JP4606205B2 - Gaming machine, gaming machine control method, program, and image generation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, a gaming machine control method, a program, and an image generation apparatus.

As a gaming machine that performs lottery display by changing a plurality of combination symbols, for example, a pachinko gaming machine is known. Among such gaming machines, there is a type in which an image showing a virtual three-dimensional space is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit or the like provided at the center of the board surface to perform a lottery effect.
JP 2003-290514 A

  In such a type of gaming machine, what kind of gaming effect is performed is an important factor that influences the popularity of the gaming machine. Therefore, a game effect that makes the player more entertaining and motivated by the player is performed. It is preferable.

  However, simply displaying a lottery effect image on the liquid crystal display section makes it difficult to differentiate from other gaming machines of the same type, and the impact that provokes the player's willingness to play is scarce.

  In addition, there were some games that performed a lottery effect by operating a molded product called a movable accessory on the game board surface, but the operational direction and operational range of the molded product were limited, and the shape and divided surface of the molded product As a result, I was able to predict the movement of the movable object, and there was no surprise when it moved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a gaming machine and a gaming machine capable of performing a game effect that makes the player more entertaining and arouses the player's gaming motivation. A control method, a program, and an image generation apparatus are provided.

(1) The present invention
A lottery unit for performing a lottery process including a lottery for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player when a winning of a game medium is detected;
A display unit movably provided around a first axis parallel to the reference display surface;
An image generation unit for generating an image to be displayed on the display unit;
An effect control unit that performs control to move the display unit around the first axis when a given game event occurs;
It is characterized by including.

  In the present invention, the gaming machine corresponds to, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or the like that displays various lottery effects.

  Here, the game medium is, for example, a game ball, a game coin, or the like, and winning means not only that a game ball, game coin, or the like enters but also passes through a start winning opening or the like.

  The special game refers to a game that gives a special benefit to the player. In a pachinko gaming machine, for example, a jackpot game in which a lot of prize balls are paid out to the player.

  The display unit refers to image display means such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and the display surface of the display unit refers to a surface that displays an image formed on the liquid crystal display, plasma display, or the like. The reference display surface refers to the display surface when the display unit that moves around the first axis is at the reference position. For example, the display surface when the display surface is parallel to the game board surface of the gaming machine. Say.

  The first axis parallel to the reference display surface is an axis parallel to the X-axis direction that is the horizontal direction of the reference display surface, an axis parallel to the Y-axis direction that is the vertical direction of the display surface, And an axis parallel to the direction in which the Y axis is combined.

  Further, moving around the axis includes rotating it around the axis by a predetermined angle. In addition, moving around a first axis parallel to the display surface means that the first axis is set at a position included in the display surface and the display unit is moved around the axis, or is not included in the display surface. And moving the display unit by setting the first axis to the position.

  The image includes a two-dimensional image and a virtual three-dimensional image, and also includes an image generated in real time, an image reproduced and output based on pre-stored image data, and the like.

  A game event is an event for directing a game on a gaming machine, an event for directing a lottery result, an event for announcing a lottery result, an event for directing a special game Various events are included.

  The occurrence of a game event may be generated by a predetermined algorithm based on a lottery result of a lottery process for determining whether or not to execute a special game, and whether or not a game event is generated as a lottery process is determined. It may be generated by performing a lottery to be performed.

  According to the present invention, when a given game event occurs, the physical position of the display unit where the player's attention is high changes, so that the player has a strong impact and provides an easy-to-understand game effect. A gaming machine can be realized.

  For example, when the display unit is configured to be movable around an axis parallel to the Y-axis direction on the left side of the reference display surface, the right side of the display unit is moved toward or away from the viewer. Can be moved in the direction. In addition, when the display unit is configured to be movable around an axis parallel to the X axis direction below the display surface, the upper part of the display unit is moved toward the viewer or away from the viewer. Can be moved.

  As described above, since the position of the display unit itself for displaying an image moves in the depth direction (Z-axis direction) of the gaming machine, it is possible to give a three-dimensional change in the depth direction to the appearance of the image displayed on the display unit. It is possible to produce an extremely high visual effect.

(2) The present invention
Further comprising an accessory provided adjacent to the display unit and movably provided around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
The production control unit
When the game event occurs, the control for moving the display unit around the first axis and the control for moving the accessory around the second axis are performed in conjunction with each other.

  In the present invention, an accessory includes a given molded product for producing a game.

  The control for moving the display unit around the first axis and the control for moving the accessory around the second axis are performed in conjunction with each other, means for moving the display unit and means for moving the accessory To control both of them in synchronism by synchronizing them in software, or to move the display part and move the accessory and control them both in hardware including.

  According to the present invention, when a given game event occurs, the change in the position of the display unit and the change in the position of the accessory are linked to each other. It is possible to realize a gaming machine that performs.

  In particular, by changing the position of the display unit, the movement range of the accessory provided adjacent to the display unit can be increased, and the types of operation of the accessory can be increased. Can stand out more.

  For example, when the display unit is configured to be movable around an axis parallel to the Y-axis direction on the left side of the reference display surface, and an accessory is provided adjacent to the right side of the display unit, the right side of the display unit It is possible to perform various effects by combining the movement of the display unit and the movement of the accessory, such as moving the accessory in an empty space.

(3) The present invention
The production control unit
When the gaming event occurs, control for moving the display unit around the first axis is performed in conjunction with display of a given image displayed on the display unit.

  In the present invention, interlocking with display of a given image includes interlocking with display of a given still image and interlocking with display of a certain range of a moving image.

  A given image may be defined in association with a gaming event.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the change of the physical position of a display part and the display of a given image can be linked | related, and the visual effect of the displayed image can be improved greatly.

  For example, if a character as a given image moves in an upward direction toward the viewer and moves the upper part of the display unit toward the viewer, the character displayed on the upper part of the display unit kicks. The feet that are put out are more emphasized. In addition, the head displayed on the upper part of the display unit is punched by moving the upper part of the display unit away from the viewer in conjunction with the action of the character receiving the punch on the head. To be emphasized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the change in the position of the display unit and the display of a given image are associated with each other, and an effect with a very high visual effect can be performed.

  Furthermore, since a wide variety of image contents can be prepared, various effects can be performed by combining the image to be displayed and the movement of the display unit.

(4) The present invention
Further comprising an accessory provided adjacent to the display unit and movably provided around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
The production control unit
A given image that causes the display unit to display control for moving the display unit around the first axis and control for moving the accessory around the second axis when the gaming event occurs It is performed in conjunction with the display of.

  According to the present invention, when a given game event occurs, the change in the position of the display unit and the change in the position of the accessory are linked with the image to be displayed on the display unit. It is possible to realize a gaming machine that provides a strong and easy-to-understand game effect.

  In particular, the movement of an accessory can be further emphasized by displaying an image in conjunction with the change in the position of the accessory according to the change in the position of the display unit.

  For example, if a configuration is adopted in which the right side of the display unit is retracted around an axis parallel to the Y-axis direction of the reference display surface and the accessory is moved to a vacant space, whether the accessory is immersed in the display unit Various effects can be performed by combining the movement of the display unit, the movement of the accessory, and the change of the image.

(5) The present invention
The image generation unit
Generate an image of a virtual 3D space seen from a virtual camera,
The production control unit
When the gaming event occurs, control for moving the display unit around the first axis and at least one of control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera are performed in conjunction with each other. And

  In the present invention, control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera refers to changing the relative position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual three-dimensional space and the virtual camera. For example, in addition to changing the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera in the virtual three-dimensional space, the object set in the virtual three-dimensional space with the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera fixed This includes changing the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera relative to the object by changing the position of.

  In addition, performing each control in conjunction with each other means that the programs for performing each control are performed in synchronization, and control information for performing each control is supported by a predetermined function or table. This includes performing in conjunction with each other. For example, the movement amount information of the display unit and the change information of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera may be associated with each other by a predetermined function or table.

  According to the present invention, the change in the position of the display unit and the control of the virtual camera are linked to associate the change in the physical position of the display unit with the change in the view image, thereby A feeling of operation can be emphasized more.

  For example, by controlling the virtual camera to turn to the left with respect to the object while retreating the right side of the display unit around an axis parallel to the Y-axis direction of the reference display surface, the display unit is looked into from the side. It is possible to strongly give the viewer a pseudo-motion feeling.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the visual effect of the image to be displayed can be dramatically improved.

(6) The present invention
Further comprising an accessory provided adjacent to the display unit and movably provided around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
The production control unit
Control for moving the accessory around the second axis is further performed. When the gaming event occurs, control for moving the display unit around the first axis and the accessory for the second axis are performed. Control that moves around the axis and at least one control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera are performed in conjunction with each other.

  According to the present invention, when a given game event occurs, the change in the position of the display unit, the change in the position of the accessory, and the change in the view image are linked. A gaming machine that provides easy-to-understand game effects can be realized.

  In particular, by controlling the virtual camera in conjunction with the change in the position of the object, the object in the real space and the object set in the virtual three-dimensional space operate in a common space. It is possible to produce such an effect.

(7) The present invention
The production control unit
Control is further performed to move the movable part of the accessory along a third axis that intersects the second axis, and the third part is moved according to the amount of movement of the accessory around the second axis. Controlling at least one of the direction of the axis and the movement range of the movable part of the accessory along the third axis is characterized.

  According to the present invention, the moving direction and the moving range of the movable part of the accessory are changed using the empty space generated according to the change of the position of the display part.

  Therefore, it is possible to control the moving direction and moving range of the movable part of the accessory using the vacant space according to the change of the position of the display part to the maximum.

(8) The present invention
The production control unit
The display unit moves around the first axis and the accessory moves around the second axis until the display surface of the display unit and the third axis are in a parallel state. It is characterized by performing control that links movement.

  According to the present invention, for example, the position of the display unit and the accessory can be changed from a state in which the moving direction of the movable part of the accessory is perpendicular to the display surface to a state in which it is parallel to the display surface. it can.

  Therefore, for example, the operation of the accessory can be changed from an aspect in which the movable part of the accessory moves toward the player to an aspect in which it moves across the display surface of the display unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the change of the position of the display unit and the change of the position of the accessory can be linked to make various operation modes of the accessory even in a small space.

(9) The present invention
It further includes an operation unit for the player to input operation information,
The image generation unit
Based on the operation information, a given image is generated,
The production control unit
Based on the operation information, control for moving the display unit around the first axis is performed in conjunction with display of a given image displayed on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, since the change in the position of the display unit is linked with the change in the image based on the operation information input by the player, the player's intention can be reflected in the lottery effect, and the player's expectation A feeling can be heightened effectively.

(10) The present invention
Control of a gaming machine that performs a lottery process including a lottery for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player when a winning of a game medium is detected, and displays a given lottery effect image on a display unit A method,
When a given game event occurs, control is performed to move the display unit around a first axis parallel to the reference display surface.

  According to the present invention, when a given game event occurs, the physical position of the display unit where the player's attention is high changes, so that the player has a strong impact and provides an easy-to-understand game effect. A method for controlling a gaming machine can be provided.

(11) The present invention
A program that can be executed by a computer for controlling a gaming machine that performs a lottery process including a lottery for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to a player when a winning of a game medium is detected,
An image generation unit for generating an image to be displayed on the display unit;
An effect control unit that performs control to move the display unit around a first axis parallel to a reference display surface;
Function as a computer
The production control unit
When a given game event occurs, control is performed to move the display unit around the first movement axis.

  According to the present invention, when a given game event occurs, the physical position of the display unit where the player's attention is high changes, so that the player has a strong impact and provides an easy-to-understand game effect. A program executable by a computer for controlling the gaming machine can be provided.

(12) The present invention
A gaming event determination unit that determines whether or not a given gaming event has occurred;
An image generation unit for generating an image to be displayed on the display unit;
An effect control unit that performs control to move the display unit around a first axis parallel to a reference display surface;
Including
The production control unit
When the game event occurs, the display unit is controlled to move around the first axis.

  According to the present invention, since the position of the display unit itself for displaying an image moves in the depth direction (Z-axis direction) with respect to the display surface, a three-dimensional change in the depth direction in the appearance of the image displayed on the display unit Therefore, it is possible to provide an image generation apparatus that displays an image with a very high visual effect.

(13) The present invention provides:
The image generation unit
Generate an image of a virtual 3D space seen from a virtual camera,
The production control unit
When the gaming event occurs, control for moving the display unit around the first axis and at least one of control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera are performed in conjunction with each other. And

  According to the present invention, the change in the position of the display unit and the control of the virtual camera are linked to associate the change in the physical position of the display unit with the change in the view image, thereby A feeling of operation can be emphasized more.

  Therefore, it is possible to realize an image generation apparatus capable of dramatically improving the visual effect of an image to be displayed.

1. Configuration of Gaming Machine FIG. 1 shows a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with a game board surface 10 on which the game medium moves in the upper half of the front, a pachinko ball hitting tray 36 in the lower half of the front, and a surplus ball receiving tray 38 and a handle below the pachinko ball. 34 is provided.

  In addition, a button as an operation input unit 39 for a player to perform an operation input is provided at the lower part of the front. For example, when a player presses the button, an operation of an accessory (for example, movement start) , Operation stop, etc.) is input.

  On the game board surface 10, an effect device 2 for directing the game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is arranged at the center. The effect device 2 includes a display unit 12 configured using a liquid crystal display or the like (image display means), and a track accessory 44 as an effect agent arranged adjacent to the right side of the display unit 12. Including. The display unit 12 displays an image that produces a game of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and other necessary information, and the track accessory 44 performs a given operation that produces a game together with the image displayed on the display unit 12. Do.

  A through chucker 14 that functions as a normal symbol start winning opening is arranged on the left side of the effect device 2. In addition, a start winning opening 16 (start chucker, electric tulip) that functions as a special symbol starting winning opening is provided below the stage device 2, and a large winning opening 18 that is opened when the special game is executed is further provided below the starting winning opening 16. It has been. An out ball entrance 40 is provided at the lower end of the game board surface 10.

  When the player grasps the handle 34 and performs a rotation operation, the pachinko balls stored in the hitting ball supply tray 36 are launched by a hitting ball launching mechanism (not shown), and the outer rail 30 and the inner rail 32 are placed between the outer rail 30 and the outer rail 30. It is guided to roll upward in a circular arc-shaped path, and falls on the game board surface 10 inside the outer rail 30.

  When the ball enters the start winning opening 16, a winning is detected by a winning detection unit constituted by a switch or the like. Then, according to a given rule, a special symbol lottery process for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player, that is, whether to win or miss is performed. At this time, a lottery effect image for variably displaying the first to mth (m ≧ 2) symbol groups is displayed on the display unit 12 as a part of the game effect image.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a lottery effect image displayed on the display unit 12.

  In the present embodiment, twelve symbols displayed so as to move in the vertical direction in a predetermined order constitute one symbol group, and each of the three symbol groups is variably displayed in the vertical direction. Display control is performed so that a given symbol is stopped and displayed for the symbol group. Then, the lottery is produced by the changing operation of the symbol, and the result of the lottery is displayed by the symbol stopped and displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the symbol “3” is stopped and displayed for the symbol group 200a on the left first column, the symbol “3” is stopped and displayed on the symbol group 200c on the right third column, For the symbol group 200b, a so-called reach state effect that is in a variable display is shown.

  When the lottery result is a big hit, the final stop symbols to be stopped and displayed for each column are set to the same symbol, and a big hit is displayed. In the example of FIG. 2, the second column is stopped and displayed with the symbol “3”. Then, the special game is executed, the special winning opening 18 is opened, and when a ball enters the special winning opening 18, a lot of winning balls are paid out to the hitting ball supply tray 36.

  On the other hand, when the lottery result is out, the symbol to be stopped and displayed for at least one symbol group is set as a symbol different from the other symbols, and it is displayed that the symbol is out. In the example of FIG. 2, the second column is stopped and displayed with a symbol other than the symbol “3”. Then, the normal game is continued.

  Further, when winning the through chucker 14 of FIG. 1 (a ball enters or passes), the probability of winning a pachinko ball to the start winning port 16 as the start chucker is increased for a predetermined short time according to a given rule. A so-called normal symbol lottery process is performed. When the normal winning lottery process is performed and a small hit is determined to instruct opening of the start winning opening 16 for a predetermined short time, the starting winning opening 16 is opened for a certain time (about 3 seconds in the present embodiment). After a predetermined short period of time, the start winning opening 16 is closed. As a result, the number of special symbol lottery processing increases, and the player has a sense of expectation of jackpot.

  The balls that have not won the prize enter the out ball entrance 40 and are collected.

2. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the display unit 12 of the rendering device 2 is a support portion of the rendering device 2 main body via a first shaft 42 provided on the lower left side thereof. 43. In the present embodiment, the first axis 42 is provided in parallel to the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) of the display surface of the display unit 12, and the display unit 12 is arranged around the first axis 42 on the game board surface 10. Is movable at a predetermined angle.

  In addition, the track accessory 44 of the rendering device 2 includes a molded product 46 formed in the shape of a track and a base 48 on which the molded product 46 is arranged, and the base 48 is provided at a lower center portion thereof. The support portion 43 is mounted via the second shaft 50. The second shaft 50 is provided in parallel with the first shaft 42 of the display unit 12, and the track accessory 44 is movable at a predetermined angle around the second shaft 50 with respect to the game board surface 10. ing.

  Note that the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44 are surrounded by a frame 52 so that the game medium moving on the game board surface 10 does not come into contact with the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44.

  3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the rendering device 2 as viewed from above, showing the operational relationship between the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, at the reference time, the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44 are arranged such that the display surface 13 of the display unit 12 and the front surface 47 of the track accessory 44 are parallel to the game board surface 10. ing. This state is the reference position of the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44 in the present embodiment, and is the reference display surface of the display surface 13.

  A motor 54 is disposed below the display unit 12, and one end of a first arm 58 that rotates together with the rotation shaft 56 is connected to the rotation shaft 56 of the motor 54. The other end of the second arm 60 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first arm 58, and the other end of the second arm 60 is connected to the bottom of the base 48 of the track accessory 44. The shaft pin 62 provided is rotatably connected.

  Accordingly, when the motor 54 is driven and the first arm 58 rotates clockwise in the figure, the second arm 60 moves to the left in the figure, and the shaft pin 62 moves along the arcuate guide 64. Thus, the track accessory 44 rotates clockwise in the drawing with the second shaft 50 as the rotation axis. Then, the end 68 of the notch 66 formed in the track accessory 44 comes into contact with the display unit 12, and when the track accessory 44 further rotates, the display unit 12 is illustrated with the first shaft 42 as the rotation axis. Rotate counterclockwise.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the motor 54 is driven and the first arm 58 is rotated 180 degrees from the state of FIG. 3. At this time, the track accessory 44 is rotated 70 degrees clockwise from the state of FIG. 3, and the display unit 12 is rotated 20 degrees counterclockwise from the state of FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, from the state in which the display surface 13 of the display unit 12 and the front surface 47 of the track accessory 44 are parallel to the game board surface 10, as shown in FIG. The display surface 13 of the display unit 12 and the front surface 47 of the track accessory 44 change to a state where they are orthogonal to each other.

  On the other hand, when the motor 54 is driven in the reverse direction from the state of FIG. 4 and the first arm 58 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the track accessory 44 uses the second shaft 50 as the rotation axis in the drawing. Turn counterclockwise. Then, the spring 65 that connects the track accessory 44 and the display unit 12 pulls the display unit 12 toward the front side, and rotates the display unit 12 clockwise with the first shaft 42 as the rotation axis. When the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44 are rotated to the state shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 12 comes into contact with a stopper 69 provided at the lower front portion of the display unit 12, and the display surface 13 of the display unit 12 is played. It is maintained in a state parallel to the board surface 10.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the first arm 58, the second arm 60, the track accessory 44, the spring 65, and the display unit 12 constitute a link mechanism, and drive control of the motor 54 is performed. Control for moving the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 and control for moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50 are performed in conjunction with each other.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the molded product 46 of the track accessory 44 is moved with respect to the base 48 along a third axis 67 orthogonal to the second axis 50 of the track accessory 44 by a motor (not shown). It can be moved back and forth. For example, in the state of FIG. 3, the molded product 46 moves back and forth toward the player in a range indicated by an arrow A in the drawing, which is a range not in contact with the transparent plate 11 provided on the front side of the game board surface 10. On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 4, the molded product 46 moves back and forth so as to cross the display unit 12 in the range of the arrow B in the drawing.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the movement along the third axis 67 of the movable portion (molded product 46) of the track accessory 44 is made using the empty space generated according to the change in the position of the display unit 12. The range can be changed. Further, if the direction of the third shaft 67 is formed so as to be controllable, the third portion of the movable portion (molded product 46) of the track accessory 44 is utilized by utilizing the empty space generated according to the change in the position of the display unit 12. The moving direction along the axis 67 can be changed. For example, the direction of the third shaft 67 can be changed from the horizontal direction to the obliquely upward direction.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the rendering device 2 when the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44 are in the state of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 5, the display unit 12 displays an image of the moving object 232 having the shape of a track traveling in a virtual three-dimensional space as seen from the diagonal right side. And the molded product 46 is moved back and forth so that the molded product 46 crosses the display part 12 in the range of the arrow B in the figure.

  Thus, according to the example of FIG. 5, the movement of the molding 46 along the third axis 67 is controlled in conjunction with the image display control, and the moving object 232 and the molding 46 are moved back and forth. The moving object 232 displayed on the display unit 12 and the molded product 46 can produce an effect as if they were competing in the same space. If such an effect is performed as a reach effect, it is possible to increase the player's expectation for the big hit due to the superiority or inferiority of the competition, and to notify the player whether the big hit or missed by winning or losing the competition.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 5, both the first symbol group 200a and the second symbol group 200b are stopped and displayed at “7”. In this case, the moving object 232 with the symbol “6” attached thereto is displayed. In addition, it is possible to perform a win notification effect by controlling the molding 46 to win and displaying “7” for the third symbol group.

  The above has been described with reference to an example in which the track accessory 44 is moved around the second shaft 50 by one motor 54 and the display unit 12 is moved in conjunction with the link mechanism. Not limited. For example, the display unit 12 may be moved around the first shaft 42 by one motor, and the track accessory 44 may be moved in conjunction with the link mechanism. In addition, a motor for moving the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 and a motor for moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50 are provided separately, and the two motors are controlled in conjunction with software. You may comprise.

3. FIG. 6 shows an example of a block diagram of a main part of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a winning detection unit 20, an operation input unit 39, a display unit 12, a track accessory 44, a storage unit 90, an information storage medium 98, a processing unit 70, Is included.

  The winning detection unit 20 detects a ball entering the through chucker 14, the start winning port 16, the big winning port 18, and the like, and can be realized by various sensors such as a micro switch.

  The display unit 12 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.

  The track accessory 44 includes a first motor 54 that moves the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 and moves the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50, and a molding 46 of the track accessory 44. And a second motor 55 that moves along the third shaft 67.

  The storage unit 90 serves as a work area for the processing unit 70 and the like, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a RAM. For example, it functions as a holding storage unit that temporarily holds information acquired by the processing unit 70.

  An information storage medium 98 (a computer-readable storage medium) stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a memory (ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MO). ) And hardware such as an optical disk (CD, DVD). The processing unit 70 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on information stored in the information storage medium 98. That is, the information storage medium 98 stores information (program or data) for executing a unit (particularly, a block included in the processing unit 70) of the present invention (this embodiment).

  Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 98 is transferred to the storage unit 90 when the system is powered on. Information stored in the information storage medium 98 includes program code, image data, sound data, display object shape data, table data, list data, and processing of the present embodiment for performing the processing of the present embodiment. Including at least one of information for instructing and information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction. Also, effect pattern data obtained by patterning information for performing game effects among these pieces of information for each type of game effect is also stored.

  In addition, a program or data for causing each unit of the present invention (this embodiment) to function is distributed from the information storage medium of the host computer (server) to the information storage medium 98 via the network and the communication unit. Also good. Use of the information storage medium of such a host computer (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The processing unit 70 performs various processing such as control of the entire system, instruction instruction to each block in the system, image processing or sound processing, and functions thereof are various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), or It can be realized by hardware such as ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a given program.

  The processing unit 70 includes a lottery unit 72, a game control unit 74, an event determination unit 75, an effect control unit 76, and an image generation unit 88.

  The lottery unit 72 determines whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player in accordance with a given rule when the ball detection unit 20 detects a ball entering the start winning port 16. And a lottery process including a lottery for determining whether or not to generate a given game event is performed, and the lottery result information is provided to the respective units 74 to 88. In the present embodiment, lottery result information for determining whether or not to execute a special game and whether or not to generate a given game event is output by acquiring a random number and performing a lottery process.

  The lottery result information also includes information for determining what kind of game effect is to be performed from among a plurality of game effect types. For example, when a special game is won, information for determining which jackpot effect to perform from a plurality of jackpot effect types is included. In addition, when a given game event occurs, information for determining which game event to perform from among a plurality of game event types is included.

  The lottery process compares the acquired winning random number value with the set random value previously set and stored in the information storage medium 98, and wins the special game when the winning random number value matches the set random number value. This is done by determining that it has been done. In addition, the random number is irregular in the acquisition form of the counter value even when a regular counter value acquired from, for example, an increment counter that divides the CPU reference clock and performs a count process is used. Therefore, it includes those that can be handled in the same way as random numbers that are defined in a pseudo-academic manner.

  In addition, a random value can be used to determine the effect. For example, a random value acquired at the time of lottery can be compared and determined using an effect determination table, and the type of effect can be determined based on the determination result.

  The game control unit 74 includes a normal game state, a special game state, a probability variation game state in which the winning probability of the special game is increased, a short game state in which the number of lotteries in the normal symbol lottery is increased and the number of times the start winning opening 16 is opened is increased. A process for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is performed. Specifically, based on the input signal from the winning detection unit 20, the signal provided from the lottery unit 72, stored data, etc., a program for performing a normal game, a special game, a probability change game, a short-time game, etc. is executed. Or opening / closing control of the special winning opening 18 or the like.

  The event determination unit 75 performs a process for determining whether or not a given game event has occurred by the lottery process of the lottery unit 72.

  The effect control unit 76 includes a drive control unit 78, a display control unit 80, an object space setting unit 82, a movement / motion processing unit 84, and a virtual camera control unit 86.

  The drive control unit 78 controls the display unit 12 to move around the first axis 42 based on an input signal from the winning detection unit 20, a signal provided from the lottery unit 72, and stored data, a program, and the like. Processing for performing control for moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50, control for moving the molding 46 of the track accessory 44 along the third axis 67, and the like are performed. Specifically, for example, when a given game event occurs, drive control of the first motor 54 and the second motor 55 is performed, and the movement amount of the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 is The amount of movement of the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50, the range of movement of the molding 46 along the third axis 67, and the control of the movement direction are performed.

  The display control unit 80 is a process for controlling the effect image displayed on the display unit 12 based on the input signal from the winning detection unit 20, the signal provided from the lottery unit 72, the stored data, the program, and the like. To do. Specifically, for example, when the winning detection unit 20 detects a winning, the first to mth (m ≧ 2) symbol groups are displayed in a variable manner on the display unit 12, and based on the lottery processing result of the lottery unit 72. Then, control is performed to stop and display a given symbol for each symbol group.

  When a mechanical symbol display device that mechanically rotates a plurality of reels with symbol groups and stops and displays symbols for each reel is used as the symbol display device, the display control unit 80 Performs rotation control and rotation stop control of a plurality of reels.

  In addition, the display control unit 80 selects an effect image pattern to be displayed on the display unit 12 based on the input signal from the winning detection unit 20, the signal provided from the lottery unit 72, the stored data, the program, and the like. The effect image pattern data corresponding to the selected effect image pattern is read out from the plurality of effect image pattern data stored in the storage unit 90 and displayed on the display unit 12 as an effect image pattern.

  The object space setting unit 82 includes various objects (polygons, free-form surfaces, subdivision surfaces, etc.) representing display objects such as symbols, tracks, characters, buildings, trees, pillars, walls, and maps (terrain). The object is arranged and set in the object space (virtual three-dimensional space). That is, the position and rotation angle (synonymous with direction and direction) of the object (model object) in the world coordinate system is determined, and the rotation angle (X, Y, Z axis around the position (X, Y, Z)) is determined. Position the object at the rotation angle.

  The movement / motion processing unit 84 performs a movement / motion calculation (movement / motion simulation) of an object (symbol, track, character, etc.). An object (moving object) is moved in the object space based on an input signal from the winning detection unit 20, a signal provided from the lottery unit 72, a program (movement / motion algorithm), various data (motion data), and the like. Or process to move the object (motion, animation). Specifically, a simulation for sequentially obtaining object movement information (position, rotation angle, speed, or acceleration) and motion information (position or rotation angle of each part object), for example, every frame (1/30 second). Process. A frame is a unit of time for performing object movement / motion processing (simulation processing) and image generation processing.

  The virtual camera control unit 86 performs control processing of the virtual camera (viewpoint) for generating an image that can be seen from a given (arbitrary) viewpoint in the object space. Specifically, a process for controlling the relative position (X, Y, Z) or rotation angle (rotation angle around the X, Y, Z axis) of the virtual camera with respect to the object space (viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, image). Process to control corners).

  Here, the control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view relative to the object space of the virtual camera includes, for example, changing the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera in the object space. By changing the position and rotation angle of the object set in the object space while fixing the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view, the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera relative to the object are changed relatively Including.

  For example, when shooting an object (eg, pattern, track, character, etc.) with a virtual camera, the position or rotation angle of the virtual camera (the direction of the virtual camera) so that the virtual camera follows changes in the position or rotation of the object. To control. In this case, the virtual camera can be controlled based on information such as the position, rotation angle, or speed of the object obtained by the movement / motion processing unit 84. Alternatively, the virtual camera may be controlled to rotate at a predetermined rotation angle or to move along a predetermined movement path. In this case, the virtual camera is controlled based on the virtual camera data for specifying the position (movement path) or rotation angle of the virtual camera.

  Then, the effect control unit 76 is based on the input signal from the winning detection unit 20, the signal provided from the lottery unit 72, various data, programs, and the like, the drive control unit 78, the display control unit 80, and the object space setting. The unit 82, the movement / motion processing unit 84, and the virtual camera control unit 86 are integrated and controlled. Specifically, the control for moving the display unit 12 around the first axis 42, the control for moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50, the control of the direction of the third axis 67, and the molding 46 Control is performed in conjunction with control of the movement range along the third axis, display control of the display object displayed on the display unit 12, and control of the virtual camera.

  The image generation unit 88 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processing (game processing) performed by the processing unit 70, thereby generating an image and outputting it to the display unit 12. In the case of generating a so-called virtual three-dimensional image, first, geometric processing such as coordinate transformation (world coordinate transformation, camera coordinate transformation), clipping processing, or perspective transformation is performed, and drawing data ( The position coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vector, α value, etc.) of the vertexes of the primitive surface are created. Then, based on the drawing data (primitive surface data), the perspective transformation (geometry processing) object (one or a plurality of primitive surfaces) is stored in the drawing buffer 91 (frame buffer, work buffer, or other pixel unit). Can be drawn in a VRAM). Thereby, an image that can be seen from the virtual camera (given viewpoint) in the object space is generated.

  The image generation unit 88 can perform texture mapping processing, hidden surface removal processing, and α blending processing.

  Here, the texture mapping process is a process of mapping a texture (texel value) stored in the texture storage unit 92 to an object. Specifically, the texture (surface properties such as color and α value) is read from the texture storage unit 92 using the texture coordinates set (given) at the vertex of the object (primitive surface). Then, a texture that is a two-dimensional image or pattern is mapped to the object. In this case, processing for associating pixels and texels, bilinear interpolation (texel interpolation), and the like are performed.

  The hidden surface removal process is realized by, for example, a Z buffer method (depth comparison method, Z test) using a Z buffer 93 (depth buffer) in which the Z value (depth information) of each pixel is stored. That is, when drawing each pixel of the primitive surface of the object, the Z value stored in the Z buffer 93 is referred to. Then, the Z value of the referenced Z buffer 93 is compared with the Z value at the drawing target pixel on the primitive surface, and the Z value at the drawing target pixel is the front side when viewed from the virtual camera (for example, a small value). Z value), the drawing process for the pixel is performed and the Z value in the Z buffer 93 is updated to a new Z value.

  The α blending process is a process performed based on the α value (A value), and includes normal α blending, α addition blending, α subtraction blending, and the like. For example, in the case of normal α blending, the following processing is performed.

R _Q = (1−α) × R ₁ + α × R ₂
G _Q = (1−α) × G ₁ + α × G ₂
B _Q = (1−α) × B ₁ + α × B ₂
On the other hand, in the case of addition α blending, the following processing is performed.

R _Q = R ₁ + α × R ₂
G _Q = G ₁ + α × G ₂
B _Q = B ₁ + α × B ₂
Here, R ₁ , G ₁ and B ₁ are RGB components of an image (original image) already drawn in the drawing buffer 91, and R ₂ , G ₂ and B ₂ should be drawn in the drawing buffer 91. This is the RGB component of the image. R _Q , G _Q , and B _Q are RGB components of an image obtained by α blending. The α value is information that can be stored in association with each pixel (texel, dot), for example, plus alpha information other than color information. The α value can be used as translucency (equivalent to transparency and opacity) information, mask information, or bump information.

4). Process flow of gaming machine 4-1. Outline of Processing FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are flowcharts showing an outline of a series of processes of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, in step S1, the game state is set as to which game state is to be played. Then, in step S2, the normal game process is executed, and when the special game lottery is won in the normal game process, the special game process is executed in step S3, and many prize balls are paid out to the player.

  FIG. 8 shows details of the normal game process in step S2 of FIG. In the normal game process, a winning detection process is performed in step S4, and a lottery effect process is performed in step S5. Then, in step S6, it is confirmed whether or not a special game execution flag is set in the winning detection process in step S4. When a special game is executed (Y in step S6), in step S3 in FIG. Run a game. On the other hand, when the special game is not executed (N in Step S6), the process returns to Step S4, and a winning detection process is performed.

  FIG. 9 shows details of the winning detection process in step S4 of FIG. In the winning detection process of the present embodiment, when the next starting prize is detected while the lottery effect process of step S5 in FIG. 8 is executed by detecting the starting prize, the number of starting prizes is held. The number is stored in the reserved ball storage unit 94 of the storage unit 90 as a number. Then, after the lottery effect process for the previous start winning is completed, the lottery effect process for the reserved ball is executed with reference to the reserved ball storage unit 94. In the present embodiment, the number of balls to be held is stored up to four.

  First, in the winning detection process of the present embodiment, if it is determined in step S12 that a ball has been won in the start winning opening 16, the number of reserved balls stored in the reserved ball storage unit 94 is 4 in step S13. It is determined whether or not it is too small. If the number of balls to be held is smaller than 4 (Y in step S13), a special symbol lottery process using random numbers is performed by the lottery unit 72 in step S14, and the display control unit 80 performs a special game. The lottery result information including information for determining whether or not to execute is acquired from the lottery unit 72. On the other hand, when the ball has not won in the start winning opening 16 (N in step S12) and the number of balls to be held is 4 or more (N in step S13), the winning detection process is performed without performing the lottery process. finish.

  When the lottery process is performed in step S14, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the number of held balls is 1 or more, and the number of held balls stored in the held ball storage unit 94 is 1 or more. (Y of step S15), in step S17, a holding storage process for increasing the number of holding balls in the holding ball storage unit 94 by one is performed. On the other hand, if the number of balls to be held is 0 (N in step S15), it is determined in step S16 whether the symbol variation display can be started on the display unit 12, and if it cannot be started (N in step S16), In step S <b> 17, a hold storage process is performed to increase the number of hold balls in the hold ball storage unit 94 by one. On the other hand, if it can be started, the winning detection process is terminated as it is.

4-2. Next, a lottery effect process for moving the display unit 12 around the first axis 42, which is characteristic of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS.

4-2-1. In the present embodiment, the lottery effect process in which the movement control of the display unit and the accessory and the virtual camera control are linked. In the present embodiment, the moving object 232 to be displayed on the display unit 12 when reaching the reach as the characteristic lottery effect process. Then, a process of producing a lottery is performed by the track accessory 44 competing for a win or a loss.

  Therefore, in the lottery effect process in step S5 of FIG. 8, the effect control unit 76 moves the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 when a game event occurs as a result of the lottery process of the lottery unit 72. And a process of moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50 and at least one control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera (hereinafter referred to as a track reach effect). Details of the processing will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the flow of the lottery effect process when the track reach effect is performed. 11A to 11C show the relationship between the image displayed on the display unit 12, the operation of the display unit 12, and the operation of the track accessory 42. 12A to 12C show the relative positional relationship between the object space 230 (virtual three-dimensional space) and the virtual camera 240. FIG.

  First, in step S80 of FIG. 10, based on the lottery result information, which effect is to be performed among a plurality of types of effects prepared in advance is set. In the present embodiment, track reach production is set. Here, for example, the type of effect to be set is determined based on the determination result by comparing and determining the random value acquired at the time of the lottery using the effect determination table.

  In step S82, the variable display of the three symbol groups 200 is started. In step S84, the given symbols are stopped and displayed for the first symbol group 200a and the third symbol group 200c. Then, in step S86, it is determined whether or not reach is reached. If reach is reached (Y in step S86), whether or not a game event is to be generated is determined in step S88 based on the result of the lottery process. to decide.

  When it is determined that a game event is to be generated (Y in step S88), in step S90, as shown in FIG. 11A, the first row of symbol groups 200a and the third row of symbol groups 200c. The symbol (for example, symbol “7”) that has been stopped and displayed is reduced and displayed on the upper left of the display unit 12. At this time, the display unit 12 and the molded product 46 are at the reference position shown in FIG. 3 and both are facing the front.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12A, in the object space 230, a moving object 232 having a track shape with a symbol “6”, a ground surface object 234 representing the ground surface, and a virtual camera 240 are arranged. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, an image obtained by viewing the moving object 232 from the front from the virtual camera 240 is displayed. Note that the object 460 is a dummy object indicating the position of the molded product 46 and is not displayed on the screen.

  In step S <b> 92, the movement control of the molding 46 along the third axis 67 is performed in conjunction with the movement / motion control of the moving object 232. In the example of FIG. 11A, the moving object 232 calculates and displays an image of traveling on the ground surface object 234, and the molded product 46 is carefully moved back and forth toward the player. In this way, the moving object 232 and the molded product 46 produce an effect as if they are running side by side.

  In step S94, the control for moving the display unit 12 around the first axis 42, the control for moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50, and the control of the virtual camera 240 are performed in an interlocked manner. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, the display unit 12 is rotated 10 degrees from the reference position in the back direction around the first shaft 42, and the track accessory 44 is moved to the left from the reference position. Turn 40 degrees in the direction.

  In conjunction with these controls, as shown in FIG. 12B, the moving object 232 and the ground object 234 arranged in the object space 230 are centered on a given axis in the object space 230. Turn 40 degrees. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), the moving object 232 also rotates in accordance with the rotation of the molded product 46 (the track accessory 44), and the molded product 46 and the moving object 232 are kept running together. It is possible to produce as if the viewing direction is changed.

  Further, in step S96, the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42 until the display surface 13 of the display unit 12 and the third axis 67, which is the moving direction of the molded product 46, are in a parallel state. The movement of the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50 is controlled in conjunction with it. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11C, the display unit 12 is rotated 20 degrees from the reference position in the back direction around the first shaft 42, and the track accessory 44 is moved to the left from the reference position. Turn 70 degrees in the direction. Then, in conjunction with these controls, as shown in FIG. 12C, the moving object 232 and the ground surface object 234 arranged in the object space 230 are centered on a given axis in the object space 230. Rotate 70 degrees from the state of FIG.

  In step S98, the movement range of the molded product 46 along the third axis 67 is controlled in accordance with the amount of movement of the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the movement range of the molded product 46 along the third shaft 67 can be increased by rotating the track accessory 44. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 11C, the molded product 46 is largely moved back and forth along the third axis 67 so that the molded product 46 crosses the display unit 12. Then, the display unit 12 displays the molded object 46 and the moving object 232 to be pulled out, and the moving object 232 and the molded object 46 produce an effect as if they are playing dead heat.

  Then, in step S100, it is determined whether or not the lottery result is a win. If it is a win (Y in step S100), an image is displayed so that the track of the molded product 46 wins in step S102. In S104, “7” as the winning symbol is stopped and displayed for the symbol group 200b in the second column. On the other hand, if it is off (N in step S100), in step S106, an image is displayed so that the track of the moving object 232 wins, and in step S108, the outlier symbol is stopped for the symbol group 200b in the second column. Display. In step S110, the positions of the display unit 12 and the track accessory 44 are returned to the reference position, and the lottery effect process ends.

  If it is determined in step S86 that no reach is reached (N in step S86), and no game event is generated in step S88 (N in step S88), the track reach effect is not performed, and in step S89, The given symbol is stopped and displayed for the two rows of symbol groups 200b, and the lottery effect process is terminated.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when a game event occurs, the change in the position of the display unit 12 and the change in the position of the track accessory 44 are linked to each other. It is possible to realize a gaming machine that performs a game presentation that is easier to understand.

  In particular, by changing the position of the display unit 12, it is possible to increase the movement range of the track accessory 44 provided adjacent to the display unit 12 and increase the types of operation of the track accessory 44. The game effect by the track accessory 44 can be made more conspicuous.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, in particular, since the change in the position of the track accessory 44 and the change in the view image are linked, the accessory in the real space and the object set in the virtual three-dimensional space However, it is possible to produce an effect as if it were operating in a common space.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the effect control unit 76 controls the drive control unit 78, the object space setting unit 82, the movement / motion processing unit 84, and the virtual camera control unit 86 in conjunction with each other for display. Although an example using a method for generating an image to be displayed on the unit 12 in real time has been described, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the control for moving the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 and the control for moving the track accessory 44 around the second axis 50 are performed on the basis of the image data reproduced and output based on the previously stored image data. It may be performed in conjunction with the display. In this case, the effect control unit 76 may be configured to control the drive control unit 78 and the display control unit 80 in conjunction with each other.

4-2-2. In the present embodiment, in the lottery effect process, the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42 regardless of the movement control of the accessory. You may comprise so that the control to move and at least 1 control of the viewpoint position of a virtual camera, a gaze direction, and an angle of view may be performed in response.

  According to such a configuration, for example, the display unit 12 is controlled so that the virtual camera 240 is turned to the left side with respect to the object while the display unit 12 is retracted around the first axis 42 on the right side of the display unit 12. It is possible to strongly give a viewer a pseudo-motion feeling as if looking into 12 from the side, and to dramatically improve the visual effect of the displayed image.

  Hereinafter, a method of interlocking the movement control of the display unit 12 and the wraparound control of the virtual camera will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the relative positional relationship between the three spherical objects 260-1 to 260-3 arranged side by side on a given straight line in the object space 230 and the virtual camera 240. is there. First, when the display unit 12 is at a reference position where the display surface 13 is parallel to the game board surface 10, as shown in FIG. 13 (A), on a straight line where three ball objects 260-1 to 260-3 are arranged. Is set to the position of the virtual camera 240, and the line-of-sight direction is directed to the center point of the spherical object 260-1. Then, as shown in FIG. 14A, an image of the spherical object 260-1 viewed from the front is generated. Then, when this is displayed on the display unit 12 at the reference position, the display unit 12 and the displayed image appear to the player as shown in FIG. Certain sphere objects 260-2 and 260-3 cannot be seen behind the sphere object 260-1.

  When the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42 from the reference position, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 240 is set to the spherical object 260 as shown in FIG. 13B in conjunction with the movement control. The position of the virtual camera 240 is moved clockwise around the center point of the spherical object 260-1 while being directed to the center point of -1. Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, an image of the spherical object 260-1 viewed from the oblique left side is generated. When this is displayed on the display unit 12 that has been moved around the first axis 42, the player sees the display unit 12 and the displayed image as shown in FIG. Part of the spherical objects 260-2 and 260-3 on the back side of 260-1 can be seen.

  When the display unit 12 is further moved around the first axis 42, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 240 is changed to a spherical object 260- in conjunction with the movement control, as shown in FIG. The position of the virtual camera 240 is further moved in the clockwise direction in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 14C, an image is generated in which the spherical objects 260-1, 260-2, 260-3 are further viewed from the left side. When this is displayed on the display unit 12 that is further moved around the first axis 42, the player sees the display unit 12 and the displayed image as shown in FIG. 15C. It is possible to give a viewer a pseudo-motion feeling as if looking into the display unit 12 from the side.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the visual effect of the image to be displayed can be dramatically enhanced by linking the movement control of the display unit 12 and the wraparound control of the virtual camera. However, the images shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C represent the pseudo viewpoint movement when the display unit 12 is stationary at the reference position (when the display surface 13 is facing the player). Is. Therefore, when this is displayed on the display unit 12 that has been moved around the first axis 42, the player adds the rotation angle of the display unit 12 to the rotation angle of the virtual camera 240, and the object space. The view image that looks around 230 is overemphasized.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 15C, when the horizontal line 270 is set in the object space 230, the horizontal line 270 and the horizontal frame of the display unit 12 do not become parallel and become unnatural. As described above, the method of linking the movement control of the display unit 12 and the wraparound control of the virtual camera is suitable for displaying an image with a visual field that wraps around the object space 230 and is displayed. Inaccurate display.

  Therefore, in order to accurately perform such image display, it is preferable to link movement control of the display unit 12 with control of the viewpoint position and angle of view of the virtual camera. Hereinafter, a method of interlocking the movement control of the display unit 12 with the viewpoint position and the angle of view of the virtual camera will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIGS. 16A to 16C are similar to FIGS. 13A to 13C in that three sphere objects 260-1 to 260-3 arranged side by side on a given straight line in the object space 230, It is a figure which shows the relative positional relationship of the virtual camera. First, when the display unit 12 is at a reference position where the display surface 13 is parallel to the game board surface 10, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), a straight line on which three ball objects 260-1 to 260-3 are arranged. Is set to the position of the virtual camera 240, and the line-of-sight direction is directed to the center point of the spherical object 260-1. Then, as shown in FIG. 17A, an image of the spherical object 260-1 viewed from the front is generated. Then, when this is displayed on the display unit 12 at the reference position, the display unit 12 and the displayed image appear to the player as shown in FIG. Certain sphere objects 260-2 and 260-3 cannot be seen behind the sphere object 260-1.

  When the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42 from the reference position, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 240 is not changed as shown in FIG. 16B in conjunction with the movement control. Then, the position of the virtual camera 240 is moved to the left in parallel with the line orthogonal to the viewing direction. Then, the angle of view is controlled asymmetrically so that the left side is narrower and the right side is wider than the line along the line-of-sight direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 17B, an image of the spherical object 260-1 viewed from the diagonally left side is generated. When this is displayed on the display unit 12 that has been moved around the first axis 42, the player sees the display unit 12 and the displayed image as shown in FIG. Part of the spherical objects 260-2 and 260-3 on the back side of 260-1 can be seen.

  When the display unit 12 is further moved around the first axis 42, as shown in FIG. 16C, the visual line direction of the virtual camera 240 is not changed in conjunction with the movement control. The position of the virtual camera 240 is moved further to the left in parallel with the line orthogonal to the viewing direction. Then, the angle of view is controlled asymmetrically so that the left side is narrower and the right side is wider than the line along the line-of-sight direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 17C, an image in which the spherical objects 260-1, 260-2, and 260-3 are further viewed obliquely from the left side is generated.

  Then, when this is displayed on the display unit 12 that is further moved around the first axis 42, the display unit 12 and the displayed image appear to the player as shown in FIG. In this way, it is possible to accurately display a view field image as if looking into the display unit 12 from the side, and to give a viewer a stronger feeling of pseudo operation due to a change in the view image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the movement of the display unit 12 and the control of the viewpoint position and the angle of view of the virtual camera are linked, so that the display unit 12 that moves around the first axis 42 can be viewed. The image can be displayed accurately, and the visual effect of the displayed image can be dramatically improved.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the production control unit 76 controls the drive control unit 78 and the virtual camera control unit 86 in conjunction with each other to generate an image to be displayed on the display unit 12 in real time. Although described with an example, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, image data for displaying the images shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C or FIGS. 17A to 17C is stored in advance, and the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42. The control may be performed in conjunction with display of an image reproduced and output based on image data stored in advance. In this case, the effect control unit 76 may be configured to control the drive control unit 78 and the display control unit 80 in conjunction with each other.

4-2-3. In the present embodiment, in the lottery effect process, the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42 regardless of the movement control of the accessory. The control to be performed may be performed in conjunction with the display of a given image displayed on the display unit 12. In this case, the image generation unit 88 generates a given image based on the operation information from the operation input unit 39, and the effect control unit 76 changes the display unit 12 to the first based on the operation information. The control for moving around the axis 42 may be performed in conjunction with the display of a given image displayed on the display unit 12.

  In this example, as shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C, the first shaft 42 is provided below the display unit 12 in parallel with the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) of the display surface 13. An example will be described. That is, in this example, the display unit 12 is configured such that the upper part of the display unit 12 can be rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the player toward the front side or the back side with respect to the first shaft 42.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of the flow of a lottery effect process for accepting such button input. First, in step S120 of FIG. 21, a lottery effect for accepting button input is set based on the lottery result, and in step S122, the fighter character 250 is displayed on the display unit 12 as shown in FIG. Then, in step S124, reception of operation information from the operation input unit 39 is started. If it is determined in step S126 that the button has been pressed (Y in step S126), in step S128, as shown in FIG. The upper part of the display unit 12 is rotated to the near side around the first axis 42, and an image in which the fighter character 250 kicks the upper stage is displayed.

  Therefore, the foot kicked out by the fighter character 250 displayed at the top of the display unit 12 is more emphasized, and an effect with a very high visual effect can be performed. In this example, if it is determined in step S126 that the button has been pressed (Y in step S126), the upper portion of the display unit 12 is moved around the first axis 42 in step S128 as shown in FIG. While rotating to the back side, an image of the fighter character 250 receiving a punch on the head may be displayed. In this case, it is more emphasized that the head displayed on the upper part of the display unit 12 is punched.

  With this configuration, according to the present embodiment, the change in the position of the display unit 12 and the display of the image are associated with each other, and an effect with a very high visual effect can be performed. The intention can be reflected in the lottery effect, and the player's expectation can be effectively enhanced.

  At this time, the fighter object 250 may be set in the object space 230 and the images of FIGS. 19A to 19C may be displayed as video viewed from the virtual camera 240. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20A, the virtual camera 240 is set in front of the fighter object 250 and the image of FIG. 19A is displayed.

  When it is determined that the button has been pressed (Y in step S126), in step S128, the upper portion of the display unit 12 is rotated about the first axis 42 as shown in FIG. The movement of the fighter character 250 kicking the upper stage is calculated, and the viewpoint position is above the fighter object object 250 with the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 240 facing the fighter object object 250 as shown in FIG. The wraparound control is performed so as to move to. Then, in the image of FIG. 19B, the foot kicked out by the fighter character 250 is further emphasized, and an effect with a very high visual effect can be performed.

  Similarly, when it is determined that the button has been pressed (Y in step S126), in step S128, the upper portion of the display unit 12 is rotated to the back side around the first shaft 42 as shown in FIG. 19C. The fighter character 250 calculates the action of receiving a punch on the head, and the viewpoint position is changed to the fighter object while keeping the line of sight of the virtual camera 240 toward the fighter object 250 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to perform sneak control so as to move it below 250.

  In this case, the presentation control unit 76 controls the display unit 12 to move the display unit 12 around the first axis 42 based on the operation information and to control the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 240. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may link with the display of the given image to display.

5. Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured around a main control board 700 including a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like, with a CPU as a core, for example.

  A detection unit 710 is connected to the input side of the main control board 700.

  In the present embodiment, the detection unit 710 detects a winning sensor 712 that detects a winning at the start winning port 16 as a special symbol winning port, and a winning sensor 714 that detects a winning at the through chucker 14 as a normal symbol winning port. And a winning sensor 716 provided at each other winning opening.

  An input unit 740 is connected to the input side of the main control board 700.

  In the present embodiment, the input unit 740 includes a handle 742, but may be configured to include at least one of a button 744 and a camera 746 as necessary.

  Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, various sub-control boards 800 that execute commands from the main control board 700 are provided. As the sub control board 800, a display control board 810, a launch control board 820, an electric tulip control board 830, an accessory control board 840, a payout control board 850, a lamp control board 860, and an audio control board 870 are provided.

  In the main control board 700, basic programs and data relating to games are recorded in an information storage medium such as a ROM, and the CPU and the like execute various arithmetic processes based on the programs and data. Various control signals calculated by the main control board 700 are output to the corresponding sub control board 800, and each sub control board 800 independently executes processing based on the input control signal.

  Each sub-control board 800 includes a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and the like with a CPU as a core, and is configured to execute various functions.

  The display control board 810 has a function of generating an image to be displayed on the display unit 814 via the display driver 812. For example, based on a control signal from the main control board 700, an effect image having a given game effect is generated and displayed on the display unit 814.

  Further, the display control board 810 performs display control of the normal symbol display unit 818 via the display driver 816.

  Specifically, the main control board 700 functions as a lottery means, and draws a special symbol or a normal symbol. Based on the lottery result, the display content of the lottery effect displayed on the display unit 814 is selected, and a control signal is output to the display control board 810.

  The display control board 810 stores data of different display contents based on these various control signals in advance, selects stored data based on the input control signals, and has a lottery effect image having a corresponding effect. Is displayed on the display unit 814, and the display control of the normal symbol display unit 818 is performed via the display driver 816.

  The launch control board 820 controls the launch of a game ball by operating the player's handle 742.

  The electric tulip control board 830 controls opening and closing of the electric tulip 834 via the solenoid 832.

  The accessory control board 840 controls the operation of various kinds of accessories provided in the gaming machine 1.

  In the present embodiment, a track accessory 44 is provided as the effect accessory 844, and an actuator 820 for driving the track accessory 44 is further provided. Then, the accessory control board 840 controls the actuator 820 to control the effect operation of the effect accessory 844.

  The payout control board 850 controls payout of game balls.

  The lamp control board 860 controls the lighting of the special symbol reservation lamp 862 and the normal symbol reservation lamp 864.

  When there is a prize in the through-chucker 14 which is a normal symbol winning opening, this prize is held for a maximum of four pieces, and when the series of normal symbol effect processing is completed, the held part is digested. . The amount of the normal symbol held is displayed using the normal symbol hold lamp 864.

  In addition, a maximum of four winnings for special symbols at the start winning opening 16 are reserved, and when the series of lottery effect processing ends, the reserved amount is digested. The number of reserved special symbols is displayed using a special symbol holding lamp 862.

  The lamp control board 860 further controls lighting of various electric decoration members 866 attached to the gaming machine 1.

  The audio control board 870 controls the output of various sound effects output from the speaker 872.

  Each gaming machine is connected to a hall computer 730 as a host computer via a management control board 720 network.

  The hall computer 730 is for collectively managing a plurality of gaming machines provided in a store via a network, collects necessary data from each gaming machine, and controls necessary for each gaming machine. It is configured to output a signal and control settings of each gaming machine.

  In the control circuit shown in FIG. 22, the main control board 700 and each sub control board 800 operate based on programs and data stored in a storage medium (not shown), and function as the respective parts shown in FIG. For example, the main control board 700 functions as the lottery unit 72 in FIG. 6, and each sub-control board 800 includes the game control unit 74, the effect control unit 76, the drive control unit 78, the display control unit 80, the object space in FIG. It functions as a setting unit 82, a movement / operation processing unit 84, a virtual camera control unit 86, an image generation unit 88, and the like. And it forms so that each process of this embodiment, for example, lottery processing, calculation processing, control processing, information acquisition processing, lottery effect processing, image generation processing, etc., may be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a similar lottery can be performed by inserting coins, for example, coins. The present invention can also be applied to a coin-type game machine in which an effect display is performed, another game machine in which a lottery effect display is performed, and a video game machine.

It is front explanatory drawing of the pachinko game machine in this Embodiment. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, it is an example of the effect image displayed on the display unit. It is sectional drawing of the production | presentation apparatus in this Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the production | presentation apparatus in this Embodiment. It is a front view of the rendering device in the present embodiment. It is an example of the block diagram which shows the principal part of the game machine of this Embodiment. It is the flowchart figure which showed an example of the outline | summary of the process performed with the game machine of this Embodiment. It is the flowchart figure which showed an example of the normal game process. It is the flowchart figure which showed an example of the winning detection process. It is the flowchart figure which showed an example of the lottery effect process. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of a lottery effect in which an image displayed on the display unit is associated with an action of an accessory, and FIG. 11B is a diagram from FIG. ) Is a diagram showing an action from FIG. FIG. 12A is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the object set in the object space and the virtual camera, and FIG. 12B is a diagram from FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an action from FIG. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the object set in the object space and the virtual camera, and FIG. 13B is a diagram from FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an action from FIG. FIG. 14A shows an example of an image generated by the image generation unit. FIG. 14B is from FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14C is from FIG. FIG. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of a lottery effect in which an image displayed on the display unit is associated with a change in the position of the display unit, and FIG. 15B is a diagram from FIG. 15 (C) is a diagram showing actions from FIG. 15 (B). FIG. 16A is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the object set in the object space and the virtual camera, and FIG. 16B is a diagram from FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an action from FIG. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of an image generated by the image generation unit. FIG. 17B is from FIG. 17A, and FIG. 17C is from FIG. FIG. FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an example of a lottery effect in which an image displayed on the display unit is associated with a change in the position of the display unit, and FIG. 18B is a diagram from FIG. 18 (C) is a diagram showing an action from FIG. 18 (B). FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an example of a lottery effect in which an image displayed on the display unit is associated with a change in the position of the display unit. FIGS. 19B and 19C are FIGS. It is the figure which showed the action from. FIG. 20A is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the object set in the object space and the virtual camera. FIGS. 20B and 20C show the actions from FIG. FIG. It is the flowchart figure which showed the other example of the lottery effect process. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions which can implement | achieve this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

12 display unit 42 first axis 44 track accessory 50 second axis 72 lottery unit 76 effect control unit 78 drive control unit 80 display control unit 86 virtual camera control unit 88 image generation unit 90 storage unit 98 information storage medium

Claims (5)

A lottery unit for performing a lottery process including a lottery for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player when a winning of a game medium is detected;
A display unit movably provided around a first axis parallel to the reference display surface;
An image generation unit for generating an image to be displayed on the display unit;
An effect control unit that performs control to move the display unit around the first axis when a given game event occurs;
An accessory provided adjacent to the display unit and movably provided around a second axis parallel to the first axis;
Only including,
The image generation unit
Generate an image of a virtual 3D space seen from a virtual camera,
The production control unit
When the game event occurs, control for moving the display unit around the first axis, control for moving the accessory around the second axis, viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, image of the virtual camera A gaming machine characterized by performing at least one control of a corner in conjunction with each other . In claim 1 ,
The production control unit
Control is further performed to move the movable part of the accessory along a third axis that intersects the second axis, and the third part is moved according to the amount of movement of the accessory around the second axis. A gaming machine that controls at least one of a direction of an axis and a movement range of the movable part of the accessory along the third axis. In claim 2 ,
The production control unit
The display unit moves around the first axis and the accessory moves around the second axis until the display surface of the display unit and the third axis are parallel to each other. A gaming machine characterized by performing control linked to movement. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 ,
It further includes an operation unit for the player to input operation information,
The image generation unit
Based on the operation information, a given image is generated,
The production control unit
A gaming machine characterized in that, based on the operation information, control for moving the display unit around the first axis is performed in conjunction with display of a given image displayed on the display unit. When a winning of a game medium is detected, a lottery process including a lottery for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player is performed, and a given lottery effect image in which a virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a virtual camera A game machine control method for displaying
Control for moving the display unit around a first axis parallel to the reference display surface when a given game event occurs, and provided adjacent to the reference display surface and parallel to the first axis And a control for moving an accessory provided so as to be movable around the second axis around the second axis and at least one control of the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, and angle of view of the virtual camera. A game machine control method characterized by the above.

Images