JP2023026540A5 - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko machine .

Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines, aim to increase the interest of the player in the game by suggesting to the player that the lottery result is winning according to the contents of the variable performance that is executed. be.

JP-A-2006-345901

In the gaming machines as described above, there is a demand for further enhancement of the amusement of games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of enhancing the interest of a game.

In order to achieve this object, the game machine according to claim 1 comprises shooting means capable of shooting game balls into a game area, and first ball entering means capable of entering the game balls shot by the shooting means. an acquiring means capable of acquiring predetermined information when a first condition that can be established based on the game ball entering the first ball entering means is established; and the predetermined information acquired by the acquiring means. storage means capable of storing data; and determination means capable of performing determination based on the predetermined information stored in the storage means when a first execution condition is satisfied; means capable of generating a specific game state based on the fact that the result is a specific determination result; is a different second ball entering means, a first position that allows a game ball to enter the second ball entering means, and a game ball entering the second ball entering means from the first position a first displacement control for displacing the displacement means positioned at the second position to the first position; a second displacement control for displacing the positioned displacement means to the second position; The first displacement control is executed based on the establishment of the first condition, and the first displacement control satisfies a second condition that can be established in a situation where the displacement means is positioned at the first position. The gaming machine is configured to execute the second displacement control based on, and the gaming machine provides a predetermined value to the player when a game ball enters at least the first ball entering means A first mode based on the execution of the determination by the determination means, a second mode based on the occurrence of the specific game state, and a predetermined state to the second ball entry means It is configured so that at least the third mode based on the entry of the ball can occur .

According to the gaming machine of claim 1, the shooting means capable of shooting the game ball into the game area, the first ball entering means capable of entering the game ball shot by the shooting means, and the first entering means Acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information when a first condition that can be established based on the entry of a game ball into the ball means is established, and storage means capable of storing the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition means. and determination means capable of performing determination based on the predetermined information stored in the storage means when a first execution condition is satisfied, wherein the result of the determination by the determination means is a specific determination. a means capable of generating a specific game state based on the result; A ball means, a first position that allows a game ball to enter the second ball entering means, and a game ball that is more difficult to enter the second ball entering means than the first position. a first displacement control for displacing the displacement means positioned at the second position to the first position; and the displacement means positioned at the first position. a second displacement control for displacing the displacement means to the second position; The first displacement control is executed based on the fact that the first displacement control is performed, and the first displacement control satisfies the second condition that can be satisfied in the situation where the displacement means is positioned at the first position. The game machine is configured to execute 2-displacement control, and the game machine is configured to award a predetermined value to the player when a game ball enters at least the first ball entering means. A first mode based on execution of the determination by the determining means, a second mode based on the occurrence of the specific gaming state, and a predetermined ball entering the second ball entering means It is configured so that at least the third aspect can occur. Therefore, there is an effect that the amusement of the game can be improved.

1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine diagonally from the front. 1 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of a pachinko machine in an expanded state; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of a pachinko machine in an expanded state; FIG. It is a front view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a front view which shows the structure of a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame. It is a perspective view showing the rear configuration of the game board. It is a front view which shows the structure of a back pack unit. It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline|summary of the various counters used for game control. 4 is a flow chart showing timer interrupt processing executed by the MPU of the main control unit; 10 is a flowchart showing normal processing; (a) Flowchart showing a variable display control process executed by the MPU of the notification/production control device, (b) Flowchart showing a process for starting the fluctuation. 4 is a flowchart showing operation determination processing; It is a flowchart which shows the process for a 1st production|presentation. (a) A schematic diagram showing an overview of a second effect, (b) a flowchart showing a second effect setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the process for a 2nd production|presentation. It is a timing chart showing the flow of the game. It is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the first effect and the second effect in the second embodiment. (a) A flowchart showing a setting content update process executed by the MPU of the notification/production control device, (b) a timing chart showing the flow of the game. It is a schematic diagram showing a state of transition from the first effect to the second effect. 4 is a flowchart showing operation determination processing; (a) A flowchart showing setting content update processing in the third embodiment, (b) a timing chart showing a game flow. 9B is a flowchart showing setting content update processing in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a timing chart showing a game flow. It is a flow chart which shows various processings concerning the 2nd production in a 6th embodiment. It is a timing chart showing the flow of the game.

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment of a pachinko game machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine"), which is a type of game machine, will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pachinko machine 10 as seen obliquely from the front, and FIGS. 3, the configuration within the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted for the sake of convenience.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 forming the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10 and a gaming machine main section 12 attached to the outer frame 11 .

The outer frame 11 is formed by connecting plate materials on four sides and has a rectangular frame shape. A pachinko machine 10 is installed on an island facility of a game hall by fixing an outer frame 11 to the island facility. Note that the pachinko machine 10 does not have to have the outer frame 11, and the pachinko machine 10 may be provided with the outer frame 11 on the island facilities of the game arcade.

The main part 12 of the gaming machine is supported by the outer frame 11 so as to be openable. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper supporting metal fitting 17 is fixed to the connecting portion between the upper frame portion and the left frame portion of the outer frame 11, and furthermore, the lower frame portion and the left frame portion of the outer frame 11 are connected to each other. A lower support metal fitting 18 is fixed to the connecting portion with the part. A support mechanism is constituted by these upper support metal fittings 17 and lower support metal fittings 18, and the main part 12 of the game machine rotates to the outer frame 11 with respect to the pachinko machine 10 as viewed from the front. , and the right side of the pachinko machine 10 can be rotated forward.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming machine main part 12 includes an inner frame 13 as a base body, a front door frame 14 arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack arranged behind the inner frame 13. and a unit 15 (see FIG. 4). In addition, the inner frame 13 of the game machine main portion 12 is rotatably supported with respect to the outer frame 11 .

A front door frame 14 is rotatably attached to the end of the inner frame 13 on the rotation base end side, and the front door frame 14 rotates on the right side with the left side as the rotation base side in front view. The tip side is rotatable forward. As shown in FIG. 4, a back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to the end of the inner frame 13 on the rotation base end side. It is rotatable rearward with the moving proximal end side and the right side being the rotating distal end side.

Next, the front door frame 14 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 3, the front door frame 14 is mainly composed of a frame body 20 made of synthetic resin whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11, and covers substantially the entire front side of the inner frame 13. ing. A substantially elliptical window portion 21 (see FIG. 1) is formed in the central portion of the frame body 20 so that substantially the entire game area PE, which will be described later, can be visually recognized from the front of the gaming machine. 21 is covered from the rear side of the front door frame 14 by a glass unit 30. - 特許庁

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 20 is formed with a glass unit installation portion 22 so as to surround the window portion 21 . Specifically, the glass unit installation section 22 is arranged on the back side of the frame 20 and is recessed toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the window section 21 is arranged at the bottom thereof. The displacement of the glass unit 30 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is restricted by being fitted in the glass unit installation portion 22 .

The glass unit 30 includes transparent glass panels 31 and 32 and a glass holder 33 that holds the glass panels 31 and 32 . The glass holder 33 has an annular frame formed along the window 21, and the glass panels 31 and 32 are accommodated in the area surrounded by the frame.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the window portion 21 . For example, along the periphery of the window portion 21, an annular decorative portion 24 containing light emitting means such as an LED is provided. The annular illumination portion 24 lights up or blinks in accordance with changes in the game state such as when a big win is made or when a predetermined reach is reached. More specifically, a top lamp part 25 is provided at the top of the pachinko machine 10 at the center of the annular illumination part 24 and has a function of turning on at the time of a predetermined error. A side lamp part 26 provided with a function of lighting up during ball payout is provided. Further, on both left and right sides of the top lamp section 25, there are provided speaker sections 27 for outputting sound effects according to the game state.

As shown in FIG. 2, below the window portion 21 of the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 28 and a lower bulging portion 29, which bulge forward, are vertically arranged side by side. The upper bulging portion 28 is provided with an upper plate 28a that opens upward, and the lower bulging portion 29 is provided with a lower plate 29a that similarly opens upward. The upper plate 28a has a function of temporarily storing game balls paid out from a payout device described later, aligning them in a line, and leading them to the side of a game ball shooting mechanism described later. In addition, the lower tray 29a has a function of storing the surplus game balls in the upper tray 28a.

An operation button 40 that is operated by the player (specifically, a pressing operation or a pressing operation) is provided at a portion of the upper bulging portion 28 that is located in front of the upper plate 28a (game ball storage area). The operation button 40 is an operation device for the player to give a predetermined instruction in the course of the game for the purpose of performing a predetermined effect on a display screen of a symbol display device (to be described later) or the like.
Effects executed based on the operation of the operation button 40 will be described later in detail.

A game ball shooting handle 45 is provided so as to protrude to the near side at a position parallel to the lower bulging portion 29 . By operating the game ball shooting handle 45, a game ball is shot from a game ball shooting mechanism which will be described later.

A passage forming unit 50 is attached to the rear surface of the front door frame 14 as shown in FIG. The passage forming unit 50 is molded of synthetic resin and has a front door side upper tray passage leading to the upper tray 28a and a front door side lower tray passage leading to the lower tray 29a. An upper corner of the passage forming unit 50 is formed with a receptacle portion 53 that protrudes rearward and opens upward. An entrance portion and an entrance portion of the front door side lower tray passage are formed. The upstream side of the front door side upper plate passage and the front door side lower plate passage communicates with a game ball distribution section to be described later, and the game balls entering the front door side upper plate passage are guided to the upper plate 28a, and are guided to the front door side lower plate. A game ball entering the plate passage is guided to the lower plate 29a.

Next, the inner frame 13 will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the inner frame 13. FIG. In FIG. 5, as in FIG. 3, the configuration within the game area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted.

The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 60 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11 . Support metal fittings 71 and 72 are attached to the upper end and lower end of the front surface of the resin base 60 on the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 5). Bearing metal fittings 57 and 58 are provided in correspondence with the support metal fittings 71 and 72 on the rotation base end side (left side in FIG. 2) on the rear surface of the front door frame 14 . Axial portions are formed on the support metal fittings 71 and 72 , and the front door frame 14 is rotated with respect to the inner frame 13 by inserting the shaft portions into the bearing holes of the bearing metal fittings 57 and 58 of the front door frame 14 . movably supported. In other words, these support metal fittings 71 and 72 and bearing metal fittings 57 and 58 constitute an assembly mechanism for the inner frame 13 .

A locking device 75 is provided on the front surface of the inner frame 13 . The locking device 75 has a plurality of front door hook members 76 extending toward the front door frame 14 . A plurality of hook receiving members 59 extending toward the inner frame 13 are provided on the rear surface of the front door frame 14 corresponding to the front door hook members 76 (see FIG. 3). The front door frame 14 is locked in a closed state by hooking the front door hook member 76 on the hook receiving member 59 . Further, as shown in FIG. 4 , the locking device 75 has an inner frame hook member 77 extending rearward of the inner frame 13 . By hooking these inner frame hook members 77 on the hook receiving member 19 of the outer frame 11 , the main part 12 of the game machine is locked with respect to the outer frame 11 in a closed state.

A cylinder lock 78 for unlocking the locking device 75 is installed at the lower right corner of the resin base 60 . The cylinder lock 78 is integrated with the locking device 75 , and its tip portion (keyhole portion) is exposed to the front of the pachinko machine 10 through a hole provided in the front door frame 14 . The front door frame 14 is unlocked from the inner frame 13 by turning the key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 78 clockwise, and the locking of the inner frame 13 from the outer frame 11 is unlocked by turning the key counterclockwise. .

A game board accommodating portion 61 for accommodating a game board 80 is formed in substantially the central portion of the front surface of the resin base 60 . The game board housing portion 61 is recessed to the rear of the pachinko machine 10 to define a housing space for housing the game board 80, and the game board 80 attached to the resin base 60 is fitted in the housing space. It's becoming

The game board 80 comprises a wooden plywood board and a sheet material covering the front side of the board surface of the plywood board, the front surface of which is exposed to the front side of the resin base 60 through the open part of the game board housing part 61. - 特許庁. A game area PE in which game balls flow down is formed on the exposed portion, ie, the front surface of the game board 80 . The game area PE is covered with the glass panels 31 and 32 as already explained. The glass panel 32 on the rear side is arranged so that the gap between the front surface of the game board 80 is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, that is, the game ball flowing down the game area PE moves forward and backward at the same place in the same game area PE. are arranged so as not to be in line with each other. This suppresses ball clogging in the game area PE. It should be noted that the game board 80 is not limited to being made of wood, and can also be made of synthetic resin.

The game board 80 (in particular, various configurations arranged in the game area PE) will be described below with reference to FIG. 6 is a front view of the game board 80. FIG.

The game board 80 is router-processed to form a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in its own thickness direction (front-rear direction). Each opening is provided with a general winning opening 81, a variable ball entry device 82, operation openings 83a and 83b, a through gate 84, a variable display unit 85, and the like. When game balls enter the general prize winning port 81, the variable ball entry device 82, and the operation ports 83a, 83b, the game balls are detected by a detection switch, which will be described later, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the detection results. be done. In addition, an out port 86 is provided at the bottom of the game board 80, and game balls that do not enter various prize winning ports are discharged from the game area PE through the out port 86. - 特許庁

The game board 80 is also provided with a large number of nails 87 for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the flow path of the game balls, and various members (accessories) such as windmills. Various configurations such as the nail 87 and the windmill divide the flow path of the game ball, and are adjusted so that the winning to the above-described general winning opening 81 or the like occurs with an appropriate probability.

The variable ball entry device 82 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot or hardly wins a prize, and is switched to a predetermined open state in which a game ball can easily win a prize in the event of a big hit. As for the mode of opening the variable ball entry device 82, the passage of a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or the winning of a predetermined number (for example, 10) is regarded as one round, and the variable ball entry device 82 is opened for a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds). ) is set to repeat as the upper limit.

The variable display unit 85 is arranged near the upper center of the game board 80, and operation ports 83a and 83b are arranged below it. More specifically, the operating ports 83a and 83b are vertically arranged side by side with the operating port 83a on the upper side and the operating port 83b on the lower side. An electric accessory 91 as a guide piece (support piece) composed of a pair of left and right movable pieces is provided in the lower operation opening 83b (lower operation opening 83b). The electric accessory 91 has a closed state (non-supported state or non-guided state) in which it is impossible or difficult to enter a ball into the operation port 83b, and an open state (supported state) in which it is easier to enter a game ball than in the closed state. state or guide state), and is controlled by the main control device to be in the open state when a lottery based on the winning of the through gate 84 is won. As the opening and closing mode of the electric accessory, there is a low frequency support mode set so that the frequency of winning the lower operation port 83b is lower than the upper operation port 83a (upper operation port 83a), and a lower operation port 83a than the upper operation port 83a. A high-frequency support mode is set so that the frequency of winning a prize to the lower operation opening 83b is high, and when a predetermined winning result is obtained by a lottery based on the balls entering the operation openings 83a and 83b. It is configured to shift from the low-frequency support mode to the high-frequency support mode.

The variable display unit 85 and the actuation openings 83a and 83b are parts that control the playability and tend to attract the player's attention. By arranging the variable display unit 85 and the operation ports 83a and 83b vertically in the center of the game machine, the amount of movement of the line of sight between them is suppressed, which contributes to the reduction of the strain on the player's eyes.

The variable display unit 85 includes a symbol display device 94 that variably displays symbols triggered by the winning of the operation ports 83a and 83b. The pattern display device 94 is configured as a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal display (display screen 94a), and its display contents are controlled by a display control device, which will be described later. Specifically, on the display screen 94a, patterns are displayed side by side on the left, middle, and right, and these patterns are variably displayed by being scrolled vertically. Then, when a big hit occurs, a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped and displayed on a preset effective line, and the game is shifted to a special game state. Note that the display mode on the display screen 94a may be changed as follows. In other words, the patterns may be arranged in the upper, middle, and lower rows, and the patterns may be displayed variably by scrolling them in the horizontal direction.

Also, the variable display unit 85 has a center frame 95 formed so as to surround the pattern display device 94 . A first specific ramp portion 96 and a second specific ramp portion 97 are provided on the upper portion of the center frame 95 . Holding ramp portions 98 and 99 are provided on the upper and lower portions of the center frame 95, respectively. The holding lamp portion 98 on the lower side corresponds to the pattern display device 94 and the first specific lamp portion 96, and the number of times the game ball passes through the operation openings 83a and 83b is held up to four times. The pending number is displayed by lighting. The holding lamp portion 99 on the upper side corresponds to the second specific lamp portion 97, and the number of times the game ball passes through the through gate 84 is held up to four times, and the holding number is displayed by lighting of the holding lamp portion 99. It has become so.

A main display unit 89 is arranged on the side of the variable ball entry device 82 . The main display unit 89 is arranged along the outer edge of the lower side of the game area PE, and projects from the front surface of the game board 80 to the front of the pachinko machine 10 . The front surface of the main display unit 89 faces the glass unit 30 (specifically, the glass panel 32 on the rear side) that allows the game area PE to be visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and furthermore, faces the glass panel 32 on the rear side. The distance between them is narrower than one game ball. This prevents game balls from falling in front of the front surface of the main display unit 89 .

A portion of the main display unit 89 facing the glass unit 30 is provided with a main display portion D on which a predetermined pattern or the like is displayed. The main display portion D includes an upper working port display portion for displaying the lottery result based on the prize winning for the upper working port 83a, and a lower working port displaying the lottery result based on the prize winning for the lower working port 83b. and a display for.

In the display unit for the upper working port, the winning of the upper working port 83a triggers the variable display of the pattern, and as a result of stopping the variable display, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the upper working port 83a is performed. The results are made explicit. When the result of the internal lottery based on the prize winning to the upper operating port 83a is the winning result (jackpot result) corresponding to the shift to the opening/closing execution mode, the fluctuation display is stopped on the display unit for the upper operating port, After a predetermined pattern is displayed as a result of the stoppage, the opening/closing execution mode is entered.

In the display unit for the lower working port, the variable display of the pattern is performed with the winning of the lower working port 83b as a trigger, and as a result of stopping the variable display, the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the lower working port 83b is performed. The results are made explicit. When the result of the internal lottery based on the winning to the lower operating port 83b is the winning result (jackpot result) corresponding to the transition to the opening/closing execution mode, the variable display is stopped on the lower operating port display unit, After a predetermined pattern is displayed as a result of the stoppage, the mode is shifted to the opening/closing execution mode according to the result.

Here, based on the winning of any of the operation openings 83a and 83b, the corresponding operation opening display unit starts a variable display, displays a predetermined stop result, and stops the variable display (confirmed display). Until is equivalent to one game time. However, one game round is not limited to the above contents, for example, a single display area is provided, and even if a prize is won in any of the operation openings 83a and 83b, the single display area is displayed. In the configuration where the variable display is performed in the display area, the variable display is started in the single display area, and the game is played until the variable display is stopped (confirmed display) while a predetermined stop result is displayed. It is assumed to be one time.

The main display portion D of the main display unit 89 is also provided with a through-gate display portion for displaying a lottery result based on the winning of the through-gate 84, in addition to the display portions for both operation ports. In the through-gate display unit, the winning of the through-gate 84 triggers the variable display of the pattern, and as a result of stopping the variable display, the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning of the through-gate 84 is clearly indicated. be done. If the result of the internal lottery (support lottery) based on the prize winning to the through gate 84 is a winning result corresponding to the shift to the power open state, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the through gate display unit. After the fluctuation display is stopped by pressing, it shifts to the electric power open state. In the electric operation open state, the electric accessory 91 provided in the lower operation opening 83b is opened in a predetermined manner.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the number of times the game ball passes through the through gate 84 is retained up to four times. A pending number display is provided.

Each of these display portions (main display portion D) is visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 30 of the front door frame 14, and movement of game balls in front of these various display portions is avoided. Visibility is ensured by being

Again referring to FIG. 5, below the game board accommodating portion 61 (game board 80) in the resin base 60, there is a game ball for shooting a game ball into the game area PE based on the operation of the game ball shooting handle 45. A firing mechanism 110 is provided. The game ball shooting mechanism 110 includes a solenoid 111 for shooting a game ball placed at a predetermined shooting standby position, a shooting rail 112 for defining the shooting direction of the game ball shot by the solenoid 111, and a game ball at the shooting standby position. A ball feeding device 113 that supplies balls and a base plate 114 on which these various components 111 to 113 are mounted are provided as main components, and the base plate 114 is attached to the resin base 60 via a reinforcing plate to be described later. ing.

The launch rail 112 is fixed to the base plate 114 in an oblique state so as to be inclined upward toward the game board 80 side. At a position near the downstream end (that is, the lower end) of the launch rail 112, a ball stopper is arranged to stop the game ball supplied from the ball feeding device 113 at the launch standby position described above. The solenoid 111 is arranged at a position further downstream than the ball stopper.

Solenoid 111 is electrically connected to a power supply and launch control device, which will be described later.
By reciprocating the output shaft of the solenoid 111 in the expansion and contraction direction based on the output of the electrical signal from the power supply/shooting control device, the game ball placed at the shooting standby position moves to the game board 80 side, specifically the game It is driven out toward the guide rail 100 attached to the board 80 .

The guide rail 100, together with a game area partitioning member described later, partitions the game area PE so that the outer shape of the game area PE is substantially circular. In addition, the guide rail 100 is composed of an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102 which are arranged to face each other with a gap slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball. formed. The guide passage 103 has an entrance portion 104 opened to the tip side (diagonally downward) of the launch rail 112 and an exit portion 105 located above the game area PE. A game ball shot based on the operation of the solenoid 111 is guided to the game area PE by moving in the order of the shooting rail 112→the guide rail 100 (the entrance portion 104→the exit portion 105). In the game board 80, on the front side of the exit portion 105, more specifically, near the tip of the inner rail 101, a return prevention member 106 is attached to prevent the game ball that has reached the game area PE from returning into the guide passage 103. This prevents the game ball that has reached the game area PE first from hindering the launch of the following game ball.

The guide rail 100 and the launch rail 112 are arranged such that the entrance portion 104 of the guide rail 100 and the tip portion of the launch rail 112 face each other obliquely with a gap therebetween. A foul ball passage 55 (see FIG. 3) is arranged below the gap thus formed. The foul ball passage 55 is formed integrally with the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14 .
If the game balls shot from the game ball shooting mechanism 110 do not reach the game area PE and return inside the guide passage 103 as foul balls, the foul balls enter the foul ball passage 55 through the clearance. becomes. The foul ball passage 55 communicates with the lower tray passage on the front door side, and the game ball entering the foul ball passage 55 is discharged to the lower tray 29a shown in FIG. This suppresses interference between the foul ball and the game ball to be launched next.

In addition, the resin base 60 is provided with a plurality of locking devices that can be switched between a locked state in which the game board 80 cannot be removed from the game board accommodating portion 61 and an unlocked state in which the game board 80 can be removed. It is The lock device has an abutment portion that abuts against the front surface of the game board 80 in a locked state, and the abutment portion abuts against the front surface of the game board 80, thereby pushing the game board 80 toward the front door frame 14 side. Displacement is suppressed.

A through-hole is formed in the resin base 60 on the left side of the launch rail 112 (specifically, the side supporting the front door frame 14) to penetrate the resin base 60 in the front-rear direction, and the through-hole is covered. A passage forming member 121 is arranged at the end. The passage forming member 121 is screwed to the resin base 60 and has a main body side upper plate passage 122 and a main body side lower plate passage 123 . The upstream side of the main body side upper tray passage 122 and the main body side lower tray passage 123 communicates with a game ball distribution section which will be described later. Under the passage forming member 121, a socket 53 (see FIG. 3) of the passage forming unit 50 attached to the front door frame 14 is inserted. An upper tray passage is arranged, and a front door side upper tray passage is arranged below the main body side lower tray passage 123. - 特許庁

Below the passage forming member 121 in the resin base 60, there is provided a shutter 124 for restricting outflow of game balls from the main body side upper tray passage 122 and the main body side lower tray passage 123. As shown in FIG. The shutter 124 is supported by the resin base 60 so as to be switchable between a blocking position for narrowing the exit portions of both passages and blocking outflow of the game balls, and a permitting position for permitting the outflow of the game balls. A biasing member is attached to the resin base 60 to bias the shutter 124 toward the blocking position. 124 remains in the blocking position. As a result, when the front door frame 14 is opened while the game balls are stored in the main body side upper tray passage 122 or the main body side lower tray passage 123, the inconvenience of the stored balls falling out is avoided. . On the other hand, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the socket 53 provided in the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14 pushes the shutter 124 back to the allowable position against the biasing force. In this state, the main body side upper tray passage 122 and the front door side upper tray passage are communicated with the main body side lower tray passage 123 and the front door side lower tray passage, respectively, and movement of the game ball is permitted.

Next, the rear configuration of the inner frame 13 (the resin base 60 and the game board 80) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the inner frame 13. FIG.

A bearing metal fitting 132 is attached to the rotation base end side (right side in FIG. 7) on the back surface of the resin base 60 . Bearing portions 133 are formed on the bearing metal fitting 132 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. A plurality of fixing levers 134 for fixing the back pack unit 15 to the inner frame 13 are provided on the back surface of the resin base 60 .

As already described, a central opening 64 is formed through the resin base 60 in the thickness direction and is open to the rear side of the resin base 60 at the bottom portion of the game board accommodating portion 61 in the resin base 60. A central opening 64 is covered from the front side of the inner frame 13 with a game board 80 housed in the game board housing portion 61 . Various components such as a control device are mounted on the back surface of the game board 80 , and these various components are exposed on the back side of the inner frame 13 through the central opening 64 . Here, the configuration of the back surface of the game board 80 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the game board 80 as seen from the rear.

A base member 141 made of synthetic resin is fixed to the back of the game board 80 to mount the variable display unit 85 (see FIG. 6) on the game board 80 . The pedestal member 141 has a substantially box shape that is open to the game board 80 side and covers almost the entire back surface of the game board 80 . A part of the pedestal member 141 protrudes through the central opening 64 of the resin base 60 to the rear side of the resin base 60, and the above-described pattern display device 94 (see FIG. 6) and its pattern display are attached to the projected portion. A display controller for driving device 94 is attached. The pattern display device 94 and the display control device are stacked in the front-rear direction (thickness direction of the resin base 60) so that the pattern display device is on the front side and the display control device is on the rear side. Further, the game board 80 is equipped with a notification/effect control device unit positioned behind the display control device.
The notification/effect control device unit is configured to include a notification/effect control device 142 and a mounting base 144 , and the notification/effect control device 142 is mounted on the mounting base 144 .

The notification/effect control device 142 is equipped with a notification/effect control board that controls the voice, lamp display, and display control device according to instructions from the main control device, which will be described later. It is configured to be accommodated in a board box 145 made of the like.

A main control device unit 160 is provided below the notification/production control device unit so as to cover the base member 141 from behind. The main controller unit 160 has a synthetic resin mount 161 fixed to the back surface of the game board 80 and a main controller 162 mounted on the mount 161 . The main control device 162 is provided with a main control board having a function (main control circuit) that governs the main control of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) that monitors the power supply, and the main control board is made of a transparent resin material. It is configured to be housed in a board box 163 made of, for example.

The board box 163 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base (front case body) and a box cover (back case body) that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are unopenably connected by a box sealing portion 164 as sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of box sealing portions 164 are provided on the short sides of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used to perform the sealing process.

Any configuration can be applied to the box sealing portion 164 as long as the box base and the box cover are combined in an unopenable manner. The base and box cover are adapted to be unopenably joined. The sealing process by the box sealing unit 164 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and even if unauthorized opening should occur, such a situation can be detected early and easily. It is possible to perform the sealing process again even after the package has been opened. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting a locking pin into at least one locking hole of the plurality of box sealing portions 164 . When the circuit board box 163 is to be opened, such as when a problem occurs with the main control circuit board housed therein or when the main control circuit board is inspected, the connecting portion between the box sealing portion into which the locking pin is inserted and the circuit board box 163 body is opened. disconnect. As a result, the box base and box cover of the board box 163 are separated, and the main control board inside can be taken out. After that, when the sealing process is performed again, a locking pin is inserted into another locking hole. If the history of the opening of the circuit board box 163 is left in the circuit board box 163, it can be easily found that the circuit board box 163 has been illegally opened.

The board box 163 and the mounting base 161 are unopenably connected by a pedestal sealing portion 165 . More specifically, the pedestal sealing portion 165 has locking holes and locking pins in the same manner as the box sealing portion 164 . The mounting base 161 is connected inseparably. As a result, when the board box 163 is illegally removed, the fact can be easily grasped.

The portion of the base member 141 facing the back surface of the game board 80 corresponds to the game board openings of the general winning port 81, the variable ball entry device 82, the upper operating port 83a, and the lower operating port 83b, and is located downstream. , a collection passage is formed to gather at one place. As a result, all the winning game balls such as the general winning hole 81 are gathered under the game board 80 via the collection passage.
In other words, the pedestal member 141 is provided with a function of collecting game balls that have entered various winning slots.

A discharge passage, which will be described later, is arranged below the game board 80, and the game balls collected under the game board 80 are discharged into the discharge passage by the collection passage. It should be noted that the out port 86 is similarly connected to the discharge passage, and the game balls that have not won any of the prize winning ports are discharged into the discharge passage through the out port 86 .

In addition, the recovery passage includes a winning opening switch for detecting game balls that have entered the general winning opening 81 on the front side of the game board 80, a count switch for detecting game balls that have won a prize in the variable ball entering device 82, and an operation opening 83a. , 83b for detecting a game ball, and these various switches constitute a winning detection mechanism. Further, gate switches for detecting game balls passing through the through gate 84 are provided on both left and right sides of the variable display unit 85 in the base member 141 . These various switches are electrically connected to the main controller 162 , and information detected by each switch is output to the main controller 162 .

Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9. FIG. 9 is a front view of the back pack unit 15. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner frame 13 is covered with the back pack unit 15 from behind. The back pack unit 15 has a back pack 201, as shown in FIG.

The back pack 201 is molded from a transparent synthetic resin, and has a base portion 211 to which the payout mechanism portion 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 212 which protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover part 212 has a shape in which left and right sides and an upper surface are closed and only a lower surface is opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display unit 85 .

An external terminal plate is provided on the upper right portion of the base portion 211 . Various output terminals are provided on the external terminal board, and various signals are output to the management control device on the game hall side through these output terminals. A pair of upper and lower locking pins 214 are provided at the right end of the base portion 211 as viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10. By inserting the locking pins 214 into the bearing portions 133 provided on the inner frame 13, , the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner frame 13 . The base portion 211 is formed with a plurality of insertion portions 215 through which the fixed levers 134 provided on the inner frame 13 are inserted. The back pack unit 15 is fixed to the inner frame 13 by abutting from the bottom.

A payout mechanism part 202 is arranged on the base part 211 so as to bypass the protective cover part 212 . The payout mechanism unit 202 is provided with a tank 221 arranged on the top of the back pack 201 and opened upward, and the tank 221 is sequentially replenished with game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall. be. A tank rail 222 gently sloping downstream is connected to the lower side of the tank 221 , and a vertically extending case rail 223 is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 222 . A dispensing device 224 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 223 . The game balls paid out from the payout device 224 are supplied to the game ball distribution portion 225 provided in the base portion 211 of the back pack 201 through a payout passage (not shown) provided downstream of the payout device 224 .

The game ball distribution unit 225 has a function of distributing the game balls paid out from the payout device 224 to either the upper tray 28a, the lower tray 29a, or a discharge passage described later, and the inner opening is the main body described above. It is formed so that it communicates with the upper tray 28a via the side upper tray passage 122 and the front door side upper tray passage, and the outer opening communicates with the lower tray 29a via the main body side lower tray passage 123 and the front door side lower tray passage. It is

At the lower end of the base portion 211, the discharge passage board and control device collective unit 204 is attached so as to sandwich the lower end in the front and rear direction. The discharge passage board has a rearwardly open discharge passage formed on the surface facing the control device assembly unit 204 , and the opening of the discharge passage is closed by the control device assembly unit 204 . The discharge passage is formed so as to discharge the game balls to the island facilities of the game hall, etc., and the game balls drawn out from the collection passage or the like to the discharge passage pass through the discharge passage to the outside of the pachinko machine 10. Ejected.

The control device assembly unit 204 has a horizontally long mounting base 241 on which a payout control device 242 and a power supply/launch control device 243 are mounted. The payout control device 242 and the power supply/launch control device 243 are arranged one on top of the other in such a manner that the payout control device 242 is behind the pachinko machine 10 .

In the payout control device 242, a payout control board for controlling the payout device 224 is accommodated in a board box 244, and a state return switch 245 provided on the payout control board protrudes outside the board box 244. For example, when a dispensing error such as a ball clogging occurs in the dispensing device 224, pressing the state return switch 245 clears the ball clogging.

The power supply/shooting control device 243 has a power supply/shooting control board housed in a board box 246. The board generates and outputs a predetermined power supply required by various control devices, etc. The launching of the game ball accompanying the operation of the shooting handle 45 is controlled. A power switch 247 is provided in the power/launch control device 243 . By operating the power switch 247, the power of the pachinko machine 10 can be switched between an on state (on state) and a cut off state (off state).

Here, the pachinko machine 10 has a memory holding function of various data, and even in the event of a power failure, it retains the state at the time of the power failure and returns to the state at the time of the power failure when recovering from the power failure. It is possible. For example, when the power supply is cut off according to a normal procedure such as when the game hall is closed, the state before the cutoff is stored and held. A RAM erase switch 166 is provided in the main controller 162 . When the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 166, the RAM data is initialized.

(Electrical Configuration of Pachinko Machine 10)
Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

A main control board 601 provided in the main controller 162 is equipped with an MPU 602 . The MPU 602 is a ROM 603 storing various control programs and fixed value data to be executed by the MPU 602, and a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 603. It is an element containing a RAM 604, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input/output circuit, various counter circuits as a random number generator, and the like.

The MPU 602 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU602, power failure monitoring board 605 provided in the main control device 162, payout control device 242 and various detection sensors 151a ~ 151e, etc. are connected. The power supply/emission control device 243 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 605 , and power is supplied to the MPU 602 via the power failure monitoring board 605 . In addition, as part of the various detection sensors 151a to 151e, the general winning port 81, the variable ball entering device 82, the operation ports 83a and 83b, the through gate 84, etc. A plurality of detection sensors are connected, and the MPU 602 of the main control unit 162 makes a winning judgment (ball entry judgment) for each ball entry section. In addition, the MPU 602 executes a jackpot generating lottery based on the winning to the operation ports 83a and 83b, and executes a support generating lottery based on the winning to the through gate 84.例文帳に追加

The output side of the MPU 602 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 605, a payout control device 242 and a notification/production control device 142. A prize ball command is output to the payout control device 242, for example, based on the winning determination result to the winning corresponding winning ball portion. In this case, the command information storage area 603e of the ROM 603 is referred to when outputting the prize ball command. When the winning to the general winning opening 81 is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of 10 game balls is output, and when the winning to the variable ball entering device 82 is specified, 15. A prize ball command corresponding to the payout of the game ball is output, and when the winning to the upper operation port 83a is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of three game balls is output, and the upper operation port 83a When the winning is specified, a prize ball command corresponding to the payout of four game balls is output.

Various commands such as a variation start command (variation command), a type command, a variation end command, an opening command and an ending command are output to the notification/production control device 142 . In this case, the command information storage area 603e of the ROM 603 is referred to when outputting these various commands. Details of these various commands will be described later. Each of the above commands is configured as information of a predetermined number of bytes, and various types of information are included as the information of the predetermined number of bytes.

Further, on the output side of the MPU 602, a variable ball entry drive unit 82c that opens and closes the door of the variable ball entry device 82, an electric accessory drive unit 91c that opens and closes the electric accessory 91 of the lower operation opening 83b, and a main display. A unit 89 (main display section D) is connected. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 601, and the MPU 602 controls these various configurations through the driver circuits.

Specifically, in the opening/closing execution mode, the MPU 602 executes drive control of the variable ball-entering drive section 82c so that the variable ball-entering device 82 is opened and closed. Further, when the electric accessory 91 of the lower operating port 83b is elected in the open state, the MPU 602 executes drive control of the electric accessory drive unit 91c so that the electric accessory 91 is opened and closed. Further, the MPU 602 performs display control of the display section for the entering ball section and the display section for the number of pending balls of the main display section D, and the like.

The blackout monitoring board 605 relays between the main control board 601 and the power supply/launch controller 243 and monitors the maximum voltage output from the power supply/launch controller 243, which is a stable DC voltage of 24 volts. The payout control device 242 controls the payout of prize balls and rental balls by the payout device 224 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 162 .

The power supply/launch control device 243 is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a game arcade or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, the main control board 601, the payout control device 242, etc., generate the necessary operating power for each, and the generated operating power is supplied through a predetermined power path. do. The power/shooting control device 243 controls the shooting of the game ball shooting mechanism 110, and the game ball shooting mechanism 110 is driven when predetermined shooting conditions are met.

An MPU 612 is mounted on a notification/production control board 611 provided in the notification/production control device 142 . The MPU 612 includes a ROM 613 storing various control programs and fixed value data to be executed by the MPU 612, and a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 613. A RAM 614, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input/output circuit, etc. are incorporated.

The MPU 612 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 612 is connected to the main controller 162 as well as the operation button 40 (specifically, the detection sensor built into the operation button 40) and the like. Based on the detection signal (detection information) from this operation button 40, it is possible to grasp the presence or absence of an operation. The output side of the MPU 612 is connected to the light emitting units 24 to 26, the speaker unit 27, the light emitting board containing the operation button 40, and the like.

The MPU 612 controls the variable display unit 85 based on commands input from the main controller 162 . Specifically, in the notification/effect control device 142, based on various commands input from the main control device 162, the fluctuation display time of the pattern in the pattern display device 94 (whether or not the ready-to-win effect occurs) is grasped, and finally The type of combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed is determined, and the details of the content of ready-to-win performance are determined.

The display control device 620 has a display control board on which an MPU is mounted. The MPU has a program ROM storing various control programs and fixed value data, and various control programs stored in the program ROM. Built-in work RAM for temporarily storing data, video display processor (VDP), character ROM for storing image data, video RAM for temporarily storing image data read from the character ROM, etc. It is

The VDP is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an image processing device as a liquid crystal display driver incorporated in the pattern display device 94 . Since the VDP is made into an IC chip, it is also called a "drawing chip", and its substance should be called a microcomputer chip containing firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP intervenes in reading and writing data by adjusting the timings of the MPU, video RAM, etc., and reads the image data stored in the video RAM from the character ROM at a predetermined timing and displays it on the pattern display device 94 .

The character ROM plays a role as an image data library for storing character data such as patterns to be displayed on the pattern display device 94 . This character ROM holds bitmap format image data of various display patterns, a color palette table to be referred to when determining the expression color of each dot of the bitmap image, and the like. These image data, tables, etc. are stored in the character ROM.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of character ROMs and store image data and the like in each character ROM. It is also possible to configure the JPEG format image data for the background image stored in the program ROM 623 to be stored in the character ROM.

The video RAM is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the pattern display device 94, and by rewriting the content of the video RAM, the display content of the pattern display device 94 is changed.

The MPU of the display control device 620 executes display control of the pattern display device 94 based on the command input from the notification/effect control device 142 . Concretely, in accordance with the content of the variable display finally determined by the notification/production control device 142 and the type of combination of symbols to be stopped and displayed, the variable display is performed for each game round. Here, a supplementary description will be given of the display contents of the pattern display device 94 (display screen 94a).

On the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94, three symbol rows of left, middle and right are set. Each symbol row is configured by arranging main symbols and sub-symbols in a predetermined order. Specifically, in the left symbol row, nine types of main symbols "1" to "9" are arranged in descending numerical order, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol. In the right symbol row, nine types of main symbols "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol. That is, the upper symbol row and the lower symbol row are composed of 18 symbols. On the other hand, in the medium pattern row, 9 types of main patterns from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending order of numbers, and between the main pattern of "9" and the main pattern of "1", "4" main symbols are additionally arranged, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each of these main symbols. In other words, only the middle pattern row is composed of 20 symbols with 10 main symbols arranged. Then, on the display screen 94a, the symbols of each symbol row are variably displayed so as to scroll in a predetermined direction with periodicity. On the display screen 94a, three symbols are stop-displayed for each symbol row, and as a result, a total of nine symbols of 3×3 are stop-displayed.

In addition, the display screen 94a has five effective lines, that is, an upper line, a middle line, a lower line L3, a lower right line, and an upper right line. Then, the variable display stops in the order of the left symbol row → right symbol row → middle symbol row, and the variable display of all symbol rows is started in a state where a combination of symbols with the same number is formed on any of the activated lines. When the game ends, a jackpot animation showing that the result of the normal jackpot and the result of the variable probability jackpot, which will be described later, is obtained is displayed.

In the pachinko machine 10, the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to "specific symbols", and when a probability variable jackpot result occurs, the combination of the same specific symbols appears stopped. Also, the main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to "non-specific symbols", and when a normal jackpot result occurs, the combination of the same non-specific symbols is stopped and displayed. be.

Note that the pattern display device 94 is not limited to the above-described pattern display mode, and is arbitrary, and includes the number of pattern rows, the direction of pattern display variation in the pattern rows, the number of symbols in each pattern row, and the like. can be changed as appropriate. Also, the patterns variably displayed by the pattern display device 94 are not limited to the above-described patterns. It is also possible to configure only the patterns that are included or that are not numbered.

To further explain the aspect of the variable display of symbols in the symbol display device 94, in the pachinko machine 10, the ready-to-win display is performed as a stage prior to stop-displaying the combination of symbols corresponding to the announcement of the jackpot result as described above. is set to The ready-to-win display (ready-to-win effect or ready-to-win state) refers to a game cycle in which a pattern display device 94 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of patterns (designs) is provided, and the variable ball entry device 82 is in the opening and closing execution mode. In the game machine where the stop display result after the variable display is the special display result, the stage before the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display (or variable display) of the pattern (picture) in the pattern display device 94 is started. and a display state for making the player think that it is a variable display state that is likely to result in the above-mentioned special display result.

In other words, by stopping and displaying the symbols of some of the plurality of symbol rows displayed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the opening/closing execution mode is established. It is a display state in which combinations of possible ready-to-win patterns are displayed, and in that state, patterns are displayed in the remaining pattern rows in a variable manner.

More specifically, as a step prior to ending the variable display of symbols, a combination of jackpot symbols corresponding to the occurrence of the opening/closing execution mode is established on a preset effective line in the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94. To form a ready-to-win line by stop-displaying a combination of ready-to-win patterns that have the possibility of being hit, and to perform variable display of patterns by a final stop pattern row under the condition that the ready-to-win line is formed.

To give a supplementary explanation of the ready-to-win display, when the variable display of symbols is finished in the left symbol row first and then the variable display of symbols in the right symbol row is finished, the same number is attached to any of the activated lines. A ready-to-win line is formed by stopping and displaying the main symbol, and a ready-to-win display is performed by performing variable display of symbols by the middle symbol row in a situation where the ready-to-win line is formed. When the opening/closing execution mode is generated, the main patterns having the same number as the main patterns forming the reach line are stopped and displayed on the reach line to change the patterns in the medium pattern row. Display is terminated.

In addition, in the ready-to-win display, while the combination of ready-to-win symbols is displayed as described above, the patterns are displayed in the remaining pattern rows in a variable manner, and a predetermined character or the like is displayed as a moving image on the background screen. Rendering is performed, and a ready-to-win effect is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on substantially the entire display screen 94a after displaying a combination of ready-to-win symbols in a reduced size or not.

Then, in the pachinko machine 10, when performing the above-described ready-to-win display, the degree of expectation that a big win result will occur after that, that is, the main symbol with the same number as the main symbol forming the ready-to-win line in the ready-to-win display As one of the effects indicating the degree of expectation that the symbol is stopped and displayed on the reach line, the effect corresponding to the operation using the operation button 40 is set, and the game effects are diversified. Specifically, as part of various ready-to-win effects, when the operation button 40 is operated (specifically, a pressing operation), the effect display on the display screen is different from that when the operation is not performed. , etc., is set.

(About various counters)
Next, an electrical configuration for performing various lotteries by the MPU 602 of the main controller 162 will be described with reference to FIG.

During the game, the MPU 602 uses various counter information to set the jackpot generation lottery, the setting of the display of the operation opening display section, the outline setting of the pattern display of the pattern display device 94, etc. Specifically, the jackpot generation is performed. A jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery, a jackpot type counter C2 used when judging the jackpot type such as the probability variable jackpot result or the normal jackpot result, and the pattern display device 94 for performing a variable display corresponding to the losing result. A reach random number counter C3 used for reach lottery etc., a random number initial value counter CINI used to set the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and a variation type counter that determines the variation display time in the display unit for the operation opening and the pattern display device 94 CS is used. Further, an electric accessory open counter C4 is used for lottery to determine whether or not the electric accessory 91 of the lower operating port 83b should be in the electric role open state (support state). The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS and C4 are provided in the various counter area 604d of the RAM604.

Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 604 a set in a predetermined area of the RAM 604 . The information stored in the lottery counter buffer 604a (information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3) is stored in the RAM 604 as " It is stored in the reserved ball storage area 604b provided as "acquired information storage means".

Reservation ball storage area 604b comprises a reservation area and an execution area for the actuation port. The reservation area has a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area, and a jackpot random number counter stored in the lottery counter buffer 604a is set in accordance with the winning history to the operation ports 83a and 83b. Each numerical value information of C1, jackpot type counter C2 and reach random number counter C3 is stored in one of the first area to fourth area as pending information. In addition, the said pending|holding information corresponds to "special information."

In the first to fourth areas, each numerical information is displayed in the order of the first area, the second area, the third area, and the fourth area when winning to the operation openings 83a and 83b occurs multiple times in succession. stored in chronological order. Since four areas are provided in this manner, up to four entry histories of game balls into the operation openings 83a and 83b are reserved and stored. In addition, a total number of reservations storage area is provided in the reservation ball storage area 604b, and the total number of reservations storage area stores the number of pieces of reservation information acquired and stored based on the ball entering the operation openings 83a and 83b. Information for specifying is stored.

The execution area is an area for moving each numerical value information stored in the first area of the holding area when starting the variable display of the display unit for operation port, and when starting one game round, the execution area is used. Based on the stored various numerical information, the success or failure determination is performed.

The jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of 0 to 599, for example, and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value. In particular, when the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated, and stored in the reserved ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation openings 83a and 83b.

The values of the random numbers for winning the jackpot are stored as a success/failure table (success/failure information group) in a success/failure table storage area 603a as success/failure information group storage means in the ROM 603 . As the right/wrong table, a right/wrong table for the low-probability mode (low-probability right/wrong information group) and a right/wrong table for the high-probability mode (high-probability right/wrong information group) are set. That is, in the pachinko machine 10, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set as the lottery mode of the lottery means.

Under the gaming state in which the success/failure table for the low-probability mode is referred to in the lottery, the number of random number values for winning the jackpot is two. On the other hand, under the gaming state in which the success/failure table for the high-probability mode is referred to at the time of the lottery, the number of random numbers for winning the jackpot is twenty. In this case, the value group of the jackpot random number counter C1 that wins the jackpot in the low probability mode is included in the value group of the jackpot random number counter C1 that wins the jackpot in the high probability mode. As long as the probability of winning is higher in the high-probability mode than in the low-probability mode, the number and value of random numbers for winning are arbitrary.

The jackpot type counter C2 is incremented by 1 in order within the range of 0 to 29, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 29). The jackpot type counter C2 is periodically updated, and stored in the reserve area of the reserve ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation openings 83a and 83b.

The distribution destination of the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in a distribution table storage area 603b as distribution information group storage means in the ROM603. In the distribution table, the probability variable jackpot result and the normal jackpot result are set as the distribution destination of the game result.

The probability variable jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the variable ball entry device 82 is opened 15 times in the open/close execution mode. After the opening/closing execution mode ends, the lottery mode becomes the high probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. The game state corresponding to the high-probability mode and the high-frequency support mode (hereinafter referred to as the high-probability game state) continues until the next big hit result.

A normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which the variable ball entry device 82 is opened 15 times in the open/close execution mode. After the opening/closing execution mode ends, the lottery mode becomes the low-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. Low probability mode and high frequency support mode compatible game state (hereinafter referred to as high probability game state), the number of games executed after the transition to the high probability game state is the end reference number of times (upper limit: specifically 100 times), and when the end reference number of times is reached, the game state is switched to a low probability mode and low frequency support mode compatible game state (hereinafter referred to as a low certainty game state).

The reach random number counter C3 is, for example, incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 238, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). The reach random number counter C3 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved ball storage area 604b of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball enters the operating holes 83a and 83b. More specifically, it is stored in the reservation area of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the operation openings 83a and 83b. Then, whether or not to generate reach is determined based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 603 . However, in the game round to shift to the open/close execution mode, the MPU 602 determines whether to generate reach regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3.

The fluctuation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in order within the range of 0 to 198, for example, and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 198). The variation type counter CS is used in the MPU 602 to determine the variation display time on the display unit for the operating port and the variation display time of the pattern on the pattern display device 94 . The fluctuation type counter CS is updated once each time a normal process, which will be described later, is executed, and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of the normal process. Then, the buffer value of the variation type counter CS is acquired when determining the variation pattern when the symbol display device 94 starts varying the symbols.

When determining the variable display time in the pattern display device 94 or the main display unit D (display unit for operation port), the buffer values of the reach random number counter C3 and the variable type counter CS are stored in the variable display time table storage area 603c of the ROM 603. A variable display time table is referred to. In addition, in the MPU 602, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area are used to determine the stop result (picture) in the operation port display unit. , the stop result table stored in the stop result table storage area 603d of the ROM 603 is used.

The electric accessary product release counter C4 is, for example, configured to be incremented by one within the range of 0 to 249 and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 249). The electric accessory release counter C4 is periodically updated, and stored in the electric role holding area 604c of the RAM 604 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 84.例文帳に追加Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed as to whether or not to control the electric accessory 91 attached to the lower operation opening 83b to the open state based on the value of the stored electric accessory opening counter C4. For example, when C4=0 to 199, the electric accessory 91 is controlled to be in the open state, and when C4=200 to 249, the electric accessory 91 is not controlled to be in the open state.

(Regarding various processes executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601)
Next, each control process executed by the MPU 602 of the main control board 601 will be described. The processing of the MPU 602 is roughly divided into main processing that is started when the power is turned on, normal processing that is executed after the main processing ends, and timer interrupt processing that is started by periodically interrupting the normal processing. For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt processing will be explained first, and then the normal processing will be explained.

(timer interrupt processing)
First, timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This process is started by the MPU 602 periodically (for example, every 2 msec).

In step S101, reading processing of various detection sensors, for example (the detection sensors 151a to 151e) is executed. That is, the state of various detection sensors connected to the main controller 162 is read, the state of the detection sensor (detection information from the detection sensor) is determined, and the detection information (winning detection information) is saved. For example, when it is determined that the ball has entered the upper working opening 83a, the winning detection flag for the upper working opening is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604, and the ball has entered the lower working opening 83b. When it is determined that it has, the winning detection flag for the lower opening is stored in the various flag storage area 604e. Also, when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the through gate 84, a winning detection flag for the through gate is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM604.

After that, in step S102, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604 .

In the subsequent step S103, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and cleared to 0 when those counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated values of the respective counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM604.

In the subsequent step S104, a prize-winning process for through accompanying the prize-winning to the through gate 84 is executed. In the winning process for through, it is determined whether or not a winning detection flag for through gate is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604, and if the flag is stored, it is stored in the electric work holding area 604c. On the condition that the number of stored accessory pending memories is less than 4, the value of the electric role product release counter C4 updated in step S103 is stored in the electric role pending area 604c. Then, when the winning detection flag for the through gate is stored in the various flag storage area 604e, the winning detection flag is erased and the winning processing for the through gate is ended.

After executing the winning process for the through gate in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, in which the winning process for the working openings accompanying the winning of the working openings 83a and 83b is executed, and this timer interrupt process ends. do.

In the winning process for the working opening, first, whether or not the game ball has entered the upper working opening 83a (starting winning) is determined whether or not the winning detection flag for the upper working opening is stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604. Determined by When it is determined that the winning detection flag is stored, that is, when a detection signal indicating that the game ball has entered the upper operation port 83a is received, three game balls are paid to the payout control device 242. Set the prize ball command to make it come out. Then, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the hall computer HC on the game hall side of information indicating that the game ball has entered the upper working hole 83a. As a result, the hall computer HC recognizes that a prize has been awarded to the upper operation opening 83a. After that, information acquisition processing for storing the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is performed, and the prize winning processing ends.

On the other hand, when the prize winning detection flag for the upper working port is not stored in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604, that is, when the winning to the lower working port 83b instead of the upper working port 83a occurs, payout control is performed. A prize ball command is set to cause the device 242 to pay out four game balls. The set prize ball command is transmitted to the payout control device 242 in the external output process of the normal process to be described later. Subsequently, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the hall computer HC on the game hall side of information indicating that the game ball has entered the lower operation opening 83b. As a result, the hall computer HC recognizes that a prize has been awarded to the lower operation opening 83b. After that, information acquisition processing for storing the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is performed, and the prize winning processing ends.

On the other hand, when the game ball does not enter either the upper operation opening 83a or the lower operation opening 83b, the main winning process is terminated as it is.

In the information acquisition process, first, it is determined whether or not the set start pending storage number is less than the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the number of starting pending memories is the upper limit, this information acquisition process is terminated as it is, and if it is less than the upper limit, the number of starting pending memories in the corresponding holding area for the result display section is incremented by 1, and the total The value stored in the pending number storage area (hereinafter referred to as common pending number) is incremented by one.

After that, each value of the updated jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and fluctuation type counter CS is stored in the first storage area, that is, 1 Store in the storage area corresponding to the incremented pending storage number.

In other words, when the number of starting suspension memories for the operating port is set, each value of the updated jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3 and fluctuation type counter CS is stored for the operating port. It is stored in the first memory area of the empty memory areas of the area, that is, the memory area corresponding to the number of start reservation memory for the lower working port incremented by one.

Subsequently, it is a process for making the notification/production control device 142 and the display control device 620, which are sub-side (secondary side) control devices, recognize that a prize has been won in the upper operation port 83a or the lower operation port 83b. Execute pending information confirmation processing and pending command setting processing. After that, if the winning detection flag is stored, the flag is erased and the information acquisition process is terminated.
The pending command set in the pending command setting process will be transmitted to the notification/production control device 142 in the external output process of the normal process to be described later.

(Normal processing)
Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The normal process is a process that is started after the main process that is activated when the power is turned on is executed, and the main process of the game is executed in this normal process. As an outline, the processing of steps S201 to S206 is executed as regular processing with a period of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S208 and S209 is executed during the remaining time.

In the normal process, in step S201, output data such as commands set in the timer interrupt process or the previous normal process are transmitted to each sub-side control device. Specifically, the presence or absence of the prize ball command is determined, and if the prize ball command is set, it is transmitted to the payout control device 242 . In addition, if a command for effect such as a command corresponding to the effect for the game cycle such as a variation start command, a type command, a variation end command, or a command corresponding to the effect for the open/close execution mode is set, it is notified. - Transmit to the production control device 142 . Output setting for the external terminal board 213 is performed according to the information set in the external output buffer of the RAM 604 .

Next, in step S202, update processing of the variation type counter CS is executed. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and the counter value is cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the fluctuation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 604 .

In the subsequent step S203, a game round control process is executed to advance the game of each game round. In this game round control process, the success or failure of the jackpot or the like and the distribution of the jackpot types are determined, and the outline setting of the fluctuation display mode of the pattern by the pattern display device 94, the operation opening in the main display unit 89 (main display section D) Controls the display of the display for

After that, in step S204, game state transition processing for shifting the game state is executed. By this game state transition processing, the game state shifts to an opening/closing execution mode, a high probability mode, a high frequency support mode, and the like.

In step S205, an electric role support process for driving and controlling the electric accessory 91 provided in the lower operation opening 83b is executed. In this electric role support process, numerical information acquired from the electric role product release counter C4 stored in the electric role holding area 604c of the RAM 604 is used to determine whether or not the electric role product 91 is placed in the open state. A lottery (support lottery) is conducted, and when the electric role open state is won, the opening/closing process of the electric accessory 91 is executed. In addition, display control of the through-gate display section in the main display unit 89 (main display section D) is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the power opening lottery.

As already explained, the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode are set as modes of support by the electric accessory 91, and transition to one of the support modes is performed in the game state transition process. In this case, if the high-frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604, the high-frequency support mode is set, and if the flag is not set, the low-frequency support mode is set.

Incidentally, when shifting to the open/close execution mode, even if the high-frequency support flag is set in the various flag storage area 604e of the RAM 604, the support mode is forcibly set to the low-frequency support mode.

In the subsequent step S206, game ball launch control processing is executed. In the game ball shooting control process, a predetermined shooting is performed on the condition that a shooting permission signal output from the power supply/shooting control device 243 is input when a shooting operation is performed on the game ball shooting handle 45. Solenoid 111 of game ball launching mechanism 110 is excited once in a period (0.6 sec in this embodiment). As a result, the game ball is launched toward the game area PE. In other words, when irregular hitting such as so-called stop hitting is not performed, the shooting operation of the game ball is repeated at a predetermined cycle on the condition that the shooting operation is performed.

In the subsequent step S207, it is determined whether or not it is time to execute the next normal process, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. Then, the random number initial value counter CINI and the fluctuation type counter CS are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process. That is, in step S208, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S209, the variation type counter CS is updated.

Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S206 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant and fluctuates. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the winning random number counter C1) can be randomly updated. The variation type counter CS can also be randomly updated.

As already described, in the present embodiment, the outline of the variable display mode of the symbols on the display screen 94a is specified by the notification/production control device 142 with reference to the command from the main control device 162, and based on the specified result, Details of the variable display mode are configured to be determined by the notification/effect control device 142 . In order to perform such an operation, the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142 executes variable display control processing (processing for game rounds) as part of regular processing started at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec). The variable display control process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14(a).

(Processing for fluctuation display control)
In the variable display control process, first, in step S301, it is determined whether or not the game is in progress, that is, whether or not the symbol display device 94 is performing variable display or fixed display of symbols for one game. If it is determined that the game is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S302, and it is determined whether or not the variation start command transmitted from the main controller 162 has been received.

If a negative determination is made in step S302, this variable display control process is terminated. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S302, this variable display control process is terminated after the process for starting variation is executed in step S303. The variation start process is a process for starting an effect for a game turn based on receipt of a variation command transmitted from the main controller 162 . In the process for starting fluctuation, settings such as the ready-to-win display and the above-described operation corresponding effects are performed as effects for the game cycle.

Returning to the description of step S301, when the determination in step S301 is affirmative, that is, when it is determined that the game is in progress, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation end command transmitted from the main controller 162 has been received.
If a negative determination is made in step S304, the variable display control process is terminated after executing the variable display process in step S305. The variation mid-process is a process of executing various effects and changing the determined effect in the game cycle started by the process for starting the variation.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S304, the process proceeds to step S306, and after executing the fluctuation end processing in step S306, the fluctuation display control processing ends. In the fluctuation ending process, the fluctuation display of symbols and the effect being executed are ended (determined and stopped) so as to correspond to the reservation information related to the game round. In this processing, the driving control of the speaker section 27 and the lamp sections 24 to 26 is performed to produce an effect corresponding to the definite stop. Then, after outputting the confirmation command to the display control device 620, the process for finishing the fluctuation is ended. The MPU of the display control device 620 controls the pattern display device 94 to confirm and stop the design based on the received confirmation command.

(Processing for start of fluctuation)
Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14(b), a supplementary description will be given of the fluctuation start processing in step S303.

In the fluctuation start process, first, in step S310, the fluctuation start command received this time is read, and information on the presence or absence of reach occurrence and information on the fluctuation display time are specified from the command. Further, as already explained, when the variation start command is transmitted from the main controller 162, the type command is also transmitted. In step S310, the type command received together with the variation command received this time is read out, and game result information such as probability variable jackpot result information, normal jackpot result information, or loss result information is specified from the command. Then, in step S310, from the specified information, information on whether or not the jackpot has been won, information on the type of jackpot if the jackpot has been won, information on the presence or absence of reach occurrence if the jackpot has not been won, and variable display time information is grasped, and the grasped information is stored in the register of the MPU 612 .

In the following step S311, based on the information grasped in step S310, the stop result of the symbols at the end of the current game round is determined (stop result determination processing is performed). Also, in the effect setting process, the variable display mode of the symbols is determined (the variable display mode determination process (effect pattern determination process) is performed). The variable display modes of the symbols executed on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 are roughly divided into five types: complete loss, normal reach A, normal reach B, super reach A, super reach B, and super reach C. For each of these variable display modes, the variable display time is set to be different, and an outline of the variable display mode for each round of the game is grasped based on the information relating to the variable display time given to the command from the main controller 162. It is possible.

After performing the process of step S311, it progresses to step S312. In step S312, the details of the effect to be executed in the game round are determined. In the present embodiment, as this type of effect, the effect (so-called look-ahead effect) to be executed in the preceding game round in response to the possibility of a big hit result in the later game round and the operation of the operation button 40 are performed. There is provided an effect corresponding to the operation executed by . In the processing of step S312, it is determined whether or not to execute these various effects in the game round.

After performing the process of step S312, it progresses to step S313. In step S313, the information determined in the processing of steps S311 and S312 is added to the change start command. After adding the effect information to the variation start command in this way, a process of transferring the variation start command to the display control device 620 is performed in step S314. The display control device 620, based on the reception of this variation start command, grasps the pattern variation display mode, the presence or absence of various effects, etc., and starts the pattern variation display (game cycle).

After executing the transfer process of step S314, after executing the process of starting the effect for the game cycle in step S315, this process for starting the variation is finished. Specifically, the speaker unit 27 and the lamp units 24 to 26 are controlled based on the effect patterns determined in steps S311 and S312 to start the effect for the game round.

In this embodiment, a first effect and a second effect are provided as effects corresponding to the operation of the operation button 40 . Although these first and second effects are common in that they are executed after shifting to the ready-to-win display, differences are provided in the mode of operation and the change in display content caused by the operation.

In addition, in the flow of effects corresponding to the operation of the operation button 40, there are cases where the first effect is executed alone, cases where the second effect is executed alone, and both the first effect and the second effect. may be executed. When both the first performance and the second performance are executed, the second performance is started with the end of the first performance, and the performance corresponding to the operation is continued in the order of the first performance → the second performance. Become.

(First production)
In the first effect, when the player operates the operation button 40, an effect is generated on the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 such that the variable display area of the symbol is surrounded. There are five patterns for this effect: white, blue, yellow, green, and red. is given. Specifically, when the first effect is executed in a game round that results in a big win, white < blue < yellow < green < red tends to be selected in this order, and the first effect is likely to be selected in a game round that results in a loss. When one effect is executed, red < green < yellow < blue < white are likely to be selected in this order.

When the first effect is executed, a button icon consisting of an image simulating the operation button 40 and an image simulating the operation direction of the operation button 40 is displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 as an image suggesting an operation. Is displayed. If the operation button 40 is operated (initial operation) when the button icon is displayed, an effect is generated on the display screen 94a. The display of the button icon continues even after the effect occurs, and by repeating the operation of the operation button 40 accordingly, the color of the effect may change (step up) according to the repeated operation.

Specifically, when the first effect is executed, the finally reachable color and the color displayed according to the initial operation are determined. The color displayed in response to the initial operation is set to be the same as or lower than the finally reachable color, and downgrading of the color of the effect is regulated. If there is a difference between these two colors, a step-up of the difference is permitted, and if there is no difference, no step-up occurs even if the operation is repeated.

For example, if red is set as the final reachable color and yellow is set as the color corresponding to the initial operation, a step-up from yellow to green to red may occur depending on the operation. At this time, the condition for stepping up the display color (in this embodiment, the number of operations) is set when it is decided to perform the first effect. For example, if "number of operations = 5 times" is set as the condition for the step-up of the first stage and "number of operations = 10 times" is set as the condition for the step-up of the second stage, A yellow effect is generated by the operation of , and after that, the effect changes from yellow to green at the timing when the operation button 40 is repeatedly hit and the number of operations reaches 5 times, and at the timing when the number of operations reaches 10 times. The effect will change from green to red.

Since the degree of expectation increases as the color becomes higher, it is assumed that the player who expects a big win will press the operation button 40 repeatedly in anticipation of a step-up effect.

In the first effect, an operation accepting period is set for accepting an operation of the operation button 40, and at the timing when this operation accepting period elapses, the final effect is displayed. Specifically, the effect flashes in the final displayed color, suggesting that the effect has been finalized. Although the display of this effect is continued until the end of the game cycle, the change of the effect is restricted after the operation acceptance period has passed.

It should be noted that if the operation button 40 is not operated during the first effect (during the operation acceptance period), the first effect is terminated without any effect.

In a game machine of the type that executes an effect assuming repeated pressing of the operation button 40, such as the first effect described in detail above, it is possible to suppress the monotony of the game by diversifying the operation mode of the operation button 40. can. However, since repeated hitting of the operation button 40 increases the burden on the player, it cannot be denied that the operation may not actually be performed in the expected manner. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an operation support function is provided in view of such circumstances. One of the features is that the burden on the player is reduced. Hereinafter, the operation determination processing executed as part of the regular processing by the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142 in exhibiting the operation support function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15(a).

(Operation judgment processing)
In the operation determination process, first, in step S401, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. If an affirmative determination is made in step S401, the operation detection flag is erased. The operation detection flag is a flag stored in the various flag storage area 614a when it is determined that an operation has been performed. Understand the operation status based on presence/absence.

After executing the process of step S402, or when a negative determination is made in step S401, the process proceeds to step S403. In step S403, it is determined whether or not a HI level signal has been received from the operation button 40 (specifically, the attached detection sensor). In this embodiment, when the operation button 40 is at the standby position (non-operating position), a LOW level signal is input to the notification/effect control device 142, and when the operation button 40 is pushed into the operating position. is configured such that a HI level signal is input to the notification/production control device 142 . In step S403, based on the detection information (signal) from the operation button 40, the presence or absence of operation is grasped.
It should be noted that the relationship between the binary signals should be reversed so that a LOW level signal is input when the operation button 40 is operated, and a HI level signal is input when the operation button 40 is not operated. is also possible.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S403, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S404, it is determined whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. If a negative determination is made in step S404, the process proceeds to step S405. In step S405, it is determined whether or not the value of the mode switching counter provided in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614 is "0". If an affirmative determination is made in step S405, the process advances to step S406 to update the mode switching counter. Specifically, "1" is added to the mode switching counter.

After executing the process of step S406, after executing the operation corresponding process in step S407, this operation determination process ends. In the operation response process, an operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, and a light emission signal is output to temporarily light the operation lamp section built in the center frame 95. FIG.

Returning to the description of step S405, if a negative determination is made in step S405, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, it is determined whether or not the mode switching counter has reached a predetermined value. As already explained, the mode switching counter is configured to be updated when the HI level signal is received from the operation button 40 . The predetermined value is defined so that the period (number of times) during which the HI level signal is continuously received is a predetermined period (2 sec in this embodiment). In other words, when the period during which the HI level signal is continuously received (the duration of the pressing operation of the operation button 40) is 2 seconds, an affirmative determination is made in step S408.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S408, the process proceeds to step S409. In step S409, the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. As a result, the operation support function is enabled thereafter (transition to operation support mode). After executing the process of step S409, after executing the operation corresponding process in step S407, the operation determination process ends.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S408, that is, if it is determined that the mode switching counter has not yet reached the "predetermined value", the process proceeds to step S410. After executing the same update process as in step S406 in step S410, the operation determination process ends.

Returning to the description of step S404, when it is determined that the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, that is, when the operation support function is enabled, the process proceeds to step S411. In step S411, it is determined whether or not it is the timing at which a preset interval period (0.2 sec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the previous operation detection flag was stored. In the present embodiment, when it is confirmed that the operation button 40 has been pressed for a long time for 2 seconds, the long press is continued as it is, so that the operation button 40 is repeatedly pressed. Automatic repeated hits that generate events are possible. The interval period is set as an operation interval for performing this automatic repeated hitting.

Here, with reference to the schematic diagram in FIG.
When the operation button 40 is repeatedly hit manually, as shown in the left part of FIG. 15(b), the detection signal switches from LOW level→HI level→LOW level each time the operation is performed. In this case, it is determined that the operation has been performed when the detection signal rises to the HI level.

On the other hand, when the operation button 40 is kept pressed, the detection signal rises to HI level at the timing when the operation is started, as shown in the right part of FIG. 15(b). At this time, it is determined that the first operation has been performed. After that, when the pressing state is continued for 2 seconds, it is determined that the support function is activated and the second operation is performed. Thereafter, it is determined that the operation has been performed at intervals of 0.2 seconds until the operation button 40 is released from the operation button 40 and the operation button 40 returns from the operation position. For example, when the first effect is being performed, by long-pressing the operation button 40, automatic repeated hits are executed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on the player and suppress the occurrence of the above-described inconveniences.

Referring to FIG. 15A again, if a negative determination is made in step S403, that is, if the LOW level signal from the operation button 40 has been received, the process proceeds to step S412.
In step S412, the mode switching counter is cleared to 0 (reset). In the subsequent step S413, it is determined whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM614. If a negative determination is made in step S412, the operation determination process is terminated.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S413, the operation support flag is cleared in step S414, and the operation determination process is executed by temporarily relaxing the mode transition condition to the operation support mode in subsequent step S415. finish. In other words, the operation support function is disabled when the pressing state of the operation button 40 is released.

In a configuration in which the operation support is canceled when the signal from the operation button 40 falls from the HI level to the LOW level, for example, the signal may temporarily fall to the LOW level due to the influence of noise or the like. Even if the hand is removed from the operation button 40, the operation support is released. In this regard, after the operation support is canceled, for a certain period (in the present embodiment, a period of the same length as the transition determination period to the operation support mode: 2 sec), the return condition to the operation support mode are relaxed (preferential treatment). Specifically, the determination value (predetermined value) of the mode switching counter shown in step S408 is reduced to a value corresponding to 0.2 sec. As a result, the condition for returning to the operation support mode is that the pressing operation is continued for 0.2 sec (a period of the same length as the interval period).

It should be noted that any specific configuration may be used for determination of transition to the operation support mode and determination of return. For example, when the operation support mode is canceled, until the LOW level signal is continuously detected a first predetermined number of times (for example, eight times) after the operation support mode is canceled, the HI level signal may be configured to return to the operation support mode when the number of times of continuous detection of is a second predetermined number of times (for example, twice). Moreover, the return condition does not necessarily have to be the same each time, and it is possible to change the return condition according to the situation. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the return condition is loosened by increasing the period during which the operation support mode is continued.

Since such an operation support function is installed, the operation mode in the first effect can be diversified. That is, when the operation support function is used to perform automatic repeated pressing (when the operation button 40 is pressed long), and when the operation button 40 is repeatedly pressed without using the operation support function (when the operation button 40 is pressed for a long time) is repeatedly pressed manually), and the operation button 40 is operated single-shot.

In the present embodiment, when the first effect → the second effect are continuously performed, the operation mode in the second effect (the operation that triggers the execution of the operation corresponding effect) is performed according to the operation mode during the first effect. mode) is determined. In other words, when the operation corresponding continuous effect in which the first effect and the second effect are continuous is selected at the start of the game round, the operation mode in the second effect is undetermined at that time, and the operation mode in the second effect is not determined at that time. It is configured such that the operation mode is determined. Here, with reference to the flow chart of Drawing 16, processing for the 1st production performed by MPU612 of information / production control device 142 is explained. The first rendering process is a process performed as part of the variable display control process (step S305) in the variable display control process (see FIG. 14(a)).

(Processing for first effect)
In the first effect processing, first, in step S501, it is determined whether or not it is a game round related to the operation corresponding continuous effect. If a negative determination is made in step S501, the first effect processing is terminated. Incidentally, when the first effect is executed independently, not as a part of the operation corresponding continuous effect, it is determined whether or not it is a game round related to the first effect (single) in the determination of the processing in step S501.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S501, the process proceeds to step S502. In step S502, it is determined whether or not it is during the acceptance period of the operation in the first effect (hereinafter referred to as the first operation). If a negative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, it is determined whether or not it is time to start accepting the first operation. If a negative determination is made in step S503, the first effect processing is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S503, the process proceeds to step S504.

In step S504, processing for starting acceptance of the first operation is executed. Specifically, the first operation reception flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, and a predetermined value is set in the first operation reception period counter of the various counter area 614b. The first operation reception period counter is updated (decremented) each time the variable display control process is executed, and the first operation reception flag is cleared when the value of the first operation reception period counter returns to the initial value. be done.

After the start process of step S504 is executed, the suggestion start process of the first operation is executed in the subsequent step S505, and the first effect process ends. In the first operation suggestion start process, a first operation suggestion start command is output to the display control device 620 . As a result, the button icon described above is displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94. FIG.

Returning to the description of step S502, if an affirmative determination is made in step S502, that is, if it is determined that the first operation is being accepted, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, it is determined whether or not the first operation has been performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614 . If a negative determination is made in step S506, the first effect processing is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S560, the process proceeds to step S507.

In step S507, operation acceptance notification processing is executed. In the operation acceptance notification process, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect indicating that the operation has been accepted, and an operation acceptance command is output to the display control device 620 . The display control device 620 changes the display mode of the button icons displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 based on this operation reception command. Specifically, the button icon is temporarily recessed to resemble the movement of the actual operation button 40 .

After performing the process of step S507, it progresses to step S508. In step S508, a first operation corresponding effect execution process is performed. In the first operation corresponding effect execution processing, it is determined how many times the current operation is performed after the start of acceptance of the first operation (the number of operations), and the determined number of operations causes the effect to occur or the effect to be updated. Determine if it is compatible with

As already explained, in the first effect, an effect is generated by the first operation, and the number of subsequent operations for updating the effect is determined. If the current operation is the first operation, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output sound effects corresponding to the effect generation, and an effect generation command is output to the display control device 620 . The display control device 620 displays the effect on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 based on the reception of this effect generation command. If the current operation corresponds to effect update, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output sound effects corresponding to the occurrence of the effect, and an effect update command is output to the display control device 620 . The display control device 620 updates the effect displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 (changes the color) based on the reception of this effect update command.

In the subsequent step S509, the first operation reception period counter stored in the various counter area 614b of the RAM 614 is referenced to determine whether or not the first operation reception period has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S509, the first effect processing is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S509, the process proceeds to step S510 on the condition that the present first effect processing does not constitute a part of the operation corresponding continuous effect, and the present first effect processing proceeds to step S510. On the condition that it constitutes a part of the corresponding continuous effect, the process proceeds to step S511.

In step S510, a suggestion ending process for the first operation is executed. Specifically, a first operation suggestion end command is output to display control device 620 . As a result, the button icons displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 are hidden. After performing the process of step S510, it progresses to step S511. On the other hand, if the first effect→the second effect continues, the process of step S510 is avoided and the operation suggestion is continued.

In step S511, reception end processing for the first operation is executed. Specifically, the first operation acceptance flag stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614 is erased. It also transmits a reception end command to the display control device 620 . The display control device 620 updates the display contents on the display screen 94a with the reception of the reception end command as a trigger. If an effect is being displayed in the current first presentation, this effect is temporarily flashed. On the other hand, if the effect is not displayed in the current first presentation, the non-display state of the effect is maintained as it is.

After the process of step S511 is executed, the process proceeds to step S512 on condition that the process is shifted from the first effect to the second effect. In step S512, a process of grasping the operation mode performed during the first effect is executed. In the present embodiment, the manner in which the operation button 40 is operated during the period from the start of acceptance of the first operation to the end of the acceptance (during the acceptance period) is monitored. Specifically, first, it is checked whether or not the operation support flag has been stored during the reception period, and if there is a fact that the operation support flag has been stored, the operation button 40 is "long-pressed". judge as a thing. If the operation support flag is not stored, it is confirmed whether or not the operation button 40 has been operated a predetermined number of times (two times in the present embodiment) during the acceptance period, and if the operation has been performed a predetermined number of times or more. If there is a fact that the operation button 40 was hit, it is determined that the operation button 40 was hit by itself. If the operation support flag is not stored, it is confirmed whether or not the operation button 40 was operated once during the reception period. It is determined that the operation button 40 has been operated "single-shot operation".

After executing the grasping process in step S512, the setting process for the second effect is executed in step S513, and then the process for the first effect is finished. Note that when the first effect is not part of the operation-responsive continuous effect and is executed independently, the processes of steps S512 and S513 are omitted.

As already described, when the operation-responsive continuous effect is executed, the mode of the operation (second operation) that triggers the execution of the operation-responsive display (cut-in effect) in the second effect is the operation button in the first effect. It is configured to be determined according to 40 operation modes (first operation mode). In the second effect setting process in step S513, the second operation is determined according to the mode of the first operation ascertained in step S512. Here, the outline of the second effect will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 17(a).

(Second production)
In the second effect, when the player operates the operation button 40 during the ready-to-win display, a predetermined image is temporarily interrupted (inserted) and displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 as a cut-in display (hereinafter referred to as cut-in display). (also simply called cut-in) occurs. Specifically, a message indicating the degree of expectation for the result of the big win is displayed. This cut-in corresponds to "display corresponding to second operation" or "effect corresponding to second operation".

The messages that are interrupted during the cut-in are roughly divided into three types: "CHANCE", "BIG CHANCE", and "Geki Atsushi". These messages include "CHANCE".
Differences are given in order of <“BIG CHANCE” <“Extremely Hot” so that the degree of expectation for a big win result is higher. Specifically, when the first effect is executed in a game round that results in a big hit, the order of “CHANCE” < “BIG CHANCE” < “Super hot” is likely to be selected, and the game that results in a loss. When the first effect is executed in one round, a difference is provided in the selection rate so that selections are likely to be made in the order of "Extremely hot"<"BIG CHANCE"<"CHANCE".

Regarding the first effect, the operation mode when generating the effect change as the first operation corresponding display (first operation corresponding effect) is continuous operation (automatic repeated hits by long pressing or manual repeated hits by itself). Although the second effects are unified, the second effects A to C are provided so that the process (suggested operation mode) until the cut-in occurs differs for the second effects.

In the second effect A, “long press” is set as the second operation related to the second effect A. When the second effect A starts, the same icon as the button icon displayed in the first effect is displayed, and the charge gauge CG is displayed side by side with the button icon. The display mode of the charge gauge CG changes when the operation button 40 is pressed for a long time (specifically, the colored portion of the operation gauge increases from left to right according to the duration of the operation). The operation condition is satisfied when either the operation reception period has elapsed or the charge gauge CG is full, and the above-mentioned cut is made according to the state of the operation (the amount of the charge gauge CG). in occurs.

A cut-in selection mode differs between the case where the charge gauge CG is operated until it is full and the case where the operation accepting period elapses before the charge gauge CG is full. Specifically, the cut-in that occurs in the latter case may be downgraded, and the cut-in selected in the latter case tends to be lower than the former. In other words, even if "BIG CHANCE" is originally displayed as a cut-in, demotion may occur such that "CHANCE", which is lower than BIG CHANCE, is displayed. In the second effect A, a lower limit operation period (for example, 2 sec) is set for causing a cut-in, and if the operation period does not reach this lower limit operation period, the occurrence of the cut-in is canceled. becomes.

In the second effect B, the second operation related to the second effect B is set as “continuous hitting”. When the second effect B starts, the same icon as the button icon displayed in the first effect is displayed, and the charge gauge CG is displayed side by side with the button icon. The display mode of the charge gauge CG changes as the operation button 40 is operated (repeatedly hit) (specifically, the colored portion of the operation gauge increases from left to right according to the number of times the operation is accepted). . When either the operation reception period has elapsed or the charge gauge CG is full, the operation condition is satisfied, and the cut-in is performed according to the state of the operation (the amount of charge in the charge gauge CG). occurs.

A cut-in selection mode differs between the case where the charge gauge CG is operated until it is full and the case where the operation accepting period elapses before the charge gauge CG is full. Specifically, the cut-in that occurs in the latter case may be downgraded, and the cut-in selected in the latter case tends to be lower than the former. In other words, even if "BIG CHANCE" is originally displayed as a cut-in, demotion may occur such that "CHANCE", which is lower than BIG CHANCE, is displayed. Note that in the second effect B, a lower limit number of operations (for example, 10 times) for causing a cut-in is set, and if the number of operations does not reach this lower limit number of operations, the occurrence of the cut-in is canceled. It will be done.

In the second effect C, a “single-shot operation” is set as the second operation related to the second effect C. When the second effect C starts, the same icon as the button icon displayed in the first effect is displayed, and the impact gauge IG and the pointer P are displayed side by side with the button icon. The pointer P reciprocates left and right along the impact gauge IG, and stops when the operation button 40 is operated. The operation condition is established by performing a single operation that triggers the stop of the pointer P, and the cut-in occurs according to the state of the operation (stop position of the pointer P).

The impact gauge IG is configured so that a difference in superiority or inferiority according to the stop position of the pointer P can occur. Specifically, an impact area IE is set in a predetermined range in the central portion of the impact gauge IG in the horizontal direction, and an impact point IP is set in the center of the impact area IE. When the pointer P stops outside the impact area IE (when a single operation is performed at the timing when the pointer P stops outside the impact area IE), the message corresponding to the removal of the impact area IE is " NORMAL!” is displayed. On the other hand, when the pointer P stops within the impact area IE (when a single operation is performed at the timing when the pointer P stops within the impact area IE), it corresponds to capturing the impact area IE. "GREAT!" is displayed as a message to be displayed, and especially when the pointer P stops at the impact point IP (when a single operation is performed at the timing when the pointer P stops at the impact point IP), the impact point IP is displayed. "JUST IMPACT!" is displayed as a message corresponding to the capture.

Depending on the stop position of the pointer P, that is, the operation timing of the operation button 40, the cut-in selection mode differs. Specifically, when the impact area IE is removed, the selected cut-in tends to be lower than when the impact area IE is captured.
In other words, even if "BIG CHANCE" is originally displayed as a cut-in, demotion may occur such that "CHANCE", which is lower than BIG CHANCE, is displayed. Note that if no operation is performed during the operation acceptance period in the second effect C, the occurrence of the cut-in is cancelled.

By the way, in order to promote the player's understanding, a message indicating that the charge gauge CG can be accumulated by operating the operation button 40 when the second effect A and the second effect B are executed (for example, "press the button repeatedly") to fill the gauge"), or the operation button 40 is operated at the timing when the pointer P reaches a predetermined point (impact point IP) of the impact gauge IG when the second effect C is executed. A message may be displayed advising the player to time the target accordingly (eg, "press the button to aim at the center of the gauge").

As already explained, in the case of shifting from the first effect to the second effect, which of the second effects A to C is to be executed depends on the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect. It has a fixed configuration. Here, with reference to FIG. 17(b), a supplementary description will be given of the second effect setting process shown in step S513.

(Second effect setting process)
In the second effect setting process, first, in step S601, it is determined whether or not the mode of operation (first operation) of the operation button 40 in the first effect was long press. When an affirmative determination is made in step S601, the process proceeds to step S602, and the second effect A is set as the second effect. That is, in the first effect, when the operation button 40 is "long-pressed" to perform automatic repeated hits, the second effect is set to the same operation mode of "long-press".

If a negative determination is made in step S601, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, it is determined whether or not the mode of operation (first operation) of the operation button 40 in the first effect was manual repeated hitting. When an affirmative determination is made in step S603, the process proceeds to step S604, and the second effect B is set as the second effect. In other words, when the operation button 40 is "hit" in the first effect, the same operation mode of "hit" is set in the second effect. In this embodiment, as described above, the operation support function is provided, and when the player who is tired of repeated hits "long presses" the operation button 40 in the second effect, automatic repeated hits Substantially, it is handled in the same way as when you hit repeatedly manually.

In the present embodiment, when both the "long press" and the "continuous hit" are performed in the first effect, the former is given priority. However, the order of priority is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which priority is given to the final operation. For example, when the order of “continuous press”→“long press” is executed, the first operation is set to “continuous press”, and when the order of “long press”→“continuous press” is executed, the first operation is set to “long press”. ” to determine the operation mode related to the second effect.

If a negative determination is made in step S603, that is, if the operation button 40 is operated only once in the first effect ("single operation" is performed) or if the operation button 40 is not operated. , the process proceeds to step S605, and the second effect C is set as the second effect.
That is, for example, when a "single-shot operation" is performed in the first effect, a "single-shot operation", which is an operation mode similar to this, is set in the second effect.

In the setting processes of steps S602, S604, and S605, information indicating which one of the second effects A to C is to be executed as the second effect is transmitted to the display control device 620 by the second effect type command. The Rukoto.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of Drawing 18, processing for the 2nd production performed by MPU612 of information / production control device 142 is explained. The second rendering process is a process performed as part of the variable display control process (step S305) in the variable display control process (see FIG. 14(a)).

(Second effect processing)
In the process for the second effect, first, in step S701, it is determined whether or not it is a game round related to the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S701, the second effect processing is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S701, the process proceeds to step S702. In step S702, it is determined whether or not it is during the acceptance period of the operation (second operation) in the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S702, the process proceeds to step S703. In step S703, it is determined whether or not it is time to start accepting the second operation. If a negative determination is made in step S703, the second effect processing is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S703, the process proceeds to step S704.

In step S704, a second operation acceptance start process is executed. Specifically, the second operation reception flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, and a predetermined value is set in the second operation reception period counter of the various counter area 614b. The second operation reception period counter is updated (decremented) each time the variable display control process is executed, and the second operation reception flag is cleared when the value of the second operation reception period counter returns to the initial value. be done.

After the start process of step S704 is executed, the suggestion start process of the second operation is executed in the following step S705, and the second effect process ends. In the second operation suggestion start process, a second operation suggestion start command is output to the display control device 620 . As a result, the above-described button icons and the like are displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94. FIG. More specifically, when the current second effect corresponds to the second effect A or the second effect B, the button icon and the charge gauge CG are displayed, and the current second effect corresponds to the second effect C. A button icon, an impact gauge IG and a pointer P are displayed if they are compatible.

Returning to the description of step S702, if an affirmative determination is made in step S702, that is, if it is determined that the second operation is being accepted, the process proceeds to step S706. In step S706, update processing of gauges and the like is performed. Specifically, when the second effect A or the second effect B is being executed, a process of causing a visual change such as raising or lowering the light emission level of the charge gauge CG is performed. When the second effect C is being executed, a process of changing the position of the pointer P is performed.

In subsequent step S707, it is determined whether or not the second operation has been performed. Incidentally, the determination of the second operation differs depending on which one of the second effects A to C is being executed. Specifically, when the second effect A is being executed, the operation determination is performed based on whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM614. That is, when the operation support flag is stored, it is determined that the "long press" has been performed.
When the second effect B or the second effect C is executed, it is determined whether or not the operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM614. That is, if the operation detection flag is stored, it is determined that an operation has been performed.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S707, the process proceeds to step S708. In step S708, operation acceptance notification processing is executed. In the operation acceptance notification process, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect indicating that the operation has been accepted, and an operation acceptance command is output to the display control device 620 . The display control device 620 changes the display mode of the button icons displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 based on this operation reception command. Specifically, the button icon is recessed to resemble the movement of the actual operation button 40 .

After performing the process of step S708, it progresses to step S709. In step S709, it is determined whether or not the execution condition for the second operation corresponding effect is established. Specifically, when the second effect A is being executed, it is determined whether or not the period during which the long press is executed (the period during which the operation support flag is stored) has reached a preset period. . When the second effect B is being executed, it is determined whether or not the number of operations of the operation button 40 has reached a preset number. If the second effect C is being executed, it is determined whether or not the operation button 40 has been operated.

When an affirmative determination is made in step S709, the process proceeds to step S710, and execution processing of the second operation corresponding effect is performed. Specifically, the speaker unit 27 is driven to output a sound effect corresponding to the cut-in occurrence, and a cut-in occurrence command is output to the display control device 620 . The display control device 620 displays the cut-in on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 based on the reception of this cut-in generation command. This cut-in generation command includes information regarding the type of cut-in to be generated.

In step S711, reception end processing for the second operation is executed. Specifically, the second operation acceptance flag stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614 is erased. Then, in the following step S712, a second operation suggestion ending process is executed. Specifically, a second operation suggestion end command is output to display control device 620 . As a result, the button icons, gauges, and the like displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 are hidden.

If a negative determination is made in step S707 or step S709, that is, if it is determined that the second operation has not been performed, or if it is determined that the execution condition for the second operation corresponding effect is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S713. . In step S713, the second operation reception period counter stored in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614 is referenced to determine whether or not the second operation reception period has elapsed. If a negative determination is made in step S713, the second effect processing is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S713, the process advances to step S714 to determine whether or not the conditions for canceling the second effect are satisfied. That is, when the second effect A is being executed, the period during which the "long press" is executed is less than the lower limit operation period (for example, 2 sec), so the execution condition is not satisfied, and the second effect B is executed. If it is, the execution condition is not established because the number of times "continuous hits" are executed is less than the above-mentioned lower limit number of times of operation (for example, 10 times), and if the second effect C is executed, "single-shot operation". is not performed, the execution condition is not met.

When an affirmative determination is made in step S714, the processing of steps S711 and S712 is executed, and then the second effect processing is terminated. This avoids the cut-in display as the effect corresponding to the second operation. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S714, the processes of steps S710 to S712 are executed, and then the second effect process is terminated. As for the second operation-responsive effect executed on the condition that the operation reception period has elapsed, the probability of occurrence of a cut-in with a low degree of expectation increases compared to the second operation-responsive effect executed via step S709.

Here, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 19, the flow of the game when the operation corresponding continuous effect (first effect→second effect) is executed will be described. FIG. 19 illustrates the case where the second effect A is executed as the second effect.

At the timing of ta1, the display screen 94a of the symbol display device 94 starts to display the variable symbols, and at the timing of ta2, the display shifts to the ready-to-win display. When the first effect is started at the timing ta3 after shifting to the ready-to-win display, a button icon for operation suggestion is displayed in the center of the display screen 94a. When the operation button 40 is operated at the timing ta4 after the operation suggestion is started, an effect surrounding the variable display area of the pattern is generated on the display screen 94a. Since the color of the effect at the start of display is blue, there is room for changing to a color with a higher degree of expectation (higher rank).

If the operation button 40 that was pushed down at the timing of ta4 is maintained in the pressed state, the operation support mode is shifted to at the timing of ta5, and automatic continuous hitting becomes possible. If the pressed state is maintained thereafter, it is assumed that the operation button 40 has been hit repeatedly, and the color of the effect changes from blue→yellow→green→red according to the number of repeated presses. Since the color of the effect is red when the operation reception period ends, the red effect flashes and the first presentation ends when the operation reception period ends. As already explained, the effect displayed on the display screen 94a suggests the degree of expectation of a big win result in the relevant game round, and by changing the color of the effect based on the operation, the effect can be displayed from the initial stage of the display. Expectations for the jackpot result will also increase.

At the timing of ta6 when the first effect is finished, the second effect is immediately started. In the present embodiment, the second effect is started when the first effect ends, so that there is no substantial time lag between the two effects. The button icons displayed on the display screen 94a continue to be displayed even after the transition to the second effect. However, the charge gauge CG is displayed in addition to the button icon at the timing ta6 when the second effect is started.

The display of the charge gauge CG changes as the automatic repeated hitting started in the first effect is continued in the second effect. Then, at the timing of ta7 when the charge gauge CG is full, the characters "CHANCE" are cut-in displayed on the display screen 94a as a message suggesting the degree of expectation of the big win result in the game round.

The game turn illustrated in FIG. 19 corresponds to the result of losing. Therefore, at the timing of ta8 when the game round ends, the combination of symbols corresponding to the result of losing is stop-displayed, and the game result is clearly indicated.

According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

An operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding performance is determined according to the operation mode of the operation that is the operation performed during the first performance and that triggers the execution of the first operation-corresponding performance. It is possible to provide a relationship between the operation mode when performing the first operation corresponding effect→the second operation corresponding effect, and strengthen the sense of unity by using both effects together.

Combined use of the first effect and the second effect is advantageous in suppressing the monotony of the game and increasing the degree of attention to the game. However, in view of the fact that both the first effect and the second effect are effects associated with the operation of the operation button 40, the operation that triggers the execution of the effect becomes complicated. There is a concern that it will be difficult for beginners and the like to exhibit the effect of improving the degree of attention because they will not be able to successfully participate in the game. In this regard, by unifying the operation modes in the first effect and the second effect as shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of these various inconveniences.

In a configuration in which the first effect and the second effect are continuous, for example, there is an event that the second effect is started before the operation started by combining the first effect is completed (under the situation where it is being performed). can occur. For example, there is a possibility that the operation will be repeated while maintaining the momentum/rhythm of the first effect when transitioning to the second effect. In this case, there is a concern that the actual operation mode and the set operation mode may differ, and the intention of the player's operation may not be properly reflected in the presentation. In this regard, by adopting a configuration in which the game machine side determines (adjusts) the mode of subsequent operation in accordance with the mode of operation by the player in the first effect, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconveniences can be suppressed and a practically preferable configuration can be achieved. can be realized.

In the operation corresponding continuous effect of shifting from the first effect to the second effect, after the button icon suggesting the operation of the operation button 40 is started to be displayed in the first effect, the button icon is displayed in the second effect. The display continues until the 2-operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) is executed. As long as the operation is continued in response to this operation suggestion, it matches the mode set as the execution trigger for the second operation corresponding effect. In this way, it is possible to smoothly proceed with the first effect and the second effect by suppressing complicated changes in the operation mode itself while diversifying the effect patterns.

In a configuration in which an operation is suggested by a button icon or the like, if the button icon is visually confirmed and an attempt is made to actually perform an operation accordingly, a certain amount of time lag may occur between the suggestion and the operation. On the other hand, if the operation suggestion is started in advance, the effect of the time lag described above can be alleviated, and the performance can proceed smoothly. In this embodiment, the button icon is already displayed before the second effect is started. Therefore, it is possible to inform the player that the operation should be performed at a timing before the second effect starts and the operation reception starts. As a result, it is possible to reduce the period (the time lag) from the start of operation reception until the operation is actually performed, and it is not necessary to set the second effect in consideration of such a period. Improving the responsiveness in this manner is a preferable configuration for realizing an improvement in the degree of freedom of the execution period, progress, etc. of the second effect.

The button icon displayed in the first effect and the button icon displayed in the second effect are common. This is advantageous in facilitating the understanding that the operation mode that triggers the execution of the operation-responsive presentation is common. In the first place, a certain degree of freedom is set for the operation mode in the first effect. Specifically, three modes of "long press", "continuous press", and "single operation" are allowed. Therefore, the button icons displayed in the first effect are not provided with information that enables identification of specific operation modes. On the other hand, in the second effect, an operation mode that triggers execution of the second operation corresponding effect is defined. Therefore, if button icons similar to this are displayed in the second effect, it may be difficult to grasp the relationship between the actual operation mode and the specified operation mode with only that information. In this respect, in the present embodiment, as described above, the mode of operation that triggers the execution of the second manipulation-responsive presentation is defined according to the mode of the operation that triggers the execution of the first manipulation-responsive presentation. Therefore, even if information for specifying the operation mode is not attached to the operation suggesting icon, it is understood from the background of the first effect that the operation in the second effect is the same as in the first effect. becomes easier. In other words, even if the icon display is simplified, it is possible to prevent the player from being confused by it.

A second effect C corresponding to the "single operation" is provided in the second effect. In the second effect C, the type of cut-in display as the second operation corresponding effect can change depending on the timing at which the player operates the operation button 40 . Here, when the operation is continuously performed during the first effect, the end of the first effect does not always trigger the release of the operating means.
For example, there is a possibility that the operation is intentionally continued in anticipation of some kind of step-up or the like occurring in accordance with the continuous operation, or that the operation is continued due to inertia. When the second effect starts in a situation in which continuous operations continue in this way, the second operation corresponding effect can be executed with the above-described operation as a trigger. More specifically, the operation may be accepted at a timing unintended by the player, and the second operation-responsive effect may be executed in a manner that is not in line with the original intention of the player. This is severe for a player actively operating the operating means. Therefore, when the operation of the operating means during the first effect is continuously performed, the dependence on the above timing is eliminated by removing the "single-shot operation" from the mode of operation that triggers the second operation corresponding effect. By avoiding this, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience described above.

In particular, considering that the first effect and the second effect are continuous and there is no substantial interval period between them, it is possible for the operation started in the first effect to continue until the second effect. become more sexual. If such circumstances are taken into consideration, the effect of defining the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-responsive effect as described above will be remarkable.

In a game machine of a type in which an operation corresponding effect is executed in accordance with the number of pressing operations (number of consecutive hits) of the operation button 40, by using together with a configuration in which it is sufficient to operate the operation means only once, a variety of operations can be achieved. A preferable configuration can be realized in terms of securing the quality and suppressing the monotony of the game. However, increasing the operation burden on the player when repeatedly performing the pressing operation may cause the player to become tired of operating the operation means. In this respect, as shown in the present embodiment, by maintaining the operation button 40 in the pressed state, the same effect (support effect by automatic continuous pressing) as when the operation button 40 is repeatedly pressed can be obtained. , the occurrence of the above inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

However, although such an automatic continuous hitting function is advantageous in terms of improving the convenience of operation, it cannot be denied that the function may be abused because the operation burden is reduced. For example, regardless of the presence or absence of operation suggestions, an event may occur in which a game is played with a hand placed on the operating means. In this case, it cannot be denied that the second operation corresponding effect in the second effect C is executed at a timing that does not suit the player's intention as a result of the automatic repeated hitting. In particular, considering that the first effect serves as a trigger for starting the operation, there is a high possibility that the inconvenience described above will occur when the transition from the first effect to the second effect occurs. In this respect, as described above, the mode of the operation that triggers the execution of the second operation corresponding effect is defined according to the mode of operation in the first effect, and when the "long press" is performed, the second effect C is the candidate. By setting it as the structure which removes from, it can suppress suitably generation|occurrence|production of the inconvenience that 2nd production|presentation will not be performed well due to the improvement of convenience.

<Modification 1>
Regarding the second effect (effect corresponding to second operation: cut-in display), it is sufficient if it is configured to be executed after the first effect (effect corresponding to first operation: effect change) is started, and it is not necessarily performed after the first effect ends. It does not have to be a configuration that is executed so as to be continuous with the first effect. For example, a blank may be generated between the first effect and the second effect, or the second effect may overlap or interrupt part of the first effect during the execution period of the first effect. may be configured to be executed.

<Modification 2>
In the above-described first embodiment, when the second effect is executed following the first effect, the operation mode related to the second effect is determined at the start of the second effect. The determination timing of the operation mode is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the operation mode related to the second effect is determined while the first effect is being executed. Further, the operation mode related to the second effect may be provisionally set at the start of the game cycle, etc., and the operation mode related to the second effect may be rewritten according to the player's operation mode during the first effect.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described first embodiment, the button icon as the operation suggestive image suggesting the operation of the operation button 40 is continuously displayed in the first and second effects, but it is not limited to this. . It is also possible to hide the button icon at the connecting portion between the two effects.
Specifically, the button icon may be hidden with the end of the operation accepting period in the first effect, and may be redisplayed with the start of the operation accepting period in the second effect.

Further, it is not necessary to share the button icon displayed during the first effect and the button icon displayed during the second effect. In other words, it is sufficient if it is possible to suggest that the operation button 40 should be operated in each effect, and the button icon for the first effect and the button icon for the second effect are differentiated. does not deny For example, it is possible to vary the size, color, shape, etc. of button icons for each effect.

<Modification 4>
In the above-described first embodiment, the start timing of operation suggestion and the start timing of operation reception are arranged to be the same. For example, after the operation suggestion is started, the operation reception may be started after the operation suggestion is started. In order to make such a change, if a continuous operation such as “long press” or “continuous hit” is performed in the first effect, a notification (specifically may be configured to perform ``Continue pressing repeatedly to charge the gauge, 3.2.1.Start,'' ``Continue long pressing to charge the gauge, 3.2.1.Start,'' etc.). In addition, if a "single-shot operation" is performed in the first effect, a notification prompting the operation at the beginning of the second effect (specifically, "Aim for the impact point 3-2-1-start", etc.) It should be configured to perform

<Modification 5>
When shifting from the first effect to the second effect, it is also possible to adopt a configuration (preliminary notification) that prompts an operation corresponding to the second effect prior to the start of accepting an operation in the second effect. For example, before the end of the first effect (during the first effect), a notification prompting an operation corresponding to the second effect A configuration may be adopted in which "Continue long press to accumulate the gauge, 3, 2, 1, start", etc.).
<Modification 6>
In the above-described first embodiment, when the automatic repeated hits are executed during the first effect, the automatic repeated hits are assisted by the operation in the second effect, but the present invention is not limited to this. . It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which, when automatic repeated hits are executed during the first effect, assistance by automatic repeated hits is not performed (for example, avoided) in operations during the second effect.
<Modification 7>
As shown in the above embodiment, in the case of having the automatic repeated hitting function, the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 is configured to teach the player that the automatic repeated hitting is possible. do it. In addition, it may be configured to indicate that the automatic repeated hitting function is working when the automatic repeated hitting is actually performed.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, the first effect and the second effect are continuously executed without an interval. By allowing the interval period to occur during the period, the degree of freedom related to the insertion of effects, etc. is improved.
In such a configuration, there is a concern that individual operation suggestions may give the player the impression that the operation is troublesome, making it difficult for the player to concentrate on the game. One of the features of the present embodiment is that it is devised in consideration of such circumstances. Hereinafter, with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. 20, the configuration relating to the first effect and the second effect will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

Also in the present embodiment, both the first effect and the second effect may be executed during one game round. Here, by providing a plurality of start timings of the second effect, it is intended to suppress monotonous progress of the game. Specifically, the second effect is started at the timing tb3 after a relatively short interval period (2 sec in this embodiment) from the timing tb2 when the first effect ends (hereinafter referred to as 1st type 2nd effect) and tb4 which is later than tb4 (hereinafter referred to as 2nd type 2nd effect). The 1st type 2nd effect and the 2nd type 2nd effect are common in the basic flow and execution period of the effect, suppressing an increase in the amount of data due to the diversification of the effect.

Here, since the first effect and the second effect are separated, the operation suggestion mainly in the first effect ends when the operation reception period in the first effect elapses, and the operation suggestion in the second effect ends in the second effect. It starts when the 2nd effect starts and ends when the operation acceptance period in the 2nd effect has passed. However, in a specific situation, the suggestion in the first effect is extended until the start of the second effect (more specifically, until the operation suggestion is started in the second effect). Specifically, in the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142, the start timing and end timing of the suggestion are set at the start of the first production. Timing is rewritten. Here, with reference to FIG. 21(a), the process for updating the suggestion end timing (set content update process) executed by the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142 will be described. The setting content update process is a process that is executed as part of the variable display control process (variation medium process), which is a regular process.

(Setting content update processing)
In the setting content update process, first, in step S801, it is determined whether or not the update determination timing has come. The first effect explained in the first embodiment is constructed such that its execution period is constant regardless of the player's operation mode. Although the details will be described later, the first effect shown in the present embodiment is configured such that the execution period of the first effect can be changed depending on the operation mode. Regarding the timing of the update determination, it is determined whether or not approximately half of the execution period (shortest period) of the first effect has passed since the first effect started (see the schematic diagram of FIG. 21(b)). . In the present embodiment as well, the operation support function is activated by pressing and holding the operation button 40. However, the operation support function is provided for the period from the start timing of the first effect (more specifically, the operation acceptance start) to the update determination timing. It is set to be longer than the long press period required for mode transition. If a negative determination is made in step S801, this update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S802.

In step S802, it is determined whether or not the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is within a predetermined range. Specifically, when the first type second effect with a relatively short interval period is executed as the second effect, an affirmative determination is made in step S802, and the second effect with a relatively long interval period is executed as the second effect. If the seed second effect is to be executed, a negative determination is made in step S802. If a negative determination is made in step S802, this update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803.

As for the first effect, as in the first embodiment, any of "long press", "continuous press", and "single press" is allowed as the operation mode of the operation button 40. FIG. However, in the first embodiment, the second operation modes (second effects A to second 2 effect C) is determined, but in the present embodiment, the mode of the second operation that triggers the execution of the second operation corresponding effect in the second effect is determined at the start of the game cycle. It is different in that

In step S803, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect matches the operation mode in the second effect. More specifically, when "long press" is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether "long press" is set in the second effect (whether the second effect A is selected). It is determined, and if "continuous hitting" is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether "continuous hitting" is set in the second effect (whether the second effect B is selected). If a negative determination is made in step S803, this update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S804.

In step S804, display continuation processing of the button icon as the operation suggestion image is executed. In this case, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a with the start of the first effect is not hidden after the end of the operation acceptance period, and is also displayed during the interval period between the first effect and the second effect. is continued. That is, the display of the button icons is extended until the start of the second effect, and the display of the button icons continues over the first and second effects (see FIG. 21(b)).

Here, a supplementary description will be given of the flow of the first effect. In the first effect, the operation of the operation button 40 changes the color of the effect on the display screen 94a. In the first embodiment, the operation reception period and the execution period of the first effect are defined regardless of the number of times the operation button 40 is operated. On the other hand, in the first effect shown in the present embodiment, when executing the first effect, the operation reception period and the number of operation receptions in the first effect are specified, and the number of operation receptions is determined before the operation reception period elapses. reaches a specified number of times, the first effect ends. Therefore, the execution period of the first effect depends on the player's operation.

As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 22(a), when the operation button 40 is long-pressed according to the operation suggestion after the first effect is started, automatic repeated hits are executed, and the number of operation receptions reaches within the operation reception period. It has a configuration that can reach the specified number of times. In other words, as for the effective period of the operation support, a sufficient period is ensured for reaching the specified number of times by the automatic repeated hits. After the end of the first effect, the second effect is started after a predetermined interval period.

As illustrated in the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 22(b) and (c), it is uncertain what kind of operation will be performed in the first effect. By performing both manual repeated hitting and automatic repeated hitting, the time required to reach the specified number of times changes. The start timing of the second effect executed after the first effect changes according to the progress of the first effect. Incidentally, it is also possible to set the start timing of the second effect so as not to be affected by the progress of the first effect, and fix the start timing in advance at the start of a game round or the like.

Here, the update determination count is set as a count that is slightly less than the specified count. When the number of operations reaches the update determination number, the update determination condition of step S801 is satisfied. At this timing, the processes of steps S802 to S804 are executed.

When transitioning from the first effect to the second effect, the button icon may continue to be displayed when various conditions relating to continuation are met. In such cases, the operational support period is automatically extended. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operation support function from being invalidated in the middle when the operation is continued in response to the operation suggestion. Whether or not to extend the validity period is determined by the operation determination process executed by the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142 . The operation determination process according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23 .

(Operation judgment processing)
In the operation determination process, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not an operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. If an affirmative determination is made in step S901, the operation detection flag is erased. The operation detection flag is a flag stored in the various flag storage area 614a when it is determined that an operation has been performed. Understand the operation status based on presence/absence.

After executing the process of step S902, or when a negative determination is made in step S901, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S903, it is determined whether or not a HI level signal has been received from the operation button 40 (specifically, an attached detection sensor). Also in this embodiment, when the operating button 40 is at the standby position (non-operating position), a LOW level signal is input to the notification/production control device 142, and when the operating button 40 is pushed into the operating position. is configured such that a HI level signal is input to the notification/production control device 142 . In step S903, based on detection information (signal) from the operation button 40, the presence or absence of operation is grasped.
It should be noted that the relationship between the binary signals should be reversed so that a LOW level signal is input when the operation button 40 is operated, and a HI level signal is input when the operation button 40 is not operated. is also possible.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S903, the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, it is determined whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. If a negative determination is made in step S904, the process proceeds to step S905. In step S905, it is determined whether or not the value of the mode switching counter provided in the various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614 is "0". If an affirmative determination is made in step S905, the process advances to step S906 to update the mode switching counter. Specifically, "1" is added to the mode switching counter.

After executing the process of step S906, the operation corresponding process is executed in step S907, and the operation determination process ends. In the operation response process, an operation detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, and a light emission signal is output to temporarily light the operation lamp section built in the center frame 95. FIG.

Returning to the description of step S905, if a negative determination is made in step S905, the process proceeds to step S908. In step S908, it is determined whether or not the mode switching counter has reached a predetermined value. As already explained, the mode switching counter is configured to be updated when the HI level signal is received from the operation button 40 . The predetermined value is defined so that the period during which the HI level signal is continuously received is a predetermined period (2 sec in this embodiment). In other words, when the period during which the HI level signal is continuously received (the duration of the pressing operation of the operation button 40) is 2 seconds, an affirmative determination is made in step S908.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S908, the process proceeds to step S909. In step S909, the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. As a result, the operation support mode is entered, and the operation support function is enabled thereafter. After executing the process of step S909, the valid period of the operation support mode is set in the subsequent step S910. Specifically, a predetermined value (for example, 4 sec: equivalent to a period shorter than the longest execution period of the first effect) is set to a valid period counter provided in various counter areas 614b of the RAM 614. FIG. The effective period counter is updated (decremented by 1) each time the operation determination process is executed, and the operation support is terminated by returning to the initial value "0". After executing the process of step S910, the operation corresponding process is executed in step S907, and the operation determination process ends.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S908, that is, if it is determined that the mode switching counter has not yet reached the "predetermined value", the process proceeds to step S911. After executing the same update process as in step S906 in step S911, the operation determination process ends.

Returning to the description of step S904, when it is determined that the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614, that is, when the operation support function is enabled, the process proceeds to step S912. In step S912, the value of the valid period counter is referenced to determine whether or not the valid period ends.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S912, the process proceeds to step S913. In step S913, it is determined whether or not the valid period extension condition is satisfied. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the operation suggestion is continued even after the end of the first effect. If a negative determination is made in step S913, that is, if the operation suggestion is discontinued, the operation support flag stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614 is erased. If an affirmative determination is made in step S913, the process proceeds to step S915.

In step S915, processing for extending the effective period of the operation support mode is executed. Specifically, the effective period counter is added so that the effective period continues until the end of the second effect. As a result, the operation support function continues until the end of the first presentation without interruption.

After executing the processing of steps S915 and S914, or when a negative determination is made in step S912, the process proceeds to step S916. In step S916, it is determined whether or not it is the timing at which a preset interval period (0.2 sec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the previous operation detection flag was stored. In the present embodiment, when it is confirmed that the operation button 40 has been pressed for a long time for 2 seconds, the long press is continued as it is, so that the operation button 40 is repeatedly pressed. It is possible to perform automatic repeated hits that cause events. The interval period is set as an operation interval for performing this automatic repeated hitting.

Returning to the description of step S903, if a negative determination is made in step S903, that is, if a LOW level signal has been received from the operation button 40, the process proceeds to step S917. In step S917, the mode switching counter is cleared to 0 (reset).
In the subsequent step S918, it is determined whether or not the operation support flag is stored in the various flag storage area 614a of the RAM 614. FIG. If a negative determination is made in step S412, the operation determination process is terminated.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S918, the operation support flag is cleared in step S919, the mode switching condition is temporarily relaxed in step S920, and the operation determination process ends. In other words, the operation support function is disabled when the pressing state of the operation button 40 is released.

According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are obtained.

As shown in the second embodiment, when the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation button 40 are performed, it is also possible to configure to prompt the operation individually during each effect period. It is possible. In such a configuration, for example, according to information or the like from the game machine, by performing individual operations, it is possible to generate the first operation corresponding effect and the second operation corresponding effect. However, repeating the operation on and off makes the operation complicated and can be a factor in reducing attention to the performance. In addition, when an instruction for the next operation is issued in a situation where the attention of the player has decreased after completing the operation, there is a concern that the instruction may be easily overlooked. In this way, it cannot be denied that the interruption of the operation instruction hinders the increase in attention to the game when a plurality of effects corresponding to the operation are performed. In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, if the display of the button icon suggesting the operation continues between the first and second effects, and the continuation of the operation is encouraged throughout both effects, the above-mentioned It is possible to suppress the occurrence of such annoyance, oversight, etc., and to suitably exhibit the effect of improving the degree of attention by the operation corresponding production.

If the continuation of the operation is urged regardless of the period (interval period) between the first effect and the second effect, there is a concern that the operation will be prolonged and the burden on the player will be increased. An excessively large burden may lead to a decrease in the desire to play, and it is feared that this may hinder active participation. In this respect, as shown in the present embodiment, the guidance to continue the operation is limited to the case where the first effect→second effect is performed during one game round, and when the interval period becomes excessively large, By avoiding the above-mentioned induction, the occurrence of the above-mentioned inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

As described above, the problem that arises when using a plurality of effects associated with the operation button 40 together becomes significant when the intervals between these effects (non-execution period, interval period) are short. Therefore, in the case where the non-execution period is the first period, which is relatively long, even if the configuration is such that the guidance is refrained from, the inconvenience caused by it is unlikely to occur. In addition, it is advantageous in terms of prompting active participation (operation) by the player to adopt a structure that prevents the burden on the player from increasing due to the operation being unnecessarily prolonged. In other words, the guidance to continue the operation described above is not performed when a relatively long first period is set as the interval period (when the first type second effect is executed), but when a relatively short second period is set. By adopting a configuration that is performed when the second type of effect is performed (when the second type of effect is executed), it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience described above.

In order to guide the user to continue the operation of the operation button 40 with the first and second effects, if the impression is given that the operation is substantially meaningless, the desire to operate the operation button 40 will decrease. In this case, the above-mentioned inducing function cannot be exhibited well. In the first effect, the first operation corresponding effect is executed as a result of performing an operation in response to the operation suggestion by the button icon. In this way, by making the player aware that some kind of response will occur in response to the suggestion, and performing the guidance so that the suggestion continues, it is possible to make the player feel as if the ongoing operation has some meaning. It is possible to make the player aware of this. As a result, the occurrence of the above inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

If the configuration is such that the guidance is performed when the mode of operation that triggers the first operation-corresponding presentation and the mode of operation that triggers the second operation-corresponding presentation match, the operation is performed over the two presentations. Even in the case of continuation, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the effect does not proceed well due to the difference in the operation mode or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly proceed with the production corresponding to the operation.

In particular, when a predetermined operation is continuously performed, if the operation is interrupted and then resumed in the middle, it is assumed that the player is likely to have the impression that the operation is troublesome. Therefore, when the first effect and the second effect correspond to continuous operation (“long press” or “continuous hit”), a configuration that encourages the continuation of the operation can be realized in a practically preferable configuration.

In the first place, the operating mode of the operating means depends on the player. Therefore, even if an operation mode is suggested, the operation is not always performed as suggested. Therefore, for example, when transitioning to the second effect while maintaining the operation mode in the first effect, the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect in the second effect and the operation mode that is being executed. If there is a difference or the like between them, it cannot be denied that the effect corresponding to the second operation may not be performed well. Therefore, as shown in the present embodiment, if a configuration is adopted in which whether or not to induce operation continuation is determined according to the operation mode in the first effect, as a result of inducing the continuation of the operation, the second operation corresponding effect is generated. It is possible to preferably avoid that it will not be done well.

More specifically, for example, the timing of the operation is important in the second operation corresponding effect. It is assumed that it becomes difficult to perform operations with timing in production. On the other hand, if the execution trigger of the second operation corresponding effect is based on the premise that the operating means is hit repeatedly, the above inconvenience does not occur. In this way, it is technically significant to have a configuration in which whether or not to allow guidance is determined based on the actual operation mode being grasped.

In a configuration in which the operation corresponding to the first operation is completed by operating the operation button 40 once (“single-shot operation”), the adverse effect caused by the interposition of a period in which no operation is prompted between the second effect and the second effect is relatively small. . On the other hand, if a blank occurs when continuous operation (“long press” or “continuous hit”) → continuous operation (“long press” or “continuous hit”) It is easy to give a negative impression. Therefore, at least in the case of continuous operation→continuous operation, the above-described various effects can be preferably exhibited by adopting a configuration that avoids the occurrence of blanks.

<Modification 1>
In the second embodiment, the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is "long press", and in the second embodiment, the operation mode that triggers the second operation corresponding effect is "long press". is set, or the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is "continuous hit", and in the second embodiment, "continuous hit" is set as the operation mode that triggers the second operation corresponding effect Although the configuration is such that the operation suggestion is continued under one of the conditions, it is not limited to this. The condition is that the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is "long press" and that "continuous hitting" is set as the operation mode that triggers the second operation corresponding effect in the second embodiment. As one example, a configuration may be adopted in which the operation suggestion is continued. In a game machine provided with an operation support function as shown in the present embodiment, automatic continuous hitting can be performed by "long pressing". Therefore, there is substantially no difference in the operation mode of the operation button 40 even if it is changed from "long press" to "continuous press". It should be noted that the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect is "continuous hit" and that "long press" is set as the operation mode that triggers the second operation corresponding effect in the second embodiment. As one of the conditions, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the operation suggestion is continued. However, in such a configuration, it is preferable to notify that the specific operation mode has been changed to "long press".

<Modification 2>
In addition to the operation suggestion image (button icon) shown in the second embodiment, an image (for example, a timer icon) indicating the operation acceptance period (remaining period) may be displayed.
In this case, in order to prompt the continuation of the operation when shifting from the first effect to the second effect, it is preferable to update the display of the timer icon so as to indicate that the reception period has increased (extended or returned).

<Modification 3>
When the operation suggestion is continued between the first and second effects, it is possible to add an effect to the interval period between the first and second effects. For example, it is preferable to execute a connection effect that connects the first effect and the second extension. By devising so that the player recognizes that the first effect and the second effect are a series of effects, the connection between the first effect and the second effect can be strengthened.

<Modification 4>
It is not necessary to keep displaying the button icon as the image for operation suggestion in the same manner when the operation suggestion is continued between the first effect and the second effect. For example, when continuing the operation suggestion, the color, shape, size, etc. of the button icon may be changed.

<Third Embodiment>
In the above-described second embodiment, the configuration is such that the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is ensured. The existence of the interval period is advantageous in terms of clarifying the transition of the presentation, but it cannot be denied that the existence of the interval period may cause the player's attention to drop. Therefore, one of the features of the present embodiment is that it is devised to avoid the occurrence of such inconvenience. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 24, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment. FIG. 24(a) is a flowchart showing the setting update process, and FIG. 24(b) is a timing chart showing the game flow.

(Setting content update process)
In the setting content update process, first, in step S1001, it is determined whether or not the update determination timing has come. In the present embodiment, this update determination timing is set to be faster than in the second embodiment. Specifically, the number of operations related to the update determination is set to be smaller than the upper limit number of operations (predetermined number of times) regarding the operation of the operation button 40 determined when the first effect starts. Although similar to the above-described second embodiment, the number of operations related to the update determination is half the specified number of times, and whether or not to continue the suggestion is determined early. If a negative determination is made in step S1001, this updating process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S1001, the process proceeds to step S1002.

In step S1002, it is determined whether or not the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is within a predetermined range. Specifically, when the first type second effect with a relatively short interval period is executed as the second effect, an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, and the second effect with a relatively long interval period is executed as the second effect. If the seed second effect is to be executed, a negative determination is made in step S1002. If a negative determination is made in step S1002, this update process is terminated, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, the process proceeds to step S1003.

In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect matches the operation mode in the second effect. More specifically, when "long press" is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether "long press" is set in the second effect (whether the second effect A is selected). It is determined, and if "continuous hitting" is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether "continuous hitting" is set in the second effect (whether the second effect B is selected). If a negative determination is made in step S1003, this update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1004.

In step S1004, display continuation processing of the button icon as the operation suggestion image is executed. In this case, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a with the start of the first effect does not disappear based on the end of the operation acceptance period, and the display of the button icon is extended until the start of the second effect. As a result, the button icons continue to be displayed over the first to second effects (see FIG. 24(b)).

After executing the button icon display continuation process in step S1004, the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, extension processing of the effect corresponding to the first operation is executed. Specifically, processing is performed to add the prescribed number of times and extend the operation reception period, and to extend the effect emphasis period (flash generation period) executed at the end of the operation reception period.
By extending the first effect in this way, the interval period that was originally secured between the first effect and the second effect is filled (see FIG. 24(b)).

Here, with reference to FIG. 24(b), a supplementary description will be given of the flow of the first effect to the second effect.
In the first effect, the operation of the operation button 40 changes the color of the effect on the display screen 94a. In the first effect shown in the present embodiment, when the first effect is executed, the operation acceptance period and the number of times of operation acceptance are specified in the first effect, and the number of times of operation acceptance reaches the specified number of times before the operation acceptance period elapses. Thus, the first effect is finished. Therefore, the execution period of the first effect depends on the player's operation.

However, when the operation mode implemented in the first effect matches the operation mode set in the second effect, the conditions for ending the first effect are relaxed. That is, the prescribed number of times is added and the operation acceptance period is extended. As a result, the first effect is extended, and the player can be favorably encouraged to continue the operation even during this extension period.

When the first effect is finished, the second effect is started. In other words, the first effect and the second effect are directly connected, and the second effect immediately shifts to the second effect. Since the operation suggestion is continued during this period, it is possible to suppress the operation from being temporarily interrupted. Even in this case, there may be a period during which the operation is not accepted, but the period is shorter than when the interval period is set. As a result, it is difficult for the player to have the impression that it is useless to perform the operation according to the operation suggestion.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described third embodiment, the first effect is extended by delaying the end timing of the first effect until the start time of the second effect, but the degree of extension is arbitrary. , it is not always necessary to set the interval period between the first performance and the second performance to 0.

<Modification 2>
In the above-described third embodiment, both the operation reception period (effect change period) and the effect confirmation display period are extended in the first effect. is. However, for example, if only the effect confirmation display period is extended, the fact that the operation reception period is not over will be conspicuous, or the final part of the first effect will be delayed. This can be a factor that degrades the appearance of the first effect. Considering these circumstances, if the operation acceptance period (effect change period) is extended, it is possible to make it less noticeable that the end timing is delayed compared to the case where only the fixed display period is extended. It makes technical sense.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described third embodiment, the update determination timing is brought forward to secure a margin when extending the first effect. It is optional whether to perform update determination. For example, when the operation support flag is stored, an update determination (positive determination) is performed at that time, and when the operation button 40 is operated at least twice, an update determination (positive determination) is performed at that time. It is also possible to configure It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which an update determination (negative determination) is performed (extension of the first effect is avoided) when none of these conditions are satisfied.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the above-described second embodiment, the configuration is such that the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is ensured. The existence of the interval period is advantageous in terms of clarifying the transition of the presentation, but it cannot be denied that the existence of the interval period may cause the player's attention to drop. Therefore, one of the features of the present embodiment is that it is devised to avoid the occurrence of such inconvenience. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 25, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment. FIG. 25(a) is a flow chart showing the setting update process, and FIG. 25(b) is a timing chart showing the flow of the game.

(Setting content update processing)
In the setting content update process, first, in step S1101, it is determined whether or not the update determination timing has come. In the present embodiment, this update determination timing is set earlier than in the second embodiment. Specifically, the number of operations related to the update determination is set to be smaller than the upper limit number of operations (predetermined number of times) regarding the operation of the operation button 40 determined when the first effect starts. Although similar to the above-described second embodiment, the number of operations related to the update determination is half the specified number of times, and whether or not to continue the suggestion is determined early. If a negative determination is made in step S1101, this updating process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1102.

In step S1102, it is determined whether or not the interval period between the first effect and the second effect is within a predetermined range. Specifically, when the first type second effect with a relatively short interval period is executed as the second effect, an affirmative determination is made in step S1002, and the second effect with a relatively long interval period is executed as the second effect. If the seed second effect is to be executed, a negative determination is made in step S1102. If a negative determination is made in step S1102, this update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S1102, the process proceeds to step S1103.

In step S1103, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the operation button 40 in the first effect matches the operation mode in the second effect. More specifically, when "long press" is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether "long press" is set in the second effect (whether the second effect A is selected). It is determined, and if "continuous hitting" is performed in the first effect, it is determined whether "continuous hitting" is set in the second effect (whether the second effect B is selected). If a negative determination is made in step S1103, this update process is terminated as it is, and if an affirmative determination is made in step S1103, the process proceeds to step S1104.

In step S1104, display continuation processing of the button icon as the operation suggestion image is executed. In this case, the button icon displayed on the display screen 94a with the start of the first effect does not disappear based on the end of the operation acceptance period, and the display of the button icon is extended until the start of the second effect. As a result, the button icons continue to be displayed over the first to second effects (see FIG. 25(b)).

After executing the button icon display continuation process in step S1104, the process advances to step S1105. In step S1105, interval period shortening processing is executed. Specifically, the start timing of the second effect is matched with the end timing of the first effect so that the second effect is executed ahead of schedule. By bringing the second effect forward in this manner, the interval period that should have been secured between the first effect and the second effect is shortened (see FIG. 25(b)).

Here, with reference to FIG. 25(b), a supplementary description will be given of the flow of the first effect to the second effect.
In the first effect, the operation of the operation button 40 changes the color of the effect on the display screen 94a. In the first effect shown in the present embodiment, when executing the first effect, the operation reception period and the number of operation receptions in the first effect are specified, and the number of operation receptions reaches the prescribed number before the operation reception period elapses. Thus, the first effect is finished. Therefore, the execution period of the first effect depends on the player's operation.

When the operation mode to be implemented in the first performance matches the operation mode set in the second performance, the start timing of the second performance to be executed thereafter is advanced, and when the first performance ends, it is changed. Triggered by this, the second production is started. In other words, the first effect and the second effect are directly connected, and the second effect immediately shifts to the second effect. Since the operation suggestion is continued during this period, it is possible to suppress the operation from being temporarily interrupted. Even in this case, there may be a period during which the operation is not accepted, but the period is shorter than when the interval period is set. As a result, it is difficult for the player to have the impression that it is useless to perform the operation according to the operation suggestion.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described fourth embodiment, the start timing of the second effect is advanced to the end timing of the first effect. is optional.

Moreover, it is also possible to shorten the interval period by combining with the extension function of the first effect shown in the third embodiment.

<Modification 2>
In the fourth embodiment, the entire second effect is shifted to the first effect. By changing this, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the start timing of the second effect is brought forward.

<Fifth Embodiment>
As shown in the second to fourth embodiments, in a configuration in which there is an invalid period during which no operation is accepted between the first and second effects, even if an operation suggestion is made Regardless, the fact that no change corresponding to the operation occurs can be a factor that confuses the player. One of the features of the present embodiment is that it is devised to avoid the occurrence of such inconvenience.

Specifically, in the case where the operation suggestion of the operation button 40 is continued across the first effect to the second effect, from the end of the operation acceptance in the first effect to the end of the first effect. The operation performed during the period of is reflected in the second effect. More specifically, the period from the completion of reception of the first operation in the first effect to the end of the first effect is the effective period of the second operation for the second effect. When the operation button 40 is operated during this period, it is stored and the operation result is reflected in the second presentation.

For example, when "long press" is performed as the first operation in the first effect and the operation mode in the second effect is "long press", the acceptance period for the first operation in the first effect ends. Triggered by the fact that the second operation has been performed, acceptance of the second operation is started. If the "long press" is continued during this period, the duration is stored. In addition, when an interval period exists, this interval period is also set as a reception period for the second operation, and if the "long press" is continued during the interval period, the duration is stored. . In this way, if the "long press" period has accumulated due to the prior operation, the accumulated period at the start of the second effect is applied, and the necessary remaining period of the "long press" is reduced. shortened.

Further, in the case where "continuous hitting" is performed as the first operation in the first effect and the operation mode in the second effect is "continuous hitting", the acceptance period for the first operation in the first effect ends. Triggered by this, acceptance of the second operation is started. If the "continuous hitting" is continued during this period, the number of times is stored. Further, when an interval period exists, this interval period is also set as a period for accepting the second operation, and if the "continuous hits" are continued during the interval period, the number of times is stored. In this way, when the number of "continuous hits" is accumulated by the prior operation, the accumulated number of times is applied at the start of the second effect, etc., and the required remaining number of "continuous hits" is reduced. .

In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the operation reception for the second effect is performed during the first effect or during the interval period, when the operation is continued in accordance with the continuation of the operation suggestion, the operation is canceled. You can avoid becoming meaningful. Moving forward the reception of the operation in this manner is a preferable configuration in terms of preventing the continuation of the operation suggestion from increasing the burden on the player.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the suggestion image (button icon) prompting the operation of the operation button 40 is displayed in the first effect, and the first effect corresponding to the operation of the operation button 40 is performed during the corresponding game run. made clear. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the fact that the first effect will be performed during the corresponding game round is not explicitly indicated without suggesting the operation in the first effect. The configuration differs from the embodiment. Further, the first effect executed in the present embodiment corresponds to the same cut-in display as the second effect, and the operation button 40 is operated ("single operation") at a preset timing. In this case, the cut-in display is executed. If the presence or absence of the occurrence of the first effect and the timing at which the first operation should be performed are not specified in this way, it is possible to enhance the unexpectedness and contribute to suppressing the monotony of the game.

However, if the presence or absence of the occurrence of the first effect and the timing of performing the first operation are deliberately hidden, the following inconveniences may occur due to the random operation in anticipation of the occurrence of the first effect.
For example, when the second effect C is set as the second effect, it is preferable to aim at the impact area IE and operate the operation button 40 with good timing (see FIG. 17(a)). However, if the second effect C is executed in a situation where the operation is performed automatically or manually at random, the pointer P immediately stops in response to the operation, and the player can A substantial opportunity to participate in the second production C is unintentionally missed. In this case, there is a concern that the effect of improving the degree of attention to the game by executing the second effect C will not be exhibited satisfactorily. In addition, if the operation button 40 is not operated at all in a situation where the second effect is not being executed due to caution against such an event, the significance of providing the non-explicit type first effect is diminished. put away. One of the characteristics of the present embodiment is that measures are taken in view of such circumstances. A configuration related to the countermeasure will be described below.

When executing the second effect, the operation state of the operation button 40 immediately before the second effect is monitored. Specifically, in the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142, operation monitoring processing is executed as part of the fluctuation display processing (variation medium processing). Here, the operation monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG. 26(a).

(Processing for operation monitoring)
In the operation monitoring process, first, in step S1201, it is determined whether or not the operation status is being monitored. If a negative determination is made in step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, it is determined whether or not it is time to start monitoring the operation status. Specifically, it is determined whether or not it is a predetermined timing prior to the start of the second effect, more specifically, a timing preceding the start of the second effect by a longer period (for example, 2 seconds) than the interval when the automatic continuous hitting is performed. .

If a negative determination is made in step S1202, this operation monitoring process ends. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1202, the operation monitoring process is terminated after the operation status monitoring start process is executed in step S1203. By executing the operation status monitoring start process, the operation status during the monitoring period is grasped.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1204. In step S1204, it is determined whether or not it is time to start the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S1204, this operation monitoring process ends. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1204, the process proceeds to step S1205. In step S1205, monitoring result storage processing is executed. Specifically, when the operation support flag is present during the monitoring period, it is stored that the "long press" has been performed, and the operation button 40 is operated multiple times (more specifically, twice) during the monitoring period. In this case, it is stored that "successive hits" have been made.

After executing the process of step S1205, the operation monitoring end process is executed in step S1206 to end the operation monitoring process.

In the mid-variation process, the second effect setting process is executed subsequent to the operation monitoring process. The second effect setting process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26(b).

(Second effect setting process)
In the second effect setting process, first, in step S1301, it is determined whether or not it is time to start the second effect. If a negative determination is made in step S1301, the second effect setting process is terminated. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1301, the operation status during the monitoring period is grasped based on the information stored in step S1205.

After performing the process of step S1302, it progresses to step S1303. In step S1303, it is determined whether or not a "long press" has been made during the monitoring period. When an affirmative determination is made in step S1303, the process advances to step S1304 to set the second effect A as the second effect, and then the second effect setting process is terminated. As already explained, the second effect A performs a cut-in display as a second operation corresponding effect based on the fact that the "long press" is performed during the second effect A.

If a negative determination is made in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1305, it is determined whether or not "continuous hits" have been made during the monitoring period. When an affirmative determination is made in step S1305, the process advances to step S1306 to set the second effect B as the second effect, and then the second effect setting process is terminated. As already explained, the second effect B performs cut-in display as the second operation corresponding effect based on the fact that the "continuous hit" is performed during the second effect B.

When a negative determination is made in step S1305, the process advances to step S1307 to set the second effect C as the second effect, and then the second effect setting process is terminated. As already explained, the second effect C performs a cut-in display as a second operation corresponding effect based on the fact that the "single operation" is performed during the second effect C.

As described in detail above, when performing the second effect, it is determined which operation mode the effect corresponding to is to be executed based on the immediately preceding operation state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the second effect C from being successfully executed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 27, a specific state of progression of the effect will be described. FIG. 27 exemplifies a case where an operation corresponding continuous effect in which the first effect→the second effect continues is executed.

At the timing of tc1, the flow of the effect in the current game round is determined, and along with this, the symbol display device 94 starts to display the symbols on the display screen 94a. After shifting to the ready-to-win display at the timing of tc2, the situation is such that the first effect can occur. However, the fact that the effect will occur and the timing thereof are not specified, making it difficult for the player to specify it. As for the first effect, the probability of occurrence is high in game rounds that result in a big hit, and the probability of occurrence is low in game rounds that result in a loss. Therefore, when the first effect is generated, expectations for a big win result increase.

When the player who expects the first effect operates the operation button 40 at the timing of tc3, this timing is out of the reception period (reception timing) of the first operation, so the first operation corresponding effect will not occur. do not have. After that, if the operation button 40 is kept pressed, the operation support is activated at the timing of tc4, and automatic repeated hits are executed until the operation button 40 is released from the hand.

When the reception period (reception timing) for the first operation comes at the timing of tc5, the 1 operation by automatic continuous hitting is effectively accepted, and the first operation corresponding effect is executed based on the operation. Specifically, "CHANCE" is cut-in displayed on the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 as a message indicating the degree of expectation of the big win result. After that, the second effect is started at the timing of tc6.

Here, just before the timing of tc6, the monitoring of the operation status described above is started. The pressing of the operation button 40 started at the timing of tc3 continues, and the operation support function is enabled. A second effect A is set as the second effect based on the fact that the "long press" is performed during the monitoring period.

When the second effect A is started at the timing of tc6, the suggestion of the second operation is started in which the button icon and the charge gauge CG are displayed on the display screen 94a. By continuing to operate the operation button 40, the charge gauge CG is accumulated, and when the charge gauge CG becomes full at the timing of tc7, "BIG CHANCE" is cut-in and displayed as a message indicating the degree of expectation of a big win. be.

Since the game cycle illustrated in FIG. 27 corresponds to the result of losing, the symbol combination corresponding to the result of losing is stopped and displayed at the timing of tc8 when the game cycle ends.

According to the sixth embodiment described in detail above, the player cannot grasp in advance whether or not the first effect will actually occur. Even if it is possible to sense that something will happen, it is difficult to see through the reception timing of the first operation that triggers the execution of the first operation corresponding presentation. In consideration of such circumstances, by allowing the automatic continuous tapping by the operation support, the operation aimed at the period during which the operation reception is likely to be performed is facilitated. In other words, there is no need to repeat the operation of the operation button 40 in anticipation of an effect that cannot be determined whether it will actually occur. Even if the timing for receiving an operation is set severely, the operation can be performed at that timing with the support of automatic repeated hits.

However, when this kind of effect and the support function are used together, the possibility that the second effect starts while the automatic repeated hits are being performed cannot be denied. If the automatic repeated hits are performed when the second effect C in which the content of the second operation corresponding effect changes according to the operation timing is executed, the operation will be accepted at an unexpected timing, resulting in the second effect. C may end differently than the player intended.

In this regard, as shown in the present embodiment, when performing the second effect, if the state of the operation is grasped in advance and the content of the second effect is determined based on the grasped result, the above-mentioned The occurrence of inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

<Modification 1>
In the sixth embodiment, the presence or absence of the occurrence of the first effect and the reception period (reception timing) of the first operation are not specified, but there is a possibility that the first effect will occur by changing this. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that suggests that there is a possibility that the first operation will be accepted. In other words, it is difficult to identify whether the first effect is executed or another effect (reach display or development to super reach) is executed, but some kind of change occurs at a predetermined timing during the game. It is good also as a structure which suggests that it obtains. For example, it is possible to use a progress gauge to display the progress during a game round, and to provide identification by using checkpoints where there is some change in the performance or the like.

<Modification 2>
In the sixth embodiment, only whether or not the second effect is to be executed is determined at the start of the game cycle, and the details are determined by the execution timing of the second effect, but the present invention is not limited to this. . The configuration may be such that the details of the second effect are determined at the start of the game cycle. In this case, the operation status is not monitored in all the game rounds in which the second effect is performed, but is configured to monitor the operation status only in the game rounds in which the second effect C can be executed. When it is determined that a 'long press' or a 'continuous hit' is being performed, the second effect C may be rewritten to the second effect A or the second effect B according to the grasped operating situation.

<Other embodiments>
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the contents described in each of the above-described embodiments, and may be carried out, for example, as follows. Incidentally, each of the following configurations may be individually applied to each of the above-described embodiments, or may be applied to each of the above-described embodiments by combining a part or all of them. Moreover, it is also possible to arbitrarily combine all or part of the various configurations shown in the above embodiments. In this case, it is preferable that the technical significance (effects exhibited) of each configuration to be combined is ensured. Each of the following configurations may be applied individually to a new configuration made up of a combination of the embodiments, or a part or all of them may be combined and applied.

(1) In each of the above-described embodiments, it is determined whether or not to perform the first effect and the second effect at the start of the game round, and then the details of the effect content are determined, but this is not the only option. not a thing For example, the details may be determined at the start of the game, and the contents may be rewritten according to the situation, or the presence or absence of the effect generation in the situation during the game and the details thereof may be determined.

(2) In each of the above-described embodiments, when the operation corresponding first effect is performed, the operation icon is displayed while the specific operation mode instruction is not given, but the present invention is not limited to this. do not have. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an operation mode is instructed. When actually playing a game, even if the effect is completed with a single operation, the operation may be continued in anticipation of further occurrence, or the operation may be continued due to inertia, etc. . Further, even if a repeated hit is instructed, the repeated hit is not necessarily given, and the possibility that the operation is not performed or the operation is performed only once cannot be denied. In this way, if it is taken into account that the operation is not always performed in accordance with the instructions, the above configuration can realize a practically preferable configuration.

(3) The operation support function when the operation button 40 is "long pressed" shown in each of the above embodiments can be changed as follows.

(3-1) When the detection signal falls to the LOW level during the execution of automatic continuous hitting by the operation support, the start condition (recovery condition) of the operation support may be temporarily relaxed. For example, it is possible to shorten the pressing duration required to shift to the operation support mode at the next long pressing.

More specifically, if the number of consecutive detections of the LOW level signal is within a predetermined number of times, the number of consecutive detections of the HI level should be reduced in the transition condition to the next operation support. By relaxing the return condition in this way, even if the detection signal is interrupted due to the influence of noise or the like during the automatic continuous hitting, the automatic continuous hitting can be continued smoothly.

(3-2) When the operation button 40 is switched from repeated press operation to long press operation, the conditions for starting the operation support are relaxed compared to other cases (for example, when no operation is switched to long press operation). good too. As described above, it is assumed that the fatigue of the player performing the repeated hits by himself/herself will increase when the operations such as repeated hits are repeatedly performed due to the continuous effects.
Therefore, in such a case, it is possible to contribute to the smooth utilization of the operation support function by quickly exerting the operation support function. It should be noted that if the responsiveness is simply increased, the player's intentions will not be reflected well because the player will overreact, causing repeated hits even though the situation is not one in which the player wants to hit repeatedly. In this regard, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the above-described inconvenience caused by increasing the responsiveness only in the case of continuous pressing→long pressing.

(3-3) The end timing of the operation support mode may be configured to coincide with the end timing of the presentation in which the operation support mode is entered. However, in the case where the condition for ending the operation support mode is changed in this way, if the operation mode in each of the preceding and succeeding effects becomes common, the operation can be performed without judging whether or not the operation support is possible during the subsequent effect. It is preferable to use a configuration that continues to support.

(3-4) It may be explained that the operation of pressing the operation button 40 for a long period of time enables automatic continuous hitting. For example, in a situation where the player is urged to hit repeatedly, it is preferable to display a message or the like explaining the above function together with the operation icon.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the design display device 94 (display screen 94a) is configured to perform both the first effect and the second effect. It is optional whether the For example, it may be executed by a lamp, a movable accessory, or the like. Also, the execution target of the first effect and the execution target of the second effect may be separated.

(5) In each of the embodiments described above, the configuration is such that the first effect and the second effect are performed during the ready-to-win display, but the present invention is not limited to this. The execution timing of the first effect and the second effect is arbitrary. For example, the first effect may be executed before the ready-to-win display, or both the first effect and the second effect may be executed before the ready-to-win display.

(6) In each of the above embodiments, the first effect and the second effect are executed during one game round, but the first effect and the second effect are executed across two game rounds. It may be configured to be For example, the configuration may be such that the first effect is executed in the previous game round, and the second effect is executed in the subsequent game round. In this case, on the condition that the hold information for the later game round is stored when the previous game round is being executed, the first effect→the second effect is executed, thereby making it practical. A more preferable configuration can be realized.

(7) In each of the above embodiments, the display screen 94a of the pattern display device 94 is configured to suggest operations, but the specific configuration for suggesting is not limited to this.
For example, the configuration may be such that the operation is suggested by sound output from the speaker unit, or the operation may be suggested by emitting light from a light-emitting substrate (illuminant) or the like built into the operation button.

(8) In each of the embodiments described above, the operation button 40 is used as the "operation means", but it is not limited to this. For example, other contact-type operating means such as a touch panel or lever may be employed, or non-contact-type operating means such as an optical sensor may be employed.

(9) In each of the above-described embodiments, if no operation is performed, the operation-responsive effect is canceled. In this case, the operation-non-responsive effect is executed instead of the operation-responsive effect. It is also possible to

(10) In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration is such that the operation suggestion is started at the same time as the operation reception is started. is also possible.

(11) Other types of pachinko machines different from the above embodiments, such as a pachinko machine in which an electric accessory opens a predetermined number of times when a game ball enters a specific area of a special device, or a game in a specific area of a special device The present invention can also be applied to a game machine such as a pachinko machine that generates a right when a ball enters the machine and results in a big win, a pachinko machine equipped with other accessories, an arranged ball machine, and a mammoth ball.

In addition, a non-ball game machine, for example, equipped with a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of patterns are attached in the circumferential direction, the rotation of the reels is started by inserting medals and operating the start lever, and the stop switch is operated. The present invention is also applicable to a slot machine that provides a player with a privilege such as payout of medals when a specific pattern or a combination of specific patterns is established on an effective line that can be visually recognized from a display window after the reels are stopped. can be applied.

Furthermore, the gaming machine main body which is openably and closably supported by the outer frame is provided with a storage portion and a take-in device, and the start lever is operated after a predetermined number of game balls stored in the storage portion are taken in by the take-in device. The present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine that combines a pachinko machine and a slot machine, in which the reels start rotating.
<Invention groups extracted from the above embodiments>
Hereinafter, the features of the group of inventions extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described, 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 the specific configurations shown in parentheses or the like are not limited.

<Characteristic group A>
The following feature group A is "For example, in a game machine such as a pachinko game machine, it is known to have an operation means operated by a player. For example, in the pachinko game machine shown in Patent Document 1, An operation means is provided on the front surface of the game machine, and in order to make the player expect the occurrence of a special game state or the like advantageous to the player, a special effect is displayed on the screen or the like according to the player's operation. In gaming machines employing operating means in this way, an important issue is how to use the operating means to increase the attention of the players to the game. Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect in response to the operation of the operation means may make the operation monotonous and lose its freshness, and the user may lose interest in the operation itself. If a configuration is adopted in which various special effects are executed according to the operation, it is possible to suppress the monotony of the game, but it is assumed that the operation mode becomes complicated and the player is likely to be confused.
In this way, there is still room for improvement in the configuration in order to increase the degree of attention to the game through the special effect. ” was made with the problem to be solved by the invention.

Feature A1. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification/effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operation means. on the machine,
The effect executing means includes first effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) in accordance with the operation of the operating means, and second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) in accordance with the operation of the operating means. ) and a second effect execution means for executing
When the second operation-corresponding effect is executed after the first operation-corresponding effect is executed, the operation mode of the operating means that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is set to the operating means in the first operation-corresponding effect. (a function of setting the operation mode by the MPU 612 of the notification/production control device 142).

According to feature A1, the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is set according to the operation mode in the first operation-corresponding effect. As a result, it is possible to provide relevance to the operation mode when performing the first operation corresponding presentation→the second operation corresponding presentation, thereby preventing the operation from becoming difficult or complicated. As a result, the effect of increasing the degree of attention to the game can be favorably exhibited by using the two operation corresponding effects together.

Feature A2. The operation mode setting means has means for setting an operation mode that can trigger the execution of the second operation-responsive effect to be the same operation mode as the operation mode of the operation means in the first operation-responsive effect. The gaming machine according to feature A1, characterized in that

According to feature A2, an operation mode that can trigger the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is set so as to be similar to the operation mode in the first operation-corresponding effect. In other words, when the first operation corresponding effect→the second operation corresponding effect is performed, the operation corresponding effect is executed by the same operation. In this way, by aligning the operation mode that triggers the execution with the operation mode that triggers the execution of the previous operation-corresponding performance, the operation becomes complicated when the performance continues, and the player may be puzzled or make a mistake. It is possible to suitably suppress the operation from being performed.

Feature A3. The first effect executing means executes the first operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operating means during the first effect,
The second effect executing means executes the second operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operating means during the second effect,
The second effect execution means comprises means for executing the second effect so as to be continuous with or overlap with the first effect when starting the second effect after the start of the first effect. The gaming machine according to feature A1 or feature A2, characterized by having:

In a configuration where the first effect and the second effect are consecutive or overlapped as shown in feature A3, for example, an event occurs in which the second effect is started while an operation corresponding to the first effect is being performed. can. For example, there is a possibility that the operation will be repeated while maintaining the momentum/rhythm of the first effect when transitioning to the second effect. In this case, there is a concern that the actual operation mode and the set operation mode may differ, and the intention of the player's operation may not be properly reflected in the presentation. Applying the technical ideas shown in feature A1 and the like to such a configuration, the game machine side determines (adjusts) the subsequent operation mode according to the previous operation mode of the player. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the above inconvenience and realize a practically preferable configuration.

Feature A4. The first effect executing means executes the first operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operating means during the first effect,
The second effect executing means executes the second operation corresponding effect according to the operation of the operating means during the second effect,
reception start means for starting reception of operation of the operation means during the second production;
The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A3, further comprising operation suggesting means for starting to suggest the second operation before the acceptance of the operation is started by the reception starting means. .

According to the configuration of setting the mode of operation in the second effect in accordance with the mode of operation in the first effect as shown in feature A1, etc., the operation becomes excessively complicated when the first effect → the second effect. can be prevented from becoming In such a configuration, even if advance notification is given as shown in this feature, the second operation corresponding effect will be executed as long as the operation is continued, for example, and the operation may not be performed well. For this reason, it is possible to prevent inconvenience such as sudden interruption of the flow of the presentation when shifting to the second presentation (the presentation corresponding to the second operation).

Also, if it is visually confirmed that an operation suggestion has been made and if an attempt is made to actually perform an operation in response to the confirmation, a certain amount of time lag may occur between the suggestion and the operation. On the other hand, if the operation suggestion is started in advance, the effect of the time lag described above can be alleviated, and the performance can proceed smoothly.

For example, it may be configured to start the operation suggestion for the second effect during the first effect (just before the end, etc.), or to start the operation suggestion for the second effect during the interval period between the first effect and the second effect. It is good to

Feature A5. When the second performance is executed after the first performance is executed, the suggestion mode of the operation corresponding to the first performance and the suggestion mode of the operation corresponding to the second performance are the same. The gaming machine of feature A4, wherein suggestions are made.

According to the configuration in which the operation suggestion is preceded as shown in feature A4, the suggestion of the operation in advance contributes to the improvement of the responsiveness (smoother progress of the presentation) in the progress of the presentation. can be done. Here, by making the suggesting mode of the operation in the first effect and the suggesting mode of the operation in the second effect the same, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the operation becomes complicated and the player is puzzled. .

In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is defined as "a suggestion means for suggesting an operation of the operation means to the player, and the suggestion means is an operation of the operation means that triggers the execution of the second effect by the operation mode setting means. When the mode is set based on the operation mode of the operating means in the first effect, the suggested mode of the operation corresponding to the second effect is the same as the suggested mode of the operation corresponding to the first effect. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A4, characterized in that it has means for making the suggestion.

Feature A6. The second production execution means is
means for executing the second operation corresponding effect according to the timing of the operation of the operating means during the second effect;
and means for executing the second operation corresponding effect according to the number of times or period of operation of the operating means during the second effect,
The operation mode setting means sets the subsequent second effect according to the number of times or period of operation of the operation means based on the fact that the operation means is continuously performed in the preceding first effect. The gaming machine according to any one of features A1 to A5, characterized in that the game machine is configured to set an effect in which the second operation corresponding effect is executed.

When the operation means is continuously operated during the first effect, the end of the first effect does not always trigger the release of the operation means. For example, there is a possibility that the operation is intentionally continued in anticipation of some kind of step-up or the like occurring in accordance with the continuous operation, or that the operation is continued due to inertia. When the second effect starts in a situation in which continuous operations continue in this way, the second operation corresponding effect can be executed with the above-described operation as a trigger. More specifically, when the second operation-responsive effect depends on the timing of the operation, the operation may be accepted at a timing unintended by the player, and the second operation may be performed in a manner that is not in line with the player's original intention. A two-operation corresponding effect can be executed. This is severe for a player actively operating the operating means. Therefore, when the operation means is operated continuously during the first effect, the mode of operation that triggers the second operation corresponding effect is set to correspond to the number of times of operation or the period of operation. By doing so, the dependence on the above timing is avoided. As a result, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the above inconvenience.

In particular, when the first effect and the second effect are continuous or partly overlapped and an interval period is not ensured between the two, it is assumed that the above-described inconvenience is likely to occur. In view of such circumstances, there is technical significance in applying the technical idea shown in this feature to the configuration shown in feature A3.

Feature A7. The second production execution means is
means for executing the second operation corresponding effect according to the timing of the operation of the operating means during the second effect;
and means for executing the second operation corresponding effect according to the number of times or period of operation of the operating means during the second effect,
The operation mode setting means determines that the operation means is performed continuously in the preceding first effect under a situation where the second operation corresponding effect can be performed according to the timing of the operation of the operation means. Characteristic A1 characterized by having means for rewriting the second effect so that the second effect corresponding to the operation is executed according to the number of times or period of operation of the operating means. The gaming machine according to any one of features A5.

When the operation means is continuously operated during the first effect, the end of the first effect does not always trigger the release of the operation means. For example, there is a possibility that the operation is intentionally continued in anticipation of some kind of step-up or the like occurring in accordance with the continuous operation, or that the operation is continued due to inertia. When the second effect starts in a situation in which continuous operations continue in this way, the second operation corresponding effect can be executed with the above-described operation as a trigger. More specifically, when the second operation-responsive effect depends on the timing of the operation, the operation may be accepted at a timing unintended by the player, and the second operation may be performed in a manner that is not in line with the player's original intention. A two-operation corresponding effect can be executed. This is severe for a player actively operating the operating means. Therefore, when the operation means is operated continuously during the first effect, the mode of operation that triggers the second operation corresponding effect is set to correspond to the number of times of operation or the period of operation. By doing so, the dependence on the above timing is avoided. As a result, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the above inconvenience.

In particular, when the first effect and the second effect are continuous or partly overlapped and an interval period is not ensured between the two, it is assumed that the above-described inconvenience is likely to occur. In view of such circumstances, there is technical significance in applying the technical idea shown in this feature to the configuration shown in feature A3.

Feature A8. The operation means is a pressing operation means (operation button 40) that is pressed and operated by the player,
Operation determination means for determining the operation of the operation means (determination function in the MPU 612 of the notification / production control device 142),
The operation determination means switches to a special determination state (operation support mode) when the pressing operation means is maintained in the pressed state for a predetermined period of time, and maintains the pressed state in the special determination state. It is determined that the operation of the operation means is repeatedly performed until a predetermined release condition (for example, the support period has elapsed or the pressing state is released) is satisfied. The gaming machine according to any one of the above.

In a game machine of a type in which an operation corresponding effect is executed according to the number of pressing operations (number of repeated hits) of an operation means, by using together with a configuration that suffices if the operation means is operated only once, diversity of operations can be achieved. is ensured, and a preferable configuration can be realized for suppressing the monotony of the game. However, increasing the operation burden on the player when repeatedly performing the pressing operation may cause the player to become tired of operating the operation means. In this respect, as shown in this feature, by maintaining the operation means in the pressed state, the same effect as when the operation means is repeatedly pressed (support effect by automatic continuous hitting) can be obtained, the above inconvenience can be solved. The occurrence can be suitably suppressed.

However, although such an automatic continuous hitting function is advantageous in terms of improving the convenience of operation, it cannot be denied that the function may be abused because the operation burden is reduced. For example, regardless of the presence or absence of operation suggestions, an event may occur in which a game is played with a hand placed on the operating means. In this case, it cannot be denied that the second operation corresponding effect, which depends on the timing of the operation as shown in feature A6 and the like, is executed as a result of the automatic repeated hits. In particular, considering that the first effect serves as a trigger for starting the operation, there is a high possibility that the inconvenience described above will occur when the transition from the first effect to the second effect occurs. By applying the technical ideas shown in feature A5 and the like to such a configuration, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of inconvenience such as poor performance due to the improvement of convenience.

Feature A9. Under the situation of shifting from the first effect to the second effect, after the special determination state is entered during the first effect, the condition for switching to the special determination state when the transition is made to the second effect The gaming machine according to feature A8, characterized in that it is configured to avoid re-determination of.

According to feature A9, after pressing the operation means in the first effect, the special determination state is maintained even during the second effect by maintaining the pressed state. In this way, by avoiding redoing the setting of the special determination state, it is possible to preferably improve the convenience of the support function.

Feature A10. Both the operation mode that triggered the execution of the first effect in the first effect and the operation mode that triggered the execution of the second operation corresponding effect in the second effect are continuous operations (for example, long In the case of pressing or repeated hitting), the special determination state is maintained at least until the second operation corresponding effect is executed on condition that the operation means is maintained in the pressing state. The gaming machine according to feature A8 or feature A9, characterized in that

According to the characteristic A10, when the first effect→the second effect, once the special determination state is entered during the first effect, the special determination state is maintained until the second operation corresponding effect is executed. It will happen. In other words, as long as the operation means is maintained in the pressed state, the support function can be enjoyed collectively in the first and second effects, and the convenience of the support function can be favorably improved.

<Characteristic group B>
The following feature group B is defined as "For example, in a game machine such as a pachinko game machine, one that is provided with an operation means operated by a player is known. For example, in the pachinko game machine shown in Patent Document 1, An operation means is provided on the front surface of the game machine, and a special effect is displayed on the screen or the like according to the player's operation so that the player can expect the occurrence of a special game state or the like that is advantageous to the player. In gaming machines employing operating means in this way, an important issue is how to use the operating means to increase the attention of the players to the game. Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect in response to the operation of the operation means may make the operation monotonous and lose its freshness, and the user may lose interest in the operation itself. If a configuration is adopted in which various special effects are executed according to the operation, it is possible to suppress the monotony of the game, but it is assumed that the operation mode becomes complicated and the player is likely to be confused.
In this way, there is still room for improvement in the configuration in order to increase the degree of attention to the game through the special effect. ” was made with the problem to be solved by the invention.

Feature B1. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification/effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operation means. on the machine,
The production executing means is
a first effect execution means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) according to the operation of the operation means during the first effect;
a second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) according to the operation of the operating means during the second effect;
When the second effect is executed after the first effect is executed, guidance means (display a function of continuing to display button icons on a screen 94a).

As shown in feature B1, when the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation means are performed, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the operation is individually urged during each effect period. In such a configuration, for example, according to information or the like from the game machine, by performing individual operations, it is possible to generate the first operation corresponding effect and the second operation corresponding effect. However, repeating the operation on and off makes the operation complicated and can be a factor in reducing attention to the performance. In addition, when an instruction for the next operation is issued in a situation where the attention of the player has decreased after completing the operation, there is a concern that the instruction may be easily overlooked. In this way, it cannot be denied that the interruption of the operation instruction hinders the increase in attention to the game when a plurality of effects corresponding to the operation are performed. In this respect, as shown in this feature, if the guidance means is configured to encourage the continuation of the operation in the first effect to the second effect, the occurrence of the above-mentioned annoyance, oversight, etc. is suppressed, and attention is paid by the operation corresponding effect. It is possible to suitably exhibit the effect of improving the strength.

Feature B2. a pattern display means (main display unit 89, pattern display device 94) having a display portion (main display portion D, display screen 94a), and for variably displaying a pattern on the display portion;
The pattern display means is operated such that, when the pattern variation start condition is established, the pattern display is started, the pattern is displayed in a variation according to a predetermined variation mode, and then the variation display is terminated as one game cycle. Display control means for display control (main control device 162, notification / effect control device 142, display control device 620),
Characteristic feature B1, characterized in that the guidance means is configured to perform the guidance when the second performance is executed after the first performance is executed during one game turn. game machine.

If the continuation of the operation is urged regardless of the period (interval period) between the first effect and the second effect, there is a concern that the operation will be prolonged and the burden on the player will be increased. An excessively large burden may lead to a decrease in the desire to play, and it is feared that this may hinder active participation. In this regard, as shown in this feature, the guidance is limited to the case where the first effect→the second effect is performed during one game round, and the guidance is refrained when the interval period becomes excessively long. With this configuration, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience described above.

Feature B3. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification/effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operation means. on the machine,
The production executing means is
a first effect execution means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) according to the operation of the operation means during the first effect;
a second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) according to the operation of the operating means during the second effect;
When executing the second effect after executing the first effect, there is a non-execution period (interval period) during which the first effect and the second effect are not executed,
A first period and a second period shorter than the first period are provided as the non-execution period,
When the non-execution period is the second period, guidance means (a button A game machine characterized by comprising a function of continuing to display icons.

As shown in feature B3, when the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operating means are performed, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the operation is individually urged during each effect period. In such a configuration, for example, according to information or the like from the game machine, by performing individual operations, it is possible to generate the first operation corresponding effect and the second operation corresponding effect. However, repeating the operation on and off makes the operation complicated and can be a factor in reducing attention to the performance. In addition, when an instruction for the next operation is issued in a situation where the attention of the player has decreased after completing the operation, there is a concern that the instruction may be easily overlooked. In this way, when a plurality of effects corresponding to operations are performed, the interruption of operation instructions may hinder the increase in attention to the game. In this respect, as shown in this feature, if the guidance means is configured to encourage the continuation of the operation in the first effect to the second effect, the occurrence of the above-mentioned annoyance, oversight, etc. is suppressed, and attention is paid by the operation corresponding effect. It is possible to suitably exhibit the effect of improving the strength.

Here, if the continuation of the operation is urged regardless of the interval between the first effect and the second effect (interval period), there is a concern that the operation will be prolonged and the burden on the player will increase. An excessively large burden can hinder active participation. In this regard, as shown in this feature, the guidance is performed not when a relatively long first period is set as the non-execution period, but when a relatively short second period is set as the non-execution period. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience described above.

In addition, the configuration shown in this feature is defined as "grant determination means for determining whether or not to grant a privilege to a player when a preset determination condition is satisfied, and the result of grant determination by the grant determination means. However, based on the result of grant correspondence corresponding to granting the privilege to the player, the privilege granting means for granting the privilege to the player and the grant determination by the grant determination means are performed. Based on this, one game cycle is to start the game cycle motion by a predetermined notification means, and to end the game cycle motion as a notification result corresponding to the result of the grant determination. In a gaming machine comprising game turn control means for controlling the predetermined notification means such that Effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification/effect control device 142) for executing effects is provided, and the effect execution means generates a first operation corresponding effect (effect and a second effect execution means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) according to the operation of the operation means during the second effect, wherein the game An effect setting means is provided for setting the first effect and the second effect during a game turn when a spinning motion is started, and when the second effect is executed after the first effect is executed. , there is a non-execution period in which the first effect and the second effect are not executed, and as the non-execution period, a first period and a second period shorter than the first period are provided, When the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect is the second period, the player is guided to continue the operation of the operating means over the first effect and the second effect. A game machine characterized by having guidance means (a function of continuing to display button icons on the display screen 94a).

Feature B4. Characteristic B3, characterized in that when the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect is the first period, the guidance by the guidance means is not performed. game machine.

As shown in feature B1 and the like, the problem that arises when a plurality of effects associated with the operation means are used together becomes significant when the intervals between these effects (non-execution period, interval period) are short.
Therefore, in the case where the non-execution period is the first period, which is relatively long, even if the configuration is such that the guidance is refrained from, the inconvenience caused by it is unlikely to occur. In addition, it is advantageous in terms of prompting active participation (operation) by the player to adopt a structure that prevents the burden on the player from increasing due to the operation being unnecessarily prolonged.
Feature B5. reception start means for starting reception of operation of the operation means;
an operation suggesting means for starting to suggest an operation of the operating means when the acceptance of the operation is started by the acceptance starting means;
Characteristically characterized in that, when guidance is performed by the guidance means, a suggesting mode of operation corresponding to the second effect can be the same as a suggesting mode of operation corresponding to the first effect. The gaming machine according to any one of B1 to B4.
By making the suggesting mode of the operation in the first effect and the suggesting mode of the operation in the second effect the same, the player is confused when notifying the player that the operation should be continued. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience such as

Feature B6. a first suggesting means (display function such as an icon) for suggesting the player to operate the operating means when performing the first effect;
a second suggesting means (display function such as an icon) for suggesting the player to operate the operating means when performing the second effect;
The guidance means is configured to continue the suggestion by the first suggestion means and the suggestion by the second suggestion means from the start of the suggestion by the first suggestion means to the end of the suggestion by the second suggestion means. A game machine characterized by having means for continuing suggestions.

In order to guide the user to continue the operation of the operation means in the first and second effects, giving the impression that the operation is substantially meaningless will reduce the desire to operate. In this case, the above-mentioned inducing function cannot be exhibited well. In the first effect, the first operation corresponding effect is executed as a result of performing an operation according to the suggestion by the first suggesting means. In this way, by making the player aware that some kind of response will occur in response to the suggestion, and performing the guidance so that the suggestion continues, it is possible to make the player feel as if the ongoing operation has some meaning. It is possible to make the player aware of this. As a result, the occurrence of the above inconvenience can be suitably suppressed.

Feature B7. The first suggesting means, as the suggestion by the first suggesting means, suggests that the operation means should continuously perform a predetermined operation,
The guiding means performs the predetermined operation over the first effect and the second effect when the second suggesting means suggests an operation in the same manner as the first suggesting means with the operating means. A gaming machine according to feature B6, characterized in that it is configured to suggest.

If the configuration is such that the guidance is performed when the mode of operation that triggers the first operation-corresponding presentation and the mode of operation that triggers the second operation-corresponding presentation match, the operation is performed over the two presentations. Even in the case of continuation, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the effect does not proceed well due to the difference in the operation mode or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly proceed with the production corresponding to the operation.

In particular, when a predetermined operation is continuously performed, if the operation is interrupted and then resumed in the middle, it is assumed that the player is likely to have the impression that the operation is troublesome. Therefore, when the first effect and the second effect correspond to continuous predetermined operations, a practically preferable configuration can be realized by adopting a configuration that prompts the continuation of the operations.

Feature B8. The guidance means is configured so that the operation that triggers the first operation-corresponding effect is a predetermined operation of continuously operating the operating means, and that the operation that triggers the second operation-corresponding effect is the first operation-corresponding effect. The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B7, characterized in that it has means for performing the guidance when the mode is the same as the operation that triggers (1).

If the configuration is such that the guidance is performed when the mode of operation that triggers the first operation-corresponding effect and the mode of operation that triggers the second operation-corresponding effect match, the operation can be performed over the two effects. Even in the case of continuation, it is possible to suitably suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that the effect does not proceed well due to the difference in the operation mode or the like. As a result, it is possible to smoothly proceed with the production corresponding to the operation.

In particular, when a predetermined operation is continuously performed, if the operation is interrupted and then resumed in the middle, it is assumed that the player is likely to have the impression that the operation is troublesome. Therefore, when the first effect and the second effect correspond to continuous predetermined operations, a practically preferable configuration can be realized by adopting a configuration that prompts the continuation of the operations.

Feature B9. an operation manner grasping means for grasping an operation manner in the first production;
The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B8, further comprising means for determining whether or not the guidance by the guidance means is possible based on the operation mode grasped by the operation mode grasping means. .

In the first place, the operating mode of the operating means depends on the player. Therefore, even if an operation mode is suggested, the operation is not always performed as suggested. Therefore, for example, when transitioning to the second effect while maintaining the operation mode in the first effect, the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect in the second effect and the operation mode that is being executed. If there is a difference or the like between them, it cannot be denied that the effect corresponding to the second operation may not be performed well. Therefore, as shown in this feature, if a configuration is adopted in which whether or not to induce the continuation of the operation is determined according to the operation mode in the first effect, as a result of inducing the continuation of the operation, the second operation corresponding effect is successfully performed. It is possible to suitably avoid disappearing.

More specifically, for example, the timing of the operation is important in the second operation corresponding effect. It is assumed that it becomes difficult to perform operations with timing in production. On the other hand, if the execution trigger of the second operation corresponding effect is based on the premise that the operating means is hit repeatedly, the above inconvenience does not occur. In this way, it is technically significant to have a configuration in which whether or not to allow guidance is determined based on the actual operation mode being grasped.

In addition, when the technical idea shown in this feature is applied to feature B6 or feature B7, the configuration shown in this feature is changed to "an operation mode grasping means for grasping the operation mode in the first effect, and the operation mode grasping means. The gaming machine according to feature B6 or feature B7, further comprising means for determining whether or not to continue the suggestion by the suggestion means based on the operation mode grasped by the above.
” may be used.

Feature B10. In the guidance means, the operation mode of the operation means in the first effect is a continuous operation mode in which the operation means is continuously operated, and the operation mode that triggers the execution of the second effect is the continuous operation mode. The gaming machine according to feature B9, further comprising means for performing the guidance when the game is played.

In a configuration in which the first operation-corresponding effect is completed by operating the operation means once, the adverse effect caused by the interposition of a period during which no operation is prompted between the second effect and the second effect is relatively small. On the other hand, if a blank occurs in the transition from continuous operation to continuous operation, it is likely to give a negative impression of "redoing" the continuous operation. Therefore, at least in the case of continuous operation→continuous operation, the effect shown in feature B1 and the like can be favorably exhibited by adopting a configuration that avoids the occurrence of blanks.

Feature B11. a first shortening means for shortening the non-execution period between the first performance and the second performance by delaying the end timing of the first performance when the guidance is performed by the guidance means; The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B10, characterized in that

According to feature B11, by extending the first effect and shortening the non-execution period between the first effect and the second effect, the period during which the continuation of the operation is induced is substantially unrelated to the operation. It is possible to make it difficult to give such an impression.

Feature B12. Characteristic B11 characterized in that the first shortening means is configured to delay the end timing of the first effect by extending an operation acceptance period for accepting the operation of the operation means in the first effect. The gaming machine described in .

The appearance of the first effect can change depending on which part of the first effect is extended.
Here, as for the operation reception period, a certain amount of length is ensured in order to expand the range of the timing of the player's operation. In consideration of such circumstances, if a configuration is adopted in which the part corresponding to the reception period is extended, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of discomfort due to the extension of the first effect, and to suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the first effect. can.

Feature B13. a second shortening means for shortening the non-execution period between the first performance and the second performance by advancing the start timing of the second performance when the guidance is performed by the guidance means; The gaming machine according to any one of features B1 to B12, characterized in that

According to feature B13, the period during which the continuation of the operation is induced is substantially unrelated to the operation by shortening the non-execution period between the first and second effects by bringing the second effect forward. It is possible to make it difficult to give such an impression.
Feature B14. A game comprising operation means (operation button 40) operated by a player and effect execution means (symbol display device 94 and notification/effect control device 142) for executing an operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operation means. on the machine,
The production executing means is
a first effect execution means for executing a first operation corresponding effect (effect change) according to the operation of the operation means during the first effect;
a second effect execution means for executing a second operation corresponding effect (cut-in display) according to the operation of the operation means during the second effect,
A non-execution period (interval) in which the second effect is executed after the first effect is executed and the first effect and the second effect are not executed between the first effect and the second effect period), guidance means for guiding the player to continue the operation of the operation means over the first effect and the second effect (a function of continuing to display the button icon on the display screen 94a ) is provided.
As shown in feature B14, when the first effect and the second effect associated with the operation of the operation means are performed, it is possible to have a configuration in which the operation is individually urged during each effect period. In such a configuration, for example, according to information or the like from the game machine, by performing individual operations, it is possible to generate the first operation corresponding effect and the second operation corresponding effect. However, repeating the operation on and off makes the operation complicated and can be a factor in reducing attention to the performance. In addition, if an instruction for the next operation is issued in a situation where the player's attentiveness has decreased after completing the operation, there is a concern that the instruction may be easily overlooked. In this way, it is undeniable that the interruption of the operation instruction hinders the improvement of the degree of attention to the game when multiple effects corresponding to the operation are performed. In this respect, as shown in this feature, if the guidance means is configured to encourage the continuation of the operation in the first effect to the second effect, the occurrence of the above-mentioned annoyance, oversight, etc. is suppressed, and attention is paid by the operation corresponding effect. It is possible to suitably exhibit the effect of improving the strength.
Note that the technical ideas shown in features B2 to B12 may be applied to the configuration shown in this feature.

The basic configuration of a game machine to which each of the above features can be applied is shown below.

Pachinko machine: operation means (game ball shooting handle 45) operated by a player, game ball shooting means (game ball shooting mechanism 110) for shooting game balls based on the operation of the operation means, and A ball passage (guidance passage 103 of the guide rail 100) for guiding a game ball to a predetermined game area (game area PE) and each game part (such as a nail 87) arranged in the game area are provided. A game machine that provides a privilege to a player when a game ball passes through a predetermined passing portion (general prize winning port 81, etc.).

Spindle-type game machine such as slot machine: Equipped with variable display means for displaying a symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols in a final stop after variably displaying the symbol row; A special game that is advantageous to the player under the condition that the fluctuation of the symbols is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stopping or after the lapse of a predetermined time, and that the final stopped symbol at the time of stopping is a specific symbol. A gaming machine designed to generate a state (bonus game, etc.).

Ball-use belt-type game machine: Equipped with a variable display means for displaying a symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols and then finally stopping the symbol row; A special game state (bonus game, etc.), and further comprising: a throwing device for performing throwing processing for taking in game balls from the ball tray provided with a ball tray; and a payout device for putting out game balls to the ball tray. A gaming machine constructed so that the operation of the starting operating means is enabled when a game ball is thrown in.
<Others>
For example, game machines such as pachinko game machines are known to have operation means operated by a player. For example, in the pachinko game machine shown in Patent Document 1, an operation means is provided on the front surface of the game machine, and a special performance is provided according to the player's operation in order to make the player expect the occurrence of a special game state or the like that is advantageous to the player. is displayed on the screen or the like. In gaming machines employing such operating means, how to increase the attention of players to the game using the operating means is an important issue (for example, Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008). -29764).
Here, there is a concern that simply performing a special effect in response to the operation of the operation means may make the operation monotonous and lose its freshness, and the user may lose interest in the operation itself. On the other hand, if it is configured to execute various special effects according to each operation, it is possible to suppress the monotony of the game, but it is assumed that the operation mode becomes complicated and the player is likely to be confused. be. In this way, there is still room for improvement in the configuration in order to increase the degree of attention to the game through the special effect.
The present technical idea has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances and the like, and aims to provide a gaming machine capable of favorably increasing attention to games.
<Means>
Means for solving the above problems will be described below.
A gaming machine according to technical idea 1 is a gaming machine comprising an operation means operated by a player and an effect execution means for executing an operation-corresponding effect in response to an operation of the operation means, wherein the effect execution means comprises: a first effect executing means for executing a first operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operating means; and a second effect executing means for executing a second operation corresponding effect in accordance with the operation of the operating means; When the second operation-corresponding effect is executed after the first operation-corresponding effect is executed, the operation mode of the operating means that triggers the execution of the second operation-corresponding effect is changed to the operation mode of the operating means in the first operation-corresponding effect. It is characterized by comprising operation mode setting means for setting based on the operation mode.
<effect>
It is possible to favorably increase the degree of attention to the game.

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)

Claims (1)

a shooting means capable of shooting game balls into a game area;
a first ball entering means capable of entering a game ball launched by the launching means;
Acquisition means capable of acquiring predetermined information when a first condition that can be established based on the game ball entering the first ball entering means is satisfied;
a storage means capable of storing the predetermined information acquired by the acquisition means;
A game machine having a determination means capable of performing determination based on the predetermined information stored in the storage means when a first execution condition is satisfied,
means capable of generating a specific game state based on the result of the determination by the determination means being a specific determination result;
a second ball-entering means capable of entering the game ball launched by the launching means, and different from the first ball-entering means;
A first position that allows a game ball to enter the second ball entering means, and a second position that makes it more difficult for a game ball to enter the second ball entering means than the first position. a displacement means displaceable between
a first displacement control for displacing the displacement means positioned at the second position to the first position; and a second displacement control for displacing the displacement means positioned at the first position to the second position. displacement control, and displacement control means capable of at least
The displacement control means executes the first displacement control based on the establishment of a first condition that can be established in the specific game state, and the displacement means is positioned at the first position by the first displacement control. configured to execute the second displacement control based on the establishment of a second condition that can be established in a situation where the
The game machine is
A predetermined value is awarded to a player when a game ball enters at least the first ball entering means,
A first mode based on the execution of the determination by the determination means, a second mode based on the occurrence of the specific game state, and a third mode based on the predetermined ball entering the second ball entry means. A gaming machine characterized in that it is configured so that at least