JP4623566B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a technique for controlling winning of a game ball in a ball game machine.

Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine displays a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board while changing the design ( Hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called jackpot where more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game when a combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped becomes a specific mode. It is known as a thing (for example, refer patent document 1). The variable display of symbols in the display area is not only a variable display of multiple symbols, but the time of variable display is usually reduced in a state where it is a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, as in the so-called reach screen. For example, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation, such as making it longer. In addition, the player's expectation is enhanced by giving a story to the variation display by using a character in an image such as a pattern or by controlling a probability variation for varying the probability of transition to a special game.
JP 2003-230714 A

  Here, in the conventional type 1 pachinko gaming machine, in order to increase the number of game balls acquired by the player, the number of balls due to the launch of the game ball can only be caught up with the prize balls in the general prize opening and the start prize opening. Therefore, it was difficult to substantially increase the number of game balls unless special games were generated. Such a feature is common to many gaming machines, and it has become a cause of similarity in game play.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving game playability by realizing a new method for awarding a prize ball in a ball game machine.

  In order to solve the above problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a game board in which a game area is formed, a winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and into which a game ball can enter, Provided above the winning opening in the gaming area, and can temporarily stop a plurality of gaming balls until they are released, and if the stopped state is released, the stopped gaming balls are placed in the direction of the winning opening. The holding device to be released to the release, the release determining means for determining whether or not to release the stop state according to a predetermined lottery method, and controlling the stopping of the game ball by the holding device, and that the release determining means And a hold control means for releasing the stop state by the hold device when the determination is made.

  Here, the “winning entrance” refers to an entrance such as a so-called general winning opening or starting winning opening that triggers the payout of the winning ball. The “holding device” may be a cylindrical mechanism into which a plurality of game balls can enter, and a plurality of such holding devices may be provided. The lottery method for determining whether or not to cancel the stationary state may be a lottery using an electronic function or a lottery using a mechanical function.

  According to this aspect, the holding device is provided above the winning opening, and the stopping state of the game ball by the holding device is released at a predetermined timing. Therefore, a plurality of game balls stopped on the holding device are specified. You can win a prize at the same time. Therefore, for example, if a plurality of holding devices that can hold a plurality of game balls are provided, and if the number of winning balls set in the winning opening provided below is relatively large, the stopping by the holding device is released. As a whole, a player can be awarded a relatively large number of prize balls. In this way, the player can be given an opportunity to obtain a prize ball by a new technique in a game other than the special game, and the game performance can be further enhanced. It is also possible to adjust the overall appearance design in the gaming machine through the setting of the lottery probability.

  A winning / failing lottery unit for executing a winning / losing lottery regarding whether or not a winning / non-winning probability is won, a symbol display device for displaying a variation of a symbol indicating a result of the winning / failing lottery, and a display for controlling a variation display of the symbol in the symbol display device And a control means. The winning opening may include a general winning opening where a game ball is entered as a trigger for paying out a winning ball, and a starting winning opening where a game ball is entered as a chance to execute a lottery. The holding device is provided above the general winning opening, and when the stopped state is released, the game ball that has been stopped is released in the direction of the general winning opening, and the release determining means is a predetermined that is made separately from the winning lottery It may be determined whether or not the stop state is released according to the lottery method. In this case, the player is given an opportunity to increase the number of possessions through means other than special games, such as winning a general prize opening, which has been relatively small in the contribution to the increase in possession. Can be further enhanced.

  The predetermined lottery method may further include a release lottery unit for executing a release lottery regarding whether or not to cancel the stationary state, and a release lottery display device that variably displays a release symbol indicating the result of the release lottery. The release determination means determines whether or not to cancel the stop state according to the result of the release lottery, determines the stop symbol to be displayed when the release symbol is variably stopped according to the result of the release lottery, and holds it When the determined stop symbol is a predetermined hit symbol, the control means may cancel the stop state by the holding device when the change of the release symbol is stopped at the hit symbol. In this case, by appealing to the player's vision of the result of the release lottery, it is possible to efficiently increase the player's expectation for the release of the stationary state and improve the gameability.

  As a predetermined lottery method, a release lottery means for executing a release lottery regarding whether or not to cancel the stop state when there is a ball entering the start winning opening, and a player's operation for instructing the release of the stop state And an operation input means for receiving. The release determination means determines whether or not to cancel the stationary state according to the result of the release lottery, and the hold control means determines the release instruction by the operation input means when the result of the determination by the release determination means is a hit. While the acquisition is validated, while the validation is being performed, each time the release instruction is obtained by the operation input means, the stationary state by the holding device may be released up to a predetermined number of release times. In this way, the player is given an opportunity to increase the number of possessions through a method other than the special game, and the player can technically intervene regarding the acquisition of the prize ball, so that the game performance can be further enhanced.

  As a predetermined lottery method, a lottery mechanism provided with a plurality of hole portions that allow different determinations regarding release depending on which game balls can be entered and into which, respectively, and a plurality of hole portions, Of these, a lottery means for determining the number of times of release performed by the holding control means when a ball enters a predetermined hole may be further provided. The holding control means may release the stationary state by the holding device a plurality of times, with the upper limit being the number of times of release determined when a ball enters the predetermined hole. The “lottery mechanism provided with a plurality of holes” may be a so-called crune mechanism. Also in this case, the player is given an opportunity to increase the number of possessions through a method other than the special game, and the player can technically intervene with respect to winning a prize ball, so that the game performance can be further enhanced. Further, by appealing to the player's vision of the result of the release lottery through the lottery mechanism, it is possible to efficiently increase the player's expectation for the release of the stationary state and improve the gameability.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, or the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention may be mutually replaced between methods, apparatuses, systems, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, etc. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the ball game machine of the present invention, it is possible to improve the game performance by realizing a new method for giving a prize ball in the ball game machine.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a bullet ball gaming machine. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, a launch handle 17, and an input button 88. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. An input button 88 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the upper ball tray 15, and the player can input a stop release instruction to be described later through an operation of pressing the input button 88. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state is output.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62, a center decoration 64, a big winning port 66, an operation on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. The mouth 68, the general winning opening 72, the first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84 (hereinafter, the first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84 are collectively referred to as “holding device 86”), the special symbol display device 61. , A decorative symbol display device 60 and a release lottery display device 176. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed. The start port 62 includes a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and a normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the start port. The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for expanding the special winning opening 66.

  The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” when the special symbol 202 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area.

  The holding device 86 is provided on the right side of the decorative symbol display device 60 in the game area 52 and above the general winning opening 72. The holding device 86 includes a first holding device 82 and a second holding device 84 each formed in a vertically long cylindrical shape. The first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84 are installed so as to be adjacent to each other. Each upper portion forms an opening through which a game ball can enter, and each lower surface forms a holding valve that can be opened and closed by control. To do. The holding device 86 can temporarily hold a plurality of game balls until the release is made. When the stop state is released, the game balls that have been held are released in the direction of the general winning opening 72. When a game ball enters the general winning opening 72, a relatively large number of prize balls, for example, 15 prize balls are paid out. The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The passage of the game ball to the operation port 68 is an opportunity to expand the start port 62.

  The special symbol display device 61, the decorative symbol display device 60, and the release lottery display device 176 provided in the approximate center of the game area 52 have a special symbol 202 on the respective screens, a decorative symbol 200 linked to the special symbol 202, The release symbol 177 indicating the result of the release lottery is displayed while fluctuating (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “fluctuation display”). Here, the special symbol 202 is a symbol corresponding to the result of the right / wrong lottery performed when the game ball enters the start port 62, and has a role of indicating whether or not to generate a big hit. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually rendering the result display of the winning / failing lottery. The special symbol display device 61 is display means composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The decorative symbol display device 60 displays the decorative symbol 200 while fluctuating in a manner linked with the variable symbol display of the special symbol 202. The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually rendering the result display of the success / failure lottery indicated by the special symbol 202. The decorative symbol display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 200, for example, a plurality of rows of moving images of symbol fluctuations simulating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The decorative symbol display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be constituted by other display means such as a mechanical drum or LED. Since the special symbol 202 does not need to have an effect role, in this embodiment, the special symbol 202 is displayed in an inconspicuous size on the special symbol display device 61 at the lower left of the decorative symbol display device 60. However, the special symbol itself is displayed. In the case of adopting a technique in which a decorative role is not displayed and a decorative symbol is not displayed, the special symbol may be displayed on a liquid crystal display such as the decorative symbol display device 60.

  The release lottery display device 176 displays the result of the release lottery executed in order to determine whether or not the game ball is stopped by the holding device 86 in the form of fluctuations in the release symbol 177. There are two types of release symbols 177: “◯” indicating winning and “×” indicating disconnection. While the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 are displayed in a variable manner, the release symbol 177 is displayed in a symbol-variable manner in which “◯” and “×” are alternately displayed. When the variation of the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 is stopped, the variation of the release symbol 177 is also stopped, and the result of the release lottery is indicated by the stop symbol.

  When the player rotates the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. The game ball that has entered the holding device 86 stops in the holding device 86. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning opening 72, the start opening 62, and the big winning opening 66, a winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning opening is paid out to the upper ball tray 15 or the lower ball tray 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In the present application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the starting port 62, the special symbol 202, the decorative symbol 200, and the release symbol 177 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61, the decorative symbol display device 60, and the release lottery display device 176. In principle, the variable display of the special symbol 202, the decorative symbol 200, and the release symbol 177 is stopped after the elapse of the display time determined prior to the display. When the release symbol 177 at the time of the stop is a symbol indicating a win, the pressing of the input button 88 is validated. When the input button 88 is pressed by the player while the activation is made, the game ball is stopped by the holding device 86 and the game ball is released from the holding device 86. The game ball released from the holding device 86 falls into the general winning opening 72. When the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 at the time of the stop are symbols indicating a big hit, the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening 66 is started, and the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game. At this time, the decorative symbol 200 simulating a game of a slot machine takes a display mode in which three symbols are matched.

  The big winning opening 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after nine or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball falls into a specific area while the big prize opening 66 is open, the big prize opening 66 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, on condition that at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the big prize opening 66 is opened once.

  When the special symbol 202 or the decorative symbol 200 at the time of stoppage is a specific symbol indicating a jackpot with probability variation, the probability variation game is started as the specific game after the special game is finished. In the probability variation game, a lottery with a higher win probability than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game is generated relatively early.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the decorative symbol display device 60. The center ornament 64 has functions such as protection and decoration of the flow path of the game ball, the special symbol display device 61, the decorative symbol display device 60, and the release lottery display device 176. A holding lamp 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the center decoration 64. The holding lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of holding balls according to the number of lights. The number of reserved balls is the number of lottery results won to the start port 62 during symbol variation, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like.

  When the game ball passes through the operating port 68, a symbol called a normal symbol 204 is displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time. The normal symbol 204 is variably displayed at the lower right corner of the decorative symbol display device 60. When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 204 is stopped after the lapse of a predetermined time, the start port 62 is normally expanded for a predetermined time with a probability of about 50% to 80%. During the execution of the variation shortening game, the variation display time of the normal symbol 204 is shortened and the time during which the start port 62 is opened is set relatively long.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the decorative symbol display device 60 and the release lottery display apparatus 176, and changes display contents according to a lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The main board 41 and the sub board 49 constitute a game control device 100. The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure and arrangement of the holding device. As shown in the figure, the holding device 86 is provided above the general winning opening 72 in the game area 52 and can temporarily hold a plurality of game balls 96 until released, and when the stopped state is released. The game ball 96 that has been stopped is released in the direction of the general winning opening 72. Above the holding device 86, a plurality of game nails 92 and a windmill 94 are provided in such an arrangement that the game ball 96 is guided to the opening of the first holding device 82 or the second holding device 84. Below the holding device 86, a plurality of game nails 92 are provided between the holding device 86 and the general winning opening 72 so that the game balls released from the holding device 86 are guided to the general winning opening 72. The game ball released from the holding device 86 enters the general winning opening 72 almost certainly. On the other hand, the game balls other than the game balls stopped by the holding device 86 are blocked by the game nails 92 and hardly enter the general winning opening 72.

  In the normal state, the holding valve 98 is closed, and a game ball enters each of the first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84 with an upper limit of 5 balls, and the entered game balls are temporarily stored therein. Stop. In a state where five balls are stopped in each of the first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84, even if more game balls try to enter, they cannot be entered and are repelled outside the holding device 86. In this embodiment, as a result of the release lottery, when the release symbol 177 indicating the winning is displayed on the release lottery display device 176, the pressing of the input button 88 is validated. If the player presses the input button 88 while the validation is being performed, the holding device 86 is released from the stationary state. When the depression of the input button 88 is validated, the decorative symbol display device 60 displays a character “button PUSH!” As a message indicating that the depression of the input button 88 is validated. When the player presses the input button 88, the holding valve 98 is opened and five balls are released from each of the first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84, and a total of 10 game balls are released toward the general winning opening 72. Is done. After a sufficient period of time has passed for all 10 game balls to be released, the holding valve 98 is closed again. Validation of pressing of the input button 88 is continued until the stop state is released a predetermined upper limit number of times, for example, three times. As a result, when the release lottery is won, the player can win a plurality of game balls from the holding device 86 to the general winning opening 72 at an arbitrary timing up to a predetermined number of times.

  Since the number of winning balls in the general winning opening 72 is 15, the player can acquire 150 winning balls for 10 winning balls. In this way, the player can acquire a relatively large number of prize balls by a game other than the special game. Conventionally, such a game that can obtain a relatively large number of prize balls has not been realized other than the game using the big prize opening 66, and an opportunity for winning a prize ball is provided by a novel method as in this embodiment. By doing so, gameability can be improved. Further, even if it takes a long time before the big hit occurs, the player can advance the game while temporarily suppressing the decrease in the number of possessions.

  FIG. 4 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a special winning port 66, a special symbol display device 61, a decorative symbol display device 60, a release lottery display device 176, a speaker 18, a game effect lamp 90, and a general winning port. 72, the holding device 86, and the input button 88 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control device 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game, but also staging operations such as symbol variation display and electrical decoration. The game control device 100 may be configured in such a manner that the functions are shared by the main board 41 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including the basic operation of the game, and the sub board 49 that controls the production of symbols and the like. Good. The input button 88 is an operation input unit that receives a player's operation for instructing to release the holding state of the holding device 86.

  The game control device 100 is configured to include elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs and a CPU used for arithmetic processing in terms of hardware. The game control device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a ball determination unit 110 that determines whether or not to enter each winning opening, a winning lottery unit 112 that executes a winning lottery for determining whether or not a winning hit is made, and a lottery determination. A pattern storage unit 125 that holds a display pattern of a symbol variation indicating a result; a symbol determination unit 130 that determines a symbol variation stop pattern and a variation display display pattern; a display control unit 160 that controls the display of symbols and illuminations; A holding control means 170 for controlling the stopping of the game ball by the holding device 86, a release determining means 172 for determining whether or not to release the stopped state according to the result of the releasing lottery, a releasing lottery means 174 for executing the releasing lottery, a jackpot Special game control means 180 for controlling the special game in the game, specific game execution means 190 for executing the game in the probability variation state, and the ordinary electric drive such as the start port 62 Comprising a winning opening closing control means 194 for controlling the opening and closing of the ordinary electric won game switching control unit 192, and winning opening 66 for controlling the opening and closing of the object.

  The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor provided in the start opening 62, detects the drop of the game ball into the start opening 62, and generates start winning information indicating the drop. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor provided in the general winning opening 72, detects the falling of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the drop. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and receives the general winning information, determines that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. The holding device 86 includes a holding valve solenoid 99. The holding valve solenoid 99 is controlled by the holding control means 170 to open and close the holding valve 98 of the holding device 86.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 includes a lottery value acquisition means 113, a table storage means 114, and a hit determination means 120. The lottery value acquisition unit 113 acquires a random number value as a winning / no-win lottery value when starting winning information is acquired from the starting winning detection device 74. The random number here may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The table storage unit 114 holds a table referred to in the determination of success / failure. In this table, the determination result such as winning or losing is associated with the winning / losing lottery value, and the winning / failing probability is determined according to the associated winning range setting. During normal times, a table for determining whether or not the game is normal is used, and when the probability changes, a table having a higher probability than the normal probability is used. The winning determination unit 120 refers to the table held in the table storage unit 114 and determines whether or not the winning / losing lottery value is a hit. When the winning / losing lottery value is a win, the hit determining means 120 determines whether or not the winning / failing lottery value is a hit with probability variation based on the table held in the table storing means 114.

  The pattern storage unit 125 holds a plurality of types of patterns as display patterns in which a variation mode from a variation start to a stop when a special symbol or a decorative symbol is variably displayed. In the display pattern, a pattern for displaying a normal out symbol, a pattern for displaying a symbol out of reach after reaching a big win if one more symbols are aligned, and a jackpot symbol through a reach state are displayed. When the pattern is included. A pattern having various display times is included as a pattern in the reach state. Each display pattern has a display time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the display time elapses.

  The symbol determining means 130 determines the contents of the symbols to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the decorative symbol display device 60 and the display pattern each time the winning / not determining lottery means 112 performs a lottery. The symbol determining unit 130 includes a decorative symbol determining unit 132 that determines a decorative symbol, a special symbol determining unit 140 that determines a special symbol, and a normal symbol determining unit 148 that determines a normal symbol.

  The special symbol determination unit 140 includes a pattern selection unit 144 that selects one of the patterns from the pattern storage unit 125 according to the lottery result of the success / failure lottery unit 112, and a special symbol corresponding to the lottery result of the lottery determination unit 112. And symbol selection means 146 for determining a stop symbol. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation, and is determined based on a random number for symbol determination. If the winning / losing lottery value is a win, it is determined according to the winning / raising lottery value or a random number for determining a symbol whether or not it is a win with probability variation.

  The decorative symbol determination unit 132 selects a pattern from the pattern storage unit 125 according to the determination by the special symbol determination unit 140, and the decorative symbol determination unit 132 selects the decorative symbol according to the result of the determination of whether or not the lottery unit 112 determines. And symbol selection means 138 for determining a stop symbol. When the special symbol is a winning symbol, the symbol selecting unit 138 determines a decorative symbol depending on whether the symbol is a winning symbol with probability variation.

  The normal symbol determining means 148 acquires a lottery random number for determining the normal symbol when the entrance determining means 110 determines the passing of the game ball to the operation port 68, and the normal symbol is determined according to the lottery random number. decide. When the normal symbol determination means 148 is a specific symbol, the normal electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 widens the start port 62 for a predetermined time.

  The display control means 160 causes the special symbol display device 61 and the decorative symbol display device 60 to display the result of the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 in the form of symbol variation according to the display pattern selected by the symbol determination means 130. The display control means 160 in the present embodiment displays the special symbol on the special symbol display device 61 and displays the decorative symbol and the normal symbol on the decorative symbol display device 60. The display control means 160 further controls turning on and off of the game effect lamp 90.

  The cancellation lottery means 174 executes the cancellation lottery as a lottery separate from the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 when the starting entrance 62 is entered. That is, the release lottery means 174 obtains a lottery value different from the winning lottery value. The release determination means 172 determines whether or not to cancel the stop state according to the lottery value of the release lottery, and determines the stop symbol to be displayed when the release symbol is variably stopped according to the determination result of the release lottery. . The display control means 160 displays the determination result of the release lottery on the release lottery display device 176 in the form of changing the release symbol. When the lottery value of the cancellation lottery is a win, the cancellation determination unit 172 determines that the stop state by the holding device 86 should be canceled.

  The hold control means 170 receives an instruction signal from the input button 88 indicating that a release instruction has been input when an operation input of the input button 88 for instructing the release of the stop is received from the player. When the release determination unit 172 determines that the stationary state should be released, the hold control unit 170 sets the possible number of release instructions by the input button 88 to a predetermined number, for example, 3 times, thereby setting the input button The release instruction by 88 is validated. At this time, the hold control unit 170 causes the decorative symbol display device 60 to display a message indicating that the pressing of the input button 88 has been validated, under the control of the display control unit 160. While the release instruction by the input button 88 is validated, the hold control unit 170 determines that the instruction signal received from the input button 88 is a valid signal. When the input button 88 is pressed while the acquisition of the release instruction is enabled, the holding control means 170 controls the holding valve solenoid 99 to open the holding valve 98 of the holding device 86, and Cancel the stationary state and subtract 1 from the possible number of cancellation instructions. While the cancellation determination unit 172 does not determine that the stop state should be canceled, the hold control unit 170 invalidates the acquisition of the cancellation instruction. The holding control means 170 invalidates the acquisition of the release instruction again when the possible number of release instructions becomes 0 after enabling the acquisition of the release instruction, that is, when the stop state has been released 3 times. .

  The special game control unit 180 controls the execution process of the special game when the determination result by the hit determination unit 120 is a win. The special game transition determining means 182 determines the timing of starting the special game according to whether or not the symbol variation corresponding to the winning lottery result has been stopped. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. The unit game is repeated up to 15 times, for example, and the grand prize opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. The unit game execution means 184 controls the special prize opening / closing control means 194 to open / close the special prize opening 66 to execute the unit game. The special prize opening / closing control means 194 sends an opening instruction to the special prize opening solenoid 80 to open the special prize opening 66 during the unit game. The special game ending means 186 determines whether or not to continue the unit game, that is, whether or not to start the next unit game, based on the number of continuations of the unit game and the presence / absence of the passage of the special winning prize opening 66 to the specific area. Determine. When the continuation condition for starting the next unit game is not satisfied, or when the upper limit number of unit games is exhausted, the special game ending means 186 ends the special game.

  When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the ordinary electric accessory opening / closing control means 192 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Thereby, the start port 62 changes to a state advantageous to the player.

  When the determination result by the hit determination means 120 is a hit with probability variation, and the winning stop symbol determined by the symbol determination means 130 is a specific symbol indicating a jackpot with probability variation, a specific game The execution means 190 shifts the gaming state to the probability variation state. In principle, the probability variation state is continued until the next jackpot occurs, and during that time, the probability of hit determination by the hit determination means 120 is maintained at a high value.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a message display indicating that the pressing of the input button has been validated. As a result of the release lottery by the release lottery means 174, when the release determination means 172 determines that the stop state should be released, the hold control means 170 controls the decoration symbol display device 60 through the control by the display control means 160. A message 210 is displayed on the screen. The message 210 includes a character string “button PUSH!” And includes an intention to prompt the player to input an operation of the input button 88 or an intention to give an opportunity to input the operation of the input button 88. . When the player presses the input button 88 after the message 210 is displayed, the holding valve 98 of the holding device 86 that has been closed is opened, and the game ball that has been stopped wins the general winning opening 72, Prize balls according to the number of winnings can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process of a normal game and a special game. First, if it is a normal game state, a normal game control process such as determination of success or failure is executed (S10), and if it is a special game state, a special game control process is executed (S12), and according to the winning in S10 or S12 The prize ball payout is processed (S14).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail S10 in FIG. In the normal game control process of S10, first, the winning / nothing determination process is executed according to the winning at the start port 62 (S20). Next, the symbol variation corresponding to the result of the winning / not-deciding determination and the release lottery is displayed (S22). If the result of the winning / not-deciding decision is a win, the timing for shifting to the special game based on whether or not the symbol variation display has ended (S24) and the control of the stationary state by the holding device 86 is processed (S26).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail S20 in FIG. First, when a game ball enters the starting port 62 (Y in S30), if the number of lottery values has not reached the upper limit (Y in S30), the lottery value acquisition unit 113 acquires a winning / failing lottery value ( (S34), the release lottery means 174 acquires the lottery value of the release lottery (S36). If no game ball is in the starting port 62 in S30, the processing from S32 to S36 is skipped (N in S30), and if the number of lottery values has reached the upper limit in S32, the processing in S34 and S36 Is skipped (N in S32).

  When the special game flag indicating whether or not the special game is being executed is turned off (Y in S38), and there is a lottery value hold (Y in S40), the winning determination means 120 determines whether or not the lottery value (S42), the release determination means 172 determines whether or not the lottery value of the release lottery is a win (S44), the symbol determination means 130 and the release determination means 172 are the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol. 200 and the release symbol 177 are determined (S46), and a symbol variation display pattern is determined (S48). If the special game flag is turned on in S38, the processing from S40 to S48 is skipped (N in S38), and if the lottery value is not held in S40, the processing from S42 to S48 is skipped (S40). N).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail S22 in FIG. First, if there is a lottery value hold (Y in S50) and it is the timing when the symbol variation display is permitted (Y in S52), the display control means 160 will display the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200. The symbol variation display is started (S54), and the symbol variation display of the release symbol 177 is started (S56). If there is no lottery value hold in S50, the processing from S52 to S56 is skipped (N in S50). If it is the timing when the symbol variation display is not permitted in S52, the processing in S54 and S56 is skipped (N in S52).

  When the symbol variation display has passed the predetermined display time (Y in S58), the display control means 160 stops the symbol variation of the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 (S60), and also stops the symbol variation of the release symbol 177. (S62). If the symbol variation display has not passed the predetermined display time, the processing of S60 and S62 is skipped (N of S58).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail S26 in FIG. First, when the lottery value of the release lottery is a win (Y of S70), a value of “three times” is set as the number of times that the holding state by the holding device 86 can be released (S72), and the operation input by the input button 88 is performed. A message 210 indicating that it has been activated is displayed (S74). If the lottery value of the release lottery is out of S70, the processing of S72 and S74 is skipped (N in S70).

  When there is an operation input of the input button 88 by the player (Y in S76), and the number of times that the stationary state can be released remains one or more (Y in S78), the hold control means 170 uses the input button 88. It is determined that the operation input by is valid, the holding valve solenoid 99 is controlled to open the holding valve 98 (S80), and 1 is subtracted from the number of times that the stationary state can be released (S82). When there is no operation input by the input button 88 in S76, all the processes after S78 are skipped and the flow of S26 is ended (N of S76). If the number of times that the stationary state can be released is 0 in S78, the hold control unit 170 determines that the operation input of the input button 88 is invalid, skips the processing after S80, and ends the flow of S26 (S78). N).

  As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment is provided with the holding device 86 in the game area 52 that can stop a total of 10 game balls. When a winning is made in the release lottery, the operation input of the input button 88 is validated. When the player presses the input button 88 during that time, the game ball is released from the holding device 86 and wins the general winning opening 72. In this way, an opportunity to acquire a relatively large number of prize balls other than the special game can be given to the player through a game technique that has not been conventionally available. In addition, it is possible to give a new effect of displaying a message related to such opportunity grant, and increase the opportunities for the player to be involved in the progress of the game, so that the game performance can be further improved.

(Example 2)
In the present embodiment, when the winning lottery by the lottery mechanism having a mechanical configuration is won, the operation input of the input button by the player is validated. This is different from the first embodiment in which the release lottery is executed by electronic means. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences, and the description of the common points will be omitted.

  FIG. 11 shows a basic structure of the front side of the pachinko gaming machine according to the second embodiment. The pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a lottery mechanism 178 is provided in the gaming area 52. The lottery mechanism 178 has a substantially hemispherical shape with a cross section in the upward direction, and its upper surface is recessed in a dish shape, and a plurality of holes are provided on the dish-shaped upper surface. The lottery mechanism 178 in the present embodiment is a so-called three-hole cleon in which three holes are provided on the dish-like upper surface. A game ball can enter each of the three holes, and in the release lottery of the present embodiment, whether or not the release is made is determined depending on which hole has entered.

  FIG. 12 shows an outline of the appearance and structure of the lottery mechanism. This figure shows the external appearance of the lottery mechanism 178 as viewed from the upper side on the front side by a solid line, and shows a part of the structure that is not originally visible from the direction by a hidden line. The lottery mechanism 178 has a dish-like depression at the top, and a first entrance 220, a second entrance 222, and a third entrance 224 are provided as three holes on the dish-like surface. ing. Of the first entrance 220, the second entrance 222, and the third entrance 224, when a game ball enters the first entrance 220, it is determined to be a win, and the second entrance 222 When the ball enters the third entrance 224, it is determined that the ball has come off. Whether or not the ball has entered the first entrance 220 is detected by the entrance detector 226.

  FIG. 13 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the second embodiment. Mainly, it differs from the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that the lottery mechanism 178 and the number-of-times lottery means 179 are provided and the processing contents in the release determination means 172. The release determination means 172 in this embodiment determines whether or not to release the game ball stop state by the holding device 86 according to the result of the release lottery by the lottery mechanism 178. When the game ball enters the first entrance 220 of the lottery mechanism 178 and the release determination unit 172 determines that the stop state by the holding device 86 should be released, the number-of-times lottery unit 179 is performed by the hold control unit 170. Determine the number of releases. The number-of-times lottery means 179 determines the number of cancellations to any one of, for example, 1 to 3. The hold control unit 170 releases the stop state by the hold device 86 with the number of releases determined by the number-of-times lottery unit 179 as an upper limit.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating basic operation processes of a normal game and a special game in the second embodiment. If it is a normal game state, control processing for normal games such as determination of success or failure is executed (S90), and if it is a special game state, control processing for special games is executed (S92), and it is in a normal game state or a special game state. Regardless of whether it is present or not, the stop state by the holding device 86 is controlled (S94), and award ball payout corresponding to winning in S90 to S94 is processed (S96).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail S94 in FIG. First, when a game ball enters the first entrance 220 of the lottery mechanism 178 (Y in S100), the number of times that the holding state by the holding device 86 can be released is determined to be one to three times ( S102), the value of the determined number of times is set to a releasable number of times (S104), and a message 210 indicating that the operation input by the input button 88 is validated is displayed (S106). If a game ball does not enter the first entrance 220 or a game ball enters the second entrance 222 or the third entrance 224 in S100, the processing from S102 to S106 is skipped (in S100). N).

  If there is an operation input of the input button 88 by the player (Y of S108), and the number of times that the stationary state can be released remains one or more (Y of S110), the hold control means 170 uses the input button 88. It is determined that the operation input by is valid, the holding valve solenoid 99 is controlled to open the holding valve 98 (S112), and 1 is subtracted from the number of times the stop state can be released (S114). When there is no operation input by the input button 88 in S108, all the processes after S110 are skipped and the flow of S94 is ended (N of S108). In S110, when the number of times that the stationary state can be released is 0, the hold control unit 170 determines that the operation input of the input button 88 is invalid, skips the processing after S112, and ends the flow of S94 (S110). N).

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, like the pachinko gaming machine 10 in the first embodiment, the holding device 86 capable of stopping a total of 10 game balls is provided in the game area 52. When the winning lottery mechanism 178 wins the winning lottery, the operation input of the input button 88 is validated. When the player presses the input button 88 during that time, the game ball is released from the holding device 86 and the general winning opening 72 To win. In this way, an opportunity to acquire a relatively large number of prize balls other than the special game can be given to the player through a game technique that has not been conventionally available. In addition, it is possible to give a new effect of displaying a message related to such opportunity grant, and increase the opportunities for the player to be involved in the progress of the game, so that the game performance can be further improved.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, modifications will be described.

  In each embodiment, the configuration in which each of the first holding device 82 and the second holding device 84 can stop the game balls by five balls has been described. In a modification, you may employ | adopt the holding | maintenance apparatus which can hold | maintain the game ball | bowl of arbitrary balls not only for every five balls. Moreover, in each Example, although the structure which provided the two reservation apparatuses was demonstrated, you may employ | adopt the structure which provided the three or more reservation apparatuses in the modification.

  In each embodiment, the configuration in which the stop state by the holding device 86 is released when the player inputs the operation of the input button 88 after the release determination unit 172 determines that the release should be performed is described. . In the modified example, the input button 88 may not be provided, and the stop state by the holding device 86 may be released as it is when the release determination unit 172 determines that it should be released. In this case, the holding control means 170 uses the holding device 86 when the change of the release symbol 177 is stopped at the winning symbol or when a game ball enters the first entrance 220 of the lottery mechanism 178. Release the stationary state.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the release lottery is executed when a game ball enters the start port 62 has been described. In a modified example, the release lottery may be executed at a timing other than the timing at which the game ball enters the start port 62. For example, the configuration may be such that the release lottery is executed at the timing of entering a game ball into another winning port such as a general winning port, or the release lottery may be executed at random timing.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the configuration in which the result of the release lottery is displayed on the release lottery display device 176 in the form of the variable display of the release symbol 177 has been described. In the modification, the release lottery display device 176 may not be provided, and the release symbol 177 may be displayed on the decorative design display device 60 in a variable manner, or the release symbol 177 may not be displayed anywhere.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows typically the structure and arrangement | positioning of a holding | maintenance apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the message display which shows that pressing-down of the input button was validated. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process of a normal game and a special game. It is a flowchart which shows S10 in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S20 in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S22 in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows S26 in FIG. 7 in detail. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of the pachinko game machine in Example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline of the external appearance and structure of a lottery mechanism. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine 10 in Example 2. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating basic operation processes of a normal game and a special game in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows S94 in FIG. 14 in detail.

Explanation of symbols

  50 game board, 52 game area, 72 general winning opening, 86 holding device, 96 game ball, 112 unsuccessful lottery means, 160 display control means, 170 hold control means, 172 release determination means, 174 release lottery means, 176 release lottery display Device, 177 release symbol, 178 lottery mechanism, 179 times lottery means.

Claims (4)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and a game ball entry is an opportunity to execute a winning or failure lottery;
A winning / losing lottery means for executing the winning / failing lottery with a predetermined winning / failing probability triggered by entering the starting winning opening;
A symbol display device for displaying the variation of the symbol indicating the result of the lottery determination;
Display control means for controlling variation display of the symbol in the symbol display device;
A general winning opening that is provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area, and in which a winning ball is paid out with a set number of winning balls larger than the set winning ball number of the starting winning opening when a gaming ball has entered ;
Provided above the general winning opening in the gaming area, a plurality of gaming balls can be temporarily stopped until released, and when the stopped state is released, A holding device that releases in the direction of the general winning opening;
Cancellation determination means for determining whether or not to release the stationary state according to a predetermined lottery method performed separately from the winning lottery ;
A holding control means for controlling the stopping of the game ball by the holding device, and for releasing the stopping state by the holding device when it is determined by the release determining means that it should be released,
A ball game machine characterized by comprising: As the predetermined lottery method, a release lottery means for executing a release lottery regarding whether or not to release the stationary state;
A release lottery display device that variably displays a release symbol indicating the result of the release lottery,
The release determination means determines whether to release the stationary state according to the result of the release lottery, and determines a stop symbol to be displayed when the release symbol is variably stopped according to the result of the release lottery. Decide
When the determined stop symbol is a predetermined winning symbol, the holding control means releases the stop state by the holding device when the change of the release symbol is stopped at the winning symbol. The bullet ball game machine according to claim 1 . As the predetermined lottery method, a release lottery means for executing a release lottery regarding whether or not to release the stationary state when there is a ball entering the starting winning opening;
An operation input means for receiving a player's operation for instructing the cancellation of the stationary state, and
The release determination means determines whether to release the stationary state according to the release lottery result,
The hold control unit validates the acquisition of the release instruction by the operation input unit when the result of the determination by the release determination unit is a hit, and while the validation is being performed, the operation input unit 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein each time the release instruction is acquired, the stationary state by the holding device is released up to a predetermined number of release times. As the predetermined lottery method, a lottery mechanism provided with a plurality of holes for allowing different determinations regarding release depending on which game ball can be entered and into which is entered, respectively,
A lottery means for determining the number of times the release is performed by the holding control means when there is a ball in a predetermined hole among the plurality of holes; and
Said hold control means according to claim 1, wherein the number of the determined released by releasing several times the standstill state by the holding device as the upper limit when the there is a predetermined hole to enter the sphere Ball game machine.

Images