JP5127797B2 - Bullet ball machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko game machine, and more particularly to a game machine that enables switching display from a normal effect mode to a special effect mode.

  The pachinko gaming machine causes the display device to display a symbol variation operation in which the symbol variation start and stop are set as one set, and generates a profit state advantageous to the player when the symbol that is stopped and displayed is in a predetermined display mode. The game is the main game, where a single effect is produced under the “normal effect mode” where the effect is completed for each symbol variation operation.

  In addition, recently, a special production mode, which is a player participatory game called a mission mode, is prepared, and the normal production mode is switched to the special production mode for a certain time (for example, 10 minutes). , Trying to eliminate the monotony of the game. In this special effect mode, the effect is developed across a plurality of symbol variation operations in a manner that is not synchronized with the symbol variation, and therefore, the continuous effect is handled unlike the single effect.

  With regard to the special performance mode, a gaming machine (Patent Document 1 below) that enables a continuous production in which a story develops over a plurality of symbol variation operations, and for a player participation type game, the operation of the production intervention operation means is performed. There is known a gaming machine (Patent Document 2 below) that performs an urging effect.

JP 2002-239154 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-008312

  However, in the special effect mode, the effect is developed over a plurality of symbol variation operations, and thus has the following problems.

  In a pachinko machine, when a game ball wins at the starting port during a symbol operation, the symbol change operation based on the winning is temporarily suspended, and the upper limit is reserved as predetermined information (such as a hit determination random number) as a reserved memory A holding storage means for storing up to the number of balls (for example, 4) is provided, and each time the symbol changing operation is completed, one holding memory is consumed, and the symbol changing operation is repeated until there is no longer any holding memory.

  The special effect mode is continued even in such a state unless a predetermined end time arrives. For this reason, if the player is unable to recognize that there is no pending memory, he / she believes that the movement of the special symbol continues and the player stops firing the game ball. There is a high possibility that only the player-participation-type game in the special effect mode will be continued. In particular, when only the player-participation game is displayed on the display device, and when the decoration symbol variation and stop are not displayed, only the effect that is not synchronized with the special symbol variation operation is visible during the special effect mode. It is delayed to notice that the special symbol has stopped changing and is in a standby state, and there is a possibility that the launch of the game ball will be stopped for a long period of time.

  If the game ball is stopped during the special production mode, the player will continue the production game for a long time without the possibility of a big hit, and the machine will not continue to operate for a long time. Therefore, there is a problem that an inconvenient situation that should be avoided as a gaming machine occurs.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when the special symbol change stops during the special effect mode and the gaming machine enters a standby state, it is possible to notify the player early of that fact. It is to provide a ball game machine.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means. The parentheses indicate corresponding elements in the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this.

(1) A main control unit (20) that comprehensively controls game operations, display means (liquid crystal display device 36) that can display effects according to the progress of the game, and effect control that controls effect control of the display means Part (24),
The symbol variation operation displayed on the display means is controlled by a variation pattern command (S321) transmitted from the main control unit, and
Based on the standby effect command (S311) received from the main control unit when the standby state where the symbol variation operation is not performed is reached, the effect control unit displays the standby effect on the display means,
In the gaming machine configured to shift to the demonstration effect state when the standby state in which the symbol variation operation is not performed in the standby effect continues for a certain time or more,
The main control unit
When the start condition is further satisfied during the symbol variation operation based on the establishment of the start condition, the storage unit that temporarily holds the execution of the symbol variation operation based on the establishment of the start condition and stores the predetermined information up to the upper limit number (S304 to S306, S315 to S316),
The variation pattern command is transmitted when the start condition is satisfied or the reserved memory is consumed (S321), and the standby effect command is transmitted when the symbol variation stops and the standby state without the reserved memory is reached ( S311) possible transmission means;
Have
The production control unit
Receiving means (S401) capable of receiving the variation pattern command and the standby effect command;
When the receiving means receives a specific pattern among the variation pattern commands (S503: YES), the number of the reserved memories is exceeded from the normal performance mode in which the performance is completed for each symbol variation operation. Production mode switching means (S505) capable of switching to a special production mode that develops a special production across the symbol variation operation;
When the production mode at the time of receiving the standby production command is the special production mode (S532: YES), the standby state time length from the start of the standby state to the transition to the demonstration production state period is set as follows. A standby time setting means (S512) for setting the standby state time length shorter than that in the normal performance mode;
Having
A ball game machine characterized by that.

  (2) The effect control unit includes an effect intervention operation button (frame effect button 13) that is connected to the effect control unit and can be operated by the player, and operates the effect intervention operation button during the special effect mode. The bullet ball game machine according to (1) above, wherein the special effect of the player participation type game to be developed is developed across the symbol variation operation exceeding the number of the reserved memories.

  (3) When the production intervention operation button is operated during the standby state, the production control unit resets the standby state time length set by the standby time setting means to be shorter or performs the production intervention operation. The ball game machine according to (2) above, further comprising standby time correcting means (S513) for cutting the standby state time length after the button is operated.

  (4) The contents of the demonstration effect displayed on the display means in the special effect mode are different from the contents of the demonstration effect displayed on the display means in the normal effect mode (S631 to S633). The bullet ball game machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above.

According to the present invention, if the player misunderstands that the movement of the special symbol continues and continues the special production in the special production mode, the demonstration production occurs earlier than in the normal production mode. Therefore, it is possible to urge the launch of the game ball .

Therefore, according to the present invention, the operation of the gaming machine is avoided disadvantageously decreases Following long period not fired in Yu technique sphere.

It is a perspective view of the front side which shows the external appearance of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the front side of the game board of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main process side main process of the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process by the side of the main control which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the first half of the special symbol management process by the side of the main control which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the second half of the special symbol management process by the side of the main control which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the production control part side process which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process by the side of the presentation control part which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the special effect mode lottery process by the effect control part side which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the standby time setting process by the side of the presentation control part which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the waiting time correction process by the side of the presentation control part which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the presentation execution process by the side of the presentation control part which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the demonstration effect execution process by the effect control part side which concerns on this invention. It is the time chart which illustrated the operation | movement at the time of the normal production mode and the special production mode in the ball game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure with which it uses for operation | movement description of the player participation type game at the time of the special production mode which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the demonstration effect execution process by the effect control part side which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by taking a pachinko gaming machine as an example with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an appearance of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<1. Outline of configuration: FIGS. 1 and 2>
The illustrated pachinko gaming machine 1 has a frame-shaped front frame 2 attached to the front surface of a wooden outer frame 4 so that it can be opened and closed, and a game board 3 in a game board storage frame (not shown) attached to the back surface of the front frame 2. And the game area 3a formed on the surface of the game board 3 faces the opening of the front frame 2. The game area 3a is an area surrounded by a ball guide rail 5 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the surface of the game board 3. A glass door frame 6 supporting transparent glass is provided on the front side of the game area 3a.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 also has a front operation panel 7 disposed on the lower side of the glass door frame 6. The front operation panel 7 is provided with an upper tray unit 8, and the upper tray unit 8 is formed with an upper tray 9 for storing discharged game balls. The front operation panel 7 is provided with a ball lending button 11 and a prepaid card discharge button 12 (card return button 12). The upper tray surface portion of the upper tray 9 is provided with a push button type frame effect button 13 that can be operated by turning on the built-in lamp and that can be changed when the built-in lamp is turned on. It has been. The upper tray 9 is provided with a ball removal button 14 for removing the game balls stored in the upper tray 9 below the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  A firing operation handle 15 for operating the firing unit is provided on the right end side of the front operation panel 7. Speakers 46 that generate sound effects are provided on both sides of the upper part of the front frame 2 and on the upper side of the firing operation handle 15. Furthermore, a decoration lamp 45 is provided at various locations on the glass door frame 6 to produce a production effect by light decoration.

  Next, the game area 3a of the game board 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the substantially central portion of the game board 3, a variable display of symbols (decorative symbols) by numbers, characters, symbols, etc. is independently performed in three (left, middle, right) display areas. A liquid crystal display device 36 (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) as a possible image display device is provided. Directly below the liquid crystal display device 36, an upper start port 34, which is a first special symbol start port, and a lower start port 35, which is a second special symbol start port, are arranged up and down. Are provided with special symbol start opening sensors 34a and 35a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a winning ball. The lower start opening 35 is provided with a pair of left and right movable wing pieces 47 so that the lower start opening 35 can be opened and closed, and constitutes a so-called tulip-shaped electric accessory (ordinary variable winning device 41).

  A normal symbol start port 37 composed of a gate is disposed on the left side above the upper start port 34, and a normal symbol start port sensor 37a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a passing game ball is disposed.

  Below the lower start opening 35, a special variable prize winning device 42 configured to be openable and closable by an open door 42b for opening and closing the big prize winning opening 40 is disposed, and a large prize winning hole sensor for detecting a winning ball is disposed therein. 40a (refer FIG. 3) is arrange | positioned.

  A total of four general winning ports 43 are arranged on both sides of the special variable winning device 42, and a general winning port sensor 43a (see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of the game ball is formed in each of them.

  Also, a special symbol display device 38 configured by arranging 7 segments in three digits and a normal symbol display device 39 composed of two LEDs are provided near the upper right edge of the game area 3a. Further, in the game area 3a, there are a center ornament 48, a windmill 44 as a game ball drop direction changing member, a plurality of game nails (not shown), a plurality of light emitting devices (lamps, LEDs, etc .: not shown), and the like. It is arranged. Further, a lamp display device such as a decorative lamp 45 and an LED device are also provided in the vicinity of both end portions of the game board 3.

  Based on the winning of the game ball in the upper start opening 34 or the lower start opening 35, the main control unit 20 (see FIG. 3) performs a lottery (big hit lottery) related to the big hit by random number lottery. In accordance with the lottery result, the special symbol display device 38 is variably displayed on the special symbol display device 38, a special symbol variation display game (symbol game) is started, and the result is displayed on the special symbol display device 38 after a predetermined time has elapsed. It has become. At this time, the decorative symbols are variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36 in a form linked to the special symbol variation display game, and the decorative symbol variation display game is started. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol variation display device 38 is selected by lottery. The result is displayed, and the result is also displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36 by a decorative pattern.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 36 constitutes an image display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as the image display device, a plasma display (PDP: Plasma Display Panel), an electronic paper display, an organic EL display (OELD: Organic). You may comprise by ElectroLuminescent Display). The liquid crystal display device 36 displays various effects as images under the control of an effect control unit 24 (see FIG. 3) described later. That is, an effect reflecting the lottery result in the special symbol variation display game, that is, a decorative symbol is variably displayed, and the decorative symbol variation display game is displayed. Production, reach production and background production).

  Therefore, when the result of the special symbol variation display game on the special symbol display device 38 is “big hit”, the result of the decorative symbol variation display game on the liquid crystal display device 36 also reflects “big hit” appears. Is done. The special symbol display device 38 displays a special symbol indicating a big hit in a predetermined display mode (for example, two 7-segment display states of “7”), and the liquid crystal display device 36 displays “ In each of the left, middle, and right display areas, a predetermined display mode (for example, each display area of “left”, “middle”, and “right”) in which the decorative symbols reflect the result of the big hit lottery on the hit effective line. The three decorative symbols are stopped and displayed at “7”, “7”, “7” display state).

  When the big hit is made, the special variable prize winning device solenoid 42a (see FIG. 3) is actuated to open the open door 42b, whereby the big prize opening 40 is controlled to open and close in a predetermined pattern, and the normal gaming state Thus, a special gaming state (big hit game) that is more advantageous to the player occurs. In the big hit game, the open door 42b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 29 seconds) and the big winning opening 40 is opened, or until the predetermined number (for example, 9) of game balls has won, Is opened, and then a predetermined number of times (for example, maximum 15R (round)) such as the opening door 42b is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) and the special winning opening 40 is closed (round game). It is supposed to be repeated.

  The jackpot game is started after the symbol indicating the jackpot is confirmed and displayed in the symbol variation display game. When the big hit starts, the opening effect by the big hit start fanfare is first performed, and after the opening effect is finished, the round game in which the big winning opening 40 is opened is performed a plurality of times with the predetermined number of rounds as an upper limit. In addition, during a round game, a corresponding round effect is performed. Then, after the specified number of rounds is over, the ending effect by the big hit end fanfare is performed, and the big hit ends.

  In addition, based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol start opening 37, the main control unit 20 performs a lottery (an auxiliary lottery) regarding the auxiliary hit by random number lottery. In accordance with the lottery result, the normal symbol represented by the two LEDs 39 is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 39, and the normal symbol variation display game is started. The stop display is made by a combination of lighting or a combination of both lighting. If the result of the normal symbol variation display game on the normal symbol display device 39 is “per assist”, the display part of the normal symbol display device 39 is in a predetermined pattern (for example, both of the two LEDs 39 are lit). Stop display.

  When the auxiliary hit is reached, the normal variation prize winning device solenoid 41a (see FIG. 3) for driving the left and right movable blade pieces 47 is activated, and the movable blade pieces 47 are formed in a reverse “C” shape. The lower start opening 35 is opened or expanded so that the game ball can easily flow in, and an auxiliary game state advantageous to the player (hereinafter referred to as “general power open game”) occurs. In this general electric open game, the movable wing piece 47 of the normal variation winning device 41 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds) and the lower start opening 35 is opened, or a predetermined number (for example, 5). ) Until the game ball has won the normal variation winning device 41 (lower start opening 35), and then the lower start opening 35 is opened, and then the movable wing piece 47 is closed for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). The operation of closing 35 is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, once).

  Also, when the game ball wins the lower start opening 35 during the above-mentioned open game, the special symbol variation display game is similarly performed, and the decorative symbol variation display game is performed accordingly. The game balls that have not won the winning holes are discharged from the game area 3a through the out holes 49.

  If there is a detection signal input from the special symbol start port sensor 34a, 35a or the normal symbol start port sensor 37a during the special symbol variation display game or the normal symbol variation display game, Start memory (so-called operation hold balls), which is data related to the start right for causing each variation display game to be played based on the detection signal, is stored up to a predetermined upper limit number except for those involved during variation display. Then, in order to make the starting memory number clear to the player, it is displayed as an image at an appropriate position of the pachinko gaming machine 1 or on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36. Normally, the variation display game for each start memory is executed and controlled in the order in which the start memories are generated. In this embodiment, as the predetermined upper limit, up to four start memories for special symbols and normal symbols are stored in the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) provided in the main control unit 20, and the variation of the special symbol or normal symbol is determined. Held as a count.

  Next, the specific game state that occurs after the big hit game is finished will be described. This specific gaming state is predetermined according to the type of jackpot, and various specific gaming states are generated by the following functions operating.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a probability variation (hereinafter referred to as “probability variation”) function, in which the main control unit 20 (main control CPU 201: refer to FIG. 3) serves as its function unit. There are two types, a probability changing function related to a special symbol (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol probability changing function”) and a probability changing function related to a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol probability changing function”).

  The special symbol probability changing function is a function that provides a jackpot probability changing state that varies from a normal probability (for example, 1/348) to a high probability (for example, 1 / 4.8) after the jackpot ends. It is. That is, in the big hit probability variation state, the low probability state where the big hit lottery probability is low is changed to the high probability state where the big hit lottery probability is high. The jackpot that triggers the operation of the special symbol probability changing function is referred to as “probable bonus jackpot”, and the jackpot that does not serve as the trigger of the special symbol probability changing function is referred to as “non-probable jackpot”. Under the gaming state (high probability gaming state) in which the special symbol probability changing function is in operation, the jackpot lottery probability fluctuates with a high probability and the jackpot is likely to occur. It can be said that it is a jackpot type.

  The conditions for continuing the big hit probability variation state can be determined as appropriate. For example, until a predetermined number (for example, 4 times) of the special symbol variation display game ends (so-called “number cut probability variation (ST)”), or until the next big hit game is started, or predetermined Until it is determined that the transition to the low probability state is determined by the lottery (so-called “falling lottery”), etc., it is free to decide which condition is given. In addition, by providing a plurality of types of probability variation big hits, it may be determined as appropriate which condition is assigned to each probability variation big hit.

  The normal symbol probability changing function gives an auxiliary per-probability changing state in which a lottery probability per auxiliary is low after the big hit game is changed, for example, from a normal probability (for example, 1/256) to a high probability (for example, 255/256). It is a function. Under the gaming state in which the normal symbol probability changing function is in operation, the lottery probability per assistance will fluctuate with a high probability and it will be easy for the assistance per to occur. The operating rate is improved so that the operating rate of the movable movable blade piece 47 is improved. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation trigger of the normal symbol probability changing function is synchronized with the trigger of the special symbol short-time function described later.

  Furthermore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of shortening the variation time (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction”), which is performed by the main control CPU 201. There are two types of time-shortening functions relating to special symbols (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol time-shortening functions”) and time-shortening functions relating to normal symbols (hereinafter referred to as “normal symbol time-shortening functions”).

  The special symbol time shortening function is a function that gives a special symbol time shortening state in which the variation time of the special symbol is shortened in the special symbol variation display game for deriving the lottery result of the big hit. In the game state in which the special symbol time reduction function is in operation, the time of the special symbol variation display game (the time from when the special symbol starts to change until it is fixedly displayed) is, for example, no average time or reach In the loss variation, the lottery number is shortened from 30 seconds (when the time-short state is not given) to 5 seconds (when the time-short state is given), and the lottery number improvement state is improved in which the number of big hit lotteries per unit time is improved.

  The normal symbol shortening function is a function that gives a normal symbol shortening state in which the variation time of the normal symbol is reduced in the normal symbol variation display game for deriving the lottery result per assistance. Under the gaming state in which the normal symbol time reduction function is in operation, the time of one normal symbol fluctuation display game (the time from when the normal symbol starts to change until it is fixedly displayed) is, for example, 10 seconds (time reduction state) Is shortened to 1 second (when the time-short state is applied), and the operating rate is improved so that the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 per unit time is improved compared to the normal gaming state. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation timing of the normal symbol time-shortening function is synchronized with the operation timing of the special symbol time-shortening function.

  Furthermore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has an open extension function in which the main control CPU 201 serves as its functional unit.

  The open extension function is a function that gives the player an open extended state in which the movable wing piece 47 of the normal variation winning device 41 is opened and the number of times of opening is extended. Under the gaming state in which the open extension function is in operation, when the open extension state is given, the opening operation period of the movable wing piece 47 is extended from 0.2 seconds to 1.7 seconds, for example, It is extended from a maximum of 2 times (when the open extension state is not given) to a maximum of 3 times (when the open extension state is given), and the operation rate of the movable wing piece 47 per unit time is higher than that in the normal gaming state. It becomes the operating rate improvement state which improves. In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation trigger of the opening extension function is synchronized with the operation trigger of the special symbol time-shortening function. Therefore, the normal symbol probability changing function and the normal symbol time-shortening function are also operating under the gaming state in which the open extension function is in operation, so that the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is remarkably improved.

  In the present embodiment, the functions related to the above normal symbols, that is, the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol short-time function, and the open extension function are synchronized with the operation trigger of the special symbol short-time function, so the three functions are the same. It will work at the moment. However, when attention is paid to the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol time-shortening function, and the open extension function, respectively, when at least one of these functions is activated, the operating rate of the movable blade piece 47 is improved. Since the operating rate is improved and the winning frequency to the lower start opening 35 is increased, the game condition is that the starting condition of the special symbol variation display game for deriving the big win lottery result is higher than the normal gaming state. It will shift to the “high base game state (starting condition improved state)”. As used herein, the “high base gaming state” refers to a gaming state when a function related to a normal symbol is operated as described above, and a function related to a special symbol, that is, a special symbol probability changing function and a special symbol time-saving function. It is different from the gaming state when one of them is activated.

  Focusing on the special symbol related functions individually, when the special symbol probability changing function is activated, a big hit is more likely to occur than the normal gaming state, that is, the winning probability of the big hit lottery is higher than the normal gaming state. When the special symbol short-time function is activated, the special symbol variation display game has a “special symbol short-time gaming state” in which the digestion time of the special symbol variation display game is faster than the normal gaming state. In this respect, it is distinguished from the “high base gaming state” in which the starting condition of the special symbol variation display game is higher than the normal gaming state.

  In the present embodiment, as an example of the “high base gaming state”, a gaming state provided with an open extension function that significantly improves the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is treated as a “high base gaming state”. The movable wing piece 47 of the normal variation winning device 41 corresponds to a state in which the open extension function is not provided under the “high base game state” in which the open extension function is provided (in this embodiment, “normal game state”). Compared to (Yes), the player operates in a high base gaming state that is advantageous to the player.

  Next, the jackpot in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Here, as described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment has a special symbol probability changing function, a normal symbol probability changing function, a special symbol time-shortening function, a normal symbol time-shortening function, and an open extension function. In addition, the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol short-time function, and the opening extension function are triggered in synchronization with the special symbol short-time function. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a game state in which the special symbol time reduction function, the normal symbol probability changing function, the normal symbol time reduction function, and the open extension function operate is referred to as a “time reduction game state (hereinafter abbreviated as“ time reduction state ”)”. In addition to the short state at this time, the gaming state in which the special symbol probability changing function operates is referred to as “probability changing gaming state” (hereinafter referred to as “probability changing state”), and the gaming state in which only the special symbol probability changing function operates is referred to as “latent probability changing game”. A state (hereinafter, abbreviated as “latency probability changing state”) ”, and a state in which any function is not operating (except during a big hit game) is referred to as a“ normal game state ”.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the types of jackpots to be drawn in the special symbol variation display game are “15R non-probable big jackpots” for non-probable big jackpots, “15R probable big jackpots” for “probable big jackpots”, and “2R sudden probable big bogs” “Big hit (2R sudden hit big hit)” and “2R latency probability big hit” are provided.

  Out of these big hits, the 15R non-probable big hit and the 15R probable big hit will have 15 rounds with the maximum number of round games (the number of times the big winning opening 40 is opened). 2 rounds. In addition, for the 2R sudden hit jackpot and the 2R latent hit jackpot, the opening time of the big winning opening 40 during one round game is set shorter than the 15R non-probable jackpot or 15R probability jackpot (for example, 0.5 seconds). ing.

  In addition, after the big hit game is finished, a specific game state corresponding to the big hit is generated. Specifically, a “probability change state” occurs until the next big hit is confirmed (a big hit game is generated) for the 15R probability change big hit and the 2R sudden hit big hit, and the latent probability change state remains until the next big hit for the 2R latent probability big hit. The 15R non-probable big hit will have a “short time state” until the special symbol variation display game number of times is over a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) or until the big hit is determined within the predetermined number of times. It is supposed to occur. Here, since the open extension function is given during the probability changing state or the short time state, these gaming states are “high base gaming states”.

  In addition to the above-mentioned big hits, “small hits” where a hit state (small hit game) in which the big winning opening 40 is opened and closed twice in substantially the same game operation manner as in the case of the big hit game by 2R latent probability variation big hits is given. Is provided. In other words, this small hit game is performed in a game operation mode in which it is difficult for the player to identify the difference from the game operation mode during the big hit game due to the 2R latent probability variation big hit.

  Therefore, the game value given to the player during the small hit game is substantially the same as the game value given to the player during the big hit game due to the 2R latent probability change big hit. However, after the small hit game is over, the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is continued as it is, and in this respect, the characteristic is different from the big hit in which the specific gaming state is generated. For example, when the “small hit” is won during the normal gaming state, the gaming state after the end of the small winning game is the normal gaming state that is the gaming state at the time of the small hit winning. Hereinafter, unless otherwise required, the small hits are treated in the same row as one of the big hit types without being distinguished from other big hits.

  When any of the above jackpots is won, a special symbol reflecting the lottery result is displayed as it is for the special symbol in the special symbol display device 38. In other words, the special symbol display device 38 displays a special symbol for notifying a probable variation big hit, a special symbol for notifying a non-probable big hit, or a special symbol notifying that there is a possibility of either a probable big hit or a non-probable big hit. . On the other hand, on the liquid crystal display device 36, even if the selected big hit is a probable big hit, the decorative symbols are not necessarily displayed from the beginning in a pattern in which the probable big hit is clear. Normally, the player enjoys the game while watching the decorative symbol variation display game of the liquid crystal display device 36, so even if the game result is a symbol indicating the non-probable big hit type, the player has a sense of expectation for the probable big hit. Is to leave.

  Next, the production mode of the production in the gaming state will be described. The pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment has an effect of definitely informing that the jackpot lottery probability is in a high probability state as the effect mode of the effect related to the current gaming state to be notified. `` Mode '', `` Time-short effect mode '' that makes the effect of definite notification of the short-time state, and a production mode that conceals the jackpot winning probability state, specifically, the jackpot lottery probability is high probability state As if there is a `` probability concealment effect mode '' that conceals the current game state and gives the player a sense of expectation of the latent probability change state, the effect is expanded across multiple special symbol change operations “Specific effect mode”, specifically, a stop button chance game effect mode that displays the contents of a player-participation-type game and activates the frame effect button 13 as an effect intervention operation means.

  Furthermore, there are two effect modes that are determined depending on whether or not the winning information for the small hit, that is, whether the small hit flag is set or not. One is the “normal effect mode” that is taken when the small hit flag is in the non-set state, and the other is the probability variation concealment effect mode (in the case of gusset) that is taken when the small hit flag is in the set state. Note that the small hit flag is set to the set state when the small win is won, and the setting is changed to a non-set state by a predetermined lottery (mode drop lottery). In this “normal effect mode”, an effect that is completed for each symbol variation operation is displayed.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of effect modes are set according to the gaming state as described above, and it is possible to go back and forth between the effect modes. Specifically, the transition control is performed to the “probability modification effect mode” if it is a probability change state, to the “short time effect mode” if it is a short-time state, and to the “probability concealment effect mode (genuine)” if the latent probability change state, In the normal game state, the transition control is performed to the “normal effect mode” or the “probable concealment concealment effect mode (gase)” depending on the small hit flag. In particular, when winning a small hit or 2R latent probability change big hit from the normal gaming state, the game operation mode during the big hit game is controlled to be substantially the same operation, and the production mode after the big hit game is the same “probable concealment concealment production” Further, after the jackpot game is over, the opening extension function is not activated and the operating rate of the movable wing piece 47 is not improved. As a result, the jackpot lottery probability state is concealed and it becomes difficult to identify the current gaming state.

  In addition, when the special effect mode lottery is won, the special effect of the player participation type game is performed without shifting to the special effect mode for a predetermined time (10 minutes) and not synchronizing with the changing operation of the special symbol.

<2. Control device: Fig. 3>
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing an outline of a control device that performs gaming machine control in accordance with the progress of the game as described above.

  This control device is centered on a main control unit 20 that controls overall game operations and an effect control unit 24 that receives effect control commands from the main control unit 20 and performs effect control on images, light, and sound. Composed. The effect control unit 24 is connected to a liquid crystal display device 36 as an image display device. In the present specification, the term “production device” widely refers to devices that produce an image, light, sound, or operation of the movable body, such as a liquid crystal display device 36, a lamp, an LED, a sound generator, and a movable body.

  Further, a payout control board 29 is connected to the main control unit 20, and a launch control board 28 for controlling the launcher 32 and a game ball payout apparatus 19 are connected to the main control unit 20. Reference numeral 31 denotes a power supply board. The power supply board 31 is connected to an external power supply (not shown), generates a required power supply from an AC voltage (AC24V: main power supply) supplied from a transformer, and is applied to each control board. Supply. In FIG. 3, the power supply route is omitted.

(2-1. Main control unit 20)
The main control unit 20 is equipped with a microprocessor incorporating a main control CPU 201, a main control ROM 202 storing a control program, control data and the like describing a series of game machine control procedures, and a main control in which a work area is formed. A RAM 203 is mounted to constitute a one-chip microcomputer. Although not shown, a CTC (Counter Timer Circuit) having a function of generating a pulse output with a constant period, a function of measuring time, and the like, and an interrupt controller circuit for giving an interrupt signal to the CPU are provided.

  The main control unit 20 includes a special symbol start port sensor 34 a that detects a winning at the upper start port 34, a special symbol start port sensor 35 a that detects a win at the lower start port 35, and a normal symbol start port 37. An ordinary symbol start opening sensor 37a for detecting passage, a general winning opening sensor 43a for detecting a winning at the general winning opening 43, and a large winning opening sensor 40a for detecting a winning at the large winning opening 40 are connected. The control unit 20 can receive each of these detection signals.

  In addition, the main control unit 20 includes a special symbol display device 38, a normal symbol display device 39, a normal variation winning device solenoid 41a for controlling opening and closing of the movable wing piece 47 of the lower start port 35, and a wide of the large winning port 40. A special variable prize winning device solenoid 42a for controlling opening / closing of the open door 42b is connected, and the main control unit 20 can transmit a control signal for controlling each device.

  In addition, the main control unit 20 draws whether it is “big hit” that generates a special gaming state advantageous to the player or “losing” that does not cause this special gaming state, and responds to the success / failure information that is the lottery result. A configuration in which a variation pattern or a stop symbol of a special symbol is determined, and an effect control command including at least the lottery result and the variation pattern or a decoration symbol command based on the determined stop symbol is generated and transmitted to the effect control unit 24 It has become.

  The effect control command from the main control unit 20 is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 by one-way communication. This is to prevent an illegal signal from an external goto action from being input to the main control unit 20 via the effect control unit 24.

(2-2. Production control unit 24)
The effect control unit 24 is equipped with a microprocessor incorporating an effect control CPU 241, an effect control ROM 242 storing a control program describing effect control procedures, effect data, and the like, an effect control RAM 243 in which a work area is formed, It is equipped with. Although not shown, a sound source IC, a CTC, an interrupt controller circuit, and the like are provided. The main roles of the effect control unit 24 are reception of effect control commands from the main control unit 20, effect pattern lottery, control of the liquid crystal display device 36, sound control of the speaker 46, frame lamp / LED light emission control, movable These include body movement control and notification of various errors.

  The effect control unit 24 includes an optical display control unit for the light display device 45a including the decorative lamp 45 and the LED, and an acoustic control unit for the sound generation device 46a including the speaker 46, in order to perform the effect processing for light and sound. ing.

  In addition, in response to the effect control command, the effect control unit 24 draws an effect pattern corresponding to the variation pattern, and causes the effect display to be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36.

  The effect control unit 24 is connected to a frame effect button 13 serving as an effect intervention operation means. The frame effect button 13 is a push button that can be operated by the player. When the player participates in the stop button chance game in the special effect mode, or when the player participates in the promotion effect game of the player participation type, etc. And operated by the player.

  The effect control CPU 241 functions as an effect execution control unit that receives an effect control command from the main control CPU 201 and executes and controls various effects.

  In addition, the effect control unit 24 generates a control data necessary for performing display control of the liquid crystal display device 36 and outputs the control data to the VDP, and a liquid crystal control including a program describing an operation procedure of the liquid crystal control CPU. It has a ROM and a liquid crystal control RAM that functions as a work area and a buffer memory.

  The effect control unit 24 includes a video display processor (VDP) that is connected to the liquid crystal control CPU and performs image expansion processing, an image data ROM that stores image data required for image expansion by the VDP, and a VDP. A VRAM or the like for temporarily storing the image data developed by is also provided.

  Information about the game state is first required for a special symbol variation pattern based on the result of the jackpot lottery (whether it is a big hit or a loss), the current gaming state, the number of balls held for operation, a decorative symbol to be stopped based on the lottery result, etc. Basic information is transmitted from the main control unit 20 to the effect control unit 24 by an effect control command.

  On the effect control unit 24 side, an effect pattern corresponding to the effect scenario instructed by the effect control command sent from the main control unit 20 is determined by lottery from a number of effect patterns prepared in advance. A control signal instructing execution of the effect pattern is sent from the effect control unit 24 to the liquid crystal display device 36, the sound generator 46a, and the light display device 45a. Thereby, the reproduction of the image on the liquid crystal display device 36 corresponding to the effect pattern, the reproduction of the sound effect corresponding to the effect pattern, and the lighting and blinking drive of the decoration lamp 45 and the LED or the like are realized.

  The production control command is composed of a 1-byte length mode (MODE) and an event (EVENT) of the same 1-byte length. When these pieces of information are transmitted as valid, the mode (MODE) and the event (EVENT) Corresponding to each, a strobe signal is output. That is, when there is a command to be transmitted, the main control CPU 201 sets and outputs mode (MODE) information for transmitting the command to the effect control unit 24, and the first strobe signal after a predetermined time has elapsed from this setting. Is sent. Further, event (EVENT) information is set and output after the elapse of a predetermined time from the transmission of the strobe signal, and the second time of the strobe signal is transmitted after the elapse of the predetermined time from the setting. When the strobe signal is transmitted, the effect control CPU 241 generates an interrupt corresponding to the strobe signal, and receives a command by this interrupt processing. The strobe signal is controlled by the main control CPU 201 to be in an active state for a predetermined period during which the effect control CPU 241 can reliably receive a command.

<3. Processing on the main control side: FIGS. 4 to 7>
Next, processing contents on the main control unit 20 side will be described with reference to FIGS.

(3-1. Main control side main process: FIG. 4)
When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is powered on, a voltage is supplied to each control board by the power supply board 31, and the main control CPU 201 starts the main process on the main control side shown in FIG.

  In the main control side main process, first, a necessary initial setting process before starting the game operation is executed (step S101).

  Next, the state (ON / OFF) of the output signal of the RAM clear switch input through an input port (not shown) is confirmed. If the RAM clear switch is ON (step S102: YES), step S105 is performed. Then, the storage area is cleared as RAM initialization processing. However, if the RAM clear switch is not on (step S102: NO), it is determined whether or not the backup data stored in the backup RAM is valid when the power supply is interrupted next (step S103). When power is restored, the checksum is compared to check whether the backup data is valid.

  If the backup data is valid (step S103: YES), based on the backup data, the stack pointer before the power shutdown is restored, and the game restoration process necessary for starting the game from the processing state at the time of the power shutdown is performed. Execute (step S104), and proceed to step S107. If the backup data is not valid (step S103: NO), the stack pointer designation address is set in the stack pointer, and the RAM is initialized (step S105). With the initialization of the RAM, the RAM clear information is transmitted as an initialization command to each control board (step S106).

  Next, the CTC provided in the CPU is set (step S107). In this process, an initial value corresponding to 4 ms is set in the CTC time constant register so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 4 ms.

  After finishing the processing after the initial power-on in steps S101 to S107, as the normal operation processing (steps S108 to S112), the interrupt prohibition (step S108) and the interrupt permission (step S112) are repeated, In the meantime, various random number update processes are executed (steps S109 to S111).

  As a random number update process, after the process of S step 108, first, a random number value update process for a variation pattern is executed (step S109). In this variation pattern random value update process, the variation pattern random value using the special symbol variation pattern command for lottery is mainly updated.

  Subsequently, in the normal value per-symbol initial value random number update process (step S110) for executing the normal value per-symbol determination initial value random number update process (step S110) and the special symbol per-symbol initial value random number update process (step S111). , Update the random number used to change the initial value of the random number for normal symbol determination used in the normal symbol variation display game winning / failing lottery (for example, the process of updating the count value of the counter), and determine the initial value random number for special symbol determination In the update process (step S111), a random number used for changing the initial value of the special symbol per-determination random number used for the success / failure lottery of the special symbol variation display game is updated.

(3-2. Main control timer interrupt processing: Fig. 5)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing on the main control side that is activated by interruption every predetermined time (4 ms) in the main processing on the main control side.

  First, the main control CPU 201 executes a saving process (step S201) for saving a register to a predetermined stack area.

  Next, a periodic random number update process for periodically updating the random number related to each variable display game is executed (step S202). In the regular random number update process, various random numbers used for the success / failure lottery of the normal symbol variation display game and the special symbol variation display game are periodically updated.

  Next, a timer management process for managing and controlling a timer used for the game operation is executed (step S203). The timer values of various timers used for game machine control are updated here.

  Next, input management processing is executed (step S204). In this input management process, detection information from various sensors provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 is read and stored in a register in itself (not shown). The information detected by the various sensors is a signal detected by the normal symbol start port sensor 37a, the big winning port sensor 40a, the special symbol start port sensors 34a and 35a, the general winning port sensor 43a, and the like.

  Next, error management processing is executed (step S205). In this error management process, the data read and stored in the input management process is grasped, the switch is checked, and an illegal winning is monitored, the game operation state is monitored, and the abnormality of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is monitored. To do.

  Next, prize ball management processing is executed (step S206). In the prize ball management process, control information (a prize ball payout control command for designating the number of prize balls) for causing the game ball payout device 19 to perform a payout operation is output.

  Next, normal symbol management processing is executed (step S207). In this normal symbol management process, a lottery determination in the normal symbol variation display game is executed, and the variation pattern of the normal symbol and the stop display mode of the normal symbol are determined based on the lottery result.

  Next, a normal variation winning device management process is executed (step S208). In the normal variation winning device management process, an excitation control signal for solenoid control is transmitted to the normal variation winning device solenoid 41a based on the result of the lottery determination in the normal symbol management processing (step S207), and the movable blade of the normal variation winning device 41 A series of operations of the piece 47 are controlled.

  Next, a special symbol management process is executed (step S209). In this special symbol management process, a big win lottery (big hit determination process) in the special symbol fluctuation display game is executed, and a special symbol fluctuation pattern and a special symbol stop display mode (stop special symbol) are determined based on the lottery result. To do.

(3-3. Special symbol management processing: FIGS. 6 to 7)
Next, the special symbol management process in step S209 related to the big hit lottery will be described. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing details of the special symbol management process. Here, processing such as jackpot determination processing, special symbol stop symbol setting, variation pattern setting, transmission of effect control commands related to special symbols, etc. is performed on condition that a winning at the upper start port 34 and lower start port 35 is detected. .

  In FIG. 6, the main control unit 20 (main control CPU 201) first confirms whether or not a winning ball has been detected at the upper start port 34 or the lower start port 35 (step S301). When a winning ball is detected (step S301: YES), a special symbol starting port winning command indicating a winning (upper starting port winning command for the upper starting port 34, lower starting port winning command for the lower starting port 35) is controlled. It transmits to the part 24 (step S302). This winning command is used when displaying the number of reserved balls for special symbols on the liquid crystal display device 36.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S303, and it is determined whether or not the number of operation reserved balls of the special symbol is 4 or more (step S303). When the number of reserved balls for special symbol operation (hereinafter referred to as “special symbol activated ball number”) is not 4 or more, that is, when it is less than 4 (step S303: NO), 1 is added to the special symbol activated ball number. (Step S304), a hold command corresponding to the increased number of held balls is transmitted (Step S305). Next, the current values of the special symbol determination random number value, the special symbol stop symbol random number, and the variation pattern random number counter are acquired and stored in the acquired numerical value storage area of the RAM 203 (step S306). Then, the process proceeds to step S307.

  If no winning ball has been detected in the process of step S301 (step S301: NO), or if the number of special symbol actuated balls is 4 or more in the process of step S303 (step S303: YES), the above steps The process proceeds to step S307 without performing the processes in steps S302 to S306.

  When the process proceeds to step S307, it is determined whether or not it is “big hit”, and if it is “big hit” (step S307: YES), there is no need to manage special symbols, thereby special symbol management. The process ends, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process in step S210 of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S307 that it is not “big hit” (step S307: NO), the processing state indicating the behavior of the special symbol is “special symbol waiting”, “special symbol changing”, “special symbol is stopped” Are sequentially determined (step S308, step S312, and step S322), and if applicable, the process belonging to the respective processing state is performed. “Waiting for special symbol” means that the special symbol has not been changed and is waiting for the next change, and “Special symbol changing” means that the special symbol is currently changing. “The special symbol is stopped” indicates that the special symbol has been changed and stopped.

  Hereinafter, processing contents when the processing state is “special symbol waiting”, “special symbol changing”, and “special symbol stopping” will be described in order.

  When the special symbol is on standby (step S308: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of the operation reserved balls (holding storage) of the special symbol is zero (step S309).

  If the number of special symbol actuated balls is zero (step S309: YES), the special symbol is on standby and no memory is stored, and the effect control unit 24 side is informed that it has entered this state. , Standby effect (in the case of the present embodiment, the standby effect does not indicate a dedicated effect, but includes a standby state in which the immediately preceding image is continuously displayed and a demonstration effect state that is subsequently displayed. Point to the concept). For this reason, in this embodiment, a standby effect command is transmitted. It should be noted that the special symbol management process of FIG. 6 is a part of the main control timer interrupt process (FIG. 5), and the determination in step S309 is performed every 4 ms of the interrupt. For this reason, if the standby effect command is transmitted without a condition when the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is zero, the transmission of the standby effect command is repeated at a period of 4 ms while the number of special symbol operation reservation balls is zero. Unnecessary transmission occurs.

  Therefore, it is determined whether or not the standby effect command has not been transmitted in order to prevent the standby effect command from being transmitted after the first standby effect command is transmitted while the number of special symbol actuated balls is zero (step S310). When the standby effect command has not been transmitted (step S310: YES), the standby effect command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 (step S311). Then, the special symbol management process ends. However, if the standby effect command has already been transmitted (step S310: NO), this special symbol management process is terminated without transmitting the standby effect command to the effect control unit 24.

  Depending on the gaming machine, it is determined whether or not a demonstration display condition for performing a demonstration effect is satisfied. If the demonstration display condition is satisfied, a demonstration display command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24. In the gaming machine of the present embodiment, this determination is left to the effect control unit 24, and the special symbol management process is terminated without determining whether the demonstration display condition is satisfied.

  On the other hand, if the number of special symbol actuated balls is not zero (step S309: NO), the process proceeds to the flow of FIG. 7, and the special symbol actuated ball is decremented by 1 (step S315), and the number of retained balls corresponding to the decreased number of retained balls A command is transmitted (step S316). Next, a process of determining whether or not the random value acquired in step S306 belongs to the jackpot determination value (a jackpot determination process) is executed (step S317). In this determination process, a big hit lottery is performed with a lottery probability corresponding to the gaming state (low probability state, probability variation state).

  Next, a stop symbol (special symbol stop symbol) is selected by lottery based on the determination result of jackpot in step S317 and the special symbol stop symbol random value acquired in step S306 (step S318). The special symbol stop symbol drawn by this process sets the jackpot mode (for example, how many rounds will be played during the jackpot game) and the game state after the jackpot (for example, probability fluctuation, short-time state, open extension, etc.) Whether or not) is finally determined.

  Next, a variation pattern setting process is executed (step S319). In this variation pattern setting process, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the lottery result of the stop symbol in step S318 and the random value for variation pattern acquired in step S306, and the variation time corresponding to this variation pattern is further determined. It is determined. Then, the processing state is switched to “special symbol changing” (step S320), and a special symbol change command is transmitted to the effect control unit 24 (step S321). As the “special symbol variation command” here, in addition to the “special symbol variation pattern” command, a “special symbol designation” command and a “decoration symbol display” command are also transmitted to the effect control unit 24. Therefore, these effect control commands are transmitted to the effect control unit 24 on the condition that the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied. As a result, the special symbol management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process (FIG. 5).

  If the special symbol is changing (step S312: YES), the process waits for the special symbol change time to elapse (step S313: NO). When the special symbol variation time has elapsed (step S313: YES), the processing state is switched to “special symbol stopped”, and a “symbol stop” command indicating that the variation of the special symbol has ended and stopped is sent to the effect control unit 24. Transmit (step S314). As a result, the special symbol management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process (FIG. 5).

  When the special symbol is stopped (step S322: YES), it waits for a certain time to display the stopped symbol on the special symbol display device 38 (step S323: NO). Step S323: YES), it is determined whether or not the stop symbol is a big hit symbol (Step S324). If it is a big hit symbol (step S324: YES), the processing state is set to “big hit” (step S325) and switched to “special symbol standby” (step S326). If the stop symbol is not a big hit symbol (step S324: NO), the process proceeds to step S326 without performing the process of step S325, and is switched to “waiting for special symbol” (step S326). As a result, the special symbol management process is terminated, and the process proceeds to the special variable winning device management process (FIG. 5).

  Returning to FIG. 5, following the special symbol management process (step S209), the special variable winning device management process is executed (step S210). In the special variable winning device management process, an excitation control signal for solenoid control is transmitted to the special variable winning device solenoid 42a on the basis of the result of the big hit winning lottery in the special symbol management processing (step S209). This is a process of controlling the opening and closing of the big winning opening 40 according to a predetermined pattern and controlling the execution of the game related to the big hit.

  The main control board (main control CPU) 20 executes the “LED management process” following the special variable winning device management process (step S211). This LED management process is a process of creating output data to the normal symbol display device 39 or the special symbol display device 38 or outputting a control signal based on the data according to the progress of the process.

  And after performing the process of step S202-step S211 as mentioned above, the contents of a register are returned (step S212) and a timer interruption process is complete | finished.

<4. Processing on the production control unit side: FIGS. 8 to 14>
Next, processing contents on the effect control unit 24 side will be described with reference to FIGS.

(4-1. Production control unit side processing: FIG. 8)
When the gaming machine is turned on, a power-on signal indicating that the power is turned on is sent from the power board 31 to each control board. Upon receiving this power-on signal, the control subject of the effect control unit 24 (hereinafter, the entire control subject of the effect control unit 24 will be described only by the effect control CPU 241) starts the effect control unit side processing shown in FIG. To do.

  In the effect control unit side process, a command reception process (step S401) and an effect execution process (step S402) are performed.

(4-2. Command reception processing: FIG. 9)
FIG. 9 shows details of the command reception process (step S401). In this command reception process, it is monitored whether or not the effect control CPU 241 has received an effect control command from the main control unit 20 (step S501).

(4-2-1. When no command is received)
When the effect control CPU 241 does not receive the effect control command (step S501: NO), the effect control CPU 241 enters the standby time correction process (FIG. 12) in step 513. The reason for doing this is to enable the correction to shorten the set value of the standby time during the standby state, although the transmission of the control command from the main control unit 20 is interrupted during the standby state.

  When entering the standby time correction process of FIG. 12, the effect control CPU 241 checks whether or not the standby effect flag is set (step S541). The standby effect flag is set when the standby effect command arrives and passes through the standby time setting process (step S512), and thus is not set (= 0) until the standby effect command arrives. Therefore, the waiting time correction process (FIG. 12) is exited without doing anything. Next, the effect execution process (FIG. 13) shown in step S402 of FIG. 8 is entered.

  In the effect execution process shown in FIG. 13, when there is no reception command in the normal effect mode, there is no execution instruction based on this, so the process enters the step S611 through the processing route of steps S601 to S602, and in the special effect mode. If there is, step S611 is entered directly, and it is determined whether or not the value of the standby effect flag is not set (= 0).

  Although the standby effect flag will be described in detail later, the standby effect flag is received by receiving a standby effect command that is transmitted when the symbol fluctuation is stopped, the standby state is reached, and there is no reserved memory (step S311 in FIG. 6). It is set to “1” or “2” by the setting process (steps S533 and S535 in FIG. 11). Then, when the variation pattern command is received, the state is returned to the non-setting state (= 0) (step S507 in FIG. 9). Accordingly, the standby effect flag is not in the set state of “1” or “2” under the normal fluctuation pause in which the symbol fluctuation operation with the normal symbol fluctuation start and stop as one set is repeated. The determination is yes and the process proceeds to step S621. If the standby effect flag is set to “1” or “2” (step S611: NO), it is determined whether or not the value of the standby state timer is zero (step S612), but the command is received. If the situation without the occurrence of the situation occurs, the value of the standby state timer is not zero (step S612: NO), that is, the standby state timer has been started and is already in the standby state, so the step directly The process proceeds to S621.

  In step S621, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the special effect mode timer is zero. In the normal game (in the normal effect mode), the timer in the special effect mode is not activated and the timer value is zero. Therefore, the determination in step S621 in FIG. 13 is YES, and steps S628 and S629 are performed. The production execution process is also omitted. However, while the special effect mode timer is activated (step S621: NO), the stop button chance game is continuously performed by the processing route of steps S622 to S627. Eventually, the processing route is circulated until an effect control command is received.

(When 4-2-2. Fluctuation pattern command is received)
In FIG. 9, when the variation pattern command is received (step S502: YES), it is determined whether or not the variation pattern command is for the specific pattern K (step S503). Here, the “specific pattern K” is a pattern that triggers a lottery regarding whether or not to shift to the special performance mode among the variation patterns, and in the case of the present embodiment, indicates a variation pattern with reach. .

  If the received command is a variation pattern command of the specific pattern K (step S503: YES), it is checked whether or not the special effect mode flag is set (step S504). This is because there is no need to perform the special effect mode lottery if already in the special effect mode. If the special effect mode flag is already set (step S504: NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S506. If the special effect mode flag is not set yet (step S504: YES), the special effect mode lottery process (step S505) is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S506.

  In the special effect mode lottery process (step S505), as shown in detail in FIG. 10, the special effect mode lottery is selected by lottery, and it is determined whether the random number is hit or lost. A lottery is performed (step S521). When the lottery is won and the special effect mode is to be executed (step S522: YES), the “special effect mode flag” indicating that the special effect mode is being set is set (step S523), and the special effect mode is set. The value of “timer during special effect mode” that determines the length of the special effect mode period to be continued is set to a predetermined value of 10 minutes (step S524). When the settings in steps S523 to S524 are completed, the process returns to FIG. 9 and proceeds to step S506.

  After all, when the variation pattern command is received, the process proceeds to step S506 in FIG. 9 only depending on whether or not the special effect mode lottery process is performed. In step S506 of FIG. 9, if the standby effect command described below is received and the standby effect flag is set, the change pattern command is cleared when the change pattern command arrives (step S507), and then the process proceeds to step S508. If the standby effect flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S508 without doing anything.

  In step S508, it is determined whether or not the special effect mode flag is set (= 1). If the special effect mode flag is not set (step S508: NO), execution based on the received variation pattern command is performed. Is set in the normal performance mode (step S509). Here, the “normal effect mode” is a gaming state in which a single effect that is completed for each symbol variation operation is performed for each variation pattern.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S508 that the special effect mode flag is set (= 1) (step S508: YES), the instruction setting is performed so that the execution based on the received variation pattern command is performed in the special effect mode. (Step S509). Here, the “special effect mode” is a gaming state in which an effect is developed across the symbol variation operation exceeding the number of stored variation storage information.

  Therefore, until the special effect mode flag is set, the operation is performed in the normal effect mode (step S509), and the execution process for each command based on the variation pattern command received in the normal effect mode (step S603 in FIG. 13) is performed. . This command-specific execution processing includes decoration symbol variation stop processing, effect designation processing, variation start processing, decoration symbol designation processing, hold processing, notice processing, jackpot start processing, round processing, interval processing, jackpot end processing, state designation Processing and number of times processing are included.

  After the special effect mode flag is set, the operation in the special effect mode is performed (step S510), and an execution process for each command (steps S622 to S626 in FIG. 13) based on the variation pattern command received in the special effect mode is performed. The However, this command-specific execution process is ignored for processes not related to the stop button chance game effect displayed under the special effect mode, and the decorative pattern is not displayed on the effect screen, and the jackpot variation pattern Only when the command arrives, the result is reflected as the result of the stop button chance game.

(4-2-3. When a standby effect command is received)
In FIG. 9, when the standby effect command is received (step S511: YES), the standby time setting process (step S512) is performed, and then the standby time correction process (step S512) is entered.

(4-2-3-1. Standby time setting process: FIG. 11)
In the standby time setting process (step S512), in FIG. 11, it is first checked whether or not the set flag is set (= 1) in step S531. The “set flag” indicates whether the demonstration effect is performed after the standby time is set once (step S614 in FIG. 13) or the special effect mode is ended (step S629 in FIG. 13). This is a flag for preventing the waiting time setting process of FIG. 11 from being performed again until it occurs. Since the set flag is initially not set (= 0), the process proceeds to step S532, and whether the current effect mode is the normal effect mode or the special effect mode from the state of the special effect mode mode flag. Judging.

  Since the special effect mode flag is set for the first time after winning the special effect mode lottery (step S523 in FIG. 10), the flag is not set at first, and the effect mode is in the normal effect mode. The process branches to S533, where “1” is set in the “standby effect flag” (step S533), and 30 seconds is set in the “standby state timer” as the length of the standby state period (step S534). Then, the set flag is set to “1” (step S537), the standby time setting process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

  If the special effect mode flag is set, the effect mode is in the special effect mode, so the process branches to step S535, the standby effect flag is set to “2” (step S535), and the standby state timer is set to stand by. 10 seconds is set as the length of the state period (step S536). Thereby, the time spent in the standby state during the special performance mode is set to be shortened to 10 seconds, which is shorter than 30 seconds of the time spent in the standby state during the normal performance mode. Then, the set flag is set to “1” (step S537), the standby time setting process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

  Here, the “standby effect flag” is a flag for managing the total period (standby effect period) of the standby state and the demonstration effect state, and is set when the standby state is entered (steps S533 and S535), and thereafter changes. When the pattern command is received, the non-setting state is restored (step S507). The “standby state timer” is a timer for managing the length of time (the length of the period in the standby state) from the transition to the demonstration effect state after entering the standby state in the standby effect period. .

  The “set flag” described above is a time point after the set time of the standby state timer of 30 seconds or 10 seconds is up (step S614 in FIG. 13), or the above 10 seconds. When the set time of the timer during the special effect mode of minutes is up and the special effect mode is ended (step S629 in FIG. 13), the state is returned to the non-set state. When the set flag is returned to the non-set state (= 0), it is possible to go from step S531 to steps S532 to S537 again, and the standby state timer is reset. Therefore, in the normal gaming state in which the next variation pattern command arrives during the timer time of 30 seconds or 10 seconds, the standby state timer is not set again, and bypasses steps S532 to S537. Then, the waiting time setting process is passed without doing anything. That is, until the demonstration effect screen is displayed or until the effect mode is switched, the value of the standby effect flag and the value of the standby state timer set before that are maintained.

  In addition to the time point after execution of the demonstration effect (step S614 in FIG. 13), the time point when the special effect mode ends (step S629 in FIG. 13) also exists as the time point when the set flag is returned to the non-set state. The reason is that if the set flag is not returned to the non-set state when the special effect mode is ended, the process cannot proceed from step S531 to step S532 in FIG. This is because the standby time cannot be set because the standby effect command is received, but steps S532 to S537 cannot be performed.

(4-2-3-2. Standby time correction process: FIG. 12)
Returning to FIG. 9, the process proceeds from the standby time setting process to the standby time correction process (FIG. 12) in step S513. This standby time correction processing measures the standby state set to 10 seconds when the production intervention operation button is pressed immediately after entering the standby state during the standby production mode (within 8 seconds). This is a process of resetting the current value of the timer time of the waiting state timer to 2 seconds to correct the waiting time.

  In the standby time correction process of FIG. 12, first, the value of the standby effect flag is checked (step S541). The standby effect flag is set to “0” if it is not set, “1” if it is in the normal effect mode, and “2” if it is in the special effect mode. Since the case where the standby effect command is received is handled at present, if the value of the standby effect flag is “2” (in the standby effect mode), it can be determined that the standby state is in the standby effect mode. Therefore, if the standby effect flag is set to 0 or 1, the standby time correction process is terminated without doing anything. If the standby effect flag is set to 2, the process branches from step S541 to step S542. In step S542, the value T of the standby state timer at that time, that is, the remaining time T of the standby state timer after entering the standby state is checked. The standby state timer is counted down to 0 with the passage of time from the set 10 seconds. In step S542, it is determined whether the value (remaining time) T of this standby state timer is less than 2 seconds (0 <T <2sec) (step S542).

  When the value (remaining time) T of the standby state timer is 2 seconds or more (step S542: 2 sec ≦ T), that is, within 8 seconds after the standby state timer starts timing (the remaining time of the standby state timer is 10 seconds to If 2 seconds remain), the process proceeds to step S543, and it is checked whether or not the effect intervention operation button (frame effect button 13) has been turned ON during the period of 8 seconds or less (step S543). When the ON operation is performed, 2 seconds is set in the standby state timer (step S544). That is, the timer value (remaining time 10 seconds to 2 seconds) of the standby state timer is corrected (reset) to shorten it to the remaining 2 seconds. In this way, if the symbol change stops and the player enters the standby state, the player does not know this, and before the standby state enters 8 seconds, the effect intervention operation button (frame effect) is displayed. When the button 13) is turned ON, the demonstration effect screen can be displayed immediately, that is, when the remaining time is 2 seconds without waiting until the value T of the standby state timer becomes 0 seconds. Therefore, by the appearance of this demonstration effect screen, it is possible to notify the player at an early stage that a game ball should be launched.

<5. Production execution processing: FIG. 13>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the effect execution process (step S402).

  In the effect execution process shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the special effect mode is in progress based on whether or not the special effect mode flag is in the set state (step S601). (Step S601: NO), the presence / absence of an execution instruction based on the received command is checked (Step S602). If there is no execution instruction based on the received command (Step S602: NO), the process goes through the processing route of Steps S601 to S602. In S611, if there is an execution instruction based on the received command (step S602: YES), an effect is executed based on the received command, and the process proceeds to step S611. If it is determined in step S601 that the special effect mode is in effect (step S601: YES), the process directly enters step S611, and the value of the standby effect flag is determined.

  This standby effect flag is set to “1” or “2” through the standby time setting process. If the standby effect flag is set to “1” or “2”, it is next determined whether or not the timer time of the standby state timer has elapsed (step S612). The timer time determined here is whether or not 30 seconds have elapsed in the normal performance mode, whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed in the special performance mode, and steps S542 to S544 of the correction process. In the case where the time has been shortened, it is determined whether or not 2 seconds of the standby state timer value reset in step S544 has elapsed.

  If the timer time of the standby state timer has not yet elapsed (step S612: NO), the process proceeds to step S621 without doing anything. On the other hand, when the timer time of the standby state timer has elapsed (step S612: YES), a demonstration effect execution process is performed (step S613).

  In the case of this embodiment, two types of demonstration effects are prepared. In the demonstration effect execution process (step S613) described above, as shown in FIG. 14, the value of the standby effect flag is checked (step S631). The demonstration effect 1 is executed (step S632), and if in the special effect mode, the contents of the demonstration effect 2 are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36 and the demonstration effect 2 is executed (step S633). As a result, the production contents differ between the demonstration production 1 in the normal production mode and the demonstration production 2 in the special production mode. However, the demonstration content 1 in the normal performance mode and the demonstration performance 2 in the special performance mode can be the same content.

  After executing the demonstration effect, the set flag is cleared and returned to the non-set state (step S614), and the process proceeds to step S621.

  If the process after step S621 is entered, it is first checked whether or not the timer time of the special effect mode timer has expired. If it has not been completed (step S621: NO), that is, if the special effect mode is continued, three special effect symbols are to be played in order to play a slot-type stop button chance game as a dedicated effect in the special effect mode. The fluctuation is started (step S622). In this stop button chance game, as shown in FIG. 16A, three special effect symbols are variably displayed in a side-by-side display area in a so-called slot game format, as shown in FIG. 16B. After displaying the message “Press the button!” To inform the player of the button operation chance, by pressing the frame effect button 13 that is the effect intervention operation button, the change display is shown as shown in FIG. The game is a big hit when three special effects symbols are available. When the change is stopped, the game result is notified by sound and image. When the game is lost, a message such as “Amazing!” Is displayed as shown in FIG. 16C, and when the game is a big hit, as shown in FIG. A message such as “Success!” Is announced. It is a game that the player expects when the success or failure of the jackpot is determined by the appropriateness of the operation timing of the frame effect button 13. FIG. 16 illustrates two cases where the results of the stop button chance game are different. (A) to (b) show a loss, and (d) to (f) show a winning case.

  After the three special effects symbols have started to change (see FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (d)), a button operation chance message is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 36 with the letters "Press the button!" "Press!" Is generated from the speaker 46 (step S623) (see FIGS. 16B and 16E).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the frame effect button 13 of the effect intervention operation button has been pressed (step S624). When the frame effect button 13 of the effect intervention operation button is pressed (step S624: YES), the variation of the three special effect symbols is stopped in consideration of the reception information of the received command (step S625) (FIG. 16 (c)). ) (See (f)), the message “Lost!” Or the jackpot message “Success!” Is notified with an image and sound (step S626). Then, the effect execution process ends.

  The program returns to step S624 in FIG. 13 through the cyclic processing routes in steps S501 and S513 in FIG. 9, step S541 in FIG. 12, steps S601, S611, and S621 to S624 in FIG.

  If the frame effect button 13 of the effect intervention operation button is not pressed in step 624 (step S624: NO), the effect execution process is temporarily exited from step S627, and a predetermined chance time, for example, 2 seconds elapses. It waits to do (step S627: NO). Thereby, it will be in the state which the fluctuation | variation of the symbol for special effects continued. If it is determined in step S627 that the chance time has expired (step S627: YES), the process proceeds to step S625 to stop the variation of the special effect design (step S625), and a big hit or a loss is notified (step S625). S626), the effect execution process is terminated.

  The stop button chance game is repeatedly performed through the cyclic processing routes of steps S501 and S513 in FIG. 9, step S541 in FIG. 12, and steps S601, S611, and S621 to S627 in FIG.

  Since 10 minutes of the special effect mode has elapsed while the stop button chance game is repeated (step S621: YES), the special effect mode flag is cleared to end the special effect mode (step S628). Further, the set flag is cleared (step S629), and the effect execution process is terminated.

<6. Specific example>
FIG. 15 is a transition diagram showing operations in the normal performance mode and the special performance mode.

(6-1. Normal production mode: FIG. 15A)
(Time t1 to t4)
In the operation in the normal effect mode, the variation pattern command is transmitted from the main control unit 20 to the effect control unit 24 at each of the times t1 to t4 in FIG. In the command reception process (step S401) of FIG. 8, in the detailed flow shown in FIG. 9, the effect control unit 24 receives this in step S502 of the command reception process of FIG. If the change pattern command is a reach (specific pattern K), the process proceeds directly to step S504. If the change pattern command is not reach, the process proceeds to step S506, and the processes of steps S506, S508, and S509 are performed. Execution based on the received variation pattern command is designated and set by the route.

  In the effect execution process of FIG. 13, since it is in the normal effect mode, the process proceeds from step S601 to step S602, the execution instruction based on the received command is confirmed (step S602: YES), and the effect based on the received command is executed. (Step S603). Since this is the normal effect mode, this effect is completed for each variation pattern with a single effect that is completed between one variation display.

(Time t5)
In the example of FIG. 15A, the last reserved memory is consumed at time t5 and the symbol variation is stopped, and the standby effect command is transmitted from the main control unit 20 in step S311 of FIG. When this standby effect command is received in step S511 of FIG. 9, the standby time setting process is entered in step S512 of FIG. 9, and the standby effect flag is set to “1” by the processing route of steps S531 to S534 in the detailed flow of FIG. "And the standby state timer is set to" 30 seconds ". In step S537, the set flag is set to “1”.

  Subsequently, the standby time correction process in step S513 of FIG. 9 is entered, and in the detailed flow of FIG. 12, the process proceeds to step S541, where the value of the standby effect flag is checked (step S541). Since the standby effect flag is set to “1”, the determination in step S541 is a branch to (= 0, 1), and the standby time correction process ends without performing any correction. After all, in the normal performance mode, the standby time correction process is exited without changing the set value (30 seconds) of the standby state timer.

(Time t6)
In the example of FIG. 15A, the set value (30 seconds) of the standby state timer elapses at time t6 without playing a game.

  In the effect execution process of FIG. 13, after passing through the processing route of steps S601 to S603, the value of the standby effect flag is checked (step S611). Since the standby effect flag is set to “1”, the process proceeds from step S611 to step S612, where it is determined whether or not the 30-second time count that is the set value of the standby state timer has ended. In the example of FIG. 15 (a), the elapse of 30 seconds has arrived at time t6 while the player has stopped launching. Accordingly, the determination in step S612 in FIG. 13 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S613, where a demonstration effect execution process is performed. For this demonstration effect, demonstration effect 1 prepared for the normal performance mode is executed (step S632 in FIG. 14).

(Time t7)
In the example of FIG. 15A, launching is resumed thereafter, a variation pattern command is transmitted at time t7, symbol variation starts, and execution of the demonstration effect ends. When the demonstration effect ends, the set flag is cleared and returned to the non-set state (= 0) (step S614 in FIG. 13). This makes it possible to set the standby effect flag and the standby state timer again when the next variation pattern command is received.

  When the variation pattern command is received in step S502 of FIG. 9, it is determined in step S506 that the standby effect flag is not zero (= 1), so the process proceeds to step S507, where the standby effect flag is cleared and not set (= 0). Therefore, the period during which the standby effect flag is set is a period (standby effect period) that combines the standby state (30 seconds) and the demonstration effect state.

  After the above, a single effect in the normal effect mode is made for each variation pattern while setting the standby state timer to 30 seconds.

  If the standby effect command is received, the standby time setting process (step S512) is performed again, and the normal effect mode is continued.

(6-2. Special production mode: FIG. 15B)
Switching from the normal performance mode to the special performance mode is performed as follows. A variation pattern command is transmitted from the main control unit 20 to the effect control unit 24 at each of times t1 to t4 in FIG. The effect control unit 24 receives this in step S502 of FIG.

(Time t1)
The variation pattern received at time t1 in FIG. 15B is a command that does not reach (not the specific pattern K). When this command is received, it is based on the received command according to the processing route of steps S503, S506, S508, and S509. Specify execution (normal production mode).

  In the effect execution process of FIG. 13, since the current time is the normal effect mode, the process proceeds from step S601 to step S602, and an execution instruction based on the received command is confirmed (step S602: YES), and the effect based on the received command is executed. (Step S603). Here, a single effect that is completed between one change display is performed.

(Time t2: Winning the special production mode lottery)
Next, the variation pattern received at time t2 in FIG. 15B is a command for the specific pattern K that requires reach, and when this is received, special effect mode lottery processing is performed by the processing route of steps S503 to S505. In step S521 of the detailed flow shown in FIG. 10, lottery of special effect mode lottery random numbers and determination of success or failure are performed. FIG. 15B shows a case where the lottery is won at time t2. When the lottery is won and the special effect mode is to be executed (step S522 in FIG. 10: YES), the special effect mode flag is set to “1” and the special effect mode timer setting time is 10 Minutes (steps S523 to S524 in FIG. 10).

  As a result, the normal effect mode is switched to the special effect mode at time t2, the timer during the special effect mode starts to count the set value of 10 minutes, and the special effect mode is started. In the effect execution process of FIG. 13, the determination in step S621 is NO (in the special effect mode), the process proceeds from step S621 to step S622, and the special effect of the stop button chance game is started (step S622).

  In the stop button chance game, a message “Press the button!” Regarding the button operation chance is notified by image and voice (step S623) (FIGS. 16B and 16E).

  Here, when the player presses the frame effect button 13 that is the effect intervention operation button (step S624: YES), or when the predetermined chance time has ended without the frame effect button 13 being pressed (step S627: YES). ), The variation of the three special effects symbols is stopped in consideration of the received command success / failure information (step S625), and the message “successful!” Or “encumbered!” Is displayed as a result of the stop button chance game. And is notified by voice (step S626). Thereafter, the effect execution process of FIG. 13 is exited.

  If the frame effect button 13 is not pressed (step S624: NO), the steps S621 to S623 are repeated until the predetermined chance time ends (step S627: NO), and the variation of the special effect design is continued. The notification of the button operation chance is repeated.

(Time t3 to t4)
The program returns to the command reception process (step S401) of FIG. 8 again, proceeds to step S501 in the detailed flow of FIG. 9, and determines whether or not an effect control command has been received.

  In the example of FIG. 15B, a variation pattern command that is not the specific pattern K, that is, a variation pattern command that does not reach, is received at times t3 and t4. Therefore, in FIG. 9, while the variation pattern command is being received, the determination in step S503 is NO (not the specific pattern K), the process proceeds to step S506, and the standby effect flag is in the non-set state (= 0). Confirm.

  At times t3 and t4, in the case of the normal performance mode, this corresponds to a state in which a “symbol variation operation” in which a symbol variation start and stop are set as one set continuously occurs. On the other hand, in the special effect mode, although it is influenced by whether or not the change command is valid at the times t3 and t4, the stop button chance game is effected and controlled under the control of only the effect control unit. However, since the symbol changing operation is performed in the background for the special symbol, the standby state has not yet occurred at the times t3 and t4. Therefore, in the determination of step S506, the above-described standby effect flag is in a non-set state (= 0) (later set at time t5 to “2” in step S535 during the standby time setting process of FIG. 11). . Therefore, the process proceeds from step S506 to step S508, bypassing step S507.

  In step S508, it is determined whether the special effect mode flag is set (= 1). Here, in the special effect mode lottery process performed at time t2 in FIG. 15B, the special effect mode flag is already set (= 1), so the determination in step S508 is YES (special effect mode). Middle flag = 1), the process proceeds from step S508 to step S510, and execution (special effect mode) instruction setting based on the received command is made.

  In the effect execution process of FIG. 13, the instruction contents of the execution (special effect mode) based on this received command are reflected in the fluctuation stop of the special effect symbol in step S625, and the special effect for the effect is taken into consideration. The change of the symbol is stopped. That is, when the variation pattern command includes hit information, the result of the stop button chance game is a big hit, and when the change pattern command includes lose information, the result of the stop button chance game is also lost.

  However, since the stop button chance game is repeatedly executed without being synchronized with the changing motion of the special symbol, the stop button chance game is continued even if the changing pattern command is not transmitted.

(Time t5)
At time t5 in FIG. 15 (b), all the stored storage is completed, and the control of the liquid crystal control unit 24 moves away from the control of the execution (special effect mode) instruction setting based on the received command, and the normal effect mode. The management state of the same category as the standby state in (indicated by the same “standby state” for the sake of convenience) is entered. At this time, what is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 36 is the continuation of the special effect of the same “stop button chance game” as before, and the special effect in the standby state is displayed to the player before It is recognized that the production “stop button chance game” is continuously displayed, and the player has not been informed that it has entered the standby state, and is thus not recognized by the player.

  First, at time t5 in FIG. 15B, a standby effect command (transmitted in step S311 of the special symbol management process in FIG. 6) is received in step S511 in FIG. 9 (step S511: YES). The time setting process (step S512) is entered.

  The process proceeds from step S531 in FIG. 11 to step S532, and it is determined whether or not the special effect mode flag is set (= 1) (step S532). Since the special effect mode flag is already set (= 1) and is in the special effect mode, the process proceeds to step S535, where the standby effect flag is set to “2” (step S535), and the standby state timer is set. 10 seconds is set (step S536). Then, the set flag is set (= 1) and the standby time setting process is terminated.

  After this set flag is set, the determination in step S531 is YES (the standby time has been set), so the demonstration effect of step S613 in FIG. 13 is executed (step S613), and the set flag is set. Is cleared (step S614), the set value of the standby state timer is held at 10 seconds.

(Time t6)
In the example of FIG. 15B, the set time (10 seconds) of the standby state timer elapses without playing a game at time t6, and the standby state is switched to the demonstration effect state. The feature here is the timing of switching from the standby state to the demonstration production state, which is 30 seconds after entering the standby state in the normal production mode, but 10 seconds after entering the standby state in the special production mode. It is shortened to about 1/3.

  Therefore, if the player is not aware that there is no hold memory and has continued only the stop button chance game even in the standby state, the screen switches to the demonstration effect state 10 seconds after entering the standby state. Therefore, it can be realized that there is no reserved memory, that is, that the game ball should be fired because the symbol changing operation of the special symbol is not performed in the background. Therefore, switching from the standby state to the demonstration effect state informs that the player is prompted to perform a launch operation. The standby state period until the screen switches to the demonstration production state after entering the standby state is 10 seconds, which is shorter than 30 seconds in the normal production mode, so the time period for the player to continue the stop button chance game without meaning is shortened In addition, since the game ball is restarted at an early stage, the operation of the gaming machine can be enhanced.

  In the effect execution process of FIG. 13, the process proceeds from step S601 to step S611, and the value of the standby effect flag is checked (step S611). Since the stand-by effect flag is set to “2”, the process proceeds from step S611 to step S612, where it is determined whether or not the 10-second time count, which is the set value of the stand-by timer, has ended. In the example of FIG. 15B, the elapse of 10 seconds has arrived at time t6 while the player has stopped launching. Accordingly, the determination in step S612 in FIG. 13 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S613, where a demonstration effect execution process is performed. In this demonstration production, demonstration production 2 prepared for the special production mode is executed (step S633 in FIG. 14).

(Time t7)
In the example of FIG. 15B, launching is resumed thereafter, a variation pattern command is transmitted at time t7, the symbol variation operation is started, and the execution of the demonstration effect ends. When the demonstration effect ends, the set flag is cleared and returned to the non-set state (= 0) (step S614 in FIG. 13). This makes it possible to set the standby effect flag and the standby state timer again when the next variation pattern command is received.

(Time t8)
At time t8 in FIG. 15 (b), a change pattern command arrives in the background, but because it is of the loss information, the stop button chance game is continued independently on the effect control unit 24 side.

(Time t9)
In the example of FIG. 15B, the stop button chance game is continued, and the set value of the special effect mode timer 10 minutes elapses at time t9.

  Accordingly, in the determination of step S621 in FIG. 13, the value of the special effect mode timer becomes zero (step S621: YES), the special effect mode flag is cleared to the non-set state (= 0) in step S628, and step In S629, the set flag is cleared to the non-set state (= 0). Here, the special effect mode flag being in the non-set state means that the special effect mode is switched to the normal effect mode.

  Although shown simultaneously at time t9, when a variation pattern command arrives thereafter, the standby effect flag is returned to the non-set state (= 0) in step S507 through the processing route of steps S502 to S507. Then, the process proceeds from step S508 to step S509, and execution (normal effect mode) instruction setting based on the received command is made (step S509). In the effect execution process, when there is an execution instruction based on this received command, an effect based on the received command is executed (step S603).

  Thereafter, a variation pattern command having a specific pattern K arrives and a special effect mode lottery is performed, and unless it is won, the normal effect mode will continue.

(6-3. At the time of directing operation buttons)
Although not shown, when 10 seconds in the standby state starts at time t5 in FIG. 15B and the frame effect button 13 is pressed within 8 seconds, that is, in steps S542 to S543 in FIG. When the determination in step S543 is YES through the processing route, the value of the standby state timer is reset to 2 seconds from the remaining number of seconds (2 seconds to 10 seconds) when the frame effect button 13 is pressed. Setting is made (step S545). For example, if it is assumed that the frame effect button 13 is pressed after 6 seconds have elapsed from the start of time measurement of 10 seconds, the standby state timer value T is reset to 2 seconds at this time, so Instead of waiting for the remaining 4 seconds to elapse, simply waiting for the remaining 2 seconds after resetting to switch to the demonstration effect state. As a result, the total time until switching from the standby state to the demonstration effect state is reduced from the normal 10 seconds to 8 seconds, and the player is informed that the launch of the game ball should be started earlier by the shortened time. be able to.

<Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the special effect mode lottery is performed by focusing on the variation pattern accompanied by the reach as the specific pattern K, and taking this opportunity as an opportunity. However, the special effect mode lottery is performed by focusing on the other specific pattern K. Anyway. It is also possible to perform the special effect mode lottery by paying attention to commands other than the variation pattern command.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the value of the "timer in special effect mode" which determines the period length of special effect mode was set to 10 minutes of predetermined value, it can be set to other arbitrary time lengths.

  In the above-described embodiment, the slot-type stop button chance game has been described as an example of the special effect in the special effect mode. However, the dedicated effect in the special effect mode may be game content of a player participation type, A so-called mission type or battle type game can be adopted.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the production intervention operation button is pressed during the standby state in the special production mode, the time is reduced from 10 seconds to 2 seconds. However, any time after the production intervention operation button is pressed (for example, 10 seconds). 7 seconds) from the time of pressing the production intervention operation button, the remaining standby state period is all cut off, and the demonstration production state is shifted to when the output intervention operation button is pressed. You can also.

  In the above embodiment, the special effect mode is ended after the timer time of the special effect mode is over. However, as shown in FIG. 17, step S634 is added after step S633, and the demonstration is performed in step S633. When the production 2 is finished, immediately after that, the special production mode timer and the special production mode flag are cleared to 0 to forcibly terminate the special production mode.

  The present invention can be applied to a ball game machine capable of switching display from the normal performance mode to the special performance mode.

1 Pachinko machine,
2 Front frame,
3 Game board,
4 outer frame,
5 ball guide rail,
6 Glass door frame,
7 Front operation panel
8 Upper tray unit,
9 Top saucer,
11 Ball rental button,
12 Card return button,
13 Frame production button,
14 Ball release button,
15 Launch control handle,
19 game ball dispensing device,
20 Main control unit,
24 production control unit,
28 Launch control board,
29 payout control board,
31 power supply board,
32 launcher,
34 Upper starting port,
35 Lower starting port,
36 liquid crystal display devices,
37 Normal design starting port,
38 Special symbol display device,
39 Normal symbol display device,
40 Grand Prize Winners,
41 Ordinary variable winning device,
42 Special variable winning device,
43 General prize opening,
44 Windmill,
45 Decorative lamp,
46 speakers,
47 Movable wing pieces,
48 Center decoration,
49 Out mouth,
201 main control CPU,
202 main control ROM,
203 main control RAM,
241 Production control CPU,
242 Production control ROM,
243 Production control RAM.

Claims (3)

A main control unit that comprehensively controls the game operation, a display unit that can display an effect according to the progress of the game, and an effect control unit that controls the effect of the display unit,
While controlling the symbol variation operation displayed on the display means by a variation pattern command transmitted from the main control unit,
Based on the standby effect command received from the main control unit when the standby state where the symbol variation operation is not performed is reached, the effect control unit displays the standby effect on the display means,
In the gaming machine configured to shift to the demonstration effect state when the standby state in which the symbol variation operation is not performed in the standby effect continues for a certain time or more,
The main control unit
When the start condition is further satisfied during the symbol variation operation based on the establishment of the start condition, the storage unit that temporarily holds the execution of the symbol variation operation based on the establishment of the start condition and stores the predetermined information up to the upper limit number When,
Transmitting means capable of transmitting the variation pattern command in response to establishment of a start condition or digestion of the reserved memory, and capable of transmitting the standby effect command when the symbol variation stops and the standby state without the reserved memory is reached. When,
Have
The production control unit
Receiving means capable of receiving the variation pattern command and the standby effect command;
When the receiving unit receives a specific pattern among the variation pattern commands, the symbol variation for the number of times exceeding the number of the reserved memories from the normal rendering mode where the rendering is completed for each symbol variation operation. Production mode switching means capable of switching to a special production mode that develops a special production over a predetermined length of time determined so as to be able to straddle the operation,
When the production mode when the standby production command is received is the special production mode, the standby state time length from the start of the standby state to the transition to the demonstration production state period is the normal production mode. Standby time setting means for setting shorter than the standby state time length in the case,
Having
A ball game machine characterized by that. The effect control unit includes an effect intervention operation button that is connected to the effect control unit and can be operated by a player, and a special effect of a player participation type game that operates the effect intervention operation button during the special effect mode. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball game machine is developed over the predetermined time length . The contents of the demonstration effect to be displayed on said display means in said special effect mode, wherein the normal made different from the contents of the demonstration effect to be displayed on said display means in effect mode, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A ball game machine.

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