JP4963591B2 - Game machine and simulation program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine including a display device that displays an image of an object in a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a virtual camera.

  Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine in which a winning is determined by a combination of symbols displayed on a plurality of reels is known. With the reel rotation start operation, the slot machine performs a lottery with a predetermined lottery probability, and controls each reel to stop according to the player's stop operation. When all the reels are stopped, if the symbols corresponding to the selected winning combination are displayed on the effective line, the winning combination is established and the winning is confirmed.

  In such a slot machine, in order to make the player's interest permanent, a realistic image corresponding to each gaming state is displayed on the display device. Further, in recent years, objects (character objects, etc.) composed of polygons and the like are arranged in a virtual three-dimensional coordinate space and operated according to each gaming state, thereby enabling a more realistic display. Yes. Specifically, an object composed of polygons or the like is placed in a three-dimensional space, and geometry processing is performed to generate an image that can be seen from the viewpoint of a virtual camera in the three-dimensional space. As a result, a three-dimensional image close to a real image can be generated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-58355 A

  However, the conventional display of the three-dimensional image described above does not change much in the movement of the object, and the position of the virtual camera arranged in the three-dimensional space is fixed. There was a problem that it was extremely difficult to produce a full range of variations.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine or the like capable of providing a rich variety of realistic effects.

  In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a display device that changes the progress of a game according to a lottery result and displays an image of an object in a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a virtual camera. Determining means for determining an angle of the virtual camera with respect to the character object in the virtual three-dimensional space, and when notifying the player of a specific effect according to the determined angle of the virtual camera And selecting means for selecting an effective notice effect pattern, and executing means for executing the selected notice effect pattern.

  According to this configuration, when performing an effect for notifying a specific effect (such as winning a predetermined role), an effective notification effect pattern is selected according to the angle of the virtual camera with respect to the character object in the virtual three-dimensional space. To do. For this reason, even when the angle is switched at a predetermined timing, an effective notification effect pattern corresponding to the angle at that time is selected (see FIGS. 9A to 9C), so that it is possible to provide a variety of notification effects full of realism. Become.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is a gaming machine that includes a display device that changes the progress of the game according to a lottery result and displays an image viewed from a virtual camera for an object in the virtual three-dimensional space. Storage means for storing a plurality of types of notification objects for notifying a player of a specific effect, determination means for determining an angle of a virtual camera relative to a character object in the virtual three-dimensional space, and playing the specific effect A notification means for selecting a valid notification object from the plurality of types of notification objects according to the determined angle of the virtual camera, and displaying the selected notification object on the display device And a display control means.

Here, in the above configuration, the selection means selects an effective notification object from the plurality of types of notification objects according to the angle of the virtual camera and the positional relationship between the virtual camera and the character object. The mode of selection is preferred.
In the above configuration, the selection unit selects a plurality of effective notification objects from the plurality of types of notification objects according to the angle of the virtual camera and the positional relationship between the virtual camera and the character object. A mode may be adopted in which one effective notification object is selected by lottery from a plurality of selected effective notification objects, and the display control means displays the determined notification object on the display device. . Here, the “gaming machine” is not limited, but includes, for example, a slot machine, a pachinko machine (including a first kind pachinko machine, a second kind pachinko machine), and the like.

In addition, the simulation program according to the present invention changes the progress of the game according to the lottery result, and generates an image viewed from the virtual camera for the object in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the progress of the game, A computer for displaying the virtual camera angle with respect to the character object in the virtual three-dimensional space, and when notifying the player of a specific effect, according to the determined virtual camera angle, It is characterized by functioning as a selection means for selecting a notification effect pattern to be executed and an execution means for executing the selected notification effect pattern.
Here, the simulation program according to the present invention may be stored in a storage medium and distributed. Such a storage medium is a computer-readable medium, and a USB memory having various ROMs and flash memories. USB memory, SD memory, memory stick, memory card, and FD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and other physical storage media.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a highly entertaining game together with a realistic video display.

  Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one applied to a gaming machine (slot machine) installed in a game hall or the like will be exemplified. The following embodiments are merely examples of application of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be applied with various modifications.

A. The present embodiment relates to a gaming machine according to the basic configuration of the present invention.
First, the case configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a front panel 20 is attached to a front surface portion of a housing of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment so as to be freely opened and closed. It is a display area in which an effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the front panel 20, and an operation unit is provided in the center.

  An effect display device 40 having a display function is provided in the upper part of the housing. The effect display device 40 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display images for various effects and information necessary for a game in a display area. The effect display device 40 is provided with one transparent display window 21. The area of the display window 21 is not provided with a liquid crystal for displaying an image, a member constituting the liquid crystal (such as a polarizing plate), or a circuit for controlling the liquid crystal, and transmits light. It is an area that cannot physically display an image.

  Three reels (rotating drums) are arranged in a position inside the housing and visible through the display window 21. From the left side when viewed from the front, the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R are arranged in this order.

  The reels 31L, 31C and 31R are formed in a ring-shaped hollow structure. The outer periphery of the reel is formed in the width of the reel tape that is affixed to the outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of openings are provided on the outer peripheral surface in accordance with the shape of the pattern printed on the reel tape. The inside of the reel is hollow, and the rotating shaft is supported by a frame extending from the outer peripheral surface.

  Each reel tape on which a winning symbol (a symbol constituting a winning combination) is printed is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the reel. On each reel tape, for example, 21 symbols are printed at regular intervals. The arrangement of the symbols is different for each reel tape. The design of the reel tape corresponds to the opening provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reel. From the display window 21, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are observed through the display window. The size of the display window 21 is such that three consecutive symbols in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface of each reel can be seen. Is set. In FIG. 1, a circle shown on the reel group 31 (meaning a group of reels 31L, 31C, and 31R) represents one symbol.

  Stepping motors (not shown) are connected to the respective rotation shafts of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. This stepping motor is capable of rotating the reels 31L, 31C and 31R at an arbitrary speed or stopping at an arbitrary angle (position). When each reel rotates, the symbols of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are visually recognized as moving up and down in the display window 21.

  A back lamp (not shown) is provided inside the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R. Three back lamps are arranged for each reel, and light is emitted through the openings on the outer peripheral surface of the reel for a total of nine symbols visible from the display window 21 when the reels are stopped.

  A broken line on the display window 21 shown in FIG. 1 indicates an effective line group 22 including effective lines 22a, 22b, and 22c. The effective line group 22 includes a horizontal effective line 22a in the horizontal direction, two effective lines 22b in the upper and lower horizontal directions, and two effective lines 22c in the diagonally downward and leftward directions. ing. The symbols attached to the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are spaced so that all nine symbols visible from the display window 21 are positioned on these effective line groups 22 when the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are stopped. Is arranged in.

  A medal slot 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the lower right side of the effect display device 40 in the center of the casing of the slot machine 10. When medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 23, one to five lines of the effective lines 22a, 22b and 22c are activated according to the number of inserted medals. That is, the inserted medals are collected as a consideration for the game. When one inserted medal is used, one effective line 22a is effective. When two medals are inserted, three effective lines 22a and 22b in the horizontal direction are effective. Is effective, and in addition to three, in addition to the two effective lines 22c in the diagonal direction, a total of five effective lines 22a to 22c become effective. These controls are performed by a later-described main CPU (central processing unit) 51 (see FIG. 2). For example, when three medals are inserted, if a combination of specific symbols is stopped on at least one of the effective lines 22a to 22c when the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, the combination is selected. It will be a prize for the corresponding role.

  Various operation switches operated by the player are provided at the center of the housing. For example, in this embodiment, a start switch 41, a stop switch group 42, and a bet switch group 43 are provided.

  The start switch 41 is configured as a switch operated by the player when starting the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R, for example, a lever. The stop switch group 42 includes a left stop switch 42L that is operated when stopping the left reel 31L, a middle stop switch 42C that is operated when stopping the middle reel 31C, and a right stop that is operated when stopping the right reel 31R. Switch 42R. These stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R are juxtaposed as buttons, for example.

  The bet switch group 43 is a switch group for designating the number of bets (the number of bets) when the player inserts a medal in the credit. The bet switch group 43 includes a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a and a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b. It is configured. These bet switches 43a and 43b are also arranged as buttons, for example. When the 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a is operated, one or two medals are bet (collected as a consideration for the game), and when the MAX bet switch 43b is operated, the maximum bet number of three A medal is bet. That is, the number of bets designated by operating the bet switch group 43 is collected from the number of medals that are credited, and the credit is subtracted by the number of bets.

  Further, a medal payout opening 90 is provided in the lower central portion of the housing, and speakers 71 are provided on both sides of the medal payout opening 90. During the game (game), various effects, for example, lighting of a back lamp, image display using the effect display device 40, output of sound from the speaker 71, and the like are performed. Further, as such an effect, there is a case where a notification effect of the possibility of winning is performed.

An outline of the normal game executed in the slot machine having these configurations will be briefly described.
In the slot machine 10, when a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 23 or operates the bet switch group 43, the effective lines 22a to 22c are activated according to the number of bets.

  When the player who has designated the bet number operates the start switch 41, a winning combination according to the bet number is performed and the reels 31L, 31C and 31R start to rotate. When the player operates the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R stop rotating according to the operated button. At this time, if the lottery result of the combination being performed simultaneously with the operation of the start switch 41 is a winning combination, the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line group 22 is a predetermined combination of combinations. The reels are controlled so as to match the combination of symbols, and medals are paid out according to the winning combination.

(System configuration)
Next, a system configuration such as an internal configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the slot machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Inside the casing of the slot machine 10, a main control board 50, a sub control board 60, a reel board 11, a central display board 12, and a power supply board 13 connected to the main control board 50 are arranged.

(Main control board 50)
The main control board 50 is provided with a main CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, and interface circuit (I / F circuit) 54, which are connected to each other via a bus 55.

  The main CPU 51 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes instructions constituting the program. The main CPU 51 reads out programs, data, and the like stored in the ROM 52, and controls the entire slot machine 10 based on these.

  The ROM 52 stores software programs and data necessary for lottery processing and other game controls based on operations as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The RAM 53 is used when the main CPU 51 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

  The I / F circuit 54 performs timing control and the like when signals are transmitted and received between the main control board 50, the sub control board 60, the reel board 11, the central display board 12, and the power supply board 13. It is like that. However, transmission of signals from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 60 is performed between the main control board 50 and the sub control board 60, but transmission of signals from the sub control board 60 to the main control board 50 is not performed. It is configured not to be performed.

(Sub control board 60)
The sub control board 60 includes a sub CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, an interface circuit (I / F circuit) 69, an image control unit 64, an image data ROM 65a, a RAM 65b, a video RAM 66, a sound source circuit 67a, a sound ROM 67b, an amplifier 68, and the like. Is provided. The image control unit 64 includes a CPU 64a and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 64b.
The sub CPU 61 and the CPU 64 a of the image control unit 64 are connected to each other via the bus 70. The image data ROM 65a and the RAM 65b are connected to the CPU 64a, the video RAM 66 is connected to the VDP 64b, and the amplifier 68 is connected to the sound source circuit 67.

  The sub CPU 61 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes) and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the sub CPU 61 reads a program, data, and the like stored in the ROM 62, and controls the sub control board 60 as a whole, particularly selecting an effect pattern for the player, sending a command to the CPU 64a of the image control unit 64, and the like. It is like that. Note that there are no restrictions on the processing capability or development language of the sub CPU 61.

  The ROM 62 stores software programs, data, and the like necessary for effects during the game by the sub CPU 61. The RAM 63 is used when the sub CPU 61 performs various controls, and is configured to be able to temporarily store data and the like.

  The sub CPU 61, ROM 62, and RAM 63 have the same functions as the main CPU 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 provided on the main control board 50, respectively. Note that the ROM 62 and the RAM 63 may be the same as the ROM 52 and the RAM 53, respectively, but those having a larger capacity may be used.

  The I / F circuit 69 performs timing control and the like when receiving a signal from the main control board 50. As described above, the signal is transmitted from the main control board 50 to the sub control board 60, but the signal is not transmitted from the sub control board 60 to the main control board 50. That is, only one-way transmission is possible.

  The CPU 64a of the image control unit 64 reads (fetches), interprets (decodes), and executes instructions constituting the program. Then, the CPU 64a reads a program, data, and the like stored in the image data ROM 65a in accordance with a command given from the sub CPU 61, and performs control for displaying an image according to the effect. The image data ROM 65 stores original image data for generating image data such as characters, characters, and backgrounds displayed on the effect display device 40.

  The VDP 64b is responsible for overall video output to the effect display device 40, and under the control of the CPU 64a, generates frame image data based on the original image data transferred from the image data ROM 65a and develops it in the video RAM 66. I do.

  The video RAM 66 is a memory used when the VDP 64b creates an image to be displayed on the effect display device 107, and can store a plurality of frame image data.

  The sound source circuit 67a includes a sound generation circuit for a predetermined number of channels, for example, eight sound source channels, and can simultaneously reproduce frames for the number of sound source channels. The sound source circuit 67a is controlled by an effect pattern selection command output from the CPU 64a. When the tone generator circuit 67a receives an effect pattern selection command or the like output from the CPU 64a, the tone generator circuit 67a reads the tone generator data of the tone generator channel corresponding to this command from the sound ROM 67b and synthesizes them, and generates them separately for the R channel and L channel. Then, D / A conversion is performed and an analog sound signal is output. The amplifier 68 amplifies the analog sound signals of the R and L channels and outputs them from the speaker 71 as musical sounds.

  Here, between the sub CPU 61 and the CPU 64a of the image control unit 64, not only transmission of signals from the sub CPU 61 to the CPU 64a but also transmission of signals from the CPU 64a to the sub CPU 61 are performed. Specifically, various commands and data are transmitted from the sub CPU 61 to the CPU 64a, and detection results of various check errors (parity error, check sum error, etc.) are transmitted from the CPU 64a to the sub CPU 61.

(Reel board 11)
A stepping motor (not shown) for driving the left reel 31L, the middle reel 31C, and the right reel 31R is connected to the reel substrate 11. Each stepping motor is further connected to the rotation shafts of these reels 31L, 31C and 31R. Control signals for controlling the operations of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are supplied from the main CPU 51 to the reel substrate 11.

(Central display board 12)
The central display substrate 12 is attached to, for example, a central portion on the back side of the front panel 20.
The central display board 12 includes a selector 81, a 1-bet / 2-bet switch 43a, a MAX bet switch (3-bet switch) 43b, a start switch (lever) 41, a left stop switch (button) 42L, and a middle stop switch (button) 42C. A right stop switch (button) 42R, a setting display section 82, and a setting change switch 83 are connected.

  The selector 81 is configured to identify whether or not the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 23 is a genuine one, and to eliminate an illegal medal. The setting display unit 82 is arranged so as to be visible from the back side of the front panel 20, and displays settings relating to probability and payout (for example, settings 1 to 6). The setting change switch 83 is a switch operated when changing the setting related to the probability and the payout.

(Power supply board 13)
A setting change enabling switch 91, a power switch 92, a hopper device 93, and a power device 94 are connected to the power device board 13.
The setting change enable switch 91 is a switch that is operated when a setting change using the setting change switch 83 is enabled. That is, the setting change using the setting change switch 83 can be performed only when the setting change enable switch 91 is in the ON state. The power switch 92 is a switch for switching on / off the power supply device 94. The hopper device 93 is a device for storing and paying out medals. Based on an instruction from the main CPU 51 via the power supply device board 13, a predetermined number of medals are stored in the medal payout opening 90 from medals stored in advance. It comes to pay out.

(Function block on main control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the main control board 50 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the main control board 50.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, for example, the main CPU 51 executes a program recorded in the ROM 52, whereby the following control unit 101, role lottery unit 103, reel control unit 106, winning determination unit 107. The gaming state control unit 108 and the payout control unit 109 are functionally realized. For example, the RAM 53 functions as the following flag information storage unit 105, and the following lottery table 102 data is stored in the ROM 52, for example.

(Role lottery section 103)
The role lottery unit 103 is a functional block for performing lottery of a role (special role, small role, replay, etc.). The combination lottery unit 103 obtains one random number after generating a random number internally for each game, refers to the lottery table 102 stored in the ROM 52, and determines the combination of the combination based on the area to which the acquired random number belongs. The presence / absence of winning and the winning combination are determined.

  For example, the role lottery unit 103 performs a lottery when the start switch 41 is operated, and determines whether the “game” is “winning” or “losing” and “winning” when it is “winning”. decide. That is, the role lottery unit 103 generates a random number within a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) when the start switch 41 is pressed, and the predetermined lot is selected when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Get a random value. In the lottery table 102, a special role winning area, a small role winning area, a replay winning area, a non-winning area (losing) area, and the like are set at a predetermined ratio with respect to random numbers that can be acquired by the role lottery unit 103. ing.

  Furthermore, if the winning lottery unit 103 “wins” the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R after having pressed each of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R, an arrangement of symbols representing the winning combination. The stop is controlled so that the winning combination is won. Further, when the lottery result is “losing” (non-winning), stop control is performed so that the symbol arrangement does not represent any combination. In any case, the stop symbol does not change even if the pressing timing of the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R is changed.

The lottery performed by the combination lottery unit 103 may determine the winning combination by performing one lottery for one game, but may be configured to perform multiple lotteries. Good.
In addition to the configuration led by the role lottery unit 103 in which a lottery is performed at the timing of pressing the start switch 41 or the stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R and the lottery result is determined, the reels can be operated without any special pull-in operation. The group 31 may be stopped, and as a result, the winning determination unit 107 may detect the positions where the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are stopped, and determine whether there is a winning or a winning combination. In this case, there is no concept of lottery or winning combination, and the combination lottery unit 103 may not exist. Further, depending on the type of game, whether or not the role lottery unit 103 is led, that is, whether to make a lottery or make a winning determination by reel may be switched.

(Control unit 101)
The control unit 101 is a central functional block that controls the operation timing of the combination lottery unit 103, the reel control unit 106 and the winning determination unit 107, which will be described later.
For example, on the condition that the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 causes the combination lottery unit 103 to perform combination lottery, causes the reel control unit 106 to start the rotation of the reel group 31, and the stop switch. The reel control unit 106 is controlled to stop the reel group 31 on the condition that the group 42 has been operated, and further, the winning determination unit 107 performs the winning determination on the condition that the reel group 31 has stopped. It is.
Note that the operation of the control unit 101 is not limited to these, and governs general control required for the main control board 50.

(Flag information storage unit 105)
The flag information storage unit 105 is configured to be able to store the type of the winning combination and the fact that the flag is turned on when a flag for a certain combination is turned on by the lottery result of the combination lottery unit 103.

(Reel control unit 106)
The reel control unit 106 is a functional block that controls the rotation and stop of the reel group 31 (reels 31L, 31C, and 31R) based on an instruction from the control unit 101.
More specifically, the reel control unit 106 has a gaming state (for example, a normal gaming state, a special gaming state, etc.), a lottery result by the combination lottery unit 103, and a stop switch group 42 (stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R). Based on the operated timing, etc., the stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and the driving of the stepping motor is controlled to stop the rotation of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R at the determined positions. It has become.

  For example, if the winning lottery unit 103 results in “losing” and no winning combination is won, each reel is set so that the combination of symbols of any winning combination is not stopped on the activated effective line. The stop positions of 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and each reel is stopped at the determined position. On the other hand, if a winning combination is selected for a certain role, the symbol combination is determined so that the winning symbol combination is stopped on the active line that is active, and the symbol combination is valid at that time. The stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are determined so as to appear in the effective lines, and each reel is stopped at the determined position.

  In particular, when the special combination is “winned”, the stop combinations of the reels 31L, 31C, and 31R are controlled so that the combination of the special combination symbols is stopped on the active line that is enabled (for example, (Within 4 symbols), pull-in control is performed so that the symbols related to the special role are aligned as much as possible. However, even if the special role is “winned”, the combination of symbols of the special role will not stop on the activated active line when “winning” for a small role or replay. Then, stop positions of the reels 31L, 31C and 31R are determined, and stop control is performed. Such control when stopping the reels 31L, 31C and 31R may be performed using a reel control table.

(Winning determination unit 107)
The winning determination unit 107 is a functional block for determining the final winning state.
The winning determination unit 107 determines whether or not a combination of symbols in the active line group 22 is arranged in any of the active lines that are active, and if there is an in-line combination, it is determined in the game. It is determined that the winning combination has been won. The lottery of the combination is determined in advance by the combination lottery unit 103. However, when a mechanical reel is used, the reel may not be stopped as scheduled, so the position of the finally stopped reel is detected. Because you have to do it.

  The winning determination unit 107 determines a symbol positioned on the active line by detecting, for example, an angle at the time when the stepping motor is stopped, the number of steps, and the like, and based on this, determines the presence / absence of a winning combination.

  Instead of pre-determining a combination by the combination lottery unit 103 and stopping the reels 31L, 31C and 31R together, the reels are stopped one after another at a retractable position, and finally the actual reels 31L, The positions of 31C and 31R may be detected, and the winning determination unit 107 may determine the combination of symbols and determine the combination.

(Game state control unit 108)
The gaming state control unit 108 is a functional block for controlling the special game from the next game until the predetermined end condition is satisfied when the winning determination unit 107 has won a special role as a result of the determination. It is.

  For example, the game state control unit 108 causes the reel control unit 106 to perform reel control for special games according to the lottery result of the role lottery unit 103 during the special game, or causes the sub control board 60 to perform special game effects. Or let it be done.

(Payout control unit 109)
The payout control unit 109 is a functional block for causing the hopper device 93 to pay out medals according to the winning combination as a result of the determination by the winning determination unit 107.

(Functional block on sub control board)
Next, a functional configuration of the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the sub control board 60.
The sub-control board 60 includes an effect control unit 201, an effect pattern storage unit 202, and an image control unit 260.

  The effects implemented by the sub-control board 60 are effects by an image displayed in the image display area around the display window 21 by the effect display device 40 and effects by sound generated from the speaker 71. Unlike the operations on the main control board 50, these effects do not change the direction of the game itself, such as a lottery of a role. However, the effects of the images and sounds give the player a stimulus and win the prize. It plays an important role in raising expectations and eliminating monotony.

(Production control unit 201)
The effect control unit 201 is functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a computer readable program recorded in the ROM 62. The effect control unit 201 is a command that represents a lottery result (such as winning a small role or special role) output from the role lottery unit 103 of the main control board 50, or a player's operation content (such as hitting a lever or a stop switch). A state command indicating a pressing operation, etc.) is received, an effect pattern corresponding to the received command is selected from the effect pattern storage unit 202 and transferred to the image control unit 260, or the received command is directly sent to the image control unit 260. Or transfer.
Specifically, when a command representing the lottery result of the winning combination is received from the main control board 50, the lottery result (such as small winning combination) is selected from the effect pattern storage unit 202 in which a plurality of effect patterns are stored. The selected effect pattern is selected, and the selected effect pattern is sent to the image control unit 260.
On the other hand, when a command representing the pressing operation of each stop switch is received from the main control board 50, the type of the stop switch (left, middle, right, etc.) and the operation content (stop operation) are sent to the image control unit 260. .

(Production pattern storage unit 202)
The effect pattern storage unit 202 stores a plurality of effect patterns according to each command, and specifically stores a management table in which lottery results (such as winning a small role or special role) and the effect patterns are associated with each other. ing.

(Image control unit 260)
The image control unit 260 is functionally realized by the CPU 64a or the like of the image control unit 64 executing a computer-readable program recorded in the image data ROM 65a. The image control unit 260 controls an image displayed on the effect display device 40 in accordance with an effect pattern sent from the effect control unit 201 and a state command representing the operation content of the player, and controls a musical sound output from the speaker 71. To do.
FIG. 5 shows functional blocks obtained by dividing the image control unit 260 from functional aspects.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image control unit 260 includes, as functional blocks, an image generation instruction unit 301, a sound control unit 302, an object data storage unit 3031, a texture data storage unit 3032, a camera angle setting / switching unit 303, image data. A generation unit 304, an image data storage unit 305, a display control unit 306, a notification determination unit 307, and a notification object determination unit 308 are provided. The image data generation unit 304 further includes an object generation unit 3034 and a development unit 3035.

  Of the above configuration, the effect instruction control unit 301 and the sound control unit 302 are functionally realized by the sub CPU 61 executing a program stored in the ROM 62. The object data storage unit 3031 and the texture data storage unit 3032 correspond to the image data ROM 65a. The image data storage unit 305 corresponds to the video RAM 66. Each configuration of the camera angle setting / switching unit 303, the image data generation unit 304, the display control unit 306, the notification determination unit 307, and the notification object determination unit 308 are functionally realized by an image control unit 64 that executes an image switching program. The

(Image generation instruction unit 301)
The image generation instruction unit 301 instructs the image data generation unit 304 to generate image data according to the effect pattern selected by the effect control unit 201. The image generation instruction unit 301 specifies a character object or a background object (described later) to be displayed on the effect display device 40 according to the angle of the virtual camera set by the camera angle setting / switching unit 303, and an image data generation unit 304 is notified. The image generation instruction unit 301 determines the story on the image according to the effect pattern.

(Sound controller 302)
The sound control unit 302 generates a sound signal corresponding to the effect pattern selected by the effect control unit 201, and controls the sound source circuit 67 to emit sound as a musical sound. The sound controlled by the sound control unit 302 is temporally linked with the image generation instruction unit 301 so as to be closely related to the progress of the image displayed by the control of the image generation instruction unit 301. It has been taken.

(Camera angle setting / switching unit 303)
The camera angle setting / switching unit (determining unit) 303 continuously sets the angle of the virtual camera specified by the effect control unit 201 for expanding the virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image for each drawing timing. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the angle of the virtual camera C set by the camera angle setting / switching unit 303. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the camera angle setting / switching unit 303 switches a total of six angles S <b> 1 to S <b> 6 at a predetermined timing (for example, every several seconds) such as front and rear, and diagonal directions with the character object Ch as the center. Further, the angles S1 to S6 are set so as to move in accordance with the movement of the character object Ch. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the character object Ch viewed from various angles is displayed in the effect display device 40. (Details will be described later). Note that the angle switching timing and the number of angles of the virtual camera C with respect to the character object Ch, the moving speed of the virtual camera C, and the like can be arbitrarily set and changed.

(Object data storage unit 3031)
The object data storage unit 3031 stores object data that is shape definition information of various objects to be displayed in the virtual three-dimensional space. In addition to the above-described character object Ch and the background object Bk displayed on the background of the character object Ch (see FIG. 7), the object to be displayed is that a predetermined role (small role in this embodiment) is won. A notification object Au for notifying the player is included (see FIG. 9; details will be described later).
Note that the character object Ch and the notification object Au are configured by pasting a predetermined texture on a polygon aggregate in which a plurality of polygons having, for example, a triangle as a minimum element are combined, and the background object Bk is, for example, a single board. A predetermined texture is pasted on the polygon. Each of these objects has a three-dimensional definition of the relative position (orientation and size) of each micropolygon in a self-contained user coordinate system (local coordinate system).

(Texture data storage unit 3032)
The texture data storage unit 3032 stores texture data that defines a texture that is mapped (expanded or pasted) to an object to be displayed.
Texture is data relating to a pattern, texture, and color mapped to the surface of an object or polygon that is a set of vertex coordinates. The texture data is image data created at a predetermined resolution for representing a pattern or the like, for example, bitmap data. In order to paste a texture onto a predetermined polygon, mapping processing is performed on the texture data by performing predetermined image conversion, for example, affine conversion, and expanding (expanding / reducing / deforming) the texture into a polygon shape.

  In addition to the premise that texture data is mapped to polygons, the texture data includes sprites, that is, bitmap data for images that are directly arranged in a developed two-dimensional image as a single picture. . Such a sprite is suitable for displaying an image that does not require a three-dimensional effect. However, since it can be used as a part of the object, a part of the object described above may be configured by the sprite.

(Object generation unit 3034)
The object generation unit 3034 generates various corresponding objects (background object, character object, further notification object, etc.) based on the notification given from the image generation instruction unit 301 or the notification object 308. Specifically, the object generation unit 3034 first reads out the object data specified according to the effect pattern or the like from the object data storage unit 3031 for each frame period. Then, the object generation unit 3034 performs a coordinate conversion operation for converting the body coordinate system that defines the object data into a world coordinate system that defines a position in the virtual three-dimensional space. After performing this calculation, the object generation unit 3034 reads texture data for various objects whose arrangement has been determined from the texture data storage unit 3032, performs affine transformation on the texture data, and applies each polygon constituting the object to each polygon. Map the texture.

(Development unit 3035)
The expansion unit 3035 expands various objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image. Specifically, the expansion unit 3035 performs a coordinate conversion operation for converting various objects defined in the world coordinate system into the viewpoint coordinate system, and stores them in the image data storage unit 305 as image data including the background. .

  Here, if the image data storage unit 305 is configured to be able to store image data for a plurality of frames, the image data may be generated and stored in a plurality of layers. For example, the image data for the background object converted into the viewpoint coordinate system is stored in one layer, the image data for the character object converted into the viewpoint coordinate system is stored in another layer, and further notification is made. When the object exists, the image data for the notification object converted into the viewpoint coordinate system may be stored in another layer.

(Display control unit 306)
The display control unit (display control means) 306 reads out the image data stored in the image data storage unit 305 for each frame period, and outputs it to the effect display device 40. Here, when the image data storage unit 305 includes a plurality of layers, the image data read from each layer is synthesized with the set priority order, and is output to the effect device 40 as image data for one frame. . The effect display device 40 displays an image as shown in FIG. 7, for example, based on the image data in units of output frames from the display control unit 306.

(Notification determination unit 307)
The notification determination unit 307 determines whether or not notification of a predetermined winning combination is necessary according to the effect pattern selected by the effect control unit 201 and notifies the notification object determination unit 308 of the determination result. As described above, in the present embodiment, when the winning combination is “small role” (replay, bell, etc.), the player is notified (hereinafter, small role notification). For this reason, the notification determination unit 307 determines that the small role notification is necessary when the production control unit 201 is notified of the production pattern representing the small role, while the other production pattern is notified, Judge that the small role announcement is unnecessary. Of course, it is not limited to the small role notification, and can be arbitrarily set according to the game design, such as a special role notification or a development effect notification.

(Notification object determination unit 308)
The notification object determination unit (storage unit, selection unit) 308, when a positive determination result is notified from the notification determination unit 307 (that is, when there is a notification that a small role notification is necessary), The object to be notified (notification object) is determined. Specifically, when a positive determination result is notified from the notification determination unit 307, the notification object determination unit 308 first sets the angle of the virtual camera C at the time point set by the camera angle setting unit 303 (for example, , And the angle S1 shown in FIG. Then, the notification object determination unit 303 searches the notification object management table TA using the grasped angle of the virtual camera C as a search key, selects a notification object that can be displayed with the angle, and selects among the selected notification objects. From this, one notification object to be actually displayed is determined.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a notification object management table TA.
In the notification object management table TA, the respective angles S1 to S6 and displayable notification objects Au1 to Au4 are registered in association with each other. As is apparent from FIG. 8, there are a plurality of types of notification objects Au (an object representing “magic circle”, an object representing “mouse”, an object representing “chess piece”, an object representing “mist”, etc.) ) Depending on the angle, displayable notification objects are limited. This restriction is provided to make the display of the notification object more realistic. For example, when an angle S2 exists behind the character object Ch shown in FIG. 6, even if a notification object (for example, an object representing a magic circle) appears in front of the character object Ch, the notification is performed. Appearance of the object is blocked by the character object Ch, which is not an effective notification. Therefore, in such a case, the notification object (for example, an object representing a magic circle) is excluded from the notification objects that can be displayed in advance. From the remaining (ie, selected) displayable notification objects, one notification object is determined by lottery and notified to the image data generation unit 304. Based on the notification from the notification object determination unit 308, the image data generation unit 304 generates image data corresponding to the determined notification object, and finally the notification object Au full of realism becomes the character object Ch. And the background object Bk and the like are displayed on the effect display device 40 (see FIG. 9A).

  Note that what kind of object is adopted for the notification object is arbitrary. Further, the number of notification objects selected by lottery is not limited to one, but may be a plurality (for example, all selectable notification objects). Further, if there is a single selectable notification object, it may be determined without lottery.

(Operation on the main control board)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control by the main control board 50.
When a player inserts a medal and the start switch 41 is operated, the control unit 101 detects that the start switch 41 is turned on, and the combination lottery unit 103 performs a combination lottery process (step S101 → Step S102). On the other hand, when the start switch 41 is not operated by the player and it is not possible to detect that the start switch 41 is turned on, the control unit 101 performs step S101 until it detects that the start switch 41 is turned on. Repeat the process.

  In the combination lottery process in step S102, the combination lottery unit 103 acquires a random number and performs a combination lottery process by comparing the acquired random number with the lottery table. As a result of the lottery, when any winning combination is won, the winning combination flag is turned on in the flag information storage unit 105. The lottery result by the combination lottery unit 103 is transmitted as winning combination information to the sub-control board 60 via the I / F circuit 54 (step S103).

  The reel control unit 106 determines whether any one of the stop switch groups 42 has been operated (step S104). When any one of the stop switches is operated (step S104; YES), reel control is performed so that the winning combination can be won, and the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped (step S104). S105).

  If no winning combination has been won in the winning lottery process in step S102 (when “losing” occurs), the reel control unit 106 has not won any winning combination in step S105. The reel control corresponding to is performed.

  Subsequently, the reel control unit 106 determines whether all the stop switches are operated and all the reels are stopped (step S106). When all the reels have not stopped yet (step S106 / NO), the processing from the detection processing of presence / absence of the stop switch operation in step S104 is repeated.

  When all the reels are stopped (step S106 / YES), the winning determination unit 107 determines the presence / absence of winning based on the combination of symbols arranged on the activated effective line (step S107). As a result, if there is any winning (step S107 / YES), a winning process corresponding to the winning combination is executed (step S108).

Specifically, when the winning combination is a “special combination”, the game state control unit 108 performs a transition process for executing the “special game” from the next game until a predetermined end condition is satisfied.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that there is no winning (step S107 / NO), the process returns to step S101.

  Subsequently, during the “special game”, the gaming state control unit 108 provides the reel control unit 106 with a “special game” so as to provide the player with a gaming state corresponding to the big bonus game or regular bonus game that is the “special role”. In addition to performing the reel control during the “game”, the sub-control board 60 is caused to produce an effect for “special game”. When the specified number of games of the big bonus game or the regular bonus game is finished, a process of shifting to the “normal game” is performed.

  On the other hand, when the winning combination is not “special combination”, if the flag of the special combination is stored in the flag information storage unit 105 in the ON state, the storage state of the flag in the flag information storage unit 105 is determined in the next game. Carried over.

  When the winning combination is “small role”, the gaming state control unit 108 performs reel control so that symbols such as bells are aligned on the active line, and the sub-control board 60 is used for “small role”. Production of a production or a small role announcement (display of a notification object, etc.) is performed. When the winning combination is “replay”, the winning determination unit 107 causes the control unit 101 to carry over the bet (the number of bets) in the game to the next game, and even if the winning combination is “special combination”, “ If it is not “Replay”, the payout control unit 109 causes the hopper device 93 to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination.

(Operation on sub-control board)
Next, the operation of the sub control board 60 will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control by the sub-control board 60.

  In FIG. 11, the effect control unit 201 first reads an effect pattern from the main control board 50 and transfers it to the image control unit 260 (S201). In step S202, the image generation instruction unit 301 of the image control unit 260 determines whether it is the drawing timing. If it is not yet the drawing timing (NO), the process of step S202 is repeatedly executed.

  Here, the drawing timing is a predetermined timing in time for the next frame image data update processing, and is appropriately determined by the system. For example, it is possible to shift to the image switching process of the present embodiment when the horizontal synchronization signal is input. The drawing timing may be set every frame period, or may be set every one or more frame periods.

  When the drawing timing comes in step S202 (YES), the notification determination unit 307 proceeds to step S203 and determines whether or not the effect pattern transferred from the effect control unit 201 is an effect pattern representing a “small role”. . When the effect pattern transferred from the effect control unit 201 is not an effect pattern representing “small role” (S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S209. In this case, the image data generation unit 304 generates a corresponding object image based on the effect pattern notified from the image generation instruction unit 301 (S209), and supplies it to the display control unit 306, whereby an image corresponding to the effect pattern is generated. Is displayed on the effect display device 40.

  On the other hand, when the effect pattern transferred from the effect control unit 201 is an effect pattern representing “small role” (S203: YES), the notification determination unit 307 determines the notification object with respect to the notification object determination unit 308. Notify you. When the notification object determination unit 308 receives the notification, the notification object determination unit 308 first grasps the angle of the virtual camera (for example, the angle S1 shown in FIG. 6) set by the camera angle setting unit 303 at that time (S204). Then, the notification object determination unit 303 selects a notification object that can be displayed at the angle by searching the notification object management table (see FIG. 8) TA using the grasped angle of the virtual camera as a search key. One notification object to be actually displayed is determined from the notification objects (S205). Then, the notification object determination unit 303 notifies the object generation unit 3034 of the determined notification object (for example, an object representing a magic team; see FIG. 9A).

The object generation unit 3034 generates various corresponding objects based on the notification given from the image generation instruction unit 301 and the notification object determination unit 308 (S206). Specifically, the object generation unit 3034 first reads out the object data specified according to the effect pattern from the object data storage unit 3031 for each frame period. Here, since the object determined by the notification object determination unit 308 is notified, object data representing the notification object is read in addition to the object data representing the character object and the background object.
Then, the object generation unit 3034 performs a coordinate conversion operation for converting the body coordinate system that defines the object data into a world coordinate system that defines a position in the virtual three-dimensional space. After performing this calculation, the object generation unit 3034 reads the texture data for the object whose arrangement is determined from the texture data storage unit 3032, performs affine transformation on the texture data, and applies the texture to each polygon constituting the object. The character object, the background object, and the notification object are generated by mapping.

  The expansion unit 3035 expands the background object, the character object, and the notification object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image and stores it as image data in the image data storage unit 305. The display control unit 306 displays the image data The image data stored in the storage unit 305 is read for each frame period and output to the effect display device 40 (S207). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, an image representing the notice object Au full of presence is displayed on the effect display device 40 together with the character object Ch and the background object Bk.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when performing an effect for notifying a winning combination or the like, a plurality of types of notification objects are selected according to the angle of the virtual camera with respect to the character object in the virtual three-dimensional space. Select a valid notification object from. For this reason, even when the angle is switched at a predetermined timing, an effective notification object corresponding to the angle at the time is selected, so that it is possible to provide a variety of notification effects full of a sense of reality.

  In the present embodiment described above, when the winning combination is notified, the notification object Au corresponding to the angle of the virtual camera is displayed on the effect display device 40 as shown in FIG. 9A, but instead of displaying the notification object. (Or in addition to this), for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, a part of the existing background object Bk (for example, a pillar) blinks according to the angle of the virtual camera, or as shown in FIG. 9C, A predetermined winning combination may be notified by causing the character object Ch to perform a special action (notification action) according to the angle. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, a notification effect pattern determination unit (selection means) 308 ′ is provided instead of the notification object determination unit, and the notification effect management in which each angle of the virtual camera is associated with the notification effect pattern. A table TA ′ is provided. The notification effect pattern determination unit 308 ′ selects an effective notification effect pattern based on the virtual camera angle and the notification effect management table TA ′, and determines a notification effect pattern to be executed from the selected notification effect patterns. The image data generation unit 304 is notified. The image data generation unit (execution means) 304 generates image data corresponding to the notification effect pattern in order to execute the notified notification effect pattern. In this way, control may be performed so that the notification effect that can be executed differs according to the angle of the virtual camera.

  In this embodiment, an effective notification object is selected according to the angle of the virtual camera with respect to the character object. However, an effective notification object may be selected according to the positional relationship between the virtual camera and the character object together with the angle. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, even when the angle S2 is the same, the types and number of effective notification objects differ depending on the distances l1 and l2 (> l1) between the virtual camera C and the character object Ch. An object management table (see FIG. 8) is set. According to such a configuration, it is possible to produce more varied notification effects.

B. Modified Example In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine (dedicated machine) has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be realized by other hardware.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a simulation apparatus capable of executing the same game as the slot machine according to the present invention on the screen (pseudo game).
The simulation device 500 is, for example, a personal computer, a game machine, a mobile phone, or a PDA, and includes a control device 510, a display device 520, and an input device 530.

The control device 510 includes a CPU 510a, a ROM 510b, a RAM 510c, and the like, and centrally controls each part of the simulation device 500 by executing various control programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 510b. The memory of the control device 510 stores a simulation program for performing a pseudo game on the screen of the display device 520. The simulation program is installed through various storage media such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory, and from a server equipped with the simulation program via a network (such as the Internet or an intranet) or a communication interface (not shown). Can be downloaded.
The display device 520 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and is an image representing each element constituting the slot machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, for example, an image representing a character object, a notification object, or a background object displayed on the effect display device 40. Etc. are displayed.

The input device 530 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and implements functions such as a start switch 41, a stop switch group 42, and a bet switch group 43 that constitute the slot machine 1. Specifically, by operating the input device 530 by the player, a reel rotation start / stop operation and the like are performed in the pseudo game.
According to the simulation program described above, since the same game as the gaming machine according to the present invention can be realized by a simulation device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone, the player can enjoy a pseudo game by using the simulation device. it can.

Front view of the slot machine according to the present embodiment The block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the slot machine which concerns on this embodiment Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the main control board Functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sub-control board Detailed functional block diagram of the image controller Illustration for explaining the angle of the virtual camera Illustration for explaining the angle of the virtual camera Illustration for explaining the angle of the virtual camera Illustration for explaining the angle of the virtual camera The figure which illustrated the notification object management table Illustration for explaining the notification object Illustration for explaining the notification object Illustration for explaining the notification object Flow chart showing control by main control board Flow chart showing control of sub control board Detailed functional block diagram of the image controller The figure for demonstrating the positional relationship of a virtual camera and a character object The block diagram which shows the structure of the simulation apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

10 slot machine 21 display window 31 reel 31L left reel 31C middle reel 31R right reel 40 effect display device 50 main control board 51 main CPU
52, 62 ROM
53, 63 RAM
54, 69 I / F circuit 60 Sub control board 101 Control unit 102 Lottery table 103 Role lottery unit 105 Flag information storage unit 106 Reel control unit 107 Winning determination unit 108 Game state control unit 201 Production control unit 202 Production pattern storage unit 260 Image Control unit 301 Image generation instruction unit 302 Sound control unit 3031 Object data storage unit 3032 Texture data storage unit 303 Camera angle setting / switching unit 304 Image data generation unit 3034 Object generation unit 3035 Expansion unit 305 Image data storage unit 306 Display control unit 307 Notification determination unit 308 Notification object determination unit

Claims (5)

A gaming machine comprising a display device that changes the progress of a game according to a lottery result and displays an image viewed from a virtual camera for an object in a virtual three-dimensional space,
Storage means for storing a plurality of types of notification objects for notifying a player of a specific performance;
Determining means for determining an angle of the virtual camera relative to the character object in the virtual three-dimensional space;
When notifying the player of the specific performance, there are the plurality of types of notification objects that are valid or invalid for the notification to the player according to the determined angle of the virtual camera , A selection means for selecting one notification object from at least one or more notification objects effective for notification ;
A gaming machine comprising display control means for displaying the selected notification object on the display device. The selection means includes the plurality of types of notification objects that are effective or invalid for notification to the player according to an angle of the virtual camera and a positional relationship between the virtual camera and the character object, and the player The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein one notification object is selected from at least one or more notification objects that are effective for notification to the game. The selection means includes the plurality of types of notification objects that are effective or invalid for notification to the player according to an angle of the virtual camera and a positional relationship between the virtual camera and the character object, and the player From the multiple notification objects that are valid for notifications, one notification object is determined by lottery ,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays the determined notification object on the display device. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific performance notified to the player is a winning of a predetermined role. A computer that changes the progress of the game according to the lottery result, generates an image viewed from the virtual camera for the object in the virtual three-dimensional space in accordance with the progress of the game, and displays the computer on the display device,
Storage means for storing a plurality of types of notification objects for notifying a player of a specific performance;
Determining means for determining an angle of the virtual camera relative to the character object in the virtual three-dimensional space;
When notifying the player of the specific performance, there are the plurality of types of notification objects that are valid or invalid for the notification to the player according to the determined angle of the virtual camera , A selection means for selecting one notification object from at least one or more notification objects effective for notification ;
The simulation program for functioning as a display control means to display the selected notification object on the display device.