JP2024062007A - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a gaming machine capable of executing new effects related to a time-saving state. [Solution] A pachinko machine can be set to one of a plurality of gaming states including a non-time-saving state in which the operation rate of a second start port per unit time is normal, a first time-saving state in which the operation rate is higher than that of the non-time-saving state, and a second time-saving state in which the operation rate is higher than that of the first time-saving state. In the first time-saving state, the pachinko machine can execute a specific notification effect, which is the same type of notification effect executed in the second time-saving state, which is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state. [Selected Figure] Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement machine.

Conventionally, gaming machines that transition from a non-time-saving state to a time-saving state are known. In Patent Document 1, a time-saving state that is set without being triggered by the execution of a jackpot game is called a c-time-saving state. In addition, Patent Document 1 defines a time-saving state that is set when the number of special chart variable displays executed after the end of a jackpot game and the transition to a special chart low probability state reaches a predetermined number as a b-time-saving state. Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine that displays the words "950 Play Times" and "Addition!" on the display screen when the transition conditions to the b-time-saving state are met in the c-time-saving state.

JP 2022-86284 A

There is room for further improvement in the presentation that takes advantage of the time-saving state.

The present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can execute new effects related to the time-saving state.

The gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a normal electric device configured to be operable between a first state in which it is difficult or impossible for a gaming ball to win a prize and a second state in which it is easier for a gaming ball to win a prize than in the first state, a normal game execution means for executing a normal winning game by operating the normal electric device to the second state in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition, a starting port including the normal electric device, a judgment means for executing a special judgment for deriving one judgment result from a group of judgment results including a jackpot and a miss when the judgment result indicating the jackpot is derived by the special judgment, and a non-time-saving state in which the operation rate, which is the rate at which the normal electric device is operated to the second state per unit time, is a normal rate. and a setting means for setting one of a plurality of game states including a first time-saving state in which the operation rate is a first rate higher than the normal rate and a second time-saving state in which the operation rate is a second rate higher than the first rate in response to the arrival of a predetermined trigger; and a notification effect execution means for executing a notification effect that notifies the judgment result by the special judgment, wherein the notification effect execution means can execute a specific notification effect in the temporary time-saving state, which is the same type of notification effect as the type of notification effect executed in a favorable game state, which is the game state that is more favorable to the player than the temporary time-saving state, and the setting means ends the temporary time-saving state and sets the non-time-saving state in response to the special judgment being executed a specific number of times in the temporary time-saving state.

In the gaming machine according to the present invention, the first time-saving state has a higher activation rate than the non-time-saving state but lower than the second time-saving state. When the gaming machine according to the present invention executes a specific notification effect in the first time-saving state, it is possible to increase the player's sense of anticipation as if a gaming state more advantageous than the first time-saving state had been set only for the period during which a specific number of special judgments are made, even though the first time-saving state is set. Thus, the gaming machine according to the present invention can execute a new effect related to the time-saving state.

The gaming machine includes a variable display execution means for executing a variable display that changes the symbols and then stops displaying the symbols of a type corresponding to the judgment result in order to show the judgment result of the special judgment, and the setting means can set either the temporary time-shortened state or the second time-shortened state without executing the jackpot game when the symbol indicating the judgment result of a miss is stopped and displayed in the variable display, and the notification effect execution means can execute the notification effect in synchronization with the variable display, and can execute the specific notification effect in the temporary time-shortened state that is set in response to the symbol indicating the judgment result of a miss being stopped and displayed in the variable display.

The setting means can set the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state when a pattern indicating a miss judgment result is stopped and displayed in the variable display. That is, the gaming machine may start playing in the first time-saving state from playing in a non-time-saving state without playing a jackpot game. The gaming machine can execute a specific notification effect in the first time-saving state thus started. Thus, the gaming machine can make a player who sees the specific notification effect feel as if a game state advantageous to him or her had automatically started without playing a jackpot game if the player had been playing in a non-time-saving state. Thus, the gaming machine can increase the player's sense of expectation by setting the first time-saving state.

The gaming machine includes a pattern determination means for determining the type of the pattern to be stopped and displayed in the variable display executed by the variable display execution means, and the setting means can set either the temporary time-saving state or the second time-saving state when a specific losing pattern, which is a specific pattern among the patterns indicating the determination result of the loss, is stopped and displayed in the variable display, and the pattern determination means may determine the specific losing pattern with a higher probability when at least the temporary time-saving state is set than when the non-time-saving state is set.

The first time-shortening state and the second time-shortening state are states in which the rate of operation of normal electric devices is higher than in the non-time-shortening state, and are therefore game states that are more advantageous to the player than the non-time-shortening state. When the first time-shortening state is set, the pattern determination means determines a specific losing pattern with a higher probability than when the non-time-shortening state is set. In the first time-shortening state, the probability of determining a specific losing pattern, i.e., the probability of entering the first time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state without a jackpot game, is higher than in the non-time-shortening state. In addition, the first time-shortening state is a game state in which a specific notification effect is executed. In other words, the first time-shortening state in which a specific notification effect is executed is a state in which the probability of entering a game state that is more advantageous than the non-time-shortening state without a jackpot game is actually higher than in the non-time-shortening state. Therefore, by executing a specific notification effect in the first time-saving state, the gaming machine can suggest to the player that there is an increased probability of entering a more advantageous gaming state than the non-time-saving state without going through a jackpot game, thereby reliably increasing the player's sense of anticipation.

The starting holes that are different from the normal electric device may be positioned in a position where a game ball shot at a first shooting intensity can win, and the starting holes that are different from the normal electric device may be positioned in a position where a game ball shot at a second shooting intensity can win, and the non-time-saving state and the temporary time-saving state are game states in which it is recommended to play at the first shooting intensity, and the second time-saving state may be the game state in which it is recommended to play at the second shooting intensity.

In this case, when the first time-saving state is set by the setting means in a non-time-saving state in which the game proceeds with the first firing intensity, the game continues to proceed with the first firing intensity. Therefore, the player is likely to equate the game in the non-time-saving state with the game in the first time-saving state. In the game with this first firing intensity, the gaming machine can execute a specific notification performance. The second time-saving state is a state in which the operation rate of the normal electric role device is higher than that of the first time-saving state, and is therefore a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state. When transitioning from the first time-saving state to a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state including the second time-saving state, the player changes the firing intensity of the game ball from the first firing intensity to the second firing intensity. In other words, when a trigger for setting the second time-saving state arrives while the specific notification performance is being executed at the first firing intensity, the gaming machine causes the player to change the progress of the game from the first firing intensity to the second firing intensity. Therefore, the gaming machine allows the player to recognize that the transition to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, including the second time-saving state, has occurred as if it had occurred from a non-time-saving state, and can instantly increase the player's sense of anticipation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. A conceptual diagram showing the special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area of RAM 52. A conceptual diagram showing a second starting port opening pattern definition table stored in ROM 53. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a special symbol determination table stored in ROM 53. FIG. A conceptual diagram showing a variation pattern determination table stored in ROM 53. 4 is a flowchart of a main process performed on a main control board 41. 13 is a flowchart of special symbol processing performed in the main processing. 9 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 8 . 10 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 9 . 13 is a flowchart of a game state transition process performed in special pattern processing. 12 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 11 . 13 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 12 . 13 is a flowchart of the special electric device processing performed in the main processing. An explanatory diagram explaining the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of sub-control board processing performed in the sub-control board 58. 13 is a flowchart of the notification performance execution processing performed in the sub-control board processing. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification performance executed in the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram following FIG. 18 . FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a special symbol determination table in the second embodiment. A conceptual diagram showing a fluctuation pattern determination table in the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a part of the game state transition processing in the second embodiment. An explanatory diagram explaining the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of the notification performance execution process in the second embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification performance executed in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a special symbol determination table in the third embodiment. A conceptual diagram showing a fluctuation pattern determination table in the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a portion of the game state transition processing in the third embodiment. An explanatory diagram explaining the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification effect executed in the third embodiment. A conceptual diagram showing a second starting port opening pattern definition table in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a special symbol determination table in the fourth embodiment. A conceptual diagram showing a variation pattern determination table in the fourth embodiment. A conceptual diagram showing a special variation pattern determination table stored in ROM 53 in the fourth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a game state transition process in the fourth embodiment. This is a flowchart continuing from Figure 35. This is a flowchart continuing from Figure 36. 13 is a flowchart of special electric device processing in the fourth embodiment. An explanatory diagram explaining the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a sub-control board process in the fourth embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of the notification performance execution process in the fourth embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification performance executed in the fourth embodiment. This is an explanatory diagram following Figure 42.

The following describes a pachinko machine 1, which is a first embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention, with reference to the drawings. First, the mechanical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the following description, the front, back, top, bottom, left, and right sides of FIG. 1 are respectively the front, back, top, bottom, left, and right sides of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 is a so-called old type 1 gaming machine equipped with special symbols. The technology disclosed in this application can be applied to gaming machines of various game specifications, such as old type 2 types and type 1/2 mixed types, as long as the gaming machine can display various images for performance on the image display means. Various types of image display means, such as LCD, organic EL, and dot matrix, may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 comprises a gaming machine frame 30 and a gaming board 2. The gaming machine frame 30 comprises a front frame 31, and a main frame and an outer frame, not shown. The outer frame is a frame member for fixing the pachinko machine 1 to the island equipment of the hall. The main frame is a frame body for attaching the gaming board 2 and the like. The main frame is attached to the outer frame so that it can be opened and closed. The front frame 31 is attached to the main frame so that it can be opened and closed. A transparent plate, not shown, is detachably fixed to the front frame 31. The transparent plate is, for example, a glass plate. The front frame 31, together with the transparent plate, covers the gaming board 2 from the front.

The front frame 31 is equipped with a launch handle 32, an upper tray 33, a lower tray 34, a performance button 35, a performance lever 36, a frame lamp 38, and a speaker 39. The launch handle 32 is provided at the lower right of the front frame 31. The launch handle 32 is configured so that the player can rotate it. When the player rotates the launch handle 32 to perform the launch operation, the game ball is launched by the game ball launcher 37 shown in FIG. 2 with a strength according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 32. The upper tray 33 is provided at the lower center of the front frame 31. The upper tray 33 supplies metal game balls to the game ball launcher 37 and receives prize balls. The lower tray 34 is provided below the upper tray 33. The lower tray 34 receives prize balls. The performance button 35 is provided on the upper surface of the upper tray 33. The performance button 35 is configured so that the player can press it. The performance lever 36 is provided at the lower left of the front frame 31. The effect lever 36 is configured so that the player can rotate it left and right and push it backwards. The frame lamp 38 is a decorative part provided on the upper, left and right parts of the front frame 31. The frame lamp 38 has a built-in light source such as an LED and performs various effects using light. The speakers 39 are provided on the left and right corners of the upper part of the front frame 31. The speakers 39 output various sounds such as music, voice and sound effects.

The game board 2 is a plate-like shape that is approximately square when viewed from the front. On the front of the game board 2, a game area 4 that is approximately circular and surrounded by a guide rail 3 is formed. The guide rail 3 is formed on the left side of the game area 4. A center ornament 21 is provided in approximately the center of the game area 4. Game balls launched by the game ball launching device 37 are guided to the game area 4 by the guide rail 3 and flow down within the game area 4. Game balls launched with a launch strength less than a predetermined strength flow down the left side of the center ornament 21, and game balls launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than the predetermined strength flow down the right side of the center ornament 21. Hereinafter, launching a game ball so that it flows down the left side of the center ornament 21 is referred to as a "left hit", and launching a game ball so that it flows down the right side of the center ornament 21 is referred to as a "right hit".

The center ornament 21 mainly comprises a display screen 28. The display screen 28 is located approximately in the center of the center ornament 21. The display screen 28 is an image display means constituted by, for example, an LCD or the like, and is capable of displaying numbers, letters, various videos, and the like. The display screen 28 is capable of executing notification effects. The notification effect is an effect that notifies the player of the result of the jackpot determination by varying the performance pattern 100, which is a pattern for the performance shown in FIG. 18, and then performing a pattern variation that confirms and displays a combination of the performance patterns 100 that indicate the result of the jackpot determination described below. The center ornament 21 also has a built-in board lamp 27 shown in FIG. 2, which is constituted by a light source such as an LED. The center ornament 21 executes various effects using light using the board lamp 27.

A first start hole 14 is provided at approximately the center below the center ornament 21. The first start hole 14 functions as a start hole for a first special pattern, which will be described later. A first large winning hole 16 is provided at the lower right of the first start hole 14. The first large winning hole 16 is configured as a winning hole related to a so-called special electric device (a device that changes the size of the winning hole based on the result of the big win determination). The first large winning hole 16 extends with a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction and includes an opening/closing member 161 configured to open and close the entrance of the first large winning hole 16. A game ball can win in the first large winning hole 16 only when the opening/closing member 161 is opened. The opening/closing member 161 of the first large winning hole 16 is electrically opened and closed by the first large winning hole solenoid 70 shown in FIG. 2. The opening/closing member 161 of the first large winning hole 16 opens in a big win game, which will be described later.

The second large prize opening 17 is provided to the upper right of the first large prize opening 16. The second large prize opening 17 is also configured as a prize opening related to a so-called special electric device. The second large prize opening 17 has an opening/closing member 171 that extends longitudinally in the left-right direction and is configured to open and close the entrance of the second large prize opening 17. A game ball can win in the second large prize opening 17 only when the opening/closing member 171 is opened. The opening/closing member 171 of the second large prize opening 17 is electrically opened and closed by the second large prize opening solenoid 71 shown in FIG. 2. The opening/closing member 171 of the second large prize opening 17 opens in a jackpot game described later, similar to the opening/closing member 161 of the first large prize opening 16. Hereinafter, when the first large prize opening 16 and the second large prize opening 17 are collectively referred to, they will simply be referred to as the large prize opening.

To the right of the center ornament 21, a gate 12 through which the game ball can pass is provided. The gate 12 is an operating gate for a normal pattern. A second starting hole 15 is provided below the gate 12. The second starting hole 15 functions as a starting hole for a second special pattern described later. The second starting hole 15 is configured as a winning hole related to a so-called normal electric device (a device that changes the size of the entrance to the winning hole based on the result of a normal winning judgment). The second starting hole 15 is one-wing shaped and has an opening/closing member 151 configured to open and close the entrance of the second starting hole 15. The game ball can win in the second starting hole 15 only when the opening/closing member 151 is opened. The opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 is electrically opened and closed by the second starting hole solenoid 69 shown in FIG. 2. The opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 is opened in a normal winning game described later. The second starting hole 15 may be configured so that a game ball can enter when the opening/closing member 151 is closed, and so that when the opening/closing member 151 is open, it is easier for the game ball to enter than when the opening/closing member 151 is closed.

A pattern display section 29 is provided at the lower right of the game board 2. The pattern display section 29 includes a first special pattern display section, a second special pattern display section, a normal pattern display section, a first special pattern memory number display LED, a second special pattern memory number display LED, and a normal pattern memory number display LED. The first special pattern display section and the second special pattern display section each include a plurality of LEDs including a 7-segment LED. The first special pattern display section notifies the result of the jackpot determination executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 14 by displaying a variable display such as by blinking the LEDs, and then displaying the LEDs as a predetermined combination by confirming the lighting and extinguishing. Each of the combinations confirmed and displayed on the first special pattern display section is referred to as a first special pattern. Hereinafter, the jackpot determination executed in response to the entry of a game ball into the first starting hole 14 is referred to as a "special pattern 1 jackpot determination". The second special symbol display unit notifies the result of the jackpot determination executed when the gaming ball enters the second starting hole 15 by displaying the same varying patterns as the first special symbol display unit, and then displaying the LEDs turning on and off as a predetermined combination. Each of the combinations displayed on the second special symbol display unit is referred to as a second special symbol. Hereinafter, the jackpot determination executed when the gaming ball enters the second starting hole 15 is referred to as the "special symbol 2 jackpot determination." Hereinafter, when the first special symbol and the second special symbol are collectively referred to, they are simply referred to as special symbols.

The normal symbol display unit notifies the result of the normal win determination that is executed when the game ball passes through the gate 12 by displaying a fluctuating display similar to that of the special symbol, and then displaying the LEDs turning on and off as a predetermined combination to confirm. Each of the combinations that are confirmed and displayed on the normal symbol display unit is called a normal symbol. The first hold number display LED displays the first hold number, which is the number of times that the execution of the special symbol 1 jackpot determination is pending. The second hold number display LED displays the second hold number, which is the number of times that the execution of the special symbol 2 jackpot determination is pending. The normal hold number display LED displays the normal hold number, which is the number of times that the execution of the normal win determination is pending.

In addition to the above, the game area 4 is provided with an outlet 19, various decorative members, other winning holes, and game nails (not shown). The outlet 19 is provided at the bottom of the game board 2. Of the game balls that flow down the game area 4, those that do not win through the first start hole 14, the second start hole 15, the first large winning hole 16, the second large winning hole 17, or any of the other winning holes and flow down to the bottom of the game area 4 pass through the outlet 19 and are discharged outside the game area 4.

In addition, since the game components are arranged as described above in the game area 4, game balls hit from the left are more likely to enter the first start hole 14 than game balls hit from the right. It is difficult for game balls hit from the right to enter the first start hole 14. Also, game balls hit from the right are more likely to pass through or enter the gate 12, the second start hole 15, the first large prize hole 16, and the second large prize hole 17 than game balls hit from the left. It is difficult for game balls hit from the left to pass through or enter the gate 12, the second start hole 15, the first large prize hole 16, and the second large prize hole 17. Therefore, the player plays by hitting from the right during the probability bonus state, the second time-saving state, and the big win state, which will be described later, and plays by hitting from the left in other cases.

With reference to FIG. 1, an overview of the game in the pachinko machine 1 will be described. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a jackpot game and a normal jackpot game. The jackpot game will be described. The jackpot game is executed by the operation of a condition device, which activates a consecutive operation device for special electric devices. The condition device is a device that satisfies the conditions for the operation of the consecutive operation device for special electric devices. The consecutive operation device for special electric devices is a device for continuously operating special electric devices. In this embodiment, the condition device is operated when a special pattern indicating a jackpot is displayed on the pattern display unit 29. In this embodiment, the consecutive operation device for special electric devices is operated when the condition device is operated. The consecutive operation device for special electric devices is operated, and a jackpot game is executed in which the opening/closing member 161 of the first large winning opening 16 and the opening/closing member 171 of the second large winning opening 17 related to the special electric device are opened in a predetermined opening pattern a predetermined number of times by the consecutive operation device for special electric electric devices. Hereinafter, a unit of repetition in which the opening/closing member 161 of the first large winning opening 16 and the opening/closing member 171 of the second large winning opening 17 are successively opened during a jackpot game is referred to as a "jackpot round." The total number of jackpot rounds that make up one jackpot game is referred to as the "number of rounds." The state in which the condition device and the device for continuously operating the role are operating, that is, the state in which a jackpot game is being played, is referred to as a jackpot game state. In this embodiment, the number of rounds is "4" or "8." Hereinafter, a special symbol that indicates that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot is referred to as a jackpot symbol. A special symbol that indicates that the result of the jackpot determination is a miss is referred to as a miss symbol.

The pachinko machine 1 can set a high probability state or a non-high probability state. The high probability state is a game state in which the probability of being determined as a high probability in the high probability state is higher than normal. The probability of being determined as a high probability state in the high probability state is hereinafter referred to as the "high probability state". The non-high probability state is a state in which the high probability state is not set and the high probability state is normal. In this embodiment, the high probability state in the non-high probability state is 1/200, and the high probability state in the high probability state is 1/20. In this embodiment, the high probability state is set at a rate of 60% after the end of the high probability state. Whether or not the high probability state is set after the end of the high probability state is determined by the type of special pattern that is determined according to the value of the special pattern determination random number described later. In the following, the special pattern of the type in which the high probability state is set after the end of the high probability state is referred to as the "high probability state high probability pattern". The special pattern of the type in which the non-high probability state is set after the end of the high probability state is referred to as the "non-high probability state high probability pattern". The set high probability state will continue until the next time a jackpot game is played. In this embodiment, when a jackpot game is played, in addition to the high probability state, a time-saving state (described below) may be set after the jackpot game ends.

The normal winning game will now be described. The normal winning game is played when a normal symbol indicating that the result of the normal winning judgment is a winning symbol is displayed on the symbol display unit 29. The normal winning judgment is triggered by the game ball passing through the gate 12. The normal winning game is played when the opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 of the normal electric device is opened in a predetermined opening pattern.

The pachinko machine 1 is set to either a non-time-saving state or a time-saving state. The non-time-saving state is a game state in which the opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 is opened at a normal frequency. The time-saving state is a game state in which the opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 is opened more frequently than in the non-time-saving state. Details of the opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 in the non-time-saving state and the time-saving state will be described later.

The time-saving state is classified into A time-saving state, B time-saving state, and C time-saving state, depending on the trigger for starting the time-saving state. The A time-saving state is a time-saving state that is set after the end of a jackpot game. In a high probability state, the A time-saving state continues while the high probability state continues, and in a non-high probability state, the A time-saving state continues until the total number of jackpot judgments made in the A time-saving state, that is, the total number of times that the special chart 1 jackpot judgments are made and the total number of times that the special chart 2 jackpot judgments are made, reaches a predetermined A time-saving number. Hereinafter, the total number of times that the special chart 1 jackpot judgments are made and the total number of times that the special chart 2 jackpot judgments are made, is referred to as the judgment number. The A time-saving state ends when the jackpot game state is set again or the number of judgments in the A time-saving state reaches the A time-saving number, and a non-time-saving state is set. In this embodiment, the A time-saving number is 100 times.

The B time-saving state is a time-saving state that is set when the number of judgments, counted from the end of a jackpot game, the start of execution of a jackpot judgment in a non-probable win state, and the execution of the RAM clear process described below, reaches a predetermined upper limit. In this embodiment, the upper limit is 601 times. The B time-saving state continues until the number of judgments in the B time-saving state reaches the predetermined B time-saving number. The B time-saving state ends when the jackpot game state is set again or the number of judgments in the B time-saving state reaches the B time-saving number, and a non-time-saving state is set. In this embodiment, the B time-saving number is 300 times.

The C time-saving state is a time-saving state that is set when a specific losing pattern is displayed as a confirmed losing pattern in a non-probability-change state. The C time-saving state continues until the number of judgments in the C time-saving state reaches a predetermined C time-saving number. The C time-saving state ends when a jackpot game state is set or the number of judgments in the C time-saving state reaches the C time-saving number, and a non-time-saving state is set. In the first embodiment, the C time-saving number is 5 or 100.

The pachinko machine 1 can set multiple types of game states with different degrees of advantage for the player by combining the high probability state, non-high probability state, time-saving state, and non-time-saving state. In this embodiment, one of three game states is set: "normal state," "high probability time-saving state," and "non-high probability time-saving state." The normal state is a combination of the non-high probability state and the non-time-saving state. The high probability time-saving state is a combination of the high probability state and the time-saving state. The non-high probability time-saving state is a combination of the non-high probability state and the time-saving state. The normal state is set as the initial state after the power is turned on for the first time in the pachinko machine 1. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may have four or more game states, including a "non-high probability time-saving state" that is a combination of the high probability state and the non-time-saving state.

The electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The control unit 40 of the pachinko machine 1 mainly comprises a main control board 41, a sub-control board 58, a lamp control board 46, a performance control board 43, a payout control board 45, a relay terminal board 47, and a power supply board 42.

The main control board 41 is responsible for the main control of the pachinko machine 1. The CPU unit 50 of the main control board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 that performs various calculation processes, a RAM 52 that temporarily stores data, and a ROM 53 that stores control programs and the like. The RAM 52 stores game processing information for processing related to the game, such as information such as flags that indicate game states such as a probability change state or a time-saving state, information that indicates the result of a jackpot determination, the first reserved number, the second reserved number, and the like. A random number generating circuit 56 and an interrupt signal generating circuit 57 are connected to the CPU unit 50. The random number generating circuit 56 generates random numbers within a predetermined range. The interrupt signal generating circuit 57 generates an interrupt signal every time a clock signal is input from a clock circuit (not shown) that outputs a clock signal of a constant frequency. The main control board 41 executes the main processing of the main control program described later every time an interrupt signal is input from the interrupt signal generating circuit 57.

The main control board 41 also has a RAM clear switch 412 mounted thereon. The RAM clear switch 412 is a switch that is operated when performing a RAM clear process. The RAM clear process is performed to erase the game processing information stored in the RAM 52 and to perform initial settings of the RAM 52. The RAM clear switch 412 may also be provided on the power supply board 42. The RAM clear switch 412 may also be provided on a dedicated board that is provided separately from the main control board 41, the power supply board 42, etc.

The main control board 41 is connected to the sub-control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay terminal board 47, the symbol display unit 29, the external terminal board 55, the first start hole switch 61, and the second start hole switch 62 via the I/O interface 54. The display control of the symbol display unit 29 is performed by the CPU 51. The external terminal board 55 contact-outputs information about the pachinko machine 1 to an arcade management computer (a so-called hall computer, not shown) that comprehensively manages the gaming machines installed in the pachinko hall. The first start hole switch 61 is provided in the first start hole 14, and when it detects that a gaming ball has entered the first start hole 14, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 41. The second start hole switch 62 is provided in the second start hole 15, and when it detects that a gaming ball has entered the second start hole 15, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 41.

The sub-control board 58 is equipped with a CPU 581 that performs various calculation processes, a RAM 582 that temporarily stores data, a ROM 583 that stores control programs and the like, and a sound control circuit 585 that controls the sound output in the pachinko machine 1. The sub-control board 58 is connected to the lamp control board 46, the performance control board 43, and the speaker 39. The sub-control board 58 performs overall control of the performance and the like according to commands sent from the main control board 41.

The lamp control board 46 is connected to the performance button 35, the performance lever 36, the frame lamp 38, and the board lamp 27. The lamp control board 46 is equipped with an LED driver (not shown), etc. The lamp control board 46 controls the light emitting operation of the frame lamp 38 and the board lamp 27 according to commands received from the sub-control board 58. When the performance button 35 is pressed, it outputs a signal indicating that it has been pressed. When the performance lever 36 is rotated and pushed, it outputs a signal indicating that it has been rotated and pushed. The lamp control board 46 relays the signals received from the performance button 35 and the performance lever 36 to the sub-control board 58.

The performance control board 43 includes a CPU 431 that performs various calculation processes, an image control circuit 435 that controls image output to the display screen 28, and a CGROM (not shown) that stores image data. The performance control board 43 controls the display of the display screen 28 according to commands sent from the sub-control board 58.

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

The relay terminal board 47 is connected to the second start port solenoid 69, the first large prize port solenoid 70, the second large prize port solenoid 71, the gate switch 74, the first large prize port switch 76, and the second large prize port switch 77. The second start port solenoid 69 opens and closes the opening/closing member 151 of the second start port 15 during normal winning play. The first large prize port solenoid 70 opens and closes the opening/closing member 161 of the first large prize port 16 during jackpot play. The second large prize port solenoid 71 opens and closes the opening/closing member 171 of the second large prize port 17 during jackpot play. The gate switch 74 is provided on the gate 12, and when it detects the passage of a game ball through the gate 12, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 41. The first large prize opening switch 76 is provided in the first large prize opening 16, and when it detects that a game ball has entered the first large prize opening 16, it outputs a detection signal to the main control board 41.

The power supply board 42 is connected to the main control board 41 and the game ball launcher 37, and supplies each board and the game ball launcher 37 with stabilized DC power. The game ball launcher 37 launches one game ball at a time into the game area 4 at regular intervals (approximately 0.6 seconds in this embodiment). The power supply board 42 is provided with a power switch 421. The power switch 421 is a switch that is operated to turn the power of the pachinko machine 1 on and off.

The special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area of the RAM 52 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area is used in the special symbol processing of the main processing described later in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9. The special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area is provided with a plurality of storage areas corresponding to the maximum first reserved number. In this embodiment, the maximum first reserved number, which is the upper limit of the first reserved number that can be stored, is "4". For this reason, the special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area is provided with four storage areas, No. 1 to No. 4. If the first reserved number is less than 4, i.e., 0 to 3, when the game ball enters the first starting hole 14, the random numbers are stored in order from the smallest numbered storage area.

The first reserved number is the number of first reserved random numbers stored in the special 1 jackpot related information storage area in a state where the execution of the special 1 jackpot judgment, the determination of the first variation pattern indicating the variation time of the first special pattern, etc. are reserved among the random numbers corresponding to the game ball that entered the first starting hole 14. The CPU 51 shifts the first reserved random number stored in the smallest numbered memory area among the random numbers in the memory areas that have not yet been processed to a judgment area not shown. The judgment area is a memory area provided in the RAM 52 to store the random numbers for the jackpot judgment, and is used in common for the special 1 jackpot judgment and the special 2 jackpot judgment. The CPU 51 performs various processes such as the special 1 jackpot judgment on the random numbers shifted to the judgment area. When the first reserved random number stored in the smallest numbered memory area is shifted to the judgment area, the random numbers stored in the memory areas after the next number are shifted to the memory area with the next smaller number. Thereafter, the first reserved random number stored in the smallest numbered memory area is shifted sequentially to the judgment area, and processing such as the special chart 1 jackpot judgment is repeated. Various processing of the random numbers stored in the judgment area includes, for example, determining the notification effect that notifies the result of the special chart 1 jackpot judgment, and processing related to the number of rounds of the jackpot game that is executed according to the judgment result. The random numbers in the judgment area are erased after processing such as the jackpot judgment is completed.

Each memory area is provided with a special 1 jackpot random number column in which the value of the jackpot random number is stored, a first special pattern determination random number column in which the value of the special pattern determination random number is stored, and a first variation pattern determination random number column in which the value of the variation pattern determination random number is stored. When the game ball enters the first starting hole 14, the random numbers generated by the random number generating circuit 56 for each type of random number at that time are latched by a hardware circuit and stored in each column. The jackpot random number stored in the special 1 jackpot random number column is used for determining the special 1 jackpot. The special pattern determination random number stored in the first special pattern determination random number column is used to determine the first special pattern. The variation pattern determination random number stored in the first variation pattern determination random number column is used to determine the first variation pattern indicating the variation time of the first special pattern displayed in the first special pattern display section of the pattern display section 29. The various random numbers acquired together with the special 1 jackpot random number and stored in the special 1 jackpot related information storage area are also referred to as the first random number. The time for the special pattern to change to Special Chart 1 is also referred to as the first time for changing. In addition, a random number other than the above, such as a reach random number for determining whether or not the notification performance is to be performed as a reach performance described later, may be obtained as the first random number when the game ball enters the first starting hole 14.

Although not shown, the RAM 52 is provided with a special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area. The special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area is also used in the special pattern processing of the main processing. In this embodiment, the special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area is provided with four storage areas corresponding to the maximum second reserved number. The second reserved number is the number of second reserved random numbers stored in a state in which the execution of the special chart 2 jackpot judgment, the determination of the second variation pattern indicating the variation time of the second special pattern, etc., among the random numbers corresponding to the game ball that entered the second starting hole 15 are reserved. When the game ball enters the second starting hole 15, the random numbers generated by the random number generating circuit 56 for each type of random number at that time are latched by a hardware circuit and stored in each column of the special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area. The special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area, like the special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area, is provided with a special chart 2 jackpot random number column in which the value of the jackpot random number is stored, a second special pattern determination random number column in which the value of the special pattern determination random number is stored, and a second fluctuation pattern determination random number column in which the value of the fluctuation pattern determination random number is stored.

The CPU 51 shifts the random number stored in the smallest-numbered memory area among the random numbers in the memory areas that have not yet been processed to the aforementioned judgment area. The CPU 51 performs various processes, such as special chart 2 jackpot judgment, on the random number shifted to the judgment area. The various random numbers acquired together with the special chart 2 jackpot random number and stored in the special chart 2 jackpot related information memory area are collectively referred to as second random numbers. The change time of the second special pattern is also referred to as the second change time.

In the following explanation, the jackpot random numbers used to determine the special chart 1 jackpot are also referred to as the special chart 1 jackpot random numbers. The jackpot random numbers used to determine the special chart 2 jackpot are also referred to as the special chart 2 jackpot random numbers. The fluctuation pattern determining random numbers used to determine the first fluctuation pattern are also referred to as the first fluctuation pattern determining random numbers. The fluctuation pattern determining random numbers used to determine the second fluctuation pattern are also referred to as the second fluctuation pattern determining random numbers. The special pattern determining random numbers used to determine the first special pattern are also referred to as the first special pattern determining random numbers. The special pattern determining random numbers used to determine the second special pattern are also referred to as the second special pattern determining random numbers.

In the pachinko machine 1, the first and second change times are equal to the presentation time of the notification presentation that notifies the player of the results of the special chart 1 jackpot determination and the special chart 2 jackpot determination. The sub-control board 58 controls the notification presentation according to the change pattern determined by the main control board 41. Specifically, the main control board 41 starts the variation of the first special symbol according to the first change pattern based on the first change pattern determination random number. The main control board 41 starts the variation of the second special symbol according to the second change pattern based on the second change pattern determination random number. The sub-control board 58 controls the start of the pattern variation of the presentation pattern 100 in synchronization with the start of the variation of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. When the first change time ends, the main control board 41 displays the first special symbol that has been changed as a fixed symbol for a predetermined special symbol fixed display time. In this embodiment, the special symbol fixed display time is 0.8 seconds. Furthermore, when the variation time of the second special pattern ends, the main control board 41 displays the second special pattern that has been varied for a predetermined special pattern determined display time. The sub-control board 58 ends the pattern variation of the performance pattern 100 by displaying the performance pattern 100 as a determined determined pattern in synchronization with the special pattern determined display time. The sub-control board 58 also controls the execution of the notification effect synchronized with the variation time of the special pattern by the performance pattern 100, the display screen 28, the board lamp 27, the frame lamp 38, the speaker 39, etc. In the following, the notification effect synchronized with the variation time of the first special pattern is referred to as the first notification effect. The notification effect synchronized with the variation time of the second special pattern is referred to as the second notification effect.

Although not shown, the RAM 52 is provided with a normal win related information storage area for storing a normal win random number obtained when the gaming ball passes through the gate 12. The normal win related information storage area is configured similarly to the special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area. In this embodiment, the normal win related information storage area is provided with four storage areas corresponding to a maximum normal reserve number of "4", which is the upper limit of the normal reserve number that can be stored. The storage areas are provided with a normal win random number column in which the value of the normal win random number is stored, and a normal symbol determination random number column in which the value of the normal symbol determination random number is stored. The normal win random number is used to determine a normal win. The normal symbol determination random number is used to determine a normal win symbol.

With reference to FIG. 4, the second start port opening pattern definition table stored in the ROM 53 will be described. The probability of being determined as a win in the normal win determination is hereinafter referred to as the "normal win probability". The second start port opening pattern definition table defines the normal win probability in the non-time-saving state and the time-saving state, and the opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second start port 15 in the normal win game. As shown in FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, the normal win probability in the non-time-saving state is 26/256 (about 10.2%). Also, in the non-time-saving state, the opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second start port 15 is a single opening of 0.060 seconds. The opening time of the second start port 15 in the non-time-saving state is very short. In addition, in the normal pattern processing described later in S17 of FIG. 7, the change time of the normal pattern in the non-time-saving state is controlled to about 10 seconds, and the change time of the normal pattern in the time-saving state is controlled to about 2 seconds.

When the launch of the game ball continues, the rate at which the second start hole 15 is operated to the open state per unit time is called the operation rate. The fluctuation time of the normal pattern in the non-time-saving state is longer than that in the time-saving state. The opening time of the second start hole 15 in the non-time-saving state is shorter than that in the time-saving state. The normal winning probability in the non-time-saving state is lower than the normal winning probability in the time-saving state. Therefore, the operation rate of the second start hole 15 when the game ball continues to be hit to the right in the non-time-saving state is lower than in the time-saving state. Therefore, it is difficult for the player to make the game ball enter the second start hole 15 in a normal winning game executed in the non-time-saving state. If the game ball continues to be hit to the right in this state, the state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter either the first start hole 14 or the second start hole 15 will continue. Therefore, the non-time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting it to the left so that the game ball will enter the first start hole 14.

In the first embodiment, the time-saving state includes a first time-saving state and a second time-saving state. The probability of a normal win in the time-saving state, i.e., the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state, is 256/256 (100%). The opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second start hole 15 by a normal winning game performed in the first time-saving state is a single opening of 0.064 seconds. The opening time of the opening/closing member 151 in the first time-saving state is slightly longer than the opening time in the non-time-saving state. For this reason, the operation rate of the second start hole 15 when the game ball continues to be hit to the right in the first time-saving state is slightly higher than in the non-time-saving state. However, since the opening time of the second start hole 15 in the first time-saving state is very short, similar to the non-time-saving state, it is difficult for the player to make the game ball enter the second start hole 15 in a normal winning game performed in the first time-saving state. If the game ball continues to be hit with the right hand in this state, the state in which it is difficult for the game ball to enter either the first starting hole 14 or the second starting hole 15 will continue, just as in the non-time-saving state. Therefore, the first time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play by hitting with the left hand so that the game ball will enter the first starting hole 14, just like the non-time-saving state.

The opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second starting hole 15 in a normal winning game performed in the second time-saving state is a single opening of 5.800 seconds. The opening time of the opening/closing member 151 in the second time-saving state is longer than the opening time in the non-time-saving state and the temporary short-time state. Therefore, when the game ball continues to be hit from the right in the second time-saving state, the operation rate of the second starting hole 15 is much higher than in the non-time-saving state and the temporary short-time state. Therefore, in the second time-saving state, the player can make the game ball enter the second starting hole 15 much more easily than in the non-time-saving state and the temporary short-time state. In other words, the first time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play by hitting from the right so that the game ball enters the second starting hole 15. In any of the non-time-saving state, the first time-saving state, and the second time-saving state, when a predetermined number of game balls (in the first embodiment, nine balls) enter the second starting hole 15 while the opening/closing member 151 is open, the opening/closing member 151 closes.

In the first embodiment, since the time-saving state includes the first time-saving state and the second time-saving state, the non-probability-changing time-saving state is further classified into two types: a "non-probability-changing first time-saving state" and a "non-probability-changing second time-saving state". The non-probability-changing first time-saving state is a combination of the probability-changing state and the first time-saving state. The non-probability-changing second time-saving state is a combination of the probability-changing state and the second time-saving state. The non-probability-changing first time-saving state is a game state in which the game ball can enter the second start hole 15 more easily than in the normal state, which is the non-probability-changing non-time-saving state, but since the degree of ease is very small, for the player, it is a game state that is very similar to the non-time-saving state. For this reason, in the following, the non-probability-changing first time-saving state is considered to be a state in which the time-saving state occurs slightly, and is also called a "slight time-saving state". The probability-changing time-saving state is one type of the "probability-changing second time-saving state" that is a combination of the probability-changing state and the second time-saving state.

The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 executes a normal win determination with a normal win probability according to each game state by referring to the second start hole opening definition table in the normal symbol processing described later in FIG. 7. Also, when a normal win determination result is derived by the normal win determination, the CPU 51 of the main control board 41 opens the opening/closing member 151 of the second start hole 15 by referring to the second start hole opening pattern definition table in the normal electric role processing described later in FIG. 7. This causes the CPU 51 of the main control board 41 to execute a normal win game with an opening pattern according to each game state.

The pachinko machine 1 provides a time-saving state by changing the normal win probability, the opening pattern of the second start hole 15, and the change time of the normal symbol in the time-saving state from the normal win probability, the opening pattern of the second start hole 15, and the change time of the normal symbol in the non-time-saving state. The time-saving state may be provided by changing at least one of the normal win probability, the opening pattern of the second start hole 15, or the change time of the normal symbol relative to the non-time-saving state.

The special symbol determination table stored in the ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The pachinko machine 1 determines the first special symbol indicating the result of the special symbol 1 jackpot determination and the second special symbol indicating the result of the special symbol 2 jackpot determination by referring to the special symbol determination table. The first special symbol and the second special symbol are classified into one of a plurality of symbol types. The plurality of symbol types include a jackpot symbol that is determined when the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, and a loss symbol that is determined when the result of the jackpot determination is a loss. The special symbol determination table associates each of the plurality of jackpot symbols and loss symbols with a special symbol determination random number value (0 to 199).

The first special symbols include two types of jackpot symbols with symbol names, "Special 1 Special Jackpot A" and "Special 1 Regular Jackpot A," and three types of miss symbols with symbol names, "Special 1 Miss A," "Special 1 Miss B," and "Special 1 Miss C." Special 1 Special Jackpot A is a special jackpot symbol. Special 1 Regular Jackpot A is a non-special jackpot symbol. The proportion of jackpot symbols for the first special symbols is 60% for "Special 1 Special Jackpot A" and 40% for "Special 1 Regular Jackpot A." The proportion of miss symbols for the first special symbols is 90% for "Special 1 Miss A," 1% for "Special 1 Miss B," and 9% for "Special 1 Miss C." The number of rounds of jackpot games executed in response to the determination of "Special 1 Special Jackpot A" and "Special 1 Regular Jackpot A" is "4."

The second special symbols include two types of jackpot symbols with symbol names, "Special 2 special jackpot A" and "Special 2 normal jackpot A," and one type of miss symbol with symbol name, "Special 2 miss." Special 2 special jackpot A is a special jackpot symbol. Special 2 normal jackpot A is a non-special jackpot symbol. The proportion of jackpot symbols for the second special symbols is 60% for "Special 2 special jackpot A" and 40% for "Special 2 normal jackpot A." The proportion of miss symbols for the second special symbols is 100% for "Special 2 miss." The number of rounds of jackpot play executed in response to the determination of "Special 2 special jackpot A" and "Special 2 normal jackpot A" is "8."

The special symbol determination table has a "Subsequent game state" column, and defines the game state that is set after the determination of the jackpot symbol and the losing symbol in association with the symbol name. The special symbol determination table also defines the end condition, which is the condition for ending the set game state, in association with the symbol name. When the special 1 special jackpot A is determined as the first special symbol, the special jackpot second time-saving state is set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set special jackpot second time-saving state continues until the next jackpot game is executed. When the special 1 normal jackpot A is determined as the first special symbol, the non-special jackpot second time-saving state is set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set non-special jackpot second time-saving state continues until the number of judgments in the non-special jackpot second time-saving state reaches 100 times, which is the A time-saving number. After that, the second time-saving state ends, and the game state transitions to the normal state.

If Special 1 Miss A is determined as the first special symbol, no change occurs in the game state. Also, if Special 1 Miss B is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, a non-probability first time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss B is displayed until the number of judgments reaches the C time-saving number of 5 times. If Special 1 Miss B is determined as the first special symbol in the non-probability first time-saving state and the non-probability second time-saving state, a non-probability second time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss B is displayed until the number of judgments reaches the C time-saving number of 100 times. After that, the second time-saving state ends and the game state transitions to the normal state. If Special 1 Miss B is determined as the first special symbol in the probability second time-saving state, no change occurs in the game state. Also, if Special 1 Miss C is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state and the probability second time-saving state, no change occurs in the game state. When the special 1 miss C is determined as the first special symbol in the non-probability variable first time-saving state and the non-probability variable second time-saving state, the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss C is displayed as confirmed until the number of judgments reaches 100, which is the number of C time-saving times. After that, the second time-saving state ends and the game state transitions to the normal state.

If a special 2 special jackpot A is determined as the second special symbol, a special jackpot second time-saving state is set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set special jackpot second time-saving state continues until the next jackpot game is played. If a special 2 normal jackpot A is determined as the second special symbol, a non-special jackpot second time-saving state is set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set non-special jackpot second time-saving state continues until the number of judgments reaches 100, which is the A time-saving state. After that, the second time-saving state ends and the game state transitions to the normal state. Also, if a special 2 miss is determined as the first special symbol, no change occurs in the game state. The time-saving state set in response to the determination of jackpot symbols as the first special symbol and the second special symbol corresponds to the A time-saving state described above.

In the first embodiment, the special symbol determination table provides three types of miss symbols, Special 1 Miss A, Special 1 Miss B, and Special 1 Miss C, for the first special symbol. When a miss determination result is derived by the special symbol 1 big hit determination in the normal state, Special 1 Miss B is determined as the miss symbol for the first special symbol with a probability of 1/100. In other words, when a game is played with a left hit in the normal state and a special symbol 1 big hit determination is made, Special 1 Miss B is displayed as a confirmed display with a probability of about 1/100, and then the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state. Also, when a miss determination result is derived by the special symbol 1 big hit determination in the non-probability first time-saving state, Special 1 Miss B is determined as the miss symbol for the first special symbol with a probability of 1/100 and Special 1 Miss C with a probability of 9/100, respectively. That is, when a special symbol 1 big win judgment is made in the non-probability first time-saving state, there is a probability of about 10/100 that a special symbol 1 miss B or a special symbol 1 miss C is confirmed and then the non-probability second time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state. In this way, the non-probability first time-saving state is a game state very similar to the normal state, but differs from the normal state in that the C time-saving state is more likely to be set when a miss judgment result is derived than in the normal state. Note that the probability that a special symbol 1 miss B is determined as the losing symbol of the first special symbol in the normal state, and the probability that a special symbol 1 miss B or a special symbol 1 miss C is determined as the losing symbol of the first special symbol in the non-probability first time-saving state are each just examples and may be changed arbitrarily.

In addition, in the non-probability second time-saving state where it is recommended to play with the right hand, a special chart 1 jackpot determination may be performed for the first reserved random number stored by a previous play with the left hand. In the first embodiment, in the non-probability second time-saving state set as the A time-saving state or the C time-saving state, when a miss is determined by the special chart 1 jackpot determination, there is a probability of about 10/100 that Special 1 Miss B or Special 1 Miss C is confirmed and displayed. In this case, a new non-probability second time-saving state is set that continues from the confirmation and display of Special 1 Miss B or Special 1 Miss C until the number of determinations reaches 100.

On the other hand, in the non-probability variable second time-saving state set as the B time-saving state, if the result of the Special Chart 1 jackpot judgment is a miss, even if Special Chart 1 Miss B or Special Chart 1 Miss C is confirmed and displayed, the non-probability variable second time-saving state will not be newly set as the C time-saving state afterwards. This is because the number of B time-saving times is set to be greater than the number of C time-saving times, and if the C time-saving state were to start as a result of the confirmation of Special Chart 1 Miss B or Special Chart 1 Miss C in the B time-saving state, there is a possibility that the number of times the non-probability variable second time-saving state that the player was expecting would continue as the B time-saving state would decrease.

The variation pattern determination table stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The variation pattern determination table is divided into multiple tables according to the result of the jackpot determination and the game state at the time when the variation pattern is determined. Each of the multiple tables is assigned one or multiple types of variation patterns, and each variation pattern is associated with a value of the variation pattern determination random number (0 to 511) and a variation time of the special symbol.

When a jackpot determination is made, the table division according to the game state at that time and the determination result of the jackpot determination is referenced, and one of the variation patterns corresponding to the value of the variation pattern determination random number obtained together with the jackpot random number is determined. When the result of the jackpot determination in the normal state is a jackpot, the probability of the variation pattern being determined increases in the order of "reach performance A" to "reach performance D". A "reach performance" is a notification performance that executes a performance indicating the possibility of a jackpot after a reach state is formed in which, for example, two of the three performance patterns 100 stop with the same pattern. On the other hand, when the determination result is a miss, the probability of the variation pattern being determined decreases in the order of "reach performance A" to "reach performance D". Therefore, the expectation that the result of the special chart 1 jackpot determination will be a jackpot increases in the order of "reach performance A" to "reach performance D".

In this embodiment, the "non-reach" change pattern such as "non-reach effect A" is a notification effect that ends without reaching a reach state. In this embodiment, the "non-reach" change pattern is determined only when the result of the jackpot determination is a miss. In the first "non-reach" change pattern, the first change time changes according to the first reserved number at the start of the change of the first special symbol. In FIG. 6, the reserved number "0" indicates a case where the first special symbol starts to change when the game ball enters the first starting hole 14 with the first reserved number being "0". The reserved number "1", "2", or "3" indicates a case where the first special symbol starts to change based on the first random number with the first reserved number being "1", "2", or "3".

Even when the game state is the second time-saving probability variable state and the non-second time-saving probability variable state, as in the normal state, one of the fluctuation patterns corresponding to the value of the fluctuation pattern determination random number acquired together with the jackpot random number is determined according to the judgment result of the jackpot judgment. In the first embodiment, in the second time-saving probability variable state, a battle mode is performed in which the predetermined characters CH1 and CH2 shown in FIG. 18 appear and fight each other, and so-called battle mode notification effects are executed consecutively. For this reason, the fluctuation patterns of "non-reach effect B", "reach effect E" to "reach effect H" defined in the fluctuation pattern determination table as the fluctuation patterns of the second time-saving probability variable state correspond to the notification effects of the battle effects. Also, in the first embodiment, in the non-second time-saving probability variable state, a chance mode is performed in which the second time-saving state is set in a non-second time-saving probability variable state, but a specific background image indicating that it is more advantageous than the normal state is used to perform the notification effect. For this reason, the fluctuation patterns of "non-reach effect C", "reach effect I" to "reach effect K" defined in the fluctuation pattern determination table as the fluctuation patterns of the second time-saving probability variable state correspond to the notification effects of the chance mode.

In the first embodiment, when the game state is in the non-probability first time-saving state, the same table section as in the probability second time-saving state is referenced to determine the fluctuation pattern. Therefore, even in the non-probability first time-saving state, i.e., the minute time-saving state, the same notification effect as in the battle mode is performed.

The main control board 41 changes the first special symbol or the second special symbol for a change time that is determined according to the determined change pattern. In addition, when the change pattern is determined, the main control board 41 transmits a change pattern designation command, which is a command that designates the change pattern, to the sub-control board 58. The sub-control board 58 controls the notification presentation according to the change pattern designated by the change pattern designation command.

The operation of the main control board 41 of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 14. The main control of the pachinko machine 1 is performed by a control program stored in the ROM 53. The main processing of the control program shown in Figure 7 is started in the CPU 51 when the power switch 421 is turned ON to turn ON the power of the pachinko machine 1. Thereafter, the CPU 51 executes the main processing when it detects an interrupt signal generated every 4 ms by the interrupt signal generating circuit 57 shown in Figure 2. Below, each step in the flowchart is abbreviated as "S".

The flags used in the main process are explained below. In the main process, the in-operation flag, jackpot game state flag, special symbol display state flag, probability change flag, first time reduction flag, and second time reduction flag are used. These flags are game process information stored in the RAM 52. The in-operation flag is a flag that indicates whether the pachinko machine 1 is in operation. The in-operation flag is set to "OFF" when the power switch 421 is operated to the OFF state to turn off the power of the pachinko machine 1. The in-operation flag is set to "ON" with the execution of a power-on process (S2) described below, which is executed when the power switch 421 is operated to the ON state to turn on the power of the pachinko machine 1. In the following, the processes from S11 to S20 in the main process that are executed when the in-operation flag is "ON" are also referred to as in-operation processes.

The jackpot game state flag is a flag indicating whether or not the game is in a jackpot game state, and is set to "ON" when the game is in a jackpot game state, and is set to "OFF" when the game is not in a jackpot game state. The special symbol display state flag is stored as "1" when either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is changing (changing), as "2" when either one is displayed as a fixed symbol (displaying as a fixed symbol), and as "0" when neither is changing or displayed as a fixed symbol. The probability change flag is a flag indicating whether or not the game is in a probability change state, and is set to "ON" when "1" is stored in the probability change state, and is set to "OFF" when "0" is stored in the non-probability change state. The first time-saving flag is a flag indicating whether or not the game is in the first time-saving state, and is set to "ON" when "1" is stored in the first time-saving state, and is set to "ON" when "1" is stored in the first time-saving state, and is set to "OFF" when "0" is stored in the first time-saving state. The second time-saving flag is a flag that indicates whether the aforementioned B time-saving state is in effect, and when the second time-saving state is set, a "1" is stored and the flag is set to "ON", and when the second time-saving state ends, a "0" is stored and the flag is set to "OFF". In the following, when the first time-saving flag and the second time-saving flag are collectively referred to, they will simply be referred to as time-saving flags.

When the main processing starts, the CPU 51 determines whether the operation flag is "ON" (S1). Immediately after the power of the pachinko machine 1 is turned ON, the operation flag is "OFF". If the operation flag is "OFF" (S1: NO), the power-on processing is executed (S2).

In the power-on process, the CPU 51 executes an initialization process associated with power-on. Specifically, the CPU 51 executes a wait process to wait for the sub-control board 58 and the like to become operable, and an access permission setting to the RAM 52 to enable writing and reading of game processing information to the RAM 52. In addition, when the power switch 421 is operated to the ON state and the power of the pachinko machine 1 is switched from OFF to ON, the CPU 51 executes a RAM clear process if the RAM clear switch 412 is in the ON state. In the RAM clear process, the game processing information stored in the use area of the RAM 52 is cleared, and the RAM 52 is initialized such that a predetermined initial value is stored in the RAM 52. By performing the RAM clear process, various flags stored in the RAM 52, such as a jackpot game state flag, a probability change flag, and a time-saving flag, become "OFF". The RAM 52 is provided with various counters such as an A time-saving count counter, a B time-saving count counter, a C time-saving count counter, and a judgment count counter. The A time-saving count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments performed in the A time-saving state. The B time-saving count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments performed in the B time-saving state. The C time-saving count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments performed in the C time-saving state. By performing the RAM clear process, the values stored in these counters are cleared to "0".

When the CPU 51 performs the RAM clear process, it sets the judgment count counter to "601", which corresponds to the upper limit number described above. The judgment count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments performed in the non-variable state after the start of the jackpot judgment in the non-variable state and the execution of the RAM clear process, and is stored in the RAM 52. The CPU 51 also generates a judgment count start command to notify that counting of the number of judgments performed in the non-variable state has started, and sets it in the command buffer. The judgment count start command includes information indicating the upper limit number. The judgment count start command set in the command buffer is sequentially sent to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the operating flag to "ON" when the power-on process ends, and ends the main process.

When the main process is started by the next interrupt signal, since the operating flag is "ON" (S1: YES), the CPU 51 executes a switch reading process (S11). In the switch reading process, a process is performed to detect the passage of a game ball or a win from the detection results of each switch provided at the gate switch 74, first start port switch 61, second start port switch 62, first large prize port switch 76, second large prize port switch 77, and other prize ports shown in FIG. 2. The RAM 52 stores a flag corresponding to each switch. When each switch detects the passage of a game ball, the flag corresponding to each switch stored in the RAM 52 becomes "ON".

Next, the CPU 51 executes a counter update process (S12). In the counter update process, the values of a special pattern change time counter, which is a timer counter for measuring the change time of the first special pattern and the second special pattern stored in the RAM 52, and a special pattern confirmation display time counter for measuring the special pattern confirmation display time are subtracted.

Then, the CPU 51 executes special electric device processing (S13). Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14, but the special electric device processing includes processing for controlling the operation of the jackpot game, processing related to the game state set after the end of the jackpot game, and the like. The operation of the jackpot game is mainly the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member 161 of the first large prize opening 16 and the opening and closing member 171 of the second large prize opening 17 during the jackpot game.

Next, special symbol processing is performed (S15). Details will be described later with reference to Figures 8 to 10, but in the special symbol processing, a jackpot determination, a variation pattern determination, a special symbol determination, a game state transition process, etc. are performed.

Next, the CPU 51 executes normal electric device processing (S16). In the normal electric device processing, when the result of the normal hit determination is a hit, processing is performed to control the operation of the normal hit game (mainly the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing member 151 of the second start hole 15). As described above, when the time-saving state is set, the CPU 51 makes the operation rate of the second start hole 15 higher than that of the non-time-saving state. When the normal hit determination determines that a normal hit has occurred, the CPU 51 refers to the second start hole opening pattern definition table shown in FIG. 4 to specify the opening pattern of the second start hole 15. The CPU 51 controls the operation of the second start hole solenoid 69 so that the opening and closing member 151 of the second start hole 15 opens in the specified opening pattern. The CPU 51 specifies whether the non-time-saving state, the first time-saving state, or the second time-saving state is set according to the state of the first time-saving flag and the second time-saving flag.

Then, the CPU 51 executes normal symbol processing (S17). In the normal symbol processing, a normal win random number is obtained when the gate switch 74 detects the passage of a gaming ball. Based on the obtained random number, processing such as normal win determination and generation of commands for controlling the fluctuation of the normal symbol is performed. In the first embodiment, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol in the non-time-saving state is about 10 seconds. The fluctuation time of the normal symbol in the time-saving state is shorter than that in the non-time-saving state, being about 2 seconds. The CPU 51 executes a normal win determination with a normal win probability according to the gaming state, referring to the second start hole opening pattern definition table shown in FIG. 4.

Then, the CPU 51 executes a payout process (S18), an error check (S19), and an information output process (S20), and ends the main process. In the payout process, when the flag corresponding to each switch is set to "ON" by the switch reading process, a command indicating that a game ball has entered the winning hole corresponding to each switch is sent to the payout control board 45. The CPU 45a of the payout control board 45 that receives this command causes the prize ball payout device 49 to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls for the winning hole corresponding to the command according to the number of winning balls entered into the winning hole. In the error check, if an error occurs, a command to notify the error using the display screen 28, speaker 39, etc. is sent to the sub-control board 58. In the information output process, various information is output to the game center management computer described above via the external terminal board 55.

The details of the special symbol processing shown in S15 of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10. The flags used in the special symbol processing will be described. In the special symbol processing, the jackpot game state flag, the special symbol display state flag, the probability change flag, the first time-saving flag, and the second time-saving flag, etc., described above, are used.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the special symbol processing is started, the CPU 51 determines whether a gaming ball has entered the first start hole 14 (S61). When the first start hole switch 61 detects that a gaming ball has entered, the flag corresponding to the first start hole switch 61 is set to "ON" in the switch reading process of the main processing shown in S11 of FIG. 7. If this flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 determines that a gaming ball has not entered the first start hole 14 (S61: NO) and proceeds to the determination of S71.

If this flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that a game ball has entered the first starting hole 14 (S61: YES) and judges whether the first reserved number is "4" (S63). The RAM 52 has a first reserved number storage area for storing the first reserved number. If the first reserved number stored in the first reserved number storage area is "4" (S63: YES), the first reserved number has reached the maximum first reserved number, so the CPU 51 moves the process to the judgment of S71. If the first reserved number stored in the first reserved number storage area is not "4" (S63: NO), the CPU 51 adds "1" to the first reserved number stored in the first reserved number storage area (S65). The CPU 51 acquires a first random number and stores each random number value of the acquired first random number in the smallest numbered empty storage area in the special chart 1 big win related information storage area shown in FIG. 3 (S66). Specifically, the random number value of the jackpot random number is stored in the special chart 1 jackpot random number column, the random number value of the first pattern determination random number is stored in the first special pattern determination random number column, and the random number value of the first variation pattern determination random number is stored in the first variation pattern determination random number column.

Next, the CPU 51 refers to the first reserved information, which is information related to the first random number acquired in S66 (S68). The CPU 51 generates a first reserved information command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the referenced information and sets it in the command buffer (S69). The commands set in the command buffer of the RAM 52 are sent to the sub-control board 58, the payout control board 45, the relay terminal board 47, etc. in the order in which they were set in the command buffer. Note that the main processing may be provided with a command transmission process for transmitting the commands set in the command buffer in the main processing performed previously to the sub-control board 58, etc. In this case, the commands set in the command buffer may be transmitted to the sub-control board 58, etc., by the command transmission process, in the order in which they were set in the command buffer, for each interruption of the main processing. The first reserved information is information obtained by referring to the first random number acquired and stored in S66 before processing such as a jackpot determination is performed on the first random number, and is so-called look-ahead information. In this embodiment, the first reserved information is information based on the special 1 jackpot random number, the first special symbol determination random number, and the first variation pattern determination random number contained in the first reserved random number. If the first random number includes the aforementioned reach random number, etc., the first reserved information also includes information obtained by referring to these random numbers. The first reserved information command is generated including information indicating the first reserved number in addition to look-ahead information regarding the first random number. The information indicating the first reserved number is based on the first reserved number stored in the first reserved number storage area.

The CPU 51 determines whether a game ball has entered the second start hole 15 (S71). When the second start hole switch 62 detects the entry of a game ball, the flag corresponding to the second start hole switch 62 becomes "ON" in the switch reading process of the main process shown in S11 of FIG. 7. If this flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 determines that a game ball has not entered the second start hole 15 (S71: NO) and proceeds to the determination of S81 shown in FIG. 8.

If this flag is "ON", the CPU 51 determines that a game ball has entered the second start hole 15 (S71: YES) and determines whether the second reserved number is "4" (S72). The RAM 52 has a second reserved number storage area for storing the second reserved number. If the second reserved number stored in the second reserved number storage area is "4" (S72: YES), the second reserved number has reached the maximum second reserved number, so the CPU 51 moves the process to the judgment of S81. If the second reserved number stored in the second reserved number storage area is not "4" (S72: NO), the CPU 51 adds "1" to the second reserved number stored in the second reserved number storage area (S75). The CPU 51 obtains the second random number and stores each random number value of the obtained second random number in the smallest numbered empty storage area in the second jackpot related information storage area (S76). Specifically, the random number value of the special chart 2 jackpot random number is stored in the special chart 2 jackpot random number column, the random number value of the second special pattern determination random number is stored in the second special pattern determination random number column, and the random number value of the second variation pattern determination random number is stored in the second variation pattern determination random number column.

Next, the CPU 51 refers to the second reserved information, which is information related to the second random number acquired in S76 (S78). The CPU 51 generates a second reserved information command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the referenced information, and sets it in a command buffer provided in the RAM 52 (S79). The second reserved information command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the second reserved information (so-called pre-reading information), which is information related to the second reserved random number acquired and stored in S76. The second reserved information command is generated including information indicating the second reserved number in addition to information regarding the second random number (special chart 2 jackpot random number, second special pattern determination random number, and second variation pattern determination random number). The information indicating the second reserved number is based on the second reserved number stored in the second reserved number storage area. The second reserved information command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S81. Hereinafter, when the first reserved information command and the second reserved information command are collectively referred to, they are simply referred to as reserved information commands.

9, the CPU 51 judges whether or not the game is in a jackpot game state (S81). If the jackpot game state flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the game is in a jackpot game state (S81: YES) and returns the process to the main process. If the jackpot game state flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the game is not in a jackpot game state (S81: NO) and judges whether or not the first special symbol and the second special symbol are changing (S82). If the special symbol display state flag is not "1", the CPU 51 judges that neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is changing (S82: NO) and judges whether or not the first special symbol or the second special symbol is in a stopped state (S83). If the special symbol display state flag is not "2", the CPU 51 judges that neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is being displayed as a fixed symbol (S83: NO) and proceeds to S91 shown in FIG. 10, where the process of jackpot determination and the like is executed.

In this embodiment, in the jackpot determination, the special chart 2 jackpot determination is performed with priority over the special chart 1 jackpot determination. As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 51 determines whether the second reserved number is "1" or more (S91). If the second reserved number stored in the second reserved number storage area of the RAM 52 is "1" or more (S91: YES), a special chart 2 jackpot determination is performed, the details of which will be described later. If the second reserved number is "0" (S91: NO), the CPU 51 determines whether the first reserved number is "1" or more (S92). If the first reserved number stored in the first reserved number storage area of the RAM 52 is "0" (S92: NO), the CPU 51 returns the process to the main process.

If the first reserved number is "1" or more (S92: YES), the CPU 51 subtracts "1" from the first reserved number stored in the first reserved number storage area (S93). The CPU 51 shifts each random value of the first reserved random number stored in the smallest-numbered storage area in the special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area shown in FIG. 3 to the judgment area (S95). The CPU 51 also shifts each random value of the first reserved random number stored in the special chart 1 jackpot related information area to the storage area with the next smaller number.

The CPU 51 executes the special chart 1 jackpot determination process (S96). Although not shown, the ROM 53 stores a jackpot determination table for determining whether or not a jackpot has occurred. The jackpot determination table is composed of a special chart 1 jackpot determination table and a special chart 2 jackpot determination table. The special chart 1 jackpot determination table is composed of a low probability determination table and a high probability determination table. The low probability determination table and the high probability determination table each define a random value of the jackpot random number corresponding to a "jackpot" and a "miss", respectively. In this embodiment, the random value of the jackpot random number is defined so that the jackpot probability in the non-probability state is 1/200 and the jackpot probability in the probability state is 1/20. The special chart 2 jackpot determination table is also composed of a low probability determination table and a high probability determination table, and the random value of the jackpot random number is defined so that the jackpot probability in the non-probability state is 1/200 and the jackpot probability in the probability state is 1/20. In the special chart 1 jackpot determination process, the state of the special chart 1 jackpot flag is referenced to determine whether the special chart 1 jackpot state is currently set. If the special chart 1 jackpot state is not set, the CPU 51 selects a low probability determination table, and if the special chart 1 jackpot state is set, the CPU 51 selects a high probability determination table. The CPU 51 references the selected low probability determination table or high probability determination table to determine whether the special chart 1 jackpot random number shifted to the determination area in S95 corresponds to a "jackpot" or a "miss." As a result, the special chart 1 jackpot determination based on the undetermined special chart 1 jackpot random numbers stored in the RAM 52 is performed in the order in which the special chart 1 jackpot random numbers were stored.

The CPU 51 determines a first special symbol according to the result of the special symbol 1 jackpot determination derived in S96 (S98). In the process of S98, the CPU 51 determines a first special symbol indicating the determination result of a jackpot or a miss according to the value of the first special symbol determination random number shifted to the determination area in S95. Information indicating the content of the determined first special symbol is stored in the RAM 52. The CPU 51 transitions the process to S111.

On the other hand, if the second reserved number is "1" or more (S91: YES), the CPU 51 subtracts "1" from the second reserved number stored in the second reserved number storage area (S101). The CPU 51 shifts each random value of the second reserved random number stored in the storage area with the smallest number in the special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area to the judgment area (S102). The CPU 51 also shifts each random value of the second reserved random number stored in the special chart 2 jackpot related information area to the storage area with the next smaller number.

The CPU 51 executes the special chart 2 jackpot determination process (S103). The CPU 51 refers to the state of the probability variable flag, and selects from the special chart 2 jackpot determination table described above, a low probability determination table if the probability variable state is not set, and a high probability determination table if the probability variable state is set. The CPU 51 refers to the selected low probability determination table or high probability determination table, and determines whether the special chart 2 jackpot random number shifted to the determination area in S102 corresponds to a "jackpot" or a "miss". As a result, the second jackpot determination based on the undetermined second jackpot random numbers stored in the RAM 52 is performed in the order in which the second jackpot random numbers were stored.

The CPU 51 determines a second special symbol according to the result of the special symbol 2 jackpot determination derived in S103 (S105). In the process of S105, the CPU 51 determines a second special symbol that indicates the determination result of a jackpot or a miss according to the value of the second special symbol determination random number shifted to the determination area in S102. Information indicating the content of the determined second special symbol is stored in the RAM 52. The CPU 51 transitions the process to S111.

The CPU 51 generates a stop pattern designation command and sets it in the command buffer (S111). The stop pattern designation command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the contents of the jackpot pattern or loss pattern determined as the special pattern in the processing of S98 or S105. Hereinafter, a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the contents of the jackpot pattern or loss pattern determined as the first special pattern is referred to as a first stop pattern designation command. A command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the contents of the jackpot pattern or loss pattern determined as the second special pattern is referred to as a second stop pattern designation command. The first stop pattern designation command and the second stop pattern designation command set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58.

The CPU 51 determines the fluctuation pattern (S112). In S112, the CPU 51 refers to the state of the probability variable flag and the time-saving flag, and determines whether the current game state is set to the normal state, the probability variable time-saving state, or the non-probability variable time-saving state. The CPU 51 then refers to the fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 6, and determines the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the fluctuation pattern determination random number according to the determined game state and the result of the jackpot determination.

The CPU 51 generates a variation pattern designation command for designating the variation pattern determined in S112 and sets it in the command buffer (S113). Hereinafter, when the variation pattern determined in S112 is the first variation pattern, the command designating the first variation pattern is referred to as the first variation pattern designation command. When the variation pattern determined in S111 is the second variation pattern, the command designating the second variation pattern is referred to as the second variation pattern designation command. When the first variation pattern designation command and the second variation pattern designation command are collectively referred to as the variation pattern designation command. The variation pattern designation command includes information on the type of the determined variation pattern and the variation time of the special pattern corresponding to the variation pattern. The variation pattern designation command set in the command buffer is transmitted to the relay terminal board 47 and the sub-control board 58. The pattern display unit 29 that receives the first variation pattern designation command via the relay terminal board 47 starts the variation of the first special pattern in the first special pattern display unit. The pattern display unit 29 that receives the second variation pattern designation command starts the variation of the second special pattern in the second special pattern display unit. The sub-control board 58, which receives the first variation pattern designation command and the second variation pattern designation command, instructs the display screen 28 to start varying the performance pattern 100.

The CPU 51 stores the special symbol fluctuation time corresponding to the fluctuation pattern determined in S112 in the special symbol fluctuation time counter (S115). The CPU 51 stores "1" indicating that the special symbol is fluctuating in the special symbol display status flag (S116), and returns the process to the main process.

In addition, in the judgment of S82 shown in FIG. 9, if "1" is stored in the special symbol display flag, the CPU 51 judges that the special symbol is changing (S82: YES) and judges whether the first change time or the second change time has elapsed (S121). This judgment is made according to the value of the special symbol change time counter stored in S115. If the value of the special symbol change time counter is not "0", the CPU 51 judges that the first change time or the second change time has not yet elapsed (S121: NO) and returns the process to the main process.

When the value of the special symbol fluctuation time counter is "0", the CPU 51 determines that the first fluctuation time or the second fluctuation time has elapsed (S121: YES), generates a special symbol stop command, and sets it in the command buffer (S122). The special symbol stop command is a command for notifying the symbol display unit 29 and the sub-control board 58 that the fluctuation of the special symbol is to be stopped. The special symbol stop command set in the command buffer is sent to the relay terminal board 47 and the sub-control board 58, and instructs the stopping of the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol in the symbol display unit 29 and the stopping of the fluctuation of the performance symbol 100 on the display screen 28. Hereinafter, the command that specifies the stopping of the fluctuation of the first special symbol is referred to as the first special symbol stop command. The command that specifies the stopping of the fluctuation of the second special symbol is referred to as the second special symbol stop command. When the first special symbol stop command and the second special symbol stop command are collectively referred to, they are simply referred to as the special symbol stop command.

The CPU 51 stores the special symbol confirmation display time in the special symbol confirmation display time counter in the RAM 52 (S123). The CPU 51 stores "2" in the special symbol display status flag, indicating that either the first special symbol or the second special symbol is being confirmed and displayed (S124). The CPU 51 returns the process to the main process.

In addition, when the judgment in S83 is that "2" is stored in the special symbol display state flag (S83: YES), the CPU 51 judges whether the special symbol fixed display time has elapsed according to the value of the special symbol fixed display time counter stored in S113 (S126). When the value of the special symbol fixed display time counter is not "0", the CPU 51 judges that the special symbol fixed display time has not elapsed (S126: NO) and returns the process to the main process. When the value of the special symbol fixed display time counter is "0", the CPU 51 judges that the special symbol fixed display time has elapsed (S126: YES) and stores "0", which indicates that neither the first special symbol nor the second special symbol is being changed or fixed, in the special symbol display state flag (S127). After that, the CPU 51 executes a game state transition process (S128) and returns the process to the main process.

The game state transition process shown in S128 of FIG. 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 13. In the game state transition process, when a jackpot is determined by the jackpot determination, a process is performed to transition the game to a jackpot game state. In addition, in the game state transition process, the first time-saving flag, the second time-saving flag, and the probability variable flag are also appropriately controlled.

When the game state transition process is started, the CPU 51 determines whether the special symbol is displayed as a confirmed jackpot symbol (S131). If the special symbol is displayed as a confirmed jackpot symbol (S131: YES), the CPU 51 clears the value of the determination count counter to "0" (S132). The determination count counter is a counter that counts the number of jackpot determinations performed in the non-probability variable state after the start of the jackpot determination in the non-probability variable state and the execution of RAM clearing, and is stored in the RAM 52.

The CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is set (S133). If both the first time-saving flag and the second time-saving flag are "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the time-saving state is not set (S133: NO) and moves the process to the judgment of S141. If either the first time-saving flag or the second time-saving flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the time-saving state is set (S133: YES) and clears the A time-saving count counter, the B time-saving count counter, and the C time-saving count counter to "0" (S135). The A time-saving count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments in the A time-saving state and is stored in the RAM 52. The B time-saving count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments in the B time-saving state and is stored in the RAM 52. The C time-saving count counter is a counter that counts the number of judgments in the C time-saving state and is stored in the RAM 52.

The CPU 51 judges whether the first time-saving state is set (S136). If the first time-saving flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the first time-saving state is set (S136: YES). The transmission of a game state command notifying the sub-control board 58 that the first time-saving state is ending is called a first time-saving state end notification. The CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the first time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S137). The CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "OFF" (S138). The CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S141. If the first time-saving flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the second time-saving flag is "ON" and the second time-saving state is set (S136: NO). The transmission of a game state command notifying the sub-control board 58 that the second time-saving state is ending is called a second time-saving state end notification. The CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S139). The CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "OFF" (S140). The CPU 51 proceeds to the determination of S141.

The CPU 51 determines whether the special probability state is set (S141). If the special probability flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 determines that the special probability state is not set (S141: NO) and moves the process to S145. A game state command notifying the end of the special probability state is sent to the sub-control board 58, which is called a special probability state end notification. If the special probability flag is "ON", the CPU 51 determines that the special probability state is set (S141: YES), generates a game state command corresponding to the special probability state end notification, and sets it in the command buffer (S142). The CPU 51 sets the special probability flag to "OFF" (S143). In other words, the game state is set to the normal state during a jackpot game.

The CPU 51 sets the number of rounds corresponding to the jackpot symbol in the R counter (S145). The R counter is provided in the RAM 52 as a counter for storing the number of rounds. As described above, in the first embodiment, the number of rounds corresponding to the special 1 probability variable jackpot A or the special 1 normal jackpot A among the jackpot symbols is "4". The number of rounds corresponding to the special 2 probability variable jackpot A or the special 2 normal jackpot A is "8". The CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the jackpot game state start notification and sets it in the command buffer (S146). The game state commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the jackpot game state flag to "ON" (S148). The CPU 51 returns the process to the special symbol process.

On the other hand, when the special symbol is displayed as a miss symbol (S131: NO), the CPU 51 judges whether the A time-saving state is set, as shown in FIG. 12 (S151). When the value of the A time-saving count counter is greater than 0, the CPU 51 judges that the A time-saving state is set, and when the value of the A time-saving count counter is 0, the CPU 51 judges that the A time-saving state is not set. When the A time-saving state is set (S151: YES), the CPU 51 judges whether the high probability state is set (S152). When the high probability flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the high probability state is not set (S152: NO), and the process proceeds to the judgment of S181 shown in FIG. 13.

If the probability variation flag is "ON", the CPU 51 determines that the probability variation state is set (S152: YES) and subtracts "1" from the value of the A time-saving count counter (S153). The CPU 51 determines whether the value of the A time-saving count counter is "0" (S155). If the value of the A time-saving count counter is not "0" (S155: NO), the A time-saving state continues. In this case, the CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S181. If the value of the A time-saving count counter is "0" (S155: YES), the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S156). The game state command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "OFF" (S158) and shifts the process to the judgment of S181.

If the time-saving state is not A (S151: NO), the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is B (S161). If the value of the B time-saving count counter is greater than 0, the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is B, and if the value of the B time-saving count counter is 0, the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is not B. If the time-saving state is B (S161: YES), the CPU 51 subtracts "1" from the value of the B time-saving count counter (S162). The CPU 51 judges whether the value of the B time-saving count counter is "0" (S163). If the value of the B time-saving count counter is not "0" (S163: NO), the time-saving state will continue from then on, so the CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S181. If the value of the B time-saving count counter is "0" (S163: YES), the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S165). The game status commands set in the command buffer are sequentially sent to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 turns the second time-saving flag "OFF" (S166) and proceeds to the judgment of S181.

If the time-saving state is not B (S161: NO), the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is C (S171). If the value of the C time-saving count counter is greater than 0, the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is C, and if the value of the C time-saving count counter is 0, the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is not C. If the time-saving state is not C (S171: NO), the CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S181. If the time-saving state is C (S171: YES), the CPU 51 subtracts "1" from the value of the C time-saving count counter (S172). The CPU 51 judges whether the value of the C time-saving count counter is "0" (S173). If the value of the C time-saving count counter is not "0" (S173: NO), the time-saving state continues from then on, so the CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S181.

When the value of the C time-saving count counter is "0" (S173: YES), the CPU 51 judges whether the first time-saving state is set (S174). When the first time-saving flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the first time-saving state is set (S174: YES), generates a game state command corresponding to the first time-saving state end notification, and sets it in the command buffer (S175). The game state command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "OFF" (S176), and the process proceeds to the judgment of S181. On the other hand, when the first time-saving flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the second time-saving state is set (S174: NO), generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state end notification, and sets it in the command buffer (S178). The game state command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "OFF" (S179) and proceeds to the determination step of S181.

As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 51 judges whether the high probability state is set (S181). If the high probability flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the high probability state is not set (S181: YES) and returns the process to the special symbol process. If the high probability flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the high probability state is not set (S181: NO) and judges whether the value of the judgment count counter is greater than "0" (S182). If the value of the judgment count counter is "0" (S182: NO), the CPU 51 transitions the process to the judgment of S191.

If the value of the judgment count counter is greater than "0" (S182: YES), the CPU 51 subtracts "1" from the value of the judgment count counter (S183). The CPU 51 judges whether the value of the judgment count counter is "0" (S185). If the value of the judgment count counter is not "0" (S185: NO), the CPU 51 moves the process to the judgment of S191. If the value of the judgment count counter is "0" (S185: YES), a game state command notifying that the B time-saving state will start is generated and set in the command buffer (S186). The game state command notifying that the second time-saving state will start is transmitted to the sub-control board 58, which is called a second time-saving state start notification. The game state command generated in S186 corresponds to the second time-saving state start notification, and is generated in order to notify that the B time-saving state will start in particular. The transmission of a game state command to the sub-control board 58 notifying the start of the B time-saving state is called a Yu-time start notification. The CPU 51 sets the B time-saving count counter to "300," which corresponds to the number of B time-saving times (S188). The CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "ON" (S189), and proceeds to the judgment of S191.

The CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is B (S191). As described above, the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is B according to the value of the B time-saving count counter. If the time-saving state is B (S191: YES), the CPU 51 returns the process to the special symbol process. If the time-saving state is not B (S191: NO), the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is normal (S192). As described above, the CPU 51 judges whether the time-saving state is normal according to the state of the first time-saving flag and the second time-saving flag (S192). If the time-saving state is normal (S192: YES), the CPU 51 judges whether the special 1 miss B has been confirmed as the miss symbol (S193). The CPU 51 makes the judgment of S193 by referring to the information indicating the contents of the special symbol stored in the RAM 52. If the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss B has not been confirmed as the miss symbol (S193: NO), the CPU 51 returns the process to the special symbol process.

The transmission of a game state command to the sub-control board 58 notifying the start of the first time-saving state is called a first time-saving state start notification. When the CPU 51 determines that the special 1 miss B has been confirmed as the miss symbol (S193: YES), it generates a game state command corresponding to the first time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S195). The game state commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 refers to the special symbol determination table shown in FIG. 5 and sets the C time-saving number counting counter to "5", which is the number of C time-saving times corresponding to the determination of special 1 miss B in the normal state (S196). The CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "ON" (S198) and returns the process to the special symbol processing.

On the other hand, when the CPU 51 is not in the normal state, that is, when the CPU 51 is in the A time-saving state or the C time-saving state (S192: NO), it judges whether the special 1 miss B or the special 1 miss C is displayed as the losing symbol (S201). The CPU 51 makes the judgment of S201 by referring to the information indicating the contents of the special symbol stored in the RAM 52. When the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss B or the special 1 miss C is not displayed as the losing symbol (S201: NO), it returns the processing to the special symbol processing. When the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss B or the special 1 miss C is displayed as the losing symbol (S201: YES), it generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S202). The game state commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 refers to the special symbol determination table shown in FIG. 5 and sets the C time-saving count counter to "100", which is the number of C time-saving times corresponding to when special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C is determined in the non-probable variable first time-saving state or non-probable variable second time-saving state set as the A time-saving state or the C time-saving state (S203). The CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "ON" (S205) and returns the process to the special symbol process.

Referring to FIG. 14, the details of the special electric role processing shown in S13 of FIG. 7 will be described. The flags used in the special electric role processing will be described. In addition to the various flags mentioned above, the special electric role processing uses an open flag and the like. The open flag is a flag that indicates whether the first large prize opening 16 and the second large prize opening 17 are open or not, and is stored in RAM 52. The open flag is stored as "1" when the opening/closing member 161 of the first large prize opening 16 is open, as "2" when the opening/closing member 171 of the second large prize opening 17 is open, and as "0" when neither is open, and is "OFF."

When the special electric device processing is started, the CPU 51 judges whether or not the game is in a jackpot game state (S211). This judgment is made based on the state of the jackpot game state flag. If the jackpot game state flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that the game is not in a jackpot game state (S211: NO) and returns the processing to the main processing. If the jackpot game state flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the game is in a jackpot game state (S211: YES) and judges whether all the jackpot rounds have ended, i.e., whether the value of the R counter is "0" (S182). The value of the R counter is decremented by "1" each time a jackpot round ends in the processing of S229 described later. In other words, if the value of the R counter is "0", the final round in the jackpot game has ended.

If the value of the R counter is not "0" (S212: NO), the CPU 51 judges whether the large prize opening is open (S213). This judgment is made based on the state of the open flag. If the open flag is "1" or "2", the CPU 51 judges that the large prize opening is open (S213: YES) and moves the process to the judgment of S221. If the open flag is "0", the CPU 51 judges that the large prize opening is not open (S213: NO) and generates a large prize opening open command to open the large prize opening and sets it in the command buffer (S215).

In the first embodiment, the first large prize opening 16 is opened in the odd-numbered jackpot round, and the second large prize opening 17 is opened in the even-numbered jackpot round. Therefore, when the CPU 51 executes an odd-numbered jackpot round (when the value of the R counter is an even number), it generates a large prize opening command to open the first large prize opening 16. When the CPU 51 executes an even-numbered jackpot round (when the value of the R counter is an odd number), it generates a large prize opening command to open the second large prize opening 17. The large prize opening command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the relay terminal board 47. The first large prize opening solenoid 70, which receives the large prize opening command to open the first large prize opening 16 via the relay terminal board 47, opens the opening/closing member 161 of the first large prize opening 16. The second large prize opening solenoid 71, which has received the large prize opening opening command to open the second large prize opening 17 via the relay terminal board 47, opens the opening/closing member 171 of the second large prize opening 17. The CPU 51 stores the large prize opening opening time (29 seconds in this embodiment), which is the opening time of the large prize opening in the big win game, in the large prize opening opening time counter of the RAM 52 (S216). When the CPU 51 generates a large prize opening opening command to open the first large prize opening 16 in S216, it stores "1" in the open flag. When the CPU 51 generates a large prize opening opening command to open the second large prize opening 17 in S216, it stores "2" in the open flag (S218). The CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S221.

The CPU 51 judges whether a game ball has entered the large prize opening (S221). When the first large prize opening switch 76 or the second large prize opening switch 77 detects the entry of a game ball, the flag corresponding to the first large prize opening switch 76 or the second large prize opening switch 77 is set to "ON" in the switch reading process of the main processing shown in S11 of FIG. 7. If this flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 judges that a game ball has not entered the large prize opening (S221: NO) and moves the process to the judgment of S223. If this flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that a game ball has entered the large prize opening (S221: YES) and adds "1" to the winning ball number counter of the RAM 52 that counts the number of game balls that have entered the large prize opening (S222). The CPU 51 proceeds to the determination step S223.

The CPU 51 judges whether the number of winning balls stored in the winning ball counter is equal to or greater than 10 (S223). If the value of the winning ball counter is less than 10 (S223: NO), the CPU 51 judges whether the large prize opening time has elapsed based on the value of the large prize opening time counter (S225). If the large prize opening time has not elapsed (S225: NO), the CPU 51 returns the process to the main process. In the special electric device process that is performed thereafter, if the large prize game state is reached (S211: YES) and the value of the R counter is not 0 (S212: NO), the judgments of S223 and S225 are repeatedly executed until 10 or more game balls enter the large prize opening or the large prize opening time has elapsed.

If 10 or more game balls enter the large prize opening (S223: YES) or the large prize opening opening time has elapsed (S225: YES), a large prize opening closing command is generated and set in the command buffer (S226). The large prize opening closing command is a command for closing the opening and closing member 161 of the first large prize opening 16 that is open. When an odd-numbered large prize round is being executed (when the value of the R counter is an even number), the CPU 51 generates a large prize opening opening command for closing the first large prize opening 16. When an even-numbered large prize round is being executed (when the value of the R counter is an odd number), the CPU 51 generates a large prize opening opening command for closing the second large prize opening 17. The set large prize opening closing commands are sequentially transmitted to the relay terminal board 47. The first large prize opening solenoid 70, which has received a large prize opening closing command via the relay terminal board 47 to close the first large prize opening 16, closes the opening/closing member 161 of the first large prize opening 16. The second large prize opening solenoid 71, which has received a large prize opening closing command via the relay terminal board 47 to close the second large prize opening 17, closes the opening/closing member 171 of the second large prize opening 17. The CPU 51 sets the open flag to "OFF" (S228). The CPU 51 subtracts "1" from the value of the R counter (S229) and returns the process to the main process.

On the other hand, if the value of the R counter is "0" (S212: YES), the jackpot game ends, and the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the jackpot game state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S231). The game state commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the jackpot game state flag to "OFF" (S232).

The CPU 51 refers to information indicating the contents of the jackpot pattern stored in the RAM 52, and determines whether the referred information indicates a high probability jackpot pattern (S233). If the referred information indicates a high probability jackpot pattern (S233: YES), the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the high probability state start notification and sets it in the command buffer (S235). The CPU 51 sets the high probability state flag to "ON" (S236). The CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state start notification and sets it in the command buffer (S238). The game state commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 transitions to S246.

On the other hand, if the referenced information indicates a non-probable jackpot pattern (S233: NO), the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state start notification and sets it in the command buffer (S241). The game state command set in the command buffer is sequentially sent to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the A time-saving count counter to "100", which corresponds to the A time-saving count (S242). The CPU 51 generates a judgment count start command and sets it in the command buffer (S243). The judgment count start command set in the command buffer is sequentially sent to the sub-control board 58. The CPU 51 sets the judgment count counter to "601", which corresponds to the upper limit count mentioned above (S245). The CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "ON" (S246) and returns the process to the main process.

With reference to FIG. 15, the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the normal state is a non-probability-variant, non-time-reduction state, and is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting from the left. The presentation mode in the normal state is called the normal mode. When the game is started from the normal state, the game progresses by hitting from the left, and when the game ball enters the first starting hole 14, a special chart 1 jackpot determination is performed with a predetermined jackpot probability. When the jackpot determination result is derived by the special chart 1 jackpot determination, the special chart 1 probability-variant jackpot A, which is a probability-variant jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 60%, and the special chart 1 normal jackpot A, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 40%. When a notification presentation is performed to notify the player that the determination result of the special chart 1 jackpot determination is a jackpot, a 4R jackpot game is performed after the end of the notification presentation. A jackpot game that is performed in response to a jackpot determination by the jackpot determination in the normal state is also called a "first jackpot game". As shown by the arrow (a), a jackpot game that is played when a special jackpot pattern is determined as the jackpot pattern is also called a "special jackpot". As shown by the arrow (b), a jackpot game that is played when a non-special jackpot pattern is determined as the jackpot pattern is also called a "non-special jackpot". After the first jackpot game ends, the special jackpot second time-saving state is set at a rate of 60% as shown by the arrow (c), and the non-special jackpot second time-saving state is set at a rate of 40% as shown by the arrow (d), both of which are set as time-saving states A.

In the first embodiment, the second time-saving state of the probability variable is the most advantageous game state for the player. As described above, the second time-saving state of the probability variable accompanied by the second time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting with the right hand. The presentation mode in the second time-saving state of the probability variable is called the battle mode. In the second time-saving state of the probability variable, the game progresses by hitting with the right hand, and when the game ball enters the second starting hole 15, a special jackpot determination is made with a predetermined jackpot probability. When the result of the jackpot determination is derived by the special jackpot determination, the special 2 probability variable jackpot A, which is a probability variable jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 60%, and the special 2 normal jackpot A, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 40%. When a notification presentation is made to notify the player that the result of the special jackpot determination is a jackpot, an 8R jackpot game is played after the end of the notification presentation, as shown by the arrow (e). If the jackpot game is a probability variable jackpot, the second time-saving state of the probability variable is set again, as shown by the arrow (e). If the jackpot game is a non-variable jackpot, the non-variable second time-saving state is set, as shown by the arrow (f).

In the first embodiment, the non-probability second time-saving state is the game state that is most advantageous to the player after the probability second time-saving state. The non-probability second time-saving state accompanied by the second time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting with the right hand. The non-probability second time-saving state is associated with the presentation mode of the chance mode described above. In the non-probability second time-saving state, the game progresses with a right hand hit, and when the game ball enters the second starting hole 15, a special chart 2 jackpot determination is performed with a predetermined jackpot probability. When the jackpot determination result is derived by the special chart 2 jackpot determination, the special chart 2 probability jackpot A, which is a probability jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 60%, and the special chart 2 normal jackpot A, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 40%. When a notification presentation is performed to notify the player that the determination result of the special chart 2 jackpot determination is a jackpot, an 8R jackpot game is performed after the end of the notification presentation, as shown by the arrow (f). If the jackpot game is a high probability jackpot, as shown by the arrow (e), a high probability second time-saving state is set that is more advantageous than the non-high probability second time-saving state. If the jackpot game is a non-high probability jackpot, as shown by the arrow (f), the non-high probability second time-saving state is set again.

On the other hand, in the normal state, when the result of the determination of a miss is derived by the special 1 big hit determination, there is a 1% probability that the miss pattern, special 1 miss B, will be determined. In this case, after the special 1 miss pattern B is displayed as confirmed, the game state transitions to the non-probability first time-saving state, as shown by the arrow (g). As mentioned above, the non-probability first time-saving state is a slight time-saving state set as the C time-saving state. The non-probability first time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play by hitting left. Note that, in the normal state, if a miss pattern other than special 1 miss B, special 1 miss A or special 1 miss C, is determined, the game state will remain normal even if special 1 miss A or special 1 miss C is displayed as confirmed.

In the first embodiment, when the special 1 miss pattern B is determined as the first special pattern in the normal state, the number of C time-saving times is 5 times. In the non-probability first time-saving state, a maximum of 5 jackpot determinations are made, and the non-probability first time-saving state continues while the notification performance corresponding to the jackpot determination is executed. In the non-probability first time-saving state, when a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 jackpot determination, the miss pattern, special 1 miss B, is determined at a rate of 1%, and the miss pattern, special 1 miss C, is determined at a rate of 9%. In this case, after the special 1 miss pattern B or special 2 miss C is displayed, the game state transitions to the non-probability second time-saving state as shown by the arrow (h). In other words, the non-probability first time-saving state is a game state in which the C time-saving state is more likely to be set than the normal state. In addition, the time-saving state set as the C time-saving state in the non-probability first time-saving state is the second time-saving state. In this way, the first embodiment is characterized in that it provides a chance for the player to transition to the non-probability first time-saving state, which is more advantageous for the player than the normal state and the non-probability first time-saving state, without being determined to be a jackpot by the jackpot determination. Another feature of the first embodiment is that the presentation mode of the "Sudden Battle Mode" described below is associated with this distinctive non-probability first time-saving state.

In addition, in the non-probability first time-saving state, if a jackpot judgment result is derived by the special chart 1 jackpot judgment, the special 1 probability jackpot A, which is a probability jackpot pattern, is determined 60% of the time, as in the normal state, and the special 1 normal jackpot A, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined 40% of the time. In this case, the first hit game of the probability jackpot is played as shown by the arrow (i), or the first hit game of the non-probability jackpot is played as shown by the arrow (j), and the game state transitions to the probability 2 time-saving state or the non-probability 2 time-saving state as shown by the arrow (c) or arrow (d). In addition, if a jackpot judgment result is not derived in the non-probability first time-saving state and a miss judgment result is derived, only the special 1 miss pattern A is determined as the miss pattern, and if five jackpot judgments are made without a new C time-saving state being set, the first time-saving state ends. In this case, the game state returns to the normal state as shown by the arrow (k).

In the first embodiment, the B time-saving state is set when the jackpot game ends and the number of judgments counted from the start of the execution of the jackpot judgment in the non-variable state and the RAM clear process reaches the upper limit number described above. This B time-saving state is set as the second time-saving state. Therefore, as shown by the arrow (l), the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-variable second time-saving state when the above-mentioned number of judgments reaches the upper limit number of 601 times. The non-variable second time-saving state set as the B time-saving state ends when the jackpot judgment result is not derived and the number of judgments in the non-variable second time-saving state reaches the B time-saving number of 300 times. In this case, as shown by the arrow (m), the game state returns to the normal state.

The sub-control board processing executed by the sub-control board 58 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. In the sub-control board processing, processing is performed to control various effects in accordance with commands sent from the main control board 41. In particular, the sub-control board processing controls notification effects. The sub-control board 58 is equipped with a clock circuit (not shown) that outputs a clock signal at a predetermined cycle, and an interrupt signal generating circuit (not shown). The interrupt signal generating circuit generates an interrupt signal each time a clock signal is input from the clock circuit. The CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 executes the sub-control board processing each time an interrupt signal is input from the interrupt signal generating circuit, in accordance with a program stored in ROM 583.

In the sub control board processing, a sub special chance flag, a sub first time-saving flag, a sub second time-saving flag, etc. are used. These flags are stored in RAM 582. The sub special chance flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the game is in a special chance state; when the special chance state is in a special chance state, a "1" is stored and the flag is "ON", and when the game is not in a special chance state, a "0" is stored and the flag is "OFF". The sub first time-saving flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the game is in the first time-saving state; when the special chance state is in a special chance state, a "1" is stored and the flag is "ON", and when the game is not in the first time-saving state, a "0" is stored and the flag is "OFF". The sub second time-saving flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the game is in the second time-saving state; when the special chance state is in a special chance state, a "1" is stored and the flag is "ON", and when the game is not in the second time-saving state, a "0" is stored and the flag is "OFF".

When the sub-control board processing is started, the CPU 581 judges whether a game state command has been received from the main control board 41 (S401). If the CPU 581 has not received a game state command from the main control board 41 (S401: NO), the processing proceeds to the judgment of S403. If the CPU 581 has received a game state command from the main control board 41 (S401: YES), the CPU 581 executes processing according to various states notified by the game state command (S402). Specifically, if the game state command notifies the start of the high probability state, the CPU 581 sets the high probability flag to "ON", and if the game state command notifies the end of the high probability state, the CPU 581 sets the high probability flag to "OFF". If the game state command notifies the start of the first time-saving state, the CPU 581 sets the first time-saving flag to "ON", and if the game state command notifies the end of the first time-saving state, the CPU 581 sets the first time-saving flag to "OFF". The CPU 581 turns the second time-saving flag "ON" when a game state command notifies the start of the second time-saving state, and turns the second time-saving flag "OFF" when a game state command notifies the end of the second time-saving state. The CPU 581 also turns the second time-saving flag "ON" when a play-time start notification is issued by a game state command. The CPU 581 grasps the game state according to the states of the probability change flag, the first time-saving flag, and the second time-saving flag, and controls various presentations.

When a jackpot game state start notification is issued by the game state command, the CPU 581 starts the execution of a jackpot game presentation, which is a presentation during a jackpot game. The CPU 581 analyzes the jackpot game state start notification, determines the content of the jackpot game presentation according to the analysis result, generates a command for instructing the determined jackpot game presentation, and sets it in a command buffer provided in the RAM 582. The commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the presentation control board 43. The CPU 431 of the presentation control board 43 that received the command reads out image data corresponding to the type of jackpot game presentation indicated by the command from the CGROM. Then, the CPU 431 controls image processing by the image control circuit 435 to display the read image data on the display screen 28, thereby starting the display of the presentation image of the jackpot game presentation. The CPU 581 also controls the illumination presentation of the frame lamp 38 and the board lamp 27 via the lamp control board 46. The CPU 581 also controls sound processing by the sound control circuit 585. This causes the jackpot game presentation to be executed. The CPU 51 shifts the process to the judgment of S403. Also, when the CPU 581 receives a notification of the end of the jackpot game state by the game state command, it ends the execution of the jackpot game presentation. The CPU 581 shifts the process to the judgment of S403.

The CPU 581 determines whether a hold information command has been received from the main control board 41 (S403). If the CPU 581 has not received a hold information command from the main control board 41 (S403: NO), the process proceeds to the determination of S406. If the CPU 581 has received a hold information command from the main control board 41 (S403: YES), the CPU 581 executes a hold display process (S405) and proceeds to the determination of S406.

As shown in FIG. 18 (A-1), the pachinko machine 1 performs a varying display of the performance pattern 100 in synchronization with the varying display of the special pattern, and as shown in FIG. 18 (A-2), by displaying the finalized performance pattern 100 in synchronization with the finalized display of the special pattern, the performance pattern 100 relating to the notification performance is varied. The performance pattern 100 comprises a left pattern 101, a middle pattern 102, and a right pattern 103. The left pattern 101 is mainly displayed on the varying line on the left part of the display screen 28. The middle pattern 102 is mainly displayed on the varying line on the center part of the display screen 28. The right pattern 103 is mainly displayed on the varying line on the right part of the display screen 28. As shown in FIG. 18 (A-1), the left pattern 101, the middle pattern 102, and the right pattern 103 are scrolled from top to bottom in order from the "1" pattern to the "8" pattern on each varying line, thereby varying the performance pattern 100. Arrow Y1 indicates that each of the performance symbols 100 continues to scroll. As shown in FIG. 18 (A-2), the left pattern 101, the middle pattern 102, and the right pattern 103 are stopped and displayed in the center of their respective moving lines, thereby determining and displaying the performance symbols 100. Here, an example is shown in which the performance symbols 100 are determined to be a combination of repeated numbers, thereby announcing that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot.

The pachinko machine 1 displays the first reserved display NH1 indicating the first reserved random number on the display screen 28. In this embodiment, the first reserved display NH1 is configured with a circular symbol. The first reserved display NH1 may have various shapes other than a circle. The first reserved display NH1 may indicate the degree of expectation of the first reserved random number by a difference in its display color, a difference in shape, etc. The expectation of the first reserved random number is based on the first reserved information. Specifically, the expectation of the first reserved random number is determined based on information indicating whether the special chart 1 jackpot random number related to the first reserved random number is a jackpot or not, information indicating which variation pattern the first variation pattern determination random number corresponds to, etc. Positions H1 to H4 indicating the positions at which the first reserved display NH1 is displayed are provided in the lower left of the display screen 28. At positions H1, H2, H3, and H4, the first reserved display NH1 corresponding to the first reserved random number stored in No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the special chart 1 jackpot related information storage area shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In FIG. 18 (A-1), the first notification effect is being executed in sync with the change time of the first special symbol, the first hold number is "1", and one first hold display NH1 is displayed at position H1.

The pachinko machine 1 displays the second reserved display NH2, which indicates the second reserved random number, on the display screen 28. In this embodiment, the second reserved display NH2 is configured with a triangular symbol as shown in FIG. 18 (A-4). The second reserved display NH2 may have various shapes other than a triangle. The second reserved display NH2 may indicate the degree of expectation of the second reserved random number by a difference in its display color, a difference in shape, etc. The expectation of the second reserved random number is based on the second reserved information, like the expectation of the first reserved random number. Positions H5 to H8 are provided in the lower right of the display screen 28, which indicate the positions at which the second reserved display NH2 is displayed. At positions H5, H6, H7, and H8, respectively, the second reserved display NH2 corresponding to the second reserved random number stored in No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the special chart 2 jackpot related information storage area is displayed. In FIG. 18 (A-4), the second notification effect is being executed in sync with the change time of the second special symbol, the second reserve number is "3", and three second reserve displays NH2 are displayed at positions H4 to H6.

In the hold display process of S405, the CPU 581 executes a process for display control of the first hold display NH1 and the second hold display NH2. Specifically, if the received hold information command is the first hold information command, the CPU 581 analyzes the first hold information command and acquires the first hold information. The CPU 581 generates a command to instruct the performance control board 43 to display the first hold display NH1 left-justified in an empty position among positions H1 to H4, and sets the generated command in the command buffer. Also, if the received hold information command is the second hold information command, the CPU 581 analyzes the second hold information command and acquires the second hold information. The CPU 581 generates a command to instruct the performance control board 43 to display the second hold display NH2 left-justified in an empty position among positions H5 to H8, and sets the generated command in the command buffer. The commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. When the CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 receives this command, it additionally displays the first hold display NH1 or the second hold display NH2 on the display screen 28.

The CPU 581 judges whether a stop pattern designation command has been received from the main control board 41 (S406). If the stop pattern designation command has not been received (S406: NO), the CPU 581 moves the process to the judgment of S411. If the stop pattern designation command has been received (S406: YES), the CPU 581 analyzes the stop pattern designation command and obtains the pattern type (jackpot pattern or loss pattern) of the special pattern indicated by the command. The CPU 581 determines a combination of performance patterns 100 according to the pattern type of the obtained special pattern (S408). Specifically, if the received pending information command is a first stop pattern designation command, the CPU 581 obtains the type of the first special pattern indicated by the first stop pattern designation command. When the first special symbol is a winning symbol, the CPU 581 determines a combination of the left symbol 101, the middle symbol 102, and the right symbol 103 with the same numbers as the combination when the variable display of the left symbol 101, the middle symbol 102, and the right symbol 103 ends and is displayed as a fixed display. The combination when the left symbol 101, the middle symbol 102, and the right symbol 103 ends and is displayed as a fixed display is hereinafter referred to as a "fixed symbol." When the first special symbol is a losing symbol, the CPU 581 determines a combination other than a doublet in which the left symbol 101, the middle symbol 102, and the right symbol 103 include different numbers as the fixed symbol.

In addition, when the CPU 581 receives a stop pattern designation command indicating a miss pattern of special 1 miss B in the normal state, it determines the combination of the "5, 3, 1" scattered pattern performance pattern 100 with the left pattern 101 being "5", the middle pattern 102 being "3", and the right pattern 103 being "1". In addition, even when the CPU 581 receives a stop pattern designation command indicating either special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C in the non-probability variable second time-saving state set as other than the non-probability variable first time-saving state and the B time-saving state, it determines the "5, 3, 1" scattered pattern combination. The "5, 3, 1" scattered pattern combination is provided to indicate that the C time-saving state is set as the current notification performance ends by being displayed as a confirmed pattern. The determined confirmed pattern is stored in the RAM 582. When the received stop pattern designation command is the second stop pattern designation command, the CPU 581 acquires the type of the second special pattern indicated by the second stop pattern designation command. The CPU 581 determines the confirmed symbol depending on whether the acquired second special symbol is a winning symbol or a losing symbol. The CPU 581 proceeds to the determination of S411.

The CPU 581 determines whether a variation pattern designation command has been received from the main control board 41 (S411). If a variation pattern designation command has not been received (S411: NO), the CPU 581 proceeds to the determination of S413. If a variation pattern designation command has been received (S411: YES), the CPU 581 executes a notification performance execution process (S412) and proceeds to the determination of S413.

Referring to FIG. 17, the notification performance execution process shown in S412 of FIG. 16 will be described in detail. In the notification performance execution process, the notification performance is controlled based on the variation pattern specified by the variation pattern specification command.

When the notification performance execution process is started, the CPU 581 analyzes the variation pattern designation command, identifies the variation pattern indicated by the command, and acquires the identified variation pattern (S501). The CPU 581 generates a hold display shift command and sets the generated hold display shift command in the command buffer (S502). The hold display shift command includes information instructing that the first hold display NH1 displayed at positions H1 to H4 be moved one position to the left when the variation pattern acquired in S501 is the first variation pattern. The hold display shift command includes information instructing that the second hold display NH2 displayed at positions H5 to H8 be moved one position to the left when the variation pattern acquired in S501 is the second variation pattern. The hold display shift commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43, which receives the hold display shift command, controls the image processing by the image control circuit 435 to move the first hold display NH1 displayed at position H1 to position H4 or the second hold display NH2 displayed at position H5 to position H8 one position to the left.

The CPU 581 generates an alarm performance start command and sets the generated alarm performance start command in the command buffer (S503). The alarm performance start command is a command for instructing the start of execution of the alarm performance. The alarm performance start command includes information indicating the performance pattern of the alarm performance based on the variation pattern. The alarm performance start command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 that received the alarm performance start command reads image data corresponding to the information indicating the performance pattern of the alarm performance included in the alarm performance start command from the CGROM. Then, the CPU 431 controls the image processing by the image control circuit 435 to display the read image data on the display screen 28, thereby starting the display of the performance image of the alarm performance. In addition, the CPU 581 controls the electric lighting performance of the frame lamp 38 and the board lamp 27 via the lamp control board 46. In addition, the CPU 581 controls the sound processing by the sound control circuit 585. As a result, the alarm performance is executed. The CPU 581 returns processing to the sub-control board processing.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 16, the CPU 581 determines whether or not a special symbol stop command has been received from the main control board 41 (S413). If a special symbol stop command has not been received (S413: NO), the CPU 581 transitions to S416. If a special symbol stop command has been received (S413: YES), the CPU 581 executes notification effect end processing (S415).

In the notification effect end process of S415, the CPU 581 executes a process for ending the execution of the notification effect. Specifically, if the received special pattern stop command is a first special pattern stop command, the CPU 581 generates a command for instructing the end of the execution of the first notification effect and sets the generated command in the command buffer. If the received special pattern stop command is a second special pattern stop command, the CPU 581 generates a command for instructing the end of the execution of the second notification effect and sets the generated command in the command buffer. The commands set in the command buffer are sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. This command includes information on the finalized pattern determined in S408. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 that receives this command controls the image processing by the image control circuit 435 to end the variable display of the performance pattern 100 and display the performance pattern 100 as the finalized pattern. This ends the execution of the notification effect. The CPU 581 shifts the process to S416.

The CPU 581 determines whether any other commands have been received from the main control board 41 (S416). If no other commands have been received (S416: NO), the CPU 581 ends the sub-control board processing. If any other commands have been received (S416: YES), the CPU 581 executes various processes according to the commands (S418). The CPU 581 ends the sub-control board processing.

An example of a notification effect executed in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 (A-1) shows an example of a notification effect in the normal state. In the normal state, a normal mode presentation mode is provided. In the normal state, it is recommended to play by hitting with the left hand. For this reason, the normal mode presentation mode is configured by mainly executing a first notification effect for notifying the result of the special chart 1 jackpot determination. The display screen 28 is provided with a mode name display section 110 that shows the mode name of the presentation mode. When the normal state is set, the word "normal mode" is displayed in the mode name display section 110. In this state, the pattern change of the presentation pattern 100 related to the first notification effect is performed.

Figure 18 (A-2) shows an example in which the presentation pattern 100 is displayed as a confirmed pattern with a combination of repeated numbers indicating that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot in the notification presentation in normal mode. Therefore, after that, as shown in Figure 18 (A-3), a jackpot game is played, and a jackpot game presentation for the jackpot game is performed. During a jackpot game, it is recommended to hit the game ball with the right hand toward the jackpot opening. For this reason, a right-hand hit display 119 is also displayed on the display screen 28 to instruct the player to change the game from left-hand hit to right-hand hit.

Figure 18 (A-4) shows an example in which the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set as the A time-saving state after the big win game performance executed in Figure 18 (A-3) ends. As described above, the non-probability variable second time-saving state is associated with the performance mode of the chance mode. In the non-probability variable second time-saving state, it is recommended to play by hitting the right. For this reason, the performance mode of the chance mode is configured by mainly executing the second notification performance for notifying the result of the special chart 2 big win judgment. When the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set, the word "Chance mode" is displayed in the mode name display section 110. On the display screen 28, the right hit display 119 is displayed continuously during the big win game. Note that even when the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set as the B time-saving state, the performance mode becomes the chance mode as shown in Figure 18 (A-3), and the notification performance is executed using a specific background image corresponding to the chance mode.

Figure 18 (A-5) shows an example in which the probability variable state and the A time-saving state are set after the jackpot game presentation executed in Figure 18 (A-3) ends, that is, the probability variable second time-saving state is set. As described above, the non-probability variable second time-saving state is associated with the presentation mode of the battle mode. The display screen 28 displays the friendly character CH1 and the enemy character CH2. In the non-probability variable second time-saving state, it is recommended to play by hitting the right. For this reason, the presentation mode of the battle mode is configured by mainly executing the second notification presentation for notifying the result of the special chart 2 jackpot judgment. When the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set, the word "battle mode" is displayed in the mode name display section 110. On the display screen 28, the right-hit display 119 is displayed continuously during the jackpot game. Figure 18 (A-5) shows the appearance of the character CH1 and the character CH2 facing each other.

Figure 18 (A-6) shows an example in which the performance pattern 100 forms a reach state in the notification performance executed in the battle mode, and a scene of the character CH1 and the character CH2 fighting is displayed. In the first embodiment, if the character CH1 wins against the character CH2, a jackpot game with a certain jackpot is played afterwards. If the character CH1 loses to the character CH2, a jackpot game with a non-certain jackpot is played afterwards. If the character CH1 and the character CH2 draw, a miss judgment result is announced in the notification performance, and the next notification performance is executed. Figure 18 (A-7) shows an example in which the character CH1 wins against the character CH2, and the performance pattern 100 is displayed as a confirmed pattern with a combination of repeated numbers, indicating that the result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot. Therefore, as shown in Figure 18 (A-8), a jackpot game is played afterwards, and a jackpot game performance for the jackpot game is performed.

The content of the notification display in the battle mode is one example. Therefore, for example, the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment may be a gaming machine that executes a drop lottery to determine whether the jackpot probability will drop from a high to a low probability in a high probability state, and may notify the player that the character CH1 will drop from the high probability state to a non-high probability state by being defeated by character CH2. In the first embodiment, the notification display that constitutes the battle mode is not executed in the non-high probability second time-saving state in which the chance mode display mode is set. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can make a player who sees the notification display in the battle mode understand that the game is progressing in the most advantageous game state for the player, and can excite the player.

Figure 19 (A-9) shows how the game state returns to the normal state as the game progresses, and the game progresses in the normal mode presentation mode. Figure 19 (A-10) shows an example where the result of the special 1 jackpot judgment in the normal state is a miss, and special 1 miss B is determined as the missing pattern for the first special pattern. In this case, in the corresponding first notification presentation, the presentation pattern 100 is displayed as a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" in accordance with the missing pattern for special 1 miss B.

Figure 19 (A-11) shows an example of the presentation content when the special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern of the first special pattern in the normal state, and then the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state. In the first embodiment, the feature is that in the non-probability first time-saving state, the same notification presentation as the notification presentation constituting the battle mode executed in the probability second time-saving state is executed. That is, as the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-probability first time-saving state, the notification presentation constituting the battle mode is executed. When the sub-first time-saving flag is "ON", the CPU 581 displays the specific display 121 on the display screen 28. The specific display 121 is composed of the characters "Suddenly!" In this way, the battle mode that is suddenly started as the normal state transitions to the non-probability first time-saving state and is set for the time during which a maximum of five notification presentations are executed is called "sudden battle mode". While the battle mode continues until the next big win game is executed, the sudden battle mode is set only while a specific number of notification presentations are executed.

The non-probability first time-saving state is a slight time-saving state, and is a game state in which it is recommended to play with the left hand, as in the normal state. Therefore, in the non-probability first time-saving state, as long as the game is continued with the left hand, the game proceeds with contents very similar to the normal state in terms of the operation ratio of the second start port 15. In the non-probability first time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 provides an effect mode of the sudden battle mode in which a notification effect similar to the notification effect of the battle mode is executed, so that the player who has been playing in the normal state can be surprised and excited. The pachinko machine 1 can also increase the player's sense of expectation by suddenly executing the notification effect of the battle mode executed in the probability second time-saving state, which is the most advantageous for the player, following the normal state game by setting the sudden battle mode. Since the sudden battle mode is a time-limited mode that lasts for the time during which a maximum of five notification effects are executed, the pachinko machine 1 can also give the player a sense of specialness about the sudden battle mode. In addition, since the non-probability first time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play by hitting with the left hand, just like in the normal state, the right-hand hit display 119 is not displayed on the display screen 28.

Figure 19 (A-12) shows an example in which a reach state is created in the notification effect of the sudden battle mode started in Figure 19 (A-11), and a scene of characters CH1 and CH2 fighting is displayed on the display screen 28. Figure 19 (A-13) shows an example in which the result of the battle in Figure 19 (A-12) is a draw between characters CH1 and CH2, thereby indicating that a jackpot was not determined, i.e., the notification effect indicates a miss.

Figure 19 (A-14) shows how the notification effect continues in the first non-probability time-saving state. Figure 19 (A-15) shows an example where the notification effect started in Figure 19 (A-14) displays the effect pattern 100 with a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" as a confirmed display. In other words, Figure 19 (A-15) shows a case where the result of the special chart 1 jackpot judgment in the first non-probability time-saving state is a miss, and the miss pattern is determined to be Special 1 Miss B or Special 1 Miss C, and the effect pattern 100 is displayed with the confirmed pattern of "5, 3, 1".

As mentioned above, the non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state very similar to the normal state, but it differs from the normal state in that the probability of the C time-saving state being set is higher than in the normal state when a miss judgment result is derived. Then, when a miss judgment result is derived by the special 1 big hit judgment in the non-probability-change first time-saving state, and when the miss pattern is determined to be special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C, the non-probability-change second time-saving state, which is more advantageous for the player than the non-probability-change first time-saving state that was set up until then, is set. Therefore, after that, as shown in FIG. 19 (A-16), the chance mode presentation mode is started as the non-probability-change second time-saving state is set. In this case, the game state transitions from the non-probability-change first time-saving state in which left hitting is recommended to the non-probability-change second time-saving state in which right hitting is recommended. Accordingly, the right hit display 119 is displayed on the display screen 28. The player can change the game from left hitting to right hitting in response to the display of the right hit display 119 and enjoy the game in the non-probability-change second time-saving state.

In this way, when Special 1 Miss B is determined as the losing symbol during normal play, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation by starting the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode, in which a presentation similar to that of the second time-saving state of the probability variable is executed. The first time-saving state of the non-probability variable, in which the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode is provided, is actually a more advantageous state for the player than the normal state in terms of the ease of setting the C time-saving state. Therefore, by executing a notification presentation corresponding to the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode, the pachinko machine 1 suggests to the player that the game state is one in which it is easy to transition to the second time-saving state of the non-probability variable, and can actually, rather than merely appearing to, increase the player's sense of expectation.

In the first embodiment, the table division of the fluctuation pattern determination table that is referred to in order to determine the fluctuation pattern of the notification effect in the second time-saving probability state is also referred to in the first time-saving non-variable state, thereby realizing the setting of the sudden battle mode. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may provide a table division of the fluctuation pattern determination table that is referred to in the non-first time-saving non-variable state separately from the table division that is referred to in the second time-saving non-variable state. Specifically, the pachinko machine 1 may configure a table division that is referred to in the first time-saving non-variable state separately using a part of the fluctuation pattern included in the table division that is referred to in the second time-saving non-variable state. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may configure a table division that is referred to in the first time-saving non-variable state using a fluctuation pattern that corresponds to a notification effect that has a different fluctuation time, etc. from the fluctuation pattern included in the table division that is referred to in the second time-saving non-variable state, but has a common performance content in that the character CH1 and the character CH2 appear and fight. In other words, the pachinko machine 1 should be configured so that a notification effect similar to the specific notification effect executed in the second time-saving probability mode can also be executed in the first time-saving non-probability mode.

In the first embodiment, a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big hit determination in the non-probability first time-saving state, and when special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C is determined as the miss pattern, the non-probability second time-saving state is set. The pachinko machine 1 may provide a case where, when a specific miss pattern is determined in the non-probability first time-saving state, the non-probability first time-saving state is set again, and a case where the non-probability second time-saving state is set. For example, the pachinko machine 1 may set the non-probability first time-saving state again when special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern in the non-probability first time-saving state, and may set the non-probability second time-saving state when special 1 miss C is determined as the miss pattern in the non-probability first time-saving state. In this case, when special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern in the non-probability first time-saving state, the non-probability first time-saving state in which the C time-saving state is likely to be set continues further. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 makes it easier to maintain the player's sense of anticipation for the C time-saving state, especially the second time-saving state, to be set during the progress of the sudden battle mode presentation mode. Also, when the special 1 miss C is determined as the miss pattern in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, the non-probability variable second time-saving state, which is more advantageous than the non-probability variable first time-saving state, is set, which can greatly excite the player.

In the first embodiment, the player's sense of expectation in the micro-time-saving state is improved by performing a notification effect similar to that in the second time-saving state in the non-first time-saving state. The notification effect executed in the second time-saving state is not limited to a battle effect, and may be various types of notification effects. By executing a notification effect of the same type as that executed in the second time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 can improve the player's sense of expectation to play in the non-first time-saving state. For example, the notification effect in the second time-saving state of the probability change is a notification effect using a unique background image, etc., and the pachinko machine 1 may execute the notification effect using the unique background image in the non-first time-saving state of the probability change. In addition, the content of the notification effect executed in the non-first time-saving state of the probability change may be a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 may execute a notification effect similar to that in the non-second time-saving state in the non-first time-saving state of the probability change. In other words, the pachinko machine 1 may enhance the player's sense of anticipation as he or she plays in the non-probability-variable first time-saving state by performing a notification effect specific to the chance mode in the non-probability-variable first time-saving state.

As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, the operation rate of the second start hole 15 in the first time-saving state is lower than in the second time-saving state. The pachinko machine 1 sets the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode in the non-probability-changing first time-saving state, in which a notification presentation similar to that in the presentation mode of the battle mode set in the probability-changing second time-saving state, which is the most advantageous state for the player, is executed. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to allow a player playing in the non-probability-changing first time-saving state to enjoy notification presentations similar to those in the probability-changing second time-saving state, which is more advantageous than the non-probability-changing first time-saving state, for a limited number of times. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation, particularly in the non-probability-changing first time-saving state, among the game states in which the time-saving state is set.

When the result of the miss determination is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the normal state and the special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "ON" (S198). As a result, the first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state without the execution of a big win game, and the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-probability variable first time-saving state. The pachinko machine 1 suddenly associates the battle mode presentation mode with the non-probability variable first time-saving state that is set in this way. As a result, the pachinko machine 1 can give the player the impression that a presentation mode similar to the probability variable second time-saving state has suddenly started while playing in the normal state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation by setting the first time-saving state as the C time-saving state.

When a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the normal state and special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "ON" (S198). On the other hand, when a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state and special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "ON" (S205). That is, when a game is played with the left hand in the normal state and a miss determination result is derived by the special chart 1 big win determination, the pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability variable first time-saving state as the C time-saving state with a probability of 1/100. Also, when a miss determination result is derived by the special chart 1 big win determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability variable second time-saving state as the C time-saving state with a probability of 10/100. In this way, the non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state very similar to the normal state, but differs from the normal state in that the C time-saving state is more likely to be set than in the normal state when a miss judgment result is derived. In the non-probability-change first time-saving state set in this way, the pachinko machine 1 sets the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode. The non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state in which the non-probability-change second time-saving state may be set as the C time-saving state. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 not only increases the player's sense of expectation by executing a notification presentation according to the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode, but also suggests to the player that the degree of advantage for the player is actually improved compared to the normal state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably increase the player's sense of expectation by setting the presentation mode of the sudden battle mode in the non-probability-change second time-saving state.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big hit determination in the normal state, and if the special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the game state transitions to the non-probability first time-saving state. In both the normal state and the non-probability first time-saving state, it is recommended to play with the left hand. For this reason, the player is likely to equate the normal state game with the non-probability first time-saving state game. The pachinko machine 1 sets the presentation mode of the battle mode in the non-probability first time-saving state in a state in which the player is allowed to play with the left hand as in the normal state. A miss determination is derived by the special chart 1 big hit determination in the non-probability first time-saving state, and if the special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C is determined as the miss pattern, the game state transitions to the non-probability second time-saving state. Since the non-variable second time-saving state is a game state in which the second start port 15 is activated more frequently than the non-variable first time-saving state, the player changes from left-handed play to right-handed play as the game state transitions from the non-variable first time-saving state to the non-variable second time-saving state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 allows the player to recognize that the transition of the game state to the non-variable second time-saving state, which is advantageous to the player, occurred from the most disadvantageous normal state, and the player's sense of expectation can be increased at once.

In the first embodiment, the second starting hole 15 is an example of a "normal electric role". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the normal electric role processing in S16 of FIG. 7 is an example of a "normal game execution means". The first starting hole 14 and the second starting hole 15 are examples of "starting holes". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the big win determination in S96 and S103 of FIG. 10 is an example of a "determination means". The big win game is an example of a "special game". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes each process of S215 and S226 of FIG. 14 is an example of a "special game execution means". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes each process of S138, S140 of FIG. 11, S158, S166, S176, S179 of FIG. 12, S198, S205 of FIG. 13, and S246 of FIG. 14 is an example of a "setting means". The CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 that executes S503 in Fig. 17 is an example of an "announcement performance execution means". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes each process of S122 in Fig. 9 and S113 in Fig. 10 is an example of a "variable display execution means".
The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the processes of S98 and S105 in FIG. 10 is an example of the "symbol determination means."

Next, a second embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 20 to 25. Note that the configuration of the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment is common to the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the second embodiment that is common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

The special symbol determination table of the second embodiment stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 20. The special symbol determination table of the second embodiment differs from the special symbol determination table of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that a losing symbol with the symbol name "Special 1 Miss D" is added to the first special symbol. Therefore, the first special symbol of the second embodiment includes losing symbols with four symbol names: "Special 1 Miss A", "Special 1 Miss B", "Special 1 Miss C", and "Special 2 Miss D". The proportions of losing symbols of the first special symbols are "Special 1 Miss A" 90%, "Special 1 Miss B", 0.5%, "Special 1 Miss C", and 0.5%.

In the second embodiment, when Special 1 Miss B is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, the non-probability first time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss B is displayed as a confirmed display until the number of judgments reaches 5, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, when Special 1 Miss D is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, the non-probability first time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss D is displayed as a confirmed display until the number of judgments reaches 7. Therefore, when the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-probability first time-saving state, that is, when the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state, the number of C time-saving times is 5 or 7. On the other hand, when the first special symbol is determined to be Special 1 Miss B, Special 1 Miss C, or Special 1 Miss D in the non-probability variable first time-saving state and the non-probability variable second time-saving state, the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss B, Special 1 Miss C, or Special 1 Miss D is displayed until the number of judgments reaches 100. In other words, when the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state, the number of C time-saving times is 100. Note that when Special 1 Miss B, Special 1 Miss C, or Special 1 Miss D is determined as the first special symbol in the probability variable second time-saving state, there is no change in the game state.

The fluctuation pattern determination table of the second embodiment stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 21. The fluctuation pattern determination table of the second embodiment differs from the fluctuation pattern determination table of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in that the table division when the game state is not in the first time-saving probability variable state is set separately from the table division when the game state is in the second time-saving probability variable state.

In the table division for the non-probability first time-saving state, "mission performance A" is provided as a variation pattern when the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, and "mission performance B" and "mission performance C" are provided as variation patterns when the result of the jackpot determination is a miss. Mission performance A is a variation pattern corresponding to a notification performance in which a predetermined achievement condition is presented using the display screen 28 or the like, and the result of the jackpot determination is notified that the jackpot determination is a jackpot by indicating that the presented achievement condition has been achieved. Hereinafter, the predetermined achievement condition presented by the pachinko machine 1 using the display screen 28 or the like is referred to as a "mission". In the second embodiment, the predetermined mission is that, during the pattern change of the performance pattern 100, the left pattern 101 and the right pattern 103 of the performance pattern 100 show "6" to form a reach state, and during the pattern change of the performance pattern 100, the right pattern 103 of the performance pattern 100 shows "8" and stops. Mission performance B and mission performance C are variation patterns that correspond to notification performances that notify the player that the specified mission has not been accomplished and that the result of the jackpot determination is a miss.

In the second embodiment, the feature is that each of the variation times corresponding to the variation patterns included in the table division in the case of the non-probability first time-saving state is 60 seconds. The presentation mode in which the notification presentation indicating whether or not a predetermined mission is accomplished, that is, the notification presentation corresponding to any of the mission presentation A, mission presentation B, and mission presentation C, is executed is called the "mission mode". In the mission mode, notification presentations regarding whether or not the presented predetermined mission is accomplished are continuously performed. Therefore, in the mission mode, the pachinko machine 1 can continue to attract the player's attention to whether or not the mission is accomplished, thereby increasing the player's sense of expectation. Since the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment fixes the execution time of the notification presentation executed in the mission mode to 60 seconds, the mission mode is 5 minutes when the number of C time-saving times is 5, and the mission mode is 7 minutes when the number of C time-saving times is 7. Five minutes is the time obtained by multiplying 5, which is the number of notification presentations executed in the mission mode, by 60 seconds. Seven minutes is the time obtained by multiplying 7, which is the number of notification presentations executed in the mission mode, by 60 seconds. If a notification effect is performed to notify the player of a jackpot while the mission mode is set, the mission mode will end as the jackpot game is played after the notification effect ends.

The game state transition process of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 22. In the following, the same process as in the first embodiment will be described with the same step number as in the first embodiment, and the process different from the first embodiment will be described with a different step number from the first embodiment. The game state transition process of the second embodiment executes the process of S601 in FIG. 22 instead of the process of S201 in FIG. 13 of the game state transition process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13. In detail, when the CPU 51 judges "NO" in S192, that is, when the time-saving state A or the time-saving state C (S192: NO), it judges whether the special 1 miss B, the special 1 miss C, or the special 1 miss D is displayed as the losing pattern (S601). The CPU 51 makes the judgment of S601 by referring to the information indicating the contents of the special pattern stored in the RAM 52. When the CPU 51 determines that the special 1 miss B, special 1 miss C, or special 1 miss D is not displayed as the losing symbol (S601: NO), the process returns to the special symbol process. When the CPU 51 determines that the special 1 miss B, special 1 miss C, or special 1 miss D is displayed as the losing symbol (S601: YES), the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the second time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S202). After that, the CPU 51 executes the processes of S203 and S205.

With reference to FIG. 23, the game flow and game state transition in the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when a miss judgment result is derived by the special chart 1 big hit judgment, the miss pattern B of special chart 1, which is a miss pattern, is determined at a rate of 0.5%, and the miss pattern D of special chart 1, which is a miss pattern, is determined at a rate of 0.5%. In this case, after the miss pattern B of special chart 1 or the miss pattern D of special chart 1 is displayed as a confirmed display, the game state transitions to the non-probability first time-saving state as shown by the arrow (g). That is, in the second embodiment, the mission mode presentation mode is set in the non-probability first time-saving state, and the number of C time-saving times when the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state is 5 times or 7 times, which is different from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the other game flow and game state transitions are the same as those in the first embodiment. Note that the number of C time-saving times when the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state may be set to three or more ways.

The notification performance execution process of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. When the notification performance execution process of the second embodiment is started, the CPU 581 executes the processes of S501 and S502, similar to the notification performance execution process of the first embodiment. The CPU 581 determines whether the notification performance to be executed this time is the first notification performance to be executed since the first time-saving state is started (S611). This determination is made based on whether the notification performance to be executed this time is the first notification performance to be executed since the sub-first time-saving flag is set to "ON". If the notification performance to be executed this time is not the first notification performance to be executed since the first time-saving state is started (S611: NO), the CPU 581 transitions the process to the determination of S613.

If the notification effect to be executed this time is the first notification effect to be executed after the first time-saving state is started (S611: YES), this corresponds to the start of the mission mode. Therefore, the CPU 581 determines a predetermined mission to be presented using the display screen 28 or the like at the start of the mission mode (S612). The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a mission in advance, in which the left pattern 101 and the right pattern 103 of the aforementioned performance pattern 100 show "6" to form a reach state, and the right pattern 103 of the performance pattern 100 shows "8" and stops during the pattern change of the performance pattern 100. The pachinko machine 1 stores image data corresponding to the notification effect patterns corresponding to each of the multiple missions in a CGROM (not shown) provided on the performance control board 43. The CPU 581 determines one of the multiple missions by selecting it by a predetermined lottery. The CPU 581 stores information indicating the determined mission in the RAM 582. The CPU 581 proceeds to the determination step S613.

The CPU 581 judges whether the first time-saving state is set (S613). If the sub-first time-saving flag is "ON", the CPU 51 judges that the first time-saving state is set (S613: YES) and refers to the information indicating the mission stored in the RAM 582 in S612. The CPU 581 generates a notification performance start command for executing a notification performance of contents corresponding to the information indicating the referred mission, and sets it in the command buffer (S615). The notification performance start command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 that received the notification performance start command reads out image data corresponding to the information indicating the mission included in the notification performance start command from the CGROM. Then, the CPU 431 controls image processing by the image control circuit 435 to display the read image data on the display screen 28, thereby starting the display of the performance image of the notification performance corresponding to the mission determined in S612. On the other hand, if the first time-saving state is not set (S613: NO), the CPU 581 generates a notification effect start command according to the fluctuation pattern acquired in S501 and sets it in the command buffer (S616). This causes the notification effect based on the fluctuation pattern to be executed. The CPU 581 returns the process to the sub-control board process.

An example of a notification effect executed in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 25. As in FIG. 19 (A-9) of the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that normal game play is progressing as shown in FIG. 25 (A-9). Also, as in FIG. 19 (A-10) of the first embodiment, it is assumed that the result of the special symbol 1 big win determination in normal state is a miss, and special symbol 1 miss B is determined as the miss symbol for the first special symbol, as shown in FIG. 25 (A-10). In this case, in the corresponding first notification effect, the effect symbol 100 is displayed as a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" in accordance with the miss symbol for special symbol 1 miss B.

Figure 25 (B-1) shows an example of the case where the execution of the first notification effect is started in a state where the special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern of the first special pattern in the normal state, and the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state after that. As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the non-probability first time-saving state is a slight time-saving state, and is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting from the left as in the normal state. Therefore, in the non-probability first time-saving state, as long as the game is continued by hitting from the left, the game progresses with contents very similar to the normal state in terms of the operation ratio of the second start hole 15. As described above, in the second embodiment, the mission mode effect mode is associated with the non-probability first time-saving state. In the notification effect that is executed first in the non-probability first time-saving state, the contents of the mission in the mission mode are displayed in the mission display section 122 of the display screen 28. In FIG. 25 (B-1), let us say that in the process of S602 described above, a mission has been decided in which the left pattern 101 and the right pattern 103 of the performance symbols 100 show a "6" to create a reach state. The mission display unit 122 scrolls the text "Reach with the symbol 6!" which indicates the content of this mission.

In addition to the word "Mission Mode", the mode name display unit 110 displays the remaining time of the mission mode. FIG. 25 (B-1) shows the state immediately after the non-probability first time-saving state is set. When the non-probability first time-saving state, which is the C time-saving state, is set in response to the determination of Special 1 Miss B as the losing pattern of the first special pattern in the normal state, the non-probability first time-saving state continues from the time when the first special pattern of Special 1 Miss B is displayed until the number of judgments reaches 5 times. In the second embodiment, the fluctuation time indicated by the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the notification effect executed in the non-probability first time-saving state is all 60 seconds. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the non-probability first time-saving state, which is set in response to the determination of Special 1 Miss B as the losing pattern of the first special pattern, i.e., the mission mode, continues for 5 minutes, which is the time it takes for the 60-second notification effect to be executed 5 times. The mode name display unit 110 displays the remaining time of the mission mode in a countdown manner. In the example of FIG. 25 (B-1), the mode name display unit 110 displays "4:59," indicating that the remaining time in mission mode is 4 minutes and 59 seconds.

When the non-probability first time-saving state is set in response to the determination of Special 1 Miss D as the losing symbol of the first special symbol in the normal state, the non-probability first time-saving state continues from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss D is confirmed and displayed until the number of judgments reaches seven. Therefore, the non-probability first time-saving state, i.e., the mission mode, which is set in response to the determination of Special 1 Miss B as the losing symbol of the first special symbol, continues for seven minutes, which is the time it takes for the 60-second notification performance to be executed seven times. Since the pachinko machine 1 provides multiple patterns of five-minute and seven-minute durations for the mission mode, it is possible to create a sense of anticipation in the player as to which duration of the mission mode will be set.

In conventional gaming machines, when a special presentation mode with a limited execution time is set, the special presentation mode may end while the notification presentation is being performed. In this case, in the notification presentation in which the special presentation mode ends while it is being performed, no notification related to the special presentation mode is made, which may reduce the player's expectations regarding the notification presentation. In the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment, the mission mode always continues until the end of the five or seven notification presentations. In other words, the mission mode does not end while the notification presentation is being performed. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain the player's expectations until the very end of the mission mode.

Figure 25 (B-2) shows how the "6" symbol temporarily stops on the left symbol 101, while the center symbol 102 and right symbol 103 continue to change during the notification effect started in Figure 25 (B-1). The mission in the mission mode is for the left symbol 101 and right symbol 103 to show "6" to create a reach state, so in Figure 25 (B-2) it is assumed that an effect is being executed that teases whether or not a "6" will also temporarily stop on the right symbol 103. When the right symbol 103, which is displayed in a changing state, scrolls the changing line while showing "6", the CPU 431 of the effect control board 43 adds an effect image E1 that emphasizes the symbol showing "6", in order to draw the player's attention to whether or not a "6" symbol will temporarily stop on the right symbol 103.

Figure 25 (B-3) shows how the right pattern 103 does not stop displaying "6" after the state shown in Figure 25 (B-2), and the performance pattern 100 is displayed as a combination of random numbers, thereby announcing that the result of the jackpot determination is a miss. Since the first notification effect in the mission mode has ended, the mode name display unit 110 displays "4:00", indicating that the remaining time of the mission mode is 4 minutes. Although not shown, if the notification effect executed in the mission mode notifies that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot, the mission is accomplished in that notification effect. In other words, after the left pattern 101 and the right pattern 103 show "6" during the mid-way pattern change of the performance pattern 100 to form a reach state, the jackpot is announced by displaying a combination of random numbers in the performance pattern 100.

Figure 25 (B-4) shows how the notification effect is executed following Figure 25 (B-3). In the second embodiment, in the mission mode, the content of the mission determined at the start of the mission mode is carried over until the mission mode ends. Therefore, even in the notification effect executed for the second time or later in the mission mode, the scrolling display of the words "Reach with the number 6!" continues on the mission display unit 122.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the non-probability variable first time-saving state differs from the normal state in that the probability of the C time-saving state being set is higher than in the normal state when a miss judgment result is derived. Then, when a miss judgment result is derived by the special 1 big hit judgment in the non-probability variable first time-saving state and the miss pattern is determined to be special 1 miss B, special 1 miss C, or special 1 miss D, a non-probability variable second time-saving state that is more advantageous to the player than the non-probability variable first time-saving state that had been set up until that point is set. Figure 25 (B-5) shows an example in which the performance pattern 100 is displayed as a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" in the notification performance started in Figure 25 (B-4), and is confirmed. That is, FIG. 25 (B-5) shows a case where the result of the special chart 1 jackpot judgment in the non-probable chance first time-saving state is a miss, and the miss pattern is determined to be special chart 1 miss B, special chart 1 miss C, or special chart 1 miss D, and the performance pattern 100 is displayed as the confirmed pattern of "5, 3, 1."

After that, as shown in FIG. 25 (A-16), the chance mode presentation mode is started with the setting of the non-probability variable second time-saving state. In this case, the game state transitions from the non-probability variable first time-saving state, in which left-handed hitting is recommended, to the non-probability variable second time-saving state, in which right-handed hitting is recommended. In response to this, the right-handed hitting display 119 is displayed on the display screen 28. The player can change the game from left-handed hitting to right-handed hitting in response to the display of the right-handed hitting display 119, and enjoy playing in the non-probability variable second time-saving state.

In this way, the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment starts the mission mode, which is a time-limited presentation mode, when the special 1 miss B is determined as the losing pattern of the first special pattern during the progress of play in the normal state. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to attract the player's attention as to whether the mission will be completed within the time, and to increase the player's sense of expectation. The non-probability variable first time-saving state in which the mission mode presentation mode is provided is actually more advantageous to the player than the normal state in terms of the ease of setting the C time-saving state. Therefore, by executing a notification presentation corresponding to the mission mode presentation mode, the pachinko machine 1 suggests to the player that a game state that is likely to transition to the non-probability variable second time-saving state is occurring for a limited time, and can actually increase the player's sense of expectation, rather than just appearing to do so.

Furthermore, in pachinko machine 1, the more times the notification effects can be executed in the non-probability first time-saving state, the higher the possibility that Special 1 Miss B, Special 1 Miss C, or Special 1 Miss D will be determined as the losing symbol in that non-probability first time-saving state. Pachinko machine 1 sets the number of C time-saving times to 5 or 7 times when the non-probability first time-saving state is set. In addition, pachinko machine 1 fixes the execution time of the notification effects executed in mission mode to 60 seconds, so the duration of mission mode has multiple lengths of 5 minutes or 7 minutes. Therefore, pachinko machine 1 can change the player's expectations by indicating whether the duration of mission mode is 5 minutes or 7 minutes.

The mission contents shown in the second embodiment are only an example, so the pachinko machine 1 may have other missions. The mission contents are not limited to those using the performance pattern 100. For example, the pachinko machine 1 may have a mission in which a specific advance notice performance appears. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may have a mission pattern on the display screen 28 that is displayed separately from the performance pattern 100, and may have a mission in which the mission patterns stop in a predetermined combination when a predetermined operation of the performance button 35 is received during the execution of the notification performance. The mission may be presented using the mission display unit 122, or the content of the mission may be presented by voice, etc. The mission may be presented using the mission display unit 122, etc., at the start of the non-probability second time-saving state, or at a time when a while has passed since the non-probability second time-saving state started.

The execution time of the notification effect executed in the mission mode may be fixed to any time shorter or longer than 60 seconds, such as 30 seconds or 2 minutes. Even in this case, the duration of the mission mode can be limited to a predetermined time by setting the number of C time reductions when the non-probability first time reduction state is set to a predetermined number. In the second embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 may fix the execution time of at least the notification effect that notifies a miss among the notification effects executed in the mission mode to a single time such as 60 seconds. The pachinko machine 1 may define the execution time of the notification effect of the mission effect A, that is, the notification effect that notifies a jackpot after the mission is accomplished, to a time longer than 60 seconds among the notification effects executed in the mission mode. If the execution time of the notification effect of the mission effect A is defined to a time longer than 60 seconds, the pachinko machine 1 may configure the content of the notification effect of the mission effect A so that the completion of the mission is notified within 60 seconds after the notification effect of the mission effect A is started. Furthermore, the pachinko machine 1 may define the duration of the notification effect executed in the mission mode to be shorter than 60 seconds for the notification effect that notifies the player of a jackpot when the mission is accomplished, and notify the player that the mission has been accomplished while the notification effect is being executed. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to notify the player of the accomplishment of the mission within the time limit of the five or seven minute mission mode, when executing the notification effect of mission effect A for the fifth or seventh time in the mission mode.

The execution time of the notification effect executed in the mission mode does not have to be fixed to a certain time. In this case, the duration of the mission mode will be indefinite, but since the mission mode will not end in the middle of the execution of the notification effect, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain the player's sense of anticipation until the very end of the mission mode.

In the second embodiment, an example has been shown in which one mission is provided for one mission mode, but multiple missions may be provided for one mission mode. For example, one mission may be provided for one notification effect. Specifically, a new mission may be presented each time a notification effect is performed in the mission mode. Also, multiple missions may be presented simultaneously at the start of the mission mode, and the result of the jackpot determination may be announced when each of the multiple missions is completed in the mission mode. Also, the mission may be changed by presenting one mission at the start of the mission mode, and then presenting another mission at any timing thereafter.

As explained above, the gaming machine provided by the second embodiment comprises a normal electric device configured to be operable between a first state in which it is difficult or impossible for the gaming ball to win a prize and a second state in which it is easier for the gaming ball to win a prize than in the first state, a normal game execution means for executing a normal winning game by operating the normal electric device to the second state in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition, a starting port including the normal electric device, a judgment means for executing a special judgment for deriving one judgment result from a group of judgment results including a jackpot and a miss when the judgment result indicating the jackpot is derived by the special judgment, a special game execution means for executing a jackpot game, and an operation rate, which is the rate at which the normal electric device is operated to the second state per unit time, being a normal rate. The system includes a setting means for setting one of a plurality of game states, including a non-time-saving state in which the activation rate is a non-time-saving state, a first time-saving state in which the activation rate is a first rate higher than the normal rate, and a second time-saving state in which the activation rate is a second rate higher than the first rate, in response to the arrival of a predetermined trigger; a notification performance execution means for executing a notification performance that notifies the determination result of the special determination; and a presentation means for presenting a predetermined achievement condition in the notification performance executed at least in the temporary time-saving state, and the notification performance execution means is capable of executing an achievement condition-related notification performance, which is the notification performance that includes content related to the achievement condition, from the time when the achievement condition is presented by the presentation means in the temporary time-saving state until the temporary time-saving state ends in response to the arrival of the predetermined trigger.

In the gaming machine provided by the second embodiment, in the first time-saving state, the rate of operation of normal electric devices is higher than in the non-time-saving state, but lower than in the second time-saving state. The gaming machine according to the present invention can execute a notification effect related to the achievement condition from the time when the notification effect in which the achievement condition is presented by the presentation means is executed in the first time-saving state until the first time-saving state ends. In other words, the presentation of the content related to the achievement condition does not end in the middle of the notification effect. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can maintain the player's sense of anticipation until the end of the mode presentation by utilizing play in the first time-saving state.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment, the operation rate of the second start port 15 in the first time-saving state is lower than in the second time-saving state. The pachinko machine 1 can set the mission mode presentation mode in the non-probability-variable first time-saving state. In this case, since the mission mode does not end in the middle of the execution of the notification presentation, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain the player's sense of expectation until the end of the mission mode. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain the player's sense of expectation until the end of the mission mode by utilizing play in the non-probability-variable first time-saving state.

The gaming machine provided by the second embodiment includes a storage means for storing a definition table that defines the pattern of the notification effect, and a notification effect determination means for determining the pattern of the notification effect by referring to the definition table, the notification effect execution means executes the notification effect according to the pattern determined by the notification effect determination means, the trigger for ending the temporary short state set by the setting means includes the notification effect being executed a predetermined number of times in the temporary short state, and a first definition table of the definition table that defines the pattern of the achievement condition related notification effect executed in the temporary short state may define at least the pattern of the achievement condition related notification effect that notifies that the judgment result of the special judgment is a miss, as a pattern indicating a single presentation time.

The gaming machine can continue to execute the achievement condition-related notification effects over the time that a predetermined number of notification effects are executed in the first time-saving state. The time during which the achievement condition-related notification effects that notify a miss are executed consecutively is the performance time of one achievement condition-related notification effect multiplied by the number of times the notification effect related to the end trigger of the first time-saving state is executed. The gaming machine executes the achievement condition-related notification effects consecutively over this time, and can realize a series of mode effects with fixed execution times.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, all of the fluctuation times corresponding to the fluctuation patterns included in the table divisions in the fluctuation pattern determination table in the case of the non-probability variable first time-saving state are 60 seconds. Therefore, the presentation mode of the mission mode continues for 5 minutes or 7 minutes, which is the time obtained by multiplying the number of notification presentations executed in the non-probability variable first time-saving state by 60 seconds. The pachinko machine 1 can provide the player with the mission mode as a special presentation mode with a limited execution time. Note that, among the notification presentations executed in the mission mode, the pachinko machine 1 only needs to fix the execution time of at least the notification presentation that notifies a miss to a single time such as 60 seconds, and the notification presentation that notifies a jackpot may have an execution time of more than 60 seconds.

The gaming machine provided by the second embodiment includes a variable display execution means for executing a variable display that displays a static display of a type of symbol corresponding to the judgment result after varying the symbol in order to show the judgment result of the special judgment, and the setting means can set either the temporary time-shortened state or the second time-shortened state when the symbol indicating the judgment result of a miss is displayed statically in the variable display, and the notification effect execution means can execute the notification effect in synchronization with the variable display, and can execute the achievement condition-related notification effect in the temporary time-shortened state that is set in response to the symbol indicating the judgment result of a miss being displayed statically in the variable display.

The setting means can set the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state when a pattern indicating a miss judgment result is stopped and displayed in the variable display. That is, the gaming machine may start playing in the first time-saving state from playing in a non-time-saving state without playing a jackpot. The gaming machine can execute a specific notification effect in the first time-saving state started in this way. Thus, the gaming machine can make a player who sees the specific notification effect feel as if a mode effect has started in which a notification effect related to achievement conditions would be executed if the player was playing in a non-time-saving state. Thus, the gaming machine can increase the player's sense of expectation by setting the first time-saving state.

When the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss B in the normal state, the pachinko machine 1 sets a non-probability first time-saving state from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss B is displayed to the time when the number of judgments reaches 5. Also, when the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss D in the normal state, the pachinko machine 1 sets a non-probability first time-saving state from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss D is displayed to the time when the number of judgments reaches 7. In both the normal state and the non-probability first time-saving state, it is recommended that the player play with a left hand. It is a game state. For this reason, the player is likely to equate the game in the normal state with the game in the non-probability first time-saving state. The pachinko machine 1 sets the presentation mode of the mission mode in the non-probability first time-saving state in a state in which the player plays with a left hand as in the normal state. A miss is determined by the special symbol 1 jackpot determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, and if the miss symbol is determined to be special symbol 1 miss B, special symbol 1 miss C, or special symbol 1 miss D, the game state transitions to the non-probability variable second time-saving state. Since the non-probability variable second time-saving state is a game state in which the second start hole 15 is activated at a higher rate than the non-probability variable first time-saving state, the player changes the game from left-handed to right-handed as the game state transitions from the non-probability variable first time-saving state to the non-probability variable second time-saving state. For this reason, the pachinko machine 1 allows the player to recognize the transition of the game state to the non-probability variable second time-saving state, which is advantageous to the player, as if it had occurred from the normal state, and the player's sense of expectation can be increased at once.

The gaming machine provided by the second embodiment includes a pattern determination means for determining the type of the pattern to be stopped and displayed in the variable display executed by the variable display execution means, and the setting means can set either the temporary time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state when a specific losing pattern, which is a specific pattern among the patterns indicating the determination result of the loss, is stopped and displayed in the variable display, and the pattern determination means may determine the specific losing pattern with a higher probability when at least the temporary time-shortening state is set than when the non-time-shortening state is set.

The first time-shortening state and the second time-shortening state are states in which the rate of operation of normal electric devices is higher than in the non-time-shortening state, and are therefore game states that are more advantageous to the player than the non-time-shortening state. When the first time-shortening state is set, the pattern determination means determines a specific losing pattern with a higher probability than when the non-time-shortening state is set. In the first time-shortening state, the probability of determining a specific losing pattern, i.e., the probability of entering the first time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state without a jackpot game, is higher than in the non-time-shortening state. In addition, the first time-shortening state is a game state in which a specific notification effect is executed. In other words, the first time-shortening state, in which a mode effect in which an achievement condition-related notification effect is executed is executed, is a state in which the probability of entering a game state that is more advantageous than the non-time-shortening state without a jackpot game is actually higher than in the non-time-shortening state. Therefore, by executing a mode effect in which a notification effect related to an achievement condition is executed in the first time-saving state, the gaming machine can suggest to the player that there is an increased probability of entering a game state that is more advantageous than a non-time-saving state without going through a jackpot game, and can reliably increase the player's sense of expectation.

When a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the normal state and special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "ON" (S198). On the other hand, when a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state and special 1 miss B, special 1 miss C, or special 1 miss D is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "ON" (S205). That is, when a game is played with the left hand in the normal state and a miss determination result is derived by the special chart 1 big win determination, the pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability variable first time-saving state as the C time-saving state with a probability of 1/100. Also, when a miss determination result is derived by the special chart 1 big win determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability variable second time-saving state as the C time-saving state with a probability of 10/100. In this way, the non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state very similar to the normal state, but differs from the normal state in that the C time-saving state is more likely to be set than the normal state when a miss judgment result is derived. In the non-probability-change first time-saving state set in this way, the pachinko machine 1 associates the presentation mode of the mission mode. The non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state in which the non-probability-change second time-saving state may be set as the C time-saving state. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 can not only increase the player's sense of expectation by executing a notification presentation according to the presentation mode of the mission mode, but can also suggest to the player that the degree of advantage for the player is actually improved compared to the normal state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably increase the player's sense of expectation by setting the presentation mode of the mission mode in the non-probability-change second time-saving state.

The gaming machine provided by the second embodiment may be such that the start openings different from those using the normal electric device are positioned at positions where game balls fired at a first firing intensity can win, and the start openings using the normal electric device are positioned at positions where game balls fired at a second firing intensity can win, the non-time-saving state and the temporary time-saving state are gaming states in which it is recommended to play at the first firing intensity, and the second time-saving state is the gaming state in which it is recommended to play at the second firing intensity.

In this case, in a non-time-saving state where the game proceeds with the first firing intensity, when the first time-saving state is set by the setting means, the game continues to proceed with the first firing intensity. Therefore, the player is likely to equate the game in the non-time-saving state with the game in the first time-saving state. In a game with this first firing intensity, the gaming machine can execute a mode presentation in which a notification presentation related to the achievement condition is executed. The second time-saving state is a state in which the operation rate of the normal electric role is higher than that of the first time-saving state, and is therefore a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state. When transitioning from the first time-saving state to a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state including the second time-saving state, the player changes the firing intensity of the game ball from the first firing intensity to the second firing intensity. That is, when a trigger for setting the second time-saving state arrives while a specific notification presentation is being executed at the first firing intensity, the gaming machine has the player change the progress of the game from the first firing intensity to the second firing intensity. Therefore, the gaming machine allows the player to recognize that the transition to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, including the second time-saving state, has occurred as if it had occurred from a non-time-saving state, and can instantly increase the player's sense of anticipation.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment, a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big hit determination in the normal state, and if the special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the game state transitions to the non-probability first time-saving state. In both the normal state and the non-probability first time-saving state, it is recommended to play with the left hand. For this reason, the player is likely to equate the normal state game with the non-probability first time-saving state game. The pachinko machine 1 sets the presentation mode of the mission mode in the non-probability first time-saving state in a state in which the player is allowed to play with the left hand as in the normal state. A miss determination is derived by the special chart 1 big hit determination in the non-probability first time-saving state, and if the special 1 miss B, special 1 miss C, or special 1 miss D is determined as the miss pattern, the game state transitions to the non-probability second time-saving state. Since the non-variable second time-saving state is a game state in which the second start port 15 is activated more frequently than the non-variable first time-saving state, the player changes from left-handed play to right-handed play as the game state transitions from the non-variable first time-saving state to the non-variable second time-saving state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can make the player recognize that the transition of the game state to the non-variable second time-saving state, which is advantageous to the player, occurred from the most disadvantageous normal state, and can instantly increase the player's sense of expectation.

In the first embodiment, the second starting hole 15 is an example of a "normal electric role". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the normal electric role processing at S16 in FIG. 7 is an example of a "normal game execution means". The first starting hole 14 and the second starting hole 15 are examples of "starting holes". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the jackpot determination at S96 and S103 in FIG. 10 is an example of a "determination means". The jackpot game is an example of a "special game". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes each process of S215 and S226 in FIG. 14 is an example of a "special game execution means". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes each process of S138, S140 in FIG. 11, S158, S166, S176, S179 in FIG. 12, S198, S205 in FIG. 13, and S246 in FIG. 14 is an example of a "setting means". The CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58, which executes the processes of S615 and S616 in FIG. 24, is an example of an "announcement effect execution means." The announcement effects executed in response to the fluctuation patterns of mission effect A, mission effect B, and mission effect C are an example of an "achievement condition related announcement effect." The table category of the non-probability variable first time-saving state included in the fluctuation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 21 is an example of a "first definition table." The CPU 51 of the main control board 41, which executes the processes of S122 in FIG. 9 and S113 in FIG. 10, is an example of a "variable display execution means." The CPU 51 of the main control board 41, which executes the processes of S98 and S105 in FIG. 10, is an example of a "design determination means."

Next, a third embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 26 to 30. Note that the configuration of the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment, other than the configuration described below, is common to the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the third embodiment that is common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

The special symbol determination table of the third embodiment stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 26. The special symbol determination table of the third embodiment differs from the special symbol determination table of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that a losing symbol with the symbol name "Special 1 Miss E" is added to the first special symbol. Therefore, the first special symbol of the third embodiment includes losing symbols with four symbol names: "Special 1 Miss A", "Special 1 Miss B", "Special 1 Miss C", and "Special 2 Miss E". The proportions of losing symbols of the first special symbols are "Special 1 Miss A" 90%, "Special 1 Miss B" 1%, "Special 1 Miss C" 5%, and "Special 1 Miss E" 4%.

In the third embodiment, when the special 1 miss B is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, a non-probability first time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss B is displayed until the number of judgments reaches 5, as in the first embodiment. Also, when the special 1 miss B or the special 1 miss C is determined as the first special symbol in the non-probability first time-saving state and the non-probability second time-saving state, a non-probability second time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss B or the special 1 miss C is displayed until the number of judgments reaches 100. On the other hand, when the special 1 miss E is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, there is no change in the game state. Also, when the special 1 miss E is determined as the first special symbol in the non-probability first time-saving state, a new non-probability first time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss E is displayed until the number of judgments reaches 20. In addition, if the first special symbol is determined to be Special 1 Miss E in the non-probability variable second time-saving state, a new non-probability variable second time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss E is confirmed and displayed until the number of judgments reaches 100. In addition, if Special 1 Miss B, Special 1 Miss C, or Special 1 Miss E is determined to be the first special symbol in the probability variable second time-saving state, there is no change in the game state.

The fluctuation pattern determination table of the third embodiment stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 27. The fluctuation pattern determination table of the third embodiment, like the second embodiment, differs from the fluctuation pattern determination table of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 in that the table division when the game state is not in the first time-saving probability variable state is set separately from the table division when the game state is in the second time-saving probability variable state.

In the table division for the non-probability first time-saving state, "reach performance L", "reach performance M", "reach performance N", and "reach performance P" are provided as variation patterns when the result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot or a miss. The table division for the non-probability first time-saving state in the third embodiment is characterized in that even when the result of the jackpot judgment is a miss, only the variation pattern of the reach performance is provided, and no variation pattern of a non-reach state that does not constitute a reach state is provided. For this reason, in the third embodiment, when the non-probability first time-saving state is set, a reach performance is always executed as a notification performance. In a general gaming machine, if the notification performance does not reach the reach state, the possibility that the notification performance will notify the result of the jackpot judgment is extremely low. On the other hand, if the notification performance reaches the reach state, the possibility that the notification performance will subsequently notify the result of the jackpot judgment is maintained. Therefore, when a reach performance is executed as a notification performance, the player's sense of expectation is increased more than when a non-reach notification performance is executed.

In the third embodiment, since only reach effects are executed as notification effects in the non-probability first time-saving state, the effect mode associated with the non-probability first time-saving state is called the "reach continuous mode". By setting the reach continuous mode in the non-probability first time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation in the non-probability first time-saving state. In the third embodiment, the table division in the non-probability first time-saving state has a variation pattern corresponding to the same type of reach effect in both cases where the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot and a miss. This is not limited to this, and there may be a variation pattern corresponding to a reach effect that is provided when the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot and not provided when it is a miss. There may also be a variation pattern corresponding to a reach effect that is provided when the result of the jackpot determination is a miss and not provided when it is a jackpot.

A reach performance in which the performance pattern 100 forms a reach state, the patterns that do not form a reach state continue to display the variable, and the notification performance ends without any development such as switching the performance content being executed thereafter, is generally called a normal reach. In the third embodiment, a reach performance in which the left pattern 101 and the right pattern 103 of the performance pattern 100 form a reach state, the middle pattern 102 continues to display the variable, and the notification performance ends without any development in the performance content thereafter corresponds to a normal reach. On the other hand, a reach performance other than a normal reach, in which the performance pattern 100 forms a reach state, the patterns that do not form a reach state continue to display the variable, and the performance content develops thereafter, is generally called a super reach, a special reach, etc. In the third embodiment, the reach performances executed in response to the variable patterns of "reach performance L", "reach performance M", "reach performance N", and "reach performance P" all correspond to a super reach. Super Reach can create a higher sense of expectation in the player than normal Reach due to the development of the presentation after the Reach state is created. The pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment can give the player the impression that while playing in a normal state, he or she has suddenly entered a presentation mode of a consecutive Reach mode in which Super Reach is executed continuously. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation by setting the first time-saving state as the C time-saving state.

The game state transition process of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 28. In the following, the same process as the first embodiment will be described with the same step number as the first embodiment, and the process different from the first embodiment will be described with a step number different from the first embodiment. The game state transition process of the third embodiment is executed by adding the judgment process of S701 and S702 shown in FIG. 28 when "NO" is judged in S201 of FIG. 13 among the game state transition processes of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13. In detail, when the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss B or the special 1 miss C has not been displayed as the miss pattern in the A time-saving state or the C time-saving state (S201: NO), it judges whether the special 1 miss E has been displayed as the miss pattern (S701). When the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss E has not been displayed as the miss pattern (S701: NO), it returns the process to the special pattern process. When the CPU 51 determines that the special 1 loss E has been confirmed as the loss symbol (S701: YES), it determines whether the first time-saving state is set (S702). When the first time-saving flag is "OFF", the CPU 51 determines that the second time-saving state is set (S701: NO) and proceeds to S202.

On the other hand, if the first time-saving flag is "ON", the CPU 51 determines that the first time-saving state is set (S701: YES) and moves the process to S195. After that, the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the notification of the end of the first time-saving state and sets it in the command buffer (S195). The CPU 51 refers to the special symbol determination table of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 26, and sets "20", which is the number of C time-saving times corresponding to the determination of special 1 miss E in the non-probable first time-saving state, in the C time-saving number counting counter (S196). The CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "OFF" (S176) and returns the process to the special symbol processing.

With reference to FIG. 29, the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the presentation mode of the reach continuous mode is set in the non-probability first time-saving state. Also, as shown by the arrow (p), when the special 1 miss E is determined as the first special symbol in the non-probability first time-saving state, the non-probability first time-saving state is newly set as the C time-saving state, that is, the non-probability first time-saving state is re-entered, which is also different from the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is also characterized in that the number of C time-saving times when the special 1 miss E is determined as the first special symbol in the non-probability first time-saving state and the non-probability first time-saving state is re-entered is 20 times, which is more than the number of C time-saving times of 5 times when entering the non-probability first time-saving state from the normal state. In the third embodiment, the other flow of the game and the transition of the game state are the same as in the first embodiment.

An example of a notification effect executed in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 30. As in FIG. 19 (A-9) of the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, it is assumed that normal play is proceeding as shown in FIG. 30 (A-9). Also, as in FIG. 19 (A-10) of the first embodiment, it is assumed that the result of the special 1 jackpot determination in normal play is a miss, and special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, as shown in FIG. 30 (A-10). In this case, in the corresponding first notification effect, the performance pattern 100 is displayed as a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" in accordance with the miss pattern of special 1 miss B.

Figure 30 (C-1) shows an example of a case where the execution of the first notification effect is started in a state where the non-probability first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state after the special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern in the normal state. As in the first embodiment, the non-probability first time-saving state in the third embodiment is a slight time-saving state, and as in the normal state, it is a game state in which it is recommended to play by hitting from the left. Therefore, in the non-probability first time-saving state, as long as the game is continued by hitting from the left, the game progresses in a content very similar to the normal state in terms of the operation ratio of the second start hole 15. As described above, in the third embodiment, the presentation mode of the reach continuous mode is associated with the non-probability first time-saving state. Therefore, as shown in Figure 30 (C-1), when the non-probability first time-saving state is set, the characters "reach continuous mode" are displayed in the mode name display unit 110. The mode name display unit 110 also displays the remaining number of notification effects to be executed in the reach continuous mode. In FIG. 30 (C-1), the words "4 more" are displayed, indicating that up to four more notification effects will be executed in the reach successive mode, excluding the notification effect currently being executed.

As mentioned above, all of the notification effects executed in the reach continuous mode are reach effects. FIG. 30 (C-2) shows a state in which the effect pattern 100 that started to change in FIG. 30 (C-1) stops with both the left pattern 101 and the right pattern 103 showing the pattern "4", forming a reach state, and the middle pattern 102 that does not form a reach state continues to change. In the third embodiment, the reach effect executed in the reach continuous mode is a super reach. FIG. 30 (C-2) shows an example in which, as the effect pattern 100 forms a reach state, the background image displayed on the display screen 28 is changed to one showing a forest that is different from the one before the reach state was formed. As shown in FIG. 30 (C-2), as the effect pattern 100 forms a reach state, a specific character CH3 appears in the center of the display screen 28, and the effect content develops into content that is different from the one before the reach state was formed.

Figure 30 (C-3) shows an example in which the character CH3 then retreats from the forest, and the middle symbol 102, which had been continuously displayed, stops at a symbol "2" different from "4", causing the performance symbol 100 to display a combination that indicates a miss. In this notification performance, the result of the judgment of a big win was not announced, but the pachinko machine 1 can improve the player's sense of expectation by making the content of the notification performance a super reach. In particular, since the notification performance of the super reach is executed continuously in the reach successive mode, the pachinko machine 1 can improve the player's sense of expectation in the reach successive mode more than in the normal mode. As in the first embodiment, in the third embodiment, the probability that the C time-shortening state is set in the non-probability-variable first time-shortening state when the judgment result of a miss is derived is higher than in the normal state. The non-probability-variable first time-shortening state in which the performance mode of the reach successive mode is provided is actually more advantageous to the player than the normal state in terms of the ease of setting the C time-shortening state. Therefore, by executing a notification effect of a reach effect corresponding to the effect mode of the reach successive mode, the pachinko machine 1 can suggest to the player that the game state is such that the C time-saving state is likely to be set, and can actually increase the player's sense of expectation, rather than merely appearing to do so.

Although not shown, when a notification effect is executed in the reach continuous mode to notify the result of the jackpot determination, a non-probability variable second time-saving state is set after the notification effect ends, as in the first embodiment. In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 19 (A-16) of the first embodiment, the non-probability variable second time-saving state is set and the chance mode presentation mode is started.

Figure 30 (C-4) shows an example in which the second notification performance in the reach consecutive mode is started by the performance pattern 100 starting to change display anew following the end of the first notification performance in the reach consecutive mode as shown in Figure 30 (C-3). The mode name display section 110 displays the words "3 more", indicating that up to three more notification performances will be executed in the reach consecutive mode, excluding the notification performance currently being executed.

Although not shown, the notification effect started in FIG. 30 (C-4) also executes the reach effect of the super reach, and the background image displayed on the display screen 28 is changed to one showing the inside of a forest as a result of the reach state, and the character CH3 and the like appear, and the content of the effect is developed. After that, the notification effect that was being executed does not notify the result of the judgment of a big win, and as shown in FIG. 30 (C-5), the result of the judgment of a miss is announced. The result of the judgment of a miss is derived by the special pattern 1 big win judgment executed at the start of this notification effect, and the miss pattern of the special 1 miss E is determined as the first special pattern. In the third embodiment, when the CPU 581 receives a stop pattern designation command indicating the miss pattern of the special 1 miss E in the non-probability first time-saving state, it determines the combination of "3, 1, 3" with the left pattern 101 as "3", the middle pattern 102 as "1", and the right pattern 103 as "3" (S408). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 30 (C-5), the effect pattern 100 is displayed as a combination of "3, 1, 3." The CPU 581 also displays the effect pattern 100 as a combination of "3, 1, 3," and displays a specific character CH4 on the display screen 28, thereby announcing that a new non-probability variable first time-saving state has been set, that is, that the player is re-entering the non-probability variable first time-saving state.

After that, as shown in FIG. 30 (C-5), a new non-probability first time-saving state is set. Since the number of C time-saving times corresponding to when special 1 miss E is determined in the non-probability first time-saving state is "20", a maximum of 20 notification effects are executed in the newly set non-probability first time-saving state. The mode name display unit 110 displays the sentence "19 more times", indicating that a maximum of 19 notification effects will be executed in the reach consecutive mode, excluding the notification effect currently being executed. The more notification effects are executed in the non-probability first time-saving state, i.e., the reach consecutive mode, the higher the probability that a miss pattern of special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C will be determined as the first special pattern in that reach consecutive mode. In the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment, the number of C time-saving times when a new non-probability first time-saving state is set in a non-time-saving state is greater than the number of C time-saving times when the game state is shifted from the normal state to the non-probability first time-saving state. As a result, the pachinko machine 1 increases the player's advantage when re-entering the non-probability variable first time-saving state compared to the advantage in the normal state and the advantage when entering the non-probability variable first time-saving state for the first time. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 increases the player's motivation to play in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, i.e., the reach continuous mode, and can further increase the player's sense of expectation.

In the third embodiment, when the pachinko machine 1 sets a new non-variable first time-saving state in the non-variable first time-saving state, the remaining number of C time-saving times in the non-variable first time-saving state that was set before the new setting may be added to the newly set number of C time-saving times. By adding the number of C time-saving times in this way, the pachinko machine 1 can provide the player with an even greater number of notification effects in the non-variable first time-saving state, thereby further increasing the player's sense of expectation. In addition, the number of C time-saving times when the non-variable first time-saving state is newly set in the non-time-saving state may be the same as the number of C time-saving times when the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-variable first time-saving state. The number of C time-saving times when the non-variable first time-saving state is newly set in the non-time-saving state may be less than the number of C time-saving times when the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-variable first time-saving state.

As described above, the gaming machine provided by the third embodiment comprises a starting hole, a judgment means for executing a special judgment to derive one judgment result from a group of judgment results including a jackpot and a miss, which indicate whether or not a jackpot game should be executed, when a gaming ball enters the starting hole, a special game execution means for executing the jackpot game when the judgment result indicating the jackpot is derived by the special judgment, a storage means for storing a definition table defining a pattern of notification effects accompanied by pattern variation in which the performance pattern is changed and then the performance pattern of a type corresponding to the judgment result is stopped and displayed, in order to notify the judgment result by the special judgment, and a storage means for storing a definition table defining a pattern of notification effects accompanied by pattern variation in which the performance pattern is changed and then the performance pattern of a type corresponding to the judgment result is stopped and displayed ... in order to notify the judgment result by the special judgment, and The system includes a notification effect determination means for determining a pattern of the notification effect, and a notification effect execution means for executing the notification effect according to the pattern determined by the notification effect determination means, and the definition table includes a specific definition table configured by a pattern of reach effects, which are the notification effects in which the performance patterns form a predetermined reach state during the pattern change process, and the notification effect determination means determines the pattern of the notification effect by referring to the specific definition table in a specific game state that is started in response to the arrival of a predetermined trigger and then ends in response to the start of the execution of the jackpot game or the execution of a predetermined number of the notification effects.

The gaming machine provided by the third embodiment refers to a specific definition table in a specific gaming state to determine the pattern of the notification effect. The specific definition table is composed of reach effect patterns. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can set a specific gaming state as a gaming mode in which a predetermined number of reach effects are executed in succession. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can realize a new gaming mode using reach effects.

In the third embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 sets a non-probability first time-saving state in response to the determination of the special 1 miss B as the miss pattern of the first special pattern in the normal state. The set non-probability first time-saving state continues from the time when the first special pattern of the special 1 miss B is displayed until the number of judgments reaches 5 times. In the third embodiment, the table division in the case of the non-probability first time-saving state has a variation pattern corresponding to the reach performance in both the case where the judgment result of the jackpot judgment is a jackpot and the case where it is a miss. That is, in the third embodiment, in the non-probability first time-saving state, only the notification performance of the reach performance is executed. In particular, in the third embodiment, the notification performance executed in the non-probability first time-saving state is the reach performance of the super reach. For this reason, the pachinko machine 1 can set the non-probability first time-saving state to provide a reach performance continuous mode in which the reach performance is executed continuously. A super reach can create a higher sense of expectation in the player than a so-called normal reach, so by setting a non-probability-variable first time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 can provide the player with a presentation mode that can greatly increase the player's sense of expectation.

The gaming machine provided by the third embodiment includes a normal electric device that is configured to be operable between a first state in which it is difficult or impossible for the gaming ball to win a prize and a second state in which it is easier for the gaming ball to win a prize than in the first state, a normal game execution means that executes a normal winning game by operating the normal electric device to the second state in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition, and a setting means that sets one of a plurality of game states including a non-time-saving state in which the operation rate, which is the rate at which the normal electric device is operated to the second state per unit time, is a normal rate, a first time-saving state in which the operation rate is a first rate higher than the normal rate, and a second time-saving state in which the operation rate is a second rate higher than the first rate, in response to the arrival of the predetermined trigger, and the start hole includes one that is configured by the normal electric device, and the notification performance determination means may determine the pattern of the notification performance by referring to the specific definition table in the temporary time-saving state.

The first time-saving state has a higher activation rate than the non-time-saving state but lower than the second time-saving state. When the first time-saving state is set, the gaming machine can provide the player with a special gaming mode in which a predetermined number of reach effects are executed in succession.

In the pachinko machine 1, the operation rate of the second start hole 15 in the first time-shortening state is slightly higher than that in the normal state, which is a non-time-shortening state. Since the opening time of the second start hole 15 in the first time-shortening state is very short, just like in the non-time-shortening state, it is difficult for the player to make the game ball enter the second start hole 15 in a normal winning game executed in the first time-shortening state. On the other hand, the operation rate of the second start hole 15 in the second time-shortening state is higher than that in the first time-shortening state. In other words, the first time-shortening state is a slight time-shortening state, and is a game state similar to the normal state, which is a non-time-shortening state. The pachinko machine 1 associates the reach continuous mode with the non-variable first time-shortening state in which such a first time-shortening state is set. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can give the player a feeling of playing as if, while playing in the normal state, the game had naturally transitioned to a game in a performance mode in which the reach performance is always performed a predetermined number of times in succession.

The setting means may set either the one-time time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state when the performance pattern indicating the determination result of a miss is stopped and displayed during the pattern change as the predetermined trigger, and the notification performance execution means may refer to the specific definition table to determine the pattern of the notification performance in the one-time time-shortening state that is set in response to the performance pattern indicating the determination result of a miss being stopped and displayed during the pattern change.

The setting means can set the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state when a performance pattern indicating a miss determination result is displayed in a stopped state in the variable display. That is, the gaming machine may start playing in the first time-saving state from playing in a non-time-saving state without playing a jackpot. In the first time-saving state thus started, the gaming machine can provide the player with a special game mode in which a predetermined number of reach performances are executed in succession. Thus, the gaming machine can increase the player's sense of anticipation by using the setting of the first time-saving state as an opportunity.

When the CPU 51 of the main control board 41 determines the special 1 miss B as the first special symbol in the normal state, the CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 displays the performance symbol 100 in a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" in response to the miss symbol of the special 1 miss B. The pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability first time-saving state from the time when the first special symbol of the special 1 miss B is displayed and the number of judgments reaches 5, that is, from the time when the performance symbol 100 is displayed and the combination of "5, 3, 1" is displayed and five notification effects are executed. As a result, the first time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state without the execution of a jackpot game, so that the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-probability first time-saving state. The pachinko machine 1 associates the performance mode of the reach continuous mode with the non-probability first time-saving state set in this way. This allows the player to feel as if, during normal play, the pachinko machine 1 has suddenly entered a presentation mode in which reach presentations are executed in succession, increasing the player's sense of anticipation.

The setting means may set the one-time time-shortening state when the predetermined trigger is that the performance pattern indicating the determination result of a miss is displayed in the pattern change in the non-time-shortening state, and may set the one-time time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state when the predetermined trigger is that the performance pattern indicating the determination result of a miss is displayed in the pattern change in the one-time time-shortening state.

In this case, the first time-shortening state is set at a predetermined trigger in the non-time-shortening state, and the first or second time-shortening state is set at a predetermined trigger in the first time-shortening state. This allows the gaming machine to make the first time-shortening state a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the non-time-shortening state, in that the second time-shortening state, which is not set in the non-time-shortening state, is set at a predetermined trigger in the first time-shortening state. Therefore, the gaming machine can increase the player's sense of anticipation by using the setting of the first time-shortening state as an opportunity.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment, if a miss is determined by the special 1 jackpot determination in the normal state, the game state transitions to the non-probability variable first time-saving state. If a miss is determined by the special 1 jackpot determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, the game state transitions to the non-probability variable first time-saving state or the non-probability variable second time-saving state. In other words, in the first time-saving state, there is a chance that the non-probability variable second time-saving state, which is not set in the normal state, will be set. In this respect, the non-probability variable first time-saving state is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. Therefore, by making the non-probability variable first time-saving state such a game state, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation by using the non-probability variable first time-saving state as an opportunity to set it.

The setting means may set the predetermined number of times corresponding to the one-time-shortening state in which the predetermined trigger is set to be the display of the performance pattern that indicates the determination result of a miss in the pattern change in the one-time-shortening state, to a number greater than the predetermined number of times corresponding to the one-time-shortening state in which the predetermined trigger is set to be the display of the performance pattern that indicates the determination result of a miss in the pattern change in the non-time-shortening state.

In this case, when the gaming machine sets the first time-saving state again at a predetermined trigger in the first time-saving state, the predetermined number of times can be greater than when the gaming machine sets the first time-saving state at a predetermined trigger in a non-time-saving state. Therefore, in this respect as well, the gaming machine can make the first time-saving state a gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than the non-time-saving state. Therefore, the gaming machine can increase the player's sense of anticipation by using the setting of the first time-saving state as an opportunity.

In the third embodiment, the number of C time-saving times when a new non-probability variable first time-saving state is set in response to a miss determination result being derived by a special 1 jackpot determination in a non-time-saving state is greater than the number of C time-saving times when a non-probability variable first time-saving state is set in response to a miss determination result being derived by a special 1 jackpot determination in a normal state. In this respect, too, the non-probability variable first time-saving state is a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can increase the player's sense of expectation by using the setting of the non-probability variable first time-saving state as an opportunity.

The setting means may set either the first time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state with a higher probability when at least the first time-shortening state is set, compared to when the non-time-shortening state is set, when the predetermined trigger is the display of the performance pattern indicating the determination result of a miss in the pattern fluctuation.

The first time-saving state and the second time-saving state are states in which the rate of operation of normal electric devices is higher than in the non-time-saving state, and therefore are game states that are more advantageous to the player than the non-time-saving state. When the first time-saving state is set, the setting means can set either the first time-saving state or the second time-saving state with a higher probability than when the non-time-saving state is set, triggered by the display of a performance pattern that indicates a miss determination result in the pattern fluctuation. In other words, the first time-saving state in which a specific notification performance is executed is a state in which the probability of entering a game state more advantageous than the non-time-saving state without a jackpot game is actually higher than in the non-time-saving state. Therefore, by providing the player with a special game mode in which a predetermined number of reach performances are executed in succession in the first time-saving state, the gaming machine can suggest to the player that the probability of entering a game state more advantageous than the non-time-saving state without a jackpot game is higher, and can reliably increase the player's sense of expectation.

When a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the normal state and special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the first time-saving flag to "ON" (S198). On the other hand, when a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big win determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state and special 1 miss B or special 1 miss C is determined as the miss pattern, the CPU 51 sets the second time-saving flag to "ON" (S205). That is, when a game is played with the left hand in the normal state and a miss determination result is derived by the special chart 1 big win determination, the pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability variable first time-saving state as the C time-saving state with a probability of 1/100. Also, when a miss determination result is derived by the special chart 1 big win determination in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 sets the non-probability variable second time-saving state as the C time-saving state with a probability of 9/100. In this way, the non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state very similar to the normal state, but differs from the normal state in that the C time-saving state is more likely to be set than the normal state when a miss judgment result is derived. In the non-probability-change first time-saving state set in this way, the pachinko machine 1 corresponds to the presentation mode of the reach successive mode. The non-probability-change first time-saving state is a game state in which the non-probability-change second time-saving state may be set as the C time-saving state. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to continuously execute the notification presentation of the reach presentation according to the presentation mode of the reach successive mode. Thus, the pachinko machine 1 can not only seemingly improve the player's sense of expectation, but also suggest to the player that the degree of advantage for the player is actually improved compared to the normal state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can reliably improve the player's sense of expectation by setting the presentation mode of the reach successive mode in the non-probability-change second time-saving state.

The starting holes that are different from the normal electric device are arranged in positions where game balls shot at a first shooting intensity can win, and the starting holes that are normal electric devices are arranged in positions where game balls shot at a second shooting intensity can win, and the non-time-saving state and the temporary time-saving state are game states in which it is recommended to play at the first shooting intensity, and the second time-saving state may be the game state in which it is recommended to play at the second shooting intensity.

In this case, when the first time-saving state is set by the setting means in the non-time-saving state in which the game proceeds with the first firing intensity, the game continues to proceed with the first firing intensity. Therefore, the player can easily equate the game in the non-time-saving state with the game in the first time-saving state. In the game with this first firing intensity, the gaming machine can provide the player with a special game mode in which a predetermined number of reach effects are executed in succession. The second time-saving state is a state in which the operation rate of the normal electric role device is higher than that of the first time-saving state, and is therefore a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state. When transitioning from the first time-saving state to a game state that is more advantageous to the player than the first time-saving state including the second time-saving state, the player changes the firing intensity of the game ball from the first firing intensity to the second firing intensity. That is, when an opportunity arrives for setting the second time-saving state while a specific notification effect is being executed at the first firing intensity, the gaming machine has the player change the progress of the game from the first firing intensity to the second firing intensity. Therefore, the gaming machine allows the player to recognize that the transition to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player, including the second time-saving state, has occurred as if it had occurred from a non-time-saving state, and can instantly increase the player's sense of anticipation.

In the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment, a miss determination result is derived by the special 1 big hit determination in the normal state, and if special 1 miss B is determined as the miss pattern, the game state transitions to the non-probability first time-saving state. In both the normal state and the non-probability first time-saving state, it is recommended to play with the left hand. For this reason, the player is likely to equate the normal state game with the non-probability first time-saving state game. The pachinko machine 1 sets the presentation mode of the reach continuous mode in the non-probability first time-saving state in a state in which the player is allowed to play with the left hand as in the normal state. A miss determination is derived by the special chart 1 big hit determination in the non-probability first time-saving state, and if special 1 miss B, special 1 miss C, or special 1 miss D is determined as the miss pattern, the game state transitions to the non-probability second time-saving state. Since the non-variable second time-saving state is a game state in which the second start port 15 is activated more frequently than the non-variable first time-saving state, the player changes from left-handed play to right-handed play as the game state transitions from the non-variable first time-saving state to the non-variable second time-saving state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 allows the player to recognize that the transition of the game state to the non-variable second time-saving state, which is advantageous to the player, occurred from the most disadvantageous normal state, and the player's sense of expectation can be increased at once.

In the first embodiment, the first start hole 14 and the second start hole 15 are examples of "start holes". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the jackpot determination in S96 and S103 of FIG. 10 is an example of a "determination means". The jackpot game is an example of a "special game". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes each process of S215 and S226 of FIG. 14 is an example of a "special game execution means". The ROM 53 of the main control board 41 that stores the variation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 27 is an example of a "storage means". Of the variation pattern determination table shown in FIG. 27, the table section that is referenced in the case of the non-probability first time-saving state is an example of a "specific definition table". The CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 that executes the process of S503 of FIG. 17 is an example of an "announcement performance execution means". The second start hole 15 is an example of a "normal electric role". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the normal electric role process in S16 of FIG. 7 is an example of a "normal game execution means". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41, which executes the processes of S138, S140 in FIG. 11, S158, S166, S176, and S179 in FIG. 12, S198 and S205 in FIG. 13, and S246 in FIG. 14, is an example of a "setting means."

Next, a fourth embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 31 to 43. Note that the configuration of the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment, other than the configuration described below, is the same as that of the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the fourth embodiment that is the same as that of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

With reference to FIG. 31, the second start port opening pattern definition table of the fourth embodiment stored in the ROM 53 will be described. In the first embodiment, two types of time-saving states, a first time-saving state and a second time-saving state, in which the opening patterns of the second start port 15 are different, are provided, but in the fourth embodiment, the opening pattern of the second start port 15 in the time-saving state is one type. As shown in FIG. 31, in the fourth embodiment, the normal winning probability in the non-time-saving state is 26/256 (about 10.2%). Also, in the non-time-saving state, the opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second start port 15 is one opening in 0.060 seconds. On the other hand, the normal winning probability in the time-saving state is 256/256 (100%). Also, in the time-saving state, the opening pattern of the opening/closing member 151 of the second start port 15 is one opening in 5.800 seconds. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the micro-time-saving state provided in the first, second and third embodiments is not provided. The pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment may or may not have a micro-time-saving mode.

In the fourth embodiment, the game state is classified into a plurality of types according to the trigger of the start of the time-saving state, that is, according to whether the time-saving state is the A time-saving state, the B time-saving state, or the C time-saving state. A game state in which the A time-saving state is set in a non-probability variable state is called a "non-probability variable A time-saving state". A game state in which the B time-saving state is set in a non-probability variable state is called a "non-probability variable B time-saving state". A game state in which the C time-saving state is set in a non-probability variable state is called a "non-probability variable C time-saving state". In any of the A time-saving state, the B time-saving state, or the C time-saving state, the operation rate of the second start hole 15 is much higher than in the non-time-saving state. In the time-saving state, the player can make the game ball enter the second start hole 15 much more easily than in the non-time-saving state and the temporary time-saving state. That is, in the fourth embodiment, any of the A time-saving state, the B time-saving state, or the C time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting with the right hand. In addition, in the high probability state, only the A time-saving state is set, and the B time-saving state and the C time-saving state are not set. Therefore, the state in which the A time-saving state is set in the high probability state is not specifically classified according to the trigger for the start of the time-saving state, but is simply called the "high probability state." In addition, the game state that is not a high probability state and not a time-saving state is called the "normal state" as in the first embodiment.

The special symbol determination table of the fourth embodiment stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 32. The jackpot symbol of the first special symbol in the fourth embodiment includes two types, "Special 1 special jackpot B" and "Special 1 normal jackpot B". Special 1 special jackpot B is a special jackpot symbol. Special 1 normal jackpot B is a non-special jackpot symbol. The ratio of jackpot symbols of the first special symbol is "Special 1 special jackpot B" 60% and "Special 1 normal jackpot B" 40%. The number of rounds of jackpot game executed in response to the determination of "Special 1 special jackpot B" and "Special 1 normal jackpot B" is "4".

The losing symbols of the first special symbol in the fourth embodiment include four types: "Special 1 Miss A", which is the same as in the first embodiment, and "Special 1 Miss F", "Special 1 Miss G", and "Special 1 Miss H", which are different from the first embodiment. The proportion of losing symbols of the first special symbol is "Special 1 Miss A" 90%, "Special 1 Miss F" 5%, "Special 1 Miss G" 3%, and "Special 1 Miss H" 2%.

The second special symbols include two types of jackpot symbols with symbol names, "Special 2 special jackpot B" and "Special 1 normal jackpot B," and one type of miss symbol with symbol name, "Special 2 miss." Special 2 special jackpot B is a special jackpot symbol. Special 2 normal jackpot B is a non-special jackpot symbol. The proportion of jackpot symbols for the second special symbols is 60% for "Special 2 special jackpot B" and 40% for "Special 2 normal jackpot B." The proportion of miss symbols for the second special symbols is 100% for "Special 2 miss." The number of rounds of jackpot play executed in response to the determination of "Special 2 special jackpot B" and "Special 2 normal jackpot B" is "8."

If Special 1 regular jackpot B is determined as the first special symbol, a special time-saving state will be set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set special time-saving state will continue until the next jackpot game is played. If Special 1 regular jackpot B is determined as the first special symbol, a special time-saving state will be set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set special time-saving state will continue until the number of judgments in the special time-saving state reaches 100.

If Special 1 Miss A is determined as the first special symbol, there is no change in the game state. If Special 1 Miss F is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, non-probability variable A time-saving state, and non-probability variable C time-saving state, a non-probability variable C time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss F is displayed to the time when the number of judgments reaches 20. If Special 1 Miss G is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, non-probability variable A time-saving state, and non-probability variable C time-saving state, a non-probability variable C time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss G is displayed to the time when the number of judgments reaches 30. If Special 1 Miss G is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, non-probability variable A time-saving state, and non-probability variable C time-saving state, a non-probability variable C time-saving state is set from the time when the first special symbol of Special 1 Miss G is displayed to the time when the number of judgments reaches 50. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the number of C time-saving times is 20 times, 30 times, or 50 times. If a notification effect is executed to notify a jackpot in the time-saving state, the time-saving state ends when the jackpot game is executed after the notification effect ends. Also, if the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss F, a special 1 miss G, or a special 1 miss H in the non-probability B time-saving state and the probability time-saving state, no change occurs in the game state.

If a special 2 regular jackpot B is determined as the second special symbol, a special time-saving state will be set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set special time-saving state will continue until the next jackpot game is played. If a special 2 regular jackpot B is determined as the first special symbol, a special time-saving state will be set after the corresponding jackpot game ends. The set special time-saving state will continue until the number of judgments reaches 100. Also, if a special miss 2 is determined as the first special symbol, no change will occur in the game state.

The variation pattern determination table of the fourth embodiment stored in ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 33. In the variation pattern determination table of the fourth embodiment, the table classification when the game state is the non-probability variable second time-saving state in the first embodiment is set to the table classification when the game state is the non-probability variable A time-saving state and the non-probability variable B time-saving state. In other words, the non-probability variable A time-saving state and the non-probability variable B time-saving state are associated with the same chance mode presentation mode as in the first embodiment.

The table classification when the game state is not the guaranteed variable C time-saving state is set separately from the table classification when the game state is not the guaranteed variable A time-saving state and the non-guaranteed variable B time-saving state. In the case of the non-guaranteed variable C time-saving state, the table classification has four fluctuation patterns, "jackpot A" to "jackpot D," when the judgment result is a jackpot, and three fluctuation patterns, "miss A" to "miss D," when the judgment result is a miss.

The four "jackpot A" to "jackpot D" and the three "miss A" to "miss C" are all associated with relatively short fluctuation times. The fluctuation time of "jackpot A" and "miss A" is 2.5 seconds. The fluctuation time of "jackpot B" and "miss B" is 5 seconds. The fluctuation time of "jackpot C" and "miss C" is 7.5 seconds. The fluctuation time of "jackpot D" is 10 seconds. In the fourth embodiment, the average time of the fluctuation time indicated by the fluctuation pattern included in the table section of the non-probability variable C time-saving state is shorter than the average time of the fluctuation time indicated by the fluctuation pattern included in the table section of the normal state, the average time of the fluctuation time indicated by the fluctuation pattern included in the table section of the probability variable time-saving state, and the average time of the fluctuation time indicated by the fluctuation pattern included in the table section in the case of the non-probability variable A time-saving state and the non-probability variable B time-saving state. In other words, the average execution time of the notification effects executed when the game state is in the non-probability variable C time-saving state is shorter than the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the normal state, the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the probability variable time-saving state, and the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the non-probability variable A time-saving state and the non-probability variable B time-saving state.

In the fourth embodiment, in the notification effects executed in response to the four numbers "jackpot A" through "jackpot D" and the three numbers "miss A" through "miss C," the performance symbols 100 do not form a ready state. In the notification effects executed in response to each of "jackpot A" through "jackpot D," the performance symbols 100 display a confirmed combination of double numbers without forming a ready state after starting the variable display. In the notification effects executed in response to each of "miss A" through "miss C," the performance symbols 100 display a confirmed combination of numbers other than double numbers, such as random numbers, without forming a ready state after starting the variable display.

The special variation pattern determination table stored in the ROM 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 34. In the fourth embodiment, the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set until the number of judgments in the non-probability variable C time-saving state reaches the C time-saving number. After that, the time-saving state ends, and the game state transitions to the normal state. The special variation pattern determination table defines a variation pattern corresponding to the notification effect executed for the first time in the normal state when the game state transitions from the non-probability variable C time-saving state to the normal state. In the processing of S112 shown in FIG. 10 of the special symbol processing, when determining the variation pattern for the first time in the normal state when the game state transitions from the non-probability variable C time-saving state to the normal state, the CPU 51 determines the variation pattern by referring to the special variation pattern determination table.

The special variation pattern determination table has a "number of times display effect (win)" as a variation pattern when the judgment result is a jackpot, and a "spinning display effect (miss)" as a variation pattern when the judgment result is a miss. The variation time of the number of times display effect (win) and the number of times display effect (miss) is 20 seconds each. In the notification effect executed in response to the variation pattern of the number of times display effect (win) and the number of times display effect (miss), an effect is performed that displays the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability C time-saving state that was set immediately before the notification effect was executed. Details will be described later.

The game state transition process of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 35 to 37. Below, the same processes as in the first embodiment will be described with the same step numbers as in the first embodiment, and processes different from the first embodiment will be described with different step numbers than in the first embodiment. Note that in the fourth embodiment, a time-saving flag is used instead of the first time-saving flag and second time-saving flag of the first embodiment. The time-saving flag is a flag that indicates whether the aforementioned time-saving state is in effect, and when the time-saving state is set, "1" is stored and the flag is "ON", and when the time-saving state ends, "0" is stored and the flag is "OFF".

As shown in FIG. 35, when the game state transition process of the fourth embodiment is started, the CPU 51 executes each process of S131 to S133 and S135 in order. A game state command notifying the sub-control board 58 that the time-save state is ending is called a time-save state end notification. The CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the time-save state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S801). The CPU 51 sets the time-save flag to "OFF" (S802). The CPU 51 proceeds to the judgment of S141. The CPU 51 executes each process of S142 to S146 and S148 in order.

As shown in FIG. 36, the CPU 51 executes the judgment of S151. If the judgment of S151 is "YES", the CPU 51 executes the processes of S152, S153, and S155 in order. A game state command notifying the end of the time-saving state is sent to the sub-control board 58, which is called a time-saving state end notification. If the value of the A time-saving count counter is "0" (S155: YES), the CPU 51 generates a game state command corresponding to the time-saving state end notification and sets it in the command buffer (S811). The CPU 51 sets the time-saving flag to "OFF" (S812), and the process proceeds to the judgment of S181 shown in FIG. 37.

If the determination in S151 is "NO", the CPU 51 executes the determination in S161. If the determination in S161 is "YES", the CPU 51 executes the processes in S162 and S163 in order. If the determination in S163 is "YES", the CPU 51 executes the processes in S811 and S812 in order. The CPU 51 transitions the process to the determination in S181.

If the determination in S161 is "NO", the CPU 51 executes the determination in S171. If the determination in S171 is "NO", the CPU 51 shifts the process to the determination in S181. If the determination in S171 is "YES", the CPU 51 executes the processes in S172 and S173 in order. If the determination in S173 is "NO", the CPU 51 shifts the process to the determination in S181. If the determination in S173 is "YES", the CPU 51 executes the processes in S811 and S812 in order. The CPU 51 shifts the process to the determination in S181.

As shown in FIG. 37, the CPU 51 executes the judgment of S181. If the judgment of S181 is "YES", the process returns to the special symbol processing. If the judgment of S181 is "NO", the CPU 51 executes the processes of S182, S183, S185, S186 and S188. After executing S188, the CPU 51 sets the time-saving flag to "OFF" (S821). The CPU 51 judges whether the game is in the B time-saving state according to the value of the B time-saving count counter (S191). If the game is in the B time-saving state, that is, if the game state is in the non-probable B time-saving state (S191: YES), the CPU 51 returns the process to the special symbol processing.

When the CPU 51 is not in the B time-saving state, that is, when the game state is in the normal state, the non-probability variable A time-saving state, or the non-probability variable C time-saving state (S191: NO), it judges whether the special 1 miss F, special 1 miss G, or special 1 miss H is displayed as the confirmed miss symbol (S822). When the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss F, special 1 miss G, or special 1 miss H is not displayed as the confirmed miss symbol (S822: NO), it returns the process to the special symbol process. A game state command notifying the start of the time-saving state is sent to the sub-control board 58. When the CPU 51 judges that the special 1 miss F, special 1 miss G, or special 1 miss H is displayed as the confirmed miss symbol (S822: YES), it generates a game state command corresponding to the time-saving state start notice and sets it in the command buffer (S823).

The CPU 51 sets the number of C time reductions in the C time reduction count counter by referring to the special symbol determination table shown in FIG. 32 (S196). In S196, the CPU 51 sets the number of C time reductions in the C time reduction count counter to "20", "30" or "50", which corresponds to the case where special 1 miss F, special 1 miss G or special 1 miss H is determined in the normal state, non-probable variable A time reduction state or non-probable variable C time reduction state. The CPU 51 generates a C time reduction count notification command and sets it in the command buffer (S825). The C time reduction count notification command is a command for notifying the sub-control board 58 of the number of C time reductions. The C time reduction count notification command includes information indicating the value set in the C time reduction count counter in S196 as information indicating the number of C time reductions. The CPU 51 sets the time reduction flag to "OFF" (S826) and returns the process to the special symbol process.

The special electric gadget processing of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 38. If the CPU 51 judges "YES" in S211 and "NO" in S212, it executes the processes of S213 to S229 in order. If the CPU 51 judges "YES" in S212, it executes the processes of S231 and S232 in order. If the CPU 51 judges "YES" in S233, it executes the processes of S235 and S236 in order. The CPU 51 generates a game state command notifying the start of the time-saving state and sets it in the command buffer (S831). The transmission of a game state command notifying the start of the time-saving state to the sub-control board 58 is called a time-saving state start notification. The CPU 51 proceeds to S833.

If the CPU 51 determines "NO" in S233, it generates a game state command corresponding to the time-saving state start notification and sets it in the command buffer (S832). The CPU 51 executes the processes of S242, S243, and S245 in order. The CPU 51 sets the time-saving flag to "ON" (S833), and returns the process to the special symbol process.

With reference to FIG. 39, the flow of the game and the transition of the game state in the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the normal state is a non-variable non-time shortening state, and is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting from the left. The presentation mode in the normal state is the normal mode similar to the first embodiment. When the game is started from the normal state, the game progresses by hitting from the left, and when the game ball enters the first starting hole 14, a special 1 jackpot determination is performed with a predetermined jackpot probability. When the jackpot determination result is derived by the special 1 jackpot determination, the special 1 jackpot B, which is a jackpot pattern, is determined at a rate of 60%, and the special 1 normal jackpot B, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined at a rate of 40%. When a notification presentation is performed to notify the player that the determination result of the special 1 jackpot determination is a jackpot, a 4R jackpot game is performed as a jackpot pattern or a non-variable jackpot as the first jackpot game after the end of the notification presentation. After the first winning game ends, the game is set to the A time-saving state with a probability of 60% as shown by the arrow (c), and to the non-probability A time-saving state with a probability of 40% as shown by the arrow (d).

In the fourth embodiment, the probability variable time-saving state is the most advantageous game state for the player. As described above, the probability variable time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting the right hand. The probability variable time-saving state is associated with the same battle mode presentation mode as in the first embodiment. In the probability variable time-saving state, the game progresses by hitting the right hand, and when the game ball enters the second starting hole 15, a special chart 2 jackpot determination is performed with a predetermined jackpot probability. When a jackpot determination result is derived by the special chart 2 jackpot determination, a special chart 2 probability variable jackpot B, which is a probability variable jackpot pattern, is determined with a 60% probability, and a special chart 2 normal jackpot B, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined with a 40% probability. When a notification presentation is performed to notify the player that the determination result of the special chart 2 jackpot determination is a jackpot, an 8R jackpot game is played after the end of the notification presentation, as shown by the arrow (e). If the jackpot game is a probability variable jackpot, the probability variable time-saving state is set again, as shown by the arrow (e). If the jackpot game is a non-variable jackpot, the non-variable A time-saving state is set, as shown by the arrow (f).

In the fourth embodiment, the non-probability A time-saving state is the second most advantageous game state for the player after the probability time-saving state. As described above, the non-probability A time-saving state is a game state in which it is recommended to play the game by hitting the right. The non-probability A time-saving state is associated with the chance mode presentation mode. In the non-probability A time-saving state, the game progresses by hitting the right, and when the game ball enters the second starting hole 15, a special chart 2 jackpot determination is performed with a predetermined jackpot probability. When the jackpot determination result is derived by the special chart 2 jackpot determination, the special chart 2 probability jackpot B, which is a probability jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 60%, and the special chart 2 normal jackpot B, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined with a probability of 40%. When a notification presentation is performed to notify the player that the determination result of the special chart 2 jackpot determination is a jackpot, an 8R jackpot game is performed after the end of the notification presentation, as shown by the arrow (f). If the jackpot game is a guaranteed jackpot, as shown by the arrow (e), a guaranteed jackpot time-saving state that is more advantageous than the non-guaranteed A time-saving state is set. If the jackpot game is a non-guaranteed jackpot, as shown by the arrow (f), the non-guaranteed A time-saving state is set again.

In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the B time-saving state is set when the jackpot game ends and the number of judgments counted from the start of the execution of the jackpot judgment in the non-probability variable state and the RAM clear process reaches the upper limit number. Therefore, as shown by the arrow (l), the game state transitions from the normal state to the non-probability variable B time-saving state when the above-mentioned number of judgments reaches the upper limit number of 601 times. The non-probability variable B time-saving state is associated with the chance mode presentation mode, as in the non-probability variable A time-saving state. The non-probability variable B time-saving state ends when the jackpot judgment result is not derived and the number of judgments in the non-probability variable second time-saving state reaches the B time-saving number of 300 times. In this case, as shown by the arrow (m), the game state returns to the normal state.

On the other hand, in the normal state, when a miss is determined by the special 1 jackpot determination, the miss symbol is determined as special 1 miss F at a rate of 5%, special 1 miss G at a rate of 3%, and special 1 miss H at a rate of 2%. In this case, after the special 1 miss symbol F, special 1 miss symbol G, or special 1 miss symbol H is displayed as confirmed, the game state transitions to the non-probability change C time-saving state as shown by the arrow (g). The non-probability change C time-saving state is a game state in which a time-saving state is set in the non-probability change state, just like the non-probability change A time-saving state, and it is recommended to play by hitting to the right. Note that in the normal state, if the miss symbol is determined as special 1 miss A, the game state remains normal even if the miss symbol is displayed as confirmed.

In the fourth embodiment, the non-probability change C time-saving state is a game state in which a time-saving state is set in a non-time-saving state, similar to the non-probability change A time-saving state and the non-probability change B time-saving state. Therefore, the degree of advantage for the player in the non-probability change C time-saving state is similar to the non-probability change A time-saving state and the non-probability change B time-saving state. On the other hand, the average execution time of the notification effect in the non-probability change C time-saving state is shorter than the average execution time of the notification effect in the non-probability change A time-saving state and the non-probability change B time-saving state. Therefore, in the non-probability change C time-saving state, the notification effect is executed the number of times set by the C time-saving number, faster than the notification effect in the non-probability change A time-saving state and the non-probability change B time-saving state. In other words, the non-probability change C time-saving state is a game state in which a time-saving state is set in a non-probability change state, similar to the non-probability change A time-saving state and the non-probability change B time-saving state, but is consumed faster than the non-probability change A time-saving state and the non-probability change B time-saving state.

In addition, in the non-probability C time-saving state, if a jackpot judgment result is derived by the special chart 1 jackpot judgment, the special 1 probability jackpot A, which is a probability jackpot pattern, is determined at a rate of 60% and the special 1 normal jackpot A, which is a normal jackpot pattern, is determined at a rate of 40%, as in the normal state. In this case, the first hit game of the probability jackpot is played as shown by the arrow (i), or the first hit game of the non-probability jackpot is played as shown by the arrow (j), and the game state transitions to the probability jackpot time-saving state or the non-probability jackpot time-saving state as shown by the arrow (c) or arrow (d). In addition, if a jackpot judgment result is not derived in the non-probability C time-saving state and a miss judgment result is derived, only the special 1 miss pattern A is determined as the miss pattern, and if a jackpot judgment is performed 20 times, 30 times, or 50 times, which is the number of C time-saving times, without a new C time-saving state being set, the C time-saving state ends. In this case, the game state returns to the normal state as shown by the arrow (k).

A player playing in the normal state progresses with the aim of winning the first time. If the first win is not obtained and the number of notification effects executed in the normal state increases, the player will play in the hope that the number will reach the upper limit and the B time-saving state will be set. The pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment has a non-probability variable C time-saving state in which the number of judgments in the non-probability variable state can be consumed at high speed. For this reason, by shifting the game state from the normal state to the non-probability variable C time-saving state, the pachinko machine 1 can give the player the impression that the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable state will quickly reach the upper limit for setting the B time-saving state.

The sub-control board processing of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 40. In the following, in the fourth embodiment, the same processes as in the first embodiment will be described with the same step numbers as in the first embodiment, and processes different from the first embodiment will be described with different step numbers than in the first embodiment. Note that in the sub-control board processing of the fourth embodiment, a sub-time-saving flag is used instead of the sub-first time-saving flag and the sub-second time-saving flag of the first embodiment. The sub-time-saving flag is stored in RAM 582. The sub-time-saving flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the time-saving state is in effect, and when "1" is stored in the time-saving state, the flag is "ON", and when "0" is not stored, the flag is "OFF".

When the sub-control board processing is started, the CPU 581 executes the processes from S401 to S416 in order. If the CPU 581 has not received any other command (S416: NO), it ends the sub-control board processing. If the CPU 581 has received any other command (S416: YES), it determines whether the received command is a C time-saving count notification command (S851). If the received command is a C time-saving count notification command (S851: YES), the CPU 581 stores the C time-saving count indicated by the C time-saving count notification command in a C time-saving count storage area provided in the RAM 582 (S852). The CPU 581 ends the sub-control board processing.

If the received command is not a C time reduction count notification command (S851: NO), the CPU 581 determines whether a judgment count count start command has been received (S853). If the judgment count count start command has been received (S853: YES), the CPU 581 sets the sub judgment count counter provided in the RAM 582 to "601", which is the upper limit number indicated by the judgment count count start command (S855). The CPU 581 ends the sub-control board processing. If the judgment count count start command has not been received (S853: NO), the CPU 581 executes various processes according to the command (S418). The CPU 581 ends the sub-control board processing.

The notification effect execution means of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 41. When the notification effect execution means is started, the CPU 581 executes the processes of S501 and S502 in order. The CPU 581 judges whether the number of judgments executed in a non-probability variable state is being counted (S861). The CPU 581 executes the judgment of S861 depending on whether the number of judgments executed in a non-probability variable state is being counted using the sub-judgment count counter. If the value of the sub-judgment count counter is "0" and the number of judgments executed in a non-probability variable state is not being counted (S861: NO), the CPU 581 shifts the process to the judgment of S503. Note that, when the CPU 581 executes the notification effect end process in S415 shown in FIG. 40, that is, when the execution of the notification effect is ended, the value of the sub-judgment count counter is subtracted by "1". In addition, when the CPU 581 starts the execution of a jackpot game effect, the value of the sub-judgment count counter is cleared to "0".

When the CPU 581 is counting the number of judgments performed in a non-probability state (S861: YES), it determines whether the C time-saving state is set (S862). The CPU 581 executes the judgment of S862 depending on whether the C time-saving count is stored in the C time-saving count storage area. When the CPU 581 determines that the C time-saving state is set (S862: YES), it shifts the process to S503. When the CPU 581 determines that the C time-saving state is not set (S862: NO), it generates a judgment count display command and sets it in the command buffer (S863). The judgment count display command is a command for displaying the upper limit number remaining display 131 described later on the display screen 28. The judgment count display command includes information indicating the value of the sub-judgment count counter. The judgment count display command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 that receives the judgment count display command displays the upper limit number remaining display 131 on the display screen 28 with display content corresponding to the value of the sub judgment count counter included in the judgment count display command. The CPU 581 transitions the process to the judgment of S503.

After executing the process of S503, the CPU 581 judges whether the variation pattern acquired in S501 indicates a "spinning display effect" (S865). In other words, the CPU 581 judges whether the notification effect to be controlled this time is the notification effect that is executed for the first time when the C time-saving state ends and the game state transitions from the non-variable C time-saving state to the normal state. If the variation pattern does not indicate a "spinning display effect" (S865: NO), the CPU 581 returns the process to the sub-control board processing.

When the variation pattern indicates a "rotating display effect" (S865: YES), the CPU 581 acquires the number of C time reductions stored in the C time reduction count storage area (S866). The CPU 581 generates a number of times consumed display command and sets it in the command buffer (S868). The number of times consumed display command is a command for displaying the number of times consumed display 132 described later on the display screen 28. The number of times consumed display command includes information indicating the number of C time reductions acquired in S866. The number of times consumed display command set in the command buffer is sequentially transmitted to the performance control board 43. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 that has received the judgment number display command displays the number of times consumed display 132 on the display screen 28 with display content corresponding to the value of the number of C time reductions included in the number of times consumed display command. The CPU 581 erases the number of C time reductions stored in the C time reduction count storage area and sets it to "0" (S869). The CPU 581 returns the process to the sub-control board process.

With reference to FIG. 42 and FIG. 43, an example of the notification effect executed in the fourth embodiment will be described. As in FIG. 19 (A-9) of the first embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that a game in a normal state is progressing as shown in FIG. 42 (A-9). In the fourth embodiment, in a game in a non-probability variable state, a maximum number of remaining times display 131 is displayed on the display screen 28. The maximum number of remaining times display 131 is configured to include information indicating the value of the sub-judgment number counting counter. In the example of FIG. 42 (A-9), the characters "305 times left until the play time" indicating the number of notification effects that need to be executed before the play time indicating the non-probability variable B time-shortening state is set, that is, the number of notification effects executed until the maximum number of times is reached is 305, are displayed as the maximum number of remaining times display 131. As described above, the pachinko machine 1 counts the number of judgments executed in the non-probability variable state after the start of the execution of the jackpot judgment in the non-probability variable state and the execution of the RAM clear process. The maximum number of remaining times display 131 decreases by "1" the number indicating the number of notification effects that will be executed until the maximum number of times is reached each time a notification effect is executed. By displaying the maximum number of remaining times display 131 on the display screen 28, the pachinko machine 1 can show the player the number of notification effects that need to be executed to set the B time-saving state, thereby maintaining and increasing the player's motivation to continue playing.

In addition, suppose that in the normal state, the result of the special 1 jackpot judgment is a miss, and the special 1 miss H is determined as the miss pattern for the first special pattern. In this case, as shown in FIG. 42 (A-10), in the corresponding first notification performance, the performance pattern 100 is displayed as a specific combination of "5, 3, 1" in the scattered numbers in correspondence with the miss pattern for the special 1 miss H, just like FIG. 19 (A-10) in the first embodiment.

Figure 42 (D-1) shows an example of the presentation content when a non-probability variable C time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state after the special 1 miss H is determined as the losing pattern of the first special pattern. In this case, the game state transitions from the normal state in which left hitting is recommended to the non-probability variable C time-saving state in which right hitting is recommended. Since the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set in response to the special 1 miss H being determined as the losing pattern of the first special pattern, the number of C time-saving times is "50". Therefore, the set non-probability variable C time-saving state continues until the notification effect is executed 50 times or the notification effect that notifies the result of the jackpot is executed and the jackpot game is started. As the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set, the right hit display 119 is displayed on the display screen 28. The player can change the game from left hitting to right hitting in response to the display of the right hit display 119 and enjoy the game in the non-probability variable C time-saving state. In the fourth embodiment, the non-probability C time-saving state is associated with a high-speed consumption mode presentation mode. The words "high-speed consumption mode" are displayed on the mode name display unit 110.

In the high-speed digestion mode, as shown in FIG. 42 (D-1), the notification effect that starts when the effect pattern 100 starts to change does not constitute a reach state, and ends when the effect pattern 100 is displayed as confirmed, as shown in FIG. 42 (D-2). Note that FIG. 42 (D-2) is an example of a case where the notification effect indicating that the jackpot judgment was a miss has ended. In the high-speed digestion mode, notification effects with a relatively short presentation time are executed repeatedly and quickly. In the example of the fourth embodiment, in the high-speed digestion mode, an image of the character CH1 sprinting from point A to point B is displayed on the display screen 28.

Figure 42 (D-3) shows an example of the case where the next notification performance is started following the notification performances executed in Figures 42 (D-1) and (D-2). In this notification performance, as shown in Figure 42 (D-4), the performance pattern 100 makes a temporary stop in the middle of the variable display. A temporary stop is different from a fixed display, and refers to a temporary stop accompanied by a slight shaking fluctuation to indicate that the performance pattern 100 has not yet reached a fixed display. In Figure 42 (D-4), the symbol Y2 is attached to each of the performance patterns 100 to show that the performance pattern 100 is shaking and fluctuating without a fixed display. In this notification performance, after the performance pattern 100 makes a temporary stop for a short time, the performance pattern 100 resumes the variable display as shown in Figure 42 (D-5). After that, as shown in Figure 42 (D-6), the performance pattern 100 makes a fixed display, and the notification performance started as shown in Figure 42 (D-3) ends.

In the fourth embodiment, four change patterns are provided for the notification effect in the non-probability C time-saving state: change times of 2.5 seconds, 5 seconds, 7.5 seconds, and 10 seconds. In the notification effect executed in response to the change pattern with a change time of 2.5 seconds, the performance pattern 100 is not temporarily stopped and changed again. In the notification effect executed in response to the change pattern with a change time of 5 seconds, the performance pattern 100 is temporarily stopped and changed again once. In the notification effect executed in response to the change pattern with a change time of 7.5 seconds, the performance pattern 100 is temporarily stopped and changed again three times. In the notification effect executed in response to the change pattern with a change time of 10 seconds, the performance pattern 100 is temporarily stopped and changed again three times. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 appropriately provides a notification effect in which the change display of the performance pattern 100 is executed multiple times in one notification effect, in the notification effect executed in the non-probability C time-saving state. In the high-speed consumption mode, the pachinko machine 1 makes it appear to the player as if a greater number of notification effects are being executed by making the number of times that the display of the performance pattern 100 is changed greater than the number of times that the notification effects are executed.

In the fourth embodiment, in the non-probability C time-saving state, i.e., in the high-speed consumption mode, the maximum number of remaining times display 131 is not displayed on the display screen 28. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to prevent the player from being particularly aware of how many notification effects have been executed in the high-speed consumption mode. Also, by deliberately not displaying the maximum number of remaining times display 131, the pachinko machine 1 can aim to attract the player's attention to the relatively high-speed repetition of the changing display of the performance pattern 100. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to give the player the impression that many notification effects have been executed at high speed, i.e., that the notification effects scheduled to be executed in the non-probability C time-saving state have been quickly executed.

Then, the notification effects are repeated without any notification of the jackpot result, and the final notification effect in the non-probability C time-saving state begins, as shown in FIG. 43 (D-7). FIG. 43 (D-7) shows that character CH1 has reached point B as a result of continued play in the high-speed consumption mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 43 (D-8), the effect pattern 100 is displayed as a combination indicating a miss, and the final notification effect in the non-probability C time-saving state ends.

In response to the execution of the notification effect of the C time reduction number in the non-probability variable C time reduction state, the C time reduction state ends, and the game state transitions from the non-probability variable C time reduction state to the normal state. FIG. 43 (D-9) shows an example of a notification effect executed for the first time in the normal state when the game state transitions from the non-probability variable C time reduction state to the normal state. This notification effect is executed according to the variation pattern of the spin display effect described above. In the notification effect executed according to the variation pattern of the spin display effect, the number of times consumed display 132 is displayed on the display screen 28. The number of times consumed display 132 displays the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time reduction state that was set immediately before the transition to the normal state. In S866 of the notification effect execution process shown in FIG. 41, the CPU 581 obtains from the RAM 582 the number of C time reductions corresponding to the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time reduction state that was set immediately before the transition to the normal state. The CPU 581 also generates a number of times consumed display command including the acquired information on the number of C time reductions, and transmits the generated number of times consumed display command to the performance control board 43. The CPU 431 of the performance control board 43 generates the display content of the number of times consumed display 132 based on the information on the number of C time reductions indicated by the number of times consumed display command, and displays the number of times consumed display 132 on the display screen 28 with the generated content. In the example of FIG. 43 (D-9), since the number of C time reductions is "50", the number of times consumed display 132 including the text "50 times reduction successful!" is displayed on the display screen 28.

When the game state transitions from the non-probability variable C time-saving state to the normal state, the pachinko machine 1 displays the number of times consumed 132 on the display screen 28 in the notification effect executed for the first time in the normal state. In the non-probability variable state, the player progresses through the game hoping that the notification effect will not only notify the result of the jackpot determination, but also that the B time-saving state will be set. However, the B time-saving state will not be set until the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable state reaches the upper limit number. The pachinko machine 1 provides the non-probability variable C time-saving state and associates the high-speed consumption mode with the non-probability variable C time-saving state, so that the notification effects for the C time-saving number can be consumed more quickly than in the normal state. In other words, the pachinko machine 1 can reduce the remaining number of notification effects that need to be executed before the upper limit number is reached in the non-probability variable C time-saving state more quickly than in the normal state, thereby shortening the period until the B time-saving state is set. By displaying the number of times consumed display 132 on the display screen 28, the pachinko machine 1 clearly indicates to the player the number of notification effects consumed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state immediately before switching to the normal state, i.e., the high-speed consumption mode. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 can give the player the impression that the remaining number of notification effects that need to be executed before the upper limit number of times is reached has been suddenly reduced by setting the non-probability variable C time-saving state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain and increase the player's motivation to continue playing until the upper limit number of times is reached.

In the fourth embodiment, when special 1 miss F, special 1 miss G, or special 1 miss H is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state, non-probability variable A time-saving state, or non-probability variable C time-saving state, the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set from when these miss symbols are confirmed and displayed until the number of judgments reaches 20, 30, or 50 times. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the number of C time-saving times is 20, 30, or 50. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can change the game depending on how many times the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set.

In the fourth embodiment, the non-probability variable C time-saving state may be ended under conditions other than the execution of the notification effect of the C time-saving number of times. For example, the C time-saving state may be ended and the game state may transition to the normal state under the condition that a predetermined losing pattern is displayed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state. Also, for example, the C time-saving state may be ended and the game state may transition to the normal state under the condition that a small winning game is executed a predetermined number of times in the non-probability variable C time-saving state. In such a case, the CPU 581 may count the number of notification effects executed from the time the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set until the time the non-probability variable C time-saving state is ended by establishing a predetermined condition, and may reflect the counted number in the number of times consumed display 132. Also, the CPU 51 may count the number of notification effects executed from the time the non-probability variable C time-saving state is set until the time the non-probability variable C time-saving state is ended by establishing a predetermined condition, and may transmit the number counted by the CPU 51 to the sub-control board 58 as a command. The CPU 581 that receives the command may reflect the number of times indicated by the command in the number of times consumed display 132. In these cases, since the number of times the C time-saving mode is not determined in advance, the pachinko machine 1 can clearly show the player the number of times the notification effects have been consumed in the high-speed consumption mode by displaying the number of times consumed display 132. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 can add variety to the gameplay until the B time-saving mode is set, and increase the player's motivation to continue playing.

As shown in FIG. 43 (D-9), when the state transitions from the non-probability variable C time-saving state in which right-hitting is recommended to the normal state in which left-hitting is recommended, the maximum number of remaining times display 131 is displayed again on the display screen 28. Because 50 notification effects were executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state, the maximum number of remaining times display 131 shows the number of times that was displayed before entering the non-probability variable C time-saving state minus "50". In addition, a left-hit display 129 for instructing the player to change the game from right-hit to left-hit is also displayed on the display screen 28. The left-hit display 129 may be erased from the display screen 28 after it has been displayed for a predetermined period of time required for the player to switch from right-hit play to left-hit play.

Suppose that the game continues in the normal state after that. If the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss F, a special 1 miss G, or a special 1 miss H in the normal state after that, the non-probable C time-saving state is set again. This allows the player to have another opportunity to have the notification effects of the C time-saving number consumed at high speed. If there are multiple opportunities for the notification effects of the C time-saving number consumed at high speed during the game before the B time-saving state is set, the player's motivation to continue playing is effectively maintained and improved. To achieve this configuration, in the fourth embodiment, the number of C time-saving times is set to 20, 30, or 50, which is less than the upper limit of 601 times. In other words, it is preferable that the upper limit is set to a number greater than the number of C time-saving times.

In the fourth embodiment, the player continues playing in the normal state, aiming to set the non-probability variable B time-saving state while consuming the number of notification effects that need to be executed up to the upper limit number of times in response to the non-probability variable C time-saving state being set from time to time during the process of continuing the game. In the fourth embodiment, the number of C time-saving times is 20, 30, or 50, and the notification effects of the C time-saving times are consumed at high speed in the C time-saving state. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the number of B time-saving times is 300, which is more than the number of C time-saving times. The non-probability variable B time-saving state and the non-probability variable C time-saving state are similar time-saving states in the non-probability variable state, but the non-probability variable B time-saving state is a game state in which notification effects can be executed more times than the non-probability variable C time-saving state, and a state advantageous to the player continues for a longer period of time. If the number of B time reductions is less than the number of C time reductions, the player may be satisfied that the non-probability variable C time reduction state is set during normal play, and may not continue playing until the non-probability variable B time reduction state is set. In the fourth embodiment, the number of B time reductions is greater than the number of C time reductions, so that the player is not satisfied with the non-probability variable C time reduction state being set, and the player's motivation to aim for the non-probability variable B time reduction state to be set can be sustained. In other words, by making the number of B time reductions greater than the number of C time reductions, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain and increase the player's motivation to continue playing until the non-probability variable B time reduction state is set. In this way, in order to improve the operation of the pachinko machine 1, it is preferable that the number of B time reductions is greater than the number of C time reductions.

After that, the notification effect is repeatedly executed without notifying the result of the jackpot judgment in the non-probability variable state, and the number of judgments in the non-probability variable state reaches the upper limit number. In this case, as shown in FIG. 43 (D-10), the upper limit number remaining display 131 displays the text "One more time until play time", indicating that the notification effect executed in the non-probability variable state is the last one. As shown in FIG. 43 (D-11), when the last notification effect executed in the non-probability variable state ends, as shown in FIG. 43 (A-16), the non-probability variable B time-saving state is set, and the chance mode presentation mode is started. In this case, the game state transitions from the normal state in which left hitting is recommended to the non-probability variable B time-saving state in which right hitting is recommended. As a result, the right hitting display 119 is displayed on the display screen 28. The player can change the game from left hitting to right hitting in response to the display of the right hitting display 119 and enjoy the game in the non-probability variable B time-saving state.

In the fourth embodiment, when the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss F, a special 1 miss G, or a special 1 miss H in the normal state, the non-probability A time-saving state, or the non-probability C time-saving state, the non-probability C time-saving state is set from the time when these miss symbols are displayed as confirmed until the number of judgments reaches 20, 30, or 50. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may not set the non-probability C time-saving state when the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss F, a special 1 miss G, or a special 1 miss H in the non-probability A time-saving state. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may not set the non-probability C time-saving state when the first special symbol is determined to be a special 1 miss F, a special 1 miss G, or a special 1 miss H in the non-probability C time-saving state. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 may set the non-probability-change C time-saving state only when the special 1 miss F, special 1 miss G, or special 1 miss H is determined as the first special symbol in the normal state during the non-probability-change state, from when these miss symbols are confirmed and displayed until the number of judgments reaches 20, 30, or 50.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 43 (D-9), when the game state transitions from the non-probability variable C time-saving state to the normal state, the number of times consumed display 132 is displayed in the notification effect executed for the first time in the normal state. This is not limited to this, and the number of times consumed display 132 may continue to be displayed in the second and subsequent notification effects executed in the normal state. Also, the number of times consumed display 132 may not be displayed in the notification effect executed for the first time in the normal state, and the number of times consumed display 132 may be displayed in the second and subsequent notification effects executed in the normal state. If the pachinko machine 1 can display the number of times consumed display 132 in any manner in the normal state in response to the transition of the game state from the non-probability variable C time-saving state to the normal state, it can show the player the number of notification effects that were completed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state, thereby increasing the player's motivation to continue playing.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment, in order to give the player a strong impression that the game in the non-probability variable C time-saving state progresses quickly and that the notification effects that need to be executed up to the maximum number of times have been quickly completed, the notification effects in the non-probability variable C time-saving state do not include reach effects. On the other hand, in order to add variety to the game in the non-probability variable C time-saving state, the notification effects in the non-probability variable C time-saving state may include reach effects. Even if the notification effects in the non-probability variable C time-saving state include reach effects, it is preferable that the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state is shorter than the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the normal state and the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the non-probability variable B time-saving state.

The number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state shown by the number-of-times-used display 132 may directly indicate the number, such as "50 times," or may indirectly indicate the number, such as "50 points." For example, if the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state is 50, the number of notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state may be indicated by displaying five specified icons, or the like.

As described above, the gaming machine provided by the fourth embodiment includes a starting port, a judgment means for executing a special judgment to derive one judgment result from a group of judgment results including a jackpot and a miss, which indicate whether or not a jackpot game should be executed, when a gaming ball enters the starting port, a special game execution means for executing the jackpot game when the judgment result indicating the jackpot is derived by the special judgment, and a setting means for setting one of a plurality of game states including a non-time-saving state in which the winning rate, which is the rate at which the gaming ball enters the starting port, is a normal rate, and a time-saving state in which the winning rate is higher than the normal rate, the time-saving state including a first time-saving state and a second time-saving state, and the setting means sets the judgment result indicating the jackpot in a predetermined first period. The device is characterized in that it is capable of setting the temporary time-saving state in response to the number of times that the special judgments have been made in succession without being missed reaching a first number, the device is capable of setting the second time-saving state in response to the judgment result indicating a miss being derived by the special judgment, and when a predetermined condition is met in the second time-saving state, the device is capable of terminating the set second time-saving state and setting the non-time-saving state, and when the second time-saving state is set during the first period, the device is provided with a specific effect execution means for executing a specific effect that displays a specific display relating to the number of times that the special judgments have been made in the set second time-saving state when the set second time-saving state is terminated in response to the establishment of the predetermined condition and the non-time-saving state is set.

The gaming machine according to the present invention can set a first time-saving state and a second time-saving state by the setting means. The player progresses through the game hoping that the first time-saving state will be set. When the second time-saving state is set by the setting means, the gaming machine according to the present invention can display a specific display relating to the number of special judgments made in the set second time-saving state in the non-time-saving state that is set after the second time-saving state ends. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can recognize from the specific display that the number of special judgments required to reach the first number has decreased due to the special judgment being made in the second time-saving state. Therefore, the gaming machine according to the present invention can increase the player's sense of anticipation regarding the transition to the time-saving state, particularly the first time-saving state.

The pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment can set three types of time-saving states, namely, the A time-saving state, the B time-saving state, and the C time-saving state, according to the trigger of the start. The A time-saving state is a time-saving state that is set after the end of a jackpot game. The B time-saving state is a time-saving state that is set when the number of judgments counted from the end of a jackpot game, the start of the execution of the jackpot judgment in the non-probability variable state, and the execution of the RAM clear process described later, reaches a predetermined upper limit number. The C time-saving state is a time-saving state that is set when a specific losing pattern among the losing patterns is displayed in the non-probability variable state. The pachinko machine 1 can set the B time-saving state and the C time-saving state to the non-probability variable state. In the non-probability variable state, the player progresses the game in the hope that the B time-saving state will be set in addition to the jackpot judgment result being notified by the notification performance. The pachinko machine 1 sets the C time-saving state on the condition that the result of the special symbol 1 jackpot judgment in the non-probability variable state is a miss, and the first special symbol is determined to be a miss symbol of either special symbol 1 miss F, special symbol 1 miss G, or special symbol 1 miss H. In the non-probability variable C time-saving state set in this way, if the notification performance is executed 50 times, which is the number of C time-saving times, without notifying the result of the jackpot judgment, the C time-saving state ends, and the game state transitions to the normal state. In this case, the pachinko machine 1 displays the number of times of consumption display 132 on the display screen 28 in the notification performance executed in the normal state after the transition. The number of times of consumption display 132 indicates the number of notification performances executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state. This allows the pachinko machine 1 to give the player the impression that the remaining number of notification performances that need to be executed before the upper limit number of times is reached has been reduced all at once. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 can maintain and increase the player's motivation to continue playing until the upper limit number of times is reached.

The setting means can terminate the second time-shortening state that has been set and set the non-time-shortening state in response to the number of times that the special judgments that have been consecutively performed in the second time-shortening state without the judgment result indicating the jackpot being derived reaching a second number, and can terminate the first time-shortening state that has been set and set the non-time-shortening state in response to the number of times that the special judgments that have been consecutively performed in the first time-shortening state without the judgment result indicating the jackpot being derived reaching a third number, and the third number may be greater than the second number.

The number of special judgments expected to be performed in the second time-saving state is the second number, and the number of special judgments expected to be performed in the first time-saving state is the third number. Since the third number is greater than the second number, the player proceeds with the game in the hope that the first time-saving state will be set in the first period. When the second time-saving state is set in the first period, a specific display regarding the number of special judgments consumed in the second time-saving state is displayed in response to the end of the set second time-saving state. In other words, the gaming machine can make the player recognize through the specific display that the first number of special judgments that need to be performed in the first period have been consumed due to the setting of the second time-saving state. Therefore, the gaming machine can increase the motivation of the player who continues playing in the hope that the first time-saving state will be set.

In pachinko machine 1, the number of C time-saving times is 20, 30, or 50, and the number of B time-saving times is 300. That is, pachinko machine 1 sets the number of B time-saving times to be greater than the number of C time-saving times. This allows pachinko machine 1 to maintain the motivation of players who are not satisfied with the non-probability variable C time-saving state being set, but who aim to have the non-probability variable B time-saving state being set. Therefore, pachinko machine 1 can increase the motivation of players who continue playing in the hope that the non-probability variable B time-saving state will be set.

The setting means can terminate the second time-shortened state that has been set and set the non-time-shortened state in response to the number of times that the special judgments that have been consecutively performed in the second time-shortened state without the judgment result indicating the jackpot reaching a second number, and the first number may be greater than the second number.

The player progresses through the game in the first period, hoping that the first time-shortening state will be set. The number of special judgments expected to be performed in the second time-shortening state is the second number. Because the first number is greater than the second number, the second time-shortening state can be set multiple times in the first period. Thus, the gaming machine can provide the player with a game in which the first number of special judgments that need to be performed in the first period to set the first time-shortening state are gradually consumed by setting the second time-shortening state multiple times. Therefore, the gaming machine can increase the motivation of a player who continues playing in the hope that the first time-shortening state will be set.

In the non-probability variable state, the player progresses through the game hoping that the result of the jackpot determination will be notified by the notification effect, and that the B time-saving state will also be set. Since the number of C time-saving times is 20, 30, or 50, it is expected that the notification effect will be executed 20, 30, or 50 times in the C time-saving state. In the pachinko machine 1, the B time-saving state is set when the number of determinations counted from the end of the jackpot game, the start of the execution of the jackpot determination in the non-probability variable state, and the execution of the RAM clear process described later, reaches the upper limit number mentioned above. The pachinko machine 1 sets the upper limit number to "601", which is a number greater than the C time-saving number. In this way, the pachinko machine 1 can make the C time-saving state come multiple times during the game until the B time-saving state in the non-probability variable state is set. Therefore, when the required number of notification effects is consumed until the upper limit is reached, the pachinko machine 1 can provide the player with a game in which the C time-saving state occurs multiple times and the C time-saving state allows the player to consume the notification effects all at once.

The gaming machine provided by the fourth embodiment includes a notification effect execution means for executing a notification effect accompanied by a pattern change in which the performance pattern is changed and then the performance pattern of a type corresponding to the judgment result is stopped and displayed in order to notify the judgment result by the special judgment, and the average execution time of the notification effect executed in the second time-saving state may be shorter than the average execution time of the notification effect executed in the first time-saving state and the non-time-saving state.

The average execution time of the notification effects executed in the second time-saving state is shorter than the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the first time-saving state and non-time-saving state. Therefore, when the second time-saving state is set, the gaming machine can give the player the impression that the notification effects executed in the second time-saving state until a specified condition is met are being consumed quickly. Thus, the gaming machine can give the player the impression that the first number of times is consumed quickly and the period until the first time-saving state is set is shortened in one go by setting the second time-saving state in the first period. Therefore, the gaming machine can greatly increase the motivation of players who play in the hope that the first time-saving state will be set to continue playing.

In pachinko machine 1, the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state is shorter than the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the normal state and the average execution time of the notification effects executed in the non-probability variable B time-saving state. This allows pachinko machine 1 to give the player a strong impression that play in the non-probability variable C time-saving state is progressing quickly and that the notification effects that need to be executed up to the upper limit have been quickly completed. Therefore, pachinko machine 1 can greatly increase the motivation of players who play in the hope that the B time-saving state will be set to continue playing.

In the fourth embodiment, the first start hole 14 and the second start hole 15 are an example of a "start hole". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the jackpot determination in S96 and S103 of FIG. 10 is an example of a "determination means". The jackpot game is an example of a "special game". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the processes of S215 and S226 of FIG. 14 is an example of a "special game execution means". The CPU 51 of the main control board 41 that executes the processes of S802 of FIG. 35, S812 of FIG. 36, S821, S826 of FIG. 37, and S833 of FIG. 38 is an example of a "setting means". The period that elapses from the start of the jackpot game ending, the start of the execution of the jackpot determination in the non-variable state, and the RAM clear process described later is an example of a "first period". The B time-saving state is an example of a first time-saving state. The C time-saving state is an example of a second time-saving state. The upper limit number of times is an example of a first number of times. The number of time reductions C is an example of the second number of times. The number of time reductions B is an example of the third number of times. The CPU 581 of the sub-control board 58 that executes the process of S503 in FIG. 41 is an example of a notification performance execution means.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above in detail, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The pachinko machine 1 of the above embodiment has a so-called loop type game specification in which the set high probability state continues until the next big win game is started. In addition, the pachinko machine 1 may have a so-called ST type game specification in which the game ends when the number of judgments in the set high probability state reaches a predetermined number.

The pachinko machine 1 may also be a gaming machine that does not have a probability variable state, such as a so-called type 1/type 2 mixed type. In this case, in a gaming machine that has a small time-saving state as in the first, second, and third embodiments, a specific losing pattern is displayed in the small time-saving state to set the second time-saving state. In a gaming machine that does not have a probability variable state, the second time-saving state becomes the most advantageous gaming state for the gaming machine. That is, the pachinko machine 1 can realize a gaming specification in which a specific losing pattern is displayed in the small time-saving state to transition to the most advantageous gaming state for the player. In this case, the pachinko machine 1 can further increase the expectation of the player who is playing in the small time-saving state. In this case, the pachinko machine 1 may also be provided with a case in which a small win determination result is derived by the big win determination, and the first big winning port 16 may be opened in a small win game that is executed when a small win determination result is derived. The pachinko machine 1 may provide a specific area inside the first large prize opening 16 through which a game ball that has entered the first large prize opening 16 can pass, and when the game ball passes through the specific area, a condition device is activated to set a jackpot game state. The pachinko machine 1 may execute a jackpot game by opening the second large prize opening 17 after the jackpot game state is set.

In the above embodiment, the normal mode associated with the normal state, the chance mode associated with the non-probability variable second time-saving state, the non-probability variable A time-saving state or the non-probability variable B time-saving state, and the battle mode associated with the probability variable second time-saving state or the probability variable time-saving state are examples. Also, the sudden battle mode, mission mode, and reach continuous mode associated with the non-probability variable first time-saving state of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment are examples. The high-speed consumption mode associated with the non-probability variable C time-saving state of the fourth embodiment is also an example. Therefore, the presentation mode associated with each game state may be configured in various ways. Also, it is not necessary to associate a presentation mode with a special name with each game state. For example, if a presentation mode with a special name is not provided for the probability variable second time-saving state in the first embodiment, a presentation mode with a special name may not be provided for the non-probability variable first time-saving state. In this case, in the non-probability variable first time-saving state, a notification presentation similar to that executed in the probability variable second time-saving state may be executed.

In the first, second and third embodiments, the micro-time-saving state is set as the C time-saving state, but the trigger for starting the micro-time-saving state is not limited to this. For example, the micro-time-saving state may be started after the end of a big win game. The micro-time-saving state may be started as the B time-saving state. The micro-time-saving state may be started when the second time-saving state ends. For example, in the second embodiment, the reach continuous mode may be associated with a micro-time-saving state started by various triggers, not limited to the micro-time-saving state set as the C time-saving state. Also, in the fourth embodiment, the micro-time-saving state may be started by various triggers.

In the above embodiment, the C time-saving state ends when a big win game state is set or the number of judgments in the C time-saving state reaches the C time-saving number, and a non-time-saving state is set. The trigger for ending the C time-saving state is not limited to this, and for example, the C time-saving state may end and the game state may transition to the normal state on the condition that a predetermined losing pattern is displayed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state. Also, on the condition that a predetermined losing pattern is displayed in the non-probability variable C time-saving state, the C time-saving state may end and the game state may transition to the normal state on the condition that a very small number of notification effects, such as once or twice, are executed thereafter. Also, for example, the C time-saving state may end and the game state may transition to the normal state on the condition that a small win game is executed a predetermined number of times in the non-probability variable C time-saving state.

The techniques disclosed in the second, third and fourth embodiments may be applied to the pachinko machine 1 of the first embodiment. The techniques disclosed in the first, third and fourth embodiments may be applied to the pachinko machine 1 of the second embodiment. The techniques disclosed in the first, second and fourth embodiments may be applied to the pachinko machine 1 of the third embodiment. The techniques disclosed in the first, second and third embodiments may be applied to the pachinko machine 1 of the fourth embodiment.

1 Pachinko machine 28 Display screen 41 Main control board 51, 581 CPU
52,582 RAM
53,583 ROM

Claims (4)

A normal electric device configured to be operable in a first state in which it is difficult or impossible for a game ball to win and a second state in which it is easier for a game ball to win than in the first state;
A normal game execution means for executing a normal winning game by operating the normal electric accessory to the second state in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition;
A starting port including one constituted by the normal electric device;
A determination means for executing a special determination to derive one determination result from a group of determination results including a jackpot and a miss, when a game ball enters the starting hole;
a special game execution means for executing a big win game when the determination result indicating the big win is derived by the special determination;
a setting means for setting one of a plurality of game states including a non-time-saving state in which an operation rate, which is the rate at which the normal electric device is operated to the second state per unit time, is a normal rate, a first time-saving state in which the operation rate is a first rate higher than the normal rate, and a second time-saving state in which the operation rate is a second rate higher than the first rate, in response to the arrival of a predetermined trigger;
a notification performance execution means for executing a notification performance for notifying the determination result by the special determination,
The notification performance execution means can execute, in the first short state, a specific notification performance, which is the same type of notification performance as the notification performance executed in a favorable game state, which is the game state that is more favorable to the player than the first short state;
The setting means terminates the temporary time-shortening state and sets the non-time-shortening state in response to the special judgment being executed a specific number of times in the temporary time-shortening state. A variable display execution means is provided for executing a variable display for displaying the determination result by the special determination by varying the symbols and then stopping and displaying the symbols of a type corresponding to the determination result,
The setting means can set either the first time-shortened state or the second time-shortened state without executing the big win game, when the symbol indicating the judgment result of the miss is stopped and displayed in the variable display,
The notification performance execution means includes:
Execute the notification performance in synchronization with the variable display,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific notification performance can be executed in the temporary short state which is set in response to the pattern indicating the judgment result of the miss being displayed in the static state in the varying display. A symbol determination means for determining the type of the symbol to be stopped and displayed in the variable display executed by the variable display execution means,
The setting means can set either the first time-shortening state or the second time-shortening state when a specific losing pattern, which is a specific pattern among the patterns showing the judgment result of the losing in the variable display, is stopped and displayed,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the pattern determination means determines the specific losing pattern with a higher probability when at least the temporary time-shortening state is set than when the non-time-shortening state is set. Among the starting holes, the one different from the one for the normal electric device is disposed at a position where the game ball launched with the first launch strength can win;
Among the starting holes, the one using the normal electric device is disposed at a position where the game ball launched with the second launch strength can win;
The non-time-saving state and the temporary time-saving state are game states in which it is recommended to play a game at the first firing intensity,
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second time-saving state is a gaming state in which it is recommended to play the game at the second firing intensity.

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