JP2024083638A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suppressing a decrease in the willingness of playing a game in a state that has multiple kinds of states having different degrees of advantage and has a relatively lower degree of advantage.SOLUTION: A game machine has a normal state, and a specific state more advantageous than the normal state as states regarding the game machine, control can be shifted to a state after completion of a privilege game induced in the specific state, the specific state includes a first specific state, and a second specific state having a higher degree of advantage than the first specific state, a specific situation may occur, and a state after completion of a privilege game can be identical by execution of common shift control pertaining to a state based on completion of the privilege game regardless of whether the specific state in which the privilege game is induced is the first specific state or the second specific state when the privilege game is induced in a predetermined situation in the specific state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

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

Gaming machines, such as pachinko machines and slot machines, have multiple states with different degrees of advantage, which increases the desire to play in relatively more advantageous states.

JP 2023-9877 A

This type of conventional gaming reduces the gambling aspect of the gaming machine as a whole and contributes to increasing motivation to play when the degree of advantage is relatively high, but there is a problem in that it leads to a decrease in motivation to play when the degree of advantage is relatively low.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a gaming machine that has multiple states with different degrees of advantage, but can suppress a decrease in motivation to play in states with a relatively low degree of advantage.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of executing a game using a gaming medium and generating a bonus game advantageous in terms of acquiring a gaming medium, the gaming machine having a normal state and a specific state more advantageous than the normal state as states related to the gaming machine, the state can be transitioned to after the bonus game generated in the specific state is completed, the specific state includes a first specific state and a second specific state more advantageous than the first specific state, and can become a predetermined situation, and when the bonus game is generated in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a common transition control for the state can be executed based on the completion of the bonus game regardless of whether the specific state in which the bonus game was generated is the first specific state or the second specific state, so that the state after the bonus game is completed can be the same.

The present invention provides a gaming machine that has multiple states with different degrees of advantage and can suppress a decrease in motivation to play in a state with a relatively low degree of advantage.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons arranged in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and their surroundings. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. Figure 8(a) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, Figure 8(b) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 1, Figure 8(c) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a small hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2, and Figure 8(d) is a diagram that shows a schematic drawing of a lottery table for selecting stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the special symbol hit or not determination related to special symbol 2. Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when a special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 1 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA. Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used when special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB. Figure 11 (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart change pattern lottery table used in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in effect, and Figure 11 (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart change pattern lottery table used when a special chart change pattern HNP is determined in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in effect. FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. Figure 13(a) is a flow chart of the state transition processing at the end of a regular high probability medium jackpot game, and Figure 13(b) is a table summarizing the types of special chart variation pattern derivation states set in each of the common state transition processing and the dedicated state transition processing. Figures 14(a) to 14(c) are figures showing specific examples of presentations related to the common state transition processing, with Figure 14(a) showing a specific example of a first notification presentation, Figure 14(b) showing a specific example of a second notification presentation, and Figure 14(c) showing a specific example of a high probability notification presentation. FIG. 15(a) is a diagram showing the flow of the first announcement effect control processing during a jackpot game, and FIG. 15(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used in the execution lottery for the first announcement effect. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the flow of the second notification effect control process at the end of a jackpot game. FIG. 17(a) is a diagram showing a flow of the presentation mode control process for the high probability notification presentation, and FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used for the change lottery to a special mode.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. In the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1, unless otherwise specified.
In the following explanation, "advantageous (degree of advantage)" refers to an advantage for the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to an advantage in terms of the amount of prize balls (gaming media) obtained (including not only the payout of gaming balls but also the payout of medals), excluding aspects of presentation such as so-called premium images.

<Features of the present invention>
Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention described in this embodiment will be described.
In addition, when explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment that corresponds to the immediately preceding configuration, and the configuration may be described in parentheses for a similar purpose in the explanations of the gaming machine 10 that follow.

The present invention relates to
A gaming machine capable of executing a game using a gaming medium and generating a special bonus game (jackpot game) that is advantageous in terms of acquiring the gaming medium,
The state of the gaming machine includes a normal state (a special pattern variation pattern derivation state related to a low probability of a normal game) and a specific state (a special pattern variation pattern derivation state related to a high probability of a normal game) that is more advantageous than the normal state.
The state may transition after the bonus game that occurred in the specific state is completed,
The specific state includes a first specific state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB) and a second specific state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PC) which is more advantageous than the first specific state.
It may be in a specified situation (within 10 spins from the start of the normal high probability set at the end of the big win game),
When the bonus game is generated in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a common transition control (common state transition process) for the state can be executed based on the end of the bonus game, regardless of whether the specific state in which the bonus game is generated is the first specific state or the second specific state, so that the state after the end of the bonus game can be the same.
This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

According to the present invention, while providing specific states with different degrees of advantage, it is possible to prevent a decrease in motivation to play in the first specific state, which has a relatively low degree of advantage.

As will be described later, the above-mentioned predetermined situation may be any situation that can occur in the above-mentioned specific state.
The common transition control includes setting, after the bonus game ends, a state identical to the state in which the bonus game occurred.

The gaming machine according to this embodiment, which will be described later, is a pachinko machine that pays out actual gaming balls as prize balls, but the gaming machine according to the present invention may also be a pachinko machine that awards prize balls as electronic data (so-called smart pachinko).

Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a conventional slot machine that uses a predetermined number of medals to perform a pattern change that spins multiple reels and pays out medals based on the result of the pattern change (the stopping pattern of the multiple reels), or it may be a slot machine that pays out all medals as electronic data (so-called smart slot).
The bonus game in these cases is not limited to a so-called real bonus (a device that continuously operates a bonus), but also includes an AT game (assist time) such as a pseudo bonus. In particular, when the bonus game in the present invention is an AT game, the end condition may be set arbitrarily.

The gaming machine 10 having the above characteristics will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

<Structure of the gaming machine 10>
First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10.
1 to 5 are merely components necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and components and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. In addition, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components shown here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into the front area (hereinafter referred to as "gaming area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which numerous gaming nails (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the gaming ball enters a prize opening (such as the big prize opening 55). Note that in the following explanation, the entry of a gaming ball into a prize opening may be simply expressed as "entering (a prize opening)."

The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50.

The middle frame 17 is supported so as to be freely rotatable about its left end by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (right in this embodiment)).

The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)).
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view.
The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are vertically spaced apart and integral with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full tank detection sensor (not shown) for detecting when the lower ball tray 29 is full of discharged game balls is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 that discharges game balls into the lower ball tray 29.
In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame door open sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame door open sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these door open sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door open sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state.
This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open/closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15 , and the open/closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17 .

As shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. The group of operation buttons includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b that accepts the return operation of the prepaid card as the main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 described later, and includes an effect button 37 that can accept the operation of the player to switch the effects generated during the game or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10 as an operation unit electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 described later, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, center cursor button 38e) for instructing operations to the up, down, left, and right directions, respectively. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the control board to which it is connected detects the operation of each operation unit by the change in the detection state of the sensor.

A movable decorative body 22 that operates (vibrates) due to an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27. Furthermore, a lamp made of a full-color LED is provided inside the movable decorative body 22, and the lamp lights up in accordance with the operation of the actuator, lighting up the movable decorative body 22 and making it easy to recognize that the movable decorative body 22 is in operation.

A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are ejected.
Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism which, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to remove the stored balls.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. In addition, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed from a light-transmitting cover, within which a frame lamp 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) is disposed. The speaker 33 and the frame lamp 35 can emit sound or turn on or off in conjunction with effects and error notifications that occur during play.

The performance display device 80 is composed of a main display section 81 disposed approximately in the center of the game board 50, and a sub-display section 82 disposed around the main display section 81. The sub-display section 82 further includes an upper sub-display section 82a disposed above the main display section 81, a left sub-display section 82b disposed on the left side of the main display section 81, and a right sub-display section 82c disposed on the right side of the main display section 81.
Here, the main display unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by actuators such as motors (not shown).

The main display unit 81 can display the changing display of a pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects.
In the variable display of the pattern rows (decorative patterns) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative patterns form three pattern rows. In this embodiment, the direction of the variable display of each pattern row is downward, but the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left and right, depth, or a combination of these (diagonal direction).
Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode that uses a technique (e.g., perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though in reality it is a planar changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81.
In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" that imitates the number "1", a "2 symbol" that imitates the number "2", a "3 symbol" that imitates the number "3", a "4 symbol" that imitates the number "4", a "5 symbol" that imitates the number "5", a "6 symbol" that imitates the number "6", a "7 symbol" that imitates the number "7", an "8 symbol" that imitates the number "8", and a "9 symbol" that imitates the number "9", and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol", "3 symbol", "5 symbol", "7 symbol", and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols", and the "2 symbol", "4 symbol", "6 symbol", and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols".

Each of the sub-display sections 82 is not only provided for the purpose of displaying a performance image related to a performance, but is also configured to be movable.
The initial positions of the upper sub-display section 82a are on the upper side with respect to the main display section 81, the left sub-display section 82b are on the left side with respect to the main display section 81, and the right sub-display section 82c are on the right side with respect to the main display section 81, and each of the sub-display sections 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display section 82 overlaps with the display area of the main display section 81. However, even when the sub-display sections 82 (particularly the left sub-display section 82b and right sub-display section 82c) are in the initial positions shown in Fig. 4, approximately the upper half of the display area (the left display area 821 and the right display area 822 described later) is visible to the player.

A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of the pattern display device 90, and the pattern display device 90 displays special patterns and normal patterns.
In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed at a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display section 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of the main display section 81.
In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric device (e.g., the special electric device 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92.
In addition, the special pattern may be abbreviated as "Special pattern", the first special pattern as "Special pattern 1", and the second special pattern as "Special pattern 2".

The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric role (for example, the normal electric role 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93.
In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "denchu".

In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96.
The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations for reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the number of corresponding pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right constantly lit only = 1, left and right constantly lit = 2, right flashing + left constantly lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a special pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a variable manner and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.''
In addition, in the following description, the change display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the above-mentioned main display unit 81 may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern".
In the following explanation, when the term "pattern change" is used, it means a pattern change of a special design unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 4, a number of obstacles such as game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative parts are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the shot game ball can roll.
Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

The gaming machine 10 allows the strength of the ball to be varied by the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left hit), along which a weaker ball will roll, or the second flow path Y (so-called right hit), along which a stronger ball will roll.

In Figure 4, the main prize openings are shown as the large prize opening 55, the first start opening 57, the second start opening 59, the gate 63, and the general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and the number and arrangement of the openings may be changed as appropriate.

The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls associated with the large prize opening 55 (15 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are positioned so that more game balls roll toward the large prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, in which it is easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, in which it is difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66.
More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a part of a big win game that starts when a big win is derived by the special chart hit/miss judgment described later, or during a part of a small win game that starts when a small win is derived by the special chart hit/miss judgment, and thus entry into the big winning hole 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, it is easy to enter the big winning hole 55, so the big win game and small win game in which the chance of winning a prize ball is greatly increased can be said to be advantageous game states. In addition, although details will be described later, the small win game in this embodiment can cause a big win game.
In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game", and the total number of round games occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55.
On the other hand, in the small win game, the game ends when the special electric device 65 is in an open state for 1.8 seconds or when 10 game balls enter the large winning hole 55. Therefore, in the small win game, it is more difficult for game balls to enter the large winning hole 55 than in the large win game.
In this embodiment, when a big win game or a small win game starts, a start demo that ends with the passage of time is set, and when the start demo ends, a round game (when a small win occurs, a small win game) starts, and when all round games end, an end demo that ends with the passage of time is set. That is, in this embodiment, a big win game (including those that occur in a small win game) is composed of a start demo, a round game, and an end demo, and the big win game proceeds in this order.

The first starting hole 57 is located at the center of the play area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of winning balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern change related to the special chart 1 is performed.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been determined for the second starting hole 59, a pattern change related to special chart 2 will occur.
In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when they roll from the second flow path Y compared to when they roll from the first flow path X.

A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62.
More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is opened when the result of the normal winning/losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "normal winning"), and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is possible, so that the opportunity for the pattern variation related to the special drawing 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls by the prize balls.

Gate 63 is located in the center right of play area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to gate 63, and the detection result of gate sensor 74 determines whether or not a winning jackpot has been won at gate 63. In at least some cases where a winning jackpot has been won at gate 63, the pattern on the regular jackpot will change.

The general winning opening 67 is located at the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded.
In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

The outlet 69 is disposed at the bottom of the game area 50a. Game balls that are shot into the game area 50a and do not enter any of the winning holes described above fall into the outlet 69 and are treated as out balls.
In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting out balls, which are game balls that enter the winning hole and the out hole 69.

In addition to the above-mentioned sensors, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

As shown in Figure 5, the rear of the game board 50 is fitted with a main control board case 109 in which the main control board 100 is stored, a first sub-control board case 209 in which the first sub-control board 200 is stored, a second sub-control board case 309 in which the second sub-control board 300 is stored, a power supply control board case 509 in which the power supply control board 500 is stored, and a payout control board case 409 in which the payout control board 400 is stored.In addition to the rear of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening/closing cover 45 which covers part of the rear of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner.
In addition, a RAM clear switch 43 is provided on the main control board 100.
Furthermore, the substrate cases and covers that cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through each case and cover.

A game ball tank 46 is disposed on the back of the game board 50, above the opening and closing cover 45, in which game balls supplied from the game island's ball supply equipment are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 that leads to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out through the payout passage 49 to the upper ball tray 27.

So far, we have explained the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, but this is just one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.

<Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 that performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I/O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates separately from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing.
The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage, the data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to the data of the stack pointer and each register held at the time of the power outage, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a playable state), the current normal drawing state, etc., are backed up. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by a RAM clearing process described later. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA (low probability of normal drawing described later) is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clearing process is executed, the pattern string related to the decorative pattern is in a state in which the initial pattern combination is stopped and displayed, and even if the RAM clearing process is not executed when the power is turned on and the pattern variation is not being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the initial pattern combination is also stopped and displayed. In addition, this initial symbol combination is displayed statically only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed statically due to the execution of symbol variation.

In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of RAM 103) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the game-related area of RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of RAM 103). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up game-related area of RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of RAM 103.
In addition, the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration capable of non-volatilely retaining data even in a power-off state. As another example, in the RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to be capable of non-volatilely retaining data even in a power-off state and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start gate sensor 70, the second start gate sensor 71, the big prize gate sensor 72, the general prize gate sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door open sensor 76, the front frame door open sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I/O port 104.

In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern reserve lamp 94, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95, the normal pattern reserve lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I/O port 104.
Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43 , and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39 .

The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so as not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data.
In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202.
In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operating sections.

In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the sub-display unit 82, etc.
Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the voice control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, voice control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the voice control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was received successfully is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, voice control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22, and transmits lamp control data via the I/O port 204. The frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22 are configured to be turned on and off by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.
Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movement control data via the I/O port 204. The movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured so that their movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

The second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the figure, is equipped with a CPU that performs various calculations related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and the CPU is configured to execute main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM.
Furthermore, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data according to the content of the performance determined by a performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data according to the content of the performance based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM that is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM is also connected to this VDP.

The audio control board 310 is equipped with a CPU 311 that performs various calculations related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs and audio data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I/O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Therefore, the audio control board 310 can read audio data stored in the ROM 312 in response to audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesize the read audio data, and transmit the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, causing the speaker 33 to output audio.

The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, ROM and RAM (all not shown).
In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 for two-way communication, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of the game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 which generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 which generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 which detects power interruption (a specified voltage drop in the voltage supplied by the normal power supply).
In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400).
In addition, when a power interruption detection circuit 503 detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.
In addition, the backup power circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island.
In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

<Functional configuration of the gaming machine 10>
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 11 will be referred to as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special drawing means 130, a normal drawing means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric role control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration process execution means 175, and a power cut process execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 6.

First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later, after being stored.

The ball winning determination means 110 determines whether a ball has won at each winning hole based on the detection results of a sensor installed at each winning hole.
In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize hole by a sensor installed in a prize hole such as the large prize hole sensor 72, it generates a presentation control command (prize entry command) including information that can identify the type of sensor related to the prize, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The main random number generating means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win at a winning port is determined, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning port from the random number circuit 105.
More specifically, when it is determined that the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 obtains a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that the gate 63 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 stores a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in a corresponding storage area of the main information storage means 160.
The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change related to the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change related to the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart change pattern, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1.
More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the draw by the special chart draw means 130), and controls the operation hold information to be stored in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and moves (shifts) the remaining activation hold information from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter.
In addition, the main reserve control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and regular drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the reserve counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 reserve counter, and the upper limit value of the special drawing 2 reserve counter in this embodiment is 4.
In addition, in the following explanation, "suspended operation information" may be expressed as "suspended pattern change" or simply as "suspended."
In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
In this embodiment, when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are reserved, a priority variation is performed in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority variation, a winning order variation in which the operation pending information is used in the order in which it is reserved regardless of whether it corresponds to the special chart 1 or the special chart 2, or a simultaneous variation in which the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are simultaneously used when both the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 1 and the operation pending information corresponding to the special chart 2 are reserved may be adopted.

The advance judgment means 125 executes an advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a specified advance judgment timing.
More specifically, the pre-judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation reservation information reserved this time, and executes pre-judgment for each of the special chart hit/miss judgment, special chart stop pattern lottery, and special chart change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each pre-judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later.
In addition, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned pending command. Here, the predetermined timing of the pre-determination is, for example, the timing when the activation pending information of the special chart is reserved. In this embodiment, if the activation pending information of the special chart 1 is reserved during the normal chart high probability described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the activation pending information of the special chart 2 is reserved during the normal chart low probability described below, the pre-determination may be restricted, or it may not be necessary to restrict the pre-determination.

The special drawing means 130 includes a special drawing hit/miss judgment means 131, a special drawing stop pattern drawing means 132, and a special drawing change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special drawing hit/miss judgment means 131, the special drawing stop pattern drawing means 132, and the special drawing change pattern derivation means 133. When the special drawing change start condition is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation pending information among the operation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160.
In addition, "the conditions for starting the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: a jackpot game is not being played, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is currently changing the pattern (including when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 or Special Chart 2 is displayed as stopped), and at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 has pending operation information.

Here, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams that typically show a lottery table used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description.
In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiable and stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, items described for convenience of explanation or "-" or "0" may be described as the lottery value, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, there is no winning result with "-" or "0" described as the lottery value. Furthermore, when the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range) is written in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so there is no need to perform a lottery. Also, when the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used for the lottery, a carry is always generated in the addition of the last lottery value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery value used for the addition itself is not necessary.

The special pattern hit/miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special pattern hit/miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special pattern hit/miss judgment to judge by lottery whether a big hit, a small hit, or a miss will be won, using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special pattern hit/miss judgment.
8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss, and the drawing table is different between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), and a miss is otherwise obtained, and a small hit is not derived. On the other hand, in the special drawing hit or miss determination in special drawing 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205/65536 (about 1/320), a small hit is derived with a probability of 1820/65536 (about 1/36.0), and a miss is otherwise obtained.
Here, as described above, in the lottery using the lottery table, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order, and the result corresponding to the lottery value where the carry occurred is derived as the result of the lottery. Therefore, in the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart 2, if a random number included in the random number range of 63511 to 65535 is obtained, a big hit or a small hit is derived. In particular, if a random number included in the random number range of 65331 to 65535 is obtained, a big hit is derived, and if a random number included in the random number range of 63511 to 65330 is obtained, a small hit is derived.
In this embodiment, as described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit/miss determination is set to the one probability mentioned above.

When the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stopping pattern lottery means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special chart stopping pattern lottery.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 8 (b), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 1, pattern A is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), and pattern B is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10).
Here, whether pattern A or pattern B is determined, the normal pattern high probability will be reached after the end of the jackpot game corresponding to these stopped patterns, but the number of pattern changes during which the normal pattern high probability continues (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed number of times related to the normal pattern high probability") is 30 times after the end of the jackpot game when pattern A is determined, and 60 times after the end of the jackpot game when pattern B is determined. In addition, the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to pattern A is 4, while the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to pattern B is 10. Therefore, it can be said that pattern B is more advantageous than pattern A in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of times related to the normal pattern high probability.

As shown in Figure 8 (c), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for selecting the stopping patterns used when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 2, when a small win is derived in the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to special pattern 2, pattern a is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 500/1000 (approximately 1/2), and pattern b is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2).
Here, the symbol a is a stopping symbol that has 10 rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the symbol, and becomes a normal high probability after the end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 30 or 60 (details will be described later). The symbol b is a stopping symbol that has 10 rounds of the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to the stopping symbol, and becomes a normal high probability after the end of the big win game, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is 60. Therefore, it can be said that the symbol b is more advantageous than the symbol a in terms of the specified number of times related to the normal high probability.
In addition, when a big win game occurs in a small win game, the number of rounds in the big win game is the number calculated by counting the small win game as one round. Furthermore, in the following explanation, a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern a may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern a", and a big win game caused by a small win game related to the pattern b may be expressed as a "big win game related to the pattern b".

As shown in FIG. 8(d), which is a schematic diagram of a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss judgment related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is derived in the special symbol hit/miss judgment related to special symbol 2, symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). In particular, symbol c is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the stopping symbol is 10, and which becomes a normal symbol with high probability after the jackpot game ends, and the specified number of times for the normal symbol with high probability is 60 times, which is the same as the jackpot game related to symbol b.

In addition, the special chart stop pattern selection means 132 determines pattern C as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 1 is a miss, and determines pattern d as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment for special chart 2 is a miss (both are not shown).

In this way, in the above-described embodiment, the jackpot game caused by the pattern change related to special chart 2 tends to be more advantageous than the jackpot game caused by the pattern change related to special chart 1. Therefore, the interest in the game can be further increased by transitioning from the special chart change pattern derivation state PA described later to another special chart change pattern derivation state (special chart change pattern derivation state PB or special chart change pattern derivation state PC described later).

The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern selection tables to be referred to when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern selection table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern hit/miss judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern selection table and the random number for special pattern variation pattern selection, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from the start of the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) to the end of the pattern variation.
Although details of the transition conditions will be described later, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC.
On the other hand, in the pattern change related to the other special chart (the special chart for which the above-mentioned method of determining the special chart change pattern is adopted) in each special chart change pattern derivation state, a predetermined special chart change pattern is determined depending on the result of the special chart correctness/non-correctness judgment. In particular, in this embodiment, in the pattern change related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, a fluctuation pattern with a fluctuation time of 1000 ms is determined, and in the pattern change related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, a fluctuation pattern with a fluctuation time of 2000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment of the pattern change is a miss, a fluctuation pattern with a fluctuation time of 2000 ms is determined (the same applies to the case of a small hit).

Figure 9 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (a), in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP occurs with a probability of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP occurs with a probability of 52/1000 (approximately 1/19.2), the special chart change pattern HSP1-A occurs with a probability of 13/1000 (approximately 1/76.9), and the special chart change pattern HS occurs with a probability of 11/1000 (approximately 1/90.9). P1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9/1000 (about 1/111), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7/1000 (about 1/143), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200), and special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3/1000 (about 1/333) are determined, and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A to special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 9(b), when the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined, the special chart fluctuation pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 1 reserved counter at the start of this pattern fluctuation.
On the other hand, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A has a probability of 90/1000 (about 1/11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B has a probability of 110/1000 (about 1/9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A has a probability of 135/1000 (about 1/7.41), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-B has a probability of 165/1000 (about 1/6.01). Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1.06), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180/1000 (approximately 1/5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220/1000 (approximately 1/4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined.
In this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900/1000 (approximately 1/1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a big hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1).
Here, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special pattern variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special pattern variation pattern existing between the special pattern variation pattern described earlier and the special pattern variation pattern described later is omitted according to the order described in the drawing related to the special pattern variation pattern lottery table for each special pattern variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special pattern variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding variation time is described or not, if the names of the special pattern variation patterns are different, it indicates that the different special pattern variation patterns are different.

Figure 9 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 9 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PA include special chart variation pattern HNP-A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart variation pattern HNP-B with a variation time of 5600 ms, special chart variation pattern HNP-C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and special chart variation pattern HNP-D with a variation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing variation time.
Specifically, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1). Similarly, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (about 1/6.67), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (about 1/6.67). The special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800/1000 (1/1.25). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern variation is 0, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50/1000 (1/20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100/1000 (1/10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850/1000 (about 1/1.18). In the following explanation, when the value of the special pattern reserved counter to be referred to is 3, it may be called "retention 3", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it may be called "retention 2", when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it may be called "retention 1", and when the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it may be called "retention 0".
In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change is different. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a special pattern change pattern with a long change time will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined).
In addition, such special chart variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "basic special chart variation pattern") also exists in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

FIG. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, special chart change patterns HNP to ASP-F can be determined.
Specifically, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960/1000 (about 1/1.04), the special chart change pattern HSP-D is determined with a probability of 20/1000 (1/50), the special chart change pattern HSP-E is determined with a probability of 15/1000 (about 1/66.7), and the special chart change pattern HSP-F is determined with a probability of 5/1000 (1/200). In this case, the special chart change pattern ASP-D to the special chart change pattern ASP-F are not determined. Note that, although details will be described later using FIG. 10(b), when the special chart change pattern HNP is determined, the special chart change pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern change. The method of determining the special chart variation pattern using this special chart 2 pending counter is also the same in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB described later.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, special chart change pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), special chart change pattern ASP-E with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-F with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-F are not determined.
Thus, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40/1000 (1/25), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 960/1000 (approximately 1/1.04). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000/1000 (1/1). In particular, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, the type of the stop pattern is not referenced. This is also the same in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC.

Figure 10 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the range of the random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 10 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 10 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB include special chart variation pattern HNP-E with a variation time of 3000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-F with a variation time of 15000 ms.
Specifically, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, and when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-F is not determined. On the other hand, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-E is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-E and special chart variation pattern HNP-F are different from either the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, or the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below.

FIG. 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart change pattern lottery table used for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.
As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern ASP-I can be determined.
Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a miss, special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05), special chart change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 25/1000 (1/40), special chart change pattern HSP-H with a probability of 15/1000 (approximately 1/66.7), and special chart change pattern HSP-I with a probability of 10/1000 (1/100), and in this case, special chart change pattern ASP-G to special chart change pattern ASP-I are not determined.
On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a big hit or a small hit, regardless of the number of rotations in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500/1000 (1/2), special chart change pattern ASP-H is determined with a probability of 350/1000 (approximately 1/2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-I is determined with a probability of 150/1000 (approximately 1/6.67), and in such case, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-I are not determined.

Figure 11 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and the range of the random numbers used in the lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 11 (a)) is 0 to 999.
As shown in Figure 11 (b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in include special chart variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms.
Specifically, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 3 at the start of the current pattern change, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 2 at the start of the current pattern change, and when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-H is not determined. On the other hand, when the special pattern 2 reserved counter is 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special pattern change pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000/1000 (1/1), and in these cases, the special pattern change pattern HNP-G is not determined.
In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-G and special chart variation pattern HNP-H are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special pattern change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) that includes the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment, the determined special pattern to stop, and the determined special pattern change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map hit/miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is correct or not, and determines various parameters related to the regular map (regular map change time, regular map stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the regular map hit/miss judgment and information such as the current special map change pattern derivation state.
In the normal drawing hit/miss judgment, there are a normal drawing lottery state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a normal drawing lottery state with a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 65535/65536, and the remaining probability of a 1/65536 miss, while in the normal drawing low probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 1/65536, and the remaining probability of a 65535/65536 miss. In addition, in the normal drawing low probability, it may be set so that the normal drawing does not hit (65536/65536 miss).

At the start of a jackpot game, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (start demo command) including information related to the jackpot game (time required for the start demo, number of rounds, and subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the start demo, generates a presentation control command (round start command) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, at the end of a round game, a presentation control command (end demo command) including the time required for the end demo of the jackpot game is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, these commands are the same in the big win game caused by the small win game. Specifically, the big win game control means 140 generates a start demo command at the start of the small win game and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, generates a round start command at the end of the start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and generates an end demo command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a small jackpot game when the result of the special win/loss determination is a small jackpot, and if the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small jackpot game, it makes it possible to start a jackpot game corresponding to the small jackpot after the small jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small jackpot game functions as a trigger for a jackpot game. Note that if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game does not start after the small jackpot game ends.

The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and displays the special pattern 1 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time corresponding to the determined special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 2, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Here, the stop display time (interval) of the pattern change related to the special chart refers to the time from when the special chart is stopped and displayed until the pattern change of the next special chart can start (when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss), or the time from when the pattern change of the special chart ends and until the big win game or small win game starts (when the result of the normal chart hit/miss judgment is a normal hit), and the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart in this embodiment is a uniform 300 ms, regardless of the type of special chart or the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped from being displayed (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a confirmed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed in the stopped state is accompanied by a small up and down swing (so-called swing swing), while in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed in the stopped state is not accompanied by a swing swing. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the decorative pattern is displayed in the stopped state as a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal pattern display device 93 to display the normal pattern in a variable manner in accordance with a variable time corresponding to the determined normal pattern variable pattern of the normal pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal pattern to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern.
In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a regular pattern play timer for managing the time related to the regular pattern (regular pattern change time, regular pattern stop display time, etc.).

The electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66 during the big win game or small win game described above, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing to low probability regardless of the stop pattern of the special drawing related to the jackpot game at the start of the jackpot game, and when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is satisfied, sets the normal drawing to high probability until the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is performed, and sets the normal drawing to low probability when the pattern change of the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability is completed. Here, as described later, in this embodiment, the number of times of pattern change used to determine whether the specified number of times related to the normal drawing to high probability has been reached is the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 2, but the number of times of pattern change used for the determination may be the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 1 added to the number of times of pattern change related to special drawing 2.
In addition, in this embodiment, during a small win game, the normal symbol lottery state is maintained in the pattern change that caused the small win game.

Such a general drawing state changes in link with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be described below with reference to Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Note that Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state.
As shown in Fig. 12(a), in the special pattern derivation state, there is a special pattern derivation state PA as a special pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal pattern low probability, and there are a special pattern derivation state PB and a special pattern derivation state PC as special pattern derivation states corresponding to a normal pattern high probability, and any of these special pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, there are transition conditions (i) to (v) for the transition conditions between the special pattern derivation state PA and the special pattern derivation state PC.

Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern A, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern B, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to a part of pattern a (details will be described later), pattern b, or pattern c, transition condition (iv) is the end of pattern change when the number of pattern changes related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in normal pattern high probability becomes 30 times (the specified number of times related to normal pattern high probability in special pattern change pattern derivation state PB), and transition condition (v) is the end of pattern change when the number of pattern changes related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in normal pattern high probability becomes 60 times (the specified number of times related to normal pattern high probability in special pattern change pattern derivation state PC).
In addition, when a jackpot game involving pattern a, pattern b, or pattern c occurs in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC, the state transitions again to the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC after the jackpot game ends, and the number of pattern changes involving special pattern 2 that can be executed up to the specified number of times relating to the high probability of normal patterns in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC is reset.
Also, although not shown in the figures, in a small win game that occurs in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area and a big win game does not occur, the end of the small win game triggers the end of the current special chart variation pattern derivation state and transition to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

As shown in FIG. 12(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is shorter in the order of special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time related to the basic special pattern fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state. Here, the average fluctuation time refers to the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that may occur in any pattern fluctuation, derived by multiplying the probability of the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment by the probability of the special pattern fluctuation pattern) for each of the fluctuation times related to the special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected in a certain special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state. However, in this embodiment, when there is only one special pattern fluctuation pattern that can be selected in the certain special pattern fluctuation pattern derivation state, the fluctuation time related to the special pattern fluctuation pattern is treated as the average fluctuation time.

In this way, in this embodiment, from the perspective of the specified number of times related to the high probability of normal winning, it can be said that the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is a more advantageous game state than the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. Also, from the perspective of the time efficiency of winning balls due to the average fluctuation time, it can be said that the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is a more advantageous game state than the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB.

In addition, when a transition occurs to the regular chart lottery state or the special chart variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.
Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times that the pattern change related to the transition to another special pattern change pattern derivation state is executed in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, and generates a performance control command including the number of times of the counted pattern change each time the pattern change is started, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. The information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means and data derived by calculations or the like by each means in the corresponding storage areas.

The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I/O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, it stores a presentation control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state in a transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200.
In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

The power recovery process execution means 175 includes a recovery state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179.

The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of power interruption immediately before the power is restored, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process).
Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear process is not executed and a playable state is set.
Here, the game stop state is a return state in which game progress is impossible by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (it is not necessary to look at the detection results of the sensors themselves).
On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which the game can be continued by executing a process according to the detection result of the sensor installed in each winning port. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when the power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the last power outage. For example, if the last power outage was during a big win game or a small win game, the game returns to the big win game or small win game that was being executed, and if the last power outage was during a pattern change, the game returns to the pattern change that was being executed.

Whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check at the beginning of the recovery state setting process (specifically, a process which determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to the area if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), and determines that the target area is normal if the calculation result is 0, otherwise determines that the target area is abnormal) on the area related to the game in RAM 103.

The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when a playable state is set.
More specifically, in the game play state transition process, if the security signal output is ON, a process of turning the security signal output OFF and initial settings of the device are performed.
In addition, during the initial setting of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to permit the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls will be valid when they enter each winning port, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

The power cut-off process execution means 180 executes a power cut-off process based on receiving a power cut-off signal from the power supply control board 500 .
Specifically, for an area of RAM 103 related to gaming, a process is performed in which a checksum for that area is derived and the complement of that checksum is stored in a backup information area of RAM 103 related to gaming, and a backup flag indicating that a power cut process has been performed for that area is turned ON (a backup flag is stored in the backup information area of RAM 103 related to gaming).

As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6.
Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as "receiving a performance control command."

The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a look-ahead presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side.
The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, lower RUSH mode, and upper RUSH mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the lower RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the upper RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that, when the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when the pre-determination command is transmitted, and at the start of the pattern change, it determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern included in the change start command (for example, in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A to the special pattern change pattern HNP-D).
Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern determination in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss (the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is neither a big hit nor a small hit), and a hit presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit or a small hit. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. Note that, as described later, when the hit presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise explained.
Here, the development performance is a performance that is executed after the decorative pattern reaches a reach state (a state in which the decorative pattern is displayed stationary except for one pattern row, and the remaining pattern rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of the performance, it is notified whether the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit or a small hit. Therefore, in the development performance corresponding to the development miss performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance is executed, and at the end of the performance, it is notified that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is neither a big hit nor a small hit. On the other hand, in the development performance corresponding to the hit performance route, a series of performances corresponding to the development performance is executed, and at the end of the performance, it is notified that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a big hit or a small hit.
In addition, as described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each of the determined special chart variation patterns corresponds to a different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.
Below, the contents of the presentation route corresponding to each special chart change pattern determined in each presentation mode will be explained.

First, the presentation routes corresponding to special chart variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special chart variation pattern HRP, which are determined normally (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), correspond to the non-development miss presentation route described above.
Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss when the decorative pattern is not in a reach state and the decorative pattern is displayed in a scattered pattern (a state in which all pattern rows are displayed and the same decorative pattern is not displayed in each pattern row). Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern that imitates the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern may be different. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns that imitate different numbers.
The special pattern change pattern HRP corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then the decorative pattern stops and displays in a scattered manner without executing the development performance described later, thereby notifying the user that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss. Here, the pseudo-change refers to a period before the development performance starts, which is divided by the stop of the decorative pattern based on a certain rule (for example, the stop of the decorative pattern in which the same decorative pattern stops in the middle pattern row and the right pattern row, such as "5 pattern-6 pattern-6 pattern"). Therefore, it can be said that the pseudo-change occurs only when the number of pseudo-changes is two. In other words, if the number of changes of the decorative pattern until the reach state is constituted is one, it can be said that the pseudo-change does not occur, and in that case, it can be said that one pseudo-change is executed. Note that the maximum number of pseudo-changes in this embodiment is three, but the maximum number of pseudo-changes is not limited to this, and any number of times equal to or greater than two may be adopted.

The special chart fluctuation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread pattern after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special pattern change pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B.

The special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to the above-mentioned winning performance route.
Specifically, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit, and the decorative pattern is displayed in a pattern alignment (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in each pattern row) after the end of the development performance. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a big hit, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B.
The special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a big hit, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B.
The special pattern change pattern ASP-C corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development presentation HEC is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a matching pattern after the development presentation ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, by making the same development performance correspond, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the performances of the corresponding performance routes will match from the start to the end (the timing when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is shown by the development performance related to the performance route). Therefore, in the pattern change in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed, the player can have a sense of expectation of winning the jackpot. In addition, the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern in which the performance route in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed is determined can also be said to be a special pattern change pattern that makes the player expect a jackpot. These are the same in other performance modes described later.
In addition, there is no corresponding development failure performance route for the special chart variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development performance HEC is executed in the pattern variation, the player can be made to definitely recognize that he has won the jackpot. Therefore, it can be said that the performance route corresponding to the special chart variation pattern is a performance route that determines the winning of the jackpot, and the special chart variation pattern is a special chart variation pattern that determines the winning of the jackpot.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEA is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEB is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B) is less likely to be determined in that order. And, when the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a jackpot, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEA is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the performance route where the development performance HEB is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B) is more likely to be determined in that order. And, as described above, the development performance HEC is executed only when a jackpot is won.
Therefore, the expectation of winning the jackpot can be increased in the order of the development performance HEA, the development performance HEB, and the development performance HEC. The expectation of winning the jackpot related to such development performances is also the same in the relationship between the development performance HED, the development performance HEE, and the development performance HEF, and the relationship between the development performance HEG, the development performance HEH, and the development performance HEI, which will be described later.

Next, the presentation route corresponding to the basic special chart fluctuation patterns (special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-E and HNP-F) that can be determined in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB corresponds to the non-development miss presentation route described above. Specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-E and HNP-F correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss by the decorative pattern not reaching a reach state and the decorative pattern being stopped and displayed with a scattered pattern. This is also the case for the basic special chart fluctuation patterns in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC described later, so an explanation will be omitted for this special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state.

The special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route.
Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is displayed with a scattered eye after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HED corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern HSP-D, the development performance HEE corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern HSP-E, and the development performance HEF corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern HSP-F.
In addition, the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F correspond to the above-mentioned winning performance route.
Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit or a small hit, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performance corresponding to each special pattern variation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HED corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-D, the development performance HEE corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-E, and the development performance HEF corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP-F.

In addition, the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-G to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-I that can be determined in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route. Specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-G to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-I correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern becomes a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a spread eye after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performance corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEG corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-G, the development performance HEH corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-H, and the development performance HEI corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-I.
In addition, the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-G to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-I correspond to the above-mentioned winning performance route. Specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-G to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-I correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern becomes a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit or a small hit, and the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with the pattern aligned after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performance corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development performance HEG corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-G, the development performance HEH corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-H, and the development performance HEI corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-I.

When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special hold counter 1 and the number of hold images corresponding to the special hold counter 2 in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information on the special hold counter 1 and the special hold counter 2 included in the command. Note that the hold images are images that are the subject of a hold pre-reading performance that changes into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation of a jackpot game occurring.

When the look-ahead performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called look-ahead performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.
The pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the expectation for the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment in the pre-reading target symbol change and the content of the effect to be executed in the pre-reading target symbol change before the pre-reading target symbol change starts, for the purpose of increasing the interest in the game. Note that the pre-reading target symbol change is a symbol change related to the main special symbol (special symbol 1 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PA, and special symbol 2 in the special symbol change pattern derivation state PB and the special symbol change pattern derivation state PC), and refers to the symbol change reserved in the hold 1 to hold 3 states.

When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222.
More specifically, the performance content determining means 225 determines a performance pattern selection table to be referenced for the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance execution timing in the pattern change based on the performance route determined by the performance route determining means 222, and determines the content of the performance by a selection using the determined performance pattern selection table. In particular, by doing so, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change.

When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern.
Specifically, in the pattern variation related to the special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, any of the pattern arrangements related to the decorative patterns except for the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern A, and the pattern arrangement related to the 7 pattern is determined for the pattern B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of rounds of the jackpot game to be generated and the performance mode (special pattern variation pattern derivation state) thereafter (after the jackpot game ends) can be guessed depending on the type of pattern arrangement related to the decorative patterns corresponding to the jackpot game.
In the case where a jackpot game occurs with the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, if the specified number of times related to the normal pattern high probability is determined to be 30 times, any of the pattern arrangements related to the decorative pattern except for the 7 pattern is determined, and if the specified number of times related to the normal pattern high probability is determined to be 60 times, the pattern arrangement related to the 7 pattern is determined. Also, in the case where a jackpot game occurs with the pattern variation related to the special pattern 2 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the pattern arrangement related to the 7 pattern is determined. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the pattern arrangement related to the 7 pattern is stopped and displayed, it is determined that the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is set after the jackpot game related to the pattern arrangement is completed.

When the jackpot presentation control means 227 receives a presentation control command related to a jackpot game (start demo command, round start command, end demo command), it determines the content of the presentation during the jackpot game based on the type of the presentation control command and the information contained in the presentation control command.
In addition, the effects during a jackpot game include a start demo effect that is executed based on the reception of a start demo command and notifies the player that a jackpot game has started, a round effect that is executed based on the reception of a round start command and notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that is executed based on the reception of an end demo command and notifies the player that a jackpot game has ended.

The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.
In addition, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the game has become playable with the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process, and reads presentation data for informing the player that the game has become playable without the execution of the RAM clear process when the return state at the time of power recovery is a playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process. Furthermore, in the case of a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for informing the player that the game has become a play stop state and that the execution of the RAM clear process is required. Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they are executed continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after the execution is started, and the presentation device for executing the notification does not matter.

When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern, and reads out performance data for executing an error notification in accordance with the error notification pattern.
The error notification is executed in priority over the variation performance. Here, the variation performance is executed during the execution of the pattern variation, including the start of the pattern variation, and refers to a performance that suggests the expectation of a jackpot occurring in the pattern variation or the reserved pattern variation. In addition, when the device involved in the execution of the error notification and the device involved in the execution of the variation performance are the same device, the error notification is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variation performance, not limited to the case where only the error notification is executed in the device (the execution of the variation performance is restricted by the execution of the error notification).
Furthermore, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and if it determines that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, read out presentation data that executes an error notification.

The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a lamp, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data, and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be executed.

When the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable role, the movable role control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the performance data, transmits the read movement control data to the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable ornament 22 and the sub-display unit 82.

As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in said means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. If an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if a voice control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. In principle, these commands are transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

As described above, in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, as special chart variation pattern derivation states relating to high probability of normal chart, there are provided a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC which is more advantageous than the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.
This contributes to increasing the desire to play when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is set while suppressing the gambling nature of the gaming machine as a whole, but it leads to a decrease in the desire to play when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB is set.
In response to this, the present invention has a function for improving the above-mentioned problems, which will be described in detail below.

<About game state transition processing at the end of a jackpot game during normal high probability>
First, using Figures 13(a) and 13(b), the details of the state transition processing at the end of a normal high probability medium jackpot game will be explained.
FIG. 13(a) shows a flow of state transition processing at the end of a jackpot game during a high probability of winning, and this processing is executed at the end of a jackpot game that occurs during a high probability of winning.
FIG. 13(b) is a table summarizing the types of special chart variation pattern derivation states that are set in each of the common state transition processing and the dedicated state transition processing.

As shown in FIG. 13(a), in step S102, which is the first step of the state transition processing at the end of a normal high probability jackpot game, it is determined whether or not the state is a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106.
In step S104, it is determined whether or not the pattern change that caused the jackpot game (hereinafter simply referred to as "this jackpot game") that triggers the execution of the state transition process at the end of this regular high probability jackpot game is within 10 spins from the start of the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S108.
In step S106, a common state transition process is executed, and then the state transition process at the end of the normal high probability medium jackpot game is terminated.
In step S108, a dedicated state transition process is executed, and then the state transition process at the end of the normal high probability medium jackpot game is terminated.

As shown in Fig. 13(b), in the common state transition process, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is set regardless of the type of the stopped symbol related to the current jackpot game, whether the stopped symbol is symbol a, symbol b, or symbol c. In other words, when the common state transition process is executed, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is set regardless of the type of the stopped symbol related to the current jackpot game.
On the other hand, in the dedicated state transition processing, if the stopping pattern for the current jackpot game is pattern a, a special chart change pattern derivation state PB is set, and if the stopping pattern for the current jackpot game is pattern b or pattern c, a special chart change pattern derivation state PC is set.

In this way, in this embodiment, if a jackpot game occurs within 10 spins from the start of the normal high probability state, which is set upon the end of a jackpot game, a common state transition process is executed to set the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, regardless of whether the normal high probability state is the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB or the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC.
According to this, while providing a normal pattern high probability (so-called easy-to-win state) with a different degree of advantage, it is possible to prevent a decrease in desire to play in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB with a relatively low degree of advantage.

In addition, the common state transition process in this embodiment sets a relatively advantageous normal high probability (in this embodiment, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC), but in order to achieve the effect, the common state transition process may set a relatively unfavorable normal high probability (special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB) or normal low probability. In other words, the common state transition process does not matter what state is set as long as it sets the same state. This is because the effect is achieved by there being no difference in the advantageous degree of the state related to the end of the jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the common state transition process can be executed.
In addition, the situation in which the common state transition process can be executed to achieve this effect is not limited to that of this embodiment, and the range of the number of rotations in which the common state transition process is executed does not matter, such as 11 or more rotations and within 20 rotations from the start of the normal high probability set at the end of the jackpot game, or 21 or more rotations and within 30 rotations from the start of the normal high probability set at the end of the jackpot game. In particular, in the case where the difference in the advantage of the normal high probability is caused by changing the probability of the jackpot game occurring instead of the factor that causes the difference in the advantage of the normal high probability in this embodiment, and the specified number of times related to the normal high probability with different advantages is made the same, the common state transition process may be executed in the range of the number of rotations including the pattern change in which the normal high probability ends (for example, the last 10 rotations).
Furthermore, the situation in which the common state transition process can be executed is not limited to the number of times the pattern change is executed in the above-mentioned normal high probability. For example, the common state transition process may be executed when a jackpot game occurs in a normal high probability state where the number of jackpot games (number of consecutive wins) executed via the normal high probability state without a normal low probability state (excluding a small win game or a jackpot game) is a predetermined number (for example, 3 times). In addition, the situation in which the common state transition process can be executed is when a jackpot game occurs in a normal high probability state where the number of balls acquired in the jackpot game during the above-mentioned consecutive wins is a predetermined number (for example, 3600 balls) or more.
That is, the situation in which the common state transition process can be executed does not matter as long as it occurs in both the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that it occurs due to the progress of the game (the number of times the pattern variation is executed, the number of times the jackpot game is played, the number of balls acquired).
In addition, in this embodiment, when a jackpot game occurs in a situation where the common state transition process can be executed, the common state transition process is always executed, but this is not limited to this. That is, the common state transition process may be executed in some cases where a jackpot game occurs in the situation.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, a state transition may occur after the end of a bonus game (jackpot game) that occurs in a specific state (a special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state related to a normal chart high probability), and the specific states include a first specific state (special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB) and a second specific state (special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC) that is more advantageous than the first specific state, and may become a specified situation (within 10 spins from the start of the normal chart high probability set at the end of the jackpot game), and when a bonus game occurs in a specified situation in a specific state, regardless of whether the specific state in which the bonus game occurred is the first specific state or the second specific state, a common transition control (common state transition process) related to the state can be executed based on the end of the bonus game, so that the state after the end of the bonus game can be the same.

In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, if the result of the special symbol hit/miss judgment during the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, the type of the stopped symbol is not referenced. This makes it possible to prevent the determination of whether or not the common state transition process is executed after the end of the big hit game caused by the type of special symbol fluctuation pattern (contents of the development performance) in the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. This is also true in the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PC.

<About the presentation related to the common state transition process>
Next, the details of the presentation related to the above-mentioned common state transition process will be described with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG.
Figures 14(a) to 14(c) are figures showing specific examples of presentations related to the common state transition processing, with Figure 14(a) showing a specific example of a first notification presentation, Figure 14(b) showing a specific example of a second notification presentation, and Figure 14(c) showing a specific example of a high probability notification presentation.
Fig. 15(a) is a diagram showing the flow of the first notification effect control process during a big win game, and the process is executed when a game ball enters the big win hole during a big win game that occurs in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB. Fig. 15(b) is a diagram showing a drawing table used in the drawing for the first notification effect, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 999.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the flow of the second notification effect control process at the end of a jackpot game, and this process is executed in response to the end of a jackpot game that occurs in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB.
17(a) is a diagram showing a flow of the control process for the presentation mode related to the high probability notification presentation, and the process is executed when the game ball enters the second starting hole in a situation where the common state transition process of the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB can be executed. FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table used for drawing a change to a special mode, and the range of the random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 999.

As shown in Figures 14(a) to 14(c), in this embodiment, the effects related to the common state transition processing include a first notification effect (see Figure 14(a)) that makes it possible to specify that the common state transition processing will be executed, a second notification effect (see Figure 14(b)) that makes it possible to specify that the common state transition processing has been executed, and a high probability notification effect (see Figure 14(c)) that suggests the possibility that the common state transition processing will be executed.The first notification effect can be executed during a jackpot game that occurs in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, the second notification effect can be executed at the end of the jackpot game, and the high probability notification effect can be executed in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB.
More specifically, as shown in Fig. 14(a), the first notification effect is an effect that can be executed when a game ball enters the big winning port 55 during a big win game, and in this effect, a first notification image kg1 including the text "Waiting for higher RUSH" is displayed. However, the first notification effect is not accompanied by sound output from the speaker 33.
In addition, the first announcement performance in this embodiment ends after a certain period of time (5000 ms in this embodiment), and if the jackpot game ends before that time has elapsed, it will be forcibly terminated (in this case, it will switch to the second announcement performance, as described below).

As shown in FIG. 14(b), the second notification effect is an effect that can be executed when a jackpot game ends, and in this effect, a second notification image kg2 containing the words "Entering higher-level RUSH" is displayed, and the speaker 33 produces a sound saying "Entering higher-level RUSH."

As shown in Figure 14 (c), the high probability notification effect is an effect that continues to be displayed in a situation where a common state transition process can be executed in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB (specifically, within 10 rotations from the start of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB), and in this effect, a high probability notification image kg3 including the words "High Probability of Top RUSH" is displayed.
In particular, in the high probability notification performance, the normal mode (the mode shown on the left side in FIG. 14(c)) may change to the special mode (the mode shown on the right side in FIG. 14(c)) when the game ball enters the second starting hole 59. At this time, the speaker 33 produces a sound effect corresponding to the change.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15(a), in step S202, which is the first step of the first announcement effect control process during jackpot play that controls the execution of the first announcement effect, it is determined whether the power cut flag during jackpot play is ON or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the first announcement effect control process during jackpot play is terminated (in this case, the first announcement effect is not executed), and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S204.
Here, the power interruption flag during jackpot play is a flag that enables identification of a power interruption that does not involve the execution of a RAM clear process, such as a momentary power interruption, during jackpot play, and is set to ON when a power interruption occurs during jackpot play. Note that this flag is uniformly set to OFF when the jackpot play ends, and is also uniformly set to OFF (initialized) when power is turned on with the execution of a RAM clear process.

In step S204, it is determined whether the current jackpot game is a jackpot game related to the common state transition process. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S206. If the condition is not met, the first notification effect control process during the jackpot game is terminated. Here, a jackpot game related to the common state transition process refers to a jackpot game in which the common state transition process is executed after the game ends. This is also true for the second notification effect control process at the end of the jackpot game, which will be described later.

In step S206, it is determined whether the completion flag is ON or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the first notification effect control process during the jackpot game is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S208.
Here, the completion flag is a flag that allows identification that the first notification performance has been executed, and the flag is set to OFF uniformly at the end of the big win game (particularly, at the end of the second notification performance control process at the end of the big win game, which will be described later). In particular, in this embodiment, the state of the completion flag is maintained when power is restored after a power interruption such as a momentary power outage that does not involve the execution of a RAM clear process, and is initialized (set to OFF) when power is restored after a power interruption that involves the execution of a RAM clear process.

In step S208, a lottery is held to determine whether the first notification performance will be performed.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15(b), in the execution lottery for the first announcement effect, there is a 50/1000 (1/20) probability of winning the execution lottery, and a 950/1000 (approximately 1/1.05) probability of not winning the lottery.

In step S210, it is determined whether or not the lottery for executing the first notification effect has been won, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S212, and if the condition is not met, the second notification effect control process is terminated when the jackpot game ends.
In step S212, performance data relating to the first notification performance is set, and the first notification performance is executed based on the set performance data.
In step S214, the completion flag is set to ON, and then the second notification effect control process at the end of the big win game is terminated.

In this way, in this embodiment, in a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the common state transition processing of the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB can be executed, a first notification display can be executed that makes it possible to identify that the common state transition processing will be executed.
According to this, by making the player aware that a common state transition process is executed during a jackpot game in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the player can enjoy the jackpot game while giving a sense of security.
In order to achieve this effect, the first notification display is executed in some cases when a jackpot game occurs in a situation where the common state transition processing of the special chart change pattern derivation state PB can be executed, but the system may be configured so that the first notification display is always executed during the jackpot game.
In addition, the execution condition of the first notification performance does not matter as long as it is a condition that is satisfied during a jackpot game. However, from the viewpoint of making it easier for the player to recognize the first notification performance, it is preferable that the execution condition is satisfied by the acquisition of a game ball in a jackpot game (entry of a game ball into the large prize winning hole 55) as in this embodiment, and the acquisition of the game ball may include the entry of a game ball into a hole other than the large prize winning hole 55, such as the general prize winning hole sensor 73. In particular, in this embodiment, the first notification performance is executed at the timing when the above-mentioned execution condition is satisfied (triggered by the satisfaction of the execution condition), but the first notification performance may be configured to be executed based on the satisfaction of the execution condition, such as the passage of a certain time since the execution condition is satisfied.
In addition, even in a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the common state transition processing of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC can be executed (within 10 spins from the start of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC), the first notification performance may be executed, similar to a situation where the common state transition processing of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB can be executed.

Therefore, in other words, when a bonus game (jackpot game) occurs in a specific situation (within 10 spins from the start of a regular high probability game set at the end of a jackpot game) in a specific state (a state in which a special game variation pattern related to a regular high probability game is derived) in the gaming machine 10, a first notification (first notification performance) that can identify that a common transition control (common state transition processing) will be executed can be executed based on the fact that a specific condition in the bonus game has been satisfied.

Furthermore, in other words, the above-mentioned predetermined conditions can be satisfied by the acquisition of gaming media in a bonus game (jackpot game).

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown by the determination in step S202, if a power outage occurs during a jackpot game (if the power outage flag during jackpot game is ON) before the performance data for the first notification performance is set (before step S212 is executed), the first notification performance will not be executed during the jackpot game.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in step S302, which is the first step of the second notification effect control process at the end of a jackpot game that controls the execution of the second notification effect, it is determined whether the currently ended jackpot game is a jackpot game related to the common state transition process, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S304, and if the condition is not satisfied, the second notification effect control process at the end of a jackpot game is terminated (in this case, the second notification effect is not executed).
In step S304, it is determined whether the completion flag is ON or not, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S306, and if the condition is not satisfied, the second notification presentation control process at the end of the jackpot game is terminated.
In step S306, the effect data for the first notification effect is set, and then the second notification effect control process is terminated at the end of the big win game. As a result, the second notification effect is executed.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the second notification effect is executed when the completion flag is ON, i.e., when the first notification effect is executed during a jackpot game. On the other hand, when the completion flag is OFF, i.e., when the first notification effect is not executed during a jackpot game, the second notification effect is not executed.
As described above, in this embodiment, if a power outage occurs during a jackpot game without the execution of a RAM clear process such as a momentary power outage before the first notification performance is executed, the first notification performance is not executed during the jackpot game after the power is restored. Furthermore, if a power outage occurs during a jackpot game without the execution of a RAM clear process such as a momentary power outage after the first notification performance is executed, the completion flag is held in the ON state.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the common state transition process can be executed, if a power interruption and restoration without execution of RAM clear processing such as a momentary power interruption occurs before the first notification performance is executed, the second notification performance is not executed when the jackpot game ends after the restoration. On the other hand, in a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the common state transition process can be executed, if a power interruption and restoration without execution of RAM clear processing such as a momentary power interruption occurs after the first notification performance is executed, the second notification performance is executed when the jackpot game ends after the restoration.
This makes it less likely that players will be confused when a power outage occurs during a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where a common state transition process can be executed, and restores power without the execution of a RAM clear process such as a momentary power outage, and also strengthens the flow from the first announcement performance to the second announcement performance (the correlation between the first announcement performance and the second announcement performance can be increased).
In this embodiment, the second notification display is executed at the timing when the jackpot game ends (triggered by the end of the jackpot game), but the second notification display may also be configured to be executed based on the end of the jackpot game, such as a certain amount of time having passed since the end of the jackpot game.
In addition, even after the end of a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the common state transition processing of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC can be executed (within 10 spins from the start of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC), the second notification performance may be executed, similar to a situation where the common state transition processing of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB can be executed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a bonus game (jackpot game) occurs in a specified situation (within 10 spins from the start of the normal high probability set by the end of the jackpot game) in a specific state (a state in which a special game variation pattern related to a normal high probability is derived), a second notification (second notification effect) that can identify that a common transition control (common state transition processing) has been executed can be executed based on the end of the bonus game, and when a bonus game occurs in a specified situation in a specific state, if a power outage occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process before the start of the first notification (first notification effect), the second notification is not executed based on the end of the bonus game, and when a power outage occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process after the start of the first notification, the second notification is executed based on the end of the bonus game.

Although not mentioned in the above explanation, in this embodiment, if a power outage occurs during execution of the first announcement performance and a power restoration occurs without executing a RAM clear process, such as a momentary power outage, the first announcement performance may return, but the presentation mode of the first announcement performance before the power outage is configured to be different from the presentation mode of the first announcement performance after restoration (illustration of the presentation mode of the first announcement performance after restoration is omitted).
This makes it less likely for the player to be confused when a power outage and restoration occurs without the execution of RAM clearing processing, such as a momentary power outage, during a jackpot game that occurs in a situation where the above-mentioned common state transition processing can be executed, and it has the effect of strengthening the flow from the first notification display to the second notification display, while making it easier for the player to recognize that a power outage and restoration has occurred without the execution of RAM clearing processing, such as a momentary power outage.
Here, the different presentation mode does not necessarily mean that the content of the first notification image kg1 itself is different, such as that the content of the characters included in the first notification image kg1 is different, that the color of the characters is different, or a combination of these. For example, it also includes that the first notification image kg1 looks different because an image (e.g., a background image) displayed in parallel with the first notification image kg1 is different before and after the power outage is restored.
In addition, the above statement that "the first announcement effect may return" takes into consideration the fact that the first announcement effect will not return if there is no timing to return (for example, the start of a new round) when the power outage and restoration occurs during a jackpot game (such as when the power outage and restoration occurs in the final round).
In particular, in this embodiment, the first notification effect ends after a certain period of time, but if the first notification effect starts during a big win game, it may continue until the end of the big win game. In this case, it is possible to further enhance the effect of making it easier to recognize that a power outage and restoration without executing a RAM clear process such as the above-mentioned momentary power outage has occurred.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a power outage occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process while the first notification (first notification performance) is being executed, the first notification can be restored, and in other words, when a power outage occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process while the first notification is being executed, the notification mode of the first notification before the power outage and the notification mode of the first notification after the power restoration are different.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, if a power outage and restoration occurs during the execution of the second notification display without executing a RAM clear process, such as a momentary power outage, the second notification display can be restored, and the presentation mode of the second notification display before the power outage and the presentation mode of the second notification display after restoration are configured to be identical.
According to this, if the power outage and restoration occurs during the flow from the first notification performance to the second notification performance, it is possible to easily recognize at what point in time (during the execution of the first notification performance or during the execution of the second notification performance) the power outage and restoration occurred.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17(a), in step S402, which is the first step of the presentation mode control process for the high probability announcement effect that controls the presentation mode of the high probability announcement effect, it is determined whether or not a high probability announcement effect related to a special mode is being executed, and if the condition is satisfied, the presentation mode control process for the high probability announcement effect is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S404.
In step S404, it is determined whether the pattern change that triggered the execution of the performance mode control process related to the current high probability notification performance (hereinafter referred to as the "current pattern change", particularly the one related to the second starting port 59) is a miss without a development performance, and if the condition is satisfied, the performance mode control process related to the high probability notification performance is terminated, and if the condition is not satisfied, it proceeds to step S406. Here, the case where the condition is not satisfied refers to the case where the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment (the result of the advance judgment) is a big hit or a small hit, and the case where the result of the special chart hit/miss judgment is a miss and a special chart change pattern in which a development performance is executed is determined.

In step S406, a lottery for changing to a special mode is carried out.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17(b), if the result of the special pattern hit/miss determination for this pattern change is a big hit or a small hit, there is a 700/1000 (approximately 1/1.43) probability of winning the lottery for a change to a special mode, and a 300/1000 (approximately 1/3.33) probability of not winning the lottery for that change.
On the other hand, if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment for this pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special pattern hit/miss judgment is a miss and a special pattern change pattern in which an advanced performance is executed is determined, there is a 400/1000 (1/2.5) probability of winning the lottery for changing into a special mode, and a 600/1000 (approximately 1/1.67) probability of not winning the lottery for changing into the special mode.
Here, as described above, the high probability notification effect is displayed in a situation where the common state transition process can be executed in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB. Therefore, it can be said that the high probability notification effect of the special mode is an effect that makes one expect that the common state transition process will be executed.

In step S408, it is determined whether or not the change lottery has been won, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S410, and if the condition is not met, the process terminates the presentation mode control process for the high probability notification presentation.
In step S410, the effect data for the high probability notification effect of the special mode is set, and then the effect mode control process for the high probability notification effect is terminated. As a result, the high probability notification effect changes from the normal mode to the special mode.

In this way, in this embodiment, the high probability notification display is configured to be executed in a situation where the common state transition processing can be executed in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB (specifically, within 10 rotations from the start of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB), and it can be said that the high probability notification display suggests the possibility that the common state transition processing will be executed depending on its presentation mode.
This can enhance the effect of preventing a decline in motivation to play in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, which has a relatively low degree of advantage.
In addition, in order to achieve this effect, in a situation where a common state transition processing of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC can be executed (within 10 rotations from the start of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC), a high probability notification display may be executed, similar to a situation where a common state transition processing in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB can be executed.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, a predetermined notification (high probability notification display) can be executed in a predetermined situation (within 10 spins from the start of the normal high probability set at the end of the jackpot game), and the predetermined notification can be in multiple notification modes, which can be said to include a first mode (normal mode) and a second mode (special mode) in which the possibility of a common transition control (common state transition processing) being executed in a predetermined situation is higher than the first mode.

In particular, in this embodiment, a change in the presentation mode of the above-mentioned high probability notification presentation occurs when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 59 .
This makes it easier to recognize pattern changes that are likely to result in the common state transition process being executed.

Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the predetermined notification (second notification performance) can change from a first mode (normal mode) to a second mode (special mode) based on the entry of a gaming ball into the start hole (second start hole 59) while the pattern change is being performed.

<Other Modifications>
Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

First, the various controls shown in the figures and the like in the invention according to this embodiment are one means for realizing the above-mentioned inventions, and do not limit the specific control content of each invention. In other words, each of the above-mentioned inventions merely describes the phenomena.

In addition, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called type 1/type 2 mixed machine capable of deriving both a big win and a small win that can result in a big win game in determining whether or not the special chart has been hit, but it is not limited to this and it is also possible to adopt one that is capable of deriving only a so-called type 2 win.
Furthermore, the special chart change pattern derivation state PB and the special chart change pattern derivation state PC in this embodiment are game states in which a pattern change related to the special chart 2 is executed, but these game states may also be game states in which a pattern change related to a normal chart is executed (so-called normal chart RUSH), and in this case, the normal chart hit functions as a game ball entering the second starting hole 59 to generate a small hit game (which generates a big hit game).

In addition, in the present embodiment, as long as the relationship between the probability, ratio, frequency, and number of times is ensured, the smaller value may be 0, and the larger value may be the maximum value. In particular, as long as the phenomenon aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the high and low of each ratio described above does not matter.
Furthermore, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is just an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

In addition, in the above explanation, the recovery state when power is restored is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, but it is also possible to refer to whether the time that the RAM clear switch 43 has been ON since power was restored exceeds a specified time (e.g., 3 seconds). In this way, the occurrence of erroneous RAM clear processing can be further reduced.

In addition, in the above explanation, the state of the middle frame open door sensor 76 (open/closed state of the middle frame 17) was referenced when determining the return state when power was restored, but the return state may be set without reference to that state. In this case, the return state when power is restored may be set uniformly according to the case when the middle frame open door sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is open).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, but includes various modifications, improvements, and other aspects as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

<Additional Notes>
The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea.
(1)
A gaming machine capable of executing a game using a gaming medium and generating a special game advantageous for acquiring the gaming medium,
The gaming machine has a normal state and a specific state that is more advantageous than the normal state,
The state may transition after the bonus game that occurred in the specific state is completed,
The specific state includes a first specific state and a second specific state having a higher advantage than the first specific state,
It may be a given situation,
When the bonus game is generated in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a common transition control for the state can be executed based on the end of the bonus game, regardless of whether the specific state in which the bonus game is generated is the first specific state or the second specific state, so that the state after the end of the bonus game can be the same.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(2)
The gaming machine according to (1) above,
When the bonus game occurs in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a first notification that can specify that the common transition control is to be executed may be executed based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition in the bonus game.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(3)
The gaming machine according to (2) above,
The predetermined condition may be satisfied by acquisition of a gaming medium in the bonus game.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(a)
When the bonus game occurs in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a second notification capable of specifying that the common transition control has been executed may be executed based on the fact that the bonus game has ended;
When the bonus game occurs in the predetermined situation in the specific state,
When a power outage occurs without the execution of a RAM clear process before the first notification is started, the second notification is not executed based on the end of the bonus game,
When a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process after the first notification is started, the second notification is executed based on the fact that the bonus game has ended.
A gaming machine characterized by:
(b)
When a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during execution of the first notification, the first notification may be restored,
When a power outage occurs without execution of a RAM clear process during execution of the first notification, the notification mode of the first notification before the power outage is different from the notification mode of the first notification after the power restoration.
A gaming machine characterized by:

10 Gaming machine 15 Outer frame 17 Middle frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent member 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operation handle 32 Upper frame portion 33 (33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame portions 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) Frame lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Center cursor button 39 Main operation portion 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 50a Game area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53, inner rail 54, protective member 55, large prize opening 57, first start opening 59, second start opening 61, normal electric role 62, normal electric role solenoid 63, gate 65, special electric role 66, special electric role solenoid 67, general prize opening 69, out opening 70, first start opening sensor 71, second start opening sensor 72, large prize opening sensor 73, general prize opening sensor 74, gate sensor 75, out ball sensor 76, middle frame door open sensor 77, front frame door open sensor 80, performance display device 81, main display section 82, sub-display section 82a, upper sub-display section 82b, left sub-display section 82c, right sub-display section 90, pattern display device 91, first special pattern display device 92, second special pattern display device 93, normal pattern display device 94, first special pattern hold lamp 95, second special pattern hold lamp 96, normal pattern hold lamp 100, main control board 101, CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 I/O port 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generation means 120 Main hold control means 125 Advance determination means 130 Special chart lottery means 131 Special chart win/loss determination means 132 Special chart stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart change pattern derivation means 135 Regular chart lottery means 140 Big win game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electric role control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Recovery state setting means 179 Playable state transition means 180 Power cut process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 I/O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal presentation control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Presentation route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Pre-reading presentation control means 225 Presentation content determination means 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Big win presentation control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable role control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Sound control board 311 CPU
312 ROM
313 RAM
314 I/O port 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power supply circuit 502 Backup power supply circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path kg1 First notification image kg2 Second notification image kg3 High probability notification image

Claims (3)

A gaming machine capable of executing a game using a gaming medium and generating a special game advantageous for acquiring the gaming medium,
The gaming machine has a normal state and a specific state that is more advantageous than the normal state,
The state may transition after the bonus game that occurred in the specific state is completed,
The specific state includes a first specific state and a second specific state having a higher advantage than the first specific state,
It may be a given situation,
When the bonus game is generated in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a common transition control for the state can be executed based on the end of the bonus game, regardless of whether the specific state in which the bonus game is generated is the first specific state or the second specific state, so that the state after the end of the bonus game can be the same.
A gaming machine characterized by: 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the bonus game occurs in the predetermined situation in the specific state, a first notification that can specify that the common transition control is to be executed may be executed based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition in the bonus game.
A gaming machine characterized by: 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2,
The predetermined condition may be satisfied by acquisition of a gaming medium in the bonus game.
A gaming machine characterized by:

Images