JP2024063870A - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a gaming machine with a design for the operation of a movable body. [Solution] The gaming machine includes a gaming board having a play area with a start winning hole, a display device capable of displaying a display effect suggesting the result of a special lottery that can be executed when a gaming ball is received in the start winning hole, and a movable body that is made operable by a player's play, and at a lower position of the gaming board, there is a first operation section that is capable of receiving a first operation by the player, and a second operation section that is capable of receiving a second operation by the player, the movable body is made operable by the first operation of the player on the first operation section, and the operation speed increases according to an increase in the amount of the first operation by the player, and when the movable body is in operation due to the first operation on the first operation section, the movable body in operation is stopped regardless of the operation speed when the player performs a second operation on the second operation section. [Selected Figure] Figure 17

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachinko machines") and slot machine gaming machines (commonly referred to as "pachislot machines").

Conventionally, there is known a gaming machine that draws a lottery to determine whether or not a jackpot will be awarded based on the entry of a gaming ball into a starting hole, and displays a moving image on a display device, which then freezes and freezes the image in a manner according to the result of the lottery. If the lottery results in a jackpot, the display device freezes and the jackpot image is displayed, creating a jackpot gaming state.

Many gaming machines have been proposed that display symbols on a display device in a dynamic manner, and while the symbols are statically displayed in a manner that corresponds to the lottery results, they also execute effects that indicate the expectation of a win. Furthermore, many gaming machines equipped with movable bodies have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-176580 A

However, there is still room for improvement in the operation of such moving bodies.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine with further improvements.

Method 1:
A game board having a game area in which a start winning hole is provided;
A display device capable of displaying a display effect suggesting the result of a special lottery that may be executed in response to the reception of a game ball when the game ball is received by the start winning port through a game by a player;
a movable body that is operable by a player's play;
A gaming machine comprising:
A winning hole different from the starting winning hole capable of receiving a game ball is provided,
The game area is characterized in that game balls are allowed to flow down the game area.

The above configuration increases interest.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a gaming machine with further improvements.

1 is a front view showing an example of a schematic external appearance of a pachinko machine. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of a pachinko machine. Figure 3(a) is a flowchart showing the control processing steps performed by the main control MPU of the main control board when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine, and Figure 3(b) is a flowchart showing the processing steps for timer interrupt control that is periodically performed by the main control MPU of the main control board. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for special symbol process processing. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the first special symbol process processing. This is a flowchart showing the procedure for the jackpot control processing. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the normal symbol process. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for control performed by a peripheral control MPU mounted on a peripheral control board when power is applied to a pachinko machine. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a 16 ms steady process executed every 16 ms in the sub-main process. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a performance control process. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a performance when a valid operation period for an attack performance occurs (a period during which a specified operation on a specified operation part is detected, or which ends when a specified time has passed from the start of the period), and an operation to launch an attack is performed during the valid operation period. This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a performance when a valid operation period for an attack performance occurs (a period during which a specified operation on a specified operation part is detected, or which ends when a specified time has passed from the start of the period), and an operation to launch an attack is performed during the valid operation period. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attack effect when the operating unit is not operated. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attack effect in which operation of the operation section has already begun at the start of the effective operation period. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attack effect in which operation of the operation section has already begun at the start of the effective operation period. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a performance in which the rotation operation unit 302 is operated before the valid operation period in another example of the second performance pattern of the attack performance. FIG. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing other configuration examples of the pressing operation unit and the rotating operation unit. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attack effect that can be cancelled. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attack effect that can be cancelled.

Figure 1 is a front view showing an example of the outline of the exterior of a pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 is installed in an island facility (not shown) in a game hall. The pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a game board 5 that is visible from the player's side and has a game area 5a into which the player can shoot game balls and into which the game balls can flow down.

The game area 5a has a general winning opening 2001, a first starting opening 2002, a gate section 2003, a second starting opening 2004, and a large winning opening 2005. When a game ball enters the general winning opening 2001, a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., 5 balls) are paid out. When a game ball enters the first starting opening 2002, a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., 4 balls) are paid out and a first special lottery is executed.

When a gaming ball passes through the gate section 2003, a normal lottery is held. If a winning ticket is selected in the normal lottery, an opening/closing member (not shown) provided in the second starting port 2004 opens for a predetermined time. A gaming ball can enter the second starting port 2004 only when the opening/closing member is open. When a gaming ball enters the second starting port 2004, a predetermined number of gaming balls (e.g., one) are paid out and a second special lottery, which is more advantageous to the player than the first special lottery, is held. The first special lottery and the second special lottery are collectively referred to as simply the special lottery.

In the play area 5a, multiple obstacle nails (not shown) are planted in a predetermined gauge arrangement at appropriate positions on the front. When the game ball hits the obstacle nails, the speed at which the game ball flows down is suppressed and various movements are imparted to the game ball, allowing the player to enjoy watching its movements. In addition to the obstacle nails, the play area 5a also has a windmill (not shown) at an appropriate position that rotates when the game ball hits it.

When a jackpot is won in the first or second special lottery, the game transitions to a jackpot game state, and the large prize opening 2005 opens. When a game ball enters the large prize opening 2005, a predetermined number of game balls (e.g., 15 balls) are paid out. In the jackpot game state, the large prize opening 2005 is repeatedly opened and closed. In addition, the game area 5a is arranged to surround an area where game balls do not flow down, and in this area where game balls do not flow down, an effect display device 1600 capable of displaying a predetermined effect image is arranged.

The pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a pressing operation unit 303 and a rotation operation unit 302, which are each a presentation operation unit that can be operated by the player. The pressing operation unit 303 is an operation unit that can be pressed by the player. The rotation operation unit 302 is an annular operation unit arranged around the lower side of the pressing operation unit 303, and is an operation unit that can be rotated by the player. The rotation operation unit 302 can be rotated in one direction (for example, only clockwise) or in both directions (clockwise and counterclockwise). In addition, the rotation operation unit 302 is equipped with a detection unit that can detect operation by the player.

The pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a handle unit 500 that can be operated by a player to shoot game balls stored in an upper tray (not shown) into the game area 5a. The handle unit 500 includes a handle lever, a handle touch sensor, and a shot stop button. When the handle touch sensor detects contact with the player's palm, fingers, etc. and the handle rotates a predetermined amount or more, the game ball is shot out, and the more the handle is rotated, the stronger the game ball is shot out. Also, even if the handle touch sensor detects contact and the handle has rotated a predetermined amount or more, if the shot stop button is operated, the game ball will not be shot out.

Although not visible in FIG. 1, an outlet that penetrates from front to back is formed at the lowest point in the play area 5a (behind the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302). Game balls that flow down to the bottom end of the play area 5a are guided to the outlet and are discharged through the outlet to the rear of the play board 5.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of a pachinko machine. As shown in the figure, the main control configuration of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of a main control board 1310 and a peripheral control board 1510 attached to the game board 5, and a payout control board 63 attached to the main body frame, and each of them is responsible for controlling the game. The main control board 1310 controls the game operation (progress of the game). The peripheral control board 1510 is equipped with a peripheral control unit 1511 that controls various effects during the game based on commands from the main control board 1310, and a performance display control unit 1512 that controls the display of performance images on the performance display device 1600 based on commands from the peripheral control unit 1511. The payout control board 63 is equipped with a payout control unit 633a that controls the payout of game balls, and a launch control unit 633b that controls the launch of game balls by rotating the handle.

The main control board 1310 that controls the progress of the game is not shown in detail, but is equipped with a main control MPU, which is a microprocessor that has built-in ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands and RAM for temporarily storing data, a main control I/O port as an input/output device (I/O device), a main control input circuit to which detection signals from various detection switches are input, a main control solenoid drive circuit for driving various solenoids, and a RAM clear switch for completely erasing information stored in the RAM built into the main control MPU. In addition to its built-in ROM and RAM, the main control MPU also has built-in watchdog timers that monitor its operation (system) and functions for preventing fraud.

The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 receives detection signals from the first start port sensor 3052, which detects game balls received in the first start port 2002, the gate sensor 2801, which detects game balls that have passed through the gate section 2003, the second start port sensor 2401, which detects game balls received in the second start port 2004, the general prize port sensor 3051, which detects game balls received in the general prize port 2001, the large prize port sensor 2402, which detects game balls received in the large prize port 2005, the outlet sensor 3053, which detects game balls received in the outlet, and the magnetic sensor 2404, which detects unauthorized magnetism within the play area 5a, via the main control I/O port.

Based on these detection signals, the main control MPU outputs a control signal from the main control I/O port to the main control solenoid drive circuit, thereby outputting drive signals to the second start port solenoid 2415 and the attacca solenoid 2418, etc., and outputs drive signals from the main control I/O port to the status indicator, normal pattern indicator, normal hold indicator, first special pattern indicator, first special hold number indicator, second special pattern indicator, second special hold number indicator, round indicator, etc. of the function display unit 1400.

The main control MPU transmits various information related to the game (game information) and various commands related to payouts to the payout control board 63, and receives various commands related to the state of the pachinko machine 1 from the payout control board 63. Furthermore, the main control MPU transmits various commands related to the control of game presentations and various commands related to the state of the pachinko machine 1 to the peripheral control unit 1511 of the peripheral control board 1510 via the main control I/O port. When the main control MPU receives various commands related to the state of the pachinko machine 1 from the payout control board 63, it formats these various commands and transmits them to the peripheral control unit 1511.

The payout control board 63, which controls the payout of game balls, is equipped with a payout control unit 633a that performs various controls related to payout, a launch control unit 633b that controls launch using the launch solenoid 542 and ball delivery using the ball delivery solenoid 145, an error LED indicator (not shown) that displays the status of the pachinko machine 1, an error release switch (not shown) for releasing an error displayed on the error LED indicator, and a ball removal switch for discharging the game balls in the ball tank (not shown), tank rail (not shown), ball guidance unit (not shown), and payout device (not shown) to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 during maintenance and starting the ball removal operation.

The payout control unit 633a, which performs various controls related to payouts on the payout control board 63, is equipped with a payout control MPU, which is a microprocessor that has built-in ROM for storing various processing programs and various commands and RAM for temporarily storing data, a payout control I/O port as an I/O device, an external WDT (external watchdog timer) for monitoring whether the payout control MPU is operating normally, a payout motor drive circuit for outputting a drive signal to the payout motor 584 of the payout device, and a payout control input circuit to which detection signals from various detection switches related to payouts are input. In addition to the built-in ROM and RAM, the payout control MPU also has built-in functions for preventing fraud.

The payout control MPU of the payout control unit 633a receives various information related to the game (game information) and various commands related to payout from the main control board 1310 in a serial manner via the payout control I/O port, and receives the operation signal (detection signal) of the RAM clear switch from the main control board 1310 via the payout control I/O port. In addition, it also receives detection signals from the full tank detection sensor 154, the ball out detection sensor 574, and the payout detection sensor 591.

The detection signals from the ball out detection sensor 574 of the ball guidance unit and the dispensing detection sensor 591 of the dispensing device are input to the dispensing control input circuit and input to the dispensing control MPU via the dispensing control I/O port. In addition, the detection signal from the full tank detection sensor 154 is input to the dispensing control input circuit and input to the dispensing control MPU via the dispensing control I/O port.

The payout control MPU outputs a drive signal for driving the payout motor 584 to the payout motor 584 via the payout control I/O, outputs a signal for displaying the status of the pachinko machine 1 on the error LED indicator to the error LED indicator via the payout control I/O port, transmits commands for indicating the status of the pachinko machine 1 to the main control board 1310 in a serial manner via the payout control I/O port, and outputs the number of game balls actually paid out to an external terminal via the payout control I/O port. This external terminal is connected to a hall computer installed on the gaming hall side. This hall computer monitors the player's play by grasping the number of game balls paid out by the pachinko machine 1 and game information of the pachinko machine 1, etc.

The error LED display (not shown) is a segment display that displays alphanumeric characters, figures, etc. to indicate the status of the pachinko machine 1.

The launch control unit 633b controls launch by the launch solenoid 542 and ball delivery by the ball delivery solenoid 145. The launch control unit 633b controls the launch solenoid 542 and the ball delivery solenoid 145 so that 100 game balls B are shot out toward the game area 5a per minute.

In the handle unit 500, the detection signals from the handle touch sensor 192, which detects whether the palm or fingers are touching the handle, and the shot stop button sensor 194, which detects whether the player wishes to forcibly stop shooting the game ball, are input to the launch control input circuit and then input to the launch timing control circuit. The handle rotation detection sensor 189 detects the rotation position of the handle. The strength with which the game ball is shot toward the play area 5a is electrically adjusted according to the detected rotation position.

The peripheral control board 1510 is equipped with a peripheral control unit 1511 that controls the performance based on commands from the main control board 1310, and a performance display control unit 1512 that controls the drawing of the performance display device 1600 based on control data from the peripheral control unit 1511.

The peripheral control unit 1511, which controls the performance on the peripheral control board 1510, is not shown in detail, but is equipped with a peripheral control MPU as a microprocessor, a peripheral control ROM that stores various processing programs and various commands, a sound source IC that produces high-quality sound, and a sound ROM that stores sound information such as music, voice, and sound effects referenced by this sound source IC.

The peripheral control MPU has multiple built-in parallel I/O ports, serial I/O ports, etc., and when it receives various commands from the main control board 1310, it transmits game board side light emission data from the serial I/O port for the lamp drive board to the decorative board 184, in order to output lighting signals, flashing signals, or gradation lighting signals to the color LEDs, etc., provided on the decorative board 184 such as the game board 5 and door frames, based on these various commands, and transmits drive data for outputting drive signals to the drive motors that operate the various presentation units to the drive motors of the game board 5 from the serial I/O port for the game board decoration drive board. It transmits the signal to a motor or drive solenoid, transmits door side light emission data consisting of door side light emission data for outputting a lighting signal, a blinking signal, or a gradation lighting signal to a color LED or the like provided on a decorative board 184 such as a door frame, transmits control data (display commands) indicating a screen to be displayed on the performance display device 1600 from the serial I/O port for the display control unit to the performance display control unit 1512, and also outputs a control signal (sound command) to the sound source IC for extracting sound information from the sound ROM.

In addition, detection signals from the pressure detection sensor 381 of the pressure operation unit 303 and the rotation detection sensor 347 of the rotation operation unit 302 are input to the peripheral control MPU. The peripheral control MPU also receives a signal (operation signal) from the performance display control unit 1512 indicating that the performance display control unit 1512 is operating normally, and monitors the operation of the performance display control unit 1512 based on this operation signal.

The sound source IC extracts sound information from the sound ROM based on control data (sound commands) from the peripheral control MPU, and controls the playback of music, sound effects, and other sounds that match various performances from speakers 354 installed on the door frame, main body frame, etc.

In addition to the built-in WDT (watchdog timer) built into the peripheral control MPU, the peripheral control unit 1511 also has an external WDT (watchdog timer) (not shown), and the peripheral control MPU uses the built-in WDT and the external WDT together to diagnose whether its own system is out of control.

The performance display control unit 1512 controls the drawing of the performance display device 1600. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the performance display control unit 1512 includes a display control MPU as a microprocessor, a display control ROM that stores various processing programs, various commands, and various data, a VDP (short for Video Display Processor) that controls the display of the performance display device 1600, an image ROM that stores various data for the screen displayed on the performance display device 1600, and an image RAM to which the various data stored in the image ROM is transferred and copied.

This display control MPU has built-in parallel I/O ports, serial I/O ports, etc., and controls the VDP based on control data (display commands) from the peripheral control unit 1511 to control the drawing of the performance display device 1600. When the display control MPU is operating normally, it outputs an operation signal to the peripheral control unit 1511 to inform the same. The display control MPU also receives an execution signal from the VDP, and performs interrupt processing when the output of this execution signal is stopped every 16 ms.

Next, an example of the control process executed by the main control board 1310 (particularly the main control MPU) will be described. Figure 3(a) is a flowchart showing the procedure of the control process executed by the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the main control board 1310 according to this embodiment first initializes the data stored in various registers and the RAM built into the main control MPU (hereinafter referred to as the main control built-in RAM) as a process of step S1 on the condition that the RAM clear switch of the main control board 1310 has been operated. The RAM clear switch is provided on the rear side of the pachinko machine 1, and cannot be operated unless the main body frame 4 is opened. The RAM clear switch also outputs a clear signal to the main control board 1310 in response to operation before a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since power was turned on, and if the main control MPU determines that a clear signal has been input when power is turned on, it executes an initialization process (step S1) to initialize the data stored in various registers and the main control built-in RAM.

Although not shown, in this example, when power to the pachinko machine 1 is cut off, a backup process is executed to save information indicating the progress of the game (for example, various flags, etc.) in the main control built-in RAM. Then, if the RAM clear switch is not operated when power is applied to the pachinko machine 1, the information saved in the main control built-in RAM in the backup process is referenced without executing the initialization process (step S1), and a recovery process is executed to restore the state according to that information. Also, if the RAM clear switch is operated when power is applied to the pachinko machine 1, an initialization process is executed without executing the recovery process, and the pachinko machine 1 is set to its initial state. Also, when the initialization process is executed, the game state is controlled to a non-time-saving state.

Next, in step S2, the random number is updated within a predetermined range. That is, the main control board 1310 according to this embodiment is provided with a random number counter that holds random numbers such as special random numbers (first special random number, second special random number) used in the lottery process for the display mode when the variable display of the special pattern stops, variable random numbers used in the lottery process for the predetermined time (variation time) required for controlling the variable display of the special pattern, reach random numbers used in the lottery process for whether or not to make a reach (whether or not to execute a performance) as a game performance executed by the performance display device 1600 in response to the variable display of the special pattern, pattern random numbers (first pattern random number, second pattern random number) used in the lottery process for determining the type of jackpot when it is determined that a jackpot has occurred based on the special random numbers, and random numbers (normal random numbers) used in the lottery process for the winning or losing of the winning that triggers the opening of the second starting hole 2004.

In this example, the reach random number is configured to be the same for the first special symbol and the second special symbol, that is, whether the start winning is made at the first start opening 2002 or the second start opening 2004, the reach random number is obtained from the same counter that updates the reach random number. However, the execution rate of the reach performance may be made different by obtaining the reach random number from a counter with a different range of random numbers that update the reach random number, or the execution rate of the reach performance may be made different by providing a reach judgment table that is compared with the obtained reach random number and is a first reach judgment table corresponding to the first special symbol, and a second reach judgment table that is corresponding to the second special symbol and has a judgment value different from that of the first reach judgment table.

In the process of step S2, only the random numbers that are not related to winning or losing (variable random numbers) are updated and the random number counter is operated. After the processes of steps S1 and S2 are performed in this manner, basically only the process of step S2 is repeated. However, in this embodiment, the following timer interrupt control is performed, for example, every 4 ms.

Figure 3 (b) is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for timer interrupt control that is periodically performed by the main control MPU of the main control board 1310.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), in this interrupt control, first, as the process of step S11, a register save process is performed. Next, as the process of step S12, detection signals are input from various sensors such as the gate sensor 2801, the first start port sensor 3052, the second start port sensor 2401, the first count sensor that detects the game ball B received in the large prize port 2005, the general prize port sensor 3001, various magnetic sensors, etc. Then, as the process of step S13, a random number update process is performed to update the value of the random number counter that generates the random number. Note that, in the process of step S13, the random numbers (special random numbers, normal random numbers) related to the display mode when the variable display of the special pattern and the normal pattern is stopped are updated, and the counter operation of the random number counter is performed.

After updating the random number in this way, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 executes special symbol process processing, which includes a lottery process related to the display mode when the variable display of the special symbol is stopped, as the process of step S14. Note that this special symbol process processing will be described later, but here, basically, the relevant process is selectively executed based on the special symbol process flag (first special symbol process flag, second special symbol process flag) that indicates the progress of the game and is stored in the main control built-in RAM.

Then, in step S15, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 executes normal symbol process processing, which includes a lottery process for determining whether or not a winning combination will result in the opening of the second starting hole 2004. In this normal symbol process processing, the corresponding processing is basically selectively executed according to the normal symbol process flag, which indicates the progress of the game.

When the special symbol process (step S14) and normal symbol process (step S15) are performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 then performs step S16 to transmit the command set in a predetermined area of the main control built-in RAM in the special symbol process to the peripheral control board 1510, etc. Then, in step S17, it performs step S17 to transmit the command set in a predetermined area of the main control built-in RAM in the normal symbol process to, for example, the peripheral control board 1510, etc.

The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 then performs information output processing in step S18, which outputs data such as winning information to be supplied to the hall management computer.

Next, in step S19, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 executes a prize ball process that outputs a payout control command to the payout control board 63 so that prize balls corresponding to the signals are paid out to the player when the detection signals of the first start hole sensor 3052, the second start hole sensor 2401, the first count sensor, the second count sensor, the general winning hole sensor 3051, etc. are in the ON state. As a result, the payout control MPU mounted on the payout control board 63 outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 584, and pays out prize balls to the player. In this example, when game ball B enters the first start hole 2002 and the first start hole sensor 3052 turns on, "3 balls" are paid out to the player; when game ball B enters the second start hole 2004 and the second start hole sensor 2401 turns on, "1 ball" is paid out; when game ball B enters the big prize hole 2005 and the first count sensor turns on, "15 balls" are paid out; and when game ball B enters the general prize hole 2001 and the general prize hole sensor 3051 turns on, "8 balls" are paid out to the player.

The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 then executes a storage process in step S20 to check the increase or decrease in the number of reserved memories. Then, in step S21, it executes a test terminal process, which is a process of outputting a test signal so that the control state of the pachinko machine 1 can be confirmed outside the gaming machine. After that, it controls the drive of the actuator that operates at all times (step S22), restores the contents of the above register (step S23), and ends this control when the interrupt permission state is set (step S24).

In this embodiment, the game control process is started every 4 mS due to the above control. Note that, although in this embodiment, the game control process is executed by timer interrupt processing, the interrupt processing may, for example, only set a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred. In this case, however, the game control process is executed by main processing.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the procedure for the special symbol process (step S14). Now, assuming that the random numbers used in the various lottery processes have been updated (step S13), as shown in Figure 4, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 first executes the start-up winning determination process (S31).

An example of the start winning determination process will be described. When the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 detects the entry of a game ball into the first start hole 2002, it obtains from the random number counter a first special random number for determining the result of the first special lottery, a reach random number for determining whether a reach will be executed, a first pattern random number, and a variable random number for determining a variable pattern. The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 updates the number of reserved first special random numbers in the main control built-in RAM, with a predetermined number (e.g., four) as the upper limit (in other words, if the number of reserved memories has already reached the upper limit, the update process is not performed).

The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 may also execute a performance pre-determination process to determine, based on the acquired first special random number, reach random number, first pattern random number, and variable random number, whether the display result of the first special pattern variable display is to be a jackpot, and if it is a jackpot, the type of jackpot, and if it is not a jackpot, whether to execute a reach display as a game display executed by the performance display device 1600, and the type of mode (type of variable pattern) of the game display to be executed, before starting the variable display corresponding to the start winning.

In this pre-judgment process, a pre-judgment table (not shown) is compared with the acquired first special random number, first pattern random number, reach random number, and variable random number to determine in advance pre-judgment information indicating whether or not a jackpot will occur, the type of jackpot if a jackpot will occur, whether or not a reach presentation will be executed as a game presentation executed by the presentation display device 1600 if a jackpot will not occur, the type of game presentation to be executed, etc. The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 transmits a command that corresponds this pre-judgment information to the peripheral control board 1510 before starting the variable display corresponding to the start winning, which allows the peripheral control MPU of the peripheral control board 1510 to execute a so-called pre-reading presentation corresponding to the start winning before the variable display corresponding to the start winning begins.

The process performed when the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 detects that a game ball has entered the second starting hole 2004 is similar to the process performed when a game ball has entered the first starting hole 2002, although the random numbers and tables used for the judgment are different, so a description of this process will be omitted.

Following the start determination process of step S31, the main control MPU determines whether or not a jackpot execution flag indicating that control is being performed for a jackpot game is set (step S32), and if the jackpot execution flag is set, executes a jackpot control process (step S36) to control the jackpot game. In the jackpot control process, when the result of the lottery process for the display mode when the variable display of the first special pattern or the second special pattern stops (the result of the hit determination and the content of the jackpot type) indicates, for example, a "15R jackpot", the jackpot winning hole 2005 is opened for a long time (for example, 28.5 seconds) or when it is detected that 10 game balls B have entered the jackpot winning hole 2005, and the opening and closing pattern is repeated 15 times to control to a 15R jackpot game.

In addition, in the jackpot control process, after controlling the opening of the jackpot opening 2005, a process for setting a time-saving flag is executed. The time-saving flag is a flag indicating that time-saving control (control executed in the time-saving state) is being executed, and is set when the jackpot game based on the time-saving controlled jackpot ends after the jackpot game ends, and is reset by the first special symbol stop process described later or the second special symbol stop process of the second special symbol process processing described later.

In addition, if the jackpot execution flag is not set, the main control MPU executes a first special pattern process including a lottery process for the display mode when the variable display of the first special pattern stops (step S34) on the condition that the value of the second special reserved number counter indicating the number of second special random numbers stored in the second special pattern reserved memory area is "0" (step S33), and executes a second special pattern process including a lottery process for the display mode when the variable display of the second special pattern stops (step S35) on the condition that the value of the second special reserved number counter indicating the number of second special random numbers stored in the second special pattern reserved memory area is not "0" (step S33).

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure for the first special symbol process (step S34). The first special symbol process executed in step S34 of the special symbol process and the second special symbol process executed in step S35 of the special symbol process are similar program modules, and only the random numbers and tables used for judgment are different. Therefore, only the first special symbol process executed in step S38 of the special symbol process will be described here. In the first special symbol process, on the condition that the interval timer described later has timed out (YES in step S85), one of the following five process processes will be selectively executed according to the above-mentioned first special symbol process flag. Note that if the interval timer has not timed out (NO in step S85), the process ends without executing the following processes.

1. First special pattern normal processing (step S80) in which the first special random number stored in the main control built-in RAM is read and a lottery process is performed based on the first special random number to determine the display mode when the variable control of the first special pattern is stopped.

2. First special symbol stop pattern setting process (step S81) in which the display mode when the control of the first special symbol's fluctuation is stopped is determined based on the results of a lottery process for the display mode when the control of the first special symbol's fluctuation is stopped.

3. A first variation pattern setting process (step S82) in which a lottery process is performed for the variation mode of the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device of the function display unit 1400 based on the variation random number and the variation mode of the performance display executed in response to the first special symbol on the performance display device 1600.
4. A first special symbol variation process (step S83) in which the first special symbol display of the function display unit 1400 waits until the variation display of the first special symbol is stopped.

5. A first special pattern stop process (step S84) that stops the display of the first special pattern so that the display mode of the first special pattern when the control of the first special pattern is stopped, determined based on the result of a lottery process, is displayed on the first special pattern display of the function display unit 1400.

The first special symbol process flag is manipulated in the processing of step S1 to indicate that the first special symbol normal processing (step S80) should be performed.

An example of the first special symbol normal processing (step S80) will be described. When the first special symbol process flag indicates that the first special symbol normal processing should be performed, if the counter value of the first special reserved number counter is 0 or more, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 reads out random numbers (e.g., first special random number, first pattern random number, reach random number, variable random number) from the main control built-in RAM, subtracts 1 from the first special reserved number counter, and shifts the random numbers (first special random number, first pattern random number, reach random number, variable random number) related to the display mode at the time when the variable display of the first special symbol is stopped, which are stored in each memory area of the first special symbol reserved memory area of the main control built-in RAM, in a first-in first-out manner. Furthermore, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 performs a winning judgment process, which is a lottery process for winning or losing the big win or small win, based on the first special random number of the first special symbol read out. After that, when the first special pattern process flag is updated so that the process transitions to the first special pattern stop pattern setting process (step S81), the first special pattern normal processing ends.

In the hit determination process described above, the hit determination table stored in the ROM with the main control is compared with the special random number (the first special random number read in the first special random number normal processing when the first special symbol normal processing is being performed, and the second special random number read in the second special symbol normal processing when the second special symbol normal processing is being performed) to determine whether or not a hit has been won, and the hit flag is set according to the result of the determination. If a hit has not been won, that is, if it is determined to be a miss, the reach determination table stored in the ROM with the main control is compared with the reach random number read (the reach random number read in the first special symbol normal processing when the first special symbol normal processing is being performed, and the reach random number read in the second special symbol normal processing when the second special symbol normal processing is being performed) to determine whether or not to execute a reach, and if so, what type of reach to execute, and the reach flag is set according to the result of the determination.

An example of the first special symbol stop symbol setting process (step S81) will be described. When the first special symbol process flag indicates that the first special symbol stop symbol setting process should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 first determines the result of the lottery process for the display mode when the variable display of the first special symbol stops, that is, the result of the hit determination process, and determines the stopped big hit symbol or miss symbol based on the determination result. The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 transmits a determination result notification command indicating the lottery result (indicating the type of big hit, small hit, reach miss, or miss (which may also indicate the mode of the stopped symbol of the first special symbol)) to the peripheral control board 1510, and updates the first special symbol process flag so that the process is transferred to the first variable pattern setting process (step S82).

An example of the first variation pattern setting process (step S82) will be described. When the first special symbol process flag indicates that the first variation pattern setting process should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 selects a variation pattern table (not shown) for a jackpot corresponding to the determined type of jackpot if the jackpot flag is set, selects a variation pattern table (not shown) for a reach if the reach flag is set, and selects a variation pattern table (not shown) for a miss if neither the jackpot flag nor the reach flag is set, i.e., a normal miss (a miss where the reach performance is not executed). Each variation pattern table is stored in the ROM built into the main control board.

Then, the selected variation pattern table is compared with the variation random number read in the first special symbol normal processing to determine the variation pattern to be executed, and a variation pattern command is sent to notify the peripheral control board 1510 of the start of the determined variation pattern, thereby starting the variation display of the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display of the function display unit 1400. The main control MPU also sets the variation time set corresponding to the determined variation pattern in the variation timer. As a result, the variation display control of the first special symbol is performed on the first special symbol display of the function display unit 1400 for only the variation time determined in this manner, and the performance control is performed on the performance display device 1600 in synchronization with the variation display of the special symbol.

In addition, in the variation pattern table of this example, for example, the variation time corresponding to the first special random number is set to 13 to 60 seconds in the non-time-saving state and 4 to 60 seconds in the time-saving state, and similarly, the variation time corresponding to the second special random number is set to 13 to 60 seconds in the non-time-saving state and 2 to 60 seconds in the time-saving state.

When the variable display control of the first special symbol is started, it is determined whether the counter value of the time-saving count counter, which sets the number of times the time-saving state continues, is "0", and if this counter value is not "0", the time-saving count counter is counted down, and then it is further determined whether the counter value of the simultaneous time-saving count counter is "0". If the counter value is "0" as a result, a time-saving end flag is set, which indicates the end of the time-saving control.

If it is determined that the time-saving counter is not "0", this process ends when the first special pattern process flag is updated (step S155) so that the process transitions to the first special pattern change process (step S83).

An example of the first special symbol fluctuation process (step S83) will be described. When the first special symbol process flag indicates that the first special symbol fluctuation process should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 subtracts 1 from a fluctuation timer in which a fluctuation time corresponding to the fluctuation pattern determined in the lottery process for the fluctuation pattern (step S82) is set. Then, when it is determined that the fluctuation time timer is 0, that is, the lottery-selected fluctuation time has elapsed, the first special symbol process flag is updated so that the process is shifted to the first special symbol stop process (step S84).

An example of the first special symbol stop processing (step S84) will be described. When the first special symbol process flag indicates that the first special symbol stop processing should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 first performs display control to display the stop pattern determined in the first special symbol stop pattern setting processing on the first special symbol display of the functional display unit 1400, and transmits a stop display command to the peripheral control board 1510 to instruct the performance display device 1600 to derive and display the display result of the decorative pattern corresponding to the stop pattern of the first special symbol.

Next, when the time-saving end flag is set, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 resets the time-saving end flag and also resets the time-saving flag. This ends the time-saving control and starts control of the non-time-saving state when the special symbols (first special symbol, second special symbol) have been displayed in a predetermined number of times (e.g., 100 times).

In the time-saving state, in order to cause the game ball B to enter the second starting hole 2004, an instruction recommending a so-called right hit (hereinafter also referred to as a right hit instruction) is executed using the performance display device 1600 and the speaker 354, etc. As described above, when a predetermined number of special pattern changes are completed after the time-saving state begins, the time-saving state ends, and the game returns to the normal state (non-time-saving state). When the game returns to the normal state, the right hit instruction ends, and an instruction recommending a so-called left hit (hereinafter also referred to as a left hit instruction) is executed using the performance display device 1600 and the speaker 354, etc.

For example, if the number of time-saving cycles is 100 (i.e., the time-saving cycle ends when 100 special symbol variations have occurred since the time-saving cycle began), then, for example, by inserting game ball B into second starting hole 2004 during the 100th variation from the start of the time-saving cycle (i.e., the final variation of the time-saving cycle), a maximum of four second special symbol variations can be performed in the normal state after the time-saving cycle ends.

In other words, after the time-saving state ends, the second special symbol change (which can mainly be performed during the time-saving state) is executed, but since the state is still normal, a state occurs in which a left-hit command is executed, which is a different hitting method from during the time-saving state.

When the jackpot variation of the second special pattern variation ends, the jackpot game begins, and in the jackpot game, the right-hit command is executed in the same way as during the time-saving state in order to make the game ball enter the big prize hole.

In the normal state after the time-saving feature has finished, if a player hits from the right, the player can enter a lottery that is different from the special lottery that is normally drawn when game ball B passes through gate 2003, but since the probability of winning in the normal lottery is extremely low (or zero), it is difficult for game ball B to enter second starting hole 2004, and there are fewer opportunities to enter the special lottery compared to when a player hits from the left, meaning the probability of winning a jackpot is lower. If a player hits from the right in this way when a left-handed hit is required (specifically, for example, when a predetermined number of game balls pass through gate 2003 within a predetermined time), a left-handed hit warning effect is executed to warn the player to hit from the left. The left-handed hit warning effect does not appear in situations when a right-handed hit is required, such as during a time-saving feature or jackpot game.

The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 determines whether the jackpot flag is set, and when it determines that the jackpot flag is set, it sets a jackpot start command indicating that a jackpot game corresponding to the type of jackpot is to start, sets the waiting time until the jackpot game starts (the time during which a display indicating that the jackpot game is to start is displayed, etc.) in the interval timer, and further sets the jackpot in progress flag and the time-saving flag, and updates the first special symbol process flag so that the process is shifted to the initial value of the first special symbol normal processing. When it determines that the jackpot flag is not set, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 updates the first special symbol process flag so that the process is shifted to the initial value of the first special symbol normal processing without executing the above processing.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure for the jackpot control process (step S40). In the jackpot control process, one of the following three processes is selectively executed depending on the jackpot process flag.

1. Pre-opening process for the big prize opening (step S91) in which the peripheral control board 1510 notifies the player that the big prize game will start based on the fact that the special symbols (first special symbol, second special symbol) have stopped changing and become big prize symbols, or the player waits until the next round starts.

2. Large prize opening 2005 is controlled to be open when the special symbol stops changing and becomes a big win symbol, or when the next round starts, and the large prize opening 2005 is closed after being open for a long time (e.g., 28.5 seconds) or when the first or second count sensor detects that 10 game balls B have entered the large prize opening 2005 (step S92)

3. Post-opening process of the jackpot hole (step S93) that waits until the peripheral control board 1510 notifies the player that the jackpot game has ended when all rounds are completed.

The jackpot process flag is operated in the processing of step S1 (see FIG. 3) to indicate that the pre-opening process (step S91) of the jackpot opening should be performed. In addition, in the processing during opening of the jackpot opening (step S92), at the start of a round in which the jackpot opening 2005 is controlled to be open, a jackpot round start command corresponding to the number of rounds is set, and at the end of a round in which the jackpot opening 2005 is controlled to be closed, a jackpot round end command corresponding to the number of rounds is set. The jackpot round start command and the jackpot round end command are commands sent to the peripheral control board 1510, and the jackpot game presentation corresponding to the number of rounds specified by the jackpot round start command and the jackpot round end command is executed by the presentation display device 1600, lamps/LEDs, speaker 354, etc.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the normal pattern process (step S15).

Now, in the process of step S801, if it is determined that the detection signal from the gate sensor 2801 is in the ON state and that game ball B has passed through the gate section 2003, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 performs gate section passing processing as the process of step S802, such as first obtaining the normal random number of the normal pattern from the random number counter and storing it in the normal pattern reserved memory area of the RAM.

Next, in the normal pattern process, one of the following five processes is selectively executed depending on the normal pattern process flag.

1. Normal pattern normal processing (step S803) in which the normal random number stored in the RAM of the main control MPU is read and a lottery process is performed based on the read normal random number to determine the display mode when the variable control of the normal pattern is stopped.

2. A normal symbol variation pattern determination process (step S804) in which a lottery process is performed on the variation mode (variation time) of the normal symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device of the function display unit 1400 based on the normal symbol variation random number.
3. A normal symbol variation process (step S805) that waits until the variable display of the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device of the function display unit 1400 is stopped.

4. A normal pattern stop process (step S806) that stops the display of the normal pattern so that the display mode when the normal pattern change control is stopped, determined based on the results of a lottery process for the display mode when the normal pattern change control is stopped, is displayed on the normal pattern display of the functional display unit 1400.

5. When the result of the lottery process regarding the state when the normal symbol fluctuation control is stopped indicates a state that suggests a "normal symbol win", a process to control the reception of the game ball B into the second starting hole 2004 is executed (step S807)

The normal symbol process flag is manipulated in the processing of step S1 described above to indicate that the normal processing of the normal symbol (step S803) should be performed.

An example of the gate passage process (S802) will be described. If the detection signal from the gate sensor 2801 is in the ON state and it is determined that a game ball has passed through the gate 2003, the normal random number and the normal variable random number are obtained from the random number counter, and the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 updates the reserved memory of the normal random numbers in the main control built-in RAM with a predetermined number (e.g., 4) as the upper limit (in other words, if the number of reserved memories has already reached the upper limit, the update process is not performed). Then, the normal pattern process flag is updated so that the process is transferred to the normal pattern normal process (step S803).

An example of the normal pattern normal processing (S803) will be described. When the normal pattern process flag indicates that the normal pattern normal processing should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 judges whether there is a variable display control of the normal pattern in the reserved state based on the counter value of the counter of the normal reserved memory. As a result, if it is judged that there is a variable display control of the normal pattern in the reserved state, the random number stored in the first memory area of the random numbers (e.g., normal random number, normal pattern variable random number) related to the display mode of the normal pattern stored in the normal pattern reserved memory area of the RAM of the main control MPU is read from the same RAM. Then, the count of the normal reserved number counter is decremented by 1, and the random numbers (normal random number, normal pattern variable random number) related to the display mode when the variable display of the normal pattern is stopped, which are stored in each memory area of the normal reserved memory area of the RAM of the main control MPU, are shifted in a first-in first-out manner.

Then, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 compares the read normal random number with the normal winning judgment table stored in the main control built-in ROM, and judges whether it is a normal winning. If it judges it to be a normal winning, it sets a normal winning flag indicating that the fluctuation has won a normal winning, and determines the normal winning pattern as the pattern when the fluctuation control of the normal pattern stops (the stopping pattern of the normal pattern). On the other hand, if it judges it not to be a normal winning, it determines the normal losing pattern as the pattern when the fluctuation control of the normal pattern stops (the stopping pattern of the normal pattern).

After the lottery process for the normal symbols has been performed in this manner, a normal symbol determination result notification command corresponding to the lottery results (indicating either a normal symbol win or a loss) is sent to the peripheral control board 1510, and the normal symbol process flag is updated so that the process transitions to the normal symbol variation pattern determination process (step S804).

An example of the normal symbol variation pattern determination process (step S804) will be described. When the normal symbol process flag indicates that the normal symbol variation pattern determination process should be performed, if the time-saving flag is set, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 compares the normal symbol variation pattern determination table during time-saving stored in the main control built-in ROM with the normal random number read in the normal symbol normal process, and if the time-saving flag is set, compares the normal symbol variation pattern determination table during non-time-saving stored in the main control built-in ROM with the normal random number read in the normal symbol normal process to determine the normal symbol variation pattern (normal symbol variation pattern) to be executed. The main control MPU of the main control board 1310 sets a normal symbol variation pattern command that notifies the peripheral control board 1510 of the start of normal symbol variation in the determined normal symbol variation pattern, and starts the normal symbol variation display displayed on the normal symbol display of the function display unit 1400.

When the main control MPU determines the normal pattern change pattern, it sets the normal pattern change time corresponding to the determined normal pattern change pattern in the normal pattern change timer. This allows the performance control to be performed on the normal pattern display device of the function display unit 1400 (the change display of the normal pattern on the normal pattern display device) for only the normal pattern change time corresponding to the determined normal pattern change pattern.

In addition, in the normal symbol fluctuation pattern determination table during non-time-saving in this example, the normal symbol fluctuation time is set to, for example, 20 seconds. On the other hand, in the normal symbol fluctuation pattern determination table during time-saving in this example, the normal symbol fluctuation time is set to, for example, 0.8 seconds so that the normal symbol fluctuation time is shorter than in the normal symbol fluctuation pattern determination table during non-time-saving. The normal symbol fluctuation pattern determination table is stored in the ROM of the main control MPU.

In addition, when the normal pattern variable display control is started, this process ends when the normal pattern process flag is updated so that the process transitions to the normal pattern variable process (step S805).

An example of the normal symbol change process (step S805) will be described below. When the normal symbol process flag indicates that the normal symbol change process should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 subtracts 1 from the normal symbol change timer in which the normal symbol change time is set. Then, when the normal symbol change time timer is 0, that is, when it is determined that the normal symbol change time has elapsed, the normal symbol process flag is updated so that the process is shifted to the first special symbol stop process (step S806).

An example of the normal symbol stop processing (step S806) will be described below. When the normal symbol process flag indicates that the normal symbol stop processing should be performed, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 performs display control to display the normal symbol stop pattern determined in the normal normal symbol processing on the normal symbol display of the functional display unit 1400, and transmits a normal symbol stop display command to the peripheral control board 1510 to notify the derived display of the first special symbol stop pattern.

Next, when the normal winning flag is set, the opening pattern of the second starting hole 2004 according to the current game state is set using the opening pattern table for normal winning stored in the main control built-in ROM. Specifically, if the second starting hole 2004 is controlled to a non-time-saving state when it starts to open, if a lottery result indicating a normal winning is obtained by a lottery based on a normal random number, the opening hole solenoid 2514 that opens and closes the second starting hole 2004 is turned on to execute opening pattern A in which the second starting hole 2004 opens and closes in a short opening mode (for example, 0.05 seconds). As a result, when opening pattern A is executed as the opening pattern of the second starting hole 2004, the time for which the second starting hole 2004 opens is short, and it is difficult to enter a game ball when the second starting hole 2004 is in an open state. In other words, even if the second starting hole 2004 opens and closes in a non-time-saving state, almost no game balls enter the hole.

On the other hand, if the second starting hole 2004 is controlled to the time-saving state when it starts to open, when the lottery result based on the normal random number results in a normal winning lottery, the starting hole solenoid 2514 that opens and closes the second starting hole 2004 is turned on to execute opening pattern B in which the second starting hole 2004 opens and closes in a long opening mode (e.g., 1.5 seconds). As a result, when opening pattern B is executed as the opening pattern for the second starting hole 2004, the second starting hole 2004 opens for a long time, and the game ball can enter the hole when the second starting hole 2004 is in the open state.

When the opening pattern of the second starting hole 2004 is set, a normal winning start command is set to indicate that a normal winning game is to start, and the normal pattern process flag is updated so that the process is transferred to the normal electric role opening process. The normal winning start command is a command sent to the peripheral control board 1510, and the normal winning game presentation according to the type of normal winning indicated by the normal winning start command can be executed by the presentation display device 1600, lamps/LEDs, speaker 354, etc.

In addition, if the normal symbol hit flag is not set, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 updates the normal symbol process flag so that the process is shifted to the normal symbol normal processing, which is the initial value, without executing the above-mentioned processing.

An example of the normal electric feature opening process (step S807) will be described below. If it is determined that the second starting port 2004 is in an open state, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 ends this process when it controls the second starting port 2004 to a closed state by turning off the starting port solenoid 2514 that opens and closes the second starting port 2004 if a predetermined time (the opening time of the second starting port 2004 in the set opening pattern) has elapsed since the second starting port 2004 was controlled to an open state.

In addition, if it is determined that the second starting port 2004 is in a closed state, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 ends this process when it is time to open the second starting port 2004 by turning on the starting port solenoid 2514 that opens and closes the second starting port 2004 and controlling the second starting port 2004 to an open state.

If it is not the time to open the second start hole 2004, the main control MPU of the main control board 1310 sets a normal win end command when the number of times the second start hole 2004 has been opened reaches a predetermined number (the number of times the second start hole 2004 has been opened in the set opening pattern). Then, this process ends when the normal symbol process flag is updated so that the process is transferred to the initial value of normal symbol normal processing. The normal win end command is sent to the peripheral control board 1510, and when the peripheral control board 1510 receives the normal win end command, it can end the effect of the normal symbol win game being executed by the effect display device 1600, lamps/LEDs, speaker 354, etc.

Next, we will explain the processing executed by the peripheral control MPU mounted on the peripheral control board 1510. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for the control performed by the peripheral control MPU mounted on the peripheral control board 1510 when the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 1.

When power supply to the pachinko machine 1 begins, the peripheral control MPU performs an initial setting process (step S501). This initial setting process includes processes such as clearing the RAM built into the peripheral control MPU mounted on the peripheral control board 1510. Note that interrupts are prohibited during this initial setting process, and are permitted after the initial setting process. When the initial setting process (step S501) ends, a loop process is started to monitor whether the 16 mS elapsed flag T has been set (step S502).

In this embodiment, the peripheral control MPU generates an interrupt every 2 ms and executes the 2 ms steady process. In the 2 ms steady process, the 16 ms progress monitoring counter is counted up (the 16 ms progress monitoring counter is incremented by 1), and when the value of the 16 ms progress monitoring counter reaches 8, i.e., when 16 ms have passed, the 16 ms progress flag T is set and the 16 ms progress monitoring counter is reset (set to 0). In this way, the 16 ms progress flag T is set to "1" every 16 ms in the 2 ms steady process, and is normally set to "0". When the 16 ms progress flag is set in step S502 (the 16 ms progress flag T is "1"), the 16 ms progress flag is reset (step S503), and then the 16 ms steady process is executed (step S504).

In this 16 ms steady-state processing, processing is executed to control the performance display device 1600, lamps/LEDs, speaker 354, etc., based on commands received from the main control board 1310. When the 16 ms steady-state processing is completed, the process returns to step S502, and the above-mentioned steps S503 to S504 are repeated every time the 16 ms elapsed flag T is set, that is, every 16 ms. On the other hand, if the 16 ms elapsed flag T is not set in step S502 (the 16 ms elapsed flag T is "0"), loop processing is executed until the 16 ms elapsed flag T is set.

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing an example of 16 ms steady-state processing executed every 16 ms in the sub-main processing. In the 16 ms steady-state processing, the peripheral control MPU executes the processes of steps S601 to S606. In the command analysis process of step S601, the command received from the main control board 1310 is analyzed. In the performance control process of step S602, control processing related to the performance display device 1600 is executed based on the reception of the fluctuation pattern command transmitted by being set in the fluctuation pattern setting process (first fluctuation pattern setting process and second fluctuation pattern setting process).

In addition, in the sound control process of step S603, control processes related to the speaker 354 provided in the pachinko machine 1 are executed. In the lamp control process of step S604, control processes related to the lamps and LEDs provided in the pachinko machine 1 are executed. In the information output process of step S605, processes such as sending lamp and LED lighting signals to various decorative boards 184, 273, etc. are executed. In the random number update process of step S606, processes are executed to update the random numbers used for various settings in the performance control process (step S602).

The processing of steps S601 to S606 in the 16 ms steady-state processing is completed within 16 ms. Even if it takes more than 16 ms from the start of the 16 ms steady-state processing to the end of the 16 ms steady-state processing, the 16 ms steady-state processing is not executed from the beginning (from the command analysis processing of step S601) immediately after 16 ms have elapsed since the start of the 16 ms steady-state processing. In other words, if 16 ms have elapsed during the execution of the 16 ms steady-state processing, only the 16 ms elapsed flag is set, and the 16 ms steady-state processing is started when it is determined in step S502 after the end of the 16 ms steady-state processing that the 16 ms elapsed flag has been set.

In addition, in this embodiment, the random number update process (step S606) is executed in the 16 ms steady-state processing to update the various random numbers, but the timing for updating the various random numbers is not limited to this. For example, the various random numbers may be updated in either or both of the loop processing in the sub-main processing and the 16 ms steady-state processing.

Figure 10 is a flow chart showing an example of the presentation control process (step S602). In the presentation control process, the peripheral control MPU selectively executes one of the following five processes depending on the presentation process flag that indicates the progress of the game and is stored in the peripheral control MPU of the peripheral control board 1510.

1. After performing processing to control the performance display device 1600, LED, speaker 354, etc. based on the variation pattern command (first variation pattern command indicating the variation pattern of the first special pattern, second variation pattern command indicating the variation pattern of the second special pattern) that indicates the variation pattern of the special patterns (first special pattern, second special pattern) analyzed in the command analysis processing, a variation performance start processing (step S711) that changes the performance process flag to a value corresponding to the variation performance processing

2. A process during variable performance (step S712) that measures the time that has elapsed since control of the performance display device 1600, LEDs, speaker 354, etc. was started, and processes such as controlling the performance display device 1600, LEDs, speaker 354, etc. are performed according to the elapsed time, and the above-mentioned performance process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the variable end process according to the variable time corresponding to the variable pattern of the special pattern (first special pattern, second special pattern) has elapsed.

3. Processing to derive and display a predetermined display result based on receiving a stop display command instructing to stop the variable display of the special symbols (first special symbol, second special symbol), changing the above-mentioned performance process flag to a value corresponding to the variable performance start processing if it is a miss, changing it to a value corresponding to the big hit performance processing if it is a big hit, and changing it to a value corresponding to the small hit performance processing if it is a small hit (step S713)

4. A jackpot performance process (step S714) in which the performance display device 1600 performs processing to execute display control during the jackpot game based on the reception of a jackpot start command that instructs the start of the jackpot game, and when the jackpot game ends, the performance process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the variable performance start process.

By the above processing, the effect display device 1600 will display the decorative patterns in synchronization with the display of the special patterns (first special pattern, second special pattern) displayed by the special pattern display devices (first special pattern display device of the functional display unit 1400, second special pattern display device of the functional display unit 1400). If the special pattern does not change for a specified period of time, the effect display device 1600 will display a demo screen (a specified video including the characters and story that appear in the effect of the pachinko machine 1, an explanation of the effect, the model name, and the manufacturer name, etc.) indicating that the machine is waiting for customers.

11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of an attack effect when an operation effective period for an attack effect (a period during which a specified operation on a specified operation unit is detected or a period that ends when a specified time has passed since the start of the period) occurs and an operation to launch an attack is performed during the operation effective period. The attack effect is an effect that is executed, for example, before the reach effect starts during a fluctuation in which a reach effect is executed, or during a fluctuation in which a reach effect is not executed. The attack effect is an effect that is executed, for example, when a start winning is made at the first start opening 2002 or the second start opening 2004 and the jackpot flag is set, and when the reach flag is set, regardless of which fluctuation pattern is selected, and is an effect that is executed when a start winning is made at the first start opening 2002 or the second start opening 2004 and neither the jackpot flag nor the reach flag is set, when a specified fluctuation pattern is selected.

In an attack performance, an effective operation period occurs, and when a predetermined operation is performed on a predetermined operation unit during the effective operation period, an ally character (a white character in the figure) launches an attack of either a punch or a kick against an enemy character (a character with diagonal lines in the figure). If the attack hits the enemy character, the performance progresses to a reach performance, and if the enemy character avoids the attack, the performance does not progress to a reach performance, and the decorative pattern stops with a miss combination and the ongoing variation ends. Note that, for example, when a variation pattern in which a reach is executed is selected, the allocation in which an ally character executes a punch performance in an attack performance is smaller than the allocation in which an ally character executes a kick performance (for example, the allocation in which a punch is executed is 1/3 of the allocation in which a kick is executed), and when a variation pattern in which a reach is not executed is selected, the allocation in which an ally character executes a punch performance in an attack performance is larger than the allocation in which an ally character executes a kick performance (for example, the allocation in which a punch is executed is 3 times the allocation in which a kick is executed).

The first presentation pattern that is performed when an attack presentation is being performed encourages the operation of the pressing operation unit 303 (e.g., pressing (a so-called single press)), and the second presentation pattern that is performed when an attack presentation is being performed encourages the continuous operation of the rotation operation unit 302 (e.g., continuing a rotation by a predetermined amount for a predetermined period of time or more, which is an operation different from pressing (a so-called single press) which is the operation of the pressing operation unit 303).

In this example, the rotation operation unit 302 can be rotated clockwise up to 360 degrees (for example, when it is rotated clockwise 360 degrees, a stopper is activated to prevent it from rotating further clockwise), and one step of rotation clockwise rotates 10 degrees, allowing it to rotate up to 36 steps. The rotation detection sensor 347 provided in the rotation operation unit 302 detects the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 (how many steps it has been rotated). The range of clockwise rotation from the initial position of the rotation operation unit 302 does not have to be the above-mentioned 360 degrees, and may be any value between 45 degrees and 360 degrees, for example.

Note that in the diagram, the effects branch into the upper and lower rows, but the effects before the branching are common to both the first and second effect patterns, the effects written in the upper row after the branching are the effects of the first effect pattern, and the effects written in the lower row after the branching are the effects of the second effect pattern.

In the first presentation pattern, an effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 occurs. When the pressing detection sensor 381 provided in the pressing operation unit 303 changes from an off state to an on state during the effective operation period, the operation period ends, and as a post-operation presentation corresponding to the operation, a reach suggestion presentation in which the ally character attacks the enemy character (a presentation in which the rate at which a reach is executed differs depending on whether a punch or kick appears) and a presentation in which the attack hits the enemy character or is avoided by the enemy character are executed.

In the second effect pattern, an effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 occurs. During this effective operation period, when the rotation detection sensor 347 provided on the rotation operation unit 302 detects a right rotation of a predetermined amount or more (hereinafter, five steps or more) from the initial position, an effect in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura is executed as an in-operation effect corresponding to that operation. This in-operation effect in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura continues to be executed as long as a right rotation of five steps or more of the rotation operation unit 302 is detected during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302.

Furthermore, in the second presentation pattern, if the rotation operation unit 302 continues to rotate right for 3 seconds for 5 steps or more during the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302, the operation valid period ends, and as post-operation presentations, a reach suggestion presentation in which the ally character attacks the enemy character (presentation in which the expectation of the reach being executed differs depending on whether a punch or kick appears) and a presentation in which the attack hits the enemy character or is avoided by the enemy character are executed. In the first presentation pattern, if the pressing detection sensor 381 changes from an off state to an on state during the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303, the operation valid period ends, and in the second presentation pattern, if the rotation operation unit 302 continues to rotate right for 3 seconds during the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302, the operation valid period ends. In other words, the operation for ending the operation valid period is different between the first presentation pattern and the second presentation pattern. In the second presentation pattern, the conditions for the end of the valid operation period and the execution of the post-operation presentation may be that the operation of the rotation operation unit 302 continues continuously for a predetermined time during the valid operation period regardless of the amount of rotation, that the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated by 5 steps or more during the valid operation period or is operated for a predetermined time in total regardless of the amount of rotation, or that the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 reaches a predetermined step (for example, the maximum amount of rotation of 36 steps) during the valid operation period, etc.

The effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 in the first presentation pattern and the effective operation period of the rotating operation unit 302 in the second presentation pattern are both 10 seconds. The effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 in the first presentation pattern may be longer or shorter than the effective operation period of the rotating operation unit 302 in the second presentation pattern. However, since the operation required for the operation to cause the post-operation performance in the second presentation pattern (continuing the right rotation of the rotating operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds during the effective operation period of the rotating operation unit 302) is longer than the operation to cause the post-operation performance in the first presentation pattern (changing the pressing detection sensor 381 from the off state to the on state during the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303), it is desirable that the effective operation period of the rotating operation unit 302 in the second presentation pattern is longer than the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 in the first presentation pattern.

11(A) shows a state in which all the decorative symbols have changed and an attack performance has started. In FIG. 11(A), a message is displayed on the performance display device 1600 indicating that if the punch of the ally character hits the enemy character, it is a chance. The decorative symbols are multiple rows of symbols that are displayed on the performance display device 1600 and indicate the result of a special lottery. The decorative symbols are, for example, three rows of left decorative symbols, middle decorative symbols, and right decorative symbols. The three rows of decorative symbols start to change when the special symbol change starts, and then, for example, the left decorative symbols, right decorative symbols, and middle decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in that order. When all the decorative symbol rows are finally stopped and displayed, the result of the special lottery is shown to the player by the combination of the decorative symbols that are stopped and displayed. When the attack of the ally character hits the enemy character in the attack performance, the decorative symbols form a reach after the attack performance ends, and the reach performance is executed. A state in which a decorative pattern reach has been formed is a state in which all decorative patterns in multiple rows (e.g., three rows of left, middle, and right decorative patterns) except for one decorative pattern (e.g., the middle decorative pattern) are stopped in the same display mode (e.g., the left and right decorative patterns are the same pattern) (however, this is a so-called temporary stop state in which they appear to be stopped even though they are slightly shaking up and down), and the one decorative pattern is fluctuating.

In FIG. 11(A), the effective operation period for the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 has not started (the player does not know whether a first presentation pattern will be executed in which the pressing operation unit 303 is required to be operated during the effective operation period, as in the presentation from FIG. 11(C) onwards, or a second presentation pattern will be executed in which the rotating operation unit 302 is required to be rotated during the effective operation period, as in the presentation from FIG. 11(C') onwards), and the player has not yet operated the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302.

In FIG. 11(B), an ally character and an enemy character are displayed on the performance display device 1600, and a line suggesting that the ally character will soon attack is also displayed on the performance display device 1600. In FIG. 11(B), the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302 has not yet started, and the player has not yet operated the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302. In addition, the player does not know whether the first or second performance pattern will be executed.

After FIG. 11(B), if it is determined that the first presentation pattern is to be executed, the presentation will transition to FIG. 11(C) or later, and if it is determined that the second presentation pattern is to be executed, the presentation will transition to FIG. 11(C') or later. First, the case where the presentation transitions to FIG. 11(C) (where it is determined that the first presentation pattern is to be executed) will be described. Following FIG. 11(B), in FIG. 11(C), the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 starts, and a gauge 1603 indicating the remaining time of the operation valid period and a display prompting the operation of the pressing operation unit 303 (an image imitating the pressing operation unit 303 and a message saying "Press!") are displayed on the presentation display device 1600. Note that in FIG. 11(C), the player has not yet operated the pressing operation unit 303.

In FIG. 12(D), the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 is progressing, and the remaining time of the effective operation period indicated by the gauge 1603 is decreasing, but the player has not yet operated the pressing operation unit 303.

Figure 12 (E) shows the state where the player operates the pressing operation unit 303 during the valid operation period (the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed in by a height tmax from the initial position of the pressing operation unit 303 before Figure 12 (D), and a press is detected), and the post-operation performance has started. Specifically, a reach suggestion performance is being performed in which the ally character throws a punch (which has a lower chance of being reached than a kick) at the enemy character, and it has not yet been notified whether the punch will hit the enemy character.

Figure 12 (F) is a continuation of the post-operation performance, in which the enemy character steps back to avoid the punch of the ally character, and it is announced that the performance will not progress to a reach performance, and the post-operation performance ends. In the post-operation performance, a sound corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation performance (for example, a different sound depending on whether the ally character's attack is a punch or a kick, and a different sound depending on whether the ally character's attack hits or not) is output from speaker 354, and a lamp lights up in a mode corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation performance (for example, a different light emission mode depending on whether the ally character's attack is a punch or a kick, and a different light emission mode depending on whether the ally character's attack hits or not).

When the first presentation pattern is being executed in a variation in which a reach is being executed, the reach suggestion presentation in FIG. 12(E) (a presentation in which an ally character throws a punch or kick) is followed by a presentation in FIG. 12(F) in which the ally character's attack hits the enemy character (a presentation informing the player that the performance will progress to a reach presentation), ending the post-operation presentation, which then progresses to a reach presentation. In the post-operation presentation of the first presentation pattern in a variation in which a reach is being executed, a sound corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation presentation (which may be the same sound as when the performance does not progress to a reach or a different sound) is output from speaker 354, and a lamp is illuminated in a mode corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation presentation (which may be the same illumination mode as when the performance does not progress to a reach or a different illumination mode).

Following the presentation in Figure 12 (F), the decorative patterns stop when they reach a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss (a combination in which the display mode of at least one of the left decorative pattern, center decorative pattern, and right decorative pattern is different from the display mode of the remaining decorative patterns), and the ongoing special pattern variation ends (not shown).

Next, we will explain the case where the effect of FIG. 11(C') (where it has been decided that the second effect pattern will be executed) is transitioned to. Following FIG. 11(B), in FIG. 11(C'), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 starts, and a gauge 1603 indicating the remaining time of the effective operation period and a display encouraging the operation of the rotation operation unit 302 (an image imitating the rotation operation unit 302 and the message "Spin!") are displayed on the effect display device 1600. Note that in FIG. 11(C'), the player has not yet operated the rotation operation unit 302.

In FIG. 12(D'), the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302 progresses and the remaining time of the operation valid period indicated by the gauge 1603 decreases. Furthermore, because the player has rotated the rotation operation unit 302 to the right five steps or more, an in-operation performance is executed in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura, a sound corresponding to the aura is output from the speaker 354, and a lamp lights up in the color of the aura. Note that the display mode of the aura, such as the color and size, suggests an attack (punch or kick) to be performed by the ally character, thereby suggesting the likelihood of a reach being executed before the post-operation performance.

In FIG. 12(E'), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 ends when the rotation operation unit 302 continues to rotate right for 3 seconds for 5 steps or more during the effective operation period, and the post-operation performance begins. Specifically, a reach suggestion performance is performed in which the ally character throws a punch at the enemy character (which has a lower expectation of a reach being executed than a kick), and it has not yet been notified whether the punch will hit the enemy character. FIG. 12(F') is a continuation of the post-operation performance, in which the enemy character steps back to avoid the ally character's punch, and it is notified that the performance will not progress to a reach performance, and the post-operation performance ends. Following the performance in FIG. 12(F'), the decorative symbols stop in a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss, and the special symbol variation that is being performed ends (not shown).

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an attack effect when the operation unit is not operated. First, an example in which it has been decided that the first effect pattern will be executed will be described. Following Figure 11 (C), in Figure 13 (D2), similar to Figure 12 (D), the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 progresses and the remaining time of the operation valid period indicated by the gauge 1603 decreases, but the player does not operate the pressing operation unit 303.

In FIG. 13(E2), the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 has progressed further, and the remaining time of the operation valid period indicated by the gauge 1603 has further decreased. Also, in FIG. 13(E2), the player has not operated the pressing operation unit 303, and the same display as FIG. 13(D2) is being performed, except for the display of the remaining time of the operation valid period indicated by the gauge 1603. In FIG. 13(F2), even though the entire operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 has elapsed and the operation valid period has ended, the pressing operation unit 303 has not been operated, and the attack effect has ended without a post-operation effect being performed. Following the effect in FIG. 13(F2), the decorative symbols stop in a combination indicating that the result of the special lottery is a miss, and the ongoing special symbol variation ends (not shown).

Next, an example will be described in which it has been decided that the second presentation pattern will be executed. Following FIG. 11(C), in FIG. 13(D'2), similar to FIG. 12(D'), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 has progressed and the remaining time of the effective operation period indicated by the gauge 1603 has decreased. In FIG. 13(D'2), the player has not operated the rotation operation unit 302 (no right rotation of five steps or more has been made), so the presentation during operation in which an ally character is surrounded by an aura has not been executed.

In FIG. 13 (E'2), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 has progressed further, and the remaining time of the effective operation period indicated by the gauge 1603 has further decreased. In FIG. 13 (E'2), the player has not yet started operating the rotation operation unit 302 (right rotation of 5 steps or more has not continued for 3 seconds), so the same display as in FIG. 13 (D'2) is shown, except for the display of the remaining time of the effective operation period of the gauge 1603, and no in-operation performance is executed.

Figure 13 (F'2) shows a state in which the condition that the rotation operation unit 302 rotates right for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds during the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302 is not met, and the operation valid period ends when the entire operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302 has elapsed, and the attack effect ends without a post-operation effect being performed. Following the effect of Figure 13 (F'2), the decorative symbols stop in a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss, and the special symbol variation being performed ends (not shown). Note that when the rotation operation unit 302 rotates right for 5 steps or more during the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302, an effect in which an ally character is surrounded by an aura is performed as an in-operation effect, but unless the rotation operation unit 302 rotates right for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds by the end of the operation valid period, the post-operation effect will not be executed.

In addition, if the effective operation period ends without any operation being performed during the first and second attack effect patterns to execute a post-operation effect, after the effective operation period ends, an effect similar to the post-operation effect (i.e., an ally character attack is launched, and then an effect in which an ally character notifies the player whether or not the attack will develop into a reach effect depending on whether or not the attack hits) may be executed, and then an effect in which decorative patterns stop in a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss, or a reach effect may be executed.

Figures 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a performance in which the operation of the operation part has started at the start of the operation effective period of the attack performance. Figure 14 (A) is the same as Figure 11 (A). First, an example of a transition to Figure 14 (B3) (where it has been decided that the first performance pattern will be executed) will be explained. Following Figure 14 (A), in Figure 14 (B3), a performance similar to that in Figure 11 (B) is being performed, and the player is already operating the pressing operation part 303 (the pressing operation part 303 has been pressed down by a height tmax from the initial position of the pressing operation part 303 in Figure 12 (A), and a pressing operation has been detected). In Figure 14 (B3), the pressing operation part 303 has been operated and is in an on state, but the operation effective period has not started, so the post-operation performance is not being executed.

In FIG. 14 (C3), the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 has started. In FIG. 14 (C3), the player is still operating (pressing) the pressing operation unit 303 from FIG. 14 (B3). In other words, the pressing detection sensor 381 of the pressing operation unit 303 is in the ON state before the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 occurs, and has not changed from the OFF state to the ON state since the operation valid period started. In this case (i.e., even if the pressing operation unit 303 is in the operated state at the start of the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303, if there is no change from the non-operated state to the operated state during the operation valid period), the post-operation performance does not occur. In addition, if the pressing operation unit 303 is operated at the same time as the operation valid period starts in FIG. 14 (C3) (i.e., the pressing detection sensor 381 of the pressing operation unit 303 is in the ON state just at the start of the operation valid period), the same performance as that in FIG. 14 (C3) and after is performed.

In FIG. 15 (D3), the player continues to operate the pressing operation unit 303 (keeps it pressed) from FIG. 14 (B3). In this way, when the pressing operation unit 303 is in a state of being operated at the start of the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303 and the operation of the pressing operation unit 303 continues thereafter, the pressing detection sensor 381 equipped to the pressing operation unit 303 does not change from the OFF state to the ON state during the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303, so the post-operation performance is not executed even though the pressing operation unit 303 is being operated. Therefore, no sound corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation performance is output from the speaker 354, and the lamp is not illuminated in the light-emitting mode corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation performance. In FIG. 15 (D3), the same performance as in FIG. 12 (D) is performed. In addition, if the pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a lamp that is illuminated when the pressing operation unit 303 is being operated (pressure detection sensor 381 is on), the lamp is illuminated when the pressing operation unit 303 is being operated at the start of the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303, and is also illuminated when the pressing operation unit 303 is being operated at the start of the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 and the operation of the pressing operation unit 303 is continuing.

In FIG. 15 (E3), the player continues to operate the press operation unit 303 (keeps it pressed) from FIG. 14 (B3). The press detection sensor 381 equipped to the press operation unit 303 does not change from the off state to the on state during the effective operation period of the press operation unit 303, so the post-operation performance is not executed. Therefore, no sound corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation performance is output from the speaker 354, and the lamp is not illuminated in the light emission mode corresponding to the display mode of the post-operation performance. In FIG. 15 (E3), the effective operation period of the press operation unit 303 has progressed further, and the remaining time indicated by the gauge 1603 has further decreased.

In FIG. 15 (F3), the entire valid operation period has elapsed. Also, in FIG. 15 (F3), the player is still operating (keeps pressed) the press operation unit 303 from FIG. 14 (B3), and the press detection sensor 381 equipped to the press operation unit 303 has not changed from the OFF state to the ON state during the valid operation period of the press operation unit 303, so no post-operation performance is performed. Following the performance in FIG. 15 (F3), the decorative patterns stop in a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss, and the ongoing special pattern variation ends (not shown).

14 (B3), the same effects are performed for both the first and second presentation patterns, so the player does not know which presentation pattern is being executed. If it is determined that the first presentation pattern is to be executed, and the pressing operation unit 303 is operated before the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303 occurs and the pressing detection sensor 381 is in an on state at the start of the operation effective period, if the post-operation presentation is executed, the reach suggestion presentation (the presentation in which the ally character throws a punch or kick) is suddenly executed at the same time as the operation effective period begins, which will extremely surprise the player. Therefore, when it is determined that the first presentation pattern is to be executed, even if the pressing operation unit 303 is operated before the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303 occurs and the pressing detection sensor 381 is in an on state at the start of the operation effective period, the post-operation presentation is not executed. In addition, if it has been determined that the first presentation pattern will be executed, and the pressing operation unit 303 has been operated before the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 occurs and the pressing detection sensor 381 is in the on state at the start of the effective operation period, the post-operation presentation will not be executed if the operation is continued, and even if the operation is stopped (i.e., even if the pressing detection sensor 381 changes from the on state to the off state), the post-operation presentation will not be executed.

If the pressing operation unit 303 is in an operating state before the valid operation period occurs, if the operation is stopped during the valid operation period and the pressing operation unit 303 is operated again (i.e., if the pressing detection sensor 381 changes from an on state to an off state and then changes from the off state to an on state), the post-operation performance will be executed.

Next, an example of a transition to Figure 14 (B'3) (where it has been decided that the second presentation pattern will be executed) will be described. Following Figure 14 (A), in Figure 14 (B'3), a presentation similar to that in Figure 11 (B) is being performed, and the player has already rotated the rotation operation unit 302 five or more steps to the right. In Figure 14 (B'3), the rotation operation unit 302 has been rotated five or more steps to the right, but the effective operation period for the rotation operation unit 302 has not yet begun, so the presentation during operation is not being executed.

In FIG. 14(C'3), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 has started. In FIG. 14(C'3), the player is still operating the rotation operation unit 302 (rotating it to the right for 5 steps or more) from FIG. 14(B'3). In other words, the right rotation of 5 steps or more of the rotation operation unit 302 was detected before the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 occurred, and the rotation detection sensor 347 is still detecting the rotation of 5 steps or more at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302. As long as the right rotation of 5 steps or more of the rotation operation unit 302 is detected during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 (i.e., there is no need for the rotation detection sensor 347 of the rotation operation unit 302 to change from the off state), an operation-in-progress performance in which an ally character is surrounded by an aura similar to that of FIG. 12(D') appears. Therefore, in FIG. 14(C'3), a right rotation of five or more steps of the rotation operation unit 302 is detected at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, and therefore the in-operation effect appears from the start of the effective operation period. Note that if the rotation operation unit 302 has not been operated before the start of the effective operation period of FIG. 14(B'3), if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by five or more steps from the start of the effective operation period in FIG. 14(C'3), the in-operation effect will start at the point at which the right rotation of five or more steps of the rotation operation unit 302 is detected.

In FIG. 15 (D'3), continuing from FIG. 14 (B'3), the rotation operation unit 302 is still being operated (rotated to the right for more than five steps), but since the rotation operation unit 302 has not been rotated to the right for more than five steps for three seconds during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 (three seconds have not yet elapsed since the start of the effective operation period), the during operation performance continues but the post-operation performance is not performed, and the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 progresses further, causing the remaining time indicated by the gauge 1603 to decrease.

In FIG. 15 (E'3), continuing from FIG. 14 (B'3), the rotation operation unit 302 continues to rotate to the right for 3 seconds for 5 steps or more during the operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302, and the operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302 ends, and the post-operation performance begins. Specifically, a reach suggestion performance is being performed in which the ally character throws a punch at the enemy character (which has a lower expectation of a reach being executed than a kick), and it has not yet been notified whether the punch will hit the enemy character. FIG. 15 (F'3) is a continuation of the post-operation performance, in which the enemy character steps back to avoid the punch of the ally character, and it is notified that the performance will not progress to a reach performance, and the post-operation performance ends. Following the performance of FIG. 15 (F'3), the decorative symbols stop with a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss, and the special symbol variation being performed ends (not shown).

In the second presentation pattern, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right for 5 steps or more before the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 and the effective operation period starts, the during-operation presentation in which the ally character is wrapped in an aura is executed. Therefore, even if a player who gets extremely nervous when seeing the reach suggestion presentation rotates the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for 5 steps or more before the effective operation period starts and the effective operation period starts, if the rotation operation unit 302 is stopped to the right for 5 steps or more before continuing to rotate the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for 3 seconds during the effective operation period (by rotating the rotation operation unit 302 by less than 5 steps, or by not rotating it at all), the player does not need to see the reach suggestion presentation. Note that in the second presentation pattern, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right for 5 steps or more before the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 starts and the effective operation period starts, the during-operation presentation in which the ally character is wrapped in an aura does not need to be executed. In the second presentation pattern, if the rotation operation unit 302 has been rotated five or more steps to the right before the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 and the effective operation period begins, even if the operation-in-progress presentation in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura is not executed, if the rotation operation unit 302 is stopped from rotating five or more steps to the right before continuing for three seconds during the effective operation period (by rotating the rotation operation unit 302 an amount of less than five steps, or by not rotating it at all), the reach suggestion presentation will not be seen.

In the second presentation pattern, if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by 5 steps or more at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 and the rotation is stopped before the post-operation presentation appears, and the rotation operation unit 302 is restarted to rotate to the right by 5 steps or more during the effective operation period, but the rotation operation unit 302 cannot continue to rotate to the right by 5 steps or more for 3 seconds by the end of the effective operation period, the post-operation presentation is not performed as shown in FIG. 15 (F3). In other words, in the second presentation pattern, if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by 5 steps or more at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 and the rotation is stopped before the post-operation presentation appears, the reach suggestion presentation cannot be made to appear unless the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by 5 steps or more by 3 seconds before the end of the effective operation period.

In the above example, the attack effect is a pre-reach effect that indicates whether it will develop into a reach effect, but it may also be possible to execute an attack effect as a reach effect. Also, when an attack effect that is a pre-reach effect that indicates whether it will develop into a reach effect is executed and it is announced that it will develop into a reach effect, it may be possible to execute an attack effect as a reach effect in the same change (i.e., in the reach effect that will develop into).

In the attack performance as a reach performance, an ally character launches either a punch or a kick attack, and if the ally character's attack hits the enemy character, a jackpot is announced, and if the ally character's attack is avoided by the enemy character, a miss is announced. For example, the allocation for determining that an ally character will execute a punch in an attack performance in a jackpot fluctuation (a fluctuation in which the jackpot flag is set) is smaller than the allocation for determining that an ally character will execute a kick (for example, the allocation for executing a punch is 1/3 of the allocation for executing a kick), and the allocation for determining that an ally character will execute a punch in an attack performance in a non-jackpot fluctuation is larger than the allocation for determining that an ally character will execute a kick (for example, the allocation for executing a punch is 3 times the allocation for executing a kick).

When the pressure detection sensor 381 changes from the OFF state to the ON state during the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303, the first pattern of the attack performance as a reach performance is executed as a post-operation performance in which the friendly character attacks the enemy character (the rate at which a jackpot is notified varies depending on whether a punch or kick appears) and the attack hits the enemy character or is avoided by the enemy character. Note that the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 in the first pattern of the attack performance as a reach performance may be the same length as or different from the effective operation period in the first performance pattern of the attack performance (performances in Figures 11 (A) to 12 (F)), which is the performance before the reach that indicates whether it will develop into a reach performance.

In the second pattern of attack effects as reach effects, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by 5 steps or more during the operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302, an effect in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura is executed as an in-operation effect. The operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302 in the second pattern of attack effects as reach effects is the second attack effect pattern (which may be the same length as or different from the operation effective period in the effects of Figures 11 (A) to 12 (F')) that is a pre-reach effect that indicates whether it will develop into a reach effect. In the second pattern of attack effects as reach effects, when the rotation operation unit 302 continues to rotate to the right by 5 steps or more for 3 seconds during the operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302, an effect in which the ally character attacks the enemy character (the rate at which a jackpot is notified varies depending on whether a punch or kick appears) and an effect in which the attack hits the enemy character or is avoided by the enemy character are executed as post-operation effects.

In the first presentation pattern of the attack presentation as a reach presentation, even if the pressing operation unit 303 is kept pressed before the start of the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 as shown in Figs. 14(B3) to (C3) and the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed at the start of the effective operation period (because the pressing detection sensor 381 provided in the pressing operation unit 303 does not change from the off state to the on state during the effective operation period), the post-operation presentation is not executed at the start of the effective operation period. However, since whether or not the jackpot notified by the attack presentation as a reach presentation has been won is important information for the player, it is desirable that at least a part of the post-operation presentation (for example, both the presentation of the punch or kick in Fig. 12(E) (presentation suggesting the expectation of a jackpot) and the presentation of the presentation of the jackpot in Fig. 12(F) that notifies whether or not the jackpot has been won, or only the presentation of Fig. 12(F)) be performed when the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 ends because a predetermined time has passed since the start of the effective operation period.

In addition, since whether or not a jackpot has been won is important information for the player, in the second presentation pattern of the attack presentation as a reach presentation, when the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 ends because a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, it is desirable to perform at least a part of the post-operation presentation (for example, both the presentation of throwing a punch or kick (presentation suggesting the expectation of a jackpot) in FIG. 12(E) and the presentation of notifying whether or not a jackpot has been won in FIG. 12(F), or only the presentation in FIG. 12(F)). For example, even if the rotation operation unit 302 has been rotated right for 5 steps or more at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, but the right rotation is stopped and the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more is resumed during the effective operation period, but the duration of the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more is less than 3 seconds by the end of the effective operation period, it is desirable to perform at least a part of the post-operation presentation when the effective operation period ends.

In addition, in the second performance pattern of the attack performance, an operation may be prompted to another operation unit instead of the rotation operation unit 302. This other operation unit is, for example, an operation unit capable of a rotation operation, other than the rotation operation unit 302. This other operation unit may also be an operation unit capable of an operation different from a rotation operation (i.e., an operation different from a rotation operation is prompted). In addition, the operation unit prompted to be operated in the first and second performance patterns of the attack performance may be the same operation unit or different operation units.

For example, in the second presentation pattern of the attack presentation, the player may be prompted to operate the pressing operation unit 303 (i.e., the same operation unit as the operation unit prompted to be operated in the first presentation pattern) instead of the rotation operation unit 302 (the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 occurs instead of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302), in which case, in the second presentation pattern of the attack presentation, the player is prompted to operate the pressing operation unit 303 by long pressing or repeated taps (continuous operations on the pressing operation unit 303) instead of rotating the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for five or more steps continuously for three seconds.

In the second attack performance pattern, when the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be pressed for a long time instead of rotating the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for 3 seconds, if the pressing detection sensor 381 is in the ON state during the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303 (regardless of the change of the pressing detection sensor 381 from the OFF state to the ON state), an effect in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura is executed as an effect during operation. In other words, in the second attack performance pattern, when the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be pressed for a long time instead of rotating the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for 3 seconds, the pressing detection sensor 381 being in the ON state during the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303 corresponds to the rotation operation unit 302 being rotated to the right for 5 steps or more during the operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302 when the rotation operation unit 302 is prompted to be rotated in the second attack performance pattern.

In addition, in the case where a long press of the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted instead of continuing the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds in the second attack performance pattern, if the pressing operation unit 303 continues to be pressed for a predetermined time during the operation valid period (if the pressing detection sensor 381 continues to be in the on state for a predetermined time), the post-operation performance appears. In other words, in the case where a long press of the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted instead of continuing the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds in the second attack performance pattern, the pressing detection sensor 381 continuing to be in the on state for a predetermined time during the operation valid period of the pressing operation unit 303 corresponds to the rotation operation unit 302 continuing to rotate 5 steps or more to the right for 3 seconds during the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302 when the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is prompted in the second attack performance pattern.

In the second attack performance pattern, when the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be repeatedly hit instead of rotating the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds, an effect is executed in which the ally character is surrounded by an aura as an effect during operation when the pressing detection sensor 381 changes from the OFF state to the ON state during the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303. In other words, in the second attack performance pattern, when the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be repeatedly hit instead of rotating the rotation operation unit 302 to the right for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds, the change of the pressing detection sensor 381 from the OFF state to the ON state during the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 corresponds to the rotation operation unit 302 being rotated to the right for 5 steps or more during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 when the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is prompted in the second attack performance pattern. However, in the case where the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be repeatedly hit instead of continuing the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds in the second attack performance pattern, if the pressing detection sensor 381 is in the on state at the start of the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303, a performance in which the ally character is covered with an aura is executed as an in-operation performance. Note that the in-operation performance in the case where the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be repeatedly hit in the second attack performance pattern is erased when a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressing detection sensor 381 became in the on state. However, when the pressing detection sensor 381 changes to the off state and then to the on state again during the in-operation performance in the case where the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be repeatedly hit instead of continuing the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds in the second attack performance pattern, the in-operation performance is started again. In other words, if the pressure detection sensor 381 turns off and then turns on again before a predetermined time has elapsed since the in-operation performance began, the in-operation performance will continue without ending.

In addition, in the second attack performance pattern, instead of continuing the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds, if the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be pressed a predetermined number of times during the effective operation period (if the pressing detection sensor 381 is turned on a predetermined number of times), the post-operation performance appears. In other words, in the second attack performance pattern, instead of continuing the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 for 5 steps or more for 3 seconds, if the pressing operation unit 303 is prompted to be pressed a predetermined number of times during the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303, the pressing detection sensor 381 being turned on a predetermined number of times during the effective operation period of the pressing operation unit 303 corresponds to the rotation operation unit 302 continuing to rotate 5 steps or more to the right for 3 seconds during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 when the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is prompted in the second attack performance pattern.

Note that a second attack performance pattern may be performed after a first attack performance pattern is performed in the same variation. For example, a first attack performance pattern is performed as a pre-reach performance indicating whether it will develop into a reach performance, and after the first performance pattern, a second attack performance pattern is executed as a reach performance in the same variation.

In addition, the first attack performance pattern may be performed after the second attack performance pattern is performed in the same variation. For example, the second attack performance pattern is performed as a pre-reach performance indicating whether it will develop into a reach performance, and after the second performance pattern, the first attack performance pattern is executed as a reach performance in the same variation.

Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a presentation in which operation of the rotation operation unit 302 has already begun at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 in the second presentation pattern of the attack presentation. In the second presentation pattern of the attack presentation in Figure 16, if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated five or more steps to the right at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, a penalty is incurred in which operation of the rotation operation unit 302 is invalidated for a predetermined time (hereinafter, eight seconds) from the start of the effective operation period.

Figure 16 (A) is similar to Figure 11 (A). Following Figure 16 (A), in Figure 16 (B'4), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 has not started, and a message ("Don't turn until the gauge appears!!") is displayed on the performance display device 1600 to urge the player not to operate the rotation operation unit 302 before the effective operation period starts.

In FIG. 16 (C'4), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 has not yet started, and the same effect as in FIG. 11 (B) is being performed, but the rotation operation unit 302 has been rotated five or more steps to the right. FIG. 16 (D'4) shows the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 having started. Because the rotation operation unit 302 has been rotated five or more steps to the right at the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, a penalty has occurred in which operation of the rotation operation unit 302 is invalid for eight seconds from the start of the effective operation period. In FIG. 16 (D'4), a message indicating that the penalty has occurred ("Rotation is invalid for eight seconds because it was rotated before the gauge appeared") is displayed on the effect display device 1600, superimposed on the effect display of FIG. 13 (D'2).

In addition, in FIG. 16 (D'4), due to a penalty that invalidates the operation, the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by 5 steps or more, but the effect of the ally character being surrounded by an aura as part of the during-operation effect is not performed, and this is not counted toward the duration of the 5 steps or more right rotation that is a condition for causing the post-operation effect to appear.

In FIG. 16 (E'4), 8 seconds have passed since the start of the valid operation period (i.e., since the penalty started), so the penalty is released and operation of the rotation operation unit 302 is now valid. Note that the valid operation period for the rotation operation unit 302 continues to progress even while the penalty is occurring, so the initial 10-second valid operation period has only 2 seconds remaining when the penalty is released in FIG. 16 (E'4).

Therefore, when a penalty occurs, even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated five or more steps to the right from the time the penalty is released until the end of the effective operation period, the post-operation effect cannot be made to appear (because there are two seconds remaining in the effective operation period when the penalty is released, and the condition for making the post-operation effect appear is that the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated five or more steps to the right for three seconds during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302). Note that if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated five or more steps to the right during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 after the penalty is released, the effect of an ally character being surrounded by an aura will be executed as an during-operation effect.

In FIG. 16 (E'4), the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 has elapsed, and therefore the effective operation period has ended, and the attack effect ends without a post-operation effect being performed. Following the effect in FIG. 16 (E'4), the decorative symbols stop in a combination that indicates that the result of the special lottery is a miss, and the ongoing special symbol variation ends (not shown).

In the above example, the penalty time is set to 8 seconds from the start of the valid operation period, but the penalty time may be set to 7 seconds or less from the start of the valid operation period so that the reach suggestion effect can appear even if operation of the rotation operation unit 302 is started after the penalty has ended.

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302. The rotation operation unit 302 in this example can be rotated clockwise from the initial position within a range of up to 360 degrees (for example, when it is rotated clockwise 360 degrees, a stopper is activated to prevent further clockwise rotation), and one step of clockwise rotation results in a 10 degree rotation, allowing a maximum of 36 steps of rotation, which is similar to the rotation operation unit 302 in Figures 11 to 16. The rotation operation unit 302 is also similar to the rotation operation unit 302 in Figures 11 to 16 in that it is equipped with a sensor that can detect the amount of rotation (how many steps it has been rotated).

The rotating operation unit 302 in this example further includes a specific detection unit (not shown) capable of detecting a specific operation. The specific operation detected by the specific detection unit may be, for example, a touch by the player, or a pressing or rotation by the player. The specific detection unit may be provided so as to cover the entire rotating operation unit 302 (i.e., if the specific operation is a touch, the specific detection unit will come into contact with the rotating operation unit 302 when the rotating operation unit 302 is operated), or may be provided so as to cover a part of the rotating operation unit 302 (i.e., if the specific operation is a touch, the rotating operation unit 302 can be operated without touching the specific detection unit). The pachinko machine 1 also includes a movable body 310 that is attached to the game board 5, for example, and that is shaped like a chicken character and is located outside the game area 5a (it may be located above, below, to the right, or to the left of the game area 5a).

In FIG. 17(a), the rotation operation unit 302 is in the initial position, that is, the amount of rotation is zero. At this time, the pressing operation unit 303 is in the initial position (the initial position in this example is the lowest position, and in the initial position, a part of the pressing operation unit 303 is hidden by the rotation operation unit 302 (i.e., the part is not visible to the player because of the rotation operation unit 302), and a part of the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes from the rotation operation unit 302), and cannot be pressed. Note that when the pressing operation unit 303 is in the initial position, the entire pressing operation unit 303 may be hidden by the rotation operation unit 302 (i.e., the entire pressing operation unit 303 is not visible to the player because of the rotation operation unit 302). Also, in FIG. 17(a), the movable body 310 is not moving.

In FIG. 17(b), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r1 steps from the initial position. When the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise from the initial position, the pressing operation unit 303 starts to protrude, and when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated to r1 steps, the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes t1 from the initial position (i.e., the area of the pressing operation unit 303 that is not visible due to the rotating operation unit 302 is reduced compared to the state in FIG. 17(a)). Note that if the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes from the initial position (i.e., as long as the rotating operation unit 302 has only rotated clockwise from the initial position, regardless of whether a specific operation has been performed on the specific detection unit), the pressing operation unit 303 can be pressed. In this way, the pressing operation unit 303 can be operated only when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise, allowing the player to enjoy complex operations.

When the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r1 steps or more, if the specific detection unit provided on the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, the movable body 310 performs a periodic operation (here, a swinging operation from side to side). In FIG. 17(b), the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r1 steps, and the specific detection unit provided on the rotation operation unit 302 detects the specific operation, so the movable body 310 swings left and right, with a swing width of w1. If the specific detection unit does not detect the specific operation, the movable body 310 will not move even if the rotation operation unit 302 rotates by r1 steps or more. In addition, as described above, the specific detection unit may be arranged to cover the entire outer circumferential surface of the rotation operation unit 302. In this case, for example, if the specific operation detected by the specific detection unit is contact, the player will inevitably come into contact with the specific detection unit when he rotates the rotation operation unit 302, so that the movable body 310 will move when the player rotates the rotation operation unit 302 by r1 steps or more.

When the specific detection unit provided in the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, the greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, the greater the range of movement of the movable body 310. Also, if the specific detection unit provided in the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, the operation of the movable body 310 may start at the point when the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 starts, even if the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is less than r1 steps.

In FIG. 17(c), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise r2 (>r1) steps from the initial position (i.e., the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise r2-r1 steps from the state in FIG. 17(b) where the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise r1 steps from the initial position), and the player is performing a specific operation on the specific detection unit provided on the rotating operation unit 302. When the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated r2 steps, the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes from the initial position by a maximum protrusion amount tmax (>t1) (i.e., the area of the pressing operation unit 303 that is not visible due to the rotating operation unit 302 is reduced compared to the state in FIG. 17(b)). Furthermore, in FIG. 17(c), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated r2 (>r1) steps, and the specific detection unit provided on the rotating operation unit 302 detects the specific operation, so the movable body 310 swings left and right, with a swing width of w2 (>w1).

Note that within the range of 0 to r2 steps of the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, the larger the amount of rotation, the greater the amount of protrusion of the pressing operation unit 303; however, even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by more than r2 steps, the amount of protrusion of the pressing operation unit 303 remains tmax. On the other hand, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by an amount greater than r2 steps, the width by which the movable body 310 swings continues to increase until the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by the maximum rotation amount rmax. When the rotation operation unit 302 is rotating right by the maximum rotation amount rmax, the movable body 310 swings left and right by the maximum swing width wmax.

In FIG. 17(d), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise (r2<) r3 (< maximum rotation amount rmax) steps from the initial position (i.e., in FIG. 17(c), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise r2 steps from the initial position, and then rotated clockwise r3-r2 steps), and the player is performing a specific operation on the specific detection unit provided on the rotating operation unit 302. Even if the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise up to r3 steps (which is r2 steps or more), the pressing operation unit 303 remains in a state of protruding by tmax, which is the maximum protrusion amount, from the initial position. Also, when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated r3 (>r2) steps and the specific detection unit provided on the rotating operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, the movable body 310 swings left and right, and the swing width is (maximum swing width wmax>) w3 (>w2).

In FIG. 17(e), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise (r3<) r4 (< maximum rotation amount rmax) steps from the initial position (i.e., in FIG. 17(d), the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise r3 steps from the initial position, and then rotated clockwise r4-r3 steps), and the player is performing a specific operation on the specific detection unit provided on the rotating operation unit 302. Even if the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated up to r4 steps (which is r2 steps or more), the pressing operation unit 303 remains in a state of protruding tmax, which is the maximum protrusion amount, from the initial position. Also, when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r4 (>r3) steps, if the specific detection unit provided on the rotating operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, the movable body 310 swings left and right, and the swing width is (maximum swing width wmax>) w4 (>w3).

Note that even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotating to the right, the movable body 310 does not move when the specific detection unit does not detect a specific operation, but when a specific operation is performed on the specific detection unit while the rotation operation unit 302 is maintained in its right rotation, the movable body 310 suddenly moves with a width corresponding to the amount of rotation. Specifically, for example, even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotating to the right by r4 steps, the movable body 310 does not move when the specific detection unit does not detect a specific operation, but when a specific operation is performed on the specific detection unit while the rotation operation unit 302 is maintained in its right rotation by r4 steps, the movable body 310 suddenly swings with a swing width w4.

In FIG. 17(f), the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r4 steps from the initial position, the player is performing a specific operation on the specific detection unit provided on the rotation operation unit 302, and the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed to the initial position. When the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed to the initial position, the operation of the movable body 310 stops regardless of the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, and even if the specific detection unit detects a specific operation. Note that when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise from the initial position, the player is performing a specific operation on the specific detection unit provided on the rotation operation unit 302, and the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed to the initial position, if the pressing of the pressing operation unit 303 is stopped, the movable body 310 operates according to the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302. In addition, the drive member for swinging the movable body 310 left and right operates with a strength that corresponds to the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, and when the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed to the initial position while the movable body 310 is operating, for example, when the movable body 310 returns to the initial position, stoppers are activated on the left and right of the movable body 310, thereby stopping the operation of the movable body 310.

In addition, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise from the initial position, a specific operation is being performed on the specific detection unit, and the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed to the initial position, the operation of the movable body 310 is stopped by configuring the detection of the specific operation by the specific detection unit to be invalidated by the operation of the pressing operation unit 303, or by configuring the detection of the specific operation to be blocked from input (i.e., the specific operation on the specific detection unit is invalidated when the pressing operation unit 303 is being operated).In addition, if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated while pressing the pressing operation unit 303, the pressing operation unit 303 will not protrude as long as the pressure on the pressing operation unit 303 is maintained.

In the illustrated example, the volume of the rotation operation unit 302 is drawn smaller than the volume of the pressing operation unit 303, but the volume of the protruding portion when the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes to tmax may be smaller than the volume of the rotation operation unit 302.

In addition, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise from the initial position by r1 steps or more, and the specific detection unit provided in the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation and the movable body 310 operates periodically, it is desirable that the operation mode of the movable body 310 changes, such as the operation speed of the movable body 310 becoming faster or the operation range becoming wider, as the number of steps by which the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise increases. In the example of FIG. 17, an example is described in which the operation range of the movable body 310 becomes larger as the number of steps by which the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise increases, but although the operation range and operation period of the movable body 310 are the same, the speed at which the movable body 310 starts moving from the initial position and moves to the maximum operation range may be increased. Specifically, for example, when the movable body 310 operates, the movable body 310 repeats a series of operations in which it moves from the initial position to the right, returns to the initial position, stops at the initial position, moves from the initial position to the left, and returns to the initial position. At this time, for example, the movable body 310 moves from the initial position to the maximum operating range on the right side taking time t1-kr (where t1 and k are positive constants, r is the number of steps by which the rotation operating unit 302 is rotated to the right, and t1 and k are determined so that t1-kr>0 even when r is the maximum value), returns from the maximum operating range on the right side to the initial position taking time t2 (a positive constant), stops at the initial position for time t3+2kr (where t3 is a positive constant), moves from the initial position to the maximum operating range on the left side taking time t1-kr, and returns from the maximum operating range on the right side to the initial position taking time t2 (a positive constant). As a result, the greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, the smaller the value of the time t1-kr, and therefore the greater the speed at which the movable body 310 moves from the initial position to the maximum operating range on the right and left sides, but the operating range of the series of operations and the time required for the series of operations, that is, the operating cycle of the series of operations (t1-kr)+t2+(t3+2kr)+(t1-kr)+t2=2t1+2t2+t3, can be kept constant regardless of the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302. Note that, as the number of steps in which the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise increases, the operating range and operating cycle of the movable body 310 are the same, but the speed at which the movable body 310 moves from the initial position to the maximum operating range increases. In this case, when the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed to the initial position while the movable body 310 is performing a periodic operation, the periodic operation of the movable body 310 is stopped regardless of the speed of the movable body 310.

In addition, when the pressing operation unit 303 does not protrude to the maximum protrusion amount tmax, pulling the pressing operation unit 303 (i.e., performing an operation on the pressing operation unit 303 to apply a force in the opposite direction to the direction of the force applied to the pressing operation unit 303 when pressing) can cause the pressing operation unit 303 to protrude to the maximum protrusion amount tmax, and at this time the rotation operation unit 302 can be rotated clockwise according to the protrusion amount of the pressing operation unit 303. In other words, when the pressing operation unit 303 does not protrude to the maximum protrusion amount tmax in response to the operation of the rotation operation unit 302, pulling the pressing operation unit 303 to the maximum protrusion amount tmax without operating the rotation operation unit 302 can cause the rotation operation unit 302 to rotate to r2 steps even without the player operating the rotation operation unit 302. Furthermore, by pulling the pressing operation unit 303 to perform a specific operation on the specific detection unit, the state shown in FIG. 17(c) can be achieved without the player operating the rotating operation unit 302, and the periodic movement of the movable body 310 can begin.

17(b), the movable body 310 can start to operate even if the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is less than the minimum amount of rotation (r2 steps) for making the pressing operation unit 303 reach the maximum protrusion amount tmax. However, the movable body 310 may not operate until the amount of rightward rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 reaches a predetermined amount of rotation (e.g., r3 steps) that is greater than the r2 steps, which is the minimum amount of rotation for making the pressing operation unit 303 reach the maximum protrusion amount tmax. In other words, the movable body 310 may not operate even if the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes to the maximum protrusion amount tmax. In addition, if the movable body 310 can start operating for the first time when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated beyond the state in which the pressing operation unit 303 first protrudes to the maximum protrusion amount tmax (for example, when the pressing operation unit 303 is rotated r3 steps, which is greater than the r2 steps that are the rotation amount of the rotating operation unit 302 for the pressing operation unit 303 to first protrude to the maximum protrusion amount tmax), the movable body 310 will not operate even if the specific detection unit provided in the rotating operation unit 302 detects a specific operation after the pressing operation unit 303 is pulled to the maximum protrusion amount tmax.

In the example of FIG. 17, the protruding pressing operation unit 303 is described as protruding upward from the top surface of the rotation operation unit 302, but the protruding pressing operation unit 303 may be provided so as to protrude from a part of the side surface of the rotation operation unit 302 in the outward direction of the side surface. The protruding pressing operation unit 303 may be attached to the rotation operation unit 302, or the protruding pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302 may be integrated. In addition, when the protruding pressing operation unit 303 is provided so as to protrude from a part of the side surface of the rotation operation unit 302 in the outward direction of the side surface, it is desirable that the surface area exposed to the outside of the rotation operation unit 302 when the pressing operation unit 303 is in the initial position is about 1/30 to 1/5 of the surface area of the side surface of the rotation operation unit 302.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a cancelable attack effect. Note that canceling an attack effect means that the attack effect is stopped and another effect is performed instead, or that the effect is not performed at all. A cancelable effect is an effect that can be determined in both a variation pattern in which a reach is executed and a variation pattern in which a reach is not executed. Note that in FIG. 19, the effects are branched into an upper section and a lower section according to the operation on the operation unit. In the example of FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the pachinko machine 1 is equipped with the pressing operation unit 303, the rotation operation unit 304, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17, as well as a specific detection unit.

A cancelable attack effect is cancelled if a right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is detected during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 (i.e. the attack effect is stopped and ends at that point. For example, if it is cancelled before a reach suggestion effect in which an ally character launches a punch or kick attack, no reach suggestion effect will be performed, and no effect will be performed to notify whether the attack will develop into a reach depending on whether it hits). Note that in a cancelable attack effect, if force is applied so that the press operation unit 303 does not protrude (i.e. the press operation unit 303 is not moved from its initial position), the attack effect will not be cancelled even if the rotation operation unit 302 detects a right rotation. If the detection of rotation operations by the rotation operation unit 302 is configured to be invalidated by the operation of the pressing operation unit 303, or if the detection of specific operations is blocked for input, even if the pressing operation unit 303 does not have a sensor for detecting pressure, even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right while the pressing operation unit 303 is pressed (i.e., while the pressing operation unit 303 is not protruding), the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is invalidated, and the attack effect is not canceled.

Note that a cancelable attack effect is always within the valid operation period of the rotation control unit 302, and the attack effect can be cancelled by operating the rotation control unit 302 at any time from the start of the attack effect (from the time a message similar to that in FIG. 11(A) is displayed) to the end of the attack effect (until the effect in which the attack hits or is avoided by the enemy character similar to that in FIG. 12(F) and FIG. 12(F') ends). Also, if a predetermined time has passed since the start of a cancelable attack effect without the attack effect being cancelled, a reach suggestion effect is displayed in which the ally character launches an attack (punch or kick) at the enemy character, and an effect is displayed to notify the player whether the attack will develop into a reach in which the enemy character avoids the ally character's attack or the attack will hit the enemy character.

In Fig. 18(A), the same effect as in Fig. 11(A) is being performed. In Fig. 18(A), the rotation operation unit 302 is not being operated, so the pressing operation unit 303 is in the initial position and does not protrude, so the pressing operation unit 303 cannot be pressed, the movable body 310 is not moving, and the attack effect continues without being canceled.

In FIG. 18(B), a message indicating that the attack effect will be cancelled when the rotation operation unit 302 is operated ("Spin if you don't want to see the effect!") is displayed on the effect display device 1600. In FIG. 18(B), the rotation operation unit 302 is not operated, so the pressing operation unit 303 is not protruding from the initial position and cannot be pressed, the movable body 310 is not moving, and the attack effect continues without being cancelled. Note that if a cancelable attack effect has started even before the message in FIG. 18(B) is displayed (for example, even at the timing of FIG. 18(A)), the attack effect can be cancelled. Note that the effect in FIG. 18(B), which displays a message indicating the operation to cancel the attack effect, does not have to be performed.

In FIG. 18(C), the same effect as in FIG. 11(B) is being performed, but since the entire attack effect is during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, the gauge 1603 indicating the remaining time of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302 is not displayed. In FIG. 18(C), since the rotation operation unit 302 is not being operated, the pressing operation unit 303 is not protruding from the initial position and cannot be pressed, the movable body 310 is not operating, and the attack effect continues without being canceled.

First, an example of transition to FIG. 19(D) (an example of canceling an attack effect) will be described. FIG. 19(D) shows a state in which the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r1 step in the state of FIG. 18(C), and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation. However, in FIG. 19(D), the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated. At this time, the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is detected without detecting the pressing of the pressing operation unit 303, so the attack effect is canceled (ended). In FIG. 19(D), the attack effect is canceled and only the changing decorative pattern is displayed on the effect display device 1600, but when the attack effect is canceled, the stopped decorative pattern and an image that is not displayed in a cancelable attack effect (for example, an image different from either the ally character or the enemy character displayed in a cancelable attack effect) may be displayed. In addition, in FIG. 19(D), the rotation operation unit 302 has been rotated clockwise by r1 steps, causing the pressing operation unit 303 to protrude to t1, and the specific detection unit has detected a specific operation, causing the movable body 310 to move to a width of w1. In this way, when the conditions for canceling the attack effect are met, the movable body 310 is moving, so even if the attack effect is canceled, the player's interest in the game will not decrease as long as he or she watches the movement of the movable body 310.

As described above, when a cancelable attack effect is being performed, the attack effect may be canceled simply by detecting a specific operation on the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302. In this case, the attack effect can be canceled without the pressing operation unit 303a protruding, and without operating the movable body 310, and the attack effect is always canceled in order to operate the movable body 310 (because the conditions for operating the movable body 310 include the specific detection unit detecting a specific operation) (i.e., the movable body 310 cannot be operated when a cancelable attack effect is being performed). Also, in a cancelable attack effect, there may be a timing when the attack effect is not canceled even if a specific operation is detected on the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302.

In FIG. 19(E), the attack effect is canceled, but the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r3 steps, and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation. Some players may feel bored if nothing is displayed on the effect display device 1600 after the attack effect is canceled, so an effect in which an ally character swings a punch is displayed on the effect display device 1600, provided that the amount of clockwise rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is within a predetermined range (here, r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps) and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation. In FIG. 19(E), the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r3 (>r2) steps, so the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes to tmax, and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, so the movable body 310 operates with a width w3. When this ally character is practicing a punch, the color of the fist may indicate the likelihood of a jackpot in the ongoing variation (for example, when an ally character is punching with a white fist, the likelihood of a jackpot in the ongoing variation is lower than when the ally character is punching with a red fist). Note that instead of the effect of an ally character practicing a punch, the attack effect described in Figures 11 to 16 may be executed, or an effect different from the cancelable attack effect (an effect in which a display different from the ally character or enemy character displayed in the attack effect is displayed) may be executed.

The performance of an ally character practicing a punch may be executed immediately when the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, or may not be executed immediately after the detection of these operations, such as when the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation and a predetermined time has elapsed since the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects the specific operation. Also, the performance of an ally character practicing a punch may be executed with a predetermined probability when the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation (i.e., it does not necessarily have to be executed even if these operations are detected).

In addition, after a cancelable attack effect is cancelled, the next special pattern change may start and an effect in which an ally character practices a punch may be performed, provided that the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps, and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation. In addition, in the special change that starts next after a cancelable attack effect is cancelled, an effect may be performed in which an ally character makes a fighting pose but does not practice a punch (an example of an effect that suggests that an effect in which an ally character practices a punch will be performed in the next special pattern change), provided that the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps, and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, and further an effect in which an ally character practices a punch may be performed in the next special pattern change.

In FIG. 19(F), after the attack effect is canceled, the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r4 steps, and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation. In FIG. 19(F), the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r4 (>r2) steps, so the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes to tmax, and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, so the movable body 310 operates at a width w4. When the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more, and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation, a message is displayed on the effect display device 1600. This message may be displayed so that it appears to the player as if it is coming from the chicken of the movable body 310. The message "You're shaking too much and you're going to get dizzy. Stop it, fall..." in FIG. 19(F) is a message that encourages the player to reduce the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302. The player can enjoy the message even more when he sees it. If the player follows the message to reduce the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, the amount of movement of the movable body 310 will be reduced, and the load on the movable body 310 can be reduced. The message may be, for example, a message that encourages the player to reduce the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, such as "You're shaking too much and you're going to get dizzy. Reduce the amount of rotation...", or the message may also suggest to what extent the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 should be reduced (for example, to less than r4 steps). The message is not displayed when the conditions that the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation are not met.

If the conditions for displaying the message of FIG. 19(F) are met while the display of FIG. 19(E) is continuing, the message of FIG. 19(F) may be displayed overlapping the display of FIG. 19(E). However, in order to make the message of FIG. 19(F) easier for the player to recognize and to quickly reduce the load on the movable body 310, when the display of FIG. 19(E) and the message of FIG. 19(F) are displayed overlapping, it is desirable that in the area where the display of FIG. 19(E) and the message of FIG. 19(F) are displayed overlapping, the message of FIG. 19(F) has a higher display priority (i.e., the message of FIG. 19(F) is displayed closer to the viewer than the display of FIG. 19(E)).

Note that the message in FIG. 19(F) is a message conveying that the amount of movement of the movable body 310 is too large, and therefore it is desirable for it to be displayed immediately when the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation; however, it may be displayed a predetermined time after the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation (i.e., it does not have to be displayed immediately), or it may be displayed with a predetermined probability when the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation (i.e., it does not necessarily have to be displayed even if these operations are detected).

19(E) and 19(F), an effect was described in which an ally character practices a punch only when the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, and a message is displayed encouraging the player to reduce the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 when the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation. In addition to this effect, a message encouraging the player to increase the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302, such as "If you turn it more, a kick practice effect will occur!", may be displayed only when the amount of right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, and an effect in which an ally character practices a kick may be displayed when the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation.

The effect of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) ends when a predetermined time has elapsed since the effect started. The message in FIG. 19(F) is erased when a predetermined time has elapsed since the message started to be displayed. If the pressing operation unit 303 is operated when the display of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) or the message in FIG. 19(F) is displayed, the movement of the movable body 310 stops, but the effect of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) and the display of the message in FIG. 19(F) do not end until the predetermined time has elapsed. In other words, the movement of the movable body 310 stops even when the effect of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) or the message in FIG. 19(F) is displayed.

The predetermined time from the start to the end of the performance in which the ally character practices a punch in FIG. 19(E) and the predetermined time from the display to the disappearance of the message in FIG. 19(F) may be the same as or different from the predetermined time. Furthermore, the predetermined time from the start to the end of the performance in which the ally character practices a punch in FIG. 19(E) may be a time determined from a plurality of times. Each of the plurality of times may be different from the predetermined time from the display to the disappearance of the message in FIG. 19(F), or some of the plurality of times may be the same as the predetermined time for displaying the message in FIG. 19(F).

19(E) ends after a predetermined time has elapsed, but if the conditions for executing the performance of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) are satisfied again after the performance ends, the performance of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) may be executed again. If the conditions for executing the performance of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) are satisfied again while the performance of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) is being executed, the count of the predetermined time may be cleared and the count may be reset and restarted when the conditions are satisfied again (i.e., the time for which the performance of the ally character practicing a punch is executed may be extended), or the count of the predetermined time may be continued without being cleared (i.e., the time for which the performance of the ally character practicing a punch is executed may not be extended). Similarly, the message in FIG. 19(F) is erased after a predetermined time has elapsed, but if the conditions for displaying the message in FIG. 19(F) are met again after the message in FIG. 19(F) has been erased, the message in FIG. 19(F) may be displayed again. Also, if the conditions for displaying the message in FIG. 19(F) are met again while the message in FIG. 19(F) is being displayed, the count of the predetermined time may be cleared and the predetermined time may be reset and counting may be resumed when the conditions are met again (i.e., the display time of the message may be extended), or the count may continue without clearing the predetermined time (i.e., the display time of the message may not be extended).

It is desirable that the effect of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) and the effect of the message in FIG. 19(F) being displayed cannot be cancelled (i.e., cannot be stopped by the player's operation). When the message in FIG. 19(F) is displayed, if the condition for starting the display of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) is met, the message in FIG. 19(F) may be erased (i.e., the display of the message in FIG. 19(F) may be cancelled on the condition that the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r3 steps or more but less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation). The fact that the condition for starting the display of the ally character practicing a punch in FIG. 19(E) is met means that the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 has become less than r4 steps, and it is considered that the player has reduced the amount of rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 in accordance with the message in FIG. 19(F).

An example of a transition from FIG. 18(C) to FIG. 19(D') (an example in which the attack effect is not cancelled) is described. FIG. 19(D') shows a state in which, in the state of FIG. 18(C), a force is applied to the pressing operation unit 303 so that the pressing operation unit 303 does not protrude, while the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated clockwise by r1 steps, and the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 detects a specific operation. In a cancelable attack effect, even if the rotation operation unit 302 rotates clockwise, by not protruding the pressing operation unit 303 (i.e., by preventing the pressing operation unit 303 from moving from its initial position), the attack effect continues without being cancelled, and the same effect as FIG. 12(E) is performed, and the movable body 310 does not move.

If the pressing operation unit 303 does not protrude in this way, the attack effect will not be canceled even if the rotation operation unit 302 is operated (even if the operation necessary for cancellation is performed), so a player who does not want to accidentally cancel an attack effect can simply not protrude the pressing operation unit 303 during a cancelable attack effect.

In FIG. 19(E'), the rotation operation unit 302 remains rotated clockwise by r1 steps, and no force is being applied to the pressing operation unit 303, so the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes to t1. In other words, because the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes and only the rotation operation unit 302 is rotating clockwise, the same effect as in FIG. 12(F) is not performed, and the attack effect is canceled, as in FIG. 19(D), and the movable body 310 also moves with a width of w1.

19(D) and 19(E'), when an attack effect is cancelled, a special sound may be output from the speaker 354, or a special image may be displayed on the effect display device 1600. The output of the special sound and/or the display of the special image may be performed in place of a cancelable attack effect. For example, a special sound may be output from the speaker 354 or a special image may be displayed on the effect display device 1600 simply by performing a specific operation on the specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 during the operation valid period of the rotation operation unit 302. In this case, the special sound may be output or the special image may be displayed even though the movable body 310 is not moving. This allows the player to concentrate on the special sound or special image without being distracted by the movement of the movable body 310.

Following the effect of FIG. 19(E'), if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated r3 steps or more but less than r4 steps and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, the effect of FIG. 19(E) can be executed, and if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated r4 steps or more and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, the effect of FIG. 19(F) can be executed.

In the cancelable attack effects of Figs. 18 and 19, not only is it possible to prevent the reach suggestion effect from appearing like the attack effect of Fig. 13, but it is also possible to cancel the effects before the reach suggestion effect (such as the display of the message explaining the cancelable attack effect in Figs. 18(A) and 18(B), or the display of the ally character and enemy character in Fig. 19(C) before the ally character starts attacking), so that players who tend to become tense when watching attack effects can calmly proceed with the game by canceling the effects before the reach suggestion effect. Also, in the cancelable attack effects of Figs. 18 and 19, the effect can be canceled even after the reach suggestion effect has started, so that the player can cancel the effect even at a timing after the reach suggestion effect has started when the player has a hunch that the reach suggestion effect will not suggest that the reach effect will be executed.

In addition, it is desirable that the operation unit for canceling an attack effect be limited to a portion of the operation units of the pachinko machine 1 (for example, the only operation unit for canceling an attack effect is the rotation operation unit 302). If an attack effect could be canceled by operating any operation unit of the pachinko machine 1 during the attack effect, there is a risk that a player who did not intend to cancel the attack effect would unintentionally cancel it. However, in order to make it easy to cancel an attack effect, it may be possible to make it possible to cancel an attack effect by operating any operation unit of the pachinko machine 1.

The cancelable attack effects in Figures 18 and 19 may appear in the normal state, the time-saving state, and the probability-varying state, but it is preferable that they not appear during a jackpot game. This is because if a player accidentally cancels an effect midway during a jackpot game, the player's sense of elation at winning the jackpot will be diminished. Note that not all effects that cause an effective period of the rotation operation unit 302 are cancelled by the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 during that effective period, or by a specific operation on a specific detection unit of the rotation operation unit 302 during that effective period (i.e., there are some effects that cannot be cancelled among the effects that cause an effective period of operation of the rotation operation unit 302).

In addition, since some players do not want to see any attack effects at all because they increase the tension too much, for example, if the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 is maintained (a state in which an operation to cancel a cancelable attack effect is being performed) when a cancelable attack effect is not being performed (this may be before a cancelable attack effect begins or after a cancelable attack effect is canceled), the cancelable attack effect itself may not appear. Since the operation to cancel a cancelable attack effect (whether the operation is the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 or the specific detection unit detecting a specific operation) is included in the conditions for operating the movable body 310, a cancelable attack effect is not executed when the movable body 310 is operating (the operation of the movable body 310 and a cancelable attack effect are not executed simultaneously). However, a player who rotates the rotation control unit 302 to the right while not protruding the pressing control unit 303 when a cancelable attack effect is not being performed is considered to be a player who intends to see a cancelable attack effect, so it is desirable that a cancelable attack effect be able to appear if the pressing control unit 303 is not protruding, even if the rotation control unit 302 is maintained in the right direction when a cancelable attack effect is not being performed.

As described above, when the pressing operation unit 303 is pulled from its initial position, the rotating operation unit 302 rotates to the right according to the amount of protrusion of the pressing operation unit 303 without directly operating the rotating operation unit 302. Therefore, if the condition for canceling the attack effect is the detection of a specific operation by the specific detection unit, the specific operation is contact, and the specific detection unit is attached to cover the entire outer circumferential surface of the rotating operation unit 302, when the pressing operation unit 303 is pulled without operating the rotating operation unit 302 and without the specific detection unit detecting the specific operation, the rotating operation unit 302 rotates to the right, but the specific detection unit attached to the rotating operation unit 302 does not detect the specific operation (contact), so even though the rotating operation unit 302 rotates to the right and the pressing operation unit 303 protrudes, the attack effect can be continued without being canceled.

In addition, the cancelable attack effects in Figures 18 and 19 may be performed when the game is not in progress (when neither winning games, including big win games and small win games, nor special pattern variations are being executed). In a cancelable attack effect performed when the game is not in progress, for example, a fortune-telling effect (not showing the results of a special lottery) is performed. A cancelable attack effect performed when the game is not in progress is started, for example, when a predetermined time has passed since the game entered a state where the game is not in progress, without detecting the rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 (i.e., without performing an operation to cancel the cancelable attack effect). If the rotation operation unit 302 is operated during a cancelable attack effect performed when the game is not in progress, the attack effect is canceled. When a predetermined operation unit other than the rotation operation unit 302 (operation unit for canceling a cancelable attack effect) is operated during a cancelable attack effect performed when a game is not in progress, an effect in which an ally character launches an attack (punch or kick) at an enemy character and an effect in which the enemy character avoids the ally character's attack or the attack hits the enemy character (for example, according to a predetermined distribution, it is determined whether the enemy character avoids the ally character's attack or the attack hits the enemy character) are performed, and if the enemy character avoids the ally character's attack, a "bad luck" is announced as the fortune-telling result, and if the ally character's attack hits the enemy character, a "good luck" is announced as the fortune-telling result. Note that, in a cancelable attack effect performed when a game is not in progress, the condition for executing the effect in which an ally character launches an attack (punch or kick) at an enemy character and the effect in which the enemy character avoids the ally character's attack or the attack hits the enemy character may be that a predetermined time has passed since the start of the attack effect without being canceled. In addition, when a cancelable attack effect is being performed while the game is not progressing, if the pressing operation unit 303 is not protruded so that the attack effect is not canceled, the game progress may remain stopped as long as the operation is maintained.

For players who have cancelled a cancelable attack effect but still want to see it, the cancelable attack effect may be executed again after a predetermined time has elapsed since the attack effect was cancelled (or after the attack effect has ended without being cancelled) unless the rotation control unit 302 is rotated right (unless the same operation as that for cancelling the attack effect is performed). During this predetermined time, the stopped decorative pattern and an image that is not displayed in a cancelable attack effect (for example, an image different from either an ally character or an enemy character that is displayed in a cancelable attack effect) may be displayed. Even if the rotation control unit 302 is rotated right after cancelling an attack effect, the cancelable attack effect may be displayed again with a predetermined probability after a predetermined time has elapsed since the cancellation.

For example, when an operation is performed on the rotation operation unit 302 that allows the effects of Figures 19(E) and 19(F), which are the effects after canceling an attack effect (rotation of r3 steps or more and detection of a specific operation by the specific detection unit), the player may be given a privilege such as making it easier to achieve a starting win or being able to receive a favorable special lottery. Also, for example, the effect in which an ally character practices a punch in Figure 19(E) and the effect in which a message is displayed in Figure 19(F) may be effects that are performed under specified conditions. The state in which the game ball B is being launched is an example of the predetermined condition, and the strength with which the game ball B is launched determines whether the effect of the ally character swinging a punch in FIG. 19(E) is executed or the message in FIG. 19(F) is displayed (for example, the strength with which the game ball B is launched must be within a first predetermined range in order to execute the effect of the ally character swinging a punch in FIG. 19(E), and the strength with which the game ball B is launched must be within a second predetermined range (the minimum value of the second predetermined range is equal to or greater than the maximum value of the first predetermined range) in order to display the message in FIG. 19(F). In addition, the effect of the ally character swinging a punch in FIG. 19(E) and the effect with the message in FIG. 19(F) are displayed may be executed not only after a cancelable attack effect is canceled, but also if the above-mentioned predetermined conditions are met.

In addition, instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in Figures 11 to 16, the pressing operation unit 303 shown in Figure 17, the rotating operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 may be applied.

In the case where the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 having a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, in the first performance pattern of the attack performance, when the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303 starts in FIG. 11 (C) and FIG. 14 (C3), and the pressing detection sensor 381 changes from the OFF state to the ON state during the operation effective period, the post-operation performance is executed. However, when the rotating operation unit 302 is not rotated to the right, the pressing operation unit 303 does not protrude. Therefore, in order to perform the post-operation performance in the first performance pattern of the attack performance, it is necessary to rotate the rotating operation unit 302 to the right to make the pressing operation unit 303 protrude and turn the pressing detection sensor 381 to the OFF state, and then operate the pressing operation unit 303 to turn the pressing detection sensor 381 to the ON state during the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303.

In the case where the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, in the second performance pattern of the attack performance, when the operation effective period of the rotating operation unit 302 occurs in FIG. 11 (C'), FIG. 14 (C'3), and FIG. 16 (D'4), and the right rotation of the rotating operation unit 302 of a predetermined amount or more (hereinafter, r1 step or more at which the movable body 310 can start moving) is detected during the operation effective period, the operation in progress performance is executed. Also, when the right rotation of the rotating operation unit 302 of a predetermined amount or more (hereinafter, r1 step or more at which the movable body 310 can start moving) is continuously detected for a predetermined time (hereinafter, 3 seconds) during the operation effective period of the rotating operation unit 302, the post-operation performance is executed. However, in FIG. 16, if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by a predetermined amount or more (r1 steps or more) after the start of the attack effect (the start of the display of the message in FIG. 16(A)) and before the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, a penalty of a predetermined time is initiated from the start of the effective operation period in FIG. 16(D'4), and until the predetermined time has elapsed, even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by the predetermined amount or more (r1 steps or more), the during-operation effect is not executed, and it is not counted toward the duration of the right rotation of the predetermined amount or more (r1 steps or more) that is a condition for causing the post-operation effect to appear.

When the pressing operation unit 303, the rotation operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, in the second performance pattern of the attack performance, a performance during operation may be executed on the condition that a right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 of a predetermined amount or more (hereinafter, r1 steps or more at which the operation of the movable body 310 can start) is detected during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation. In this case, when the performance during operation is being performed in the second performance pattern, the condition for the movable body 310 to operate is also satisfied, so the movable body 310 operates. However, in Fig. 16, when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by a predetermined amount or more (r1 step or more) after the start of the attack performance (start of displaying the message in Fig. 16(A)) and before the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, a penalty of a predetermined time is started from the start of the effective operation period, and until the predetermined time has elapsed, even if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by a predetermined amount or more (r1 step or more) and the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, the movable body 310 operates but the operation-in-progress performance is not executed. Also, in the second performance pattern of the attack performance, a post-operation performance may be executed on the condition that, during the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, the detection of the right rotation of the rotation operation unit 302 by a predetermined amount or more (hereinafter, r1 step or more at which the operation of the movable body 310 can start) and the detection of the specific operation by the specific detection unit are detected continuously at the same time for a predetermined time (hereinafter, 3 seconds). However, in FIG. 16, if the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated to the right by a predetermined amount or more (r1 steps or more) after the start of the attack effect (the start of the display of the message in FIG. 16(A)) and before the start of the effective operation period of the rotation operation unit 302, a penalty of a predetermined time is initiated from the start of the effective operation period in FIG. 16(D'4), and until the predetermined time has elapsed, it is not counted in the duration of the detection of the right rotation of a predetermined amount or more (r1 steps or more) and the detection of the specific operation by the specific detection unit, which are conditions for causing the post-operation effect to appear.

In addition, when the pressing operation unit 303, the rotation operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the minimum rotation amount of the rotation operation unit 302 required for the during-operation performance to be performed in the second performance pattern of the attack performance and the rotation amount required for the attack performance to be canceled in the cancelable attack performance in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 may be the same or different. Also, when the pressing operation unit 303, the rotation operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotation operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the minimum rotation amount of the rotation operation unit 302 required for the after-operation performance to be performed in the second performance pattern of the attack performance and the rotation amount required for the attack performance to be canceled in the cancelable attack performance in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 may be the same or different. It should be noted that the cancelable attack effects in Figures 18 and 19 may be performed when the game is not in progress (when neither a winning game, including a big win game and a small win game, nor a special pattern change is being performed), but it is preferable that the attack effects in Figures 11 to 16 are performed only when a special pattern change is being performed.

In the case where the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, it is desirable that a specific operation is required to execute the attacking performance of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16 for a player who does not want to see the attacking performance. Specifically, for example, in order to execute the attacking performance of FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the rotating operation unit 302 must be rotated right by r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps, the specific detection unit must detect the specific operation, and the pressing operation unit 303 must not be operated (protruding from the initial position). On the other hand, the cancelable attacking performance of FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 can be canceled at any time even by a player who does not want to see the attacking performance, so it may be possible for it to appear regardless of the amount of rotation of the rotating operation unit 302.

In addition, when the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 having a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are used instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the condition for executing the first performance pattern of the attack performance and the condition for executing the second performance pattern of the attack performance may be different. For example, the first performance pattern of the attack performance may be executed on the condition that the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps, the specific detection unit detects the specific operation, and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated (i.e., the movable body 310 operates with a width of w3 or more and less than w4), and the second performance pattern of the attack performance may be executed on the condition that the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r4 steps or more, the specific detection unit detects the specific operation, and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated (i.e., the movable body 310 operates with a width of w4 or more and wmax or less).

In this case, the shortest time required for the second pattern of the attack performance (the time required for the performance of FIG. 12(E') and FIG. 12(F') to end after the performance of FIG. 11(A) starts and the rotation operation unit 302 continues to rotate right for 3 seconds for 5 steps or more from the start of the operation effective period of the rotation operation unit 302) is shorter than the shortest time required for the first pattern of the attack performance (the time required for the performance of FIG. 12(E') and FIG. 12(F') to end after the performance of FIG. 11(A) starts and the pressing operation unit 303 changes from the OFF state to the ON state at the start of the operation effective period of the pressing operation unit 303). In other words, the shortest time required for the performance performed when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r4 steps or more and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated is shorter than the shortest time required for the performance performed when the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated.

In addition, when the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302, the expectation of a reach effect being executed is higher (i.e., the probability that an attack by an ally character will hit an enemy character is higher) when the first performance pattern of the attack effect is executed than when the second performance pattern of the attack effect is executed. In other words, the expectation of a reach effect being executed is higher in the performance performed when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r3 steps or more but less than r4 steps and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated than in the performance performed when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r4 steps or more and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated.

In addition, when the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are applied instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the expectation of a jackpot is higher when the second attack performance pattern (e.g., the performance in FIG. 11(A) to FIG. 12(F')) is executed than when the first attack performance pattern (e.g., the performance in FIG. 11(A) to FIG. 12(F)) is executed. In other words, the expectation of a jackpot is higher when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r4 steps or more and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated than when the rotating operation unit 302 is rotated right by r3 steps or more and less than r4 steps and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated.

11 to 16, even if the pressing operation unit 303, the rotating operation unit 302 equipped with a specific detection unit, and the movable body 310 shown in FIG. 17 are used instead of the pressing operation unit 303 and the rotating operation unit 302 in FIG. 11 to 16, the attack presentation in FIG. 11 to 16 is an presentation that cannot be cancelled (i.e., cannot be stopped by the player's operation). In addition, after the rotation operation unit 302 is operated in the cancelable attack presentation in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 to cancel the cancelable attack presentation, the first presentation pattern of the attack presentation may be executed under the condition that the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r3 steps or more but less than r4 steps, the specific detection unit detects the specific operation, and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated (protruding from the initial position). In addition, after the rotation operation unit 302 is operated in the cancelable attack performance of Figures 18 and 19 to cancel the cancelable attack performance, the second performance pattern of the attack performance may be executed under the conditions that the rotation operation unit 302 is rotated right by r4 steps or more, the specific detection unit detects a specific operation, and the pressing operation unit 303 is not operated.

The above is one form of the pachinko machine 1 of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to gaming machines other than slot machines, such as pachinko machines and gaming machines that combine pachinko machines and slot machines.

The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such specific configurations, and includes various modifications and equivalent configurations within the spirit of the appended claims.

1 Pachinko machine, 302 Rotation operation unit, 303 Press operation unit, 310 Movable body, 347
Rotation detection sensor, 354 speaker, 381 pressure detection sensor, 1310 main control board, 1510 peripheral control board, 1600 performance display device

Claims (1)

A game board having a game area in which a start winning hole is provided;
A display device capable of displaying a display effect suggesting the result of a special lottery that may be executed in response to the reception of a game ball when the game ball is received by the start winning port through a game by a player;
a movable body that is operable by a player's play;
A gaming machine comprising:
A winning hole different from the starting winning hole capable of receiving a game ball is provided,
A gaming machine characterized in that gaming balls are allowed to flow down the gaming area.

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