JP2024062433A - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a gaming machine that can increase the interest of games involving pattern changing effects.
[Solution] The outer area Ay of the performance pattern is a darkened area, while the inner area Ax of the performance pattern showing a number shape is hollowed out in a number shape, so that the inner area Ax has higher transparency than the outer area Ay. Also, by hollowing out the inner area of the performance pattern in a number shape, the background image H1 located behind can be seen from the inner area Ax. Furthermore, the area Ax where the inner area of the performance pattern is hollowed out in a number shape is used as a "performance pattern" that constitutes a pattern combination that indicates the result of the big win determination.
[Selection] Figure 18

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines.

Conventionally, a type of gaming machine known as a pachinko game machine is known to execute a display effect when a gaming ball enters a starting hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a pachinko game machine, multiple performance symbols are changed in multiple rows on the display device, and a symbol combination based on the performance symbols is derived according to the result of a winning judgment.

JP 2016-202930 A

If multiple performance symbols were changed in multiple rows and the performance symbols were simply determined to have a combination based on the results of the winning judgment, the performance would become monotonous and there was a risk that players would become bored.

The present invention was made to solve the problems that existed in the past, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine that can increase the excitement of games involving pattern changing effects.

To achieve the above object, the gaming machine of the present invention has a hit determination means for determining a hit based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, a display means for displaying various display images including a pattern combination of performance patterns and a background image showing the result of the hit determination, and a display control means for controlling the display of the varying performance patterns and the display of the various display images on the display means, wherein the display control means causes the display means to display a first area and a second area that is more transparent than the first area and allows the background image located behind it to be visible, and the second area is each of the performance patterns that make up the pattern combination showing the result of the hit determination through varying display.

The gaming machine according to the present invention having the above configuration can increase the interest of the game involving the pattern changing effects.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko game machine. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing, in blocks, the electrical configuration of a main control board and peripheral devices. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing, in blocks, the electrical configuration of a sub-control board and peripheral devices. FIG. An explanatory diagram of a special chart variation pattern selection table. 4 is a flowchart of a main-side main control process. 13 is a flowchart of a main-side timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a sensor detection process. 13 is a flowchart of a special symbol waiting process. This is a flowchart of the special chart jackpot determination process. 13 is a flowchart of a special chart variation pattern selection process. 11 is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 10 . 13 is a flowchart of special pattern change processing. 13 is a flowchart of a sub-side main control process. 13 is a flowchart of a 1 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a 10 ms timer interrupt process. 13 is a flowchart of a received command analysis process. 13 is a flowchart of the variable performance start processing. 5A to 5F are schematic diagrams showing the pattern change patterns in specific modes. 18(a) to 18(f) are schematic diagrams continuing from FIG. 13A to 13F are schematic diagrams showing the pattern change patterns when a specific change presentation pattern is selected. 20(a) to 20(c) are schematic diagrams continuing from FIG.

A pachinko gaming machine as a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when describing the direction of each part of the pachinko gaming machine, the direction as seen by a player playing opposite the pachinko gaming machine will be used as the reference. Specifically, the left-right and up-down directions of each part of the pachinko gaming machine are the left-right and up-down directions as seen by the player. In addition, the direction approaching the player using the pachinko gaming machine as the reference will be referred to as the front, and the direction moving away from the player will be referred to as the rear.

[Main components of a pachinko machine]
As shown in Fig. 1, the pachinko machine 1 includes a machine frame 16. The machine frame 16 is composed of, from the front side, a front frame 18, an inner frame (not shown), and an outer frame (not shown). The front frame 18 includes a handle 4, a performance lever 6, a speaker 8, a performance button 9, a left side lamp 23a, a right side lamp 23b, a ball supply tray (also called an upper tray) 24, and a surplus ball receiving tray (also called a lower tray) 25.

The handle 4 is located at the bottom right of the front frame 18, in other words, in a position where it can be gripped with the right hand of a player playing facing the pachinko machine 1. The handle 4 is equipped with a touch switch 92 (Fig. 2), a firing lever 4a, and a firing stop button 4b. The touch switch 92 outputs a signal indicating that the player has touched the handle 4, and is located in a position where it can be touched by the right hand of a player holding the handle 4. The firing lever 4a is for adjusting the strength of the firing of the game balls, and is rotatably mounted on the handle 4. The firing stop button 4b is for stopping the firing of the game balls when they are being fired, and is located in a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the right hand holding the handle 4.

The effect lever 6 is provided on the front frame 18 to the left of the surplus ball tray 25, that is, near the lower left end of the front frame 18. In other words, the effect lever 6 is provided in a position on the front frame 18 where the player facing the pachinko game machine 1 can operate it with his left hand. The effect lever 6 is shaped so that it can be held in the left hand, and can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, as well as tilted in four directions, up, down, left and right. The effect lever 6 is also provided with an effect lever vibration motor 6c (Figure 3). The effect lever vibration motor 6c vibrates the effect lever 6, and vibrates at a predetermined timing during the period when the operation of the effect lever 6 is valid. When the player operates the effect lever 6 during the period when the operation of the effect lever 6 is valid, a specific effect is performed. Hereinafter, a specific effect that is triggered by the operation of the effect lever 6 is called a lever effect.

The speakers 8 are provided at the upper left and right corners of the front frame 18, and output sounds such as music, sound effects, and notification sounds according to the content of the performance.
The performance button 9 is provided in a portion of the front frame 18 that covers the upper part of the ball supply tray 24. In other words, the performance button 9 is provided in a position of the front frame 18 where the player facing the pachinko game machine 1 can press it with his right or left hand. Also, the performance button 9 is provided in a position of the front frame 18 where the player can press it with his right hand while operating the performance lever 6 with his left hand. The performance button 9 can be, for example, a push-on button switch. The performance button 9 has a performance button vibration motor 9b (FIG. 3) and a performance button lamp 9c (FIG. 3) built in. The performance button vibration motor 9b vibrates the performance button 9, and vibrates at a predetermined timing during the period when the pressing operation of the performance button 9 is effective. In this embodiment, the performance button lamp 9c is an LED. The performance button lamp 9c can emit multiple colors, and when the performance button 9 is pressed during the period when the pressing operation of the performance button 9 is effective, it lights up or blinks depending on the performance content, and further changes the light emission color. The surface of the effect button 9 is made of a translucent material and is designed so that the light emitted by the effect button lamp 9c can be seen by the player.

The effect button 9 has a built-in elastic member such as a spring (not shown) for returning the pressed effect button 9 to the position it was in before it was pressed, and when the pressed state is released, the elastic member's restoring force causes the effect button 9 to return to the state it was in before it was pressed. When a player presses the effect button 9 while the pressing of the effect button 9 is valid, a specific effect is performed. Hereinafter, a specific effect that is performed as a result of the operation of the effect button 9 is referred to as a button effect.

A left side lamp 23a is provided on the left side of the front frame 18, and a right side lamp 23b is provided on the right side. The front frame 18 in the portion where the left side lamp 23a and right side lamp 23b are provided is translucent, and multiple LEDs are arranged inside the translucent portion. Each LED is capable of emitting multiple colors, and lights up or blinks depending on the content of the performance, and also changes the emitted color.

The ball supply tray (also called the upper tray) 24 is provided at the lower center of the front frame 18. The ball supply tray 24 is for storing game balls paid out from the ball loan payout device 80 (Figure 2) and the prize ball payout device 400 (Figure 2), or for storing game balls to be supplied to the launching device 90 (Figure 2). The surplus ball receiving tray (also called the lower tray) 25 is provided below the ball supply tray 24 on the front frame 18. The surplus ball receiving tray 25 stores game balls that exceed the number that can be stored in the ball supply tray 24.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a game board 2, a glass plate 5, and an effect display device 7 as a display means.
The game board 2 is located approximately in the center of the pachinko game machine 1, that is, in a position that is approximately directly opposite the face of the player. The front of the game board 2 is covered with a transparent glass plate 5. The performance display device 7 is located behind the game board 2, and its screen is exposed from approximately the center of the game board 2.

On the surface of the game board 2, a game area 3 is formed in which game balls flow (roll). The game area 3 has a left game area 3A formed on the left side of the screen of the performance display device 7, and a right game area 3B formed on the right side of the screen of the performance display device 7. A number of game nails (not shown) are driven into the surface of the game board 2 to change the direction in which the game balls flow down. LEDs are provided in a number of places on the game board 2, and in FIG. 3, these LEDs are collectively referred to as "board lamps 2a." Each LED that constitutes the board lamps 2a can emit multiple colors, light up or flash depending on the performance content, and also change the emitted color.

The game board 2 includes a fixed winning device 10, a gate 12, a general winning port 13, a center decoration 14, a movable body 15, a rail member 17, a general variable winning device (also called an electric chute) 20, a large winning device 30, and displays 50.

The fixed winning device 10 is located approximately in the center of the game board 2. The fixed winning device 10 has a first starting hole 11 through which game balls can enter (win) one at a time. The first starting hole 11 is always open, and the probability that a game ball will win in the first starting hole 11 does not change much. The gate 12 is located in the right game area 3B, and is configured to allow game balls flowing down the right game area 3B to pass through. The general winning hole 13 is located in the left game area 3A, to the left of the fixed winning device 10.

The center decorative body 14 is placed at the top of the game board 2. The center decorative body 14 is translucent, and on its inside are provided multiple LEDs that light up or flash depending on the performance content. The movable body 15 is placed behind the center decorative body 14. Figure 1 shows a state in which the movable body 15 is almost hidden by the center decorative body 14. The movable body 15 descends downward at a predetermined timing depending on the performance content, and displaces into a state that is visible to the player.

The rail member 17 is arranged along the periphery of the game board 2. The rail member 17 guides the game balls launched by the launching device 90 (Figure 2) to the game area 3. An outlet 19 is opened in the center of the bottom of the game board 2 for discharging game balls that do not win anywhere.

The normal variable winning device 20 is located below the gate 12 in the right game area 3B. The normal variable winning device 20 is equipped with a movable member (electric tulip) 21. The movable member 21 is configured to be rotatable around the base end as a rotation axis, and the second starting hole 22 is opened and closed by the opening and closing operation of the movable member 21. When the movable member 21 opens, the second starting hole 22 is opened, and the game balls are easily entered (entered) into the second starting hole 22 one by one. When the movable member 21 closes, the second starting hole 22 is closed, and the game balls cannot enter the second starting hole 22. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the normal variable winning device 20 is located to the right of the game area 3, but it may be located below the fixed winning device 10.

The large prize winning device 30 is located in the right game area 3B, to the right of the fixed prize winning device 10. The large prize winning device 30 is equipped with an opening/closing member 31 that opens and closes the large prize winning opening 32. The large prize winning opening 32 is formed to a size that allows multiple game balls to win (enter). The opening/closing member 31 is formed in a long plate shape in the left-right direction, and is configured to be rotatable around the left and right lower ends as rotation axes.

As mentioned above, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the firing strength of the game ball can be adjusted by adjusting the firing strength of the handle 4. Therefore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, the game ball can be hit so that it flows down the left game area 3A or the right game area 3B. When the game ball is fired toward the left game area 3A, it can win in the first start gate 11 or the general winning gate 13. On the other hand, when the game ball is fired toward the right game area 3B, it can win in the gate 12, the second start gate 22, or the big winning gate 32.

The display devices 50 are provided on the game board 2 outside the game area 3 and below the big prize device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the display devices 50 include a first special pattern display device 51 that variably displays the first special pattern (first special pattern), a second special pattern display device 52 that variably displays the second special pattern (second special pattern), and a normal pattern display device 53 that variably displays the normal pattern (normal pattern). Furthermore, the display devices 50 include a first special pattern reserve display device 51a, a second special pattern reserve display device 52a, and a normal pattern reserve display device 53a. The first special pattern reserve display device 51a displays the number of reserved activations stored in the first special pattern display device 51. The second special pattern reserve display device 52a displays the number of reserved activations stored in the second special pattern display device 52. The normal pattern reserve display device 53a displays the number of reserved activations stored in the normal pattern display device 53. Hereinafter, when describing matters common to the first special pattern and the second special pattern, they will simply be referred to as special patterns. Also, when describing matters common to the first special pattern display device 51 and the second special pattern display device 52, they will simply be referred to as special pattern displays.

Each of the special symbol displays 51, 52 is composed of multiple LEDs. Each of the LEDs constituting each of the special symbol displays 51, 52 lights up in a predetermined lighting pattern, and the combination of the lit and unlit LEDs represents the special symbol, and the state in which the combination of lit and unlit LEDs changes represents the changing display of the special symbol. Hereinafter, the changing pattern of the special symbol from when the special symbol starts to change and is displayed until the special symbol is finally displayed is referred to as the special symbol changing pattern.

The normal symbol display 53 is composed of multiple (for example, two) LEDs. The LEDs that light up and go out represent normal symbols, and the alternating lighting of the LEDs represents the variable display of the normal symbols. When the game ball passes through the gate 12, a lottery is held for the normal symbols to determine whether or not a win has been won, and the normal symbol display 53 displays the normal symbols in a variable manner. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the normal symbol display 53 started to display the variable normal symbols, the normal symbol display 53 displays the normal symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery. If the normal symbol displayed by the normal symbol display 53 is a normal symbol indicating a win, the normal variable winning device 20 is activated, the movable member 21 opens, and the second starting hole 22 opens.

When a game ball enters the first starting hole 11, a jackpot determination (also called a jackpot lottery) is performed to determine whether or not a jackpot has been won, and the first special symbol display 51 displays the first special symbol in a variable manner. Then, the first special symbol display 51 displays the first special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first special symbol display started to display the variable manner of the first special symbol. If the first special symbol displayed in a variable manner is a special symbol indicating a jackpot, a jackpot occurs, the big prize winning device 30 is activated, the opening and closing member 31 is opened and closed, and the big prize winning hole 32 is opened and closed. When a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 while the first special symbol display 51 is displaying the first special symbol in a variable manner, the operation of the first special symbol display 51 triggered by the winning is suspended. Then, the memory number indicating the number of operations suspended is displayed by the first special symbol suspension display 51a. Hereinafter, the number of reserved activations of the first special symbol display 51 will be referred to as the first special symbol reserved number.

When the game ball enters the second starting hole 22, a jackpot determination (also called a jackpot lottery) is performed, and the second special symbol display 52 variably displays the second special symbol. Then, the second special symbol display 52 displays the second special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination after a predetermined time has elapsed since the second special symbol display 52 started to variably display the second special symbol. Here, if the second special symbol displayed as a fixed symbol is a special symbol indicating a jackpot, a jackpot occurs, the big prize winning device 30 is activated, the opening and closing member 31 is opened and closed, and the big prize winning hole 32 is opened and closed. When the game ball enters the second starting hole 22 while the second special symbol display 52 is variably displaying the second special symbol, the operation of the second special symbol display 52 triggered by the winning is reserved. Then, the memory number indicating the number of reserved operations is displayed by the second special symbol reserved display 52a. Hereinafter, the memory number of reserved operations of the second special symbol display 52 is referred to as the second special symbol reserved number. In addition, when explaining matters common to the first special pattern reserved number and the second special pattern reserved number, it will simply be referred to as the special pattern reserved number. Hereinafter, one change of the special pattern is defined as the period from when the special pattern display starts to display the special pattern change to when the special pattern is finally displayed. In addition, the reduction of the special pattern reserved number by one each time the special pattern changes is referred to as the consumption of the special pattern reserved number.

Next, the performance display device 7 will be described.
The performance display device 7 displays various display images such as performance images, message images, demonstration images (demo images), and other moving images and still images. The player plays the game while looking at these images from the front of the pachinko game machine 1. The performance display device 7 performs a variable display of the performance patterns so as to synchronize with the variable display of the special patterns. The performance patterns in this embodiment are patterns representing Arabic numerals (for example, 1 to 9). The performance patterns may include patterns representing characters other than numbers, such as alphabets and special characters, or may be combined with patterns representing characters other than numbers. The numbers may also be Chinese numerals. The performance display device 7 is a liquid crystal display device. The performance display device 7 may also be an organic EL display device, a display device using a dot matrix LED, or the like.

In addition, the display area in which the effect display device 7 displays the changing effect symbols includes, from left to right, a left pattern column 7L, a middle pattern column 7C, and a right pattern column 7R. In each pattern column 7L, 7C, and 7R, the numbers represented by the effect symbols are scrolled from the top to the bottom of the screen, that is, vertically, for each pattern column, so that they are displayed in ascending order. Note that the changing pattern (changing mode) of each effect symbol can also be a horizontal scrolling method in which the effect symbols move from the left or right side of the screen to the other, or a method in which the effect symbols are displayed in ascending order of numbers at the same display position.

Each of the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R has one designated stop position for the effect symbols. The stop positions for each of the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R are arranged in a horizontal line, and the symbol combination of the effect symbols that stop at that stop position is considered valid. "The symbol combination is valid" means that "the symbol combination of the effect symbols that indicate the result of the jackpot determination is displayed definitively." Hereinafter, the imaginary straight line connecting the stop positions for each of the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R may be referred to as "valid line L." In addition, in the following explanation, the effect symbol that changes and is displayed in the left symbol row 7L may be referred to as the "left effect symbol," the effect symbol that changes and is displayed in the middle symbol row 7C may be referred to as the "middle effect symbol," and the effect symbol that changes and is displayed in the right symbol row 7R may be referred to as the "right effect symbol."

Here, the stop display mode of the performance symbols will be explained.
The stop display modes of the performance symbols include "confirmed display (confirmed stop)" and "temporary display (temporary stop or provisional stop).""Confirmeddisplay" refers to a stopped display state in which the performance symbols have completely stopped without fluctuating up and down or changing again. Conversely, "temporary display" refers to a stopped display state in which the performance symbols are fluctuating up and down, etc. In the following explanation, a stopped display mode that corresponds to either "confirmed display" or "temporary display" may be simply referred to as "stop display."

Hereinafter, a combination of performance symbols that indicates that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot is referred to as a jackpot performance symbol combination, and a combination of performance symbols that indicates that the result of the jackpot determination is a miss is referred to as a miss performance symbol combination. A combination of jackpot performance symbols is a state in which each performance symbol is a performance symbol that represents the same number, that is, a repeating number state. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the left performance symbol, the center performance symbol, and the right performance symbol that are confirmed are all "7". A combination of miss performance symbols is a state in which each performance symbol is not a performance symbol that represents the same number, that is, a pattern that is not a repeating number. For example, the left performance symbol that is confirmed is "7", the center performance symbol is "6", and the right performance symbol is "7". Hereinafter, a change pattern of the performance symbol that is changed and displayed by the performance display device 7 in synchronization with the special symbol is referred to as a performance symbol change pattern, and an image displayed in the background of the performance symbol change pattern is referred to as a background image. The background image is a still image or a moving image. In addition to notifying the result of the jackpot determination by the performance symbols, the pachinko game machine 1 also notifies the result of the jackpot determination by using a combination of the background image displayed on the performance display device 7, the sound output from the speaker 8, the lighting of the board lamp 2a, etc. Specifically, this includes various performances such as advance notice performances and reach performances. Advance notice performances are a type of game performance that suggests that the result of the jackpot determination is a jackpot.

[Major electrical configuration of a pachinko machine]
Next, the main electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.
The pachinko game machine 1 comprises a main control board 60 (Figure 2), a payout control board 73 (Figure 2), a sub-control board 100 (Figure 3), an image control board 200 (Figure 3), a sound control board 78 (Figure 3), and a lamp control board 79 (Figure 3).

As shown in FIG. 2, a one-chip microcomputer for game control (hereinafter referred to as the game control microcomputer) 61 is mounted on the main control board 60. The game control microcomputer 61 is equipped with a CPU 62, a ROM 63, and a RAM 64. The main control board 60 is also equipped with an input/output circuit 65. The game control microcomputer 61 generates random numbers used in various judgments (lotteries), such as jackpot random numbers, jackpot type random numbers, reach random numbers, and fluctuation pattern random numbers. The CPU 62 detects winning, judges jackpots, and updates various random numbers. The ROM 63 stores various tables, such as the computer program executed by the CPU 62, a jackpot judgment table, a jackpot type judgment table, a reach judgment table, and a special chart fluctuation pattern selection table.

The RAM 64 is used as a work memory when the CPU 62 executes a computer program. The RAM 64 also includes a first special chart reservation memory section 64a, a second special chart reservation memory section 64b, and a general chart reservation memory section 64c.

The first special symbol reservation memory unit 64a has first to fourth memory areas. In other words, the maximum number of first special symbol reservations that can be stored is four. In each memory area, the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, reach random number, and change pattern random number obtained by the game control microcomputer 61 as a result of the game ball entering the first starting hole 11 are stored. When the game ball enters the first starting hole 11 while the first special symbol display device 51 is displaying the first special symbol, the display of the first special symbol caused by the winning is temporarily reserved (activation reserved), and the jackpot random number, etc. obtained as a result of the winning are stored in the first special symbol reservation memory unit 64a.

The second special symbol reservation memory unit 64b has first to fourth memory areas. In other words, the maximum number of second special symbol reservations that can be stored is four. In each memory area, the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, reach random number, and change pattern random number obtained by the game control microcomputer 61 as a result of the game ball entering the second starting hole 22 are stored. When the game ball enters the second starting hole 22 while the second special symbol display device 52 is displaying the second special symbol, the display of the second special symbol caused by the winning is temporarily reserved (activation reserved), and the jackpot random number, etc. obtained as a result of the winning are stored in the second special symbol reservation memory unit 64b.

The jackpot random numbers, etc. are stored in the order of occurrence of the reserved operation, that is, in the order of acquisition by the game control microcomputer 61, from the first storage area of the first special symbol reserved storage unit 64a and the second special symbol reserved storage unit 64b. Therefore, when the jackpot random numbers, etc. are stored in the first to fourth storage areas, the jackpot random numbers, etc. stored in the fourth storage area are the newest information in terms of time, and the jackpot random numbers, etc. stored in the first storage area are the oldest information in terms of time. The jackpot random numbers, etc. stored in each storage area are shifted one by one to the storage area with the oldest storage order each time a special symbol variable display is completed. For example, the jackpot random numbers, etc. stored in the second storage area are shifted to the first storage area. In addition, the judgment (lottery) based on the jackpot random numbers, etc. stored in the first storage area is performed when the variable display of the special symbol by the special symbol display device ends and before the next variable display begins.

The regular symbol reservation memory unit 64c stores the regular winning random number (random number for judging (lottery) whether the regular symbol is a winning symbol or not) acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 due to the game ball passing through the gate 12. When the game ball passes through the gate 12 while the regular symbol display 53 is displaying a regular symbol in a variable manner, the operation of the regular symbol display 53 due to the passing is temporarily reserved (operation reserved), and the regular winning random number acquired due to the passing is stored in the regular symbol reservation memory unit 64c. The reserved variable display of the regular symbol is performed next after the currently performed variable display of the regular symbol is completed. In the pachinko game machine 1, the regular symbol reservation memory unit 64c has a memory area for a total of four reservations, and the maximum number of reserved activations of the regular symbol display 53 is four. Hereinafter, the number of reserved activations of the regular symbol display 53 is referred to as the regular symbol reservation number.

In addition, the input/output circuit 65 transmits and receives data between each board etc. connected to the main control board 60 .
In addition, the display devices 50 are electrically connected to the main control board 60. As described above, the display devices 50 include a first special symbol display 51, a second special symbol display 52, and a normal symbol display 53. Furthermore, the display devices 50 include a first special symbol reserve display 51a, a second special symbol reserve display 52a, and a normal symbol reserve display 53a. Furthermore, the first start hole sensor 11a, the second start hole sensor 22a, and the gate sensor 12a are electrically connected to the main control board 60 via the relay board 74. Similarly, the large prize opening sensor 32a, the general prize opening sensor 13a, the electric chute solenoid 20a, and the large prize opening solenoid 30a are electrically connected to the main control board 60 via the relay board 74.

The first start hole sensor 11a is provided directly below the first start hole 11 and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the first start hole 11 to the main control board 60. The second start hole sensor 22a is provided directly below the second start hole 22 and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the second start hole 22 to the main control board 60. The gate sensor 12a is provided in the passage area of the gate 12 through which the game ball passes and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 12 to the main control board 60. The large prize hole sensor 32a is provided directly below the large prize hole 32 and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the large prize hole 32 to the main control board 60. The general prize hole sensor 13a is provided directly below the general prize hole 13 and outputs a signal indicating that the game ball has entered the general prize hole 13 to the main control board 60. The electric chute solenoid 20a drives the movable member 21 of the normal variable winning device 20 to open and close. The special winning port solenoid 30a drives the opening and closing member 31 of the special winning device 30 to open and close.

The main control board 60 is also electrically connected to the card unit 76, the ball loan payout device 80, and the prize ball payout device 400 via the payout control board 73. The card unit 76 is provided adjacent to the pachinko game machine 1, and performs operations such as reading and writing balances on the prepaid card. The ball loan payout device 80 is equipped with a ball loan motor 81 and a ball loan sensor 82. The ball loan motor 81 drives a member that pays out game balls as loan balls, and the ball loan sensor 82 outputs a signal indicating that a game ball has been paid out by that member to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73. The game control microcomputer 61 counts the number of balls loaned out by the ball loan payout device 80 based on the signal output from the payout control board 73. When the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 76 has a recorded balance equal to or greater than the minimum balance that can be paid out, operating the ball loan button (not shown) activates the loan ball payout device 80, which pays out the minimum number of loan balls to the ball supply tray 24.

The prize ball payout device 400 is equipped with a prize ball motor 401 and a prize ball sensor 402. The prize ball motor 401 drives a member that pays out game balls as prize balls, and the prize ball sensor 402 outputs a signal indicating that a game ball has been paid out by that member to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73. The game control microcomputer 61 counts the number of prize balls paid out by the prize ball payout device 400 based on the signal output from the payout control board 73.

The main control board 60 is also electrically connected to the launch device 90 via the launch control circuit 75. The launch device 90 is equipped with a launch motor 91, a touch switch 92, and a launch volume 93. The launch motor 91 drives a striking hammer (not shown) that strikes and launches the game ball. The touch switch 92 outputs a signal indicating that the player has touched the handle 4. The launch volume 93 adjusts the strength with which the striking hammer strikes the game ball depending on the amount of rotation of the launch lever 4a.

The pachinko game machine 1 also includes a power supply board 70. The power supply board 70 supplies power to the main control board 60, the payout control board 73, and the sub-control board 100. The power supply board 70 also supplies power to each device electrically connected to the payout control board 73 via the payout control board 73. The power supply board 70 also supplies power from the main control board 60 via the relay board 74 to each sensor and solenoid electrically connected to the relay board 74. The power supply board 70 also supplies power via the main control board 60 to the displays 50 electrically connected to the main control board 60.

The power supply board 70 is provided with a backup power supply circuit 71. When power is not being supplied from an external source to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the backup power supply circuit 71 supplies the power necessary to retain information to the RAM 64 of the main control board 60 and the like. A power switch 72 for turning on and off the main power supply that supplies power to the power supply board 70 is electrically connected to the power supply board 70.

The main control board 60 transmits various commands to the sub-control board 100. The main control board 60 can transmit commands to the sub-control board 100, but the sub-control board 100 cannot transmit commands to the main control board 60. In other words, communication between the main control board 60 and the sub-control board 100 is one-way communication, where only transmission from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 100 is possible.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-control board 100 is equipped with a one-chip microcomputer for controlling effects (hereinafter referred to as the microcomputer for controlling effects) 101. The microcomputer for controlling effects 101 is equipped with a CPU 102, a ROM 110, and a RAM 120. The sub-control board 100 is also equipped with an input/output circuit 103. The CPU 102 controls effects in accordance with the game. The ROM 110 stores various tables in addition to computer programs for the CPU 102 to control effects. The RAM 120 is used as a work memory when the CPU 102 executes the computer programs. The RAM 120 is also provided with a first special chart reserved effect memory unit 121, a second special chart reserved effect memory unit 122, and a variable effect memory unit 123.

The first special chart hold effect memory unit 121 has four memory areas consisting of the first to fourth memory areas, and each memory area stores the first start winning command and the like output from the main control board 60. The first start winning command is a command including the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, fluctuation pattern random number, and reach random number obtained by the game control microcomputer 61 when the game ball wins the first start hole 11.

On the other hand, the second special chart hold effect memory unit 122 has four memory areas consisting of the first to fourth memory areas, and each memory area stores the second start winning command and the like output from the main control board 60. The second start winning command is a command including the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, fluctuation pattern random number, and reach random number obtained by the game control microcomputer 61 when the game ball wins the second start hole 22.

The variation effect memory unit 123 stores the first start winning command or the second start winning command to be used for the variation.
The input/output circuit 103 transmits and receives data between each board etc. connected to the sub-control board 100 .

The image control board 200 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 100. The performance display device 7 is electrically connected to the image control board 200. The image control board 200 is equipped with a VDP 201 (Video Display Processor), an image control CPU 202, and a control ROM 203. Furthermore, the image control board 200 is equipped with a control RAM 204, a CGROM (Character Generator Read Only Memory) 205, and a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 206. The image control CPU 202 controls the performance display device 7 to display performance images such as variable performance patterns, button performance images, and preview images. The control ROM 203 stores a computer program for the image control CPU 202 to control the performance display device 7. The control RAM 204 is used as a work memory when the image control CPU 202 executes the computer program. The CGROM 205 stores image data for the performance display device 7 to display performance images. The VDP 201 reads image data from the CGROM 205 according to a display list created by the image control CPU 202, and loads the read image data in a load area in the VRAM 206. The VDP 201 then composites the image data loaded in the VRAM 206, and stores the composite image data in a frame buffer in the VRAM 206. The VDP 201 then converts the image data stored in the frame buffer in the VRAM 206 into an RGB signal, and outputs it to the performance display device 7. As a result, the performance display device 7 displays a performance image.

The sub-control board 100 is electrically connected to the board lamp 2a, performance button lamp 9c, left side lamp 23a, and right side lamp 23b via the lamp control board 79. The performance control microcomputer 101 uses data stored in the ROM 110 to create light emission pattern data that determines the light emission mode of each lamp, and transmits the light emission pattern data to the lamp control board 79. The lamp control board 79 then controls the light emission of each lamp according to the received light emission pattern data.

The movable body 15 is electrically connected to the lamp control board 79 via the relay board 77. A device (not shown) for operating the movable body 15 is connected to the movable body 15, and a movable body motor (not shown) for driving the device is connected to the device. The performance control microcomputer 101 creates movement pattern data that determines the movement pattern of the movable body 15 using the data stored in ROM 110, and transmits the movement pattern data to the lamp control board 79. Then, the lamp control board 79, which receives the movement pattern data, drives the movable body motor via the relay board 77 in accordance with the movement pattern, thereby controlling the movement of the movable body 15.

Each speaker 8 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 100 via the audio control board 78. The audio control board 78 is equipped with an audio control CPU (not shown), an audio data ROM (not shown), an audio synthesis circuit (not shown), and an amplifier (not shown). The audio data ROM stores audio data for each speaker 8 to output sounds such as music and sound effects. The audio control CPU reads audio data from the audio data ROM based on a command received from the sub-control board 100, and outputs the read audio data to the audio synthesis circuit. The audio synthesis circuit synthesizes the input audio data and converts the synthesized synthetic audio data into an analog audio signal and outputs it to the amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the input audio signal and outputs it to each speaker 8. Then, each speaker 8 outputs a sound indicated by the input audio signal.

The sub-control board 100 is also electrically connected to a performance lever push detection switch 6a, a performance lever rotation detection switch 6b, a performance button detection switch 9a, a performance lever vibration motor 6c, and a performance button vibration motor 9b.

The performance lever push detection switch 6a outputs a signal indicating that the performance lever 6 has been pushed to the sub-control board 100. The performance control microcomputer 101 executes the lever performance that is performed when the performance lever 6 is pushed based on the signal input from the performance lever push detection switch 6a. The performance lever rotation detection switch 6b outputs a signal indicating that the performance lever 6 has been rotated to the sub-control board 100. The performance control microcomputer 101 executes the lever performance that is performed when the performance lever 6 is rotated based on the signal input from the performance lever rotation detection switch 6b. The performance button detection switch 9a outputs a signal indicating that the performance button 9 has been pressed to the sub-control board 100. The performance control microcomputer 101 executes the button performance based on the signal input from the performance button detection switch 9a.

The performance lever vibration motor 6c is a member that vibrates the performance lever 6, and is provided in the part that contacts the performance lever 6 or inside the performance lever 6. The performance button vibration motor 9b is a member that vibrates the performance button 9, and is housed inside the performance button 9. The ROM 110 stores operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the performance lever vibration motor 6c and operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the performance button vibration motor 9b. The performance control microcomputer 101 reads the operation pattern data from the ROM 110 when it is time to vibrate the performance lever 6, and drives and controls the performance lever vibration motor 6c based on the read operation pattern data. In addition, the performance control microcomputer 101 reads the operation pattern data from the ROM 110 when it is time to vibrate the performance button 9, and drives and controls the performance button vibration motor 9b based on the read operation pattern data.

[Explanation of game state]
Next, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.
The special symbol display and the normal symbol display 53 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 each have a probability variation function and a variation time shortening function. The state in which the probability variation function of the special symbol display is activated is called the "high probability state", and the state in which it is not activated is called the "normal probability state (low probability state)". In the high probability state, the probability of a jackpot is higher than in the normal probability state. The transition to either the high probability state or the normal probability state is basically determined by a lottery at the time of a jackpot. The pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is a type of machine known as a "probability variable machine".

The state in which the time-saving function of the special symbol display is activated is called the "time-saving state," and the state in which it is not activated is called the "non-time-saving state." In the time-saving state, the time it takes for the special symbol to change (the time required from the start of the change display to the final display) is shorter than in the non-time-saving state. When the time-saving function of the special symbol display is activated, a shorter change time is more likely to be selected as the change time for the special symbol compared to when it is not activated. As a result, in the time-saving state, the pace of consumption of the reserved special symbols is accelerated, making it easier to get a valid win at the starting hole (a win that can be stored as a reserved special symbol). This allows for smooth gameplay and the player to aim for a jackpot.

The probability fluctuation function and the fluctuation time shortening function of the special symbol display may operate simultaneously, or only one of them may operate. The probability fluctuation function and the fluctuation time shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 operate in synchronization with the fluctuation time shortening function of the special symbol display. In other words, the probability fluctuation function and the fluctuation time shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 operate in the time-shortened state and do not operate in the non-time-shortened state. Therefore, in the time-shortened state, the probability of a winning pattern being determined in the lottery for the normal symbol is higher than in the non-time-shortened state. In other words, when the probability fluctuation function of the normal symbol display 53 operates, the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 53 is more likely to be a winning normal symbol (a normal symbol indicating that a winning pattern has been determined in the lottery for the normal symbol) than when it is not operating.

In addition, in the time-saving state, the normal symbol variation time is shorter than in the non-time-saving state. For example, the normal symbol variation time is 10 seconds in the non-time-saving state, but 1 second in the time-saving state. Furthermore, in the time-saving state, the opening time of the normal variable winning device 20 is longer than in the non-time-saving state. In other words, the opening time extension function of the normal variable winning device 20 is activated. In addition, in the time-saving state, the normal variable winning device 20 is opened more times in the auxiliary play than in the non-time-saving state. In other words, the opening number increase function of the normal variable winning device 20 is activated. The auxiliary play is a game in which the second starting hole 22 is opened and closed in an opening pattern corresponding to the current play state when the confirmed normal symbol displayed is a specific normal symbol that has been determined in advance.

When the probability variation function and variation time shortening function of the normal pattern display 53 and the opening time extension function and opening count increase function of the normal variable winning device 20 are operating, the normal variable winning device 20 is opened more frequently and game balls enter the second starting hole 22 more frequently than when these functions are not operating. As a result, the ratio of the number of winning balls to the number of shot balls is higher, so the player can aim for a big win without significantly reducing the number of game balls he has. In addition, in this way, when the probability variation function and variation time shortening function of the normal pattern display 53 and the opening time extension function and opening count increase function of the normal variable winning device 20 are operating, the control that supports the winning of the second starting hole 22 by the normal variable winning device 20 is called electric support control. In addition, the state in which the electric support control is being performed is called a "high base state", and the state in which the electric support control is not being performed is called a "low base state". In addition, since the "high base state" is a state in which so-called electric support control is being executed, the "high base state" is sometimes called the "electric support control state" or the "easy-to-score state". On the other hand, the "low base state" is sometimes called the "non-electric support control state" or the "non-easy-to-score state". In addition, the "high base state" does not have to have all of the above functions activated. In other words, it is sufficient that one or more of the probability fluctuation function of the normal pattern display 53, the fluctuation time shortening function, the opening time extension function of the normal variable winning device 20, and the opening count increase function are activated, making it easier for the normal variable winning device 20 to open than when the function is not activated. In addition, the high base state may be controlled independently without being associated with the time shortening state.

In the pachinko game machine 1, when a special jackpot is won, the game state after the jackpot game ends is a "high probability state, time-saving state, and high base state." In this embodiment, this game state continues until the next jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed. In the "jackpot game," when a jackpot is determined to be a jackpot in the jackpot determination, the jackpot winning slot 32 is opened in an opening pattern that corresponds to the type of special chart (type of jackpot) that has been confirmed and displayed.

In addition, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, when a normal jackpot, which will be described later, is won, the gaming state after the jackpot game ends becomes "normal probability state, time-saving state, and high base state." This gaming state ends when the variable display of special symbols is executed a predetermined number of times, or when a jackpot is won and the jackpot game is executed. Note that when playing the pachinko gaming machine 1 for the first time, the gaming state after the power is turned on is "normal probability state, non-time-saving state, and low base state." Hereinafter, "high probability state, time-saving state, and high base state" is referred to as "high probability high base state," "normal probability state, time-saving state, and high base state" is referred to as "low probability high base state," and "normal probability state, non-time-saving state, and low base state" is referred to as "low probability low base state" or "normal gaming state."

In a "high base state" such as a "high probability high base state" or a "low probability high base state," the normal variable winning device 20 is more likely to open due to electric support control, and it is easier to win at the second starting hole 22 than the first starting hole 11. For this reason, it is more advantageous to shoot the game ball toward the right playing area 3B by hitting it from the right.

On the other hand, in the "low base state," electric support control is not executed, and the normal variable winning device 20 is difficult to open, so it is easier to win at the first starting hole 11 than at the second starting hole 22. For this reason, it is easier to progress in the game by shooting the game ball toward the left playing area 3A by hitting it from the left.

[Jackpot Judgment Table]
The jackpot determination table (not shown) is a table that the game control microcomputer 61 refers to when it executes a jackpot determination of whether or not a jackpot has been generated. The jackpot determination table is configured by associating a game state with a jackpot random number value (jackpot determination value). The jackpot random number value is a predetermined random number selected from the jackpot random numbers generated by the jackpot random number counter. A computer program for operating the jackpot random number counter is stored in the ROM 63, and the jackpot random number counter operates and generates a jackpot random number by the CPU 62 executing the computer program. The jackpot random number counter may be one that utilizes a random number generating circuit such as a counter IC. In the pachinko game machine 1, a jackpot random number when the game state is a high probability state and a jackpot random number when the game state is a normal probability state are set. The jackpot random numbers that are determined to be a jackpot are set more frequently in the high probability state than in the normal probability state. As a result, the probability of being determined to be a jackpot in the high probability state is higher than in the normal probability state. In addition, if a jackpot is not determined to be a jackpot, the game control microcomputer 61 determines that the game is a miss. The jackpot determination table is common to the drawing of the first special chart and the drawing of the second special chart.

[Big Win Type Determination Table]
The jackpot type determination table (not shown) is a table that the game control microcomputer 61 refers to when it determines the type of jackpot when it is determined that a jackpot has been generated. The jackpot type determination table is configured by associating a predetermined number of jackpot type random numbers (jackpot type determination values) with each jackpot type (jackpot pattern type) according to the type of lottery (lottery for the first special symbol or the second special symbol). The jackpot type random number is a predetermined random number selected from the jackpot type random numbers generated by the jackpot type random number counter. A computer program for operating the jackpot type random number counter is stored in the ROM 63, and the jackpot type random number counter operates and generates a jackpot type random number by the CPU 62 executing the computer program. The jackpot type random number counter may be one that utilizes a random number generating circuit such as a counter IC. In the pachinko game machine 1, a "10R normal jackpot" and a "10R variable jackpot" are set as the types of jackpots.

A 10R normal jackpot is a jackpot type in which the number of rounds that make up a jackpot game is "10", and the game state after the jackpot game ends is a normal probability state, time-saving state, and high base state. However, the upper limit of the number of times that the special pattern variable display that is the time-saving state and high base state can be displayed is "100 times", and if this upper limit is exceeded, the game state will be a normal probability state, non-time-saving state, and low base state. A 10R special jackpot is a jackpot type in which the number of rounds that make up a jackpot game is "10", and the game state after the jackpot game ends is a high probability state, time-saving state, and high base state. When a 10R special jackpot is determined, the game state will be a high probability state, time-saving state, and high base state until the next jackpot lottery is won.

In the pachinko game machine 1, it is also possible to vary the number of jackpot type random numbers associated with a specific jackpot type depending on whether it is a first special jackpot judgment or a second special jackpot judgment. In addition, regarding a jackpot, the period required from when the jackpot opening is opened to when it is closed is called the jackpot opening period, and the period from when the jackpot opening is opened to when it is opened again is called a round. In addition, the game from the start of the first round to the end of the final round is called a jackpot game. Note that the type of jackpot, the number of rounds, the upper limit number of times that the electric support control is performed, etc. may be changed as appropriate depending on the game characteristics, etc.

[Reach Judgment Table]
The reach judgment table (not shown) is a table that the game control microcomputer 61 refers to when judging whether or not to select a special pattern variation pattern in which a reach appears when the result of the jackpot judgment is a miss. Here, the reach is a state in which there is only one special pattern remaining among the multiple special patterns that are displayed in a variable manner, and depending on which special pattern the variable displayed special pattern is displayed as, a combination of special patterns that indicates a jackpot will be formed. Also, the reach is a state in which there is only one performance pattern remaining among the performance patterns that are displayed in a variable manner in the multiple display areas of the performance display device 7, and depending on which performance pattern the variable displayed performance pattern is displayed as, a combination of performance patterns that indicates a jackpot will be formed.

For example, when one of the combinations of symbols for a big win is "777", "7" is displayed as the confirmed left symbol, "7" is displayed as the confirmed right symbol, and the middle symbol row 7C is displayed in a variable manner. The concept of reach includes a state in which the middle symbol row 7C is scrolling, as well as a state in which it is shaking, or repeatedly expanding and contracting.

The reach random number is a random number used to determine whether or not to select a special chart variation pattern in which a reach appears when the result of the jackpot determination is a miss. The reach determination table is configured by associating a game state with a reach random number value (reach determination value). The reach random number value is a predetermined random number selected from the reach random numbers generated by the reach random number counter. A computer program for operating the reach random number counter is stored in ROM 63, and the reach random number counter operates and generates a reach random number when the CPU 62 executes the computer program. In the pachinko game machine 1, reach random numbers when the game state is in a non-time-saving state and reach random numbers when in a time-saving state are set.

The reach random number that is determined to be in reach is set lower in the time-saving state than in the non-time-saving state. As a result, the probability of being determined to be in reach in the time-saving state is lower than in the non-time-saving state. In other words, since the probability of being determined to be not in reach is higher, when selecting a special chart variation pattern, the probability of selecting a special chart variation pattern without reach is higher. For this reason, in the time-saving state, the pace of consumption of the reserved number of special charts is faster. Note that the reach determination table in the pachinko gaming machine 1 may be the same for the drawing of the first special chart and the drawing of the second special chart, or may be different.

[Special chart variation pattern selection table]
The special chart variation pattern selection table T1 shown in FIG. 4 is a table that the game control microcomputer 61 refers to when determining the special chart variation pattern by lottery. The special chart variation pattern selection table T1 is configured by associating the game state, the judgment (jackpot judgment and reach judgment) result, the special chart reserved number, the variation pattern random number value (variation pattern judgment value), the special chart variation pattern, and the variation time. The jackpot type may also be associated. In addition, the "variation performance pattern" shown in the special chart variation pattern selection table T1 refers to the variation performance pattern (determined on the sub-control board 100 side) that specifies the performance content performed on the performance display device 7 etc. in response to the selected special chart variation pattern, and is described for reference. The variation pattern random number value is a predetermined random number selected from the variation pattern random numbers generated by the variation pattern random number counter. The variation pattern random number counter of the pachinko game machine 1 counts a total of 100 variation pattern random numbers from 0 to 99. In other words, it generates a total of 100 variation pattern random numbers from 0 to 99. A computer program for operating the variation pattern random number counter is stored in the ROM 63, and the computer program is executed by the CPU 62, whereby the variation pattern random number counter operates and generates a variation pattern random number.

When the game state is not in the time-saving state, if a jackpot is determined in the jackpot determination and the fluctuation pattern random number obtained from the fluctuation pattern random number counter is a value within the range of 0 to 94, the special chart fluctuation pattern P1 is selected regardless of the number of reserved special charts. Also, if the fluctuation pattern random number is a value within the range of 95 to 99, the special chart fluctuation pattern P2 is selected regardless of the number of reserved special charts. The fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern P1 is 70,000 ms, and the fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern P2 is 30,000 ms. The fluctuation performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern P1 is associated with the content that executes the SP (super) reach performance. The fluctuation performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern P2 is associated with the content that executes the normal reach performance. The super reach performance is a performance in which a reach performance is executed in a progressive manner through normal fluctuation and normal reach performance, and the fluctuation time after the reach is longer than that of the normal reach performance. Also, the random number distribution rate is set in the table so that the jackpot expectation rate is higher than that of the normal reach performance. The normal reach effect is an effect in which the effect symbols in a specific row among the effect symbols that change in multiple rows stop temporarily to form a reach, and then the remaining effect symbol changes while the effect symbols that form the reach stop temporarily. The normal reach effect is also an effect that suggests that there is a possibility of a jackpot after the reach is formed. However, the random number distribution rate is set in the table so that the jackpot expectation rate of the normal reach effect is lower than that of the super reach effect.

When the game state is not in the time-saving state, if the jackpot judgment determines that there is a miss and the reach judgment determines that there is a reach, if the acquired fluctuation pattern random number is a value within the range of 0 to 4, special chart fluctuation pattern P3 is selected regardless of the number of special charts reserved. If the acquired fluctuation pattern random number is a value within the range of 5 to 99, special chart fluctuation pattern P4 is selected regardless of the number of special charts reserved. The fluctuation time of special chart fluctuation pattern P3 is 70,000 ms, and the fluctuation time of special chart fluctuation pattern P4 is 30,000 ms. The fluctuation performance pattern corresponding to special chart fluctuation pattern P3 is associated with content that executes a super reach performance. The fluctuation performance pattern corresponding to special chart fluctuation pattern P4 is associated with content that executes a normal reach performance.

When the game state is not in the time-saving state, if the jackpot judgment determines that there is a miss and the reach judgment determines that there is no reach, if the number of reserved special charts is 0 to 2, special chart fluctuation pattern P5 is selected regardless of the value of the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. Also, if the number of reserved special charts is 3 to 4, special chart fluctuation pattern P6 is selected regardless of the value of the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. The fluctuation time of special chart fluctuation pattern P5 is 10,000 ms, and the fluctuation time of special chart fluctuation pattern P6 is 5,000 ms. The fluctuation performance patterns corresponding to special chart fluctuation patterns P5 and P6 are associated with contents that display normal fluctuations.

When the game state is in the time-saving state and the jackpot determination determines that a jackpot has been reached, special chart fluctuation pattern P7 is selected regardless of the value of the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. The fluctuation time of special chart fluctuation pattern P7 is 50,000 ms. The fluctuation performance pattern corresponding to special chart fluctuation pattern P7 is associated with the content that executes the super reach performance.

When the game state is in the time-saving state, if the jackpot judgment determines that there is a miss and the reach judgment determines that there is a reach, the special chart fluctuation pattern P8 is selected regardless of the value of the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. The fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern P8 is 50,000 ms. The fluctuation performance pattern corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern P8 is associated with the content that executes the super reach performance.

When the game state is in the time-saving state, if the jackpot judgment determines that the jackpot is a miss and the reach judgment determines that there is no reach, if the number of reserved special charts is 0 to 1, the special chart fluctuation pattern P9 is selected regardless of the value of the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. Also, if the number of reserved special charts is 2 to 4, the special chart fluctuation pattern P10 is selected regardless of the value of the acquired fluctuation pattern random number. The fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern P9 is 5,000 ms, and the fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern P10 is 2,500 ms. The fluctuation performance patterns corresponding to the special chart fluctuation patterns P9 and P10 are associated with the contents that display normal fluctuations. Note that this special chart fluctuation pattern selection table T1 is common to the first special chart and the second special chart, but it may be set separately for the first special chart and the second special chart.

[Main processing of the gaming control microcomputer 61]
Next, the main processing executed by the game control microcomputer 61 will be explained with reference to the drawings.
(Main side main control processing)
First, the main-side main control process will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power supply of the pachinko game machine 1 is turned on, the game control microcomputer 61 reads out and executes the computer program for the main control process from the ROM 63. The game control microcomputer 61 first performs an initial setting (step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1). In this initial setting, for example, stack setting, constant setting, interruption time setting, CPU 62 setting, SIO (System Input/Output), PIO (Parallel Input/Output), CTC (Counter/Timer Circuit: a circuit for managing interruption time), resetting of various flags, counters, timers, etc. are performed. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes interrupt prohibition (S2) and executes normal pattern/special pattern main random number update processing (S3). In this normal pattern/special pattern main random number update processing, the initial values of each random number counter that generates the above-mentioned jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, reach random number, and variable pattern random number are updated by adding "1" to each. When the count value of each random number counter reaches its upper limit, it returns to "0" and is then incremented by "1". The initial value of each random number counter may be a value other than "0" and may be changed randomly. The count value of each random number counter may be updated by adding a numerical value of "2" or greater to it. Each random number may be a so-called hardware random number that is generated using a known random number generating circuit such as a counter IC. When using hardware random numbers, there is no need for software-based random number updating processing (S3).

Then, the game control microcomputer 61 executes interrupt permission (S4). During interrupt permission, the main timer interrupt process (S5) can be executed. The main timer interrupt process (S5) is executed based on an interrupt pulse input to the CPU 62 at, for example, a 4 msec cycle. In other words, it is executed at a 4 msec cycle. Then, after the main timer interrupt process (S5) ends and before the next main timer interrupt process (S5) starts, the initial value update process of various counters is executed by the normal pattern/special pattern main random number update process (S3). Note that if an interrupt pulse is input to the CPU 62 when the interrupt is prohibited, the main timer interrupt process (S5) does not start immediately, but starts after the interrupt permission (S4) is executed.

(Main side timer interrupt processing)
Next, the contents of the main timer interrupt process (S5) will be described with reference to FIG.
The game control microcomputer 61 executes an output process (S10). In this output process, commands set in the output buffer provided in the RAM 64 of the main control board 60 in each process described below are output to the sub-control board 100, the payout control board 73, etc. The game control microcomputer 61 also outputs a change start command for normal symbols indicating that normal symbols have started to change when the normal symbols have started to change, and a change start command for special symbols indicating that special symbols have started to change when the special symbols have started to change. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes an input process (S11). In this input process, each detection signal detected by various sensors (first start hole sensor 11a, second start hole sensor 22a, big prize hole sensor 32a, gate sensor 12a, etc.) attached mainly to the pachinko game machine 1 is read. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a timer update process (S12). In this timer update process, the subtraction counter operating as a timer is updated (subtracted). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a prize ball control process (S13). In this prize ball control process, a payout command for paying out prize balls according to the type of winning port is set in the output buffer of the RAM 64 based on the detection signals of various sensors read in the input process (S11). The payout command is a command output to the payout control board 73. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S14). This normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process is the same as the normal symbol/special symbol main random number update process (S3) executed in the main side main control process of FIG. 5. In other words, the update process of the initial value of each random number counter is performed both during the execution period of the main side timer interrupt process (S5) and during the other period (the period from the end of the main side timer interrupt process (S5) to the start of the next main side timer interrupt process (S5)).

Then, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the sensor detection process (S15), the normal operation process (S16), the special symbol waiting process (S17), the special symbol change process (S18), and other processes (S19) described later, and ends this process. The other processes (S19) are a security control process that detects and notifies fraudulent winning, a magnetic detection process that detects and notifies fraudulent acts using magnetism, a door opening process that detects and notifies the opening of the front frame 18 or the inner frame, an illegal radio wave detection process that detects and notifies fraudulent acts using radio waves, and an impact detection process that detects and notifies fraudulent acts that vibrate the pachinko game machine 1. In addition, in the other processes, the first special symbol reservation indicator 51a is controlled to a display mode that indicates the number based on the number of first special symbols reserved, and the second special symbol reservation indicator 52a is controlled to a display mode that indicates the number based on the number of second special symbols reserved. Then, steps S2 to S4 of the main control process (FIG. 5) are repeatedly executed until the next interrupt pulse is input to the CPU 62, and when the interrupt pulse is input (approximately 4 msec later), the main timer interrupt process (S5) is executed again. In the output process (S10) of the main timer interrupt process executed again, the commands etc. set in the output buffer of the RAM 64 in the previous main timer interrupt process (S5) are output to a specified board.

(Sensor detection process)
Next, the contents of the sensor detection process (S15) will be described with reference to FIG.
The game control microcomputer 61 judges whether the game ball has passed through the gate 12 (S20). The gate sensor 12a detects that the game ball has passed through the gate 12. When it is judged that the game ball has passed through the gate 12 (S20: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 executes a gate passing process (S21). In this gate passing process, it judges whether the number of reserved normal symbols is 4 or more, and if the number of reserved normal symbols is not 4 or more, it adds "1" to the number of reserved normal symbols and executes a process of acquiring and storing a winning random number for drawing a normal symbol.

After S21 is completed, or if it is determined that the game ball has not passed through the gate 12 (S20: No), the game control microcomputer 61 determines whether the game ball has entered the second start hole 22 (S22). The game ball's entry into the second start hole 22 is detected by the second start hole sensor 22a. If it is determined that the game ball has entered the second start hole 22 (S22: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 determines whether the second special symbol reservation number U2 has reached the upper limit value of "4" (S23). If it is determined that the second special symbol reservation number U2 has not reached "4" (S23: No), the game control microcomputer 61 adds 1 to the second special symbol reservation number U2 (S24). This establishes the variable reservation condition for the second special symbol. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the second special symbol related random number acquisition process (S25). In this second special chart related random number acquisition process, the jackpot random number counted by the jackpot random number counter, the jackpot type random number counted by the jackpot type random number counter, the reach random number counted by the reach random number counter, and the fluctuation pattern random number counted by the fluctuation pattern random number counter are acquired, and each of the acquired random numbers is stored in a memory area of the second special chart reserved memory unit 64b according to the current number of second special charts reserved. For example, if the current number of second special charts reserved is "3", each random number is stored in the fourth memory area.

Then, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a second start winning command creation process (S26). In this second start winning command creation process, a second start winning command is created based on each random number group stored in the second special chart reservation memory unit 64b in S25. This second start winning command is composed of data indicating that the game ball has entered the second start hole 22, data indicating each random number stored in the second special chart reservation memory unit 64b in S25, and the like. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the second start winning command created in S26 in the output buffer of the RAM 64 (S27). This set second start winning command is output to the sub-control board 100 in the output process (S10), and the performance control microcomputer 101 executes a performance based on each random number included in the second start winning command.

After the end of S27, if it is determined that the game ball has not entered the second start hole 22 (S22: No), or if it is determined that the second special symbol reserved number U2 has reached "4" (S23: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 determines whether the game ball has entered the first start hole 11 (S28). The game ball's entry into the first start hole 11 is detected by the first start hole sensor 11a. If it is determined that the game ball has entered the first start hole 11 (S28: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 determines whether the first special symbol reserved number U1 has reached the upper limit value of "4" (S29). If it is determined that the first special symbol reserved number U1 has not reached "4" (S29: No), the game control microcomputer 61 adds 1 to the first special symbol reserved number U1 (S30). This establishes the variable reservation condition for the first special symbol. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a first special chart related random number acquisition process (S31). In this first special chart related random number acquisition process, a jackpot random number, a jackpot type random number, a reach random number, and a change pattern random number are acquired, and each of the acquired random numbers is stored in a memory area of the first special chart reserved memory unit 64a according to the current number of first special charts reserved. For example, if the current number of first special charts reserved is "3", each random number is stored in the fourth memory area.

Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a first start winning command creation process (S32). In this first start winning command creation process, the first start winning command is created based on each random number group stored in the first special chart reservation memory unit 64a in S31. This first start winning command is composed of data indicating that the game ball has won the first start hole 11, data indicating each random number stored in the first special chart reservation memory unit 64a in S31, etc. Next, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the first start winning command created in S32 in the output buffer of the RAM 64 (S33). This set first start winning command is output to the sub-control board 100 in the output process (S10), and the performance control microcomputer 101 executes a performance based on each random number included in the first start winning command. After S33 ends, if it is determined that the game ball has not entered the first starting hole 11 (S28: No), or if it is determined that the first special chart reserved number U1 has reached "4" (S29: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 ends this process.

(Normal operation processing)
Next, the contents of the normal operation process (S16) will be described.
The game control microcomputer 61 performs processes such as adding the number of reserved normal symbols, displaying the changing normal symbols using the normal symbol display 53, determining whether the normal symbol is a win or not, and opening and closing the normal variable winning device 20 when the result of the win determination is a win.

(Special pattern waiting process)
Next, the contents of the special symbol waiting process (S17) will be described with reference to FIG.
The game control microcomputer 61 judges whether the second special symbol reserved number U2 is "0" (S40). When it is judged that it is not "0" (S40: No), the game control microcomputer 61 executes the second special symbol big win judgment process (FIG. 9) described later (S41). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the second special symbol variation pattern selection process (FIGS. 10, 11) described later (S42). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 subtracts "1" from the second special symbol reserved number U2 (S43), and shifts each data stored in each memory area of the second special symbol reserved memory unit 64b to the memory area with the oldest memory order, that is, the side to be read, one by one (S44). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the second special symbol variation start process (S45). In other words, the second special symbol display 52 performs the variable display of the second special symbol in the order that the game control microcomputer 61 executes the hit/miss judgment based on the jackpot random number stored in the second special symbol reservation memory 64b. Also, each time the second special symbol display 52 performs the variable display of the second special symbol, each data stored in each memory area of the second special symbol reservation memory 64b is shifted to the memory area with the oldest memory order.

In this second special symbol variation start process, a variation start command for the special symbol is set in the output buffer of RAM 64 to start the variation display of the second special symbol. The variation start command for the special symbol set in the output buffer of RAM 64 includes data on the special symbol stop symbol set in the second special symbol jackpot determination process (FIG. 9) described below and data on the special symbol variation pattern set in the second special symbol variation pattern selection process (FIGS. 10 and 11). After executing S45, the game control microcomputer 61 ends this process.

In addition, when the game control microcomputer 61 determines that the second special chart reserved number U2 is "0" (S40: Yes), it determines whether the first special chart reserved number U1 is "0" or not (S46). When it determines that it is not "0" (S46: No), the game control microcomputer 61 executes the first special chart big win determination process (FIG. 9) described later (S47). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the first special chart change pattern selection process (FIGS. 10, 11) described later (S48). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 subtracts "1" from the first special chart reserved number U1 (S49), and shifts each data stored in each memory area of the first special chart reserved memory unit 64a one by one to the memory area with the oldest storage order, that is, the side to be read (S50). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the first special chart change start process (S51). In other words, the first special symbol display 51 displays the first special symbol in the order that the game control microcomputer 61 performs the winning/losing judgment based on the jackpot random number stored in the first special symbol reservation memory unit 64a. Also, each time the first special symbol display 51 displays the first special symbol, each data stored in each memory area of the first special symbol reservation memory unit 64a is shifted to the memory area that was stored the oldest.

In this first special symbol variation start process, a variation start command for the special symbol is set in the output buffer of RAM 64 to start the variation display of the first special symbol. The variation start command for the special symbol set in the output buffer of RAM 64 includes data on the special symbol stop symbol set in the first special symbol big win determination process (FIG. 9) described below and data on the variation pattern set in the first special symbol variation pattern selection process (FIGS. 10 and 11). After executing S51, the game control microcomputer 61 ends this process.

In addition, when the game control microcomputer 61 determines in S46 that the first special symbol reservation number U1 is "0" (S46: Yes), it determines whether or not the game is in a standby state (S52). The standby state refers to a state in which the game is not in a jackpot game, the special symbol is not changing, and the special symbol reservation number is zero. More specifically, the standby state is a state that occurs when, in addition to the above-mentioned conditions, the special symbol (or performance symbol) is displayed and the symbol stops for a certain period of time or more after the confirmation display. Here, if it is determined that the game is in a standby state (S52: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 ends the special symbol standby process, and if it is determined that the game is not in a standby state (S52: No), it executes a standby screen setting process (S53). In this standby screen setting process, a customer waiting standby command for displaying a standby screen, which is a demo screen for waiting for customers, is set in the output buffer of the RAM 64 after a predetermined standby time (corresponding to the above-mentioned certain time) has elapsed. After that, the game control microcomputer 61 ends this process. The game control microcomputer 61 may determine whether or not the machine is in a standby state by, for example, turning on/off a demo screen display flag for waiting for customers. In this embodiment, the display of the first special symbol based on the first special symbol reservation is performed only when the second special symbol reservation number U2 is "0" (S40: Yes). In other words, the consumption of the second special symbol reservation is executed in priority to the consumption of the first special symbol reservation.

(Second special chart big win determination process (first special chart big win determination process))
Next, the contents of the second special chart big win determination process (S41) and the first special chart big win determination process (S47) will be described according to Fig. 9. The second special chart big win determination process (S41) and the first special chart big win determination process (S47) have the same process flow, so they will be described together. In addition, when describing matters common to the first special chart reservation storage unit 64a and the second special chart reservation storage unit 64b, they are simply called the special chart reservation storage unit.

The game control microcomputer 61 reads the jackpot random number stored in the first storage area of the special chart reservation storage section of the RAM 64 (S60) and refers to the jackpot determination table (S61). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 determines whether the probability variable flag is ON or not, that is, whether the current game state is a high probability state or not (S62). In this embodiment, the probability variable flag is turned ON when a 10R probability variable jackpot is won, and turned OFF when a 10R normal jackpot is won. Here, if it is determined that the probability variable flag is not ON, that is, the normal probability state is in effect (S62: No), the game control microcomputer 61 refers to the jackpot random number in the normal probability state in the jackpot determination table and determines whether or not there is a random number that is the same as the jackpot random number read in S60, that is, whether or not there is a jackpot (S63).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S62 that the probability of winning is ON, i.e., that the current game state is a high probability state (S62: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 refers to the high probability state jackpot random number in the jackpot determination table and performs a jackpot determination as to whether or not there is a random number that is the same as the jackpot random number read in S60, i.e., whether or not there is a jackpot (S64).

If a jackpot is determined to have occurred in S63 (S63: Yes) or if a jackpot is determined to have occurred in S64 (S64: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 reads out the jackpot type random number stored in the first memory area of the special chart reservation memory unit, and determines the type of jackpot by referring to the jackpot type determination table (S65).

Next, the game control microcomputer 61 turns on the jackpot flag indicating that a jackpot has been determined in the jackpot determination (S66). If a jackpot has not been determined in S63 (S63: No), after S66 ends, or if a jackpot has not been determined in S64 (S64: No), the game control microcomputer 61 proceeds to S67. If a jackpot has been determined, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the special chart stop pattern data for confirming and displaying the jackpot pattern of the special chart according to the type of jackpot determined in S65 in the special chart buffer provided in RAM 64, and ends this process. Also, if a jackpot has not been determined, that is, a miss, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the special chart stop pattern data for confirming and displaying the miss pattern of the special chart in the special chart buffer, and ends this process. The processing of S63 and S64, and the game control microcomputer 61 that executes the processing of S63, S64, are an example of the winning determination means of the present invention.

(Second special chart variation pattern selection process (first special chart variation pattern selection process))
Next, the contents of the second special pattern variation pattern selection process (S42) and the first special pattern variation pattern selection process (S48) will be described according to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Note that the second special pattern variation pattern selection process (S42) and the first special pattern variation pattern selection process (S48) have the same process flow, so they will be described together.

The game control microcomputer 61 determines whether the game state is in a time-shortened state (S70). Whether the game state is in a time-shortened state can be determined by whether information (time-shortened flag) that can identify whether the game state is in a time-shortened state is ON. The time-shortened flag is turned ON when the game state is controlled to the time-shortened state, and is turned OFF when the time-shortened state ends.

When it is determined that the time-saving flag is not ON, that is, the time-saving state is not in progress (S70: No), the game control microcomputer 61 transitions to S71. On the other hand, when it is determined that the time-saving flag is ON, that is, the time-saving state is in progress (S70: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 transitions to S77. The game control microcomputer 61 that transitions to S71 or S77 determines whether the jackpot flag is ON or not (S71, S77). When it is determined that the jackpot flag is ON (S71, S77: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 selects a special chart fluctuation pattern by referring to the special chart fluctuation pattern selection table (special chart fluctuation pattern selection table T1 in this example) (S72, S78). For example, if it is in a non-time-saving state, the game control microcomputer 61 references the fluctuation pattern random number in the case of a jackpot in a non-time-saving state. Similarly, if the time-saving state is active, the game control microcomputer 61 refers to the fluctuation pattern random number for the case of a jackpot in the time-saving state. The game control microcomputer 61 then acquires the fluctuation pattern random number stored in the first storage area of the special chart reserve storage unit, and selects the special chart fluctuation pattern associated with the same fluctuation pattern random number as the acquired fluctuation pattern random number.

Also, if the jackpot flag is not ON in S71 or S77, that is, if it is determined that the jackpot is a miss (S71, S77: No), the game control microcomputer 61 acquires the reach random number stored in the first memory area of the special chart reserve memory section, and determines whether the acquired reach random number is a reach establishment random number (S73, S79). In the non-time-saving state, if the acquired reach random number is present among the reach random numbers for the non-time-saving state in the reach determination table, the game control microcomputer 61 determines that it is a reach establishment random number (S73: Yes). Similarly, in the time-saving state, if the acquired reach random number is present among the reach random numbers for the time-saving state in the reach determination table, the game control microcomputer 61 determines that it is a reach establishment random number (S79: Yes).

Then, if the game control microcomputer 61 is in a non-time-saving state, it refers to the special chart variation pattern selection table and selects a special chart variation pattern for a reach with a miss that is associated with the non-time-saving state (S74). Similarly, if the game control microcomputer 61 is in a time-saving state, it refers to the special chart variation pattern selection table and selects a special chart variation pattern for a reach with a miss that is associated with the time-saving state (S80).

Also, if it is determined in S73 or S79 that the reach random number is not a reach establishment random number (S73, S79: No), the game control microcomputer 61, if in a non-time-saving state, refers to the special chart change pattern selection table and selects a special chart change pattern for a no-reach miss that is associated with the non-time-saving state (S75). Similarly, if in a time-saving state, the game control microcomputer 61, if in a time-saving state, refers to the special chart change pattern selection table and selects a special chart change pattern for a no-reach miss that is associated with the time-saving state (S81).

After S72, S74, S75, S78, S80, and S81 are completed, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the variation pattern data indicating the selected variation pattern in the special symbol variation pattern buffer provided in the RAM 64 (S76), and ends this process. The variation pattern data set in the special symbol variation pattern buffer in S76 is included in the variation start command for the special symbol set in S45 and S51 of the special symbol waiting process described above, and is output to the sub-control board 100 by the output process (S10) of the main side timer interrupt process.

(Special pattern variation processing)
Next, the contents of the special symbol variation process (S18) will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The special symbol variation process of the second special symbol and the special symbol variation process of the first special symbol are described together because they have the same process flow.

The game control microcomputer 61 judges whether the special symbol variation time (variation time determined according to the special symbol variation pattern selected in S42, S48) has ended (S90). If it is judged that the special symbol variation time has not ended (S90: No), the game control microcomputer 61 ends this process. If it is judged that the special symbol variation time has ended (S90: Yes), the game control microcomputer 61 sets a variation stop command for the special symbol to stop the variation display of the special symbol in the output buffer provided in the RAM 64 (S91). Next, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a special symbol stop process to stop the variation display of the special symbol being executed on the special symbol display device at a symbol (a special symbol big win symbol or a special symbol losing symbol) according to the special symbol stop symbol data set in the special symbol big win judgment process after the variation time set in the special symbol variation pattern has elapsed (S92).

Then, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a game state management process (S93). Specifically, the game control microcomputer 61 judges whether the time-saving flag is ON or not, and if it is judged to be ON, subtracts 1 from the value of the time-saving counter that counts the number of times the special symbol changes during the time-saving state by a subtraction method, and judges whether the value of the time-saving counter is "0". If it is judged to be "0", it turns the time-saving flag OFF. The game control microcomputer 61 sets a game state designation command including information of each flag in the output buffer of the RAM 64, and ends the game state management process. In the pachinko game machine 1, when a high probability jackpot is won, the high probability state continues until the next jackpot is won, so there is no need to turn off the high probability flag or provide a high probability counter that counts the number of times the special symbol changes during the high probability state as part of the game state management process.

Then, the game control microcomputer 61 judges whether the jackpot flag is ON or not (S94), and if it is judged to be ON (S94: Yes), executes a game state reset process (S95). In this game state reset process, it judges whether the high probability flag is ON or not, and if it is judged to be ON, it turns the high probability flag OFF. It also judges whether the time-saving flag is ON or not, and if it is judged to be ON, it turns the time-saving flag OFF. In other words, during the execution of the jackpot game, it is controlled to a normal probability state and a non-time-saving state. On the other hand, if it is judged that the jackpot flag is OFF (S94: No), the game control microcomputer 61 ends this process.

Next, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the jackpot opening to start the jackpot game (S96) and sets an opening command to execute the jackpot opening (S97). The jackpot opening is a performance in which a performance image celebrating the occurrence of a jackpot is displayed on the performance display device 7 and music celebrating the occurrence of a jackpot is played from each speaker 8. In the opening setting, the execution time of the jackpot opening is set in a specified timer and measured.

Next, when the big win opening ends, the game control microcomputer 61 executes the special electric role processing (S98). First, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the value of the special electric role operation valid counter in the special electric role processing. The special electric role operation valid counter is a counter that counts the remaining number of rounds in the big win game. Then, when the round start time is reached, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the round start command in the output buffer of the RAM 64. Then, the game control microcomputer 61 opens and closes the big prize winning opening 32 in an opening pattern according to the type of big win. Then, during the round game, when the upper limit number of game balls enter after the big prize winning opening 32 is opened or a predetermined opening time has elapsed, the game control microcomputer 61 closes the big prize winning opening 32 by closing the opening and closing member 31, and ends the round game. The game control microcomputer 61 performs the opening and closing operation of the big prize winning opening 32 for the number of rounds determined for each type of big win. Furthermore, the game control microcomputer 61 subtracts one from the value of the special electric role activation valid counter each time a round of play is started, and ends the jackpot game when the value of the special electric role activation valid counter becomes "0". Specifically, the game control microcomputer 61 sets an ending command for executing the jackpot ending in the output buffer of the RAM 64. Furthermore, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the execution time of the jackpot ending in a predetermined timer and measures it. When the jackpot game ends due to the end of the jackpot ending, the game control microcomputer 61 then turns off the jackpot flag.

After S98 is completed, the game control microcomputer 61 executes a game state setting process (S99). In the game state setting process, if the game control microcomputer 61 determines that the type of jackpot is a normal jackpot (in the embodiment, a "10R normal jackpot"), it turns on the time-saving flag and sets the time-saving counter to a number corresponding to the type of jackpot (in the embodiment, 100). The game control microcomputer 61 sets a game state designation command in the output buffer of the RAM 64 and ends this process. The game state designation command includes information about the set game state (time-saving flag, time-saving counter, probability variable flag, etc.). On the other hand, if the type of jackpot is determined to be a probability variable jackpot (in the embodiment, a "10R probability variable jackpot"), the game control microcomputer 61 turns on the probability variable flag and the time-saving flag. In addition, in the case of the guaranteed jackpot in this embodiment, after the jackpot game ends, the game is controlled to the time-saving state until the next jackpot is won, so there is no need to set a specific value in the time-saving counter as the number of time-saving times. Then, the game control microcomputer 61 sets the game state designation command in the output buffer of the RAM 64 and ends the game state setting process.

(Sub-side main control processing)
Next, the sub-side main control process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes an initial setting (S100). In this initial setting, for example, stack setting, constant setting, interrupt time setting, CPU 102 setting, SIO (System Input/Output), PIO (Parallel Input/Output), CTC (Counter/Timer Circuit: a circuit for managing interrupt time), resetting of various flags, counters, timers, etc. are performed. Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 judges whether the power off signal is ON and the contents of the RAM 120 are normal (S101), and if the judgment is negative (S101: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 initializes the RAM 120 (S102) and proceeds to S103. Also, if the judgment is positive in S101 (S101: Yes), the performance control microcomputer 101 proceeds to S103 without initializing the RAM 120. In other words, if the power-off signal is not ON, or if the power-off signal is ON but the contents of the RAM 120 are not normal (S101: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 initializes the RAM 120, but if the power-off signal is ON due to a power outage or the like but the contents of the RAM 120 are kept normal (S101: Yes), the performance control microcomputer 101 does not initialize the RAM 120. Note that when the RAM 120 is initialized, the values of various flags, counters, timers, etc. are reset. Also, S100 to S102 are executed only once after the power is turned on, and are not executed thereafter.

Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 prohibits interrupts (S103) and executes a random number update process (S104). In this random number update process, the initial values of various performance selection random number counters are updated. The performance selection random numbers include a variable performance pattern random number for determining a variable performance pattern, and a notice performance random number for determining various notice performances. The random number update method can be the same as the random number update process performed by the game control microcomputer 61 described above. Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes a command transmission process (S105). In this command transmission process, various commands stored in the output buffer in the RAM 120 of the performance control microcomputer 101 are transmitted to the image control board 200, the sound control board 78, the lamp control board 79, etc. Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes interrupt permission (S106). Thereafter, S103 to S106 are repeatedly executed. Additionally, while interrupts are enabled, it is possible to execute reception interrupt processing (S107), 1 ms timer interrupt processing (S108), and 10 ms timer interrupt processing (S109).

(Reception interrupt processing)
Next, the reception interrupt process (S107) will be described.
The performance control microcomputer 101 judges whether the signal level of the strobe signal (STB signal) given from the main control board 60 to the external INT (interrupt) input section of the performance control microcomputer 101 has changed, that is, whether it is time to receive a command. For example, it judges whether the signal level of the strobe signal has changed from high to low. If it is determined that it is not time to receive, the performance control microcomputer 101 ends this process. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is time to receive, the performance control microcomputer 101 receives various commands transmitted from the main control board 60 and stores the various received commands in the reception buffer of the RAM 120. This reception interrupt process is executed in priority to other interrupt processes (S108, S109).

(1 ms timer interrupt processing)
Next, the 1 ms timer interrupt process (S108) will be described with reference to FIG.
The performance control microcomputer 101 executes this 1 ms timer interrupt process each time an interrupt pulse with a 1 msec period is input to the sub-control board 100. The performance control microcomputer 101 executes input processing (S110). In this input processing, the performance control microcomputer 101 creates switch data (edge data and level data) indicating that the switch is ON based on detection signals from the performance lever push detection switch 6a, the performance lever rotation detection switch 6b, and the performance button detection switch 9a.

Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes output processing (S111). In this output processing, the variable performance start command set in the output buffer of the RAM 120 in the variable performance start processing (FIG. 17) described later is output to the image control board 200. Also, in order to make the board lamp 2a, the left side lamp 23a, and the right side lamp 23b emit light in accordance with the display of the performance display device 7, the lamp data created in the lamp processing (S123) in the 10 ms timer interrupt processing described later is output to the lamp control board 79. In other words, the board lamp 2a, the left side lamp 23a, and the right side lamp 23b are made to emit light in a predetermined light emission mode according to the lamp data. Also, in order to output sound from the speaker 8 in accordance with the display of the performance display device 7, the audio data created in the audio control processing (S124) in the 10 ms timer interrupt processing described later is output to the audio control board 78. In other words, sound is output from the speaker 8 according to the audio data. In addition, in order to drive the movable body 15 in accordance with the display of the performance display device 7, drive data (data for driving the movable body 15) is created and the created drive data is output. In other words, the movable body 15 is driven in a predetermined operation pattern according to the drive data.

Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 determines whether or not a variable performance start command has been output (S112). The variable performance start command is set in the output buffer of the RAM 120 in the variable performance start process (FIG. 17) described below, and is output to the image control board 200 in S111. If the performance control microcomputer 101 determines that a variable performance start command has been output (S112: Yes), it starts measuring the variable time of the variable performance pattern (S113). Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 performs watchdog timer processing to reset the watchdog timer (S114). After S114 is completed, or if it determines that a variable performance start command has not been output (S112: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 ends this process.

(10ms timer interrupt processing)
Next, the 10 ms timer interrupt process (S109) will be described with reference to FIG.
The performance control microcomputer 101 executes this 10 ms timer interrupt processing every time an interrupt pulse with a 10 msec period is input to the sub-control board 100. The performance control microcomputer 101 executes a received command analysis process (FIG. 16) described later (S120) and executes a switch state acquisition process (S121). In this switch state acquisition process, the switch data created in the input process (S110) of the 1 ms timer interrupt process is stored in the RAM 120 as switch data for the 10 ms timer interrupt process. Next, based on the switch data stored in the switch state acquisition process, a switch process is executed to set the display contents of the button performance, etc. displayed by the performance display device 7 (S122). Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes a lamp process (S123). In this lamp process, lamp data is created to control the light emission of each lamp (board lamp 2a, left side lamp 23a, right side lamp 23b, etc.) according to the display of the performance display device 7, and time management of the light emission performance is performed. As a result, each lamp performs a light emission performance that matches the display of the performance display device 7.

Then, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes audio control processing (S124). In this audio control processing, it creates audio data (data for controlling the audio output from each speaker 8), outputs the created audio data to the audio control board 78, manages the time of the audio performance, and so on. As a result, audio is output from each speaker 8 in accordance with the display on the performance display device 7. Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes other processing (S125) and ends this processing. In the other processing (S125), it executes processing such as updating the variable performance pattern random number, which is the performance selection random number, and the preview performance random number for determining the preview performance, etc.

(Received command analysis process)
Next, the received command analysis process (S120) will be described with reference to FIG.
The microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance judges whether or not it has received a game state designation command from the main control board 60 (S130). When it judges that it has received a game state designation command (S130: Yes), the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance executes a sub-side game state setting process (S131). The game state designation command includes information indicating the game state (time-saving flag, time-saving counter, probability change flag, etc.). In this sub-side game state setting process, the received game state designation command is analyzed, and a game state flag is set based on the information included in the game state designation command. The game state flag is a flag indicating the game state currently set. For example, when the information included in the game state designation command indicates a "low probability low base state", the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance sets the game state flag "1". When the information included in the game state designation command indicates a "low probability high base state", the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance sets the game state flag "2". When the "high probability high base state" is indicated, the microcomputer 101 for controlling the presentation sets the game state flag "3". The microcomputer 101 for controlling the presentation sets the mode status according to the setting of the game state flag. The mode status is for determining the presentation mode to be set. In the pachinko game machine 1, a "normal mode" that is set in the "low probability low base state", a "normal time-saving mode" that is set in the "low probability high base state", and a "high probability mode" that is set in the "high probability high base state" are set. The "normal time-saving mode" is a mode that is set after the end of a jackpot game of a 10R normal jackpot. The mode status "1" corresponds to the "normal mode", the mode status "2" corresponds to the "normal time-saving mode", and the mode status "3" corresponds to the "high probability mode". By referring to the current mode status, the microcomputer 101 for controlling the presentation can specify the current presentation mode. The presentation mode mainly refers to a group of presentation modes, and when the presentation mode is different, some or all of the presentation modes such as the advance presentation, reach presentation, and background image are different. It is also possible to set different presentation modes even in the same gaming state.

After S131 is completed, or if it is determined that the game state designation command has not been received (S130: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 determines whether or not an opening command has been received from the main control board 60 (S132). If it is determined that an opening command has been received (S132: Yes), the performance control microcomputer 101 executes an opening performance selection process (S133). In this opening performance selection process, the type of performance to be executed during the opening of the big win game is selected. This performance is a performance by the image displayed by the performance display device 7, the light emission of the board lamp 2a, etc., the sound output by each speaker 8, etc., and varies depending on the type of big win. In detail, an opening performance selection table (not shown) in which an opening performance is associated with each opening command is referenced, and the opening performance associated with the received opening command is selected. Then, an opening performance command for starting the opening performance of the selected content is set in the output buffer of the RAM 120.

After S133 is completed, or if it is determined that the opening command has not been received (S132: No), the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance determines whether or not a round designation command has been received from the main control board 60 (S134). If it is determined that a round designation command has been received (S134: Yes), the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance executes a round designation selection process (S135). In this round designation selection process, the type of designation to be executed in each round of the big win game is selected. This designation is an image displayed by the designation display device 7, light emitted by the board lamp 2a, etc., sound output by each speaker 8, etc., and differs depending on the type of big win. In detail, a round designation table (not shown) in which a round designation is associated with each round designation command is referenced, and the round designation associated with the received round designation command is selected. Then, the round designation command for starting the selected round designation is set in the output buffer of the RAM 120.

After S135 is completed, or if it is determined that the round designation command has not been received (S134: No), the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance determines whether or not an ending command has been received from the main control board 60 (S136). If it is determined that an ending command has been received from the main control board 60 (S136: Yes), the microcomputer 101 for controlling the performance executes an ending performance selection process (S137). In this ending performance selection process, the type of performance to be executed at the end of the jackpot is selected according to the type of jackpot that triggered the jackpot game being executed. This performance is a performance by the image displayed by the performance display device 7, the light emitted by the board lamp 2a, etc., the sound output by each speaker 8, etc., and differs depending on the type of jackpot. In detail, an ending performance table (not shown) in which an ending performance is associated with each ending command is referenced, and an ending performance associated with the received ending command is selected. Then, an ending performance command for starting the ending performance of the selected content is set in the output buffer of the RAM 120.

After S137 ends, or if it is determined that an ending command has not been received from the main control board 60 (S136: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 determines whether or not a special chart fluctuation start command has been received from the main control board 60 (S138). If it is determined that a special chart fluctuation start command has been received (S138: Yes), the performance control microcomputer 101 executes the fluctuation performance start process (FIG. 17) described later (S139).

After S139 is completed, or if it is determined that the special symbol fluctuation start command has not been received from the main control board 60 (S138: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 determines whether or not the special symbol fluctuation stop command has been received from the main control board 60 (S140). If it is determined that the special symbol fluctuation stop command has been received from the main control board 60 (S140: Yes), the performance control microcomputer 101 executes a fluctuation performance end process (S141). In this fluctuation performance end process, the performance control microcomputer 101 sets a fluctuation performance end command to end the fluctuation performance in the output buffer of the RAM 120. When the set fluctuation performance end command is sent to the image control board 200 by the command sending process (S105), the image control board 200 displays the left performance pattern, center performance pattern, and right performance pattern on the performance display device 7 after passing through a predetermined stop pattern.

After S141 is completed, or if it is determined that the special chart change stop command has not been received from the main control board 60 (S140: No), the performance control microcomputer 101 executes other processing (S142) and ends this processing. In the other processing (S142), processing based on commands other than the above commands (for example, a regular chart change start command or a regular chart change stop command) is performed.

(Variable performance start processing)
Next, the variable performance start process (S139) will be described with reference to FIG.
The performance control microcomputer 101 analyzes the received special chart fluctuation start command (S150). The special chart fluctuation start command includes information on the second special chart fluctuation pattern (first special chart fluctuation pattern) set in the second special chart fluctuation pattern selection process (first special chart fluctuation pattern selection process), the special chart stop pattern (jackpot type determination result), etc. Next, if the special chart fluctuation start command analyzed in S150 is the first special chart fluctuation start command, the performance control microcomputer 101 subtracts "1" from the value of the first special chart reserved performance counter so as to synchronize with the first special chart reserved number, and if the special chart fluctuation start command is the second special chart fluctuation start command, the performance control microcomputer 101 subtracts "1" from the value of the second special chart reserved performance counter so as to synchronize with the second special chart reserved number (S151). The first special chart reserved performance counter is a counter that counts a number corresponding to the first special chart reserved number based on the reception of the first start winning command, and the second special chart reserved performance counter is a counter that counts a number corresponding to the second special chart reserved number based on the reception of the second start winning command. Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 shifts each data such as the start winning command stored in the special chart reserved performance storage unit to the older storage area (S152). In detail, when the variation start command analyzed in S150 is the second special chart variation start command, the performance control microcomputer 101 subtracts "1" from the value of the second special chart reserved performance counter and shifts each data such as the start winning command stored in the second special chart reserved performance storage unit 122 to the older storage area. Similarly, if the fluctuation start command analyzed in S150 is the first special chart fluctuation start command, the performance control microcontroller 101 subtracts "1" from the value of the first special chart pending performance counter and shifts each data such as the start winning command stored in the first special chart pending performance memory unit 121 to the older memory area.

Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 checks the current mode status (S153). Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 refers to the value of the mode status and selects the combination of the left performance pattern, the center performance pattern, and the right performance pattern that will be finally displayed when the performance display device 7 displays the variable performance pattern by referring to a performance pattern selection table (not shown) (S154).

Next, the performance control microcomputer 101 executes a performance content selection process (S155). As a performance content selection process, the performance control microcomputer 101 selects a performance content (variable performance pattern) to be performed with the variation of the performance pattern from a variable performance pattern selection table (not shown) based on the specified special pattern variation pattern while referring to the value of the mode status. The performance control microcomputer 101 sets a variable performance start command to the output buffer of the RAM 120 to start the display of the selected performance pattern and the variable performance pattern on the performance display device 7 (S156). The variable performance start command also includes performance image data for displaying the performance pattern on the performance display device 7. Then, by setting the variable performance start command including the performance image data in the output buffer of the RAM 120, the performance image data is output to the image control board 200 in the output process (S111) of the 1 ms timer interrupt process. As a result, the performance pattern and the performance image based on the performance image data are displayed on the performance display device 7. After that, the performance control microcomputer 101 ends this process. In this embodiment, the performance control microcomputer 101, which instructs the image control board 200 to change and stop the display of the performance symbols, is an example of the "display control means" of the present invention. In addition, the image control board 200, which receives instructions from the performance control microcomputer 101 and causes the performance display device 7 to change and stop the display of the performance symbols, is also an example of the display control means.

(Regarding the pattern variation during a specific mode)
In the pachinko game machine 1, when a specific presentation mode is set among the presentation modes that can be set in the normal game state, the presentation is executed in a manner different from the other presentation modes. To be more specific, the display manner and the variation manner of the presentation symbols are made different in the normal mode and the specific mode. Here, the presentation symbols can be images imitating the Arabic numerals "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", and "9", for example. In each of the pattern rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, the numbers gradually increase from "1" to "2" to "3" to "4" to "5" to ... to "9" to "1" to "2", and when "9" is reached, the variation starts again from "1".

In normal mode, the effect symbols are colored and non-transparent, meaning that they are not transparent. For this reason, for example, background images and the like located behind the effect symbols are not displayed on the effect display device 7 in the areas that overlap with the effect symbols, and are therefore not visible to the player.

In normal mode, the effect symbols all start to change at the same time at a speed that makes it impossible for the player to identify the type of effect symbol, and the effect symbols are displayed stopped on the valid line L (for example, FIG. 18(a)) in the order of left symbol column 7L → right symbol column 7R → middle symbol column 7C. Incidentally, the effect symbols that make up the specified symbol combination do not suddenly stop when they approach the valid line L, but slow down to a speed that allows the player to identify the type of effect symbol, and then stop one column at a time. In other words, the effect symbols change and stop independently for each symbol column 7L, 7C, and 7R, so even if the change speed of the left symbol column 7L is decelerating, the change speed of the middle symbol column 7C and the right symbol column 7R may not be decelerating.

In the specific mode, unlike the normal mode, the area Ax (for example, FIG. 18(b)) inside the performance pattern is displayed in a transparent manner. For this reason, for example, a background image located behind the performance pattern is displayed on the performance display device 7 in the part overlapping with the performance pattern, and the background image is visible from the player side. In addition, in the specific mode, the area Ay (for example, FIG. 18(b)) outside the performance pattern may be a darkened area. In this embodiment, the darkened area Ay is the "first area" of the present invention. Also, the area Ax inside the performance pattern showing a number shape (the area carved out in the number shape) is the "second area" of the present invention. The area Ax inside the performance pattern in the specific mode shown in this embodiment is, for example, completely colorless and transparent. Note that the degree of transparency of the area Ay outside the performance pattern does not matter as long as it is lower than the area Ax inside the performance pattern. For example, it may be completely non-transparent, or it may be transparent so that the background image H1 can be faintly seen but is more difficult to see than through the area Ax inside the performance pattern.

The arrangement of the effect symbols used in the specific mode is the same as that of the effect symbols used in the normal mode. In addition, the background images visible through the area Ax of the effect symbols for the specific mode (the area cut out in the shape of a number) include, for example, specific character images and landscape images. These background images may be either still images or moving images. In this embodiment, the background image is a moving image of a naked eye stereoscopic image. A naked eye stereoscopic image is an image that is displayed so that it appears to the player as a three-dimensional image (an image that pops out toward the player) without the use of special equipment. Note that the method of displaying a naked eye stereoscopic image is publicly known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

In addition, in this embodiment, the transition to the specific mode is decided when, for example, a lottery is won or the number of times the special pattern changes reaches a predetermined number of times. In the specific mode, until the predetermined timing is reached, the same effect patterns as those for the normal mode are used for the change display, and when the predetermined timing is reached, the effect patterns for the specific mode are used for the change display. After the predetermined timing is reached, the effect patterns in all the pattern rows 7L, 7C, and 7R change slowly enough that the player can identify the type of effect pattern while maintaining the state in which the effect patterns are lined up horizontally. However, the change mode is not a slow change in numerical order while maintaining the "state in which three of the same effect patterns are lined up" like the so-called full rotation effect. For example, suppose that a pattern combination indicated by "1, 2, 3" is displayed on the effective line L. As mentioned above, the arrangement of the effect symbols used in the specific mode is the same as the arrangement of the effect symbols used in the normal mode, so when the change progresses by one effect symbol in each of the pattern rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, the symbol combination shown as "2, 3, 4" will be displayed on the effective line L. Similarly, each time the change progresses by one effect symbol, three effect symbols will be displayed in a horizontal row on the effective line L, such as "3, 4, 5" → "4, 5, 6" → "5, 6, 7" → "6, 7, 8" → "7, 8, 9" → "8, 9, 1" → "9, 1, 2" → "1, 2, 3" → ....

In the pachinko game machine 1, the image control CPU 202 analyzes various commands received from the sub-control board 100, and if an instruction to execute a variable effect related to a specific mode is included, the image control CPU 202 reads out the corresponding image data from the CGROM 205 and causes the effect display device 7 to execute the variable display of the effect pattern in the manner described above (for example, making the background image H1 visible from the inner area Ax where the effect pattern is carved out in the shape of a number). In addition, the type of background image visible through the effect pattern for the specific mode may be determined by the sub-control board 100 at the same time as the decision to switch to the specific mode is made, for example.

The pattern change mode in the specific mode, together with its action, will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 18 and 19. In this example, it is assumed that the result of the jackpot determination is "miss" and that the pattern combination of the miss performance pattern is determined to be "1, 5, 9." It is also assumed that the transition to the specific mode has been determined by the sub-control board 100. As a result, following instructions from the sub-control board 100, the image control board 200 will cause the performance display device 7 to display the display performance in the following manner during the specific mode.

After the effect symbols start to change, as shown in FIG. 18(a), a predetermined symbol combination (in this example, "1, 5, 9") using non-transparent effect symbols similar to those used in normal mode is displayed on the active line L. At this time, the area Ay outside the effect symbols is not darkened, so the background image H1 in the parts that do not overlap with the effect symbols can be seen. However, because the background image H1 is positioned behind the effect symbols, the parts that overlap with the non-transparent effect symbols cannot be seen by the player.

After that, in the effect display device 7, the area Ay outside the effect symbols goes dark as shown in FIG. 18(b). Furthermore, in each of the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, the symbol combination "1, 5, 9" that was once displayed on the valid line L is at the center, and the effect symbols for the specific mode are displayed above and below it. Specifically, in FIG. 18(b), "2, 1, 9" are arranged from top to bottom in the left symbol row 7L, of which "2" and "9" are the effect symbols for the specific mode. In addition, "6, 5, 4" are arranged from top to bottom in the middle symbol row 7C, of which "6" and "4" are the effect symbols for the specific mode. In addition, "1, 9, 8" are arranged from top to bottom in the right symbol row 7R, of which "1" and "8" are the effect symbols for the specific mode. That is, in FIG. 18(b), the area Ax inside the effect patterns "2" and "9" in the left pattern column 7L, the area Ax inside the effect patterns "6" and "4" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the area Ax inside the effect patterns "1" and "8" in the right pattern column 7R are transparent. This makes it possible to see the background image H1 through the area Ax inside the effect patterns.

As shown in FIG. 18(b), the transparency is relatively low in the area Ay outside the aforementioned transparent area Ax (the area including the area inside the "1" in the left pattern row 7L, the "5" in the middle pattern row 7C, and the "9" in the right pattern row 7R). This results in a state in which the visibility of the background image H1 is reduced compared to the example in FIG. 18(a).

After that, in the effect display device 7, the effect symbols with the area Ax on the inside are kept lined up in a horizontal row in all the pattern rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, and the effect symbols change one by one at a slow speed so that the player can identify the type of the effect symbols. FIG. 18(c) shows that the change in the symbols has progressed from the state in FIG. 18(b), and the combination of symbols shown as "5, 8, 7" has moved below the effective line L. In the example of FIG. 18(c), the number of effect symbols (with the area Ax on the inside) that fit within the display screen is "6", while in the example of FIG. 18(d), the number of effect symbols (with the area Ax on the inside) that fit within the display screen is "9". In addition, the types of effect symbols displayed on the display screen are different between the example of FIG. 18(c) and the example of FIG. 18(d). In other words, because the display of the changing effect patterns is always being performed in each of the pattern rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, the appearance of the background image H1 through the area Ax inside the effect pattern will differ depending on the timing at each time.

After that, the effect display device 7 continues to display the changing effect patterns. Figure 18 (d) shows a state in which the pattern combination "8, 2, 1" is displayed on the valid line L. Note that the type of background image H1 may be changed while the patterns are changing. If the background image is a moving image, the displayed image may change over time, and therefore the background image viewed through the area Ax inside the effect pattern will also differ. Also, if the background image is a still image, multiple background images may be selected to be displayed with one pattern change.

After that, as shown in FIG. 18(e), the speed of change of the left pattern column 7L, which is the first stop column, slows down, and a "1" is temporarily displayed on the pay line L. Then, as shown in FIG. 18(f), in the left pattern column 7L, the transparency of the area Ax inside the performance pattern "1" is changed. To explain in more detail, although not shown here, for example, after the transparency of the area Ax inside the performance pattern "1" is reduced, the transparency is gradually increased. Note that this change in transparency is intended to suggest to the player that the performance patterns that make up the pattern combination will be finalized in a few seconds, so the manner in which the transparency is changed is not limited to the example described above.

Furthermore, when the fluctuation of the left pattern row 7L is temporarily stopped, the darkened state in the outer area Ay of the performance pattern is eliminated, and the background image H1 becomes visible in the area that was originally darkened. On the other hand, the transparency of the inner area Ax of the performance pattern, which was completely colorless and transparent, is reduced, and the background image H1 located behind the performance pattern is not displayed on the performance display device 7 in the area that overlaps with the performance pattern with reduced transparency, and becomes invisible. In other words, in the state shown in Figure 18 (f), the transparency of the inner area Ax of the performance pattern is lower than that of the outer area Ay of the performance pattern.

After that, as shown in FIG. 19(a), in the left pattern column 7L, the other performance symbols that were displayed outside the valid line L are hidden, and as shown in FIG. 19(b), the transparency of the area Ax inside the performance symbol "1" is reduced. Specifically, it is displayed in the same manner as the performance symbols for normal mode (colored, non-transparent images). In this way, in the left pattern column 7L, the other performance symbols that were displayed outside the valid line L are hidden, and the display manner of the performance symbols on the valid line L is changed from transparent to the same manner (non-transparent) as the performance symbols for normal mode. For this reason, the change in the transparency of the inner area Ax during deceleration described in FIG. 18(f) is a sign that the timing for stopping the performance symbols is approaching.

In the example of FIG. 19(b), unlike the left pattern column 7L, the patterns continue to change in the middle pattern column 7C and the right pattern column 7R. In this embodiment, the outer area Ay of the effect pattern goes dark again when the inner area Ax of the effect pattern "1" becomes the same as the effect pattern for normal mode. Meanwhile, the transparency of the inner area Ax of the effect pattern in the middle pattern column 7C and the right pattern column 7R, which continue to change, returns to its original state (completely colorless and transparent). As a result, the background image H1 becomes visible from the inner area Ax of the effect pattern in the middle pattern column 7C and the right pattern column 7R.

Regarding the display mode of the effect symbols in the left pattern column 7L, the display mode of FIG. 18(f) (changing the transparency of the area Ax inside the effect symbol "1") may be omitted, and the effect symbol "1" may be displayed in the mode shown in FIG. 19(b) immediately from the state of FIG. 18(e). Similarly, regarding the display mode of the middle pattern column 7C and the right pattern column 7R, the dark state may continue until the pattern change ends, without going through the elimination of the dark state as in FIG. 18(f).

Next, as shown in FIG. 19(c), the speed of change in the right pattern column 7R, which is the second stop column, slows down, and a "9" is temporarily displayed on the effective line L. After that, although not shown here, in order to inform the player that the timing for the effect pattern to stop in the right pattern column 7R is approaching, the transparency of the area Ax inside the effect pattern "9" is changed in the same manner as the change described for the left pattern column 7L. Then, as shown in FIG. 19(d), in the right pattern column 7R, the other effect patterns displayed outside the effective line L are made invisible, and the effect pattern "9" is changed to the same form as the effect pattern for normal mode (a colored, non-transparent image). At this time, the pattern change continues in the middle pattern column 7C.

In the example of Fig. 19(c) and (d), the fluctuation of the right pattern row 7R is temporarily stopped without eliminating the dark state in the area Ay outside the effect pattern as explained in Fig. 18(f). Alternatively, in the example of Fig. 19(c) and (d), the dark state in the area Ay outside the effect pattern may be eliminated as in Fig. 18(f), and then the effect pattern of the same aspect as the effect pattern for the normal mode may be stopped.

After that, as shown in FIG. 19(e), the speed of change of the middle pattern column 7C, which is the third stop column, slows down, and "5" is temporarily displayed on the effective line L. After that, although not shown here, in order to inform the user that the timing for stopping the performance pattern in the middle pattern column 7C is approaching, the transparency of the area Ax inside the performance pattern "5" is changed in the same manner as the change manner described for the left pattern column 7L and the right pattern column 7R. Also, as in the change manner described for the left pattern column 7L (FIG. 19(a)), the dark state in the area Ay outside the performance pattern is eliminated when the change of the middle pattern column 7C is temporarily stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 19(f), in the middle pattern column 7C, the other performance patterns displayed outside the effective line L are made invisible, and the performance pattern "5" is changed to the same manner as the performance pattern for the normal mode (a non-transparent image with coloring), and as a result, the combination of the losing performance patterns shown as "1, 5, 9" is confirmed and displayed.

(Other examples of using the hollowed-out inner area as a decorative design)
In the pachinko game machine 1, the transparency of the area Ax inside the performance pattern may be increased not only during a specific mode but also when a variable performance pattern that instructs the execution of a specific reach performance is selected. In this case, too, the image control CPU 202 reads image data that can be referenced when a specific variable performance pattern is instructed from the CGROM 205, and executes a display performance with the instructed content at the timing set for the variable performance pattern, thereby executing the display performance in a manner that allows the background image H1 to be viewed from the area Ax inside the performance pattern.

Below, the pattern change mode when a specific change presentation pattern is selected will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 20 and 21, along with its action. In this example, it is assumed that the sub-control board 100 has determined "8, 9, 8" as the pattern combination for a miss presentation. Similarly, it is assumed that a specific change presentation pattern that instructs the execution of a specific reach presentation has been determined. As a result, following instructions from the sub-control board 100, the image control board 200 will cause the presentation display device 7 to display the display presentation in the following manner.

First, the display of the changing effect patterns is performed for a predetermined period of time, and then a screen saying "XX Reach Entry" is displayed as shown in FIG. 20(a), and a predetermined pattern combination (in this example, "1, 2, 1") using non-transparent effect patterns is displayed temporarily on the pay line L (not shown). The effect pattern displayed at this time is a monochrome non-transparent image. In other words, the transparency of the area Ax inside the effect pattern is low (it has non-transparency).

After that, as in the examples of Figures 18 and 19, in all symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, the effect symbols with area Ax on the inside remain aligned horizontally, and change one symbol at a time at a slow speed so that the player can identify the type of effect symbol. Figure 20(b) shows how the symbol combination "1, 2, 1" moves downward as the symbol change progresses, and the symbol combination "2, 3, 2" is displayed above it. In other words, the symbol combination that was first displayed after the "XX Reach Entry" screen was displayed (in this example, "1, 2, 1") is used as the basis, and the effect symbols are shifted one by one according to the symbol arrangement in each symbol row to display the symbol combinations in order (for example, in the order of "1, 2, 1" → "2, 3, 2" → "3, 4, 3" ...).

After that, in the same manner, in all the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, the effect symbols with the area Ax on the inside are kept aligned horizontally, and change one by one at a slow speed so that the player can identify the type of effect symbol. However, for effect symbols showing specific numbers, after the derivation of the symbol combination according to the symbol arrangement in each symbol row, the display of the big win symbol combination by colored non-transparent effect symbols may be sandwiched. Originally, the symbol combination is derived by monochrome non-transparent images in the order of ... "7-8-7" → "8-9-8" → "9-1-9", but for example, as shown in Figures 20(c) and (d), the display of the big win symbol combination by colored non-transparent effect symbols in the order of ... "7-8-7" → "8-8-8" → "9-9-9" → "1-2-1" may be sandwiched. However, at the time shown in Figures 20(c) and (d), it is assumed that the specified change time for the specified special pattern change pattern has not been reached and that a jackpot has not been won, so the change continues without the jackpot pattern combination of the colored non-transparent performance patterns shown as "888" or "999" stopping on the pay line L.

After that, when a predetermined condition is met, the display mode of the effect pattern is changed as shown in FIG. 20(f). In this embodiment, the fulfillment of the predetermined condition is, for example, as shown in FIG. 20(e), the pattern combination (in this example, "1, 2, 1") that was displayed for the first time after the screen "XX Reach Entry" was displayed is cycled. Also, "changing the display mode of the effect pattern" means displaying a specific character image CG and a landscape image SG behind (in the background) the effect pattern. Here, multiple effect patterns are arranged, and at least some of the effect patterns may have transparency. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 20(f), at least some of the area Ax inside the effect pattern "1" in the left pattern column 7L, the area Ax inside the "2" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the area Ax inside the "1" in the right pattern column 7R have transparency.

As a result, in FIG. 20(f), in the parts of the area Ax of each effect pattern that overlap with the character image CG, the character image CG located behind the effect pattern can be seen through the area Ax inside the effect pattern. However, among the area Ax inside the effect pattern "1" in the left pattern column 7L, the area Ax inside the "2" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the area Ax inside the "1" in the right pattern column 7R, the parts that do not overlap with the character image CG do not have transparency (are non-transparent). For this reason, the part of the character image CG that is not located behind the effect pattern cannot be seen through the area Ax inside the effect pattern.

Incidentally, the effect pattern "9" in the left pattern column 7L, the "9" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the "9" in the right pattern column 7R all have no transparency (are non-transparent), so the character image CG behind the effect pattern is not visible through the area Ax inside the effect pattern. This effect pattern "9" is a pattern that was displayed before the aforementioned specified condition was met, so in this example it is a pattern that does not have transparency. Alternatively, the transparency of part of the area Ax inside the effect pattern may be increased so that the part of the effect pattern "9" that overlaps with the character image CG behind it has transparency.

The character image CG may be determined randomly by lottery, or a character image CG that has a one-to-one correspondence with the left performance pattern that constitutes the final, confirmed, and displayed pattern combination may be determined univocally. For example, a number image showing a specific number may be associated one-to-one with a specific character image CG, and a performance pattern consisting of a set of a number image and a character image CG may be used during normal pattern changes, and after a screen saying "Entering XX Reach" is displayed, only the number image may be used as the performance pattern. The character image CG may be either a still image or a moving image. In this example, the character image CG is a moving image of a naked eye stereoscopic image.

The positional relationship between the character image CG and the scenery image SG may be such that, for example, the scenery image SG is placed behind the character image CG. Only the character image CG may be visible when passing through the inner area Ax of the performance pattern, or both the character image CG and the scenery image SG may be visible when passing through the inner area Ax of the performance pattern. Fireworks, rural scenery, the sea, etc. may be displayed as the scenery image SG. Also, the scenery image SG itself may not be set, and only the character image CG may be displayed.

After that, the pattern variation progresses, and the pattern combination indicated by "1, 2, 1" moves downward, and above that, the pattern combination indicated by "2, 3, 2" and "3, 4, 3" according to the pattern arrangement of each pattern row are displayed on the display screen of the performance display device 7. However, in this embodiment, the entire area Ax inside the performance pattern does not become transparent when the predetermined condition is satisfied, but only the overlapping part becomes transparent when the performance pattern changes in the variation direction and overlaps exactly with the position where the character image CG is displayed. As a result, in the part of the area Ax of each performance pattern that overlaps with the character image CG, the character image CG located behind the performance pattern can be seen through the area Ax inside the performance pattern. Therefore, even after the predetermined condition is satisfied, the performance pattern that has not reached the display position of the character image CG, and the part of the area Ax inside the performance pattern that has reached the display position of the character image CG but does not overlap with the character image CG, do not have transparency, just like before the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Therefore, in the example of FIG. 21(a), the area Ax inside the "1" and "2" in the left pattern column 7L, the area Ax inside the "2", "3", and "4" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the area Ax inside the "1" and "2" in the right pattern column 7R have transparency in the parts that overlap with the character image CG. As a result, in FIG. 21(a), in the parts where the area Ax of each performance pattern overlaps with the character image CG, the character image CG located behind the performance pattern can be seen through the area Ax inside the performance pattern. On the other hand, the area Ax inside the "1" and "2" in the left pattern column 7L, the area Ax inside the "2", "3", and "4" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the area Ax inside the "1" and "2" in the right pattern column 7R do not have transparency in the parts that do not overlap with the character image CG. As a result, in FIG. 21(a), in the portions of the area Ax of each effect pattern that do not overlap with the character image CG, the various images located behind the effect pattern cannot be seen through that portion. Similarly, the area Ax inside the "3" in the left pattern column 7L and the area Ax inside the "3" in the right pattern column 7R do not reach the display position of the character image CG, so the various images located behind the effect pattern cannot be seen through the area Ax inside the effect pattern.

The fluctuation continues after that, but the performance symbols showing specific numbers are displayed as colored non-transparent symbols, just as they were before the specified conditions were met. As a result, the number "8" is displayed as a colored non-transparent symbol, and passes over the effective line L in the order of "7-8-7" → "8-8-8". However, in this example, the inner area Ax of the "7" and "8" in the left pattern row 7L, the inner area Ax of the "8" and "8" in the middle pattern row 7C, and the inner area Ax of the "7" and "8" in the right pattern row 7R have transparency in the parts that overlap with the character image CG. As a result, in FIG. 21(b), in the parts where the area Ax of each performance symbol overlaps with the character image CG, the character image CG located behind the performance symbol can be seen through the inner area Ax of the performance symbol. On the other hand, the areas Ax inside the "7" and "8" in the left pattern column 7L, the area Ax inside the "8" and "8" in the middle pattern column 7C, and the area Ax inside the "7" and "8" in the right pattern column 7R do not have transparency in the parts that do not overlap with the character image CG. As a result, in FIG. 21(b), in the parts of the area Ax of each performance pattern that do not overlap with the character image CG, various images located behind the performance patterns cannot be seen through those parts. After that, based on the premise, the winning pattern combination of "8-8-8" does not stop on the pay line L, and only the middle pattern column 7C moves downward, and the losing performance pattern combination of "8-9-8" is displayed as a confirmed combination (FIG. 21(c)).

[Effects of the embodiment]
(1) By implementing the pachinko game machine 1 of the embodiment, the area Ay (first area) outside the performance pattern is made a dark area, while the area Ax (second area) inside the performance pattern showing a number shape is made completely colorless and transparent, so that the area Ax inside the performance pattern has higher transparency than the area Ay outside the performance pattern. In addition, by making the area Ax inside the performance pattern a display mode having transparency, the background image H1 located behind can be seen from the inside area. Furthermore, the area Ax in which the inside of the performance pattern is hollowed out in a number shape can be used as a "performance pattern" constituting a pattern combination showing the result of a big win judgment (hit judgment). In other words, instead of simply varying a shaped performance pattern to derive a pattern combination showing the result of a big win judgment, the transparent area Ax is used as a performance pattern, and the background image H1 located behind can be seen from the transparent area, so that the pattern change performance is no longer monotonous, and the interest in the game related to the pattern change performance can be improved.

(2) The outer area Ay of the effect pattern has a lower transparency than the inner area Ax of the effect pattern. In other words, it is difficult to see the background image H1 through the outer area Ay of the effect pattern, and it is easier to see the background image H1 through the inner area Ax of the effect pattern. However, since the area Ax that is cut out in the shape of a number from the inside of the effect pattern is narrower than the outer area Ay of the effect pattern, it is difficult to grasp the entirety of the background image H1 just by looking through the inner area Ax. This allows the viewer to have fun imagining the type of background image H1 that can be seen through the small gap.

(3) In addition, the effect symbols of each of the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R are changed at a speed that allows the player to identify the type of effect symbol. As a result, on the display screen of the effect display device 7, a state in which multiple transparent areas (inner areas Ax in which the effect symbols are cut out in the shape of numbers) are displayed at once is maintained for a certain period of time, making it easier to see the background image H1 through the inner areas Ax.

(4) In addition, when the change in the performance symbols in each of the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R is stopped, the display mode of the inner area Ax as the performance symbol after the change is stopped is made to be the same as the performance symbol for the normal mode (the transparency is made lower). This makes it easy to understand that the change has stopped. Also, by informing the player that the symbol will not change any more by reducing the transparency, the player's interest can be shifted from what kind of background image H1 is displayed through the narrow inner area Ax of the performance symbols to what kind of performance symbol will be definitely displayed (whether or not it will result in a jackpot).

(5) In addition, in each of the pattern rows 7L, 7C, and 7R, before the change in the performance patterns has stopped and the speed at which the performance patterns are changing is decelerating, the transparency of the inner area Ax of the performance patterns is changed. This "change in transparency" refers to a mode in which the transparency of the inner area Ax is once lowered and then gradually increased before the performance patterns are displayed in the same form as the performance patterns for normal mode (colored, non-transparent images). In this way, it is possible to give the player a sense that some kind of action may occur, such as the pattern change may stop in the pattern rows where the transparency is changing.

(6) Normally, the outer area Ay of the performance pattern has a lower transparency than the inner area Ax of the performance pattern, making it easier to see the background image H1 from the inner area Ax of the performance pattern, but the transparency may be changed so that the inner area Ax of the performance pattern has a lower transparency than the outer area Ay of the performance pattern (for example, Figure 18 (f)). In this case, the background image H1 located behind the inner area Ax of the performance pattern cannot be seen, but the background image H1 can be seen from the outer area Ay of the performance pattern, changing the way the background image H1 appears, making it less likely to become monotonous.

(7) In addition, the background image H1 can be changed within the period until one pattern change is completed. Since the appearance of the background image H1 differs depending on the number of transparent areas (the inner areas Ax where the performance pattern is cut out in the shape of a number), it is possible to attract the interest of the player, who wants to check what kind of background image H1 is being displayed from the limited viewing area.

(8) The background image H1 is a naked eye stereoscopic image. In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a naked eye stereoscopic image is more novel than a planar image and therefore more likely to attract the player's interest.
<Other embodiments>
The following modified examples will be described below. Note that the following modified examples can be appropriately combined with each other.

- In the specific mode, the display screen of the performance display device 7 may be darkened immediately after entering the specific mode, and an area Ax with a number-shaped cutout on the inside of the performance pattern may be used as the "performance pattern."

In the embodiment, the background image H1 is a stereoscopic image. However, it may be a planar image.
A display device for displaying the performance symbols (including the outer area Ay and the inner area Ax of the performance symbols) and a display device for displaying the background image H1 may be prepared, and the background image H1 may be made visible from the inner area Ax of the performance symbols. In this case, for example, the performance symbols may be displayed on the display device located closest to the player, and the background image H1 may be displayed on the display device located below it. Even in this case, the background image H1 located behind the performance symbols may be made visible from the inner area Ax of the performance symbols.

- The background image H1 may be a still image, and may be switched multiple times during one pattern change. Also, the type of background image H1 may be determined according to the result of the jackpot determination.

- In the embodiment, the effect symbols in all the symbol rows 7L, 7C, and 7R are kept lined up in a horizontal row, and are changed slowly enough to allow the player to distinguish the type of effect symbol. Alternatively, each symbol row 7L, 7C, and 7R may change independently. However, it is preferable to change the effect symbols slowly enough to allow the player to distinguish the type of effect symbol.

- The inner area Ax of the effect pattern cut into the shape of a number does not have to be completely colorless and transparent as long as the background image H1 can be seen from that area Ax. For example, the inner area Ax of the effect pattern may be colored a transparent blue color, so that the background image H1 can be seen from the colored transparent area.

The shape of the cut-out design is not limited to numbers, but may be the silhouette of letters of the alphabet or characters, etc.
In the embodiment, the scrolling direction of the patterns in a specific mode is vertical, but it may be a horizontal scrolling format, or the performance patterns may be displayed in ascending numerical order in the same position by switching between them in sequence.

- In an embodiment, the background image H1 may be switched when the display screen of the effect display device 7 goes dark. The change in the background image H1 can be recognized only through the area Ax inside the effect pattern, so this is more likely to attract the player's interest than making the change in the background image H1 more visible.

In an embodiment, a small win may be set as a type of win.
In the embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 19(b), after the variation of the pattern stops, the effect pattern is displayed in the same manner as the effect pattern for the normal mode, but it is not necessary to make it the same as the effect pattern for the normal mode. In other words, after the variation of the pattern stops, it is not necessary to make the area Ax inside the effect pattern completely opaque, and the transparency may be increased to the extent that the background image H1 can be faintly seen.

- In an embodiment, the image control board 200 may be omitted, and its functions may be taken over by the sub-control board 100. Similarly, the image control board 200 and the sub-control board 100 may be omitted, and their functions may be taken over by the main control board 60.

The above embodiment has been described assuming an enclosed type pachinko gaming machine, but it can also be implemented in a non-enclosed type pachinko gaming machine.
There may be multiple (for example, two) big prize openings (big prize devices).

The pachinko gaming machine 1 may be embodied as a pachinko gaming machine in which only the first special symbol is varied.
In the embodiment, the game machine is configured so that the transition to the high probability state is determined based on the type of the winning jackpot symbol, but it may be configured as a so-called V-guaranteed machine (a game machine that controls the high probability state based on the passage of a specific area (V area) in the big prize winning port). It may also be configured as a so-called ST machine (a game machine with a limited number of chances) or a falling machine (a game machine in which the high probability state ends depending on the lottery result). It may also be configured as a so-called one-type two-type mixed machine or a swing-type game machine.

The technology of the above embodiment may be applied to a slot machine (a reel type gaming machine, a slot machine).
The above describes the configuration of the present invention based on the embodiment and modified examples. However, the above-described embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the examples of the present embodiment.

[The invention disclosed herein]
The other embodiments described above disclose the following inventions. In the following description, the names and expressions of the corresponding configurations in each embodiment and the symbols used in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference. However, the components of each invention are not limited to these additions.

(Appendix B)
A gaming machine having a winning judgment means (game control microcomputer 61) that judges a winning result based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, a display means (performance display device 7) that displays a combination of performance symbols and various display images that show the result of the winning judgment, and a display control means (performance control microcomputer 101, image control board 200) that controls the variable display of the performance symbols on the display means,
The display control means controls the display means to display at least a portion of each of the performance patterns that make up the pattern combination that indicates the result of the jackpot determination after undergoing a variable display so that the background image located behind it can be seen with transparency.

(Appendix B)
the display control means causes the display means to display a first region and a second region, the second region being more transparent than the first region and allowing a background image located behind the first region to be viewed, in a distinguished manner;
The gaming machine described in Appendix I, wherein the second area is a portion of the inner area of each performance pattern that constitutes the pattern combination that overlaps with the background image located behind it.

Ax: Inner area of the effect pattern Ay: Outer area of the effect pattern H1: Background image 1: Pachinko game machine 7: Effect display device (display means)
11 First starting port (starting port)
22 Second starting port (starting port)
61 Game control microcomputer (jackpot determination means)
101 Microcomputer for controlling performance (display control means)
200 Image control board (display control means)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine having a winning judgment means for judging a winning result based on the entry of a game ball into a starting hole, a display means for displaying various display images including a pattern combination of performance patterns and a background image showing the result of the winning judgment, and a display control means for controlling the display of the varying performance patterns and the display of the various display images on the display means,
the display control means causes the display means to display a first area and a second area, which is more transparent than the first area and in which the background image located behind the first area can be viewed, in a distinguished manner;
The second area is a gaming machine characterized in that it contains each of the performance symbols that make up a symbol combination that shows the result of the winning determination through a varying display.

Images