hole 14BK are provided, and these are executed step by step. (For example, it may be configured to execute an effect of instructing passage of the start gate 18, and execute an effect of instructing the ball to enter the second start prize opening 14BK when passage of the start gate 18 is confirmed).

(b6) In the above embodiment, the number of pending upper limit of the second special figure determination is the same as the second upper limit number of times in the time saving game state, but it is not limited to this, and is less than the second upper limit number of times number of times, or may be more than the second upper limit number of times.

(b7) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of patterns may be provided as the specified time related to the conditions for executing the second instruction effect. In this case, according to the number of pending special figure determination at the time of the fluctuation start related to the upper limit number of special figure determination, the pattern of the specified time may be determined.

(b8) In the above embodiment, the second upper limit number of times is the same as the second special figure determination holding upper limit number, but may be different. It should be noted that the second upper limit number is the same as the number of pending upper limit of the second special figure determination, even if the time saving gaming state ends, the same conditions as the time saving gaming state by the pending digestion of the second special figure determination It is possible to receive one extra set of the second special figure determination.

(b9) The gaming machine 10 of the above embodiment is a so-called 1 type 2 type mixing machine, but it may be an ST machine. In addition, in the 1-type and 2-type mixing machine, a special figure determination is performed based on the winning to the starting port, and when the special figure determination results in a big hit, a big win game is executed as a 1st kind big win. A small winning game is executed when the special figure determination based on the winning to the starting port results in a small winning, and when the game ball passes through a specific area (V zone) during the small winning game, the big winning game is executed as a type 2 big winning. be done. On the other hand, the ST machine shifts to a high-probability state in which the probability of a big hit is higher than that of the normal game state, triggered by the big hit of the special figure determination. The high-probability state of the ST machine ends when the special figure determination is executed a specified number of times or hits a jackpot, similarly to the time-saving gaming state of the above embodiment.

<Characteristic group C>
The following feature group C relates to the game machine, and in the game machine of Patent Document C1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-252401 (paragraphs [0013] to [0014]), when it enters a jackpot game state, it is output during the jackpot game Music can be selected.", Regarding the background art "In the gaming machine of Patent Document C, when the game machine enters a jackpot game state or a time-saving game state, the music that has been output until then is interrupted, and the entertainment of the production is reduced. This was done with the task of

[Feature C1]
A production control means (sub control) for displaying a production image (time saving image 60, big hit image 70) on the display unit (display screen 30G) and outputting a sound (big hit sound 72) to the sound output unit (speaker 25) In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) having a circuit 52),
As the game state, a first game state (jackpot game state) and a second game state (time-saving game state) that shifts after the first game state are provided,
The production control means is
A game configured to cause the sound output unit to continuously output the sound output in the first game state without interruption when shifting from the first game state to the second game state. machine.

In the configuration shown in this feature, when the first game state is shifted to the second game state, there is no interruption of the sound, so that the decrease in interest in the presentation due to the interruption of the sound is suppressed. Examples of "sound" include music, voice, and combinations thereof.

[Feature C2]
The first game state is configured to be continuous with the second game state interposed therebetween,
The effect control means continuously outputs the sound output in the second game state to the sound output unit without interruption when the first game state continues across the second game state. The gaming machine of feature C1, configured to allow

In the configuration shown in this feature, when the first game state continues with the second game state in between, the sound is continuously output from the first game state without interruption, so the first game state is output. It is possible to give the player a feeling that the state continues without interruption.

[Feature C3]
In the display unit, a first layer (first layer 31) and a second layer (second layer 32), which is a layer higher than the first layer, are provided in an overlapping manner,
The production control means is
Continuing to display a first effect image (big hit image 70) on the first layer in either state of the first game state or the second game state,
When in the first game state, the first effect image is made visible without displaying the effect image on the second layer, while in the second game state, the first effect image and the The gaming machine according to feature C2, wherein a different second effect image (time saving image 60) is displayed on the second layer to make the first effect image invisible or difficult to see.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the first effect image displayed when the second game state is shifted to the first game state is changed from the first effect image displayed before the transition to the second game state to the first effect image. Since the images are skipped for the time of the second game state, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the first game state was continued even during the transition to the second game state.

[Feature C4]
The game according to feature C3, wherein the effect control means causes the sound output unit to output a first sound (jackpot middle sound) associated one-to-one with the first effect image in the first game state. machine.

In the configuration shown in this feature, the unity between the first effect image and the first sound is increased, and when the first game state is shifted to the second game state, the first sound is continuously played, thereby enabling the second game state to be played. It becomes easy to give an impression to the player as if the first game state continues even during the game state.

Here, if the effect control means is configured to output the first effect image and the first sound repeatedly, it is possible to prevent the data capacity of the first effect image and the first sound from becoming enormous. The repetition period of the first effect image and the repetition period of the first sound may be the same or different. According to the former, by synchronizing the first effect image and the first sound, it is possible to further improve the unity of the two.

[Feature C5]
The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C4, wherein the second gaming state is configured to continue for a preset shortest gaming time or longer.

In the configuration shown in this feature, even after entering the second game state, the music output in the first game state is output for the shortest game time or longer, so whether the second game state is an extension of the first game state. It is possible to give the player an impression such as

[Feature C6]
A special game execution means (main control circuit 50) for executing a special game (jackpot game) advantageous to the player by changing the game state to the first game state when a predetermined special game execution condition is satisfied. prepared,
The gaming machine according to any one of features C1 to C5, wherein the special game execution condition is more easily satisfied in the second game state than in the normal game state (normal game state).

With the configuration shown in this feature, it is possible to give the player a sense of continuation of the special game and give the player a sense of exhilaration.

[Feature C7]
In a game machine (game machine 10) having effect control means (sub-control circuit 52) for outputting sound to a sound output unit (speaker 25),
As the game state, a normal game state, a special game state (jackpot game state) in which a special game is executed, and a transition destination after the special game is completed, and the next transition destination is either the normal game state or the special game state. An intermediate gaming state (time-saving gaming state) is provided,
The effect control means is configured to cause the sound output section to continuously output a preset sound (jackpot mid-sound 72) while the state transitions between the special game state and the intermediate game state. , game machine.

In the configuration shown in this feature, there is no break in the sound during the state transition between the special game state and the intermediate game state, so the loss of interest in the presentation due to the break in the sound is suppressed. Moreover, when the special game state continues with the intermediate game state interposed therebetween, it is possible to give the player the impression that the special game state continues even during the transition to the intermediate game state.

Note that the configuration indicated by the feature C7 may be combined with the configurations indicated by the features C1 to C6. In that case, if the "first game state" of the features C1 to C6 is set to the "special game state" of the feature C7, and the "second game state" of the features C1 to C6 is set to the "intermediate game state" of the feature C7, good.

Features C group may include the following embodiments.

(c1) In the above-described embodiment, music was shown as an example of the sound 72 during the big hit, but it may be voice such as narration or lines, or a combination of music and voice.

(c2) In the above embodiment, the first layer 31 may be configured to be visible through the second layer 32 during the time-saving gaming state. Specifically, the display of the second layer 32 may be translucent so that the mid-jackpot image 70 displayed on the first layer 31 can be seen through. A transparent or semi-transparent part of the image 60 during reduction in working hours may be provided, and the image during the big hit of the first layer 31 may be configured to be visible through the transparent or semi-transparent part. In any case, by displaying the image 60 during time saving on the second layer 32, the image 70 during the big hit on the first layer 31 becomes difficult to see.

(c3) In the above-described embodiment, the mid-jackpot image 70 and the mid-jackpot sound 72 may not be associated one-to-one. may be configured to allow In this case, the jackpot middle sound 72 is reproduced from the beginning at the timing of the selection.

(c4) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of patterns may be prepared for the image 70 during the big win, and for example, the pattern of the image 70 during the big win may change stepwise according to the number of times of consecutive winnings. In this case, when the time-saving game state changes to the jackpot game state, the pattern of the jackpot middle image 70 displayed in the previous jackpot game state is taken over, so the player feels as if the jackpot game state continues. It is possible to give the player a sense of exhilaration.

(c5) In the above embodiment, the probability of winning a big hit in the second special symbol determination may be higher than the probability of winning a big win in the first special symbol determination without providing a small winning.

(c6) The configuration included in feature C7 includes a configuration in which the display screen 30G does not include a plurality of layers, and the jackpot sound 72 is continuously output in the time-saving gaming state. In this configuration, the image 62 during the time saving and the image 70 during the big hit are displayed on one layer. At this time, in the big win game when the big win is achieved in the time saving game state, the big win image 70 may be displayed from the beginning every time, or the big win image 70 is internally reproduced even in the time saving game state. , the image 72 during the big win may be displayed after skipping the time of the time-saving game state from the end of the previous big win game.

(c7) The gaming machine 10 of the above embodiment is a so-called 1 type 2 type mixing machine, but it may be a fixed variable machine or an ST machine. Even if it is a probability variation machine or an ST machine, the output of the image 70 during the big win game and the sound 72 during the big win may be continued while the big win continues (continuous chan) without shifting to the normal game state. In addition, in the 1-type and 2-type mixing machine, a special figure determination is performed based on the winning to the starting port, and when the special figure determination results in a big hit, a big win game is executed as a 1st kind big win. A small winning game is executed when the special figure determination based on the winning to the starting port results in a small winning, and when the game ball passes through a specific area (V zone) during the small winning game, the big winning game is executed as a type 2 big winning. be done. In addition, in the probability variable machine, with the big hit of the special figure determination as a trigger, it becomes a high probability state with a higher jackpot probability than the normal game state. The high probability state continues until the next big win game is executed. In the ST machine, similarly to the probability variation machine, it shifts to a high probability state with a big hit as a trigger. The high probability state of the ST machine ends when the special figure determination is executed a specified number of times or when it becomes a big hit.

From the above embodiment, the following feature C' group can be extracted in addition to the feature C group described above.

[Feature C'1]
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) having an effect control means (sub-control circuit 52) for displaying an effect image on a display unit (display screen 30G),
As the game state, a first game state (jackpot game state) and a second game state (time-saving game state) that shifts after the first game state are provided, and the first game state is the second game state. It is configured to be continuous with two game states in between,
In the display unit, a first layer (first layer 31) and a second layer (second layer 32), which is a layer higher than the first layer, are provided in an overlapping manner,
The production control means is
Continuing to display a first effect image (big hit image 70) on the first layer in either state of the first game state or the second game state,
When in the first game state, the first effect image is made visible without displaying the effect image on the second layer, while in the second game state, the first effect image and the is configured to display a different second effect image (shortening time image 60) on the second layer to make the first effect image invisible or difficult to see.

In the configuration shown in this feature, when the first game state is resumed for the second time or later with the second game state interposed therebetween, the first effect image displayed in the previous first game state is changed to the second game state. Since the performance image skipped for the time of the game state is displayed, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the first game state was continued even during the transition to the second game state. .

[Feature C'2]
In a gaming machine (gaming machine 10) having an effect control means (sub-control circuit 52) for displaying an effect image on a display unit (display screen 30G),
As the game state, a normal game state, a special game state (jackpot game state) in which a special game (jackpot game) is executed, and a transition destination after the special game is completed and the next transition destination is the normal game state and the special game state. An intermediate game state (time-saving game state), which is one of the game states, is provided,
In the display unit, a first layer (first layer 31) and a second layer (second layer 32), which is a layer higher than the first layer, are provided in an overlapping manner,
The effect control means continues to display a first effect image (big hit middle image 70) on the first layer during the state transition between the special game state and the intermediate game state,
In the special game state, the first effect image is made visible without displaying the effect image on the second layer, while in the intermediate game state, the first effect image is different. This game machine is configured to display a second effect image (time saving image 60) on the second layer to make the first effect image invisible or difficult to be visually recognized.

In the configuration shown in this feature, when the special game state is restarted with the intermediate game state interposed, the first effect image displayed in the previous special game state is skipped for the time of the intermediate game state. Since the effect image is displayed, it is possible to give the player an impression as if the special game state was continued even during the transition to the intermediate game state.

According to the group of features C', it is possible to visually give the player the impression that a specific game state is continuing, so that the following problems can be solved.

With respect to the background art of ``In the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document C' (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-043950 (paragraph [0306]), when a jackpot game is started, a jackpot opening image is displayed. In the C2 gaming machine, even when a big win is made in a variable probability game or a time-saving game after the end of the big win game, and the big win is repeated, the same as the first big win game, the big win opening image is displayed, so the attraction of the production is enhanced. It was difficult to give the player the feeling that the jackpots were low and the jackpots were consecutively won.” may occur.

10 game machine 11 game board 14AK 1st starting winning opening 14BK 2nd starting winning opening 25 speaker 30G display screen 50 main control circuit 52 sub control circuit 60 time saving image 61 first instruction image 62 second instruction image 70 jackpot image 72 jackpot middle sound

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

The advent of game machines that have never existed before is desired.

A first aspect of the invention results from a first ball entry area and a second ball entry area into which a game ball can enter, and entry of a game ball into the first ball entry area or the second ball entry area. When the execution condition is satisfied, the game state is controlled to a special state in which the ball is easier to enter the second ball entry area than in the normal state, and the end condition due to the ball entry is satisfied in the special state. and game state control means for controlling the game state from the special state to the normal state, wherein the end condition of the first special state resulting from the entry of the ball into the first ball entry area is Unlike the end condition of the second special state caused by the ball entering the second ball entering area, the end condition of the special state is The gaming machine is provided with at least a first end condition based on the ball entering only the first ball entering area.

Claims (1)

a first ball entry area into which a game ball can enter and a second ball entry area different from the first ball entry area;
When the execution condition resulting from the entry of the game ball into the first ball entry area or the second ball entry area is established, the game state is easier to enter the second ball entry area than in the normal state. and game state control means for controlling the game state from the special state to the normal state when a termination condition caused by the entering ball is satisfied in the special state,
The termination condition for the first special state resulting from the ball entering the first ball-entering area is different from the termination condition for the second special state resulting from the ball entering the second ball-entering area. ,
As the first special state when the execution condition is satisfied in the normal state, the termination condition is satisfied more than the first or second special state when the execution condition is satisfied in the special state. A game machine in which a difficult state is provided.

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