JP4914488B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-334032 discloses a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine) that notifies a player of an advantageous gaming state under certain conditions while improving the availability factor. The pachinko machine disclosed in the embodiment of this conventional example is devised to solve the problem that the operating rate is lowered because the player concentrates on the liquid crystal display during the symbol variation period. .

The technical contents are briefly described as follows. After the liquid crystal display fluctuates, if a big hit occurs when the three symbols are aligned, a great benefit is obtained for the player that a specific winning opening is opened for a certain period of time. Therefore, on the condition that the next ball has won during the symbol variation display, the winning sound of that ball (the next ball currently displaying the symbol variation) is different from the normal winning sound, The player is informed that the lottery result currently displayed on the symbol variation is a big hit. In this way, it is intended to improve the operating rate by avoiding the player from concentrating on the variable display of the liquid crystal display.

JP 2001-334032 A

By the way, in a pachinko machine, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, the probability of jackpot will be higher than usual (for example, 10 times the probability of ordinary jackpot). There is a thing equipped with. This probability variation occurs when a certain condition (for example, a condition that three odd-numbered symbols are arranged at the time of a big hit) is satisfied, and then odd-numbered symbols continue to be aligned, so that the probability variation is a predetermined number of times. Will continue. However, when the odd number of all three symbols is a big hit during the probability variation, the probability of the probability variation to the normal big probability (1/10 of the probability variation; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “non-probability variation”). I will return. In general, a state where two of the three symbols are aligned is called a reach state. In the technique shown in Patent Document 1, when even numbers of symbols are gathered during the probability variation, a reach state is reached, and when the next big success is reported, the probability variation is returned to the non-probability variation at the next big success. It will be known to the player. For this reason, the player is happy because the next big hit is secured, but it is inevitable that the player feels disappointed by returning from a probable hit to a non-probable hit. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that further enhances a sense of entertainment by eliminating a notice that causes a player to feel disappointed. .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine according to the first invention is characterized in that a lottery means for performing a lottery for winning or losing when a predetermined lottery execution condition is satisfied, and a lottery result by the lottery means for changing the design The display of the lottery result when the lottery execution condition is satisfied during the period when the variable display by the variation symbol display means cannot be performed, and the hold by the hold means If the pending lottery result is a win, the hit notification means for notifying the fact, the notification control means for controlling the notification of the hit notification means, and the lottery result by the lottery means A special gaming means that is in a special gaming state in which the player can benefit in some cases, the special gaming state includes a first special gaming state in which a greater profit can be obtained; And a second special gaming state that can obtain a profit smaller than that of the first special gaming state, wherein the notification control means is configured to notify the hit notification means when the first special gaming state occurs. In this case, the control is performed so as to refrain from notification of winning by the winning notification means when the second special gaming state is likely to occur.

The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (note that FIG. 1 shows an outline of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not determined by this drawing). . When a predetermined lottery condition is satisfied (for example, when the sensor 3A provided in the gaming machine senses the pachinko ball 2A at time t1), the lottery means 4 performs the lottery based on the predetermined lottery execution condition. Do. The lottery result is displayed until time t3 due to symbol variation by the variation symbol display means 1. When the next lottery condition is satisfied at time t2 during the symbol variation (for example, when the next pachinko ball 2B is detected by the sensor 3B), the variation symbol display means 1 displays the lottery result by the previous pachinko ball 2A. As a result, fluctuation display cannot be performed. However, during this time (t2 to t3), the lottery result of the next pachinko ball 2B has been determined, so that the symbol display is held by the holding means 5. When the hold by the holding means 5 occurs, if the lottery result being held (that is, the lottery result of the pachinko ball 2B) is a win, the hit notifying means 7 notifies the player M to that effect. The notification of the hit notification means 7 is controlled by the notification control means 6. In addition, the gaming machine is provided with special gaming means 9 that is in a special gaming state in which the player M can benefit when the lottery result by the lottery means 4 is a win. In this special game state, a first special game state in which the player M can obtain a greater profit (the win that gives this state is referred to as “first big hit” in the following embodiment), and the first special game. Two special gaming states that can obtain a profit smaller than the state (the hit for giving this state is referred to as “second big hit” in the following embodiment) are set. In the case of the first big hit where the first special gaming state occurs, the notification control means 6 notifies the hit by the hit notification means 7, while in the case of the second big hit where the second special gaming state may occur. Is controlled so as to refrain from hit notification by the hit notification means 7. According to the first invention as described above, a hold state occurs during a period during which the variable symbol display means cannot perform variable display (for example, during the period when the previous lottery result is variable) in the special gaming state. In this case, if the player enters the first special gaming state in which the player can obtain a greater profit as a result of the next lottery, the winning notification means notifies the winning. On the other hand, when there is a possibility of entering the second special gaming state, the hit notification by the hit notification means is refrained, so avoid the situation where the player's expectation is reduced in advance (occurrence of disappointment). It is done. In the present invention, the hit notification means is for notifying the player of the hit through visual, auditory, tactile sense, etc., and the means is not limited. For example, what is notified by voice through a speaker, what is visually notified through characters or images (still images / moving images), and what is visually notified through lighting of a lamp are exemplified.

Further, in the present invention, the gaming machine has another lottery means 8 (re-lottery means: [1] when the first lottery result is a hit in the first special state or a second special state, [2] When the first lottery result is a hit in the second special state, or [3] When the first lottery result is a hit in the first special state or the second special state, In the case where it is performed apparently for the purpose of effect, it is possible to provide a means for performing lottery again and changing the lottery result. In this case, (1) when the lottery is actually performed again, even if the first lottery result is “winning in the second special gaming state”, depending on the result of the re-lottery, There may be a case where a “win in one special gaming state” is obtained (such a case may be referred to as “rising”). That is, it may be “winning in the second special state” → “re-drawing” → “winning in the first special state”. In addition, (2) in the case of performing an apparent re-lottery, whether it is a win in the second special state even if the first lottery result is a win in the first special state In some cases, it may change to the hit in the first special state due to the apparent re-drawing (in this case, it may also be called “rising”). When an apparent lottery is performed, even if the first lottery result is a win in the second special state, it may actually be a win in the second special state as it is. In other words, “Despite the hit in the first special state, there is a possibility that the second special state may occur, no hit notification is given” → “apparent re-draw” → “change in the hit in the first special state” It is “A hit in the first special state without notification of hit”. However, in each of the above cases, according to the first lottery result, “the second special gaming state may occur”, the hit notification by the hit notification means will be refrained. As a result, a rise may occur, and as a result, there may be a win in the first special gaming state without being notified by the hit notification means.

Further, the second invention is a lottery means for performing a lottery for winning or losing when a predetermined lottery execution condition is established, a change symbol display means for displaying a lottery result by the lottery means by a change in symbol, When the lottery execution condition is satisfied during the period during which the fluctuation display by the fluctuation symbol display means cannot be performed, the holding means for holding the display of the lottery result, and when the holding by the holding means occurs, If the lottery result is a win, the hit notification means for notifying that effect, the notification control means for controlling the notification of the hit notification means, and if the lottery result by the lottery means is win, the player benefits A special gaming means for obtaining a special gaming state, wherein the special gaming state includes a first special gaming state in which a larger profit can be obtained and a smaller value than the first special gaming state. A second special gaming state capable of obtaining a special benefit, wherein the notification control means notifies the hit by the hit notification means when the first special gaming state occurs, When there is a possibility that the second special game state may occur, control is performed so as to refrain from winning notification by the hit notification means. The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (note that the description of the same configuration as the gist of the first invention is omitted for the sake of brevity). In the present invention, when a holding by the holding means 5 occurs, if the lottery result currently changing in design (that is, the lottery result of the pachinko ball 2A) is a win, the hit notifying means 7 informs the player M to that effect. To inform. At this time, in the case of the first big hit where the first special gaming state occurs, the notification control means 6 notifies the hit by the hit notification means 7 while the second special gaming state may occur. In the case of a big hit, control is performed so as to refrain from hit notification by the hit notification means 7. According to the second invention configured as described above, in the special game state, during the period during which the variable display by the variable symbol display means cannot be performed (for example, during the period when the previous lottery result is variably displayed) In the case where the first special gaming state in which the player can obtain a greater profit from the lottery result during the current variation symbol display is generated, the hit notification means notifies the hit. On the other hand, when there is a possibility of entering the second special gaming state, the hit notification by the hit notification means is refrained, so avoid the situation where the player's expectation is reduced in advance (occurrence of disappointment). It is done. According to a third invention, in the first invention or the second invention, in the first special gaming state, the probability that the hit state occurs after the occurrence of the hit state is set to a higher probability than the normal hit probability. When the second special gaming state occurs during the first special gaming state, the hit probability is restored to the normal probability after the hit state, and the control of the hit notification means by the notification control means is It is made when it is in a high probability state. According to the present invention, control is performed so as to refrain from hit notification by the hit notification means only when returning from the high probability to the normal probability during the high probability state. You can avoid the situation. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the symbol displayed by the variable symbol display means is in a reach state where the remaining one is a hit state, and the second special game state is generated. When there is a possibility of doing so, the notification control means refrains from winning notification by the notification means. According to the present invention, when there is a possibility of entering the second special game state in the reach state where it is not determinable whether or not it is a win, the player is hit because the hit notification is refrained. It is not possible to know whether or not the expectation is reduced.

It is a figure which shows typically the summary of this invention. It is a front view of the pachinko machine of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a main control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a display control board and a sound control board. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the procedure of a start port process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the procedure of a contact alerting | reporting process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the procedure of an image display process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the procedure of a symbol variation process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow in the case of performing an apparent re-lottery.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments, and various forms are possible without changing the gist of the invention. Can be implemented. Further, the technical scope of the present invention extends to an equivalent range. FIG. 2 shows a front view of the pachinko machine 10 (corresponding to the gaming machine in the present invention) of the present embodiment. A variation symbol display 22 (corresponding to variation symbol display means in the present invention) is provided in the center of the game board surface 12 of the pachinko machine 10. The variable symbol display 22 can display, for example, three different symbols (moving images) on the left, middle, and right. Further, on the game board surface 12, a gate 32 having a ball sensor 58, passage ports 24 and 62 through which a pachinko ball can pass, a start port 30 having a start port sensor 60 for detecting a winning ball, a big winning port 34, a holding ball In addition to the lamps 20 and 28, other general winning openings, windmills, nails and the like are appropriately arranged. Below the game board surface 12, an operation button 48 for a player to give an appropriate instruction to the pachinko machine 10, a handle 40 for launching a pachinko ball to the game board surface 12, a speaker 50 for generating music / sound effects, etc. Is provided.

Of these, the passing port 24 is provided with a normal symbol display 26 for displaying the normal symbol by changing or stopping the normal symbol. The normal symbol display 26 includes one or a plurality of light emitters (for example, green and red LEDs). When the pachinko ball passes through the gate 32, the normal symbol display 26 fluctuates for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). Display is performed. The variation display of the normal symbol is performed by blinking the light emitter. When the light-emitting body that is displaying the fluctuation is stopped in a specific state (for example, a red LED is lit), the start port 68 is opened for a certain period (for example, 4 seconds).

The special winning opening 34 is provided with a lid 74 and a solenoid 54 for opening and closing the lid 74. When the special winning opening 34 is in a special gaming state (for example, when three symbols of the left, middle, and right of the variable symbol display 22 match), a certain time (for example, 28 seconds) has elapsed. The lid 74 is opened until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins within a certain period of time (hereinafter, the opening and closing of the lid 74 is referred to as “open cycle”), and the opening cycle. When the hit ball (winning ball) received inside is detected by a specific ball detector (not shown) in the special winning opening 34, the special game state continuation right is established, and the above-described release cycle is again performed. Is executed. In each release cycle, a maximum of 16 release cycles can be repeated on condition that the continuation right is established.

In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, two types of special game states are set. That is, a special game state in the normal probability mode (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “second special game state”) and a special game in a higher probability mode (for example, a probability about 10 times higher than the normal probability). State (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “first special gaming state”). This is called a so-called probability change machine (probability change machine) and can further improve the player's sense of fun. The player of the pachinko machine 10 can obtain a larger profit in the first special game state than in the second special game state. The relationship with the gist of the present invention will be described in detail later.

Below the grand prize winning opening 34, a starting opening 68 provided with a starting opening sensor 66 for detecting a pachinko ball is provided. The starting port 68 has a function equivalent to that of the starting port 30 provided below the variable symbol display 22. When the pachinko ball wins either of the start ports 30, 68, the winning ball is paid out in the same manner as a normal winning port. In addition, when the pachinko ball passes through the gate 32 while the normal symbol is changing, the game board surface 12 has a holding ball lamp 20 that displays the number of the pachinko balls, and the pachinko ball is started while the variable symbol is changing. A holding ball lamp 28 is provided for displaying the number of pachinko balls (that is, holding balls) when winning is made in the mouths 30 and 68. Hereinafter, the number of reserved balls that can be recognized by the display of the reserved ball lamp 28 is referred to as “the number of reserved balls”.

For example, a liquid crystal display device can be used for the variation symbol display 22, and a variation symbol composed of symbols such as characters, symbols, codes, graphics, and images, a decoration symbol, and the like can be displayed while being varied ( Note that the variable symbol display 22 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and for example, a display capable of displaying while varying symbols such as a CRT, LED display, plasma display, or the like can be used. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the normal symbol display 26 and the fluctuation symbol display 22 are provided separately, both can be shared by the same display. Each of the holding ball lamps 20 and 28 is composed of one or a plurality of light emitters (for example, four LEDs).

Next, the configuration of each substrate 100, 200, 300 provided in the pachinko machine 10 will be described. Among these, the main control board 100 controls the overall gaming state of the pachinko machine 10. Further, the display control board 200 controls the symbol display of the variation symbol display 22 based on the signal transmitted from the main control board 100. The sound control board 300 controls sound generation from the speaker 50 based on the signal transmitted from the main control board 100. Each of the substrates 100, 200, and 300 is provided on the inner back side of the pachinko machine 10.

First, the configuration of the main control board 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control board 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 110 that controls various controls, a ROM 112 that stores game control programs and predetermined data, a RAM 114 that stores data such as various random numbers and signals, and various input devices. An input processing circuit 102 that receives a signal from the output processing circuit 104, an output processing circuit 104 that outputs a signal for operating various devices (for example, a solenoid 54), and a display control circuit 106 that controls the display (including lighting and blinking) of the light emitter. A communication control circuit 116 for sending predetermined signals to the display control board 200 and the sound control board 300 is provided. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 118.

The programs stored in the ROM 112 include programs for realizing procedures such as start-up processing, in addition to those for controlling the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10. In the input processing circuit 102, in addition to signals from various winning sensors (not shown) such as start-up sensors 60 and 66, buttons operated by the player, or other sensors (for example, open the frame) A signal from a sensor, a touch sensor or the like is input. The display control circuit 106 outputs a signal to a display device such as the holding ball lamps 20 and 28 or the normal symbol display 26. In addition to the control boards 200 and 300, the communication control circuit 116 controls a frame control board 400 that controls a payout device 450 that pays out pachinko balls (prize balls, rental balls) as needed, and a hall computer ( Predetermined data can be sent to (not shown).

Next, the configuration of the display control board 200 and the sound control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The display control board 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 210, a display control program and predetermined display data (for example, display information corresponding to a display command, a plurality of variation patterns including a deviation variation pattern, a plurality of reach patterns, etc. ROM 212 for storing display commands, RAM 214 for storing display commands / display information / input / output signals, etc., communication control circuit 216 for receiving data from main control board 100, character generators for storing predetermined symbols and generating commands in response to commands ( CG) 202, and a video display processor (VDP) 204 for displaying the processed symbols on the variable symbol display 22 based on display information from the CPU 210 are provided. All of these components are connected to each other via a bus 218.

The program stored in the ROM 212 includes a program for controlling the symbol display of the variation symbol display 22. In addition to receiving data from the main control board 100, the communication control circuit 216 can send predetermined data to a frame control board (not shown), a hall computer, or the like as necessary. The symbol data generated by the CG 202 includes, for example, characters (alphanumeric characters, kanji characters, etc.), symbols (including variable symbols, decorative symbols, etc.), still images, moving images, and videos. A VDP 204 having a VRAM, a palette RAM, etc. receives the display information, reads the design data generated by the CG 202, performs image editing such as coloration designation and sprite processing, and develops the design data in the VRAM and palette RAM. Finally, a video signal, a synchronization signal, and the like are output to the fluctuation symbol display 22. At this time, by the sprite function realized by executing the sprite processing, it is possible to realize the display of the fluctuation or stop of the symbol group.

The sound control board 300 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 310, a sound control program and predetermined sound data (for example, a tone color corresponding to a sound command, a sound magnitude, a sound pitch, a sound length, a sound change pattern, etc. ROM 302 that stores display commands, RAM 304 that stores display commands / temporary data / sound data, etc., a communication control circuit 306 that receives data from the main control board 100, a sequencer 312 that controls the pitch / long / shortness of the sound, and the sequencer 312 A sound source circuit 314 and the like for generating sound based on the above control are provided. These components are all connected to each other via a bus 308. The CPU 310 generates a predetermined sound from the speaker 50 by executing a sound control program stored in the ROM 302. The sound source circuit 314 can use various sound sources (for example, a single sound generator sound source, a PCM sound source, an ADPCM sound source obtained by further compressing a PCM sound source, a PWM sound source, a PFM sound source, and an FM sound source).

Next, the flow of procedure processing performed by the main control board 100 and the like in order to realize the present invention in the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the start port process for realizing the determination of the winning of the pachinko ball to the start ports 30 and 68, and FIG. 6 shows the hit for making a sound from the speaker 50 when the lottery result is a predetermined hit. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the notification process, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image display process for displaying the symbol on the variation symbol display 22, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the procedure of the symbol variation process in the variation symbol display 22. Indicated. The procedures shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 are realized by the CPU 110 of the main control board 100 executing the game control program stored in the ROM 112 at an appropriate timing (for example, every 4 milliseconds). Further, the procedure shown in FIG. 6 is realized by executing a program in the display control board 200 with the CPU 210 and the VDP 204 at an appropriate timing (for example, when receiving a display command from the main control board 100). The procedure shown in FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 310 of the sound control board 300 executing the sound control program stored in the ROM 302 at an appropriate timing (for example, when a sound command is received from the main control board 100). The

Further, when the relationship between the present invention and the embodiment is shown, step 16 shown in FIG. 5 (note that “S” in the drawing is an abbreviation of step. The same applies to other drawings) and FIG. Step 80 is a processing step that embodies the “lottery means” in the present invention, and step 14 shown in FIG. 5 is a processing step that embodies “holding means”, and the steps 30 and 6 shown in FIG. Is a processing step that embodies “winning notification means”, step 34 shown in FIG. 5 is a processing step that embodies “re-lottery means”, and step 28 shown in FIG. This is a process step.

In the following description, since the start port 30 and the start port 68 function in the same manner, only the start port 30 will be described as an example. In addition, in order to simplify the description, an explanation will be given by exemplifying a case where a pachinko ball wins the start opening 30 in a state in which the number of held balls is 0 (a state where all the held ball lamps 28 are turned off). In the starting port process shown in FIG. 5, first, it is determined whether or not a pachinko ball has won the starting port 30 (step 10). Specifically, if a detection signal is received from the start port sensor 60 provided at the start port 30, it is determined that a prize has been won (YES), and if no detection signal is received, it is determined that no prize has been won (NO). In step 10, when a pachinko ball wins at the start port 30 (YES), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls has reached an upper limit value (for example, four) (step 12), and the number of retained balls reaches the upper limit value. If it has reached (YES), the prize ball is paid out and the process proceeds to Step 24.

On the other hand, if the number of reserved balls has not reached the upper limit value in step 12 (NO), the number of reserved balls stored in the RAM 114 is added (step 14), and the number of held balls is reserved according to the added number of reserved balls. The LED of the ball lamp 28 is turned on. Next, various random numbers are read and stored in the RAM 114 (step 16). In step 16, the various random numbers to be stored are, for example, the jackpot determination random number RA used for determining whether or not the jackpot is determined, and when the jackpot determination random number RA is determined to be a jackpot, the variable symbol display 22 A jackpot symbol random number RB used for specifying the jackpot symbol to be displayed, a reach symbol displayed on the variation symbol display 22 and the like, and used to identify a change pattern from reaching the reach until stopping the variation. There are a reach pattern random number RC, a notification random number RD used to notify the presence / absence of a right to enter a special gaming state (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “privilege”).

Next, it is determined whether or not the result of lottery based on the jackpot determination random number RA is the first jackpot (step 18). Here, the first big hit is a big hit that becomes the first special gaming state described above, and is a big hit in a probability variation mode (probability change mode, for example, about 10 times higher probability than the normal time) higher than the normal time. It becomes. When the first jackpot is reached, a special gaming state (that is, the lid 74 repeats a predetermined opening cycle) is set, and the probability of winning a jackpot at the next lottery is set high. On the other hand, with the second big hit, a special game state is obtained, but at the next lottery, a lottery is performed with a normal probability (non-probable change mode). For this reason, in the second big hit, the probability of drawing the big hit next is lower than that in the first big hit. More specifically, when a big hit is made in the non-probable variation mode, a predetermined condition (for example, the condition that three symbols of left, middle, and right are odd-numbered in the variation symbol display 22) is satisfied. Thus, the probability change mode is a big hit (that is, the first big hit), and the odd numbers of symbols are continuously arranged, so that the first big hit is continued a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is satisfied during the probability variation mode (for example, the condition that the three symbols of left, middle, and right are even-numbered in the variation symbol display 22), the probability variation mode returns to the non-probability variation mode, The hit probability returns to the normal probability. If it is determined in step 18 that the first big hit is made, the probability variation flag is set to 1 in step 20, and the next lottery is also performed in the probability variation mode. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 18 that the first big hit is not (that is, the second big hit or miss), the probability variation flag is set to 0 in step 22. Thus, even if it is a big hit, it becomes the second big hit, and there is a possibility that it will be a lottery in the non-probability change mode (normal mode) next time (Note that there is a case where it will rise to the first big hit in step 34 described later). ). In the case of a loss, the lottery is performed in the uncertain change mode at the next lottery.

Next, it is determined whether or not the symbol variation is being performed by the variation symbol display 22 (step 24). If it is not variation (NO), the start port process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the symbol is changing in step 24 (YES), it is determined whether the lottery result of the next holding ball is a big hit (whether it is the first big hit or the second big hit) (step) 26). Here, if it is a big hit (YES), it is determined whether or not it is in the probability change mode (step 28), and if it is in the probability change (that is, if the probability change flag is 1 and the first big hit) (YES), A hit notification process is executed (step 30). On the other hand, if it is determined in step 26 that it is not a big hit (that is, a loss) (NO), the process proceeds to the re-lottery step 32. If it is determined in step 28 that there is no probability change (that is, in the case of the second big hit) (NO), the hit notification process is not performed and the process proceeds to the next step 32. In this way, when a holding ball is generated while the symbol is changing, the player will receive a hit notification only in the case of the first big hit that becomes the first special gaming state in which a larger profit can be obtained by the lottery result of the next holding ball. If there is a possibility of receiving the second special gaming state, the hit notification is refrained.

Next, depending on whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not a privilege is present or its type is changed (that is, whether the bonus is changed from a loss to a big hit, and the first big hit and the second big hit are changed). (Step 32). The predetermined conditions can be arbitrarily set and changed according to the type, date and time, or gaming state of the pachinko machine 10, but for example, the reserved ball has reached the upper limit or reach Etc. In step 32, when the presence / absence of the privilege or the type thereof is changed (YES), the determination random number RA is read again for other reserved balls and stored in the RAM 114 (step 34). In this case, even if it is determined in step 18 that the hit is the second big hit and not the first big hit (NO), the hit type may be changed to the first big hit later (so-called “rising” "phenomenon). In this case, actually, even if the next holding ball is the first big hit, no hit notification is made. In this case, the player wins an unexpected first jackpot, so the pachinko machine 10 is more rich in entertainment. In step 32, if the presence / absence of a privilege is not changed (NO), the start port process is terminated.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to FIG. 6, of notification that the sound control board 300 that has received a sound command from the main control board 100 emits a predetermined sound from the speaker 50. In this embodiment, the sound command sent from the main control board 100 is stored in the reception buffer provided in the RAM 304 by a separate processing program that is executed in a timely manner by a reception interrupt or the like. In the hit notification process shown in FIG. 6, first, a sound command stored in the reception buffer is acquired (step 40). Then, sequence data corresponding to the acquired sound command is acquired from the ROM 302 or RAM 304 and stored in the RAM 304 (step 42). This sequence data includes a single tone or a plurality of tones, tone colors, tone magnitudes, tone pitches, tone lengths, tone change patterns, and the like.

When the CPU 310 sends the sequence data to the sequencer 312, the sequencer 312 controls the sound source circuit 314 according to the sequence data. The sound source circuit 314 selects an appropriate sound characteristic from the sequence data (step 44). At this time, if necessary, acoustic editing is performed to mix the sound (step 46), an analog signal is output to the speaker 50 and a sound is output from the speaker 50 (step 48), and the hit notification process is terminated.

Next, an image display process in which the display control board 200 that has received a display command from the main control board 100 displays on the variable symbol display 22 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the display command sent from the main control board 100 is stored in the reception buffer provided in the RAM 214 by a separate processing program executed in a timely manner by a reception interrupt or the like. In the image display process shown in FIG. 7, first, a display command stored in the reception buffer is acquired (step 50), display data is acquired based on this display command, and stored in the RAM 214 (step 52). The CPU 210 that acquired the display data acquired in this way transmits this display data to the VDP 204.

The VDP 204 that has received display data from the CPU 210 selects data such as characters, symbols, and backgrounds from the character generator 202 based on the display data (step 54), and performs image editing such as color designation and sprite processing (step 54). 56), the data is expanded on the VRAM or palette RAM (step 58). Next, the developed data is converted into an image signal and output to the variation symbol display 22 (step 60). In this way, the symbols and the like edited based on the display data can be displayed on the variable symbol display 22.

Next, the symbol variation process executed almost in parallel with the start port process of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The symbol variation process is realized when the main control board 100 sends a display command to the display control board 200 and the display control board 200 executes the image display process of FIG. In the symbol variation process, first, it is determined whether or not the number of held balls is a positive number (step 70). If the number of held balls is a positive number (YES), the number of held balls is subtracted (step 72), a display command is sent to the display control board 200, and symbol variation is started on the variation symbol display 22 ( Step 74). In the middle of this symbol variation, reach symbols are displayed as necessary (step 76), and finally the symbol variation currently being performed is stopped (step 78). In addition, during the symbol variation, a variation pattern before reach, an animation display based on the reach pattern, and the like are made. However, detailed procedures and illustrations are omitted because the specific procedure is known to those skilled in the art. .

Next, it is determined whether or not the lottery result due to the current symbol variation is a big hit (step 80). The pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not it is “big hit” based on the big hit determination random number RA (more specifically, whether it is the first big hit or the second big hit). Further, if necessary, it may be determined whether or not it is a big win depending on whether or not the fluctuation symbol actually stopped and displayed on the fluctuation symbol display 22 matches the jackpot symbol. It is also possible to skip step 80 and execute only step 82. When it is determined that the jackpot is determined to be a jackpot in step 80 (YES), a jackpot process is executed (step 82), and the symbol variation process is terminated. The jackpot processing is
For example, a big win game such as opening the lid 74 of the big prize opening 34 for a certain period (for example, 30 seconds) and paying out a prize ball according to the number of pachinko balls won in the big prize opening 34 etc. is realized. To do. Since the specific procedure for the jackpot processing is known to those skilled in the art, detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball has not won in the start port 30 in the determination in step 70 (NO), and in the case of “displacement” in the determination in step 80 (NO), the symbol variation process is terminated.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In the special gaming state, when a holding state occurs during a period during which the fluctuation display by means of the fluctuation symbol display means cannot be performed (for example, during a period when the previous lottery result is variably displayed), the player in the next lottery result In the case of the first big hit that becomes the first special gaming state in which the player can obtain a larger profit, the hit notification means notifies the player of the hit. On the other hand, when there is a possibility of a second big hit that becomes a second special gaming state where only a smaller profit than the first special gaming state can be obtained, the hit notification by the hit notification means is refrained. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the player's expectation is reduced in advance (occurrence of disappointment).

In addition, since the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment is provided with another lottery means (step 34), even if the second big hit is drawn by the first lottery result, depending on the result of the re-lottery Can rise by pulling the first big hit again. At this time, the second lottery result may cause a second big hit, so the hit notification by the hit notification means is refrained, but as a result, the first notification is not made by the hit notification means. It can be a big hit. For this reason, a player will be able to make the pachinko machine 10 rich in amusement feeling because it will pull the first big hit that is not predicted.

Also, during the high probability change, the player is controlled to refrain from hit notification by the hit notification means only when returning from the high probability to the normal probability. Can be avoided. Also, if there is a possibility of a second big hit in the reach state where it is not deterministic whether or not it will be a big hit, the player will not know whether or not it is a win because the hit notification is refrained. , You can avoid the expectation shrinks.

[Other Embodiments] In the pachinko machine 10, the structure, shape, size, material, arrangement, operating conditions, and the like of other portions are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows. In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the pachinko machine 10 regardless of the type such as the first type, the second type, and the third type. Instead of this form, the present invention can be similarly applied to a gaming machine other than a pachinko machine (for example, a slot machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow ball game machine, a video game machine, etc.). Even with other game machines, it is possible to provide a game machine that does not cause disappointment while improving the operating rate.

In the above embodiment, the hit notification is performed by making a sound from the speaker 50. According to the present invention, other methods, for example, [1] a hit notification as an image on the variable symbol display 22, [2] a hit notification by turning on (or blinking) a predetermined lamp, etc. Can also be used. In the above embodiment, as the re-lottery means, one that actually performs another lottery (steps 32 to 34) has been shown, but according to the present invention, an apparent re-lottery can also be performed. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart in the case of an apparent re-lottery. This flowchart can be used in place of step 24 to step 34 in FIG. In step 24, when the symbol is changing (Yes), in steps 90 and 92, the same determination as in steps 26 and 28 is made. That is, it is determined whether or not the lottery result of the next holding ball is a big hit (step 90) and whether or not the probability variation flag is 1 (whether or not it is the first big hit). In both steps 90 and 92, in the case of No, the start port process is finished as it is. On the other hand, in the case of Yes in both steps 90 and 92, it is determined whether or not the apparent re-lottery is performed on the assumption that the predetermined condition is satisfied in the next step 94. About this predetermined condition, it can be arbitrarily set / changed according to the type, date / time, gaming state, etc. of the pachinko machine 10, but for example, a random number indicates Yes and No with a probability of 1/2. Can be set to separate. In the case of No in step 94 (that is, in the case of the first big hit), the aforementioned hit notification process (step 96) is performed. In addition, in the case of Yes in step 94 (that is, the first big hit, but behaves as if it is the second big hit from the standpoint of the production effect), the start opening process is performed without performing the hit notification process. finish. In this case, although there is a possibility of winning in the second special state in spite of the hit in the first special state, no hit notification is given. It is a flow that it is processed as changed (becomes). Also according to such a modification, the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned embodiment can be produced.

In the above embodiment, when the next reserved ball is generated during the variable display, the variable symbol display 22 notifies the lottery result of the next reserved ball. According to the present invention, the variation symbol display 22 can be modified so as to notify the lottery result of the winning ball that is currently displayed in the variation display, on condition that the next reserved ball is generated during the variation display. In this case, the judgment condition of step 26 (FIG. 5) or step 90 (FIG. 9) in the flowchart is changed to “Is the lottery result of the winning ball currently displayed in a variable manner a big hit?”. According to this modified example, when the hold state occurs during the period in which the variable symbol display 22 is variably displayed in the special gaming state, the lottery result currently displayed in the variable symbol (that is, the previous lottery result) ) Is the first big hit, the hit notification process is performed. On the other hand, when there is a possibility of a second big hit, since the hit notification process is refrained, it is possible to avoid the disappointment that the player's expectation is reduced in advance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fluctuation symbol display means 4 ... Lottery means 5 ... Holding means 6 ... Notification control means 7 ... Winning notification means 8 ... Re-selection means 9 ... Special game means 10 ... Pachinko machine (game machine) 22 ... Fluctuation symbol display M ... player

Claims (3)

Lottery means for performing a lottery on winning or losing when a predetermined lottery execution condition is established;
Fluctuation symbol display means for displaying the lottery result by the lottery means according to symbol fluctuations;
A holding means for holding the display of the lottery result when the lottery execution condition is satisfied during a period in which the fluctuation display by the changing symbol display means cannot be performed,
When a holding by this holding means occurs, if the lottery result on hold is a win,
Notification control means for controlling the notification of the hit notification means;
And a special game means that is in a special game state in which the player can obtain a profit when the lottery result by the lottery means is a win ,
The notification control means includes
In the case of the first big hit that becomes the first special gaming state in which the player can obtain a greater profit, the hit notification means notifies the hit, while only a smaller profit than the first special gaming state can be obtained. When there is a possibility of a second big hit that will not be in the second special game state, or when returning from a high probability to a normal probability during a high probability, the hit notification means refrains from hit notification Machine. The notification control means includes
Judgment that there is a possibility of drawing the second big hit in the first lottery result even if the first big hit is drawn by the result of the second lottery after the second big hit is drawn in the first lottery result And refrain from notifying the winning by the hit notifying means.
The gaming machine according to claim 1. The notification control means includes
Refrain from winning notifications in case of unreliable reach status
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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